To Preserve "Whate'er is left to us of ancient heritage." T.E. Brown

New Facebook Page

We now have a new page on Facebook. The convention picture below is posted in a photo album, along with smaller full-sized pictures. If you see anyone that you know, you can "tag" the pictures for all to see.

The new facebook page can be accessed from the entry in the menu at the left or by clicking Here. You might need to have a free account on Facebook. To learn how to use Facebook, consult anyone younger than 25. Its easiest to have someone help you get started[Webmasters note: I still go to my 19 year old daughter with questions on this]

1949 Convention Flashback

Click on this picture to see the high resolution version (beware, it will take a long time to download if you have a slow internet connection)

50th NAMA Convention

The Rocky Mountain Manx are pleased to invite you to the 50th NAMA Convention to be held August 5 – 8, 2010 just outside Denver, Colorado. We look forward to sharing both our Manx and Rocky Mountain heritage with you. We are honored to have the Chief Minister Tony Brown, MHK, as the Keynote Speaker the Dinner. Additionally we will have a session on Genealogy from Lucy Peterson, the NAMA Genealogist. Lynn Cupitt from Australia will entertain us on how she pursues genealogy. Dr. Cheryl Cheek of Penn State Mont Alto will report on her Manx Identity study in which many of us participated.

Participants will enjoy:

• A Welcome to the Rockies Reception on Thursday evening with finger food and a cash bar.
• On Friday morning, a bus trip to Silver Plume for a narrow gauge train ride to Georgetown, a tour of a gold mine, a box lunch to eat on the train ride back to Silver Plume.
• A dessert reception on Friday night with a magic show, Celtic Dancers, and a cash bar.
• The General Membership Meeting and information sessions on Saturday morning.
• A cash bar cocktail hour and silent auction before the 50th NAMA Banquet on Saturday night with First Minister Brown’s keynote address followed by the raffle drawing for the Rocky Mountain Quilt.
• A church service on Sunday morning at St. Andrews United Methodist Church. The Convention ends as the bus returns to the hotel.

On Sunday after the Convention ends, we will have an optional bus tour to the Colorado School of Mines Museum in Golden, a visit to the renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and a driving tour of downtown Denver. A box lunch is included.

Remember: Denver is 5,280 feet and Silver Plume is 9,101 feet above sea level. This is much closer to the sun with a lot less atmosphere than where most NAMA members live, therefore, the use of sunscreen or sun block is a very good idea. To help, there will be a hat in each goodie bag. Dehydration is a common cause of altitude sickness. Come prepared to be nagged about drinking enough water. If you are concerned about our high altitude, please consult your doctor.

Please bring a pair of walking shoes and a light jacket as it can be cool at our altitude.

The convention will be held in a Sheraton Hotel that has a view of the Rocky Mountains from each room. Pike’s Peak and the Southern Front Range are visible from the rooms that face south. The North facing rooms have a view of the Rockies from Mount Evans to Long’s Peak. On- line hotel reservations can be made Here

This is the convention Registration Form

Come for the convention and enjoy the view!

NAMA Youth Award Applications being accepted

Becky Billman, winner of Manx Youth Award, 2008, granddaughter of Rev. Devore Craine Smith and Ruth Smith

Hi guys, it's time to put together your application for the NAMA Youth Award. It is awarded every two years (this year!!!) by the Isle of Man Department of Education to a student or group of students in the US or Canada, 18 or younger, who makes a contribution to maintaining an awareness of the Isle of Man and its culture here in North America. (NAMA gives an award in the IOM for Manx kids.) The prize is a check for US$200 and free lifetime membership from NAMA, and a crystal award from the Isle of Man Government. The winner must demonstrate an interest in Manx culture or history by sharing their knowledge through essay, art, multimedia, performance art, etc. Nominations will be accepted via the internet or by snail mail. Each nomination must be in the form of a short description of the nominee's work that explains how this relates to the Isle of Man. Photos or video of the original work should accompany the nomination (soft or hard copies) . Nominees must provide contact details for themselves and one reference that may be used by the judges to discuss the work and its authenticity. All initial contacts should go to kelly@mustgoto.com who will pass them to the Youth Award team. Get to it!

Rocky Mountain Quilt Raffle The Rocky Mountain Manx Society is holding a raffle for the quilt pictured here at the 50th NAMA Convention in the Denver Area. The quilt measures 76" x 90" and will go on either a double or a queen bed. The quilt is done in appliqué and traditional pieced blocks with 100% cotton fabric. The Rocky Mountain Quilt is dedicated to our Manx forefathers who came west to settle the Rocky Mountain States. Chances to win the quilt are $5 a ticket or $25 for 6 tickets. You do not need to attend the convention to buy chances to win this colorful quilt. The drawing will be held at the Dinner on August 7, 2010. The Rocky Mountain Quilt will be shipped to the winner of the drawing. To purchase chances contact the

About the North American Manx Association

The North American Manx Association (NAMA) is a non- profit, ethnic and cultural heritage institution founded in 1928, as a successor organization to Mona's Relief Society of Cleveland, Ohio. NAMA is a group of Americans and Canadians dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the Manx culture. Most of NAMA's 850 active members are second and third-generation North American. In the U.S., there are chapters in Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Rocky Mountain; Galva, Illinois; the Greater Washington, D.C. area; Minnesota; Nebraska; Northern California; Utah, San Diego, California; and Wisconsin.

In Canada, you will find Manx groups in Ontario; and in Vancouver, British Columbia. NAMA is interested in helping Manx in all areas get in touch with local chapters or assisting those who want to start new chapters.

NAMA publishes the quarterly NAMA Bulletin, sent to each of its enrolled members.

For those interested in their Manx forebears, NAMA has Lucy Q. Peterson as a resident genealogist. She serves as an archivist and information- dispenser. Please contact her to find out how to submit your research findings so we can build a greater Manx family tree. Please do not contact her to do genealogical research for there are just too many of us. But she will point you in the right direction.

For more Manx genealogy, there is the Isle of Man Family History Society (IOMFHS). Since they are not a part of NAMA, you should join both organizations.

© 2008 North American Manx Association