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1203 N. Main,
P.O. Box 1121
Wichita, KS 67201
316-264-3611
*****
Established 1966
*****
Library Hours:
Tuesday & Saturday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Email:
Online Alert:
go to website>publications
>Alert
February 2015 Volume 36 Number 10
Editor: Lucille Williams
Inside This
Issue:
Upcoming Programs
p. 2
Annual Meeting
p. 3
Mission State-ment
p.3
Amazon Smile
p.3
MHGS Facebook
p. 3
Calendar of Events
MHGS is Open Tuesday and Saturday, 9am-4pm.
Wi-fi is available with knowledgeable volunteers to
help you with your research and answer questions. We
have yearly memberships and non-members can do
research for a fee. (316) 264-3611 MHGS Website:
http://mhgswichita.org
Alert Midwest Historical & Genealogical Society
Continuation of Library Catalog Instructions ~By Julia, Librarian In the Dec/Jan issue of the Alert we had the first steps in the instructions for using the
new online catalog. Be sure you save the instructions for each step.
Tip #1: More Search Tips
When we converted the catalog from the old software to this new one we found a lot
of consistency issues in abbreviations (MHGS vs Midwest Historical & Genealogical
Society), author names (Smith, Albert vs Smith, A.) and subject headings (marriages vs
marriage records.) This makes some of the cool features of our new system less effec-
tive. We’re working to clean things up, but with more than 10,000 records, it’s going to
take some time. In the meantime, what you can do with the catalog depends a little on
what you’re searching for.
If you do a search for something Kansas-related, such as Kansas Sedgwick County,
you’ll see several ways to refine your search in the left column of the search result
page—you’ll see Authors, Item Types, Locations (where in the library), places (where in
the world), and Topics. These are called facets and work pretty much like similar col-
umns on amazon.com or other big websites with search functions. If you click on Land
Records under Topics, you’ll just see books that have been cataloged with Land Records
in the subject headings. That doesn't mean, of course, that these are the only Sedgwick
County books that mention land records; these are just the books that a) have land re-
cords as a significant topic and b) have been entered that way in the catalog.
If a set of records, say the results of a search for Ohio, haven’t yet been cleaned up,
you will only see Authors, Item Types and Locations in the left column. The search will
still look at subject headings for these books, but they don’t show up in the facets yet. If
you want to see if there are any books that focus on Ohio land records, you will need to
do a search for Ohio land records.
You can tell a book’s records have been cleaned up if the subject headings are in up-
per and lower case—our old system had a thing for subject headings in ALL CAPS!
(More tips in the coming issues. Our next newsletter will be the March issue that will be
published in mid-to-late February.)
The MHGS Annual Meeting will be March 28 at 11am at the library. We will be
voting on a new mission statement and electing new members of the Board of Di-
rectors. There may be snacks. If you are a society member, please attend.
(See more information on pages 2 and 3 of this newsletter.)
P a g e 2 A l e r t
Upcoming Programs & Library Events
Board Meeting. Saturday, February 14 @ 10:30am.
Genealogy DNA SIG. Saturday, February 14 @ 1pm to 2pm. Led by Paul Renner Smith.
Discover the latest news in the field of Genealogical DNA study. This informed discussion group uses
the newest information available to learn what DNA can tell us about our ancestors. Learn what different
tests are available and where.
Genealogy on the Internet. Saturday, February 21 @ 10am to 11am. Led by Jim Scharnhorst. Gene-
alogy research has embraced the computer as not only the most efficient way to organize data, but the
quickest way to access historical records. The ongoing digitization of documents for preservation pur-
poses makes them searchable, economical, and immediately available. Our meeting is for sharing the
sites we find most useful, finding solutions to the problems that have developed, and learning what the
future holds.
Daughters of the American Revolution SIG. Saturday, February 21@ 1pm. Led by Sandi Bush,
Lucille Williams, and Susan Newman. Do you have ancestors who served in the American Revolution,
either in a military unit or by providing service in another way? We can help you with the application
process, show you what records you need to qualify, and give you all the details. Sandi is currently Reg-
istrar for a DAR chapter and has served in that capacity for nine years assisting prospective members
with their entire application process. Lucille has served as a Chapter Regent for four years, as a State
DAR Committee Chairman for three years, and has attended a two-day workshop in Norman, Oklahoma,
to be qualified as a National DAR Volunteer Genealogist. Susan is in her 3rd year as Chapter Regent and
2nd year as a State DAR Committee Chairman.
Afro-American Special Interest Group. Saturday, February 28 @ 1pm. Led by Jozel Smith Eckels.
Interest group that encourages historical and genealogical study of families with special emphasis on Af-
rican-Americans. This informal group will seek to learn more of the history and factors within the famiy
stories that we have been given. We will demonstrate how to research your family tree with the goal of
discovering and understanding your family history. The discussions will include a variety of methods,
including exploring public records, interviewing older relatives and preserving information.
Check our website at mhgswichita.org periodically for program information.
Very Important Information for Members Save the Date: Saturday, March 28 at 11am at the MHGS Library
This will be our Annual Meeting which is held every year in March. We need to have a lot of our members in at-
tendance at the meeting in order for us to have a quorum and to be able to conduct business. We also need all of
our members to consider being either an officer or a committee chairperson. We will have some seats to fill and
need your serious consideration. Every member should consider taking a turn on the board or a committee. We do
not yet have a candidate for Vice President/Project Coordinator or for Maintenance Chairperson. We are looking
at the VP role more as a person to encourage and facilitate projects, rather than think up/host monthly programs.
And the Maintenance position needs, similarly, to be someone who can coordinate getting repairs addressed, etc.
and is not necessarily the person who actually fixes the pipes!
NOTE: The library will be closed to research during the meeting.
A l e r t P a g e 3
2014-2015 Board of Directors
President: Elaine Sunde ([email protected])
Vice President: Open
Treasurer: Jim Scharnhost ([email protected])
Secretary: Paul Renner Smith ([email protected])
Librarians: Julia Langel ([email protected])
Committee Chairs
Alert Editor: Lucille Williams
Building & Grounds: Open
Computer Technology: Vincent Hancock
Publicity: Francene Sharp
Register Editor: Ann Boll
Membership: Beverly Jackson
V o l u m e 3 6 N u m b e r 1 0
Information about our Mission Statement
From our website:
Midwest Historical and Genealogical Society began in 1966 when concerned citizens of the community
recognized the need for a genealogical organization to collect, preserve and disseminate genealogical and
related historical data, with special emphasis on the preservation of Sedgwick County history and heritage.
From Bylaws:
The object of this Society shall be to educate by creating, fostering, and maintaining interest in genealogy;
to establish and maintain a genealogical library through contributions, donations, exchanges, and pur-
chases; and to collect, preserve, copy, and index information relating to Sedgwick County and its early
history, and other geographical areas as appropriate.
Draft Proposal:
The mission of the Midwest Historical & Genealogical Society is to collect, preserve, and disseminate in-
formation of historical and genealogical interest to the public. Emphases is on records of the people and
historical events of Sedgwick County, Kansas, but includes, as well, a repository of comparable informa-
tion about other peoples and locations throughout the nation and abroad.
Amazon Smile Remember that if you order items on Amazon, Midwest can reap the benefits by way of a donation from Ama-
zon. Go to smile.amazon.com and get started ordering. If you have ordered before giving Midwest the donations
you will remember the Midwest name is in the upper left part of the screen as the organization you are supporting.
(It says Supporting in red and then has Midwest’s name) This is one good way to support Midwest and we have
already gotten checks from Amazon showing that our members (and friends) are ordering from Amazon. Keep up
the good work. You can get something for yourself, plus do good for Midwest. It’s a win/win!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MHGS Facebook Page Another good place to keep in mind to check is our facebook page. Go to facebook.com/mhgswichita. Julia
has put a nice write-up about Amazon Smile on there and it explains all you need to know about how and why to
use Amazon Smile to help Midwest. There are instructions, too, if you haven’t yet done the ‘Smile’ thing on how
to get started. She has the website you need to go to first in order to benefit Midwest when you make purchases
from Amazon.
Since it is now wintertime when we could have snowy or icy weather at any time, it is always a
good idea to call the library at 316-264-3611 before making the drive to Midwest. Also, if it does
snow very much, the parking lot will probably be packed with snow since it takes a little while
to get it cleaned off. Also, the walk, steps, and handicap ramp. Have patience and remember
to call first.
Midwest Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 1121 Wichita, KS 67201 Change Service Requested
MHGS
February Calendar of Events Open Tues. & Sat.. 9am to 4pm
Board Meeting
Saturday, February 14 @ 10:30 am
Genealogy DNA SIG Saturday, February 14 @ 1pm
Led by Paul Renner Smith
Genealogy on the Internet Saturday, February 21 @ 10am
Led by Jim Scharnhorst
DAR SIG Saturday, February 21 @ 1pm
Led by Sandi Bush, Lucille Williams, and Susan Newman
Afro-American SIG
Saturday, February 28 @ 1pm Led by Jozel Smith Eckels
SAVE THE DATE! MHGS ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, March 28 @ 11am
(LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED TO RE-SEARCH ACTIVITIES DURING THE
ANNUAL MEETING)
Call 316-264-3611 for information or to check on library closings.
