Historic Poster

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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