Great day for an Archives visit...

How Great it is to be able to help out someone with some local info. Today I had my first real visit to an Archives building. The local county Archives is located just a few miles from my house. I had no idea they were there until a few weeks ago when I went to my local library history room and a sign was posted that said, "Some of our files have moved to the Archives Building." 

I said, Oh! hmm, I had no idea there was one. For those of you who've also not been to one, it's like a little piece of Genealogical heaven. There are files and boxes and loose papers, and old books and very large books and itty bitty books and dust and wow... just wow. I was amazed really. 

Our Archives had local information, so as far as I know, I didn't personally have anything to look up there. I'm very grateful that I got to go looking for information for someone else and I hope I get to go back soon enough. It definitely gives me a great idea of what to look for if and when I make it to any other Archives in the state or other states for that matter. 

If you don't know, Archives make money from people who'd like to purchase copies of things (and donations as well as governmental funding). They generally charge per item. In my case it's around 30 cents, but the Archivist said it's just easier to round it down to 25 cents each and for the most part that's what he charges. The Archivist will also take a photo of any larger items for you for a dollar a piece. That's a great thing to know!  They were also very helpful with helping me find what I want and within a few minutes of being in the building, they had my table stacked up to above my head of information!  They had lockers available to put your stuff in, as you are not allowed to bring in binders or purses or computers, pens or paper. BUT you can bring in a camera and a cell phone. For no charge, I was able to take a digital picture with my phone and a special app to combine items into pdf files then I emailed them to myself. 

I happened to be in the building when a reporter was interviewing some older members of a local school. They were the first class to graduate in the new building. It was interesting listening to their stories and musings as I dug in to the wonderful records of information. 

If you get the chance , find your nearest Records and Archives administration building. I promise you will not regret it and I know you will enjoy your adventures in genealogy!!