My Christmas tree this year is decorated with ornaments from my past.  While cleaning out my mother's house last spring, I found boxes of ornaments we hadn't used in ten years or more.  There's the little birdhouse with the cardinal in it that reminds me of Mom.  The outboard motor ornament that reminds me of Dad.  The moose that reminds me of my brother Chuck, who spent many winters in Alaska, and the carved wood plank with the words Lake Tahoe on it, which was my brother Jamie's favorite place on earth.  In our family, Christmas was, without a doubt, the favorite holiday of the year, and when I look at my tree this year, I feel like they are with me. 

 

What we do in genealogy is remember and honor the lives of the dead, so families are not forgotten by future generations. It's important work: we are creating a legacy which will survive us, and connect the past with the future.  That makes YOU very special people, and I am privileged to call you all my friends.

 

In 2011, I was looking for other genealogists in the area, people who shared my passion, and that search led to the formation of the Bucks County Genealogical Society in early 2012.  There were skeptics who thought a Society could not succeed because of the records available on the internet, or because there were other groups in other counties.  But the truth is, we need each other, and we need each other in person.  The numbers tell all: 90 people attended the last meeting of 2015, we're ending the year with about 260 members, and we have about 800 on our email list.  We have succeeded in starting a vibrant new organization, and my job is done.

 

As I turn over the reins to our new President, Mary Butash, I want to acknowledge the many people who contributed to the astounding success of the new BCGS.  First, I'd like to thank our 117 charter members, who took a chance and joined BCGS in its infancy.  The  2012 Board which launched the organization:  Annette Eubank, Gerri Dauer, Erin Collins, Ken Souders and Katherine Hazlett.  The Society's Query Coordinator, Tom Myers, who also donated many of his own transcriptions to our online database.  Dennis Gries, Director of Tax Matters, who keeps us straight with the IRS.

 

The current Board brought us to the next level and made the Society what it is today:  Pat Gessner, Joann Cosgrove, Cathy Ivins, Jeff Sipler, Nancy Heath, Mary Butash, and Marguerite Mogila.  I love all of them.  I leave you in their very capable hands, along with Marilyn Cook, who joins the Board this year as Secretary.

 

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all - good hunting in the New Year!