Dear Belmont County researchers, I'm sure all of us have dreamed of the untold genealogical treasures that might be lying in those stacks of papers. Does anyone have any ideas about what might be done at least to get them organized where they lie? Then if a centralized area does become available, a headstart would already have been made toward the final organization. Someone local would have to head and manage the total project so that it was done in an orderly manner. But perhaps some of us who are planning to travel to the area to research could donate a day of research time to the effort. I know I'm coming in June for about a week and would be happy to contribute a day to an ongoing task. And if there is anything that could be done off-site, I'd be happy to consider that as well. Maybe if we all put our heads together (and perhaps some extra funds for supplies [file folders, storage boxes, or whatever] and possibly the use of a laptop to keep track of the records found, etc., etc., etc.), this oft-mentioned accumulation might be rendered truly useful. I would think the first undertaking would be the identification of the records and the sorting into groups according to type. The adrenaline starts pumping just contemplating the possibilities! What are your thoughts? Is this a feasible undertaking? Lorraine [email protected] On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 13:31:43 -0400 "Saboley" <[email protected]> writes: > From what I understand, there are also court house records and stacks > of > ledgers stored in the attic and basement of the former Old Age home > in > Bannock as well as the attic of the court house. Seems records are > scattered > every where in a totally unorganized fashion. Have heard the St. > C. > Genealogy Society is working on taking over the vacated old jail > next to the > Court house where they might gather and house some of these old > records. > Perhaps they will become accessible someday. > Also have heard that old school and voting records are stored in > the > Township Buildings through out the County. Would be nice if these > could all > be centralized and accessible to the public. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 10:52 AM > Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Belmont records > > > > I visited the courthouse in St. Clairsville, looking for early > tax > records, > > only to discover that hundreds of ledgers were piled in the > basement of an > > outbuilding, adjoining the WICS bldg, several miles outside > town......so, > > perhaps some of the records you seek are there. I do know, also, > that > many > > administrative papers (those from estates where the person died > intestate) > > are stored elsewhere, and not accessable to the public. You must > fill out > a > > form there at the courthouse, with name and pertinent data, and > the > Probate > > clerks will let you know later if there is any paperwork under the > persons > > name......they explained to me that they only went to wherever it > is they > > have those records on an occasional basis, and thus it might be > quite a > > while till they had time to check. I had this happen last summer, > and > they > > did let me know that there was paperwork for the person's estate I > sought. > > The told me the $ for copies and I sent for them..... > > > > > Carol, > > > > > > Thanks so much for all the information. I appreciate it very > much. The > > > Philip Wise in question was a landowner, and about a year ago I > checked > > the land > > > records in Salt Lake City and didn't find any transfer, and so I > have > > assumed > > > that the land passed to the next generation by probate. When I > attempted > > to > > > access the chancery records for that period I found that they > were > located > > on > > > 16 rolls of microfilm, that were completely unsorted and > completely out > of > > > order and that many of the records were in a condition that > were > difficult > > to read > > > and understand. It would have required weeks of effort just to > go > through > > > them. I have assumed that because probate records kept track > of > property > > that > > > the records would have been continually accessible and that's > why I > > brought up > > > the possibility that those records for that time period might > have been > > > destroyed because they don't seem to be available anywhere. I > visited > the > > > courthouse in St. Clairsville last summer and the only probate > records I > > could find for > > > that period were those associated with wills. > > > > > > Neil E. > > > Folsom, CA > > > > > > > > > > >

The tax records are in the basement of an outbuilding on the grounds of the WICS bldg, several miles outside town. It is filthy dirty, with only one light, in the ceiling near the door. The ledgers are piled from floor to ceiling around the walls, in no order, surrounded by boxes of trash, broken chairs and office desks. One has to crawl over the junk to get to the ledgers, and it is impossible, by the ceiling light, to read them. One day would be a drop in the bucket, and many, MANY days would be required just to open each book and see what the all contain, let along take some sort of notes. When I found them I contacted a couple members of local organizations, and could find no one who was interested in taking on the job....it takes people on the spot, people who live near, to tackle this job, which would be a tremendous undertaking. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 12:21 PM Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Belmont records > Dear Belmont County researchers, > > I'm sure all of us have dreamed of the untold genealogical treasures that > might be lying in those stacks of papers. Does anyone have any ideas > about what might be done at least to get them organized where they lie? > Then if a centralized area does become available, a headstart would > already have been made toward the final organization. > > Someone local would have to head and manage the total project so that it > was done in an orderly manner. But perhaps some of us who are planning to > travel to the area to research could donate a day of research time to the > effort. I know I'm coming in June for about a week and would be happy to > contribute a day to an ongoing task. And if there is anything that could > be done off-site, I'd be happy to consider that as well. > > Maybe if we all put our heads together (and perhaps some extra funds for > supplies [file folders, storage boxes, or whatever] and possibly the use > of a laptop to keep track of the records found, etc., etc., etc.), this > oft-mentioned accumulation might be rendered truly useful. I would think > the first undertaking would be the identification of the records and the > sorting into groups according to type. The adrenaline starts pumping just > contemplating the possibilities! > > What are your thoughts? Is this a feasible undertaking? > > Lorraine > [email protected] > > > > On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 13:31:43 -0400 "Saboley" <[email protected]> > writes: > > From what I understand, there are also court house records and stacks > > of > > ledgers stored in the attic and basement of the former Old Age home > > in > > Bannock as well as the attic of the court house. Seems records are > > scattered > > every where in a totally unorganized fashion. Have heard the St. > > C. > > Genealogy Society is working on taking over the vacated old jail > > next to the > > Court house where they might gather and house some of these old > > records. > > Perhaps they will become accessible someday. > > Also have heard that old school and voting records are stored in > > the > > Township Buildings through out the County. Would be nice if these > > could all > > be centralized and accessible to the public. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> > > To: <[email protected]> > > Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 10:52 AM > > Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Belmont records > > > > > > > I visited the courthouse in St. Clairsville, looking for early > > tax > > records, > > > only to discover that hundreds of ledgers were piled in the > > basement of an > > > outbuilding, adjoining the WICS bldg, several miles outside > > town......so, > > > perhaps some of the records you seek are there. I do know, also, > > that > > many > > > administrative papers (those from estates where the person died > > intestate) > > > are stored elsewhere, and not accessable to the public. You must > > fill out > > a > > > form there at the courthouse, with name and pertinent data, and > > the > > Probate > > > clerks will let you know later if there is any paperwork under the > > persons > > > name......they explained to me that they only went to wherever it > > is they > > > have those records on an occasional basis, and thus it might be > > quite a > > > while till they had time to check. I had this happen last summer, > > and > > they > > > did let me know that there was paperwork for the person's estate I > > sought. > > > The told me the $ for copies and I sent for them..... > > > > > > > Carol, > > > > > > > > Thanks so much for all the information. I appreciate it very > > much. The > > > > Philip Wise in question was a landowner, and about a year ago I > > checked > > > the land > > > > records in Salt Lake City and didn't find any transfer, and so I > > have > > > assumed > > > > that the land passed to the next generation by probate. When I > > attempted > > > to > > > > access the chancery records for that period I found that they > > were > > located > > > on > > > > 16 rolls of microfilm, that were completely unsorted and > > completely out > > of > > > > order and that many of the records were in a condition that > > were > > difficult > > > to read > > > > and understand. It would have required weeks of effort just to > > go > > through > > > > them. I have assumed that because probate records kept track > > of > > property > > > that > > > > the records would have been continually accessible and that's > > why I > > > brought up > > > > the possibility that those records for that time period might > > have been > > > > destroyed because they don't seem to be available anywhere. I > > visited > > the > > > > courthouse in St. Clairsville last summer and the only probate > > records I > > > could find for > > > > that period were those associated with wills. > > > > > > > > Neil E. > > > > Folsom, CA > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Hi Sandra and all, It's not that no one is interested. Believe me, we have beaten our heads off the walls here trying to figure out what to do about these records. A few years ago, a few of us went out to the courthouse annex and looked around at the mess. Not only did we find estate packets and wills, we also found ledgers from businesses and doctors. We were appalled. However, after much talk between us and with members of our society, nothing was settled or done. Sandra is right - it would be a tremendous undertaking and no one seems to want to put the effort into it. I'm afraid that, one day in the near future, these records will "disappear" and a great amount of info will be lost forever. Kim Conley Shutway Co-Founder - Cumberland Trail Genealogy Society, Belmont Co., OH ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 1:41 PM Subject: [OHBELMON-L] ] Belmont records > The tax records are in the basement of an outbuilding on the grounds of > the WICS bldg, several miles outside town. It is filthy dirty, with only > one light, in the ceiling near the door. The ledgers are piled from floor > to ceiling around the walls, in no order, surrounded by boxes of trash, > broken chairs and office desks. One has to crawl over the junk to get to > the ledgers, and it is impossible, by the ceiling light, to read them. One > day would be a drop in the bucket, and many, MANY days would be required > just to open each book and see what the all contain, let along take some > sort of notes. When I found them I contacted a couple members of local > organizations, and could find no one who was interested in taking on the > job....it takes people on the spot, people who live near, to tackle this > job, which would be a tremendous undertaking. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 12:21 PM > Subject: Re: [OHBELMON-L] Belmont records > > > > Dear Belmont County researchers, > > > > I'm sure all of us have dreamed of the untold genealogical treasures that > > might be lying in those stacks of papers. Does anyone have any ideas > > about what might be done at least to get them organized where they lie? > > Then if a centralized area does become available, a headstart would > > already have been made toward the final organization. > > > > Someone local would have to head and manage the total project so that it > > was done in an orderly manner. But perhaps some of us who are planning to > > travel to the area to research could donate a day of research time to the > > effort. I know I'm coming in June for about a week and would be happy to > > contribute a day to an ongoing task. And if there is anything that could > > be done off-site, I'd be happy to consider that as well. > > > > Maybe if we all put our heads together (and perhaps some extra funds for > > supplies [file folders, storage boxes, or whatever] and possibly the use > > of a laptop to keep track of the records found, etc., etc., etc.), this > > oft-mentioned accumulation might be rendered truly useful. I would think > > the first undertaking would be the identification of the records and the > > sorting into groups according to type. The adrenaline starts pumping just > > contemplating the possibilities! > > > > What are your thoughts? Is this a feasible undertaking? > > > > Lorraine > > [email protected] > > > > > > > > On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 13:31:43 -0400 "Saboley" <[email protected]> > > writes: > > > From what I understand, there are also court house records and stacks > > > of > > > ledgers stored in the attic and basement of the former Old Age home > > > in > > > Bannock as well as the attic of the court house. Seems records are > > > scattered > > > every where in a totally unorganized fashion. Have heard the St. > > > C. > > > Genealogy Society is working on taking over the vacated old jail > > > next to the > > > Court house where they might gather and house some of these old > > > records. > > > Perhaps they will become accessible someday. > > > Also have heard that old school and voting records are stored in > > > the > > > Township Buildings through out the County. Would be nice if these > > > could all > > > be centralized and accessible to the public. > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> > > > To: <[email protected]> > > > Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 10:52 AM > > > Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Belmont records > > > > > > > > > > I visited the courthouse in St. Clairsville, looking for early > > > tax > > > records, > > > > only to discover that hundreds of ledgers were piled in the > > > basement of an > > > > outbuilding, adjoining the WICS bldg, several miles outside > > > town......so, > > > > perhaps some of the records you seek are there. I do know, also, > > > that > > > many > > > > administrative papers (those from estates where the person died > > > intestate) > > > > are stored elsewhere, and not accessable to the public. You must > > > fill out > > > a > > > > form there at the courthouse, with name and pertinent data, and > > > the > > > Probate > > > > clerks will let you know later if there is any paperwork under the > > > persons > > > > name......they explained to me that they only went to wherever it > > > is they > > > > have those records on an occasional basis, and thus it might be > > > quite a > > > > while till they had time to check. I had this happen last summer, > > > and > > > they > > > > did let me know that there was paperwork for the person's estate I > > > sought. > > > > The told me the $ for copies and I sent for them..... > > > > > > > > > Carol, > > > > > > > > > > Thanks so much for all the information. I appreciate it very > > > much. The > > > > > Philip Wise in question was a landowner, and about a year ago I > > > checked > > > > the land > > > > > records in Salt Lake City and didn't find any transfer, and so I > > > have > > > > assumed > > > > > that the land passed to the next generation by probate. When I > > > attempted > > > > to > > > > > access the chancery records for that period I found that they > > > were > > > located > > > > on > > > > > 16 rolls of microfilm, that were completely unsorted and > > > completely out > > > of > > > > > order and that many of the records were in a condition that > > > were > > > difficult > > > > to read > > > > > and understand. It would have required weeks of effort just to > > > go > > > through > > > > > them. I have assumed that because probate records kept track > > > of > > > property > > > > that > > > > > the records would have been continually accessible and that's > > > why I > > > > brought up > > > > > the possibility that those records for that time period might > > > have been > > > > > destroyed because they don't seem to be available anywhere. I > > > visited > > > the > > > > > courthouse in St. Clairsville last summer and the only probate > > > records I > > > > could find for > > > > > that period were those associated with wills. > > > > > > > > > > Neil E. > > > > > Folsom, CA > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >