Bucks County
Genealogical Society
January 2014 Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE
President's Message
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 Genealogy in Your Genes: Using DNA for Genealogical Research
Dec. 31, 2013 Membership Renewal
Database News!!
Save the Date: Sat, March 15, 2014
Interested in Maps?
Query about Warner & Vansant
Query about Ann Clark's Parents
Castor Association of American
Membership Fees
Your Query Here!
2014 MEETING DATES


February 1
March 1
April 5
May 3
June 7
July- no meeting
August 2
September 6
October 4
November 1
December 6


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Text BUCKSGEN to 22828

 Chris
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Greetings to all BCGS Members and Friends,

Happy New Year!  We are excited to be starting our third year as a new Society, and look forward to continuing to provide great programs, increase our membership, and add more Bucks County genealogical records to our database.

We were so sorry to have to cancel Judy Russell in January due to the inclement weather, but we were able to reschedule her for December of this year.  Meanwhile, we are very fortunate to have Michael Hait, CG, returning to Bucks County to speak about DNA at our February meeting (see article below for more information).

The big news is - our database will be launched over the next couple of days!  Bucks County records of births and deaths from 1893-1907, and marriages from 1885-1907, transcribed by Tom Myers, will be available free to the public on the Society's website at www.bucksgen.org.  Enjoy!!  

 

Warm Regards,

 

Christine Roberts

 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2014
10:00 PM to 12:00 PM

at the David Library of the American Revolution 
1201 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA   
(Park behind the building and use the Conference Center entrance.)
____________________________

GENEALOGY IN YOUR GENES: USING DNA FOR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH


Learn the basics of "genetic genealogy," as a way to supplement your traditional research and break down your brick walls.  The presentation will include details on Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal DNA research.  You will learn about comparing your test results with other individuals and joining surname projects.

 

Michael Hait, CG(sm), is a full-time professional genealogist, with over fifteen years of research experience across the United States.  His specialties include Maryland research, African American genealogy, and records of the Civil War and Reconstruction era.  Michael is a frequent contributor to genealogy magazines and journals, and a popular lecturer in the Mid-Atlantic area.

 

For more information on Michael's available services, visit www.haitfamilyresearch.com

 

______________________________   

 

 

The meeting is open to the public.  Cost for members is $5 and for non-members it is $10.  
 
DECEMBER 31, 2013 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

checkbook-pen.jpg
Have you renewed your membership?  Some folks mailed checks, some renewed via PayPal, and some of us planned to renew at the January meeting.  But icy roads and freezing temperatures cancelled that opportunity!

We will be glad to accept your renewal payment at our meeting on February 1st, by mail using our membership application/renewal form, or by PayPal.

Any questions or concerns?  Contact: Patricia Gessner, Vice President - Membership, at [email protected]

DATABASE NEWS!! 

As noted in the Society's December newsletter, the database is ready to be launched! Please check our website at www.bucksgen.org over the next few days.  An announcement will be added to the home page when the database is available for searching.  

The database will be launched in phases as the records are prepared for uploading, and any necessary permissions are obtained.  Please watch this newsletter and our website for updates.  The first phase will include the following records:

Bucks County Births, 1893-1907 
Bucks County Marriages, 1885-1907 
Bucks County Deaths, 1893-1907

A special email will be sent to the BCGS email list about a week after the database is available.  Your feedback is welcome!  Please email Nancy Heath at [email protected] with your comments.
SAVE THE DATE 
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Volunteers needed!
 
The Bucks County Genealogical Society has been invited to host an information table at Ancestry Day at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 15, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  This event is sponsored by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and Ancestry. com.  Last year over 1,000 people attended Ancestry Day.  This is a great opportunity for BCGS to spread the word about our Society!  Please let us know if you can help to staff our table.  Contact [email protected]. 
INTERESTED IN MAPS?

Following December's presentation by Jerry Smith about researching with land records, you might find the following links interesting:

For geographical materials for the study of historic Philadelphia and its region, look at: 
For an atlas of historical county bounderies, look at: 
QUERY ABOUT WARNER AND VANSANT

John M. WARNER born 18 December 1826 Lower Makefield, Bucks Co., PA married Caroline ACKORS  26 Feb. 1857 at Doylestown Presbyterian Church.  He died 1899.

His father was  John WARNER born abt. 1800,    His mother was Elizabeth VANSANT born 1798 and died 1880.

Elizabeth was the daughter of Isaiah VANSANT abt. 1772 - 1819 and Jane HARVEY abt. 1772 - 1850.

I am seeking information on the father, John WARNER.  Who were his parents?

Any help is most appreciated. Arlene Maurer, [email protected] 

QUERY ABOUT WORLD WAR I PHOTO

WWI Soldiers
This query was in a previous issue of the BCGS newsletter, but the owner is still hoping for some help.  Here are her comments:

I have this photograph of World War I doughboys in Doylestown, PA.   My paternal grandfather, William John JACOBS is in the photograph.  I would love to find out the identities of all of the men in the photograph.  Where can I find this information?  I would hate to see the identities lost forever!

Carol Jacobs Norwood 
Myerstown PA (formerly from Doylestown, PA)  

QUERY ABOUT ANN CLARK'S PARENTS

My ancestor, Abraham LaRue, married Ann Clark 7 September 1826.  A Presbyterian minister, Rev. Body, officiated.  Abraham and Ann were both from Bensalem.  Who were Ann's parents? 

 

Any help would be appreciated. Kay LaRue Lauver, email: [email protected]

Palatines to America National German Genealogy Society 
Researching German Speaking Ancestors
 

Saturday, May 03, 2014

 

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Palatines to America Society announces it Spring 2014 Conference to be held Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Kutztown University's Academic Forum. Speakers for the annual conference include Jonathan R. Stayer of the Pennsylvania State Archives; David Haugaard, Director of Research Services at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; and Frederick C. Sheeler, Recorder of Deeds for Berks County. Registration is now open for the conference. For more information visit www.palam.org and click on Pennsylvania Chapter; email [email protected] or mail inquiries to P.O. Box #35, Temple, PA 19560.

 

CASTOR ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
 
 
Keep the Castor Association of America in mind if you run across 
interesting information on any of their surnames: Caster, Castor, Coster, Custard, Custer, Gerster, Kaster, Keister, Kester, Kiester, Kistard, Kister, Koester, Koster, Kuester, Kuster, Kustard, K�ster.  The association also welcomes articles on its lines by guest authors.  The website:www.caoa-genes.org

COMPREHENSIVE EVENTS CALENDAR

Click the link for a listing of upcoming genealogy events for our organization and others in our area:

Did you know...?

Ancestry.com has over 500 videos on YouTube.  Just go to www.youtube.com and type "Ancestry.com" in the top search box.

Have you looked at our Facebook page?

Cathy Ivins, BCGS Director of Publicity, posts great genealogy information almost every day.  Click here and take a look... www.facebook.com/bucksgen   
Membership Fees for One Year Membership 
   
                       Individual:  $20          Dual/Household:  $35

Our membership fees help to pay for speakers, facility rental, website costs, insurance and more.  Membership in BCGS is on a rolling basis and lasts one year from the month you join. Won't you join and help us continue to grow?

Member Benefits - with more to come: 
  • Discount on Society educational programs and events.
  • Members can have their surnames posted on our website with a link to the member's email address.
  • Members-Only section of the BCGS website.  Participate in discussion forums, share files, photos, and information with other members; see members' favorite genealogical websites and contribute your own.
  • Meeting handouts are available to members unable to attend the Society's regular monthly meetings.    
  • GenealogyBank: 20% ($14) discount - members may subscribe for $55.95 per year.
  • Fold3:  37% ($30) discount - members may subscribe for $49.95 per year.
  • Saving Memories Forever: 12% discount - members may receive a one-year premium subscription for $35.00.   
  • Dell Purchase Program: provides discounts on products sold through the Dell website to FGS member societies' members, their families, and their friends.  BCGS is a member of FGS (Federation of Genealogical Societies) and the discounts are available to our members.  
Join or renew by mail using our membership application/renewal form, on line on the Society's website via PayPal or by paying with cash or check at our next meeting.

If you have questions, please contact:  [email protected]
YOUR QUERY HERE

Would you like your research query posted in our newsletter?  Just send your query to [email protected] and we will include it next month.
 
More information about us:
  
Members only...join our Members-Only section of our website.  Registration information available at: Login - Bucks County Genealogical Society 

Not a member and want more information?  Check our website at www.bucksgen.org and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/bucksgen.