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!

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.

We know the current “Who Do You Think You Are” television show has sparked interest in family history. We also know that the high cost of gasoline may encourage genealogists to forego research trips out of the state in favor of in state research. Many people may not be aware of the rich resources available around our state.

The focus of the Open House will be Iowa Resources, we feel your participation will be mutually beneficial, giving you an opportunity to interact with the attendees and promote your local genealogical organization and resources. We will supply table space and chairs for displays and /or literature and you will be included as a participant in our publicity campaign.

We are also planning some thirty minute presentations, demonstrations of genealogy software, make it and take it pedigree charts, refreshments and door prizes.

We hope you will participate! We will need to know if you are participating by 1 May; please contact Debi Chase at (IGSOffice@iowagenealogy.org).

12 – 13, 19 – 20 October 2012. IGS Heritage Quilt Show News from coordinators Shirley Munier and Helen Phillips

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.

Soldiers, Sailors and Federal Employees: Discovering Your Ancestor in Military and Federal Records

12-13 October 2012. Johnson Lions Club, 6401 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, Iowa

Guest Speaker: Michael L. Strauss, AG

Michael L. Strauss, AG, has been 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 thirty-five 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.

Lecture Topics:

Free Trade and Sailors Rights: Genealogical Research in the War of 1812

2012 marks the bicentennial celebration of this conflict and our second domestic conflict with England. Discovering genealogical record of the War of 1812 can be very rewarding as researchers learn little-known facts about their ancestors that helped shape our nation. Records from the National Archives and many other area resources are examined in detail.

Researching your Civil War Ancestor: A Comprehensive Study

2011 marked the sesquicentennial of the United States greatest military conflict. Discover your ancestors that served on both sides of the American Civil War as well all the various military branches. These include the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and the Revenue Cutter Service and their Confederate counterparts. Numerous records are examined to get the most out of the many genealogical resources that are available to researchers today. This presentation is done is first person period impression.

Bankruptcy to Equity: Using Federal Court Records

Was Grandma a bootlegger? Did Grandpa pay his taxes? Records of the Federal courts are among

the National Archives’ largest holdings-and yet some of the least used records. Open a new chapter

of your family history and discover little known branches in your family tree as the records of the

Federal Court system are discussed in detail.

Roosevelt’s Tree Army: Genealogy Resources in the Civilian Conservation Corps

Tens of thousands of young men came together to serve in the vanguard of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program. Discover some of your ancestors who may have worked and served with the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1942. The New Deal era in American History has many great resources that have been untapped for years, and seldom used by genealogists and family historians.

Conducting World War I & II Genealogical Research

Discover genealogical information about your World War I & II family members or other relatives. Coupled with the losses of records in the monumental fire in St. Louis, Missouri in 1973 and strict privacy laws in place in many states-this lecture examines and focuses on new ways to reconstruct military service for you ancestors who served their country during the war including records of morning reports, missing air crew reports, and many other related records.

Much more! Watch for registration information coming soon!

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.

Volunteers are always needed. Most of what happens at IGS from educational classes, librarian assistants, housekeeping, and events like the Wedding Memories are the work of volunteers.

June sees the return of Phil Parks with four Wednesday evening presentations on Prohibition. Another series of talks will be on the “roaring twenties” sometime in the fall. Mr. Parks’ lectures are always educational and entertaining. And lets not forget the efforts of the education committee to schedule classes with quality content and teachers. Do check the IGS calendar for classes being offered. You can sign up on the bulletin board in the library or call to be put on sign up sheet for the classes being offered.

Everyone working on the indexing project for the 1940 Federal census, please pat yourself on the back.  Last count there were one hundred of us in the IGS group. Barbara Hammer has done a great job as our Project leader. We should have a party to celebrate when we have completed indexing Iowa and or the total 1940 Federal census; do we have a couple of volunteers to coordinate that?

IGS Volunteer Opportunities

Somewhere In Time Wedding Memories. In addition to the dates the exhibit is open to the public, May 14 – 16 we will open for groups (two retirement center groups are booked for May 16th already. Your help in staffing the exhibit would be greatly appreciated.

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. There are sign-up sheets at the librarian’s desk or you can contact me at (515) 778-3521 or via email: nicoehart@gmail.com.

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.

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

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 10^th day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve,

TERRY BRANSTAD, GOVERNOR

The following databases were posted or updated at FamilySearch.org since 13 February 2012:

Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930

Arizona Births and Christenings, 1909 – 1917

Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649 – 1906

Delaware Births and Christenings, 1710-1896

District of Columbia Births and Christenings, 1830-1955

Florida Births and Christenings, 1880 – 1935

Idaho Births and Christenings, 1856-1965

Kansas Births and Christenings, 1818-1936

Kentucky Births and Christenings, 1839-1960

Louisiana Births and Christenings, 1811-1830; 1854-1934

Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900

Maryland Births and Christenings, 1650-1995

Michigan Births and Christenings, 1775-1995

Minnesota Births and Christenings, 1840-1980

New Mexico Births and Christenings, 1726-1918

New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962

Ohio, Births and Christenings, 1821-1962

Rhode Island Births and Christenings, 1600-1914

Utah Births and Christenings, 1892-1941

Vermont Births and Christenings, 1765-1908

West Virginia, Births and Christenings, 1853-1928

Wisconsin, Births and Christenings, 1826-1926

California, Births and Christenings, 1812-1988

California, Marriages, 1850-1945

Georgia, Births and Christenings, 1754-1960

Illinois, Births and Christenings, 1824-1940

Illinois, Marriages, 1815-1935

Indiana, Births and Christenings, 1773-1933

Mississippi, Marriages, 1800-1911

Missouri, Births and Christenings, 1827-1935

Missouri, Marriages, 1750-1920

Oklahoma, Marriages, 1870-1930

Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950

Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940

South Carolina, Births and Christenings, 1846-1935

South Carolina, Marriages, 1890-1945

Vermont Marriages 1791-1974

Virginia Marriages 1785-1940

California, Death Index, 1940-1997

Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956-2005

North Carolina, County Records, 1833-1970

North Carolina, County Records, 1833-1970

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.

If you need help with your research, the reference library will open at 9 a.m. with a volunteer to assist you.  A short, but very important, business meeting will follow the program.