The Ohio Genealogical Society - Archive Tour

I live in the best place in the world.

My house is only about seven miles from the

Ohio Genealogical Society headquarters;

one of the largest genealogy societies 

in the United States.

It's beginnings go back to the year 1959, 

and my parents were among the first to attend the meetings at

Dr. David Massa's home.

Since my parents never, ever left me with anyone,

I'm sure I was at a few of those meetings, too.

Our own Richland County chapter meets in the building monthly.

This past week, our very own, much-appreciated Director,

Tom Neel, was our speaker.

He took us on a "behind the scenes" tour of 

the Archival Room.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I have been in this room.

But again, Tom showed us things I never knew were in there.

It was another opportunity to learn!

The above photo is of a German newspaper that existed in 1892.

There were two newspapers in Mansfield.

Think how many obituaries, marriage announcements, etc.

are in there; just waiting for someone who is able to read them

in German!

These photos showing brown paper packages tied up with string

are the Bibles that people donate.

 Some of these Bibles are huge!

I was particularly interested in the very old book on the

History of the Mission of the United Brethren.

I grew up hearing this story in my Ohio History classes in school

The United Brethren Church, also known as Moravians, 

 had sent missionaries to convert the Native Americans.

Unfortunately, it led to a very sad time in Ohio's history;

the converted Native Americans were massacred in a town

southeast of where I live -- Gnadenhutten.

You may read the story here:  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnadenhutten_massacre

Tom also showed us this book containing 

Oaths of County Officers.

I never thought to even look for a book like this.

If you were looking to join a lineage society,

think how valuable it would be to connect your family member

using a tool like this.

These dates were from very early 

Richland County - 1814 and beyond.

This book had me drooling.

It is an original copy of

The Wyandott Mission at Upper Sandusky Ohio.

Reverend Finley wrote those book 

about his experience in the mission.

And, in the back of the book,

he has written about and interviewed several Natives.

If you look carefully below, 

he writes about how "Brother Between the Logs" has gone to rest.

The following photos show why I would have no business

ever working in a library or archives.

Because, I would want to keep everything.

Absolutely everything.

A monument company in Cleveland 

donated its entire collection to OGS.

This is what it looked like when it arrived.

I love the gravestone sketches below.

This monument company made many of the statues

that were torn down in recent months

because of their association with the Confederacy.

So, when was the last time you visited your own 

local genealogy society?

When was the last time you attended a meeting,

and heard an excellent speaker?

Have you recently made a road trip across town,

or across the state, to visit the library and archives 

that may house the information you need

to further your research?

Even if you don't have ancestors that resided in the area you live in,

there are always opportunities to further your own learning.

OGS has a tremendous collection that goes beyond Ohio's borders.

Every state that touches Ohio 

has books and materials that may help you.

There are materials on the shelves 

from all parts of the United States.

My advice:  Join your local society.

Join your state society.

Go to learn.

Leave ready to research and help others.

Today We Rejoice, and Not Mourn

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him.

You see, it was 39 years ago today that I embarked on the most important and the most difficult adventure of my life.

I became a mother.

I relive this day every single year, for many women recall things by pregnancies. They'll say:

"Oh, that was right before I had..."

OR

"We went there right after ...was born"

On this day 39 years ago, Kerry had rushed home from work and was trying to convince me to go to the hospital. I was "nesting", and running around getting things ready. I thought I had some time left.

He finally got me in the car to drive the two blocks to the hospital, where later that evening I delivered Peter William Lauritzen, weighing in at 10 lb 6 oz. He was dubbed the "King of the Nursery".

I felt like I had given birth to a toddler. When I went to see him in the nursery, he held his head up to look at me.

I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I had grown up as an only child. Kerry, the middle child of eleven, taught me so many things about babies. There were times Peter would be crying, and my tears were mixing along with his.

Most of our mistakes are made on the first child, for they're the ones we're trying out all of the advice from books and other mothers on.

Peter was a good baby and a good child, which made it alright to have three more. We thought they would all be like him. They weren't. We didn't have cookie-cutter children. They all came with their own distinct personalities.

Peter is gone now. His life was cut too short by disease and drugs. And, we grieve every day at our loss. We often wonder what he would look like as a man approaching forty...

Would he still have been on drugs?

Would he still have maintained his wonderful musical talent?

Would his nature still have been kind and gentle?

Would he step up and be looking after us?

You raise your oldest child to be your oldest child; the one you sort of look to as we begin looking at choices we'll have to make down the road.

But, rather than dwell on his death today, I will celebrate the fact that I had the honor of bringing this sweet boy into the world. I wouldn't be who I am today if I had not had the experiences of raising a family, and he started it all out. I learned service, and I learned sacrifice in the best scenario possible -- in my own home.

I also learned that adults produce children. But, even more importantly, children produce adults.

Happy heavenly birthday, dear Peter...we can hardly wait to hold you once again...

She Left Us Too Soon - Gay Nickle Lauritzen Appleberry

Though she is no longer with us, today we honor and celebrate the birthday of Kerry's sister, Gay.

Kerry and his sisters, Joy and Gay, were the "middle kids", and they always played together. He will often fondly recall something the three of them did as young children, and often with a tear in his eye.

She quickly made me feel at home as a new member of the family, taking me on wild rides through the Sanpete Valley of Utah in her green convertible. And, she made the best cinnamon rolls I've ever tasted in my life.

She was an artist extraodinairre, with two of the most gifted hands I've ever witnessed. She worked as a set director for several Hollywood movies, and for LDS films.

And, she also was diagnosed with ALS.

She passed away nearly 18 years ago, her body ravaged from the disease. It was so difficult for her large family to say their goodbyes...wanting her to be well, yet wanting her released from her misery.

Gay was one year younger than me. I didn't have her in my life long enough, but she was there long enough to make a difference.

Gay, your family misses you so much. We honor you today, and can't wait to see you again!

One of My Most Humbling Moments Ever

I am sitting here on a quiet and rainy Sunday evening, contemplating the events of this past week attending the #2018OGS Conference.

I am humbled with the award of Fellow that was given to me at Saturday's luncheon. Humbled, yet overwhelmed at the thought of this recognition.

Let me tell you how this played out.

I had just finished teaching a class, and told Kerry to go on to the luncheon. I would get there as soon as I could, and was stopped several times on the way there.

The lunch was delicious! One of the most beautiful memories I had was of sitting at a table filled with people I didn't really know that well and hearing their lively conversations about their joys and challenges of their own genealogy.

It was awards time...and, my mind was on my next class that was to begin shortly. Chapters, chapter members, newsletters, etc. were all receiving their due recognition.

Then, it came time for the Fellow award. Again, I was looking at my watch, for I would need to leave to set up equipment in the next little bit.

Deborah Lichtner Deal began to read a beautiful description about someone that sounded so wonderful. I began to think about who it could be, for I really wanted to meet that person before the conference was over.

Then, things began to click. Some "Peggy-isms" were mentioned, then the number of presentations that I had given last year was brought up, and I'm sure a few more things were mentioned. But, at this point the tears were falling.

The entire room stood on its feet to clap and cheer for me as I made my way to the front. Never, ever in my life had I ever received anything like this. Never.

The rest is a blur. I made my way back, where Kerry embraced me with pride. I let him wear my corsage to church today, for I wouldn't be where I am without his firm, yet gentle support through the years.

Years and years ago, my parents were among the small group of genealogists who met in Dr. David Massa's home in downtown Mansfield to form what would eventually become the Ohio Genealogical Society. I'm sure they didn't know that 62 years later, their daughter would receive one of the awards stemming from those beginnings.

Now, that said, let me also point out that I am still the same Peggy that I was the moment before I received this. I am the same as you...I research like you do, I laugh with you, I cry with you, I pray for those who have asked to be remembered, and I worship with many of you. I am not above a single one of you.

May I never, ever forget that.

I humbly thank you all who have sent your love and greetings from around the world.

I thank my mom and dad.

I thank Mr. Kerry, who has known about this since January!

And, I thank the Lord for all of you who have enriched my life so greatly.