Oklahoma Genealogical Society - President's Message

As 2023 comes to an end the OGS is getting ready for our 69th Anniversary. The follow is from the "The History of Oklahoma Genealogical Society" written by Clyde Mitchell Duckwall Jr, Historian.

The Oklahoma Genealogy Society was organized in March, 1955, by the late Schuyler E. Crenley, he served as our First President. The Society was incorporated August 5, 1955, under the laws of the State of Oklahoma when the Reverend Schuyler E. Crenley, Founder and 32 charter members filed the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of the State. The Society became an educational organization within the provisions of paragraph 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The first officers were: Rev. Crenley, president; Mrs. Frank C. Pugeley, vice-president; John H. Porter, recording secretary; Mrs. H. H. Harrill, Bulletin Editor; Sam E. Perryman, treasurer; Mrs. Ruth Craig, curator and librarian, and Mrs. Myrtle Creason, Herald. The charter members of the Society were: Mrs. D. L. Alcorn; Mrs. D. L. Barber; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Brown; Mrs. W. M. Burns, Mrs. Walter Campbell; Mrs. Craig; Mrs. Creason; Rev. Crenley; Mrs. Glen L. Dark, and Mrs. Clyde M. Duckwall (my Mother). Others include: Mrs. Harrill; Harold H. Hartley; Mrs. F. A. Lichtenheld; Mrs. Claude Martin; Mrs. James L. McCann; Mrs. R. J. McCulloch; Vivian McCullough; Tessie Miller; Mrs. Fulton S. Murphy; Hugo Patterson; Mr. Perryman; Mr. Porter; Mrs. J. Murray Prock; Mrs. Frank Pugsley; John Rightmire, and Veride Roope. Also Mrs. Frank A. Sewell; Mrs. George K. Simpson; Mrs. J. J. Sloan; Lee B. Spencer, and Paul L. Springer. One honorary member listed on the Charter was Mrs. Hasel Lloyd.

The Coat-of-Arms of the Society is a Gold shield upon which is emblazoned a Red (gules) chevron, and was designed by Mrs. Myrtle Creason. In the upper right (as one holds the shield) is a pen. In the upper left, a mailed gauntlet, and in the lower point of the shield, a tree.

Each symbol charged on a Coat-of-Arms has a distinct meaning. In preparing the Area for the use of the Oklahoma Genealogical Society, this idea has been kept in wing. The pen is an emblem of the liberal art of writing and of learned employment. The mailed gauntlet represents the connection of the allied science of heraldry with genealogy. The tree-of-life or the family tree symbolizes the subjective of the society.

“Not for ourselves but for others” is the interpretation of the Motto. Colors are personal charasteristies granted only upon the merits of the bearer. They, too, have particular meanings. Gold denotes Generosity and Elevation of Mind; Black, Constancy; Red, Military fortitude, and is sometime called the martyr’s color. A chevron is one of the honorable ordinarys of heraldry. It represents the roof-tree of a house and signifies protection. It has been granted in arms as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise, and has also been given to one who has built churches and fortresses. The Coat-of-Arms for the Society was painted and given to the Society by Mrs. Ruth Thayer Ravenscroft, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

September 15, 2023

By: James Ike

Resource Center is Open for Business

After a couple of months and many hours of planning, packing, moving and unpacking the OGS Resource Center is open for business. I would like to thank everyone that participated in the project for their time and efforts. Both members and non-members helped during the process. The cost of the move was covered by donations from our membership.

The new location is a storefront in the Meridian Plaza Shopping Center on the corner of NW 16th Street and North Meridian Avenue in OKC. The address is 4516 NW 16th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73127. Our mailing address is still PO Box 12986, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2986.

When you come to the Resource Center for research, classes or SIG there are three restaurants in Meridian Plaza to meet your needs and a city park across the street if you need a break. The Resource Center also has a coffee bar and refrigerator for your use. The facility is on one level and the bathroom is ADA compliant. We have tried to have all areas wheel chair accessible. There are two handicap parking spaces at the front door and a large lighted parking lot out front.

We hope everyone can come and use our new space. Our hours are 9-4 on Mondays (except major holidays) or by appointment. If you have free time please come by and volunteer to help us with our various projects. With more volunteers we can expand our hours and offer more to our fellow genealogists. Being a beginner is not a reason not to volunteer. Everyone can have something to share. Those of us that have been at it for a few decades still learn something new from the experiences of others.

Jim Ike

President