The Traveling Genealogist

Genealogy Sharing is Rewarding

There is a lot to be said for sharing genealogy information.   You can smile about it. You can hum about it. You can know you broke down a brick wall for someone.  It is a great feeling to know you have come across that one puzzle piece that fits …your genealogy brick wall or someone else’s.

The Traveling Genealogist’s  Mother’s Day post about the grave of Sarah Ann (Lanning) Schenck, brought this bit of information from a researcher.

 

“You are great. How did you ever find Sarah Ann Lanning Schenck? There was a genealogy I found that said Melvin died at Pikes Peak. In the 1860 census of Belvidere Boone Co. Illinois, this family is listed. So, they must have left there soon afterwards.

Sarah was my 3rd grand aunt, her brother Uriah Richard was my 3rd great grandfather. I have done this for 11 years now and you answered the mystery of what became of Sarah Ann. With the help of my genealogists I have been able to trace my branches of the Lanning tree across America. If there is anything else you find about Lannings anywhere, please contact me."

Now doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?  It did it for me.

In our journey along our research road, we encounter a little information that doesn’t apply to our lines, but could be just the perfect fit of information for another person’s line.  Speak up. Post it out there when you find a query that asks about information you know or have seen. 

Sharing genealogy research gives one such a good feeling.

 

A Pioneer Mother.....Sarah Ann (Lanning) Schenck

In the foothills, mountain community of Evergreen, Colorado is a single grave with a sandstone tombstone and old wrought iron fence.  The grave site is surrounded by asphalt and a protective manmade berm on two sides. It is in the back of what used to be a lumber company storage area.

The tombstone reads:

 

Sarah Schenck

Wife of M. Schenck

b. Oct 11, 1827

d. Mar 11, 1862

35 years 5 mo

 

This is not my family, however, I’ve found by searching the various databases that Sarah Ann (Lanning) Schenck does have genealogists who have been looking for her. Some simply say “unknown” for her death date. Others have misinformation stated.

I do not know what happened to Melvin Schenck, Jr. husband of Sarah Ann (Lanning) Schenck. I’ve seen genealogies that state he died in 1860.  Did he die with Sarah? In Colorado? Why did they come from Bonus, Boone County, Illinois to foothills of Colorado?  Were they on their way to the mining camps in Leadville? Was it to escape the Civil War? I did not research this further. Those searching this family might want to look in Evergreen, CO.  Two researchers that I have found state he died in 1860. They don’t mention where Sarah died …simply “unknown”.

SARAH ANN LANNING (JAMES B. LANNING⁶) was born about 1827 in New York and died unknown. She married MELVIN SCHENCK, February 14, 1844 in Belvidere, Boone County, Illinois, son of MELVIN SCHENCK and ANNA THOMPSON. He was born 1822 in New York and died unknown.

Children of SARAH ANN LANNING and MELVIN SCHENCK are:

1. JAMES S. SCHENCK, b. 1845, Bonus, Boone County, Illinois
2. OSCAR L. SCHENCK, b. 1850, Bonus, Boone County, Illinois
3. ADALINE MELISSA SCHENCK, b. April 12, 1852, Bonus, Boone County, Illinois
4. ALLA SCHENCK, b. 1857, Bonus, Boone County, Illinois

Oscar Schenck, child of Sarah Ann (Lanning) Schenck and Melvin Schenck, JR,. went on to Fish Haven, ID. Oscar raised a family, lived and died there.

 Adeline Melissa Schenck married John Baptist Priquet and lived in Encampment, WY.

 1870 Jefferson County, Golden City, Colorado census 6 August 1870

 

 

 

Sarah and Melvin’s son James Schenck in the 1870 Jefferson County, CO census is living, with his family, in the household of William Trotter. His occupation is Cook… Hotel.  Trotter is the Hotel Keeper.  James Schenck’s wife Livinia Schenck is Hotel Servant.  The Hotel was the Golden House Hotel built in 1870 at 3^rd Street (later 13^th street) Golden, CO

 

 Heritage Quest census record.

 

 

 

 

One of the first families in the area was Thomas Bergen who built a house in 1859 in what is called Bergen Park (Evergreen).  The little grave is likely on what was that original property. As I mentioned this is not my family, but thought it appropriate, on this Mother’s Day, to recognize the woman who is buried in this lonely grave.  She was truly a Pioneer Woman.

Sarah Ann (Lanning) Schenck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

150th Anniversary of the American Civil War

 

Hiwan Homestead Museum – Evergreen, CO

4208 S. Timbervale Drive
Evergreen, Colorado 80439
720-497-7650

Fateful Lightning: Colorado in the Civil War, 1861-1865

 

On April 12, 2011 Hiwan Homestead Museum will open a major exhibit called “Fateful Lightning: Colorado in the Civil War, 1861-1865”.   The exhibit focuses on the role Colorado played in the War.

This exhibit is a "must see" !

 What goes into creating this type of exhibit?

 

Director, John Steinle and Curator Meghan McGinnis have done a wonderful job of ferreting out varied and interesting artifacts from the Civil War that are in personal collections.  This will most likely be the only time you will see these artifacts on exhibit.

 

 

 

It takes dedicated volunteers to prepare and set up a display such as this

 

 

 

A few of the many items you will see and the stories of times past you will learn about through this exhibit.

Hardtack, eating utensils, rifles, photographs,Letters, diaries, cannon balls,  a beautiful quilt that  tells a story (really... you have to see this) and much, much more.

THE REYNOLDS GANG

Confederate soldiers who were in the Fairplay Unit, Leadville Unit,Denver Unit and Maces Hole companies formed into militias for Southern Independence in Colorado. 

Read more of this account of the Reynolds Gang by Johnny Walker

http://www.coloradovacation.com/history/reynoldsgang.html

FORT GARLAND

Fort Garland, built in 1858 was named for Brevet Brigadier General John Garland. Located “ on part of the Sangre de Cristo Grand, was leased by the United States government, the fort was established primarily to protect settlers from Indian resistance.”

Built in 1858, Fort Garland

“During the Civil War, troops from Fort Garland marched south to bolster Union forces against the Texan Confederates, who were attempting to capture the West.  With the defeat of the Texans near Santa Fe at Glorieta Pass in 1862, the West was saved for the Union”

"Kit" Carson took command of Fort Garland in 1866.

 Read more about Fort Garland

http://museumtrail.org/StoryofFortGarland.asp

Colonel John M. Chivington and the Sand Creek Massacre

There are photographs and artifacts in the Hiwan Museum exhibit relating to both Colonel John M. Chivington and the first Territorial Governor of Colorado, John Evans.

Read about the life of  Colonel Chivington.  Chivington is buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, CO 

http://www.lastoftheindependents.com/chivington.html

 

In addition, the historic property and house of the Hiwan Homestead will be a bonus for your visit.

"Hiwan Homestead Museum is a 25-room log mansion constructed in the Rustic style of architecture. Hiwan Homestead Museum is a Jefferson County Open Space facility operated in partnership with the Jefferson County Historical Society.  The Museum was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. "

Genealogiests, Historians, Researchers

The Hiwan Homestead Museum contains the following information that would be of interest to Genealogist, Historians, Researchers, etc.,  who are searching for information about the early history and people of this area.

Local history files on locations, people, families and events (approximately 300 files)

Oral History recordings by Jefferson County "old timers" (approximately 50 ready for researchers).

Photograph collection including approximately 4,000 photos of Jefferson County and the surrounding area.

Maps of the Evergreen area, some including property lines and owners' names.

Historical Library of Jefferson County and surrounding area, including about 400 books.

Manuscript Collection of original documents including information on some local ranches, businesses, individuals, etc.

Burial records at some cemeteries

http://jeffco.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R10.htm

Museum Hours
Open Tuesday - Sunday
Sept. - May, Noon to 5 p.m.
June - Aug., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

4208 S. Timbervale Drive
Evergreen, Colorado 80439
720-497-7650

 

Transcribing old Diaries and Journals

I have been transcribing a handwritten (pencil) diary written in 1873.  The author was a lady living in Berlin, Wisconsin in mid 19th century.  She is writing about her daily life.   Although it might seem a bit tedious reading about the weather, whom she  had  tea with, her shopping trips, how much she spent on groceries, household goods and monies she gave her children, family illnesses; there are moments of wondering how in the world did she manage all that she did.

One entry of “having 11 teeth removed”, with the next day’s entry being “did the wash and cleaning” without missing a beat or a day of rest seems remarkable.  Later you read about “my teeth came today” and still later “teeth sett”. 

Without TV and cellphones there was an enormous amount of socializing and “having ladies in for tea as well as reciprocating visits for afternoon tea.  There were women who were seamstresses. They came to the house and did the sewing as opposed to taking a garment to their house or sewing studio to be completed.  Ladies gathered at the author’s house to quilt.  A great deal of socializing went on every day. 

She starts each day with a description of the weather. I wondered if somewhere it was mentioned this was “how you created a diary or journal”.  Always start with a description of the weather.  Or… maybe she was just a latent weather forecaster.  Someone reading this diary in 2011 would certainly know what each day’s weather was like in 1873 in Berlin, WI.  Her own moods fluctuated with the weather.  Sunny, pleasant….her activity that day seemed to be lighthearted.

By connecting “the dots” or in this case the documents available, we can get a good sense of what life was like and who the people were who lived those lives.  Isn’t that what makes genealogy research so interesting and justify the time we spend looking?

Along with transcribing this diary, I have done some research on the businesses the author mentions. I found an article on the Wisconsin History website from the Berlin Journal, November 15, 1912.  A Mr. W. E. DeRiemer had written an early history of the people in Berlin, WI.  He describes many of the people who were mentioned on a daily basis in this diary.   “The Wrights were a splendid family of six adults and two youngsters”. 

This diary holds a years worth of information of what this family’s life was like in the year 1873.

A sample page of my transcription

Many families have old diaries, letters and manuscripts in their possession.  They possibly have glanced at them.  Reading is sometimes difficult due to the handwriting, deterioration of the document, etc.   However, they still want to keep the original source in the family to be passed down.  A transcription to save along with the original source would be of great help in deciphering  the document years later.  These documents should be transcribed and the transcription should be placed in a library, archive or some repository where researchers can have access to them.

If you have a family historical document in your possession, either take the time (warning: it is a very time-consuming and tedious project) or  find someone out there who  provides this service for a fee to  transcribe it and put it in the correct form to be placed in a repository for people to view.  It is important to transcribe the document exactly as the author wrote it. 

If you are interested in having a transcription of your family heirloom created, please send me an email – psb43@earthlink.net. I can also do searches for auxiliary people mentioned in your ancestor’s diary or journal to bring the whole project to life.

 

 

 

Morrison Colorado - History

This description of Morrison, Colorado and its history was written in 1908.  Some things have changed. Some places are not there anymore.  However, if you thought perhaps your ancestor had a business located in the tiny community of Morrison, Colorado, then this posting might help you solve a mystery.

"The Town of Morrison is situated on the C.& S. Railroad at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, sixteen miles west of Denver, the location is an ideal one for a town, on the east it is protected by the great dike running north and south protecting it from the cold winds of the plains; Bear Creek, a beautiful mountain stream well stocked with native and rainbow trout, affording excellent fishing, runs through the center of the town; Bear Creek Canon is directly west of the town and affords excellent scenery for the sightseers and lovers of nature. Turkey Creek Canon, two miles to the south, is noted for its beauty.  The Garden of the Titans in the western part of town is the most wonderful spot in Colorado with its fantastic rocks and freaks of nature rising majestically above the town.  The visitor to Colorado cannot afford to miss a visit to this wonderful Park.

From the observatory on the summit of Creation Rock a magnificent view of the Platte Valley, including the City of Denver, and a number of suburban towns, may be seen.  From the top of Mt. Morrison, to the summit of which a passenger tramway is now under construction, one can see Colorado's wonderful farms with their valuable lakes and waterways to the great Divide to the east and to the Continental Divide on the west and to the north and south as far as the eye will carry.                                                                                                                Georgetown Loop 1908

A large number of business enterprises are represented here, as follows: Pike Bros. & Co., who carry a large stock of General Merchandise; H. L. Deane, General Merchandise; J. Schneider, Drugs; Otto Huck, Wines and Liquors and Cigars; James Culver, Wines, Liquors and Cigars; S. T. Shipman, Restaurant and Rooms, Confectionery and Soft Drinks; J. Swanson, Cliff House Hotel; A. C. Rogers, Hotel; A. Amos & Son, General Blacksmiths; M. MacLean, Morrison State Bank; Abbo & Lewis, Livery Stable; F. W. Adams, Barber Shop, Cigars and Tobaccos, and News Stand; T. C. Morrison, Meat Market; Mt. Morrison Casino, first class Hotel; F. W. Canon, Wines, Liquors and Cigars; V. Swanson, Billiard and Pool Hall.

The population is about 500, elevation about 5,850; the water is first class.  Rock quarries, lumber, timber, farming and stock raising are the principal enterprises here.  We also have an ideal climate and a summer resort.  There are several secret organizations, the I.O.O.F., organized October 12th, 1888, which is not large, but has a substantial treasury; the W.O.W., organized November, 1897, has over one hundred members and has not had a death.  The Women of Woodcraft lodge was organized March, 1898, with about fifty members."

So there you have it. An early description of Morrison, Colorado. Official and unofficial names have changed for some landmarks. Can you figure out the modern names of these places?

Here is a link to Historic Morrison  http://historicmorrison.org/ website with a list of pioneer names and genealogies. Check this website out under "People and Personalities" and "Pioneer Families".

Genealogy Books For Sale - Gently Used

I have reluctantly decided to offer my genealogy books for sale.  Space is always  an issue. These are books I have bought thinking my ancestors might have been mentioned in them.  Well, they weren't.  However, they were very interesting books to read. Hopefully your ancestors will be included in these priceless gems.  My ancestors were just not front page news people.  You almost wish they'd done something with a little noteriety... not too much, but just enough to get mentioned.

Here are the 3 I am relinquishing to new homes.

Wills and Administrations 1860 - 1870, Jackson County, Missouri

by Joanne Chiles Eakin

Published 1992

USED: $9.00

According to the compiler: "This period was a most tumultous time for our residents with Union takeover of the county court records (State of MO ordinance 16 Oct. 1861). There were periods of months when no data was recorded - an what was recorded, was in a shambles, hard to read and sloppy to say the least."  There is an Index with names of all mentioned in each legal document.

 

 

 

 

Good condition, spine in good condition, no bumps or chips, no tears, pages very good, small discoloration at top of cover.

 

 

Used: $9.00

Plus shipping

All books are shipped media mail. Please contact me at psb43@earthlink.net if you are interested in purchasing this book. I will then give you the shipping costs to add to your payment. I accept checks, but there is a waiting period for the check to clear. I do not accept credit cards or Paypal at this time.

New Mexico's Buffalo Soldiers 1866-1900

Published 1991 by the Unversity Press of Colorado

1991

by Monroe Lee Billington

Used: $17.00

First Edition, Hardback with dust cover, Library Markings, very good condition, spine has no bumps or chips, page 82 has some  slight water damage but is not noticable, cover and boards are in excellent condition.

"The term "buffalo soldier" originated with the Indians, who saw that the hair of the black soldiers resembled the fur of the buffalo and that the soldiers' fighting spirit made them a worthy opponent.  The soldiers accepted the name as complimentary, and the Tenth Cavalry incorporated a likeness of a buffalo on its regimental crest."

Author: Monroe Lee Billington - March 4, 1928-May 13, 2008

"Monroe Lee Billington, emeritus professor at New Mexico State University, passed away suddenly on May 13, 2008. Born on March 4, 1928, at Duncan, Oklahoma, Billington earned his bachelor's degree at the Oklahoma Baptist University in 1950, his master's at the University of Oklahoma in 1951, and his PhD at the University of Kentucky in 1955. He began his four decades as a professor at the University of South Dakota, moved on to the University of Toledo, and then to New Mexico State University. While at NMSU, Billington was the founding head of the history department from 1968 to 1975."

Used: $17.00

Plus shipping

All books are shipped media mail. Please contact me at psb43@earthlink.net if you are interested in purchasing this book. I will then give you the shipping costs to add to your payment. I accept checks, but there is a waiting period for the check to clear. I do not accept credit cards or Paypal at this time.

 

Civil War Handbook

by William H. Price

Published by Prince Lithograph Co., Inc, Copyright 1961

Used: $4.00

"It is the purpose of The Civil War Handbook to present this unusual story of the Civil War in a mosaic composed of fragments from the lesser-known and yet colorful facts that have survived a century but have been obscured b y the voluminous battle narratives and campaign studies."

Used: $4.00

Plus shipping

All books are shipped media mail. Please contact me at psb43@earthlink.net if you are interested in purchasing this book. I will then give you the shipping costs to add to your payment. I accept checks, but there is a waiting period for the check to clear. I do not accept credit cards or Paypal at this time.

Our Ancestry in Food!

The other day I was thinking about the foods our ancestors ate; foods of our heritage.  I’ve always wondered, in my own family, about the variety of foods my mother cooked.  We had stuffed cabbage (Polish origin, but no ancestors from Poland in my family), potatoes of all kinds (I understand that with the Irish ancestry), sauerkraut, red cabbage, sauerbraten (o.k. there was a German line), Fried Green Tomatoes and Vinegar Pie (there has to be a southern influence in there somewhere).  It seemed to me genealogy research and foods of our ancestors go hand in hand.

So with all this thought about foods and our heritage, I thought maybe genealogy researchers would be interested in sampling the foods of their ancestors when traveling to a destination to do genealogical research.  I am “reviewing” and recommending places you might want to dine when doing genealogy research in Denver and surrounding area.

The first is CAFÉ BERLIN.  

For those of you doing German genealogy research in Denver, or those who just like German foods.

It is in downtown Denver. Not too far from the State Archives, Colorado Historical Society, and Denver Public Library. All places you need to visit to do your genealogy research.

 

 

 

Café Berlin is a lovely old world style German restaurant.  On my visit, the food was excellent and the service was friendly and accommodating. The owner even said she had done some genealogy tracing of her German ancestors.  She had found a woman with the same surname as she and from the same village in Germany that she immigrated from herself.  She could find no connection, but with those two similarities, you’d think there would have had to be.  It was hard to resist whipping out my notebook and saying, “now what was the name of that village and have you tried looking at the German equivalent of census forms?

I was there for lunch and had

Wiener Schnitzel, 

Spätzle, and red cabbage.

Delicious! 

 

 

 

 

 

   Another person in the party had Kohlrouladen, German Potato Salad and Sauerkraut.

 

 

 

I chose a delicious Cucumber Salad to start the meal.

 

 

 

The big finish was the Apple Strudel with Ice Cream and Whipped Cream. Yes, both were served with Apple Strudel.

Check out Café Berlin’s menu and location on their website.

Cafe Berlin

I am not receiving any remuneration for these restaurant postings.  If I think a restaurant doesn’t deserve your hard earned genealogy money (we always need that for copies of original documents) then it won’t be posted on this site.

 

If you have a recommendation of a restaurant in a town or city where you do your family history research, please send me your review and photos. Psb43@earthlink.net Remember they should serve food connected to your heritage.  Share your finds of  great food and restaurants on your genealogical trips and travels that are connected to your family ancestry and heritage.

University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT

The University of Utah

Eightieth Annual

Commencement

Tuesday, June 14, 1949

 

College of Law

Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Laws

 

Aagard, Vance Willard Acomb, Glenn Mackay Allen, Franklin James Anderson, David Farnsworth Anderson, Lawrence Roland Anderson, Reese Claytor Backman, Robert LeGrand Bettilyon, Verden Elliot Bogden, Stephen Michael Bridwell, George Earl Bunnelol, Boyd Charlier, Telesphore Eldon Christiansen, John Orrock Clark, Mark Bigler Cliff, George Howard Cox, Donald William Crawford, John, Jr. Cromar, Jack Jeppson Dahl, Everett Eric Draper, Delbert Morely, Jr. Dyer, Robert Melvin Elkins, Stephen Lewis Ferrin, John Jay Fowles, J. Francis, Jr. Frank, William Spiegelberg Frazier, Leon Monroe Garrick, Max Carleton Glasmann, Blaine Victor, Jr. Hansen, Phil LaMarr Harris, Russell Clyde Henroid, Joseph Leonard Huggins, Ira Gordon Humphries, Lewis Lee Hunt, Gayle Dean Ivins, Heber Grant Jensen, J. Allen Jensen, Robert John Jex John Morgan Jones, Howard Norton Jones, Shirley Penrose, Jr. Kastler, Bernard Zane, Jr. Killingsworth, Ted Eugene, Jr. Larson, John Farr Lauchnor, Joseph Marvin Leishman, Reid Melvin Lindberg, Ralph Dunn Livingston, Lewis Sears Lund, Howard Lynn Magleby, Calvin Charles McCune, Keith Noble McKnight, James Wallace

Milano, Robert D Miles, Douglas Coy Miller, Lorin Spencer Montgomery, Edward Livingston Murphy, Thomas J., Jr. Nash, Ray Eldon Nelson, John Tracy Nelson, William Richard Nielson, Heber Reed Paxman, Monroe Junior Pearson, Evan J Peay, Richard Vern Penrod, Clarence Earle Petersen, George Clarence, Jr Pickett, Charles Morris Pratt, Elliot Lee Quigley, William Clayson Quinn, Joseph Sherman Redd, Donald Wiley Roe, Bryce Evans Ruggeri, Robert Henry Searle, Heber George Shaughnessy, Robert John Sheehan, Pat Smith, Donald J Stark, LaVar Ernest Sterling, John William, Jr. Steward, Walter Travis Tibbs, Don Vaughn, Jr. Wahlquist, John Franklin Waldram, Byron Lee Wall, Brant Herbert Watkiss, David Keith Watts, William A., Jr Wennergren, Robert Dean Yeates, Robert McIntyre

Colorado State Archives - Denver, Colorado

Colorado State Archives

1313 Sherman Street

Room 1B-20

Denver CO 80203

(303)866-2358

A trip to the Colorado State Archives is recommended if you are coming to Denver and researching your ancestors who lived, worked and played in Colorado.

The State Archives is in downtown Denver about a block from the State Capital building. If you are planning a sight seeing trip to the Capital, be sure to check the State Archives to research your ancestors.

The Archives'  holdings...

"consist of the official public records of territorial, state, county, and local governments and such state treasures as the proclamation of Ulysses S. Grant, creating the state of Colorado, and the original state constitution.”

Federal General Population Schedules 1850-1920, the Colorado School censuses and the state census schedule prepared in 1885 are also available. Court records: criminal cases, such civil cases as naturalization, water rights, divorce, and probate. Military service records for Civil, Spanish-American and World wars. Colorado Territory’s First Militia and much more.

 Marriage and divorce indexes spanning the years 1900-1939 and 1975 – to current.

 Early birth and death records are housed in the Archives. Others remain at the county level. The Archives Staff will search records over 100 years old. Requests for more recent records must be made with the Colorado Department of Health

Agricultural records documenting the history of land use in Colorado are in the Archives.

There are no manuscripts, journals, diaries, newspapers.

The staff is quite helpful, especially Paul, whom we visited with about the holdings and procedures at the Archives.

For all you, new to genealogy research (a.k.a “newbies”), there is, at the desk a 3 ring binder, cleverly labeled “The Whadda’ Ya’ Got Guide to the State Archives”.  

 

 

This book contains holdings of the Archives that would be of interest to Genealogists’ family research.

 

 

 

 

Rules are rules and we understand the need to protect old original documents.  They don’t require the use of “white gloves”, but do expect you to respect the fragility of the items you are viewing. No photographing inside the Archives room. There are “free” locker storages right outside the door to the records room…all very convenient.

 The staff is very accommodating and will go to the basement to search for the records you need. “Searching for a needle in a haystack” style of genealogy research probably isn’t the best way to do research in this facility. The more you know about your ancestor and the documents you are looking for will give you more results in the end.

A big surprise had to do with the number of items you can request to view at one time.  The Colorado State Archives allows TEN… that’s right! No kidding!  The staff will bring up 10 documents/items at a single request for you to review.  If you would like to look at several marriage records to compare dates, names, etc. you can do that.  No waiting an hour between request times for each document retrieved. So have your names, dates and record requests in mind before you go.

 To the left of the door, there are 2 pamphlets that give information on Researching The State Archives. Be sure to take a look at these. There are charges for making copies of documents and such. This is posted near the front desk on the wall to the right.

Here is a link to the RTD website (bus service)RTD - Denverwhich is probably a good way to get to the Colorado State Archives. However, there is street parking with meters that take credit cards. There are also two pay parking lots a block or two away.

Much of their holdings are on microfilm. There are not many readers, but enough to serve the purpose without a long wait. As I said,  the staff is very good and well  informed.  P aul, whom I spoke with was very helpful, congenial and unhurried. I think anyone researching in this facility will have a good experience.

Do take a look at the Colorado State Archives website. They have a number of databases online for you to search. 

The Traveling Genealogist^TM

If you would like to share your genealogical research travel tips with other researchers and help them get a leg up on their trip, please email me at psb43@earthlink.net.  As we all know, "Time is of the essence" when researching away from home.  You  just know that "brick wall" could be knocked down if you only had  one more day.

Allegheny Courthouse Research - Pittsburgh, PA

Allegheny County Courthouse Complex
436 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/directions/index.aspx#map

 

Guest Submitter: Nanci Markusson

The courthouses in Allegheny County, PA  are in Pittsburgh.  

They are across the street from each other on Ross Street between 4^th and Forbes.   One holds the Department of Court Records and the Wills/Orphans’ Court Division (and marriage licenses).    

The other is the Department of Real Estate and holds the deeds.  The index to the early deeds is indexed differently than with Grantee and Grantor indexes so be sure to ask for help when using them.  

Everyone was pleasant and more than willing to help in both buildings.  I found them both the nicest courthouses in which to research.  I didn’t notice parking close by, but downtown Pittsburgh is an easy city to walk in and find your way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another source for researching in Allegheny County is the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh.  It is located at 4400 Forbes Ave.  The genealogical material will be found in the Pennsylvania Division.  The Microfilm Room adjoins the Pennsylvania Division and among other things contains Pennsylvania census records and copies of Allegheny County Courthouse records.  I didn’t get there but it sounds like a valuable resource.

Other libraries that may have material are the Hillman Library and the Darlington Library at the University of Pittsburgh.   The library of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society and the Historic Pittsburgh Project are now in Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center.