EDITOR'S MESSAGE
by Jack Wilson

It was a bit difficult to come up with a message for this issue. Our Society is healthy and growing, the special project is proceeding nicely, programs are good and this journal survived its' first year of publication. Be that as it may, there is one cloud on the horizon and that is our "silent majority." In associations, such as ours, the challenge is by what means can we actively involve all members in our common bond of genealogy. This silent majority attends meetings and is supportive of all society functions; but, the question remains of just how can these passive members be motivated to participate fully and actively, to the benefit of themselves and our group? What stimulus is perhaps being overlooked by our officers that may be of help in solving this problem? What can we do to improve the quality of the Society, and at the same time, include each and every one of you in the process of that betterment? Please consider what you can contribute to the well being of the RGS, be it time, genealogical information, comments, thoughts or concerns, but whatever it is, bring it to the attention of any one of the executive committee members. Let the silent majority be silent no longer!

Our meeting place has been changed so be sure to note the new location under the Program heading. Circumstances once again forced the RGS to seek new quarters. A new location was found but with an increase in rental. Suggestions from our members would be appreciated relative to a reasonable (or gratis) meeting site. Think about it and see what you can come up with.

NOTE: The deviation from the usual 3^rd Thursday routine for the April meeting, also a special location for that meeting.

1981 - SPRING PROGRAM

Please note the new meeting location. RGS meetings will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, located at East Ave. and Vick Park B on the third Thursday of the month. Doors are open at 7:00 p.m. and refreshments are provided. Donations of cookies, crackers, etc. are always welcome. Meetings are open to the public but commencing at our Feb. meeting, guests will be assessed $1.00 per meeting. Due to the change in meeting location, our Jan. get-together was cancelled. The officers extend their apologies for any inconvenience caused by the elimination of the Jan. meeting.

RESEARCH EXCHANGE

The following are people willing to exchange research time on a volunteer basis (Please check RGS membership list for addresses and write to them directly enclosing a S.A.S.E.):

AN INDEX TO EARLY ROCHESTER FAMILY RECORDS
by Anah Babcock Yates

An Index to Early Rochester Family Records by Anah Babcock Yates that began in Vol 1, No 1 and continued inVol 1, No 2 is continued here. (Note -- First number indicates page and the second is column number.)

Continued in Vol 2, No 2

CODE OF ETHICS
by Ron Forsyth

The Rochester Genealogical Society is a member of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, a consortium of some 180 local societies similar to RGS. The avowed aim of the Federation is to open to genealogical researchers the Vital Records of the 50 states. This is an ambitious aim, considering that they are currently closed, to some degree, in 43 states. The approach being made is to seek state legislators to introduce 2 bills written by the Federation. They need our help. Write to your representatives and ask them to consider favorably such legislation when it comes before them. To show that society members are persons who can be trusted with the records we seek, a set of guidelines has been established. At the September 1980 meeting this "Genealogist's Code of Ethics" was unanimously adopted by the RGS, as a condition of membership. Please read and familiarize yourself with it. Put a signed copy in your workbook and show it proudly to records clerks and librarians wherever you go researching. If you wish to know more about the Federation, the bills, or how you can help open the Vital Records in your state (or in any state), send me a long S.A.S.E.

Copies of the "Genealogist's Code of Ethics" are available from RGS Corresponding Secretary.

NEHGS'S SEMINAR

The New England Historic Genealogical Society's Seminar, presented this past Fall was a great success with attendance greater than anticipated. As a result of the enthusiasm, negotiations are underway with NEHGS for RGS to sponsor another seminar but covering different genealogical material. Details may be available for the next issue of the Hear Ye. A Thank you to David Miles for his efforts in bringing the NEHGS Group to our city.

ABSTRACT FROM A FORTHCOMING BOOK

Mary Dudley Higham has kindly provided an abstract from her forthcoming book, Pioneer Collections (a compilation of early Solona County (CA) people listing New York State folk immigrating to that county, mostly, during the Gold Rush era. The author has genealogies on some pioneers and will forward more information. (Please include a S.A.S.E. and send to Rt 1 Box 114A, Suisan, CA 945).

HOUSE PEDIGREE

In the January 1980 issue of Blair & Ketchum's Country Journal, there appeared an intriguing article, entitled "Searching For Ghosts," authored by Michael B. Folsom, a professor at Mass. Institute of Technology. After acquisition of an old country farm by the author, a discrepancy between the local identity of the property and what it was called on the deed prompted him to commence unravelling its' tangled pedigree. Very interesting and informative, it is recommended reading -- whether researching the pedigree of real estate or people.

CORRESPONDENCE HINTS
by Evelyn Dexter Arthur

Why are replies not forthcoming from your inquiries?

When writing requesting help, remember, you are asking a favor of someone's time and effort. Letters received with paragraph after paragraph filled with details, are often tossed aside. Clear, concise, easy to read letters are given preference. One way to insure this is to include a "cover letter" containing six brief statements:

These six brief statements capsulate what the letter is about and on succeeding pages detail is provided so the reader can quickly understand the data. Information may be put in itemized or statistical form. It is far easier to read a list of data, such as lists of children, vital statistics, place of residents, military service, etc. Using separate lines for each item, rather than using paragraph form, makes for quicker reference.

When placing a query, consider inserting "postage refunded" in yours. It adds impetus to a person's replying. Many people will discard a letter if it does not include the S.A.S.E. Finally, don't forget to ASK A QUESTION. If there is no question asked - no reply is needed!

GENEALOGY A LA HOMEFRONT
by Mrs. Ruth Draxl

A friend, well-versed in the art of Genealogy, was heard to remark that much can bedone by family fact-finders, working right in their own home environment.

Heedless of my friend's advice and "mad for travel," this beginnerfound any excuse good enough reason for setting out to find those roots wherever they mightbe.

After a few worthless junkets, which left me more frustrated than fulfilled, Iharked back to my friend's words and took a more sober approach to searching for thoseelusive kin.

An old letter, dated and written in Strasbourg in 1872, stirred me to write aletter in French (with lots of help from an old college textbook) to the Ville de Strasbourg tofind out what I could about my great-great grandfather.

A very polite letter, also in French, was returned to me, noting that no recordsexisted in that place for the person of the inquiry, but since there was a marriage license forhis brother, in which a birthplace was given, it might not be a bad idea to try in that town forthe desired information.

A subsequent letter to Boersch, Bas au Rhin, France brought forth in reply a birthcertificate, not only for great-great grand father, but also for his father and his father'sfather.

So, you, too, might like to be an Armchair Genealogist. It could lengthen your listof progenitors, let you hop the ocean for the price of a foreign stamp and perhaps even improveyour foreign language. N'est pas?

ACCOUNT BOOK

From a hill overlooking Aurora (Town of Ledyard, Cayuga Co., NY) and Cayuga Lake comes the account book of Allen Beach, a treasured possession of Mrs. Irene Bevan of Salem, OR, his great granddaughter. She has graciously allowed copying the people's names contained therein.

A bit of background on Allen Beach. He lived in Aurora with his parents and brothers and sisters. His father came from Vermont, staying a short time each in Tioga and Tompkins counties before finally settling in Aurora. The family was composed of:

Carpentry was Allen's trade and was aided in that endeavor by other family members. (Tucked in the pages of the account book was a receipt made out to Allen Beach, dated 14 July 1862, for a plot in Restvale Cemetery, Seneca Falls, NY). Civil War came and Allen joined the Engineer Corp. in Aug 1862. On May 1864, in a Virginia hospital, Allen died of typhoid fever. Shortly after his death the family moved to Lockport, NY.

Entries in the account books commence in 1851 and continue, with the last entry occurring Oct. 16, l860. The rear papers of the notebook are covered with calculations and on a few pages are sketched house plans.

Following are the names appearing in Allen Beach's account book:

QUERIES

COPYING OF PHOTOS
by Mary Valentine

Copies of photographs for genealogical purposes, correspondence, etc. can be made on Xerox type machines (Xerox 5200 and 9500 units make excellent reproductions). It is surprising how good copy quality can be! The staff of the Eastman House assures that brief exposure to the machine's light will not damage or fade photographs.

MISCELLANY

For any member interested in an index to members of either the Gibson family or the Wing family as found in the "New York Genealogical and Biographical Record" write to the Society for a copy. The information was compiled by D. P. Schreiber of Portland, Oregon.

The Rochester Rundel Memorial Library now has on microfilm the City of Rochester's Marriage Records by year (no index) starting January 1, 1909 thru 1977. It is reported our County Historian, Shirley Husted, saved the originals from the trash can. Thanks Shirley.