INFORMATION The John Libby Family Association held its first Family Reunion on September 7, 1904 at Central Park in Somersworth, New Hampshire under the name of "Sons and Daughters of Benjamin Libby." In a few years, the name was changed to the one presently used. Except for the World War II years, annual Reunions have been held for the past 100 plus years. In recent years, the Reunions have been held in the John Libby Memorial Hall which is the Parish House for the First Congregational Church, Black Point Road, Scarborough, Maine. Our Homestead Corporation, disbanded in recent years, contributed $7,500 toward the building fund for this Memorial Hall. As a result, there is a standing invitation to hold our Annual Meeting and Reunions there. A semi-annual (at least) newsletter is published and distributed to all members bringing news into a member's home of the activities of our Association and various Libbys. Contributions of newsworthy material from the membership are always welcome. We try to include a feature story in each issue which will be of general interest to all members of the Libby Family. It is through the newsletter that information of the REUNION is disseminated. The Reunion and Annual Meeting is normally held on the fourth Saturday in September. Of recent years, the Reunion has commenced Friday evening with a catered supper at The John Libby Hall, followed by social time. The highlight of Saturday is the Annual Meeting and the catered group luncheon. Families often gather together Saturday evening at a local restaurant for supper. Our Genealogical Committee has previously published VOL. II of THE LIBBY FAMILY 1882-1982. Contributions of information were received from many sources until the number of entities is nearly 6,000. VOL. II is comprised of two books and is currently available. It sells for $90.00 plus $9.00 shipping/handling. Also copies of the original 'Libby Family in America - 1602-1881', by C T Libby are available at the same price. Recently the JLFA Board has undertaken a very ambitious project: JOHN LIBBY FAMILY ASSOCIATION ARCHIVES PROJECT The JLFA Board of Directors is pleased to report, as a result of its October 2007 Annual Board Meeting, the initiation of a project focussing on the establishment in the area of Portland, Maine, a central and accessible (hard copy and internet) location for JLFA archives and services for our JLFA family, researchers, genealogists and the general public from around the world. Recognizing that providing these services is beyond the prospective operational scope of the JLFA, our Board is pursuing a partnership with a top-level long-standing historical society, with the understanding that the JLFA will make clear its willingness and support to meet the high standards and operational guidelines of the chosen society. Our Board is currently completing an overview of our expectations with a historical society, i.e., what should be included in any agreement reflecting our Goal: the establishment of an operational archival relationship between the JLFA and a top-level historical society. The JLFA is currently conducting preliminarily discussions and preparing documents addressing the: * Purpose for the JLFA Collection; i.e., how we would want it used and made available to the public. * Definition of our Collection, i.e., what it is, and what it isn't. * Order of our Collection, i.e., how it is currently arranged. * Size of our Collection; in files, other storage. * General history of the JLFA, prepared through research of primary sources such as our minutes, newsletters. * Support necessary for the provision of necessary computer equipment, software, programming, materials, supplies, services, etc., to appropriately collect, manage, maintain, and promote the JLFA Collection at a society library. * Necessary gifts (of tax deductible restricted and unrestricted funds to a society to support the continuing costs of typical archival processing (copying, scanning, indexing, cataloguing, archive quality storage boxes, shelving, etc.) of the JLFA Collection and related society activities. Note that the JLFA is not currently designated as a 501(c)3 organization. * Standards for digitizing, digitization protocol, operations and funding requirements for the potential establishment of a World Wide Web, providing 24/7 access to the JLFA Collection via computer, with copy potential at the user end. Very exciting! Please share our excitement and optimism about this initiative and, at this early stage, begin to consider how you can support the JLFA goal through gifts, grants, bequests or other means. Join us in our effort to move the JLFA Archives into a futuristic mode of storage of our Collection under the best of environmental conditions; the provision of business-hour library access to our hard-copy historical papers, books, maps and other precious John Libby Family items; and a society with willingness to work with the JLFA in the potential development of a World Wide Web search function for our papers. We will keep you informed of our progress. |
