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Computer Genies of
NW Iowa
4 JAN 2003
Frank Postma presented a portion of a video of Family Tree Maker, Version 9, before the meeting with 29 in attendance.
President Darrell Easton opened the meeting at 1:40 in the Le Mars library meeting room.
The secretary’s report was read and approved.
The treasurer’s report was given and approved. There is a balance of $563.69 in the treasury.
Report from Stan Bastman:
Since the last meeting the December minutes have been added to our site.
The newsletter now comes on Acrobat Reader and this should come up automatically.
The new web address is www.computergeniesofnwiowa.com.
Darrell:
The Computer Genies organization will be 9 years old on January 11. There were 26 charter members in April 1994. Total membership for 1994 was 39.
1995 - 44
1996 - 61
1997 - 74
1998 - 83
1999 - 66
2000 - 45
2001 - 41
2002 - 36
162 people were members throughout the years, many for only a short time. 7 have died.
California has the most out of state memberships. We have 1 from Germany.
Darrell read a letter from the Iowa Genealogical Society president welcoming us as a member.
Membership and service awards were presented to John and Betty Winterringer, Stan and Marilyn Bastman, Ethel Heidesch, Frank and Ruth Postma, Kathleen Fisher, Iris Hemmingson, Edith Staab, Larry Brangwin, Stan and Sally Oswald, Pat Behrens, and Lorna Brandt. A photo session followed.
A round of applause was given for Darrell Easton who spends many hours for the organization.
36 members and guests introduced themselves.
Phyllis McMillan informed us that there will be a program on PBS on January 8 that might be of interest to genealogists.
Larry Brangwin moved that Lorna Brandt be reimbursed for the anniversary cake that she brought. Seconded by Kathy Fisher. Motion carried.
Iris Hemmingson moved that the meeting adjourn. Seconded by Ethel Heidesch. Motion carried.
John and Betty Winterringer furnished coffee, tea, and punch for the lunch. Sally Oswald brought carmel corn. Marilyn Bastman furnished bars and Lorna Brandt brought the cake.
John and Betty Winterringer gave a program about the items that can be found in the courthouse and in which offices these articles can be found.
Secretary,
Edith Staab
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
1
The Computer Genies and guests met in the Amphitheater Meeting Room of the American Bank in Le Mars.
At 12:30 P.M. Frank Postma presented the remaining portion of a film on version 9 of “Family Tree Maker.”
President Darrell Easton called the meeting to order at 1:30. There were 28 people present.
The secretary’s report was read and approved.
The treasurer’s report was given. There is a balance of $708.01 in the treasury. Stan Bastman moved to accept the report as given and Larry Brangwin seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Frank Postma explained that the scheduled speaker, Greg Brown, was unable to come. He will try to get him for a future meeting. Janice Danielson, the area representative, will be giving the program in March in the Le Mars library.
Stan Bastman reported that he has received only 2 ged-com files so far this year. These may be purchased by members for $5. He will send instructions through our web site on how to send a ged-com file. He had over 200 queries last year.
Kathy Fisher reported that we have 28 paid memberships so far this year..
The idea of sponsoring a booth at the county fair was brought up but it died for lack of interest.
Joretta Mohns moved that we pay Frank the $35 due for the room rent. Seconded by Pat Behrens. Motion carried.
Frank presented a bill of $9.00 for copying. Stan Bastman moved that we pay Frank the $9.00. Clay Nemmers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Darrell distributed forms to be completed if one wishes to become a member of the IGS Society. The dues are $30. There were 2617 members in the year 2002.
Marilyn Bastman thanked those who sent sympathy cards after the death of her mother.
Esther Connell moved that we ask Greg Brown to present a program sometime in the future. Seconded by Frank Postma. Motion carried.
Linda Mohning moved that version 10 of ‘Family Tree Maker” be presented at a future meeting. Seconded by Kathy Fisher. Motion carried.
Larry Brangwin made the motion to adjourn; seconded by Marilyn Bastman. Motion carried.
Lunch was served by John and Betty Winterringer, Stan and Sally Oswald and Ruth Postma.
Secretary,
Edith Staab
Program:
Each person introduced themselves and explained what they were doing in genealogy or told of problems or successes with it. A discussion was held about methods of putting a book together.
Darrell and a friend have purchased the “Aspen 2000” program and it will be available for use sometime in the future.
Frank Postma asked for help in getting information about Damion Everhart, Joshua Everhart, and a person named Bushy who had originally co-owned the Rest Haven Cemetery with a Fairchild.
These are names of persons who are buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
1 MAR 2003
38 members and guests met in the Le Mars Public Library Meeting Room at 12:30 p.m. on March 1, 2003. Frank Postma showed the first half of a video of version 10 Family Tree Maker which was supplied by Pat Behrens.
At 1:30 Frank introduced Janice Danielson of Storm Lake who presented a program entitled “Where’s Grampa?” Janice is the director of the Family History Center in Storm Lake and is the representative for region 14 on the IGS board. She explained how to get the most benefits out of the U.S. census records and why they are important. The 1925 census records are the most recent ones available in Iowa. The 1850 census and those later give the names of everyone in a household and not just the name of the head of the household as earlier ones did. More is included in the 1900 census. The 1920 census includes Hawaii.
If you would like to subscribe to the Family Tree Magazine you can do so on http://www.familytreemagazine.com.
Besides the census records there are many other records available including tax rolls; land, court, voter, military, church, school, legislative, and prison records.
Janice gave handouts for the Family History Center, a sample list of international web sites, a list of other good sites, the American Soundex System, and “How Do I Start My Family History?”
The IGS purchased a building near the State Historical Library in Des Moines. It is being renovated and will possibly be open in May. “Slumber parties” are sometimes held for all-night genealogical research.
Janice’s e-mail address is granny65@mchsi.com.
There was a lunch break next. Stan Oswald, Janice Albert, and John and Betty Winterringer provided treats.
President Darrell Easton called the meeting of the Computer Genies to order at 2:40.
Introductions were given.
The secretary’s report was read and approved.
Kathy Fisher reported $664.01 in the treasury. Stan Bastman moved to accept the report. Seconded by Bill Van Wyhe. Motion carried.
The matter of sponsoring a booth at the Plymouth County Fair was brought up. Darrell and a friend plan to display the Aspen 2000 program in it. Larry Brangwin moved that we contribute $30 toward the cost of the booth and thus enable us to have brochures and other items on display. We will be expected to help man the booth. Stan Oswald seconded it. Motion passed. There will be more discussion at a future meeting when more particulars will be decided.
Frank Postma is making corrections in the Rest Haven Cemetery records. Clay Nemmers offered to take pictures for the program and Hugh Boylan is scanning obituaries. When completed this will be included in the Aspen 2000 program. Stan Bastman will then get the information on our web site. It will be available for purchase by printouts or on CD Rom.
Stan has restyled our web page. It includes an explanation of how to send a ged-com file. He has received 5 ged-coms so far this year.
Amy Timmins of Texas requested some information from Stan. She also sent her ged-com file. Stan Oswald made the motion that as a new member who sent in her file she and other new members who do the same would receive a free one-year membership in the society. Esther Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Darrell showed the latest IGS newsletter which contained a picture of the new IGS library and also a photo and article about “IGS’s Newest Chapter” celebrating our 9th birthday.
A discussion was held concerning the sale of the Rest Haven Cemetery records when they are completed. If it is sold through the IGS we will get 40% of the sale and the IGS, which does the publishing, will get 60%. Darrell will send a copy of the contract to the next meeting and it will be discussed further.
Stan Bastman is the new region 13 representative to the IGS, a position from which Frank Postma has resigned.
Meeting adjourned.
Secretary,
Edith Staab
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
5 APR 2003
Frank Postma showed the first half of a VCR tape on Family Tree Maker, Version 9 at 12:30 p.m.
At 1:30 p.m. the meeting was called to order by Edith Staab in the absence of the president.
Introductions were made. 28 members and guests were present.
The secretary’s report was read by Pat Behrens. Frank Postma said that he agreed to check the Aspen 2000 program for mistakes about the Resthaven Memory Gardens after the data is entered and is not doing it now as stated in the report. Kathy Fisher moved to accept the report as corrected. Betty Winterringer seconded it. Motion carried.
Kathy Fisher reported $704.01 in the treasury. Larry Brangwin made the motion to accept the report. Esther Connell seconded it. Motion carried.
Nominations were in order for the selection of a vice-president. There were no nominations. Larry Brangwin volunteered for the office. Larry is the new vice president and proceeded to conduct the rest of the meeting.
Tentative schedule:
May 3 - Begin walking a cemetery, possibly in the Spencer area. Watch for announcements.
June - Continuation of the cemetery walking.
July - No meeting.
August - Storm Lake
September - Potluck in Le Mars
October - Cherokee library - presentation by Joretta Mohns.
Stan Oswald informed us that he and Sally, along with Pat Behrens, Lorna Brandt, and Stan and Marilyn Bastman will have a booth at the Cherokee Home Show at WIT on April 19 from 9 until 3. They also planned to give away a 1-year membership to the Computer Genies club. Frank Postma moved that the club pay for the membership. Clayton Nemmers seconded it. Motion carried.
Frank Postma moved to adjourn. Seconded and carried.
Lunch was provided by John and Betty Winterringer, Joretta Mohns, Ruth Postma, and Sally and Stan Oswald.
Frank Postma gave a program on tools and techniques that are useful when researching a cemetery.
Secretary,
Edith Staab
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
3 MAY 2003
The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met Saturday, May 3, 2003 in the Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. President Darrell Easton called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. The minutes were read and approved on a motion by Stan Bastman, seconded by Esther Connell. Stan Oswald moved the treasurer's report be accepted, seconded by Marilyn Bastman. Motion carried.
We have a booth reserved for us at the Plymouth County Fair this summer. The cost is split among the Plymouth County Genealogical Society, L & E and the Computer Genies. There was a larger booth available than first asked for so we now have a 10x12 foot booth for an extra $20. L&E is paying the extra cost.
The door prize from our booth at the Cherokee Home Show was drawn. The winner was Marci Brown of Cherokee. She will receive a free one-year Computer Genies membership. Stan Bastman and Stan Oswald suggested we write a note of thanks to the other 18 people who stopped at our booth and registered.
Stan Bastman showed slides of the new IGS Library building in Des Moines as it was when purchased. Changes are being made to make it better suited to the IGS purpose. If any person, or group, would like to have a name on a brick in the entry hall as a memorial or recognition, they can donate $175 for this. The Computer Genies had previously given $200 toward the purchase of a new library building and it is still there with IGS. Stan Bastman moved we give IGS a $175 donation to the memorial wall so we will have the Computer Genies of NW Iowa name on the wall. Sally Oswald seconded the motion. Motion carried. Individuals are also encouraged to donate money or items for an auction to raise money for the building.
Stan Bastman reported that he has received six new GedCom files this year. He also made a motion that if no more GedComs are received by June 1, the surname list will be taken off our website. A suggestion was made by Esther Connell to wait longer so people not present at this meeting will have time to comply. Stan amended his motion to July 1, instead of June 1. Esther Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned.
Lunch was furnished by Mary Storley, Marilyn Bastman, Esther Connell and Joretta Mohns.
Marilyn Bastman presented her Power Point presentation on "What Is Genealogy" for the program.
Acting Secretary,
Pat Behrens
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
7 JUN 2003
The Computer Genies of NW Iowa and guests met at the Cleghorn Public Library in Cleghorn, Iowa. on June 7, 2003. President Darrell Easton called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.
There was no secretary’s or treasure’s report.
Darrell Easton updated the members on the drawing project Stan Bastman is doing for the Riverside Cemetery for Portland Township in Akron.
No action was taken regarding the Gedcom files. Further discussion will be held at the August meeting.
The members discussed the club’s membership. We currently have 32 members and had fifty-two visitors who never became members. What can we do to increase membership?
Esther Connell made a motion with Joretta Mohns seconding to lower the cost of the “wearable” clothes by 20%. Motion passed.
There will be no meeting in July due to the holiday and the August meeting will be held in Storm Lake at the Family History Center.
Meeting was adjourned. Lunch was provided by Sally, Pat and Lorraine.
The program for the afternoon was a video on “Ancestor Records At Risk” by Ancestry.
.Acting Secretary
Marilyn Bastman
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
5 JUL 2003
NO MEETING
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
2 AUG 2003
The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met at the LDS Family History Center in Storm Lake on August 2, 2003. There were 11 members and 2 guests present.
President Darrell Easton opened the meeting at 1:35. The secretary’s report was read and approved. Darrell reported a balance of $449.01 in the treasury.
Darrell gave a report on the Plymouth County Fair Booth. We may have the same location next year if we reserve it. The price will be the same: $140. This will be brought up in March. A number of people stopped to look at the 1900 census book and Darrell helped them look up their ancestors if they were listed. Someone will need to bring a computer or laptop next year.
The September 6th meeting will be held in West Floyd Park in Le Mars. A potluck dinner will start at 12:30. The club will provide hamburgers and buns. A short meeting will follow.
Stan shared a printout of e-mail activity since his last report.
The IGS Fall Conference will be held October 2-4 in Adventureland in Altoona. Price for 2 days, including the banquet, is $100 for members and $120 for non-members.
Frank Postma told about the fire in the Sioux Center library. There was smoke and water damage in the genealogy section. Some of the genealogy material has been sent to Chicago for restoration. Items in plastic totes were saved from water damage.
Frank Postma is again working on Resthaven Cemetery Records. He suggested that the club be responsible for supplying information to the city to be added to the sign or whatever information will be located at the cemetery sometime in the future.
Janice Danielson made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Marilyn Bastman. Motion carried.
Stan took a picture of the members that were present.
Secretary,
Edith Staab
Program: Janice Danielson explained the materials that are available for use that are kept in the LDS Family History Center and other LDS Churches.
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
6 SEP 2003
The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met at the West Floyd Park in Le Mars on September 6, 2003. 15 members and 1 guest enjoyed a pot luck lunch at 12:30 p.m.
The secretary’s report was read. A correction was made regarding the price for non-members to attend the Fall IGS Conference. It is $125; not $120. The treasurer’s report was given. There is a balance of $483.30.
Secretary,
Edith Staab
Computer Genies of NW Iowa
4 OCT 2003
The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met on October 4, 2003, at the Le Mars
Public Library. At 12:30 p.m. Larry Brangwin starting showing the first video of Ancestors Research. Videos 1 and 2 were shown.
We need a nominating committee and an auditing committee.
Darrell Easton has consented to serve another year as president. We need a vice-president and a secretary. Frank Postma and Clayton Nemmers volunteered to audit the books.
Secretary,
Edith Staab
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
1 NOV 2003
The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met November 1, 2003 in the LeMars Public Library
with President Darrell Easton presiding. Lorna Brandt read the minutes of the
previous meeting in the absence of the secretary. The minutes were approved as
read. A treasurer’s report given by Kathy Fischer showed a balance of $456.55.
The report was approved.
Frank Postma has a 12-page alphabetical list of burials and locations for the
Resr Haven cemetery. It was suggested the city of LeMars provide a kiosk at the
cemetery to hold this list. Frank had pictures of two different styles which
would work. Frank also reported that LeMars is compiling a list of all burials
in the LeMars cemeteries.
The following officers for next year were nominated and elected:
Presiden - Darrell Easton
Vice-president – Clay Nemmers
Secretary – Pat Behrens
Treasurer – Kathy Fischer
Librarian and Webmaster – Stan
Bastman
The December meeting will be Saturday, December 6 at 12:00 noon at Uncle
Albert’s in LeMars. A 1:30 p.m. meeting will follow at the LeMars Library.
Members are asked to bring Christmas goodies to share.
Lunch was served by Marilyn Bastman and John and Betty Winterringer.
Pat Behrens, Sec’y pro-tem
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Computer Genies of NW Iowa
6 DEC 2003
The Computer Genies of NW Iowa met for lunch at Uncle Albert’s in Le Mars at noon on December 6, 2003.
Secretary,
Edith Staab