Summary of June’s Meeting

We had another enjoyable video conference meeting today. We are so glad our group can continue functioning and sharing during this time.

With each meeting the members are getting more comfortable with this technology.

In today’s meeting under old business Barbara Cole said she had finally found a place to purchase magnetic signs, locally. These signs are for possible use on cars for local parades in Okmulgee and Henryetta (and other towns in our county if they occur). The attending members approved the purchase of 2 18”x24” signs. The wording to be left to the discretion of Barbara and Traci.

Under new business. In going forward, Darrell Lewis proposed a motion to clarify how larger expenditures should be handled when the group can only attend via video. The motion made, and passed, was that in meetings where all attendees are by video, then expenditures over $50 would need to be passed by those attending via video but would not be considered final until circulated among absentee voters for additional votes, for or against. This is to avoid any misunderstandings and to ensure all members have the opportunity to have a say in how Society funds are spent.

A motion was then made to purchase a 43” television and mobile stand for use in our meetings and/or any classes we may hold. This purchase was passed by those in attendance and has been sent out for absentee voter participation. It was clarified this purchase would be owned by the OCGS but would be stored on the library premises, which the library was gracious to provide. The intention is the TV will not be available for use by others.

Darrell Lewis discussed the discovery of Genealogical Facebook groups where used genealogical books and materials are sold and traded. Further investigation will be made by Traci to see if this would be a good source for material to add to the library. Perhaps even out-of-print materials. Since such purchases would be time sensitive and it would not be practical to wait until a group meeting, a motion was made whereby Traci was approved the authority to spend up to a total of $50 as she sees fit on these sites. All purchases to be reported to the group in its meetings. Any future approval to spend beyond the initial $50 will require a new vote. We hope this may prove fruitful as it has been getting harder and harder to find items which we do not already have but would be interesting to our members.

The meeting was closed and was followed by an additional 30 minutes of an open forum for discussion.

Barbara, Traci, and I have mentioned to one another how informal meetings may be something to pursue as it results in research resources and techniques being shared. I am going to recount some of the discussions from today in order to encourage our members to join any such discussions we may choose to have in the future.

Dawn shared here experience with a recent Webinar from OGS where she gained valuable tips for using Ok2Explore.com. The tips allowed her to find a relative with a last name so mis-transcribed she never would have guessed it in order to find it. (I believe she said the first name was misspelled as well). The result is she believes the death certificate she found may allow her to break through a wall of hers.

Other questions and answers followed about Ok2explore.com. It was evident not everyone has had a chance (or perhaps need) to use this resource. It can be a challenge to use successfully but believe me it can be done and is worth the effort. I think an informal class could be useful and plan to find some examples to use as a show and tell to demonstrate how to use this site. Perhaps as a separate “class”. I will get with Dawn and find out more about the webinar. It may be something which would be available to us.

If I end up giving a presentation, I would LOVE to have some good real-life examples to show. Please forward me anyone you have found which you think would be a learning experience in different search techniques for Ok2explore.

Speaking of exchanging research techniques. Jo shared a research effort involving Okmulgee Cemetery records and how they differed from the name engraved on the tombstone. Leading her to find out the legal first name of the person. A name she had no reason to know existed as the woman had always gone by her middle name.

Orlin described a casual correspondence, whereby he was providing correcting information. After 3 or 4 such exchanges he very unexpectedly received over 180 pages of genealogical information mailed to him. A very rewarding experience indeed.

I touched on how school census records can be found on familysearch.org, Barbara described how DNA at 23 and me led to a relative discovering an unknown half sibling leading to discovery of a whole new side of the family for the person. Ralph talked about how Ancestry’s Thrulines keeps throwing him frustrating curve balls and asks for any input in how best to deal with Ancestry.

So, I would encourage everyone to attend these meetings and share their experience. I guarantee you will often come away with some new sliver of knowledge or perhaps an idea or two to try.

Thanks to all who were able to attend. Together we are keeping our organization alive and well.