At this time, I have no interest in joining MCGS because I can find more on Madison County at the Belleville Public Library than in the MCGS holdings at the Edw. Public Library. I've been able to find only a very limited amount of information on Venice which was one of the earliest areas to be settled. Where are all of the really old records? Maybe someone from the MCGS should be online providing tips on how to find information. It would certainly spark interest in getting a membership. Karen Roland Bauer wrote: > > TO THE MADISON COUNTY LIST and MADISON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY: > > I am writing the Madison County List in hopes of reaching some the > members of the Madison County Genealogical Society and bring a rather > distressing situation to light. > > Illinois and Madison and St. Clair Counties were well represented at the > recent Conference in St. Louis. One of the main topics of this group > was the unhappy situation at the Madison County Genealogical Society. I > have been a member since it began about 20 years ago. At one time we had > over 400 members, many active local members and always 60-75 at the > monthly meeting. > > There appears to have been a substantial number of "non renewals" as > the 1998 Fall Quarterly lists only about 100 local members. There are > in addition about 30 local life members. What seem to be the problem and > what can long time members do to improve the situation? Any > suggestions? > > I found what I appeared to me to be a problem in the library account > when I did the audit for several Treasurers for different years and > made suggestions but that was a few years ago. > > Those of us who were active workers, officers, etc. in those early > growing years are very concerned, especially after some of the remarks I > heard at the conference. We worked hard during those years and I, for > one, hate to see our organization founder when most others are > increasing in size and importance. Although I have not been active in > the Madison County Society since I went into the chairs at the > Illinois State Society, I would be glad to help in any way. I am sure > others would step forward, if they are asked. > > Does the Society want help or are they happy to become a small club with > a few select members? > > I don't know who or how many are on the Madison County List. Therefore > in the interest of promoting the MCGS I am sending a copy of this > letter via S-mall to the officers of the MCGS and a few other > appropriate people. > > Please send me your opinion!! > > ROLAND BAUER > #22 Briarcliff > Collinsville, IL 62234 > > ==== ILMADISO Mailing List ==== > Search the Rootsweb Resources Page for Madison County! > Includes several Madison Co search engines! > http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/IL/Madison/ > Visit the Madison County Home Page! > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmadiso/index.htm