Volume XX Number 1
February 2000
Editors: Vicki Renz and Debbie Pizzato
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The
Livermore Roots Tracer
Volume XX Number 1 February 2000 Editors: Vicki Renz and Debbie Pizzato |
The Roots Tracer is a quarterly publication with articles of interest to the genealogist. Members are encouraged to submit their "Profiles" and articles of general interest. Queries are free. The Roots Tracer is published in February, May, August and November.The deadline for each quarterly is the 15th of the previous month. Submissions must contain the name of the submitter, as well as the name of the author, publication and date of any published article that is being quoted. Send material to: The Roots Tracer, P. O. Box 901, Livermore, CA 94551-0901 or E-mail: rootstracer@l-ags.org
Table of Contents
Note: This volume consists of continuous articles (an 85 KB file) so you can scroll through to the end. Please be patient while it is loading.
Copyright Notice: No articles may be reproduced for profit or commercial gain without the express consent of the authors, the editors, or the Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society.
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Membership Reminder From Joyce Siason and Eileen Redman |
Congratulations and a thank you to everyone that has sent in their dues.
Membership at this date has 131 Individual Memberships, 35 Family Memberships, 3 Benefactors, 7 Life Memberships, 2 Honorary Memberships, and 5 Honorary Charter Memberships for a total of 183 memberships. Total number of people who are members is 220.
Since the first of the year, we have gained four new memberships.
There are approximately 50 memberships to be renewed and they will be contacted before we delete anyone.
Dues will be delinquent after February 29, 2000.
Dues are $18 for individual and $25 for a family membership.
There is a membership form on the inside of the back page of the Roots Tracer.
This year we have new membership cards with the L-AGS logo. A thank you goes to Vicki Renz for her talents in designing the new card. If you haven’t received your card, it will be mailed with the Roots Tracer.
Renew now and get your new card.
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Outgoing President's Message |
Being your President has been a great experience! I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone for all of the help and extra effort during the past two years. I have learned so much from all of you and have had the opportunity to work with such great people. Your support made the job very rewarding and lots of fun!
The Board and all the Committee Members went above and beyond, taking on multiple duties, volunteering yet more time and coming up with new ideas to keep our club the best. I also appreciate all of the guidance, coaching, and learning the presidential ropes from David Abrahams. I pass the Presidency on to the capable leadership of Jon Bryan. He is enthusiastic about his new job and looking forward to serving you in 2000. See you in the pews!
Lori Codey
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Incoming President's Message By Jon Bryan |
Welcome to 2000!
I want to welcome L-AGS members into the year 2000 and wish you good fortune in solving "brick wall" genealogy puzzles both for yourselves and others. May your dedication, persistence, thorough record keeping, and reasoning all pay off!
I want to thank all of our L-AGS volunteers who have given time as officers, discussion leaders, cemetery census takers, docents, writers, and other workers. Some of you may remember when I was still working at LLNL, before retirement, I was not a volunteer with L-AGS. Thankfully, the other members of L-AGS filled in for me over those years. Now I am getting a chance to repay some of those earlier volunteers.
One of the major functions of L-AGS is to educate both beginning and experienced genealogists. With the advent of computers and genealogical software, we have broadened our educational functions to include genealogical software and even some computer instruction. One measure of our growth is that about 80 percent of our L-AGS membership now have e-addresses. I think this makes our group more than twice as computerized and connected to the Internet as the general US populace.
We plan to exhibit our genealogical CD-ROM collection at the California Genealogical Society Family History Fair on April 28 and 29. Earlier this week L-AGS members could take pride when they heard Marston Watson call it the "best genealogical CD-ROM collection in the Bay Area." We hope to have L-AGS volunteers sign up to oversee the computer table at this Fair this spring.
Some of you may know that I substitute for George Anderson on occasion as a Wednesday docent at the Pleasanton Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. What you may not know is that on at least half of those occasions I have learned more genealogy than the persons I was trying to help. Why? Often they would share their genealogy knowledge with me. Other times neither of us found the answer, but I followed up by asking George, someone else, or looking it up in the L-AGS references or the Internet. I found it very useful to ask for a person's e-address in case I located something after they left the library. Too often, I forget that being a docent is actually a two-way learning proposition. Sometimes it is useful to help work on the brick wall puzzles of others and see what we can learn to make us sharper genealogical detectives.
Please help me learn this new job as L-AGS President for 2000. I will appreciate all the ideas you share with me. I would like L-AGS to be an even better genealogical society each year.
Jon Burditt Bryan
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Editor's Message |
Thanks to all of you who contributed an article or other information to the Roots Tracer this time. We are very grateful for the responses. We enjoy hearing other people’s stories and believe that we can all learn from the experiences of others.
The name of the web site page is "G.R.O.W. - Genealogy Resources On the Web" sent in by Larry Renslow. It was not easy to make a decision as we received over 25 wonderful submissions to this call for help. Thanks to all our creative members who put their brains to work for us.
We hope you enjoy this newsletter - we believe it is one of the best so far - all due to your input and contributions!
Thanks again.
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Calendar of Meetings |
Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society has the following monthly meetings:
Family Tree Maker Focus Group: 1st Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at Livermore Adult Education Building, 543 Sonoma Avenue, Livermore. During the summer, meetings are held at the LDS Church, 950 Mocho Street, Livermore. For information contact Dick Finn at computer@l-ags.org.
General Meeting: 2nd Tuesday (except July), 7:30 p.m., at Congregation Beth Emek, corner of College Avenue & South M Street, Livermore. For information contact program@l-ags.org.
Study Group: 3rd Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the LDS Church, 950 Mocho Street, Livermore. For information, e-mail study@l-ags.org.
Computer Interest Group: 4th Thursday (except November and December), 7:30 p.m. at Livermore Adult Education Building, 543 Sonoma Avenue, Livermore. During the summer, meetings are held at the LDS Church, 950 Mocho Street, Livermore. For information e-mail computer@l-ags.org.
Other Area Genealogy Societies General Meetings
Contra Costa County Genealogical Society:
2nd Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the new Concord Police Station, 1350 Galindo Avenue, Concord.
East Bay Genealogical Society:
2nd Wednesday of each month, at 10 a.m. at the Dimond Branch of the Oakland Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland. This location is subject to change.
Hayward Area Genealogical Society
:4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the San Lorenzo Library, 395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo.
Mt. Diablo Genealogical Society
:3rd Friday of each month, 1 to 3 p.m. in the Community Room, CivicBank of Commerce, 1940 Tice Valley Road, Walnut Creek.
San Joaquin Genealogical Society:
3rd Thursday of each month at 1:00 or 7:00 p.m. at various locations.
San Mateo County Genealogical Society:
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. in the Belmont Central School, 525 Middle Road, Belmont.
San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society
:3rd Tuesday of each month (except August and December), 10 a.m. at the Guardian Rehabilitation Hospital, 7777 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon.
Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society:
3rd Thursday of each month, at 7:00 p.m. (except August and December) in the community room of the Santa Clara City Library, 2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara.
Solano County Genealogical Society:
4th Thursday of each month (except July, August, November and December) at 7:00 p.m. in the Fairfield Senior Center, 1200 Civic Center Drive, Fairfield.
Sonoma County Genealogical Society:
4th Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. (except July, August, and December) in Room 2009, Lark Hall, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa.
Stanislaus County Genealogical Society:
3rd Thursday of each month (except July and December) at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Covell Hall, 1600 Carver Road, Modesto.
Tracy Area Genealogical Society:
4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Lolly Hansen Senior Center, 375 9th Street, Tracy.
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Upcoming Seminars and Workshops |
March 18 - San Mateo County Genealogical Society Seminar featuring Marielle Bourgeois, historian and genealogist specializing in French research, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Geneva Hall, First Presbyterian Church, Hacienda & West 25th Avenue, San Mateo. For information, check their web site.
March 25 - Tuolumne County Genealogical Society Spring Seminar - Civil War expert, Grace-Marie Hackwell, will be featured. Sonora, CA.
March 25 - Contra Costa County Genealogical Society Seminar - "Taking Your Genealogy on Vacation," 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Concord.
April 1 – Sacramento German Genealogy Society will present John Philip Colletta speaking on immigration and naturalization. For information, write to V. Boisseree, Sacramento German Genealogy Society, P.O. Box 66061, Sacramento, CA 95866-0061 or fax 916-421-8032.
April 15, 2000 – Sonoma County Genealogical Society will present Curt B. Witcher in an all-day seminar titled "Finding Family History: Records and Methods," Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, just off Highway 101 at the River Road/Mark West exit north of Santa Rosa. Registration is $15 for members, $18 for non-members, $20 at the door.April 28 & 29 – California Genealogical Society Family History Fair at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. "Routes to Your Roots," Friday - noon to 8:00 p.m., Saturday - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pre-registration for CGS members - $15 (one day) & $25 (two days); non-members - $20 & $30. Check their web site for more information.
May 6 & 7 - Southern California Genealogical Society "Genealogical Jamboree" at the Pasadena Convention Center. Check their web site.
May 6 - Sacramento - Root Cellar Seminar featuring Cyndi Howells.
May 31 - June 3 - Providence, RI - National Genealogical Society Annual Conference in the States - "New England, Bridge to America," hosted by New England Regional Genealogical Conference. For information, check the web site.
July 20-22 - Ft. Wayne, IN - National Conference sponsored by the Allen County Public Library and its Foundation. More than 90 lectures over three days covering research methodology, technology in genealogy, and research sources, with major vendors in attendance also.
August 24-26 - Long Beach, CA - British Isles Family History Society - USA - Seminar on board the Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor. Includes a wide variety of topics by noted genealogical speakers. Contact the British Isles Family History Society - USA, 2531 Sawtelle Boulevard, PMB 134, Los Angeles, CA 90064-3124. Check their web site - www.rootsweb.com/~bifhsusa
September 6 to 9, 2000 – Federation of Genealogical Societies – National Conference "A World of Records." For information, write FGS Business Office. P.O. Box 200940, Austin, TX 78720-0940, visit their web site; call 888-FGS-1500; fax 888-380-0500; or e-mail fgs-office@fgs.org
September 16-17 - San Diego Genealogical Society Genealogical and Family History Fair - at the Scottish Rites Center. For information, see their web site.
September 16 - L-AGS Seminar - "Researching Your Family History," at the Pleasanton LDS Church, 6101 Valley Avenue, Pleasanton, CA.
September 22-24 - Federation of East European Family History Societies (FEEFHS) - Sixth Annual Convention at the Best Western Salt Lake Plaza Hotel. For information, write: FEEFHS 2000 Convention, P.O. Box 510898, Salt Lake City, UT 84151-0898 or see the web site.
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The
Search for Jacob Carmichael By Beth Rauch |
It is hard to write a short and concise paragraph about genealogy research, and something that won't bore the reader but here's my story.
Ten years ago my father wanted me to find some information on the family of his grandfather. I began with my great-grandfather’s death certificate. Great-great-grandmother was easy to find in the census of 1860 in Rock Island, IL. She claimed to be a widow. Great-great-grandfather’s body and/or family did not appear to exist, however. There was no trace of any family members in that area either before or after 1860. Eventually I came across a tiny record in a small book of indexed court cases of the 1860s done by the local genealogical society. The "widow" had obtained a divorce in 1865 from the husband who had abandoned her and their three children in 1859. There were two pages of divorces for 1865; all the rest were men divorcing their wives because they found an extra child in the family when they came home from the Civil War!
I was able to get a copy of the original divorce proceedings from the courthouse attic that told the whole story. Jacob Carmichael had sold all their worldly possessions and gone to Pikes Peak to hunt for gold in 1859. Thousands of men did the same that summer and huge numbers turned back within 2 weeks. Jacob went on to California and was not heard of again. I located Jacob in the gold country of California in the 1860 census. By 1870, he was in San Jose with a second family. I had a real bigamist in the family. He married his second wife in 1863, two years before his first wife divorced him in absentia in Illinois.
I was able to get a lot of information on the second family, as well as the history of the family going back to the 1700s through OH, PA and NJ as a result of research in San Jose and the eastern states, but I was unable to locate present day descendants of the second family. This fall, thanks to information from an e-mail pen pal in Oklahoma, I was finally able to locate those descendants in Los Altos. Not only were they interested in genealogy, but they also had quite a collection of material themselves. They knew nothing of the existence of Jacob’s first family and were thrilled to find out they had a bigamist ancestor. They gave me copies of letters written in 1882 and from 1905-1912, detailing family history going back to the 1700s and giving me the information I needed to fill in Jacob’s generation and that of his parents. The letters even told where Jacob’s father was buried - by himself, in a tiny little county cemetery in Iowa, something I would never have been able to find any other way. The letters told family tales of crossing the Midwest in the middle 1850s and were fascinating to read. It was a genealogist’s pot of gold.
It turned out that Jacob, the bigamist, had gone to Pikes Peak with his father and one of his brothers. Pikes Peak was a bust and the father wanted to turn back but the sons wanted to continue to California. The father agreed to go along because he had been to California before, in 1849, and thought he could be of use. They panned for gold in California for awhile and then Jacob took his money and went to San Francisco on a business deal. When he didn’t return the father and brother each traveled to San Francisco trying to find him. They could find no trace of him there and no indication that he had taken a boat back home. They decided he must have been murdered for his money. The father remained in California 7 years and the brother 11 years before returning to the Midwest. The parents eventually died never knowing what happened to Jacob. Jacob himself died in 1879 when his oldest son in his California family was 12 years old. In 1905 this son, in his 30s, came into contact with a man from the location in Iowa from which his deceased father had come and asked if he knew of any Carmichaels in that county. The Iowa man knew the whole family and put the two parts of the family in touch with each other over 40 years after they had lost contact the first time. Jacob’s son in California corresponded with Jacob’s brother in Iowa for the next 7 years until the son died and those are the letters that were saved.
Another 90 years have passed and two parts of the family have found each other again. In addition to my own research, I have benefited greatly from research done by a lady in Oklahoma 40 or 50 years ago and left in the Washington County, PA, library for other Carmichael researchers to use, as well as the marvelous opportunities provided by the Internet for making contact with other researchers in the same line. This fall I have added file folders of data from 7 different people around the country doing research on their particular lines of this family. The Internet is certainly changing the face of genealogy!
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The Mark of the Basque |
It is estimated that Basque sheepherders hand carved images of their daily lives, their names, dreams, and even their vital records on as many as a million aspen trees throughout the Sierra Nevada. They spent months alone grazing sheep in the immensity of the American West. Isolated and far from their homeland, a mountainous region between France and Spain, they suffered extreme loneliness.
During the California Gold Rush, Basques came in great numbers, providing the growing population of the state with wool and mutton. At one time, more than 1 million sheep wintered in the Sacramento Valley. Summer grazing would find the herders in the higher elevation of the Sierra Nevada.
Nearly all of these nomadic and very independent people stopped coming to the United States in the early 1960s as the economy of their homeland improved. Yet their carvings or "arborglyphs" remain. For instance, "1933 Raimundo Em Beyta," and "E.D. Larr, died 11-1-16 RIP," with a large arrow pointing to the pile of rocks at the base of the tree. Most of the known carvings were made in the 1920s and 1930s. That makes them old enough to be of historic significance. But what do you do when few people are knowledgeable enough to recognize the carvings, and trees shed their bark, die, and decompose, taking history with them? Fortunately there are historians who are trying to preserve the arborglyphs of a people who have left their mark in the U.S. and who have maintained for over one thousand years their language, culture, and traditional government despite discrimination in their non-independent homeland.
". . .dozens and even hundreds of the carvings are disappearing," says Joxe Mallea-Olaetxe, a Basque historian at the University of Nevada, Reno. During the past several years, he has documented thousands of the carvings using videotape and has written on the Basque sheepherder’s life.
In El Dorado County, California, where many carvings can be found in aspen groves, the U.S. Forest Service in Placerville has been keeping its own records. Dana Supernowicz, a Forest Service historian is completing a manuscript titled "Comprehensive Preservation Plan: Aspen Tree Carvings," begun first by former Forest Service employee, Penny Rucks. Archaeologist, Kurt Lambert, who is on contract with the Forest Service, has helped compile a booklet inventorying local Basque carvings.
Original newspaper clipping submitted by Shirley Siems Terry, Folsom CA, "Leaving Their Mark on History," by Walt Yost, EA Sunday, September 19, 1999, pages 1 & 6.
For information on Basque research, see the North American Basque Organization’s web site or telephone 775-787-3039. Family Snoop, Merced Co. Genealogy Society Oct. 1999.
Return to Table of Contents
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Tombstone Humor |
The following was sent to us by George Anderson, who received it in another newsletter, who received it from the Bates Discussion Group on the Internet.
In a Ribbesford, England, cemetery:
Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread
And the Lord sent them manna.
Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife,
And the Devil sent him Anna.
Memory of an accident in a Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery:
Here lies the body
Of Jonathan Blake
Stepped on the gas
Instead of the brake.
A lawyer’s epitaph in England:
Sir John Strange
Here lies an honest lawyer,
And that is Strange.
The grave of Ellen Shannon in Girard, Pennwylvania is almost a consumer tip:
Who was fatally burned
March 21, 1870
By the explosion of a lamp
Filled with "R. E. Danforth’s
Non-Explosive Burning Fluid"
Oops! Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, New York
Born 1903 - Died 1942
Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the car was on the way down. It was.
In a Georgia cemetery:
I told you I was sick.
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Finding
the Masons Led to the Mayflower By Ed Mason |
I haven't been as active as I’d like with L-AGS or with genealogy recently as my job has been keeping me too busy. Despite the lull in my research, some good things have happened. First, I’ll give you some background.
My mother had some interest in her ancestors and had compiled a tree going back to the late 1700s, all English and German names that had arrived in the middle Atlantic states and then moved on to Kentucky and Ohio. My father had no interest in Genealogy, but his mother and her sister-in-law had compiled a very impressive list of their forebears, all from Massachusetts and Connecticut, most of them arriving in the Colonies before 1650 and then migrating through Vermont and New York to Michigan. Good New England records, advanced technology and some elbow grease have enabled me to augment that. My remaining quadrant was the Mason side of the family, my father’s father. As of 1981, my knowledge of the Mason tree went back only one additional generation - to my great grandfather. That was the year that I caught the bug. By the end of the year I had added one more generation and by 1987 had added another. But, I was figuratively stuck in Rochester, New York, and there I remained for 12 more years until last summer, when I visited Swansea, Massachusetts and met a 98-year-old town historian. She guided me to a book about Sampson Mason with a handy index. Viola! In five minutes, I had added five more Mason generations. Three more were added that same day by virtue of the historian’s acquaintance who had done research in Bolton, Lancashire, England.
A month later, another book provided the surname - Boomer - of the Rochester Mason's spouse. I went to the Boomer page on the Internet and found someone who had researched that line, enabling me to discover that Richard Warren of the Mayflower was my 10th great-grandfather. Just this week, without lifting a finger, I received an e-mail from a person responding to a message that I left on the Boomer page last summer. She turns out to be a meticulous researcher who also descends from Rochester Mason. His real first name is Ezra. What a bonanza of information: wills, children lists and, to top it off, another 10th great-grandfather, James Chilton, on the Mayflower, as well as another connection to Richard Warren.
I guess the moral of this story is: plunge in and be patient. Your breakthroughs will come at the most unexpected times.
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News from The National Archives |
Dan Nealand, Archival Operations Director, National Archives and Records Administration, Pacific Region, announced at a recent meeting of the San Francisco Bay Area Genealogical Consortium that the National Archives has purchased 14 sets of microfilmed city directories for 1930 from the Gale Group/Primary Source Microfilm. Each regional archive will get one set of microfilms.
The 1930 federal census does not have an index; therefore the closest written material to an index is the city directory. In cases where there is no city directory for a city or town, it may be possible to locate a telephone directory to use as an index.
Consortium members are checking Bay Area libraries to locate city directories for California. A compilation of holdings will be posted to the San Francisco Bay Area Genealogical Consortium's web site.
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Genealogy on eBay? |
A couple days ago, I hit on a genealogical resource that really amazed me. It isn’t one that I've seen mentioned before! eBay!
I was hunting for stuff on the Jaques family from Monett, Missouri. I went onto E-bay to see what was available on collectibles, since I’m hunting for a particular chocolate box, and on a whim, I entered the search word "Monett." Imagine my shock, when I got three "hits" back! I went to see them and they were three postcards on auction, views of Monett, Missouri. One was not useful, but the other two were of the rail yards where my great-grandfather had worked. And one of the two views was the spur track next to my great-grandfather's house!
Delighted, I printed the images out and saved them. I will bid on the cards, but if I don’t get them, I still have the printout of the picture. Emboldened, I then went back to the search field of eBay, entered "Jaques," and got many hits. There was a book of illustrations by an ancestor of mine, a bunch of useless stuff, and to my delight, a batch of Jaques Family Group Sheets!
Since the auctions on eBay change often, and I have a load of names and places to research, I’ll be hanging around there a lot! In a million years, I would NEVER have thought I’d find genealogical stuff on eBay. Wow!
From Ancestry Daily News, Quick Tip of the Day, January 31, 2000
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Livermore Valley History |
Editor’s Note: Gary Drummond has long been a student of Livermore Valley History. He is the author and editor of several publications on valley history, including the stories of Mary Ann Harlan Smith, William Mendenhall and James D. Smith, Headmaster of Livermore College from 1875 to 1893. He is on the Board of Directors of the Livermore Heritage Guild
Building A Library
A library where one can borrow books and read periodicals is not a recent sign of culture in Livermore. In 1996, the Livermore Public Library celebrated its 100th birthday. However, the community has had the benefit of a library since 1875.
At its founding in the early 1870s, the citizens of Livermore were both socially and culturally diverse. Socially, it attracted those who supported four or five fraternal organizations, two fire companies, and a town band. And culturally, it ranged from those who preferred a quiet escape to a Victorian novel to those who supported one of the town’s 13 saloons.
In April 1875, the Livermore Library and Dramatic Association organized a library whose holdings were kept at Cross’ Jewelry Store at First and Lizzie (now Livermore Avenue) Streets. A family membership cost $3.00 annually, or for $20.00, one could have a life membership. The local paper reported that there were 250 volumes available, with another 75 on order. In December of that year, the library was moved across the street to George Freeman’s furniture store in the IOOF building.
Three years later, in 1878, an organization known as the Livermore Public Library Association erected its own building (still standing at 2136 First Street). In 1881, the Association was in a perilous state and issued an anxious call for new members. It even offered a "life membership that would entitle the holder and family to all the privileges of the Association during the term of his or her natural life." However, by 1887 public interest had diminished to such an extent that the Library closed, and the books were stored in the local newspaper office. In its twelve years, the library had never had a permanent librarian.
In 1896, the women of the town organized themselves into a Ladies League of Progress of Livermore. Their first order of business was to re-open a public library. Within eight months, the group had formed a public corporation to finance the library, purchased the old library building, pulled the books out of storage, and selected a full-time librarian. On October 15, 1896, the Livermore Free Public Library opened its doors.
A year later, the Library Board reported that there were 3500 books on the shelves, and with the cooperation of the local paper, it published a "wants" list of new books. The reading room was supplied with 36 newspapers from around the state donated by their publishers. The local drugstore donated day-old copies of the San Francisco papers.
The Ladies League next lobbied the Town Trustees to consider a tax levy for library support. In September 1901, Livermore became the first town in California to take advantage of new legislation that permitted the establishment of a free public library under municipal control and support.
Serious discussions with the Carnegie Foundation were opened in 1908 for a library building grant. A condition of the grant was that the beneficiary would provide the land on which the library would be built. After consideration of several sites, the Town Trustees proposed to acquire the block at Third and J Streets, and at the same time, mitigate a nuisance since it was then the site of a slaughterhouse.
The grant request and the land acquisition were successful. Contracts were let to construct a library building, which officially opened in May 1911. That summer, the Livermore Women’s Improvement Club helped finance the landscaping and finish and furnish the basement rooms.
The Carnegie Library building was bursting at the seams by 1966 when the current Civic Center library building was opened. But the Carnegie Building still stands and now houses the Livermore Heritage Guild History Center and the Livermore Art Association.
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Computer Interest Group (CIG) News Dick Finn at computer@l-ags.org |
The Computer Interest Group (CIG) meets once a month to hear speakers on a wide variety of genealogical computer related subjects, such as software (new, revised, how to use it, etc.), hardware (computers, storage devices, scanners, cameras, printers), web sites, useful CDs, etc., that help us in our quest for genealogical information. Often we have very useful handouts and even a door prize now and then. Over the next few months, our focus will be on the many genealogical software packages on the market. In January, Marston Watson spoke on "Genealogy on CD." In February, Kathy Watson will speak about "The Master Genealogist." In March, David Cummings will speak on the newest version of PAF; and in April we hope to have someone from Broderbund speak on their software packages.
We meet the 4th Thursday of every month except November and December at 7:30 p.m. at Livermore Adult Education, 543 Sonoma Avenue, Livermore. Non-members are welcome to attend.
For information on CIG, e-mail computer@l-ags.org.
Members needing help with a computer problem may call one of the mentors listed in the Member Handbook.
The Family Tree Maker Focus Group meets on the 1st Thursday of every month at 7:30 at Livermore Adult Education, 543 Sonoma Avenue, Livermore. See the reference above for a map to the school.
We are a group of Family Tree Maker users (from beginners to experts) who discuss and share problems and solutions, share successes, answer questions, and help each other in the use of FTM software. We have submitted a "wish list" of improvements to Family Tree Maker. Now we are working on a list of shortcuts and frequently asked questions (FAQs) for our members.
All persons having an interest in Family Tree Maker and related software are invited to attend. Guests are welcome. For information on our group, e-mail computer@l-ags.org.
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CD Collection
Update |
The latest L-AGS acquisition for the Pleasanton Library Genealogy CD collection is the LDS Pedigree Resource File, Disks 1-5, with master file index. The Pedigree Resource File contains over six million family history records submitted by individuals through the FamilySearch® Internet Genealogy Service. Family information is organized into family groups and pedigrees, similar to how it is displayed in Ancestral File™. However, the Pedigree Resource File displays each submitter's information exactly as it was submitted, not combined with information from other submitters, as is done in Ancestral File. Notes and sources are also displayed, and charts and reports can be printed from this data.
The Library Committee intends to continue purchasing bundled (not individual CDs) LDS Pedigree Resource File CDs as they are released. However, for those of you that anticipate using these CDs extensively, the cost is only $15.00. They may be ordered from the LDS web site at www.familysearch.org.
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Before You Head for Salt Lake City |
The following is an excerpt from "Not All Microfilm Is In the Family History Library," by Ruth Ellen Maness, AG, an article that appeared in the March-April 1999 Heritage Quest Magazine via the CGS News, November 1999.
The collections in the Family History Library include over 2 million microfilms and nearly 300,000 books. Because of lack of space, "family histories" were moved to the 4th floor of the Joseph Smith Building in April, 1998. Some microfilms have been moved off-site as well. Therefore, before you go to the FHL for research, remember to do the following:
Make a list of the films you want to research by going to your local Family History Center and searching the catalog of the Library. Then send a copy of your list to the Library Attendant Office for the appropriate geographic area. Include date of arrival, how long you will be staying, and ask them to order in any films that may be stored off-site. On your arrival, go to the particular Library Attendant Office and ask if there are any films on hold for you. They are very willing to help.
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Library News |
Recent Acquisitions
By Judy Person
Due to various cataloging problems at the Pleasanton Public Library, our new books have been slow to appear on the shelves. However, the library staff assures me this is a temporary condition, part of the changeover to a new system.
The Surnames of Wales. Rowlands. Proves that not all Welsh are named Jones. Maps show counties in Wales where certain names are found. This is a blessed compilation from other sources, in which 270,000 names have been examined.
In Search of Your British and Irish Roots. Baxter. The newest 4th edition of this favorite, heavily revised, with details of records moved to new locations, and new sources found.
Jeremy Gibson's books on records in England and Wales. Those who attended the presentation on English research at our 1998 seminar will remember these were highly recommended. Subjects are Coroners' records, lists of Londoners, censuses in microform, poll (electoral) books 1696-1872, local newspapers, marriages, militia lists, probate jurisdictions, records offices, and more.
Links to Your Canadian Past. Peter J. Gagne. In three volumes. Volume 1 is on Acadia and the Maritimes, Volume 2 on Quebec, Volume 3 on Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, and Northwest Territories. With so many Americans having Canadian ties, the author details available resources, including data online, museums, family and surname associations, chat rooms and mailing lists.
The Hidden Half of the Family: a Sourcebook for Women's Genealogy. Christine Schaefer. Dedicated to her mother and grandmothers. In a long explanatory introduction, Ms. Schaefer gives events and dates from the 1600s to 1940 as they may relate to women, then addresses, dates and records state by state. She includes a bibliography for each state for further research.
Oregon Guide to Genealogical Sources. Connie Lenzen. This 1991 guide has been officially out of print, so we bought it from a "remainder" book source. "Oregon fever" developed in the Midwest in the early 1840s and settlers began the influx that would tip the power there from England to the United States. 350 pages of detail for those who have Oregon roots.
Batchelder, Batcheller Genealogy. Frederick Pierce: Descendants of the Rev. Stephen Bachiler, of England, in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. A gift review copy from Heritage Books, and a reprint from 1898. The Rev. Bachiler was a non-conformist immigrant on the Plough in 1631 to the Puritan Plymouth Colony, who fought against that union of church and state, and for New Hampshire's independence from Massachusetts. In 600 pages the descendants are detailed, with the many families into which they married. Includes a fine index.
The Pleasanton Library hours are:
A L-AGS docent is on duty at the library on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Livermore Family History Center |
The LDS Family History Center, 950 Mocho Street, Livermore, is open at the following times:
The telephone number is 925-443-2750.
L-AGS members who would like to serve as docents at the Family History Center may contact the Family History Center.
Pleasanton Family History Center |
The Pleasanton Family History Center is pleased to announce its new hours which began in September.
The telephone number is 925-846-0149.
The center has four microfilm readers, four fiche readers, and two computers running the Family Search program. Non-LDS patrons are welcome. It is located at the Pleasanton Stake on the corner of Valley and Paseo Santa Cruz. The building faces north and the entrance to the library is on the east side.
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The Search for the Elusive Mr. Brown |
For several years I'd been searching for a father to my great-grandfather Jesse BROWN - yes, unfortunately, the name is really BROWN. He was raised in the Red Bluff/Corning area of Northern California. I was able to document most of his life, including his mother and much of her immediate family. No one seemed to know his father's name. Family lore left us with the belief he was descended from a member of the John Brown of Harper's Ferry family line. Old John Brown's widow, a son, and some other relatives migrated to Red Bluff after the end of the Civil War. Thus, the name and location were feasible. I even researched printed genealogies and written stories about the John Brown family, yet nothing matched. Ironically, Jesse's mother's name was Mary Ann Brown, which is also the name of John Brown's widow. But nothing I could find would bring these lines together.
From his application to a local men's lodge, I determined Jesse's birthplace as Antioch, CA, in 1871-2. Research in my own backyard, what could be easier? Oh no, can't find any records for birth of Jesse, nor marriage records for a Mary Ann Adams to anyone named Brown. No census either. None of the paper trail I located for Jesse ever mentions a father. After I searched Contra Costa County records, the Historical Society files, and the like, I finally left this mystery alone for a while
Fast-forward 3 years with no more research on Jesse Brown's parentage. I was visiting the San Francisco Main Library to see what was available since I have several maternal and paternal lines in the City during the same time. I was perusing a shelf of Voter Records in a quiet corner of the History Room (are you still with me here?). I notice a local publication in a paper folder, titled "Marriage Records of Solano County." Hmmm. Isn't there a rule of thumb I've read and never had the need to follow, "LOOK TO NEIGHBORING COUNTIES AND YE SHALL FIND." I seem to recall Solano County is right across the slough/delta from Contra Costa County.
There on the brides' page is "Mary Ann Adams married to Henry W. Brown, 186 something." I nearly fainted, then let out a whoop. Most of you know the sound, stifled from the racks of books in a large library, or the very formal FHC in Oakland, the sound that makes everyone turn around and say, "I hope I am that lucky someday," and only another researcher recognizes the sounds. Well, there I was, so excited, bursting with the knowledge; and it was under my nose all the time.
More research was needed to verify those facts of course. I had to wait a week to visit Fairfield for a look at the records. I had to arrange for someone else to pick up the kids, and it was raining, but I, "GENEALOGY WOMAN," wasn't about to be deterred. I had only two and a half hours to drive from Livermore to Fairfield, search and return. Drive SAFELY! I found the courthouse, records in the basement. No one else there. "Please, sir, may I look at the books myself, over here to the left? I promise to be careful, not ask any questions, and you can continue with your work." What an offer! "Sure," he says, "Knock yourself out!"
Book 3, page 25, THERE IT IS!!! The original document for Mary Ann Adams and Henry W. Brown, she of Antioch, Contra Costa County, he of Montezuma Hills, Solano County. Her parents were still in Antioch at this time, too. I eagerly await my official copy, for which I would have paid almost anything, (Okay, $8.00 is a great price.) I had it, and was off for home in record time. In and out of the courthouse in 16 minutes, retrace my steps and back home! All the way home, smiling, and not a soul to share it with, my own little secret find. Later that evening, while waiting for the kids to finish soccer practice, I pulled out a map for Contra Costa County. Sure enough, right across the delta from Antioch, is a road in Solano County, Montezuma Hills, and another place named Montezuma Slough! All right in my own backyard.
Further research of the census with correct names and counties verified the family unit, which included a sister, Elizabeth. I had remembered seeing a Lizzie Brown in court documents relating to Jesse Brown.
While this was only a small search, it was one of those "brick walls" which loomed larger and taller every time I tried to jump over! The name Brown just seemed to make it worse. Just as I was about to resign Jesse to the state of non-paternal unit of the unmarried kind, I discovered the truth. If I had followed the rules the first time around I might have located old Henry sooner, and yet, I wouldn’t have learned the research techniques I did during this time. Fair trade, wouldn't you say?
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Standards for Use of Technology |
Mindful that computers are tools, genealogists take full responsibility for their work, and therefore they—
©1997 by National Genealogical Society. Permission is granted to copy or publish this material provided it is reproduced in its entirety, including this notice.
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Original Source Material – By Dick Finn |
Every once in a while I think we have to be reminded of some of the great resources that we have near at hand. One of those great resources is the huge number of microfilms that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) have available at any of the local Mormon Church Family History Centers. Microfilm or microfiche can be ordered at the local FHC, and in a very short time, you receive a call to come down and view it on machines that can also make copies if you desire.
Sometimes the film can be disappointing. Like the 1841 British Census for the village of Acol in County Kent, England. I "knew" that my great great grandmother, Elizabeth Woodward, would be shown in that census along with her parents and brothers and sisters. I am fairly confident that Elizabeth was born and raised in Acol until the time she married James Finn about 1845. The sad fact is that I could not find any Woodwards in Acol in 1841. The mystery deepens.
On the other hand, some of the microfilm can be a gold mine of information. One that comes to mind is the church records of Hartlip, County Kent. On that microfilm, I was able to find actual copies of a number of marriage records, marriage banns, baptism records, and burial records for many of my Kitchingham ancestors and their cousins.
It gives a funny feeling to be looking through the many records and come across, for example, the baptism records for Caroline Kitchingham, daughter of Stephen and Mary Ann Kitchingham, bailiff at Hartlip, April 3, 1859. My great grandmother and her parents! Even further back in time were the burial records of a number of distant ancestors including a number of Stephen Kitchinghams. From the mid 1700s most of the records are readable. Before that time they seem to be in Latin – a subject I don’t remember well from my junior high school days.
One of the most interesting marriage records I found was not of my family, but of a ,perhaps, well known family – you figure it out. A John Doe, bachelor of Hartlip, married Jane Thomas, a spinster and minor, on the twenty first day of August 1782. My question is: Is this the original John and Jane Doe?
The bottom line: order those microfilms and microfiche – you never know what you will find.
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Past Programs By Jon Bryan |
Our November meeting featured Traci Parent of Danville with a presentation titled "How to Conduct an Oral History." Traci is the Supervising Naturalist at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve at Antioch, CA. She graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in Recreation and Park Administration. In 1977 she started as an East Bay Park District intern, became a naturalist, and is now a supervisor. Traci heads the historical projects at the Regional Parks, teaching workshops and interviewing people from coal mining towns near Antioch.
Traci shared experience gained from conducting oral interviews for her job and for her own family histories. Some of the important points are:
Remember that there is no time like the present for an oral history.
Traci asked that anyone who is researching residents of Tesla (the subject of L-AGS speaker Dan Mosier for February 1999) contact her because they also have some information about Tesla mining residents.
Our Thanks to L-AGS member Kathleen Young, one of Traci's colleagues from work, for suggesting this presentation.
In December, we had a regular meeting with member sharing. The contents of that meeting are now in our tape library.
Our January 2000 meeting featured Robert Berlo of Livermore whose topic was "Population and Name History of California Cities and Towns: 1770 to 1999." Although his degree is in chemistry, most of his career was in technical publishing, first as a technical editor and then as a manager in the Technical Information Department at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Bob retired from LLNL in 1996.
While Bob was a graduate student in chemistry at MIT, he discovered the map and atlas room in the basement of the library. There he would spend hours writing down information from the maps, especially for California. He has had a 45-year passion for populations and maps. One might even think his ancestry should include surnames such as "Rand or McNally."
Using photos, maps and graphs, Bob summarized his information about California populations. Many town, city, and county boundaries have changed since California became a state in 1850. These changes were often determined by shifts in population such as that produced by the gold rush. Initially there were 27 counties; now there are 58. Klamath County existed only from 1851 to 1875. Alameda was not one of the original counties, but was formed from Contra Costa and Santa Clara Counties in 1853 and has remained unchanged.
Being from Kansas, I was encouraged when Bob said, "Kansas is not the flattest spot on earth!" The San Joaquin Valley is flatter, although it has a gradual slope.
Two of Bob's books have been purchased for our L-AGS library, one on California populations and the other a companion with maps showing changes in city, town, and county names and populations, and names of streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs for different time periods from 1770 to the present. Bob did these with his own computer and printer using Adobe Illustrator software (version 5.5).
Our thanks to David Oakley, a new L-AGS member, for suggesting this presentation.
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Genealogy Resources
On the Web - |
Thanks to all our members who answered the call for help and submitted their ideas for the title of our web site page. We had over 25 entries! And the winner is - Larry Renslow! Congratulations, Larry.
Editor’s Note: We will list web sites suggested by members, found in other publications, and from our own web surfing. Submissions with a short synopsis will be appreciated.
Family Tree Magazine, which was introduced a couple of months ago, has a companion web site at <www.familytreemagazine.com>. You can read excerpts from the magazine and subscribe to a free weekly e-mail newsletter with genealogy tips.
My History Is America's History is a project of the National Endowment for the
Humanities at <www.myhistory.org>. From the introduction on the web page: "It
is a gathering place for the millions of Americans whose family stories make up our
national heritage, and a starting point for those who want to learn more about their own
history and the history we all share." It has a companion book that can be ordered
just for the shipping charge. From Sandy Clark.
(Editor's note: As of 26 June 2003, the web site stated that the program has ceased
operations.)
Here are two sites that list historic terms and definitions for causes of death:
"First In the Path of the Firemen: The Fate of the 1890 Population Census" is an article from the National Archives magazine, Prologue, telling the whole story of the 1890 Census that we all miss so much < http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/spring_1996_1890_census_1.html> From Pat Moore.
Research outlines from the LDS Church are on line at < www.familysearch.org/sg > and include all 50 states, all Canadian provinces, Latin America, European countries, and other areas.
Subscribe to the "Ancestry Daily News" from Ancestry.com < www.ancestry.com>. Be informed about the free databases they add each day; read columns from noted genealogists; and enjoy the "Quick Tip of the Day." It has some great hints on organization and research.
RootsWeb has set up a site to help you find publications from counties or surnames you are interested in at <http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~classifieds/index.html>. It is a classified advertising site where you can post information on items they for sale. From Stanislaus Researcher, November 1999.
Genealogy Bulletin has ceased publishing the paper version; it now appears on line and includes a free e-mail newsletter: <www.genealogybulletin.com>. It has very interesting articles on a variety of genealogical topics. From Genealogy Bulletin, January 2000.
The educational package for schools from the Society of Mayflower Descendants is now on line at <www.rootsweb.com/~mosmd>. The package includes factual details about the Pilgrims, their voyage, and the Plymouth Colony. Informative for all, regardless of your ancestry.
Genealogy Publishing Company has announced its new web site at <www.genealogical.com>. It is a comprehensive source of genealogy publications and CDs.
Was your English ancestor a doctor? Then look at <http://users.itl.net/~glen/doctors.html> From San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society Newsletter, November/December 1999
For Irish researchers, the New York Emigrant Savings Bank Project has information for you at <www.genexchange.com/>. The New York Emigrant Savings Bank, opened in 1850, was run by Irish immigrants, for Irish immigrants. It kept records on clients from several states and is an excellent genealogical resource. From San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society Newsletter, November/December 1999
One way to keep up with new web sites is to subscribe to the update notification service at Cyndi’s List <www.cyndislist.com>.
Bill Cribbs has started a site that contains hundreds of links to online obituaries at <http://www.obitlinkspage.com/>. He provides direct links to online obituary and related resources. He also includes a chat room and message board.
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Things to File |
Auto Alert
By David Abrahams
It has come to my attention that people who travel in relatively new cars are having their belongings stolen from the trunk compartments. We have a new car and the trunk can be opened remotely from a transmitter on the key ring. But, it can also be opened by pressing a button on the driver's door console - no matter whether the key is in the ignition or not! This is a serious situation for those of us who keep our luggage, computers and genealogy papers in the trunk. All a thief has to do is quickly jimmy the door lock, press the button, and he is into the trunk. Takes just a few seconds.
Our new car, an Oldsmobile Alero, has a switch on the inside of the trunk that allows us to shut the power off to the trunk lock. We have rented several Aleros on our travels, and have found that all of them have this same feature. Our older car, a 1988 Oldsmobile, also has an electric trunk lock. However, the button to activate it is in the glove compartment, and only works when the ignition is turned on.
The moral to the story is, that in order to protect your belongings, you should check to see how the trunk mechanism works in your cars, especially rentals.
New RootsWeb Project
By George Anderson
WorldConnect is a new free, post-it-yourself Web site with several novel features. First, you own the data you post - you can change or remove your data at any time, and no one else can revise or add to it. Second, within one minute after posting, your information becomes available free to anyone in the world. Third, it will never be put onto a CD, for sale or otherwise. Finally, it is quick and easy to upload and to modify your posting. You contribute your data in the form of a GEDCOM file, which is then displayed on the Internet as 3-or-more-generation pedigrees. You can ask the upload interface to remove data about living persons to a selectable degree of "cleanliness," from displaying nothing but surnames, to tell-all. The project was started in October 1999. As of January 26, there were 15,712,488 names on WorldConnect and it was growing by hundreds of thousands per day. You can find the site at <http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/>.
I found the uploading process hassle-free. Shortly after I had uploaded my file, I noticed a mistake. I corrected the mistake in the file on my hard disk and re-uploaded the file, all within five minutes. That is a far cry from the six months turnaround time in Ancestral File submissions a few years ago. But, of course, a few years is an eon in cyber time.
The Census Is Coming
On March 13, 2000, the Census Bureau will mail a questionnaire to your address. It is important to you to complete and return it as soon as possible because:
The information you give is absolutely confidential and will not be shared with any other branch of government. However, if you need proof to establish your age, residence or relationship to qualify for a pension or citizenship or to obtain an inheritance, you can request a certificate from past censuses.
You can get more information from the official web site at www.census.gov.
You know you’re taking genealogy too seriously if...
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Five Hundred Thanks |
Editor’s note: This is the story that Robbie Robinson related to us at our December general meeting. Pastor Chaffee, in the story, is his maternal grandfather, Rev. Elmer Spencer Chaffee.
From the Bonners Ferry Herald, Wednesday, November 24, 1999
By Pastor David C. Schroeder
Trinity Lutheran Church, Bonners Ferry, ID
Parkston, South Dakota, was the place. The year, 1897. Pastor Elmer Chaffee had just begun serving the Parkston Presbyterian Church, when he was asked to perform the wedding of a parishioner's daughter. Since Pastor Chaffee did not as yet have his own horse and because the wedding was to take place in the country, he walked to the livery stable to rent a horse and buggy for the afternoon.
"How much do you charge?"
"Why don’t we settle that when you return?"
With that the Scotch Presbyterian pastor set off to the parishioner's ranch to tie the knot.
Storm clouds began to gather. No matter. Duty called. The young pastor, freshly trained and filled with the idealism of the young, would not be put off by the threat of inclement weather, even if this was the Dakotas.
He performed the ceremony, attended the reception in the farmhouse, and then made his way back to town as the storm began to unleash its fury.
Upon returning, he again asked about the charge.
"How about splitting your honorarium?" asked the liveryman with a wry grin. He assumed that half of what the capable young pastor received would be considerably better than the ordinary fee for a horse and buggy for an afternoon.
"Fine," replied Pastor Chaffee. Now he was smiling. As the two men shook hands the youthful pastor said, "Five hundred thanks!"
"What do you mean?" the liveryman asked, no longer smiling.
"After the ceremony," Pastor Chaffee explained, "the father of the bride came up to me and said, ‘A thousand thanks!’ I’m more than happy to share half of them with you."
To this day whenever the Chaffees want to express their gratitude they say, "Five hundred thanks!" Almost always it is accompanied with a slight grin.
Note: Pastor Elmer Chaffee was the father of Dr. Eugene Chaffee, founding father of Boise State University.
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A Query in our Mail |
To whom it may concern:
My name is Leslie Edwards and I have been researching my family tree. I came upon a web site with your address. I thought you might be able to help me find some of my ancestors. The code # R152-Robins. I'm looking for any family members of Margaret Anna Robins. She was born on June 24,1880 in Lebanon, New Hampshire. I think she was married to a Douglas Robins and had 3 children. Their names were Marjorie Diana Huntress, Douglas Huntress Robins and Donald George Robins. I would like to know more about them. If you know anyone that has any information on any of the persons listed above, please ask them to write to me. If you know of any web sites or addresses that I could write to, to find out about my ancestors, please write to me. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Leslie Edwards
Thank you
A Problem |
I have a bit of a dead end problem with my great grandfather, John Francis Hickey. He was apparently an orphan and I don't know how to go beyond that.
He moved from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin as a young man, but no references to family since he was an orphan. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Looking for an Owner By Debbie Mascot |
I have an old Navy book with many photos, some captioned. The owner penciled in, "Cain U.S.N.R. Personal - And I aint kidding 1944." On the inside of the cover is written: "Donated to Edwin Harmon CAIN By Fred Merrion Cain Junior." It looks like one of those blank books purchased at the base maybe. There are a lot of photos and in the back a list: "Voyages of Fred Marion Cain Jr.," dated January 2, 1943.
When I bought this book, the seller told me that it was found at a lost-and-found box at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, California. It seems that these people all lived in Oakland, California, which is just across the San Francisco Bay. There is also an Oakland taxi cab driver's license for Edwin Harmon Cain with age, physical description, street address in Oakland, reference to Yellow Cab, photograph, and his signature. The book also mentions Edwin Harmon Cain; Fred Merrion Cain married Ilene RITZ [b. 1929] [in 1944 in Oakland, California]. Fred served in the USNR in 1944; James Cain (served on the USS Chester WWII- from California); Robert Cain (served on the USS Goodhie WWII- from California); Could also be a Marge, Johnnie, Wayne, Bud Cain. Maybe Frank?
If you know of these people, or are relatives, please let me know, as I’d like to get the book in the hands of someone who will appreciate it! Please contact Debbie Mascot.
Donations to L-AGS |
Some of our members have wished to donate books or other items to our group. We will be happy to receive such donations. The donor will receive a Thank You note to use for tax purposes, if desired.
Other members have wished to make a monetary donation on behalf of a loved one or friend. These donations will be used according to the donor's wishes, or if none is expressed, we will purchase items for our Pleasanton and Family History Libraries.
We welcome such donations and our Corresponding Secretary will acknowledge the gift. If a memorial, an acknowledgment will be sent to the family.
Last modified 19jun06.0626 gwa
