Annette, Pardon me for addressing this to you. Please straighten me out (And maybe help us all understand the problem better). My sister and her father-in-law have me confused. 1. What was the original agreement under which the Library was built? 2. Please post the names and addresses of City Council, The County Commissioners and the editor of the Meadville Tribune. Thank You, Todd

Diana, The info is much appreciated. I'm currently attempting to trace my GGG-Grandfather, Pierre Chavian (Peter Gevin in Crawford Co.) back to France. I've got Peter and Catherine (Dom) Chavian back to 1785 in Goshenhoppen, Bucks County, PA. Meanwhile, I'm consolidating and expanding the info I have. The original version of my manuscript is on the Crawford County website. Do you happen to fit in the Gevin Family? What Crawford County families are you researching? Thanks again, Todd ----- Original Message ----- From: "Diana L. Watson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2002 1:09 PM Subject: Re: [Crawf'rd] Parents of Arthur Gibson > I forget I also found a whole page of Gevin's buried in McDowell cemetery. > This may be family or a place to start. Let me know if you want me to send > this to you. > > Diana > Crawford Co Researcher > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 8:33 PM > Subject: [Crawf'rd] Parents of Arthur Gibson > > > > Who were the parents of Arthur Gibson (1868-1933), who is buried in the > McDowell Cemetery? > > > > Did Arthur and Viola A Gevin Gibson have any children? > > > > Thanks in advance, Todd > > > > > > ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== > > ----------> ALL CAPS or UPPER CASE Letters Permissible Use <---------- > > When typing a surname? YES! Absolutely! A must! For general text? NO! > > It's shouting, bad manners (Netiquette) and hard to find surnames. > > > > ============================== > > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, > go to: > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > > ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== > This List is dedicated to Crawford County, Pennsylvania. If have a problem, question, need direction or to report a virus, please contact Kathleen off-list at [email protected] Thanks. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

I forget I also found a whole page of Gevin's buried in McDowell cemetery. This may be family or a place to start. Let me know if you want me to send this to you. Diana Crawford Co Researcher ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 8:33 PM Subject: [Crawf'rd] Parents of Arthur Gibson > Who were the parents of Arthur Gibson (1868-1933), who is buried in the McDowell Cemetery? > > Did Arthur and Viola A Gevin Gibson have any children? > > Thanks in advance, Todd > > > ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== > ----------> ALL CAPS or UPPER CASE Letters Permissible Use <---------- > When typing a surname? YES! Absolutely! A must! For general text? NO! > It's shouting, bad manners (Netiquette) and hard to find surnames. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

I found the death of Arthur Gibson on May 31, 1933. Tribune Repub June 1, 1933 pg 5 col 1 I found the death of Viola Gibson, died at home of daughter Mrs. M. A. Platt Mar 14, 1931 Tribune Republic Mar 16, 1931 pg 4 col 3 Platt, Max Alvinza (Conneautville) Husband of Blanche Elizabeth Gibson Platt died at home Feb 1, 1968 age 76 buried Conneautville Cem. Meadville Tribune Feb 2, 1968 pg 2 col 2. Blanche Elizabeth Gibson Platt d., 10-26-1984 Meadville Tribune pg 8 col 1. Let me know if I can be of further assistance. If you want copies of obits or whatever. Diana Crawford Co PA researcher ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 8:33 PM Subject: [Crawf'rd] Parents of Arthur Gibson > Who were the parents of Arthur Gibson (1868-1933), who is buried in the McDowell Cemetery? > > Did Arthur and Viola A Gevin Gibson have any children? > > Thanks in advance, Todd > > > ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== > ----------> ALL CAPS or UPPER CASE Letters Permissible Use <---------- > When typing a surname? YES! Absolutely! A must! For general text? NO! > It's shouting, bad manners (Netiquette) and hard to find surnames. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

I am from Phoenix, Arizona and have been back to the Library in Meadville to use the Genealogy section to find information on my family. I found the Genealogy Society area very helpful, more so then the library it self. No one asked where I was from. I thank they would be surprised how many people from out of state use the Genealogy Society and library in Meadville. We stayed in Meadville for 3 nights and 4 days at a cost of about $500.00 to the economy of Meadville. If it had not been for the genealogy Societies collection I would have only been there one day or not stayed at all. So they are missing out on money for the city. It is a same that they are so backward in thanking. I have done a lot of Genealogy research all over then USA and find most of the information in library's that have a large Genealogy section. I hope that they make room for the History and Genealogy section of Crawford County in the library. George Rupp --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.385 / Virus Database: 217 - Release Date: 09/04/2002

The Lawrence Lee Pelletier Library does not really have a genealogical collection, just a few miscellaneous genealogically-related reference books. (They do have some nice archival material in their "special collections" section - formerly housed in the more evocatively-named Treasure Room in the old Reis Library.) I have no knowledge about the opinion of the current library director, but a director from the recent past had an aversion to genealogists, and would not consider enhancing the collection or encouraging genealogical researchers. Although local residents are permitted to apply for library privileges at Allegheny and to check out a limited number of books, the college does not exactly encourage local use of some of the library services which would be most beneficial to genealogists. They formerly would allow local residents to use their Interlibrary Loan program - it was incredibly fast, and had good access to all kinds of resources - but discontinued this because the service was primarily for their students, and they apparently were (or feared) being flooded with requests from the locals. I personally can't foresee any type of cooperative effort with Allegheny at this time. Annette Lynch Allegheny '69 >From: [email protected] >Reply-To: [email protected] >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [Crawf'rd] Problem with the library >Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 02:05:57 EDT > >I am not familiar with your local political power structure in Meadville >...has anyone approached the college trustees of Allegheny College in re a >cooperative agreement with the E.L. Pelletier Library ? > > >==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== >ROLL CALLS? Not permitted unless instituted by the List Admin. But post >your interests and areas of search often. New members join every day. > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, >go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx

It sounds like the library is mostly ticked because they aren't getting any money for use of the space and the salary of the employee. I can't imagine that the space that the CCHS has will increase their space significantly over he long haul. Does CCHS do any work to get grants? I know there are various ones out there. The Warren Co. Hist Soc building is owned by the Court House but utilities are not covered as well as some other things. Grants and various projects as well as investments, donations and bequests etc. are what keep it functioning. In the summer, they have grants that cover 4 summer interns pay for doing many of the functions that cannot be done by the variable volunteer hours. Two full time and two part time salaries are also met. Venango Co's Historical Society and Museum have their own building, [an older home] purchased by and maintained by their society until recently without thought of grants. They have minimum staff and volunteers, however, their hours are limited. As someone else said, where there is a will, there is a way. I might suggest that some of the methods I have mentioned might make a big difference if CCHS would have to make a move to the other library location building. Has there been any movement to see where the society stands legally? I realize that it appears that the need to make a move may be coming faster than one would like or at the least, coming up with rental fees to stay in the MPL. However, it might be a good idea to have a representative from the society board contact the directors of other societies to see what measures they take to support the society with the idea that some like measures might be taken to keep the CCHS viable either in the present location or elsewhere. To have this excellent source of Crawford County history and genealogy shut down would be a devastating loss not only to Crawford County but to all the surrounding counties, Pennsylvania, and researchers at large with ties to Crawford Co. I intend to write to the names given as well as the local newspaper in order to bring my concerns to light. I hope those of you who are part of this list will consider doing so as well. Karen Ahlgren Russell, PA Multiple family ties to Crawford Co. Affantranger/Anderhalt/Benedict/Ferlin/Henderson/Lippert/Pees/Roche/Stainbrook /Story/Terrill/Trace/Vernier

Wonderful idea, contacting the chamber and mayor, etc. I'm in the middle of writing my letter to the Tribune and will pass on one to the "powers that be" just as soon as some addresses appear ont the list. We were in Meadville, last April. We had a room for two nights, food and misc. shopping expenses for five people. I had to go to the cemeteries and leave flowers at my gr gr gr gr grandparents graves and photograph the lovely area. I dropped $$ in the jar at the historical society, bought the book that was printed about Meadville as well as paid for copies of microfilm and information that was available. (And there was a lot of information that I didn't get to.) While this isn't too terribly much, if the city fathers knew how many people come to Meadville each year to research their heritage in the beautiful valley that Meadville sits in, they might sit up and take notice and see how they could help remedy the situation at hand. Someone needs to write letters and get someone's attention. I for one, hope that there is a historical society to go back to, because I was no where near done with the work that there is to do there. I was so very greatful that the place exists! Kathy Michigan __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! News - Today's headlines http://news.yahoo.com

Hi Bev, I would like info on the Hood Cemetery and Hood family(before Shortle/Shartle) if you have any. Do you know who Shortle/Shartle's parents are? Did you find any connection to the Williams's in the Anderson photo. I had thought you had said you had different Williams connection so that's why I sent that picture.Also,do you have any connection to that "Doc" Williams. I found an obit for his daughter. Also on Freda's kids, John and Jim are twins. Don't remember if I mentioned that. And I believe Jim's middle name is Martin.Is there anything I might have that you would like? Talk to you later,Carol

Hi Carol: Ok, have the Williams Cem Index copied and also the history of the Williams family in Crawf Co. Is there anything else that you need? Can't remember and can't find the emails that we exchanged before I went to vegas. Help..... Bev

Re: Mary Belle Kimmy's question about the old high school right across the street from the library Building is still vacant, though under purchase option to a group which thinks it can get government grants to renovate it for senior housing--for which the location is ideal. However, two other groups have backed out of the deal, supposedly because bringing the building back to usable condition could cost $2 million. Actually, between the existing library and the Helene Barco Duratz Cultural Center building, there is enough SPACE for both the MPL and CCHS for the forseeable future. It's just that the MPL wants the CCHS to start paying it for the space. Bill Moore ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 2:58 AM Subject: [Crawf'rd] Re: PACRAWFO-D Digest V02 #149 > What about the old highschool building? Is that still vacant? Seems > like that would be an ideal location but not knowing all of the > circumstances this is just a suggestion? > mbkimmy > > > ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== > ----------> ALL CAPS or UPPER CASE Letters Permissible Use <---------- > When typing a surname? YES! Absolutely! A must! For general text? NO! > It's shouting, bad manners (Netiquette) and hard to find surnames. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

Sharie--that's a great idea-- I forgot about that list that Carlsbad keeps. In Carlsbad, they don't have a problem with allowing space in the library for the books donated to the genealogy society there. It's considered part of and one with the library's books, though the genealogy library began with an endowment. The budget for the genealogy part of the library is determined by the number of people who come there to use it. So, everyone signs in --gladly--because every signature means more money in the budget for new books and microfilms, etc. I bet the library in Meadeville would be surprised at the number of out-of-towners they have coming to Crawford Co. just to do research. They're foolish to think of turning out the CCHS. Jan G. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharon Paulson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 9:08 AM Subject: [Crawf'rd] geneagical and historical society. > The Linn Co., IA Genealogical Society is housed in the basement of the > Masonic Library. Absolutely beautiful building. I don't know what their > arrangements are, but I believe that the people working there are volunteers > from the society. If Crawford co Gen/His society can't afford to pay > someone, I am sure there are volunteers that would help keep it open once > you find a place to house the society > > There are lots of ways to skin a cat. I suggest you call a meeting, set up > a committee, put an article in the paper, the paper will probably do it for > nothing as a human interest story and something that is needed to help keep > the economics of Meadville alive. > > I hope the society has been keeping a journal of everyone that comes to the > library. Highlight next to the name of out of towners, and take it to the > city fathers. > > All of this inconvenience and heart ache at the moment could turn out to be > a good thing in the end. > > Sharie > Oceanside, CA > > > > > ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== > *** Tired of this LIST? Going on vacation, a business trip? *** > Send an email with one word, UNSUBSCRIBE, in the Subject and Message > area to: [email protected] Digest? Replace "L" with "D". > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

I'm thinking that the community needs a new library building, one with the square footage that they need and that can accomodate more computers, etc. Our community faced that same situation and solved the problem by raising private fund, donations, for about 4 years and then used the cash to build a really nice new library. NO government money, no additional taxes. The new library has been open for about 8 or 9 years now and to my knowledge, it's the only one in the county that's also open on Sundays. If the community really wants a new library, they can have it. Where there's a will there's a way. Jan G. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathy Barnes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 5:01 AM Subject: [Crawf'rd] H.S./Library discussion > Hopefully this will lead to a solution to the problem > faced by one of the finer historical societies, I've > encountered. My original question is bringing in ideas > from all over the world-and hopefully a solution can > be found. (Hawaii is on the other side of the > world....) > > Could a bond issue be brought to the voters? The > wealth of information contained in the historical > society is invaluable. > > What's the Meadville Tribune's snail mail address. > Perhaps some letters to the editor will bring this > problem to the forefront of the news in Meadville and > more folks can be made aware of the issue of what's at > stake here. > > Kathy Barnes > Michigan > Researching: Crawford Co. for > Affentranger/Affantranger/Huff > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! News - Today's headlines > http://news.yahoo.com > > > ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== > Have you visited the *NEW* RootsWeb/Ancestry Message Boards yet? Take a > tour soon & learn how time-saving those "Gateway" messages are compared > to trying to find the *new* ones on your own. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

Thanks, Marilyn

On its website http://www.meadvilletribune.com/index.html the address given is The Meadville Tribune, 947 Federal Court, Meadville, Pa. 16335; fax at (814) 724-8755 The website has a "soundoff" feature at http://www.meadvilletribune.com/soundoff.html, but I've never seen anything listed. They say they publish soundoffs on Tuesday and Thursday. I guess I'll have to ask a local contact to send me any letters that are published. Marilyn Mills Hesse ----- Original Message ----- From: "Evelyn" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 11:59 AM Subject: Re: [Crawf'rd] report on trip to Crawford Co. | How about letters to the editor of the Meadville Tribune? Could someone | furnish an address? |

The Linn Co., IA Genealogical Society is housed in the basement of the Masonic Library. Absolutely beautiful building. I don't know what their arrangements are, but I believe that the people working there are volunteers from the society. If Crawford co Gen/His society can't afford to pay someone, I am sure there are volunteers that would help keep it open once you find a place to house the society There are lots of ways to skin a cat. I suggest you call a meeting, set up a committee, put an article in the paper, the paper will probably do it for nothing as a human interest story and something that is needed to help keep the economics of Meadville alive. I hope the society has been keeping a journal of everyone that comes to the library. Highlight next to the name of out of towners, and take it to the city fathers. All of this inconvenience and heart ache at the moment could turn out to be a good thing in the end. Sharie Oceanside, CA

How about letters to the editor of the Meadville Tribune? Could someone furnish an address? Another thought, if the HS does move to another site. The Mercer County Historical Society has a donation box next to the register. I doubt that they make a lot from it, but every little bit counts. I know that I add to it every time I visit. And if it would help keep that great collection of information available, I would surely do the same for Crawford County! Evelyn

Thank you for that information. My family has made a handful of trips over the last 15 years to the CCHS to do research. I imagine there are hundreds of others who have done the same. As I live in St. Louis, MO, I can honestly say I wouldn't have made the trip to Meadville to do research or check out books at the local library without having access to a local Historical Society. Has anybody done a study of the number of out of town visitors that come to Meadville/Crawford County to do family research on a yearly basis? This would be a negative impact to local commerce if those people, like myself, no longer came and patronized the local hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. Trust me, having served in local government positions on a volunteer basis, the last thing the local Chamber of Commerce, Mayor's Office, town or county council want to hear about is how LESS people will be visiting and pumping in outside money towards local commerce and tax base. A nice/civil letter campaign from concerned historians/genealogists to the local politicians may help clarify the fiscal impact of potentially closing a city/county attraction. Is there a list of local politicians we could encourage to lend their support to the CCHS? I will write Gerry and Stephen (listed below) as well. I encourage others to do the same. Scott Sikes Researching my g-grandfather Ransom T Sikes/Sykes. Fought in 111th PA, 12th/20th Corps in Civil War. Born in Guys Mills. Married Laura Fe Babbitt. Son, Charles Sikes/Sykes. -----Original Message----- From: Bill Moore [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2002 1:49 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Crawf'rd] report on trip to Crawford Co. Kathy: I won't pretend to be a disinterested reporter of the Library-Historical Society feud, since I've been a director of the Historical Society off and on for the last 20+ years. But since you asked what is going on, I thought I'd try to explain. The Meadville Public Library [MPL] leadership has decided that the Crawford Co. Historical Society [CCHS] is a freeloading tenant in the MPL building, since the MPL supplies one 20-hr./week staff member free of charge to the CCHS, and the CCHS pays no rent for the space. The MPL wants the CCHS space for library purposes, and wants to move CCHS into another library building 3 blocks away, and start charging the CCHS for staff and utilities. The CCHS cannot afford the cost [which would be about $20,000/yr. according to figures guess-timated by MPL last year, and that is more than 20% of the CCHS' present budget of $90,000/yr.] The CCHS has a modest endowment, and not many sources of income, so it is a struggle to meet the budget every year as it is. The CCHS' position is that BOTH the CCHS and the MPL are PART of the Meadville Library, Art and Historical Association [MLAHA]. The MLAHA was set up in 1879, and at that point included the MPL, the CCHS, and the now defunct Natural History Society and Art Society. The current building [built in 1925] is titled to the MLAHA, and originally housed the MPL, CCHS and the Art Society. Contributions to the MLAHA and its endowment were made by persons interested in any or all of the three organizations, as well as to the parts individually. The MPL leadership is now claiming that it is the SOLE owner of the MLAHA building and endowment, and that's why the CCHS has no right to be there. The CCHS claims that it is part of the MLAHA [as is the MPL] so it has a right to part of the building where it has been for 75 years--rent-free--as well as income from its part of the MLAHA endowment which should cover staff and upkeep costs. A gentleman in his 90's recently wrote to the editor of the Tribune and said he remembered the fund-raising campaign for the new building in 1925 and it was based on support for all three groups--the MPL, CCHS and Art Society--and NOT just the MPL. So that's the bone of contention. The CCHS would very seriously consider moving to other quarters to accomodate the MPL's space needs, if the CCHS could obtain the other space on the same terms as its present location--a free staff person and no rent. The MPL doesn't want to continue to provide the staff and space, and so the disagreement. Personally, I think it would cost the MPL substantially to build up a collection of historical books if the CCHS were no longer there. If the CCHS does have to leave the library building, and cannot afford the other space offered, I really don't know where it can go. Probably mostly into storage. CCHS does own an historic house--the Baldwin/Reynolds House museum--but, like most houses, its floors are not built to carry the weight of shelving, and the basement is too damp for book/document storage. If anyone would like to voice an opinion one way or the other--or offer suggestions--the appropriate persons would be: Ms. Gerry Deane Mr. Stephen Mizner President, CCHS President, MPL/MLAHA neither has a listed telephone number, so I presume the address for both should be 848 N. Main St., Meadville, PA 16335. Bill Moore Secretary, CCHS ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathy Barnes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 9:24 PM Subject: Re: [Crawf'rd] report on trip to Crawford Co. > What's going on with the Historical Society??!! It > holds a wealth of knowledge and where better to have > it than in the library?! What can we do to help keep > it there or what will happen if it can't stay? Does > someone out there know? > > Kathy > in Michigan > Researching: Affentranger/Affantranger and Huff > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes > http://finance.yahoo.com > > > ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== > This List is dedicated to Crawford County, Pennsylvania. If have a problem, question, need direction or to report a virus, please contact Kathleen off-list at [email protected] Thanks. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > ______________________________

Annette, I am interested in these obits. Ami is my Great Grandfather. I'm heading up there next week. Hope to "dig up" more stuff on this line Sharon -----Original Message----- From: TIM BELL [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:45 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Crawf'rd] Ledyard Parker Hi Annette, I would like to receive the 2 obits. Since I am a "Minium" there is probably some connection. I just do not know what it is yet. Thanks, Timothy Minium Bell >>> [email protected] 09/07/02 08:49PM >>> I finally found my Parker notes. I have an obit for John Parker and one for Ami B. Parker. If you are interested in either of those, let me know. Annette _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== This List is dedicated to Crawford County, Pennsylvania. If have a problem, question, need direction or to report a virus, please contact Kathleen off-list at [email protected] Thanks. ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 ==== PACRAWFO Mailing List ==== Have you visited the *NEW* RootsWeb/Ancestry Message Boards yet? Take a tour soon & learn how time-saving those "Gateway" messages are compared to trying to find the *new* ones on your own. ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

What about the old highschool building? Is that still vacant? Seems like that would be an ideal location but not knowing all of the circumstances this is just a suggestion? mbkimmy