I am on vacation in Cape Breton with sporadic internet access and not even the basic materials to hand write a letter. I am just now learning the distressing news regarding the possible dismissal of Barbara Dix. Would someone on the list please forward the following letter in print or by email wherever you think it should go. ============================================ August 11, 2003 To whom it may concern, I have just learned of the impending dismissal of Barbara Dix. I am one of the legions who have been helped by the services and resources of her office and in particular by the special expertise she possesses. At least 5 generations of my family were born in Oswego County. With her help I will probably be able to determine even deeper roots in the area. Barbara's unique knowledge of Oswego County has already been well documented by others who have written letters of support. I also agree whole-heartedly with the letter writer who pointed out that such specialized expertise cannot be just put down and picked up as budgetary flux allows. If she is removed, the loss will be permanent. But what good is history? What good is genealogy? Why should the government shell out valuable tax dollars so that silver-haired wonders (like me!) can pursue a hobby? "The justification of all historical study must ultimately be that it enhances our self-consciousness, enables us to see ourselves in perspective, and helps us towards that greater freedom which comes from self-knowledge." (Keith Thomas, British Historian). History is a record of the footprints each of us leaves on this planet while we are here. It is far too important to be discarded. Few people stop to think that the history of Oswego County is being written by genealogical "hobbyists." Their research is valid, authentic, based on primary sources and expands the historical knowledge base of the area. History is not a dead subject -- it is dynamic. It would be quite naive to assume that the materials currently available in the historian's office constitute the entire history of Oswego County. Keeping that in mind, it is essential that all genealogists following this debate submit the results of their research to this knowledge base for the benefit of all. I'm sure Barbara will be glad to catalog it!!! Instead of removing the historian and relegating the historical materials to dead storage, perhaps some consolidation of services between the historian's office, the public library, the historical society and the genealogical society could result in cost reduction and reduce duplication of services. Please save the historian's position and retain Barbara in it. Judith S. Wright Ocala, FL

Jane, Thank you for finding my error! What a mess a one-letter typo has made! Wish you had come on board sooner, so we wouldn't have lost these last few days. As for the rest of the people on this list, again I am sorry for the inconvenience and wish I had noticed it myself. Sorry! Carol ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Ellis" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 5:41 PM Subject: letter in support of County Historian position > I sent my letter off addressed to [email protected] and received a message that it was undeliverable. I checked to Oswego County website and realized that I had spelled the name incorrectly. Perhaps this is why others had the same difficulty. The name is spelled "Jerrett". The corrected address seemed to receive my message without a problem. This is the address that I used: [email protected] > > I'll include here the text of my message for those listers who are interested.................. > > > August 11, 2003 > > > > Dear Mr. Jerrett, > > > > I recently became aware that the position of County Historian of Oswego County may be eliminated and felt compelled to write to you in the hope that this might be averted. > > > > For many years, the only connection I had to Oswego County was a Fulton address on the back of a photograph. Through countless hours researching and with the help of Barbara Dix, County Historian of Oswego County, I have identified my ancestors, their extended relationships, neighbors, and the context in which they lived within their communities. For me, this is a personal treasure. Barbara's help has been invaluable. Certainly, her historical knowledge of the area and her ability to discern clues in census and cemetery records have helped to direct my research efforts. > > > > Barbara and I have never met, although we have spoken on the telephone. I found her to be very pleasant, sincere and amazingly, able to address my specific questions on the spot. I have also directed other researchers to her for help, confident that their queries would be received with the same degree of professionalism. > > > > I plan to visit Oswego for three days in October. Research is my only reason for this trip and I was looking forward to meeting Barbara and spending time in the Oswego Records Center. > > > > I believe that the elimination of the County Historian position for Oswego County may have a detrimental effect on tourism revenue that a growing interest in genealogy is generating in your community. My planned trip to Oswego, is my sixth genealogy specific trip in the last three years. Many researchers, like myself, are spending tourism dollars in communities that they would not otherwise visit. > > > > In her role of County Historian of Oswego, Barbara Dix provides a total package; intelligence, intuitive thinking, historical knowledge and a pleasant, approachable personality. It would be a shame to squander such a valuable asset. > > > > Although cognizant of the difficulties in balancing the county budget, I remain hopeful that funds to support the historian position and public access to county records will be realized in present and future tourism revenue. > > > > Respectfully, > > > > > > Jane Ellis > > North Vancouver, B.C. > > Canada > > > > > ==== NYOSWEGO Mailing List ==== > New York GenExchange > http://www.genexchange.com/state.cfm?state=ny > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

I sent my letter off addressed to [email protected] and received a message that it was undeliverable. I checked to Oswego County website and realized that I had spelled the name incorrectly. Perhaps this is why others had the same difficulty. The name is spelled "Jerrett". The corrected address seemed to receive my message without a problem. This is the address that I used: [email protected] I'll include here the text of my message for those listers who are interested.................. August 11, 2003 Dear Mr. Jerrett, I recently became aware that the position of County Historian of Oswego County may be eliminated and felt compelled to write to you in the hope that this might be averted. For many years, the only connection I had to Oswego County was a Fulton address on the back of a photograph. Through countless hours researching and with the help of Barbara Dix, County Historian of Oswego County, I have identified my ancestors, their extended relationships, neighbors, and the context in which they lived within their communities. For me, this is a personal treasure. Barbara's help has been invaluable. Certainly, her historical knowledge of the area and her ability to discern clues in census and cemetery records have helped to direct my research efforts. Barbara and I have never met, although we have spoken on the telephone. I found her to be very pleasant, sincere and amazingly, able to address my specific questions on the spot. I have also directed other researchers to her for help, confident that their queries would be received with the same degree of professionalism. I plan to visit Oswego for three days in October. Research is my only reason for this trip and I was looking forward to meeting Barbara and spending time in the Oswego Records Center. I believe that the elimination of the County Historian position for Oswego County may have a detrimental effect on tourism revenue that a growing interest in genealogy is generating in your community. My planned trip to Oswego, is my sixth genealogy specific trip in the last three years. Many researchers, like myself, are spending tourism dollars in communities that they would not otherwise visit. In her role of County Historian of Oswego, Barbara Dix provides a total package; intelligence, intuitive thinking, historical knowledge and a pleasant, approachable personality. It would be a shame to squander such a valuable asset. Although cognizant of the difficulties in balancing the county budget, I remain hopeful that funds to support the historian position and public access to county records will be realized in present and future tourism revenue. Respectfully, Jane Ellis North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Thank-you Russ, I'll give it a try. Michele

Depending on what other responses you get, you can search for the obit yourself. This site: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nysnp/ lists NY state newspapers on microfilm, sort by town name and listing date ranges available. Be sure to search 'papers at the state library' and 'papers at other locations'. I believe you can request the microfilm via interlibrary loan. Initiate the request at your local library. A college or university library may work out best. They typically serve the local public regardless of whether you are a student. Since you have a specific date to search, it should not take long to find an obit. Hope this helps - Russ Sprague Kensington, Maryland -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2003 10:49 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Holden I recently found some cousins that were missing in LaClaire, Scott Co, IA. When I got the cemetery inscriptions, I found Ralph L. Holden listed as only b. 3 mar 1926, no death date. think it may be a double stone with wife Alice L. Holden 4 July 1923-11 Oct 1990. I looked in SSDI and found that Ralph L. Holden's last residence was Fulton, Oswego Co. N.Y. gave his death as 13 Feb 1995. I would be more than glad to reimburse anyone for a copy of his obituary. If he is the correct one, his parents would have been George and Cora Holden, I think he was born in Seven Mile Creek, Juneau Co. Wisconsin. Thanks in advance, Michele ==== NYOSWEGO Mailing List ==== New York GenExchange http://www.genexchange.com/state.cfm?state=ny ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

I recently found some cousins that were missing in LaClaire, Scott Co, IA. When I got the cemetery inscriptions, I found Ralph L. Holden listed as only b. 3 mar 1926, no death date. think it may be a double stone with wife Alice L. Holden 4 July 1923-11 Oct 1990. I looked in SSDI and found that Ralph L. Holden's last residence was Fulton, Oswego Co. N.Y. gave his death as 13 Feb 1995. I would be more than glad to reimburse anyone for a copy of his obituary. If he is the correct one, his parents would have been George and Cora Holden, I think he was born in Seven Mile Creek, Juneau Co. Wisconsin. Thanks in advance, Michele

Ooops! Forgot to show you that this was sent to Dick Eastman to request his assistance. -----Original Message----- From: Poor House Lady [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2003 10:05 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Battle to Preserve County Historian Dick, there is a very justifiable uproar going on in Oswego County NY where they are going to cut the county historian position from the budget. You can read all about it in the archives at http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=NYOSWEGO Barbara Dix is an OUTSTANDING County Historian and her Records Center is a model for such a facility. I have a special interest in this because an out-of-county private citizen recently responded to my e-mail alert ... I announced that I had found Oswego County poorhouse records up for sale on eBay ... by purchasing them (for a sizable amount of money) and then donating them to that Records Center. I really wish you would consider announcing this situation in your newsletter. I think some more voiced outrage might make a difference. If THIS County Historian & archive is not worth keeping ... then NONE are. And I doubt you or your readers would agree that such a valuable service and devoted public servant should be sacrificed to meet temporary budget problems. Hope you have time to check it out. Thanks, Linda Crannell (aka=The Poorhouse Lady) Host of The POORHOUSE STORY at http://www.poorhousestory.com PS One of these days maybe you could do another story advising local historians and genealogists of the critical need to monitor eBay for local records. Here is a link to one of my newsletters which tells some of this Oswego records story. http://www.poorhousestory.com/N21pwp.htm It's on the REFLECTIONS section. ==== NYOSWEGO Mailing List ==== Northern New York History and Genealogy www.nnygenealogy.com ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Dick, there is a very justifiable uproar going on in Oswego County NY where they are going to cut the county historian position from the budget. You can read all about it in the archives at http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=NYOSWEGO Barbara Dix is an OUTSTANDING County Historian and her Records Center is a model for such a facility. I have a special interest in this because an out-of-county private citizen recently responded to my e-mail alert ... I announced that I had found Oswego County poorhouse records up for sale on eBay ... by purchasing them (for a sizable amount of money) and then donating them to that Records Center. I really wish you would consider announcing this situation in your newsletter. I think some more voiced outrage might make a difference. If THIS County Historian & archive is not worth keeping ... then NONE are. And I doubt you or your readers would agree that such a valuable service and devoted public servant should be sacrificed to meet temporary budget problems. Hope you have time to check it out. Thanks, Linda Crannell (aka=The Poorhouse Lady) Host of The POORHOUSE STORY at http://www.poorhousestory.com PS One of these days maybe you could do another story advising local historians and genealogists of the critical need to monitor eBay for local records. Here is a link to one of my newsletters which tells some of this Oswego records story. http://www.poorhousestory.com/N21pwp.htm It's on the REFLECTIONS section.

[email protected] - This is the email address for Barbara Dix, Oswego County Historian Sorry, thought Barbara's email had come through when I copied and pasted her message into the previous email for the list. Please send a cc: to Barbara Dix of any emails sent to Mr. Lyman or other members of the Oswego Co. or NY gov't , as she (Barbara) requested. thanks all, Dianne

Hi lists, I received a note from Barbara Dix asking if she could be copied. thanks to everyone for their support! Dianne Dear Dianne, Thanks so much for all you are doing. Could you ask people to cc me when they email? I intend to copy the messages and place copies in each legislator's mailbox because I don't think Lyman will share them. Again, you have my gratitude for all your work in my behalf. Barb Dix

Jean, Is the County Clerk not the recipient and handler of record for correspondence for the Co Board? This individual is responsible for the public opinion to be passed on. Yes? No? Sherry ----- Original Message ----- From: JEAN PAYTON <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2003 8:02 AM Subject: Re: letter: support for Barbara Dix > Since none of us are able to get our letters to the County Board member T. > Jerritt why not swampe the newspaper with our letters of support for Barbara > Dix. I have tried all of the email addresses that have been posted here and > have yet to get one letter through to him. All have been returned. He > evidiently has blocked all mail concerning Barbara Dix and so if we write > the newpaper there perhaps this will be the way to get attention to the > problem. > Jean Payton > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2003 8:50 AM > Subject: letter: support for Barbara Dix > > > > Copy of letter to Mr. Lyman emailed directly to him. > > > > Dear Mr. Lyman > > > > I just returned to Virginia from my fourth trip this year (so far) to > Oswego > > County. As always, I stopped in at the Records Center to continue my > > historical research on Oswego County before 1850, and to take advantage of > Barbara > > Dix's tremendous knowledge of Oswego County History. I was dismayed to be > > informed that her position will no longer continue and that there will be > other > > cutbacks in the Records Center which I depend upon so much for my > research. > > > > Perhaps you are unaware of how much the Records Center is used and how > > valuable an asset Barbara is. When I was there on Thursday (8/7), the > room was > > nearly full, although I was able to find a seat. I was not the only > person there > > from Virginia, two ladies were also visiting from Ophelia, VA, and there > was > > another individual from South Carolina. All out-of-staters were visiting > > Oswego County solely to do family and other historical research. There > was no > > other reason for any of them to visit Oswego County, just as there is no > reason > > for me to visit if I am stymied in obtaining records for my research. The > last > > time I was there, two people were there from California, and they were > > delighted at all the information available to them. Of course, they knew > about > > Barbara and the Records Center before they decided to visit. > > > > I too work for a government organization, and I am familiar with budget > cuts. > > Rational budget cuts should focus on short term costs - travel, training, > > the typically excess communication functions. They should not eliminate > the > > backbone of a particular organizational group. One can replace a vehicle, > > outdated computers, even redundant personnel (e.g., clerk) who do not have > highly > > specialized qualifications, once finances are better - this is not a > permanent > > recession/depression. But once one eliminates a specialist, the nerve > center > > of a legitimate county function, then one loses all that has been built > up > > over the years. Even if another historian is hired when times get better, > there > > will be a great loss in knowledge of what has been done and what needs to > be > > done just for the Records alone, let alone personal knowledge of Oswego > > history. Barbara has personally overseen the progress that has been made. > One > > cannot afford to lose, nor can one even come close to replacing, someone > as > > valuable as Barbara. > > > > I know decisions have been made. I also know they can be changed. I urge > > you to reconsider and keep Barbara Dix in the position of County > Historian. > > > > Larry Turner, Ph.D. > > Woodbridge, VA > > > > > > ==== NYOSWEGO Mailing List ==== > > Northern New York History and Genealogy > > www.nnygenealogy.com > > > > ============================== > > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, > go to: > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > > > ==== NYOSWEGO Mailing List ==== > Northern New York History and Genealogy > www.nnygenealogy.com > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

I agree with your letter full heartedly except for one thing <snip>It does bring in added income from genealogist from all over the states. <snip> You forgot to mention the number of genealogists from CANADA that also visit Oswego looking for their information & visiting your town and the area around it. Carol (tweetybird) Home page:<http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~tweetybirdgenealogy/> Visit my home page for "Home Children" information and other "world wide" links plus various passenger lists. Searching : Hart, Haslip, Jackson, Stevens, Little, Budge, Chipman, Welch, Russell, Johns & Glover --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.507 / Virus Database: 304 - Release Date: 8/4/03

--part1_135.23a3a289.2c67ca8e_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello ALL, I think my letter finally made it through to [email protected] I did not cut and paste the address, but typed it in as well as changing the subject line. In addition to tjerrett - I also sent a copy to the Oswego Daily Times on Friday night, but as of 12:30 PM I have not heard anything from them either. If you can think of anyone else I should email please let me know. Diane Colby --part1_135.23a3a289.2c67ca8e_boundary Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Return-path: <[email protected]> From: [email protected] Full-name: BarryColby Message-ID: <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2003 17:45:49 EDT Subject: A concerned citizen To: [email protected] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: 7.0 for Windows sub 10637 To Whom It May Concern I read in the Palladium Times Online that there is a very real possibility that Barbara Dix might loose her position as Town Historian due to lack of funding. Barbara is not just your Town Historian, she is also Oswego's Good Will Ambassador! On July 23, I had the pleasure of meeting Barbara for the first time when I donated the Poorhouse Records to the City of Oswego. On her own time, she came to the restaurant were the Oswego Genealogy Society took my husband and I for dinner, as she wanted to meet us. The next day we went to the records department to drop of the book and met Barbara again. This time she was on the job. Barbara is a very warm and caring person, and this attitude is also carried over to her work ethics. Barbara cares about the records that she is responsible for and it shows. The storage area is the cleanest records holding area I have ever been to! She explained a numbering and labeling system that has been put in place to retrieve records. She also explained how the records are protected from water damage. It was during this visit that I knew the Poorhouse Records book was going to be loved and looked after in the more than capable hands of Barbara Dix! The Poorhouse Records book was on Ebay and I asked my husband to purchase this for my 33rd wedding anniversary present. We discussed why and what I wanted this book for. We discussed how my grandmother met and married my grandfather when he was stationed at Ft. Ontario. My grandmother's obsession with going to the poorhouse. I, myself was raised in Buffalo and never believed there really was a poorhouse, I thought this was just a story to stop me from asking for nickels to go to the store! After we won the bid on Ebay, my husband and I had a problem about the placement of the book. I asked for recommendations and over and over the same name kept coming forward. Barbara Dix and the records department would take care of the book. My husband and I drove from Buffalo, New York to Oswego and we stayed for two nights in one of the hotels on the waterfront. Because we stayed during Harborfest, we paid a normal one nights rate and the next night the room rate more than doubled. We ate two dinners in Oswego, two breakfasts, and two lunches. In addition to the restaurants we ate in, I spent about $100 for death certificates for my great, great relatives. This $100 is almost pure profit as this took someone all of about 10 minutes from the time the documents were retrieved until they were photocopied. We decided as long as we were there, we drove up to Malone, New York and Ft. Covington, New York. Other areas that my family came from. We have not gotten our credit card bill yet, but I think all in all we spent a nice chunk of cash on this little trip. At each stop I knew right where to go because Barbara gave me the names and numbers of folks to help. Other Town Historians! Please find the money to keep this very important position filled by Barbara Dix. I Thank you for taking the time to read my email. Diane Colby 43 Argus Street Buffalo, New York 14207 --part1_135.23a3a289.2c67ca8e_boundary--

I was ask to comment on Barb Dix in the Oswego Daily News paper online. Here is my response: Yes I am Steve. Being Vice President of the Oswego County Genealogy Society I am in touch with the private citizens that finding their roots is one of the biggest growing hobbies in the nation if not their life quest . I think it is a travesty to cut the life's blood of us researchers by cutting Barb Dix's position as head of the Research Center. It does bring in added income from genealogist from all over the states. Does anyone understand or care about the people she brings into our community? Barb is a great ambassador for the County of Oswego. Her yearly pay for having a Masters in history is about the same as a person who works in a burger flipping place. This is what I call dedication and in this day in age how many people can say that. How about cutting the cable TV at the jail that inmates enjoy for having committed a crime against humanity? The only crime Barb has committed is to love her work and helping others. This is her reward for her dedication? I don't mean to sound angry but there must be another way to cut the budget "WE NEED BARBARA DIX AS HEAD OF THE RECORD CENTER!!!!!" Marilyn Rowsey Dirk

In a message dated 8/10/03 8:13:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > I know; I live in St. Augustine, FL. Sometimes I think my city goes > overboard > in favoring tourism, but it is short-sighted to dismiss it completely, > especially when the county is broke. > Tourists demand very little in the way of tax money (schools, hospitals, etc) but spend a lot for a few days or weeks or "renting" our space. Oswego County should understand that especially with the lovely lake attracting people for reasons other than genealogy. The commissioner simply doesn't understand how large a hobby genealogy is and that the growing "gray" population is willing to travel to visit the old homes and gravesites. Shirley Maynard

Since none of us are able to get our letters to the County Board member T. Jerritt why not swampe the newspaper with our letters of support for Barbara Dix. I have tried all of the email addresses that have been posted here and have yet to get one letter through to him. All have been returned. He evidiently has blocked all mail concerning Barbara Dix and so if we write the newpaper there perhaps this will be the way to get attention to the problem. Jean Payton ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2003 8:50 AM Subject: letter: support for Barbara Dix > Copy of letter to Mr. Lyman emailed directly to him. > > Dear Mr. Lyman > > I just returned to Virginia from my fourth trip this year (so far) to Oswego > County. As always, I stopped in at the Records Center to continue my > historical research on Oswego County before 1850, and to take advantage of Barbara > Dix's tremendous knowledge of Oswego County History. I was dismayed to be > informed that her position will no longer continue and that there will be other > cutbacks in the Records Center which I depend upon so much for my research. > > Perhaps you are unaware of how much the Records Center is used and how > valuable an asset Barbara is. When I was there on Thursday (8/7), the room was > nearly full, although I was able to find a seat. I was not the only person there > from Virginia, two ladies were also visiting from Ophelia, VA, and there was > another individual from South Carolina. All out-of-staters were visiting > Oswego County solely to do family and other historical research. There was no > other reason for any of them to visit Oswego County, just as there is no reason > for me to visit if I am stymied in obtaining records for my research. The last > time I was there, two people were there from California, and they were > delighted at all the information available to them. Of course, they knew about > Barbara and the Records Center before they decided to visit. > > I too work for a government organization, and I am familiar with budget cuts. > Rational budget cuts should focus on short term costs - travel, training, > the typically excess communication functions. They should not eliminate the > backbone of a particular organizational group. One can replace a vehicle, > outdated computers, even redundant personnel (e.g., clerk) who do not have highly > specialized qualifications, once finances are better - this is not a permanent > recession/depression. But once one eliminates a specialist, the nerve center > of a legitimate county function, then one loses all that has been built up > over the years. Even if another historian is hired when times get better, there > will be a great loss in knowledge of what has been done and what needs to be > done just for the Records alone, let alone personal knowledge of Oswego > history. Barbara has personally overseen the progress that has been made. One > cannot afford to lose, nor can one even come close to replacing, someone as > valuable as Barbara. > > I know decisions have been made. I also know they can be changed. I urge > you to reconsider and keep Barbara Dix in the position of County Historian. > > Larry Turner, Ph.D. > Woodbridge, VA > > > ==== NYOSWEGO Mailing List ==== > Northern New York History and Genealogy > www.nnygenealogy.com > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Copy of letter to Mr. Lyman emailed directly to him. Dear Mr. Lyman I just returned to Virginia from my fourth trip this year (so far) to Oswego County. As always, I stopped in at the Records Center to continue my historical research on Oswego County before 1850, and to take advantage of Barbara Dix's tremendous knowledge of Oswego County History. I was dismayed to be informed that her position will no longer continue and that there will be other cutbacks in the Records Center which I depend upon so much for my research. Perhaps you are unaware of how much the Records Center is used and how valuable an asset Barbara is. When I was there on Thursday (8/7), the room was nearly full, although I was able to find a seat. I was not the only person there from Virginia, two ladies were also visiting from Ophelia, VA, and there was another individual from South Carolina. All out-of-staters were visiting Oswego County solely to do family and other historical research. There was no other reason for any of them to visit Oswego County, just as there is no reason for me to visit if I am stymied in obtaining records for my research. The last time I was there, two people were there from California, and they were delighted at all the information available to them. Of course, they knew about Barbara and the Records Center before they decided to visit. I too work for a government organization, and I am familiar with budget cuts. Rational budget cuts should focus on short term costs - travel, training, the typically excess communication functions. They should not eliminate the backbone of a particular organizational group. One can replace a vehicle, outdated computers, even redundant personnel (e.g., clerk) who do not have highly specialized qualifications, once finances are better - this is not a permanent recession/depression. But once one eliminates a specialist, the nerve center of a legitimate county function, then one loses all that has been built up over the years. Even if another historian is hired when times get better, there will be a great loss in knowledge of what has been done and what needs to be done just for the Records alone, let alone personal knowledge of Oswego history. Barbara has personally overseen the progress that has been made. One cannot afford to lose, nor can one even come close to replacing, someone as valuable as Barbara. I know decisions have been made. I also know they can be changed. I urge you to reconsider and keep Barbara Dix in the position of County Historian. Larry Turner, Ph.D. Woodbridge, VA

> Do it quickly.  It helps if the public is aware of a growing controversy that a politician might want to keep hidden. Do emphasize genealogy is the fastest growing hobby and one that people are willing to spend money to support and that many now visit their places of interest, including Oswego Co.   The tourist industry is the best moneymaker.  I know.  I live in the historical triangle of Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown, Virginia and not too far from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Isle of Wight, VA.   We court tourist dollars and if anyone threatens to disturb a tourist "institution" we go up in arms.  The foundation of a colonial plantation was located and the powers here wanted to pave it over for a parking lot!  No way! Money is the reason for ending her position, money should be the reason to retain it. Shirley Maynard I know; I live in St. Augustine, FL. Sometimes I think my city goes overboard in favoring tourism, but it is short-sighted to dismiss it completely, especially when the county is broke. Carol McGann

In a message dated 8/9/03 11:46:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > Now my messages to the second address for Mr. Jerritt are coming back. This > is > outrageous. Guess the next stop is the newspaper. > > Do it quickly. It helps if the public is aware of a growing controversy that a politician might want to keep hidden. Do emphasize genealogy is the fastest growing hobby and one that people are willing to spend money to support and that many now visit their places of interest, including Oswego Co. The tourist industry is the best moneymaker. I know. I live in the historical triangle of Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown, Virginia and not too far from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Isle of Wight, VA. We court tourist dollars and if anyone threatens to disturb a tourist "institution" we go up in arms. The foundation of a colonial plantation was located and the powers here wanted to pave it over for a parking lot! No way! Money is the reason for ending her position, money should be the reason to retain it. Shirley Maynard

Please don't let Oswego County's best ambassador go in the budget cut. I remember when the Oswego County workers moved all those boxes of historical value from the county building to the building by the old jail. What a mess she had but Barbara worked very hard in there to organize that information and did a wonderful job. So much of Oswego County history would be lost if it were not for Barbara. She is an asset to our county. Cut somewhere else. The county needs Barbara. Betty LaRobardiere