The Annual Report

The Annual Report The 87th Annual Report of The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 27 March 1979. THE PRESIDENT S MESSAGE In directing your Society and its activities since the last Annual Meeting many hours have been 'volunteered by your officers, committee chairmen and committee members, and members of the Board of Directors. The report of each committee is included and made a part of this report. It is believed you will agree that 1978 was successful. Deserving particular mention is the joint meeting of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania and The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania which was held Friday, October 13th to open the genealogical exhibit "Who Do You Think You Are?". While the two institutions have Jong been closely associated, this was the first joint meeting ever held. More than 425 members drawn from both societies attended. The show, planned and assembled by John Platt, Head Librarian of The Historical Society and his staff, has been extremely well received and continues on view. We are pleased with the accelerating interest in genealogy. This is, of course, reflected in our own membership which has increased sharply in recent years and now totals nearly 1600. It has been said democratic impulses have transformed amateur genealogical research from the concern of the few to the passion of many Americans. Now, more than ever before, it is generally recognized that genealogy is for all people and provides a keener insight into and greater appreciation of our national ancestral heritage. Our Society was among the first organized in this country for genealogical purposes. It was also among the first to publish a journal. In 1895, the primary aim of the Society was defined in the preface of the first volume of the Publications of The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania now The Pen nsylvania Genealogical Magazine "To collect original records and material for genealogical and historical research rather than the building of pedigrees." Over the years we have been able to continue to fulfill this aim only because of the support of our members. 63 64 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Without question, the records of the people who comprise the history of our country collected by our Society each year since its inception in 1892, are of very real importance to all Americans. It is intended the Society will continue its program of records-retrieval to the extent resources are available. Charles B. Barclay, President FELLOWSHIPS COMMITTEE No additions to honorary Fellows of the Society were made during the year. Dr. Don Yoder, Chairman FINANCE COMMITTEE Thanks to the loyal support of our members and to the generous gifts for special projects, the year 1978 was a financial success for your Society. Membership dues accounted for approximately 30% of the receipts; income from investments, 37%; and the balance from additions to Permanent Funds and donations for special projects. The latter enabled us to continue the Retrieval Project and to acquire the micro-film index of county records of the State of Delaware. Funds for micro-filming and making the Hannah Benner Roach Collection available for research were likewise provided. The Permanent Funds (endowments, life memberships etc.) are maintained by a National Bank in diversified investments. Annual reports — certified by public accountants are available in the office for inspection. The Society had no financial liabilities at the year end as expenditures were within the amounts budgeted. Winfield S. Weer, Chairman FUND RAISING COMMITTEE To financially assist the Society in its Records-Retrieval Program in May 1978 an application for a grant was made to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. We were disappointed to learn on December 5th that support of our request was denied by the Commission because of more pressing financial needs elsewhere. However, in support of this important project, $3,232 was generously contirbuted by 75 members in response to our letter of appeal of September 1978. A private foundation grant of $2,000 was also received for this purpose. Annual Report 65 As additions to our permanent funds or for other purposes of the Society, interested members made contributions in cash or securities totaling $10,700 in value. A $5,000 grant from a private foundation and a bequest of $1,000 were also received. Donald C. Turner, Chairman LIBRARY ACCESSIONS COMMITTEE Approximately 148 items of genealogical material were contributed to The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania in 1978. In addition, the society received the major genealogical collection of the late Hannah Benner Roach. Under the society's Records-Retrieval Program the registers of 57 churches in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware were microfilmed as were the records of three major cemeteries in Philadelphia. The total microfilm exposures amount to approximately 52,000 frames. An order placed with the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs in Dover, Delaware has now been received. This material consists of 178 reels of probate records, deeds, warrants and surveys from the counties of Kent, Sussex and New Castle in Delaware. Mrs. Charles B. Howland, Chairman LIBRARY CATALOG COMMITTEE This committee is responsible for making our collections available to the membership and other responsible researchers. Under the dedicated attention of Mrs. Edward Mowrer, the Society's catalogist, 1,200 items were cataloged in 1978. This material is a considerable addition to the resources for genealogical research in our collections. To make this material easily accessible, a total of 4,360 catalog cards were added to the catalog file in the Reading Room in 1978. Most genealogical collections which had been in storage, due to their unsuitable condition fax binding, have been examined and placed in acid-free boxes. These collections are now available in the library and can be located in the catalog file under the name of the collector or the name of the family. Mrs. Georges Carousso, Chairman 66 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE From January through December 1978, your Membership Committee presented 189 new members for election by the Society's Board of Directors. The Society lost 10 members by death; 19 members resigned; 52 were reluctlantly dropped for non-payment of dues. With this net gain of 108 new members, our total membership as of December 1978 reached another new record of 1570, as compared to 1462 in December 1977. We are greatly encouraged by the interest of enthusiastic members in gaining new people to share their hobby or avocation. As usual, Margot Gleeson, our Administrative Assistant sponsored the greatest number of new members from her extensive correspondence and visitors to the office. As this Annual Report shows, we are one of the most active genealogical societies in the country because we are constantly adding to the value of our collections and their usefulness to researchers. This is a very costly undertaking. Next year, we shall appreciate having you give some serious thought to boosting yourself to a higher classification of membership, so that we may continue to serve you and other genealogists with the finest in materials and service. Also, please keep in mind that all donations, at any time and fax any purpose, are tax deductible. Mrs. Georges Carousso, Chairman PROGRAM COMMITTEE The Program Committee is greatly encouraged by the members' favorable comments regarding the past year's activities and also by the increased attendance each month. However, we would like to see even more members and guests enjoying our lectures, tours etc. Don't be just a name on the mailing list, come in to 1300 Locust Street get to know the officers and staff of your Society and especially, give them the pleasure of getting to know you! Mrs. Douglas Oliver, Chairman PUBLICATION COMMITTEE During the year, your Publication Committee has completed the final two issues of The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, completing Volume XXX. Articles of broad reader interest such as Doris nnual Report 67 W. Hollander's Search for the Source of a Tradition, the continuing gleanings from the Lancaster Journal prepared by Rita S. Mowrer, and the unusual and timely Vi-centennial article Lost and Found: Philadelphia 1778 by the late Hannah Benner Roach drew favorable comment. These issues reflect your committee's continued efforts to include items that serve as useful took in furthering family research in Pennsylvania. Among these were the Chronological List of Philadelphia Churches and Cemeteries 1642-1790 prepared by our editor, Helen H. Woodroofe; Edwin S. Dunkerley's companion article on Cemetery Records in Philadelphia; Colonial Handwriting: Hazards and Hints based on the stimulating lecture by Dorothee Hughes Carousso; and Anne M. Ousterhout's Opponents of the Revolution Whose Pennsylvania Estates Were Confiscated. Book reviews, notes on genealogical research in progress, and list of accessions continue to keep the membership abreast of local genealogical developments. The committee takes this opportunity to acknowledge the high standards set by our editor both in the selection and preparation of these articles and also for her painstaking compilation of the index. We are also indebted to our printer, James Delle Monache, of the Advertising Printing Company, of Camden, N. J., for his helpful suggestions in maintaining the high excellence of the magazine. Aubrey H. Baldwin, 3rd, Chairman PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE Your Publicity and Promotion Committee has been working throughout the year to publicize the activities of The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania and to project its fine image to the public through newspaper, radio, and television announcements of our programs and lectures. This year attendance at our lectures has swelled by many non-members of the Society attending for the first time. We hope many of these new friends will join the Society. Progress is being made, but we need your help, the help of every member, in telling your friends of the great opportunities for family research that are made available by this great institution. Robert L. Halberstadt, Chairman VOLUNTEER PROJECTSCOMMITTEE CUM The committee aided visitors to the library and manned a desk for a week when the regular staff was occupied with preparations for the genealogical show. Edwin S. Dunkerley, Chairman NEW MEMBERS cc 1978 In the second half of the year, the following have been added to our membership: Miss Sue Mary Frances Atkins, King of Prussia, Pa. Miss June Baker, Lansdale, Pa. Mrs. Russell Bement, jr., Haverford, Pa. Mr. gc Mrs. Ott will 1. Benson, Havertown, Pa. Mr. Ronald D. Black, Phoenix, Arizona Mrs. Camille Bleazard, Fallon, Nevada Mr. 04 Mrs. William C. Bodine, Bryn Mawr, Pa. Mr. Herb Brown, East Texas, Pa. Mrs. Jane W. Brownlow, Crompond, N. Y. Mrs. Robert Burnside, Vandalia, Mr. David Wayne Bush, Chester Springs, Pa. Mrs. Fred A. Butler, Riverside, Cal. Mrs. Ann M. Price Cannon, Washington, D. C. Mrs. Alfred E. Douglass III, Allentown, Pa. Mrs. Margaret Cass, Lafayette Hill, Pa. Mrs. M. Fred Coffman, Malvern, Pa. Mrs. William W. council, West Chester, Pa. Mr. Kenneth F. Craft, jr., Norwalk, Conn. Mrs. Marjorie Crissman, Warren, Michigan Mr. Harry M. Feather, Wichita Falls, Tex. Mrs. Claire Wynne Feely, Mount Laurel, N. j. Mrs. Don G. Fink, Sr., Arroyo Grande, Cal. Mr. John J. Fossett, Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. George Fowler, Solebury, Pa. Mr. & Mrs. J. Richard Fruth, Beaver Falls, Pa. Mr. & Mrs. Byron J. Garwood, Linwood, N. J. Mr. ge Mrs. David L. German, 3rd, Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Richard W. Goudie, Malvern, Pa. Mrs. Julius Caulkins Gray, No. Chatham, Mass. Mrs. Jean T. Gregory, San Jose, Cal. Mrs. Jacqueline R. Harrington, W. Collingswood, N. J. Mr. 8c Mrs. Will M. Heiser, Chalfont, Pa. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Helwig, Springfield, Pa. Mrs. Sondra M. Hicks, Citrus Heights, Cal. Mrs. Robert C. Holmes, jr., Elkins Park, Pa. Mrs. Jane Hughes, Lafayette Hill, Pa. Mrs. Eileen M. Curname, Mount Laurel, N. J. Mr. George H. Custard, Denver, Colorado Mrs. Thomas C. Hyland, Greenwich, Conn. Mrs. Charles C. Jamison, Newtown Square, Pa. Mr 14 nilprt A Daly. Ranciallstown. Md. Mr. fames H. Kates, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. MUV(11XYU Udd ?las Members who joined the Society through June 20, 1978 are listed in the Addendum to the Roster of Members of December 31, 1977. Mrs. Alexander Kennedy, Moorestown, N. J. Mrs. Reed Knox, jr., Narberth, Pa. Mr. William G. Lambert, Villanova, Pa. Mr. Thomas S. Lanard, Wayne, Pa. Mrs. George Putnam Lehmann, Wynnewood, Pa. Dr. & Mrs. Preston R. Lou, Ann Arbor, Mich. Mr. Patrick D. McCabe, Amherst, Mass. Mrs. Thomas D. McLay, Jr., Devon, Pa. Mrs. J. R. Metcalf, Riverside, Cal. Mr. Jack H. Minnis, Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. A. M. Morrell, Lancaster, Pa. Mr. Se Mrs. Perry G. Moser, Warminster, Pa. Mrs. Fl ye Dell Cathie Nichols, Tulia, Texas Mr. & Mrs. Gordon W. Paul, Albuquerque, N. M. Mrs. Carol J. Storer Powers, Simi Valley, Cal. Mr. Clayton W. Ramsden, Newfield, N. j. Mr. Phillip A. Rice, Cincinnati, O. Mrs. Louise B7 Richardson, W. Collingswood, N. J. Miss Dorothy J. Showers, Havertown, Pa. Mr. Gerald J. Smith, Roslyn, Pa. Mr. Eugene G. Stackhouse, Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Marvin E. Steinberg, Merlon, Pa. Mr. & Mrs. Glenn W. Stephens, Harrisburg, Pa. Mr. Se Mrs. William R. Thompson, Bryn Mawr, Pa. Mrs. Constance K. Tingley, Wallingford, Pa. Mr. Richard Titus, Voorhees, N. J. Mrs. Dewey F. Washburn, Long Beach, Cal. Mr. Gary R. Welbaum, West Palm Beach, Fla. Mrs. Jack P. Wilson, Wynnewood, Pa. Mrs. Phyllis L. Young, Philadelphia, Pa. IN MEMORIAM Mr. F. Harry Bewley* Mrs. Samuel A. Browder, Sr. Mr. Williamson Buckman** Mr. Cy Grett Mr. DeBonsall Hedley** Mr. Edgar R. Holstein Mr. Howard Kemble** Mrs. Robert Locke Mr. Albert Halle Mrs. Robert F. Sears Mr. Sam P. Senior, Jr. * Honorary Member **Life Member 1,t niOu i vnuu v MEMBERS (Continued) 70 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS April 17, 1979 FELLOWSHIPS: Don Yoder, Chairman Francis James Dallett J. Bennett Hill FINANCE: Winfield S. Weer, Chairman Russell Bement, jr. Robert L. Halberstadt Bertram L. O'Neill Robert E. Putney, jr. HEREDITARY PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES: Robert L. Halberstadt, Chairman LIBRARY ACCESSIONS: Russell Bement, jr., Chairman Mrs. Charles B. Barclay Mrs. Albert O. Barrett Mrs. Georges Carousso Mrs. J. Willard Hollander Mrs. Charles B. Howland George P. Lehmann Conrad Wilson PROGRAM: Mrs. A. Douglas Oliver, Chairman Mrs. Edmund H. Cabeen Mrs. Georges Carousso Francis James Dallett Robert L. Halberstadt Mrs. I Willard Hollander Mrs. Charles B. Howland Mrs. W. Stanton Kip, 2nd Mrs. David U. Ullman William W. Weaver Don Yoder PUBLICATION: Aubrey H. Baldwin, 3rd, Chairman Mrs. Winfield S. Weer Conrad Wilson Mrs. Philip B. Woodroofe, Editor Don Yoder PUBLICITY and PROMOTION: William W. Weaver, Chairman Miss Natica V. Holmsley George P. Lehmann Mrs. David U. Ullman LIBRARY CATALOG: Mrs. Georges Carousso, Chairman Miss Natica V. Holmsley Mrs. Rita Schive Mowrer VOLUNTEER PROJECTS: Edwin S. Dunkerley, Chairman Joseph M. Hewlett, Jr. Mrs. L. W. Moore Miss Cecil M. Smith Mrs. Roy W. Taylor MEMBERSHIP: Mrs. Georges Carousso, Chairman Mrs. Charles B. Barclay Miss Natica V. Holmsley Mrs. Naomi Hotz FUND RAISING: Donald C. Turner, Chairman Russell Bement, Jr. Robert L. Halberstadt Robert E. Putney, jr. Winfield S. Weer