Susan Martucci wrote: > > Hi All, > > I am looking for some friendly advice. I will be visiting Pike county sometime later this fall and I would like to continue > some of my research on my Pike Co. ancestors. I will probably have about two full weekdays and maybe a weekend day while I am > there. I am not a very experienced researcher yet, so I want to make good use of my time. > > I do not have many official documents on my Pike ancestors - like birth, death or marriage records (yet). Thanks to many > other researchers, I have many of my ancestors in place. My local library has the KY census, so I have been able to use those > to gather information on family groups. Most of my KY research has been done online and through the help of others. > > In my visits to my own local library, I find that a whole day can pass by while I gather information. > > My question is - With my limited time in Pike Co., does anyone have some tips for how to structure my time. I would like to > get some vital records, any available wills on my direct ancestors, and some land information. I also understand, that one of > my relatives was a magistrate for many years. I would like to get some informationon this as well. How about newspapers? Is > a local newspaper indexed at the public library? Do I need to set up appointments in advance with anyone? > > With such a short time available for research, I hope some of the experienced Pike Co. researchers can give me some tips. > > Thanks. > > -- > Susan Martucci > jkdevl@earthlink.net 20 Sep 1998 Ms. Martucci: Your time will be best spent at: 1. The Allara Library,Special Collections, c/o Connie Maddox, Curator, Pikeville College. It's a bit tricky, but you can drive up the hill and park right behind the library. Newspapers from ca1920's on microfilm right by the printer - bring plenty of dimes - only one reader as I recall. In their collections room, they have a wide variety of books and files on the area and on local families. Much of the early Wills, Birth Records, Marriages, 1822-1900, etc., are available there. Also many Church Minutes & photos. Much of the growing collection may not yet be indexed, or available for the researcher. Much has been pub. in the "Pike Co. Historical Papers," and I would check all their indices first. They will have copies of all available for sale there, plus other books on the area. [This is going to be the depository - someday - for our large collection of several thousand area photos, original records, ledgers, an extensive collection of Old Reg. Baptist Minutes, local history books & record transcriptions, and over 20 filing cabinet drawers of hardcopy files on area families.] 2. The County Courthouse: Right downtown with easy parking just a couple of blocks away. The staff is great and give folks plenty of help and free access to the shelves. Court Orders & Deeds are generally indexed, but I found a lot by just reading "item by item" for the time period I was interested in. [Transcriptions of many of the earliest Deeds have been pub. in "The East Kentuckian."]. Have fun. I understand this is about the best time of year to be there - I'm always there in the heat of the summer. Oh! It probably would have helped if you had included the surnames & county locations you are most interested in. There are probably some of us reading this list who could further direct you if that information was known. Jim W. Tackitt, 1830 Johnson Dr., Concord, CA 94520; <jtackitt@jps.net> *************************************************************** Tackett Assn. Website: <http://www.jps.net/jtackitt/index.html> [For an answer to private email please give name, address & family line. Thanks!]