Ways to fnd a maiden name
1. If within the past 100 years-death certificates.
2. If more than 100 years all her children's death certificates.
3. Newspaper obituaries.
4. Her children's marriage certificates.
5. Public Church Libraries.
6. Unpublished records microfilmed at branch LDS libraries.
7. International Genealogical Index (IGI) on microfiche at LDS libraries.
8. Divorce papers from county courthouse where filed.
9. Newspaper indices by Anita Cheek Milner for records from burned out courthouses and churches no longer in existence, bibliographies in book form, such as N.Y. Genealogy and Biographical (at Sutro).
10. Survey of American Genealogical Periodicals indices by Skip Perry; also state and local historical society quarterlies.
11. Look for wills. Write local historical societies and ask for an index check.
12. Send out queries to periodicals and quarterlies in the areas where your ancestors were.
13. Deeds and other land records.
14. Sometimes a census will mention a mother-in-law from the USGENWEB Project.
Thanks to Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society, PO Box 312, Pekin, IL 61555-0312.

The 6th Baronet of Lanrick and Balquhidder, 23rd Chief of Clan Gregor, died on Sunday, March 30th in Ninewells Hospital Dundee after a short illness. He served from 1944-1980 with his regiment in BOAR (Germany), Palestiine, Malaya, Borneo, USA, Greece, and NW Europe in WWII, commanding the first Battalion in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from 1966-1969, and commanding both the 1st and 2nd Battalions in the rank of Colonel from 1971-1974. From 1975-1978 he served as Military Attache in Athens, and was then appointed Brigadier commanding the Lowland Brigade until retiring in 1980 after nearly 37 years of service.

Sir Gregor was a member of the Queen's Bodyguard in Scotland, (The Royal Company of Archers) from 1949, and was a life long Freemason becoming Grand Master Mason of Scotland in 1988 for a five year term. He also served on many of the Grand Lodge Committees, and traveled widely whilst in office. Sir Gregor succeeded his father Sir Malcolm as Baronet, Clan Chief, and Hereditary Patron of the Clan Gregor Society in 1958, 45 years wise service having more knowledge of the Society than any other person during that time.

He was laid to rest in the family mausoleum in Balquhidder on Friday, April 4th at 4 PM, in the presence of his widow, Lady MacGregor of MacGregor, sons, relatives, friends, and members of the Clan Gregor Society.

Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, late Scots Guards, now becomes the 7th Baronet and 24th Chief of Clan Gregor.

Looking for a way to learn about genealogy?
Here are some upcoming seminars and presentations!

March 22, 2003 - Friends of Genealogy and Barbour County 10:15 AM
Carnegie Library, Hwy 85 N., Crestview, Florida
Topic:Using Vital Records in Family History Research

April 12, 2003 - Okaloosa Genealogical Society, 10:00am
Crestview City Library, Hwy 85 N., Crestview, Florida
Topic: Using Vital Records in Family History Research

May 27, 2003 - Escambia Historical Society, Brewton, Alabama
Topic: Using Newspapers in Family Research

June 28,2003 - Burmingham Genealogical Society 2:00 PM
Linn Henley Research Library, Birmigham, Alabama
Topic: Native American Family History Research

July 13, 2003 - Lowndes County Historical Society 2:00 PM
Benton Methodist Church, Benton, Alabama
Topic: Using Vital Records in Family History Research

Mathis family plans a reunion
The descendants of Henry Scott Mathis and Sarah Jane Carroll will gather for a family reunion at the Cookson, Oklahoma Community Center, Wednesday, June 18th through Saturday, June 21, 2003. The reunion events include lunch, talent exhibits, boat cruise, breakfast, bus tour, photo crop, story exchange, mixer, BBQ dinner, and a dance.
For more information call or email Randy Mathis at 281-655-8832 or rsmathis@sbcglobal.net.

MD librarians to offer 24 hour service
Libraries across the state of Maryland have launched a free service called Maryland AskUsNow. Which will make librarians available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for online chat sessions.
For details: http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2003/03
Thanks to Lake Havasu Genealogical Society, Inc., PO Box 953, 1750 N. McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405-0953.

BSGR Convention set for June 2003
The BSGR Convention will be held in Columbus, Ohio on June 20-21. The general theme is migration into and through Ohio.
At the program on Saturday, Paul Immel, Genealogy Librarian at the State Library of Ohio, will provide an overview of migration in and through Ohio, starting with Indian paths that were later used as migration routes by the early white settlers. Charlotte Stewart will discuss migrations from Pennsylvania and other east coast points into Ohio.
Also the program will be an update on the Blair DNA Project by John A. Blair.
Door prizes will be awarded and BSGR merchandise and publications available for purchase. You may also wish to sit at the Executive Board Meeting on Friday.

Scots have been in Hawaii a very long, long, long time
Scots have been coming to Hawaii since the end of the 18th century. They arrived with other Westerners soon after Kamehameha the Great unified the island and Captain James Cook, a part Scot, opened Hawaii to the West. Hawaii's own Princess Ka`iulani was half Scottish. Her father, Achibald Scott Cleghorn, who arrived in Hawaii in 1851, was born in Edinburgh. He married Princess Miriam Likelike, sister of Queen Lili`uokalani and King Kalakaua. Cleghorn served in several government positions under the monarchy and was Governor of O`ahu under Queen Lili`uokalani.
Many Scots either immigrated to Hawaii or passed through as visitors, since the first seafaring Scots discovered our beautiful islands. A visit by the author, Robert Louis Stevenson in 1889, was well publicized and has a historical note because of his friendship with King Kalakaua and Princess Ka`iulani.
>From 1976-1982, The Caledonian Society sponsored an oral history project involving Scots in Hawaii, which resulted in 26 oral interviews being taped and transcribed for research purposes. In 1986 a monograph entitled Speaking of Scots in Hawaii was published. Many of the stories from the interviews and from some of the more famous Scots who visited and came to live in Hawaii can be found in The Story of Scots in Hawaii, a book published by The Caledonian Society in 2000.
For more information visit their website at: http://www.scotsinhawaii.com
Thanks to Ke Ku`auhau "The Genealogist", Honolulu County Genealogical Society, PO Box 235039, Honolulu, HI 96823-3500.

Clan Macpherson to hold AGM at Roswell, Georgia!
There will be the Thirtieth Annual General Meeting of the Clan Macpherson, USA, held October 10-12, 2003, at the Holiday Inn in historic Roswell, Georgia. You can enjoy The Stone Mountain Highland Games are the following weekend, October 18th and 19th.
The Friday night Ceilidh will be a time to show off your talents. Each region is asked to participate. Tickets for this AGM will include banquet, ball, and entertainment.
For more information write, Dodie McPherson, 395 Waverly Hall Drive, Roswell, GA 30075, email, Donmcpherson@outdrs.net, www.clan-macpherson.org, or call 770-993-7685.

The Virginia Institute of Genealogical Research sponsored by VGS in July
The Virginia Genealogical Society announces it will sponsor the 2002 running of the Virginia Institute of Genealogical Research, July 6-10, 2003 in Richmond. There will be a four day, four night institute for Virginia researchers, which will be held at Roslyn, the Virginia Diocesan Center at 8727 River Road, Richmond, Virginia. Space is limited. The Institute will conduct two tracks of instruction:
Track One, is for the novice Virginia researcher (not beginners), whom will have 19 structured one hour sessions introducing research in Virginia what sources are available and where to find them.
Track Two, for the more experienced Virginia researcher, also will have 19 structured one hour sessions. This track will explore techniques used in analyzing Virginia records, the impact of the war and other events on migration patterns, and the use of period maps. A group of eight leading experts in Virginia genealogical research will conduct these sessions.
For full details contact the Virginia Genealogical Society at: mail@vgs.org or call 804-285-8954 on Tuesdays or Wednesdays between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM Eastern time.

Elected Officers to serve SAS of Sarasota, Florida
At the Annual General Meeting of The St. Andrew Society of Sarasota held on February 23, 2003 a slate of Officers were elected to the SAS Board for 2003-2004. The following are the elected officers: President: Jim Martain, VP: Don Taylor, Secretary: Barbara Montgomery, Membership Secretary: Deidre Ambrose, Treasurer: Caroline David, past President: Jack Rice, Trustees: Charles Craig, Barbra A. Bartz, Deidre Ambrose, Joe Ambrose, Betty Stewart, Dennis Craig, Tony Staurt, Sergeant at Arms: Jim Malcolm, Historian: Jean M. Catsakis, Chaplain: Rev. Roger Kunkel, Braw Lads: Dennis Craig, and Saltire Editor: Rose Gillet
For more information email Highlandfling2000@hotmail.com or write St. Andrew Society of Sarasota, Inc., PO Box 2592, Sarasota, Fl. 34230.

Montgomery AGM set for Labor Day weekend
The 2003 Annual Meeting of the Clan Montgomery is set for Albany, New York on Labor Day Weekend. There will be Capital District Scottish Games hosted by Roger and Alice Montgomery on August 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31. The AGM will be held at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel in Albany, New York.
For more information contact: Roger and Alice Montgomery, 2071 State Highway 29, Johnstown, New York 12095, call 518-762-1060, or email tyron@klink.net.

Bagpipes for sale
Highlander full size bagpipes, Rosewood spare chanter, and two books (new). The amount asked is $500.00, but no reasonable offer is refused.
For more information call Bill Lawing in Albany, Georgia at 229-883-9733.

If your ancestor served in the military service at any time after 1775, chances are a great deal of genealogical data could be found in his military record. If an ancestor served in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, or the two World Wars, their names were probably passed down to us. However, many military men enlisted during peacetime that we may not know about.

There are exactly four types of military records that contain personal information about armed service personnel:
1. Service Record: This record includes a "muster" roll that will contain a physical description, marital status, residence, occupation, and birth information. It also includes the "muster out" roll and all the details of the discharge. If your ancestor or kin was in service between 1775 and 1903, there will be a "complied service record", created by the federal government. In this record will be payroll data, prison or court marital records, hospital records, and promotion records.
2. Veteran's Benefit Record: Both federal and state governments granted pensions and/or free land as rewards and compensation for military service. Sometimes these benefits were given in payment for service connected disability. These records, housed in the National Archives, contain documentation of disability, if any. Also, in many cases there will be a widow's pension file containing additional family details. Between 1776 and 1855, the government gave "bounty land" to those who had served in the military. A veteran or his heir could claim this land by completing an application at a nearby courthouse.
3. Draft Records: These records have been maintained since the government initiated the military draft in 1863. All men eligible for military service were required to register for the draft during World War 1. "World War 1 Selective Service Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918" are on file for about 24 million men. Send inquiry to: Archives Branch, Federal Center, 557 St. Joseph Avenue, East Point, GA 3004.
4. Records of the regular military forces: The National Archives has 71 reels of microfilm containing the Registers of Enlistment's in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914. Each record contains personal information such as enlistee's place of birth, age, occupation, and physical description. The National Archives "Select Catalog of Military Service Records" can be viewed at www.nara.gov/genealogy/.
I found that the NARA in Kansas City, Missouri, also has excellent military records and very helpful research assistants available. (However, if you go there to do your research, be prepared to stand, as writing desks were almost nonexistent when we were there.)
The Veteran's Administration, Washington, DC maintains an index record of all servicemen and women buried in national or federal cemeteries.
Thanks to the Newsletter of Northeast Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society, 119 Lake Dr., West Monroe, LA 71291.

Chief Ross of Ross and Lady Eileen attend Burns Dinner in Sarasota
It was the 25th of January 2003 at the Oaks Golf and Country Club in Sarasota, Florida, that the St. Andrew Society of Sarasota Members and Guests met to celebrate the 244th birthday of the illustrious Poet of Scotland, Robert Burns.
The members were honored with the presence of Chief David Campbell Ross of Ross and Lady Eileen Ross of Perth, Scotland.
The Chief and Lady Eileen were on vacation in Florida. They attended the Scottish Highland Games in Orlando, Florida, visiting with members of the Clan Ross Association of the U.S., before coming to the Sarasota area at the invitation of the St. Andrews Society.
In attendance were the three Florida members of the Robert Burns Association of North America, Barbra A. Bartz (Trustee of SAS and Clan Ross member) Robert J. Fraser and Frank J. Campbell.

Looking for Robert Robertson. Robert Robertson was born ca 1833 NC., Robert and Catherine Garber were married September 3, 1859 in Douglas County, Illinois. He had six sons whom were born in Illinois and in Indiana, before the family settled in SE Colorado, where Robert died on April 8, 1905. His burial was in the Holly Cemetery, in Holly Prowers, Colorado. The burial came from the Presbyterian Church, Holly. If you have any information write Robinson, 2235 Juntura CT. S., Salem, or 97302-2222. Or call 503-589-9567.

Childers/Childress 2003 annual meeting planned for Nashville, Tennessee
The Childers/Childress Family Association will be holding an annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee on September 4, 5, and the 6 which will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center, Nashville. This meeting will celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Sarah Childers Polk, wife of President James K. Polk.
For newcomers that have never attended a Childers/Childress Family Association meeting, these meetings are work sessions for the researchers who are interested in their Childers/Childress ancestry.
All the members attending bring their family histories, books, documents, computers, pictures, programs, and any other data that they may have on the Childers/Childress and related lines.
This is a national meeting, you do not need to be a member to attend. All Childers/Childress and allied lines are welcome.
For more information email at: http://www.childers-chiildress.com/ or childers@dca.net.

Ruffner Family Reunion set for Prescott, Arizona
The Ruffner Family Reunion will be held in Prescott, Arizona on June 20, 21, and 22 at Hotel St. Michael. All descendants of Peter Ruffner and Mary Steinman who settled in Luray, Virginia in the early 1700's and anyone who is researching collateral lines are welcome.
For more information email www.ruffnerfamily.org, ruffwood@shentel.net, jokeried@aol.com, jruffner@bellsouth.net, or pyramid@shentel.net.

Annual Conference for Mock's, etc.
The Mock, Mauk, Mack, and Maag family is holding their 12th Annual Conference on September 19-21, 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Salt Lake City Plaza Hotel.
For more information write Babara Dittig, 366 Jacaranda Drive, Danville, CA 94506 or email bdittig@aol.com and http://mock.rootsweb.com.

Leuenberger/Lionberger family reunion planned for Independence, Missouri
This is a National Family Reunion for the Leuenberger/Lionberger family planned for Independence, Missouri on June 19, 20, and 21 of 2003.
For more information contact Charlotte Lionberger Tindall at 502 North Roger Independence, MO 64050-3213 or call 816-254-8696.

DNA project begun with Childress/Childers family
The Childress/Childers DNA Project is officially up and running.  The DNA Project is used for the latest scientific DNA testing to help researchers of the Childress/Childers/Childers surname.
The DNA test compares 25 standardized markers with other people in the surname group. If 2 people match with 23 or 24 Allele values out of 25 markers they are likely to be related with a recent common ancestor.
The surname test is for males only and is the Y-Chromosome test. The Y-Chromosome is the only chromosome that is passed from father to son to his son to his son, unchanged, generation to generation. The chromosomes is uniquely positioned to help researchers track the DNA of their male ancestors. Comparing the DNA of several lineages permits a determination if they share a recent common ancestor. Participants will receive a testing kit that will require a cotton swab saliva sample from the inside of their mouth.
For more information contact http://www.familytreena.com/ or write to Gary Childress, DNA Project Coordinator, 8403 Seranta Dr., Whitter, CA 90603.

Elisha Hall was born in North Carolina on April 30, 1799, his parents/ family are unknown. Elisha Hall was married March 22, 1822 in Nashville, Tennessee to Anne Anderson Gulliford and they had 8 children, 4 boys, and 4 girls. Elisha and his family were Presbyterian. Elisha Hall served in the war of 1812 with Cpt. Daniel Bradford's Co. Vol. Inf. He started serving on Nov. 14, 1814. He is shown on all census records as his birthplace being North Carolina. His oldest son was James Gulliford Hall, born July 7, 1825. My Great Grandfather, Marion Proctor Hall was born March 7, 1831 in Nashville. Elisha and Anne and their children immigrated to Texas in an ox cart in 1854. His four sons served in the Civil War from Tennessee. Elisha died on March 25, 1879 in Austin, Travis County, Texas and he is buried in Oakwood Cemetery with his wife, Anne. If you have any information contact Nancy Hall NeSmith at: email Sam-N2@dcci.com or call 210-828-1618.

Laurita Houston Barlow of Wilmington, NC died Sunday, April 6, 2003 at Cape Fear Hospital. She was born February 11, 1922 in Brazil, daughter of the late Rev. Benjamin H. Houston, the 2nd and Laura Crump Houston, and preceded in death by her husband, Earle B. Barlow; and her son, Scott C. Barlow.
Mrs. Barlow graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism, and was a respected Editor in the Gainesville, Florida area. She lived in Jamaica, West Indies for a number of years.  Mrs.Barlow was a loving wife and mother, and is survived by two daughters, her husband, a granddaughter, and other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at Wesleyan Chapel United Methodist Church at a time to be announced.

Owsley Family Historical Society Annual Meeting
June 26-28, 2003. Charlottesville, Virginia. Names: Owsley, Houseley, Ousley, Poyntz, Middleton, Finley, Bledsoe, Harris, Garrett, etc. http://www.owsleyfamily.com/tentativeprogram2003.htm