The Oklahoma Department of the National Society Daughters of the Civil War 1861-1865, held their 83rd convention May 24 at Clarion Hotel in Oklahoma City. Tent President June C. Stone and members of Sallie Peacheater Tent No. 18 were the hosts for this convention.

Those who arrived a day early received a tour of the Oklahoma History Center or an opportunity to research in the Oklahoma Historical Society Library. Having toured the center previously, I opted to research in the newspaper archives and spent an enjoyable three hours searching for obituaries. The evening ended with members meeting in a local restaurant for a Dutch treat dinner.

Members from all corners of the state gathered to conduct the business of the society. Reports were given by each department officer and committee chairman in attendance.

The department president's project is Quilts of Valor. It was decided that the Oklahoma department would support Diane Miller, of Norman, with her expenses in shipping her Quilts of Valor, which is a part of the national organization.

Miller is required to mail the quilts she has pieced to the longarmers who will quilt the pieced top to the base. The quilts are then returned and she mails them to her contract points for distribution to wounded service men and women.

Laurel Chambers, a Civil War re-enactor and member of the Sallie Peacheater, Tent 18, was guest speaker. She was dressed in period clothing, wearing a day dress similar to one worn by ladies of the 1861-1865 era. Chambers presentation, titled "The Roles Of Women During the Civil War," was informative.

Sherrie Ferguson, the Oklahoma Department Webmaster has set up the Web site which will provide information to anyone who is interested in the society. There also are links to other sites including our national society. The Oklahoma department has three tents, Sallie Peacheater Tent No. 18, in Oklahoma City, Elizabeth Bacon Custer, Tent No. 19, in Tulsa, and Major Belle Reynolds Tent No. 21, in Norman.

Females who have reached the age of 8 years and are direct descendants of honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and Marines who served in the Union Army, Navy or Marine Corps and Revenue Cutter Service during the Rebellion of 1861-1865, and those who died or were killed while serving in the armed services of the Union between April 12, 1861, and April 9, 1865, are eligible for membership in the National Society Daughters of the Union Veterans.

Applications must be filled out by each one seeking membership and the required supporting documentation, proving each statement on the application, must be provided with the application. More information may be found at www.okduvcw.org/ or you can e-mail me at Djshawn636@aol.com.

Oklahoma Genealogical Society

The June meeting of the Oklahoma Genealogical Society will feature Carolynn Caudill, who will present "County Records on the Internet" 6 p.m. Monday at the Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N. Laird Ave., Oklahoma City. Caudill, Oklahoma County clerk, will speak about online records available to genealogists from the Oklahoma County Web site and the plans to add early Oklahoma County school census records and Oklahoma County cemetery records to the Web site.

Researchers can access and view Oklahoma County land records from 1890 to present via the Internet, because Oklahoma County owns its own electronic document management system. Oklahoma County has shared this system with smaller counties in Oklahoma, enabling them to place their records online.

The OGS meeting will include a short business meeting to elect members to the board of directors. Genealogical assistance will be available before the meeting at 5 p.m. and the Research Library will remain open until 7:45 p.m.

When sending in queries or sharing information write to Relatively Speaking, P.O. Drawer 1058, Norman, OK 73070 or e-mail Darlene Shawn at Djshawn636@aol.com. Shawn is the department president.