PHOTOS FROM THIS YEAR'S 2010 INTERNATIONAL AUSTIN CONVENTION
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The 2010 Austin Convention was held June 4 – 6, in the Washington DC area. This year it was jointly sponsored by the Austin Families Association of America and the Austin Families Genealogical Society. Those who were able to arrive early ventured into Washington on Thursday and Friday to see the sights and do research at the DAR Library and the Library of Congress. Some went on a Friday morning tour led by Tim Riordan. Convention activities began with a 6 p.m. Friday “Get Acquainted” reception at the Courtyard Dunn Loring Fairfax Hotel in Vienna, VA.

Saturday and Sunday workshops and talks, enjoyed by twenty nine attendees, were held at the Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge and an additional twenty guests joined the group for the Saturday evening banquet. There was much interest in the book collections and the computer databases of both organizations.

The following talks were presented on Saturday:

“Publishing My Alexander Austin of Ireland Line” – William Bennett Austin, Jr. of Hingham, MA described how he had progressed in his genealogy research to the point where he wanted to share what he had assembled with his family. Printing seemed too costly until he discovered Lulu Publishing (www.lulu.com), where he could design and print his book in small quantities, making revisions as needed. He explained the process, giving hints on how to successfully publish online.

“Making it Easier to Find things at the AARC” – Dr. Michael Edward Austin of Concord, MA explained how to more effectively search the resources of the Austin-Austen Research Center, on the AFGS website (www.austins.org). He also demonstrated possibilities in future Austin research, combining new technology and maps with the event information in the databases.

“Five Austin Families Among the Five Civilized Tribes” – Dr. Helen Cook Austin of Decatur, AL described her research on Austin families with American Indian connections, using the cards and packets of information compiled by the Dawes Commission (1898–1907). The Dawes Final Rolls are the lists of individuals who were accepted for membership in the “Five Civilized Tribes” – Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws and Seminoles – and therefore entitled to an allotment of land. Tribal membership today is determined by proof of descent from a person listed on these rolls.

“Genealogical Gold Mine: Records of the WPA” – Charles G. Mason, CG, of Springfield, VA, explained the history of the Works Projects Administration (1935–1943) and how its Historical Records Survey was carried out. He gave information on the WPA records that are available and where to find them.

“Library Research Using Your Digital Camera” – Gay G. Martin, Jr. of Ocean Springs, MS described advantages of using your camera in a library - especially useful for oversized books and maps and even for projected microfilm. He discussed topics such as library policies, lighting and technique and showed examples of camera use.

The Saturday evening cocktail hour and banquet were enjoyed by all, the highlight being guest speaker Sandra MacClean Clunies, CG, with tales of “Some Amusing, Amazing and Adventurous Austins”. The 2010 Austin Genealogical Research Award was presented by Dr. Michael Austin to Cheryl Austin Riordan, for her contributions to Austin research.

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Talks given on Sunday were: “Austin-Austen DNA Project Status Report” – Dr. Michael Austin discussed the ongoing project, reviewing the test results for the past year and plans for future Austin line DNA testing. Carol Robinson Austin of Garden Grove, CA, coordinator of the Project Fund, later explained how the DNA tests are funded.

“Connecticut and Pennsylvania Engaged in a Battle Over My Austin Ancestor’s Land” – Robert Krause Austin of Wilmington, DE described his ancestors’ involvement with the Susquehanna Company and the Yankee-Pennamite Wars. This ongoing dispute, beginning with settlement of the Valley by both Connecticut and Pennsylvania in the 1760s, resulted from overlapping land grants and purchases of the same land by both colonies and was resolved in favor of Pennsylvania in 1782.

“John Austin of Cornwall Parish, Lunenburg County, Virginia, 1692-1759” – Jane Austin Bruckner of Forth Worth, TX spoke about the life and times of John Austin, who lived in Colonial Virginia during the reign of King George II. We learned about parishes, taxes, crops of tobacco and corn, county road building and about the Saponi Indian woman who became his wife.

“Austin Families on the Early Census Records”– Arthur Maynard Sikes, Jr. of Suffield, CT shared the results of his research on the location of Austins from 1790 to 1860, according to the U.S. Census, with the state of New York having by far the largest number in almost every census year.

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AFAOA and AFGS then each held their annual business meetings to conclude the weekend’s activities.