Hamilton County Genealogical Society Receives Numerous Recognitions at OGS 2013

Jeff Herbert, Sunda Anderson Peters, Deb Cyprych, Kenny Burck, and Jim Dempsey

The culmination of the 2013 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference held in Cincinnati gave our local chapter plenty to cheer about. Our chapter was the recipient of the Outstanding OGS Chapter Award which nicely coincided with our 40th Anniversary.

Jim Dempsey and Sunda Anerderon Peters

In addition, several members were the recipients of additional recognitions. Jim Dempsey was awarded the "Outstanding OGS Chapter Officer" for all of his work as both the HCGS Webmaster and his tireless efforts to preserve Hamilton County records.

Kenny Burck,Sunda Anderson Peters,
Maureen Applegate

Kenny Burck received the prestigious OGS Fellow Award. This is awarded to a person who does their job over and above what is required. Among Kenny's accomplishments"

• Served as a Vice President to OGS for 7 years
• Served as a Conference Chair 4 times
• Chapter Management Chairman for 14 years
• Publisher of many genealogical books
• Held officer, including Chapter President, for many years in his local chapter

Deb Cyprych and Sunda Anderson Peters

Our wonderful Tracer editor, Deb Cyprych, received the Frances Dana Gage Award in the Newsletter category.

Jeff Herbert, Sunda Anderson Peters,
 Maureen Applegate

Chapter President, Jeff Herbert, received the U.S. Grant Award  for the following publications:
“Hamilton County Ohio, Burial Records, Vol. 19 Old St. Joseph German Cemetery, 1845-1879” & “Hamilton County Ohio, Burial Records, Vol. 20 St. John German Cemetery, 1849-1879”








The Tecumseh Award was awarded to Kenny Burck for “A Guide to Genealogical Resources in Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Ohio 6th Edition”, complied by Connie Stunkel Terheiden & Kenny Burck.

On Friday about 40 chapter members celebrated our anniversary with cake, company and stories. It was exciting to see so many active, committed members who have continued the legacy that began with a small group holding its first meeting at a home in Wyoming 40 years ago.

Photo Credits: John Tholking
Submitted by:  Kathy Reed

Want to Become a Blogger?

Blogging is a great way to share your family history research with others. Just this morning I was contacted by someone in Australia to see if there was a link between my Ryans from Pallasgreen, County Limerick and his Ryans. I've been amazed at how a simple blog has resulted in online friendships and contacts with people from around the world. So how do you get started?

I'm pleased to announce that I will be teaching a series of three classes on blogging. To register, please read the requirements below and check your calendar. These are hands-on classes where you will be able to set up your blog online. If you have any questions, please email me with BLOG CLASS in the subject line. Five people have already enrolled and there are 18 computers in the lab. To guarantee a spot, please contact me as soon as possible.

Submitted by Kathy Reed

Parking Advice for the OGS Conference

Can you believe it? It's the fifth day of April and the OGS Conference is three weeks away! Kenny Burck, one of the conference organizers, asked me to share this helpful information on parking for the conference.

Please, If you are attending the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference at the Millennium Hotel in downtown Cincinnati, NO ONE should park in the Millennium hotel parking garage unless you live a pampered life and have plenty of money, or you have a special need that might require this convenience. There are three VERY convenient options that are extremely close and only cost (the last time we checked) either $5.50 or $8.00 per day.

You can unload your belongings at either the north side or the south side of the hotel. If you need help with your luggage I would unload at the south side of the hotel on Fifth Street. If you need no help with your luggage I would unload on the north side of the hotel at the Sixth Street entrance. Do NOT let them take your car. After you unload, you can VERY conveniently use the City of Cincinnati parking garage directly and diagonally located across the street for $8.00 a day (see location of all parking garages in the registration brochure.) It is a VERY short walk to the north side entrance of the hotel. In the unlikelihood that this parking garage is full, there is another City of Cincinnati parking garage next to that one (but a little further away) also for $8.00 a day.

If your are German (or prefer a less expensive life style such as myself) you may choose the parking garage one block north of the hotel (at 7th & Elm Streets) at (the last time we checked) $5.50 a day. This is NOT an option if you are staying overnight on Saturday because this garage is closed late Saturday night and not open on Sunday to get your car to go home. Of course you can move you car to one of the other parking garages on Saturday if you choose. This entire area is in a part of town that has much lower traffic (except at rush hour) is not as confusing as you might think. If you have ANY parking questions or issues, phone my cell # at 513-260-0238 and I will assist you now or as you are arriving into downtown Cincinnati. We have a safe and walkable downtown area of the city where the hotel is located.

Submitted by Kenny Burck

NOTE: Conference registration and information is available at the OGS website

Our Irish Ancestors

If you are like me, you have Irish ancestors. I'm an all-American "mix" of German, Irish, English and Welsh and have discovered over the years that my Irish ancestors are the most difficult to research.

My Ryans and Dwyers lived in the same area (County Limerick) and I'm told that you often have to know the family's "nickname" if you're going to be successful.

Luckily for those of us facing this challenge, the OGS Conference might help us with our quest. If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Richard Michael Doherty, you should definitely plan on attending one or more of his talks. A link to his website shows that Mr. Doherty has personally led 31 research trips to Ireland.

Check out Richard and the other Irish speakers and break down one of those brick walls!

Conference registration and information is available at the OGS website.

Note: This post was originally post on the OGS Conference Blog. 

Submitted by: Kathy Reed