2016 OFHS Meeting

Independence here we come!!  Tell your relatives, save the dates.  We're again meeting in Independence, home of the wonderful Midwest Genealogy Center. Highlights this year include Floyd Owsley and others updating us on latest events in family DNA, comparing DNA labs and how to compare one's results with those of others--with Q and A to follow.  Beth Foulk, genealogist extraordinaire, will speak on Ancestry.com resources.  Reverend Larry Ousley will tell us about the significance of birth order in families and in genealogical history.  Bill Gann and Gary Toms will relate the true story of what happened to Bill's Cherokee ancestors and others before, after, and during the Trail of Tears. 

We begin as usual with early registration 3-5 p.m. at our hotel.  Then it's dinner on your own with cousins and friends.  After, our dessert social begins at 7 p.m. at the hotel.  Bring photos, discoveries, memorabilia and tall tales to share.

Friday morning we begin with the Business Meeting chaired by President Ronny Bodine.  We'll have a speaker that morning plus session of cousins who haven't as yet participated in sharing a significant event in their family history.

After lunch some will tour the Arabia Museum at the Missouri River.  In 1856, the sailing ship Arabia was loaded with 200 tons of clothing, guns, dishes, etc. and was leaving Independence to provision sixteen frontier towns when it sank in the River. Ship and cargo are beautifully restored and open to the public.  Barbara Gressel recommends a visit to a re-creation of Fort Osage on the Missouri River.  Costumed re-enactors represent the Fort as it was in 1812--(14 miles north of Independence).

Friday evening it's dinner on your own. After, it's visiting in the lobby.

Saturday morning we'll have speakers and more. After lunch, some will tour historical Independence Square. Barbara also recommended a visit to the Victorian Vaile Mansion. You may want to visit the National Frontier Trails Museum - as Independence was where wagon trains formed for overland journeys west. The Harry Truman Presidential Library is here plus the house where Bess and Harry Truman lived - Harry's aunt lived across the street which is how Harry met Bess. There is an LDS Museum as Joseph Smith decided Independence was the promised land. For a visitor's guide, go to visitindependence.com or call (816) 325-7111. 

We're invited to a wine and cheese open house from 4-5 p.m. at Bill Gann and GaryTom's new home.  Then we conclude our conference as usual with the Saturday evening banquet beginning at 6:30 p.m. at  our hotel. 

Sheila Patterson, Co-Program Director (LMNOP9@outlook.com or 541-343-8093 PDT)

2016 OFHS Meeting

Information for 2016 OFHS Meeting

2016 OFHS Meeting Registration Form