We did not meet last Saturday since it was July 4th. Come and join us this Saturday July 11. Cathy is on vacation so I will try to hold the fort down. Shirley Beginners Breakfast MCGS members and all beginners are invited for breakfast the first Saturday of each month at Star Restaurant, 1700 Novato Boulevard, Novato at 9:00 a.m. Join us for food and discussion. This is a great opportunity to discuss your questions.
(The San Francisco Branch of the California State Library) Services Available at the Sutro Library • Research assistance and instruction in the use of the library’s resources. • Limited photocopies of up to 20 pages. Sent via fax and mail with no charge. • Reference service by phone or email. • Interlibrary loan services (printed materials, copying, fiche & film.) • Group visits and orientation sessions. (Advance reservation is required.) • Internet access to California State Library’s online resources, Ancestry.com & Heritage Quest online. • Presentations at conferences and community groups on Sutro Library resources. • We accept donations of family and local histories from all states and countries, travel literature, exploration, etc. (Tax deductable as allowed by law.) • Sutro Library is open M-F & the second Saturday of each month from 10-5, excluding holidays. Collections & Resources Genealogy, Family & Local History, City Directories, US Census & Soundex from 1790-1930, Passenger lists and indexes prior to 1900, Parish records (Baptism, Marriage, Death) from England, mostly before 1800, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) publications, Guides, bibliographies and periodicals published by historical and genealogical societies, and by family associations, Genealogy CD-ROMs, Vital, Tax, Voting & Property Records. Please check: California State Library Home Page www.library.ca.gov and the Online Catalog www.lib.state.ca.us for special collections available at the library. For inquiries please contact Sutro staff: Email Sutro@library.ca.gov or call: 415-731-4477. 480 Winston Drive, San Francisco CA 94132
I certainly think that would be the right thing to do. Shirley --- On Mon, 6/29/09, BAlexander/JNeecke <bcalex@earthlink.net> wrote: From: BAlexander/JNeecke <bcalex@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [MarinGenSoc] Re; Bill AB130 To: maringensoc@rootsweb.com Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 3:24 PM Shirley, If this is a state bill (AB 130) - wouldn't we only contact our State Reps - Leno and Huffman? Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley Genetin" <genetin@sbcglobal.net> To: "MCGS" <maringensoc@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 9:39 AM Subject: [MarinGenSoc] Re; Bill AB130 Greetings CSGA Members, I'm writing this from the Jamboree in Burbank. At today's Board Meeting, we had a presentation by Jan Allen on a bill the is now in our State Legislature -- AB130. Everyone who was in attendence at the meeting agreed that this is not a bill we would like to see passed. What it does, essentially, is put the same limits on access to marriage records that have already been put on birth and death records in the State of California. This bill is in committee now and will go to the Senate this week. It is urgent that everyone look on the State Legislature website to learn more about it and then write to your Congressmen and Senators, via email or fax, by Monday morning. It is expected that this will pass quickly if the genealogy community doesn't act quickly. Thank you! Sue Roe CSGA President ______________________________________ A big "THANK YOU" to all of you that give so generously of your time volunteering for the Society. --------------------------------- Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org Read the meeting notices: <http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.12.94/2208 - Release Date: 06/29/09 05:54:00 ______________________________________ A big "THANK YOU" to all of you that give so generously of your time volunteering for the Society. --------------------------------- Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org Read the meeting notices: <http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Hi Everyone...Talked to Mark Leno's office person today and AB 130 has been referred back to committee for the time being. Assemblyman Jeffries is the author of the bill. Time to call Jared Huffman our Assemblyman: 479-4920 to express our views on this Bill. Can call Mark Leno's office: 479-6612 also to express our concerns. Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley Genetin" <genetin@sbcglobal.net> To: "MCGS" <maringensoc@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 9:39 AM Subject: [MarinGenSoc] Re; Bill AB130 Greetings CSGA Members, I'm writing this from the Jamboree in Burbank. At today's Board Meeting, we had a presentation by Jan Allen on a bill the is now in our State Legislature -- AB130. Everyone who was in attendence at the meeting agreed that this is not a bill we would like to see passed. What it does, essentially, is put the same limits on access to marriage records that have already been put on birth and death records in the State of California. This bill is in committee now and will go to the Senate this week. It is urgent that everyone look on the State Legislature website to learn more about it and then write to your Congressmen and Senators, via email or fax, by Monday morning. It is expected that this will pass quickly if the genealogy community doesn't act quickly. Thank you! Sue Roe CSGA President ______________________________________ A big "THANK YOU" to all of you that give so generously of your time volunteering for the Society. --------------------------------- Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org Read the meeting notices: <http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.12.94/2208 - Release Date: 06/29/09 05:54:00
Shirley, If this is a state bill (AB 130) - wouldn't we only contact our State Reps - Leno and Huffman? Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley Genetin" <genetin@sbcglobal.net> To: "MCGS" <maringensoc@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 9:39 AM Subject: [MarinGenSoc] Re; Bill AB130 Greetings CSGA Members, I'm writing this from the Jamboree in Burbank. At today's Board Meeting, we had a presentation by Jan Allen on a bill the is now in our State Legislature -- AB130. Everyone who was in attendence at the meeting agreed that this is not a bill we would like to see passed. What it does, essentially, is put the same limits on access to marriage records that have already been put on birth and death records in the State of California. This bill is in committee now and will go to the Senate this week. It is urgent that everyone look on the State Legislature website to learn more about it and then write to your Congressmen and Senators, via email or fax, by Monday morning. It is expected that this will pass quickly if the genealogy community doesn't act quickly. Thank you! Sue Roe CSGA President ______________________________________ A big "THANK YOU" to all of you that give so generously of your time volunteering for the Society. --------------------------------- Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org Read the meeting notices: <http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.12.94/2208 - Release Date: 06/29/09 05:54:00
I enjoyed reading about these tidbits and although I found the explanations very entertaining, I wondered how accurate they were. I found that at least a few of them probably belong to a category known as folk etymology. For example the origin of the word gossip, according to several sources including the Oxford English Dictionary, is from god and sibb, the term for godparents. Again there is a lengthy article in Wikipedia concerning the origin of the brass monkey expression, (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_monkey_(colloquial_expression) that examines several theories and rejects the one involving cannonballs. A certain measure of skepticism is called for I think. Vernon Smith > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:01:15 -0700 (PDT) > From: Jerry Moore <perfinhole@yahoo.com> > Subject: [MarinGenSoc] For the history buff in all of us > To: Jerry Moore <perfinhole@yahoo.com> > Cc: maringensoc-L@rootsweb.com > Message-ID: <879432.93602.qm@web52703.mail.re2.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > There is a bit of?history buff in all of > us.?? Here are some interesting tidbits that just maybe you didn't > know. > > > > In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's > image was either sculpted or painted.? Some paintings of George > Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back > while others showed both legs and both arms.? Prices charged by painters > were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs > were to be painted.. Arms and legs are 'limbs,' therefore painting them > would > cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, 'Okay, but it'll cost you an arm > and a leg.'?? (Artists know hands and arms are more difficult to > paint) > > > > As > incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and > October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads > (because > of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made > from > wool. They couldn't wash t he wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a > loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes.? The > heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term 'big wig.' Today we > often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because someone appears to be or > is powerful and wealthy. > > > > In the late 1700's, many houses consisted of a large room > with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, > and was used for dining. The 'head of the household' always sat in the chair > while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was > usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit > in > the chair meant you were important and in charge.? They called the one > sitting in the chair the 'chair man.' Today in business, we use the > expression > or title 'Chairman' or 'Chairman of the Board.' > > > > Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and > men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax > over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions.? When they were > speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face > she > was told, 'mind your own bee's wax.'? Should the woman smile, the wax > would crack, hence the term 'crack a smile'.? In addition, when they sat > too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . Therefore, the expression > 'losing face.' > > > > Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and > dignified woman, as in 'straight laced'. . Wore a tightly tied lace. > > > Common > entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when > purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the 'Ace of Spades.'? To > avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since > most > games required 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb > because > they weren't 'playing with a full deck.' > > > > Early politicians required feedback from > the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there > were > no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to > local > taverns, pubs, and bars.? They were told to 'go sip some ale' and listen > to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were > dispatched at different times.? 'You go sip here' and 'You go sip there.' > The two words 'go sip' were eventually combined when referring to the local > opinion and, thus we have the term 'gossip.' > > > > At > local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized > containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep > the > drinks coming.? She had to pay close attention and remember who was > drinking in 'pints' and who was drinking in 'quarts,' hence the term > 'minding > your 'P's and Q's ' > > > > One more and betting?you > didn't know this! > > > In the heyday of sailing ships, all war > ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round > iron > cannon balls.? It was necessary to keep a good supply near the > cannon.? However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck?? > The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on > top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen.? Thus, a > supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the > cannon.? There was only one problem...how to prevent the bottom layer > from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal > plate > called a 'Monkey' with 16 round indentations. >> However, if this plate > were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to > the rusting problem was to make 'Brass Monkeys.' Few landlubbers realize > that > brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when > chilled.? > > > > Consequently, when the > temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much > that > the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey.? Thus, it was quite > literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.' (All this > time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.)? > > > > If you don't send this fabulous bit of historic knowledge to > any and all your unsuspecting friends, your floppy is going to fall off your > hard drive and kill your mouse. > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:46:20 -0700 (PDT) > From: Elizabeth Waud <ewaud@yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [MarinGenSoc] For the history buff in all of us > To: maringensoc@rootsweb.com > Message-ID: <783685.66605.qm@web110111.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > > Bravo! Thanks, Jerry! > > Betsy Waud > > --- On Thu, 6/25/09, Jerry Moore <perfinhole@yahoo.com> wrote: > >> From: Jerry Moore <perfinhole@yahoo.com> >> Subject: [MarinGenSoc] For the history buff in all of us >> To: "Jerry Moore" <perfinhole@yahoo.com> >> Cc: maringensoc-L@rootsweb.com >> Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009, 10:01 PM >> There is a bit of?history buff in >> all of >> ? us.?? Here are some interesting tidbits that just >> maybe you didn't >> ? know. >> >> >> >> In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's >> ? image was either sculpted or painted.? Some >> paintings of George >> ? Washington showed him standing behind a desk with >> one arm behind his back >> ? while others showed both legs and both arms.? >> Prices charged by painters >> ? were not based on how many people were to be >> painted, but by how many limbs >> ? were to be painted.. Arms and legs are 'limbs,' >> therefore painting them would >> ? cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, 'Okay, >> but it'll cost you an arm >> ? and a leg.'?? (Artists know hands and arms are >> more difficult to >> ? paint) >> >> >> >> As >> ? incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths >> only twice a year (May and >> ? October) Women kept their hair covered, while men >> shaved their heads (because >> ? of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could >> afford good wigs made from >> ? wool. They couldn't wash t he wigs, so to clean them >> they would carve out a >> ? loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it >> for 30 minutes.? The >> ? heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the >> term 'big wig.' Today we >> ? often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because >> someone appears to be or >> ? is powerful and wealthy. >> >> >> >> In the late 1700's, many houses consisted of a large room >> ? with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board >> folded down from the wall, >> ? and was used for dining. The 'head of the household' >> always sat in the chair >> ? while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. >> Occasionally a guest, who was >> ? usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair >> during a meal. To sit in >> ? the chair meant you were important and in charge.? >> They called the one >> ? sitting in the chair the 'chair man.' Today in >> business, we use the expression >> ? or title 'Chairman' or 'Chairman of the Board.' >> >> >> >> Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a >> result, many women and >> ? men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women >> would spread bee's wax >> ? over their facial skin to smooth out their >> complexions.? When they were >> ? speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at >> another woman's face she >> ? was told, 'mind your own bee's wax.'? Should the >> woman smile, the wax >> ? would crack, hence the term 'crack a smile'.? In >> addition, when they sat >> ? too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . >> Therefore, the expression >> ? 'losing face.' >> >> >> >> Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A >> proper and >> ? dignified woman, as in 'straight laced'. . Wore a >> tightly tied lace. >> >> >> Common >> ? entertainment included playing cards. However, there >> was a tax levied when >> ? purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the >> 'Ace of Spades.'? To >> ? avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards >> instead. Yet, since most >> ? games required 52 cards, these people were thought >> to be stupid or dumb because >> ? they weren't 'playing with a full deck.' >> >> >> >> Early politicians required feedback from >> ? the public to determine what the people considered >> important. Since there were >> ? no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent >> their assistants to local >> ? taverns, pubs, and bars.? They were told to 'go sip >> some ale' and listen >> ? to people's conversations and political concerns. >> Many assistants were >> ? dispatched at different times.? 'You go sip here' >> and 'You go sip there.' >> ? The two words 'go sip' were eventually combined when >> referring to the local >> ? opinion and, thus we have the term 'gossip.' >> >> >> >> At >> ? local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from >> pint and quart-sized >> ? containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on >> the customers and keep the >> ? drinks coming.? She had to pay close attention and >> remember who was >> ? drinking in 'pints' and who was drinking in >> 'quarts,' hence the term 'minding >> ? your 'P's and Q's ' >> >> >> >> One more and betting?you >> ? didn't know this! >> >> >> In the heyday of sailing ships, all war >> ? ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. >> Those cannons fired round iron >> ? cannon balls.? It was necessary to keep a good >> supply near the >> ? cannon.? However, how to prevent them from rolling >> about the deck?? >> ? The best storage method devised was a square-based >> pyramid with one ball on >> ? top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested >> on sixteen.? Thus, a >> ? supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a >> small area right next to the >> ? cannon.? There was only one problem...how to >> prevent the bottom layer >> ? from sliding or rolling from under the others. The >> solution was a metal plate >> ? called a 'Monkey' with 16 round indentations. >>> However, if this plate >> ? were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust >> to it. The solution to >> ? the rusting problem was to make 'Brass Monkeys.' Few >> landlubbers realize that >> ? brass contracts much more and much faster than iron >> when >> ? chilled.? >> >> >> >> Consequently, when the >> ? temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations >> would shrink so much that >> ? the iron cannonballs would come right off the >> monkey.? Thus, it was quite >> ? literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a >> brass monkey.' (All this >> ? time, you thought that was an improper expression, >> didn't you.)? >> >> >> >> If you don't send this fabulous bit of historic knowledge >> to >> ? any and all your unsuspecting friends, your floppy >> is going to fall off your >> ? hard drive and kill your mouse. >> >> >> ? ? ? >> ______________________________________ >> >> A big "THANK YOU"? to all of you that give so >> generously of your time volunteering for the Society. >> --------------------------------- >> Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org >> >> Read the meeting >> notices:???<http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> >> >> Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: >> http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com >> with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the >> subject and the body of the message >> > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > To contact the MARINGENSOC list administrator, send an email to > MARINGENSOC-admin@rootsweb.com. > > To post a message to the MARINGENSOC mailing list, send an email to > MARINGENSOC@rootsweb.com. > > __________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com > with the word "unsubscribe" without the quotes in the subject and the body of > the > email with no additional text. > > > End of MARINGENSOC Digest, Vol 4, Issue 82 > ******************************************
Greetings CSGA Members, I'm writing this from the Jamboree in Burbank. At today's Board Meeting, we had a presentation by Jan Allen on a bill the is now in our State Legislature -- AB130. Everyone who was in attendence at the meeting agreed that this is not a bill we would like to see passed. What it does, essentially, is put the same limits on access to marriage records that have already been put on birth and death records in the State of California. This bill is in committee now and will go to the Senate this week. It is urgent that everyone look on the State Legislature website to learn more about it and then write to your Congressmen and Senators, via email or fax, by Monday morning. It is expected that this will pass quickly if the genealogy community doesn't act quickly. Thank you! Sue Roe CSGA President
Bravo! Thanks, Jerry! Betsy Waud --- On Thu, 6/25/09, Jerry Moore <perfinhole@yahoo.com> wrote: > From: Jerry Moore <perfinhole@yahoo.com> > Subject: [MarinGenSoc] For the history buff in all of us > To: "Jerry Moore" <perfinhole@yahoo.com> > Cc: maringensoc-L@rootsweb.com > Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009, 10:01 PM > There is a bit of history buff in > all of > us. Here are some interesting tidbits that just > maybe you didn't > know. > > > > In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's > image was either sculpted or painted. Some > paintings of George > Washington showed him standing behind a desk with > one arm behind his back > while others showed both legs and both arms. > Prices charged by painters > were not based on how many people were to be > painted, but by how many limbs > were to be painted.. Arms and legs are 'limbs,' > therefore painting them would > cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, 'Okay, > but it'll cost you an arm > and a leg.' (Artists know hands and arms are > more difficult to > paint) > > > > As > incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths > only twice a year (May and > October) Women kept their hair covered, while men > shaved their heads (because > of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could > afford good wigs made from > wool. They couldn't wash t he wigs, so to clean them > they would carve out a > loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it > for 30 minutes. The > heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the > term 'big wig.' Today we > often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because > someone appears to be or > is powerful and wealthy. > > > > In the late 1700's, many houses consisted of a large room > with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board > folded down from the wall, > and was used for dining. The 'head of the household' > always sat in the chair > while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. > Occasionally a guest, who was > usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair > during a meal. To sit in > the chair meant you were important and in charge. > They called the one > sitting in the chair the 'chair man.' Today in > business, we use the expression > or title 'Chairman' or 'Chairman of the Board.' > > > > Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a > result, many women and > men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women > would spread bee's wax > over their facial skin to smooth out their > complexions. When they were > speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at > another woman's face she > was told, 'mind your own bee's wax.' Should the > woman smile, the wax > would crack, hence the term 'crack a smile'. In > addition, when they sat > too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . > Therefore, the expression > 'losing face.' > > > > Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A > proper and > dignified woman, as in 'straight laced'. . Wore a > tightly tied lace. > > > Common > entertainment included playing cards. However, there > was a tax levied when > purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the > 'Ace of Spades.' To > avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards > instead. Yet, since most > games required 52 cards, these people were thought > to be stupid or dumb because > they weren't 'playing with a full deck.' > > > > Early politicians required feedback from > the public to determine what the people considered > important. Since there were > no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent > their assistants to local > taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to 'go sip > some ale' and listen > to people's conversations and political concerns. > Many assistants were > dispatched at different times. 'You go sip here' > and 'You go sip there.' > The two words 'go sip' were eventually combined when > referring to the local > opinion and, thus we have the term 'gossip.' > > > > At > local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from > pint and quart-sized > containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on > the customers and keep the > drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and > remember who was > drinking in 'pints' and who was drinking in > 'quarts,' hence the term 'minding > your 'P's and Q's ' > > > > One more and betting you > didn't know this! > > > In the heyday of sailing ships, all war > ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. > Those cannons fired round iron > cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good > supply near the > cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling > about the deck? > The best storage method devised was a square-based > pyramid with one ball on > top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested > on sixteen. Thus, a > supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a > small area right next to the > cannon. There was only one problem...how to > prevent the bottom layer > from sliding or rolling from under the others. The > solution was a metal plate > called a 'Monkey' with 16 round indentations. > > However, if this plate > were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust > to it. The solution to > the rusting problem was to make 'Brass Monkeys.' Few > landlubbers realize that > brass contracts much more and much faster than iron > when > chilled. > > > > Consequently, when the > temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations > would shrink so much that > the iron cannonballs would come right off the > monkey. Thus, it was quite > literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a > brass monkey.' (All this > time, you thought that was an improper expression, > didn't you.) > > > > If you don't send this fabulous bit of historic knowledge > to > any and all your unsuspecting friends, your floppy > is going to fall off your > hard drive and kill your mouse. > > > > ______________________________________ > > A big "THANK YOU" to all of you that give so > generously of your time volunteering for the Society. > --------------------------------- > Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org > > Read the meeting notices: <http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> > > Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: > http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the > subject and the body of the message >
There is a bit of history buff in all of us. Here are some interesting tidbits that just maybe you didn't know. In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted.. Arms and legs are 'limbs,' therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, 'Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg.' (Artists know hands and arms are more difficult to paint) As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash t he wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term 'big wig.' Today we often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy. In the late 1700's, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The 'head of the household' always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the 'chair man.' Today in business, we use the expression or title 'Chairman' or 'Chairman of the Board.' Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, 'mind your own bee's wax.' Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term 'crack a smile'. In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . Therefore, the expression 'losing face.' Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and dignified woman, as in 'straight laced'. . Wore a tightly tied lace. Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the 'Ace of Spades.' To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since most games required 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren't 'playing with a full deck.' Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to 'go sip some ale' and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. 'You go sip here' and 'You go sip there.' The two words 'go sip' were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term 'gossip.' At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in 'pints' and who was drinking in 'quarts,' hence the term 'minding your 'P's and Q's ' One more and betting you didn't know this! In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem...how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a 'Monkey' with 16 round indentations. > However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make 'Brass Monkeys.' Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.' (All this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.) If you don't send this fabulous bit of historic knowledge to any and all your unsuspecting friends, your floppy is going to fall off your hard drive and kill your mouse.
Subject: FGS/AGS Genealogy Conference Discount Deadline Almost Here. Please pass this on to your fellow genealogists, bloggers, editors, librarians, archivists, and don't forget to register soon to receive the discount. Everyone loves to save $50.00. It once seemed to be in the distant future. The countdown clock has been ticking. The Federation of Genealogical Societies and Arkansas Genealogical Society Conference "Passages through Time" will be here in just over two months! July 1st is the very last day to register at a discount for this conference and save big on a full conference registration. It is only $175.00 if you register by then. Divide that amount by four full days of conference activities with all those lectures to choose from and it is a educational bargain. If you register after that date, it will cost $50.00 more. Go to www.fgsconference.org and register online with the easy to follow directions. If you print the registration form and mail it in, be sure it is postmarked on or before July 1, 2009. If you are registering online you may do that using your Visa, Master Card, or Discover charge card. The system does not accept debit cards. Of course, registrations will be accepted after July 1 but the discount will be gone. Register now and join other family historians, professional genealogists, librarians, archivists, and writers from Arkansas and states all over the country at this genealogical, educational, and networking bonanza. For the latest on conference happenings, tourism, transportation, and many other items, visit the Conference News Blog at www.fgsconferenceblog.org.
Dear Members, Starting out in genealogy, I assumed that you focussed on birth, marriage and death records and the rest would fall into place . . . wrong! Then I hit my first brick wall and realized that there must be more to it. This Wednesday Barbara Leak will shed light on a different and promising source--land records. I wasn't fully convinced until I noted in the May newsletter, "And in case you're not convinced of their value, a case study demonstrates how land records can be key to unlocking genealogical information when you learn to recognize what records imply, as well as the stated facts." I hope to see you at 7:30 with Barbara Leak for "Yes Indeed! Answers in Land Records" Oh, and don't forget to bring your recyclable bottles and cans to help defray MCGS expenses. Bill Bryant, Secretary
Gene, I am saddened to hear of the death of your mother. So many of us have lost parents in recent years. I noticed that she was born in Benson. I, too, was born in AZ, but in Bisbee. I remember hearing about Benson, "just around the corner". I had a great uncle, John Gerdes, who worked in the Murphy Stables (I think in Benson). It is a small world. Esther Kooiman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Pennington" <genepenn1@comcast.net> To: "MCGS Mail List" <maringensoc@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 2:51 PM Subject: [MarinGenSoc] Obituary: Ida Lee (Lancaster) Pennington > Ida Lee Pennington passed away on May 29, 2009 with her loving husband of > 66 > years and her daughter at her side. Born Ida Lee Lancaster on November 4, > 1925, in Benson, Arizona, Ida spent her childhood in Arizona and Arkansas. > Ida met Omer in 1938 when she was 12 and he was 16. They bonded right > away > and 4 years later they became Mr. and Mrs. Pennington. Ida and Omer were > married in 1942 in Barber, Arkansas. Ida was a loving and caring wife, > mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Ida was loved by all and she > was > always giving of herself to others in need. Being a military wife, Ida > followed her husband to Panama, Puerto Rico and Turkey and several > locations > in the United States. Ida moved to California in 1960 and lived at > Hamilton > Air Force Base until 1965. Ida and Omer eventually settling in Vacaville > in > 1996. In addition to being a wonderful, inspirational wife, mother, > grandmother and great grandmother, Ida was a bank teller, a waitress, a > civil service shipping clerk, a cosmetologist, a secretary and a > librarian. > Ida attended school in Booneville, Arkansas, Hamilton A.F.B. and > Tehachapi, > California and graduated from Marinellos Beauty College, San Rafael, > California and received her secretarial certificate from Antelope Valley > Jr. > College in Antelope Valley, California. > > She is survived by her beloved husband Omer C. Pennington, her loving > children, Gene (wife Judy), Pat (husband Rich) and Don and grandchildren, > Gene Pennington, Jr., Chris Pennington, Todd Pennington, Deborah (Nelson) > Messer, Diana Kenoyer Nelson, Becky Pennington, Jessie (Pennington) > Nieminen > and Anjy Pennington, Dawn Osborne, Stacy Juarez, and 20 great > grandchildren. > > Ida is survived by her sisters Camille (Lancaster) Greeson, Ethel > (Lancaster) Valler, Alice (Lancaster) Brady, Dorothy (Lancaster) Bullard > and > Fran (Williamson) Snipes and many nephews and nieces. > > Ida spent her retirement years traveling with Omer all across the United > States in their RV. During their travels, they spent many wonderful hours > visiting with family and friends. Ida was an avid gemologist and > genealogy > researcher and enjoyed crafts, sewing, quilting, cooking and loved to > crochet. > > Ida was a valued member of the Orchard Baptist Church and the Leisure > Gardens Bible Study Group in Vacaville, California. Ida was a long time > Pennington Research Association Member and served as a hostess for the PRA > 2003 Reunion/Meeting held in San Rafael, California. > > In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North Bay Hospice (707) > 646-3595 or Orchard Avenue Baptist Church (707) 448-5848 in Ida's name. > > Memorial service was held Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 11:00 am at Orchard > Avenue Baptist Church, 301 N. Orchard Avenue, Vacaville, CA, 95688. A > reception followed at the Church. > > > Gene Pennington > MCGS Webmaster, CIG & TMG User Group > http://www.maringensoc.org > MCGS Blog: http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ > > > > ______________________________________ > > A big "THANK YOU" to all of you that give so generously of your time > volunteering for the Society. > --------------------------------- > Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org > > Read the meeting notices: > <http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> > > Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: > http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Gene, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. You wrote a beautiful obituary about her. Eileen Shulman -----Original message----- From: "Gene Pennington" genepenn1@comcast.net Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:51:31 -0700 To: "MCGS Mail List" maringensoc@rootsweb.com Subject: [MarinGenSoc] Obituary: Ida Lee (Lancaster) Pennington > Ida Lee Pennington passed away on May 29, 2009 with her loving husband of 66 > years and her daughter at her side. Born Ida Lee Lancaster on November 4, > 1925, in Benson, Arizona, Ida spent her childhood in Arizona and Arkansas. > Ida met Omer in 1938 when she was 12 and he was 16. They bonded right away > and 4 years later they became Mr. and Mrs. Pennington. Ida and Omer were > married in 1942 in Barber, Arkansas. Ida was a loving and caring wife, > mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Ida was loved by all and she was > always giving of herself to others in need. Being a military wife, Ida > followed her husband to Panama, Puerto Rico and Turkey and several locations > in the United States. Ida moved to California in 1960 and lived at Hamilton > Air Force Base until 1965. Ida and Omer eventually settling in Vacaville in > 1996. In addition to being a wonderful, inspirational wife, mother, > grandmother and great grandmother, Ida was a bank teller, a waitress, a > civil service shipping clerk, a cosmetologist, a secretary and a librarian. > Ida attended school in Booneville, Arkansas, Hamilton A.F.B. and Tehachapi, > California and graduated from Marinellos Beauty College, San Rafael, > California and received her secretarial certificate from Antelope Valley Jr. > College in Antelope Valley, California. > > She is survived by her beloved husband Omer C. Pennington, her loving > children, Gene (wife Judy), Pat (husband Rich) and Don and grandchildren, > Gene Pennington, Jr., Chris Pennington, Todd Pennington, Deborah (Nelson) > Messer, Diana Kenoyer Nelson, Becky Pennington, Jessie (Pennington) Nieminen > and Anjy Pennington, Dawn Osborne, Stacy Juarez, and 20 great grandchildren. > > Ida is survived by her sisters Camille (Lancaster) Greeson, Ethel > (Lancaster) Valler, Alice (Lancaster) Brady, Dorothy (Lancaster) Bullard and > Fran (Williamson) Snipes and many nephews and nieces. > > Ida spent her retirement years traveling with Omer all across the United > States in their RV. During their travels, they spent many wonderful hours > visiting with family and friends. Ida was an avid gemologist and genealogy > researcher and enjoyed crafts, sewing, quilting, cooking and loved to > crochet. > > Ida was a valued member of the Orchard Baptist Church and the Leisure > Gardens Bible Study Group in Vacaville, California. Ida was a long time > Pennington Research Association Member and served as a hostess for the PRA > 2003 Reunion/Meeting held in San Rafael, California. > > In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North Bay Hospice (707) > 646-3595 or Orchard Avenue Baptist Church (707) 448-5848 in Ida's name. > > Memorial service was held Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 11:00 am at Orchard > Avenue Baptist Church, 301 N. Orchard Avenue, Vacaville, CA, 95688. A > reception followed at the Church. > > > Gene Pennington > MCGS Webmaster, CIG & TMG User Group > http://www.maringensoc.org > MCGS Blog: http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ > > > > ______________________________________ > > A big "THANK YOU" to all of you that give so generously of your time volunteering for the Society. > --------------------------------- > Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org > > Read the meeting notices: <http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> > > Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: > http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Gene: We are sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Sincere sympathy. Leo and Carlma Houweling ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Pennington" <genepenn1@comcast.net> To: "MCGS Mail List" <maringensoc@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 2:51 PM Subject: [MarinGenSoc] Obituary: Ida Lee (Lancaster) Pennington > Ida Lee Pennington passed away on May 29, 2009 with her loving husband of > 66 > years and her daughter at her side. Born Ida Lee Lancaster on November 4, > 1925, in Benson, Arizona, Ida spent her childhood in Arizona and Arkansas. > Ida met Omer in 1938 when she was 12 and he was 16. They bonded right > away > and 4 years later they became Mr. and Mrs. Pennington. Ida and Omer were > married in 1942 in Barber, Arkansas. Ida was a loving and caring wife, > mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Ida was loved by all and she > was > always giving of herself to others in need. Being a military wife, Ida > followed her husband to Panama, Puerto Rico and Turkey and several > locations > in the United States. Ida moved to California in 1960 and lived at > Hamilton > Air Force Base until 1965. Ida and Omer eventually settling in Vacaville > in > 1996. In addition to being a wonderful, inspirational wife, mother, > grandmother and great grandmother, Ida was a bank teller, a waitress, a > civil service shipping clerk, a cosmetologist, a secretary and a > librarian. > Ida attended school in Booneville, Arkansas, Hamilton A.F.B. and > Tehachapi, > California and graduated from Marinellos Beauty College, San Rafael, > California and received her secretarial certificate from Antelope Valley > Jr. > College in Antelope Valley, California. > > She is survived by her beloved husband Omer C. Pennington, her loving > children, Gene (wife Judy), Pat (husband Rich) and Don and grandchildren, > Gene Pennington, Jr., Chris Pennington, Todd Pennington, Deborah (Nelson) > Messer, Diana Kenoyer Nelson, Becky Pennington, Jessie (Pennington) > Nieminen > and Anjy Pennington, Dawn Osborne, Stacy Juarez, and 20 great > grandchildren. > > Ida is survived by her sisters Camille (Lancaster) Greeson, Ethel > (Lancaster) Valler, Alice (Lancaster) Brady, Dorothy (Lancaster) Bullard > and > Fran (Williamson) Snipes and many nephews and nieces. > > Ida spent her retirement years traveling with Omer all across the United > States in their RV. During their travels, they spent many wonderful hours > visiting with family and friends. Ida was an avid gemologist and > genealogy > researcher and enjoyed crafts, sewing, quilting, cooking and loved to > crochet. > > Ida was a valued member of the Orchard Baptist Church and the Leisure > Gardens Bible Study Group in Vacaville, California. Ida was a long time > Pennington Research Association Member and served as a hostess for the PRA > 2003 Reunion/Meeting held in San Rafael, California. > > In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North Bay Hospice (707) > 646-3595 or Orchard Avenue Baptist Church (707) 448-5848 in Ida's name. > > Memorial service was held Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 11:00 am at Orchard > Avenue Baptist Church, 301 N. Orchard Avenue, Vacaville, CA, 95688. A > reception followed at the Church. > > > Gene Pennington > MCGS Webmaster, CIG & TMG User Group > http://www.maringensoc.org > MCGS Blog: http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ > > > > ______________________________________ > > A big "THANK YOU" to all of you that give so generously of your time > volunteering for the Society. > --------------------------------- > Visit our website: http://www.maringensoc.org > > Read the meeting notices: > <http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm> > > Read the Society's blog run by Gene Pennington: > http://maringensoc.blogspot.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MARINGENSOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >
Gene, Sorry to hear about your Mother. She sounds like she was a special Person. It is hard to lose your Mother no matter how old they are. Shirley
Gene: I am sorry for your loss. Condolances to your family. Lauren
I sure hope that would not include death certificates! I'd rather find the entire SS#! Oh, bother. When will they learn that the best guard against identity theft is to change the financial institution requirements regarding using mothers' maiden names for security?! We have blocks enough. Public records should remain PUBLIC. Happy Trails, Lauren
This was sent to me by Cath Madden Trindle. I think it is something all genealogists should be aware of. If you can send your representative a message if you care to. Shirley In reading the two bills listed below, I did not find a problem with the second bill which requires County Recorders to only accept documents for recording that have only the last four digits of the SS#. It is not retroactive so only affects documents created after it's implementation date in 2010. There is nothing in the bill that changes access to records themselves. The first bill, however, is a problem. While adding marriages to the restrictions that currently exist for birth and death records in California it does not provide for a public version of the marriage indexes. As written it could virtually close off all marriage indexes that are not currently available offsite from public record offices. We need to contact our legislators and tell them to vote NO. There is no need to close marriage records, they have always been considered a public record. The redacting of maiden names of mothers' from indexes is annoying but acceptable, but no index at all is a problem not only for genealogists but more importantly for potential spouses and others who can become victims of the unscrupulous. (Note: the statement below that the certified copy will say informational only is incorrect. Like the birth and death certificates today, that truly will be an informational only copy which can be obtained by anyone. Certified copies will be the only "official documents". Again this is not a problem as long as the information is not redacted, but that redaction is part of the bill.) Please contact you legislators immediately. Perhaps you might hint that they should be solving our budget problems rather than trying to saddle the counties with additional work when they are having to lay off workers do to the economy. Additionally you might point out that the state still can not fulfill requests for birth and death records in any kind of timely manner and straddling them with yet another mandate is ridiculous. Cath Cath Madden Trindle, CG FGS Treasurer 650-366-5059 cell 650-207-2747 fax 866-418-1314Catht@aol.com CG, Certified Genealogist, is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation. The Federation of Genealogical Societies invites you to join us in Little Rock, AR at our annual National Conference, Sept 2-5, 2009 -- Visit our Web site at http://www.fgs.org. P Please consider the environment before printing this. From: welliott@Exchange.FULLERTON.EDU To: catht@aol.com Sent: 6/13/2009 10:54:16 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time Subj: FW: [RPAC] California Bills Passed out of houses of origin ________________________________________ From: jan meisels allen [janmallen@worldnet.att.net] Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 6:40 PM To: Elliott-Scheinberg, Wendy Cc: Fred Moss Subject: Fw: [RPAC] California Bills Passed out of houses of origin Wendy You will be getting a call from Fred Moss tonight in your role of CA Alliance due to two CA bills that are a problem and RPAC believes Alliance needs to get involved now.. I will be away starting Friday back Wednesday-no e-mail while I am away. AB 130 has hearing in Assembly Judiciary June 23 passed Assembly 79-0 Something I wrote for IAJGS below Jan: AB 130 adds marriage records to the restrictions on indices already in place for birth and death record indices. Local registrars may only release marriage records without the mother's maiden name. This is already a provision of law for birth and death records . Law enforcement may obtain records with the mother's maiden name. The records are not permitted to be posted on the internet. An additional $1 fee will be levied for those requesting a certified marriage record as of January 2010. Provides that the State Registrar, local registrar or county recorder may provide a certified copy of a marriage record to an authorized person, as defined, who submits a statement, sworn under penalty of perjury, that the requester is an authorized person. Requires the certified copy to contain the statement "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." This bill passed the California Assembly on June 1, 2009 with a vote of 79-0! It is now in the Senate Rules committee awaiting committee assignment. The bill as originally introduced did not address marriage records but make it a felony with up to 4 years prison time for a second or subsequent conviction of causing identity theft as well as levying a fine. The original bill failed to get out of committee. It was amended later to the current version. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_130_bill_20090427_amended_asm_v97.pdf SB 40 would require any document filed with a county recorder that contains more than the last 4 digits of someone's Social Security number to no longer be available to the public. This bill passed the Senate in late April and will be heard on June 9th in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Applies to documents created after January 1, 2010. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sb_40_bill_20090331_amended_sen_v97.pdf ----- Original Message ----- From: "jan meisels allen" <janmallen@worldnet.att.net> To: <janmallen@worldnet.att.net> Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 8:44 PM Subject: [RPAC] California Bills Passed out of houses of origin AB 130 passed out of the Assembly yesterday. The vote was almost unanimous. AB 130 – Assembly Floor Analysis - Leora Gershenzon / JUD. / (916) 319-2334 wrote the analysis. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_130_cfa_20090530_135030_asm_floor.html http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_130_vote_20090601_1244PM_asm_floor.html SB 40 will be heard on June 9th in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. It alreadypassed out of the Senate.The consultant to talk with is Drew Liebert at (916) 319-2334. His email isdrew.liebert@asm.ca.govJan Meisels Allen Director, IAJGS and Chairperson, Public Records Access MonitoringCommittee Choose the home loan that saves you the most $$$. Agents available at ditech.com -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ csga-member mailing list csga-member@csga.com http://csga.com/mailman/listinfo/csga-member_csga.com
> Go to --> http://www.maringensoc.org/News/newsletters.htm and you'll > see the 2009 table. Click on the line that says "Click Here to > Read the > June AND July 2009 Newsletter" and it will open a new window with the > newsletter. >
Immigration files offer hidden history of America By Andrea Stone, USA TODAY 6/04/2009 WASHINGTON - The federal government is opening the immigration files of millions of refugees, war brides, "enemy aliens" and other foreign nationals in the USA in the first half of the 20th century. A gold mine for historians, genealogists, scholars and descendants, the files include private details on such public figures as Spanish artist Salvador Dali as well as family heirlooms confiscated from Chinese laborers. "Individually, these files represent the story of just one immigrant," says Gregory Smith of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, "but as a collection, they document the story of American immigration ... with its many wonders and its many blemishes." The immigration service signed an agreement Wednesday to transfer at least 21 million files to National Archives facilities near San Francisco and Kansas City. A searchable index is at www.uscis.gov/genealogy. The files were compiled under the Alien Registration Act of 1940. They include photos, visa applications, birth certificates, personal letters and transcripts of interrogations of celebrities and unknowns. Documents in Guerino DeMarco's creased brown file show the gardener was arrested in 1942 and held for three months at New York's Ellis Island after visiting his mother in Italy. Another Italian, Raffaele Annunziata, registered when he arrived from Salerno in 1948. Like others, he certified that he and his kin were not "idiots," "imbeciles," "feeble-minded" or "insane," and that he was not a "professional beggar" or "anarchist." French crooner Maurice Chevalier, a 1930s Hollywood star who spent World War II in Europe, applied for re-entry in 1949. He wrote that he would live with his son on a farm in Alabama. The application apparently was turned down. The actor did not return until the mid-1950s, after suspicions that he collaborated with the Nazis and later harbored communist sympathies had dissipated. Dali lived in the USA during World War II. His thick file contains many forms he filled out over the years. The surrealist artist, best known for the melting timepieces in his painting The Persistence of Memory, apparently couldn't remember his height. Various documents list him as 5 feet 4 inches tall, 5-7, 5-8 and 5-10. A bad memory could mean deportation for thousands under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the nation's first race-based immigration law. For 60 years, strict quotas forced Chinese immigrants to endure lengthy interrogations. Some came under false identities as "paper sons" of Chinese Americans. Jennie Lew, a San Francisco documentary maker whose father claimed such kinship, says the files and artifacts, once "a source of fear and torment," hold special meaning. "This opens an important and hidden chapter in our history," Lew says. ************** Dell Deals: Don’t miss huge summer savings on popular laptops starting at $449. (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221770187x1201425153/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B215566131%3B37864407%3B i)