TAKE A BREAK, READ A GENEALOGY MYSTERY BOOK
Brenda Kellow
October 23, 2011
Have you seen the growing lists of genealogy mystery books? I have. Moreover, I have read many of them. The books are light, fun and interesting. I especially like to read these when I travel.
Presently, I read mostly on the Kindle. Last year while traveling I read and enjoyed books by Deborah Adams, Kathleen Kunz, Rett MacPherson, Anne George, Alex Miller, Graham Landrum, Patricia Sprinkle, Susan Albert, China Bayles and Alexander McCall Smith.
While in Europe last year, I enjoyed reading James A. Michener’s The Source. It is about the development of Western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world.
I read different genres at home such as books on Seal Team Six, Air Force 1, the Impressionists and archeology.
Reading genealogy mysteries may appeal to those new to family research. When you just need a break from hunting that missing puzzle piece, try one of the mysteries on the subject. While taking a break reading, you might think of a new tact to your search.
PLANO’S OLD PIONEER CEMETERY: The Old Pioneer Cemetery, also called the Old City Cemetery from 1881 to present, located in the Douglas Community in Plano is the burial ground of many of the settlers who came to Texas from Kentucky as part of the Peters Colony. The land for the cemetery was originally part of the land grant of Joseph Klepper who came into the county from Illinois. The Texas Historical Marker on the north end of the cemetery names several Peters Colonists and their families buried there as well as their families and other early settlers. The older portion containing the colonists’ burials has a fence, beautiful old tombstones and the historical marker. In later years, it served as the resting place for prominent black and white citizens and later as a black burial ground. At one time, the First Methodist Episcopal Church was adjacent to the graveyard. If you have not visited this historical cemetery in Plano, take time this weekend to stroll through and drink in its history. A link on its history is at www.genealogyfriends.org/history/cemeteries/pioneer.htm and www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/Etx/Collin/History/Pioneerhis.htm.
TEXAS HISTORICAL RECORDS IN SAD CONDITION: I just read an announcement in the September 1 Huston Chronicle by Carol Christian concerning our county records condition ranging from “excellent to abysmal” despite most the county officials good intentions. The report Christian sited was that by the Texas Court Records Preservation Task Force, http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2011/08/texas-historic-documents-at-risk-of-damage-theft/. This PDF is an interesting read. It mentions county collections about many people and subjects including documents from the Republic of Texas complete with pictures. Christian’s article is available online at www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Texas-historic-documents-at-risk-of-damage-theft-2150252.php#loopBegin.
HUNTING ANCESTORS IN OKLAHOMA: Now online at the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation site, www.travelok.com/Genealogy, is a genealogy section. Just click on the appropriate county from the map or follow the link to view the counties alphabetically. Each county page leads the researcher to the historical museums, courthouse information, existing towns, ghost towns, libraries, newspaper archives, additional resources, photo site and cemeteries. The information may vary with the county searched, but it certainly makes research easier than I found it in the 1980s. Searching vital records is still a challenge.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].
Presently, I read mostly on the Kindle. Last year while traveling I read and enjoyed books by Deborah Adams, Kathleen Kunz, Rett MacPherson, Anne George, Alex Miller, Graham Landrum, Patricia Sprinkle, Susan Albert, China Bayles and Alexander McCall Smith.
While in Europe last year, I enjoyed reading James A. Michener’s The Source. It is about the development of Western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world.
I read different genres at home such as books on Seal Team Six, Air Force 1, the Impressionists and archeology.
Reading genealogy mysteries may appeal to those new to family research. When you just need a break from hunting that missing puzzle piece, try one of the mysteries on the subject. While taking a break reading, you might think of a new tact to your search.
PLANO’S OLD PIONEER CEMETERY: The Old Pioneer Cemetery, also called the Old City Cemetery from 1881 to present, located in the Douglas Community in Plano is the burial ground of many of the settlers who came to Texas from Kentucky as part of the Peters Colony. The land for the cemetery was originally part of the land grant of Joseph Klepper who came into the county from Illinois. The Texas Historical Marker on the north end of the cemetery names several Peters Colonists and their families buried there as well as their families and other early settlers. The older portion containing the colonists’ burials has a fence, beautiful old tombstones and the historical marker. In later years, it served as the resting place for prominent black and white citizens and later as a black burial ground. At one time, the First Methodist Episcopal Church was adjacent to the graveyard. If you have not visited this historical cemetery in Plano, take time this weekend to stroll through and drink in its history. A link on its history is at www.genealogyfriends.org/history/cemeteries/pioneer.htm and www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/Etx/Collin/History/Pioneerhis.htm.
TEXAS HISTORICAL RECORDS IN SAD CONDITION: I just read an announcement in the September 1 Huston Chronicle by Carol Christian concerning our county records condition ranging from “excellent to abysmal” despite most the county officials good intentions. The report Christian sited was that by the Texas Court Records Preservation Task Force, http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2011/08/texas-historic-documents-at-risk-of-damage-theft/. This PDF is an interesting read. It mentions county collections about many people and subjects including documents from the Republic of Texas complete with pictures. Christian’s article is available online at www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Texas-historic-documents-at-risk-of-damage-theft-2150252.php#loopBegin.
HUNTING ANCESTORS IN OKLAHOMA: Now online at the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation site, www.travelok.com/Genealogy, is a genealogy section. Just click on the appropriate county from the map or follow the link to view the counties alphabetically. Each county page leads the researcher to the historical museums, courthouse information, existing towns, ghost towns, libraries, newspaper archives, additional resources, photo site and cemeteries. The information may vary with the county searched, but it certainly makes research easier than I found it in the 1980s. Searching vital records is still a challenge.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].