The Genealogy Club of Newtown will host its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 9, in the meeting room of C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

The meeting will start promptly at 7, but those who arrive early can meet with club members to discuss research problems, and to have light refreshments.

All are welcome to attend, free of charge.

This month’s guest speaker is Newtown Town Historian Dan Cruson, who will speak on “The Genealogy of Santa Claus: the origins and evolution of ‘the Right Jolly Old Elf.’”

Mr Cruson is a retired high school teacher and resident of Newtown who designed and taught courses in anthropology and local history. He is active in a number of organizations including Newtown Historical Society, The Heritage Preservation Trust of Newtown, and the Archeological Society of Connecticut.

He is also a published author, with several books in print on local subjects of not only Newtown, but also Easton and Redding.

Annual memberships are available, and are $20 for an individual, or $30 for a family.

The club also has a dedicated genealogy computer available for research in the library’s Genealogy Room during library hours. Club members Harlan Jessup and Bea Morgan are available on Mondays between 2 and 4:30 to help with research.

Call Ms Morgan, 203-304-1861, or Mr Jessup, 203-426-3981, for additional information.