Is St. Clairsville, where the records are housed in old building, for the County Records, that need to be cared for? Usually county records belong to the county, and they usually stay in that county. Here is an idea that I want to pass along. In dealing with schools, in our area (Texas ) for student projects, this would be a great source in St. Clairsville area for a local highschool ( 11th , and senior class) , and could be a project that last several years for local high school students, in the History classes. They get credit for social activities and community service activities, and also good for their transcripts upon graduation for volunteer hours to their community. This would keep the records once established , the school History dept and History clubs of the highschool would be interested in doing this for one of their projects. Just contact a History teacher of local high school, and ask her if this would be a good project for her class along with the other teachers. Teachers and students are always searching for ways of community service projects for students to add to their graduation transcripst. I am in Texas ,and have two daughters who are teachers and both search for ideas for this project each year. I am thinking that Ohio does the same with their students. You would have your local workers from students and all would be needed would be shelf space in the area. This is a project that students do show up for and work hard at or they do not get credit for the community service projects they need to go on their graduating transcripst. It is possible they might even clean and repair the area the volumes of records are housed in. ( woodwork classes ) If the school is not large enough for the project maybe schools in areas close to St. Clairsville, would get involved. I do know that volunteer hours for students in Texas are very important,and hope Ohio has the same for their students. Just wanted to pass this along for an idea.

AS I have already directed this information to one lister, I will post it here in the hopes someone local finds it of merit. Perhaps someone near these records will be interested in taking the time and getting this project underway. It's a Great project for a local Historical or Genealogical Society with no cost involved, just some time. Someone has to measure the size of the pages in each book, count the number of pages in each book, and certainly should dust the books off a bit before transporting them for filming. There is a group in Western PA that will microfilm those records at NO COST. When completed, they will return the original records along with a FREE copy of the microfilm that was produced. They also retain a copy of the microfilm so that if the other microfilm copy or the originals are ever lost due to some disaster, there is always another copy.

Helen, The ideal would be to keep them in the County, but that would be a very labor intensive and expensive proposition and I don't think Belmont County has the extra funds to allocate to such a project; given the fact that they do not have the funds to support their educational system and are currently doing massive layoffs of teachers. You would need a building to house the records and the people and equipment to microfilm or digitalize these records. Given the fact that they have already been sitting and deteriorating for years in attics and basements exposed to the elements and critters, the most cost effective means of preserving these would be to sent them to the designated repositories such as OU or OHS to preserve them, otherwise they are likely to end up in land fills and be gone forever. That is why these repositories and archive libraries were created. At least if they were sent to OU where they have the funds and means to microfilm these records , the records would be preserved for ever and not lost. Locally, they could then be requested and viewed at the Belmont County Campus Library of OU. If you think about it, we have already been paying for copies of our own records. What is it now, $15.00 for a copy of a birth or death certificate that probably costs less then $.10 to reproduce by the staff of Vital records ; whose salaries come from our tax money? ? I think the bottom line is preserving these records before it is too late. I am surprised that The Old age Home hasn't been condemned and when it is, I would bet the records in the attic and basement will go with the building. The electrical wiring is ancient and should that building catch fire as a result of faulty wiring, those records will also go up in smoke. The Genealogy Societies have been aware of these problems for years, but have probably not had the funding to deal with the massive amount of records that currently exist. There are tons of records stacked to the ceiling in these locations. This seems like a cost effective and viable option to me. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Helen Stradford" <[email protected]> To: "Saboley" <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 11:15 PM Subject: Re: Preservation of Belmont WHY WHY > Why should OUR records be sent out of the county?? That is silly!!!! The > LDS copied some of our records & our libraries did not even get GIVEN a > copy!!!! WHY should we have to BUY back our own records. That is a > terrible thing to have to do!!!!! Why should we have to go many miles to > see our own records!!!! Stop and think of what you are saying!!!!!!! > [email protected] > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 4:06 PM > Subject: Preservation of Belmont County Records > > > > I keep digging and have found the following that may be food for > thought............... > > > > The Ohio University Library in Athens, Ohio is the designated regional > repository for local government records for Belmont County. This is probably > where they should have been sent to begin with. There is a branch of OU > across the road from where many of these records are currently housed. This > could be another potential site for housing these records. OHS in Columbus > would also be another site to consider. > > > > This is the web site for the Ohio University Library in Athens and a > little info. about them: > > > > http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/genealogy/index.htm > > Archives and Special Collections -- 5th Floor > > The Department of Archives and Special Collections is the designated > regional repository for local government records from eighteen southeast > Ohio counties: > > > > Athens > > Belmont > > Gallia, > > Guernsey > > Hocking > > Jackson Lawrence > > Meigs > > Monroe > > Morgan > > Muskingum > > Noble Perry > > Pike > > Ross > > Scioto > > Vinton > > Washington > > > > It has acquired some, but by no means all, records from the above > counties. A good portion of this material has also been microfilmed and is > available in the Microforms and Nonprint Department as well. The Department > of Archives and Special Collections department maintains a guide to this > material: Guide to Local Government Records in the Ohio University Library. > The 1992 edition (with supplements) is available for purchase. The > Department maintains the following Web sites: > > > > >

Another group of people to contact would be the Belmont County State & Federal Representatives & Senators. I'm sure they would be glad to help you find some funding for this preservation project. It's an election year after all right? In an election year,I have found, the officials are more than likely to help you. I was lucky enough to get a $500,000.00 grant,a few years ago, to start the funding to build a new public library in my county in IN. This money came from our State Lottery money. My State Senator helped me get this grant. Of course it cost more than a half million to build it but the State Lottery Grant sure helped get the project off the ground! By the way, the new library is done & looks beautiful in my opinion. Pam Drake in IN. [email protected]

Sandra, I agree with you that the "Worker Bees" in the Court House could care less about these old records. They were most likely glad to get them out of their way so they could work with current records that they needed, especially since space is cramped in the court house. Many that I talked with thought that the folks doing family genealogy and the LDS folks were "a little crazy" and had no understanding of the relevance of these records to the research we all are doing regarding our Family History. If they don't understand the relevance of these old records, there surely would not be any reverence for them. One must also realize that the area lies in a rather depressed economy, so many of the folks didn't go there because they "loved or respected old records" but have worked there for the job security and because they are some of the best jobs around.. I would bet that the "Queen Bees" (Department Heads appointed & responsible as guardian of these records) have NO idea where these records went nor do the Elected County Officials that are ultimately responsible. After just celebrating Ohio's Bicentennial, public airing of there failure to respect and provide proper care of these Historical Documents would likely leave the County Officials feeling more then a little embarrassed. I think letter writing to these officials and letters to the editor of the local Newspaper ( http://www.timesleaderonline.com/custservice/email.asp ) just might make someone sit up and take notice..... start at the top and work down. Like you said "it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease". I also agree that this has to be organized on a local level. There are 2 Genealogy Societies : the Belmont County Chapter of the OGS and the Cumberland Trail Genealogical Society. It would seem imperative that these two Genealogy Societies need to work together to organize and accomplish this task of preserving these records. Becoming Members of these organizations would be another way of showing our support for these local Genealogy groups. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 2:42 PM Subject: [OHBELMON-L] local records > Quite frankly, I don't think that the 'powers that be' are the least bit > interested in original documents or their pityful plight......no one at the > courthouse, that I've EVER spoken to, cared one bit....their major concern > was not having to warehouse them. Thus, writing to officials will, I think, > be useless. That's why it is essential that there is a grassroots group or > groups, that make themselves known, and make it apparent that something > MUST be done......remember, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the > grease.....make a big enough noise, and something might be accomplished! At > this point, individual letters to officials will get, I'm sure, filed in the > trash. This whole thing requires some concerted work on the part of local > organizations, willling to take on the work, and with some sort of a PLAN, > that may then be presented to the various heads of different courthouse > departments. THEN is the time, once some sort of a plan is evolved, to > write the courthouse and say "PLease work with so and so to save these > records." Remember, the courthouse is responsible for the disgraceful > treatment of these records, and they aren't going to do anything unless a > fire is lighted under them, or unless local citizens can offer an > alternative place for the records and a plan of what to do with them! > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 12:48 PM > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > Here are the addresses (web sites, e-mail and snail) for some of the > Elected > > Officials in Belmont County for those interested in writing some > > letters/e-mails to gather some interest in this Preservation Project. > > Ted Strickland's web site has info. regarding grants. > > I have e-mailed Eric Ayers at the Times Leader to see if I might elicit > some > > interest in doing a story regarding these scattered records. Will keep you > > informed of any response. > > I haven't seen this much activity on this site in ages. It's great to see > > everyone working together for a common cause. You are to be commended!! > > It would be great if some one in the area could get some pictures of these > > records in their current state. This might help in getting some attention > > and support for such a project from the local officials that have the > power > > to do something about it. > > > > Here are the addresses, etc.: > > Belmont County Elected Officials : > > > > http://www.belmontcountyohio.org/ > > > > > > AUDITOR > > Joseph A. Pappano > > 101 West Main Street > > St. Clairsville, OH 43950 > > Telephone: 740.699.2130 > > > > > > CLERK OF COURTS > > Randall L. Marple > > 101 West Main Street > > St. Clairsville, OH 43950 > > Legal Department > > Telephone: 740.699.2169 > > Title Department > > Telephone: 740.699.2139 > > > > > > BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS > > Ryan E. Olexo > > Charles R. Probst, Jr. > > Mark A. Thomas > > 101 West Main Street > > St. Clairsville, OH 43950 > > Telephone: 740.699.2155 > > > > Contacts them at: > > Ryan (Rick) Olexo Phone: 740.699.2155 > > Fax: 740.699.2156 > > email: [email protected] > > > > Charles (Chuck) Probst Phone: 740.699.2155 > > Fax: 740.699.2156 > > email: [email protected] > > > > Mark Thomas Phone: 740.699.2155 > > Fax: 740.699.2156 > > email: [email protected] > > > > > > Clerk: Dar Pempek Phone: 740.699.2155 > > Fax: 740.699.2156 > > email: [email protected] > > > > > > > > > > RECORDER > > Mary C. Nixon > > 101 West Main Street > > St. Clairsville, OH 43950 > > Telephone: 740.699.2140 > > > > > > Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance > > http://capwiz.com/etp/webreturn/?url=http://www.house.gov/strickland > > http://capwiz.com/etp/webreturn/?url=http://www.house.gov/strickland > > Congressman Ted Strickland, Representing Ohio's 6th District > > Washington Office > > 336 Cannon HOB > > Washington, D.C. 20515 > > 202-225-5705 (phone) > > 202-225-5907 (fax) > > > > Martins Ferry Office > > > > 35 South 5th St. > > > > Martins Ferry, OH 43935 > > > > 740-633-2275 (phone) > > > > 740-633-2280 (fax) > > > > Ohio's 18th district represented by The Honorable Robert W. Ney . > > Contact Information: > > > > The Honorable Robert W. Ney > > 2438 Rayburn > > Washington, D.C. 20515 > > (202) 225-6265 > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> > > To: "Byron Knutsen" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:43 PM > > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > > > > Go to the Times Leader on-line and under "community" you will find a > list > > of > > > Government Officials for Belmont County & St. Clairsville. (St. > > Clairsville > > > zip code is 43950) > > > > > > http://timesleaderonline.com/ > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Byron Knutsen" <[email protected]> > > > To: "Saboley" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > > > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:08 PM > > > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > > > > > > > I now live in Idaho but was born in St. Clairsville in 1938. If I had > an > > > > address to send a letter(s) to, I would be glad to help let the > > officials > > > > know that these records are important to many people. > > > > > > > > Byron Knutsen > > > > > > > > Retired and Still Learning > > > > While Having a Great Time > > > > In Southeastern Idaho > > > > > >

I keep digging and have found the following that may be food for thought............... The Ohio University Library in Athens, Ohio is the designated regional repository for local government records for Belmont County. This is probably where they should have been sent to begin with. There is a branch of OU across the road from where many of these records are currently housed. This could be another potential site for housing these records. OHS in Columbus would also be another site to consider. This is the web site for the Ohio University Library in Athens and a little info. about them: http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/genealogy/index.htm Archives and Special Collections -- 5th Floor The Department of Archives and Special Collections is the designated regional repository for local government records from eighteen southeast Ohio counties: Athens Belmont Gallia, Guernsey Hocking Jackson Lawrence Meigs Monroe Morgan Muskingum Noble Perry Pike Ross Scioto Vinton Washington It has acquired some, but by no means all, records from the above counties. A good portion of this material has also been microfilmed and is available in the Microforms and Nonprint Department as well. The Department of Archives and Special Collections department maintains a guide to this material: Guide to Local Government Records in the Ohio University Library. The 1992 edition (with supplements) is available for purchase. The Department maintains the following Web sites:

I live about 3 hours away from St. Clairsville in Western Ohio, but am offering whatever assistance I can be. I'm not *real* good at interpretting script handwriting, but I can help organize books (I was a librarian for 15 years). Patty (Drummond) Jenkins

Quite frankly, I don't think that the 'powers that be' are the least bit interested in original documents or their pityful plight......no one at the courthouse, that I've EVER spoken to, cared one bit....their major concern was not having to warehouse them. Thus, writing to officials will, I think, be useless. That's why it is essential that there is a grassroots group or groups, that make themselves known, and make it apparent that something MUST be done......remember, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.....make a big enough noise, and something might be accomplished! At this point, individual letters to officials will get, I'm sure, filed in the trash. This whole thing requires some concerted work on the part of local organizations, willling to take on the work, and with some sort of a PLAN, that may then be presented to the various heads of different courthouse departments. THEN is the time, once some sort of a plan is evolved, to write the courthouse and say "PLease work with so and so to save these records." Remember, the courthouse is responsible for the disgraceful treatment of these records, and they aren't going to do anything unless a fire is lighted under them, or unless local citizens can offer an alternative place for the records and a plan of what to do with them! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 12:48 PM Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > Here are the addresses (web sites, e-mail and snail) for some of the Elected > Officials in Belmont County for those interested in writing some > letters/e-mails to gather some interest in this Preservation Project. > Ted Strickland's web site has info. regarding grants. > I have e-mailed Eric Ayers at the Times Leader to see if I might elicit some > interest in doing a story regarding these scattered records. Will keep you > informed of any response. > I haven't seen this much activity on this site in ages. It's great to see > everyone working together for a common cause. You are to be commended!! > It would be great if some one in the area could get some pictures of these > records in their current state. This might help in getting some attention > and support for such a project from the local officials that have the power > to do something about it. > > Here are the addresses, etc.: > Belmont County Elected Officials : > > http://www.belmontcountyohio.org/ > > > AUDITOR > Joseph A. Pappano > 101 West Main Street > St. Clairsville, OH 43950 > Telephone: 740.699.2130 > > > CLERK OF COURTS > Randall L. Marple > 101 West Main Street > St. Clairsville, OH 43950 > Legal Department > Telephone: 740.699.2169 > Title Department > Telephone: 740.699.2139 > > > BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS > Ryan E. Olexo > Charles R. Probst, Jr. > Mark A. Thomas > 101 West Main Street > St. Clairsville, OH 43950 > Telephone: 740.699.2155 > > Contacts them at: > Ryan (Rick) Olexo Phone: 740.699.2155 > Fax: 740.699.2156 > email: [email protected] > > Charles (Chuck) Probst Phone: 740.699.2155 > Fax: 740.699.2156 > email: [email protected] > > Mark Thomas Phone: 740.699.2155 > Fax: 740.699.2156 > email: [email protected] > > > Clerk: Dar Pempek Phone: 740.699.2155 > Fax: 740.699.2156 > email: [email protected] > > > > > RECORDER > Mary C. Nixon > 101 West Main Street > St. Clairsville, OH 43950 > Telephone: 740.699.2140 > > > Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance > http://capwiz.com/etp/webreturn/?url=http://www.house.gov/strickland > http://capwiz.com/etp/webreturn/?url=http://www.house.gov/strickland > Congressman Ted Strickland, Representing Ohio's 6th District > Washington Office > 336 Cannon HOB > Washington, D.C. 20515 > 202-225-5705 (phone) > 202-225-5907 (fax) > > Martins Ferry Office > > 35 South 5th St. > > Martins Ferry, OH 43935 > > 740-633-2275 (phone) > > 740-633-2280 (fax) > > Ohio's 18th district represented by The Honorable Robert W. Ney . > Contact Information: > > The Honorable Robert W. Ney > 2438 Rayburn > Washington, D.C. 20515 > (202) 225-6265 > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> > To: "Byron Knutsen" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:43 PM > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > Go to the Times Leader on-line and under "community" you will find a list > of > > Government Officials for Belmont County & St. Clairsville. (St. > Clairsville > > zip code is 43950) > > > > http://timesleaderonline.com/ > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Byron Knutsen" <[email protected]> > > To: "Saboley" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:08 PM > > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > > > > I now live in Idaho but was born in St. Clairsville in 1938. If I had an > > > address to send a letter(s) to, I would be glad to help let the > officials > > > know that these records are important to many people. > > > > > > Byron Knutsen > > > > > > Retired and Still Learning > > > While Having a Great Time > > > In Southeastern Idaho > >

Lorraine. I am a Belmont and Monroe researcher on the Willis and Mowder Families who came into Belmont County in the 1820-1830 time frame. I would be glad to transcribe some of your information for you if you could scan it to me and give me a board address to transcribe it into. Thanks for all the good things you do for all of us. I have one of your books, I think. I am also transcribing for PA Roots. Martha Cross Sargent Martha Cross Sargent Data entry Manager - Bios PA-ROOTS http://www.pa-roots.com/ ANKROM ASHBY AULTS BARNHOUSE BERGER BREECH CLARK CORNELL CROSS CURRY GROW HERSMAN HOLCOMB INGRAM LEWIS LIVINGSTON LUKE MCMULLEN MEANS MOWDER MYER MYERS OATES OWENS ROSS SARGENT UMENSETTER WATSON WILLIS WOODS ZUMBRO

Sandra, Just for the record, maybe we'd better make that "LDS"? Some web site monitor might get the wrong idea about what we're talking about!!! Yes, I will check with Walter about that. Lorraine [email protected] On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 14:15:20 -0400 "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> writes: > Lorraine, As you know someone who was actually involved with the LSD > filming, could you ask him if they were aware of other 'dumping' > places of > records, if they considered them, etc? > > S. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 11:28 AM > Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Repenting for "Old Records" > > > > Dear fellow listers: > > > > In view of the initial skepticism over the feasibility of such a > project, > > I began to feel bad about mentioning it. > > > > In view of the responses of the past couple of days, where people > are > > putting their heads and hands and hearts together to figure out a > way it > > might work, I feel like doing a little dance all around my kitchen > while > > exclaiming "Yippee, yippee, yippee!" > > > > Since that is a mental image that should probably never be > inflicted on > > even my worst enemy, I guess it's time to start repenting again! > > > > * * * > > > > Seriously, as some of you know, I have done quite a bit of > transcribing > > from the early Belmont records. I am familiar with a lot of the > names > > (although you may not believe it from some of the transcriptions > that > > show up in the books that have been produced...but we can only > write down > > what is there!). My free time has become severely restricted > recently and > > may remain that way for a few years. That might suffice to explain > why > > the next will and deed volumes are still sitting in my computer > only > > partially done! Profuse apologies offered!!! > > > > However, if there is something I can do from several hundred and > several > > hours away, I would certainly do my best to support a locally > sponsored, > > promoted, and administered project. I don't know if I'm rather > biased, > > but it seems to me that the Belmont County records are very > important for > > solving research problems all across the country. (Maybe every > county is > > like that to everyone who has been researching for several > decades?) But > > after over 30 years of trying to figure out my family and its > > associations in Belmont, I am awfully curious about what lies in > the > > midst of all those papers. > > > > I do know that one of my favorite cousins, Walter Kinsey, worked > closely > > with the LDS filming crews during their latest session in Belmont. > So he > > probably knows what was filmed at that time. Wouldn't it be > wonderful if > > the necessary evaluating and organizing could be done in order to > justify > > another trip out? > > > > OK. I've got to go do some laundry. (Why do all these temporal > things get > > in the way of our family history pursuits???) But on the way out > of the > > kitchen, I might just do a couple of those dance steps and maybe > just one > > or two of the "Yippee"s! What a glorious uniting of purpose and > resources > > has developed on this list. The Belmont settlers must have been > pretty > > special to have generated such terrific descendants!!! > > > > Lorraine I. Quillon > > [email protected] > > > > >

Thanks for the information! Sincerely, Pam Drake in IN. [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 2:43 PM Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > Go to the Times Leader on-line and under "community" you will find a list of > Government Officials for Belmont County & St. Clairsville. (St. Clairsville > zip code is 43950) > > http://timesleaderonline.com/ > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Byron Knutsen" <[email protected]> > To: "Saboley" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:08 PM > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > I now live in Idaho but was born in St. Clairsville in 1938. If I had an > > address to send a letter(s) to, I would be glad to help let the officials > > know that these records are important to many people. > > > > Byron Knutsen > > > > Retired and Still Learning > > While Having a Great Time > > In Southeastern Idaho > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> > > To: <[email protected]> > > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 12:35 PM > > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > > > > What a great idea..... especially since there is a State Prison in > > Bannock, > > > about a mile down the road from where some of these records are located > > and > > > another prison in Caldwell Ohio with a vocational program!! > > > Maybe some letters to the local elected officials & Reps. describing the > > > problem and potential solution (as Pat described below), might have some > > > impact and help save these records!! > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: <[email protected]> > > > To: <[email protected]> > > > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 1:59 PM > > > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > > > > > > > In doing research in the town of Ellsworth Kansas county seat of > Wilson > > > County > > > > I learned they had sent from their storeage area of old records and > > shiped > > > > all of them to the > > > > state prison, and had the inmates microfilm all the old record books, > on > > > film > > > > perserving them, and > > > > the state obsorbed the cost of everything. Giving the inmates > something > > to > > > do > > > > and > > > > in process teaching them a trade. The court house had all of the film > to > > > be > > > > looked at > > > > and a reader. Of course now we have computers, so don't know what the > > > state > > > > prisons do > > > > in recording old records but probably much different. > > > > > > > > Just a note to let you know something that might be possible for > Ohio. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ______________________________

Lorraine, As you know someone who was actually involved with the LSD filming, could you ask him if they were aware of other 'dumping' places of records, if they considered them, etc? S. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 11:28 AM Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Repenting for "Old Records" > Dear fellow listers: > > In view of the initial skepticism over the feasibility of such a project, > I began to feel bad about mentioning it. > > In view of the responses of the past couple of days, where people are > putting their heads and hands and hearts together to figure out a way it > might work, I feel like doing a little dance all around my kitchen while > exclaiming "Yippee, yippee, yippee!" > > Since that is a mental image that should probably never be inflicted on > even my worst enemy, I guess it's time to start repenting again! > > * * * > > Seriously, as some of you know, I have done quite a bit of transcribing > from the early Belmont records. I am familiar with a lot of the names > (although you may not believe it from some of the transcriptions that > show up in the books that have been produced...but we can only write down > what is there!). My free time has become severely restricted recently and > may remain that way for a few years. That might suffice to explain why > the next will and deed volumes are still sitting in my computer only > partially done! Profuse apologies offered!!! > > However, if there is something I can do from several hundred and several > hours away, I would certainly do my best to support a locally sponsored, > promoted, and administered project. I don't know if I'm rather biased, > but it seems to me that the Belmont County records are very important for > solving research problems all across the country. (Maybe every county is > like that to everyone who has been researching for several decades?) But > after over 30 years of trying to figure out my family and its > associations in Belmont, I am awfully curious about what lies in the > midst of all those papers. > > I do know that one of my favorite cousins, Walter Kinsey, worked closely > with the LDS filming crews during their latest session in Belmont. So he > probably knows what was filmed at that time. Wouldn't it be wonderful if > the necessary evaluating and organizing could be done in order to justify > another trip out? > > OK. I've got to go do some laundry. (Why do all these temporal things get > in the way of our family history pursuits???) But on the way out of the > kitchen, I might just do a couple of those dance steps and maybe just one > or two of the "Yippee"s! What a glorious uniting of purpose and resources > has developed on this list. The Belmont settlers must have been pretty > special to have generated such terrific descendants!!! > > Lorraine I. Quillon > [email protected] >

Here are the addresses (web sites, e-mail and snail) for some of the Elected Officials in Belmont County for those interested in writing some letters/e-mails to gather some interest in this Preservation Project. Ted Strickland's web site has info. regarding grants. I have e-mailed Eric Ayers at the Times Leader to see if I might elicit some interest in doing a story regarding these scattered records. Will keep you informed of any response. I haven't seen this much activity on this site in ages. It's great to see everyone working together for a common cause. You are to be commended!! It would be great if some one in the area could get some pictures of these records in their current state. This might help in getting some attention and support for such a project from the local officials that have the power to do something about it. Here are the addresses, etc.: Belmont County Elected Officials : http://www.belmontcountyohio.org/ AUDITOR Joseph A. Pappano 101 West Main Street St. Clairsville, OH 43950 Telephone: 740.699.2130 CLERK OF COURTS Randall L. Marple 101 West Main Street St. Clairsville, OH 43950 Legal Department Telephone: 740.699.2169 Title Department Telephone: 740.699.2139 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Ryan E. Olexo Charles R. Probst, Jr. Mark A. Thomas 101 West Main Street St. Clairsville, OH 43950 Telephone: 740.699.2155 Contacts them at: Ryan (Rick) Olexo Phone: 740.699.2155 Fax: 740.699.2156 email: [email protected] Charles (Chuck) Probst Phone: 740.699.2155 Fax: 740.699.2156 email: [email protected] Mark Thomas Phone: 740.699.2155 Fax: 740.699.2156 email: [email protected] Clerk: Dar Pempek Phone: 740.699.2155 Fax: 740.699.2156 email: [email protected] RECORDER Mary C. Nixon 101 West Main Street St. Clairsville, OH 43950 Telephone: 740.699.2140 Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance http://capwiz.com/etp/webreturn/?url=http://www.house.gov/strickland http://capwiz.com/etp/webreturn/?url=http://www.house.gov/strickland Congressman Ted Strickland, Representing Ohio's 6th District Washington Office 336 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-5705 (phone) 202-225-5907 (fax) Martins Ferry Office 35 South 5th St. Martins Ferry, OH 43935 740-633-2275 (phone) 740-633-2280 (fax) Ohio's 18th district represented by The Honorable Robert W. Ney . Contact Information: The Honorable Robert W. Ney 2438 Rayburn Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-6265 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> To: "Byron Knutsen" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:43 PM Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > Go to the Times Leader on-line and under "community" you will find a list of > Government Officials for Belmont County & St. Clairsville. (St. Clairsville > zip code is 43950) > > http://timesleaderonline.com/ > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Byron Knutsen" <[email protected]> > To: "Saboley" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:08 PM > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: OHBELMON-D Digest V04 #68 > > > > I now live in Idaho but was born in St. Clairsville in 1938. If I had an > > address to send a letter(s) to, I would be glad to help let the officials > > know that these records are important to many people. > > > > Byron Knutsen > > > > Retired and Still Learning > > While Having a Great Time > > In Southeastern Idaho

Dear fellow listers: In view of the initial skepticism over the feasibility of such a project, I began to feel bad about mentioning it. In view of the responses of the past couple of days, where people are putting their heads and hands and hearts together to figure out a way it might work, I feel like doing a little dance all around my kitchen while exclaiming "Yippee, yippee, yippee!" Since that is a mental image that should probably never be inflicted on even my worst enemy, I guess it's time to start repenting again! * * * Seriously, as some of you know, I have done quite a bit of transcribing from the early Belmont records. I am familiar with a lot of the names (although you may not believe it from some of the transcriptions that show up in the books that have been produced...but we can only write down what is there!). My free time has become severely restricted recently and may remain that way for a few years. That might suffice to explain why the next will and deed volumes are still sitting in my computer only partially done! Profuse apologies offered!!! However, if there is something I can do from several hundred and several hours away, I would certainly do my best to support a locally sponsored, promoted, and administered project. I don't know if I'm rather biased, but it seems to me that the Belmont County records are very important for solving research problems all across the country. (Maybe every county is like that to everyone who has been researching for several decades?) But after over 30 years of trying to figure out my family and its associations in Belmont, I am awfully curious about what lies in the midst of all those papers. I do know that one of my favorite cousins, Walter Kinsey, worked closely with the LDS filming crews during their latest session in Belmont. So he probably knows what was filmed at that time. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the necessary evaluating and organizing could be done in order to justify another trip out? OK. I've got to go do some laundry. (Why do all these temporal things get in the way of our family history pursuits???) But on the way out of the kitchen, I might just do a couple of those dance steps and maybe just one or two of the "Yippee"s! What a glorious uniting of purpose and resources has developed on this list. The Belmont settlers must have been pretty special to have generated such terrific descendants!!! Lorraine I. Quillon [email protected]

Hi List; Living 3,000 miles from Belmont County OH leaves me at a disadvantage for “being there to help.” However, I am most willing to do what ever I can. I can transcribe from my home here in WA, I can surely donate money to same cause. I have a brother who lives in FL, who cannot help monetarily, but is willing to do all the transcribing he can. Please let me know if we can help in any way. Thanks, Joyce Lucas Dever, near Seattle [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

I helped a local Historical/Genealogical Society who received a grant in order to microfilm Erin Township records in Macomb Co., MI. I will contact someone and ask about the grant process. Harriet M. Herrington

Are there list members who are also members of the local Gen. or Historical Societies, the DAR or SAR, that could bring up this document project at an organization meeting? Perhaps one group could create a committee to look into it, and even contact other local organizations for their input - work shared is less work for everyone. Sandra

EBENEZER ZANE CHAPTER http://www.geocities.com/ezohsar/ Belmont County Genealogical Society! http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohbelogs/pubs.htm Cumberland Trail Geneological Society P.O. Box 576 St. Clairsville, OH 43950-0576 Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> http://www.geocities.com/ctgswebsite/index.html The Sedgwick House Museum 627 Hanover Street Martins Ferry, Ohio Ph. 740-633-5046 Email: [email protected] http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohmfahs/index.htm Underground Railroad Museum www.ugrrf.org Curator: John S. Mattox High Street Flushing, Ohio 43977 740-968-2080 Cheryl J Skinner www.connectingfamilydots.com

http://www.belmontcountyohio.org/ Cheryl J Skinner www.connectingfamilydots.com Make a Genealogist happy with books from the Belmont County Genealogical Society! http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohbelogs/pubs.htm

Could you ask the folks who got the grant where they applied, and if they have any suggestions? A grant would be a big help, for sure. Has anyone else had any experience with this sort of thing, that might add their knowledge 'to the pot'? My daughter has much experience in grant writing for the public school system and I'm sure I can draw upon her for 'some of the same'! S. " I think you may could get a grant to help with the records They got one in my county in Mo Now theyre all on microfilm Same thing here not a good place to store them . Wishing you success Jean in Mo"