I remember the very first time that I was going to a building that held records. I know it sounds impossible but I was very intimidated. I didn't know what I was doing at the time. I had no clue about proper source citations or how to find what it was I really needed. That first building was Muskogee, Oklahoma Library Research room. Lucky for me, I had the help of a great women there who asked me the questions she needed to help me out. With her help, I was able to locate the records of burial for the great grandparents of my spouse's father. Back in 1997 there wasn't really much "online" research going on. What we had was oral histories and papers that were handed down through the family so looking in a brick and mortar building was really a valuable resource. Now 21 years later, we do a good deal of research online but do you know that it's estimated that only 10% of historical records are online? Isn't that astounding knowing that I spend 90% of my current research online!? In 2013, I made a trip to a nearby county and spent the weekend researching my ancestors in that town and nearby towns. Perry County, Alabama's courthouse contains a small repository of their documents that are open for research. This time, I really wasn't prepared for the smell. People tell you all the time to make sure you take your allergy meds before you go, take some tissues and if you're really sensitive, a mask is a good option. The first room was a 8 x maybe 10 room with land records in books just like this. I didn't take photos in there because people were all standing around and I didn't want to mess with photo releases for them. The second room seen here was empty, apparently less visited. These were birth, marriage and probate records from very early on. As I was going through things, I wondered exactly where everything else was. Here is the size of the room. My back literally was standing against the door. For a county that was so old, where were the rest of the items? So I went out to ask the lady at the desk. Well there was a whole other room of things that were not quite as nicely preserved as the ones in the two rooms I was in already. meShe directed me down a dark flight of cement stairs, had me sign in a book and then said... "Don't try to look for an index. They aren't in any order, are all in pretty bad shape and good luck with whatever it is you are looking for." It was the basement. If the smell upstairs was surprising, the one downstairs was more like a thousand zombies. Wow. I wish I had taken more images down there. But I didn't know what to look at first or where to even begin. There were items that probably didn't need to be down there, but some of the oldest records were here. Some law books, some user contributed items, and a lot of stuff in boxes. It was pretty crazy. The point I'm making here is that so much of the items we need and want are still not available to the public. Because of that, I'm going to do a mini-series blog event on Archives and their Documents!! Over the next couple months, I'll explore with you what to do when you go to a repository building, where to find items that will help you in your research and maybe we may even get some live video on facebook (If I'm having a good hair day....) LOL If you've not already liked my facebook page, click the link to the right with the icon and join in the conversation! I'm excited about this one! Leave some feedback of what you'd like to know! Let's get out there and Enjoy our Adventures In Genealogy!
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AuthorMichele is an obsessed mother of 4 residing in North Alabama. Hobbies include long walks in the woods, on the beach and in strange cemeteries and libraries. Genealogy friends need only apply. Categories
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