The plants are watered, the laundry is all done, the suitcases are packed. The alarm is set, garage door is down... and we are off. Actually we've been on the road now for 10 whole research filled, fun days. Days full of meeting people, researching and just enjoying being out & about.
The primary time spent so far has been on the ancestors & their families in Montgomery County, Ohio. With so many ancestors there we've been spending lots of time there. This time however, had to be the best!
I've been searching for a repository for the Germantown Press, the newspaper for Germantown, Ohio for quite a few years. This past Thursday, the librarian at the Montgomery County Genealogy Center, found the paper at Wright State University.
On Friday morning we set out for Wright State. After breakfast and a wrong turn into Wright Patterson AF base we finally arrived. We went in search of a visitors parking pass, got it and managed to locate the library. The staff was helpful and courteous.
At long last I was able to get to the Germantown papers. I really like it when I find a "one stop shopping" location for the newspapers in the area's I'm researching. On Friday, I finally found that for the Montgomery, Preble & Darke county area's of Ohio. Wright State University library fits the bill perfectly! We will be back!
Happy Researching!
Karen
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
03 July 2016
01 November 2012
One Year Already?
A year ago today I started keeping a research journal. Keep in mind that keeping any sort of journal or log is a challenge for me. Its just not something that I've been good at doing.
I know some people who can journal for years and think nothing of it. I've expressed interest in keeping a journal in the past but always stopped after a few days. I just didn't ever make a real effort to keep it up.
So when I decided to try and keep a research journal I had no idea how it would go. I didn't know I'd be out of the country (I took it with me!), I did miss a day here and there, but to my surprise not as many as I thought. So through travel, sickness, craziness and more I kept it up.
Some days there are just a few things written here and there, other days the little daily blocks were crammed full. There are happy faces with goals met, dates scratched in margins for material sent for and rec'd, frown faces for things sent for that came back empty handed. Also have lots of notes about little research trips, notes about the parking, the fees, the things I searched.
So today I've started another research journal. Most people start them Jan 01... I decided its just too crazy around that time of year. So I started mine 11/01 and I have time to get into it before the holidays really kick in. I'm so glad I started to use a research journal. Its nice to be able to look back over the past year - I can see where I've been and where I want to go for the upcoming year!
Research journals - a very good thing (at least for me). Sorry images are at home today and I'm writing this while I volunteer at a location where my files are not accessible. You can request images by emailing me or leaving a comment with contact information.
Happy Researching!
Karen
I know some people who can journal for years and think nothing of it. I've expressed interest in keeping a journal in the past but always stopped after a few days. I just didn't ever make a real effort to keep it up.
So when I decided to try and keep a research journal I had no idea how it would go. I didn't know I'd be out of the country (I took it with me!), I did miss a day here and there, but to my surprise not as many as I thought. So through travel, sickness, craziness and more I kept it up.
Some days there are just a few things written here and there, other days the little daily blocks were crammed full. There are happy faces with goals met, dates scratched in margins for material sent for and rec'd, frown faces for things sent for that came back empty handed. Also have lots of notes about little research trips, notes about the parking, the fees, the things I searched.
So today I've started another research journal. Most people start them Jan 01... I decided its just too crazy around that time of year. So I started mine 11/01 and I have time to get into it before the holidays really kick in. I'm so glad I started to use a research journal. Its nice to be able to look back over the past year - I can see where I've been and where I want to go for the upcoming year!
Research journals - a very good thing (at least for me). Sorry images are at home today and I'm writing this while I volunteer at a location where my files are not accessible. You can request images by emailing me or leaving a comment with contact information.
Happy Researching!
Karen
16 November 2011
Its Not Rocket Science
Recently I spent some time researching at a library in southern Ohio. All in all a very nice library. Although my experience in the newspaper realm was a positive one I do have to wonder about some other aspects of the "genealogy" room.
When I approached the librarian at the desk to ask about getting in the local history room she looked at me as if I were asking for the date the world was ending. She seemed surprised that I even wanted in the room. She offered no assistance.
When I got into the room I had been told on the phone that the newspapers were in the room with the rest of the local history, they were not. They were in fact in the middle of the library, right in the middle of all the internet computers. Screaming babies, teenagers with ipods so loud they didn't need ear buds to listen, some images on computer screens I'd rather not have seen. Not a good thing!
We were told they had an obituary index. What they referred to as an obituary index was in fact many years of obituaries all innotebooks folders, sorted by dates, some by years, some by months within the years. The problem is no one ever takes the time to put them in the order that they should be in. So I doubt they get much use. They said they had the years that I was looking for but I never could find the ones I was looking for. With well over 50 or 60 notebooks err folders, with no room for spine titles, searching was very difficult. I gave up.
I had about four hours to do the things I wanted to do, spending 2 hours of it rearranging their obituary folders wasn't on the list.
I think the saddest part of the visit was the log book. This book was in the room, supposedly so that visitors could log in when they visited, who they were researching and perhaps leave contact information. Its obvious from looking at the book that no one ever checks up on the room. The book had letters very obviously written by teens on some pages, one page had a note asking advice on how to hook up with a girl in his class at school. There were scribbles, half torn pages... really disappointing.
Its a good thing they have such a great newspaper collection, otherwise I doubt I'd make the effort to return there. In this day and age a bit of effort from the library staff would have been most helpful. Doesn't appear they have time. Wonder how much time they will have when they get replaced with a computer that least asks "How can I help you?"
Customer service isn't rocket science. When a person stops by to ask about access to a part of a library it would seem to me that is a clue they aren't local patrons. Taking a few minutes to offer assistance, directions, or field questions would make a world difference. With libaries suffering financially it would seem to me that stepping up the customer service end of the deal might just help make people want to come back. What a concept... people using libraries.
Off the soapbox and back to my genealogy.
Happy Researching!
Karen
When I approached the librarian at the desk to ask about getting in the local history room she looked at me as if I were asking for the date the world was ending. She seemed surprised that I even wanted in the room. She offered no assistance.
When I got into the room I had been told on the phone that the newspapers were in the room with the rest of the local history, they were not. They were in fact in the middle of the library, right in the middle of all the internet computers. Screaming babies, teenagers with ipods so loud they didn't need ear buds to listen, some images on computer screens I'd rather not have seen. Not a good thing!
We were told they had an obituary index. What they referred to as an obituary index was in fact many years of obituaries all in
I had about four hours to do the things I wanted to do, spending 2 hours of it rearranging their obituary folders wasn't on the list.
I think the saddest part of the visit was the log book. This book was in the room, supposedly so that visitors could log in when they visited, who they were researching and perhaps leave contact information. Its obvious from looking at the book that no one ever checks up on the room. The book had letters very obviously written by teens on some pages, one page had a note asking advice on how to hook up with a girl in his class at school. There were scribbles, half torn pages... really disappointing.
Its a good thing they have such a great newspaper collection, otherwise I doubt I'd make the effort to return there. In this day and age a bit of effort from the library staff would have been most helpful. Doesn't appear they have time. Wonder how much time they will have when they get replaced with a computer that least asks "How can I help you?"
Customer service isn't rocket science. When a person stops by to ask about access to a part of a library it would seem to me that is a clue they aren't local patrons. Taking a few minutes to offer assistance, directions, or field questions would make a world difference. With libaries suffering financially it would seem to me that stepping up the customer service end of the deal might just help make people want to come back. What a concept... people using libraries.
Off the soapbox and back to my genealogy.
Happy Researching!
Karen
17 July 2009
Extra Extra Read All About It Con't....
The other day I did a post on newspapers and all the great things that can be found there. Today I want to touch on places to find the newspapers you need.
There are quite a few possiblities when it comes time to begin searching for newspapers in the area's where your ancestors lived. A really good place to begin is in that city itself - especially if you live in the area or live nearby. Check with the main branch of the local library. Usually they have the older issues on microfilm.
Nothing really compares to just sitting down and reading the newspapers of your ancestor. Pick the time around a wedding or important occassion to start your search, that gives you something to focus on. Then start reading. Birthday's, weddings, baby births are all good reasons to start reading as well. The social pages are a really good place to start. This is not the time for scanning quickly thru the pages, you want to take your time and just read thru. You'll be glad you did.
If you do not live nearby and can not get to the area where your ancestor lived, then perhaps an interlibrary loan could be arranged. This is usually done thru YOUR library, where a form is filled out and sometimes a small fee is to be paid. They bring in the time frame or issues you want to look at on microfilm and you have a window of time in which to read the film and then it gets returned. You will have to check with your local library to get the details on that.
Another option if visiting the area of your ancestor is not an option there's always the internet.
The websites I am going to mention here are for "Pay" sites. It will cost you to use these sites, however if you can not get to the area where your ancestor lived, this may be your best option. I am not advocating that you run out & buy yourself subscriptions to these sites, most do offer trial subscriptions - read the policy very well before you commit, know the rules on how to cancel and make sure you are well within the bounds when you do cancel.
Besides knowing the rules for canceling your subscription (trial or otherwise) also make sure you know what the holdings of the site are. Why pay for a site that doesn't have the papers you need for the time frames you want? Make sure you do your homework so that you don't sign up for a site that has nothing you need. Also check to see if they have different plans, maybe you don't need a years subscription, maybe six months would be better. Do your homework before you plop down the plastic or write the check.
There are quite a few possiblities when it comes time to begin searching for newspapers in the area's where your ancestors lived. A really good place to begin is in that city itself - especially if you live in the area or live nearby. Check with the main branch of the local library. Usually they have the older issues on microfilm.
Nothing really compares to just sitting down and reading the newspapers of your ancestor. Pick the time around a wedding or important occassion to start your search, that gives you something to focus on. Then start reading. Birthday's, weddings, baby births are all good reasons to start reading as well. The social pages are a really good place to start. This is not the time for scanning quickly thru the pages, you want to take your time and just read thru. You'll be glad you did.
If you do not live nearby and can not get to the area where your ancestor lived, then perhaps an interlibrary loan could be arranged. This is usually done thru YOUR library, where a form is filled out and sometimes a small fee is to be paid. They bring in the time frame or issues you want to look at on microfilm and you have a window of time in which to read the film and then it gets returned. You will have to check with your local library to get the details on that.
Another option if visiting the area of your ancestor is not an option there's always the internet.
The websites I am going to mention here are for "Pay" sites. It will cost you to use these sites, however if you can not get to the area where your ancestor lived, this may be your best option. I am not advocating that you run out & buy yourself subscriptions to these sites, most do offer trial subscriptions - read the policy very well before you commit, know the rules on how to cancel and make sure you are well within the bounds when you do cancel.
Besides knowing the rules for canceling your subscription (trial or otherwise) also make sure you know what the holdings of the site are. Why pay for a site that doesn't have the papers you need for the time frames you want? Make sure you do your homework so that you don't sign up for a site that has nothing you need. Also check to see if they have different plans, maybe you don't need a years subscription, maybe six months would be better. Do your homework before you plop down the plastic or write the check.
- Ancestry.com - has both newspapers & a very big obituary collection
- Newspaperarchive.com - allows you to view a portion of the obit and then if you want the rest you pay to get it.
- Footnote.com - site also has lots of military records as well.
- Genealogybank.com - biggest advantage this site has is that the collection is extensive and goes back into the 1700's. Something that not all of these sites can boast.
All of these sites have search engines on them allowing you to search by surname. However, my past experience shows that you can NOT depend on these search engines for everything. If you are searching for information on a wedding or other event, take the time to manually search the papers for information - I usually go as much as two weeks after the event in my searches. Keep in mind that if you ask for a Mary Smith in the search engine and her obituary or whatever has her as Mrs. John Smith you may not find her. So a manual search may be in order.
There are other sites that have newspapers on them, I have given you the top four in my opinion.
As with your software and other issues in genealogy I encourage you to explore ALL your options, find the one that works best FOR YOU, and then work it! You'll be amazed at what you can find when you take off the blinders and find the good stuff!
20 April 2009
The Price is Right...
Okay, I know what you are thinking - what the heck does a television game show have to do with genealogy? Actually it has nothing to do with it, but the phrase has tons to do with it.
With the onset of more & more vital records coming on line, which is a very good thing, less & less people are using libraries & historical societies anymore. Which is a very bad thing.
Ever heard the phrase, use it or loose it? Many libraries & historical societies are having trouble making their budgets because so many people aren't using the resources that these organizations house. Some are in danger of shutting their doors forever because without revenue they can't operate.
On Saturday my husband Mark & I traveled to Lansing to the State Library of Michigan to do some client work in the genealogy department. For the first time in a very long time I actually saw a woman using census microfilm! OMG! What a concept! Great libraries like the Michigan State library have tons of materials not on line and probably will never be on line.
Yes, the price is right for the records found on line, its great that they are there, but there are many newspapers and other valuable resources that can't be found on line that hold valuable clues to your ancestors, but because they aren't on line & you won't make the trek to the library, heaven only knows what you are missing!
Many historical societies are putting their holdings on line but many can not due to funding and other financial concerns. Volunteers are dropping off, there's no one to do the work, everyone is at home on line. Seriously, we need to make the time to visit our libraries and support the libraries & the historical societies. Memberships need to be retained so that newsletters can be done and websites maintained. Without the funding from memberships etc., many historical societies & libraries just don't have the funds to put their information on line.
I guess what I am saying is that we need to keep our memberships to the historical & genealogical societies paid, we need to take the time to pack up our genealogy bag and make use of our great libraries before we loose them. I see lots of people making a fuss when they announce the possibility of closing a library but I don't really see any drastic change in the attendance there. And in many states (check with your tax man or state office) supporting the library or historical society can be a tax deducation on your income tax. Just think, your check to support your library, historical society or genealogical society may just be the one that keeps the lights on, the printers humming or the website on line for another year. Sure sounds like the Price is Right to me!
Karen
With the onset of more & more vital records coming on line, which is a very good thing, less & less people are using libraries & historical societies anymore. Which is a very bad thing.
Ever heard the phrase, use it or loose it? Many libraries & historical societies are having trouble making their budgets because so many people aren't using the resources that these organizations house. Some are in danger of shutting their doors forever because without revenue they can't operate.
On Saturday my husband Mark & I traveled to Lansing to the State Library of Michigan to do some client work in the genealogy department. For the first time in a very long time I actually saw a woman using census microfilm! OMG! What a concept! Great libraries like the Michigan State library have tons of materials not on line and probably will never be on line.
Yes, the price is right for the records found on line, its great that they are there, but there are many newspapers and other valuable resources that can't be found on line that hold valuable clues to your ancestors, but because they aren't on line & you won't make the trek to the library, heaven only knows what you are missing!
Many historical societies are putting their holdings on line but many can not due to funding and other financial concerns. Volunteers are dropping off, there's no one to do the work, everyone is at home on line. Seriously, we need to make the time to visit our libraries and support the libraries & the historical societies. Memberships need to be retained so that newsletters can be done and websites maintained. Without the funding from memberships etc., many historical societies & libraries just don't have the funds to put their information on line.
I guess what I am saying is that we need to keep our memberships to the historical & genealogical societies paid, we need to take the time to pack up our genealogy bag and make use of our great libraries before we loose them. I see lots of people making a fuss when they announce the possibility of closing a library but I don't really see any drastic change in the attendance there. And in many states (check with your tax man or state office) supporting the library or historical society can be a tax deducation on your income tax. Just think, your check to support your library, historical society or genealogical society may just be the one that keeps the lights on, the printers humming or the website on line for another year. Sure sounds like the Price is Right to me!
Karen
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