Archive for the ‘IGS News’ Category
NOW OPEN! Wedding Memories Exhibit, May 10 – 12, 17 – 19, 2012. Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. $5 donation requested.
The Iowa Genealogical Society is pleased to present a very special event. “Somewhere in Time: IGS Wedding Memories,” is a fundraiser exhibit of IGS member heirloom wedding dresses, apparel and accessories, along with vintage photographs and wedding stories.
The oldest gown displayed dates to 1863. Other heirloom treasures feature fashions and artifacts from the Edwardian Era, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Post-war Era. Photographs and family wedding stories enhance this unique event.
The exhibit is open to the public May 10 – 12, 17 – 19, 2012, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, in the West Wing of the IGS Library, 628 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines. A $5 donation is requested at the door. All funds raised benefit IGS programs and services.
Travel back through time with the Iowa Genealogical Society; enjoy and celebrate a rare glimpse of Iowa’s ancestral wedding memories!
To: Scots/Scots Irish Interest Group, and English- Welsh Interest Groups
From: The IGS Education Committee– Linda Greethurst, Theresa Liewer, Debi Chase, Jan Myers
Re: Open House,” Do You Know Who You Are?”
We would like to invite you to participate in an open house we are planning at the IGS Library on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from noon to 4:00 pm.
Third IGS Heritage Quilt Show “What’s In A Name, and Other Quilt Tales”
12 – 13, 19 – 20 October 2012. IGS Heritage Quilt Show News from coordinators Shirley Munier and Helen Phillips
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Recently a magazine asked their readers what their top five things are to collect. Crocks were number one. Quilts/coverlets were number two with that group. I think, with genealogists, they would be number one!
These items were brought with our immigrant ancestors, and also comforted families on the pioneer’s long overland trails to the West.
Quilts pieced together during the Civil War era served many purposes. Many were sent with the soldiers, many were made for the injured in hospitals and many more were made as fund raisers for the charities assisting the widows and orphans of that war.
Today quilts are cherished by those who own them. If you are one of those persons, we would hope you are willing to join our exhibit at the Third IGS Heritage Quilt Show “What’s In A Name, and Other Quilt Tales” to be held October 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 2012.
Quilts or coverings must have been made by an ancestor of an IGS member/family. There will be an admission charge to see the show, but not to display any items. The show will feature quilts from many eras, not just Civil War quilts.
By Nicoe Hart, IGS President
It’s Spring and things are happening at IGS. April saw the Spring Conference with Eric Basir (and if you didn’t come you missed a really good opportunity to listen and learn from an expert). I want to thank everyone who helped set up chairs, tables and audio system for the conference and attendees who pitched in to take them down.
Judy McClain will be working her magic to transform the warehouse-like space of the West Wing into wedding bowers for the wedding ensembles featuring the gowns and suits of IGS ancestors. The earliest entered in the exhibit dates from 1863! Complete with undergarments! Do pass the word to friends and family about this opportunity to see and enjoy wedding attire from an historical perspective–how wedding fashions have changed over the last 150 years.
The Hawkeye Heritage, published quarterly, is IGS’s premier source for Iowa-specific genealogy, history, methodology, and resources of enduring value. The Hawkeye Heritage promotes the purposes of IGS to its members by increasing interest and enthusiasm for our Iowa heritage.
Download and read past issues at the IGS website: http://www.iowagenealogy.org/library/collections/publications-2/#hawkeye. Back issues are also available in a print format.
July – September issue: Articles due 31 July to be printed by 15 August 2012.
Please submit articles to Shirley Woodruff: shirley@yostonline.com, or to the IGS office: 628 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
The State of Iowa Executive Department has issued the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, Iowas are aware of the need to preserve the rich heritage contained in Iowa’s Pioneer historical cemeteries, and
WHEREAS, this appreciation of their ancestors’ resting places, develps a sense of pride in their ancestors’ accomplishments and in their communities, and
WHEREAS, pride and respect for our pioeers leads to an interest in and concern for the future, it is with this thought in mind that we dedicate this month to the care of our Pioneer cemeteries:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TERRY BRANSTAD, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2012 as Cemetery Appreciation Month.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have here unto subscribe my name and casued the Great Seal of the State of Iowa to be affixed.
Done at Des Moines this 10th day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve,
TERRY BRANSTAD, GOVERNOR
| October 12, 2012 | ||
| October 13, 2012 |
IGS Fall Conference
Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 12-13, 2012
Johnston Lions Club
6401 Merle Hay Road Johnston, IA
Speaker: Michael L. Strauss, AG
Soldiers, Sailors, and Federal Employees: Discover your ancestors in the records of multiple military conflicts and in Federal Courts, by branching out to new and untapped resources.
Michael L. Strauss, AG is an Accredited Genealogist since 1995. A native of Pennsylvania and a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia,he has been an avid genealogist for more than 35 years. Michael holds a BA in History and is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. He is a qualified Expert Witness in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Additionally, he is an approved genealogist for the U.S. Army to locate DNA-qualified family members of MIA’s from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Michael is also the President of the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society.
Thursday, April 26 – Friday, April 27
Garage Sale Fundraiser: West Wing IGS Library. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. Donation items needed!
Saturday, April 28
Beginning Genealogy. 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Theresa Liewer, instructor. Free.
Saturday, April 28
Beginning Internet Research. 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Theresa Liewer, instructor. Preregistration required. Cost: $5 IGS members/$10 non-members.
Thanks to the enthusiastic response of members, the IGS Wedding Memories special exhibit has been expanded to two three-day weekends: May 10 – 12 and May 17 – 19, 2012. A $5 admission donation will be requested at the door as a fundraiser in support of IGS programs and services.
Members are invited to display their heirloom wedding dresses along with written wedding stories. For those who don’t have the original dress, display a wedding picture of the bride or couple with their special story. Gowns will be displayed by vintage era and prizes will be awarded in various categories. Be part of this unique and memorable event! Share your ancestral couple’s special story and help raise funds for IGS.
Applications are being accepted now through April 30th to reserve display space. Space is limited, so don’t delay. There is no charge for members to exhibit their heirlooms. 
Requirements:
- The wedding gown or other exhibited material must belong to an IGS member’s ancestor.
- Exhibits must include a separate family history of the featured couple, (to be printed in the program), along with the wedding gown and/ or photographs. A photograph of the bride, couple or wedding party is preferred.
- Please include a photograph of the wedding gown with this application if possible.
- Applicants must bring their exhibits and stories to the IGS Library between May 1st and May 5th.
- Applicants must pick up their exhibits no later than May 22nd.
Applications are available at the IGS office or download an exhibit application here. Questions? Contact IGS Library, 276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org .
By Nicoe Hart, IGS President
IGS volunteers make our State Society unique and it is that very ingredient that limits how many projects and what kind of projects IGS can undertake at any given time. Currently, we are working on six projects: Spring Conference “Picture This!”, IGS Wedding Memories: “Somewhere in Time,” May 12th Non-Profit Day at the Merle Hay Mall, data input for the Camp Dodge Militia enlistment papers and obituary indexes, and the cooperative effort with Familysearch.org to index Iowa’s 1940 Federal Census. All of these projects or events need volunteer help.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to assist with set-up and tear down for the Spring Conference! April 14th is Eric Basir’s photography workshops and the Silent Auction. All events will take place in the IGS Library’s West Wing.
Somewhere In Time Wedding Memories. Are you a handyman willing to help put together sets for the wedding exhibits? One or more males with muscles and ladders would be most welcome. Know someone in a wedding-related business? IGS is seeking sponsors for the event and/or businesses willing to display our flyers advertising the event. Volunteers are needed to help supply props, set up and tear down, and to staff the exhibit for shifts of two to three hours each. Contact IGS to sign up: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org.
Cemetery projects. Volunteers are needed for mapping and digital pictures of gravestones in Polk County cemeteries for new databases that will eventually be available on the IGS website.
1940 Census Indexing Project. Be part of making genealogical history! Volunteer your time and talents to help bring the 1940 census to the world. Contact Barbara Hammer, 641-787-9092; bjhdch@iowatelecom.net to participate.
Camp Dodge Militia database. Volunteers are needed to enter information from 3 x 5 cards; the only index to the boxes of Militia Enlistment forms at the State Archives. The records range from 1878 to as late as 1931. 6,900 of the more than 45,000 index cards have been entered into the Camp Dodge Militia Enlistment database. As more volunteers participate in the project, the work will go even faster.
Leadership Roles. Open positions include Lives and Times Coordinator, 1st Vice President, Publicity Chair and May 12th Merle Hay Non-Profit Day Coordinator.
Contact IGS President Nicoe Hart: nicoehart@gemail.com or the IGS Library: 515-276-0287, igs@iowagenealogy.org to volunteer.