Hi Everyone, Thought you might have an interest in this information. It is being posted to the maillist for Bob Doerr, the author shown below. MISSOURI STATE GENEALOGICAL ASSOCIATION Why Join MoSGA? Individuals involved in genealogy must utilize the resources available in order to enhance their research endeavors. If you have ancestors who participated in the history of Missouri, membership in the Missouri State Genealogical Association (MoSGA) will be of benefit. As the representative of the State Society of Missouri, the Board of Directors of MoSGA strives to offer the highest quality of education, guidance and services to our members. Examples follow: CEMETERY BILL: MoSGA actively promoted the state law passed in 1987 for the protection of unincorporated and uncared-for cemeteries. Board members testified at Committee hearings and will continue to support legislation on subjects of historical and genealogical significance. CEMETERY PROJECT: This is an on-going project. The Board has made the commitment to compile a list of ALL cemeteries in Missouri, showing name of cemetery, its location, and directions to reach it. CONFERENCES: MoSGA sponsors an annual two-day conference, usually in central Missouri. Conference sessions offer research techniques, methodology and sources, plus guidance for genealogical society management. LOCAL RECORDS PRESERVATION: A program has been developed by the Office of the Secretary of State for identifying the holdings of county officials and determining methods of preserving those records used by historical and genealogical researchers. MoSGA initiated support for this program by conducting hands-on workshops for records preservation; cooperating with the task force that conducted the program survey; seeking organizations to accept records and keep them open for public access, supplying assistance and advice in completing the first phase. FEDERATION OF GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES: As a member, MoSGA supports the mission of the Federation, which offers information and guidance on the concerns of historians and genealogists nationally. MoSGA's delegate represents the Association at the Federation's annual meeting and is eligible to vote and hold office in the Federation. FOUR-GENERATION CHARTS: MoSGA members are encouraged to submit a four-generation chart. As accumulated, these charts are published in 200-page books and made available for purchase at minimal cost. This series of books offers a valuable source of surnames. INTERLIBRARY LOAN PROGRAM: MoSGA acquires books by two means. Donated books are reviewed in MoSGA's quarterly. In consultation with the Mid-Continent Library, MoSGA also purchases many books. However acquired, books are placed in the Mid-Continent Library, North Independence Branch, in Independence, Mo. Through the interlibrary loan program, the books are available to the public at all public, college and university libraries in Missouri, and these libraries receive copies of the printed catalog (entitled Genealogy from the Heartland) of the collection. The catalog is also on line at www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/ge/heartland and book loans can be ordered from <ill@mcpl.lib.mo.us>. JOURNAL: MoSGA's official permanent-literature publication is the Missouri State Genealogical Association Journal, a 64-page quarterly that contains information from all areas of the State, articles of many kinds, including, but by no means limited to, Bible and church records, historical articles, educational articles, cemetery records, county records, and newspaper extracts. The Journal is indexed in PERSI and listed in Ulrichs. NEWSLETTER: As part of its service to members, MoSGA publishes a quarterly newsletter entitled Show Me State Genealogical News. This includes activities of national and local societies, meeting dates, conferences, family reunions, etc. PUBLICATIONS: MoSGA markets some of the county records compiled and published by Betty Harvey Williams and Jacqueline Hogan Williams. MoSGA has developed other publications, chief among which is the revised edition of Parkins Guide. QUERIES: MoSGA members may submit queries for publication in the Journal. These are published as space permits, but, during the past five years, almost all have been published in the issue following receipt. The Journal is placed in many major and minor libraries, thus offering extensive accessibility to other researchers. SPEAKERS: Board members are available to share their expertise by providing sessions at local workshops or presenting programs at monthly meetings of local societies. Board members assist in presenting mini-workshops. You are encouraged join MoSGA by sending annual dues of $15 to MoSGA Membership-J, PO Box 833, Columbia MO 65205-0833, together with your name, full postal address, phone number, and e-mail address. You will receive an introductory "New Member Packet." Bob Doerr in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks bdoerr@rollanet.org I hope this information helps. Thanks, Mike Michael G. McManness, a Jayhawk through and through, eating, sleeping, and bleeding Crimson and Blue near the University of Kansas. Family genealogist and research historian.