Eleanor, Since I know you have local input with the Effingham Co. Genealogical Society (I'm a long-distance member, myself) I'll address this question mainly to you. Do you know how the Society and the Helen Matthes Library might purchase a library subscription to at least one of the genealogy database subscriptions offering online census images (i.e. Ancestry, Genealogy.com, HeritageQuest)? That is, so Helen Matthes Library patrons could access free data from their home computers, using library cards as "ID." Many larger city libraries, such Palm Springs and San Diego where I have dual residence, offer these types of subscriptions. After an Internet search, it seems the closest library to Effingham that offers free genealogy subscriptions is the Decatur Library (where they offer BOTH Ancestry and HeritageQuest). Effingham deserves something like this as well, especially for the researchers on a budget and those that simply can't access census microfilm rolls. I think this would be a great addition to both the Genealogical Society and Helen Matthes Library holdings to provide this service for its patrons. And not only local library patrons, but perhaps it could be extended to the Effingham Genealogical Society members all over the U.S. as well (if given actual membership numbers could be used as login IDs in place of library card numbers). With this "bonus", it would definitely increase the Society's membership, which would offset the annual library subscription costs. Even if this was part of an "upgraded membership" option, I'm sure lots of people would be eager to join. Does everyone else agree with me? Delores Rochelle Walls

Delores, Thanks for the suggestion. If we were to consider this we would need someone to guide us through the set-up/use of such a project. Due to a decrease in income for the coming year, it would be a hardship for the library to take part in this. Also any project that would require more time/volunteer or otherwise would be out of the question at this time. Eleanor ----- Original Message ----- From: "Delores Rochelle Walls" <Loy_Genealogy@att.net> To: <ILEFFING-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 2:35 AM Subject: [ILEFFING-L] Genealogy Databases > Eleanor, > > Since I know you have local input with the Effingham Co. Genealogical > Society (I'm a long-distance member, myself) I'll address this question > mainly to you. Do you know how the Society and the Helen Matthes Library > might purchase a library subscription to at least one of the genealogy > database subscriptions offering online census images (i.e. Ancestry, > Genealogy.com, HeritageQuest)? That is, so Helen Matthes Library patrons > could access free data from their home computers, using library cards as > "ID." > > Many larger city libraries, such Palm Springs and San Diego where I have > dual residence, offer these types of subscriptions. After an Internet > search, it seems the closest library to Effingham that offers free > genealogy > subscriptions is the Decatur Library (where they offer BOTH Ancestry and > HeritageQuest). Effingham deserves something like this as well, > especially > for the researchers on a budget and those that simply can't access census > microfilm rolls. > > I think this would be a great addition to both the Genealogical Society > and > Helen Matthes Library holdings to provide this service for its patrons. > And > not only local library patrons, but perhaps it could be extended to the > Effingham Genealogical Society members all over the U.S. as well (if given > actual membership numbers could be used as login IDs in place of library > card numbers). With this "bonus", it would definitely increase the > Society's membership, which would offset the annual library subscription > costs. Even if this was part of an "upgraded membership" option, I'm sure > lots of people would be eager to join. Does everyone else agree with me? > > Delores Rochelle Walls > > > ==== ILEFFING Mailing List ==== > If you want to subscribe to this list or unsubscribe from it, send e-mail > to ILEFFING-L-request@rootsweb.com or (for the > digest list) ILEFFING-D-request@rootsweb.com and put the word subscribe or > unsubscribe in the message body. > > >

Eleanor, Thanks for the reply. (Rather than send you a personal reply, I know others are probably interested in this subject, so I'll continue replying to the list.) From what I understand, the only real obstacle would be the funds for the library subscription. That could probably be pooled together in an earmarked fund. Any volunteer time needed could probably be something I could do from here in California. In the coming weeks I'll check the libraries here and see what their subscriptions cost and what the specifics and time involved would be. Delores On 8/17/05 5:15 AM, "Eleanor Bounds" <elpobo@effingham.net> wrote: > Delores, > Thanks for the suggestion. If we were to consider this we would need someone > to guide us through the set-up/use of such a project. Due to a decrease in > income for the coming year, it would be a hardship for the library to take > part in this. Also any project that would require more time/volunteer or > otherwise would be out of the question at this time. Eleanor > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Delores Rochelle Walls" <Loy_Genealogy@att.net> > To: <ILEFFING-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 2:35 AM > Subject: [ILEFFING-L] Genealogy Databases > > >> Eleanor, >> >> Since I know you have local input with the Effingham Co. Genealogical >> Society (I'm a long-distance member, myself) I'll address this question >> mainly to you. Do you know how the Society and the Helen Matthes Library >> might purchase a library subscription to at least one of the genealogy >> database subscriptions offering online census images (i.e. Ancestry, >> Genealogy.com, HeritageQuest)? That is, so Helen Matthes Library patrons >> could access free data from their home computers, using library cards as >> "ID." >> >> Many larger city libraries, such Palm Springs and San Diego where I have >> dual residence, offer these types of subscriptions. After an Internet >> search, it seems the closest library to Effingham that offers free >> genealogy >> subscriptions is the Decatur Library (where they offer BOTH Ancestry and >> HeritageQuest). Effingham deserves something like this as well, >> especially >> for the researchers on a budget and those that simply can't access census >> microfilm rolls. >> >> I think this would be a great addition to both the Genealogical Society >> and >> Helen Matthes Library holdings to provide this service for its patrons. >> And >> not only local library patrons, but perhaps it could be extended to the >> Effingham Genealogical Society members all over the U.S. as well (if given >> actual membership numbers could be used as login IDs in place of library >> card numbers). With this "bonus", it would definitely increase the >> Society's membership, which would offset the annual library subscription >> costs. Even if this was part of an "upgraded membership" option, I'm sure >> lots of people would be eager to join. Does everyone else agree with me? >> >> Delores Rochelle Walls >>

I think Eleanor refers to the volunteer time that would be needed to monitor the usage of the computers at the library, etc., handle problems associated with a subscription, etc. (Correct me if I'm out in left field here, Eleanor). The Helen Mathes Library is a small library with a limited number of computers for the entire library, not just the genealogy people. Every time I've been there, there's been a waiting list for people to use the few computer terminals that are there (and not necessarily for genealogy purposes). It would not be realistic (in my humble opinion) to put an additional load on the library staff and/or the genealogy volunteers. They are spread too thin as it is (although they do a marvelous job). A subscription to Ancestry/others is a wonderful idea. Don't get me wrong. It's just that I can foresee some staffing problems at the physical library in Effingham, along with the limited number of computers. If it would only be accessed from your private computer at home via a library subscription, that could be a possible alternative albeit workable solution. Just playing the devil's advocate.......I seem to be really good at that <grin> As an alternative, have you thought of subscribing to the Godfrey Library? You have access to their considerable resources and it's only $35.00 per year as opposed to the monstrous fees that Ancestry and some of the others charge. I'm on Social Security (fixed income) and Ancestry and the others are totally out of my budget. So I use Godfrey. It's wonderful! In some ways, it's better than Ancestry (at least for me). Check it out......Godfrey Memorial Library: http://www.godfrey.org You can join/subscribe on line, too! Can't get much easier than that! Linda (in Arizona) Effingham County IL GenWeb Volunteer Effingham County IL Rootsweb Mailing List Administrator Effingham County IL Rootsweb Message Board Administrator > -----Original Message----- > From: Delores Rochelle Walls [mailto:Loy_Genealogy@att.net] > Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 11:48 AM > To: ILEFFING-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [ILEFFING-L] Genealogy Databases > > Eleanor, > > Thanks for the reply. (Rather than send you a personal reply, I know others > are probably interested in this subject, so I'll continue replying to the > list.) From what I understand, the only real obstacle would be the funds for > the library subscription. That could probably be pooled together in an > earmarked fund. Any volunteer time needed could probably be something I > could do from here in California. In the coming weeks I'll check the > libraries here and see what their subscriptions cost and what the specifics > and time involved would be. > > Delores > > On 8/17/05 5:15 AM, "Eleanor Bounds" <elpobo@effingham.net> wrote: > > > Delores, > > Thanks for the suggestion. If we were to consider this we would need someone > > to guide us through the set-up/use of such a project. Due to a decrease in > > income for the coming year, it would be a hardship for the library to take > > part in this. Also any project that would require more time/volunteer or > > otherwise would be out of the question at this time. Eleanor > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Delores Rochelle Walls" <Loy_Genealogy@att.net> > > To: <ILEFFING-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 2:35 AM > > Subject: [ILEFFING-L] Genealogy Databases > > > > > >> Eleanor, > >> > >> Since I know you have local input with the Effingham Co. Genealogical > >> Society (I'm a long-distance member, myself) I'll address this question > >> mainly to you. Do you know how the Society and the Helen Matthes Library > >> might purchase a library subscription to at least one of the genealogy > >> database subscriptions offering online census images (i.e. Ancestry, > >> Genealogy.com, HeritageQuest)? That is, so Helen Matthes Library patrons > >> could access free data from their home computers, using library cards as > >> "ID." > >> > >> Many larger city libraries, such Palm Springs and San Diego where I have > >> dual residence, offer these types of subscriptions. After an Internet > >> search, it seems the closest library to Effingham that offers free > >> genealogy > >> subscriptions is the Decatur Library (where they offer BOTH Ancestry and > >> HeritageQuest). Effingham deserves something like this as well, > >> especially > >> for the researchers on a budget and those that simply can't access census > >> microfilm rolls. > >> > >> I think this would be a great addition to both the Genealogical Society > >> and > >> Helen Matthes Library holdings to provide this service for its patrons. > >> And > >> not only local library patrons, but perhaps it could be extended to the > >> Effingham Genealogical Society members all over the U.S. as well (if given > >> actual membership numbers could be used as login IDs in place of library > >> card numbers). With this "bonus", it would definitely increase the > >> Society's membership, which would offset the annual library subscription > >> costs. Even if this was part of an "upgraded membership" option, I'm sure > >> lots of people would be eager to join. Does everyone else agree with me? > >> > >> Delores Rochelle Walls > >> > > > ==== ILEFFING Mailing List ==== > If you want to subscribe to this list or unsubscribe from it, send e-mail to ILEFFING- > L-request@rootsweb.com or (for the > digest list) ILEFFING-D-request@rootsweb.com and put the word subscribe or > unsubscribe in the message body.