1995 ~ 2000

12 June 2000 Bus trip to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Bus departs from Lambert Castle, Valley Road, Paterson at 8:30 am and returns approximately 6:00 pm. Jim Thorpe, PA is on the National Register of Historic Sites and highlights of the town include the Asa Packer Mansion, Switchback Trail, Harry Packer Mansion, Carbon County Jail, St. Mark’s Church, 1881 Opera House, and the 1888 Jersey Central RR Station.

13 May 2000 From her soon to be released book, member Geri Mola presents an informative lecture titled "Old Dundee Lake—The Former Saddle River Township."

8 April 2000 Our first meeting back at Lambert Castle after a five year absence. Election of Officers was followed by a lecture and slide presentation by Dr. George Sellmer titled "19^th Century Stockholm (NJ)."

11 March 2000 "Lets Talk About Genealogy--Yours and Mine!" Group discussion where members share their genealogies and research stratagies.

12 February 2000 Author and historian Mr. Howard Lanza gives an informative talk titled "Emergency Money of the American Civil War."

8 January 2000 Historian and long-time Wanaque resident Mr. Bill Trusewicz presents lecture and slide show titled "The History of Wanaque."

11 December 1999 Christmas brunch and "Silent Auction" at Louis Bay Library.

13 November 1999 Richard Townsend discusses "Old Pompton Township" in lecture and slide show titled "Minnie Mae Monks—The Winbeam/Westbrook Valley."

9 October 1999 PCHS Director, Mr. Andrew Shick, presents a facinating slide show and lecture titled "Wish You Were Here—Mourning Traditions in Passaic County."

11 September 1999 Former PCHS Trustee and past President of the Genealogy Club, Mrs. Annita Zalenski presents lecture on "Passenger Lists."

12 June 1999 Restoration work in progress at Lambert Castle prevented our annual picnic there and a well attended field trip to Long Pond Ironworks in Ringwood was held as a substitute.

08 May 1999 Genealogist and historian Carol Webber presents a well documented talk titled "How to Qualify for Heraldry Societies and Hints on Preparing Application Papers."

10 April 1999 Absence of our scheduled speaker gave opportunity to indulge in a spirited session of upgrading our computer knowledge, as several savvy members shared their experience and knowledge about online services, web sites, search engines, and research opportunities available on the internet.

13 March 1999 It was all business, with a lot accomplished, as lively personal anecdotes were followed by the annual election of officers, then by a long (but attentively supported) presentation of the revised By-Laws which were adopted after a great deal of careful and purposeful review and amendment.

13 February 1999 John Sass, frequent contributor to the Morris County Genealogical Society Newsletter, bared the secrets of doing "Genealogical Research in New Jersey," providing well-organized handouts which he clarified further with his insightful commentary and helpful suggestions for spending research time efficiently and effectively.

9 January 1999 A business session which produced more items of genealogical excitement that usual was followed by a "Show and Tell" session in which several members produced antiques or family memorabilia, recited their provenance and historical significance, and related the unique family connection which makes the items of personal consequence.

12 December 1998 The gaiety of the Christmas Party was enhanced by a glorious and varied repast and by the high spirits and good fund engendered by the silent auction which saw most of the members the recipients of worthwhile, and sometimes unexpected, gifts.

14 November 1998 The genealogical gold waiting to be mined in the "LDS Family History Centers" was described by the knowledgeable and enthusiastic Bill Ware, who documented his talk with well-constructed and detailed handouts bringing to life the richly rewarding treasures of resources, both familiar and little known, waiting there.

10 October 1998 Maria Hopper, teacher by profession and genealogist by avocation, combined the two in a skillful and revealing look at the ways we can overcome or bypass genealogical research roadblocks, using alternative sources and cultural patterns to reach conclusions which would not normally be attainable.

12 September 1998 A lively business meeting preceded a fascinating presentation by Mark Auerbach, Passaic City Historian, of enlarged poster-type reproductions of colored postcards of the city of Passaic, emphasizing the importance of the Passaic River to transportation and industrial needs before the ascendancy of the railroad.

August 1998 Summer Recess- No meeting

July 1998 Summer Recess - No meeting

13 June 1998 Outdoor picnic at Lambert Castle

8 May 1998 The heavy rain did not deter the die-hard genealogists who attended the guided "walking tour" of Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Paterson, under the direction of Mr. Howard Lanza, author of "Gateways to the Past, A Guide to Cedar Lawn Cemetery."

11 April 1998 A lively business session, including election of officers, was followed by a welcome "Let’s Talk" session in which the members pursued their particular genealogical interest two or three at a time, drifting in and out of a variety of informal small group discussions without form or structure but with considerable benefit to all.

14 March 1998 Attendance swelled with canal enthusiasts as Joe Hannon offered a slide retrospective of the Morris Canal, drawn mostly from the renowned Jim Lee photographic history, and partly from Joe’s own peripheral photo collection of the people and lands along the towpath.

14 February 1998 George Sellmer provided a fascinating slide and anecdote biography of Paterson’s renowned son Vernon Royle, justly framed both as inventor and as pioneer nature photographer; the careful and loving portrait of the man proved to be an informative history of Paterson and Passaic County as well.

10 January 1998 In a variation on our traditional and popular workshop format, the members rotated on signal between sessions covering the Castle Genie Index (Maryjane Proctor), our Genealogy Resource Book (Joan Springwaldt), and Organizing and Coding (John Williams).

13 December 1997 Christmas Party and Brunch at Louis Bay II Library, Hawthorne.

8 November 1997 An enthusiastic report on the highly successful Everton Workshop preceded an interesting and intriguing presentation by Dorothy Huey, a representative of Creative Memories, of the photo albums, preservation supplies, and record-creation techniques offered and advanced by her company.

8 October 1997 An active business meeting included last minute plans for the Everton Workshop. Andy Shick, Historical Society Director, brought life into a magnificently documented slide show on "Life and Times in the Silk City."

13 September 1997 Freeholder Norman Robertson, a leading supporter of the Lambert Castle Restoration, spoke of his childhood reverence for the "castle on the hill" and the remarkable progress toward its restoration, despite the slow and painful search for funding.

August 1997 Summer Recess – No meeting

July 1997 Summer Recess – No meeting

June 1997 Summer Recess – No meeting

11 May 1996 Elections revealed that Cynthia Van Dam and Bernice Forrest were still willing and wanted as President and Treasurer, respectively, during a business session called to replace a cancelled field trip.

13 April 1996 The April meeting was graced by the arrival of Spring and the presence of Al Leigh, who led the members down memory land and jazz alley as recalled the people and places that made Paterson an early mecca for jazz performers.

9 March 1996 Despite snow and ice, members returned to the Hawthorne Libraryfor a lively business session, followed by an informal free-for-all workshop.

10 February 1996 Anne Sia, President of the PCHS, reported on the challenges facing the Society during Castle restoration, and acting Director, Andy Shick, talked about space problems, both office and archival. The meeting was in the Paterson Museum, which members toured with delight after the meeting.

11 November 1995 Our spacious quarters at the Hawthorne Library served effectively for the sharing of many books and exhibits provided by Ruth Cahill as she exploded a number of myths about Irish heritage and culture, and provided many astute observations and helpful suggestions for the exploration of Irish ancestry.

9 September 1995 Meeting at the new marketside-headquarters of the Society provided an opportunity for all to see and sample the library research facilities in their new location, to hear an update on Castle restoration by the Director, and celebrate with a 10t^h anniversary cake.

August 1995 Summer Recess – No meeting

July 1995 Summer Recess – No meeting

June 1995 Summer Recess – No meeting

13 May 1995 A field trip to the Walsh Library at Seton Hall University gave us a chance to see the exciting modern facilities which now hhouse the Special Collections of the University, and to enjoy the hospitality of the archives staff; JoAnn Cotz led a presentation of the sacremental and diary holdings, highlighted by Father Field’s warm anecdotal commentary.