I cannot believe that the county would even think of letting Barbara go. In the "big picture", she is of more value to the county than many other "necessary" functions. Many dumb things have been done by politicians, but this may be the crown of "dumbness". ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 4:48 PM Subject: Budget Cuts affecting County Historian's Office > Dear Mr. Lyman: > I recently heard that the County Historian position is earmarked for removal > from the upcoming Oswego County budget. While I recognize the managerial > need to make cuts to balance your budget for the upcoming fiscal year, I would > ask you to strongly reconsider the position of "County Historian." I can assure > you that that single office provides many valuable services to your > organization and to the residents of Oswego County. > > Moreover, I can also assure you that many people from all over the world make > a conscientious decision to travel to Oswego County to research family > history as a direct result of this office and specifically, Barbara Dix, YOUR County > historian. I realize you have not resided in Oswego County very long...and > may not be fully aware of the many services, time and irreplaceable knowledge > this office provides the County, the State and the Nation. > > Genealogical and other historical researchers bring needed dollars into your > economy. They dine, stay in hotels, visit attractions, etc. Perhaps you > might consult with your local tourism department before you cut this position from > the budget. You could even work with the State of New York Tourism Office to > publicize this service, arrange for tours of cemeteries, town historian > offices, monuments, Fort Ontario, County and town record storage rooms, etc. With > some "thinking outside the box," you could make the County Historian's office > an Oswego County attraction with the capability of helping to generate revenue. > > One might also consider some regular escorted "field trips" to points of > historical interest sponsored by the county. These could also bring in some > modest revenue. For example, the Underground Railroad tour in Oswego County could > be an attraction all by itself. A bus tour stopping at several sites...with > optional bed & breakfast stopover would, if properly marketed, generate revenue > that could be applied to the County Historian's office expenses. Or better > yet, endow a fund to provide these important services for the generations to > follow. > > In my opinion, you are "missing the boat" if you cut this position from your > budget. You should be looking for ways to INCREASE her budget rather than > cutting it. It would be Oswego County's loss in so many ways if this comes to > pass. > Sincerely, > Rusty Okoniewski > Orlando, FL > > > ==== 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 > >

Listers: Diane most generously donated her birthday present from Barry, a very old HUGE ledger of the poorhouse records of Oswego County, that she had asked for. She donated this ledger in memory of her grandparents. I had hoped that Diane would see this and make her position known. Friends, this was not an inexpensive gift. It was a gift given in love from a man to his wife as that is what she most wanted, and it was a gift given in love to the City of Oswego in memory of her grandparents. Diane has requested help as to where this book should lodge, and it was to be in the capable hands of Barbara Dix. It makes one wonder "should I ever do something like this if the county does not care enough to keep a valued ambassador/employee". What would be the purpose? Every woman on this list, and yes, I'll have to be fair and admit that a lot of men, know that budgets have to be kept, but we also know how to do it--it's called the old "rob Peter to pay Paul method". You do away with this to attain that, you do away with a new coat so the kids can have new shoes, you set your priorities straight and and your eyes straight ahead and just DO. It is about time Oswego County got their priorities straight. Diane certainly did. I cc: this to Mr. Lyman and I hope everyone else wrote him directly. It doesn't help much to just put our replies on the list if he doesn't see them. Dorothy Baker Gainesville, Florida

Hey Russ, This is Marilyn from Oswego, NY. I can't believe this. I lived in Woodbridge at 803 Ocaquan Rd. back in 1961. I was a new bride and worked at the Drug Fair for a bit then Jim's Place. My husband was in the military at Ft. Belvoir where we were married. I hear it is all built up now. Now to the meat of this. I guess Barb will keep her title but she will not be in the record center. If I am right it is mandated by law in NY State to have a historian for each community. but like you said she is an important asset to our community. I don't know why we can't do away with the cable TV for the ones in the jail. there must be someplace else to cut rather than the lifes blood of research. Marilyn Rowsey Dirk Vice president of Oswego County Genealogy Society and transplanted Virginian on my dads side, Mother: born and bred Oswegonian ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 3:17 PM Subject: County Historian > Dear Mr. Lyman - This is in response to the proposal to cut or eliminate the > position of County Historian (Barb Dix - position). This would be a > regrettable mistake on your part in his is an asset of the County and also brings in > revenue through her efforts to help people with research and brings them to the > County. > Keep some vehicles longer or put off some other items instead of getting rid > of one of your best assets. > Russ Miller > 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 >

Thank You. I was going crazy at Expedia.com with out knowing an airport. <G> Pamela ----- Original Message ----- . > The nearest commercial airport to Oswego county is Syracuse (SYR)...there is > a small general aviation airport in Oswego County...but only for small planes. > >

Dear List, I am want to fly from CA to Oswego County genealogy research. Could some kind soul tell me what airport I should fly into? Thank You. Pamela

Russ, Thank you for those pointers and getting the other necessary email addresses! (listed below) There was concern that perhaps people are writing their letters to the mailing list and not the email address listed below for Mr. Lyman. If this was the case, would those persons, copy and paste their email to the list and send a separate email to Mr. Lyman and the other addresses that Russ was kind enough to gather. Thanks everyone for being supportive for a very good purpose. Dianne I do think it is important that everyone write a letter to Mr. Stephen Lyman, Oswego County Administrator, 46 East Bridge Street, Oswego, NY 13126 or at his E-mail address which is [email protected] You should also forward copies of this letter to Oswego County Legislators. I found the following E-mail addresses on the Oswego County web site: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], It would be nice to let Barbara Dix and her boss, Mr. Williams also know of what we are doing by copying them at: [email protected], [email protected]

I likewise sent the following letter: Dear Mr. Lyman, I was shocked and saddened to learn of the pending layoff of Barbara Dix, Oswego County Historian. While I recognize the difficult decisions that must be made in hard economic times, I'm concerned that you underestimate the incredible value and service Ms. Dix provides for the county. She is truly an amazing person, known far and wide as a wonderful resource for county history and genealogy. While you may perceive this to be of lesser importance than the layoffs to health care and social service workers that are also looming, I would like to point out an aspect of Ms. Dix's position that you may not have considered - the positive economic impact to the county. I live in the mountains of western North Carolina, however, I was born in Auburn and most of my ancestry centers around Oswego and Jefferson counties. Last month I made the 839 mile drive from my home to Pulaski, New York, where I stayed in the Super 8 Hotel from July 19-27th. Most of my planned research was in Jefferson County and the northern Oswego towns of Richland and Sandy Creek. However, because of my keen interest in first visiting the Oswego County Historian's office, I chose to stay at a hotel in Oswego County in order to be more centrally located. As it turned out, the incredible help and support that Barbara Dix gave to me led me to spend two entire days (July 21-22nd) in her office doing research. Needless to say, I took all my meals in the city on those days. Barbara then provided me with a number of key contacts to Town Historians and other county resources. I wound up spending about 1 1/2 days more than I initially planned to in Oswego County, almost solely due to Barbara Dix's wonderful help and expertise. In all, between meals, hotel, gasoline, book purchases and photocopying materials, I estimate that I spent between $800-900 in Oswego County alone. I might also point out that I had never met Barbara before this trip. My knowledge of her and her office came from a very wide range of genealogical researchers spread across the United States. While my story is but a single anecdote, there are many similar stories out there. Barbara is an amazing resource. Please consider your decisions carefully, as I'm sure you will. Losing Barbara will hurt the county in ways you can't begin to imagine. Best Regards, Mike Curtis Pisgah Forest, NC

Dear Mr. Lyman - This is in response to the proposal to cut or eliminate the position of County Historian (Barb Dix - position). This would be a regrettable mistake on your part in his is an asset of the County and also brings in revenue through her efforts to help people with research and brings them to the County. Keep some vehicles longer or put off some other items instead of getting rid of one of your best assets. Russ Miller Woodbridge, VA.

WHat a shame that Budget costs are now affecting what is a wonderful and useful research for Oswego County research. Will the county end up like the ones in Illinois where it is almost impossible to find any information on genealogy? If so, it is a sad time for Oswego County. A wonderful past Volney historian, Byran Rowlee, has helped me so much with great records of Mt. Peasant cemeteries, especially the Ives connections and his is simply a love of genealogy and helping people. When all the "knowledge" is gone, what do we do then? Regretfully - Carole Case Murphy, Anna, Texas

My letter has already gone to Mr. Lyman. Thank you for drawing this to the lists attention. Jenny

I personally emailed Barb Dix yesterday to confirm this issue and heard back from her earlier today. I am the rootsweb coordinator for the mail list for neighboring St. Lawrence county and posted a note there about this issue. Also a note to the St. Lawrence County Historical Assn. Its director is the county historian for that county so I suspect he will take an interest. Thanks for the newspaper link! I have Sprague ancestry from Sandy Creek and Barb helped me with directions to a cemetery and a record of burials that helped me locate a ggg grandfather's grave. Russ Sprague Kensington, Maryland -----Original Message----- From: Dianne [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 12:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Historian http://www.oswegodailynews.com/ Here is the news article of the cuts in Oswego. Please, those of you that have not sent an email to Mr. Lyman concerning the town historian, Barbara Dix, please do so. [email protected] Thanks, Dianne ==== 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 wanted to hear it 'from the horse's mouth' so to speak, and did a bit of searching with google to find Barb Dix's email address. I am coordinator of the rootsweb mail list for St. Lawrence county, have Sprague ancestry in Sandy Creek, and while I've not met Barb, I believe we corresponded in the past and she gave me directions to the cemetery where my ggg grandfather is buried. A note from Barb is below. I also read the newspaper story. I do hope the county people will reconsider. Russ Sprague Kensington, Maryland -----Original Message----- From: Dix [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 9:45 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Possible Termination of historian position Hi Russ, Thanks for your interest. Yes, I am tentatively (it has to be passed by Ways and Means and the legilature) set to be terminated this month. Our small department is decimated because two part-timers are slated to go leaving only two full time people to administer the records center which is not just a research facility, but also handles the records storage and retrieval for the whole county. I'm afraid the research room will have to be abandoned as a regular feature. I would appreciate any help you can muster. Barb dix >>> "Russ" <[email protected]> 08/06/03 06:30PM >>> Hi Barbara - I subscribe to the rootsweb message board for Oswego county and am the coordinator for St. Lawrence county. I have done some research in Oswego - years ago - and I believe you assisted me via postal mail. I just wanted to confirm that what I am seeing on the message board is true (your position may be eliminated) before I mention anything on the St. Lawrence list. If true, I believe it is worth mention as I suspect many who have researched in one county likely have also done some research in the other. I'm hoping this is a valid email address for you (had to search with google a bit) and you can confirm or disprove what's on the Oswego message boards. You've been a great help to many family historians and I'll be happy to 'put in a good word' for you and the historian position in general. Russ Sprague Kensington, Maryland --------------------------------------------------------- Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain con- fidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized re- view,use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. --------------------------------------------------------- < Copyright 2003 Oswego County >

Diane will you write a letter to the list again stressing that the letters or e-mail must go to Mr. Lyman? I realize that is what you wrote but it seems people are simply resending various email messages back to the list thinking they suffice and I highly doubt that. By the way - I phoned and I don't think the 'guy' who answered 'cares' tho he said he would tell Mr. Lyman that I called. And thanks for letting me know. PS I think we both have Hilst and DeLong connections... -----Original Message----- From: Dianne [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 7:11 PM To: [email protected] 12:40 8/7/03 phoned to voice my opposition Hi everyone, Barbara Dix the town Historian for Oswego Co. has recently found that she is on the list to be terminated because of budget cuts. She needs our support, as she has been SUCH an asset to all of us and her reputation as being such a caring and devoted person as well as a representative of the Oswego Co. gov't, should not be allowed to go by the wayside without letting her superiors know how valuable a person, an asset that she IS and has been to the county of Oswego. http://www.oswegocounty.com/legislature/directory/officials.html So, I urge you to call the county administrator, Stephen P. Lyman at 315 - 349 -8235 or write to him at [email protected] and tell him how wonderful an asset Barbara Dix has been and that she should not be let go. Please, it is imperative to get the word out and to make contact either by phone or by email. Thanks for your time. Dianne Thomas ______________________________

Liz and other readers and writers: In my letter of yesterday, I pondered mentioning establishing and/or raising fees for service by the Oswego County Historian's Office as a means to mitigate potential cuts. I decided against it. But perhaps we all really should reconsider that issue. It may be a small price to pay to keep the services of Barbara Dix and her office. I do think it is important that everyone write a letter to Mr. Stephen Lyman, Oswego County Administrator, 46 East Bridge Street, Oswego, NY 13126 or at his E-mail address which is [email protected] You should also forward copies of this letter to Oswego County Legislators. I found the following E-mail addresses on the Oswego County web site: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], It would be nice to let Barbara Dix and her boss, Mr. Williams also know of what we are doing by copying them at: [email protected], [email protected] If you have already written to Mr. Lyman but have not copied the Legislators and Ms. Dix and her boss, IT IS NOT TOO LATE. Simply forward your copy of the letter to Mr.Lyman to these other individuals. They can use their influence to convince Mr. Lyman that the Oswego County Historian position is not one that he should be eliminating. Now, here are two really important things you might incorporate into your letter. 1.) If you legally reside in Oswego County, note that fact in your letter and mention that you are a local taxpayer. And as custodian of YOUR tax funds, you want to see them spent in a way which preserves local history for generations of people to come. You also want the spending and subsequent taxes associated with the tourism generated from history and genealogy research in the County to add to the County coffers. Remind him that this is a source of revenue for the county that is not a direct burden to local residents. 2. If you live out of the area, but have traveled to or plan to travel to the Oswego County area to undertake historical or genealogical research, mention that fact and in the same paragraph mention that you spent or will be spending dollars (which help the already depressed economy) for the purchase of food, gas and lodging, etc. Note that without Barbara Dix and the Oswego County Historian's Office, the length and even the likelihood of your travel is minimized. Therefore Oswego County residents can count on less tax revenue and less money spent in Oswego County by non-county residents. He is, in fact, shifting a part of the tax base from outsiders to County residents. Is this the issue for which Mr. Lyman wants to be remembered? I think not. I hope these suggestions are taken to heart...because I know that politicians must respond to constituents. This is our chance to let Oswego County know what we feel. Sincerely, Rusty Okoniewski Orlando, FL (A former Oswego County resident and employee)

--=======1B33B38======= Content-Type: text/plain; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-2AE013F1; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit At 09:40 AM 8/7/03 -0700, you wrote: >http://www.oswegodailynews.com/ > > >Here is the news article of the cuts in Oswego. Considering the number of other cuts, a letter-writing campaign looks pretty hopeless, but I've sent mine in too. This is really a drastic reduction in force. Keeping the 'mere' county historian when you're reducing a criminal investigator to road officer status is not going to sit well with anyone who doesn't care about family history. I wasn't crazy about the suggestion to charge for lookups and assistance but that idea is looking better and better, as the only alternative that's likely to sit well with the residents of Oswego County. Liz Wallis --=======1B33B38======= Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-avg=cert; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-2AE013F1 Content-Disposition: inline --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.502 / Virus Database: 300 - Release Date: 7/18/03 --=======1B33B38=======--

http://www.oswegodailynews.com/ Here is the news article of the cuts in Oswego. Please, those of you that have not sent an email to Mr. Lyman concerning the town historian, Barbara Dix, please do so. [email protected] Thanks, Dianne

Mr. Lyman, Please consider making budget cuts in another area rather than elimanating the services of County Historian. The rich history of the region is a integral part of it's character, charm, and industry. It would be foolish to ignore the role history plays in tourism, economy and impression of the area. I am someone who grew up in Oswego County and has family roots for generations in the region and vacations in Oswego County. You must be creative and find a way to ensure the future of the County Historian. Respectfully, Judy Petrie 34 Robbins Rd. Arlington, MA 02476

I hope SKS in Oswego is printing out these letters to present to the correct people so they can see just how important Barb and her position are . I would do it but I live in Canada and a bit far for me to go besides I have no idea who to see.. 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

I want to give my support for Barbara Dix & the County Historian position in Oswego County. Please find another place to cut money, but please keep Barbara Dix & the County Historian position in place. This is a very valuable position, probably more than you will truly ever realize. Oswego County is extremely lucky to have found a person like Barbara for this position. She loves her job & you can tell. She is extremely knowledgeable of the History of Oswego County & the location & preservation of records. She frequently makes presentations to the Oswego Genealogy Society or has very interesting speakers come in to present on genealogy related topics. A presentation by Barbara is much more enjoyable than a presentation at the National Archives or other Historical Society meetings. During the Oswego County Fair, a Poorhouse Record Book was being auctioned on EBAY. The person who purchased it for over $200 donated it to Barbara Dix & the Oswego County Historian's Office for everyone to use. This lady was interested in the book because her ancestor's had lived in Oswego County. Her husband wanted to get her something for their 33rd wedding anniversary, so he purchased the book for her. They then traveled to Oswego County to donate the book in person. (Gee, did that generate $$ into Oswego County, gas, food, lodging for them & many others who want to look at those records in the future???) Only one brief example of how important the Oswego County Historian's Office is and how it can impact the financial aspects of tourism in Oswego County. I have personally brought my mother from Massachusetts, my cousin from Chicago & friends form Onondaga County up to Oswego, to the County Historian's Office, the Oswego County Genealogy Society meetings & to do searches in libraries & cemeteries in Oswego County. I have referred many people from around the world (via the Internet) to Barbara Dix when they have questions on their Genealogy searches for their ancestors. (Gee, more income into Oswego County?????) Please rethink the impact of cutting the County Historian & Barbara Dix. Her job is invaluable & she is a perfect fit. She does a lot more than just record & catalog old records for Oswego County. Anne Ruggeri Brewerton, NY Mrs. Nicholas Ruggeri & family Pittsfield, MA

----- Original Message ----- From: Marilyn To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 7:06 AM Subject: Barbara Dix I am also a member of this community and will remember you when it comes to election time. Marilyn Dirk Vice President Oswego County Genealogy Society To Mr. Lyman, I've recently learned that you are planning on relieving Ms. Dix of her position as Oswego town historian. I'd like to say that I think that is a very wrong move. Barbara Dix has been an asset to Oswego County for many years and has always been helpful and productive in her position. She is a most beneficial person to keep ON your staff, regardless of your budget cuts. She has the attention of most of the internet activity that happens for Oswego Co., meaning genealogy, the 2nd largest usage of the internet. She is the "icon" representing Oswego Co. I can not say enough good about her and what she has done to create more business of doing genealogical research in Oswego Co. to people all over the United States as well as in some foreign countries. Please re-consider this budget cut, because you will be losing more that you may know or realize. Barbara is a wonderful asset. She has been loyal to her position all these years. Please don't send out a message to all of us researchers that you can just discard her loyalty, her devotion to her position and her pleasant contact with the general public. Barbara Dix is the keystone to keep people in touch with Oswego County.