Board Members

 

Biographies for ACGS 2020/2021 Officers

Julie Smith, #3147, President
Genealogy has always been an interest/hobby. I joined the ACGS in 1985, have served on various committees and have held every office except President. My “real” job was as a teacher. I have a BS, MEd, and have taught for 40 years. Teaching social studies and genealogy make good bedfellows!

Jo Zurwell, #10349, Vice-President
In 2016, I joined ACGS, and am presently the chair of the Marketing Committee, and Web Site Committee.   I received my BA in Business Studies in 2000 from New Hampshire College now SNHU, and worked for 20+ years in purchasing, operations, customer service, and marketing roles in the business world. Being an officer and  member of the board as well as the society has allowed me to combine my hobby of designing publications; such as the fall conference program, and my passion for genealogical research. I caught the research bug in 2014 when I was researching for a friend. Now I have opened my own private genealogical research business.

Christine Bard, #8760, Treasurer

I have been addicted to genealogy research for over 25 years.  My husband is French Canadian born which is where my interest in ACGS came from.  I have a BS in Paralegal Studies from Roger Williams University and have been a Business/System Analyst for many years.  I was the on the board of directors of the New England Genealogical Consortium, volunteer chair for three conferences and tri-chair for another.   My volunteer time now goes to my position on the board of ACGS as treasurer.

Ron Blais, #6271, Recording Secretary
I have been an ACGS member since 2000.  From 2013-2014, I served as a board member and over the past few years ending in 2019, treasurer.  Currently, I am the Recording Secretary, and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.  My degrees, BS in Accounting from SNHU and an MBA from Suffolk University, make my positions with ACGS a great match.

Elaine Carignan Maurice, #5936, Correspondence Secretary
I have my BS in Medical Technology and I’ve worked with computers (self-taught) for years at my old job. I became a member of the ACGS many years ago when I wanted to research the Carignan name. I found my direct line to France (1596) in one day. I was HOOKED! I have been a member of the Library Committee for a few years. Also, began as a volunteer at the front desk.

Biographies for ACGS 2020/2021 Board Members

Larry Autotte, #3505

I have been a member of ACGS since 1990, and have served on numerous iterations of ACGS Boards and Committees, as well as in numerous other capacities since day 1, (I am a Lifer).  I am fluent in written/spoken English and French. I have a BA in Philosophy with a minor in Art History. I enjoy reading history, Philosophy, and Science almost exclusively. Last book read: A Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking…no kidding.

Jeanne Boisvert, #6394
In 1995, I returned to Manchester from Ohio. I joined the ACGS in 1996, and was Membership Chairman for six years. Later, I became the Library co-director, was a Board Director (Recording Secretary) and have been a Conference Chair. Genealogy is my passion, but I do crochet hats for local children and newborns. Playing cribbage, reading, and family are my other interests.

Herb Boyce, #8504
My main position on the Board is as Building and Grounds Coordinator, a position I have held as a volunteer for over 15 years. I don’t do genealogy, but leave that to my wife, I keep the building in good shape! Having worked for Coca-Cola for over 41 years, and being a homeowner, I have had years of experience in hands-on maintenance and know many experts in various trades to help solve problems.

Constance Bernier-Hebert #5175
Became a member of the ACGS in 1995. I have worked in the past as a Research Coordinator, and a collector and indexer of the obituaries from the Manchester Union Leader. I have been on the board and have held various positions (Recording Secretary, Vice-President, Director). I volunteer at the front desk bi-monthly, work in the Publication Department, and indexed the Genealogists.

Muriel Chabot Normand, #5706
BS nursing from UNH, and MS administration of nursing services from the University of Lowell.  I joined ACGS in 1995 after a visit to the Isle of Orleans where I discovered the Chabot name on a mailbox. After completing my own genealogy and retiring from active nursing in 1999, I began volunteering as a researcher. I have served on the board in several capacities, currently chair Research Services and am active as a speaker with the Education and Outreach Department…Careful, genealogy is contagious!

Robert Decoteau, #261 

Robert, aka Bob, has served two previous terms as a director.  He is a long standing ACGS Librarian as well as a Library Research Assistant.

Denis Joyal, #1592
As you can see I joined the ACGS many years ago, 35 to be exact. I have been on the Board several years and have been past vice-President, Correspondence Secretary, and active Board Member. Also, I have been on the front desk and opened the library for research 2 Sundays per month. Now we are opened every Sunday. I live and work in Laconia, have been a machinist at NHBB for 40 years.

Steve Lefoley, #4141
My special research interests are in the Gaspe and Channel Islands, and have been a member of the ACGS since 1990. I have been a board member for several years, and presently am the Membership Chair, Investment Committee Chair, and on the Web Site Committee, Grant Writer, and manage Constant Contact. My preparation for these jobs are my BSEE, MSEE and MBA degrees.

Larry Maurice, #5228

I joined the ACGS about 20+ years ago and became a volunteer for the Library Committee 3 years ago. I also volunteer at the NH State Vital Records Genealogy Room in Concord, NH.  I have been a Search Angel since 1993. (This is a person who helps people, at no cost, separated by adoption to be reunited).  I became a Board member in October of 2019 and have joined the Strategic Planning Committee. I have a BS in Marketing from what is now SNHU and worked retail jobs for 25 years.

Honorary Mention to the Following Members

Gerry Savard # 4972
Served on the Board of Directors of ACGS and has held officer positions of President and Vice President.  As in the past, Gerry currently serves as a volunteer on various committees.  Past president and vice-president of the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium and served as co-chair for two regional conferences held in Manchester. In 1991, at his father’s passing, Gerry became interested in his family heritage. Genealogy became a serious hobby, enjoying doing personal research as well as being a research volunteer at ACGS. Gerry has given many local lectures and classes on genealogy and DNA topics. Gerry also thoroughly enjoys his grandchildren and photography.

Cécile Durocher, #9737

Genealogy has always been an interest of mine, so I joined the ACGS in 2011. I have compiled my French-Canadian roots back to the 1640’s into a family history. Currently I am serving my sixth year on the Board, also serve on the Library Committee, Conference raffle committee and the investment committee. I retired in 2007 as administrative assistant to the Board of Selectman after 43 years of service to the town of Litchfield. Enjoy the journey to your roots, it’s fun!

Pauline Cusson # 2572

Pauline began researching her family name in 1986 when she joined ACGS. Since 1988 Pauline has served as Recording Secretary, President, Vice President, and Treasurer for a number of terms. Since 2000 upon the death of the late Editor, Anne-Marie Perrault, of the American-Canadian Genealogist, Pauline was offered the position and took over as Editor of our journal along with serving in various Board positions. Pauline has represented ACGS in the founding and development of the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium since 1992 and is currently serving for the fourth time as a Conference Chair and for the past two years as their Treasurer. Pauline has also contributed to the Research Services department over the years, and she has also made several presentations at other genealogical societies or in public libraries throughout New England and at some Quebec conferences.

Craig Donais #6242
Craig is a life member and has served ACGS as a member and chair of the Acquisitions, Nominating, and Bylaws Committees, as a library volunteer, society director and as President. His interest in genealogy started while in college, trying to identify where in the US his paternal great grandparents lived and died.  After walking a cemetery in Woonsocket
RI, he connected with a member of the American-French Genealogical Society, where he became a life member and performed his researched while he was living in southeastern New England.
After moving to NH, he joined ACGS, and continued his research and involvement with ACGS. He has traced all of his ancestors back to their ancestral origins and continues to
work on a one-name study.  He has strong interests in genealogy technology, and his most recent project has been what he describes as a “real-time do-over” to verify all details, capture additional information, and cite all of those facts discovered long ago to a source.  Professionally, Craig is an attorney with his own firm, Donais Law Offices, PLLC, based in Manchester. He is also actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer, serving on the local, state, area, region and national levels.