The 19th Annual Genealogy Fair, is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2012, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer.

The 5 volume series, Cemeteries of Roane County West Virginia, is now available on a single DVD-ROM, containing searchable PDF (portable document format) versions of all 5 volumes. Originally published in 2001, this series features updated readings of Roane County Cemeteries. Each volume has approximately 200 pages plus index. In addition to marker readings, each cemetery has notes on location, and any additional or differing information available from the older WPA readings is noted.

Supplies are limited, so add this valuable resource to your research library today for only $25.00 (plus postage and handling and sales tax where applicable.)

The Roane County Historical Society met on Thursday, November 15, 2012 for their regular monthly meeting with seven members and one visitor present. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., he welcomed those present, Mike Hill led an opening prayer and the pledge to the American flag was recited by all.

Susan Tucker, Recording Sect'y, read the minutes from the October meeting, which were approved as read.

Carol Board-Westfall gave the treasurer’s report with current balance at $19,206.56 Copy filed for annual audit.

Linda Liss, Corresponding Sect'y, reported that she had sent two sympathy cards since last meeting and replied to different inquires as needed. As Membership Sect'y, Linda also reported that current membership is 213 but 17 of those members have not renewed membership for the 2012-13 fiscal year. All have been contacted. Names will be removed from roll if not paid by time of the publishing of the Membership/Surname Directory in December.

Old business:

Susan reported that we still have a few of the DVD's available of the 5 Volumes of the Roane County Cemetery Books that were made available at the Sept. Genealogy Fair. Price of the DVD is $25.

Susan also reported that a “Tailgater” microphone speaker system was purchased and now available for use at meetings and other society functions. Cost: $90.10

Carol Board-Westfall: Nothing new to report on the possibility of the Society cleaning or working with the City of Spencer in cleaning the city Museum housed at the Heritage Park’s historic B & O Depot building.

Carol also reported that the County Commission has approved the $1,000 Governor’s Community Participation Grant for 2013. As discussed and approved at an earlier meeting, the grant will be used toward digitizing the microfilm library owned and housed with the Roane County Historical Society. The microfilms will be sent to the Florida-based company for converting to digitized media.

Information and forms have been received for nomination of a 2013 “History Hero” as part of the annual History Day at the Legislature. This is held in conjunction with the WV Archives & History Commission. After discussion the society decided to forego the nomination this year.

New Business:

Mike Hill suggested an idea of perhaps the society working on a book about early pioneer settler families of Spring Creek, Roane County. His suggestion was to use maps and/or surveys showing settlement of the different families and histories about those families. The Adam Hodam journal and other documents would be good source materials. Item tabled for further discussion.


Program:

Special thanks to Carol Board-Westfall who led discussion about the use of D.N.A. in family genealogy research. She was excited to report that her D.N.A. results through Ancestry.com’s program revealed that her ancestors were 96% Central European. An oral saliva swab is taken and studied, revealing shared D.N.A. characteristics to one’s ancestors and others sharing the same characteristics. Ancestry then makes available surnames of those matching that D.N.A.

The next meeting of the R.C.H.S. is scheduled for THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library. Each person is asked to bring a sampling of Christmas goodies to share as refreshments. THIS WILL BE THE LAST MEETING FOR 2012. Questions and/or comments may be directed to Linda Liss, Corresponding Secretary, at WVRoots@aol.com

The Roane County Historical Society met Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library. There were fourteen members and two visitors present.
President, Rick Greathouse, called the meeting to order, and welcomed members & visitors. Johanna Nutter led the opening prayer and the pledge to the flag was recited by all.
In the absence of the Recording Secretary, the minutes from the September meeting were read by Linda Liss, Corresponding Sect’y. The minutes were approved as read.
Carol Board-Westfall gave the Treasurer’s report reflecting a balance of $18,578.66
Linda reported that she had responded to inquiries where needed and reported that current membership stands at 210. Eighteen members still have not paid dues for the 2012-13 fiscal year. All were sent emails or a reminder postcards.
Two pieces of correspondence rec’d by Carol B-W. – She will follow-up on these.
1. Letter from James Guy Hudkins regarding a portrait of and doctor bag belonging to his grandfather, Byron Jonah Hudkins. At a future time he would like to make a gift of these items to the society if interested.
2. U. S. Postal Service – letter regarding use of automated bar-code on bulk mailings.

Old Business:
1. Several bags of non-perishable foods were bought to be donated to the local food pantry.
2. Possible project to help clean & maintain the Heritage Park Depot Museum was discussed. Carol B-W will talk with Teresa Parker, Museum caretaker and the City of Spencer officials regarding the building and report back at a future meeting.
3. Sound system for use at society meetings: Johanna Nutter reported that Susan Tucker was working on this, but had nothing new to report from Susan at this time.
4. Linda Liss reported that she had talked with Susan Gerstell and Rebecca Lockhart, Counselors at R.C.H. School, and presented the guidelines and firmed up dates to proceed with presenting a $750 scholarship to a 2013 graduating senior who writes the best family history/ genealogical type essay.

Program:
Long-time Society member, Mike Hill, made an interesting & well-planned presentation about focusing on “family genealogy.” His purpose was to motivate and get members interested in discussing their ancestors and family surnames at the different society meetings as part of the society’s regular programming. He is looking to do something, structurally, that will enhance today’s technology-based family research. He distributed the Bonnett/Meadows Pedigree Chart (his wife’s ancestors) which generated discussion among others present who are researching or have ancestors of the same families.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m., with a variety of delicious refreshments being served by Shirley Hill.

The next meeting will be held on the 3rd Thursday of November which is November 15th. The program will involve a presentation on use of D.N.A. in forming ancestral connections. Melissa Swisher and Carol Board-Westfall will lead the discussion.

In attendance were: Carol Board-Westfall, Shirley and Mike Hill, Linda Cottrell Liss, Hazel E.C. Gandee, Rick Greathouse, Peggy L. Starcher, Phyllis Counts, Jerry Morgan, Reva Paxton, Johanna Nutter, Betty Moore, Melissa Swisher, Paul Hughes and guests, Judy Hildreth and Bobby Skinner.

The regular monthly meeting of the Roane County Historical Society was held 27 Sept 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and led an opening prayer. Mike Hill led the pledge to the American flag.

Linda Liss read the minutes from the August 23rd meeting as provided by the recording secretary, Susan Tucker. The minutes were approved as amended. Corrections and additions include:
1. Pledge to flag led by Local Scout Master, Michael Myers.
2. Opening prayer led by society member, Mike Hill
3. Treasurer’s report: Aug. Balance $17,812.22 [copy to be filed with minutes]
4. Fujitsu ScanSnap Sheet-Fed Scanner, Cost $414.49, plus CD’s & supplies $167.95
5. RCHS Membership as of Aug 23rd was 207 [report copy filed with minutes]
6. Attendance for Cornstalk presentation, approx.. 50. Business meeting att. Not available.
7. Refreshments were served between the Cornstalk presentation & the business meeting.

Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, reported a Sept. balance of $18,071.79 [Copy filed with minutes for annual audit]

Linda Liss, Corresponding Sect’y, reported that she sent sympathy cards were needed. She reported that an inquiry was rec’d through the society’s website regarding photos of the past & present courthouses of Roane County. Deb Warmuth, Project Mgr., The Walk-About Co., Wheeling WV & with the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Arts & Sciences is researching courthouses of WV and is seeking historic courthouse photos/images that might be available for use in publications. The first courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1887 replaced by the two-story brick structure which was torn down to build the third present bldg. in 1964-5. Linda has photos of the three buildings, but needs to research the copyright on the first two. She will report back at next meeting.
As Membership Secretary Linda reported that the current membership is 210. Three new members were rec’d during the September Gen. Fair. She also noted that 22 members have NOT paid dues for the fiscal year 2012-13. All have been notified regarding their past due memberships. Report copy filed with minutes.

Carol reported that several books have been purchased or donated to the society:
1. Clay County Marriages w/Index by the Kanawha Valley Gen. Society
2. Mt. Heritage / Blennerhasset Island
3. Lewisburg Landmarks
4. Forebearers of Taylor/Cromwell Family
5. Jackson Co. WV Deaths
6. Hans Jacob Gandee Descendants pub. by the Lockharts

Johanna Nutter reported that the Sept 22nd Genealogy Fair was deemed a success. Vendors did well, the American Legion Auxillary food was a hit, 127 registered attendance plus many who came but did not register. Those attending had a good time and enjoyed the fellowship. The Heritage Park Community Bldg has been reserved for the September 28, 2013 fair. Special thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make the event successful. The society cleared well over a thousand dollars from table rentals and book sales at the fair.
At a past meeting it was discussed that the society perhaps purchase some sort of sound system to use at meetings and other society events. Johanna Nutter volunteered to check on this and report back at the next meeting.

It was reported that the Vol. 20, Issue 1 of the Roane County Journal was mailed and rec’d by the membership of the Society. Carol Cronin is to be complimented for her work as our newsletter editor.

Linda Liss asked if the RCHS wishes to continue the Annual Scholarship Essay with the Roane County High School. The past two years we have presented a scholarship to a deserving senior who wrote the best essay portraying their family genealogy. After discussion, motion was made by Melissa Swisher and properly seconded that the society offer a $750 scholarship to a senior who writes the best genealogy essay. Motion carried unanimously. Linda will meet with school officials and present the essay guidelines and applications.

P.J. Miller brought a local community concern to the society for consideration. Recent newspapers articles indicate that the local food pantry is in need of non-perishable food items. Even with generous monetary donations the food pantry is still in need of food. Therefore, by general consensus of those members present, it is agreed for each person attending the next meeting of the society on Oct. 25th be asked to bring a can/box of non-perishable food to be donated to the pantry.

Melissa Swisher noted that she had worked a shift at the Heritage Park Depot Museum during the Genealogy Fair. The building is owned by the City of Spencer. Many area residents have never visited the museum or perhaps do not know about it. She said the old Depot building is in need of some t.l.c. and cleaning. There are no photos displayed there! No heating/cooling. Is this something the R.C.H.S. may want to attempt as a community project to clean up the museum and perhaps pursue a grant to get h/c installed? Society member, Teresa Parker, is caretaker of the museum. Carol Board-Westfall will talk with Teresa to get ideas on how to proceed……and report back at next meeting.

For the good of the society, it was discussed having some sort of genealogical report or family history report at each meeting of the R.C.H.S. Since we are a society to promote genealogy and our Roane County family’s history this would be an excellent way of learning about some of the families our members are researching.
Mike Hill volunteered to be the first in this series of presentations. He will discuss the Roane County pioneer families of Meadows and Bonnett at the October meeting.

It was also suggested to have a future program on the use of DNA research in making family connections.

Carol and Melissa reported that the 5 cemetery books published by the RCHS have been scanned and put on CD’s. They were offered for sale at the September Genealogy Fair.

Shirley Hill will serve refreshments for our October 25th meeting.

Announcements:
October 6, 2012 – Battle Days at Point Pleasant, Mason Co., WV, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.
October 6, 2012 – Wirt County Heritage Days at Elizabeth, WV.
Oct 11-14, 2012 – WV Black Walnut Festival, Spencer

Meeting adjourned.
Those present were: Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Linda Cottrell Liss, Hazel E. C. Gandee, Mike Hill, Shirley Hill, Roger Skinner, guest, Johanna Nutter, Betty Moore, Melissa Swisher, Brenda Whited and Phill “PJ” Miller.