reCAPTCHA

IRGS is now adding reCAPTCHA code to our Web site as a spam protection measure.

What is reCAPTCHA? You have probably encountered the process while using the Internet and probably didn't know the phrase. In simple terms, a CAPTCHA is a picture with a text box and you are asked to type the word or phrase you see into the text box before you are allowed to proceed. The idea is to add a challenge that a human can solve much better than a machine to stop the "bots" (roBOT code that scans the Internet looking for email addresses, places where spammers can insert a link, etc.)

This process has been around for a while and now someone came up with the great idea of having our interpretation actually accomplish something beyond just filtering man from machine. The reCAPTCHA program is using images from digitizing projects to get us to help with the transcription process. Currently, the project is digitizing old copies of the New York Times and certainly we know what that means to the genealogical community! Keep that in mind the next time you are fussing and fuming about having to decypher a blurry word - you might just be transcribing the key to breaking through one of your brick walls!

Of course that is a very simplified explanation and if you want to learn more, visit http://recaptcha.net/learnmore.html and see what the project is all about.

IRGS Announces its Online Surname Registry

The Indian River Genealogical Society, Inc. announces the availability of its online Surname Registry to the general public. The registry contains over 550 entries of surnames being researched by members of the IRGS and is available to the general public at the Society's Web site: irgs.org

The list may be browsed alphabetically or searched using your browser's search feature. Each entry has an associated link that leads to a query form that will be dispatched in private to the member associated with the entry. The method works for members who have email accounts and for our non-computing members.

With the wonderful facility at the Vero Beach Main Library, you can be sure the IRGS members have some well-researched information to share and we hope this facility will lead to some meaningful data exchanges.

Members of the IRGS may submit an additional 5 surname entries with their 2010 membership application and renewal time is here. New members joining in 2009 will automatically have their membership extended through Dec 2010 so don't delay, join today. See the IRGS Web site for membership information: irgs.org

Number 9, number 9 ...

More fun with dates; numerologists take note:

Coming up in a few short days is 09:09:09 09/09/09

BGS September meeting

BREVARD GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

JOHN WHITNEY, SPEAKER

SEARCHING FOR RECORDS IN THE LDS LIBRARY

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

9:30 A. M., Room 1

Central Brevard Library

308 Forrest Avenue

Cocoa, Florida

Visitors are welcome.

IRGS Fall program press release

Indian River Genealogical Society

P.O. Box 1850

Vero Beach, FL 32961

www.irgs.org

PRESS RELEASE

The Board of Directors of the Indian River Genealogical Society is happy to announce its schedule of programs for fall 2009.

September 16 – “How to do German Research”

October 13 – “Using Memorabilia, Artifacts and Heirlooms to Tell Your Family Story”

November 10 – “In Deed”, property records research

December 8 – “Compare Software”, for researching and storing genealogy information

All general meetings of the IRGS are free and open to the public. The society holds its general meetings at 9:30 AM in the large first floor meeting room of the Indian River County Main Library, 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach. With the exception of September’s meeting (that was scheduled to accommodate Labor Day weekend travelers), all general meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month.

Visitors, whether novice or experienced researchers or just inquisitive about genealogy, are encouraged to attend meetings. Membership dues are $25 a year. For more information about IRGS, please check our website: www.irgs.org. It contains newsletters and announcements of upcoming events.

Since its founding in 1983, IRGS members have published two books: one listing the county’s cemeteries and the other, a local best seller, depicting Indian River County in vintage postcards. Each year the society hosts its Valentines Seminar featuring a noted genealogist and, throughout the year, members volunteer to help others with their families’ histories. Plus, the society provides numerous classes for beginning genealogy researchers. Please join us at a meeting soon!

Suzy Bromwell, Public Relations Chair

sbromwell@gmail.com

IRGS Fact Sheet

A one page IRGS Fact Sheet has been added to our new About Us page on the Web site. Download and print a copy or two, keeping them handy for the next time someone asks you about our society. Bring along a membership form too and help us grow!

Nancy Sieck dedication ceremony, 9/13/09

To all,

The dedication ceremony to honor Nancy C. Sieck is scheduled for Sunday, 13 September 2009 at 4:30 P.M. in the Titusville Library. Naming of the Genealogy area as a memorial to Nancy and the display of her plaque will be part of the activities.

Additional information will be provided as obtained.

Patrick Bowers

2009-10 programs and other Web site changes

Please visit the IRGS.org Web site to see the first cut at the program schedule for the 2009-10 meeting season. You will also notice that a new "About Us" page has been added, as well as a memorial page. Hopefully the slimmed-down front page will load a little faster for you now.

Also note that we have stopped mirroring all of the Web content at our old Rootsweb address. If you are still using the "flindigs" address, it is time to update your bookmarks!

I hope you are having a fun-filled summer of research.

Regards,
Phil Wright, webmaster

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Ponder this:

Just after midnight and just after noon on July 8, 2009 it will be ... 12:34:56 7/8/9

Happy Serial Day!

First Fall Meeting date shifted!

Hi everyone,

Our first fall meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 16, at 9:30 am in the large meeting room in the library. We hope to see you there. You will receive information later on about the program for that day.

Your IRGS Board