Our scheduled speaker for last month's meeting. Elaine Maguire, had to cancel due to catching the "bug" that has been plaguing so many people this winter. Fortunately for us, our Treasurer Sue DeStefano was prepared, at the last minute no less, complete with slides and handouts, to present a program on genealogy, which she considers her passion.

Sue does much of her research on the web and is a member of Ancestry. Com. Instead of printing out the data she finds he would rather use her own charts. She reasons that since ancestry programs tend to get upgraded so often you spend too much time re-entering data. Folders are also easier to keep with you for quick reference.

Once you have decided to start doing genealogy you can find information in so many places: at the RI archives on Westminster St. (open on Saturdays and free parking); or in cemeteries (epitaphs can be very informative); or at town halls for deeds and birth, marriage and death records; and obituaries in newspapers are also helpful. The Society archives are another place to search. We have information that may not be available anywhere else.

> Sue's enthusiasm for her subject was contagious and it appeared from the questions that she was asked many of our members are also interested in the subject.

Thank you Sue for an interesting program.

Taken from The Pawtuxet Valley Historian, February 2003, Volume 16, Issue 6.