Social Networking announcement
If you attended our February double-header [after all, it is spring training season], then you know what we mean. Drew Smith, one of The Genealogy Guys, briefed us on the many networking tools available on the Internet and their value to a genealogy researcher. If you have a Facebook page, you can now join the Indian River Genealogical Society, Inc. Facebook group. We are also looking at using a Blog as part of our information delivery spectrum. It's all experimental now so please bear with us as we learn the ins and outs of this new-to-us technology. To peek at our blog, visit irgsblog.blogspot.com. See our Links page for several new entries.

Congratulations to our new Officers, elected at the December 9th meeting. President: Tom Garvey, Vice President: Cindy Davis, Treasurer: Pat Burdsall, Recording Secretary: Marilyn Row, Corresponding Secretary: Diane Chazotte. Pete Kersey becomes the Past President. And sincere thanks to the outgoing administration for their hard work and leadership.

The Ontario GIG held its last meeting of the 2008-9 research season on Tuesday, March 3rd. Watch the calendar and the education pages for news about its fall meeting schedule.

Congratulations to IRGS member Carl W. Carruthers, Sr. His article, “Discovering my Revolutionary Connections,” appears in the Holiday 2008 edition of New England Ancestors, the quarterly magazine of the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

It is membership renewal time! A form is available on the membership page. Be sure to update your surname information and initial the appropriate choices in the privacy options section.

The Calendar has been updated through April and beyond. We are now using Google Calendar to list our events. This allows us to post extended information, pertinent links, and even provide driving directions if you need them.

The refreshment committee is asking each member to sign up for one monthly meeting and bring a special treat from your "archives", perhaps Grandma's ethnic cookies or Aunt Mable's special candy. All of us have some special treat or recipe that has been passed down from an ancestor. How about sharing this treat with fellow IRGS members?

The Postcard Book is now available and will be on sale at the general membership meetings. The book is also available at the Friends of the Library Shop and at local retailers such as the Vero Beach Book Shop.  See the Meetings page for a special program offering on the Postcard Book. Bring the road show to your organization or group gathering.

In Memoriam

IRGS co-founder George Branford Wilson passed away March 26, 2009. His obituary is posted on our blog: irgsblog.blogspot.com.

Dorothy W. Allen, 92, died March 19, 2009 at Indian River Estates Medical Center in Vero Beach. She was born in Natick, Mass, and lived in Vero Beach. Survivors include her daughter, Susan A. Heineman of New Vernon, N. J., son, Richard G. Allen of Newbury, Ohio, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert L. Allen. SERVICES: Arrangements are by All County Funeral Home & Crematory Treasure Coast Chapel.

Richard "Rich" L. Edwards passed away on Friday, Oct 24th. For his obituary, click here

Dr. John Getz, past president of the IRGS, passed away on September 15, 2008. For his obituary (updated), click here. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Indian River Genealogical Society (IRGS) and on the check memo line insert "The John Getz Memorial Fund".

Phyllis Celeste (Arnold) Webb, a pioneer member of IRGS, passed away on September 1, 2008. See the October, 2008 newsletter, page 10.

More sad news within our genealogy community ... Nancy Sieck passed away on June 21, 2008. The memorial service was held July 3rd in Viera. For her obituary, click here

Ernestine S. Park, a long time member of the IRGS, passed away on June 2, 2008. For her obituary, click here

Welcome to Our Website

The Indian River Genealogical Society, Inc. had its beginnings when the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century met and discussed forming a genealogy society to help their members and increase membership. On 6 April 1983, the first meeting and founding members met---Louise Auten, George Wilson, Freda Hoppe, Carolyn Scagnetti, Ruth McConathy, Edward Hungerford, Martha Dodd, Burton Holt and Mabel Lutz. The original meeting place was the social hall of the Roseland United Methodist Church.

Since 1991 when the new library was built, the Society has met in the large meeting room at the Indian River County Main Library.

The Indian River Genealogical Society, Inc., is a Section 501 (C)(3) non-profit corporation, chartered by the State of Florida. Our Mailing address is: PO Box 1850, Vero Beach, FL 32961-1850

The objectives of the Society are to further genealogical research and promote interest in family and local history by:

1. Providing instruction on methods of researching, organizing, indexing, retrieving, preserving and disseminating genealogical information and records, through programs, classes and seminars.
2. Providing genealogical and historical information through publications, lectures, workshops, seminars, field trips and study groups.
3. Encouraging the donation of genealogical and historical material to the Genealogical Section of The Indian River County Main Library for use by the general public.
4. Maintaining liaison with local, national and international genealogical and historical organizations.

Officers are elected for one year terms at the December Membership Meeting in accordance with our Bylaws. Membership is open to anyone interested in furthering the objectives of the IRGS. Visit our membership page for more information.

Our Banner

River Genealogical Society's banner represents not only our society but the beautiful area which it represents. The background is the gold of the sun on the sands of our beaches. The palms are natural for our coastline along with the turtles and tropical birds who nest there. The ship represents our ancestors who risked to much to seek their freedom on America's shores. Our coast is known as the Treasure Coast and our treasure chest contains the gems of memories of our ancestors. The books are full of the knowledge we have yet to find and the cloud on the horizon is to remind us that finding those ancestors is not always easy. On the top center of the banner is the tree of life and on it are eleven Indian River oranges that represent the eleven charter members who started the Indian River Genealogical Society. It was truly an honor to work on the design of the banner however it was a particular privilege to have the Sunbonnet Sue Quilters of Vero Beach, many of whom are also members of our club, volunteer to create it. They have our sincere gratitude for their beautiful work

.............. Nancy Hendricks