The Chautauqua County Genealogical Society meets on the third Tuesday evening in the Barker Library in Fredonia for a business meeting and a program. George Davis is the president, and welcomes visitors and new members to the meetings.

At the recent meeting, Barbara Nelson Wise, historian for the town of Villenova, was the guest speaker. Mrs. Wise presented the history of her family who emigrated from Denmark in 1880 to the United States. The Nelson family settled in Scandia, Pa., and held a recent family reunion. Mrs. Wise said that records of the reunions were kept for 85 years, but her father once said the reunions go back farther. She showed a photograph of the family genealogy which was written out on a long piece of paper measuring 30 feet, and was taped to the walls of the house for people to study. Showing family photographs and articles, the Nelson family history was presented to all, and a very informative presentation was enjoyed by everyone. A round of applause was given to Mrs. Wise for her research and presentation. Mrs. Wise concluded her speech by showing a pair of family wooden shoes which had leather on the top. Shown in the photograph is Villenova town historian Barbara Nelson Wise discussing the Nelson family history at the recent Chautauqua County Genealogical Society meeting.