Thanks, Sandy.
Yes. I've already started adding the daughters on the website to four
generations (in blue). It's far from being finished, and there are gaps. I
will certainly credit anyone who contributes. In fact, I'd like to make
that portion of the manuscript a group effort in the hopes that it will be
as accurate as current research allows, and I'll likely use the register
system so that I can devote a free-form paragraph, if needed, to each
person.
This will be, of course, a single copy--but placed into the DAR. It's a
terrific (and, as far as I know) free way to get the work into an
important library. I encourage everyone to look into the possibility for
other projects.
The trip was very rewarding--but exhausting. The personal highlight,
though, was meeting my cousin's (Marie Cooley Ryan) son for the first time
since he was 12. He and his partner drove down from Montreal to meet me.
We spent nine fun-filled but sweat-drenched hours roaming the city. We
also met Steph Drahan, descended from one of my grandfather's (McCabe
Cooley) sisters. So, it was a Cooley reunion in more ways than one. The
three of them (Daniel, William and Steph) are in their early thirties,
educated, very intelligent, with good careers, and are very on top of it.
It was great watching them hit it off so well.
-Michael
> 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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> information.
>
Received on Tue Jul 31 2012 - 10:42:35 MDT