Uncovering World War I Genealogy Resources

Mark your calendars for 11:00 AM November 8th at the Main Library. Patricia Van Skaik will discuss some of the little-known resources available to those researching ancestors who may have served in World War I.

The library is home to numerous Grave Registration Cards that may include personal information about the veteran, as well as the funeral home used and the location of his grave. Rare books include clippings from contemporary newspapers that provide the reader with a picture of how the isolationists of the time felt about our country involving itself in a "European" war.

Rare Newspaper Clippings Housed at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Hope to see you there.

Submitted by Kathy Reed

Celebrate Family History Month at the Public Library

*Co-Sponsored by the Hamilton County Genealogical Society

Saturday, October 6

Day with the Experts*
Main Library, Genealogy and Local History Department
Family History Month kickoff event features tours, classes, presentations, and free genealogy consultations with experts.

Tours—10:00 a.m. and Noon
Discover the Library’s top ranked and vast family history resources through a guided tour.

Researching Your Civil War Ancestor Online—11:00 a.m.
Join technology expert and professional genealogist Liz Stratton as she presents online sources and strategies for Civil War genealogy research, along with additional historical, photographic and military resources available on the web.

Individual Consultation with Experts—Noon–2:00 p.m.
Need assistance getting started or finding an elusive ancestor or record? Twenty experts with specializations including African American, German, and Irish genealogy as well as land records, maps, and newspapers share their expertise.

General William Haines Lytle—2 p.m.
Mike Rhein of the Cincinnati Civil War Roundtable presents the life of Cincinnati’s legendary military officer, Congressmen and poet.  

Saturday, October 27

Genealogy Lock-In*—6:30–11:30 p.m.
Registration is required
Join fellow genealogists for after-hours research at the Main Library.

During the lock-in, HCGS Tech Programs will have a series of 'Taste of Tech' programs in the Computer Lab. Each program will be 10-15 minutes long. Topics include:  Creating Genealogical Bookmarks, Google+ for Genealogists, Introduction to Family History Blogging, Name Search Strategies and Using the HCGS Google Calendar to Get Event Reminders. 

Introductory Genealogy at Branch Libraries
October 8     Symmes Township Branch—7:00 p.m.*
October 15   Covedale Branch—6:00 p.m.*
October 20   Groesbeck Branch—2:00 p.m.
October 22   Miami Township Branch—6:00 p.m.*

Main Library
800 Vine Street
(513) 369-6900
www.CincinnatiLibrary.org

Information provided by Chris Smith, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) - Samford

Irish Group 2011

This past summer, Mary Ann Faloon and I  had the pleasure of attending the Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR). IGHR provides week-long intensive genealogical training at Samford University.

The experience was somewhat of a cross between a monk-like sabbatical and a college road trip! Mary Ann and I had a great time on the drive down and back and at the sessions. As we approached the campus memories of college  intruded - traipsing down the hall to take a shower was not at the top of my list of pleasurable memories!  We were pleasantly surprised to see that the dorm rooms had in-room bath and shower facilities. Although spartan, the rooms were clean and welcoming. It was a nice change to have all meals provided in the dining hall!

Military 2 Group

The experience was wonderful - genealogy from sun-up to sun-down! Meals were spent meeting other participants and talking about, what else, genealogy! We met many old friends and made new ones. I now have a face to go with the name 'Dear Myrt'!  Next year HCGS is the local sponsor of the The National Genealogical Society Conference giving us all the chance to immerse ourselves in genealogy in the Queen City.  We look forward to hosting our genealogy friends and meeting HCGS members from across the country.

In the meantime, there is a great line-up of local events to keep us happy, including two presentations this Saturday, September 24.  At 11 am Doug Magee will feature the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Map Collection and at 2 pm, Kathy Reed will give an introduction to blogging.  Hope to see you!

Many more events are planned for later this Fall, see the Calendar for further details.

A Great Day at the Library

Kenny Burck

There was a lot happening today at the Main Branch of the Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.  The Hamilton County Genealogical Society sponsored a presentation by Kenny Burck, Chapter President, and Barbara Gargiulo of Little Miami Publishing Co.  The two discussed what you would need to know and do should you want to publish a family history.

Barbara Gargiulo

About thirty people took advantage of their expertise. Kenny discussed the steps that he took when attempting to compile his initial book. He also discussed the necessity of coming up with a marketing plan in order to decide how many copies you would like to publish. He has plans to eventually publish eight volumes.

Barbara gave us handouts detailing the "parts of a book" and how to go about the writing process. She discussed the difference between a "printer" and a "publisher." We learned about how ISBN numbers (International Standard Book Number) and Library of Congress Catalog Numbers (LCCN) are assigned to books upon publication. A lot of decisions must be made including the cover material, type of binding, and the minimum scanning requirements for pictures.  Publishers can assist you in making those decisions.

Several of us chose to stay for the afternoon dedication of the new interactive exhibit of one of Cincinnati's major treasures.  On September 24, 1848, Charles Fontayne and William Porter set up their specially-designed camera and took a picture of the Cincinnati cityscape.  At the time, Cincinnati was the nation's sixth largest city. The picture, taken  from a rooftop in Newport, panned across the Ohio River and included two-miles of the Cincinnati riverfront. The image was comprised of eight separate plates.

There are two interactive displays -- one housed in the Main Floor Atrium and the other in the Cincinnati Room just steps away from the 3rd Floor Genealogy and History Department.  Patrons are able to click on touch screens to access high-definition images of specific locations within the daguerreotype.  Not only are you able to zoom in on digital images up to 32 times the size of the original, but the images are linked to related portraits, newspaper articles, documents and maps.  This is not a static display.  Library patrons can submit artifacts for possible inclusion.

Our own Patricia Van Skaik was part of a panel of leaders who participated in the dedication ceremony.  The Atrium was filled with library patrons who understood the value of this priceless piece of Cincinnati history.  The original plates are on permanent display in the Cincinnati Room in a specially-designed case.

For more information on this project, please go to this link:  Cincinnati Panorama of 1848.