I have tried and tried to get a map to Keene, MI...my understanding was that it was in Ionia or Kent county.. and the mapquest keeps taking me to Traverse City... can someone help please.. I'm getting very frustrated... have tried for two days.. and i keep getting the same thing..

Hello Listers! I received a request for information on Clarissa (Case) Bennett. She was born 5 Aug 1821 in NY and died September 1881. Clarissa may have been married to Sherman Bennett who was a resident of the Hubbardston area in 1881. If there is anyone who has information on this line, please contact me. Thank you. Pam Swiler, President Ionia County Genalogical Society

Hi, does anyone know the names of the parents of the following Civil War soldier from Ionia County? Locke, Denis -or-     Ionia Co.     n/a     Locke, Dennis     3rd Michigan Infantry COMPANY D ENLISTED MEN Thanks for any help! Regards, Jerry Harrison jroots@aol.com Albuquerque, NM

Just a reminder - we are only a few weeks away from the deadline for applications for this year. If you have not finished your First Families of Ionia County Society application, you have until September 15 to do so. Any applications received after that date will be processed next year. For more information - check out our site! Pam Swiler, President Ionia County Genealogical Society http://www.rootsweb.com/~miionia/icgshome.htm

If you have not visited out obituary site lately, you may want to check it out! Thanks to the undying efforts of Sandy Heintzelman and others, there are now 911 obituaries on line. Thank you volunteers! Pam Swiler, President Ionia County Genealogical Society http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mi/county/ionia/webbbs/obits/index.cgi?index

Here is a listing of the Ionia County microfilms available at the Westland, Michigan FHC. Westland Michigan 7575 N Hix Road Westland, Wayne County, Michigan, United States Phone: (734) 459-4570 Hours: T-Th 10am-2pm, 7pm-10pm. Closed: Closed during Thanksgiving and between Christmas and New Years. <A HREF="http://familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp">FamilySearch - Family History Centers</A> Item microfilm number Ionia Birth Index 1867-1979 0960501 Ionia Birth Records V. A & B 1867-1880 0960502 Ionia Birth Records V. C & D 1880-1900 0960503 Ionia Birth Records V. E 1900-1909 0960504 Ionia Cemeteries: Old Belding, White, S. Boston...item 5...Greene Steele, Keefer, Danby, Sebewa, Lakeside, N. Plains, Palo, Woodard Lake, Orleans, Green, Otisco, Smyrna, Marble, Pinckney, Oak Hill, Clarksville, Baloom, Saranac, Easton or Goodwin Tuttle, Mt. Olive, Hubbardston, Lyons, Pewamo, Muir, and Portland 0926743 Ionia Census 1860 0014800 Ionia Census 1890 federal pensions 0338178 Ionia Census 1910 1374663 Ionia Census 1920 1820772 Ionia Death Index 1867-1974, deaths V. A 1867-1884 0960505 Ionia Marriage Index 1837-1974 0960507 Ionia Marriages V. C & D 1867-1886 0960509 Ionia Marriages 1887-1903 0960510 I hope this may be of help. Blessings to all. Valerie (Stoddard) Curren ValerieCurren@aol.com

I want to thank this list for their kind and energetic responses to my query! I am so impressed. I have rarely experienced such a do-for-others attitude on a list before. One of your members found my gg grandma and her family in LYON in Oakland County, so I was not even on the correct list, and yet you helped me! I think Ionia County must be a very special place. My Arnold was born in French Canada, yet her parents in RhodeIsland, my Gould also born in Canada, if anyone thinks we may still have a connection. I am unsubscribing now. Best wishes to you all-- Victoria Edwards Tester (New Mexico)

Hi Victoria. I found Mary Gould a widow with children Alice age 18 b. Mich and Daniel age 11 born Mich in the 1870 Lyon, Oakland Co. Mich census. She is also listed in the 1880 Lyon Oakland Co census as a widow age 50 born in Canada with parents born in RI. Living with her is son-in-law William Slocum age 32 born in Mich and daughter, Alice Slocum, age 25 born in Mich with parents born in Canada. Hope this helps. Sally Green ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "victoria tester" <victoriat@gilanet.com> Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2001 19:09:26 -0600 >Hello, everyone. Am trying to research my great great grandmother Alice Marie Gould who was born in Lyons township to Daniel Gould and Mary Arnold in either 1854, 55 or 56 depending on different records I have. >I found a Mary Arnold buried in a tiny old cemetery in Pewamo, date of death July 26, 1876, yet found no record for her on the Gendis program. (Per a marriage certificate I have) Alice later married a Slocum, probably in Ionia County, but apparently he died or they divorced (?) as she married my great great grandfather Leeman Edwards in 1885. Are there any other Arnolds or Goulds or Slocums on the Ionia County list? >Thanks! V. >Victoria Edwards Tester > > > >==== MIIONIA Mailing List ==== >List Mom for Ionia County, MI is Jan Cortez. My email is cristian@netonecom.net. Spaming, flaming and profanity are not allowed. This is strictly a genealogy list! If you have any concerns, send me a note, otherwise enjoy the list and post often. It helps get your message out. > >============================== >Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 >Source for Family History Online. Go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB > >

David O. Mellinger and Edna L. Steuffer had at least two children born in Ionia County, MI. Robert David Mellinger (March 20, 1922- April 16, 1994) Helen A. Mellinger born in 1926 Robert was married several times.  His first wife, Mary, whom he married sometime after his WWII (?) service perhaps in Ohio, was also the mother of his daughter, Roberta Ann born in 1945 in Ohio.  He married Carol Mae Barkus (Drown) on Jan 22, 1955 in Ionia County, MI.  He also married later Ruth A. Esch Weaver in 1973 in Ionia, Michigan. Would love to get any info on this particular family line.  Thank you in advance for any leads you may have.  Please reply to my email also...ValerieCurren@aol.com...Blessings! Valerie (Stoddard) Curren ValerieCurren@aol.com

Hello, everyone. Am trying to research my great great grandmother Alice Marie Gould who was born in Lyons township to Daniel Gould and Mary Arnold in either 1854, 55 or 56 depending on different records I have. I found a Mary Arnold buried in a tiny old cemetery in Pewamo, date of death July 26, 1876, yet found no record for her on the Gendis program. (Per a marriage certificate I have) Alice later married a Slocum, probably in Ionia County, but apparently he died or they divorced (?) as she married my great great grandfather Leeman Edwards in 1885. Are there any other Arnolds or Goulds or Slocums on the Ionia County list? Thanks! V. Victoria Edwards Tester

Hi, I signed on to the list back in May and, except for the notice that I was now on the list, I have received nothing. Is there a problem? I have the website under a new address. What is happening? Thanks for your response in advance. Jane _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

If you are looking for a cemetery in Michigan, you may want to check out this site. It is not 100% complete, but is being updated regularly. http://www.daddezio.com/cemetery/junction/CJ-MI-NDX.html Pam Swiler, President Ionia County Genealogical Society

Does anyone know where Highland Hills Cemetery is? I recently received information that my great-great-grandparents, Frederick and Rosina Bluemly/Bluemle were buried there he about 1889 and she around 1913 (I think). I do not see any information about this particular cemetery in the Ionia County website. They lived for many years in Easton Township, so perhaps the cemetery is near there, or within its borders. Thanks for any help you may provide. Best wishes to all. Valerie (Stoddard) Curren ValerieCurren@aol.com

I am not sure exactly which records you are looking for(burial permits, death certificates, etc), but death records are at the Ionia County Clerk's office. See our website for more information on where to locate records for Ionia County. Pam Swiler, President Ionia County Genealogical Society http://www.rootsweb.com/~miionia/v.htm

Can anyone help out on this one. Send replies to Harold Griswold at email addy below. Thanks, Jan Ionia County Coordinator ----- Original Message ----- From: haroldgriswold To: cristian@netonecom.net Sent: Friday, July 20, 2001 10:06 AM Subject: Griswold Family Recently I visited the Balcom Cemetary and Found the grave site of Emery s. Griswold and his immediate family, My Great grandfather. I found the phone # for Dave Davis the Sexton. I inquired about my GG gandfather Warren B. Griswold and wife Phebe, he died in 1874 and she died in 1861. He referred me to his secretary Carrie. Both of them told me their records only go back to 1957. All the cemetaries here have a plot map and showed me where they were buried. Can you tell me if there is a place in Ionia that would have these records? Thank You, Harold Griswold address hgriswold@netonecom.net

In a message dated 7/18/01 3:02:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, MIIONIA-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > to look for a death certificate for Sanford P. > > > I found this reference in the Ionia County Death Records microfilm of 1967-1974 deaths. (year) 1902 Colvin, Sanford (book) B (page) 258 Hope this helps, Valerie (Stoddard) Curren ValerieCurren@aol.com

The T's are finally online - so that finishes off the Births - except that I will be going back to break the pages down for the Web-tv viewers. I will be shutting down for a day or two to transfer files to my other computer and put this old one to rest again - so will see you soon with a few new things that I need my other computer and scanner for. One month later - I am so thrilled its back...... YEAH!!!!!!! Enjoy the T's. http://www.rootsweb.com/~miionia/Ionbirth.html And thanks to Pam Swiler and all the wonderful volunteers that enabled us to put all this good information online. Jan Cortez Ionia County Coordinator Mecosta Co., MI. http://www.rootsweb.com/~mimecost/ Ionia Co., MI. http://www.rootsweb.com/~miionia/ Ashland Co., WI. http://www.rootsweb.com/~wiashlan/index.html Bayfield Co., WI. http://www.rootsweb.com/~wibayfie/contents.html Waukesha Co., WI. http://www.rootsweb.com/~wiwaukes/indice.html Waushara Co., WI. http://www.rootsweb.com/~wiwausha/wsctweb.html Jansdigs http://www.jansdigs.com

In a message dated 7/18/01 3:02:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, MIIONIA-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > > Do you (or anyone you know or in the local gen. society assuming you > > > are from Ionia Co) look up records in the Ionia Co. courthouse? I > > > would pay someone to look for a death certificate for Sanford P. > > > Colvin who is supposed to have died in Ionia County in September 1902. > > > > > > All I need from the record are the names of his parents, if they are > > > given. Place of birth would be nice but not as important as > > > parents...If you don't do look ups could you refer me to someone who > > > can. Otherwise, I will send to vital records in Lansing. Thanks. > > > Carol Church > Also, local Family History Centers have much of this information. I have recently been to one in Westland, Michigan which has microfilm copies of Ionia County Deaths from 1867 to 1906. It is my understanding that the charge for copies is minimal, I think 25c for a microfilm copy, but I'm not sure. You need someone to directly access these films, or you can order them to be sent to your local Family History Center for a small fee, I think $3.50. More details are available at <A HREF="http://familysearch.org/">FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service</A> also find your local FHC here... <A HREF="http://familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp">FamilySearch - Family History Centers.</A> Valerie (Stoddard) Curren ValerieCurren@aol.com

Hello, Just a note to let you all know that the Ionia County Genealogical Society does look-ups for a fee. For information on our policy, contact Dale Jackson, Research Coordinator, at djax@iserv.net He will be happy to assist you. Pam Swiler, President Ionia County Genealogical Society

I don't usually get involved in political battles, but this is of interest to most of us, so I am sharing the information. Pam >Thanks to Mary Smith for sharing the following with us. > >Shirley > > > > This was on the NYC site - thought you might find it interesting.... > > > > Mary Anne > > > > > > > > Below is the message that Senator Orrin Hatch has given/proposed > > to > > > the Senate, as Ancestry has on thier site. > > > Now if only he ( and we) could convince the NY State Senators and > > anyone > > > else needed to let us get the information from the archives in > > Albany or > > > in NYC, easier than it has been. Lift the ban on records to a more > > > sensible year, (say 50 years instead of what they are now) > > > In NYC you can get birth records only up to 1909-------that's 92 > > > years-ridiculous! > > > Each year could be added information for all of us if that ban on > > info > > > was lifted and so much easier for many of us. > > > Example bringing info on births to 1950-1-then next year adding > > info > > > from '52 etc. > > > Could break down a lot of brick walls for many of us. > > > How come the freedom of information act doesn't apply here? We can > > get > > > SS info on people we didn't even know-( of course they're dead) but > > > can't get the birth cert. for a relative. > > > If all the NYers and ex NYers follow thru maybe something can be > > done? > > > > > > Pat > > > > > > ==================================================================== > > > SENATOR'S LETTER AND RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT FAMILY HISTORY MONTH > > > ==================================================================== > > > Below is the text from Senator Hatch's letter that was sent to all > > of > > > the other United States Senators requesting their support for his > > > Family History Resolution to declare October Family History Month > > > every year. Below that is the text of the resolution itself: > > > > > > United States Senate > > > Washington, DC 20510-4402 > > > > > > 10 July 2001 > > > > > > Dear Colleague: > > > > > > It is with great enthusiasm that I write to ask you to co-sponsor my > > > resolution that will dedicate the Month of October of each year as > > > "Family History Month." > > > > > > Within the last month some 14,167,329 people researched their family > > > history and 24 million people have used the Web and e-mail to locate > > > or hunt for family or friends with whom they had lost touch. > > > Researching ancestry is a very important component to self-identity. > > > It can lead to long-sought-after family reunions or life saving > > > stories like that of Nancy Andjelich Margraff. Nancy's story, found > > > in the book, "In Search of Our Ancestors," by Megan Smolenyak, helps > > > to illustrate the need for public attention to the important subject > > > of family history. Nancy started showing signs of an illness that > > > afflicted her father who died suddenly at the age of 39. At the time > > > her mother was told that her father had a rare illness that caused a > > > cerebral hemorrhage that killed him. > > > > > > After Nancy learned she had this deadly illness, she began > > > corresponding with the Minister of Health in Zagreb, Croatia. He > > > kindly accepted and distributed informational packets that Nancy put > > > together regarding the diagnosis and treatment of her illness. She > > > disseminated the informational packets to her extended family > > > members, many of whom are alive today because they were identified > > > through family history research that lead to the early diagnosis and > > > treatment of their affliction. > > > > > > At present there are some two thousand five hundred genealogical > > > societies in the United States that represent approximately a > > million > > > people who belong to these groups. One such group, The Federation of > > > Genealogical Societies, represents around 560 genealogical societies > > > and ultimately at least half a million individuals. There is no > > doubt > > > that the study of family history is growing in popularity and is an > > > important tool in researching ethnic identity and genetic health > > > concerns. > > > > > > I urge you to join me in supporting the millions of American men and > > > women who have researched their family history by co-sponsoring the > > > "Family History Resolution." For more information on this resolution > > > or to add your name as co-sponsor, please contact Chris Campbell in > > > my office at (202) 224-4412. > > > > > > Sincerely, > > > > > > Orrin G. Hatch > > > United States Senator > > > ____________________________________________________________________ > > > > > > > > > 107th Congress, 1st Session. S. Res. _____ > > > > > > IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES > > > > > > Mr. Hatch submitted the following resolution; which was referred to > > > the Committee on __________________ > > > > > > RESOLUTION > > > > > > Designating the month of October each year as "Family History > > Month." > > > > > > Whereas it is the family, striving for a future of opportunity and > > > hope, that reflects our Nation's belief in community, stability, and > > > love; > > > > > > Whereas the family remains an institution of promise, reliance, and > > > encouragement; > > > > > > Whereas we look to the family as an unwavering symbol of constancy > > > that will help us discover a future of prosperity, promise, and > > > potential; > > > > > > Whereas within our Nation's libraries and archives lie the treasured > > > records that detail the history of our Nation, our States, our > > > communities, and our citizens; > > > > > > Whereas individuals from across our Nation and across the world have > > > embarked on a genealogical journey by discovering who their > > ancestors > > > were and how various forces shaped their past; > > > > > > Whereas an ever-growing number in our Nation and in other nations > > are > > > collecting, preserving, and sharing genealogies, personal documents, > > > and memorabilia that detail the life and times of families around > > the > > > world; > > > > > > Whereas 54,000,000 individuals belong to a family where someone in > > > the family has used the Internet to research their family history; > > > > > > Whereas individuals from across our Nation and across the world > > > continue to research their family heritage and its impact upon the > > > history of our Nation and the world; > > > > > > Whereas approximately 60 percent of Americans have expressed an > > > interest in tracing their family history; > > > > > > Whereas the study of family history gives individuals a sense of > > > their heritage and a sense of responsibility in carrying out a > > legacy > > > that their ancestors began; > > > > > > Whereas as individuals learn about their ancestors who worked so > > hard > > > and sacrificed so much, their commitment to honor their ancestors > > > memory by doing good is increased; > > > > > > Whereas interest in our personal family history transcends all > > > cultural and religious affiliations; > > > > > > Whereas to encourage family history research, education, and the > > > sharing of knowledge is to renew the commitment to the concept of > > > family and home; and > > > > > > Whereas the involvement of National, State, and local officials in > > > promoting genealogy and in facilitating access to family history > > > records in archives and libraries are important factors in the > > > successful perception of nationwide camaraderie, support, and > > > participation: Now, therefore, be it > > > > > > Resolved, That the Senate --- > > > > > > (1) designates the month of October each year as "Family > > > History Month"; and > > > > > > (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling > > > upon the people of the United States to observe the month with > > > appropriate ceremonies and activities. > > > ____________________________________________________________________ > > > > > > CONTACTING YOUR SENATOR > > > > > > If you haven't had a chance to contact your Senator, please do so. > > > This is a wonderful opportunity for the genealogical community to be > > > recognized for our hard work in preserving our heritage. Let them > > > hear from you! > > > > > > U.S. Senate > > > http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index_by_state.cfm > > > You may also phone the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) > > > 224-3121 and an operator will connect you directly with the Senate > > > office you request. > > > > > >