Honolulu County Genealogical Society July 9, 2022

 

   Honolulu County Genealogical Society --- a Zoom Meeting on July 9, 2022

  Present: Janice Choat-Zavaval, Lenore Hansen-Stafford, Leilani Maguire, Isabelle Rivera, Ellen Schneider, Susan Victor and Donna Wendt

OLD BUSINESS:  Donna Wendt’s presentation on Research Tips in Scotland will be rescheduled.

CALABASH BOWL: Donna Wendt shared a most interesting journal, “The Journal of Wesley Stevens”. This journal addresses his journey from the eastern United States to the west. A distant uncle of Donna, Wesley Stevens travelled by ship from Jamestown, NY, around the tip of South America, headed to the gold fields in California in 1852. Donna read a few pages filled with descriptions - the ups and downs of living months at sea on a sailing ship, the wonderful sea creatures the passengers observed (turtles, killer whales, porpoises and other “large fish”), the weather elements, and the mental and physical trials of the passengers. I especially enjoyed how his faith in Christ had been tested and grown on that journey.  The transcontinental railroad would not be done until 1863 so many travelled by ships. Wesley’s wife and children would eventually join him in California and the entire family does end up back in New York years later. In future meetings, Donna promised to continue sharing a few more pages of Wesley’s journey as we left him off rounding the tip of South America this morning.

    The reading of Wesley’s journal had Leilani Maguire remembering a long passed meeting in which member Suzanne Case had encouraged other members to write down each day something about your grandparent, or any other relative. Time can run out so quickly. Written memories can be enjoyed by your family for generations.

     Susan Victor had been looking up a relative. He was married to a woman named Martha Hawley who lived to the age of 83. Martha was employed as a ticket agent for the White River Railroad in Park City, Newaygo, Michigan. Susan was surprised to discover Martha had been married 7 times. What were the stories behind so many marriages?

   Divorces:  If you cannot find divorce records in the city/town your relative resided in, try checking nearby towns or states. Expanding your search may help that record pop up.

   Lenore Hansen-Stafford had read of a woman (not related to Lenore) who was arrested for bigamy after she married her second husband. It was discovered that she had not bothered to get divorced from her first.

   Scanned Photos:  Janice Choat-Zavaval inquired about storing and quickly retrieving scanned photos.  Donna demonstrated her technique using Timelines. She also shared her album organization system.  It was a lot of information so Donna will consider making a presentation for a future meeting.  A highly recommended equipment investment – the Epson Fast Photo 680w printer/scanner is the one Donna now uses.

   Summer Schedules:   Lenore Hansen-Stafford shared a bit of her journey last month. She had a most enjoyable time riding the Rocky Mountain Train Tour through British Columbia, Canada. Highlights included the Charles Schultz Museum, a Mary Chapin Carpenter concert, Banff, Lake Louise and a very harrowing experience being caught in a California wildfire.  She continues her summer travels on August 19th with a cruise to Iceland beginning in Boston,  enjoying Iceland and Greenland, vacationing in New York and returning to Honolulu after Labor  Day.

   Karin and Stan Jones will be continuing their 2-month summer trip and will be in Sweden.

   Donna Wendt will be traveling to Denver on July 14th.

   Faith Burgwinkel sent an email message regarding the Native Hawaiian Genealogy Society. Their Facebook site has information on a genealogy fair, scheduled for July 23, 2022, 9am to 2pm, at the LDS Church Chapel, located at 92-900 Makakilo Drive. There will be workshops, displays and a marketplace.

  Ellen Schneider provided an update on the Friends of the Library of Hawaii.  Donations are still being accepted by appointment only, with drop offs at 501 Sumner Street. The most popular books are cooking and children books.  The next sale should be in January 2023 at Washington Intermediate School.  The huge summer book sale should be returning to McKinley High School’s cafeteria in 2023. This summer it was held at their retail site in Ward Center.

Our next meeting will be on Zoom on Saturday, August 13, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

Meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.

by Bella Rivera