I Just Love the New Book Shelf, and other Genealogy Library Delights

The Western Reserve Historical Society, Archives and Library Division, was our destination today. And we had a wonderful experience researching manuscript family histories, new books just received, historical newspapers, letters and papers of ancestors, and even the Checker files in the extensive Automotive Collection.

On the new bookshelf was Dowers of Washington County TN (1803-1892). 2004. Written by Gary R. Toms (a colleague of mine in the American Family Records Association) and William R. Gann. Available from Little Miami Publishing Company, Milford OH 45150-0588. http://www.littlemiamibooks.com I quickly checked all my surnames of interest in East Tennessee and found several sections I wanted.

Ann K. Sindelar, the Reference supervisor, took Kathryn and I on a tour of the upper floors of the Society where some 90% of the collections are to be found:

1. about 5,800 original newspapers for Ohio communities (as seen on History Detectives)

2. 15,000 family histories including those available on microfiche, (as seen on History Detectives)

3. And 131 linear feet, ca. 1,350 volumes, of family histories of all sizes and many countries I personally would like to see digitized–what a great collection of genealogy data we could search online! One volume–over 4 inches thick– was a collection of fold-out descent pedigrees.

Be sure to check our Eastern Trip Photo Collection on our Home Page for a glimpse into the treasures found “upstairs” in the Western Reserve Historical Society. Kathryn will have the pictures posted by the weekend.  Tomorrow she visits the Cleveland Public Library History and Genealogy Department while I am attending my invitation-only Renegade Millionaire Marketing Meeting. Your favorite genealogist, Arlene Eakle

PS A highlight of my research today was the correspondence describing the identification of Cleveland cemeteries where three little Hoyt brothers lie buried–and how they were found.   I am hunting for a 3-year-old boy who died while traveling west on the overland train.  His heartsick parents halted their journey along enough to bury him in a Cleveland cemetery.  Then they took the next train to continue their journey. These are the genealogy gems to be found onsite in research libraries all across our big, wide country. And these are usually not found on the internet. They lie hidden in family files. And you know how I feel about family files.

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