City directories, newspaper obituaries on microfilm, lunch at A. J.
Capone's, and a group photo outside of the "vault" at the county clerk's
office were some of the highlights of our get-together this year.
 

Marilyn Eek, Carolyn Gabris
(researching WILKERSON, SOWLES),
Ronda Oberlin
(researching BUELL, BUZZELL, CLARK, BOUCHARD, NEWVILLE), Charlie Schaefer
(researching BEUSCHEL),
Ray Truman
(researching TRUMAN, GUILD)
and Jill Clark
(researching DEWEY, FRANCISCO, MONROE, SYERS)
met at the Hackley Library in downtown Muskegon on May 24, 2000.  A brief tour of the genealogy section was conducted by the helpful librarian, Dianne Yeakey, who later was kept busy making copies from microforms and hosting a scout group that came in just before noon.

The small party of researchers walked to the restaurant for lunch as it was a pleasant day and Capone's is just a few blocks away.  The spaghetti was on the spicy side, but the 1920s gangster-themed restaurant was comfortable and satisfying.

After lunch and a short drive to the county courthouse, the group made a trip up to the county clerk's office.  Muskegon has a new county clerk, Susan Doriot, and unlike some occasions in the past the researchers were welcomed and able to get right in to dig through the index cards and books.  Before going their separate ways, the below photo was taken.  A volunteer from the Muskegon County Genealogical Society was kind enough to take the picture after spending a couple of hours assisting members of the group.

Originally about a dozen listserver subscribers and friends expressed
interest, including one from the West Michigan Genealogical Society RootsWeb list, and another from the Ottawa County mailing list.  Lunch reservations for nine were made a week ahead of time, but only six were able to attend.

Except for losing one member of the party after lunch, the day went well.
Perhaps next year we can double our numbers and meet more of our fellow  subscribers.  This is a great opportunity for those who don't normally get a chance to research in Muskegon to meet and share information, as well as learn from locals who do use the resources on a regular basis.

Photo from left to right:
Charlie Schaefer, Jill Clark, Carolyn Gabris, Marilyn Eek, Ronda Oberlin
(Ray Truman was not able to make it to the courthouse.)

Anyone else have a story of meeting those researching in Muskegon County? I'd love to hear from you-Patti

See Jill's report from last years meeting

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Copyright © 2000 by Jill Clark & Patti Norton