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About L.C.G.S.
The following sections provide information about the History,
Objectives, Goals and Projects
of the Lee County Genealogical Society from its beginnings to its current
activities and projects. Take some time to get to know us. The members
are an active group and are dedicated to the value of being a part of
a vital organization of fellow family researchers.
A copy of the Lee
County Genealogical Society Bylaws and the Lee
County Genealogical Society Standing Rules is available online
for the benefit of all members.
The History of L.C.G.S.
The history of the Lee County Genealogical society began on November
25, 1975, when a small group of Lee County residents interested in genealogy
met at the home of Ernest England. They discussed their family history
research, and because of their enthusiasm about this topic, a second meeting
was planned.
By January 20, 1976, when the second meeting was held, the size of this
genealogical group had more than doubled, and a decision was reached on
the name: "The Lee County Genealogical Society." Two months
later, the organization's by-laws were approved, and in April 1976 the
first slate of officers was presented. Membership dues were established
at $3.00 per year. It was an active group. They started a newsletter and
an ancestor chart notebook; they held workshops and they donated books
to the library. On September 22, 1988, they filed articles of incorporation
and became the Lee County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Because of the wisdom, foresight and efforts of these pioneer members
who established policies and goals, today's L.C.G.S. has a firm foundation
on which to build. Current members continue to promote the study of
family history and provide sound training in genealogical research.
Click here to see our timeline of activities and projects.
Objectives of The Lee
County Genealogical Society, Inc.
The Lee County Genealogical Society is dedicated to:
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Collecting, preserving and perpetuating
the genealogical and historical records of our ancestors. |
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Encouraging and assisting individuals in
their family search. |
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Advancing genealogical research and education. |
These objectives are met through monthly meetings featuring topics of
genealogical interest; publication of The Scribe, a highly regarded
quarterly newsletter; a variety of special interest
groups;
seminars and workshops; our website, which includes publication of
our Surname List, various partnerships to benefit our members and the
Society; a CD lending library for members, and several records
preservation projects.
Society Goals
Society Goals are to advance genealogical research and education, and
to encourage and assist individuals in family research. To meet these
goals, the Society:
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Collects, receives and publishes historical
and genealogical records. |
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Assists in the preservation of records
in libraries and archives. |
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Publishes a quarterly Newsletter which
is sent to members throughout the U.S. and to many Genealogical organizations
and libraries. |
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Conducts seminars and workshop classes
in genealogy and related computer skills. |
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Presents a variety of speakers and activities
to provide a fresh approach to basic research of genealogy. |
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Encourages members to complete pedigree
charts for at least five generations. These are indexed and included
with our library holdings. Over 6,000 names from these charts have
been submitted to the Family History Center at Salt Lake City to be
included in their records. |
L.C.G.S. Projects
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The L.C.G.S. published 1992, Lee
County, Florida Marriages 1887-1924 which abstracts
records found in the Lee County Courthouse. It includes names
of the bride and groom, their residences, marriage date, witnesses,
the presiding official, and the book and page number of the
original record. This book is currently out of print.
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The Society published a cookbook, Family
Traditions: Recipes and Memories, compiled from favorites
submitted by members and their families and friends. This book
is currently out of print. |
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In 1998 the L.C.G.S. started the Obituary
Indexing Project, abstracting Lee County deaths published in the
News-Press between 1930 and 1997. The project has involved over
70 dedicated volunteer members who have read microfilm, made photocopies,
abstracted data to index cards, done proofreading, and entered the
obituaries into a computer database. Five volumes have been published
in printed form and are available for patrons' use at the Ft. Myers-Lee
County Public Library, 2050 Central Avenue, Ft. Myers. |
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A second obituary project that L.C.G.S.
members have worked on is a collection of obituaries clipped from
the News-Press from 1990 through April 2006. Index cards containing
the actual obituary are alphabetically arranged in a file cabinet
at the Fort Myers-Lee County Public Library. Researchers wishing
to locate an obituary from this time period should contact the Genealogy
Librarian at the Fort Myers-Lee County Public Library. |
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The Genealogical Records Preservation
Project Committee has abstracted selected death records of the Harvey-Engelhardt
Funeral Home in Ft. Myers. The abstraction begins with 1919 and ends
with 1929. The index includes the decedent’s name, date and
place of birth, date of death and age, and parents’ names and
birthplaces. Printed copies of the index are located at the Harvey-Engelhardt
Funeral Home, 1600 Colonial Boulevard and at the Ft. Myers Library. |
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L.C.G.S. members are invited to work with the Genealogical
Preservation Group to extract records and articles of interest
from the older periodicals being removed from the Fort Myers-Lee
County Public Library's Genealogy Collection. The group is reorganizing
the records and articles so that upon return to the library shelves,
the materials will be more user-friendly to researchers. |
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The L.C.G.S. observes Family
History Month annually in October by arranging genealogical
displays in local libraries. At some of the libraries the display
is featured in a showcase; at others the Society provides a display
board and brochures designed to help the public understand the
work of the Society, and how to get started tracing a family history.
During 2003, a family history curriculum guide was developed for
middle school teachers of gifted students in the Lee County School
System. |
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Several members of the L.C.G.S. volunteer
both at the local Family History Center at 3105
Broadway in Fort Myers and in the genealogical area at the Ft.
Myers-Lee County Library. The volunteers assist patrons with
their family history research and provide help with various library
tasks. |
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In October of 2006, L.C.G.S. sponsored a Youth
Heritage Fair at the historic Burroughs Home in the River
District of downtown Ft. Myers overlooking
the beautiful Caloosahatchee River. L.C.G.S. worked with many local
organizations and individuals who partnered with us to provide young
people with an opportunity to learn about their family history
as well as their cultural heritage and how we connect with the
world around us. This was an enriching experience for all participants,
as they recognized the contributions of various cultures and understood
the importance of preserving their own heritage and traditions.
Activities included family history learning stations, traditional
music, art, dance, food, crafts and storytelling and more in an
exciting daylong event. |
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In 2007, L.C.G.S. piloted a Genealogy Workshop program
geared towards middle school youth to learn the basics of family
research. Working with the Lee County Library System sessions were
held at the Ft. Myers-Lee County Library and the Lehigh Library. |
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in the fall of 2007, L.C.G.S. published Let's
Plant a Family Tree ~ How to Start Your Genealogy Research written
by member Ruth Emmel. This seventy-one page workbook is designed
for young people but many research newbies find it helpful as well.
Step by step instructions are given for discovering your
roots and how
to uncover the stories and events that make them and your family
unique.
This hands on workbook will help them learn
the first steps in researching including:
- How to use Family Group Sheets,
- How to create Pedigree Charts,
- How to use maps and develop timelines,
- How to plan successful family interviews,
and
- Many more hands-on activities.
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For more information about the society,
please email Carol at CRWGEN@LeeCountyGenealogy.org
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