PCGS - Meeting Minutes

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting May 6, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting Aug. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by president Floyd Colbert. Minutes to the July meeting were read by secretary Valorie Kottwitz. Treasurer Audrey Jones' reports were read and accepted as read.

It was decided that on Sept. 13 during the Heritage Festival celebration our library will be open from nine until three for anyone who would like to drop in and see our changes. Any and all visitors are welcome. We are holding an open house for those who drop by.

The cemetery project for Mount Pleasant Cemetery is coming up again Sept. 27. Anyone interested in helping out is asked to contact Jones (573) 470-9880 or any other member of the society. They appreciate the help. The society needs people with chainsaws to cut down trees so they can haul away the brush. (the toughest part of the job) This is mainly what we are doing, cleaning up to make it visible so more people are aware of it's location. Now that gas prices have come down maybe we can get more to come out and help. Reality is there is something that is more at stake if people don't take the time and effort to clean away now what could destroy more of this cemetery later. People are asked to find it in their hearts to help save a large piece of Peno Township history. Also early Pike County History we are talking early 1820s. It is not a family cemetery – it was an old church cemetery so there are lot of graves in it.

The website has new stuff. It includes the 1870 Census of Pike County. there is stuff added all the time just drop by and give us a peek. The society has high marks in the genealogy network about is Website. Society members say Rhonda is doing an amazing job; all are encouraged to stop by and tell her so. It also includes the cemetery plat map locator. obituaries are being added all the time.

Jones is looking to post a sign to let folk know that it is sacred ground for over 60 people are buried there with no markers. If there is anyone who would want to volunteer their time to place a sign there or help do so let her know. Just marking them can also save them from destruction even further. The society is looking for volunteers to help place the sign and we are looking for donations for materials to make the sign. Please contact Audrey if you would like to help.

The ECHO newsletter is now for sale for anyone who would like a copy. The cost is $4. Just get in contact with any member. An index of the Echo will be posted on the website.

New stuff is going on the 1860 Spencer township census is in book form now. The 1900 census is being put into book form also. There is an obituary project going on for Louisiana newspapers. The society is always excited to have new projects and continue with the old ones also. All are invited to come visit and get excited about your roots and Pike County's vast history. And take a kid on the journey with you a great way to share down home ways and people with our young. Youth need to get to know the past and it's hard times in order to appreciate what they have now.

This is a great year for us with all the new research material gathered and being gathered to help make our little library a great place to stop by and enjoy the search for your family history. We have a great bunch of volunteers dedicated in keeping our little library alive and active. It is a living tribute to all of those great researchers who have gone before us but who had a vision and a love of family and the love of helping others find their family roots here in Pike County.

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting May 6, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

It was decided that on September 13, 2008 during the Heritage Days celebration our library will be open from nine until three for anyone who would like to drop in and see our changes. Any and all visitors are welcome.

Lori Coates Smith and daughter Samantha dropped by to thank the society for putting the Siloam Cemetery on our website. Lori and others have worked very hard at putting together an up to date book She has donated a copy to our library and also gave a donation to the society's library from her and her mother Judy Coates. We appreciate people like Lori who take on the task to save a piece of Pike County History. In our journey to save and preserve t his county's history we come across great people like Lori and that tells a lot about the people who live, work and have grown up here. Oh MY those rowdy Pikers are at it again, in the new century and in a new way. Thanks Lori!

Claudia Wells met with some folks from England who wanted to see the town of New Hartford. She gave them a tour showing where certain buildings once stood and what cemeteries were there. They were very excited and had a great time. Thanks Claudia!

The newsletter work day was decided on May 31, 2008 at the library anyone who wants to drop by is welcome. This is our summer one. We have changed our newsletter for the better and this year we have decided to send it out with the seasons in order to be less confused. We hope you enjoy the changes!

The cemetery project for Mount Pleasant Cemetery is coming up again another attempting date is May 17, 2008. WEATHER PERMITTING. Anyone interested in helping out please contact Audrey Jones 573-470-9880 or any other member of the society. We appreciate the help. We need people with chainsaws to cut down trees so we can haul away the brush. (the toughest part of this job) This is mainly what we are doing, cleaning up to make it visible so more people are aware of it's location. I know gas prices are high and all that is at stake to come out to help. But reality is what is more at stake if we don't take the time and effort to clean away now what could destroy more of this cemetery later. So please find it in your heart to help us save a large piece of Peno Township history.

Our Website has new stuff!! It will include the 1870 Census of Pike County. there is stuff added all the time just drop by and give us a peek. We have high marks in the genealogy network about our Website. Rhonda is doing an amazing job, so please stop by and tell her so.

Little Africa
Audrey is looking to post a sign to let folks know that it is sacred ground for over 60 people are buried there with no markers. If there is anyone who would want to volunteer their time to place a sign there or help do so let her know. We would like to see our local government get involved with such tasks. Just marking them can also save them from destruction even further. Think about it if you don't know it's there then it's gone, but if you know it's there it's remembered. We are looking for volunteers to help place the sign and we are looking for donations for materials to make the sign. Please contact Audrey if you would like to help.

The ECHO newsletter is now for sale for anyone who would like a copy. The cost is $4.00 Just get in contact with any member. An index of the Echo will be posted on our website.

OUR NEXT MEETING IS June 3, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
Come listen, learn, and enjoy with us!

Let this be a greater year for us with all the new research material gathered and being gathered to help make our little library a great place to stop by and enjoy the search for your family history. We have a great bunch of volunteers dedicated in keeping our little library alive and active. It is a living tribute to all of those great researchers who have gone before us but who had a vision and a love of family and the love of helping others find their family roots here in Pike County, MO.

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting January 8, 2008 1:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Dorothy McCarthy. There were 9 members present.

The minutes of the November meeting were not read because of the absence of Secretary Sharon Coose.

Audrey Jones gave her treasurer report. Our balance as of January 8, 2008 was $5,966.23. The report was accepted as read.

Dorothy McCarthy went over the items discussed at our December meeting. She talked about the harsh of December weather on our opening of the library. When Schools are closed the library is to be closed. She spoke of the registry and how we need to get visitors to sign in and for the librarian to also sign in on their days they are there.

Dorothy also mentioned our discussion on purchasing two chairs for the computers. Ones that adjust in height for the counter levels. It was motioned by Nina Peden to purchase the chairs within reason of pricing from Wal-Mart and it was seconded by Gail Leonard.

Dorothy also suggested we purchase a new carpet sweeper, for the one is not picking up much anymore. It was motioned by Mae Dameron to purchase one from Wal-Mart and seconded by Phyllis Hunter.

It was discussed also that no equipment of the library should be taken out of the library for any reason. Books to be worked on only if someone else knows who they are with and why.

Audrey Jones suggested that the Echo be sold in order to generate membership or fund. It would be posted on the website for those who would like to only purchase one copy. Harriet Worrell made a motion to sell the Echo for $4.00 and it was seconded by Dorothy McCarthy.

It was voted on not to renew our dues with the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.

Audrey Jones told of the latest shelving project and how the shelves were more organized for greater access. They were being cataloged and numbered. Shelves F and D were already done.

Donations: 2007 obituary book by Claudia Wells, Louisiana Elkettes Cook Book by Phyllis Hunter, Group sheets of the Onstott/Gentle family by Constance Young, the Crow family by Linda Johnson, Sternes' Funeral Home Records ABC by Harriet Worrell, The Indian Creek Burials by Floyd Colbert.

Then Floyd Colbert gave his program on the family project he is doing. The project includes some Pike County and Lincoln County Cemetery records with a twist. Floyd has put together family history of people buried in a chosen cemetery. His first was the Indian Creek Cemetery. Four generations of history. He's trying to do this with all cemeteries he can. The suggestion was to do the family cemeteries instead of focusing on the larger cemeteries. An ongoing project of love. Thanks for all your efforts Floyd. Very interesting project.

The meeting was adjourned with a motion by Mae Dameron, seconded by Harriet Worrell. Adjourned at 3:00p.m.

January schedule for Library:
10th Harriet Worrell
12th Claudia Wells
17th Nina Peden
19th Audrey Jones
24th Floyd Colbert
26th Sharon Coose
31st Mae Dameron
2nd Audrey Jones

Members attending: Audrey Jones, Phyllis Hunter, Dorothy McCarthy, Claudia Wells, Harriet Worrell, Floyd Colbert, Gail Leonard, Nina Peden, and Mae Dameron.