40 YEARS AND THE DREAM CONTINUES!
Pam Heath has compiled a summary of Foothills Genealogy Society for the 40th Anniversary in 2020
FOOTHILLS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF COLORADO
A LITTLE BIT OF OUR HISTORY
Be sure to check out a summary of FhGS 40th Anniversary at the bottom of this page.
"40 Years and the Dream Continues!"
The Foothills Genealogical Society of Colorado, Inc. is the result of the dreams, planning and work of five Lakewood, Colorado women with a common interest in genealogy. Evelyn Carlson, Dixie Sandy, Louise Friedman, Janet Graham and Betty Kaufman had enjoyed genealogy and each others company. All five women joined the Columbine Genealogical Society in Littleton and attended the meetings twice a month. In October of 1979 Janet, Evelyn, Louise and Dixie went on a research trip to Salt Lake City with the Columbine Society. It was on this trip that Dixie and Janet came up with the suggestion that perhaps a club should be started in Lakewood. They felt there was a need for such a club and each knew people who had expressed an interest in genealogy. In May of 1980 the five women met as a steering committee at the home of Janet Graham. Betty Kaufman had the most experience with this kind of organization and was truly a "guiding light". In the ensuing weeks, plans were formulated, by-laws written, incorporation papers filed and received, sales tax license received, meeting room located, programs planned, publicity initiated, etc. It was a busy time!
The first meeting was held September 10, 1980 in a meeting room at the Jefferson County Public Library, 20th and Miller St. There was an overflow crowd at the 1st meeting, approximately 85 people attended. The meeting place was soon changed to a larger space at the First Presbyterian Church. As of December 1, 1980 Foothills had 86 members and the dreams, planning and work of five Lakewood women came true!!
Classes were given for beginning, intermediate and advanced genealogy. Trips were scheduled to Salt Lake City to do research and both classes and trips have been offered for the last thirty years. Foothills Genealogical Society of Colorado, Inc. (FhGS) continues to be an active society and presently has 200 members.
Charter Members
(*denotes founding members)
Rachel Adams Hildegard Johnson Sue Amberg Kathryn V. Johnson Flip Amick Gwendolyn A. Kase Charleen H. Arnold Betty Kaufman* Trish Beattie Jean Kelly Betty J. Bergeson Opal Kendall Jacqueline Bisant Rilla Knutson O.M. & Ruth Bishop Gertrude L. Kordziel Joe Bristol Dorothy Kyler Liz Burdick Maxine Lacy Bill & Evelyn*Carlsen Richard & Marian Leonard Velma Churchill Velma Lundstrom Marguarite Connolly Gene Marshall Barbara Courtright Ernest P. Mills Bessie C. Davis Ann-Mari Morris John & Margaret Davis Joan P. Murphy Kirbie Dempsey Lynn Nicholas Annabel Depaulo Rhoda C. Nicol Marjorie Donnelly Elizabeth & Gale Oliver Betty A. Dougherty Margaret M. Porter Bobbi Dreyer Betty Parsons Joan Eakins Elena Q. Ramer Elma Eason Betty Rodgers Roy & Helen East Cindy Rogers Gladys Eckford Jerry Sander Lolita Egbert Dixie Sandy* Sarah Eoyang William Scheeley Celeste Fox Janet Shane Louise Friedman* Florence L. Shaw Judy Geise Kathy Shirley Jo Anne Gilmore Doris B. Smith Madeline R. Gloret Phoebe Smith Meta G. Goodin Lorane Sutphin Mabel Goodin Fae Tarrant Jeannette Gott Adeline E. Tefft Janet Graham* Margaret Turner Sandra Guenther Winnie Votaw Claire E. Hagen Martha Warren Capitola S. Henry Irene Whalen Alice Jacober