Taking Part in an Indexing Project

Liz Stratton

In an earlier post, Liz Stratton invited members of the Hamilton County Genealogical Society to participate in an indexing project as part of "Make a Difference Day."  The event was held in conjunction with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.  Volunteers reported to the Technology Lab adjacent to the Genealogy and History Department of the Main Library.  Liz was able to explain the procedures and we were all able to participate with little difficulty and not much of a learning curve -- even Kenny!!



Deb Cyprich and Kenny Burck

Our task was to index records compiled for Columbia Township dating back to the early 1800s.  "Earmarks" were recorded from as early as 1793!  (I learned that in this case, "earmarks" are cuts or marks in the ears of animals made to show ownership -- not to funds allocated for specific projects by legislators).

 By the end of the day, I think all of us felt comfortable with the task.  Many of us took additional pages that we could continue to index from home.  (In my case, that means from the comfort of my recliner, laptop on lap). 

I'm hoping as time goes on, more and more of us will feel comfortable taking on these projects.  I truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with other Chapter members in a low-stress, friendly environment.  I look forward to participating in this and other similar projects.



May 2011 Tracer is now available online

The May 2011 edition of the Tracer is now available  online.  Members and e-members can now download the edition at the main HCGS website.  From the Members Page, click on the link to proceed to members' pages.  Once you have signed in, scroll down to locate the May Tracer edition.

Make-a-Difference Day, May 7, 11 am - 4 pm

Make a Difference Day (MADD) will be held on May 7 from 11 am – 4 pm in the Technology Room on the third floor of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (PLCH). Every year the Chapter does a volunteer indexing project to improve access to local records for the benefit of genealogists. This year we will be stepping back in time nearly 200 years to index Columbia Township, records. Space in the Technology Room is limited so please contact the Library at 369-6905 to reserve a computer – it is not necessary for you to stay the entire time.

Columbia Township, Hamilton County, Ohio Record Book is a typescript of original Columbia Township records. Selected pages were transcribed by the Library and bound in 1934. The book includes earmarks, estrays, tax lists, school district boundary descriptions, indentures, militia lists, voting lists, warnings out-of-town and who knows what else we might discover! Amazingly, the earmark lists date back to 1791 with other notations beginning in 1801. An 1833 indenture gives the flavor of the times with the indentured man agreeing “not [to] contract in matrimony during said term. Taverns or alehouse or places of gaming he shall not frequent . . .” This will be a fun set of records to index!

We are experimenting with a new indexing process for MADD. Rather than index on paper and typing the entries later, we will be using computers in the technology room to directly enter the information using online forms. (Paper will be on hand just in case there are problems!) This will also make it possible for people to participate from home or use their own laptop computer at the library. If you are interested in participating from a distance, please contact Liz Stratton at HCOGSIndexing@gmail.com.

HCGS Annual Seminar with Craig Roberts Scott

Earlier today at the Mill Race Center in Winton Woods, the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, in conjunction with the Butler and Clermont County Genealogical Societies, sponsored its Annual Seminar.  Craig Roberts Scott, a nationally-recognized speaker on military topics, discussed how to trace your Civil War ancestor.  He also helped us understand the records that are available for compiling a military service record and how to obtain records that go beyond the information available in a Pension Record.

The Hamilton County Genealogical Society also presented several awards.  Judge James Cissell was recognized for his leadership in making Probate Court and other records available online.

Jim Dempsey presents certificate to Judge James Cissell

Several others were presented with Certificates of Appreciation by Chapter President Kenny Burck.  Among those in attendance were:  Doug Magee and Colleen Phillips of the Genealogy and Local History Department of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Co. Library, David Pittinger and John Tholking.

Kenny Burck and Doug Magee

Kenny Burck and Colleen Phillips

Kenny Burck and David Pittinger

Kenny Burck and John Tholking

Taking the Plunge -- Becoming a Blog Contributor

Two years ago, the Hamilton County Genealogical Society invited John Philip Coletta to speak at its Annual Chapter Seminar. John shared so much with us that day, but the takeaway message for me was to try to figure out a way to share my family's history.  On his website, John states:

My goal is to help family historians optimize their efforts to uncover and write the stories of their forebears, and to enjoy all along the way the pleasure and humor of the journey.

As I listened to the presentations that day, I was challenged to consider the best way that I could share my family history with my extended family and friends.  I had been researching my family for about eight years by now and was in possession of numerous documents, pictures and artifacts.  With a fair amount of fear and uncertainty, I decided that a "blog" may be the perfect vehicle.  But how do you go about it?

In the two years since I began blogging, much more help is available. I recently discovered Lisa Louise Cook and her website Genealogy Gems. Lisa has made a series of youtube videos that explain exactly how to go about creating your own blog.  One of the advantages of a video is that you can play parts of it over and over until you are comfortable with the content.  After you are up and running, you can move onto parts 2, 3 and 4.



As a relatively new member of the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, I am constantly impressed with the expertise of its members.  It is my hope that this blog will become one more vehicle for sharing that expertise.  I encourage you to leave comments, ask for help and sign up to be a contributor.

Kathy Reed

April 2011 Gazette Now Available!

The April, 2011 issue of The Gazette is now available in the members-only area of the Hamilton County, Ohio Genealogical Society website.  Electronic memberships in the society are $10 and give members all the benefits of full membership except printed and mailed copies of the The Gazette and The Tracer.  All members can view these publications on the website.

Welcome to the Hamilton County Genealogical Society Blog!

Over the years, genealogy has evolved.  Increasingly more and more information is available to the genealogist online. There are opportunities to discover "cousins" through lists, and contact those researching common ancestors through Ancestry.  Blogs and wikis have enabled family historians to share their stories and collaborate with other family members.  But all of this new technology, while opening doors, can be intimidating to the uninitiated.

It was felt by a few of us that the time was right to create a blog dedicated to supporting the interests and needs of members of the Hamilton County Genealogical Society.  Many of our Chapter's members do not live in Hamilton County and may find a blog the perfect vehicle for sharing interests and working with other members of the Chapter.  Others may have created family history blogs of their own featuring Hamilton County ancestors and want to share them with others.  Some may want to increase their comfort level with these new technologies and want to learn from others who may have navigated the waters before them.  Still others may wonder what a "blog" is and have no idea how it could be useful.  We hope to address many of those needs.

Liz Stratton and Kathy Reed have volunteered to facilitate this effort.  We are seeking "authors" who would like to contribute articles to this blog pertaining to their own research, the use of technology in genealogy, or links to their own family history blogs.  We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the tabs at the top of the blog, still under construction.  Should you want to join us, please contact Kathy Reed at khreed@cinci.rr.com and put HCGS in the subject line.

Both Liz and I are interested in your feedback and open to your ideas.  Liz has also volunteered to chair an interest group for members interested in how technology can contribute to genealogy.  We are looking for other like-minded members to join us in this effort.

Welcome aboard as together we navigate the world that is 21st Century genealogy.

Kathy Reed
khreed@cinci.rr.com
513-936-8494