Our US-REC Study Group is working on libraries as sources. Our first assignment is to determine which libraries we haven’t yet explored for research. Since I am relatively new to the St. Louis metro area, I have just recently procured my library cards for St. Charles and St. Louis county libraries. The St. Louis county library is most interesting to me because a) it is the repository for the National Genealogical Society book loan collection and b) the library is developing a Family Heritage Center that slated to open sometime this year. The Center will be about 25 minutes from my house. I have so far made only one short trip to the library. I will begin making regular trips to the library this Spring. A second major library is the Midwest Genealogy Center in suburban Kansas City, Missouri. I have actually stopped at the library twice while driving between Omaha and St. Louis. I was able to do a little bit of research, but need to spend a whole day or two there.
Right now, however, my greatest interest in in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
I will arrive early for RootsTech 2012 and stay an extra day so that I can spend time in the FHL. While this assignment is for our study of American genealogy records, I am actually going to spend most of my time on records related to a small area centered in what is now Eppingen, Baden-Würrtemberg, Germany. My 2g-grandfather (John Brenner) immigrated to the United States in 1856. He was born and raised in Adelshofen, Baden. I have information from a recently found cousin indicating about 10 generations of my 2g-grandfather’s maternal Baden ancestors. The ancestors come from Adelshofen (88 events – baptism, marriage, death), Neipperg 28 events), Stetten (15 events), Sulzfeld (53 events), Kürnbach, 26 events) and Ittlingen (29 events). Each of the town is within about 6 miles of Eppingen. Not on the map below is Waiblinger (39 events) or Loenbrunn (5 events). Waiblingen is about 30 miles southeast of Eppingen. I am unable to locate Loenbrunn. Those events, however, are indicated in the records from Adelshofen.
I utilized the Place List function in RootsMagic 5 — generating and printing a list of all events and persons associated with each of the towns.
I then did a “place” search in the FamilySearch catalog for each of the towns.
I made copies of the micorfilm numbers and their contents for each of the towns.
The event lists for each town and the cards holding information about the appropriate microfilms for each town are clipped together and ready to be packed. I also have uploaded FHL Floor Plans to my smartphone and iPad. So, now I have a clear plan and the advance preparation to assist me in carrying out that plan.
Purpose/Goal: Validate information regarding the Venninger line (plus cognates)
Process: While in Salt Lake City, view as many FHL microfilms from Evangelische Kircher in selected towns in Baden as time permits. Un-viewed microfilms to be ordered for viewing at Hazelwood FHL after returning home. Write one or more blog posts describing the actual process of locating and viewing the microfilms, and the results thereof.
Good luck, Bart. I hope you fly through those films.
Good luck with your films, Bart! I didn't realize you were in St. Louis – so jealous about your access to the NGS book collection. : )