OhiogGenealogyBlog Welcomes Ohio'sGenealogyBlog

The State Library of Ohio has recently created a blog entitled "Ohio's Genealogy Blog." This blog is intended for Ohio's genealogical community as a service of the State Library of Ohio. Postings will focus on assisting Ohio librarians serving genealogists and promoting virtual genealogy in Ohio. State Library of Ohio Genealogy Specialist Paul Immel will be posting comments about research, issues, events, and the future of virtual genealogy.

“We recognize that genealogy is one of the fastest growing hobbies among all age groups in the U.S. Librarians are being asked to assist these customers in their search for their ancestors, said State Librarian Jo Budler. “We hope that this blog will allow librarians to communicate best practices and research tips, all to the end of assisting one another in providing ever-improving library service to our customers.”

The State Library of Ohio transferred its genealogy collection to the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Genealogy, History and Travel Department on April 19, 2007. While the State Library no longer serves walk-ins or corresponding genealogy patrons, it continues to promote genealogy virtually. As both a Federal and State of Ohio depository, the library will continue access to genealogical and local historical information through its documents collection. Go to http://statelibraryohiogen.blogspot.com/ .

Source: http://winslo.state.oh.us/

Note that this is not OhioGenealogyBlog, which is what you are reading now. OhioGenealogyBlog is the blog of Wally Huskonen and is not affiliated with any institution.

NARA Announces New File Ordering Fees Effective Oct. 1, 2007

For several months, we’ve known that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) was going to raise the fees for orders of records. When plans were first announced for increases, genealogists were very upset at the high proposed prices. Now, we know that when the new fees go into effect, they won’t be as bad as originally proposed.

For example, effective Oct. 1, NARA will charge $75 for a Civil War pension file of up to 100 pages, plus $.65 per additional page (for longer files, staff will contact the requestor with a price quote before filling the order). NARA will charge $50 for pre-Civil War pension files regardless of page count, and $.75 per page to copy other records.

While still a steep increase from the current $37 for a Civil War pension file, these fees are less than the $125 and $60 NARA originally proposed for Civil War and pre-Civil War pensions, respectively.

A word to the wise, if you had good intentions of ordering ancestor files from NARA, save some money by doing so before October 1.

See the NARA website (www.nara.gov) for ordering instructions.

OGS Mail Affected by Flooding in Mansfield

Ohio Genealogy Society Library Director Tom Neel reports that the post office in Mansfield was flooded during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 21, and that OGS probably will have “some problems with our post office mail for a few days.”

The flooding in Mansfield occurred in the northeastern part of the city. OGS is south of Mansfield and was not affected by flooding.

Neel reports: “We had several minor ceiling leaks in the library but seem to have caught them all and nothing was damaged.”

Curt Witcher to Lecture at 2007 Tri-C GO Seminar

Curt B. Witcher, MLS, manager of the all-new Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne IN is the featured speaker at the 2007 Tri-C GO Annual Family History Benefit Seminar. The seminar will be held at the Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake OH on Saturday, September 29th. Doors open at 9 a.m.; seminar 9:15 – 3:30.

Witcher will cover four topics:
1) Passenger & Immigration Research: Leaving, Arriving and Setting Down;
2) The Road Not Taken: Mega Internet Sites for Genealogists Off the Beaten Path;
3) Historical Research Methodology: Using the Process to Find All the Answers; and 4) Effective Use of the Allen Co. Public Library Genealogy Department (and other libraries) for Genealogical Research.

Jayne Broestl, seminar chair, expressed how pleased the Cuyahoga West Chapter OGS was to have Curt Witcher in Cleveland for this annual seminar. In addition to his association with the Allen County Public Library, he is founding president and current regional director of the Indiana Genealogical Society, a Fellow of Utah Genealogical Association, a Federation of Genealogical Societies director, is widely influential in genealogy, and a speaker of national repute. His informative and entertaining lectures are always in great demand. Seating is limited, pre-registration is strongly recommended.

Donation before September 15th is $20; add a $5 late fee after that date or at the door. Checks should be made payable to Cuyahoga West Chapter OGS and mailed to: CCCGO Seminar, c/o 1637 Westhill Blvd., Westlake OH 44145-2515. For more information call 440-899-9201.

Coffee and donuts furnished in the morning; beverages at lunch. Brown bag or order from Picc-A-Deli Café at the library by calling 440-808-3354 w/credit card before Thursday, September 27th.

The seminar is sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Council of Genealogical Organizations (CCCGO), a coalition of the genealogical groups in the Cuyahoga County area. Proceeds will benefit OGS, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cuyahoga County Archives, Fairview Park Library, and Porter Library. Genealogical Research Libraries. The host group is the Cuyahoga West Chapter OGS.

George Schweitzer Featured at OGS Fall Seminar

Popular genealogy lecturer George K. Schweitzer will present three lectures and conduct an open discussion hour during the Ohio Genealogical Society’s 2008 Fall Seminar scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. The seminar will be held at the James W. Kehoe Center for Advanced Learning of North Central State College Shelby Campus. The address of the center is 175 Mansfield Street (SR 39), Shelby, Ohio.

Attending the seminar is a perfect way to celebrate October as Family History Month.

Dr. Schweitzer will present the following lectures: Civil War Genealogy (done in Union and Confederate costumes), Cherokee Genealogy Research (done in Cherokee costume), and Rivers to Trails to Roads to Canals to Trains (done in railroad engineer costume).

He has lectured to over 200 genealogical and historical societies in the United States, Canada, England, and Germany. He is an Alumni Distinguished Professor at the University of Tennessee and holds several degrees in chemistry and history.
Following the open discussion hour, attendees are invited to meet and further discuss genealogy with Dr. Schweitzer at a free, post-conference open house reception at the OGS Library in Mansfield.

The registration fee for the conference is $30 for OGS members who sign up and pay by October 1. The fee for registration at the door and for any non-members is $35.
Mail your name, address, city/state/zip, with a check or credit card number and expiration date to the Ohio Genealogical Society, 713 South Main St., Mansfield, OH 44907-1644, or by email to ogs@ogs.org. You may also phone the society at 419-756-7294.