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The societies that are sometimes overlooked

Dear Santa,

I know we’re almost out of time.

And maybe I haven’t been that good this year.

But hey… I’m trying.

(I know. I know. Very trying.)

But before I sign off for the holiday, can I just mention one itsy bitsy teeny weeny thing more?

Santa2Like all those absolutely wonderful county, local, regional and specialized societies out there without which genealogy would be darned near impossible to do? I mean, seriously, Santa, you can leave a few extra presents on behalf of the entire genealogical community in the stocking of the Massachusetts Genealogical Council, which works so hard on records access to benefit us all, right?

And, Santa, I want to tell you… I’ve had the chance in recent months to meet folks from a wide variety of smaller genealogical societies and, really, they’re terrific. There aren’t enough complimentary phrases: they’re the cream of the crop, the salt of the earth, the cat’s meow.

I can’t list then all, Santa, but let me just name a few for people to check out…

And just between you and me, Santa, nobody’d mind if you left a few new members in their stockings this Christmas.

Trust me, Santa. They all deserve it… these and so many more:

Fairfax, Virginia, Genealogical Society

Monmouth County, New Jersey, Genealogical Society

Western Reserve Historical Society Genealogical Committee, Cleveland, Ohio

Genealogical Society of Bergen County, New Jersey

Seattle Genealogical Society

Southern California Genealogical Society

Genealogy Researcg Group of the Patchogue-Medford, New York, Public Library

German Genealogy Group of Long Island, New York

Ontario, Canada, Genealogical Society

Ocean County, New Jersey, Genealogical Society

Italian Genealogical Group of Long Island, New York

Central Jersey Genealogical Club

Hudson County, New Jersey, Genealogical & Historical Society

And, Santa, I couldn’t sleep if I didn’t mention the very first local genealogy group I ever joined — the Burke County, North Carolina, Genealogical Society, where my Baker, Buchanan, Davenport and Wiseman kin put down roots.

And one I just learned about, the Huxford Genealogical Society in Georgia, with its member-supported library.

And… oh, Santa, I know. I know. You can’t bring new members to all the society stockings yourself.

But how ’bout this? Maybe you could just leave a note in everyone’s stocking reminding us to take a look at the wonderful groups, amazing people, and terrific resources… right in our own backyards.

And, oh, Santa?

Merry Christmas.

And thanks for all you do.


Image: User isacvale, Open Clip Art Library