Santa Rosa County: a newsletter that will set you on fire!

When you find a good thing, you embrace it and return to it often.  The Kindling is a newsletter put out by the The Genealogical Society of Santa Rosa County, Florida.  In these times of tough economic challenges, it's super to find a five page (DOUBLE SIDED) publication issued on a monthly basis.

The content and arrangement of this one reflects the makeup of the society: though the society is not the biggest in the Panhandle of Florida, it is nevertheless made up of some very talented and dedicated members.  Surprisingly, the membership fee is still very reasonable at $15.00 per year.

One feature that I really like is that the society is never slow about thanking the volunteers that contribute in one way or other to the cause.  This time, kudos go out to the October speaker, Glynda Cupp (also the VP), for her presentation on two local communities, Baker and Otahite.  Others also recognized are Mary Hawkins for her continuing work on obits and Rebecca Black on preparing the indexes.

A welcome to new members is an element of many newsletters; The Kindling is no exception.  Contact information is included, along with the particular research interests of the individual.  I'm always looking for someone who shares my research interests; I read these new member blurbs, faithfully. 

Trish Wariner has been active in editing this newsletter and in participating in many other positions of service for this society for many years.  I like her "November Trivia" spot and other fillers.  These bring interest and variety to the newsletter. 

The society's minutes for the previous month are included; this is a useful way to find out what projects the society is working on, but more than that, there are a few mentions of upcoming events both in the Florida Panhandle and the state of Florida that would be of interest to genealogists.  Of special note, is that one of the members invited the others to her annual "Syrup Making Day".  Those attending should bring a covered dish.  I can't help but wonder if the party treat is a small sample of the syrup!

Do any of you still remember what a Query is?  People used to write letters to societies stating their need for help in their research.  Well, I guess it still happens, occasionally!  The newsletter printed one such call for assistance; in fact, they allowed a whole half-page for it.  Even if you didn't connect with this query, personally, it's interesting to read.  Here are some things I consider important for an effective query, whether presented in a letter or a posting on the Internet:

• Capitalize surnames, ie. "BRAY".  It makes for quick browsing.
• Mention the sources and documents that you have used as a basis for the research direction you are pursuing.
• Use full names, nicknames, maiden names--give all of it to me, all you know.
• Be clear about what you need.  This writer put it in a separate paragraph, in one solitary sentence.
• Offer to be of help to others who are searching relatives in the location where you live.  (What a novel idea!)

Every newsletter should have some "how-to" tips or articles.  It's good review for the experienced genealogist and something that the beginner might not have learned yet.  In this issue of the society's newsletter the education spotlight was on "Census Tips".  I wish I could regurgitate these for you all, but that would be taking a little too much literary license.  There are no bulleted lists, here.  The information is relayed much as if someone were just conversationally passing along the curiosities of each census.

Okay, I know I'm getting a little long-winded with this blog, but the good news is, I'm about to wind it up.  The Minutes section recapped the previous month's meeting and no newsletter would be complete without putting in an announcement and/or preview for the next month's meeting.  Santa Rosa County's newsletter gets it in, and on December 18th, it promises to be a very relaxing, stress free, "Show and Tell".  "Every member is urged to bring their special genealogical show-piece", is the central point of the column, but it is clear that even if you didn't have a showpiece to share, you could come and share your ideas or just do a meet and greet kind of thing.  This is the jewel of Southern societies-- you can spend time just getting to know each other better. 

Finally, the largest project that the Santa Rosa County Society has ever embarked upon is the establishment of a genealogy section in the Milton (county seat) Public Library.  They accomplished this feat a few years back and continue to build upon their collection.  The Tech Services staff catalogs the material and creates an index for these items.  In addition, six or seven members of the society make themselves available at the library, to assist researchers.  I've got to say, this is really dedication in its purest form.

Attached to the newsletter is a three page (front and back, six pages), table of some of the additions to the library's collection for 2010.  Those who have paid the $15 a year for their membership fees in this society are getting the best deal in town.  And then some!  I would be curios to see how large the circulation of this newsletter is.  Hopefully, the Allen County, Indiana, Public Library (the genealogy department there specializes in genealogy periodicals) and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, are among the subscribers.