I have had a problem with not being able to research geneology for a long time with the historical society. As I mentioned before, if any of you want and are able to go the the Potter County Historical building in Coudersport, it is wonderful. They have all kinds of scrapbooks, letters, photos, research books that they will give you to go through and look at just as if you are at the Library. (You can't take them out) I have a interest in the old lumber town of Norwich, plus my grandmother was born in Keating Summit, Potter County. They have taken pictures right off the wall, and made copies of them for me right then and there. They (the volunteers) called me to tell me of some findings they came across of my Grandmother's family. They were so helpful and I go there all the time to look through countless scrapbooks of the Austin flood, etc. They will make you copies of anything you want , for a very small fee. One time I went to the Little Museum and asked if I could have a copy of a photo that they had and they were flabbergasted! I asked if I could take a picture of it with my camera and they said "No camera's allowed!" This was several years ago and maybe that has changed now, but that was a real turn off for me!! As far as Sandy Hornung goes, I think she has done a great job putting everything on micro film to preserve it, but if no one can ever see it, that's not very helpful. And yes, Sandy will look it up for you, but it would be fun and interesting to see it for yourself. I talked to Sandy about this one time and told her how nice it would be to have a place like the Potter County Historical Society and she told me at that time, they were trying to get the old Library building, but were unsure Frank Geleski would approve it. I also don't think the town approved it, because they seemed to pick and choose who they want in there. Then Sandy told me, they were trying to get Jasper and Harris and Son store. I don't know what ever happened to that, the store is still open and running. I do know, that a new president has been elected and Mary Louise Blumle told me they are hoping for some changes. Hopefully so, but I don't look forward to any big changes. For one thing, the little museum is very nice, but Sandy told me one time there is so much stuff in the basement just rotting away that they don't have time or space to do anything with. What a shame!!! Also, if there were a place in town to research geneology, I think it would get a lot more traffic. At Potter county, they have it in a big old house and most of the house is a museum. The other few rooms are the geneology rooms sat up like a Library. Now on the other side of the coin, McKean County is not so generous. When I looked at their pictures, I had to wear gloves and they were very fussy about the whole thing. They stood over me and watched me very carefully. First, I had to join the membership then pay for every little thing I wanted to do. I only wanted one bit of information, but they wouldn't give it to me until I joined, and then they didn't have it anyway. At Potter County anyone can go there free and do research. They have loads of stuff. Geting back to McKean County Historical Society I understand the museum is supposed to me nice. They were remodeling it when I was there and I was unable to see it. I haven't been back. Well, that's my input. I got a little long winded again. Bernie

Thanks for everyone's input! I forgot to mention in my last post that I have been elected to the Board of Directors of the Historical Society! I am well aware of the many concerns that you folks (and me too!) have written about and am in the process of changing the perception of the Historical Society with the community. It has been in control of one person for way too many years and you know what that can do to an organization. In all fairness, the Board of Directors very much wants to change how things have been going for some time....there is much frustration as their hands have been tied too. They know there is much to do and are anxious to proceed. The letter I posted to the Board was addressing the issues of one misguided person and does not reflect the attitude of the Board. There will be some hurdles, but I do not expect anything serious....of course we will not get our way with everything we want! LOL There is a move to find a downtown spot for genealogy research. They may even build something. With a move into a separate space, I would hope that research issues will become a thing of the past and that there will be ready access to Society holdings. We will see. As to photos being taken in the Museum, that has gone lax. I proposed that once the collection is cataloged that we will be more able to find family oriented photos and more and possible scan and photograph everything pertaining to a family name and put it on CD for a fee. Of course this is down the road a couple of years. I am hoping that the influx of new members will help turn things around as those who resist any change will be greatly out numbered...which is why I am shooting for 500 new members in 2004. Anything you can to do to help reach that goal will be greatly appreciated of course! You know I will keep you informed as to what is going on! Next Board meeting is Nov 13th. Mike Wennin Come Visit the Cameron County Genealogy Project! http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacamero ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bernie Oswald" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 7:45 AM Subject: [PA-CAMERON] RE: The historical society > I have had a problem with not being able to research geneology for a long > time with the historical society. As I mentioned before, if any of you > want and are able to go the the Potter County Historical building in > Coudersport, it is wonderful. They have all kinds of scrapbooks, letters, > photos, research books that they will give you to go through and look at > just as if you are at the Library. (You can't take them out) > I have a interest in the old lumber town of Norwich, plus my grandmother was > born in Keating Summit, Potter County. They have taken pictures right off > the wall, and made copies of them for me right then and there. They (the > volunteers) called me to tell me of some findings they came across of my > Grandmother's family. They were so helpful and I go there all the time to > look through countless scrapbooks of the Austin flood, etc. They will > make you copies of anything you want , for a very small fee. > > One time I went to the Little Museum and asked if I could have a copy of a > photo that they had and they were flabbergasted! I asked if I could take a > picture of it with my camera and they said "No camera's allowed!" This > was several years ago and maybe that has changed now, but that was a real > turn off for me!! As far as Sandy Hornung goes, I think she has done a > great job putting everything on micro film to preserve it, but if no one can > ever see it, that's not very helpful. And yes, Sandy will look it up for > you, but it would be fun and interesting to see it for yourself. > I talked to Sandy about this one time and told her how nice it would be > to have a place like the Potter County Historical Society and she told me at > that time, they were trying to get the old Library building, but were unsure > Frank Geleski would approve it. I also don't think the town approved it, > because they seemed to pick and choose who they want in there. Then Sandy > told me, they were trying to get Jasper and Harris and Son store. I don't > know what ever happened to that, the store is still open and running. I > do know, that a new president has been elected and Mary Louise Blumle told > me they are hoping for some changes. Hopefully so, but I don't look > forward to any big changes. For one thing, the little museum is very > nice, but Sandy told me one time there is so much stuff in the basement just > rotting away that they don't have time or space to do anything with. What > a shame!!! Also, if there were a place in town to research geneology, I > think it would get a lot more traffic. At Potter county, they have it in a > big old house and most of the house is a museum. The other few rooms are the > geneology rooms sat up like a Library. > > Now on the other side of the coin, McKean County is not so generous. When > I looked at their pictures, I had to wear gloves and they were very fussy > about the whole thing. They stood over me and watched me very carefully. > First, I had to join the membership then pay for every little thing I wanted > to do. I only wanted one bit of information, but they wouldn't give it to > me until I joined, and then they didn't have it anyway. At Potter County > anyone can go there free and do research. They have loads of stuff. > Geting back to McKean County Historical Society I understand the museum is > supposed to me nice. They were remodeling it when I was there and I was > unable to see it. I haven't been back. > > Well, that's my input. I got a little long winded again. > > Bernie > > > > ==== PACAMERO Mailing List ==== > Celebrating Our 4th Year! Come check us out! > http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacamero >

I was wondering if the old State Police barracks would be a suitable building. I'd be nervous about some of the buildings in town since they've had so many problems with storm water.

I will mention that to them....I think John is looking more into building an office from scratch. Thanks! Mike Wennin Come Visit the Cameron County Genealogy Project! http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacamero ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hockenberry's" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 6:38 PM Subject: Re: [PA-CAMERON] RE: The historical society > I was wondering if the old State Police barracks would be a suitable > building. I'd be nervous about some of the buildings in town since they've > had so many problems with storm water. > > > > ==== PACAMERO Mailing List ==== > List your surnames in the Queries section of the Site to get the full benefit of what there is to offer. > http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacamero >