FAMILY TIES Article 1 by Dan Burrows The best way to start this column is to introduce you to your local genealogical society. Genealogical societies can be found in most areas through out the world. They all pretty much have the same purposes as your local society -- some are more active than others and Orange County sets a good example. The Orange County Genealogical Society, 101 Main Street, Goshen, New York 10924 was formed in 1971 and is now commencing its 29th Year. The purposes of the Society are to encourage genealogical research, collect and preserve genealogical and family papers making them available for study, and educate the public as to the importance of genealogical research for the preservation of the family --- past, present and future. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in genealogy. Monthly meetings are the 1st Saturday of the month at 9AM. Most meetings are followed by a guest speaker on a genealogical or historical subject. Attending meetings is not required to be a member. The Society offers genealogy classes from time to time which are free and open to the public. Many people are totally unaware of what information or sources are available to them. Many things can be discovered about one's ancestry and we are often surprised at where the information turns up. Persons interested in these classes can leave their name on file to be contacted when dates are known. The Society has 5 major working Committees that are responsible for its success. The Program Committee puts on an Annual Seminar and an Annual Dinner each May, organizes the Genealogy Classes, and arranges for our guest speakers. The Research Room Committee staffs our facilities in the 1841 Courthouse. They are constantly acquiring new materials to help researchers by either purchase or donation. They arrange for bookbinding and other preservation projects. OCGS has one of the most extensive Genealogical collections in the area. Library staff will guide you to all our resources and help you start your research. The hours are as follows: EVERY MONDAY & FRIDAY MORNINGS (Except Holidays) 8:30 - 1200 FIRST & THIRD TUESDAY EVENINGS (Of Each Month) 6:30 - 9:30 FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAY ALL DAY (Of Each Month) 8:30 - 4:00 THIRD SATURDAY ALL DAY (Of Each Month) 9:00 - 4:00 FIRST SATURDAY AFTERNOON (After meeting & program) 12:00 - 4:00 The Editorial Committee publishes a 12 page fact-filled Quarterly Journal every three months and an annual index. A 25 year Subject Index is planned for the near future. Back issues are available for purchase or to look at in the Research Room. They offer hours of interesting and informative reading. Members send in queries regarding the families they are researching. Church records and other sources of information are printed in each issue. The Membership Committee continually maintains a file of our nearly 1,000 members across the nation, Canada, and other countries. Annual dues are only $10.00 per year which entitle you to our Quarterly Journal, free queries, and a chance to do some volunteer work if you prefer. Life membership is available for $175.00. You may send a stamped self-addressed envelope to the Society and request information about membership or visit us in Goshen and inquire in person. The Publications Committee manages the Society's "Items Offered For Sale" and the mailing of the Quarterly Journal. New items that would aid Orange County researchers are constantly being added. You may send a stamped self-addressed business size envelope to the Society and request a copy of the publications list. Persons interested in local history will also find something on this list. Throughout the past 28 years the Society has undertaken many projects that it has felt useful to the genealogical world. We have published 3 Cemetery books and are currently working on our 4th. We have reprinted the 3 major Orange County Histories with new indexes to make them easy to use. We have worked closely with other organizations and libraries and shared resources with them to make information more readily available. The Orange County Genealogical Society welcomes new members and appreciates all those who offer so much of their volunteer time. In the articles that follow I will talk about the different avenues and methods of genealogical research. In article 2 we give you pointers on getting started with family history research. The are many things you can do without leaving your home. Anyone who wants to start right away should visit the Society research room this week. ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.