my 2 cents...if you stop to think about it the business and jobs would dry up if the records are not available.also some people make money doing lookups . I am sure everybody gains from it. its time to put a little something back and stop being greedy. genealogy is here to stay. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 12:51 PM Subject: Re: Re: [OHJACKSO-L] Genealogical Records--Ruth > Ruth, > > Congratulations on your new elective office. > > Pardon me for butting in on your reguest to Elmer. > > Here is one thing you can check on, its about 3 years old, and may have been corrected. There is a "back" room....maybe on the same floor as the Register of Deeds or up one floor...where I was directed that the divorce records (and whatever else is in that category) was stored. They apologized that it was not organized. At the time, I think?, I mentioned to this list, that could be something we do. > > I was told I was welcomed to go back there. That they just hadn't had time to organize it. When I looked into the room, it was full of BIG books (Not labeled as to years or what their contents were. And there were ladders that went almost up to the ceiling. Putting these books on the shelf would take at least 2 people---one up and one down. It would be good to have someone labeling the book "titles" and it would be good to have one putting the "index" of books into a computer. > > Unfortunately, at that time, there would have been room for only a couple of people because it was all stacked around on the floors, cabinets, chairs, whatever. There was no way I could have gone through and got the info in one visit. I "think" I mentioned that to this list. So maybe you can check if the situation is the same. If so, this is DEFINITELY something the genealogical society could help with. > > Please, let me clarify ONE point. If folks reread my initial letter, to this list, I was not inferring about "the nice ladies" in the courthouse as THE problem with Jackson County. Unfortunately, it got very side tracked and became defensive by some, that the ladies were being criticized, while the SPACE, PROCESS, POLITICAL issues and LACK of a strategy by Jackson County to correct and fix the space, preservation and availability of those records to the public is the main thrust. My heart cries at the records that are falling apart from repeated zeroxing and lack of good handlng by the public---(OHS requires white gloves to handle records that old), it's the attic situation with deterioration and lack of knowing what IS or IS NOT THERE and the LACK OF JACKSON COUNTY to allow others to assist them preserve, protect and make those records available for generations to come. OHS is chartered with this task. Vital REcords in Columbus has just turned over 5 more years of Deat! > h Certificates to OHS--Years 1946-1950. These records will be available for public viewing in about a year...after they are microfilmed and catalogued. > > Yes, Jackson County's problem has occurred over many years (WPA, DAR and LDS folks weren't allowed to help). Now that I live far away, I can order copies of Gallia's vital records from the LDS but NOT Jackson County. Yes,there is a tax problem---but Jackson County can be proactive and apply for grants. Gallia County does. > > Jackson County can organize and raise public awareness to get this done OR let someone else do it. Those are the issues, not the "nice ladies" at the courthouse. > > Jackson County is BENEFITTING from folks who travel there to get their ancestry. If "statistics" were taken of folks who visit for genealogical purposes, you could substantiate how many requests are local, mail and from out of state. You could ask, in a survey to those who visit the courthouse, what state they are from, whether they are staying overnight, eating x # of meals there, etc, etc. Jackson County does NOT realize what an economical benefit those records present in folks visiting Jackson County. If they did, they might be able to get local chamber of commerce or someone to donate space, for a tax writeoff. > > For things to change, you EITHER have to turn up the political heat OR provide an economic benefit. PLEASE reread my initial email. I gave an example where > Guilford Co Register of Deeds provides $5 MILLION dollars back to the County AFTER all of it's expenses are paid for. Granted, Guilford Co, NC is a lot larger county but those fees can help. Now, I know that Ohio requires a lot of the $15 to be paid to the state treasury. But keeping the statistics with a survey (get a college student to do this for school credit) can substantiate to the STATE the disportionate amount of requests that Jackson (also Gallia) get because they are the OLDEST counties in the state. This is what your STATE representatives are for--to get special appropriations. > > Also, try going over to Gallia County (especially if it is your first time) armed with trying to get a Birth/Death/Divorce/Marriage/Military records and you will have a totally different and MOST PRODUCTIVE experience with clerks who cooperate with each other and tell you exactly what they can and cannot provide. > > Good luck Ruth on your new position. Thank you for looking for constructive things that can be done. Thank you also to Karen for her involvement. > > I look forward to my next visit in town and if there is an organized need for volunteers, I will help support it. > > (The Genealogical Society might want to create a book/phamphlet on how to prepare for a courthouse visit. You could list what records are available (years) and which office in the courthouse. Include the GIS office, address, phone number of the various cemeteries, also let them know about the $1.00 cemetery map at the library. Maybe you could get the motel, restaurants to advertise to offset the cost of printing and then advertise this on websites, library, etc so that folks will come PREPARED for their first courthouse experience. Also, you could list the dates the counties were formed and to gently advise folks to look in other counties for their information if it is prior to this time.) > > Hope this is helpful. > > Helen > > > > It would take 3 (or possibly 4) people to SORT, put into some type of computer index system and then stack those things on the shelf. > > > > From: "Ruth Hayth" <[email protected]> > > Date: 2004/04/12 Mon AM 10:21:27 EDT > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: Re: [OHJACKSO-L] Records Before 1867 a"Toss Up" > > > > Mr. Thorn, > > I have just read your letter concerning the problems of obtaining > > information in Jackson County, OH, in trying to find a person't "roots". > > Was recently elected as the president of the Jackson County Genealogical > > Society, and always appreciate any imput to improve methods of finding > > pertinent information for individuals doing family research in Jackson > > County. > > As of this week, I am going to try to set up an appointment with some of > > the county personnel that would be able to give us ideas on how the attic > > court records could be taken care of. A few years ago, I had spoken to an > > employee and was told that shelves were to have been erected, separating > > each office of the court house, with these dockets. Am certain that > > individuals that are willing to engage in this project would be willing to > > waive any type of liablity insurance that would be involved. > > Would appreciate any input you might have on this matter. > > Ruth > > Ruth H. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Elmer Thorn <[email protected]> > > To: <[email protected]> > > Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 12:32 PM > > Subject: Re: [OHJACKSO-L] Records Before 1867 a"Toss Up" > > > > > > > Richard, if you live close by Jackson maybe the first step is to talk with > > > the commissioners and get thier imput as to how they feel about the value > > of > > > these historical records. Then start a grassroots group that will not > > give > > > rest until something is done. Yes ,you will get criticsism but don't let > > > that stop you. Your ancestors would have never been pioneers if they > > > listened to the nay voices that will always surround progress. Keep the > > > issue hot until action is taken. I suggest finding an organization or > > > businessmen or a local wealthy citizen that has some influence and will > > > help seek a solution to a place for storage of these records. Also keep > > > your genealogy group at your right hand. They should be the ones that can > > > receive these records. If there isn't a genealogy group there that is > > active > > > , form one. Don't let the negative stop you. Some of us out here on the > > > skirts will be behind anyone that is trying to preserve history and our > > > heritage. Let me know if I can help from a long distance in any way etc. > > I > > > will try to get a letter to the newspapers soon. " Keeping our history > > > alive" Et > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "RICHARD LAND" <[email protected]> > > > To: <[email protected]> > > > Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 10:58 AM > > > Subject: [OHJACKSO-L] Records Before 1867 a"Toss Up" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I recently requested that the Jackson County Probate Clerk send me a > > copy > > > of > > > > my great grandfather's 1831 birth record. The following is her > > response: > > > > > > > > "Our records begin with 1867. The records before that is a toss up. I > > > used > > > > to tell people that they could check in Ross County and then I had this > > > > person that came back in here and jumped me good for telling them Ross > > and > > > > they went there and they were not there so from then on I told them > > > > Columbus, and then I had someone come in and growl at me because they > > were > > > > not in Franklin. So I am not real sure about what to tell you." > > > > > > > > She included the mailing addresses for Ross and Franklin County Probate > > > > Courts and stated she really hope they can help. > > > > > > > > My questions are what about the attic? What should I do next? > > > > > > > > Richard > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > > > Get rid of annoying pop-up ads with the new MSN Toolbar - FREE! > > > > http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200414ave/direct/01/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Helen, Thank you so much for your informative letter. Will be planning, shortly, to make a trip to Gallia County, concerning methods of keeping records, how to obtain grants, etc. and what has worked for them. At the present time, have been concentrating on ways and means of increasing our local membership in order to accomplish so many things that need to be completed (Ex. Typing the 1930 census records. Have been copying them, myself, from micro-film.) Will make a print-out of your letter, and if acceptable to you, would like to read it at our next genealogy meeting, which will be April 19th, with Judy Aiken speaking on "Learning how to write your family history". Thank you again. Please do not hesitate any suggetions you have, at any time, to improve the Jackson County Genealogy Society. Ruth Ruth H. ----- Original Message ----- From: douglas henry <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 4:53 PM Subject: Re: Re: [OHJACKSO-L] Genealogical Records--Ruth > my 2 cents...if you stop to think about it the business and jobs would dry > up if the records are not available.also some people make money doing > lookups . I am sure everybody gains from it. its time to put a little > something back and stop being greedy. genealogy is here to stay. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 12:51 PM > Subject: Re: Re: [OHJACKSO-L] Genealogical Records--Ruth > > > > Ruth, > > > > Congratulations on your new elective office. > > > > Pardon me for butting in on your reguest to Elmer. > > > > Here is one thing you can check on, its about 3 years old, and may have > been corrected. There is a "back" room....maybe on the same floor as the > Register of Deeds or up one floor...where I was directed that the divorce > records (and whatever else is in that category) was stored. They apologized > that it was not organized. At the time, I think?, I mentioned to this list, > that could be something we do. > > > > I was told I was welcomed to go back there. That they just hadn't had > time to organize it. When I looked into the room, it was full of BIG books > (Not labeled as to years or what their contents were. And there were > ladders that went almost up to the ceiling. Putting these books on the > shelf would take at least 2 people---one up and one down. It would be good > to have someone labeling the book "titles" and it would be good to have one > putting the "index" of books into a computer. > > > > Unfortunately, at that time, there would have been room for only a couple > of people because it was all stacked around on the floors, cabinets, chairs, > whatever. There was no way I could have gone through and got the info in > one visit. I "think" I mentioned that to this list. So maybe you can check > if the situation is the same. If so, this is DEFINITELY something the > genealogical society could help with. > > > > Please, let me clarify ONE point. If folks reread my initial letter, to > this list, I was not inferring about "the nice ladies" in the courthouse as > THE problem with Jackson County. Unfortunately, it got very side tracked > and became defensive by some, that the ladies were being criticized, while > the SPACE, PROCESS, POLITICAL issues and LACK of a strategy by Jackson > County to correct and fix the space, preservation and availability of those > records to the public is the main thrust. My heart cries at the records > that are falling apart from repeated zeroxing and lack of good handlng by > the public---(OHS requires white gloves to handle records that old), it's > the attic situation with deterioration and lack of knowing what IS or IS NOT > THERE and the LACK OF JACKSON COUNTY to allow others to assist them > preserve, protect and make those records available for generations to come. > OHS is chartered with this task. Vital REcords in Columbus has just turned > over 5 more years of Deat! > > h Certificates to OHS--Years 1946-1950. These records will be available > for public viewing in about a year...after they are microfilmed and > catalogued. > > > > Yes, Jackson County's problem has occurred over many years (WPA, DAR and > LDS folks weren't allowed to help). Now that I live far away, I can order > copies of Gallia's vital records from the LDS but NOT Jackson County. > Yes,there is a tax problem---but Jackson County can be proactive and apply > for grants. Gallia County does. > > > > Jackson County can organize and raise public awareness to get this done OR > let someone else do it. Those are the issues, not the "nice ladies" at the > courthouse. > > > > Jackson County is BENEFITTING from folks who travel there to get their > ancestry. If "statistics" were taken of folks who visit for genealogical > purposes, you could substantiate how many requests are local, mail and from > out of state. You could ask, in a survey to those who visit the courthouse, > what state they are from, whether they are staying overnight, eating x # of > meals there, etc, etc. Jackson County does NOT realize what an economical > benefit those records present in folks visiting Jackson County. If they > did, they might be able to get local chamber of commerce or someone to > donate space, for a tax writeoff. > > > > For things to change, you EITHER have to turn up the political heat OR > provide an economic benefit. PLEASE reread my initial email. I gave an > example where > > Guilford Co Register of Deeds provides $5 MILLION dollars back to the > County AFTER all of it's expenses are paid for. Granted, Guilford Co, NC is > a lot larger county but those fees can help. Now, I know that Ohio requires > a lot of the $15 to be paid to the state treasury. But keeping the > statistics with a survey (get a college student to do this for school > credit) can substantiate to the STATE the disportionate amount of requests > that Jackson (also Gallia) get because they are the OLDEST counties in the > state. This is what your STATE representatives are for--to get special > appropriations. > > > > Also, try going over to Gallia County (especially if it is your first > time) armed with trying to get a Birth/Death/Divorce/Marriage/Military > records and you will have a totally different and MOST PRODUCTIVE experience > with clerks who cooperate with each other and tell you exactly what they can > and cannot provide. > > > > Good luck Ruth on your new position. Thank you for looking for > constructive things that can be done. Thank you also to Karen for her > involvement. > > > > I look forward to my next visit in town and if there is an organized need > for volunteers, I will help support it. > > > > (The Genealogical Society might want to create a book/phamphlet on how to > prepare for a courthouse visit. You could list what records are available > (years) and which office in the courthouse. Include the GIS office, > address, phone number of the various cemeteries, also let them know about > the $1.00 cemetery map at the library. Maybe you could get the motel, > restaurants to advertise to offset the cost of printing and then advertise > this on websites, library, etc so that folks will come PREPARED for their > first courthouse experience. Also, you could list the dates the counties > were formed and to gently advise folks to look in other counties for their > information if it is prior to this time.) > > > > Hope this is helpful. > > > > Helen > > > > > > > > It would take 3 (or possibly 4) people to SORT, put into some type of > computer index system and then stack those things on the shelf. > > > > > > From: "Ruth Hayth" <[email protected]> > > > Date: 2004/04/12 Mon AM 10:21:27 EDT > > > To: [email protected] > > > Subject: Re: [OHJACKSO-L] Records Before 1867 a"Toss Up" > > > > > > Mr. Thorn, > > > I have just read your letter concerning the problems of obtaining > > > information in Jackson County, OH, in trying to find a person't "roots". > > > Was recently elected as the president of the Jackson County Genealogical > > > Society, and always appreciate any imput to improve methods of finding > > > pertinent information for individuals doing family research in Jackson > > > County. > > > As of this week, I am going to try to set up an appointment with some > of > > > the county personnel that would be able to give us ideas on how the > attic > > > court records could be taken care of. A few years ago, I had spoken to > an > > > employee and was told that shelves were to have been erected, separating > > > each office of the court house, with these dockets. Am certain that > > > individuals that are willing to engage in this project would be willing > to > > > waive any type of liablity insurance that would be involved. > > > Would appreciate any input you might have on this matter. > > > Ruth > > > Ruth H. > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: Elmer Thorn <[email protected]> > > > To: <[email protected]> > > > Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 12:32 PM > > > Subject: Re: [OHJACKSO-L] Records Before 1867 a"Toss Up" > > > > > > > > > > Richard, if you live close by Jackson maybe the first step is to talk > with > > > > the commissioners and get thier imput as to how they feel about the > value > > > of > > > > these historical records. Then start a grassroots group that will not > > > give > > > > rest until something is done. Yes ,you will get criticsism but don't > let > > > > that stop you. Your ancestors would have never been pioneers if they > > > > listened to the nay voices that will always surround progress. Keep > the > > > > issue hot until action is taken. I suggest finding an organization or > > > > businessmen or a local wealthy citizen that has some influence and > will > > > > help seek a solution to a place for storage of these records. Also > keep > > > > your genealogy group at your right hand. They should be the ones that > can > > > > receive these records. If there isn't a genealogy group there that is > > > active > > > > , form one. Don't let the negative stop you. Some of us out here on > the > > > > skirts will be behind anyone that is trying to preserve history and > our > > > > heritage. Let me know if I can help from a long distance in any way > etc. > > > I > > > > will try to get a letter to the newspapers soon. " Keeping our > history > > > > alive" Et > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > From: "RICHARD LAND" <[email protected]> > > > > To: <[email protected]> > > > > Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 10:58 AM > > > > Subject: [OHJACKSO-L] Records Before 1867 a"Toss Up" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I recently requested that the Jackson County Probate Clerk send me a > > > copy > > > > of > > > > > my great grandfather's 1831 birth record. The following is her > > > response: > > > > > > > > > > "Our records begin with 1867. The records before that is a toss up. > I > > > > used > > > > > to tell people that they could check in Ross County and then I had > this > > > > > person that came back in here and jumped me good for telling them > Ross > > > and > > > > > they went there and they were not there so from then on I told them > > > > > Columbus, and then I had someone come in and growl at me because > they > > > were > > > > > not in Franklin. So I am not real sure about what to tell you." > > > > > > > > > > She included the mailing addresses for Ross and Franklin County > Probate > > > > > Courts and stated she really hope they can help. > > > > > > > > > > My questions are what about the attic? What should I do next? > > > > > > > > > > Richard > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > > > > Get rid of annoying pop-up ads with the new MSN Toolbar - FREE! > > > > > http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200414ave/direct/01/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >