Membership

Local history volumes and archival folders on a library shelf

Membership in our Society not only helps us preserve the history of our community but also entitles you to four newsletters a year. At the time, the newsletters were published in February, May, August, and November. Each newsletter contained around twenty pages. We welcome queries and articles for the newsletter.

The page also displayed a membership form. It asked for a name, address, city, state, postal code, telephone number, email address, and the surnames being researched. A separate section was reserved for Society use, including the date an application was received, the membership year, newsletter delivery, payment details, and internal files. The form defined the membership year as January 1 through December 31 and combined applicant data with the Society’s administrative processing.

Membership in later years

By 2021 and 2022, the homepage described two newsletters each year—spring/summer and fall/winter—rather than four. It continued to say that membership supported preservation work and that queries and articles were welcome for the newsletter. It also described the membership year as running from January 1 through December 31.

The change in newsletter frequency shows that membership terms varied by year. The four-issue schedule belongs to the earlier description, while the two-issue schedule was reported in 2021 and 2022. Neither description should be treated as a statement of current benefits.

Branches of Laurel

The publications page described Branches of Laurel as a Society newsletter begun in June 1986. Its subjects included family trees, school censuses, Bible records, newspaper excerpts, church records, military records, and other items of historical and genealogical interest. Back issues were once offered to the public, while members received current issues under the schedule then in effect.

This independent page does not enroll members, collect dues, distribute newsletters, or represent the current Society. The publications description offers more information about the newsletter’s historical scope.