Tri-State Genealogical Society of Evansville, Indiana "TSGS Cruiser"

"Back to the Future!" (67 Days to 1940) - Revised

2012-01-27T04:47:00.001-05:00

* [See revision at bottom of this blog.]

Ancestry.com is a paid online service, but offers a lot for the money... I nor TSGS endorses this commercial service. I wonder if I should have called this "Forward to the Past!" Anyhow, I just wanted to share with our readers the chart below from their web site.

Ancestry is also featuring a countdown to the official release of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census... only 67 days to go! The census will be released on 02 Apr 2012.

Ancestry is working with NBC to provide season 3 of "Who Do You Think You Are" beginning Friday Feb. 3rd 8/7c.

* Don Counts sent me this link http://the1940census.com/ that includes lots of good info about the census and an opportunity for genealogical societies like TSGS to help with the indexing project: http://the1940census.com/society/

Tombstone Thursday - Stone

2012-01-26T00:10:00.005-05:00

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Oak Hill Cemetery
Evansville, Indiana
Cicero Stone* 1878-1920
Section L, Lot 72, Grave 4

[Click on photo for a larger image. Note: the Masonic symbol.]
* Listed as Cercero J. Stone in the Oak Hill Cemetery online index of the death cards. http://www.evansvillegov.org/external/index.asp?site=http://www.evansvillegis.com/cemeteries/oakhill.aspx&type=City

In the Browning Online Genealogy Database http://browning.evpl.org/ shows that Cicero J. Stone died on 15 Feb 1920, survived by wife Maude; daughters - Ardath, Blanche & Beatrice; son Kenneth.

- Photo by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

The TSGS Web Site ClustrMaps Counter

2012-01-25T05:14:00.001-05:00

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Our society's web site has a neat counter on the main page that shows with red dots on the world map where all of our web site visitors are located. Since 14 Dec 2009, we have had 6,837 visits! People from all 50 states have visited our site with 43 countries besides the USA taking a look at TSGS! Germany (DE) 34 visitors, broken down as ~ Nordrhein-Westfalen 18, Baden-Wurttemberg 6, Rheinland-Pfalz 4, Sachsen 2, Niedersachsen 1, Sachsen-Anhalt 1, Hessen 1, N/A 1.

Here is the most recent visitors:
Tuesday, January 24 @ 8:54 : New York, New York, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 8:51 : Evansville, Indiana, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 8:39 : Evansville, Indiana, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 6:51 : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 6:14 : Newburgh, Indiana, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 5:25 : Terre Haute, Indiana, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 5:21 : Virginia Beach, Virginia, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 4:37 : Gilbert, Arizona, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 3:49 : Evansville, Indiana, US
Tuesday, January 24 @ 1:38 : Grand Chain, Illinois, US

This could have been your story!

2012-01-24T22:03:00.002-05:00

If you would have submitted a story or photo or a neat genealogy tip or new link... it would have been posted here! Please submit an item to be posted on our society's blog.

"Why buy a grave, when you can buy the whole cemetery?

2012-01-22T07:12:00.007-05:00

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Grandview Memorial Cemetery in Madison, Indiana is for sale. The Jefferson County Sheriff will auction off the cemetery on Febuary 23.

The cemetery has a history of problems. Bodies had to be exhumed a few years ago to fix water-logged graves. The owner is still dealing with lawsuits dating back to 2006 and the bank has now foreclosed on the property.

From Fox59WXIN News web site: http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-grandview-cemetery-indiana-cemetery-to-be-auctioned-off-next-month-20120119,0,6583710.column [19 Jan 2012].

NOTE: This was just edited into this blog. I decided to see if there were many other stories of cemeteries for sale listed on the Internet. I guess I just did not think about this "Industry!" Here is one site I found.

Welcome to plotbrokers.com We specialize in selling and buying cemetery property throughout Southern California. Low costs, hassle free transactions, safe and secure service, licensed and bonded. If you are looking to unload or get rid of unneeded cemetery property PLOT BROKERS will take care of it for you. We have multiple licensed agents working with an extended network of contacts in the community to sell your property. Looking for cemetery property and don't want to pay retail prices? Call PLOT BROKERS. We have a huge inventory list of inexpensive or even hard to find property. We also specialize in selling properties that the cemeteries don't have and high-end semi private locations. PLOT BROKERS is the leading Cemetery Property Resales Broker in Southern California! Licensed and Bonded.
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I suspect this is the sale for individual graves or family plots, but I did not know there were independent cemetery property sales groups.

- JGWest

"I invented them, so I know there is no such thing."

2012-01-21T03:55:00.000-05:00

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When I was a child, I was recruited by my father, Wesley Raymond Goss, as his "go fer" on the annual project to make the rounds through the house, garage, and barn to oil the bearings in all the electric motors that provided comfort and services for us in our modern farmstead. Dad was an electrical design engineer at General Electric. It seemed like he was always fitting a spare motor to some other hand cranked or otherwise un-powered device. On the old motors, he would flip the oil reservoir open, give it a shot of oil, and move on to the next. But on the modern motors that had no reservoirs, he would carefully drill a small hole in the end cap, and work a few drops of oil into the felt that was inside. In the middle of this process, I had the timerity to ask why we were doing that -- since they were permanently lubricated? He stood up, squared his shoulders, and said, "I invented them, so I know there is no such thing."

Being a kid, I thought he was just giving me a quick answer. We went on about our work, and I didn't think much more about it. Many years later, I found that he was telling me the absolute truth. He had taken a job with the Fort Wayne works where GE made their refrigerators. As a new college graduate in 1927, he was assigned as one of four engineers designing the Monitor-top refrigerators that had the first hermetically-sealed compressors in the industry (1928-1932). By the following summer, he had his first patent on the sintered bronze sleeve bearing that is used universally on electric motors. That bearing made the hermetically-sealed refrigeration systems we all live with in our refrigerators, heat pumps, and air-conditioning systems possible. Prior to that time, compressors were driven by open belts; the shafts needed lubrication; and the seals allowed the refrigerant to slowly leak into the atmosphere. Mom and Dad had one of the Monitor-top refrigerators when they lived in the city, but by the time I was born in 1937, they had moved to the farm and had one of the Coldspot refrigerators that was made in Evansville. It was not hermetically sealed, and the unit had to be recharged on a rather regular basis to keep it working.

Many years later, we moved to Evansville when I was hired at USI to teach in the Engineering Technology department. On one of the early visits that my parents made to Evansville for a Thanksgiving celebration, they were here when I needed to read a census microfilm that had been ordered. I hauled them down to Willard library, and sat them down in the second floor reading room with several books that I pulled off the shelves. I gave them a list of names, dates, and places to keep them occupied while I spent time at the microfilm reader. I found nothing of interest in the film I had borrowed. On the other hand, my parents discovered three people in two generations of the family on that afternoon. That success was all it took for my parents to devote a major amount of time in their later years doing genealogical research. They spent every Thursday, all day long, in the Reynolds collection of the Allen County Public Library, and they extended our known family back to the 800's and 53 to 55 generations.

-Written by Larry Goss

"The Refrigerator Capital of the World"

2012-01-20T10:40:00.000-05:00

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In yesterday's TSGS Cruiser Blog, I featured the Dennedy family for the "Tombstone Thursday" feature. Today's blog is a follow-up of the father, James Howard Dennedy, one of the city's leading figures in Evansville's economic industry making it the refrigerator capital of the world!

[Click on image to enlarge!]

http://local.evpl.org/views/viewimage.asp?ID=978331

The above image of the news clipping about Evansville's industrial history is summarized below.

Excerpts from The Evansville Press, 03 Jul 1976: Our Industry ~ "From furniture capital to refrigeration, plastics" by L. D. Seits. William H. McCurdy, opened his Hercules Buggy Company on Morton Avenue in December 1903. McCurdy's contributions to Evansville's development would fill a book. In 1918, McCurdy formed Sunbeam Electric Manufacturing Company that in 1929 started producing Coldspot refrigerators for Sears. McCurdy, who died in 1930, was a key figure in launching Evansville on its way to becoming the refrigeration capital of the world after men like Mayor Benjamin Bosse made it the furniture capital of the world. But the man probably the most responsible for Evansville's rise to the top of the refrigeration industry arrived in the city about 1922. "He was a quiet man who came to Evansville at age 38, still a bachelor." He was James Howard Dennedy, a leading authority in the field of refrigeration, having grown up in the Detroit machine shop of his father, an Irish immigrant who had pioneered in industrial refrigeration. Young Dennedy had studied mechanical engineering, doing graduate work at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He came to Evansville because a Sears executive had arranged for McCurdy's plant to produce an ice machine designed by Dennedy for the company that later became Servel. It was likely the best electric machine of its day and in 1924 was marketed through Sears.

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Such was life in Evansville when it was nicknamed "The Refrigerator Capital of the World" — when Seeger, Servel and International Harvester made refrigerators here, providing jobs for more than 10,000 employees. This was before Whirlpool Corp. arrived in 1955 to merge with Seeger [formerly Sunbeam - JGW] and then buy Servel and International Harvester facilities as they closed. - From http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&subsectionID=135&articleID=53718 Indiana Economic Digest "The Last Refrigerator From Evansville" by Rich Davis, Evansville Courier & Press, April 2010

- Compiled by JGwest

Tombstone Thursday - Dennedy

2012-01-19T04:58:00.005-05:00

Oak Hill Cemetery
Evansville, Indiana
Section E, Lot 130
James H. Dennedy
and his wife
Hazel M. Derrwaldt
Above is the Dennedy family plot in Section E.

To the left is J. [James] Howard Dennedy's tombstone and to the lower right is his wife's marker - Hazel M. Derrwaldt.

Below are three obits for the two above and their son, James D. Dennedy. He died in New Mexico and was cremated in 1984. He was a well decorated soldier in WW II with the Silver Star Medal & the Purple Heart!

Below is the father's obit: James H. Dennedy who died in 1951. He was an Engineer and invented the Coldspot Refrigerator!!! [See obit for more information.]

Below is the mother's obit: Hazel Dennedy [nee Deerwaldt]. She died rather young at the age of 42 in 1942. She was a teacher.

This information above was assembled by me (JGWest) to help with a school project, see the email below:

TO: Tri-State Genealogical Society

Students in our 20th century Honors U.S. History class are researching cadets who served in World War II. One student is researching James Derrwaldt Dennedy of Evansville, IN. James D. Dennedy was born in Indiana 7 SEP 1925, the son of Hazel D. Dennedy & James H. Dennedy, an engineer.

The 1930 U.S. census indicates his family was living on East Mulberry Street in Evansville at the time. While he was at St. John's (FEB 1940 - JUN 1943), the family lived at 1319 East Chandler Avenue.

James D. Dennedy graduated from St. John's Military Academy in 1943. He entered the U.S. Army from Indiana and served with the 387th. Infantry in Germany. 2nd LT Dennedy was awarded the Purple Heart in APR 1945, and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in May 1945. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington after the war.

James D. Dennedy died in Albuquerque New Mexico in September 1984.
Do you have any additional information about James Derrwaldt Dennedy or his family? We are particularly interested in obituaries, marriage or birth announcements or other news articles. Please contact me with any further questions. Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely,
~Peg Koller~
Librarian, NHS Advisor

St. John's Northwestern Military Academy

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[If anyone can provide any additional information, I have her postal address, email & phone number. - JGWest]

- Blog compiled by JGWest

- Tombstone photos taken by JGWest

- Obituaries from the Browning Online Database -

http://local.evpl.org/

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

"Genuki?"

2012-01-18T04:42:00.001-05:00

What in the world is "Genuki?"

Is it a new card or board game?

Could it be a Japanese or Chinese entre'?

Is this the name of another NBA superstar basketball player?

Maybe it is the name of a world soccer player?

Could it have something to do with geanology?

*********************************************

GENUKI provides a virtual reference library of genealogical information of particular relevance to the UK and Ireland. It is a non-commercial service, maintained by a charitable trust and a group of volunteers.

http://www.genuki.org.uk/

All material on this site is © GENUKI and individual contributors. For permission to re-use material please contact the GENUKI trustees.

GENUKI is a registered trade mark of the charitable trust GENUKI Copyright © 2011, Genuki.

"Grampa Claus Died!"

2012-01-17T04:27:00.002-05:00

A few years ago, Adele and I were doing some research on our Schmitt lines (my wife and I are second cousins, once removed). We had found a grand father, Nicholas (Claus) Schmitt born in 1691 whom we had become very fond of. It seems that in the records of Schoenau, Alsace - Claus was popping in everywhere on the records. It was almost as if he was sitting on the court house steps to be a witness for any event. As he was a fisherman by trade, we didn't know where he could get the time for this. He would sign his name, Claus, very large and it would stand out in any record. Being easy to look for it was a landmark for us and we got to know a lot of families in the town. We traced Claus through his birth, marriage and the births of his eight children through the years and he was always known to us as grampa Claus. One night at the LDS FHC in Evansville I was looking through some Artolsheim films and Adele was into the Schoenau films in another room. After a while Adele came in to the room I was in and just sat down in the chair next to me looking a little upset. Trying to take in what could be wrong, for a bit, I then asked her what the problem was as I thought maybe the film broke. She then gathered herself, looked me in the eye and said, "Claus died". I thought, "Yeah, right, 300 years ago!" Then I felt it, as she did, and we both felt a loss that night. When searching through, your ancestors can put that kind of feeling into you... then you really are into genealogy.

- Written by Gilbert Schmitt

Long, Hard Life for a Husband & Wife

2012-01-16T04:56:00.000-05:00

John L. G. Rogers & Isadora M. Moore of Christian County, Kentucky

John was born in 1854 and his wife of 65 years was born in 1856. John died on 26 May 1938 while Isadora died 4 days later on 30 May 1938. He was about 84 & she was about 82 years old.

For some reason this caught my attention. Here they were in their 80's having been married for 65 years, and after raising 12 children, as well; then, they die just a few days apart. John Rogers died first from Influenza that he had been battling for about 2 weeks. She died from a 3 year long illness. I suspect that she wore herself out caring for her husband, and, with his death, it was all too much for her to continue.

It amazes me that the two lived for so long in times when medicine and doctoring was at a minimum.Having and raising 12 kids could not have been easy. He was a farmer working at a hard job... more than likely a tobacco farmer. She maintained the house and chores assigned to a housewife, such as cooking, cleaning, sewing, gardening, etc. while looking after the little ones. She got some help, surely, from the older children that did not help with the farming. It was a rough life without air conditioning or good heating systems or cooking set-up. There were no TV's, radio or computers to entertain or amuse each other. Some families learned to play musical instruments to entertain themselves when they were not too tired. They generally awoke early in the morning with each having chores to complete before eating and then onto the day's work! They may take a lunch break, but then it was back to work, soon, until after dark when they would eat a dinner and soon go to bed to start all over again the next morning. To use a saying of today, this would be their lives 24/7/365! Some families took a little time for non-work activities... mostly going to church or school for the younger children.

Could we survive a life like this family had? I think this family survived pretty good for the times!

- Written by JGWest

Find-A-Grave

2012-01-15T04:58:00.001-05:00

I need to ask everyone, what has changed at Find-A-Grave site? Suddenly, I have had several emails from people who are interested in the family of a person that I have posted a memorial on that site. The nice thing is that most are cousins of mine interested in our common ancestors or family!

I am not sure what it is, but I like it!!!!! I guess it just might mean that people are using the site more to search for their family. And it shows that it is very worthwhile to help others find family member's grave & tombstones, especially for the ones that live a distance from where their family was buried.

You might want to check out Find-A-Grave http://www.findagrave.com/

- Compiled by JGWest

Call for Submissions to Add Variety

2012-01-14T10:06:00.002-05:00

From time to time people send me items to publish in this blog. Pictures, links, tips, etc. all help me to have something for readers to learn or to just enjoy. The TSGS Cruiser Blog was created as one means of communication with members of the Tri-State Genealogical Society, as well as, provide interesting, educational & entertaining blogs for historians & genealogists including people who may not fit into any of those categories.

We created features in hopes that other people would submit items for those special features. Since we began this blog, we have gotten a lot of cool photos of tombstones for "Tombstone Thursday." "Monument Monday" seems to get quite a few photos of markers, plaques & other monuments. I enjoy the varied photos that get sumbitted for "The First Mate's Photo Album!" I have not used the feature "For My Sister, Tina" as much as I had hoped... this feature is to show through photos (mostly) what has changed in Evansville & the tri-state area since she moved from Evansville. The idea was to help those who moved from the area keep up with some of the changes. We have a lot, just in Evansville, that has changed in only a few years: the Ford Center; the new Central Public Library; cMOE for the kids; Amazonia & the new entrance at Mesker Park Zoo!

I have really fallen short on the feature to cover y-DNA info & developments. We get lots of links to cool genealogical sites and tips on how to research or "tricks" to find what we are looking for. I find many great things from the email lists that I am on or from FaceBook even!

For about a year or so, I had about 5 or 6 people who sent items on a regular basis for the blog... I still have one or two, but sure could use some others. Especially needed are stories about your research and the excitement of your finding that clue that led you through that "brick wall." We all want to hear those stories for the eternal hope that we can get through our walls someday, as well! I know that almost everyone has had a humorous story to share, especially, if you had young kids to drag along with your adventures of finding your roots.

You do not need to be a great writer to tell a story as it happened. You do not need to be a member of TSGS to share with us your photos, tips, information, stories, etc. You do not even need to be a family historian! If you want we can make your post or item submitted as "anonymous" - however, unless you request otherwise, I will always give you credit for what you submit.

Please send us something to share with the TSGS members, other genealogists & others who follow this blog.

A very BIG THANK YOU! to all that have contributed!!!

-Written by JGWest

From My Email Box - "KYGenWeb Vital Records Project"

2012-01-13T04:05:00.000-05:00

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From: Sherry Slaughter
To: kygen@rootsweb.comSubject: [KYGEN] Kentucky Vital Records Project

The Kentucky Vital Records Project is looking for a coordinator or
co-coordinator who can assist with the day-to-day operations of the site
and to manage about 60 volunteers. This will entail about 4 hours of work
per week. If you are pretty tech savvy and want to help, please let me
know. I will remain available to help with technical issues including
writing SQL queries and instructions as needed, but due to my work/life
demands, I just can't continue to run the project alone and do it any
justice.

I have been trying to get assistance with this for about a year. We
previously had a good staff of assistant project coordinators who carried a
lot of the load, but their life circumstances have changed and they are no
longer available for administrative duties. Some current volunteers have
stepped up, but they do not have the skills to work in the database or
manage projects to this degree. There is potential to develop a couple of
assistant project coordinators from the pool.

This project has a very cohesive team with almost no
politics/backbiting/contention. Many of our volunteers have been with the
project since 2003.

I really don't want to abandon the project and shut down the site, but that
is coming pretty quickly if I can't find someone with some skills to
assist. It isn't that I don't care. Since my husband died, I have been in
career-development mode and now have a great job that requires a shift in
priorities.

Feel free to pass this on. Thanks for all you do!

Sheryl Neal Slaughter

KY Vital Records Project

Tombstone Thursday - Heston

2012-01-12T07:12:00.005-05:00

Oak Hill Cemetery

Evansville, Indiana

Section A, Lot 144

Heston Family

[Click on image to enlarge]

This is a good-sized boulder marking the graves of the Heston family members. Six of the eight graves have been used in this lot. You can easily see this "rock" from a distance.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

TSGS Meeting Recap For Those Not Attending

2012-01-11T09:28:00.016-05:00

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We had a nice TSGS Monthly Meeting last night. President Don Counts led the meeting... he was not sure if he would make it back from an Indianapolis meeting earlier in the day. I was on standby as the Vice-President to to lead the meeting if needed. Click on photos to get a larger image.

Below is a view of most of those in attendance. I counted 24 people! An excellent crowd for a January meeting... great weather! The last two years we had to cancel the meeting in January due to bad weather.

In photo below our Secretary Kim Nightingale is reading the previous TSGS meeting minutes.

Below Diana Davis is giving the TSGS Treasurer's Report.

Becky West, TSGS Program Chair is introducing the night's speaker, Peggy Gilkey (seated on the right with the blue Colonial dress & straw bonnet). Her presentation was about the life of Elizabeth Grisom Claypool (better known as Betsy Ross).

In the photo below, Peggy had said that she wanted to impress me with her ability to make a perfect 5-pointed star with one-cut of the scissors as Betsy demonstrated to George Washington. She carefully folded it, and then snipped it one time... then from behind the poteem she showed us some paper dolls - I was impressed!!! :)

Then she showed us the 5-pointed star!

Peggy's husband assisted Peggy during the program showing several Colonial flags. Here he is showing the "Betsy Ross" U.S. Flag. Ken is wearing Colonial attire with a tri-corn hat.

After the program everyone got a chance to make a perfect 5-pointed star, not all qualified! :) But everyone had a lot of fun trying!

Before adjournment, attendance prizes were drawn. Ernie Payne won the first prize a genealogy book, JD Strouth & Irvin Conrad won a 2012 16-month calendar each. The calendars were donated by Peggy Gilkey.

- Compiled by JGWest

TSGS Meeting Notice! Tonight!

2012-01-10T05:20:00.002-05:00

TSGS Meeting Notice! Tonight!!!

When: 10 Jan 2012 Tuesday Night
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor
What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Peggy Gilkey ~"The Betsy Ross Story" Anyone interested in genealogy, history is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

2012-01-09T04:47:00.000-05:00

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Locust Hill Cemetery
Mausoleum Marker
Evansville, Indiana
This is the exterior wall of this beautiful mausoleum near the entry double doors. (Click on image to get a larger photo.)

I knew Rick Dickinson from my days of working in the Vanderburgh County Surveyors Office. After Rick was my ol' buddy Wayne Pasco (deceased) as the cemetery's Superintendent. I got to know the next Superintendent Jack Jones when I talked the Levee Authority Board into letting me use the crane we had to lift some large tombstones that vandals toppled. It was one of those days working with my crew that Jack came by and let me know that he was resigning and he suggested I apply for the new City Manager post that would oversee both city cemeteries. I applied after he resigned and finally ended with the position. After I cleared up some very long-standing problems at the cemeteries, someone else suddenly became better qualified for the job. Well, that is politics and it was a political appointment. I enjoyed my short tenure, nevertheless. By the way, I was the only Evansville City Manager of Cemeteries... the city changed the title back to Superintendent of City Cemeteries. The current Superintendent is Chris Cooke (another friend).

- Photo taken by JGWest. Article compiled by JGWest

TSGS Meeting Notice - Reminder

2012-01-08T05:09:00.001-05:00

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TSGS Meeting Notice!
Reminder!!!

When: 10 Jan 2012 Tuesday Night
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor
What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Peggy Gilkey ~"The Story of Betsy Ross" Anyone interested in genealogy, history or patriotism is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

Photos of TSGS Christmas Social 2011

2012-01-07T16:23:00.011-05:00

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I better get these photos of the TSGS Christmas Social before our TSGS President gets upset with me (he has sent me numerous reminders to post these... sorry Don!)
So, Don, above is the nice photo I took of you! As compared to the one you took of me just after sticking some snacks in my mouth (below).

Below is a semi-group photo of some of our members enjoying treats & conversation. We had about 30 people show up during the night.

Two members who happen to be DAR members, as well.

This shot was taken from the Bayard Room's door across the tables... Becky West made some punch (the easy way!) that was a big hit. Another big hit was Peggy Gilkey's Pecan Pie... Ken is sitting there (at the table behind Sue) eating the last of the second pie!

The TSGS Program Chair that hosted the Christmas event was Becky West wearing her reindeer antlers that blink!

Everyone had a great time. Larry Goss & I were disappointed that no one brought a cheese ball, but there were plenty of great treats to keep us happy!!!

- Compiled by JGWest. Photos taken by Don Counts, except for the first photo.

TSGS Meeting Notice 10 Jan 2012

2012-01-04T12:29:00.002-05:00

TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 10 Jan 2012 Tuesday Night

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor

What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Peggy Gilkey ~"The Story of Betsy Ross."

Anyone interested in genealogy or history is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

Kentucky County Marriage Records Online

2011-12-28T08:38:00.003-05:00

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Brian K. Caudill (Malabar, FL), County Coordinator of the Letcher County, KYGenWeb Page announced on the KYGEN email list that Family Search has several Kentucky County marriage records online now (ie. digital images of their microfilm).

So far, the counties included are Adair, Harrison, Madison, Magoffin, Marion, Martin, Mason, Meade, Menifee, Mercer, Monroe, Muhlenberg and Nelson. Some counties have a lot of records, while others only have a few. The direct link to the "Digital Folders" page is
https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A//api.familysearch.org/records/collection/1804888/waypoints
. The link to the search page is
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://www.familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1804888

As Time Passes By...

2011-12-27T12:03:00.002-05:00

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Another Christmas Day has passed along with new memories which I hope have been pleasant. We have a new year about to begin - 2012 will be here very soon! As time passes by, we sometimes look back on our lives and remember the good times and regretfully are reminded of the bad times. We remember seeing new babies, enjoying holidays, and having special birthdays! We think of our pets, loved ones, great friends and special moments. Of course, all of us have had some very difficult times when loved ones have died, when mistakes were made, lost loves & friendships. Hopefully, we have more good memories than bad ones.

With genealogy (as a hobby or a more professional pursuit), we have run into many "brick walls" as time passes by. However, remember those special moments when you finally found a name or fact you have been searching for a long time! I can remember attending a genealogical seminar listening to an entertaining lecture providing me with all kinds of new ideas to research my family. Being a member of a genealogical society and being at some of the meetings, was often very exciting with great programs and a whole lot of people that were often very different. These other people liked strange things just the same as you & me... cemeteries, tombstones, courthouses, old papers & photos! You easily felt like you were with "your" people. Members would eagerly share information, experience, resources to help each other advance in their family research. We all have friends, but the genealogical friends become special.

As time passes by, we lose genealogical repositories, data lost to disasters, laws restricting data access; and more, including genealogical/historical societies. I am always sad when a relative or friend passes away. I become angry when vandals damage cemetery grave markers. When a genealogical society (that I have connections) decides to fold, I feel like a big hole in resources has been taken from us, today & forever. I wonder, what should I have done to help the organization to continue its work? In today's world, electronics, especially, the Internet has become serious competition for genealogical societies. "The times, they are a'changin'" as Bob Dylan sang in his song! Genealogical groups must make changes as time passes by, but that is not easy! Some will make the wrong changes, some will just give up, while others suffer along with just a few people shouldering all the work & responsibility of the group.

Sadly, I repeat an announcement that the Christian County (Kentucky) Genealogical Society will officially disband as of 31 Dec 2011. As time passed by, this group suffered some set-backs, but kept going and recovered. We thank all of the ones who have worked hard over the years to help the society help others!
The Tri-State Genealogical Society covers Christian County as part of the tri-state area and will welcome any of the CCGS members to join our society to continue the work of CCGS through our society.

- Written by JGWest

Recovered Homer Tanner Family Papers & Photos

2011-12-24T20:58:00.006-05:00

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Documents for the Homer Tanner Family that we wish to get to a family representative [these were being thrown away, but saved].
Besides the 4 photos in this blog, Don Count's daughter, Amy, found some unlabeled family pictures in trash in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. It is Don & Amy's wish that these items can be given to someone in the family that might want them.

The first 2 photos are the front & back of a 1942 postcard sent to Private Robert Tanner based at Camp Dalfrone, La. from a friend, William Stadler of 1627 West Florida Street, Evansville, IN.

The next photo is a newspaper obituary for Homer Tanner who died at age 65 at his home (617 S. Rotherwood Ave. in Evansville. Surviving is the widow, Nettie; daughter, Mrs. Beatrice Sieffert [Seifert]; sons, Ashford & Robert H., all of Evansville. Also, a brother, sister & 3 grandchildren.

The last photo is a very nice Memory Card for Lucy E. Tanner born 04 Oct 1840 - died 01 Dec 1917 [No other identifying info included]. The card was copyrighted in 1908 by F.H. Wendell, Leipsic, O.

Before posting this blog, I decided to spend part of the last 2 days doing some casual research via some great resources online. The Browning Online Database revealed a transcription of Homer Tanner's obituary that included his date of death... 18 Sep 1934. I found Homer's wife Nettie from this source, as well, listing her late husband as Homer Tanner, foreman at Graham-Paige, died 1934. She was living at 9 Mary St. as was her daughter "Miss Betty Tanner" - son Robert of Evansville also survived her. She died 14 Jan 1963 buried at Oak Hill Cemetery arranged by Johann Funeral Home. Checking the Oak Hill Cemetery Database, I found Nettie & Homer buried in Section E, Lot 63, Graves 4 & 5. Ashford H. Tanner's obit is in the Browning Database with death 10 Jun 1954 (age 57) address R. 1, Newburgh, IN; funeral home was Johann and he was buried in Boonville's Maple Grove Cemetery. He was a Representative of Howell Scales Co., St. Louis, Mo. He was the "former owner Independent Scales Works, here American Legion" Wife: Thelma Tanner, Teacher, Henry Reis, Evlle; sis: Mrs. Betty Seifert, Eville; foster son: Chas Christmas, home; mother: Mrs. Nettie Tanner; br: Robt Tanner, all of Evlle.

After finding this info, I went to Find-A-Grave and found Ashford & Thelma in Maple Grove Cemetery in Boonville, IN. He was b. 1896- d. 1954 World War I Veteran. She was b. 1906 d. 13 Oct 2002 Evansville Teacher. Her obit from Browning Database listed her as 96 years old, High School Teacher, retiring in 1972. Taught at North & Henry Reis High Schools, recreation dept. as supervisor of archery, St. Mary's Guild, Worthy High Priestess of White Shrine, Daughters of Nile, Eastern Star, archery champ 4 years, preceded in death by husband Ashford H. Tanner in 1954. Charles Christmas of Newburgh was her nephew.

From Ancestry.com, I found Ashford's WWI Draft Registration Card of Jun 1918. He was 21 living with father at 611 Green, Evansville. Ashford was born 13 Aug 1896 in McClean Co., KY same as his father.

In just a few hours, I had collected a lot of information to help us locate a family member. In Ancestry.com, I found a very good family tree with lots of sources that matched what I had found. Lucy E. Tanner's maiden name was Woodward and was listed as Homer's mother! I sent a message to the owner of this family tree, a few hours ago that we had some papers & photos, the family might want. We are hoping there are others that might have an interest in this material. Contact me [John G. West] at jgw.mylines@gmail.com

One of the Best Has Joined Her Ancestors

2011-12-16T09:17:00.006-05:00

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I am sad that a really great lady has passed on, but I know that she is with her loved ones that passed before her.

Eleanor "Glenn" Tenbarge

From this morning's obituary section of The Evansville Courier & Press:

"Evansville, Ind. - Eleanor Glenn (Bryant) Tenbarge 95, of Evansville, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at her home. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. A retired bookkeeper, she was an active genealogist and contributed many articles that were published in "The Packet", the quarterly publication of the Tri State Genealogical Society, of which she was a Charter Member. She was a member of several other genealogical societies, and a member of the Vanderburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She published one book, "Early Death Records of Vanderburgh Co.", and received a "Certificate of Appreciation" from the D A R. She was credited with "saving" a cemetery of 200 graves adjoining Mater Dei High School. She has been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church (city) since 1937."

Glenn was a great friend of mine... she supported, advised, and encouraged me as President of TSGS when I needed it the most! She was positive & up-beat. She contributed so much information for our TSGS quarterly, "The Tri-State Packet" especially Vanderburgh County naturalization records. She did a monumental published work for TSGS: 1880 U.S. Federal Census of Vanderburgh County, Indiana. The book was huge and included more details than most census books. The book was donated to TSGS for sale to raise money to buy more books for use to everyone at Willard Library. She worked very hard in preserving the cemetery that was "lost" near a high school on Evansville's west side.

Glenn served many years as a TSGS Director of the Board making suggestions that was always very useful to making some good, sound decisions for our society's success. At one point, the Board voted to make her a Director Emeritus of TSGS (the first & only person to be recognized with this honor!). She recieved several TSGS Certificates of Appreciation.

I have missed her presence at TSGS meetings & events these last few years. I will miss her smile and soft voice, but will hold her in my memories. The genealogical community has lost one of the BEST!

See the rest of her obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/courierpress/obituary.aspx?n=eleanor-tenbarge&pid=155050225

- Compiled by JGWest

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

2011-12-12T16:09:00.005-05:00

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The Tri-State

Genealogical Society

officers invite

everyone...

to our Christmas Social this coming Tuesday night (December 13th.) [tomorrow night] at Willard Library. Come & go as you please between 6:00PM & 8:00PM. If you wish you can bring some cookies, dip & crackers, cheese ball or other snacks. We will have punch. This is an informal event to enjoy each others fellowship and exchange ideas & problems concerning genealogy (or whatever) while enjoying some great snacks.

You do not need to be a member to attend.

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

2011-12-05T00:41:00.006-05:00

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Photo from Hart County Kentucky Genealogy Interest Group (MyFamily.com) as posted by Gladys Terry.

Kentucky Historical Marker

First Baptism in Kentucky

Nolin Creek, 1782

Randy Murray posted this information for this photo:
I copied this from Collins History of Kentucky, Volume 2: About one mile above Hodgenville on the south side of Nolin creek, there is a knoll which may be appropriately termed a natural curiosity. It is about thirty feet above the level of the creek, and contains about two acres of ground, the top of which is level, and a comfortable house has been erected upon it. Benjamin Lynn and others, early pioneers of the county, encamped on this knoll. In a hunting excursion, shortly after they made their encampment, Lynn got lost. The remainder of the company returned to camp, and not finding their companion, some one remarked, " Here is the Nole (knoll) but No Lynn, from which circumstance the creek which runs near the knoll took its name—Nolin. They immediately started in search of Lynn, and traveled a south course about fifteen miles, and found where he had encamped on a creek, from which circumstance they called the creek Lynn-camp creek. [The creek lies within the present county of Hart.] Philip Phillips erected a fort about one fourth of a mile from the knoll, on the north side of Nolin, about the year 1780 or '81, where the first settlement of the county was made. Phillips was from Pennsylvania, and a surveyor.

"The Genealogist's Curse!"

2011-11-30T07:56:00.003-05:00

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In all of the years that I have enjoyed my hobby of genealogy, I have begun to notice a trend or cycle with my research and advances in discovering new information about my family. If I am busy with any kind of non-research, Murphy's Law immediately becomes activated! That is the moment that I get a new, hot lead about my family. What do you do, continue with the non-research project? Are you kidding? I have a new, hot lead... I must pursue the lead, at least a little. I will get the project done, but first I need to just take a little time to investigate more at the library or on the Internet concerning this new information - it may even require an all-day field trip somewher. So, this is what I call "the genealogist's curse!" I guess most would say, "Why call it a curse?" For my family history it is a blessing, but a curse to come when I am busy with something else.

For the last 4-5 weeks, I have been preparing a genealogical presention for my friends in the Posey County Scottish Rite Club. It is genealogy, but non-research for my family history. I have come across all kinds of leads on several of my family lines during this entire time. The "curse" is putting pressure on me to be well prepared for my presentation! Of course, I inherited the "gift of gab" from my father & other family members which helps in times like this! And, it does help that I have given this program about 12 times for all kinds of groups. The problem of preparation exists with the ever changing Internet for what I am speaking about - "Genealogy: Cruisin' the Internet." Keeping up with all of the new web sites and new URL links is a constant task. Cyndi's List has over 310,000 links... it has to be updated daily and you will still find broken links, but she does a great job of keeping the bad links to a minimum!

Back to my "curse:" During the last 4-5 weeks I have done more on those new leads than checking the Internet on new web sites or finding the new links. I am proud to say, however, that I have mostly completed my preparation for my little talk by working dilligently (mostly exclusively) on it last night! I should have all of the final touches complete by the meeting tonight!!! Another name for my curse might be "procrastination." If I must put something off, I do not mind too much if it is another genealogical clue taking up my time!!! I guess I should really see the situation as a blessing. And, I do... it is just odd that as soon as I begin to work on a project, suddenly "out of the blue" comes something new and really great about my family. Maybe, I should do more projects!

-Written by JGWest

Free Research Account

2011-11-28T05:25:00.000-05:00

New England Historic Genealogical Society - Founded 1845

NEHGS invites you to register for FREE on AmericanAncestors.org to start accessing some of our great content and resources. It only takes a minute, and you will have access to helpful information, research tips, articles, and NEHGS expert staff. We will also send you regular updates, including special promotions and discounts on a variety of items and services.
As a free guest user, you will have access to:
Free Databases
Online Genealogist
American Ancestors Magazine
The NEHGS Library Catalog
Educational Resources

http://www.americanancestors.org/free/

NAVIGATING ALONG the RIVER - Research Tips

2011-11-27T16:59:00.004-05:00

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Every time I really want to break down one of my genealogy "brick walls," I think about doing "back-door" research. This is when you try to go around the "wall" instead of over or though it. Sometimes I call this "side-door" research. It is that day when I take time to see what I do not know about the person and the family. Generally, I notice that I have not checked into the siblings and their lives. Was Richard the older or the younger brother? If I check him out, I might learn that he is the older brother and he was born in a different location. By going through this "side-door" (via Richard & where he was born), I might find new clues to find out about their parents... my brick wall.

Since I have researched for a lot of years, there was a time that it was more expedient to just gather data on my direct line and just recording the minimum on the brothers & sisters. I am talking about the days before the Internet, Ancestry.com, Find-A-Grave, HeritageQuest, USGenWeb Project, Fold3, and the many, many more resources available on the Internet. Back then, I had to pay a small fee to get a microfilm of a census for a certain location that I thought my ancestors lived. When it came in, the library would call to say it was here - we had about 10-14 days to use the microfilm (only at the library - when it was open!) before it had to be sent back. It usually took several hours to browse through the microfilm looking for anyone that had the surname you were researching... all the while, the pages rolled by causing you to get sleepy. I hated it when I would dose off while continuing to crank the handle on the machine and then not know how much film I did not see!!! The Willard Library at that time was not open on Monday, so if you worked during the day - you only had the weekend and Tuesday night to go through your microfilm. The library had far less research books available, too... many without an index. All of this meant you had little time to get info on your direct line of ancestors, let alone the siblings.

What a difference having a computer to record your data and to be able to use the resources on the Internet. You still need to go to the library, to courthouses and other repositories, but you do not need to order microfilm anymore. Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest & others have posted the US Census and a lot of other actual records on the Internet. Most are not free, but it is searchable and nearly all of it is available!!! Too often we are not sure what county or even which state to find them in 1860, for example. Granted these searches often give you many more choices than you want, but the first ones are more likely to be the one.

I have always used the computer software called "Family Tree Maker" to record my database for my family history. It has a special feature that allows you to go online with a button to search all of Ancestry.com for each individual in your database - one person at a time. It is perfect for checking out the brothers & sisters that you have not had time to check before. The search engine uses all of the data concerning that individual that you have entered into FTM. In just a few clicks you are usually taken directly to the page in the census listing your family. and you can copy & paste it right into your FTM program. Ancestry also allows you to put your data onto their servers and when it discovers something about one of them, it puts a leaf by that person's box for you to explore what clues & documents that may relate to your research. Ancestry costs about $100 a year as a subscription and may not be what you want to do. But Google or Yahoo can help you find free sources for most of this data online.

Just remember that Friends and Family uses the back or side door to visit... start using that approach more in your family history research.

- Written by JGWest

Quotes from Jessamyn West - American Author

2011-11-25T04:33:00.000-05:00

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Jessamyn West born in Jennings County, Indiana was a prolific American author. [Any relation to me is unknown. - JGW] I do not remember how I got her name and her many quotes, but I liked several of the quotes and then found her biography and learned that she was an incredible person and writer! She was born 18 July 1902 & died 23 February 1984 in Napa, Calif.; daughter of Eldo Ray (a citrus farmer) and Grace Anna (Milhous) West; married Harry Maxwell McPherson (a school superintendent) 16 August 1923. She was related to Richard Milhous Nixon through her mother's family, and she became a close and lifelong friend of his, sometimes even traveling with the presidential entourage. The late Jessamyn West was a prolific and varied writer whose works include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplays, and even an opera libretto. She is remembered, however, for her numerous short stories that plumb rural American life without sentiment or oversimplicity. Much of West's fiction reflects her involvement with the Society of Friends (Quakers), the religion of her ancestors who farmed in southern Indiana. Her popular story collections The Friendly Persuasion and Except for Me and Thee: A Companion to "The Friendly Persuasion" recreate Quaker lives in a nineteenth century farming community; these and her tales of adolescence, Cress Delahanty and The State of Stony Lonesome, remain her best known works. From: http://www.jessamyn.com/jessamyn/jessbio.html

"Jessamyn West." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2011. 24 November. 2011. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jessamyn_west_2.html

From Jessamyn's quotes, although "Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures." many of my genealogical associates (including me), family & friends often tend to subscribe to this quote: "We want the facts to fit the preconceptions. When they don't it is easier to ignore the facts than to change the preconceptions." However in genealogical research, "The past is really almost as much a work of the imagination as the future." A very nice thought for us family historians is to remember: "Faithfulness to the past can be a kind of death above ground. Writing of the past is a resurrection; the past then lives in your words and you are free." One lesson that I have learned in life is that "Teaching is the royal road to learning." The following two quotes seem to have universal truth: "Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary." and "Nothing is so dear as what you're about to leave."

- Compiled by JGWest

Tombstone Thursday - Marty

2011-11-24T04:22:00.002-05:00

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One of the most unusual tombstones that I have found!

Parklawn Cemetery

Evansville, Indiana

Raymond William Marty

08 Feb 1913 - 18 Feb 2004

Anne Beatrice Marty

18 Dec 1911 - 04 Dec 2007

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

TSGS Awards Another 4-H Member

2011-11-23T03:56:00.000-05:00

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November gave me an opportunity to recognize two 4-H members from two counties in Southwestern Indiana. November 1st. I was in Posey County presenting a TSGS Glenda K. Trapp Memorial Award Certificate to Morgan Zoch as was posted recently. November 18th., Becky & I attended the Vanderburgh 4-H Awards Banquet to present a certificate to John Mentzel.

The award is based on the 4-H Achievement Record of the 4-H member in the project of Genealogy, as evaluated by the county awards committee of the 4-H Council, Inc. In Vanderburgh County, the award has been awarded each year for over 25 years. I have been fortunate to serve as the TSGS 4-H Coordinator and have the honor of presenting the award on behalf of our society.

I was unable to get a photograph this year of John. Congratulations to John and his family for his achievement in one of today's most difficult 4-H projects (but one of the most rewarding!).

- JGWest, TSGS 4-H Coordinator

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

2011-11-22T15:48:00.002-05:00

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A little genealogy humor...

- Submitted by Don Counts

Fold3 WWII Collection for Veterans Day

2011-11-11T16:56:00.000-05:00

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Access the World War II Collection...
on Fold3 (formerly called Footnote).

Help us recognize Veterans Day by exploring our World War II Collection. In this collection you'll discover records, documents, stories, and photos, plus you have the opportunity to add your own. Highlights include:
Interactive USS Arizona Memorial - search for a name on the memorial wall and follow it through to a Memorial Page where you can add your own stories, photos, and facts for any USS Arizona casualty.
WWII Hero Pages - the World War II Army Enlistment Records help you begin a Hero Page, then add more stories, details, and photos. Invite your family and friends to contribute, too.
WWII Photos - over 80,000 photos from within every theater of the war with particular emphases on personnel, aircraft, bombings, maps, recreation, and more. Upload your own historical photos and add to the collection.
World War II Documents - official reports, first-hand accounts of battles, records of missing aircraft, and submarine patrol reports are only a few of the documents that bring to light the details of WWII and those who served in it. Click The Holocaust Collection banner for the most comprehensive online collection of Holocaust records, stories, maps, and photos.
Whether you're interested in the historic events or the people who influenced them, Fold3 brings these stories directly to you through documents, pages, and photos as we honor those who served in World War II and in all military engagements throughout U.S. history.

Tombstone Thursday - Birkenmayer

2011-11-10T03:33:00.001-05:00

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My friend and a member of TSGS, Vannetta McDowell, asks on Face Book, no less, "where's your weekly Thursday blog/tombstones? and what about an update on last night's TSGS meeting...... Have you gotten lost? Enquiring minds want to know..." I did say she was a friend?

Vannetta, I have not posted a Tombstone Thursday for some time - this one is for you and all of the "Tombstone Thursday" fans!

Locust Hill Cemetery

Evansville, Indiana

Section 10

George F. Birkenmayer*

16 Dec 1834-26 Jun 1908

His Wife

Sophia Struck Birkenmayer

14 Oct 1836-18 Mar 1899

* George's panel to the right was never completed...

birth date is from the left panel with

death date from the cemetery's Online database

The photo below is the backside of this marker with four of the Birkenmayer children. I took these photos one day this past summer, because it is one of the metal markers (some of these were made by Sears - I do not know the manufacturer of this marker).

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

TSGS Presents 4-H Award

2011-11-08T10:08:00.000-05:00

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TSGS makes 4-H Award presentation...

TSGS 4-H Coordinator John G. West & Becky West attended the Posey County, Indiana 4-H Awards Dinner on Nov. 1st. to present the TSGS Glenda K. Trapp Memorial Award Certificate to Morgan Zoch for her achievement and activities in the 4-H Genealogy Project.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society is pleased to recognize 4-H youth and encourage them to research their family histories. The 4-H project demands a lot from the 4-H'er to learn the proper way to document their history and to maintain copies of the documents and photographs. The society congratulates Morgan on her involvement in genealogy!

TSGS Meeting Notice 08 Nov 2011

2011-11-07T21:57:00.005-05:00

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The Tri-State Genealogical Society will conduct its monthly membership meeting tomorrow night at Willard Library on the second floor beginning at 7:00 PM.

The meeting is open to the general public at no charge. There will be a brief business meeting followed by our guest speaker.

Stanley A. Schmitt will speak about "Civil War Evansville." Stan holds a Degree in History and has researched numerous historical and genealogical subjects over the past 30 years. He is currently Vice-President of the Vanderburgh County Historical Society, Advisory Board Member of the Canal Society of Indiana, member of the history committees for the Pigeon Creek Greenway and the Evansville Bicentennial. His interest in Evansville during the Civil War is the result of long time research of Willard Library's newspaper collection. Some of this information will be the basis of an online joint project by the Evansville Courier and the Vanderburgh County Historical Society for the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Stan had four Great, Great Grandfathers who served in the 38th., 42nd. and 44th. Indiana Regiments during the Civil War.

A door prize will be drawn from those attending, must be present to win.

Don Counts, TSGS President

Download Some Free Small Books

2011-11-06T10:15:00.003-05:00

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I have been to this site and downloaded about 8 free books... one of them "History of Russelville and Logan County, Kentucky" by Finley 1878 has 243 pages!

Here is a listing of the free small books that we have for download.
This is a commercial site and you need to go to the "Free Small
books" in the middle of the page and click on the "here" to connect
to the site. Follow the instructions at top of the page "here" takes you.
http://www.dmkheritage.com/store/
Free Books In Gallery:
GA: History of Crisp Co. DAR 1916
History of Washington Co. by Ella Mitchell, 1924
N.C. Marriage Bonds of Tryon County NC from 1769-1870.
Friends Records of Births and Deaths, Cane Creek, NC
St. Bartholomew’s Parish, NC
Bertie Co. Wills (1795-1840 abt.) NCHGR
Bertie Co. Marriages 1762-1834 (1809-1819 missing)
NCHGR
S. C. Annals and Parish Register of St. Thomas - St. Denis SC
St. James Church, Goose Creek, SC 1706-1909
Marriage Notices in SC & American General Gazette
Chronicles of St. Mark’s Parish Santee Circuit
Williamsburg
Township, SC.
French & Swiss Protestants in Charleston the Santee,
SC
Naturalization Records 1695-96
Vestry of St. Matthew’s Parish, SC 1769-1838
History of Grandal Shoals (Cherokee & Union Co., SC
History of Fairfield Co., SC by Ederington
The Parish of St. Michael, SC
South Carolina in the Rev. War. by A. Southron
Tenn. History of Overton County, Tenn. by Goodpasture.
Reminiscences of Early Settlements & Settlers of
McNairy Co.,
Tenn. by Gen. Marcus Wright
Va. Lunenburg County, Va. Wills 1746-1825
Frederick Parish, Va. 1744-1780, Churches, Chapels, etc.
Revolutionary Soldiers and Sailors for Northampton Co.,
VA
Virginia Wills Before 1799 by Wm. M. Clemens
Historical Sketches of “Old Bruton Church”
Williamsburg, Va.
Williamsburg Wills Abt. 1750-1825
Old Surry, Va.
History of Hampton & Eliz. City Co. Va. Tyler 1922
Scotch-Irish in the Valley of Virginia by Waddell
Penn. Penn. Marriages Prior to 1799
W.Va History of Marion Co., W. VA. by Geo. A. Dunnington
Sketches of Wood Co. W. VA by S. C. Shaw
S-I Scotch-Irish in America by Dinsmore
Scotch-Irish in the Valley of Virginia by Waddell

This is DMK Heritage who sells Genealogical CD's, but the above or free!

- Submitted by Doris Christian

Review of Oak Hill Cemetery on the Internet

2011-11-02T07:45:00.004-04:00

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Joy Neighbors posted in Indiana Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project (INPCRP) on Face Book:

This month's Cemetery Worth the Visit is Oak Hill located in Evansville, Indiana. Gorgeous landscaping, sculpture and lots of tree stones!

http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/

This is a very nice historical look, as well as, nice photos of cemetery. Did notice that several times the name was Oak View instead of Oak Hill... our local cemetery is always worth a visit, but this blog about the cemetery is worth taking a look at! - JGWest

TSGS Meeting Notice

2011-11-01T07:42:00.003-04:00

TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 08 Nov 2011 Tuesday Night

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor

What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Stan Schmitt~"Civil War Evansville."

Anyone interested in genealogy or history is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

1940 U.S. Census Release 02 Feb 2012

2011-10-23T12:54:00.003-04:00

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The 1940 U.S. Federal Census...
will be released on 02 Feb 2012

The digital images will be accessible free of charge at NARA facilities nationwide through our public access computers as well as on personal computers via the internet.

Go to the National Archives website for more information and check out their cool countdown clock... 161 days, 21 hours, 0 minutes and 20 seconds til release time (at this typing)!

http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/index.html

From My Email Box - "Tri-State Packet Artist"

2011-10-19T06:57:00.004-04:00

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The Tri-State Packet...
the membership journal of the
Tri-State Genealogical Society (TSGS)

Since the first quarterly issue was published in 1977, the yellow cover has featured a sketched drawing by Barbara Simpson. She recently discovered that her drawing is still being used. Last week, I got this email from her.

Hi,
I am Barbara (maiden name) Barrows. Married name in the 1970’s, Simpson. I now live in Denver, Colorado, soon to retire and return to Evansville. I was looking at the Willard Library website and came across the Tri-State Packet for the Tri-State Genealogy Society !!!! I was excited to see the yellow cover of the Packet. I am the artist who drew the riverboat packet for the cover. When I first submitted the drawing it was just a draft and expected to draw it again following approval from the leadership at that time. But, to my surprise, they used the “draft” version of my drawing.
My mother, Mary Barrows, has continued family history and research in Evansville, and when I return to EVV, I plan to re-establish myself with the Society and historical events.
Thanks for the wonderful surprise of seeing my drawing !!!!!
Barb Barrows barb.barrows@yahoo.com

From My Email Box - "VietNam Wall"

2011-10-16T12:49:00.006-04:00

Vietnam Wall... Amazing information!!

What a tribute!

The link below is a virtual wall of all those lost during the Vietnam war with the names, bio's and other information on our lost heroes. Those who remember that time frame, or perhaps lost friends or family can look them up on this site. Pass the link on to others, as many knew wonderful people whose names are listed.

http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm

First click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city and the names will appear.
Then click on their names. It should show you a picture of the person, or at least their bio and medals. This really is an amazing web site. Someone spent a lot of time and effort to create it.
I hope that everyone who receives this appreciates what those who served in Vietnam sacrificed for our country.

- Submitted by Mardell Puckett

TSGS Meeting Notice

2011-10-11T00:24:00.001-04:00

TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 11 Oct 2011 Tuesday Night

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor

What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Mary Alice Springer~"The Importance of Major General Samuel Hopkins Jr. to Henderson, KY and The Restoration of His Family Cemetery, Spring Garden Cemetery."

Mary Alice Tolson Springer a graduate of Vincennes University and Indiana University with a major in Chemistry, began her career at Mead Johnson & Company in Evansville, Indiana. Over time, Mary Alice branched out professionally along several career paths, including: computer systems specialist, clinical studies coordinator, medical writer, and ultimately owner of her medical writing company, Bluegrass Documentation, which she still operates.

Growing up in Vincennes, with tales of the exploits of George Rogers Clark and of “Alice of Old Vincennes,” Maurice Thompson’s fictional heroine of the Battle of Fort Sackville, ringing in her ears, Mary Alice learned to love history.

In her Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) work, Mary Alice was given recognition for her work on the Bicentennial Commemoration of George Washington’s death in 1999. In 2002, she was awarded First Place in the National Society of DAR "National Defense Editorial Contest" on the World Trade Center Attack of September 11, 2001. In 2004, she took Second Place in the state of Kentucky for her National Defense editorial Honoring our War Dead on Memorial Day. As Commemorative Events Chairman for her chapter in 2007-2009, Mary Alice organized and oversaw her chapter’s celebration of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial, This two year event won a First Place Award by the NSDAR in July of 2010.

While serving as DAR Chapter Regent in 2009, she got the opportunity to “make a difference” to preserve the family cemetery of General Hopkins by addressing the city commissioners, pointing out Hopkins’ service in both military and civic roles and of all he had done for Henderson as its founder. She asked them to please fund the initial phases for the preservation of this historic cemetery. With the funding in tow, she was asked to serve on an Ad Hoc Committee to oversee the actual preservation and restoration of Spring Garden Cemetery. The City of Henderson dedicated the restored Spring Garden Cemetery with pomp and pageantry on September 16, 2011 on the 192nd. anniversary of General Hopkins’ death.

Anyone interested in genealogy or history is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

Free Genealogy Presentation

2011-10-08T04:02:00.001-04:00

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Searching for that elusive ancestor or trying to locate the "perfect" image for your project?

Learn how to access an ever-growing number of documents, images, and other records on the Internet in a special demonstration by Jennifer Greene, Archivist at the University of Southern Indiana.

Date/Time: Wednesday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Willard Library, Second Floor

This program is free, but reservations are appreciated. Call (812) 425-4309, ext. 114, for more information, or visit Willard's Calendar of Events:
http://www.willard.lib.in.us/calendar_of_events/event_details.php?eventID=543

- From Pat Sides, Willard Library (Special Collections)

From My Email Box - Some Upcoming Civil War Events

2011-10-07T13:43:00.003-04:00

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There are several great events and exhibit openings across Kentucky this month! Please see below for more information.

Columbus-Belmont State Park
Civil War Days, October 7-9
150th Anniversary of the Battle of Belmont
Weekend event includes battle reenactments, living history, encampments, and more. Battle reenactments held at 2:00 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Friday evening Ghost Walk and Saturday night Civil War ball. For information, call 270-677-2327, or e-mail cindy.lynch@ky.gov.

Civil War: My Brother, My Enemy
Exhibit Opening, Frazier History Museum, Louisville
Opens October 15
Original exhibit featuring more than 100 artifacts that examines Kentucky’s divided families and more. For information, see:
http://www.fraziermuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary-exhibits/upcoming-2/civil-war/

“Civil War Voices”
Center for Rural Development, Somerset (2292 South US 27, Traffic Light #15)
October 15, 7:30 p.m.
Barter’s Theatre’s touring production of “Civil War Voices” is based on authentic tales using real words. For information, contact Sharon Dodson at 606-677-6072, or sdodson@centertech.com.

“Embattled Capitol: the Civil War in Frankfort”
Paul Sawyier Public Library Community Room, Frankfort
October 17, 6:30 p.m.
Presentation by James Prichard, KY State Archives, KY Humanities Council Speaker. For information, contact Diane Dehoney at diane@pspl.org.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall
Exhibit Opening, Filson Historical Society
Opens October 21
This exhibit will be free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For information, visit www.filsonhistorical.org, or call 502-635-5083.

Ghost Walk at Fort Duffield October 29, 2011 Nighttime tour of Union Fort Duffield, 300 ft. above the City of West Point. 61 soldiers died of hardship and disease constructing this 1,000 foot long earthen fortification. Admission: $20.00 per person. Location: Fort Duffield Park & Historic Site, West Point, KY, U.S. 31W at Salt River Dr.For more information: fortduffield@insightbb.com, 502-922-4574
In addition, the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) has been working with the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism and the Kentucky Heritage Council on a new Kentucky Civil War Heritage Trail. The website for this trail has just been launched, and can be accessed at www.kentuckycivilwartrails.org. This site includes information about the trail sites, blog postings, travel itineraries, and more.

_END_

Stuart W. Sanders
Community Services Administrator
Administrator, Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
Administrator, Kentucky War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission
Kentucky Historical Society
Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet
100 West Broadway
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-1792, ext. 4420
"Sanders, Stuart (Historical Society)" Stuart.Sanders@ky.gov

TSGS Meeting Notice

2011-10-02T12:54:00.004-04:00

TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 11 Oct 2011 Tuesday Night

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor

What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

Anyone interested in genealogy or history is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

TSGS Meeting Report For Those Not In Attendance

2011-09-26T07:39:00.014-04:00

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TSGS First Meeting for 2011-2012
13 Sep 2011

President Don Counts presides over the meeting (Peggy Newton, librarian is standing to his right). Seated in the first row is (L-R): Carol Lantaff, Rena & Larry Goss, Peggy & Ken Gilkey.
At end of the table (standing), Secretary Kim Nightingale reads the minutes of the previous meeting. Seated at that table at the end is Treasurer, Diana Davis, Former President Karin Kirsch, Program Chair Becky West. Carol Lantaff is at the end of the table to Kim's left.

Lyn Martin gives an animated Library Report as President Counts stands by.

Speaking of animation, former President John G. West, presented a lively program "Genealogical Research Skills vs. Just Plain Luck!" John used this John Deere cap to illustrate that all of his ancestors were farmers. Holding a corn-cob pipe was used to show that those farmers were almost exclusively tobacco farmers.

John dramatized that most of his lucky success in finding ancestors was that he had a wee bit o' Irish blood in him... and possibly a wee bit of Leprachauns along the line. Here John asked the audience if they thought he looked like a "little Leprachaun!" John used humor & unusual stories to point out his lucky findings, but then mentioned how using better research skills could have eliminated the need of luck to discover his ancestors. About 18-20 members were in attendance. Peggy Gilkey won the attendance prize... one year's TSGS membership.

- Photos taken by JGWest & Don Counts

TSGS Meeting Tonight!

2011-09-13T06:52:00.003-04:00

TSGS Meeting Tonight!

When: 13 Sep 2011 Tuesday Night (Tonight)

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor

What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by John G. West ~"Genealogical Research Skills vs. Just Plain Luck!"

Anyone interested in genealogy or history is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

See the Press Release that was sent by the President to the City-County Observer:

http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/09/05/tri-state-genealogical-society-meeting-notice/

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

2011-09-11T12:38:00.003-04:00

TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 13 Sep 2011 Tuesday Night

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor

What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by John G. West ~"Genealogical Research Skills vs. Just Plain Luck!"

Anyone interested in genealogy or history is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

Remember 9/11!

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday - Evansville Zoo

2011-08-29T17:20:00.003-04:00

Evansville Mesker Park

Zoo

Discovery Center

[Click on photo to enlarge image]

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

From My Email Box - "Kentucky Probate Records, 1792-1977"

2011-08-28T13:15:00.006-04:00

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The LDS Family Search website
has recently added/updated "Kentucky Probate Records, 1792-1977". The direct link to "Kentucky, Probate Records, 1792-1977" is

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1875188
or you can go directly to the county selection page at
https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/show#uri=https%3A//api.familysearch.org/records/collection/1875188/waypoints

The records in this database are images of the actual documents
from microfilm! Happy hunting.

- Posted on the KYGenWeb Email List by Brian K. Caudill
Visit my Letcher County, KYGenWeb Page at
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kyletch/letcher.htm

"Cyndi Howells Announces Updates for Cyndi's List"

2011-08-23T03:50:00.000-04:00

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This from her email list...

I decided to rename my City Directories category and sort some of the
sub-cats into locality specific sections (this is all long overdue).
New name and address: Directories: City, County, Address, etc.
http://www.cyndislist.com/directories/

I've been working on a lot of links into this site recently. Lots of
great historical resources including several county directories.
Library Ireland: Irish History and Culture,
http://www.libraryireland.com/. A free online resource of Irish
history, culture, folklore, genealogy, music, literature, biography,
and all aspects of Ireland.

-~-~-~-
Cyndi Ingle Howells
www.CyndisList.com
Cyndi@CyndisList.com

"Celebrated Pioneer Cave Explorer" - Floyd Collins

2011-08-22T18:04:00.006-04:00

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One of our class trips from Linwood School. This is a bad picture made with my little Brownie Camera taken in Crystal Cave by the tour guide in 1930. - Gladys Terry

[Click on photo for a larger, clearer image.]

The above photo was posted by Gladys Terry on the Hart County, Kentucky MyFamily.com site. Here is an interesting account of Floyd Collins & his adventures in caving and his eventual death. From Wikipedia: "William Floyd Collins (July 20, 1887 – c. February 13, 1925) was a celebrated pioneer cave explorer in central Kentucky, an area that is the location of hundreds of miles of interconnected caves, including the Mammoth Cave National Park. On January 30, 1925, while trying to discover a new entrance to the system of underground caves that were a popular tourist attraction in Kentucky, Collins became trapped in a narrow crawlway 55 feet (17 m) below the surface. The reports about efforts to save Collins became a nationwide newspaper sensation and among the first major news stories to become a major sensation on the new technology of home radio. Collins died of exposure, thirst, and starvation after about fourteen days underground. Collins is also noted for having discovered Crystal Cave in 1917, although someone else received credit for that discovery for many years. Crystal Cave is now part of the Flint Ridge Cave System of the Mammoth Cave National Park. Collins is sometimes referred to as 'The Greatest Cave Explorer Ever Known', and this epitaph is inscribed on his tombstone." Read more about Floyd Collins on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Collins. Thanks Gladys!!!

- Photo used with permission from Gladys Terry.

New Name for Footnote.com

2011-08-21T21:52:00.004-04:00

"Traditionally, the third fold in a flag-folding ceremony

honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in

defending their country and promoting peace in the world."

On August 18th, Footnote announced it will focus on offering the finest and most comprehensive collection of U.S. Military records available on the internet. As part of this new focus, the name of the site has changed from Footnote to Fold3. The Fold3 name is derived from a traditional flag folding ceremony in which the third fold in the ceremony honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world. Why Fold3? We chose a name that would better show honor and respect for those who served in the military.

The Footnote name was appropriate for a general historical records site, but for many people, a footnote is something of insignificance and the name is not applicable to the service and sacrifice of those who have fought for their country over the last 250 years. Going forward Fold3 will be adding millions of U.S. military records to continue to help you discover and share stories about everyday heroes, forgotten soldiers, and the families that supported them. You will still be able to access all the informative records, including non-military records, previously found on Footnote. Account Details: Your current Annual All-Access account will let you view all the images on Fold3 and you will be able to sign in with your same email address and password you used on Footnote. Any contributions you have made to Footnote will also move over to Fold3.

We are excited for you to continue with us on Fold3, the Web's premier collection and destination for original U.S. military records. Visit Fold3 today!

Thank you,
The Fold3 Team (formerly the Footnote Team)

"The Marble of Our Heroes' Headstones"

2011-08-15T11:41:00.004-04:00

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The marble of our heroes' headstones...

Serena Altschul (CBS News) traveled to the mountains in Danby, Vermont to see where the marble used in many of our National Cemeteries is found to commemorate our country's war dead.

See video here: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7367662n

Found on the Grayson County, Kentucky MyFamily.com site: submitted by ~
Jim Woosley - Aug 13, 2011

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

2011-08-08T11:01:00.003-04:00

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Plaque on Mausoleum at St. Joseph Cemetery where my Uncle Norman Long is entombed.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

Staying Afloat in the Gene Pool - Genetic DNA News

2011-08-06T14:17:00.003-04:00

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05 AUGUST 2011 - Family Tree DNA announced the launch of a new feature: Y-DNA "Third Party" uploads. This allows for the upload of 33 & 46-marker y-DNA test results from Ancestry, GeneTree and Sorenson's SMGF. The information for this blog is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. Information about the newsletter is available at http://www.eogn.com. More information is available from FamilyTreeDNA FAQ page.

Founded in April 2000, Family Tree DNA was the first company to develop the commercial application of DNA testing for genealogical purposes, something that had previously been available only for academic and scientific research. Currently, the Houston-based company is approaching 350,000 individual records – the largest DNA database in genetic genealogy, and a number that makes Family Tree DNA the prime source for anyone researching recent and distant family ties. In 2006 Family Tree DNA established a state of the art Genomics Research Center at its headquarters in Houston, Texas, where it currently performs R&D and processes over 200 advanced types of DNA tests for its customers.

Tombstone Thursday - Mattingly

2011-08-04T04:25:00.001-04:00

August Mattingly

1881-1899

Oak Hill Cemetery

Section 17, Row 5

Evansville, Indiana

"Drowned trying to save lives of others"

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

2011-08-03T07:27:00.004-04:00

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Taken at the National Cemetery in Minneapolis on a June morning as it appeared in the Minneapolis Star/Tribune.

Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words!!! It says everything without a single word.This should become an official Memorial Day, 4th of July and/or Veterans Day remembrance photo; “Our National symbol standing guard”.

photo by Frank Glick-MSP

- Email with photo submitted by Don counts

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

2011-08-01T07:41:00.004-04:00

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Freedom Plaza plaques...

located across the Martin Luther King Blvd. from the Evansville/Vanderburgh Civic Center

[Click on photo to enlarge image]

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

"Obsolete Occupations"

2011-07-29T08:22:00.005-04:00

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Here is a great example of local obsolete occupations involving street cars found on the grave marker of Frank T. Lefler buried in Section 67 of Evansville's Oak Hill Cemetery. Wonder if the local paid for the marker or was he an official of the Local?

This photo & a nice link to other obsolete jobs was submitted by Christopher Myers (March 2010). Check this site for photos of some workers performing some obsolete jobs: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124251060

Here is a great list of job titles from "yesteryear" that genealogists & historians encounter and wonder just what was that job: (Found on Cyndi's List http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wiashlan/occupations.html

This reminds me of a joke... there were these two country cousins of mine that were very patriotic and with all of the strife in the world today, these two strappy young men decided to enlist in the military to help the good ol' USA fight aginst its enemies. The recruiter took one look at these two hillbillies and thought "no way!" He told them they were only accepting those that had needed skills. Oh, boy, this sure excited my cousins! Elroy excitedly stated that he was a "pilot" which really impressed & surprised the recruiter. He told Elroy to go in the other room to fill out enlistment papers. Clem with a big grin proudly stated that he was the best firewood cutter in Jenkins County. Well, the recruiter said that they really did not need firewood cut or otherwise. Clem retorted: "Well, you took Elroy and you have to cut it before he can pile it!" - JGWest

Tombstone Thursday - Ladd

2011-07-28T04:17:00.000-04:00

Teresa Ladd
Born April 15, 1836
Died December 23, 1902

************
"Since She Has Left Us We all feel like a Broken Hand"

This stone is on a farm on the Sandlick Road in Caldwell Co., Ky.

It was ordered from Sears & Roebuck Co.

- Submitted by Ken Gilkey [Photographer unknown]

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

Vanderburgh County 4-H Fair 2011

2011-07-27T04:58:00.001-04:00

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2011 County 4-H Fair
The Vanderburgh County Fair 25 July - 30 July 2011

The following are some photos I took at the fair with my cell phone, that did not turn out well, but will give everyone a little peek at a few exhibits.
Above are 6 of the 4-H Genealogy Project Notebook exhibits and below are 2 of the 3 champions that will go on to the State Fair next week.

The 4-H Americana project always have some of the most incredible exhibits. This one is a collection of a family member's Civil War jacket, sword, etc.

The 4-H Woodcraft exhibits are always very nice. This piece of the covered bridge below got Honorable Mention. The piece is completly flat, but the road appears to just come up & out at the viewer. Notice the squirrel on the road.

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

Dock at the Library - TSGS Meetings/Events

2011-07-26T07:43:00.004-04:00

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ATTENTION: Everyone interested in German Genealogical Reserarch & German American Heritage.

The German Heritage of the Tri-State area is considerable. If you are interested in finding out more about this heritage you are invited to come this Sunday, July 31, 2011, from 1:30 to 3:30 to the Bayard Room at Willard Library. Karin Marie Kirsch will lead a discussion of what we already know about these Germans and what we hope to find out. Bring your questions.

Karin is in charge of establishing a TSGS German Special Interest Group (SIG)... this group should become a great group to be involved with! Everyone is invited!!!

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

2011-07-25T12:27:00.010-04:00

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Fulton Park, at Fulton and Franklin.

These monuments were rededicated on Friday, 22 July 2011. Germania Maennerchor club members rededicated this monument in the park, originally placed there in 1987 to honor the German heritage of the Lamasco area and Evansville's West Side.

"The rededication is a celebration of our 50th. consecutive Volksfest," said Paul Bockstege, a past president of Germania Maennerchor. "The monument was originally there to celebrate 300 years of Germans coming to America. And we had some new singers and members put on the monument this year." http://twitter.com/courierpress/status/94560632019492864

- Photos taken & submitted by Christopher Myers

Tombstone Thursday - Fenn

2011-07-21T04:08:00.001-04:00

Oak Hill Cemetery

Evansville, Indiana

Russell Fenn

1896-1918

Section L, Lot 72, Grave 3

[Click on photos to get larger images]

These two cards were copied from the Browning Genealogy Database Online

- Tombstone photo taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

2011-07-20T04:17:00.001-04:00

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A colorful sign at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville promoting the zoo's "Adopt an Animal" program. My Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution have been adopting an American Bald Eagle for the last five years. One of the local DAR chapters followed our lead and are adopting an eagle, as well. The "adoption" program offers several levels of donating to the zoo to help raise money for the zoo. The donors/adoptees recieve a certificate and get a paw-shaped sign with their name that is placed on a larger board and promently displayed at the zoo.
- Photo taken by JGWest

"For My Sister, Tina"

2011-07-19T04:36:00.002-04:00

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Tina, this has been around for the last five years or so, but thought you and others who live far away might appreciate seeing these changes in Evansville.

First off, we have a dinosaur downtown pointing the way to the Koch family "Children's Museum of Evansville" (cMoe)... my grandkids from Cincinnati love this place!

Below is the home of cMoe... yes, it is the former building for the Evansville Central Library that has now moved to its new home a few blocks away.

Below is a photo of the new Central Library - a very nice facility. It is across the street from The Center in the southeast corner. The northwest corner is where the Executive Inn used to be... Tina, I guess I will need to show you photos of that in the next few days or so.

As you can see there is lots of construction going on with the demolition of the Executive Inn on one corner and the demolition of the parking garage on the other.

- Photos taken by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

2011-07-18T04:23:00.001-04:00

Desert Shield/Desert Storm

This monument is dedicated to the military, men & women,

who served heroically during the Persian Gulf War...

Dedicated May 15, 1993.

The monument of these two soldiers faces the City/County Civic Center. If you look to the left, you will see the new downtown arena.

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

NSSAR Library, Louisville, Kentucky

2011-07-17T12:34:00.007-04:00

National Society

Sons of the American Revolution

Library in Louisville, KY

(Open on Saturdays until Labor Day)

Just a couple hours drive from Evansville is the new site of the library (pictured above) for the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). It is very beautiful and well organized. It is located across the street from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory with the super giant-sized baseball bat leaning against the museum five-story building. Becky & I was visiting the museum (yesterday - Saturday) and noticed that the library was just across the street (I had planned on taking a close look at it later). After our museum tour, we planned on walking to the Hard Rock Cafe for a late lunch... so we crossed the street to look through the windows. The sign said it was open on Mon. - Sat. 9:30 AM to 4:30PM and it was only 4:27PM! We opened the door and apologised for coming by so late, but just wanted to take a peek. The receptionist was so very nice and told us to go into the library. Mr. Michael A. Christian, MLS is the Head Librarian who insisted on us taking a good look at the Library despite the fact they were now closed. I took the above photo to show off this library collection of over 70,000 (non-circulating) volumes. The collection is available for on-premises study at no cost to SAR, DAR, CAR & SR members and to the public (for a nominal charge). In 1958, Librarian General Robert S. Walker defined appropriate & acceptable library material to that which was "exclusively genealogical, historical (Revolutionary period or thereabouts), biographical, and town, county or state histories." Visit the NSSAR Library Online which is currently undergoing reconstruction!

The above spectacular scuptured piece "Cornerstone of Freedom" was donated by Retired Colonel Dr. Rex Legler, II & wife, April. Rex is a member of my Ohio Valley SAR Chapter. I took a photo of the plaques, but it did not come out. The "Cornerstone of Freedom" stands just inside the door into the reception area of the library.

-Photos taken & submitted by JGWest. - Article compiled by JGWest

Navigating Along the River - Research Tips

2011-07-16T01:36:00.004-04:00

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It seems... that if we try to take shortcuts,

we often find obstacles or pitfalls in our path. At least that is what I generally end up with in my journey to discover my ancestors. We call these "brick walls" that become serious roadblocks in our genealogical research!

What happens is that we just tend to get in a rush to move back in time - we found the person we looked for many years and immediately wonder who are the parents. Off we go in hot pursuit of the next generation. OK, but wait, that is exactly what I do everytime. I know I should take time to attempt to lay down a solid foundation and learn everything I can about the person I just found instead of trying to quickly find the next generation, as if I thought the trail would get cold.

I have mentioned Lee Anne Flatt before. She was the one I have looked for since I first began my family history as a kid over 50 years ago. I did not know what her maiden name was until about 10 years ago - my grandmother was raised by her after both of her parents had died before Grandma was 2 years old and she said she could not remember much from when she was a little girl. However, her son Anderson Fowler Flatt died in 1951 in Wayne County, Michigan and the informant on his death certificate listed his mother's maiden name as Richardson! There are at least two good documents to get maiden names: marriage records and death certificates. I know she married David Flatt after 1860 and before 1866, but still have not found a marriage record. I could not find when or where Lee Anne had died. I did not want to take the time to trace down all of her kids to see if I could learn her maiden name... I was trying to take a shortcut by just looking wildly for information on Lee Anne. Finally, her maiden name came to me via a "new" cousin asking if I was related to her Anderson F. Flatt whose parents were David Flatt & Annie Lee Richardson!

Just recently, I decided to do my research like I should by laying that foundation before chasing after the shortcut (actually a wild goose chase!). I took one of Lee Anne/Annie's sons (Roe Tilden Flatt) and traced him from Christian County, Kentucky to Sumner County, Tennessee. His burial was posted on Find-A-Grave and right next to him was his mother, Annie Lee wife of David Flatt.

Just last week, I was checking out facts on another child Polly Flatt - who married William L. Crabtree in 1891 Christian Co., KY... my Grandma did tell me that part of the time as an orphan she lived with the Crabtree, as well as, Phipps & Flatt families. On Ancestry.com, the first of 821, 212 [possible] matching records was a digitalized photo of her official death certificate. She died on 16 Feb 1930 and her mother's maiden name was Richardson! To my surprise, my grandmother (Mrs. Viola West) was the informant!

Above is a copy of Polly Crabtree's death certificate (click on photo to enlarge the image): her father was David Flatt & mother's maiden name was Richardson with the informant being Mrs. Viola West [nee Phipps] of Hopkinsville, KY. Polly was buried in Dogwood Cemetery.

The Research Tip is to lay down a solid foundation before beating your head against a brick wall.

- Compiled by JGWest

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM... Ruth Martin

2011-07-15T00:50:00.005-04:00

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Ruth A. Martin
pictured with her husband, Benoni Stinson (founder of the General Baptist Denomination).

[Click on photo to enlarge image.]

Ruth is the daughter of John Martin & Drucilla Williams. She was the grand daughter of John Martin, Sr. who came to America in 1755 from Ireland. This Martin family is my family. Another son of John Martin, Sr. was Thomas Martin born in 1759 and died in 1815 in Christian County, Kentucky who is in my direct line of ancestors. Thomas was Ruth's uncle. See more about Benoni Stinson from an earlier blog of the TSGS Cruiser Blog "Elder Benoni Stinson"

- Compiled by JGWest

Tombstone Thursday - Dunk

2011-07-14T03:41:00.001-04:00

Oak Hill Cemetery

Evansville, Indiana

Charles Dunk

Section 13, Lot 29, Grave 6

Emigrated to
Evansville in 1819

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

"For My Sister, Tina"

2011-07-13T04:09:00.002-04:00

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Tina, this is the recently completed "Bicycle Pathway" around Pigeon Creek. This "six-bladed fan" is a beautiful creation that is south of the Lloyd Expressway and on the east bank of Pigeon Creek. You can see it from the expressway quite easily (it is large) and it took me about 6 months to figure out how to get to it! Access is a road off of Ohio Street... with a nice parking area. I took several photos of most of the individual parts to try to capture this unique monument to Evansville's history.

[Click on photos to enlarge the images.]

The fan-like blades remind me of airplane blades. Not sure if the artist had that in mind, but Evansville was a major shipyard during World War II, where Dad helped to build the P-47 Thunderbolts. Nearby, Evansville manufactured LST boats at what is now known as the Mead Johnson Terminal on the west side of Pigeon Creek.

- Photos taken by JGWest

"Help Me Wish Donna, Happy Birthday!"

2011-07-12T04:07:00.000-04:00

Happy 60th. Birthday!!!

John Stuteville feeds Donna the Hippopotamus a watermelon treat on Friday afternoon at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. Donna, who turns 60 on Aug. 7, is the oldest living Nile Hippopotamus in captivity and will be celebrating her birthday July 8 with a party & cake for her visitors with a special frozen treat for herself.

Photo taken by ERIN McCRACKEN / Courier & Press

Below outside photo of Donna when she was 58 years old!

[Photo Courtesy of Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden]

According to the Courier & Press article [July 9, 2011 in the Local Section, Page 4A "Mesker Zoo to celebrate hippo's happy birthday" by Samm Quinn] ~ Donna is the oldest Nile hippo in captivity, followed by her sister Julie (who will be 50 this year) at the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee. The article mentions that the the oldest known recorded Nile hippo died at the age of 61. Donna came to Evansville's zoo in 1956. go to Mesker Zoo and wish Donna a very Happy Birthday!!!

- Compiled by JGWest

"WALKING DEAD - Social Security Important Note to Genealogists"

2011-07-11T01:31:00.002-04:00

"Some agencies that report death to SS only submit month and year
so SS uses the first or fifteenth which could cause problems for
genealogists." - Don Counts

Evansville Courier & Press 07/10/2011, Page A01

WALKING DEAD■ Death report harm is not exaggerated

By Thomas Hargrove Scripps Howard News Service WASHINGTON

The Social Security Administration each month reports incorrectly that nearly 1,200 living Americans have died.These clerical errors, found in a federal database ominously titled the “Death Master File,” might be darkly humorous evoking Mark Twain’s famous quip that death reports can be greatly exaggerated were not the consequences so severe.“It has just been one thing right after another since I found out that I was dead,” said an unsmiling Judy C. Rivers, 58, of Jasper, Ala. “Right now, I am still looking for a job . I hate to give out my Social Security number because I know exactly what is going to happen.” Dozens of times, Rivers has been told that her Social Security number is inactive because she’s deceased. Police detained her for several hours last year under suspicion of identity fraud when she tried to use her debit card at a local Walmart. She’s been denied college aid and home-refinance loans, been refused job interviews because of irregularities in her file and been rejected 14 times for credit cards.“All of them said basically the same thing: ‘The Social Security number cannot be confirmed’ or ‘Social Security number deactivated due to death,’” Rivers said.

The Social Security Administration has denied that it was the source of the error in Rivers’ records.

- Submitted by TSGS President Donald R. Counts

"USAF Virtual Tour" at the National Museum

2011-07-10T12:55:00.005-04:00

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AMAZING SITE.

PROBABLY WILL TAKE A MONTH TO GO THROUGH IT.

ANOTHER KEEPER. This might be one of the most advanced sites I have ever been in.
If this is a sign of the future, Wow! Click on the MAP in the upper right hand corner to bring down a visual menu of the different sites within the museum, then click on a dot within that site to view the exhibits from that camera angle and then follow (click on) the arrows.
You can enlarge or shrink the picture to see the next arrow.

It doesn't get much cooler than this!
Click on: http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/full/tour-pkg.html
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force - Virtual Tour

Welcome to the National Museum of the United States Air Force! We're pleased you're with us today and hope you enjoy your tour of the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum.
During your tour, you'll be immersed in aviation history … from the Army's first Wright Flyers and World War I dog fights … through World War II and the dropping of two atomic bombs … to the invention of jet-powered flight and the development of rockets powerful enough to travel to the moon.

These stories share a common thread – the dedication of the men and women of the United States Air Force, without whom these marvels of technology would not have been possible. This museum stands as a monument to their achievements and the many sacrifices they made to protect our proud nation.

This podcast tour will allow you to move freely about the museum – you can take the tour in any order and at your own pace. Look for the podcast tour symbol and numbers as you move through the galleries. Just select the number on your MP3 player and press play to hear details and interesting sidelights about museum exhibits.

We hope you enjoy your tour spanning more than 100 years of aviation history!

The entrance to the National Museum of the United States Air Force is on Springfield Street at historic Wright Field (Gate 28B), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, six miles northeast of Dayton, Ohio. The museum's address is: 1100 Spaatz StreetWright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

- Submitted by TSGS President, Donald R. Counts

NOTE: As a U.S. Air Force Veteran, I am very impressed with the National Museum of our nation's air power from the earliest years to present. This site is much more than air craft, it includes the military history, uniforms, weapons, flags & much more! The "amazing" part is this web site for the "virtual tour"... if you want to go visit it, you need to take this tour first!!! - JGWest

Tombstone Thursday - Long

2011-07-07T07:36:00.005-04:00

Anna Frances Long

24 Jul 1923

19 Sep 1924

Elmwood Cemetery

Owensboro, Kentucky

Anna was the infant of Melvin Wayne Long & wife Ethel Morman. Melvin was the brother to my grandfather Byron Allen Long. The Long family was from Hardin, LaRue & Hart counties of Kentucky before they removed to Owensboro area in the early 1900's.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

Happy Birthday, America!

2011-07-04T03:56:00.000-04:00

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Genealogists... Happy 4th. of July!!!

Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights - Christmas 2010

This display reflects the image of the celebration of our great nation with the flag, the American Bald Eagle & fireworks! It is the last light display as you leave Garvin Park (sponsored by the electrical workers who each year donate their time to set up these displays). This is the annual fund raiser for Easter Seals.

(Click on photo for larger image.)

- photo taken & submitted by JGWest (taken from inside of car).

Statue of Liberty

2011-07-03T04:39:00.000-04:00

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This Statue of Liberty display is in Santa Claus, Indiana in a very patriotic person's yard... it even has lights to illuminate it at night!

Happy July 4th. weekend!

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

Take Me Back To The Sixties

2011-07-02T11:47:00.000-04:00

This is a fun look at almost a half century back in time - JGWest

Click on this link for a cute video: Take Me Back To The Sixties

Historic Poster

2011-07-02T03:59:00.000-04:00

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From the Revolutionary War to World War II...

...and beyond, the U.S. Marines have fought for our Independence, Freedom & Liberty!

This poster was submitted by TSGS President Donald Counts who served as a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps.

In 2011, the Marines are still fighting for us around the world... 236 years later!

- Poster image submitted by Donald Counts

S.A.R. Applications Free Access!

2011-06-30T18:32:00.004-04:00

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Submitted by Christopher D. Myers via Ancestry.com In celebration of the 4th of July, Ancestry.com’s new collection – the Sons of the American Revolution applications – will be available FREE this weekend. These records can take a family back two centuries in just one document, and shed light on our forbearers’ brave actions that founded the United States.

4th of July - Ancestry.com
www.ancestry.com

KHS/KGS July Family History Workshop

2011-06-28T04:27:00.000-04:00

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The Kentucky Historical Society and the
Kentucky Genealogical Society
present the

July Family History Workshop

"Genealogy Brick Walls"

Saturday, July 9, 2011
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History

A panel dsicussion begins at 10:30 a.m. with Deborah Campisano, Roger
Futrell, Valerie Edgeworth and Betty Darnell. These experienced genealogists
will describe how they have resolved difficult family history research
hurdles and recommend strategies to help get beyond what appear to be
genealogical "dead ends."

At 12:30 p.m. Deborah Campisano discusses the genealogical proof standard.
Genealogical problems arise when historical records either do not exist or
do not directly support a clear conclusion. Learn about the accepted
standards of evidence that must be met when trying to draw a conclusion,
prove a relationship or discriminate between what information is credible
and what is not.

Registration is required before noon on Friday, July 8 for this free
workshop. A light lunch is available, if requested at time of registration,
for $6, payable at the door. Contact the Reference Desk
<mailto:RefDesk@ky.gov> by email or at 502-564-1792, ext. 4460.

NOTE: Roger Futrell, one of the panelist, is a Rager family cousin - JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday - Shandy Hall

2011-06-27T05:05:00.005-04:00

Shandy Hall

Princeton, Kentucky

Shandy Hall was the home of William & Elizabeth Ford Prince. It was also a Tavern and Lodging place for weary travelers. Shandy Hall, was not only one of the earliest structures in this region but probably the first masonry building in western Kentucky. The settlement that developed there around Shandy Hall was originally known as Eddy Grove. It was built probably 200 feet above and behind the spring which is the beginning of Eddy Creek. The dark spot in the picture is where the spring comes up out of the ground. Elizabeth Ford Prince is also the mother of James Ford who was reputed to be the head of the Ford's Ferry Gang, who robbed and killed many unsupecting travelers.

Ken and I have the honor of portraying William & Elizabeth Prince each fall at Pennyrile Forrest State Park for the 5th. Grade Living History Program and again for the Historical Ghost Walk done by the Caldwell Co. Genealogy Society in the Cedar Hill (City) Cemetery each year in Oct. "I have read that Shandy Hall was from a book that was popular at the time; and, that Daniel Boone had written in some of his papers about stopping there." - Submitted by Peggy Gilkey

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

4-H Genealogy Project

2011-06-25T07:58:00.003-04:00

4-H Genealogy Project

About 30 years ago, I got involved with the 4-H Family History projects in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. I had no idea that I would still be working with 4-H members and their families discovering their family heritage. The age of 4-H members are about 8 to 18; and, often most or all of their grandparents are still living... perhaps even some older relatives are still around to tell stories and give some important clues to go back further in researching the family of long ago.

The Indiana 4-H Genealogy project is structured with project requirements that adhere to strict genealogical standards. This includes citing sources for the information they list on generation charts & family group sheets. The county fair exhibit notebooks include photocopies of documents and photographs to back up their research. A nice section is having a sheet for each person on the generation charts called "Additional Information Sheet" that calls for all sorts of interesting data about schools attended, occupations, residences, health, hobbies, community service and more. The 4-H member can take the project each year and advances in Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4 & Advance. The Advance Division requires the 4-H'er to complete as much as possible of their 8th. generation with all of the documentation, additional information family group sheets, etc. As you might suspect after 3 years, the exhibit becomes larger and often has two or more notebooks. Advance entries often have 3 or more 4" notebooks with hundreds of pages in each notebook!!! Lots of wills, deeds, certificates, cemetery records, census data, old photographs... all of those things genealogists hold dear!

When I got involved I was appointed the Superintendent of the Vanderburgh County 4-H Genealogy Project (it was originally called "Family Tree"). Carol Lantaff was named the Assistant Superintendent who was a very important part of the project's success. Carol served with me for about 15 years or so. I served as Superintendent for 25 years. I also began judging county fair exhibits in surrounding counties and have done so for nearly 30 years and the last 4 years as one of the Indiana State Fair judges for this project. I have conducted at least 30-40 workshops to explain the project and how to research the family.

Yesterday, I had been working on judging some of the Warrick County 4-H exhibits at home when I got some more to judge from Gibson County. I spend an average of about half an hour going through each exhibit to ensure it meets project guidelines and includes the required information. So, instead of spending 8 to 12 hours judging at the fair grounds, the 4-H officials get the exhibits to me about one week to 10 days before the fair to allow me more time to judge the exhibits in the comfort of my home. It is a lot of work and I do spend a lot of time each year judging these exhibits, but I enjoy it and it is worthwhile to get these young 4-H'ers started in a great life-time hobby researching their family histories... especially while many older family members are still alive to help.

What prompted me to write about this was that Becky & I went to the Golden Corral to eat last night and Carol Lantaff showed up with many of her out-of-state cousins! Seeing Carol brought back many very fond memories of working with these young 4-H'ers and their families last night as I was going through some of the exhibits!

- Written by JGWest

Tombstone Thursday - Flatt

2011-06-23T07:44:00.006-04:00

Riggsby Cemetery
Sumner County, Tennessee

Roe Tilden Flatt
1873-1957

The funeral home grave placement plaque is still present (see lower right). The Barber Funeral Home plaque is in excellent shape considering it is 54 years old! This plaque lists Roe's full name as "Roe Tilden Flatt" - I was telling a good long-time friend, Edna Kasper, last night that I had found this gravesite that has my 2nd. Great Grandmother in the next grave... she pointed out that "Roe" & "Tilden" are surnames! I suspected Tilden, but had not thought about Roe. I immediately remembered that I know a family named Roe! This use of surnames may be the result of many possibilities; however, it is not uncommon to name children using surnames of the family. As I research, I will look for these family names.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

Father's Day - 2011

2011-06-19T14:20:00.004-04:00

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Happy Father's Day to all genealogists!

My Dad's photo as a young man taken about the time of my birth in March of 1947. This photo or one just like it was taken in downtown Evansville on one of those little booths that give you about 4 photos for a nominal fee... it was nice to get the photos in a short time. The photo was used on a leaflet at Bucyrus Erie to organize a Union for the Employees. Dad along with ten other men had their photo & name posted on the leaflet as members of the organizing committee.
Lots of controversy arose from the Union movement of this time and the company wanted no part of employees having bargaining powers. It ended up being a nasty strike with the Indiana National Guard being called out to restore order! Dad was among many men & women of the time who stood up for uniform work policies; safe work environment; a 40-hour work week; time off with pay for holidays, vacation & sick days; and other benefits that all of us take for granted today. Not everyone will agree that the organized labor movement was a good thing, but I am very proud of my father's role during this historical period of the American Industrial Revolution.

Proud of my father on this Father's Day 2011... may you rest in peace, Dad!

Gaither Glennis West, I 1918-1973

Husband of Bernadine Long ~ Father of Glen, Greg, Tina & Don

- Submitted by JGWest

Tombstone Thursday - Flatt

2011-06-16T06:45:00.004-04:00

Riggsby Cemetery

7/10 Mile South of Apline Branch Road

On Rueben Jernigan's Farm

Sumner County, Tennessee

Annie Lee Flatt

Wife of David Flatt

09 Feb 1840

14 Jul 1924

This small cemetery in the middle of a hay field is grown up some from last year's cleaning. There are 14 markers (two are fallen over, but face up). A lot of the ivy or vines is poison ivy. We had to ford the Apline Branch of Red River to get to the hay field... only a few inches of water was flowing in this waterway, but far too muddy to cross by car. You can get a better image by clicking on the photos to enlarge them.
I accidently found this grave listed on Find-A-Grave (no photo) on Sunday 12 Jun 2011, found and photographed on 13 Jun 2011 after searching for my Great, Great Grandmother for over 50 years!!! She & her son Roe Tilden Flatt are buried in the smaller chain-link fenced area just right of the oak tree in center of photo. I lost track of her in the 1910 Federal Census of Christian County, KY where my family has lived from about 1810 or so. Roe married Johnnie Ettie Hall in Sumner County in 1907... there double headstone is next to Annie's. Annie is also known as LeeAnne. I suspect that Annie moved sometime after 1910 to live with her son & his family. She has a death certificate in Tennessee and I have the Volume & page number. I have the form to order it from Nashville. The cemetery is south of Bowling Green, KY near Interstate 65. As a genealogist, I can not express my excitement adequately!

- Photo taken by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

TSGS June 2011 Meeting Report

2011-06-14T22:22:00.004-04:00

14 Jun 2011 TSGS Meeting Report...

Rebecca A. Shelton presented her program "Founding Mothers" to about 25 to 30 people. We learned some interesting facts about the role of women in America's independence from England. With humor and interesting stories, Rebecca's talk was enjoyed by all. At the end of the program, newly elected & installed President Don Counts presented Mrs. Shelton a Certificate of Appreciation for being our guest speaker.

Out-going President John West opened the meeting with the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution performing a brief ceremony in recognition of Flag Day (June 14th.). OVC members taking part in this event was Ernie Payne, J.D. Strouth, Don Counts & John West. The SAR Color Guard carried the 50-Star & 13-Star U.S. Flags, with J.D. Strouth leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and then the reading of the poem "I Am The Flag."

Election of the 2011-2012 Officers was conducted followed by the Installation of the Officers.

- Written & submitted by John G. West, TSGS Vice=President

The Captain's Log - TSGS News

2011-06-14T07:56:00.002-04:00

TSGS Meeting Reminder!

When: 14 Jun 2011 Tuesday Night
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor
What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Rebecca Shelton ~"The Founding Mothers" Anyone interested in genealogy, history or the impact of Women in Colonial America is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

We will have the election of TSGS 2011-12 Officers. Since June 14 is Flag Day the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will perform a brief presentation for the U.S. Flag.

John G. West, TSGS President

Nationwide Veterans Gravesite Locator

2011-06-12T08:50:00.005-04:00

Search for burial locations of veterans...

and their family members in VA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, various other military and Department of Interior cemeteries, and for veterans buried in private cemeteries when the grave is marked with a government grave marker.

The Nationwide Veterans Gravesite Locator http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1

includes burial records from many sources. These sources provide varied data; some searches may contain less information than others. Information on veterans buried in private cemeteries was collected for the purpose of furnishing government grave markers, and we do not have information available for burials prior to 1997. Erroneous information can be corrected, but we are unable to add to the information contained in the existing record. If your search returns incorrect information about a veteran or family member buried in a national cemetery, please contact the cemetery directly to discuss your findings. To report incorrect information about a veteran buried in a private cemetery, click on "Contact Us" at the top of this page. Names cannot be added to the listing if a government grave marker was not furnished for the grave, or if the existing government grave marker was furnished prior to 1997. For more complete information concerning individual records, we suggest you contact the cemetery or local officials.

- Submitted by Don Counts

This is a very good service... you will not find all military gravesites (even some you know exists), but you can find a surprising number. I entered my ancestor Leonard Wheatley that I have visited his grave with his Revolutionary War marker... just to see if he would be listed. He was number 1 of several buried in Old Axel Cemetery in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. I entered cousins who were brothers and died in the last 10 years or so. I had decorated their graves for Memorial Day at Oak Hill Cemetery (Evansville, IN). Both Charles & Gilbert Witty were listed! However, I entered four other men that had military markers that were not listed - 2 for Civil War & 2 for Revolutionary War. I was impressed to know that this service was as good as it is! - JGWest

The War of 1812 Bicentennial Web Sites

2011-06-11T11:41:00.003-04:00

Here is a good link...

to a lot of The War of 1812 information, events, roster of Kentucky soldiers, etc.: Indiana Territory 1811-1815 http://thefirstvolley.com/

Vincennes University along with University of Southern Indiana & others are sponsoring symposiums with the next one on 25 Jun 2011 (get more details from the above site).

- Posted on FaceBook 9:49 am 11 Jun 2011 by Wade Harshman

Racing Down the River - Brief Genealogical Notes

2011-06-09T07:24:00.003-04:00

Here are two Internet sites worth bookmarking:

New FamilySearch TechTips Website Brings Together Genealogy and Technology

https://www.familysearch.org/techtips/

Search for your ancestors using this interactive directory of the best free genealogy search engines. Search top world-wide & specialized genealogy databases from one genealogy search site! The Ancestor Search site also has unique custom genealogy search engines found no where else. http://www.searchforancestors.com/

Here is the website for the Cumberland Gap, TN

Genealogy Jamboree -- Our Pioneer Beginnings

June 9, 10, 11 and 12, 2011.

http://www.wil-syl.com/jamboree/

The Captain's Log - TSGS News

2011-06-08T07:18:00.004-04:00

TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 14 Jun 2011 Tuesday Night
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor
What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Rebecca Shelton ~"The Founding Mothers" Anyone interested in genealogy, history or the impact of Women in Colonial America is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

Cyndi's List Launches a New Web Site

2011-06-07T07:17:00.002-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cyndi's List Launches a New Web Site

A major upgrade to celebrate 15 years of service

EDGEWOOD, WASHINGTON (June 6, 2011) Cyndi's List is proud to announce

a newly upgraded web site. With improved navigation, a custom database,

and a custom administrative interface, the upgrade means that everything

will be quicker and easier for both visitors and for the site's owner

and administrator, Cyndi Ingle Howells. The upgrade has been done by

fusionSpan of Maryland. Their staff worked closely with Cyndi to make

improvements and to implement new technology and new ideas designed

specifically for Cyndi’s List and for the genealogical community.

Part of the upgrade was made possible by donations from generous users

of Cyndi’s List. To date, 20% of what was accomplished in the project

was thanks to them. Donors have been listed on the web site.

What's New with the Upgrade:

* The front page of the Cyndi's List site has a rolling genealogy news

feed and a link to The Cyndi’s List Daily, a daily dose of family

history news as tagged in Twitter and Facebook. Start each day with the

front page of Cyndi's List and read the current genealogy news stories.

* The links are now contained within a database and pages will be

dynamically loaded on each visit.

* The custom database and administration interface means that

maintaining the link list will be much easier for Cyndi, which

ultimately benefits the user with faster and more frequent updates.

* The new interface means that the backlog of uncategorized links can be

processed much faster. The goal is to get the entire backlog done by the

end of this year.

* New links will be reviewed, approved, and categorized within 24-72

hours after submission by visitors.

* Updates made to Cyndi's List will be immediately available to the public.

* Previous to the upgrade, the "What's New" page and mailing list post

contained only new links submitted by visitors. The new "What's New"

page and e-mail will contain those, as well as links added to the site

during the day by Cyndi, *and* existing links that have been updated

throughout the site (new addresses, updated descriptions, etc.).

* Across the site links have been labeled with graphics as "new" or

"updated" when appropriate. With the upgrade these will now be

text-based notations (easily spotted in green), which means that you can

search on a page for "new" or "updated" with the Edit>Find function in

your web browser.

* Now sub-categories within a category heading each have their own page.

And each page displays 20 links, with pagination in place to go to the

next page and so on. This means there will be a lot less scrolling

through long pages as in the past. Shorter pages mean faster load time

in the browser as well.

* Intuitive navigation at the top of the category makes it easy to find

your way to previous category headings.

* The number of links within each category/sub-category is displayed at

the top right on each page.

* Each of the U.S. counties (more than 3,100) now has a designated page

of its own.

* URLs (addresses) for the pages have changed so bookmarks, favorites,

and links to Cyndi's List will need to be updated.

* Opportunities to shop, support, or donate are highlighted on each page.

What Has Stayed the Same?

* The category and sub-category names are all the same.

* Related Categories are highlighted at the top right on each category.

* The layout and format of the links are the same.

* The policies, procedures, and disclaimers for maintaining the link

list are the same.

* The Cyndi's List Mailing List will still distribute a daily What's New

e-mail and a daily Link Activity e-mail. However, the What’s New e-mail

will contain information about all new and updated links.

* You can still follow Cyndi's List on Facebook and Twitter.

* The purpose and intent of Cyndi's List is to be a free jumping-off

point for your daily genealogical research.

* Cyndi’s List remains free for everyone to use just as it has for the

past 15 years.

* This is still just a one-woman show!

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"Goofy Riding a Horse?"

2011-06-04T11:28:00.005-04:00

Goofy riding his horse!

I thought this was an interesting garden ornament that is right next to the Newburgh Rivertown Trail. Hey, who is that person in the left glass door panel? Click on the photos to get a larger, better image.

- Photos taken by JGWest

"Newburgh's Rivertown Trail"

2011-06-03T07:09:00.008-04:00

Rivertown Trail

Newburgh, Indiana

Becky & I decided to take a stroll along Newburgh's new walkway & bicycle path along the river. A lady told us that the complete trail was 4 miles long, we started at the new part which was about 2 miles. We took our time along the way resting on benches and just enjoying the fresh air and whatever we might see along the Ohio River. We saw quite a bit actually, including a ground hog about 20 feet from us (it got away before I could get a picture).
The trail ends on the east end at an observation point called "Indian Hill" - the above gateway has a white stone marker "Indian Hill 1924"
These two very large trees were up by the observation point. Becky is standing by the giant cypress tree. I think the huge tree above is a catalpa tree (this one may be two or three trees grown together!).
Below is the Observation Deck overlooking the Newburgh Lock & Dam.
The rest room facilities were not as nice as the rest of the trail features as you can see in the photo below. It was difficult to go down the bank to use it. I am kidding, of course, but this is a tool shed that was washed up on the river bank after our last very high river.
We had fun walking the trail, talking with lots of friendly southern Indiana folks who we met along the way. Our legs were sore for 3 or 4 days afterwards, but it was a high temp day with low humidity and a very nice breeze.

- Photos taken by JGWest