Kentucky County Marriage Records Online

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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...

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!"

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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