The Upper Shore Genealogical Society of Maryland (USGS) celebrated its fortieth anniversary on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Asbury United Methodist Church Hall, in Millington, Kent County. Nearly forty members and friends attended, including many former officers of the organization. After a luncheon, USGS President Eric Cheezum recognized two charter members who are still members – M. Margaret Dickerson of Chestertown (who could not be present) and Louise A. Scott, of Denton – and delivered a short speech discussing national and world events taking place in 1973 when the USGS was founded.

The keynote speaker for the anniversary was Dr. Kenneth L. Carroll, a native Eastonian and prominent historian of Quakerism. Carroll received his Ph.D. in 1953 and taught with the Religious Studies faculty at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, for three decades. He has published countless works on Quakerism – including several books and articles relating to the Eastern Shore – and is currently researching the Carroll family, along with many other projects. He has long been a member of the USGS, has contributed many articles to the society’s journal, Chesapeake Cousins, and has helped many researchers through his publications. Carroll’s address, entitled “I Really Dig Unearthing Dead Ancestors,” discussed the strange and often funny things one discovers when undertaking genealogical research, and offered advice to both new and experienced researchers.

The program concluded with the presentation of an award to the USGS Volunteer of the Year, Joyce C. O’Neal, and the door prize – a genealogical dictionary – to Becky Riti, of the Talbot County Free Library.