The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company created maps of cities for use by fire insurance companies beginning in 1867. The University of Missouri has digitized the existing Sanborn maps for Poplar Bluff for various years between 1892 through 1917. These maps can be searched or browsed by visiting the University of Missouri Digital Library website.
These maps give you a glimpse of how the downtown area grew and changed over a 25 year period. This information has great historical importance since so much of that area was destroyed by the 1927 tornado.
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Saturday, March 3, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Don't Be Left Out of the Butler County History Book!
You have ONE month left to compose your piece of history to be published in the "Butler County, Missouri Family History Book, Vol. III". March 31st is the last day for submissions!
The Butler County Genealogy Society is sponsoring, compiling, and publishing a new book, "Butler County, Missouri Family History Book, Vol. III". This book will include the history of Butler County including family histories, communities, churches, schools, businesses, farms, memorials, tributes, clubs, organizations, and much more.
Flyers are available in the Genealogy Reference area. Information is provided on how to submit an entry and ordering information to purchase the book in advance. A limited number of copies will be printed, determined in part by prepublication orders. Submissions MUST be received by March 31, 2012.
Additional information and questions may be submitted to committee chairman Brenda Sheridan at butlercountyhistory@gmail.com.
The Butler County Genealogy Society is sponsoring, compiling, and publishing a new book, "Butler County, Missouri Family History Book, Vol. III". This book will include the history of Butler County including family histories, communities, churches, schools, businesses, farms, memorials, tributes, clubs, organizations, and much more.
Flyers are available in the Genealogy Reference area. Information is provided on how to submit an entry and ordering information to purchase the book in advance. A limited number of copies will be printed, determined in part by prepublication orders. Submissions MUST be received by March 31, 2012.
Additional information and questions may be submitted to committee chairman Brenda Sheridan at butlercountyhistory@gmail.com.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Time travel with the PB Jr. High School
Ever wonder what Poplar Bluff looked like when your family members came to town? What did they see walking down the street? For some, it's just a stroll down memory lane. Take a trip to yesteryear with the help of the Poplar Bluff Junior High school's website!
You will find photos and postcards of schools, churches, businesses, railroad and river scenes and many other subjects, as well as photos of the devastating damage from the tornado in 1927. If you have something to share, you can even submit your own.
This is a great way to put your family's life into perspective with images from the late 1800's and going through the 1950's. It's the next best thing we have in lieu of time travel, allowing us to see how they lived "back then".
You will find photos and postcards of schools, churches, businesses, railroad and river scenes and many other subjects, as well as photos of the devastating damage from the tornado in 1927. If you have something to share, you can even submit your own.
This is a great way to put your family's life into perspective with images from the late 1800's and going through the 1950's. It's the next best thing we have in lieu of time travel, allowing us to see how they lived "back then".
Monday, February 27, 2012
Read Across America Day - March 2nd
It's not too late, there's still time to pledge to read on March 2nd!
Poplar Bluff will join millions of readers across the country to celebrate the 12th annual Read Across America Day on March 2nd, which falls on Dr. Seuss's 108th birthday. To honor the good doctor and celebrate the fun and value of reading, the Poplar Bluff Public Library is asking you to join bringing a nation of readers together under one red and white stovepipe hat made famous by Dr. Seuss. -- (From the library website.)
Pledging to read is NOT a commitment to read AT the library (though you certainly may), it is just a commitment to read ON March 2nd. And best of all: it's FREE! Just come in and checkout a book to take home or sit and enjoy a magazine in one of the big, comfy chairs.
Of course, shelves of Genealogy Reference books are just waiting to be used in your family research! (Read Across America - Genealogy Style!!)
Of course, shelves of Genealogy Reference books are just waiting to be used in your family research! (Read Across America - Genealogy Style!!)
You may signup for Read Across America Day online through the library's website.
Happy reading!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
1940 Census Official Homepage
The National Archives has launched the official homepage for the upcoming release of the 1940 Census. Currently the page only lists the release date (April 2, 9 AM Eastern), a link to the main National Archives website, and a short informational video. The video contains vintage footage and interviews with Archives staff describing how they have been preparing for the release. Follow this link and bookmark it so you'll be ready: http://1940census.archives.gov/
The countdown continues!!
The countdown continues!!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Library subscription databases - HeritageQuest
Why spend money on expensive genealogy databases when the library already provides access? Two of the most heavily used databases we subscribe to are HeritageQuest and Ancestry.com. Each have their own strengths and weaknesses but together, they provide quality resources for any genealogist. (I'm leaving the primary discussion of Ancestry.com for a future posting.)
One of the greatest features of using HeritageQuest (yes, it really is one word) is its availability to patrons for home use, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It's available whenever you are. While away the night performing searches if you can't sleep or maybe you're stuck inside during inclement weather, it's available for you to use! It must be accessed through our website with your library card number. (Don't have a library card? Find out how to get one here.) Links to access HeritageQuest are available on the databases webpage and the genealogy webpage. Once logged in, you have access to:
To me, the largest weakness of HeritageQuest is the lack of indexing availabe for four of the censuses, especially the 1850 (the first every-name census) and the 1930 census (the most recent release to date, but not for long!). This is where Ancestry.com clearly comes out ahead.
Another area that I feel conflicted about in using HeritageQuest for census research is its "exact" search only feature. It will only search for exactly what you put into the search box. If you mistype something, if there are possibly alternate spellings, or if the transcriber made a mistake due to poor image quality, you may come up empty handed. Ancestry.com can be configured to do exact searches only or "fuzzy" searches, therefore giving you alternate leads. But if you're convinced someone is located in a specific state and/or county, HeritageQuest is great for given-name searches.
For example, you can search all the residents of Butler County Missouri in the 1870 Census with the name "George". There are 11,421 in Missouri but only 36 in Butler County. It's a great alternative for searching misspelled surnames. Searching for "George" in our example reveals how this can help. There are two George's with similar surnames, PEDIGO and PETIGO. They may or may not be related but searching with only an exact search would have eliminated one (or both if you consider neither spelling correct).
If you have any questions or problems accessing HeritageQuest, please give us a call at 573-686-8639 or stop in to see us and we'll help you get connected to those relatives of long ago.
One of the greatest features of using HeritageQuest (yes, it really is one word) is its availability to patrons for home use, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It's available whenever you are. While away the night performing searches if you can't sleep or maybe you're stuck inside during inclement weather, it's available for you to use! It must be accessed through our website with your library card number. (Don't have a library card? Find out how to get one here.) Links to access HeritageQuest are available on the databases webpage and the genealogy webpage. Once logged in, you have access to:
- Census records - images are available of all published censuses but not all are searchable. 1830, 1840, and 1850 censuses and the majority of the 1930 census are NOT indexed for searching but are available for browsing.
- Revolutionary War pension records - title says it all!
- Freedman's Bank - this was set up after the Civil War for African-Americans.
- Book Search - keyword searchable. Most are items no longer under copyright and are now in the public domain.
- PERSI - (PERiodical Search Index) - Index of articles available from many sources. The Butler County Genealogical Society's publication, Area Footprints, is indexed here!!
- U.S. Serial Set - The United States Congressional Serial Set, commonly referred to as the Serial Set, began publication with the 15th Congress, 1st Session (1817). Includes Private Relief Actions, Memorials, and Petitions. The collection also includes content from the American State Papers, the predecessor to the Serial Set. The documents in the collection are from the years 1789-1969. (Okay, I had to do some research on that one!!)
To me, the largest weakness of HeritageQuest is the lack of indexing availabe for four of the censuses, especially the 1850 (the first every-name census) and the 1930 census (the most recent release to date, but not for long!). This is where Ancestry.com clearly comes out ahead.
Another area that I feel conflicted about in using HeritageQuest for census research is its "exact" search only feature. It will only search for exactly what you put into the search box. If you mistype something, if there are possibly alternate spellings, or if the transcriber made a mistake due to poor image quality, you may come up empty handed. Ancestry.com can be configured to do exact searches only or "fuzzy" searches, therefore giving you alternate leads. But if you're convinced someone is located in a specific state and/or county, HeritageQuest is great for given-name searches.
For example, you can search all the residents of Butler County Missouri in the 1870 Census with the name "George". There are 11,421 in Missouri but only 36 in Butler County. It's a great alternative for searching misspelled surnames. Searching for "George" in our example reveals how this can help. There are two George's with similar surnames, PEDIGO and PETIGO. They may or may not be related but searching with only an exact search would have eliminated one (or both if you consider neither spelling correct).
If you have any questions or problems accessing HeritageQuest, please give us a call at 573-686-8639 or stop in to see us and we'll help you get connected to those relatives of long ago.
Friday, February 17, 2012
REMINDER: Butler County Genealogy Society to meet
Just a quick reminder the next Butler County Genealogy Society meeting will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 2 PM in the (Snider) Activity Room at the Twin Towers.
TOPIC: Preparing for the release of the 1940 Census on April 2nd.
See you there!!
TOPIC: Preparing for the release of the 1940 Census on April 2nd.
See you there!!
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