Photo Consultations for June 20: Schedule Change

For anyone who is considering a sign-up for a consultation on an old family photograph with Maureen Taylor on June 20, we have a schedule change. The series of four available separate15-minute consultations will begin at 11:15am and continue at 11:30, 11:45, and 12 noon, rather than beginning at 9:30am. To coordinate scheduling, it is best to send an email request in care of David Martin (davidchina_2000@yahoo.com), who can then coordinate the plan with Maureen Taylor. Questions? contact Carolyn Weiss at carlysue01@comcast.net).

Annual Meeting Is Confirmed

The Annual Meeting and Luncheon for CCGS is set for Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Registration is at full capacity at the Old Yarmouth Inn in Yarmouthport. The cash bar and hors d'oeuvres will be available starting at 11:30AM. The Business meeting will start at 12 noon, with some important announcements, voting on the revised by-laws, and voting for officers and board members for 2012-2013. Luncheon will follow.

Starting during the dessert time, our featured speaker, Maureen Taylor, will provide her usual interesting presentation--this time on "DNA and Me", which will unravel the mysteries of DNA for genealogists. Maureen will also be available for individual consultations on identifying old photographs, starting with a series of 15-minute appointments at 9:30am at the Inn; the fee for consultations is $30 each, and there is still time to sign up for an appointment by accessing the website http://yarmouth-consults2012.eventbrite.com/. We look forward to seeing you on the 20th.

State Census Records : Featured library resource for June 2012

Published in 1992 by Genealogical Publishing Company, this book by Ann S. Lainhart grew out of her preparation for a presentation on State Census Records.  In the introduction she cites five reasons why state census records are important not to overlook, and gives examples:

• they may fill in gaps left by missing federal census records, such as 1890
• they may be made available sooner than the 72-year waiting period for federal census records
• many ask different questions from the federal censuses
• they may help fill out the picture (for example, some enumerators gave a lot of extra detail)
• middle names are often supplied

The book consists of chapters on each state, listing the availability of state census records, information that Lainhart found was often inaccurate in other sources.  For Massachusetts. she tells us that a state census was taken every ten years 1955-1945, but unfortunately the original data survive only for 1855 and 1865.  Both the original and microfilm versions are available at the Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point.

As many members know, the CCGS library volunteers are conducting an inventory of the collection, and noting publication dates for the catalog.  Although more than one book has turned up missing, this volume is one that was on the shelf and not in the catalog, which makes it all worthwhile!