Society Saturday - First Families of Maine and New Hampshire

On Tuesday of Lineage Week, two societies meet jointly for a tea.  They are the Order of the First Families of Maine (OFFME) and the Order of the First Families of New Hampshire (OFFNH).

OFFME was founded in 2003 to honor the memory of ancestors who settled in, owned land, or conducted business in what is now present-day Maine prior to 1652. 

Similarly, OFFNH was founded in 2009 to honor the memory of ancestors who settled in, owned land, or conducted business in what is now present-day New Hampshire prior to 1680.

There is an overlap of membership between the two organizations, and similar missions.  Both organizations donate to historical charities in Maine and New Hampshire, respectively.  Because of this, they have a joint meeting every April.

OFFNH Governor General, Marlene Wilkinson called the joint meeting to order.  After their business was concluded, OFFME President General Kimberly Nagy presided over the OFFME business meeting. 

This was an election year for OFFME, and the new slate of officers was installed.  New OFFME President General Timothy Finton was installed, and the members enjoyed refreshments and fellowship.

www.homestead.com/offme

www.homestead.com/offnh



Society Saturday - Children of the American Colonists

Tuesday morning of lineage week started with the Friendship Breakfast of Children of the American Colonists. 

The Children of the American Colonists is an organization for boys and girls age birth to 22.  The objects are patriotic and educational.  Members trace their lineage to a colonist who rendered civil or military service to the colonies prior to July 4, 1776.

Every year, the Society chooses a project to fund that reflects its purpose.  National President Anthony Panei told us about his national project. He is raising money to restore the old schoolhouse at St. Clement's Island in Maryland.

http://www.nsdac.org/nscac/

Society Saturday - Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company

National Lineage Week started on Monday with the Annual Rendezvousof the National Society Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.

This lineage group consists of lineal descendants of the famous Massachusetts military company.  President National Beverly Sceery presided as the National Officers, Chairmen, and Court Presidents gave their reports.

At the Banquet, our speaker was Dr. Nancy Bazar who told of her quest to confirm the history of her house as a stop on the underground railroad.

After the program, new officers were installed.  Jeannine Kallal was installed as the new President National.  She will lead the society for the next 3 years.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~azwdaha/index.html

Society Saturday - Indian Wars in Alabama

The Illinois Chapter of the Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars was honored to have our Governor General visit us for our March meeting.

Governor General Shelby Dean Ward is from Alabama and gave us a very interesting program about how the Native American conflicts helped shape history in Alabama as well as much of the southern US. 

The members of Illinois CSDIW with Governor General Ward and State Governor Schleinzer

The Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars is an organization that will celebrate its 25th anniversary this fall.  Membership is through lineal descendant from a Native or immigrant American ancestor who participated in any capacity in actual hostilities, one against the other, or in any other activity with each other, during the period May 14, 1607 to 1900.  In other words, anyone who fought for or against Native Americans in any conflict from the Pequot War (1637) through the Apache Wars (1900), or anyone who worked with Native Americans as a trader, missionary, interpreter, etc.

CSDIW has one charitable function - they provide Scholarships to Native Americans who are attending college with a career goal of providing education or social service to other Native Americans.  The scholarship is funded by donations.  When a member makes a donation of a given amount, they receive a pin as a thank you gift.  Four Illinois members donated this year, and received a small pony pin from Governor General Ward.

Four members received pony pins from Governor General Ward.

 

http://illinoisdiw.homestead.com/

Society Saturday - Happy Birthday to DuPage DAC!

At our Spring meeting of the Illinois State Daughters of the American Colonists, we had 2 things to celebrate!

First, this meeting was the official visit of our National President, Carole Rambo Holt.  Carole gave a very interested presentation about St. Mary's City in Maryland, the site of her National Project.  Although I have actually visited the archealogical site there, I learned a lot from her presentation. 

One fact that I found especially interesting was that a woman, Margaret Brent, actually spoke up for her rights.  She was unmarried, and owned property.  She was appointed executrix to the estate of Lord Calvert, Governor of the colony in 1647.  She acted as his attorney and appealed to the colonial legislature in 1648 - asking for "Vote... and Voyce".  Although this request was not granted, she is still regarded as the first female in Colonial America to lobby for her own rights.

State Regent Jane Schleinzer, National President Carole Holt, DuPage Chapter President Lorna Wright

Mrs. Holt's proposed project is to build a pavilion shelter at the historic site for the use of school groups.  It is to be named the "Margaret Brent Pavilion".

The other celebration was the anniversary of the organization of DuPage Chapter, DAC (the hostess chapter for the meeting).  We had a special Anniversary Cake for our dessert.

National President Carole Holt cuts the cake as DuPage Chapter President Lorna Wright, page Callah McLeod, and State Regent Jane Schleinzer look on

 

 

www.nsdac.org

Society Saturday - Illinois in the War of 1812

The John Kinzie chapter of the US Daughters of 1812 recently had a joint meeting with the Illinois Chapter Dames of the Court of Honor.

Our guest speaker was Gillum Ferguson, author of the book "Illinois in the War of 1812".  Gillum has researched events leading up to, and including the War of 1812 as they occurred in the Illinois territory.

 

When many think of the War of 1812, they think of the burning of the White House, Francis Scott Key writing our National Anthem, or maybe some of the ship warfare on the Great Lakes. 

There were actuallly several battles fought in Illinois as well - many of which were Indian uprisings, but there were ties with British forces who encouraged the uprisings.

 

Gillum gave us an informative talk about some of the individual acts of heroism and bravery that are included in his book.

John Kinzie USD1812 President Kimberly Nagy, Guest Speaker Gillum Ferguson, Illinois DCH President Miriam Giebel

http://illinoisdch.homestead.com/

http://usdaughters1812.org/

Society Saturday - The Town Crier

While visiting family in Ohio, it happened to be the same weekend as a meeting of my old DAR chapter.  I first joined the Fort Industry chapter, NSDAR in 1980.  I still maintain my associate membership with them, and receive their monthly newsletters.

 

My mother and I attended their chapter meeting and had a nice time.  The program was given by Michael Lieber, the official town crier for Sylvania, OH.

 

 

He began with a proclamation about DAR, and a little of the history of northwest Ohio.  Then he talked about how he became interested in being a town crier, a little about the competitions he has been in, and some of his other appearances.

 

 

Some of the interesting facts about town criers are:
1. They date from the time of the Norman conquest
2. It was illegal to harm the town crier if you didn't like what they had to say
In other words, "don't shoot the messenger"
3. Early town criers were often tried military officers who could read and write.
4. An official town crier can speak in place of a mayor for events such as proclamations and parades.

www.fortindustrydar.org