Thomas Tolman

It's a new year, and we're excited at what happened in 2009:

• 191 people paid their dues. This is a great help for ongoing research and other costs. Hopefully we can improve this year.
• Volunteers did 2964.5 hours of service for the family! This is like having one full-time and one part-time employee working for us, all year long. Thanks to those who contributed!
• We added about 500 names to our databases, bringing us up to 120,646 people on record with the best documentation for our family.
• Our finances are all in order and categorized, and the research center is paying for itself.
• We've improved some windows and attic space in the research center. Special thanks to those who provided manpower and also got us the free carpeting.
• More and more people are connecting, mostly via Facebook.

We discussed the following at this meeting:

• Loraine reported a potential lead in the McCarter line back to Ireland, where we have not had any progress for a long time.
• We are sending out the newsletter to everyone very soon. If you don't get one by March, we'll have you contact us.
• The website has a new look. Feedback is welcome... and if you have online design expertise, we would love to employ your creative skills!
• We look forward to more contributions this year. Whether you send details about your family and documentation for yourself, or you contact us about doing some kind of research or creative project, we value it and we'll make sure it goes to good use.

Cheers!