Mason County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 103 Shelton, WA 98584-0103 The Mason Log Volume 14 Issue 6 February 1, 2017 February meeting •   Thursday, February 2nd •   7:00 p.m. Start time •   Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 12th & Connection •   Membership dues - single: $15.00 Couple: $20.00 •   Find us on the web at http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wamcgs/ The inside scoop Ø   DNA testing Ø   The cost of being poor DNA testing When I got my DNA tested, there was a small print disclaimer with the printout; “There might some information from test results that could cause discomfort”. Discomfort? Well, I suppose being told you have a first cousin shouldn’t be a surprise, but what if this is a cousin you’ve never heard of before? This happened to one of my family members. What makes the case extremely interesting is; the found DNA first cousin is related to two of many first cousins, but not the others…as far as we know. More testing needs to be conducted. But still… I think the normal reaction for most folks is confusion and doubt mixed with discomfort, which gives way in rapid succession to: first, not possible; second are they sure; third, uh oh; fourth who is responsible; and fifth, speculation about who, where, when, why, and how. The how is easily explained. The birds and the bees. Why has that same answer. When is best answered by opportunity. Where, that’s tricky and might never be known, but looking for the answer doesn’t hurt. Who is much more complicated and potentially dangerous, as in up-setting a cherished family apple cart. Me, I’m curious, nosey, and love juicy gossip, so tipping over an apple cart seems natural to me and would love to help with find the Who. The cost of being poor Being poor is no fun and the struggle to survive is not easy. Besides the personal cost of being poor, there is a societal cost that includes government and non-government organizations. In last month’s newsletter, I discussed Irish Poor Union Laws. This month we’ll be looking closer to home, at government responses during the Great Depression in the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934. The following information was taken from the minutes of the Mason County Commissioner’s meetings in those years. This table is the list of bids by local vendors for operation of the County Poor Farm for 1931. A.C. Cardinal, Shelton $25 patient/month, $45 hospital patient Mrs. Syble Taylor, Shelton $35 first 5 patients/month, $30 patient/month over 5, $45 hospital patient Mrs. A.C. Coovert, Shelton $32 first 5 patients/month, $42 patient/month over 5, $42 hospital patient , OCR Text: Mason County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 103 Shelton, WA 98584-0103 The Mason Log Volume 14 Issue 6 February 1, 2017 February meeting •   Thursday, February 2nd •   7:00 p.m. Start time •   Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 12th & Connection •   Membership dues - single: $15.00 Couple: $20.00 •   Find us on the web at http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wamcgs/ The inside scoop Ø   DNA testing Ø   The cost of being poor DNA testing When I got my DNA tested, there was a small print disclaimer with the printout; “There might some information from test results that could cause discomfort”. Discomfort? Well, I suppose being told you have a first cousin shouldn’t be a surprise, but what if this is a cousin you’ve never heard of before? This happened to one of my family members. What makes the case extremely interesting is; the found DNA first cousin is related to two of many first cousins, but not the others…as far as we know. More testing needs to be conducted. But still… I think the normal reaction for most folks is confusion and doubt mixed with discomfort, which gives way in rapid succession to: first, not possible; second are they sure; third, uh oh; fourth who is responsible; and fifth, speculation about who, where, when, why, and how. The how is easily explained. The birds and the bees. Why has that same answer. When is best answered by opportunity. Where, that’s tricky and might never be known, but looking for the answer doesn’t hurt. Who is much more complicated and potentially dangerous, as in up-setting a cherished family apple cart. Me, I’m curious, nosey, and love juicy gossip, so tipping over an apple cart seems natural to me and would love to help with find the Who. The cost of being poor Being poor is no fun and the struggle to survive is not easy. Besides the personal cost of being poor, there is a societal cost that includes government and non-government organizations. In last month’s newsletter, I discussed Irish Poor Union Laws. This month we’ll be looking closer to home, at government responses during the Great Depression in the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934. The following information was taken from the minutes of the Mason County Commissioner’s meetings in those years. This table is the list of bids by local vendors for operation of the County Poor Farm for 1931. A.C. Cardinal, Shelton $25 patient/month, $45 hospital patient Mrs. Syble Taylor, Shelton $35 first 5 patients/month, $30 patient/month over 5, $45 hospital patient Mrs. A.C. Coovert, Shelton $32 first 5 patients/month, $42 patient/month over 5, $42 hospital patient , Mason County Genealogical Society,Mason Logs,Mason Logs,2017,V14 I6 MCGS Feb 2017 Newsletter.pdf,V14 I6 MCGS Feb 2017 Newsletter.pdf Page 1, V14 I6 MCGS Feb 2017 Newsletter.pdf Page 1