Manasota PAF News
Nov  2001 -  Volume 8 Issue 2 - A publication of the Manasota PAF User Group, Bradenton, Florida

See also: Part 1
  • What's New at Wholly Genes Part II
  • Kindergarten Pedigrees
  • Library of Congress' K-12 Web Site
  • Managing Computer Viruses
   Part 2   (THIS IS IT!)

Public Library Sources by Pat Richley DearMYRTLE@aol.com

DearREADERS,
You have written inquiring about public library resources, and oddly enough that is this week's scheduled topic for the Beginning Genealogy Lesson. Of course since the size and scope of collections vary from one public library to another, you'll just have to review the card catalog to investigate the holdings of libraries in your region of country.

Typically public libraries with some interest in genealogy will have something on these topics:

Be sure to look in the reference section, not just the genealogy department.

Our small library in Bradenton, Florida has the complete 1850 US Federal census on microfilm because the local genealogy society purchased it for the collection. The Orlando Public Library has ALL US Federal census microfilms, many census index books, but none of the soundex microfilms because they take up more space than the census microfilms and there simply wasn't room!

Case in Point - Bartow, Florida Library has North Carolina & Baltimore, Maryland Info

A friend is just beginning to look at original documents to prove the family relationships his mother has collected and entered into PAF Personal Ancestral File (genealogy program).  Despite being in a Florida library (Bartow), we found information on his ancestors who are from:

Florida: Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough & Leon  counties
Louisiana 
North Carolina - Caswell County
Maryland - early Baltimore County

We found that the reference librarian of the Eaton Florida Room of the Manatee Central Public Library had copied all Manatee County US Federal Census pages from microfilm, and placed them in binders on the shelf. We also found a typescript of local cemetery inscriptions, along with extensive details for the location and description of each cemetery. We've got about 23 previously unknown grave sites to visit and photograph to add to the family history.

We were delighted to find 2 index books for North Carolina wills, with several entries for his ancestors, as well as others with the same unusual last name. We photocopied all likely index entries, as well as the title page of the book for proper bibliographic citation. To learning more about the family relationships of these NC "possible" ancestors, we plan to order the microfilm of the original wills from the local LDS Family History Center.

At this Florida library we found "Baltimore County Families 1659-1759" by Robert W. Barnes. (Genealogical Publishing Company) had information on the POTEET/POTEE/POTEET family, including the a man whose daughter was listed in his will as listed as Rebecca FOVY or FOYY.  We have family bible info about the wife of our Thomas FOY who married a Rebecca PUTTEE who died in Trenton, Jones, North Carolina in 1785, and was reputed to have been born in Baltimore circa 1705. This is a strong lead, owing to the unusual surnames, and the typical migration patterns I've had experience with. Experienced researchers realize that spelling of names can vary, and these two are close enough to warrant further research!

FOY - FOVY or FOYY

PUTTEE - POTEET/POTEE/POTEET

Try to locate the library's card catalog online BEFORE visiting.

As the federal government's goal of having every local public library "online" reaches farther into the hidden corners of our country, we're finding that library catalogs are easier to locate in advance of a research trip. Print out the items you know you'll want to review once you arrive!

Local Societies Can Play a Big Role
Most local genealogy societies have a team of members who act as volunteers at their local public library. They may publish a special catalog of genealogy holdings, maintain an obit index for the local newspaper at the library, volunteer to reshelf books or assist patrons in the genealogy section of the library, etc. Well-organized reference librarians will provide a map and handout describing the scope of the genealogy materials available. Society members tend to know which libraries in the county or adjoining counties will have additional resources of interest to family historians.

Additionally, a public library may elect to belong to:

Microfilm Lending Program

Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan (ILL) - OCLC is a computer database that assists you in finding books on genealogy, regimental histories and manuscripts through First Search, using the World Catalog. This is often available at local public library, and through LUIS terminals at university libraries. You can find where a book on a desired topic is held, and determine if that library will loan through interlibrary loan. You copy the information, and ask the reference librarian at your public library to process your interlibrary loan request.

Some ILL participating libraries will lend books to your local library, but not permit you to remove the book from the library. I heard of someone who was able to locate a priceless book published in the mid 1800s in Scotland. Because of the interlibrary loan process, he was able to study the book without having to travel to Glasgow for the honor. Of course at the time he was the director of Special Collections at the University of South Florida Library. Perhaps he was "trusted" more than the average library patron?

You Never Know What You'll Find!
I have been quite fortunate as I've traveled with Audrey and Barbara to small southern libraries (Bartow, FL and Griffith, GA come to mind). Oddly enough, I've found things on my New York and Pennsylvania ancestors! I guess someone donated the books to the library? Or perhaps a group of transplanted northerners showed an interest in researching those states?

Vertical Files
When I go to a library, I make a point to check the vertical files first, since these folders contain unique letters, flyers, and photocopies of items not readily found elsewhere. For instance, at the State Library of Pennsylvania, I found handwritten letters dating to the 1930s where individuals wrote detailing three or four generations and asked that the information be included in the library. These are priceless first hand reports of family relationships -- names, dates, localities. They simply would not have been available to me if I hadn't checked those vertical files.

Other than that, you'll just have to dive in and investigate!

For Further Reading:

Volunteer "Librarians"  by Pat Richley DearMYRTLE@aol.com

As mentioned in the previous article, volunteers from a local genealogy society can certainly provide on-site assistance to researchers at the local public library. Recently the Manasota Genealogical Society decided to provide free sample family group sheets and pedigree charts to researchers at the Manatee Central Library in Bradenton, Florida. About 50 of each are displayed with a page-protected original in document holders that sit on the top of the half-height shelving in the middle of the department. Even if the supply runs out, the display looks good, and the patron can elect to make his own copies using the original.  Two 2-ring binders provide:

All items are labeled "provided by the Manasota Genealogical Society which meets the first Wednesday of the month's October-May at 10am in the library's auditorium." We're hoping this educational outreach program will help someone who visits the genealogy department even when a society volunteer "librarian" is not on duty.  We want things to be friendly and believe these helpful items will encourage family history research.

Windows Tip - Adjusting Your Screen Saver  by Pat Richley DearMYRTLE@aol.com

Long ago, in a distant land, we had old-timey computer monitors with black screens and either green or amber text. We noticed as the months of blissful computer usage sailed by that there was a "ghost" or imprint on the inside glass of the monitor itself. That gosh was the main screen of our most-used software program. Screen savers were initially developed to change the view on the screen for the hundreds of hours we might be away from our desks, with the computer still on.  It kinda "mixed up the molecules" or something, to ensure that we would have no more ghosted imprints spoiling the quality of output on our comptuer screen  (NOTE: they didn't do away with other computer gremlins such as viruses, and general protection faults -- darn it!)

That was then, this is now. We no longer need screen savers to protect our monitors from destruction. Now, they are used to add beauty and calmness to our lives, as well as provide casual privacy or even password-protected access to our computer should we step away from our computer desk for anything over 1 minute.

So how to you turn on the Screen Saver?  Use the right mouse button to click once on your computer's "desktop." Select Properties, and then click the SCREEN SAVER TAB. 

It will look something like this, depending on your version of Windows. (Mine is Windows98.)

Notice the variety of options here to set the desired screen saver, etc.

1. Click the down-arrow button to select a screen saver from the drop-down list.

2. Specify special settings such as colors, text and font size & style by clicking the "SETTINGS" button.

3. The "PREVIEW" button allow you to view the selected settings in full screen format. I usually rely on the mini-display monitor in the screen saver dialog box.

4. It is possible to add a "PASSWORD" by clicking to insert a check mark in position 4 on the screen. But then you'd have to type in that password every time the screen saver kicks in. I never use a screen saver password. At the local county sheriff's office, their network system requires it.

5. There is a difference between setting the energy saving features to power down your monitor, and the time for the screen saver to kick in. (See circled portion of the screen.)  You might set your screen saver to go on in 10 minutes, and your energy saver to power-down your monitor after 1 hour.

Reactivating your computer screen is as easy as moving your mouse. (Don't press ENTER, or you might be adding a blank line or choosing an option you aren't aware of.)  Moving the mouse:

Sometimes we need to turn off our screen savers, for instance when performing a scandisk or deferag. You would follow these steps, but select the screen saver "(NONE)" which appears at the top of the list in position one on the diagram. Then you'd have to go back in and choose a screen saver once your scandisk and defrag operations are complete. This is DOABLE!  Not to worry!

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