Rte. 800, Rte 78 and many other roads in Monroe county have some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. I spent summers there on my grandparents farm. Some of the roads are better than any roller coaster for thrills. It sure beats the 120 degree desert. Barb (Az)

Hi Everyone, I am sending this letter to all the various lists I subscribe to because I am becoming increasingly concerned about how the mounds of data we accumulate will be preserved. The sad truth is that some of it will be lost to future generations because of our carelessness. We all love our computers (at least when they do what they are supposed to!) and therein lies a big potential problem. We have no idea when the various formats in which we save our precious data will become obsolete. In all likelihood, “progress” will demand we convert to new formats as time rolls on. As long as we or our descendants continue this conversion process, we may be all right, but sooner or later the conversion won’t be practical. One format may not work with another, or maybe an uninterested descendant won’t keep up the never ending conversion process and a link in the chain will be broken. At that point all our hard work will be down the tubes. Please, please, don’t rely on computers to preserve your data. By all means use them to research and organize. In that respect they are a Godsend to all genealogists. But, to preserve our work for the future, the only viable way is to record data on paper. Even paper has its caveats. Acid free archival paper and inks must be used along with archival sheet protectors for our precious original documents and photos. We can also use acid free file folders and binders and use deacidification spray on our originals. It’s a lot more work than merely pushing one or two buttons, but our descendants will thank us just as we thank our ancestors for their thoughtfulness. I also believe we should complete the preservation by donating copies of our work to the appropriate historical and genealogical societies, and to libraries. If we don’t do that during our lifetime we can at least specify it in our wills. Please take my message in the spirit for which it is intended. The computer is a wonderful tool, but I just don’t want to see any of our work vanish in the name of “progress”. Happy hunting to all! Larry in Minneapolis Photolary@aol.com Researching: WHITHAM, SMITH

I have to agree with Fay on the directions to Monroe Co; however, you might want to take some time in Barnesville if any of your anscestors may have been in Belmont co. They have a very nice genealogy room and active genealogy society at the Library right on main street. Lynne ___________________________________________________________________ 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/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

I am delighted to hear about the Best Western, I had to stay at Parkersburg last summer. As for Rt. 800, I loved it, my wife was scared silly. For some reason I have always liked this route. Don Eisebarth I stayed at the Caldwell Best Western Hotel located just East of the Rte 78 exit off I-77. It is 26 miles north of Marietta, OH and about 21 miles south of I-70. The 30 mile ride to Woodsfield on Rte 78 is an easy and scenic drive. Courthouse fires in 1840 and 1867 destroyed many records, but there are still many useful records in existence. Many Monroe County records are available on LDS Microfilms. > -----Original Message----- > From: James T. Simmons [mailto:jtsimmons@prodigy.net] > Sent: Monday, March 01, 1999 6:38 AM > To: OHMONROE-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: RE: [OHMONROE-L] Monroe County Visit > > > > Re: Don Castella's message: > > I still have family in "the County" so I visit quite regularly, > and I second > Don's evaluation. Be careful relying too much on the courthouse records, > however, as lots of them were destroyed in what I believe were two fires, > one in the 1890s, and again in the 1910s (before the current > courthouse was > built.) > > If anyone else is considering visiting, I recommend coming in > from Caldwell > to the west, off I-70. That route (state route 78) is much more > gentle than > coming in from Barnsville to the north off of I-77. Route 800 (from > Barnsville through Woodsfield) is a challenging, winding hilly/mountain > road, with some deceptively steep and sharp curves. I still > consider route > 800 a challenge, and I've been riding it since I was born, and driving it > 3-6 time a year for 20 years. ______________________________

Jesse Hall, Jr. (son of Jesse Hall, Sr. and Mary (Polly) Walthers was born 20 Dec 1814 in VA. He married Elizabeth Jane Hillberry. They lived in Monroe Co. OH near Graysville. They had children: Margaret b. 1835, Enoch Austin b. 1839 Monroe Co. OH (my direct ancestor) who married Mary Louisa Gebhart and lived in Monroe Co., Marshall b. 1842 in OH. Elias b. 1844 in OH, Catherine b. 1846 in OH who married Thomas Moore, James C. b. 1848 in OH who married Fanny Piatt, Sarah b. 1853 in OH, Evaline b. 1856 in OH who married Charles Keller, Sinclair b. 1858 in OH and Amos. Jesse died 10 Dec 1884 and Elizabeth died 11 Mar 1891 and both are buried in the Pioneer Cemetery at Graysville. Enoch Austin Hall was born 12 Nov 1839 in Bethel Twp. Monroe Co. He married Mary Louisa Gebhart 07 July 1865. She was born 28 Jun 1846 in Belmont Co. OH. Enoch was in the 92 and OVI Comp. C in the Civil War. They had children: Florence Adelia b. 1866 who married Manual Sylvester Gray and lived in Monroe Co. OH; George b. 1868 who married Jane Givens and they lived in Monroe Co, Ida Mae b. 1870 who married Elsworth Swallow and lived in Beallsville in Monroe Co.: Samuel Sinclair b. 1872 in Monroe Co. who married Florence Cline and lived in Monroe Co.; Jesse Oscar Hall b. 1874 (my grandfather) who married Jeannette Cordelia Stewart and they lived in Brownsville in Monroe Co.; John William b. 1877 who married Lura Heddleson and lived in Sistersville, WV; Frederic b and d 1880; Mary Ann b and d 1883; and Austin Everett b. 1885 who married Laura Luella Stewart and lived near Brownsville in Monroe Co. Enoch died 29 May 1923 and Mary died 10 Apr 1929. Both are buried at the Christian Union Church Cemetery at Jericho in Monroe Co. Desire any information on any of these families although I have some on many of them. Jesse F. Hall <jfhall@newwave.net>

I am researching a set of HALLs of Monroe Co., OH. I start with William Hall II who was born in 1743 in Warren Co. VA (Frederick Co. VA) to William Hall I and Hannah Richardson. Wm II, first married Elizabeth Lucas. They had 4 children: William Hall III b. abt 1761 and lived in Monroe Co. OH, Catherine Hall b. abt 1763 who married Nimrod Snider and lived in Preston Co. VA, Henry Hall b. 1765 and lived in Preston Co. VA, and Sarah Hall b. abt 1769 who married Abner Powell and lived in Monroe Co., OH. Elizabeth Lucas died and Wm II remarried to a Susannah UNKNOWN and had Jesse Hall, Sr. (my direct ancestor) b. 12 Feb 1782 who married Polly Walthers, and Mary Ann born abt 1790 married Peter Parris and lived in Monroe Co. OH. Wm II was in the Rev. War. He died 20 Dec 1839 leaving no widow and is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery at Graysville in Monroe Co. Jesse Hall, Sr. married Mary (Polly) Walthers on 04 Apr 1806 in Shenandoah Co. VA. He came to Monroe Co. around 1814 to 1818 along with father Wm II, brother Wm III, and sisters Sarah and Mary Ann. Jesse Sr. and Polly had children: Isaac b. 1807 in VA.who married Eunice Knowlton and lived in Monroe Co., Susannah b. 1811 in VA who married Benjamin Joy and lived in Monroe Co., Jesse Hall Jr (my direct ancestor) b. 1814 in VA who married Elizabeth Hillberry and lived in Monroe Co., Jonathan b. 1815 in VA who married Susan Bever and lived in Monroe Co.,Elizabeth b. 1816 who married Joel Jenkins and lived in Monroe Co., George b. 1818 in OH who married Margaret UNKNOWN, Enoch b. 1820 in OH who married Elizabeth Phillips and lived near Graysville, Margaret b. 1822 in OH. Jesse Hall, Sr died before Oct 1857 and he and Mary are buried at the Pioneer Cemetery at Graysville. Would like any information on any of these. I also have information on Wm II's father and grandfather. Query 2 takes the family through the next two generations beginning with Jesse Hall Jr. Jesse Hall <jfhall@newwave.net>

This could be a very useful site for those lucky folks whose ancestor was photographed during CW service. This is a U.S. Military database of CW photos; there are plans to expand for other service periods as well. It is searchable. http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/PhotoDB.html Regards, and my apologies if you receive multiple msgs. Ellen Bisson mailto:thebissons@worldnet.att.net

With reference to missing records: If your ancestors lived anywhere near the county border (or probably even if they didn't) try another county. I've lost count of the times I've been looking in Monroe only to later find it in Washington or Noble. Ditto for any other combination of counties in the area. There was a lot of moving around and it didn't take many miles to end up in some other jurisdiction. Also, the films of the Spirit of Democracy Newspaper can be helpful; though much has been extracted and published so you've probably been this route. Can't resist adding my two cents on driving in the area. I'm always amazed at how much more user friendly 78 is heading east of Caldwell to Woodsville than it is west toward McConnelsville. For those who want a real thrill, I highly recommend Rte 255 from Woodsfield down to the Ohio at Sardis. The scenery is great but I've had less thrills on roller coasters I PAID to ride! Rte 800 on down to Fly is also an experience. Both make you wonder how anyone could farm in those areas. Must have been a hardy group. Nancy

I stayed at the Caldwell Best Western Hotel located just East of the Rte 78 exit off I-77. It is 26 miles north of Marietta, OH and about 21 miles south of I-70. The 30 mile ride to Woodsfield on Rte 78 is an easy and scenic drive. Courthouse fires in 1840 and 1867 destroyed many records, but there are still many useful records in existence. Many Monroe County records are available on LDS Microfilms. > -----Original Message----- > From: James T. Simmons [mailto:jtsimmons@prodigy.net] > Sent: Monday, March 01, 1999 6:38 AM > To: OHMONROE-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: RE: [OHMONROE-L] Monroe County Visit > > > > Re: Don Castella's message: > > I still have family in "the County" so I visit quite regularly, > and I second > Don's evaluation. Be careful relying too much on the courthouse records, > however, as lots of them were destroyed in what I believe were two fires, > one in the 1890s, and again in the 1910s (before the current > courthouse was > built.) > > If anyone else is considering visiting, I recommend coming in > from Caldwell > to the west, off I-70. That route (state route 78) is much more > gentle than > coming in from Barnsville to the north off of I-77. Route 800 (from > Barnsville through Woodsfield) is a challenging, winding hilly/mountain > road, with some deceptively steep and sharp curves. I still > consider route > 800 a challenge, and I've been riding it since I was born, and driving it > 3-6 time a year for 20 years.

Re: Don Castella's message: I still have family in "the County" so I visit quite regularly, and I second Don's evaluation. Be careful relying too much on the courthouse records, however, as lots of them were destroyed in what I believe were two fires, one in the 1890s, and again in the 1910s (before the current courthouse was built.) If anyone else is considering visiting, I recommend coming in from Caldwell to the west, off I-70. That route (state route 78) is much more gentle than coming in from Barnsville to the north off of I-77. Route 800 (from Barnsville through Woodsfield) is a challenging, winding hilly/mountain road, with some deceptively steep and sharp curves. I still consider route 800 a challenge, and I've been riding it since I was born, and driving it 3-6 time a year for 20 years. > > > I visited Monroe County this past week. For anyone who hasn't > been there, > it's an interesting setting. Most of the county is very hilly > and heavily > wooded. I was really taken by the natural beauty of the area > during winter > season. It must be an even more beautiful place in other seasons. The > records in the courthouse seem well organized and the staff > helpful. The > library has a fair collection of books from Monroe and > surrounding counties. > > The Historical Society has maps and quite a few books for > sale. I certainly > enjoyed the visit, but I stayed 30 miles away in Caldwell, > OH. That made for > a scenic half-hour drive each day. > > I took a few pictures of some landmarks. I'd be happy to send > them to anyone > who wishes. > > Regards, > > Don Castella > > Researching Battin, Hall, Lawver and Orange in SE Ohio. >

In a message dated 3/1/99 7:45:50 AM Eastern Standard Time, jtsimmons@prodigy.net writes: << Re: Don Castella's message: I still have family in "the County" so I visit quite regularly, and I second Don's evaluation. Be careful relying too much on the courthouse records, however, as lots of them were destroyed in what I believe were two fires, one in the 1890s, and again in the 1910s (before the current courthouse was built.) If anyone else is considering visiting, I recommend coming in from Caldwell to the west, off I-70. That route (state route 78) is much more gentle than coming in from Barnsville to the north off of I-77. Route 800 (from Barnsville through Woodsfield) is a challenging, winding hilly/mountain road, with some deceptively steep and sharp curves. I still consider route 800 a challenge, and I've been riding it since I was born, and driving it 3-6 time a year for 20 years. >> I just have to jump in here and say that this is an incredibly beautiful part of the county, but would agree that Rt. 78 is much easier driving, if you aren't used to the hills... And yes... Rt. 800 is much more difficult driving... but so beautiful !! Now, a question. Does anyone have any good ways to find information that was lost in the two courthouse fires? Looking for parents of Isaac Erlewine/Earlywine b.27 Feb. 1827 in either VA (WV) or Monroe Co., OH... family reports conflict. He married Louisa McCoy ca 1854 in Monroe Co., again, according to family reports. Some researchers say his father was Jacob Sailor Earlywine, but I find no proof. There is no will for Jacob S. Earlywine, as it was destroyed in the courthouse fires. This is one of my brick walls !!! Any ideas or input appreciated. Thanks so much! Fay

Hunter in Belmont Co, Oh Salem M.E. Church Cemetery Kirkwood Twp Hunter, Alex. Ferguson 1857-1949 Sewellsville M.E. Church Cemetery Kirkwood Twp Hunter, James 1827-1913 wife Margaret 1828-1901 Hunter, child dod 1862 age 1 mo child of A & I Hunter, Alexander 1829-1914 wife Isabelle 1837-191? (0) Somerton City Cemetery Somerset Twp Hunter, Anthony 1835-1924 wife Maria 1838-1916 Hunter Christian Church & Cemetery Wayne Twp This church and cemetery is on Co Rd 92 at the Goshen Twp border in the village of Hunter. The village was laid out by N. Anderson in 1849. It was named for W. F. Hunter of Monroe Co., Oh., congressman from this district 1849-1851. **************************************************************************** Monroe Co., Oh Perry Twp Gleanings & Cemetery Inscriptions No listings Obituaries of Monroe Co., Oh No listings Monroe Co., Oh The 1st 20 yrs Commissioners' Journal 1815-1835 No listings Monroe Co., Oh Will Abstracts Book 1 & 2 Book 1 William F. Hunter of Woodsfield, Monroe Co., Oh Will Book 1 page 243 Signed 17 apr 1868 Probated 31 Jan 1874 Witnessess: Jere Williams, J.T. Judkins, also Michael Hoeffler to later will additions Spouse: Mary Hunter Devisees: Mary Hunter, wife William F. Hunter, Jr. son William H. Cooke, grandson Annie E. Ford, daughter Mary E. Cooke, daughter Executor: Mary Hunter Notes: Codicil added 4 Aug 1869. This will is very long. The Cooke family lived in the home on the SE corner of Oaklawn on North Main Street. (now Ray Laudefield's (?) home and garage) Book 2 No listings Monroe Co., Oh Newspaper Abstracts Vol 1, 2, & 3 TSD=The Spirit of Democracy Vol 1 TSD 31 Aug 1893 W.R. Ford of Pettis Co, MO., d at home near Georgetown 30 Au-., CW vet. mar'd Annie E. Hunter, 1868 to Pettis Co., b Rumley in Harrison Co., OH in 1833, children: Edgar, Frank, and Mary, buried Sedalia Cemetery Vol 2 TSD 17 Aug 1864 Partition notice, Jane Graham, Margaret A.C. Montgomery & husband W.C., Mary Jane Graham, Sarah N. Graham, Elisabeth E. Taggert & husband James, Samuel A. Graham, Lucinda M. Graham, Joseph H. Graham, Rachel A. HUTNER & husband James of Monroe Co., James H., Ida, Nora & ? Graham, children of Robert Graham decd of Harrison Co., Oh; James, Elixabeth & Margaret Giffen of Belmont Co., Oh; Samuel Giffen of WV, John Giffen of KS, Thomas M. Graham of US Army & John S. Graham of IL;petition filed 8 Aug by James H. Graham, NW 1/4, S21T6R6, 160 acres TSD 7 June 1865 It is well known that the grave-yard adjoining this town is so filled up that in digging new graves the grave digger has repeatedly found the coffin and skeleton of some one buried long years ago. Besides being too small our place is entirely too near the village. There is certainly wealth and public spirit enough here to purchase and lay out a handsome and commodious cemetery. Will not some of our leading citizens take hold of this matter? If Mr. Norris, Hollister, HUNTER, Kirkbride, Jones, Davenport, Koehler, or any one of a dozen others would lead off, there would be little difficulty in having, in a short time, a cemetery which would be a credit to the place. Something should be done; the present grave-yard is a reproach to the town. TSD 4 Dec 1866 W.F. Hunter Sr. & W.F. Hunter Jr, Attorneys at Law, Woodsfield TSD 8 Jan 1867 Married 1st inst. in the M.E. Church of this place, William F. Hunter Jr. & Elizabeth F. Randolph, performed by Rev. A.B. Castle. TSD 5 Feb 1867 Edward Archbold, Esq sold his residence in town on Thurs of last week to Wm F. Hunter, Esq. TSD 18 Jun 1867 Public notice, Wm Sloan of Malaga, refuses to pay a note of hand drawn in favor of James M. Hunter, dated either 1st or 13th day of June $200, smae was obtained without consideration TSD 2 Jul 1867 The old log Court House is being used (1867) by W. F. Hunter, Esq on his farm near town as a stable. TSD 23 Jul 1867 George H. Davenport filed petition 18 Jul 1867 against Mary V.F. Randolph, Elisabeth F. Hunter, W. Forest Hunter, John R. Davenport & Elisabeth Davenport of county, partition of Twon lots no 28, 94, 95, 96, & S 1/2 lot no 25 in Woodsfield More to come later

Surnames: HICKMAN TENNANT Submitter: Cindy Dotson (cupcake@iolinc.net) Date: 28 Feb 1999 I am searching for info on my ggrandfather George W. Hickman b July 21, 1880 d. 1958 m. Orpha Monroe March 30, 1907. Family history says that George was from Tyler County; however, he resided in Mole Hill and Deep Valley during most of his married life. I can find no birth records in Tyler, Doddridge or Ritchie county for George or his parents. Father was William Hickman b. 1841 Monroe County, OH (Have nothing except what is noted here) Mother was Sarah Tennant b. 5/23/1875 Tyler County, W-VA (I have much info on Sarah) Other siblings: Silas Tennant Hickman Jack Hickman (died in childhood) Margaret Hickman I have considerable information on the descendants of George and Orpha, but have nothing on siblings or ancestors of George. Would you happen to have any known connections or suggestions for further research? Thanks for any help. Cindy Dotson cupcake@iolinc.net

At 12:18 PM 2/27/99 -0500, Tim Morton <timmorton@friend.ly.net> wrote: >J.L >Could you check with your Internet Service Provider and see if your >e-mail header is corrupted. Over the last two weeks every time one of >your messages crosses my ISP server it causes my e-mail to hang and not >download. >According to the guys at the ISP it is due to a corrupt header on your >e-mail. This is one of those damnable "Me-Too" messages, but it may serve a purpose. About two days ago I had my very first experience (in an estimated 200,000 incoming emails) of a message which hung my email client (*every* time in about five consecutive efforts to download the message). It happened to be a message for "J.L." I made no attempt to determine the cause of the problem--I just called up my ISP and asked how we could remedy the situation. He deleted the culprit message from the email server and everything has been fine since then. I believe my ISP handles about 200,000 messages per day; their help desk reported that they are currently getting about one or two incidents per day--for whatever one can make of that incidence rate. Do note that in my cause there has only been one incident of this sort, and I have only circumstantial evidence that there was something wrong with the message from J.L. when it left her computer or her ISP's mail server. Rollie

J.L Could you check with your Internet Service Provider and see if your e-mail header is corrupted. Over the last two weeks every time one of your messages crosses my ISP server it causes my e-mail to hang and not download. According to the guys at the ISP it is due to a corrupt header on your e-mail. Thanks, TM

I visited Monroe County this past week. For anyone who hasn't been there, it's an interesting setting. Most of the county is very hilly and heavily wooded. I was really taken by the natural beauty of the area during winter season. It must be an even more beautiful place in other seasons. The records in the courthouse seem well organized and the staff helpful. The library has a fair collection of books from Monroe and surrounding counties. The Historical Society has maps and quite a few books for sale. I certainly enjoyed the visit, but I stayed 30 miles away in Caldwell, OH. That made for a scenic half-hour drive each day. I took a few pictures of some landmarks. I'd be happy to send them to anyone who wishes. Regards, Don Castella Researching Battin, Hall, Lawver and Orange in SE Ohio.

Hello all, I have just requested help from my server to determine if it is my email that is a problem. I frankly don't know what I am referring to, this is from others who have emailed me. Apparently there is something going on and it's connected to my email. I am sorry, I hope it gets corrected soon. I will not send email until I get this straightened out. Sincerely, J.L.

Submitter: ohmonroe (ohmonroe@cannet.com) Date: 26 Feb 1999 test - please delete

Hi All, This is so good, I just had to forward it. Sincerely, J.L. http://members.tripod.com/~FutureFoods/FutureFoods.html -----Original Message----- From: Neumayer@aol.com <Neumayer@aol.com> To: HOMESPUN-L@rootsweb.com <HOMESPUN-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, February 24, 1999 8:31 PM Subject: Joke >Hope everyone will enjoy this little joke. Nancy >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Forest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. He is met at the Pearly Gates by St. Pete >himself. The gates close and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper. >Saint Peter says to Forest, "We have certainly heard a great deal about you. >The place is filling up fast and you must complete an entrance examination >prior to admittance to Heaven." "The tests are fairly short, but you must >pass." > >"Sure is good to be here, I was looking forward to this. Nobody ever told me >about any entrance exams. Sure hope it ain't hard; life was a big enough test >as it was." > >Saint Peter goes on, "The test I have for you is only three questions. >First, what days of the week begin with the letter 'T'? Second, how many >seconds are there in a year? And third, what is God's first name?" > >Forest ponders the questions. > >"Well, the first one, how many days of the week begin with the letter 'T'? >Shucks, that one's easy; that'd be Today and Tomorrow!" > >The saint's eyes open wide and he exclaims, "Forrest! That's not what I was >thinking, but...you do have a point, and I guess I didn't specify, so I give >you credit for that answer." >"Now the second one is harder", says Forrest. "But I thunk and thunk about it >and I guess the only answer can be twelve." > >"Twelve"? "how in Heaven's name can you come up with twelve seconds in a >year?" >"Shucks," there's gotta be twelve: January second, February second, March >second.... >"Hold it," interrupts, St. Peter. "I see where you're going with this and I >guess I'll have to give you credit for that one too." > >"What's Gods first name?" St. Peter asked? >"EVERYBODY probably knows that one...... It's Howard." >"Howard? asks St. Peter, "What makes you think God's first name is Howard? > >"The prayer, it's in the prayer" responds Forrest. > >"Which prayer?" asks St. Peter, "Which prayer?" > >"The Lord's Prayer," says Forest.... "Our Father, who art in heaven, Howard be >thy name.... > > >==== HOMESPUN Mailing List ==== >+++ Always remember.....there are youngsters of all ages reading! +++ >

Hello Betsy, the area where Nothweiler and Rumbach are is, geographically speaking, a long way from Bavaria. Last century however, they had been politically part of Bavaria. The duke or whatever of Bavaria had been owning the area. It has always been named Pfalz, and is *west* of river Rhine. It goes like this: Pfalz = Palatinate = Rheinland-Pfalz The last is the modern name of the Pfalz. Nothweiler and Rumbach are now part of Rheinland-Pfalz. If you are trying to locate them on a map this might be important. You can find them: 40 km south of Kaiserslautern, 18 km south-east of Pirmasens. Nothweiler is on the border to France. Both villages seem to be very small. Regards, Henry Dipl.-Ing. Henry Foster ** foster@e-technik.uni-kl.de ** Fachbereich Elektrotechnik ** with the usual disclaimers ** Universitaet Kaiserslautern ** pgp 2.6.2 - finger: ** 67653 Kaiserslautern ** 21 56 3e eb 14 43 21 e7 ** Germany ** 44 cf 6a 39 75 6c f6 8f **