Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society April/ May/June 2019 Page 1

P.O. Box 382 St. Joseph, MO 64502

www.nwmogenealogy.com

Volume 40 Number 2

April/May/June 2019

President’s Corner

I am sure that we are all aware of how fast time travels. As

family historians, I like to think that we are even more aware

of that than some others! I have served my two year term as

President of the Society and am now moving on to another

position on the Board. My admiration and adoration of this

group has grown even deeper over my past term. Anyone

with a full time job and a family that also makes time to

volunteer for us is just plain a hero in my book, as it has been

a challenge for me to keep up. Those volunteers that are

retired and still devote so much time to us are just irreplaceable! We could not be

where we are today without every single volunteer and member. Some volunteers

drive from Maryville MO., Leavenworth/Lansing KS., and Kansas City among other

places. Along with the ones that live in St Joseph, they keep things running.

I am thankful for the opportunity that I was given to learn and be a part of

something that I love. I will be around, of course, as I volunteer on Saturday's and

will run for another position on the Board. Keep those trees growing!

Nominations Being Accepted

Only a few days left! At the April 25th meeting, the

NWMGS will hold an election for

the offices of President, Recording

Secretary, and Member at

Large. Any one who would like to

be considered for one of these

positions should forward a short

biography and a letter of intention

for the nominating committee to

review.

Send letters to the library by mail

or email library@nwmogenealogy.com.

The library is run by a very small

group of volunteers, who also serve

as the majority of our Board. Please

consider stepping into one of these

roles and helping us expand the

breadth of volunteers that keep our

Society moving forward.

Membership Please review the mailing label on

your envelope to see when your

membership expires. The year and

month are on the top line. If there is

an asterisk behind it, then it means

we have an email on file for you. If

you would prefer to access your

newsletters and The Journal via the

website and stop receiving paper

copies, just let us know!

Address changes Please remember to send updated

address information

to the NWMGS in

order to continue

receiving your

newsletters and

copies of The

Journal. As a non-profit on a very

tight budget, the NWMGS is very

careful to avoid unnecessary

expenditures whenever

possible. One way we do this is by

using bulk mail in order to reduce

costs. However, one of the USPS

rules for using bulk mailing services

requires us to pay for return service,

so if your item cannot be delivered, it

will be returned to us. The USPS

charges full price for the return

postage, so we pay to send it to you

and pay to get it back. If the Post

Office provides us with your new

address, we then send the item out

again, paying a third time and at full

price.

Over the past year, we’ve incurred

hundreds of dollars in costs to return

and re-mail.

Please remember us when you

change your mailing address!

(Continued on page 2)

The Big 4 - 0!

Help us celebrate the 40th anniversary of the

founding of the NWMGS at our quarterly

meeting on April 25th, at 6:30 p.m. In addition

to our normal potluck dinner, we’ll have birth-

day cake and ice cream. Come and hear all

about the founding and history of our wonder-

ful society. We are hoping to have as many of

our Founding Members present as possible, to

regale you with tales of the hard work and potlucks of the past. Please join

us!

Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society April/ May/June 2019 Page 2

Board Members

President .................. Kelly Alvarado

Vice President .......... Betty Williams Anslinger

Recording Secretary .. Sandi Baker Corresponding

Secretary ................... Carol Almanza

Treasurer ................. Doni Mollus Member At Large ..... Ivana Calhoun

Member At Large ..... Jean Martin

Past President .......... John Hutchcraft

Committee Chairpersons

Internet ...................... Kelly Alvarado

The Journal .............. Pamela Montgomery

Librarian .................. Connie McCoy Maintenance ............. John Hutchcraft

Membership ............. Kelly Alvarado

Newsletter Editor ..... Pamela Montgomery Public Relations ........ Open to a volunteer

Activities ................... Amy Bryson

General Meetings:

4th Thursday of April, June, September; 3rd

Thursday of November. Time and place vary; please see the website for details of each meet-

ing.

Executive Meetings:

Second Thursday each month, 5:30 p.m., at the Genealogy Library, 412 Felix, St. Joseph, MO.

The Journal is published two times a year

(March and October) by the Northwest Missouri

Genealogical Society to provide its members with useful information on genealogical re-

search and member experiences. Readers are

encouraged to submit articles, photos and other materials. All contributions will be considered.

The editors reserve the right to make editorial

changes in manuscripts, which they believe will improve the material without altering the in-

tended meaning. The opinions expressed in this

periodical do not necessarily represent the views of the Northwest Missouri Genealogical

Society or its officers. Articles represent the

authors’ opinions and ideas and do not neces-sarily have official sanction, nor does inclusion

here imply approval or recommendation.

Annual dues:

$20 in the USA $30 in Canada and Mexico

$40 in all other countries

Library Hours:

Tuesday .................... 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Wed./Thurs./Fri. ........ 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturday & 4th Sunday

of the Month ............. Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Closed January and February.

Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society P.O. Box 382

412 Felix, St. Joseph, MO

St. Joseph MO 64502 816-233-0524

Website: http://nwmogenealogy.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/NWMGS

Board Members

President .................. Deann Woodbury

Vice President .......... Sandi Baker

Recording Secretary .. Lynette Barr Corresponding

Secretary ................... Carol Almanza

Treasurer ................. Doni Mollus Member At Large ..... Sharlene Miller

Member At Large ..... Barbara Halter

Past President .......... Kelly Alvarado

Committee Chairpersons

Internet ...................... Kelly Alvarado

The Journal .............. Pamela Montgomery

Librarian .................. Connie McCoy Maintenance ............. Bud Coker

Membership ............. Tonya Zackus

Newsletter Editor ..... Pamela Montgomery

Public Relations ........ Barbara Halter

General Meetings:

4th Thursday of April, June, September; 3rd

Thursday of November. Time and place vary; please see the website for details of each meet-

ing.

Executive Meetings:

Second Thursday each month, 5:30 p.m., at the Genealogy Library, 412 Felix, St. Joseph, MO.

The Journal is published two times a year

(March and October) by the Northwest Missouri

Genealogical Society to provide its members with useful information on genealogical re-

search and member experiences. Readers are

encouraged to submit articles, photos and other materials. All contributions will be considered.

The editors reserve the right to make editorial

changes in manuscripts, which they believe will improve the material without altering the in-

tended meaning. The opinions expressed in this

periodical do not necessarily represent the views of the Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society

or its officers. Articles represent the authors’

opinions and ideas and do not necessarily have official sanction, nor does inclusion here imply

approval or recommendation.

Annual dues:

$20 in the USA $30 in Canada and Mexico

$40 in all other countries

Library Hours:

Tuesday .................... 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Wed./Thurs./Fri. ........ 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturday & 4th Sunday

of the Month ............. Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Closed January and February.

Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society P.O. Box 382

412 Felix, St. Joseph, MO

St. Joseph MO 64502 816-233-0524

Website: http://nwmogenealogy.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/NWMGS

Submissions for The Journal, Fall 2019

Deadline for submissions for The Journal is September 15, 2019. Send

submissions to thejournal@nwmogenealogy.com.

The theme is Animals. This theme might include farm animals, pets (usual

and unusual), bug collecting, rodeos, 4H projects and events, hunting and

trapping, butterfly netting, lightning bugs, encounters with wild animals, zoos,

stockyards, fishing, frogging, taxidermy, bedbugs, cockroaches, snakes,

circuses, rocking horses, stick horses, toy animals, stuffed animals, guide

dogs, mascots, birds both tame and wild — anything at all about animals and

the families who encountered them.

As a contributing member, you are entitled to two free copies of the issue

your story appears in—one just for being a valued member, and one for

contributing a story. Contributing members can also purchase additional

copies of the issue their story appears in for $2.50 each, up to 5 copies.

If you are a contributing non-member, you are entitled to one free copy of

the issue your story appears in. Contributing non-members and those who

have not contributed to The Journal (member or non-member), can also buy

copies of any Journal issue for $5 each. Contact the NWMGS library for

availability of specific issues and payment and mailing instructions. The

Journal makes a great gift for family members, and you can have a copy

mailed directly to them.

Remember, you don’t have to be a professional writer to contribute to The

Journal! We look forward to your submission!

They’re All the Rage! Adult coloring books are all the

rage, and we’ve got one that will

fulfill your inner-child instincts plus

teach you all about some of the most

fantastic buildings in St. Joseph.

The Architecture of Historic St.

Joseph, Missouri includes 20

beautiful illustrations by local artist

Cheryl Simonis. Facing each page is

a detailed history of the

building. The pages are blank on the

back so that one can be removed (for

framing or a gift) without losing

anything. The blank side also makes

the pages more suitable for markers

or ink, if crayons are not to your

liking.

The books are $15 each and help

support several historical

organizations. For our out-of-town

members, we’re happy to ship one to

you ($3 for shipping and handling).

(Continued from page 1)

Flash! Our unique tombstone flash drives

are back in stock! If you are in need

of a 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB thumb

drive to save all those genealogical

files, be sure to pick

one up at the

library. These are a

great gift for yourself,

or the other genealogy

loving members of

your family.

Are you hard to buy

for? Drop a hint to your loved ones

that you’d like to receive one on

your next birthday and make their

life easier! Prices are $10, $13, $17

respectively.

Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society April/ May/June 2019 Page 3

Donations

Monetary

• Terry Peterson

• Jene Erb

• Sharon Hobart

• John & Eileen Manning

• Debbie Jackson

• Timothy Matthews

• In Memory of Carolyn Garver

Bob Douglas

Katy Stockett

Susan Row

Anonymous

Joan Hickman

• 2 scrapbooks—Oak Grove

Extension Group and Oak Grove

4H

Nora Buckles

• 2 abstracts from DeKalb county

Barbara Halter

• Central High School Class of

1952—Celebrating 50 Years!

Sara Mahaffy

• Missouri Western—1976 Griffon

yearbook

Rita Sarris

• Yearbooks

1950 Echo

1945 Wakitan

14948 & 1970 Griffon

1972 Eugene Field Elementary

• Missouri Western—100 Years

• Diocesan Directory—2017

• Central High School memory

book from 1945

Terri Spencer

St. Joseph, MO

Returning Members

Sharon Roberts

Kyle, TX

Sharon Hobart

Benton, AR

Welcome New Members

Almost Sold Out!

As the newsletter goes to print, we have only 9 copies of the Gentry County

book left. If you would like to purchase a copy, please stop by the library or

mail a check for $54.95 to reserve a copy for pickup. If you want us to mail it

to you, add $6.50 for shipping and handling.

A huge THANK YOU to all our members who have already purchased a

copy in support of the NWMGS.

In Memoriam

Long time NWMGS member and

staunch supporter Carolyn Garver

passed away on January 30th, 2019.

She will be sadly missed by all of us

here at the society. Our deepest con-

dolences and sympathies are sent to

her daughter, Mary,

and all those who

loved and cherished

the wonderful person

she was.

Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society April/ May/June 2019 Page 4

N W M G S C a l e n d a r Upcoming Events Family Tree Maker Users Group from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at the NWMGS library. Currently on winter hiatus;

classes will resume in March. Beginner classes are usually held the second Saturday of the month, but please call

or email the presenter to verify: Sharlene Miller at 816-233-7241 or by e-mail at smiller@stjoelive.com for more

information.

The DNA Interest Group will meet at 10:30 a.m. the second Saturday of each month. Currently on winter hiatus;

classes will resume in March. Note: As always the schedule could change due to weather or other unforeseen cir-

cumstances. The schedule may be revised to suit the needs of the group leader and members of the group; there-

fore, it is best to ask to be added to the e-mail list to receive a reminder notice of when the meeting will be held. To

be added to the list, please contact the group leader, Sharlene Miller, by e-mailing at smiller@stjoelive.com or by

calling 816-233-7241.

April 25, 2019: Special potluck dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of NWMGS. Frank and Gena Rae Shores,

founding members of the Society, will be our honored guests. Join us at the library!

June 15, 2019: The annual NWMGS conference will be held at Remington Nature Center. Mark your calendars!

July 13, 2019 : All Night Research Event from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The library will be open to all those who want to

have a fun time and interact with fellow researchers, ask questions, and use the full resources of the NWMGS li-

brary. You can pay at the door, but please email us and let us know if you plan on attending so that we can plan for

space and enough volunteers to help! Cost is $15 per person and includes a sandwich or pizza supper, depending

on what the group requests.

2019 Conference

The NWMGS conference will be held on June 15, 2019 at the Remington Nature

Center. We are happy to announce that Scott Fisher has agreed to be our speak-

er. Calling himself a “roots sleuth,” Scott has a very popular genealogy podcast called

Extreme Genes with a wide variety of interesting guests. Early bird registration for

members like you is just $40. Registration forms are included in the newsletter and

also posted on the our website.

From his website: “A long-time morning show host, Fisher is the author of New

York City Methodist Marriages, 1785-1893, Picton Press, 1994. He has also been

published in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Journal (April

2004), and Catholic Ancestor, Journal of the Catholic Family History Society of Eng-

land (June 1996). His ten books on the families of both his and his wife’s ancestors,

written over 30 years, fill the better part of a shelf in Fisher’s family room li-

brary. Fisher began Extreme Genes in July of 2013 on a single AM/FM station in Salt

Lake City. Today the show is heard in dozens of markets across the country and is

heard over 500,000 times a month. Fisher is also a national speaker on the subject of

family history.”

In the spring of 2015, the remains of a murder victim, who had been missing since 1983, were found near his

home. When local authorities were unable to find next-of-kin, Fisher offered his services, locating family after three

dedicated weeks of researching, Facebooking, emailing, and telephoning. The story received national attention, and

was written up in People, FoxNews, CBS.com, the 48 Hours Facebook page, and countless newspapers. There were

several television pieces as well. Fisher was presented with a “Citizen Excellence” award for his work on the case,

and in 2017 was sworn in as a volunteer Deputy Sheriff to assist in cold cases.

Where does the name Extreme Genes come from? Fisher explains: “To begin with, Mom was from Oregon and

Dad was from New Jersey. She was a liberal Democrat and he was a conservative Republican. They were both from

different religions. As Mom once explained it… ‘Honey, bottom line is… you’ve got extreme genes!’ It’s a perfect

name for the radio show!” Fisher and wife Julie have four children, and six grandchildren.