Subj: [TXGENWEB] Help Save Clayton Genealogy Library Date: 5/14/02 5:25:02 PM Central Daylight Time From: <A HREF="mailto:friday@argohouston.com">friday@argohouston.com</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:TXGEN-L@rootsweb.com">TXGEN-L@rootsweb.com</A> Sent from the Internet (Details) Please forward this e-mail to every genealogy and historical researcher you know and ask for his or her immediate support and help with this issue. Send it to family members. Send it to members of your genealogy or historical society members. Permission to reprint this article is given without any reservations. = = = = = = = = IMMEDIATE RELEASE= = = = = = = = Help Save Clayton Genealogy Library By Lynna Kay Shuffield Houston, Tex., May 14 – One of the top 10-genealogy libraries in the United States, the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (known as the Clayton Library) of the Houston Public Library (HPL) is in danger and will suffer drastic cutbacks in operating hours beginning July 1, 2002 when the library will only be open for research for 3-hours, 1-night per week versus the current 4-hours, 3- nights per week. This will result in the loss of almost 475 evening research hours per year for the public and library patrons. For many researchers, genealogy is a hobby and most work a full-time job (40-hour per week from 8am-5pm). Clayton Library patrons who use the library during the evening hours will go from 625-hours of available research hours per year (5pm-9pm, 4-hours, 3-nights per week) to a gross of 155-hours per year (5pm-8pm, 3-hours, 1-night per week). Please keep in mind when you get off from work at 5pm, in Houston rush-hour traffic and road construction, you generally can’t make it to Clayton Library before 6pm. So, using the formula of arriving after work at 6pm, patrons will realistically only have 2-hours (6pm-8pm), 1-day per week for a total of 104-hours (2x52) of evening research time per year. You must also reduce 104-hours even more because most Clayton Library services, e.g., photocopiers, microprinters, restrooms, etc. end 15-mintues before closing thus reducing another 13-hours per year (15x52÷60) from evening research time. Resulting in the net number of evening hours available to researchers at Clayton Library to 91-hours per year. Many people say reduction in hours this is a Houston or regional issue. Not so! Clayton Library serves approximately 72,000 individuals every year from all over the United States who travel to this specific library to conduct research. Also, it is critical to remember, Clayton Library is a non-circulating collection and no books or microfilm can be check- out and used at home. Additionally, Library Administrators and City Officials have failed to consider impact to Clayton Library’s nationwide stature and standing by this drastic reduction in research hours. Not only is the reduction in hours going to affect researchers, it is also going to have an economic impact on the City of Houston. According to the “Historic Preservation at Work for the Texas Economy,” individuals who visit your community for genealogy or historic purposes, spend an additional $29 per day, over and above what they would normally spend just visiting for personal or business reasons, and, in addition, they stay longer than non-heritage travelers. Reducing Clayton Library hours might solve the library’s budget shortfalls, but it is going to cause an even greater impact to Houston’s public image and economy. Why the reduction in library hours at Clayton Library? In Staff Town Hall Meetings conducted today by the HPL, the reason for the cutbacks is because “there is major budget crisis.” The 18-page handout given out at the meeting suggests staff members are not to take complaints from patrons regarding cutbacks of library hours or services. Staff members are to direct patrons to contact members of Houston City Council or their neighborhood civic club or association so they can “express positive support for restoring the library’s budget so hours and services can be restored.” Why the drastic reduction in Clayton Library hours? The Library Administration claims it is due to the surge of Internet genealogical research and therefore there is no longer a need for hands-on original research. This is a diminutive argument in that good genealogy researchers realize that relying solely on Internet research is not “good research” and you only have access to the vast majority to books and records at a library. It is important to note that Clayton Genealogy Library will be experiencing the most drastic and severe cutbacks of any branch of the Houston Public Library System. Most local branch libraries will only see an average reduction of 2-hours per week or a loss of 105 hours per year and the Downtown Main Library will only loose 3-hours per week or a total of 156 hours per year whereas Clayton Library will see a reduction of almost 475-hours per year. What can you do to help? Write, call or e-mail all of the following and voice your “positive support” to stop the reduction of Clayton Library hours and keeping it open three-nights per week. -- please offset following in box -- Website for Clayton Genealogy Library < http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/clayton/ > Website for Clayton Library Friends (a tax-exempt, IRS 501(3)(c) non-profit organization that supports the library) < http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/clayton/clf.html > Barbara Gubbin, Executive Director, Houston Public Library System, 500 McKinney, 4th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, telephone: 832/393-1325 or e-mail < barbara.gubbin@cityofhouston.net >. Editor, Houston Chronicle newspaper: Viewpoints, Houston Chronicle, P. O. Box 4260, Houston, Texas 77210 or e-mail < viewpoints@chron.com >. City of Houston Elected Officials webpage at < http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/citygovt/council/ > The mailing address for all the below listed City of Houston Elected Officials: P. O. Box 1562, Houston, Texas 77251: Lee P. Brown, Mayor of the City of Houston, in Houston telephone 311 or e-mail < mayor@cityofhouston.net > Annise Parker, City Council At Large Position 1, e- mail < atlarge1@cityofhouston.net > Gordon Quan, City Council At Large Position 2, e- mail < atlarge2@cityofhouston.net > Shelly Sekula Rodriguez, M.D., City Council At Large Position 3, e-mail < atlarge3@cityofhouston.net > Michael Berry, City Council At Large Position 4, e- mail < atlarge4@cityofhouston.net > Carroll G. Robinson, City Council At Large Position 5, e-mail < atlarge5@cityofhouston.net > Bruce Tatro, City Council Dist. A, e-mail < bruce.tatro@cityofhouston.net > Carol Mims Galloway, City Council Dist. B, e-mail < districtb@cityofhouston.net > Mark Goldberg, City Council Dist. C, e-mail < districtc@cityofhouston.net > Ada Edwards, City Council Dist. D, e-mail < districtd@cityofhouston.net > Addie Wiseman, City Council Dist. E, e-mail < districte@cityofhouston.net > Mark Ellis, City Council Dist. F, e-mail < districtf@cityofhouston.net > Bert Keller, City Council Dist. G, e-mail < districtg@cityofhouston.net > Gabriel Vasquez, Ph.D., City Council Dist. H, e-mail < districth@cityofhouston.net > Carol Alvarado, City Council Dist. I, e-mail < districti@cityofhouston.net > -- 30 -- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Lynna Kay Shuffield P. O. Box 16604 Houston, Texas 77222 telephone: 713/692-4511 e-mail: friday@argohouston.com ---My webpages--- 'Our Loose Ends' Genealogy Column by Lynna Kay Shuffield http://www.geocities.com/lks_friday/COLUMN-001.htm 'My Loose Ends' Family Tree Database by Lynna Kay Shuffield http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi- bin/igm.cgi?db=friday Note above URL wraps around onto the next line, cut & paste it onto the end of the first line in the 'location box' on your browser. 'Milam County War Dead Project' http://www.geocities.com/lks_friday/ County Coordinator for the Milam County TXGenWeb http://www.geocities.com/milamco/ County Coordinator for the San Jacinto County TXGenWeb http://www.geocities.com/lks_friday/SANJAC-01.htm TX-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION http://www.geocities.com/lks_friday/CEMETERY-001.htm

FOUNDED  IN  JUNE  1965 P O BOX 1295 HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS 77342 SPECIAL EDITION VOLUME SIX #5 May 2002 REGULAR MEETINGS:  Third Saturday of each month except December, June, July, and August at 9:30 A. M.  We  meet at the Forrest Masonic Lodge #19 at 1030 Twelfth Street  in Huntsville unless otherwise announced. MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR THE GENEALOGY AND FAMILY HISTORY FAIR 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 AT THE HUNTSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY MEETING THIS MONTH Saturday, May 18 meeting at 10:30 A. M. at the home of Johnnie Jo & J. D. Dickenson on Falls Road off FM 980 Program: "Annual Picnic and State of the Society Presentation" Please bring food to share and a lawn chair. Directions to picnic:  Starting at the intersection of 11th Street and Avenue M in Huntsville, go north on Avenue M until it becomes FM 247. Continue to the interesection where FM 980 goes off to the right.  Turn right on 980 and go 5.5 miles. Turn right on Lake Falls Road.  Go one mile, Turn right at drive and go to white house with red roof. Special invitation:  At Johnnie Jo's house on Monday, June 3 from 4 to 6 PM, come celebrate Jefferson Davis's Birthday! WALKER COUNTY PIONEER,  WALKER COUNTY FIRST FAMILY, AND FIRST POLISH FAMILYCERTIFICATE APPLICATIONS MAY BE PICKED UP AT THE HUNTSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A MEMBER OF OUR SOCIETY, DUES ARE $10 PER INDIVIDUAL AND $15 PER COUPLE. ANNUAL DUES ARE PAYABLE IN MAY.   Please send your dues to: Linda Parrish, Treasurer 31 F.S. Road 214 New Waverly, TX 77358 936 295-9570

Rita Yates Wiltz (RW2619@msn.com) is on a mission. On May 4th, there is an environmental cleanup for the Tamina Community. The whole town is partcipating as well as other community clubs and churches. Radio coverage also. On May 18, the Sweetrest Cemetery will be cleaned by the Blue Bonnet Girl Scouts along with the Sheriff Citizen Academy and the York PTO. Rita is active in all these organizations, so our society is fortunate to have her. I'm sure Rita will not turn down help or refreshments, so email her and let know what a great job she is doing. RITA and Darlene, be sure and take pictures and get them to Jean to put in the next Herald. You go girls!!!!! Maybe the 18th and will be able to get around and help some. REMEMBER: You are the history of Montgomery County Texas! Start writing your history today for the new upcoming history book, Montgomery County Texas History: Past and Present, Volumes 1 and 2. Jane Sanford Keppler sponsor for <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A> www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

Vera Wimberley is recovering very well from illness and wanted to be put back on the lookup page. She said that was medicine enough and would help keep her busy. She dearly loves helping other people. I am leaving Karen Lawless on the page also, as she did a great job covering for Vera. I have also just added Darlene Madeley Lee for lookups in cemeteries. Many thanks to these three ladies!!!! "Remember, you are the history of Montgomery County". Jane Sanford Keppler sponsor for <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A> www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society Inc. May 6, 2002 Montgomery County Library, Conroe, Texas 6:30 PM refreshments 7:00 PM meeting Guest Speaker: Sons of American Revolution REMEMBER: You are the history of Montgomery County Texas! Start writing your history today for the new upcoming history book, Montgomery County Texas History: Past and Present, Volumes 1 and 2. Jane Sanford Keppler sponsor for <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A> www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

<A HREF="http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=3981202&BRD=1569&PAG=461&dept_id=180945&rfi=6">Click here: The Courier</A> Wish we would have known about this. "Remember, you are the history of Montgomery County". Jane Sanford Keppler sponsor for <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A> www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

Darlene Madeley Lee and myself went out and checked out 6 cemeteries today. We did not do any transcriptions, just looking and trying to update directions. These all need to looked at and paper work started to have them declared historic cemeteries. If anyone has the time, please let us know. HICKORY GROVE= is in bad shape. My brother told me the storm a couple weeks had really done damage. Yes there were several large trees down, but a couple had been cut down and mangaged to miss any headstones. It does not look like this cemetery has been cleaned in several years. WHISPERING PINES= is in good shape, very well taken care of. COUNTY LINE=although this one is now in San Jacinto County, many Montgomery countians are still buried there. Very well kept up. NEW BETHLEHEM- nicely kept up. There was someone there cutting trees off the back fence line. Looks like the storm went by there also. FREEMAN-nicley kept up. This one is really pretty. CONROE MEMORIAL= always kept up. This was just a fun day for us to get out in this beautiful weather. Hopefully, we will get some transcriptions soon. We did take some pictures so as soon as I can get them online, I will. "Remember, you are the history of Montgomery County". Jane Sanford Keppler sponsor for <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A> www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

Subj: [TXGENWEB] Polish Texans Date: 4/22/02 2:48:25 PM Central Daylight Time From:    friday@argohouston.com (Lynna Kay Shuffield ) Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:friday@argohouston.com">friday@argohouston.com</A> To:    TXGEN-L@rootsweb.com 04/25/2002 "First Polish Families of Walker County, Texas" On 19 September 1866, in Waverly, Walker Co., Texas, 12 planters met at Meyer Levy's Store and formed the Waverly Emigration Society for the purpose of acquiring foreign workers. Levy agreed to go to his native Poland and recruit works. On 9 Apr 1867, 45 families, totaling 143 individuals arrived in New York aboard the steamship "City of Antwerp" and from there, they sailed to Texas. Because of this original group, many Polish immigrants followed. The Walker County (Texas) Genealogical Society (WCGS) is honoring the First Polish Families with a "Waverly Emigration Certificate" for any direct or collateral descendant of one of the original 45 families who arrived in 1867. To qualify as a "Charter Member," your application and documentation must be postmarked by 31 August 2002. To celebrate the 135th Anniversary of this group's arrival, Charter Members will be honored at a reception on Sunday, 29 September 2002, St. Joseph's Hall, New Waverly, Texas. To obtain an application packet, send a self-address #10 envelope with 2-stamps, to the WCGS, Attn: Waverly Emigration Registry, P. O. Box 1295, Huntsville, Texas 77342-1295 or visit < http://www.dickensonresearch.com/wcgen.htm >.

Texas Genealogy & Family History Fair Huntsville, Texas June 22, 2002 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The Walker County Genealogical Society sponsors the Texas Genealogy & Family History Fair, which will be held this year at the Walker County Fairgrounds in Huntsville, Texas, on Saturday, June 22nd. The event is held in the main exhibit hall, which is air conditioned. We had the first ever Texas Genealogy & Family History Fair in June 2001, and had over 400 in attendance. We had people from 8 different states and from over 70 Texas cities. We had representatives from the German Society, Czech Society, Polish Society, and Cherokee Indian Band. We had over 60 exhibitors, which included libraries, book dealers, genealogical societies, family organizations and patriotic organizations. We would like to invite you to participate in our Fair. This is a great opportunity for you to present information about your organization, genealogy related business, or to just meet others interested in genealogy to see what each exhibitor has to offer. EXHIBITORS can rent a 2X8 foot table for $10.00, plus $10.00 registration fee for each person. Deadline for exhibitor registration is June 1st. We have a limited number of exhibitor tables available and they will be rented on a first come basis. INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION is $10.00 per person for pre-registration before June 1st. After June 1st, and at the door, registration is $15.00 per person. Each registrant will be allowed to submit 5 Surnames, which will be printed in a booklet to be distributed at the Fair. We are also encouraging each person to send their Family Group Sheets and Ancestor Charts with their registration. These documents will be available at the Family Swap area. A copy machine will be available to copy any family data submitted. No Copyrighted material will be copied. There will be 3 programs presented throughout the day; "Basic Genealogy", "A Fool Proof Filing System", and "Native American Research". There will be a concession stand available for morning and afternoon refreshments and a snack lunch at noon. To obtain a copy of the Fair Brochure and registration form, go to our society website (listed below) and click on the link to the Fair information. You can download a copy of the brochure at that site. Or, send a Self-Addressed-Stamped Envelope to the address below and a brochure will be mailed to you. We hope that you will make plans to attend this year's Texas Genealogy & Family History Fair and ask that you pass this information on to others who might be interested. We hope to see each of you on June 22nd. Sincerely, Mrs. Johnnie Jo Dickenson - President Walker County Genealogical Society Post Office Box 1295 Huntsville, Texas 77342-1295 (936) 295-5551  FAX (936) 295-3444 E-Mail: info@DickensonResearch.com Website: www.DickensonResearch.com/wcgen.htm

I was in the library here Friday and the 1930 census has been ordered for every Texas County. The film cost $25.00 a roll. That is a big chunk of money the library just spent. (For you NEWBIES) Remember this would make a great donation instead of sending flowers for a funeral or just to remember someone. I adopted the Shelby County Roll in honor of my stepdad for his birthday. I know he will be very proud of this when he gets the card in the mail announcing this. After all, he is the one who moved us to Montgomery County in 1957. "Remember, you are the history of Montgomery County". Jane Sanford Keppler sponsor for <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A> www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

Subj: [E-TX-R] Volunteers Preserve Local History Date: 4/13/02 10:16:30 AM Central Daylight Time From: <A HREF="mailto:schs@panola.cc.tx.us">schs@panola.cc.tx.us</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:EAST-TEXAS-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com">EAST-TEXAS-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com</A> Sent from the Internet (Details) VOLUNTEERS PRESERVE LOCAL HISTORY What is PIT? Passport in Time, also known as “PIT”, is a volunteer program, inviting the public to share in the thrill of discovery through archaeological and historic research. Forest Service Archaeologists and Historians guide volunteers in activities ranging from building restoration to rock art recording to archaeological site excavation. PIT is a national program comprised of over 40 “excavation oriented” projects from Alaska to Florida per year. One project was located in Shelby County on a recently discovered "lost" cemetery found on US Forest Service land just off FS 147 near Toledo Bend Reservior. Some 60 people from all over the United States spent the last week and a half clearing brush, taking measurements, photographing, recording field notes, using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and researching courthouse records on this lost cemetery now known as the Eddins Cemetery. Last Tuesday evening, the group enjoyed a BBQ chicken dinner with all the trimmings hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Martha Rushing, Tourism Committee chair, cordinated the arrangements along with John Warner for an enjoyable supper and evening in historic downtown Center. PIT volunteers were also treated to gift bags and free movie passes to the RIO Theater donated by the Shelby County Historical Society and Texas Forest Service. For further information on this project or the PIT program visit the Shelby County Historical Society's web site at www.panola.cc.tx.us/~schs.

This was in the Courier today.... A dedication ceremony recognizing Thomas Chapel United Methodist Church in Willis with an offical Texas Marker will be Sunday at 3:00 at 512 W Martin Luther King Blve in Willis. The TX Historical Commission is honoring Thomas Chapel United Methodist Church for playing an important part of local history. The first Methodist Church for blacks in Willis, Thomas Chapel ME was built oflogs and became a reality around 1867. The building was used as a school as well as a place of worship. The church is the oldest in Willis and records have indicated the church was there before Willis was established. call 936-344-6728 for more infomation. Some of us should go...... Jane Sanford Keppler 1613 N Thompson Conroe, TX 77301-1962 936-788-5364 cell: 936-520-2112 sponsor for <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A>

As most of you are probably aware of the new upcoming history books for Montgomery County Texas, help is needed. The cemetery committe consists of myself, Darlene Madeley Lee and Rita Yates Wiltz. What we want to do is start a scrapbook of pictures of as many cemeteries as we can get. Some of these pictures may get included in the new history book, but we just want to get ahold of pictures so they can be saved for the future. Most all cemeteries were in indexed around 1980-1981 so many need updating. As time permits, this is what we are working on. This has really been fun and we just found one not in the records earlier recorded. We hope to get this posted on the website soon. However, Darlene has a physical condition so she can't drive. After living here for 45 years, I will be moving to Austin soon. Rita is concentrating on the black communities. So our goal is the pictures as well as the history. SO...next time you are out in the cemeteries here in Montgomery County, please take a few pictures and mail them to Darlene Lee 29623 Binefield Spring TX 77386-2488 (email: darmadlee@hotmail.com) Thanks, "Remember, you are the history of Montgomery County". Jane Sanford Keppler sponsor for <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A> www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

MEETING THIS MONTH April 20 meeting at the lodge at 9:30 A. M. Program: "Planning a Family Reunion" Presenter: Sue Smith Coffee hostesses: Jenny Chastain and Vivian Cowart

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Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc. will meet April 1, 2002 at 6:30PM in the Montgomery County Library, Conroe, TX. San Jacinto county sponsor, Lynna Kay Shuffield will speak on "Historic Cemetery Preservation Projects".  How to clean, index cemeteries and prepare the paperwork to get Historic Cemetery designations. For more information or call 936-756-8625 or email: relppek@aol.com. Jane Sanford Keppler sponsor for  <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm">Montgomery Co. Gen. Index.</A> www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

Hi Everybody, I am interesting in finding out where, and if, the high schools in Montgomery County have archived their yearbooks. Would I be able to find these in the genealogy library in Conroe? My Dad and his sisters went to high school during the early 40's in Montgomery County. I would love a look at those annuals. Thanks, Glenda

REGULAR MEETINGS:  Third Saturday of each month except December, June, July, and August at 9:30 A. M.  We  meet at the Forrest Masonic Lodge #19 at 1030 Twelfth Street  in Huntsville unless otherwise announced. MEETING THIS MONTH March 16 meeting at the lodge at 9:30 A. M. Program: "LDS  Branch   Libraries" Presenter: Ynette  Boyce Coffee hostesses: Janet Gardner and Maurine Clayton

Does anyone know where the Dr. Isaiah HARLAN Mausoleum is in Willis, Montgomery Co., Texas? All I know is that he was buried on his own land that is now Willis Cemetery. It says that the Harlan Family reunion of Blue Ridge, Falls Co., Texas placed a memorial tombstone at the crumbling Mausoleum. His Mausoleum is in very poor condition from what I understand as it was made from handmade bricks. Dr. Isaiah HARLAN was my GGGG Grandfather and I was going to be up that way tomorrow and I was wanting to go by there and take pictures. Thank you for your time, Kay Cunningham kayandgary@aol.com

Hi Listers, Would anyone know how many volumes The History of Montgomery County? My Moorhead's are listed on the index but the page numbers are not included in the book. My guess is that the second volume is missing, there is a Vol 1A and 1B, or the Clayton library doesn't own it. Glenda