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Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter

Richmond research librarian honored by DAR for helping people tell their stories through geneology

By Howard B. Owens
deborah wood RML DAR Award
Deborah Wood, special collections librarian at the Richmond Memorial Library, received the Women in American History Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter, on Monday.
Photo by Howard Owens

A college professor told Deborah Wood, when she was working on her senior thesis, something that she has carried throughout her career: "It only takes one person at a time to get the stories told and the will to do so."

As the special collections librarian, helping people tell their stories has been a big part of her job, and that's one reason the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution honored her as A Woman in American History on Monday.

For a woman to become a member of DAR, she must produce a genealogy that demonstrates an ancestor who assisted in the Revolutionary War effort.

"When I left teaching to pursue librarianship, I thought that part of my professional life was over, but in late 2021, the idea of history by the hearth was born in support of the library's mission, the local history collection, and by telling the people's stories of the journey through the Genesee Country region from a local and national perspective," Wood said. "When I was approached to collaborate with the DAR, to tell the stories of Deputy Husbands, women who provided direct support to the revolutionary patriots, and those that kept the home fires burning, I never blinked an eye."

Wood has a BA in history and a MA in history and public history from Brockport State College, and a MA in information and library science from the University at Buffalo.

At Richmond, she's organized many history lectures and discussions as well as conducted classes on genealogy.

The award recognizes women who have contributed or made a difference in their communities and who are or have been intellectual, educational, social, religious, political and significant or cultural innovators. 

Robin Ettinger, NY vice-chair of the prospective member database, said the more than one million DAR members nationwide have been through genealogy research, looking for documents that connect them to a Revolutionary War patriot. 

"Today, we have a large amount of information at our fingertips through the internet through the web," Ettinger said. "But a large percentage of the documents that we use and our members use are actually housed in churches, historical societies and local libraries."

Ettinger noted that the Richmond Memorial Library has received growing attention under Wood's guidance, and DAR members have noticed its dedication to genealogical research.

"Under her stewardship of the local history collection, she has made this library an excellent place to be in a person's family history research," Ettinger said. "Her mission of genealogy at the library helps her assist the researcher in discovering their story."

She said anybody with something to learn about genealogy would benefit from Wood's guidance.

"I recommend that if you are a new genealogist or if you just need a refresher course, you look her up when she's holding her genealogy workshops," Ettinger said. "Then, she can introduce you to all the tools available to research genealogy."

Wood said the award recognizes not merely her own efforts but all who support history in the library.

"I'm indebted to many -- our board of trustees, our present and past library directors and their support of the local history, the genealogy collection, History by the Hearth and Genealogy at the Library, where our collective memory lives, our stories are told, and our patrons discover the stories of their revolutionary ancestors in Genesee County," she said.

deborah wood RML DAR Award
Deborah Wood.
Photo by Howard Owens

Anna Ingalsbe Lovell DAR Chapter continues its holiday tradition

By Press Release
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Submitted photo of Laney Ettinger and Pam Ware.

Press Release:

Members of the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell DAR Chapter have continued their holiday tradition of honoring residents of the Batavia VA. Cindy M. Baker, Center for Development and Civic Engagement Specialist, met with Robin Laney Ettinger and Pam Ware to accept this year’s gifts of TOPS gift cards, flatware, and snacks.

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Submitted photo of Cindy M. Baker and Pam Ware.

HLOM hosting open house to honor Genesee County Veterans

By Press Release

Press Release:

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell NSDAR chapter and the Holland Land Office Museum (HLOM) are collaborating on a special event to honor our Genesee County veterans and Vietnam War-era veterans.

All veterans plus 1 guest will have their entrance fees waived and will receive a small goodie bag; Vietnam War-era veterans, who have not yet been acknowledged by the Vietnam 50 Commemorative Committee, will also receive the DAR Certificate and an eagle pin.

Any military personnel, with an honorable discharge, who served during the Vietnam War era is eligible for the Award Certificate and eagle pin. Please pre-register your name and service for your Certificate. If you are unable to attend, please let us know by November 30 so we can arrange another time & date. Robin Laney Ettinger, a member of the NSDAR chapter, has created a limited-time email address for inquires – r.j.laney1@gmail.com.

Local DAR member represents NYS in the National DAR Heritage Contest

By Press Release
Robin Laney Ettinger
Submitted photo of Robin Laney Ettinger and her crocheted pony named "Delivery".

Press Release:

Robin Laney Ettinger, member of the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter, NSDAR, received First Place in the DAR New York State Fiber Arts: crochet category. 

Robin approached the contest with the concept of teaching the "Pony Express" to preschool-aged children.  The crocheted pony named "Delivery" has arms that can be manipulated to hug or carry around while the rider and pony deliver letters.  

Delivery has a little cowboy tie and a nice satchel to carry the mail over the rugged trail from stop to stop. The satchel contains a map of the route, the Pony Express Oath, and laminated letters with Pony Express era stamp.  The letters can be written or drawn on with crayons or dry erase markers.  

Delivery can be used with mail delivery play and also as a prop when reading age-appropriate books such as "Ride Cody Ride" or "Dora the Explorer's - Pony Express".

Robin’s Delivery was then selected to represent New York State 121 chapters in the National Society (NSDAR) Heritage Committee Contest. The 2023 theme was "Educating the Next Generation on Our Historic American Trails."

Robin, who learned how to crochet from her mother, started creating animals 6 years ago. As a multimedia artist, she is planning her project for the 2024 contest, "Stars and Stripes forever in Our Hearts through the Arts."

If you would like more information on the NSDAR please visit the website www.dar.org.

Local DAR chapter distributes materials for Constitution Week

By Press Release
DAR Constitution Week
Submitted photo of members of the DAR Anna Ingalsbe Lovell chapter display the Constitution Week materials distributed to the Genesee County NIOGA libraries, the six school districts, and the Genesee Region Teacher Center. 
From left to right: Robin Laney Ettinger (NSDAR NYS Prospective Member Database Vice Chair), Pamela J Ware (Veterans Administration Volunteer Services (VAVS) representative for NSDAR WNY District VIII), Nancy A. Stauber (Program Coordinator for the Genesee Region Teacher Center and the Pavilion Central School K-12 Technology Integration Specialist).

Press Release: 

The Anna Ingalsbe Lovell chapter of the NSDAR is pleased to provide Patriotic material in celebration of Constitution Week September 17-23.  

Each bag includes color informative posters, a laminated copy of the Pledge of Allegiance in American Sign language, Braille, and a copy in tri-fold format, DAR membership information, pocket-size copies of the U.S. Constitution, and a packet of bookmarker “Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America”.  

Ryan Duffy, Director of the HLOM, is collaborating with the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter NSDAR to promote the US Constitution and its connection to the founding documents: Financier Robert Morris.

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