Sounds like it was a very successful trip to the CFA reunion for you. You have
the thanks of all the John Cooley descendants for the work you have done on our
behalf. BTW, does putting together a manuscript to give to DAR include the
daughters that are lacking in the current list of male descendant? If so, I
will start sending the daughters of my ancestors (the descendants of James).
Sandy
________________________________
From: Michael Cooley <michael_at_newsummer.com>
To: John Cooley Mailing List <undisclosed.recipients_at_johncooley.net>
Sent: Mon, July 30, 2012 6:14:54 PM
Subject: Whirlwind DC trip
The first thing to say about the trip is that it was HOT. On Thursday, my
first day there, the heat index was about 105. Obama must have stayed
indoors all weekend, as I didn't see him anywhere. :)
The presentation seemed to have been well-received. Everyone appeared to
appreciate the Hamil problem. In fact, genealogical myth was a recurrent
theme in many of the conversations I had.
Everyone was great. I especially enjoyed talking with Greg Parker, the
proverbial congenial, college professor, and plain nice guy. He heads the
physics department at the University of Oklahoma, and is the Cooley Family
DNA Project administrator. Greg asked if I'd like to assist him in the
project and I made no hesitation in accepting. It's not finalized in that
details have yet to be worked out. I should know more by the end of the
week.
I proposed during the business meeting Saturday morning that money be set
aside for 37-marker Y testing of Cooley descendants who can reasonably
demonstrate a probable patrilineal descent from a pre-1800 Cooley
immigrant. My reason for the limitation is that there were certainly a
very finite number of such immigrants, which makes it a doable objective.
The proposal was accepted and it was suggested that I be the one to
approve requests under the program. (I will, of course, confer with Greg.)
Since we (the John Cooley Mailing List) had already decided to pay for the
testing of an Abraham descendant, and because we have a vested interest in
such test results, I think we should follow through. But any CFAA
promotion of the program should benefit our hunt for an eligible Abraham
descendant.
Friday morning was spent at the DAR library, a truly beautiful facility.
Time was brief and I wasn't well prepared, but I found good information on
a couple of my non-Cooley patriots. And I saw my first live-copy of
Hamil's Coolley genealogy. I was discouraged to find sitting next to it a
2008 manuscript by a Tim Cooley, which drew on Hamil's work. I didn't look
closely at it, but it looked to be concerned mostly with Tink's
descendants. And I didn't note the title (I was too disgusted!) but it
should be easy to find, if a complete electronic DAR catalog is available.
However, when I asked about the manuscript's presence, an important door
may have opened:
CFAA VP, Barbara Griffith, who led us through the DC tour, is a long-time
DAR volunteer and regular visitor to the DAR library since 1991--her trips
being as frequently as monthly. She is responsible for helping and
sponsoring more DAR applications than anyone else, and is well-known by
the library staff. I asked her about the 2008 manuscript, how it got
there, and whether any contemporary manuscript can be submitted. She told
me about the process for submission, which is steered through a committee.
When I told her about the Hamil problem and that I'd like to write and
submit something, she responded that it is very doable. So...one of my
projects for the next year is to create such a manuscript. If I include
descent from John, btw, it would likely be only to four generations, as
the emphasis will be on the refutation of Hamil's thesis.
Finally (I didn't intend this email to be so long!), I'd like to be sure
that everyone is aware that the current CFAA leadership is very interested
in moving away from the CFAA's Benjamin-centric ways. It was repeatedly
emphasized that it had been Mortimer Cooley's (the author of The Cooley
Genealogy) intention that the organization be devoted to all Cooley lines,
and it was suggested that future events be structured with that in mind.
During the business meeting, past president Jay Smith (another great guy!)
suggested that the next meeting (in two years) be held in Salt Lake City.
I followed up with a suggestion that it be held in San Francisco and
include a visit to the largest west coast genealogy library, the Sutro
(now moved to two floors of the newly constructed library at San Francisco
State University). The suggestion was well-received and, I think, will be
seriously considered.
Lifetime membership to the CFAA is $100, but annual membership is only
$10. The CFAA is well-funded and holds promise of becoming a great
resource for all Cooley researchers. I'd encourage everyone to join,
support its efforts, and help guide the organization into the future.
Good work everyone on opening the line from Isaac Cooley! Hopefully,
descendants of his will find it and appreciate the effort.
It's so nice to be back in the cool, fresh, foggy air of the Humboldt coast!
-Michael
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Received on Tue Jul 31 2012 - 09:38:35 MDT