MEETING OPENED: Opened at 6:00 pm -President Kevin O'Brien, presiding.

REPORTS:
A. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
B. Treasurer's Report:
C. Membership:
Anyone wishing to place articles and/or queries in the next issue of the Buffalo Irish Times needs to submit the information prior January15th. Note: Items submitted immediately after the deadline may be considered.
The cost of Times subscriptions has gone up. As of this time, the increase will not be reflected in BIGS membership dues. Individual genealogy reports are wanted for inclusion in the binder located in the library. Information may be submitted in any convenient format.
All members are asked to notify Donna Shine whenever they have a change of address and/or email address.
Reminder: All donations to BIGS are tax deductible.
D. Correspondence:
A request was received from Eric Arkins, searching for information regarding his g-g-g-grandfather Alfred Arkins born in Buffalo in 1854.
WNYGS gave Donna Shine a $25 honorarium for a presentation she made to that group. Donna has donated it to the BIGS treasury.

OLD BUSINESS:
A. Events:
The Gathering of the Clans is scheduled for this evening. The theme is Firemen/Police in the Irish community and includes a presentation by Mike Kaska, BPD historian.
The St. Patrick's Day Parades will be held the Saturday and Sunday before the 17th. The First Ward Parade will be on Saturday at noon. Marchers are to assemble at the Valley community Association on Leddy Street. The City Parade is on Sunday. Marchers are to assemble at 1:00 pm on Niagara Circle near DuBois Pizza. Flag bearers are needed for both events.
The Buffalo Irish Festival for 2005 has been scheduled for August 26-28th at The Pier.
B. Projects:
Mary Murphy and Donna Shine are indexing the Holy Cross Cemetery records in Excel format.
We continue to look for someone who will convert the First Ward Nickname information into booklet form. Additional information is always welcome.
C. Purchases:
Suggestions for purchase for the library are to be given to Donna Shine.
New acquisitions in the past quarter are as follows:
Books -
Irish Church Records: Their History, Availability and Use in Family and Local History Research, Second Edition by James Ryan.
Researching Armagh Ancestors: A Practical Guide for the Family and Local Historian by Ian Maxwell.
County Longford and Its People by David Leahy
CDs -
Counties In Time: Documents and Commentary from the National Archives of Ireland.
Memories of The Dead: Counties Galway and Mayo.
Resource County Roscommon
D. Library:
The regular library hours - first and second
Saturday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm and the third Tuesday from 6 - 9 pm are now in effect. The possibility of additional Tuesday evening availability is being explored. The library may also be accessed by appointment by contacting Mary Murphy, John Blest or Donna Shine. Volunteers continue to be needed to assist patrons.

NEW BUSINESS:
A. Future Topics:
April Meeting - Irish in the Civil War - The 155th NY - Corcoran's Brigade - is not yet confirmed.
July Meeting - Ed Patton will give a presentation on the development of Irish neighborhoods in Buffalo.

NEW MEMBER: Tom Callaghan

BUSINESS MEETING ADJOURNED: 6:40 pm

NEXT MEETING: Saturday, April 16th, 10:30 am

M. E. O'Grady-Fabinsky