We will still meet the next Monday (third Monday), November 21, at the Quitman Library at 6 p.m. to help people with genealogy or cut out obituaries, but we will not have the program part of the meeting (this time only) at 7 p.m. that night. Those who wish to can meet with us at Peralta’s at 5 p.m. Monday night, November 21 for our pre-meeting eating and visiting time. By the way, it’s not necessary to eat when meeting with us there. If you just want to visit pre-meeting feel free to come on.

If you know a local member who does not get email, would you please call them and tell them about our special program plans for November.

A luncheon honoring those who have volunteered time and effort in support of the society activities will be held Monday, October 3 at noon at the Texas Tea Room. We will treat our invited guests to lunch, but the luncheon will be Dutch treat for members attending. It is important that local members who do not have schedule conflicts attend to show support for these folks.

The October 17 regular meeting of the society will be an obituary workshop. All members who have clippings of obituaries or who have been working on our newspapers collected for obituary searching are asked to bring all their papers and clippings to the 7:00 p.m. regular meeting that night. The usual social gathering at Peralta’s Mexican Restaurant will be at 5 p.m., and the Shamburger room at the library will be open at 6 p.m. to help members or the general public with genealogy research questions. Materials also will be made available for beginners to family tree research at the same time.

The society will be responsible for the display case in the library lobby during October in recognition of National Family History month. If you have family history items to display, ideas for the display or would like to help, contact Requisitions and Acquisitions Co-chairs Shirley Bates and Dorothy Harbin next week before the end of September.

Plans were made to provide exhibits at the library during Old Settlers’ Reunion week next year which carry the theme of early families in Wood County. Also, planned was for the society to participate in a fund raiser during the Annual Highway 37 Garage Sale.

A committee consisting of President Ronnie Vance and Requisitions and Acquisitions Co-chair Shirley Bates will work on adoption of criteria for a Distinguished Service Award for deserving members of the society.

Funding a Quitman Public Library subscription to Ancestry.com for use of the general public and members was discussed at the meeting. The biggest question about such a project revolved around funding and how to accomplish that. No motions were made, and further investigation is expected.

Officers and committee chairs were introduced. They are President Ronnie Vance, Vice-President Deason Hunt, Secretary Shirley Patrick, Treasurer Wayne McCluney, and these chairpersons: Ways and Means Ronnie Vance, Editorial Deason Hunt, Membership Shirley Patrick, Budget and Finance Wayne McCluney, Requisition and Acquisition Shirley Bates (co) and Dorothy Harbin (co), Publicity Kathy Lutonsky, Obituary Mary Ann Niswanger, and Hospitality and Gift Sally Allcorn.

President Ronnie Vance thanked all members who helped with the George Morgan workshop and Old Settlers’ Reunion Display

In order to coordinate what we need to bring, please contact Sally Allcorn, our Hospitality Chairman for the 2011-12 society year, and let her know what you plan to bring that evening. That’s to make sure we don’t get too much of the same items and come up short on others. Contact Sally at rsalcrn@peoplecom.net or 903-763-4191.

To those who live in other states, we realize that a trip from California or elsewhere at great distances might not be possible. However, if you are in the area, come on down. We would love to have a chance to see you and visit in person.

1. Dues ($15 for individual members and $20 for family membership) are payable in September. You can bring them to the meeting or mail them starting now and through September to Treasurer, Wood County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 832, Quitman, Texas 75783. It is important to get them in as soon as possible so that we can start funding 2011-2012 society activities.

2. Officers and chairpersons for the year:
President – Ronnie Vance
Vice-President – Deason Hunt
Secretary – Shirley Patrick
Treasurer – Wayne McCluney

Chairpersons
Ways and Means – Ronnie Vance
Editorial – Deason Hunt
Membership – Shirley Patrick
Budget and Finance – Wayne McCluney
Requisition and Acquisition-Shirley Bates (co)
-Dorothy Harbin (co)
Publicity – Kathy Lutonsky
Obituary – Mary Ann Niswanger
Hospitality and Gift – Sally Allcorn

A number of members indicated they would like to work with the various committees. Now is a great time to contact the chairpersons and let them know what you are ready and willing to do in those areas.

July 18 (Monday)
>>>> 5 p.m. — Pre-training meeting at Peralta’s. (This is open to all members and guests even if you aren’t going to the training.)

>>>> 6:30-8:00 p.m. — Computer training at the Quitman Public Library. This week: Mousing, Mailing, and General Connecting (If you signed up and don’t plan to attend, let us know as early as possible. Also, if you have a wifi enabled laptop, don’t forget to bring it.)

August 3 (Wednesday)
>>>> 8 a.m. — Setup tables, chairs, Canopy

>>>> 6 – 7:30 p.m. — First shift manning the booth (Be ready at 6:00)

>>>> 7:30-9 p.m. — Second shift manning the booth

August 4 (Thursday)
>>>> 6 – 7:30 p.m. — First shift manning the booth (Be ready at 6:00)

>>>> 7:30-9 p.m. — Second shift manning the booth

August 5 (Friday)
>>>> 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Genealogy Workshop (open to members and the public) at the Shamburger Room of the Quitman Public Library by national genealogy expert and speaker George G. Morgan.

>>>> 6 – 7:30 p.m. — First shift manning the booth (Be ready at 6:00)

>>>> 7:30-9 p.m. — Second shift manning the booth

August 6 (Saturday)
>>>> 6 – 7:30 p.m. — First shift manning the booth (Be ready at 6:00)

>>>> 7:30-9 p.m. — Second shift manning the booth (and close down booth)

This is one of our biggest and busiest weeks of the year. Please plan to volunteer to help if at all possible. More details on the Friday workshop will be out soon.

You can volunteer for times and tasks with an email to wcgstx@gmail.com. We will put a sign-up sheet in the library soon, and bring one to the July 18 meetings.

The society will also elect officers for the 2011-2012 society year at the meeting which begins at 7 p.m. at the Shamburger Room of the Quitman Public Library.

The pre-meeting gathering (optional but open to all members and guests) at Peralta’s Mexican Restaurant will be at 5:30 p.m. rather than the normal earlier time for this month only. Also, the pre-meeting help period for members and public desiring help getting started on their family tree or overcoming brick walls will not be held at the May meeting.

Pat Allen shared "old timey" music

A survey of members was taken at the meeting to see who would be interested in computer lessons starting at the regular meeting times in June, July, and August as well as an interest survey of which jobs members might like to do in helping the society meet its goals in the 2011-2012 society year. Payment for room use in the summer months was also approved at the meeting. Details concerning both the surveys will be compiled and shared in the coming months.

It was also announced that to accommodate the meeting plans of the Retired Teachers Association on our meeting night in May, the fun meeting at Peralta’s would be moved that one time only to 5:30 at Peralta’s. The 6 p.m. research help session at the library will be cancelled that day, and the regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m. as usual.

Pat Allen

Free help is available with getting started on a family tree and for genealogy brick walls for members and the general public starting at 6 p.m. at the Shamburger Room and will also be available after the program if time permits.

Members and guests are also welcome to the pre-meeting gathering for dinner and conversation at Peralta’s Mexican Restaurant in Quitman.