MEETING OPENED: 6:39 pm - President Kevin O'Brien, presiding.

REPORTS:
A. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
B. Treasurer's Report:
C. Membership:
Current membership stands at 126.
Anyone wishing to place articles and/or queries in the next issue of the Buffalo Irish Times needs to submit the information prior Sept15th
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:
Mike Fagan is seeking suggestions of a local researcher who can be hired. Please let Donna know if you have anyone to recommend.

OLD BUSINESS:
A. Events:
The Buffalo Irish Festival for 2005 has been scheduled for August 26-28th at The Pier. Anyone willing to man the BIGS booth for a minimum of two hours will receive free admission to the festival. Sign up with John Blest. There will be an election of officers at the October meeting. Nomination forms were provided at the April and July meetings.
The January meeting will include the Gathering of the Clans. It will take place in the Emerald Room on Saturday the 21st. The meeting will immediately precede the event and will be held in the library.
B. Projects:
Mary Murphy reports the Holy Cross Cemetery records through the year 1881 have been indexed in Excel format. We are in need of proofreaders to check the transcriptions.
We continue to look for someone who will convert the First Ward Nickname information into booklet form. Additional information is always welcome.
C. Purchases/Acquisitions:
None this quarter. Suggestions for purchases for the library are to be given to Donna Shine.
D. Library:
Summer hours are in effect. 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.
Magazine racks have been purchased for the library. Current copies of periodicals are the only ones that will be retained. Back issues are available to any interested member.
John Blest is in need of a back up person to cover Tuesday evenings when he is unavailable.
Signs are on order to direct people to the library.

NEW BUSINESS:
A. October Meeting Topic: Ben Marinak on the Irish in the Civil War. Kevin O'Brien will notify the 155th NY re-enactors and invite them to attend.
B. The membership voted to send a $100 contribution to the Famine Memorial.
C. Items from the Floor:
- October 22nd there will be a Family History Fair at the LDS FHC on Maple Road. John Blest will hold two groups on Irish genealogy. There is no charge for attendance. Contact John for further information.
- John pointed out the recent addition to Boston Immigration lists at Ancestry.com. He recommends using a "Buffalo" keyword search to easily access people coming to this area.
- John also announced that Scottish Civil Records are now searchable on-line.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 7:25 pm

FEATURED TOPIC: Ed Patton on the development of the 1st, 2nd and 8th wards of Buffalo.

NEXT MEETING: Saturday, 15 October @ 10:30 am
M. E. O'Grady-Fabinsky