Something Extra III

I am continuing on with the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenge that is currently running on Facebook. Last week I went over to the library and checked out how the Portage Library handles interlibrary loans. When I first asked I was given a list of 6 or 7 local libraries, and was really disappointed. I then went to their website and discovered that those libraries are what is called recipical libraries - meaning all I need to do is to walk in with my library card and I can check out the book myself. Interlibrary loan libraries cover the entire state of Michigan, including several universities and colleges. This opens a whole new world of finding genealogy material for me.

This week's challenge is to go to Worldcat.com and search for genealogy material. This was a real treat... I found Histoire d'une famille anglaise au XVIe siècle, les Tregian by Helen Trudgian, written as her doctoral thesis in 1934. Problem is so far I can only find it in France. It might hold the key as to how the Trudgian line came down from Francis Trdgian(Tregian) in the 1500s. If you run across it let me know and do check out Worldcat.com Our oldest daughter was a French major in college so she can translate for me so now I have two searches going on - this book and Lillian's 1920-1925 diaries.

Something Extra

I am doing Thomas MacEntee's "52 Weeks To Better Genealogy - Challenge" on Facebook. Since I am co-leading a group of new genealogists I thought I would do the challenge and pass it on to the new seekers of family history as it is geared towards the new genealogist, but as Thomas says it is always possible to pick up new ideas no matter how long you have been searching for your family roots. The first two challenges were to go to your local library and the local history, archives and/or special collections section and if you have a genealogy blog, write about what you find in your library’s local history and special collections. I must say, I was a little disappointed. I had donated Lillian's Diaries: Whispers of Galena's Past to the room, and was happy to find it there, but was unable to really figure out how the room is organized and how one interacts with it. The room was open and lit, but no one was anywhere to be found [in other libraries there have been volunteers or in some cases a librarian in the room to help]. The room is very, very tiny and works as a display area for things, like a giant wooden checst on the floor, military hats and uniforms here and there and locked display cases of books and whatnots. There is no card catalog, no directions as to usuage of books, magazines, etc. There was a small area of books on "doing" genealogy and most of the rest was on local and state history. I wonder where Lillian's Diaries will be placed once it it is moved from the Newly Added shelf.