Community News

IGS (Iroquois Genealogy Society) Update

WELCOME BACK, IN-PERSON!

By Leatha Jimerson

2020 was a challenging year for all of us. We didn’t see our friends and relatives. We didn’t travel too far from home. We did, however, spend a lot of time at home. For some of us it was a time to reconnect with our inner selves, a time to finish those projects we had been putting off for years, a time to clean our homes, and a time to focus on our hobbies. For some people it was a time to work on their genealogy. It was also a time to grieve for those people in our communities who we lost to COVID-19 or related causes. We lost a lot of people who were valuable genealogy resources.

IGS has several gifted researchers and media specialists. They helped to keep IGS alive in 2020/2021 through Facebook. Zoom and our Website. I am forever grateful to them for their dedication to our mission. Wally Ward and Leatha Jimerson pioneered Zoom meetings; Leatha kept us informed by Facebook, e-mails, and the Seneca Nation Newsletter; Randy John kept us informed of his ongoing research and writing; Jack Ericson and Wally continued their research and put it on our website. We know that everyone does not have access to the internet, but we wanted to keep IGS “alive” somehow.

On July 8, we had our first get together by having a picnic/meeting which was a great success! There were 20 people in attendance with delicious food and a beautiful birthday cake — shown below — (thanks to Teresa VanAernum)! We celebrated Jack Ericson’s 83rd birthday! Jack is an invaluable genealogy resource for our organization.

There was no formal presentation but discussions revolved around the Kansas Claims, genealogy research by members and planning for the coming months. Everyone was happy to see one another! The following is a tentative schedule:

August:
Trip to Letchworth State Park

September 9th,
6 p.m., Cattaraugus:
Church Records (Jack Ericson presenting)
September 11th:
Fall Festival booth, Saylor Grounds, Cattaraugus Territory

October 4th,
6 p.m., Allegany:
Epidemics in our territories

November 11th,
6 p.m., Cattaraugus:
To be determined

December 2nd,
Seneca Allegany Casino:
Christmas party and Election of Officers

As soon as details are finalized, we will update everyone.

We hope to see you soon! Please stay safe and healthy!