DuPage County (IL) Genealogical Society
36th Annual Conference
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Hilton Garden Inn, St. Charles, IL
For Details and Registration Information:
Visit http://www.dcgs.org,select/ Conferences, or DCGS, P.O. Box 3, Wheaton IL 60187
International Genealogy: [German, Irish, French-Canadian,Scotch-Irish, French Ancestry], Military Service Records, Several Methodology Talks, Cemetery Research, Naturalization Records, WWI Draft Cards, “Passage Express” Workshop
Conference: Connecting the Dots – A Genealogical Blockbuster
Presented by: The DuPage County (IL) Genealogical Society
Date: February 26, 2011 - St. Charles, Illinois
Their 36th annual conference can help researchers of all levels.
Featured speakers:
George K. Schweitzer, John Philip Colletta, Jeffrey A. Bockman,
Timothy N. Pinnick, Michelle Bray Wilson, Carole Magnuson.
George Schweitzer & John Colletta are two of the best lecturers in the country.It is strongly recommended that you attend at least one of each of their programs!
This all-day event has three simultaneous lectures in four sessions. There will be exhibitors, vendors, and a hot lunch.
Lectures include the following topics:
International Genealogy: [German, Irish, French-Canadian, Scotch-Irish, French Ancestry]Military Service Records, Several Methodology Talks, Cemetery Research,
Naturalization Records, WWI Draft Cards, "Passage Express" Workshop.
Cost: $45-non-members (if postmarked by Feb 12), $40-DCGS members
$50 after Feb 12 and at the door
Please Sign-up Early - Note that 290 people is the Maximum number of registrations.
For more information see http://www.dcgs.org/ and select "Conferences," phone: 630-665-6599, or email DCGSRegistrar@aol.com.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
"Saving The Family Bible"
'
The Family Bible is typically 12 x10 by 4 inches. The Bible was most likely published between 1840 and 1900. In the beginning of this Family Bible period the covers were flat with little embossment if any. Later Family Bibles from 1870 are most often deeply embossed and have panels stamped in gold. More often than not the later Bibles’ paper can be more embrittled than earlier Bibles. Paper was mass-produced with more harsh chemicals after the beginning of the industrial revolution. Earlier Bibles tend to be single columned content where newer ones of the late Victorian will be double columned. These later Bibles often have glossaries, maps and illustrated sections in the front of the Bible.
Why is this family relic in poor condition? Family Bibles like everything else suffer the passage of time, but the biggest threats to the Bible are heat, humidity and light. That is not to say that some of these venerable giants have simply been worn-out by use. There are usually many forensic signs of heavy usage such as, food and debris in the gutters, ear-marked pages from heavy use, hair braids to corsages stuffed between pages, torn and bumped covers and finally the general rubs and abrasions of prolonged use. But suffering all this, again a Bible’s great enemies are heat, humidity and light.
The effects of these three conditions do more to age and breakdown the substance of Bibles than anything else. From what materials are a Bible made? First, the papers in earlier Bibles are a cotton, linen or a mix of the two. These fibers are very long lived and as an example a pure linen paper can easily last over 500 years. Later, the pages were pulped using tree fibers and harsh chemicals. That’s why I said older paper is likely to be in better condition because of the quality of materials. Older Bibles may have one or two different papers, typically one kind for illustrations and the other for text. Later Bibles have a change of papers like a model in a fashion show. For example the illustrations, the title page and interleafing tissue, the text paper, the Family Record pages, more text paper and at the back heavy paper lined board where photographs are inserted.
Family Bibles are made with leather. Again owing to radical changes in the production techniques, earlier Bibles tend to have longer lasting leather and newer ones can become powdery and tattered. For the most part all Bibles were covered in calf. There are examples of cloth bindings for Bibles, too. These were the poor families’ option. In late Victorian clothbound Bibles there is a likelihood of poor paper, too.
Hide glue was used to along with linen thread to bind the Bibles. Hide glue is only good for about a hundred years before it becomes brittle. Hide glue also can be acidic. It is not unusual to see the spine of the Bible parting from the glue having shrunk and separated from the paper. Because of the shear weight of the Family Bible, all these materials bound together properly can last for centuries, if one fails the whole Bible will soon fall apart.
With the ingredients of leather, cotton, hide glue and linen we see in its composition that this is a rather organic system. In some ways it is miraculous they don’t get eaten by vermin and pets! Take any of these materials and nail them to an outside post and you’ll witness a rather quick degradation to dust!
So then, what can we do to prolong these precious heirlooms?
*Never put a Bible in the basement, garage or attic.Never put a Bible upright without lateral support.
*Never leave a Bible opened for prolonged periods.
*Never let sunlight or harsh lighting contact the Bible.
*Never keep a Bible in either a humid or extremely dry environment.
*Never keep a Bible in an extremely warm environment.
*Do keep a Bible at room temperature 68 to 72 degrees.
*Do store a Bible flat but make sure it’s kept to its form not canted.
*Do maintain humidity as close to 50% as possible.
*Do contain the Bible in an archival box.
*Do store the Bible near bottom of the closet. [Not the floor (flood) not on top (fire)].
*Do keep the Bible Record updated with a note inside front cover with family names.
*Do choose a responsible guardian to transfer the Bible when you are ready.
Nothing lasts forever, at least in a physical form. Family Bibles after 100 years generally can use the services of a professional bookbinder. With the proper restoration and conservation, this heirloom can reasonably last another 100 years. Use caution in selecting a good conservator and your family will enjoy and treasure your Family Bible for many more generations.
- Written by Max Marbles www.maxmarblesbookbinder.com
-----------------
Max Marbles binder@teleport.com
http://www.maxmarblesbookbinder.com
(503) 378-7166
Max Marbles/Bookbinder
1313 Mill St. SE
Salem, OR 97301
The Family Bible is typically 12 x10 by 4 inches. The Bible was most likely published between 1840 and 1900. In the beginning of this Family Bible period the covers were flat with little embossment if any. Later Family Bibles from 1870 are most often deeply embossed and have panels stamped in gold. More often than not the later Bibles’ paper can be more embrittled than earlier Bibles. Paper was mass-produced with more harsh chemicals after the beginning of the industrial revolution. Earlier Bibles tend to be single columned content where newer ones of the late Victorian will be double columned. These later Bibles often have glossaries, maps and illustrated sections in the front of the Bible.
Why is this family relic in poor condition? Family Bibles like everything else suffer the passage of time, but the biggest threats to the Bible are heat, humidity and light. That is not to say that some of these venerable giants have simply been worn-out by use. There are usually many forensic signs of heavy usage such as, food and debris in the gutters, ear-marked pages from heavy use, hair braids to corsages stuffed between pages, torn and bumped covers and finally the general rubs and abrasions of prolonged use. But suffering all this, again a Bible’s great enemies are heat, humidity and light.
The effects of these three conditions do more to age and breakdown the substance of Bibles than anything else. From what materials are a Bible made? First, the papers in earlier Bibles are a cotton, linen or a mix of the two. These fibers are very long lived and as an example a pure linen paper can easily last over 500 years. Later, the pages were pulped using tree fibers and harsh chemicals. That’s why I said older paper is likely to be in better condition because of the quality of materials. Older Bibles may have one or two different papers, typically one kind for illustrations and the other for text. Later Bibles have a change of papers like a model in a fashion show. For example the illustrations, the title page and interleafing tissue, the text paper, the Family Record pages, more text paper and at the back heavy paper lined board where photographs are inserted.
Family Bibles are made with leather. Again owing to radical changes in the production techniques, earlier Bibles tend to have longer lasting leather and newer ones can become powdery and tattered. For the most part all Bibles were covered in calf. There are examples of cloth bindings for Bibles, too. These were the poor families’ option. In late Victorian clothbound Bibles there is a likelihood of poor paper, too.
Hide glue was used to along with linen thread to bind the Bibles. Hide glue is only good for about a hundred years before it becomes brittle. Hide glue also can be acidic. It is not unusual to see the spine of the Bible parting from the glue having shrunk and separated from the paper. Because of the shear weight of the Family Bible, all these materials bound together properly can last for centuries, if one fails the whole Bible will soon fall apart.
With the ingredients of leather, cotton, hide glue and linen we see in its composition that this is a rather organic system. In some ways it is miraculous they don’t get eaten by vermin and pets! Take any of these materials and nail them to an outside post and you’ll witness a rather quick degradation to dust!
So then, what can we do to prolong these precious heirlooms?
*Never put a Bible in the basement, garage or attic.Never put a Bible upright without lateral support.
*Never leave a Bible opened for prolonged periods.
*Never let sunlight or harsh lighting contact the Bible.
*Never keep a Bible in either a humid or extremely dry environment.
*Never keep a Bible in an extremely warm environment.
*Do keep a Bible at room temperature 68 to 72 degrees.
*Do store a Bible flat but make sure it’s kept to its form not canted.
*Do maintain humidity as close to 50% as possible.
*Do contain the Bible in an archival box.
*Do store the Bible near bottom of the closet. [Not the floor (flood) not on top (fire)].
*Do keep the Bible Record updated with a note inside front cover with family names.
*Do choose a responsible guardian to transfer the Bible when you are ready.
Nothing lasts forever, at least in a physical form. Family Bibles after 100 years generally can use the services of a professional bookbinder. With the proper restoration and conservation, this heirloom can reasonably last another 100 years. Use caution in selecting a good conservator and your family will enjoy and treasure your Family Bible for many more generations.
- Written by Max Marbles www.maxmarblesbookbinder.com
-----------------
Max Marbles binder@teleport.com
http://www.maxmarblesbookbinder.com
(503) 378-7166
Max Marbles/Bookbinder
1313 Mill St. SE
Salem, OR 97301
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
From the FIRST MATE's
PHOTO ALBUM...
'
Leather Post Card!!!
John, this leather post card depicting Willard Library may not be that unusual but I found it unique and thought I'd share it with you. It was post marked Evansville, Ind. 06 Sep 1909, and sent to my maternal grandmother in Henderson, Kentucky by one of her suitors at that time. She eventually married Herman Klauder Kreipke in 1911 and they had two children, one being my mother, Minnie Louise (Kreipke) Crane.
Allan M. Crane
Charleston, SC
[Click on photos to enlarge the images.]
[Thanks, Allan! This is unique to me, as well. I have seen thin wooden cards, hard placards, tin & copper cards, but never leather! - JGW]
Leather Post Card!!!
John, this leather post card depicting Willard Library may not be that unusual but I found it unique and thought I'd share it with you. It was post marked Evansville, Ind. 06 Sep 1909, and sent to my maternal grandmother in Henderson, Kentucky by one of her suitors at that time. She eventually married Herman Klauder Kreipke in 1911 and they had two children, one being my mother, Minnie Louise (Kreipke) Crane.
Allan M. Crane
Charleston, SC
[Click on photos to enlarge the images.]
[Thanks, Allan! This is unique to me, as well. I have seen thin wooden cards, hard placards, tin & copper cards, but never leather! - JGW]- Photos submitted by Allan Crane
Monday, September 27, 2010
Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday - James G. Jones
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Evansville's First Mayor...
James G. Jones was Evansville, Indiana's 1st. Mayor from 1847-1853. This plaque is placed on his grave at Oak Hill Cemetery. Click on the photo to get a larger image. James Jones was a lot more than just Evansville's Mayor! He served as Indiana Attorney General 1860-1861.
Below is Colonel Jones Civil War marker.
Evansville's First Mayor...
James G. Jones was Evansville, Indiana's 1st. Mayor from 1847-1853. This plaque is placed on his grave at Oak Hill Cemetery. Click on the photo to get a larger image. James Jones was a lot more than just Evansville's Mayor! He served as Indiana Attorney General 1860-1861.
Below is Colonel Jones Civil War marker.
- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Just for Fun... "Everything is Relative"
'
As you look at this flagpole at the Lincoln Boyhood National Park in Spencer County, Indiana, you realize that this is a tall pole.
And as we get closer it does seem tall, indeed.
However, when you get closer to it and compare it to Becky at 5 foot 3 inches... you suddenly realize this is a very BIG flagpole!!!
- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest
As you look at this flagpole at the Lincoln Boyhood National Park in Spencer County, Indiana, you realize that this is a tall pole.
And as we get closer it does seem tall, indeed.
However, when you get closer to it and compare it to Becky at 5 foot 3 inches... you suddenly realize this is a very BIG flagpole!!!
- Photos taken & submitted by JGWestFriday, September 24, 2010
A Story About A Cemetery At Night
'
This is a true story about a very dark night in a cemetery!
Back in the 1980's I served a short tenure as the City Cemetery Manager... the job had been called City Cemetery Superintendent before I started and returned to Superintendent after my service! So, I guess I made a slight footnote in city history for being the only City Manager of the City Cemeteries (Locust Hill & Oak Hill). I think I may have served the shortest term of office, as well! At the time, the Cemetery Board would meet in the conference room of the Administrative Building at Oak Hill Cemetery after normal office hours. In the winter months it would get dark, very dark in the cemetery... lighting was almost non-existent, but there was adequate lights on the building for everyone to see to leave after the meeting. It was the policy to save on electricity by not leaving lights on. This meant that I would stay behind to let everyone leave, then I would turn the lights off.
Someone asked me if I was afraid to be in the cemetery, alone, after dark with no lights. I would just laugh and say that I was not afraid of the cemetery "residents" it was the "living" that generally made me nervous. This night was the first Board Meeting since being named Manager. Later, I watched the last of the Board Members drive out the front gate and off went the lights. Wow! The cemetery was very, very dark... pitch dark! I needed my cigaret lighter to see my way to the car. I turned on the engine and joked to myself that I hoped there were no ghosts in the cemetery with a grudge against the cemetery or the administrators! Then, I was in for the biggest shock of my life... I turned my head lights on and the cemetery seemed to light up! I was surrounded by polished tombstones reflecting my car head lights!!! I just about jumped out of my skin!!! I took off for the gate to get out of there. At the gate I had to get out and lock the padlock and I felt "spooked" fumbling with the gate & the lock. It felt like someone was there in the shadows. I jumped back into the car, locked all of the doors & sped off. Then I took a deep sigh of relief & started laughing at myself.
- Written by JGWest
This is a true story about a very dark night in a cemetery!
Back in the 1980's I served a short tenure as the City Cemetery Manager... the job had been called City Cemetery Superintendent before I started and returned to Superintendent after my service! So, I guess I made a slight footnote in city history for being the only City Manager of the City Cemeteries (Locust Hill & Oak Hill). I think I may have served the shortest term of office, as well! At the time, the Cemetery Board would meet in the conference room of the Administrative Building at Oak Hill Cemetery after normal office hours. In the winter months it would get dark, very dark in the cemetery... lighting was almost non-existent, but there was adequate lights on the building for everyone to see to leave after the meeting. It was the policy to save on electricity by not leaving lights on. This meant that I would stay behind to let everyone leave, then I would turn the lights off.
Someone asked me if I was afraid to be in the cemetery, alone, after dark with no lights. I would just laugh and say that I was not afraid of the cemetery "residents" it was the "living" that generally made me nervous. This night was the first Board Meeting since being named Manager. Later, I watched the last of the Board Members drive out the front gate and off went the lights. Wow! The cemetery was very, very dark... pitch dark! I needed my cigaret lighter to see my way to the car. I turned on the engine and joked to myself that I hoped there were no ghosts in the cemetery with a grudge against the cemetery or the administrators! Then, I was in for the biggest shock of my life... I turned my head lights on and the cemetery seemed to light up! I was surrounded by polished tombstones reflecting my car head lights!!! I just about jumped out of my skin!!! I took off for the gate to get out of there. At the gate I had to get out and lock the padlock and I felt "spooked" fumbling with the gate & the lock. It felt like someone was there in the shadows. I jumped back into the car, locked all of the doors & sped off. Then I took a deep sigh of relief & started laughing at myself.
- Written by JGWest
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tombstone Thursday - Smith
'
This is a very ornate marker... notice the initials "E, Q, S!"
You can see the difference between the old & new from a long distance, that makes this one stick out more than its size makes it stand out. This is a nice marker that has some special beauty.
- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest
[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]
Oak Hill Cemetery
Evansville, Indiana
Edward Q. Smith
Marion W. Smith
Section 7, Lot 49, Graves 1 & 2
This grave marker caught my attention yesterday when I was at the cemetery. The mid-section with the four columns is newer than the rest of the marker below & above. The older portions are made of limestone, while the new part is made of polished granite.
This is a very ornate marker... notice the initials "E, Q, S!"
You can see the difference between the old & new from a long distance, that makes this one stick out more than its size makes it stand out. This is a nice marker that has some special beauty.
- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]
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