Our October meeting was one to remember

With an outstanding speaker, a stunning venue, and a packed house, the October meeting of the First California Company of the Jamestowne Society was, by all accounts, one to remember.

Research historian and author Martha W. McCartney presented a tantalizing view of the early settlers at Jamestowne. Through her many years of research relating to the Jamestowne settlement, she discovered a number of unique resources and methodologies to compensate for the loss of courthouse records during the Civil War. In so doing, one of her methods was to develop profiles and records on individual settlers. Her book, Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers 1607-1635: A Biographical Dictionary is one of the fruits of this unique methodology. Her detailed accounts of events in the lives of specific individuals gave her presentation at our meeting a sense of immediacy and intimacy. Her presentation was also supported with a rich collection of maps and illustrations. A lively Q&A session followed the presentation and Governor Ginny Gotlieb eventually had to conclude the discourse because our time was up.

Mrs. McCartney also described two new books that she expects to publish in the near future. One of her new books focuses on the Jordan’s Point settlement at Jamestowne. Copies of her Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers book may be purchased by clicking HERE.

Attendees at the meeting included members of other historical societies such as the D.A.R. Prior to the meeting, attendees had an opportunity to meet and mingle. It appeared that many new connections were made between attendees, including several prospective members for our Company.

The venue itself was stunning. The Regency Club on the seventeenth floor of a Westwood high-rise offered spectacular views, sumptuous facilities, a wonderful meal, and first class service.

Company business included the swearing in of Harry Holgate as Treasurer and Phyllis Kinzle as Database Manager. The Company also approved the funding of $500 to the parent organization for the purpose of reducing the mortgage on Society headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.