New Member's Orientation on January 27th

There was New Member’s Orientation for TriCity Genealogical Society members on January 27^th. It was well attended and a lot of fun. Pamela Keller is not only a new member but also the TCGS Historian. We are thrilled to share Pamela’s comments in her first blog contribution below.

 

"Being a new or prospective member of any organization can be a bit intimidating – meetings to attend, new faces and names, more time out of an already full schedule. Or, so I thought … until I had the pleasure of attending the TriCity Genealogical Society’s New Member’s Orientation on 27 January at the Richland Family History Libraries. Attendees were provided a packet prepared by the chapter leadership with an outline of the many resources available to us as members of TCGS.  There is a chapter website, bulletin, Facebook page and Blog. We also have access to the Richland Family History library, where the society’s 3000+ library books, CDs, Microfiche and microfilm are housed. Volunteer librarians are always welcoming and helpful.

There are many reasons why each of us made the decision to join TCGS.  For me, I want to ensure I am honoring my ancestors by collecting accurate information, researching, organizing and protecting the collection as best as I am able for our descendants.  I am inspired and encouraged by the members I’ve met in our local chapter, and appreciate their willingness to enthusiastically share their knowledge of genealogy.

Thank you to the TCGS Board members for offering a New Member’s Orientation, with a special thank you to President - Walt Wood, Publicity Committee Chairperson -  Susan Faulkner, Education Committee Chairperson - Margie Belden and Library Committee Chairperson - Sandra Floberg."

TCGS Finally Has a Human Side

As genealogists we study people history. Our passion is finding and placing together one tidbit of information after another in an attempt to get to know our ancestors in a clearer light. The biggest thrill in our family history research are the personal interest stories that give us colorful glimpses of our ancestors’ lives. We often dig deep for the uncommon and are ecstatic with such discoveries.  

People history is our passion but sadly it has not been a focus regarding the history of our society. We, the members of the TriCity Genealogical Society, create important personal interest stories daily and now we have a member who has taken on the task of collecting this information. Pamela Mackey Keller is the new Historian for the TriCity Genealogical Society and we are thrilled to have her fill this much needed position.

Pamela is a third-generation Montanan who is very proud of her pioneering ancestors. She is the eldest child, grandchild and great-grandchild in her family and takes her responsibility as this generation’s genealogist very seriously. Her paternal line surnames include Mackey, Rollyson, Watt and Leonard and her maternal line surnames include Kerr, Perry, Hemmer and Phillips.

Pamela shares the following personal interest stories about herself and her passion for genealogy.

Pamela Mackey Keller - TCGS Historian

“My maternal grandfather, Laurence Perry Kerr, was a major influence during my childhood and I’ve been fortunate to locate and preserve a great deal of information on my family’s history in Ravalli County, Montana. As a family tradition, every year on Memorial Day we’d drive 36 miles south of my hometown of Missoula to the Pioneer Cemetery in Victor, Montana.  We’d decorate the graves of our many family members with arrangements of white, deep purple and lavender colored lilacs and retell stories of our family history.

Probably the greatest influence on my interest in genealogy was my 2nd Great Uncle, Robert Delanson Watt, born 1899 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Uncle Bob was an educator and member of the Montana State Legislature from Missoula, Montana, serving six terms in the House of Representatives and three terms in the Senate. In about 1981 he self-published “The Life and Times of Charles Columbus Watt and Minne Ellen Royster Watt, their descendants ancestors & collateral relatives”. In about 1991, at 92 years of age and nearly blind, Uncle Bob arranged for a caretaker to travel with him from Missoula, Montana to Spokane, Washington to personally (and proudly) deliver my copy of his book.”

Pamela’s personal goal is to someday provide a new edition of her family history with hopes that the torch will be passed on to a new generation.

Please help us welcome Pamela as we look forward to the ability to look back on the human side of the TriCity Genealogical Society.