~by Valerie Ogren for the Greene County Genealogical Society
Meeting notice: The Greene County Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, March 5, at 10 am in the basement meeting room of the Jefferson public library. Jerry Roberts, master story teller, will share with us “Stories My Grandmother Told Me.” Guests are always welcome – and this is one you surely don’t want to miss.
The reference library will be open at 9 am if you would like to do some research before the meeting. The basement is handicapped accessible. Come try out the new elevator.
Greene Gleanings: For those of you who wondered what happened to your October newsletter issue – nothing. However, by the time you read this most of you will have gotten your email edition. I was able to put together a little something for October, but family health issues have taken much of my time. I have combined it with the membership list and publication list usually sent in January.
[This issue will have the final continuation of the Greene County Naturalization Records. I will print a complete alphabetical list for our reference library.] Hopefully, I will be able to send out an April issue in a timely fashion. But I could certainly use some help. I might add that it was an out-of-state member who questioned why they hadn’t received it.
Local members may not feel the newsletter is important, but to those who live away from here but have roots in Greene County, it is their only connection. Without it, they have no reason to maintain a membership. If you have information you would like to see included, please contact me – or share one of your family stories.
Help with DNA: Some of our members have sent to Ancestry or other sources to get a DNA test in hopes of unlocking some of the mystery in their ancestry. I haven’t taken that leap yet, because it seems that some have found the results to be confusing, disappointing or overwhelming.
If you would like help in understanding your results, there is an event in Iowa City you might want to attend. On April 25, from 12 to 3 pm, there will be a hands-on workshop at the Iowa City public library computer room. It will be designed for people to bring their results and get personal interpretation help from several UI students.
There is also a lecture by someone with Ancestry DNA on April 24 at 3 pm in the Biology Building East, University of Iowa. I’m not sure if there is a cost involved, but you already have made a substantial investment in the test. This is an opportunity to understand the results. [Thanks to my friend Bonnie Mitchell Boothroy for passing along the information.]
Reference library: People keep saying that spring is just around the corner. I keep seeing a few robins and occasional geese. If that is a harbinger of spring – or at least nicer weather – the reference library should be open soon on a regular basis. To make an appointment, call Arlene Johnson at 515-386-5431.
Just a reminder that all of our Greene County publications of birth, death, marriage, census, cemetery, etc. are available for reference in the adult section of the Jefferson public library. In addition, you can also view newspaper microfilm there for Jefferson, Grand Junction and Scranton. If you are interested in some one-on-one assistance at the reference library computer, just give me a call at 515-370-3570.
Contact us: Our web page is located at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iagcgs/. Email us at gcgsiowa@hotmail.com or P O Box 133, Jefferson IA 50129-0133.
Dues are due: Individual dues remain at $7.50 and family memberships are $10. Several years ago, we changed the bylaws to include lifetime membership – $75 for individuals or $100 for family. Send to the address above.
