Genealogical Society_Stroup Request1155 Locust Street
~-.
MASOlY1C TEMPLE
Dubuque, Iowa 52001 319 / 582-5107
February 3, 2007
Dubuque County -Key City
Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 13
Dubuque, IA 52004-0013
To Whom It May Concern,
At the January meeting of the Masonic Temple Association Board of
Directors, the future plan for use of our facilities was discussed. We are
looking specifically at reallocating space within the building.
The area currently occupied by the Dubuque County -Key City
Genealogical Society is one which has been identified as needed for a use
fitting within our plans. Additionally, we no longer see a permanent rental
of space to be in our best interest.
In order to fulfill our needs we are asking that the occupancy relationship
now in place between the Masonic Temple Association and the Dubuque
County -Key City Genealogical Society be terminated. It is our desire that
the Society totally vacate the building effective June 30, 2007.
We hope that the time allotted for your relocation will be enough to find
new quarters. If we can be of assistance in suggesting a possible new
location for your Society, we will be happy to help.
Thank you for the cooperation you have shown over the past few years. We
wish you well in the future.
Sincerely,
Jack H. Smeltzer, Secretary
Masonic Temple Association
Remember the Masonic Temple in your will.
~ o
~`<
6 C= _„
-c ~
~ ~ ;T1
_
u' "° ~
3
D O l~
N w
Telegraph Herald -Dubuque IA
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Page 1 A & 2A
"We don't Know where we're going to go, or what we're going to do. "
DEANNA ASL"IzSON, Dubuque County-Key City Genealogical Society librarian
Genealogical society
,looks to put down new roots
Grow must
.p move from its Masonic Tem le dome:
p
gy qpg KUNDERT
TH staff reporter. per month.
In-February, the memb~~s ; ~'
ti~llf'.,com churches; probate records."
..The. list goes on and they.
Homelessness is taking on found out that they have to
moveby June 30. rrx a grad ~~t!
,. want to continue to grow with
more information, which is
new meaning for a nonprofit
ou whose aol of historic
p p 'Our library is getting a little
larger and the MasonicTemple ^ To leant more about the
Dubuque Gounty-Key City purchased and often donated
by families and. other sources.
tions artpeople tracing heir needs this room,° said Nancy
vice-president of the
Stroup Genealogical Society, visit
TNonline.com/dreblinks "We'd like to add books,:but
we don t know where were
family roots.
With verb little money, but
requiring considerable space, ,
society, who estimates that
it will,need'1,000 square feet
We have almost 400 family
" goingtogo orwhatwe're going
to'do, Asleson said.
'
the Dubuque County-Key City
Genealogical`Societyhss called far theix.growing collection of '
family histories, government histories and ancestral charts,
said Deanna Asleson, the If note-irig,turns up by
June
30, all their carefully cataloged
the lowez level of the Masonic
Ternpl'e,.1155 Locust St., home records and other data.that fill
• in the blanks for thoseseelting society's librarian:, "We Kaye .
information from townships, .materials will have to go into
storage, making it unavailable
for the past seven Yeats, ~t $25' .`answers to their heritage. cemetery readings, history, of Society,~'See Page 2A
$ociet~
Continued from Page
to anyone doing resew
The society's cone
open on Thursdays ar
days or by appaintme~
"If we put this intc
where we have to clos
rage door, we're going t
of money and nobod
able to use it 4i Stroup.
The nonprofit; has
come. Dues are:$10 f
Telegraph Herald -Dubuque IA
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Page 1 A 8 2A
"""""~+ ~~~~~~~,~ v~ u~c vu1JUyUG 4UUIIly-ney ~ILy Uenea- ny JUne 30. Society members now. are looking for a space
logical Society; says that the organization is being asked of approximately 1,000 sgt~ere `feet for their mas~ve
to move from its home at the Masonic Temple in Dubuque amount of records.
Goals
1) New Home. We are very concerned that we find a home for our collection before
we have to vacate the Masonic Temple site (30 June 2007). Putting our collection
into storage would eliminate access by our members and the general public. We
hope that storage is not the answer.
2) Identi . We wish to retain our identity as opposed to being absorbed by another
entity. However, separate and secured space in association with another
organization or location would be most desirable.
3) Availability. Maintaining open hours, notjustforourmembers, butforthe general
public is a top priority. We believe that our collection should be available to family
historians and researchers.
4) CommunityAwareneSS.Wehaveneversoughtexposurethroughadvertising,
except for upcoming programs. We have a presence within the genealogical
community through our newsletter, newsletter exchange, and web site, and as an
affiliate chapter of the Iowa Genealogical Society. However, there are people from
the city and county of Dubuque who have never heard of us.
5) Sponsor's. Since we are anon-profit organization, we are in need of sponsors to
help us cover operating expenses. We do not have a budget to seek sponsors,
therefore, media exposure may bring our need to the attention of potential
sponsors.
J ~_I ~ ~~`
. ~~~~ ~ ~~
~-
tiG ~ ~'o-`~`-~`-
Dubuque County -Key City Genealogical Society
Contact Information
Mailing address: P. O. Box 13, Dubuque, IA 52004-0013
Physical address• The Society is located in the lower level of the Masonic Temple at 1155
Locust Street in Dubuque. Please use the building's entrance on West 12th Street.
Web site: www.rootsweb.com/~iadckcgs/
Telephone: None
President/Corresponding Secretary dckcgs@yahoo.com
Overview and History
Brief History
The Key City Genealogical Society was founded on February 17, 1976.On August 7, 1976
the Iowa Genealogical Society accepted the Society as its 27th affiliate chapter. The
members changed the name to the Dubuque County -Key City Genealogical Society on
March 6, 1985. The Society was incorporated on July 1, 1986. On May 19, 1994 the
Internal Revenue Service granted it non-profit status or 501 (c) (3).
Our Mission Statement
The Dubuque County -Key City Genealogical Society is organized exclusively for
genealogical, educational, and historical purposes. More particularly, the purposes for
which the Society is organized are as follows:
• To create and foster an interest in genealogy.
• To foster and encourage individuals in their private genealogical pursuits.
• To foster and encourage preservation of genealogical and historical data in said City
and County of Dubuque, Iowa.
• To foster and encourage in existing facilities an increase in resources and public
access to genealogical data.
Membership
Membership dues are $10.00 peryear. All members receive a subscription to the Dubuque
County-Key City Genealogical Society Newsletter, which is published quarterly. A
membership packet will be sent to new members. Dues are payable annually on or before
March 1 of each year, and are delinquent March 31. Dues received from new members
after January 1 will be applicable to the coming year.
01 March 2007
Page 1 of 6
Pioneer Certificates
In 1996, the state of Iowa observed the 150th anniversary of its entry as the 25th state of
the U.S.A. The Society honored this event by forming a Sesquicentennial Celebration
Committee. The committee prepared a set of guidelines for awarding a Pioneer Certificate
to any individual who could document generation-by-generation descent from a male or
female ancestor, or a married couple, who settled or resided in Dubuque County, Iowa, for
any given period of time prior to 1857. The Pioneer Certificate Application Packet is
available upon request. Cost of Certificate is $5 plus postage.
Publications
The Society compiled and offers the following publication for sale.
• Prairie Creek Township (20 pages)
• Liberty Township (34 pages)
• Peru Township (23 pages)
• Mosalem Township (37 pages)
• Dodge Township (88 pages)
• New Wine Township (241 pages)
• Concord Township (109 pages)
• Washington Township (96 pages)
• Table Mound Township (610 pages)
• Saint John's Lutheran Cemetery, Dubuque, Iowa (132 pages)
• Burial Records of the Dubuque City Cemetery, 1854-1875 (84 pages)
• Atlas for Genealogists, Dubuque County, Iowa 1830 (29 pages)
• A Guide to the Microfilmed Records at Carnegie-Stout Public Library, Dubuque,
Iowa (41 pages)
• Index of Churches and Cemeteries of Dubuque County, Iowa (33 pages)
• Probate Records Index, Dubuque County, Iowa (360 pages)
• Prairie Farmer's Home and County Directory of Dubuque County, Iowa (140 pages)
• Declaration of Intent to Become a Citizen, Dubuque County, Iowa
Book 1, 1834-1856 (2,894 entries, 98 pages)
Book 2, 1856-1872 (2,257 entries, 73 pages)
Book 3, 1872-1888 (2,456 entries, 76 pages)
Book 4, 1888-1906 (1,690 entries, 58 pages)
01 March 2007
Page 3 of 6
Announcement Regarding the Society's Library
(Published in the Spring 2007 issue of the Society's newsletter)
The Executive Committee of the Dubuque County- Key City Genealogical Society regrets
to announce that, effective June 30, 2007, the Society will no longer have rented space at
the Masonic Temple in Dubuque.
At the January meeting of the Masonic Temple Association Board of Directors, the future
plan for use of their facilities was discussed. The area currently occupied by the Society's
Library is one which was identified as needed for use fitting their plans.
The Society's Executive Committee met to determine a course of action for the Library's
immediate future and to provide information for the membership:
1. Committee and membership meetings will continue at the Masonic Temple through
June. Information about meetings, held after the June 30 deadline, will be announced as
soon as dates and places can be scheduled.
2. The Society's Library will remain open as long as possible prior to packing and
relocating.
3. The Executive Committee will continue to pursue information and consider options for
the future of the Society's Library.
The members of the Executive Committee regret any inconvenience caused by this change
in the Society's Library and sincerely appreciate the cooperation of all members during this
time of transition. The Society is very grateful for the seven years that it was allowed the
privilege of renting secured space at the Masonic Temple. Members may send their
comments, ideas, questions, or suggestions to the Executive Committee.
01 March 2007
Page 5 of 6
Dubuque County-Key City Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 13 -Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0013
Website: http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadckcgs
No phone - No fax
Library: Masonic Temple -1155 Locust St.
(Use the West 12t'' Street Entrance)
Library Committee 2006 Annual Report - 14 February 2007
Website: http://hometown.aol.com/dckcgslibrary/index.html
E-mail: dckcgs_library@hotmail.com
Progression of Library Growth
2006: We continue to staff the library and maintain the space and collection.
Acquisitions:
• Newsletters from Genealogical Societies:
Illinois: BooneMlinnebago, Carroll, Cook, Jo Daviess, Lake, Lee, and
Stephenson Counties
Iowa: Adams, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw,
Clay, Clinton, Davis, Des Moines, Fayette, Guthrie, Hamilton,
Harrison, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Keokuk/Mahaska, Lee, Linn,
• Lucas, Marshall, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama,
Warren, Wayne, and Winneshiek Counties
Minnesota: Olmsted County
Missouri: St. Louis County
Ohio: Gallia County
Wisconsin: Grant County
• Newsletters from Ethnic Groups: French Canadian/Acadian (Wisconsin) and
Luxemburg Society of Iowa
• Newsletters from Famity Associations: Rickey Roots and Revels
• Newsletters from Local and State Groups: Divine Word College (Epworth),
Hawkeye Heritage (back issues), Humanities Iowa, Iowa Genealogical Society, Main
Stream-City of Dubuque, Minnesota Genealogical Society, and Sisters of the
Presentation BVM (Dubuque)
• Magazines: Association News, Family Tree Magazine, Genealogy Computing,
Julien's Journal, Memory Makers, and Reminisce
• Family Histories and Charts that include the following titles and surnames: Ball (14
pages), Bechen/Brownson (107 pages), Bodensteiner/Hackman, Broell, Memories
of Ruth Lyon Cassat 1900-1991 (100 pages), Conlon/Ripperda, Koppes,
Fonek/Kremer, Kane/Shannon, Leitheiser (85 pages), Lucas/Weis/Burds/Fahey,
Mueller/Pull, Ruden, Schmitt/Reicks, and Willms (14 Pages).
•
Page 1 of 5
2003: The Masonic Temple Association asked us to vacate the Red Room by the end of
• August. Our first priority was to keep the collection together in one location and available
to the membership and general public. We consolidated the collection and are now back
in our original space.
2002: The Library Committee felt that we needed some weekday open hours. It was
decided to extend our open hours on Thursdays from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM to 1:00 PM -
8:00 PM beginning 07 March.
Due to the tremendous amount of military material donated by one of our members, it was
felt that a section designated "Military" would be most appropriate. The material was
previously located within the General Resource section.
2001: The Library Committee was busy reorganizing, updating and refurbishing the
collection.
• Countless soft cover books, many without an identifying spine, were upgraded to
hard cover with an easy to read spine.
• All the notebooks holding newsletters and other stapled pages were cleaned up by
going through them, trimming off taped edges (used for mailing) and replacing
staples vertically to reduce stress on the pages when they're turned.
• The file cabinets were upgraded with hanging file frames, hanging file folders, and
alphabetical file guides.
• Many items from the file cabinets have been put on the shelves. Foreign research
helps, family histories found buried in the inquiry files and numerous other items
considered to be of greater value, or part of information that was currently on the
shelves have been added to the shelf collection.
• Our storage closet has been reorganized and additional shelving has been added
for a more efficient use of space.
• Additional shelving has been added to the library. The additional shelves alleviated
some initial congestion within the collection. The extra space has allowed us to put
added emphasis on separate areas of the collection, especially Dubuque County
and the City of Dubuque.
Our goal of having a well organized and user-friendly library was realized. The many
compliments received, regarding our collection and its orderly structure, demonstrated that
we were on the right track.
The Masonic Temple Association allowed us to rent additional space adjacent to our
current Library room. On Saturday, 21 April, a workday was held to ready this new space
for library use. Our new room was nicknamed the "Red Room," since it has red carpet on
the floor.
On Saturday and Sunday, 19 May and 20 May, between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, our
Library held an open house in conjunction with the Annual DubuqueFest Old House
• Enthusiasts Tour. The Masonic Temple was one of five buildings featured on the tour. We
had many visitors during these two days.
Page 3 of 5
Non-Profit: We're non-profit, therefore, your donation is tax deductible. We thank
everyone for their donations (adding to our collection, volunteer time, supplies, or
monetary) to the library. Without your help, our library would not be as accommodating as
it is currently.
Deanna ASLESON -Library Committee
•
•
Page 5 of 5
~ a Dubuque County-Key City Genealogical Society
°Wa ; '9's PO Box 13
9i ^ oG`~~ Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0013
Address Service Requested
-Fo ~^Z o„ L4 WyF^-~-o_
~~~~ ~~`~
~av 3 ~. ~
~ 8 -s - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~5
(~ _ 3 ~v 9
I
u.:
Dubs
Pe