By Scarlett Stahl
Once again, First California Company participated in the Southern California Genealogical Jamboree, one of the premier national events of its kind, which is put on annually by the Southern California Genealogical Society.
Governor-elect Scarlett Stahl with long-time members Scott and Sandy Krutilek
The 2016 Jamboree was held June 3-5 at the Burbank Marriott and 1,500 registrants received our brochure. We arranged for our table for Saturday June 4, where we displayed our copies of the Adventures of Purse and Person, the current Roster of Qualifying Ancestors and magazines and other information material. Long-time and knowledgeable members Scott and Sandy Krutilek joined me in managing the table throughout the day.
One Jamboree visitor who lived in the Jamestown area noticed our Save the James poster and asked what it was all about. When Sandy Krutilek started her narrative, she said, “Dominion Power is my power company.” The visitor was stunned and very angry. Residents in her area have not heard the plans to build power lines across the James River. Dominion has not informed their customers according to the visitor. She wondered why she had to find out “by accident” in California, but not in Virginia.
Twelve visitors signed up to obtain more information as they thought they had ancestors in Virginia during 1607- 1700. All enjoyed being able to sit down and study Adventurers of Purse and Person. As there are a limited number of people that can qualify for the requirements, there were not that many signers, though many wished they were. Many of those who found they weren’t eligible were still informed about the Save the James project and were instructed on how join us in our opposition, along with many other national organizations, including the National Park Service, Preservation Virginia and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Most of the visitors had signed up for various classes throughout the day and our table was convenient when they were passing by. Many came back to talk and look thru our books after their classes.
