Karen and all - this list certainly has been more active lately. If I wasn't one of the look up volunteers I might think you all cooked this up just to advertise your fine publications. Approximately five people asked for information and I don't think I really made anyone's day with the tidbits they received. However, we all know that it is these "tidbits" that keep us going. After all, who is going to make purchases after he or she has given up the search? These books contain maps, cemetery and township histories and much more. We all know that a "lookup" is no substitute for actually owning the book. These books are well worth the money and the best advertisement is a satisfied customer. Regards, Lori (p. s. - I think we should get off this subject - is anyone searching Collins?) Waynanc@aol.com wrote: > I wrote to the genealogical society although I think it went to Karen directly > by mistake expressing my veiws on this information sharing business. Since > then two more letters have appeared pointing out something that I didn't think > of in my letter how much free advertisment these lookups give their > publications.

To my fellow researchers; I had no idea that my offer to do lookups would cause such a controversy...that certainly was not my intention...but apparently some good has come out of it...everyone on the list is now aware of the large variety of excellent publications available from the FF Chapter of the OGS...and how to order them. Patsy Kishler, President of the FF Chapter of the OGS has written to me saying "Virginia, please continue to do lookups, but please keep what we are trying to do in the back of your mind. We do appreciate you giving us credit, and we really appreciate you urging people to buy our publications and/or giving us donations. You might encourage them to join our chapter...we can really use the support". I have the greatest admiration and respect for the volunteer work that has produced these booklets. This is of particular benefit for those of us (like myself, in New York) who do not live near Fairfield County Ohio and who do not have access to the libraries and records etc. there. They have, particularly Carol Swinehart, been a great help to me personally, and I will certainly do everything possible to support them, and to encourage others to do so as well, to show our appreciation for all their hard work. For example, the master index of all of the FF County cemeteries...which is being compiled now. What a blessing that will be, when it is completed! Yes, I will continue to look up names for anyone who asks, but ask that IF you find that your ancestors ARE in that book, that you would either (1) send a donation to the Society as appreciation for the information I was able to find for you (2) that you would purchase that or other appropriate books they have available (3) that, if your "roots" are in Fairfield County, you become a member of the FF Chapter of the OGS, and support them, even though you may live 2 thousand miles away! RE: "LOOKUPS"..Just keep in mind that, even if it was Ginny O'Shea who looked it up for you, it was information gathered by the FF Chapter of the OGS that I was able to find and send to you. Having said these things, I pray that the controversy is over, and that we can all return to our main objective, that is, finding our elusive ancestors! And that a spirit of friendly cooperation will continue to be our theme. Good luck, and happy hunting! Virginia (Ginny) Eckert O'Shea

I have 10,760 names in my Andrew Hite file. Andrew was born 1758, moved to Fairfield County about 1800. He is buried in the Pleasant Run Cemetery at the corner of Coonpath and Lake Roads. I am looking for any more info that I can get on the Hite family. Andrew had a brother, Abraham that lived in Fairfield County. I don't have so much on his descendants, but would like to find more. It cost me $10.00 to have a copy of my file and the index printed. A copy is available to anybody for $10.00. I will trade computer files free by e-mail. I also have much on the Geiger/Giger family. The Bibler and Kagy family both married into the Hite family several times. Ken Baker Andrews, IN

Wish to find descendants of William Reed and Matilda SMITH PUGH, and children (born 1860-1872) Julia Ann, Susanna Endora, Carrie Jane, Frank. Melinda Emaline, George Ruble PUGH. Gayle gayle1@kansas.net

Would like to work with descendants of Julius and Elizabeth Smart Hoffman (married 1814)...the children are Ambrose, Sarah (married Jacob Hamilton), Martha (married Reuben Glick), Margaret (married Joseph Black), William H., Josiah, and Harriett. Gayle Gardner gayle1@kansas.net

Siblings, Susannah (Smith) , Matilda (Rockey), Jacob and John Hamilton born PA 1800-1805 arrived in Fairfield County in the early 1830's. Mrs. Christian (Susannah) Smith and John Hamilton are buried at the EUB cemetery in Tarlton, Jacob's family is buried at Tarlton large cemetery, and am not sure where Matilda is buried. Their mother, was probably Susannah Hamilton who is with the Smith's in 1850. Who was their father, where were they from in PA. Are they related to David and Mary (Alexander) Hamilton and William Hamilton who married Rebecca Augustus who are buried nearby at Tarlton? Will exchange information. Thanks gayle1@kansas.ent

Folks: Publications list of books for sale by the Fairfield Co. Genealogy Society can be found at: http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org/publications.html

Carol, Karen & Patsy, Thank you for all the information you have posted to the list regarding all the publications that are available from the Fairfield Co. Genealogical Society. It's certainly an impressive list and I want to thank the members of the Society for their work and dedication in these projects. I'm already checking my research files to determine which books I can include on my Christmas list. Pat O'Toole Pat oto@icubed.com

Volume 3 of the Newspaper Abstracts 1885-1890 is now available Genealogical Abstaracts from The Lancaster (Ohio) Gazette, Volume 1. 1826-1873. $20.00 plus $2.50 mailing. Genealogical Abstracts from The Lancaster (Ohio) Gazette, Volume 2.1874-1884. $15.00 plus $2.50 mailing. Genealogical Abstracts from The Lancaster (Ohio) Gazette, Volume 3. 1885-1890. $15.00 plus $2.50 mailing Publications maybe ordered by sending check or money order to: Fairfield County Chapter, OGS P.O. Box 1470 Lancaster, Ohio 43130-0570 Ohio residents must include 5.75% sales tax.... (please allow 6 to 8 weeks for orders to be processed) These are the newest genealogical publications available in the county. Carol Swinehart cshart@greenapple.com Admistrator of OHFAIRFI-L OHFAIRFI-L@rootsweb.com Fairfield County OGS Webpage: http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org Fairfield County Genweb: http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org/genweb.html Searching Fairfield County Families: Swinehart, Homrighouser, Betz,Foltz,Quickel,Anspach,Spohn,Troutman,Zartman Church Archive Links: http://www.greenapple.com/~cshart/chlinks.html

Some of you in the past have asked about German Reformed (now UCC) records in Liberty Township, Fairfield Co, OH. Since the Trinity UCC is not advertising these books 234 pages - I thought it was important that the list became aware. To those who are interested in this denomination and had ancestors living in the Basil area the records of the Trinity UCC church 1845-1995 are available for $13 plus $3 mailing costs. Please contact Maxine Fisher at 316 Jefferson St, Baltimore, OH 43105-1208 phone 740-862-8175. These are being sold by the church - Maxine is a member there. Very few church historians take the time to copy all the baptisms, marriages, confirmation, deaths for 150 years. This is one of the best written church histories I have seen. The only glitch is that there isn't an index - (I am working on this and have the first 100 pages or so of the church records index with 100 more to do) I am willing to e-mail this index to all those who are interested as is or when it is done. Also the printer put the landscaped pages in the wrong way which makes it a little harder to read, but is well worth the trouble. Yes, there are copies left, but not too many. Please note other names for this church are St Paul's which was a Union church of Lutheran and Reformed 1828-1843. When the German Reformed split from the Lutheran, the church was formed with 8 members some from St Paul's some from St. Micheal's. Other names for the church include Basil German Reformed or German Reformed Congregation of Basil. In 1847 the name was changed to Trinity German Reformed Church. In 1934 because the Reformed Church in US and Evangelical Synod of North America merged it was called the Trinity Evangelical and Reformed. In 1957 when the Evangelical and Reformed merged with the Congregational and Christian Churches it became the United Church of Christ (UCC) and thus, Trinity UCC. Please note Maxine does not have a copy of the index - it is a work in progress. If you wish a copy please contact me about that. I DO NOT HAVE COPIES OF THE BOOK TO SELL please contact Maxine about that. Carol Swinehart cshart@greenapple.com Admistrator of OHFAIRFI-L OHFAIRFI-L@rootsweb.com Fairfield County OGS Webpage: http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org Fairfield County Genweb: http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org/genweb.html Searching Fairfield County Families: Swinehart, Homrighouser, Betz,Foltz,Quickel,Anspach,Spohn,Troutman,Zartman Church Archive Links: http://www.greenapple.com/~cshart/chlinks.html

The Fairfield County Chap of OGS has been working for years trying to assemble a master index of the cemeteries of Fairfield Co so you can see if you ancestor is found in a particular Township's listing. We have had many problems with this project including not enough volunteers. We are as frustrated with this problem as some of you seem to be. We continue to hope that at some point in future this project will finally be completed and put online. Carol Swinehart cshart@greenapple.com Admistrator of OHFAIRFI-L OHFAIRFI-L@rootsweb.com Fairfield County OGS Webpage: http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org Fairfield County Genweb: http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org/genweb.html Searching Fairfield County Families: Swinehart, Homrighouser, Betz,Foltz,Quickel,Anspach,Spohn,Troutman,Zartman Church Archive Links: http://www.greenapple.com/~cshart/chlinks.html

You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At 08:46 AM 8/27/98 -0400, you wrote: >The Fairfield County Chap of OGS has been working for years trying to >assemble a master index of the cemeteries of Fairfield Co so you can see if >you ancestor is found in a particular Township's listing. We have had many >problems with this project including not enough volunteers. We are as >frustrated with this problem as some of you seem to be. > >We continue to hope that at some point in future this project will finally >be completed and put online. > > > > >Carol Swinehart cshart@greenapple.com >Admistrator of OHFAIRFI-L OHFAIRFI-L@rootsweb.com >Fairfield County OGS Webpage: >http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org >Fairfield County Genweb: >http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org/genweb.html >Searching Fairfield County Families: Swinehart, Homrighouser, >Betz,Foltz,Quickel,Anspach,Spohn,Troutman,Zartman >Church Archive Links: >http://www.greenapple.com/~cshart/chlinks.html >

Companies have found that when they give something away they make more money. Look at Ancestry.com, for example. Because of free lookups, many genealogists will be aware of your publications. They wouldn't have even known they existed before. They are also much more likely to purchase them when they know their ancestor is in the book. Have your society sales increased or decreased because of free lookups? Or is it too soon to tell? Mary Lou Clegg

Karen, Hopefully no one took your comments wrong. I think it would be great if you could send a listing of your publications that are for sale and how to acquire them. I don't know if that is kosher on this list or not, maybe check with the listowner, but I for one am always interested in finding resources that I can purchase or get on inter-library loan. If I see someone offering a lookup, I ask for a few surnames and if I have several hits, I will purchase the book for my own reference. It is frustrating though to purchase a book hoping to find ancestors and no information. It is as though I wasted my money. If I can do lookups for someone else and help them locate someone then the book was worth it. Just my .02 cents. Margo _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

The Fairfield County Chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1470 Lancaster, OH 43130-0570

http://www.fairfieldgenealogy.org/publications.html

Most of these genealogy email lists do not allow postings concernings items for sale. That is probably why the list of the Fairfield County Chapter publications has not been seen on this list. The list is available on our webpage. Patsy Kishler Fairfield County, OH Webpage: www.greenapple.com/~ksmith/ Fairfield County, OH GenWeb page: www.greenapple.com/~ksmith/que.html Fairfield County, OH mail list: OHFAIRFI-L-request@rootsweb.com (send a message with no subject and only the word subscribe in the body)

Whomever, As a result of Virginia's generous offer, I found out you had a book on Berne Twp. Cemeteries. (I couldn't believe that it was only $10.00 dollars) Anyhow, in a few days you will be receiving an order for it and another book you have. If you want to make a buck maybe you should run a listing of the publications that you have for sale. In the meantime you can thank people like Virginia for helping to advertise for you. God Bless Virginia, this old world needs more thoughtful / caring people like her. John

The subject of free look-ups has come up on this list. Before we get into a heated debate, let's think rationally about the revelant points of the discussion. First -- it is the nature of genealogy and genealogists to share. Nobody is disputing that. And, yes, copyright laws are flexible enough to allow for reasonable use. Second -- a majority of the books that genealogists use are published by genealogy societies. Third -- most genealogy societies are on shoe-string budgets. Yet it is the work of these societies that we depend upon to access our greatest resources. Nobody has said that look-ups are wrong. In fact, most societies (including the Fairfield County Chapter OGS) will do lookups. It is a service to their members and to those who may someday be members. But we need to think about the long-term implications of what would happen if everyone with Internet access would offer to do look-ups from every book that they own. The very societies that we rely upon for new materials would be financially hurt. Remember, even though most societies are run exclusively by volunteers, there are still financial considerations. My point to all of this? Sharing is wonderful up to the point that it could irreparably harm the societies that we depend upon for our research. We can (and should) keep working together. Let's just not leave the societies out of the equation.

Karen, I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you. I believe that the offers of lookups helps everyone, including the genealogical societies. When the offer is made for lookups in such and such a publication that information reaches rooters across the country. People that would not normally be aware of the publication are now wondering if it could help in their research. On other lists, along with requests for lookups, I see many requests for more information about the publication and where it can be purchased. The more often a publication is cited as a source, the more requests there are for where to purchase the book. For one particular book published by the Genealogical Society of Allegany Co., MD, now out of print, the Society was accomodating requests by copying the pages of the book. The Allegany Co., MD list is a very active list and in my opinion certainly the best of all those to which I subscribe. It has a "talking over the fence with friends and neighbors" atmosphere. There is never a question asked that goes unanswered. It generates a lot of messages, but the messages contain ideas, suggestions, address and publication info and many other forms of help. This list even organized a Rooter's picnic that was held in Cumberland early this summer. List participants traveled great distances to exchange information and meet representatives from the Genealogical Society and County offices. The Genealogical Society was able to sell a number of their publications at this picnic. >From the number of requests for information about the costs and address of the Genealogical Society, I would think that their membership has increased greatly. The Society is now working to make some information available through use of the USGenWeb. The latest communication on the list is the organization of a plan whereby the list subscribers can send a donation toward the purchase of Census CD's from S-K Publications. The list members would like this to be a joint venture with the Genealogical Society of Allegany Co., MD and they have proposed this for consideration by the Society board. As the Society is an official non-profit organization, they can collect donations earmarked for the purchase of the census CD's from S-K Publications. When sufficient finds are collected, they can order the CD for a particular year. When the CD is completed, the Society would receive a copy and so would USGenWeb. This is just an example of what can be done when everyone works together. Everyone gains something! It's my firm belief that all this came out of people offering to do lookups for others. From my point of view, whenever I have received information from a lookup, I them am interested in purchasing the book. If the book includes information on this one ancestor, what other information might I find? I feel lookup information is only a lead, much the same as the date and place of birth. What do you do when you run across the date and place of birth? You go to the court house to check the records and find additional information. What would you do when you get information from a lookup offer? You search for the book, either in a local library or from the genealogical society in that area. I think it is up to the genealogical societies to find new avenues to promote themselves. Sometimes having a web page is not enough. You need something there to keep people coming back. Let people know what a great source you are. Personally, I have received a lot of help and valuable information from many genealogical societies. My personal library contains many books published by several genealogical societies. These books are some of the best research tools available. Pat O'Toole At 04:01 PM 25-08-98 -0400, you wrote: >I am posting this message to the list on behalf of the executive committee of >The Fairfield County Chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society. We are all >aware that a large portion of genealogical information is found by sharing. >We do not begrudge any researcher of free information. However, if the >information contained in the publications for sale by the Fairfield Co. >Chapter OGS is continually given free of charge then our society faces serious >consequences. >Any and all suggestions will be appreciated and considered. > >Karen S. Smith >Corresponding Secretary, Fairfield Co. Chapter OGS