*Denotes Elected Executive Board

• Katherine M. Olsen*, President
• Paul Taylor*, First Vice President
• Marshall Seelye*, Second Vice President
• Mary Palley*, Secretary
• Sally Seeley*, Treasurer
• Linda L. Crocker*, Chief Genealogist
• Terry Tietjens*, Director
• Wesley Waring*, Director
• Ruthetta Seelye Hansen*, Director
• James R. Seeley, Past President
• Linda L. Crocker, Co-Chair Anc. Files
• Chris Havnar, Co-Chair Anc. Files
• Lynda Simmons, Membership
• Linda L. Crocker, Query Editor
• Paul Taylor, Publications Editor
• Chris Havnar, Webmaster
• Terry Tietjens, Research Center
• Pamela D. Turner, SRC Librarian
• Ruthetta Seelye Hansen, Historian
• Walt Seelye, Seeley DNA Project
• Bob Seeley, CD-ROM Project
• George R. Seeley, Parliamentarian

SGS convened for its 14th reunion at the Hilton Garden Inn Elmira/Corning in Horseheads, N.Y., on Thursday, July 14, 2011, through Sunday, July 17, 2011. The theme was “Settling Down and Migrating Through: The Seeley Family in the Twin Tier Area of Southern New York and Northern Pennsylvania.” There were 69 registrants with 90 people attending various events. A hospitality room was available for members to display documents and artifacts and to visit. Elected and appointed officers gave reports concerning their areas of responsibility, including SGS being named a beneficiary in the estate of Evelyn R. Johnson, wife of Robert Seeley Johnson. It was also decided to dedicate the conference and souvenir book to John Robert and Maurine Brevoort Seely whose far-reaching influence on SGS includes the establishment of the SGS Ancestor File. The opening session began Executive Board reports on the souvenir book, SGS publications for sale, CD sales, the possibility of a 2014 tour to England, and DNA testing. Kerry Lippincott, education coordinator of the Chemung County Historical Society gave the keynote address, “Overview of the History of the Area, Including Seeley Family Settlers.”

Afterward, attendees sang the reunion theme song with lyrics by Jesse and Lou Ann Crisler tailored to SGS. Attendees discussed area Seeley families including James R. Seeley (William Seeley SGS#1692), Dianne Seeley (Charles Seelye SGS#2530), Eugene Seelye (Ebenezer Seelye SGS#299), Jesse Crisler (Justus [William] Seelye SGS#282), and Kathie Olsen (Justus Azel Seelye SGS#836). Members of the audience also shared their ancestors’ stories. That evening, J. Kelsey Jones, a prominent genealogy and history researcher in the area, discussed the settlement of Seeley Creek valley. Friday was spent touring local sites like the Corning Museum of Glass, Elmira with Mark Twain sites, the Chemung County Historical Society Museum and Library, an area winery, Chemung County, N.Y., including Tioga Point, Pa., Fitzsimmons Cemetery, and the Seeley Creek valley. Friday evening’s speaker was Joyce Tice, a local history and genealogy expert. The membership meeting kick off Saturday. Officers were elected and board members appointed. A constitutional change and new dues schedule were approved. An auditing committee reported that the treasurer’s books were in order. After discussion, the site of the 2013 reunion was selected: Grand Rapids, Mich. The group then moved to the Big Flats Town Park for a catered picnic. That afternoon, the new SGS Executive Board gathered for a meeting. Discussion items included the organization of the SGS Ancestor File. The membership chair was asked to prepare a yearly report of paid members, life members, and other categories to be published in the newsletter. Committees were appointed for awards and recognition and SGS history. The increasing cost of the newsletter was a point of discussion. No decision was made but further discussion is in order. The group decided to invest in research and voted to solicit input for topics from the membership.

That night following dinner and the installation of officers, members gave brief reports on organizing SGS trips to England New England, the history of SGS pubs, SGS queries, SGS Ancestor File, Seelye Research Center, SGS Website, the challenges of being an SGS president, the Seelye Mansion in Abilene, the DNA testing project, and the importance of volunteers. On Sunday morning the group met for breakfast, until meeting again in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 2013!

Kathie Olsen,
SGS President