EOGN's Other News

Board preserving Rappahannock Station battlefield

The Fauquier County (Virginia) Board of Supervisors is taking a stand - nearly $1 million worth - on preserving history. Earlier this month, members agreed to dip into the recently passed budget to save part of the Rappahannock Station battlefield.

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North Dakota woman nearing 109

About six years ago, Lillie Ratzlaff's friend was hitting the century mark - which she had already passed - and the ladies were celebrating with hair appointments. The local newspaper wanted a picture, and Ratzlaff wanted to make sure they looked their best. "We've got to move that walker," said Ratzlaff, according to family friend Edna Marscheider of Hecla. "We don't (want to) let them know we're old!"

Ratzlaff had a theory on aging, says her great-granddaughter Kimberly Dillavou: "You are as old as you believe you are. If you think you are old, you will act old. If you think of yourself as young, you will act young." Ratzlaff should know. She's pushing 109.

Lillie Gertrude (Lahman) Ratzlaff was born Oct. 8, 1896, near Hecla. At 108, Ratzlaff has lived through 20 U.S. presidents - or about half of the nation's leaders.

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Give your home a house-log

You may be surprised to know that you can make history . . . at no risk to life and limb and without even venturing beyond your own front door! The practice of writing down a home's "genealogy"—in the form of a house log—has long been a custom in many parts of Europe. In North America, however, interest in keeping such records has only recently begun to spread . . . thanks (at least here in Canada) to the efforts of the Women's Institutes scattered across the land.

I'm suggesting that you take the time to research—and preserve—the story of your own dwelling . . . and thus add your bit to the recorded history of your region and family!

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Indian Wells Valley, CA Genealogical Library hours announced

The Indian Wells Valley Genealogical Society will open its genealogy library at the new location, 302 Station Street. The public is invited to browse our collection of genealogical resources, which include; Irish, German and many other resource books from different areas and subjects. The library will be open from 1 to 3 p.m., every Saturday. Tapes and CD's will be able to be checked out to paid members of the IWV Genealogical Society.

Putnam Genealogy Society Offering historic mugs

The Putnam County (Ohio) Genealogical Society is starting a series of collector mugs which will feature historical places from the county.

The first mug of a set of six will feature the following: the first Putnam County Courthouse, Kalida; The Nickel Plate Railroad Station, Leipsic; The Crawfis College, Pandora; Myers General Store & Post Office, Dupont; St. John’s Church, Glandorf, and The Fireman’s Statue, Ottawa.

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Vanished into History -- an Insight into an American's Disappearance from Russian Gulag

At the age of 21, the seemingly perpetually restless John W. Adkins left his home in Maryland for adventure and vanished into the world. Edward M. Perdue has spent nearly 20 years tracing his second cousin's steps, a strange journey he chronicles in his new book, Lost Adventures: From Wango to Solovetski Island with John W. Adkins (now available through AuthorHouse).

Lost Adventures is a genealogical detective story, the result of nearly 20 years of research.

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"Hanover Heritage Day" brings history alive in Virginia

The government complex at historic Hanover Courthouse will be filled with exhibitors and vendors for the third annual "Hanover Heritage Day: Celebrating our History" event on Saturday, May 28, 2005.

Nearly 50 organizations will exhibit at the event, which will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are a number of new exhibits and a great increase in entertainment, with 14 musical acts committed so far on two stages. There also will be numerous children's activities, most of them interactive, and plenty of delicious food.

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Irish genealogy seminar offered in Kentucky

A day-long Irish genealogy seminar at the Kentucky Historical Society features two international genealogy experts. On Tuesday, May 17, Brian Trainor and Fintan Mullan from the Ulster Historical Foundation, Ulster, Ireland, will address how to access available sources and the unique issues involved in researching Irish/Scots-Irish genealogy.

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Powell retiring from library, but not from genealogical research

Murella Powell closed a chapter in her life on April 22 when she retired as the longtime local history and genealogy librarian at Biloxi Public Library.

But, bitten by the genealogy bug in her teens, Powell is not retiring from her research. For many years she has accepted contracts from governments and other agencies to do special research projects. "I plan to continue contract work," she said.

Murella Powell closed a chapter in her life on April 22 when she retired as the longtime local history and genealogy librarian at Biloxi Public Library.

But, bitten by the genealogy bug in her teens, Powell is not retiring from her research. For many years she has accepted contracts from governments and other agencies to do special research projects. "I plan to continue contract work," she said.

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New book available on warrant maps

"Roots & Branches" has written on a number of occasions recently about the warrantee township maps created by the Pennsylvania's land office and now on file with the State Archives.  But new research aids for these valuable maps, which connect the land surveys of the original purchasers of tracts for particular townships, keep being published.

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