Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society
Minutes: 19 January 2008

MEETING OPENED: 6:20 pm – President Ed Patton presiding.

NOTICE: BIGS HAS EXPANDED TO SIX MEETINGS PER YEAR. THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH AT 10:30 AM!

REPORTS:
A. Minutes of last meeting approved without additions or corrections.
B. The Treasurer's Report was submitted and accepted as read.
C. Membership - Anyone wishing to place a query in the next issue of the Times needs to submit the information prior to March15th.
Individual genealogy reports continue to be wanted for inclusion in the binder located in the library. Information may be submitted in any convenient format.
All members are asked to notify John Blest or Margaret Fabinsky whenever there is a change of street address and/or email address. Reminder: Donations to BIGS are tax deductible. Gift subscriptions may be purchased at any time and are a good way to promote membership.
D. GAAA Annual Organizational Meeting was attended by Ed Patton and Donna Shine. A two year projected BIGS meeting schedule was requested and submitted. It includes the expansion to six meetings per year, adding dates in February and November.

The 2008 schedule is as follows:
February 9th – Saturday, 10:30 am
April 12th – Saturday, 10:30 am
July 15th - Tuesday, 6:00 pm
October 18th – Saturday, 10:30 am
November 1st – Saturday, 10:30 am

We have obtained approval to install a display case in the corridor outside the Emerald Room. Ed Patton will arrange for construction.

OLD BUSINESS:
A. Events
- Ed Patton and John Blest met with Kevin Townsel regarding the 2008 Irish Festival. Apparently a number of people noted the absence of BIGS (and several other cultural groups) from the 2007 event. Reportedly the ’08 festival will have a renewed focus on cultural vs commercial events. BIGS has agreed to participate and to provide several 15 minute presentations on genealogy and/or history. Anyone interested in participating please contact Ed. For more information and updates on Festival plans check the ‘dot com’ section of Buffaloirish.com.
- Diane Blaser of WNY Genealogical Society announced these upcoming events, see www.wnygs.org for details.

March 15th – Dave Newman of the Polish Genealogical Society – Hamburg High School

April 19th – Meeting at the Underground Railroad Museum at Niagara University.

May 17th – Carol Hunt of the Family History Center – Hamburg High School

B. Projects:
- No reports.

C. Library:
- No book purchases were made this quarter
- Periodicals were renewed as needed.
- Hours: 1st and 2nd Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
3rd Tuesday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

NEW BUSINESS:
No new business.

CORRESPONDENCE:
No report on correspondence.

BUSINESS MEETING ADJOURNED: 6:55 pm

NEXT MEETING: Saturday, 9 February 2008 @ 10:30 am

GUEST SPEAKER: Joseph Kocsis, President WNY Railway Historical Society.

M. E. O'Grady-Fabinsky