StLGS Celebrates Its Volunteers; Plus, Early Registration Expires Soon!

Without its many volunteers, St. Louis Genealogical Society would not be able to accomplish any of its goals. We are the largest local genealogical society in the United States and there is not a single paid staff member! Although "thank you" is heard all the time around our office, once a year the society says a special thank you to those who have given outstanding service during the previous year. Award winners must be members of the society, not a recipient in the last two years, and not currently on the board of directors. Usually the award winners are recognized at the annual Family History Conference, but we did not have one this year because of the NGS conference in May. Instead, StLGS volunteer coordinator, Marilyn Brennan, organized a thank you luncheon on Thursday, 20 June, at the StLGS office.

Those who regularly work at the office or at home on special projects were invited to a delicious lunch of salads, sandwiches, fruit, and cake. Afterwards, StLGS president, Kay Weber, honored the men and women chosen for this year's awards.

 This year's honorees were as follows:

• Appreciation: Ray Barbeau, Steve Butler, Mary Cornell, Joe Gildehaus, Ann Hodges, Mark Madras, and Buddy Van Arsdale 
• Achievement: Jean Marie Meyer, April Webb, Ken Webb
• Special Achievement: Ted Steele
• Special Awards: Bob Goode and Joyce Mercer

Ted Steele received the Special Achievement Award for the projects he has spearheaded to organize the society's archives and to sort out and update all the cemetery information on the StLGS website. Ted's efforts have led to dozens of web pages being corrected and modified, which will be uploaded to the site very soon.

Bob Goode and Joyce Mercer received their Special Awards for the time and effort each puts into their jobs at the office. Bob tirelessly works to keep the StLGS website running and current. He helps to maintain the office computer network and is a teacher and lecturer for the society. Joyce answers the phone, handles the front desk, helps with event registrations and sales, and generously shares her knowledge of rural cemeteries.

Congratulations to all our 2019 award winners! (For more photos, check out the StLGS Facebook group.)

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Reminder: Just one week left to get the early registration discount rates for three major genealogy events! All prices go up on 1 July!

1. Saturday, 13 July: Summer Speaker Series featuring Dr. John Colletta, including four lectures plus lunch. Registration booklet and more details on our website.
2. Monday through Thursday, 15–18 July: Summer Writing Institute; four days of intensive workshops, including morning snacks and lunch each day. Learn more about the Institute and how to register on our website. If you register early for both of the above events, you save $15.
3. Sunday through Sunday, 27 October–3 November: Salt Lake City Research Trip. Just a few rooms remain for our annual trip to the world's largest genealogy library. Save $100 and take part in all pre-trip preparations if you register by 30 June. More information and a four-page registration flyer are on the StLGS website.
   

Early Registration Savings Extended for Genealogy Writing Events

It's not too late to kick-start your family history research and writing with two special events from StLGS, and now, early registration pricing has been extended through June 30th! Don't let time slip by—register today and get that little push you need to take your family research to the next step. Learn how to capture some of your interesting family stories and make them into an article, short story or book! First, join us on Saturday, 13 July 2019, for our 2019 Summer Speaker Series:

Your Family Stories: What DID They Say?

Featuring John Philip Colletta, Ph.D.

Nationally known writer, instructor, and lecturer, John Philip Colletta, Ph.D., comes to St. Louis as our featured guest at the beautiful new Maryland Heights Community Center, 2300 McKelvey Road, from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. He will deliver lectures on:

• Breaking through Brick Walls: Use Your HEAD!
• Turning Biographical Facts into Real Life Events: How to Build Historical Context
• Principles of Good Writing and Storytelling 
• Writing a Narrative Family History: The Snares and Pitfalls

Your day includes all four lectures plus lunch. Registration booklet and more details on our website.

 2019 Summer Writing Institute

 Are You Ready to Write Your Family History?

The following week, we will host a four-day intensive workshop on writing. Meet with us Monday through Thursday, 15–18 July, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the StLGS office in Maplewood for lectures, hands-on practice, and plenty of good advice on best practices for writing short stories, articles, or your family history book. Local writers/editors Viki Fagyal, Bob Goode, Ilene Murray, and Jane Theissen will show you:

• How to use timelines and historical context
• How to create style sheets
• How to use Microsoft Word to format your writing and include graphics
• What you need to know about copyright
• How to create the various parts of a book

In addition, Liz Kelley, publications manager at No Waste Publishing, will be on hand on Thursday to walk you through the steps to take to get your manuscript published.
 

The Summer Writing Institute includes morning snacks and lunch each day. All participants will receive a notebook and USB drive of handout material. You can learn more about the Institute and how to register on our website.

Save $15

Register for both events and save $15. Both the Speaker Series and Writing Workshop registration booklets include the reduced combination price and you can register online at our secure store.

Questions? Contact us at programs@stlgs.org or call us during office hours, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon. We look forward to seeing you in July!

So Many Things to Remember!

This week's blog is a reminder of three special genealogy events you don't want to miss. With so much going on this busy springtime, it's easy to let things slide. Pre-registration (save money!) is open now—but only for a limited time—for the following:

2019 Summer Speaker Series: Your Family Stories: What DID They Say?

Featuring John Philip Colletta, Ph.D.

Saturday, 13 July 2019

Maryland Heights Community Center

 2300 McKelvey Road

8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

• Breaking through Brick Walls: Use Your HEAD!
• Turning Biographical Facts into Real Life Events: How to Build Historical Context
• Principles of Good Writing and Storytelling 
• Writing a Narrative Family History: The Snares and Pitfalls

Your day includes all four lectures plus lunch. Registration booklet and more details on our website.
 

 2019 Summer Writing Institute: Are You Ready to Write Your Family History?

Monday through Thursday, 15–18 July 2019

StLGS Office

 4 Sunnen Drive, Suite 140, Maplewood, Missouri

9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day

• Lectures
• Hands-on practice
• Advice on best practices for writing short stories, articles, and/or your family history book. 

Featuring local writers/editors Viki Fagyal, Bob Goode, Ilene Murray, and Jane Theissen, and Liz Kelley, publications manager at No Waste Publishing.

Includes morning snacks and lunch each day. All participants will also receive a notebook and USB drive of handout material.

You can learn more about the Institute and how to register on our website.

Save $15 by registering for both the Speaker Series and the Writing Institute together. Both registration booklets have the combination price and you can register online at our secure store.

2019 Salt Lake City Research Trip

Sunday, 27 October–Sunday, 3 November

• Seven nights at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel
• Shuttle service to and from the airport
• Sunday dinner
• Monday evening meeting
• Individual assistance all week from two experienced leaders
• Pre-trip meeting
• Electronic mailing list for out-of-town participants 

Pre-registration ends 30 June. You save $100 and can take part in all pre-trip preparations if you register by that date. More information and a four-page registration flyer are on the StLGS website.