Genealogy Organization Set For New Home
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Genealogical Society of Marion County is poised to debut a new library at its headquarters. A grand opening event is set for next month in Indianapolis. August 22, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A new era for genealogy research will open Saturday, Sept. 7 when the Genealogical Society of Marion County (GSMC) opens a new headquarters library building.
All genealogists and family historians are invited to attend the grand opening program at 11 am. It is in Memorial Park Cemetery at 9350 East Washington St., just a mile east of Post Road.
For about 70 years the building was the office for Memorial Park and has been remodeled for GSMC through the cooperation and support of Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers which owns 16 event and funeral facilities throughout Central Indiana and has seven cemeteries and the first crematorium.
GSMC is open to all genealogists. It began in 1996 when Ron Darrah and others formed the group with 15 members. It formerly had a library in the Waiting Station at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Genealogy and family history are among the largest hobbies and professions as millions of people trace their families' history. They record not only births, deaths, marriages, but also information about their lives which is a heritage for individuals.
Mike Method, current GSMC president, said that he expects this new location will be a valuable asset for genealogists throughout Marion and surrounding counties. It provides the space and flexibility to expand all of our offerings and to provide more services to the genealogical community He said there is an explosion of interest in genealogy that began when Alex Haley traced his family lines in the 1970s and the blockbuster television series “Roots” became a sensation. It was especially difficult, Method said, because Haley had to follow a difficult journey through slavery and his African heritage.
Today, Method said, thanks to the Internet, a wealth of information is now online and is helping people connect easier with their families past. At the same time, the importance of print publications, microfilm sources and education are as great as ever.
GSMC has free regular monthly meetings that discuss fundamental genealogical research topics as well as sometimes hidden resources. The library specializes in Marion County records from schools, cemeteries, organizations. It has several record preservation projects underway, accomplished by volunteer members.
GSMC is a member of the Indiana Genealogical Society and the Federation of Genealogical Societies and is now an affiliate library for FamilySearch, one of the world's largest and acclaimed genealogical organizations. GSMC publishes a quarterly journal, a monthly newsletter, research publications and fields research questions from outside the area. Its website has had increasing traffic and is at www.GenealogyIndy.org.
Source: The Genealogical Society of Marion County