Past Times · 2017. 5. 10. · Past Times Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017 The Massachusetts Society of...
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Past Times MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS, INC. President's Message Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017 www.msoginc.org The Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. 1 Whew! I just “returned to real life,” as my husband would say, after four whirlwind days at the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium’s conference in Springfield, Massachusetts. Upon my return, I have been eager to get back to genealogical writing and research. The conference was so energizing, even for an introvert like me! Considering what I have heard from others, I suspect that the conference renewed the enthusiasm of nearly everyone who attended. In trying to figure out just what I liked best about the conference, I have to say that it was the presence of so many others—over 1,000 attendees, the biggest NERGC conference ever—who were passionate and knowledgeable about family history research. The lectures were great, as always, but what was even more fun was getting to know other genealogists better or for the first time at those places “inbetween”—during shared meals, shared efforts, and shared spaces. It has also occurred to me that these are the same things that I like about belonging to the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. There is an opportunity to go to a chapter meeting nearly every Saturday, where most often there is a lecture, but also the presence of others who share your enthusiasm for family history. As your new president, I have expanded my horizon beyond the Middlesex Chapter, to which I belong, and have travelled to see what the other three chapters have to offer. This has been a great experience, and I want to remind you that you, too, are more than welcome to attend any chapter meeting—not just the meetings held by your “home” chapter. On those Saturdays when you have the time and inclination to drive a little further, it is worth doing so. You will find the same enthusiasm that was present in Springfield—which may be as nourishing for the spirit as the lecture topics are for the mind. These next two months—May and June—are the final months in MSOG’s membership year. Chapters take a break in their meeting schedules, and Past Times suspends publication, for the summer months of July and August. Then the 2017–2018 membership year begins in September. Why not renew now? You can do so either at your next chapter meeting or online at msoginc.org. And if you are not yet a MSOG member, you needn’t wait to become one. Your membership will start immediately and go through the 2017–2018 membership year, not ending until August 2018. In either case, there is no reason to wait! Two Society chapters will have new presidents in the coming membership year. Seema Kenney will step down from the presidency of the Worcester Chapter, and Karen Trearchis will step down from the presidency of the Merrimack Valley Chapter. Did you know that Karen was a founding member of the Merrimack Valley chapter and has been its president from its inception? She and Seema have both done a wonderful job leading their chapters. Please join me in thanking them when you see them for jobs well done.
Transcript of Past Times · 2017. 5. 10. · Past Times Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017 The Massachusetts Society of...
Past TimesMASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS, INC.
President's Message
Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017 www.msoginc.org
The Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. 1
Whew! I just “returned to real life,”as my husband would say, afterfour whirlwind days at the NewEngland Regional GenealogicalConsortium’s conference inSpringfield, Massachusetts. Uponmy return, I have been eager to getback to genealogical writing andresearch. The conference was soenergizing, even for an introvertlike me! Considering what I haveheard from others, I suspect thatthe conference renewed theenthusiasm of nearly everyonewho attended.
In trying to figure out just what Iliked best about the conference, Ihave to say that it was thepresence of so many others—over1,000 attendees, the biggestNERGC conference ever—whowere passionate andknowledgeable about familyhistory research. The lectureswere great, as always, but whatwas even more fun was getting toknow other genealogists better orfor the first time at those places“in-‐between”—during sharedmeals, shared efforts, and sharedspaces.
It has also occurred to me thatthese are the same things that Ilike about belonging to theMassachusetts Society ofGenealogists, Inc. There is anopportunity to go to a chapter
meeting nearly every Saturday,where most often there is alecture, but also the presence ofothers who share your enthusiasmfor family history. As your newpresident, I have expanded myhorizon beyond the MiddlesexChapter, to which I belong, andhave travelled to see what theother three chapters have to offer.This has been a great experience,and I want to remind you that you,too, are more than welcome toattend any chapter meeting—notjust the meetings held by your“home” chapter. On thoseSaturdays when you have the timeand inclination to drive a littlefurther, it is worth doing so. Youwill find the same enthusiasm thatwas present in Springfield—whichmay be as nourishing for the spiritas the lecture topics are for themind.
These next two months—May andJune—are the final months inMSOG’s membership year.Chapters take a break in theirmeeting schedules, and Past Timessuspends publication, for thesummer months of July andAugust. Then the 2017–2018membership year begins inSeptember. Why not renew now?You can do so either at your nextchapter meeting or online atmsoginc.org. And if you are not yet
a MSOG member, you needn’t waitto become one. Your membershipwill start immediately and gothrough the 2017–2018membership year, not ending untilAugust 2018. In either case, thereis no reason to wait!
Two Society chapters will havenew presidents in the comingmembership year. Seema Kenneywill step down from thepresidency of the WorcesterChapter, and Karen Trearchis willstep down from the presidency ofthe Merrimack Valley Chapter. Didyou know that Karen was afounding member of theMerrimack Valley chapter and hasbeen its president from itsinception? She and Seema haveboth done a wonderful job leadingtheir chapters. Please join me inthanking them when you see themfor jobs well done.
Past Times Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017
The Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. 2
MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS, INC.MSOGINC.ORGP.O. Box 215
Ashland, MA 01721-‐0215
Statement of PurposeThe Society’s mission is to promote and encourageMassachusetts genealogical research at all levels—beginner,amateur, and professional. The Society is a Massachusettsnonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The corporation wasformed for the following reasons:
• “To bring together all persons interested in genealogy,beginner, amateur, and professional;
• To set standards of conduct; to insure public access torecords; to provide education in genealogicalresearch;
• To act in whatever manner needed to promotegenealogy and family history; and
• To bring together families both past and present.”
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,6 June 1975
Past TimesEditor: Diane Brooks-‐Sherry
Past Times is published monthly (except for July & August)by the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc., and isavailable free to all at msoginc.org.
Membership InformationMembers receive the Past Times newsletter, free issues ofMASSOG, free queries, access to webinars, and participation inthe Members’ Surname Project.Membership is from September 1 to August 31, withmembership renewals due by July 1.
• INDIVIDUAL dues are $25.00 per year• FAMILY dues are $30.00 per year
Membership applications received July 1st and thereafter will beapplied to the following year’s membership.Membership choices are:
• BR/Bristol• MV/Merrimack Valley• MX/Middlesex• WR/Worcester
Chapter affiliation is at the complete discretion of themember, regardless of residence. The membershipapplication is on our website.Join using PayPal online or mail your application and check.
Address any questions to [email protected] or to theappropriate officer, committee chair, or delegate; emailaddresses are listed on page 5.
WEBINAR
Tuesday, May 16, 7:00 PMErica Dakin Voolich
“Taken With a Large Grain of Salt” -‐-‐ Verifying Family StoriesFor Members Only
Register at msoginc.org.
Contents
Calendar 2Save the Date for AM 2017 2New Members 3Glimpses of NERGC 2017 3The A, B, Cs of DNA for Beginners 4Great Ideas Needed 5Thank You to the MSOG Booth Volunteers 6
CALENDARWORCESTER
Tuesday, May 96:00 PM
Dick Whitney
"American Optical"
Dino's Restaurant13 Lord StreetWorcester, MA
BRISTOLSaturday, May 20Maureen Taylor
"Photo Detecting 101"
11:00 AM Business Meeting
11:30 AMMember Sharing
12:00 Presentation
Somerset Public Library1464 County StreetSomerset, MA
MIDDLESEXSaturday, May 13
1:30 PMMarilyn O'Brien
“Introduction to SwedishGenealogical Research"Wayland Public Library
5 Concord Road
Wayland, MA
MERRIMACK VALLEYSaturday, May 20
10:00 AM Business Meeting10:15 "What I Learned at
NERGC"Panel Discussion
11:00 "Document Show & Tell"
Georgetown Peabody Library2 Maple StreetGeorgetown, MA
SAVE THE DATE
ANNUAL MEETING2017
NOVEMBER 4
Chapter Electionsare this spring!Watch for your
ballot andremember to vote.
Past Times Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017
The Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. 3
New MembersBristol
Keli Levine
Susan Rogers
Cynthia Smith
Merrimack Valley
Diane Boumenot
Diane Giammarco
Dennis Hogan
George C. Horne
Kate Vavra
Middlesex
Margaret Jo Dye
Robbin Kelley
Melanie McComb
Worcester
Bryant Leblanc
Christopher Tourtellot
We have 349 registeredmembers.
Bristol 76
Merrimack Valley 69
Middlesex 111
Worcester 93
Please send any changes incontact information [email protected].
GLIMPSES OF NERGC 2017
Lucky raffle winner Deborah Keyes
Pat Stano-Carpenterand Liz Grube
New Member Dennis Hogan
Karen Trearchis andYvonne Hickey
New Member Robbin Kelley
Ariana Fiorello andKenyatta D. Berry
Past Times Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017
The Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. 4
The A, B, Cs of DNA for BeginnersBy Diane Brooks-‐Sherry
There are three types of genetic testing used in genealogy; each type can lead to new informationabout your family connections.
Autosomal (atDNA or auDNA) -‐-‐ This test focuses on the first 22 pairs of chromosomes. In additionto your ethnic heritage, this test provides likely relationships with parents, siblings, and cousins.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) -‐-‐ This tests cellular material passed from the mother to both maleand female children. Men do not pass this material on to their children. These test results allowtracing the matrilineal lines of family trees.
Y-‐chromosone DNA (Y-‐DNA) -‐-‐ This tests the Y-‐chromosome passed from father to son. This allowstracing the patrilineal family tree.
Currently, these are the largest companies providing testing in the United States. Each companyoffers different types of tests. Unless otherwise noted, each company compares your results onlywith others who have tested with their service.
23andMe offers two testing options, ancestry service and a combination of ancestry and limitedhealth screening. Your ancestry results are compared with 31 populations around the world. Youalso receive a report about where your possible relatives live; you must opt in to communicate withthose who share DNA segments with you. The health screening checks for a number of knowninherited conditions.
AncestryDNA analyzes autosomal DNA and provides your results in an email. You may then log in tosee your results about your ethnicity matched to 26 regions and possible relatives who have alsotested with Ancestry.
FamilyTreeDNA offers all three types of DNA tests -‐ autosomal, mitochondrial, and Y-‐DNA. You maytest with only one test or choose a combination to test your autosomal results along with a choice ofpackages for mtDNA and Y-‐DNA. FamilyTreeDNA also allows free transfer of autosomal results fromsome versions of AncestryDNA and 23andMe as well as free transfer of results from NationalGeographic's Genographic Project. Y-‐DNA results may be uploaded for a fee.
MyHeritageDNA analyzes autosomal DNA and provides results about your ethnicity via a color-‐coded map and matches your DNA segments with those to whom you may be related. It also allowsfree uploads of some test formats from FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and AncestryDNA.
No matter which company you use, remember that each company is comparing you to all of the othertests it has in its database. Many people do not test with all of the companies, so you may have amatch within another company's database and not realize it.
In addition to uploading your autosomal results to the companies that accept them, consideruploading your raw data to GEDmatch.com. This free site is provided by volunteers and does notperform any testing but instead works to provide a way for those who have results to connect withothers.
To find the largest number of matches, have your results and matching family trees on as many sitesas possible.
A
C
B
Past Times Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017
The Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. 5
STATE OFFICERS & BOARDMEMBERS
President Denise Picard Lindgren [email protected] President C. Yvonne Hickey [email protected] Michael McClellan [email protected] Secretary Patricia Stano-‐Carpenter [email protected] Secretary Lynda Page [email protected] Director Margaret R. Fortier [email protected]/Archivist Seema-‐Jayne Kenney [email protected] Chapter Kathleen Rubano, President [email protected] Valley Chapter Karen Trearchis, President [email protected] Chapter Deborah Lee Stewart, President [email protected] Chapter Seema-‐Jayne Kenney, President [email protected] Editor George D. Martin [email protected] Times Editor Diane Brooks-‐Sherry [email protected] Hope Tillman [email protected]
COMMITTEES & CHAIRS
Annual Meeting C. Yvonne Hickey [email protected] Robert Farmer [email protected] & Education Seema-‐Jayne Kenney [email protected] Hope Tillman [email protected] Contest Editorial Board [email protected]
FGS (Federation of Genealogical Societies) [email protected] (Massachusetts Genealogical Council) Charlene Sokal [email protected] (New England Regional Margaret Fortier, Seema-‐Jayne Kenney, [email protected] Consortium, Inc.) and Charlene Sokal
THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS, INC.
DELEGATES
Great Ideas Needed!
Do you have an idea for a presentation you would be willing to share with the membership? TheResearch & Education Committee is scheduling speakers for next year's webinar series. Contact themat [email protected] .
Do you have a way to improve members' use of msoginc.org? Would you be willing to help others usethe current webinar program? How else can the Society use technology to further its mission? TheTechnology Committee would love to hear your ideas and enlist your help. Email Hope Tillman [email protected].
This issue featured a tip for genealogists beginning to use DNA. Do you have a tip for a beginner orintermediate genealogist about any research topic or resource? Submit your article [email protected]. Please keep your article to 500 words or less.
The Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. 6
Past Times Volume 8, Issue 9, May 2017
P.O. Box 215
Ashland, MA 01721-0215
http://www.msoginc.org
THANK YOU FORMAKING THEMSOG BOOTH A SUCCESS!
PegPlummer
Michael McClellan
Denise Cross
Margaret Fortier
Carol Conroy
Gene Vogt
Stella Pierce
Robert Pierce
Jeannine Levesque
Deborah Keyes
Wendy Sheppard
Anne Borg
SusanDion
Paula Muggleton
KarenTrearchis
Elizabeth Handler
Deborah Stewart
