April 12, 2018 ~ Meeting and Program

Program:  Practical Preservation of your Genealogical Research and Family Heirlooms

Description:  Six years ago, John was the insurance consultant to the Waldo Canyon Wildfire recovery team. He witnessed first-hand the loss of many peoples’ photos, heirlooms, and research materials which were not insured nor backed up. Among the many lessons of this catastrophe, John advocates more rigorous steps to preserve the family treasures to help you minimize the loss of these materials. John will discuss both the importance and steps to better protect yourself for this potential loss potential as well as helping you to transfer these items to the next generation. 

Speaker: John E. Putnam is a native of Western Massachusetts where he grew up on a farm; attended public schools, and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he earned his BA in Government/Political Science. While at college, he debated four years and married his debate partner, Sue, after his graduation. He earned a MA in Political Science at the University of Colorado

John’s interest in genealogy started at a very young age when his two grandmothers would tell stories about the family. He also attended both Putnam and Clark family reunions. As a twelfth generation New Englander, there were many stories to be told. His Putnam ancestors lived in Salem/Danvers, MA where they were very involved in the Salem Witchcraft incident. A great uncle was a major general in the Revolution so he got an early indoctrination in the exploits of these historical Putnams. His Clark ancestors descend from two Mayflower Pilgrims although this history was determined later in his life. The Clark stories revolved around the hardships of farming in Western Massachusetts during the nineteenth century. Both his parents were active in their local historical society and frequently added to John’s interest in Western Masssachusetts’ local history.

John is the past President of the Pikes Peak Genealogical Society and serves as their delegate to the Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies. In December 2011, he wrote a paper telling about his Teaching Grannies for a local genealogy course taken at Pikes Peak Community College. In June 2012, he presented a paper at the Pikes Peak Regional Historical Symposium on Historical Floods in the Pikes Peak Region.

About Us:
Founded in 1994, the Mountain Genealogists Society is located in Evergreen, Colorado, and serves a membership living around the greater Evergreen and Conifer area.