GWOM History

HISTORY The following information has been extracted from the History of the Genealogical Workshop of Mesa, Volume I - 1980-1989
"A group has met the past twelve weeks as an experimental genealogy workshop on the initiative of Molly Lopez, Outreach Librarian at the Mesa Library, and under the guidance of Marnita Hill, an accredited expert in this field. This is the first free public workshop of its kind in this area. It has met with such favorable response as a self-help learning effort that it will now continue as a permanent program."
Late in 1980, the above was included in information submitted to various publications in the area along with a request to publish the following announcement:
A family search workshop will meet Friday morning, January 9, 1981, 9:30 a.m., in the Mesa Library Meeting Room, to form a continuing self-help genealogy study group. As a free community service, this group has already helped many beginners and others further their genealogy interests. All interested persons are welcome.
At the January 9th meeting, The Genealogical Workshop of Mesa was formed, by-laws were voted on and accepted and the following officers were elected:
President: Irene Lockhart Vice President: Marvin Godfried Secretary: Patricia Jenkins Treasurer: Gene Krzycki Historian: Elizabeth Trent Executive Committee: Frank Bard Executive Committee: Evelyn Fink Consultant: Marnita Hill
Charter Members (in addition to the above were: Mildred Blanz, Carolyn Bard, Francis Cobain, Jane Coulter, Nell Emmick, Geraldine Farmer, Pat Fuller, Genevieve Hocket, Marjorie Krzycki, Esther Nelson, Evelyn Osterberg, Adelle Shipman, Margaret Steinhauer, Mary Thiel, Mildred Tripp, Sue Watkins and Ruth Wilson
Of the Charter Members, Pat Fuller, Marnita Hill and Mary Thiel are on the current membership roster. Apparently the membership increased rapidly as correspondence in September, 1981, refers to a group of 150 members.
This excerpt is quoted from an article in the Mesa Messenger, Wednesday, March 11, 1981.
"Who Am I?" is the question attenders of the first genealogical conference to be held in the State of Arizona hope to have answered as they attend a three-day session beginning March 17 in the Mesa Centennial Hall, 201 N. Center in Mesa. Registrations for the event, that will feature guest speakers Alex Haley (author of "Roots") and Ruth Beebe Hill are still being accepted and will also be accepted at the door. The fee for all three days is $35.00.

* * * * * * * *
In the 1982 roster, we see Dorothy & Harvey Legg ( current members) listed for the first time.
A seminar on "Practical Genealogy" by Wilola Follett was presented on Saturday, Nov. 13, 1982. at Sunrise Vista Mobile Park Recreation Hall.

* * * * * * * *
In 1983, it was decided the workshop needed a logo. Several designs were submitted by members.
logo_1_4.jpg - 13.0 K

Harvey A. Legg Dorothy Legg
logo_3_1.jpg - 15.0 K

Marion Godfree Irene Lockhart
logo_5_3.gif - 63.7 K

Evolution!!
logo_6_1.jpg - 26.1 K

Finished Product! Yea!!
GWOM presented a Genealogy Seminar on Saturday, November 19, 1983. Topics of interest to Beginning and Advanced Genealogists. Photography Placing your family in History Planning and Filing Home Computers for your Genealogy
Pearlie Moulden - a current board member - joined in 1983.

* * * * * * * * 1984-85 Board of Directors
President - Pat Fuller Vice President - Verne Littlefield Secretary - Eloise Gills Treasurer - Pearlie Moulden Librarian - Irene Lockhart Member at Large - Carolyn Bard

* * * * * * * *
Dora Mae Turner ,a current member and past president, joined in 1985.
1985-86 Board
President - Pat Fuller Vice President - Eloise Gills Secretary - Shirley Lockard Treasusrer - Mary Thiel Member at Large - Mildred Kell

* * * * * * * *
1986-87 Board
President - Annette Patterson Vice President - Beatrice Irwin Secretary - Nathalie Averett Treasurer - Frank Bard Historian - Mary Thiel Librarian & Member at Large - Irene Lockhart Publicity - Clella Galbreath Surname File - Mary Thiel & Dorothy Young
GWOM offered a free seminar on Saturday, February 22, 1986 at the First Presbyterian Church, Mesa. Ronald A Bremer, a nationally known professional genealogist, author and lecturer, will speak. Bremer has 30 years of experience in genealogy. He is a former research specialist for the Genealogical Society in Salt Lake City and editor (at that time) of Roots Digest Magazine.

* * * * * * * *
Current members Dorothy Young and Iola Williams first appear on the roster in 1986-87.
On November 7 & 8, 1987, GWOM participated in the Mesa Fine Folk Festival by maintaining a booth. The attractive display created interest in the Genealogical Workshop. Fliers were handed out promoting the up-coming seminar in January.

* * * * * * * *
The Genealogical Workshop of Mesa had an exhibit at Tri City Mall, Jan. 9 and 10, 1988. The display illustrated some of the basic tools of research and documents available locally and elsewhere.
On Saturday, January 23, 1988, the Genealogical Workshop of Mesa presented a seminar featuring Dr. Arlene Eakle, Ph.D of Salt Lake City, Utah. Topics: Tracing the ladies on your pedigree; Armchair Genealogy; Pre-revolutionary War records; and Using maps in genealoical research. The seminar was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Mesa.
The current library list shows 532 publications logged in. This includes books and monthly magazines.
* * * * * * * *
Very early in the year of 1989, the board & membership voted to change the location of our meeting place from the Presbyterian Church annex to the Rio Salado Community College on N. Bush Hiway. The library was transferred with the help of numerous volunteer members.
Merry Olde England Seminar was held Saturday, Jan. 28, 1989 at the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Speaker: Verda Westbrook. Topics: Census; Vital Records; Parish Registers; Nonconformist Church Records; and Wills.
The possibility of incorporating the club had been raised in the past, but a study in 1989, indicating that as an un-incorporated club, the officers & board could be held responsible for unpaid sales tax, etc. as the club also did not have non-profit status, prompted renewed interest. In the fall, Articles of Incorporation were drawn up and adopted by the membership. The Articles were to be filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission the first week in January , 1990, establishing the fiscal year as January 1 to December 31.
* * * * * * * *

Under Construction Check back soon.

Home Links Programs Seminars Surnames
Ramona's Genealogy Page Dreamland Computer Club's Genealogy Page