On August
26, 2004, shortly after being elected the Historian, I sent
out an email message to those family members with an address
that outlined my goals for the coming year. I apologize to
those who do not have email capabilities but I had hoped my
words would be shared with you through word of mouth, etc.
The following is a status report on the goals I established
for myself last year.
1. COMPUTERIZE ALL THE INFORMATION IN THE 12
GENEALOGY BOOKS BY ENTERING THIS INFORMATION INTO THE
FAMILIY TREE MAKER SOFTWARE PROGRAM. Computerization of
the 12 books has been completed. Everything has been entered
into the “Family Tree Maker” genealogy software
program. All other loose pages, notes, etc have also been
entered. This includes any and all obituaries, pictures,
news stories, etc. This has yielded the following
statistics: The data base includes 3500 names, 1252
marriages, 18 generations with the earliest birth date being
Hans Heinrich Loetscher, 1601, and 947 surnames.
2. PROVIDE FAMILY MEMBERS A STANDARD FORM FOR
SUBMITTING NEW EVENT INFORMATION TO HELP INSURE THE
INFORMATION IS UPDATED CORRECTLY, IN THE CORRECT FAMILY LINE
AND IN A TIMELY MANNER. A “Family Genealogy Update
Form” was developed and sent with the email message. The
form has since been revised and is available today at the
Historian’s table.
3. ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO CONTACT ME THROUGHOUT THE
YEAR AND NOT JUST AT THE REUNION TO PROVIDED UPDATED FAMILY
INFORMATION: I have had several family members contact
me with updated information. Special thank you’s go to John
Riley (Riley), Harriet Detwiler Graffious (Funk), Jeff
Reifsnyder (Rapp) and Charles W. Detwiler, Sr. for their
contribution. I have also been contacted by Jon Emery who is
interested in helping with the Jacob line. I have made a
business card with my name, address, phone number and email
address for your reference for those who would like one.
Hopefully this will encourage ongoing contact with me as
events occur.
4. PROVIDE ALL MEMBERS THE ABILITY TO ACCESS
GENEALOGY INFORMATION: Any member can contact me at
their convenience for information that I may have on
Detwiler genealogy. All you have to do is ask. I will also
be providing the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area
a disc with all the information which will be available for
use at their facility. I plan to provide updates to the
Society shortly after each Reunion and periodically in
between as appropriate.
THE
FUTURE: With 3500 names (947 surnames) it is impossible
for me to keep records up to date by myself. I need your
help. You need to be my eyes and ears and to contact me
periodically as events happen in your family. I also need
you to review the information that I have to make sure it is
correct and accurate. It would also be nice if someone would
volunteer to be the lead person to work with me in helping
update, validate, etc. a particular family line. The
genealogy record is not just for my use. It is for everyone
and especially for you and your family. Let us work together
to make it the best genealogy around.
Respectfully submitted for approval,
Dick Lusch,
Historian
