The Northwest Oklahoma Genealogy Society met March 12 at the Alva Public Library for their regular meeting. The group discussed the proposed revised Constitution and Bylaw suggestions.

Members discussed how to overcome their Brick Wall research questions. Cemetery research can be very complicated. Researchers should start by asking their family members questions about their ancestors. Try to obtain your ancestors full name, nick name, places they lived, did they belong to any clubs or organizations and were they veterans. A visit to the city hall of the county where your ancestor lived have cemetery records and communication with the cemetery sexton and can be very helpful and sometimes that information can help break down the Brick Wall of research.

Two members recently visited the Woods County Courthouse and met with County Clerk Shelley Reed about the old rural one-room school records. Reed advised them the records are safely stored in the courthouse. Members researched those documents and found they are being preserved very well. Many times old courthouse records are lost to fire, flood or other natural disasters and sometimes they have just been misplaced so hats off to the Woods County Courthouse staff. The group had the opportunity to review several types of genealogy family books. One book was genealogical charts and the other two were narrative books.

Just a bit of St. Patrick trivia. The Irish Catholic traditionally wear the color green while the Protestants wear orange. Ireland's flag is green (Catholics), white (peace) and orange (Protestants).

The April 9 meeting will be at the Alva Public Library at 10 a.m. April 9 is the 75th anniversary of the Woodward tornado which occurred in 1947 and was very destructive for Northwest Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle and Kansas. Members will have a panel discussion presented by Barbara Faulkner and Jean Sneary who have first hand memories to share and Lakin Ragains Kastl who wrote the book “Relentless: The 1947 Woodward Tornado.”

Visitors are always welcome to attend.