Ontario County Societies

Ontario County Genealogical Society:

This year marks the 25th anniversary for our society.  In celebration of 25 years since the founding of the Ontario County Genealogical Society, we have researched the old attendance reports, programs and minutes to get a sense of the origins of our group.  This Society was formed after a workshop was held in May 1975, with the participation of 12 people interested in genealogy.

The first OCGS organizational meeting was held October 2, 1975, with 13 charter members.  The usual business matters were taken care of: setting a time and day to meet, election of officers, dues ($1.50 per member) and programs.  The first officers were: Chairman, Mary Loeper; Vice-chairman, Gilbert L. Buckbee and Secretary/Treasurer, Caroline Canfield.  The minutes included a note stating charter and current member Sue Winslow declined the nomination of Sec/Treas.  The evening's speaker was Mrs. Emma G. Koberg of Geneva, NY, who spoke on "Postal History, Its Value to Genealogy".We can only guess that refreshments were available, as a small card asking for contributions was found; they collected $2.25.

Speakers for the remainder of the first year meetings included; Jane Widger of Rochester, spoke on "Charting and Recording of Genealogical Data"; Mrs. Ethel Morrissey, spoke about her own research experiences; Clyde Maffin, Ontario County Historian, spoke on "Ontario County History"; Ed Young, "Researching Land Records" and Mrs. Marian Russell of Leroy, NY, "Migrations".

An April 1976 field trip was taken to the "Mormon Branch Genealogical Library", Kreag Road, Pittsford, for a discussion of library procedures.  In July the group went to the Penn Yan home of member, Leon Stiles, to enjoy a picnic and participate in a workshop, utilizing his extensive research holdings.  The first year ended with 39 members, 3 times as at the first meeting!

Charter and current members:  Mrs. Betty Gean Beeman, Honeoye (now married to William P. Laverack and living in Dorchester, England), Suzanne Winslow, Canandaigua

Other charter members:	Warren Beeman	Honeoye
	Mrs. Anne Bidwell	Canandaigua
	Gilbert L. Buckbee	Canandaigua
	Caroline Canfield	Canandaigua died October 1984
	Eleanore R. Clise	Geneva (died)
	John & Mary Loeper	Canadaigua
	Ethel Morrissey	Canadaigua
	Velma M. Mason	Canadaigua
	Mrs. Edith A. Pierce	Canadaigua
	William O. Warder	Geneva

Current members joined during the first year:

Nov 5, 1975		Jan 7, 1976
Elizabeth C. Blodgett	Naples	Ruth A. Nightingale	Canandaigua
Leon & Eleanor Stiles	Penn Yan

Other first year members included:

Mrs. Nancy Bowman	Canandaigua	Mrs. Carolyn Calkins	Canandaigua
Mrs. Eva W. Carter	Canandaigua	Gladys E. Gray	Geneva
Mrs. Laura B. Green	Canandaigua	Carl Harris	Palmyra
Floyd L. Johnson	Canandaigua	Miles (Dr) & Verna Kelly	Canandaigua
Dorothy & Dick Lander	Canandaigua	Dorothy Lynaugh	Canandaigua
Helen T. Prendergast	Geneva	James T. Powell	Victor
Thomas J. & Dixie T. Prittie	Palmyra	Mrs. Florence Reubens	Honeoye Falls
Mary H. Sellers	Holcomb	Adeline Hessler-Stone	Stanley
Alice S. Traister	Newark	Theodore L. Veit	Palmyra
Mrs. Ann Whittaker	Canandaigua

The Genealogical Society meets the first Wednesday of every month at the Ontario County Historical Society on 55 North Main Street, Canandaigua, New York 14424.  Meetings consist of speakers from around the area discussing genealogy resources.  Field trips occur twice a year, giving you an inside view to resources available and a chance to meet personal in charge of the locations.

Please feel free to drop in anytime and attend our meetings.  The annual membership fee is $8.00 for a single person or $12.00 for a family of two.  The benefits from joining our group include a copy of "Directory of Resources in Ontario County" and free admission to the research room at the Ontario County Historical Society.