I believe this refers to: David Reed estate #197 This --if I'm correct-- refers to Probate Case Files. Films of these files can be rented from your Local Family History Center. You can search: http://www.familysearch.org<http://www.familysearch.org/> I have used these films extensively and found them to include receipts paid against an estate in which the decedent did not have a will. Some of the information names who the debt was paid to and the reason for the debt. Some did include the names of children especially when the payment was to a teacher, payments to doctors, coffin makers, etc. I hope this is helpful to someone. Harriet M. Herrington

Doris, I have requested the same type of info several times - same explaination of papers in the attic and only go up there occassionally, etc - and have always heard back from them , so I imagine you will , too....it just takes a while. They will notify you of what they have and the cost for copying it, and then you have the option of requesting and paying for copies or not . ( T, too, had the info in my hand of what I wanted,date, etc - but had to fill out a form for it and leave it at the probate desk -they just don't go 'to the attic' on demand.) Gosh, wouldn't you love to see what's up there? The mind reels!! Sandra. Speaking of the surname Reed, I wonder if you might know of an Araminta Reed/Reid/Read, who married James Smith in Nat if 1847 (this is from family records, and undocumented by me). Araminta was born in 1828 (tombstone info) and died in 1859. The family had been living in Clarington, and James was a merchant. Araminta was buried in Emma Grove Cemetery, in Monroe co, a few miles below Clarington, just outside Hannibal. So, I imagine she was from that area.....but, know absolutely NOTHING about the family. > For many years my research on my Reed family has been centered in Belmont > County. My 3rd gr. grandfather, David Reed, died there in 1815. Since > there are no census records for Ohio in 1800 and 1810 and he died in 1815, > really difficult to find much info on him and his family. > > > > A professional researcher provided me with the info that there is a file in > the Belmont records entitled "David Reed Estate, file #197". Researcher > reported that she was at the Belmont court house and staff would NOT pull > this record for her. I spoke to a very nice person in the Probate division > in the court house. She told me that this record would be among those > stored in the attic of the court house. They don't have time to go there > very often (for researcher) to look for such files, and they will go there > when they can-might be a couple of months, or more. I need to send a > written request, which I will do immediately, and hope to get the file when > they have time to go to the attic to search for it. > > > > I cannot fault the nice person who talked to me-no doubt this situation > existed before she came to work there, but a shame this has had to happen. > I just hope that the file can be found and that it is legible after all this > time-file probably made in 1815/16. Maybe I am lucky it is in the attic of > the court house (I hope) and she was able to tell me where she thought it > was. > > > > Doris Reed Forsyth > > > > > > > > > >

Carol, I entered Historical records preservation in the search category and it brought up about 300 such grants. The first one: 89.003 National Historical Publications and Records Grants..some info from the site... OBJECTIVES: To undertake a wide-range of activities related to the preservation, publication, and use of documentary sources relating to the history of the United States. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Funds may be used for projects to strengthen the nation's archival infrastructure through collaboration with the States; to provide leadership in preserving and making accessible important documentary sources in electronic form; to improve the knowledge, performance, and professional skills of those who work with historical records; for the preservation, arrangement and description of records of historical interest; and for the publication in book, microform or electronic editions of papers and documents of national historical significance, especially in completing editions of papers on America's founding era. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: State and local governments, U.S. territorial agencies, federally and State recognized Indian tribes (see 44 U.S.C. 2504), educational and other nonprofit institutions (e.g., universities, colleges, libraries, historical societies, museums, university presses, archives, etc.) and individuals. Beneficiary Eligibility: State and local governments, U.S. territorial agencies, federally and State recognized Indian tribes, educational and other nonprofit institutions, and individuals. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 88-0300-0-1-804. Obligations: (Grants) FY 02 $6,265,000; FY 03 est $6,458,000; and FY 04 est $5,000,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $1,000 to $750,000; $67,000 EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: 1) Documentary editing projects to publish the papers of Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other figures important in United States history; 2) a project to conduct applied electronic records management research; 3) a project to develop a national database of historical records information in the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN); 4) a project to put a museum's collection of photographic images on videodisc using direct-to-disc recording equipment and to hold a workshop for museum, library, and archives personnel to demonstrate the system; 5) a project to develop a county's archives and records management program There are probably more out their just like this . Any good Grant writers out there? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carol Montrose" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 10:40 AM Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Re: Grants > There are web sites listing types of grants and explaining what you can use > them for. I'll see if I can get the url & post it. > One of the "poor" southern counties in Ohio USED to microfilm records as a > part of their "mission"...instead of leaving the money rotting in a bank > account somewhere. > > Carol > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 8:43 AM > Subject: Grants > > > > 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" > > > > ______________________________ >

Ted Strickland, who is the Congressman for this District, has information regarding available grants and how to write them on his site at : http://capwiz.com/etp/webreturn/?url=http://www.house.gov/strickland . As soon as I have some free time I will also look a little closer at this site. Perhaps we can get some assistance from his Office. I will contact my Nephew who previously worked as one of his aides and has maintained their friendship and see what he can do to help. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carol Montrose" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 10:40 AM Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Re: Grants > There are web sites listing types of grants and explaining what you can use > them for. I'll see if I can get the url & post it. > One of the "poor" southern counties in Ohio USED to microfilm records as a > part of their "mission"...instead of leaving the money rotting in a bank > account somewhere. > > Carol > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 8:43 AM > Subject: Grants > > > > 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" > > > > ______________________________ >

There are web sites listing types of grants and explaining what you can use them for. I'll see if I can get the url & post it. One of the "poor" southern counties in Ohio USED to microfilm records as a part of their "mission"...instead of leaving the money rotting in a bank account somewhere. Carol ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 8:43 AM Subject: Grants > 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" > > ______________________________

For many years my research on my Reed family has been centered in Belmont County. My 3rd gr. grandfather, David Reed, died there in 1815. Since there are no census records for Ohio in 1800 and 1810 and he died in 1815, really difficult to find much info on him and his family. A professional researcher provided me with the info that there is a file in the Belmont records entitled "David Reed Estate, file #197". Researcher reported that she was at the Belmont court house and staff would NOT pull this record for her. I spoke to a very nice person in the Probate division in the court house. She told me that this record would be among those stored in the attic of the court house. They don't have time to go there very often (for researcher) to look for such files, and they will go there when they can-might be a couple of months, or more. I need to send a written request, which I will do immediately, and hope to get the file when they have time to go to the attic to search for it. I cannot fault the nice person who talked to me-no doubt this situation existed before she came to work there, but a shame this has had to happen. I just hope that the file can be found and that it is legible after all this time-file probably made in 1815/16. Maybe I am lucky it is in the attic of the court house (I hope) and she was able to tell me where she thought it was. Doris Reed Forsyth

Donna, Your report is distressing. I find it difficult to believe that the filmers took such actions, and I don't believe it would be typical in any case. In fact, I have met the most recent Belmont filmers personally. I'm contacting one of my friends who used to be in charge of the Family History Library to see if he can track something down on this particular situation. Maybe there is some resolution even now? Lorraine [email protected] On Sun, 18 Apr 2004 08:29:38 -0500 "Herb Edwards" <[email protected]> writes: > Hello gang - > > This is a UNIVERSAL problem. We're encountering the same problems > with the > records here in Brown Co., IL. > > Yes, LDS came in and filmed SOME of them. The records were "cut to > fit" > their cameras, mis-filed, etc. NO copies were EVER sent to the > Court House > as promised. Some records not copied (and LDS will not be allowed > back in) > are in the old jail which also is home feathered and four legged > friends? > Others are literally falling to pieces and there is talk about > destroying > them. > > Something needs to be done on a local, state and national level to > retain > the integrity of these records. > > Realize with the International and National issues that this is a > LOW > priority - but someone needs to realize that when the dust settles, > the > records of our ancestors is GONE! They cannot be replaced > regardless of the > National Guard nor the tax base. > > The squeekie wheel gets the grease. Time for us all to start > squeeking!! > > - Donna Perkins Edwards > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2004 9:45 AM > Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Re: Preservation of Belmont WHY WHY > > > > 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: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

A couple of ideas/suggestions. Check with your local Boy Scout council. There are always Scouts looking for Eagle Scout projects, and this type of project would fit well with their requirements. The Scout needs to have a project that is beneficial to the community and requires planning and leadership skills. Due to its size, this undertaking can supply a number of project opportunities. If the local officials are 'not interested' in the records, you may approach them from the point of view that they would no longer need to deal with them. They may be happy to be rid of the responsibility. The most important thing here, in my opinion, is to approach the officials with a defined plan. This makes their decision a yes/no option rather than trying to decide what to do and how to do (and fund) it. With a plan in hand, their difficult work is already finished, and with a volunteer workforce and possible outside funding, the financial issue becomes much less of an obstacle. -Nelson Howell > I know this thread has been running a while, and I may have missed someone > else's suggestion, but it may be worth contacting the DAR or SAR, as both > outfits are pretty well heeled, and take an active role in records preservation. If > you've never made it to the DAR's Constitution Hall Library, you've missed a > treat. DAR transcribed a good many cemeteries nationwide back in the 20s and > 30s, and all of their original documents, typed and bound on onionskin paper, > are included in their holdings, not to mention all of the various descendancy > papers filed by members registering their lineages, as well as an outstanding > collection of bound material pertaining to most counties of all 50 states. > > In any event, funding can be gotten for two levels of preservation, and I > know that an awful lot of people had Revolutionary War vets and their families > come to eastern OH. Certainly microfilming, which many outfits other than the > LDS folks can do. I know that in the past couple of years, an independent > outfit in Bedford Co., PA (my paternal line centers here), did this very thing, > under the auspices of Bedford's Pioneer Historical Society. The cost of the > enterprise is slowly being recouped by offering paid lookups for folks who check > out the online databases at the Pioneer Society's webpage. The material > filmed, rescued from the Bedford Courthouse "dungeon", as well from the > Prothonotary's office in the courthouse, is being protected from further deterioration as > well as outright theft, which plagued this material's history. It might be > worth contacting Kay Leach at the Pioneer Society just to get the skinny on > what the Society had to do to get things rolling and accomplished. > > Beyond the filming, though, the longer-term project will include the > rebinding and lamination of the pages of those volumes considered salvageable. This > is certainly the more expensive of the tasks. This may be beyond the abilities > of Belmont Co. to accomplish in the short run. > I'll try to get a hold of Kay in Bedford Co., and see if she can put into > digestible form just how they went about doing what they did. There's certainly > an abiding interest to be shared, since a number of Bedford Countians were > part of the big migration into Ohio during the early 1800s.

I have long neglected this line because of the problem with the spelling but here it is. Eleanor Elizabeth Denny (later spelled Denney) born 1898 to Edward C. Denny Louisa Frances Beardmore in Barnesville, Ohio. By 1910 Census, Edward and family seemed to have left the area, but they left grandma with his parents in Barnesville, John Denny, et al. There were four other children, Lillian Mae Denny, John Frances Denny, Mary Martha Denny (married T. Rosser) and the baby was John Thomas Denny. In the 1930 & 1920 census Edward, Louisa and Tommy are in Virginia - but I am hoping someone can fill in the time for 1898 to 1920. I've tried Virginia's 1910 Census on line with no avail. Thanks Pam Klemm

OHIO 1820 Belmont County, Mead Township http://www.rootsweb.com/~cenfiles/oh/belmont/1820/ Abstracted by Juli Kearns Second Transcriber Needed [For more information on Belmont County, Ohio Please visit the Belmont, OHGenWeb page at http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohbelmon/index.html]

That item from Brown Co., IL lady was not good. I do know of one county out near the Mississippi River here in Illinois that started burning all the old deed books till someone caught them. NO room and didn't think they were ever needed again. That is the last thing that should be tossed as it pertains to land ownership. The LDS didn't do the microfilm work on the ships records, but a tidbit from my last trip to DC. I was trying to find out about my great great grandmother who had supposedly died on the boat in 1850. I had found the boat record but no date of death or anything. I then read that it should be at the end of the listing for the boat so I went back this trip and pulled the record and went to the end. Again no recordings. While fiddling with the film I noticed some writing off the to far side, but not readable on the screen. Well, the short of the story was that the film is wider than the reader and by manipulation I was able to pull the film over further and there in the far right hand column was the death dates of all who had died at sea on that boat. Without being told it should be there, but more importantly by accident I find that we need to be more diligent in our microfilm reading as we might be missing something real important. The mystery was solved. She did die at sea and I have the date and proof. Anyway just a word that might interest someone else. Jerilyn

I can verify that Jefferson County Records (just north of Belmont County) has the same situation. Please be patient and understanding with the LDS filming situation. The couple's that come in and film are volunteering "2 years" of their lives, (how many of you could afford to do that and would be willing to leave your families for two years?) supported by themselves not the LDS church or the Utah Genealogical Society. They are taught the how to's of microfilming and do their best. If a contract was signed by the courthouse offices, they would have surely received a copy. Most courthouses aren't interested, and that's the truth! Many "old" records that are being house elsewhere are never disclosed while the filming is going on and if the records were known and indexed and were Vital records, the filmers would do ALL they could to include them in their initial trip. Chances of LDS coming back to Belmont County to film are pretty small. The records would be need to be easy to access, vital records, and if indexed -even more incentive to come back. Otherwise, it is left up to local historical societies and genealogical societies to "pitch in" and save them! We could use Carroll County as a "role model!" They were given an older home to house all the unwanted vital records from the courthouse (and who knows where else!), the courthouse has the convenience of contacting the Carroll County historical library (ran strictly by volunteers!) for research and look ups. In the long run, it saves the government time and money. It makes sense, but sometimes our government officials need to be "lead by the hand" and show that it works in other counties and explained to in great detail to "sell the idea." A case needs to be presented to each of these counties that will work. MANY local volunteers are needed to gather the records, organize them and then begin the long lengthy process of indexing and abstracting! It can be done and we do have wonderful examples of that in our neighboring counties and states! Let's hope that local genealogists in Belmont County will decide that this is the right time to take on such a project. It's easy to sit back and point fingers, but it is necessary to first - have the local governments support, secondly, a place to house the records, and third- local volunteers to staff such a repository and the list goes on. Most of time in these small locally supported organizations, we can't get enough support to do small local genealogy projects, let alone something of this magnitude! We are talking one big project that would have to dedicate alot of time and energy away from other obligations. Be patient and remember, we don't always know the big picture of why these records are still sitting in wait! My thoughts and comments for what it is worth! Flora ----- Original Message ----- From: "Herb Edwards" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2004 09:29 AM Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Re: Preservation of Belmont WHY WHY Hello gang - This is a UNIVERSAL problem. We're encountering the same problems with the records here in Brown Co., IL. Yes, LDS came in and filmed SOME of them. The records were "cut to fit" their cameras, mis-filed, etc. NO copies were EVER sent to the Court House as promised. Some records not copied (and LDS will not be allowed back in) are in the old jail which also is home feathered and four legged friends? Others are literally falling to pieces and there is talk about destroying them. Something needs to be done on a local, state and national level to retain the integrity of these records. Realize with the International and National issues that this is a LOW priority - but someone needs to realize that when the dust settles, the records of our ancestors is GONE! They cannot be replaced regardless of the National Guard nor the tax base. The squeekie wheel gets the grease. Time for us all to start squeeking!! - Donna Perkins Edwards ----- Original Message ----- From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2004 9:45 AM Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Re: Preservation of Belmont WHY WHY > 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: > > > > > > > > > >

I contacted one of the people who helped to spearhead the record project on which I worked. Their process was: 1) Someone (in this case of librarian and historical society president) were made aware of township records. 2) Permission was granted to them to borrow the records for their project. 3) The librarian wrote and received a state grant which enabled the records to be microfilmed. After microfilming, the records were returned to the office from which the permission was granted. 4) Volunteers then made a photo copy of each microfilmed page. 5) Names and data was then extracted from these photo copies. 6) Volunteers alphabetized the names creating an index. 7) The finished product then became available for sale by the historical/genealogical society.

I know this thread has been running a while, and I may have missed someone else's suggestion, but it may be worth contacting the DAR or SAR, as both outfits are pretty well heeled, and take an active role in records preservation. If you've never made it to the DAR's Constitution Hall Library, you've missed a treat. DAR transcribed a good many cemeteries nationwide back in the 20s and 30s, and all of their original documents, typed and bound on onionskin paper, are included in their holdings, not to mention all of the various descendancy papers filed by members registering their lineages, as well as an outstanding collection of bound material pertaining to most counties of all 50 states. In any event, funding can be gotten for two levels of preservation, and I know that an awful lot of people had Revolutionary War vets and their families come to eastern OH. Certainly microfilming, which many outfits other than the LDS folks can do. I know that in the past couple of years, an independent outfit in Bedford Co., PA (my paternal line centers here), did this very thing, under the auspices of Bedford's Pioneer Historical Society. The cost of the enterprise is slowly being recouped by offering paid lookups for folks who check out the online databases at the Pioneer Society's webpage. The material filmed, rescued from the Bedford Courthouse "dungeon", as well from the Prothonotary's office in the courthouse, is being protected from further deterioration as well as outright theft, which plagued this material's history. It might be worth contacting Kay Leach at the Pioneer Society just to get the skinny on what the Society had to do to get things rolling and accomplished. Beyond the filming, though, the longer-term project will include the rebinding and lamination of the pages of those volumes considered salvageable. This is certainly the more expensive of the tasks. This may be beyond the abilities of Belmont Co. to accomplish in the short run. I'll try to get a hold of Kay in Bedford Co., and see if she can put into digestible form just how they went about doing what they did. There's certainly an abiding interest to be shared, since a number of Bedford Countians were part of the big migration into Ohio during the early 1800s. My own tie to Belmont Co. stems from a wagon trip from MD's Eastern Shore in the 1820s, when Reuben Farrell and his uncle Zelek Farrell came from Queen Anne's Co. Reuben ended up in Morristown, where he and his wife Nancy Grimes Farrell (married in 1841) briefly operated the Black Horse Tavern, property they purchased from Isaac Kirk. While I'm pretty firm on the Farrell/Ferrell line, Nancy Grimes' lineage is still a mystery. I'll have to save that saga for a separate posting on the list; it's still a major brick wall for me! Reuben Farrell's grandson Roy Wilson Farrell was my maternal grandfather. David Fletcher Richmond, VA

I have copys of Morgan Co. Cemetery Records here is Alexander names buried there Bristol twp Morgan County Ohio Bristol Cemetery Alexander, David W. s of ___? died April 26 1851 age 16 ur 20 da row 5 Alexander, Esther w/of Thomas 1793-1863 row 6 Alexander, Samuel C ---? row 5 Phoebe d Mar. 20 1860 age___? row 5

Hello gang - This is a UNIVERSAL problem. We're encountering the same problems with the records here in Brown Co., IL. Yes, LDS came in and filmed SOME of them. The records were "cut to fit" their cameras, mis-filed, etc. NO copies were EVER sent to the Court House as promised. Some records not copied (and LDS will not be allowed back in) are in the old jail which also is home feathered and four legged friends? Others are literally falling to pieces and there is talk about destroying them. Something needs to be done on a local, state and national level to retain the integrity of these records. Realize with the International and National issues that this is a LOW priority - but someone needs to realize that when the dust settles, the records of our ancestors is GONE! They cannot be replaced regardless of the National Guard nor the tax base. The squeekie wheel gets the grease. Time for us all to start squeeking!! - Donna Perkins Edwards ----- Original Message ----- From: "Saboley" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2004 9:45 AM Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Re: Preservation of Belmont WHY WHY > 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: > > > > > > > > > >

I am researching my husband's ALEXANDER family line. His GGG Grandfather was Thomas ALEXANDER b. 29 Sept 1812 in Belmont County, OH. I know that his father was Humphrey ALEXANDER (b. 8 Feb 1784 in PA). I also know that Thomas married Nancy BOYD 23 Mar 1836 in Jefferson Co., OH. This ALEXANDER family then moved to Morgan Co., OH - I find them there in the 1840 census. Thanks - Barb Crawford Hocking Co., OH

Pam, I think the LDS filming is definitely the ideal way to go as it will make the records available worldwide. However, I believe the organizing would need to be done prior to the filming. So all the great ideas for generating volunteers are absolutely wonderful. I hope some of them might work out. I will contact the people who were in charge of the last filming and see if they have any recommendations. Lorraine [email protected] On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 13:52:19 -0500 "Pam Drake" <[email protected]> writes: > My cousin sent me an idea about the records. He said if the records > fall within the parameters of the LDS church they will microfilm > everything. He said in my e-mail "They will do all the work for free > & give a copy of all the information microfilmed to the > agency/church/cemetery or whatever entity the information was > gleaned from." The LDS website is: www.familysearch.org > > Another person I am in e-mail contact with said if they were going > to throw away the records that he & several others would be willing > to buy them so they wouldn't end up on E-bay. > > These are just suggestions by no means set in concrete. > > Sincerely, > > Pam Drake in IN. > [email protected] > > >

Family lore is that a Mr. Litton was a good friend of my Uncle Sol Edwards who was murdered during a Labor strike at the Aetnaville Stand. Mill in 1910. I find a 29 y.o. Frank Litton on the 1910 OH Census in Bridgeport with wife Mattie and children, Mary and Frank. Since my Uncle also lived in Bridgeport, I think there's a good chance that this Frank Litton could be the friend. If you know this Litton family, would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks, Nancy Edwards - in GA - (researching: CALLAGHAN/CALLAHAN, CLINK, DAVIES, EDWARDS, EVANS, FOX/FUCHS, LINEBERGER, MURRIN, SCHOTT/SCHUTT/SHUTT, SMITH, TOTTERDALE, WALLACE, and others)

My cousin sent me an idea about the records. He said if the records fall within the parameters of the LDS church they will microfilm everything. He said in my e-mail "They will do all the work for free & give a copy of all the information microfilmed to the agency/church/cemetery or whatever entity the information was gleaned from." The LDS website is: www.familysearch.org Another person I am in e-mail contact with said if they were going to throw away the records that he & several others would be willing to buy them so they wouldn't end up on E-bay. These are just suggestions by no means set in concrete. Sincerely, Pam Drake in IN. [email protected]