Marietta Ohio Chapter

2008 Patriots & Pioneers History and Genealogy Conference

L-12    Computer Lab Computer Genealogy Programs (Catherine Sams) - This computer lab focuses on the different genealogy programs available to help with your research and how best to utilize them based on your needs.

S-11    Obits: A Short Life Story (Julia Engle) - This will be a discussion of proper obituary writing, writing your life’s history and a review of researching your genealogy using obituaries as a guide.

S-12    Finding My German Ancestors (Ernie Thode) - Beginners and intermiate genealogies will find out what a genealogist wants to know, what can go wrong in your research.  He will highlight problems with German names and nicknames, spelling, locations and indexing challenges as well as numbering and dating systems differ and special calendars.  He will also guide you to find very small towns or places no longer in existence and what resources and areas you should investigate to find your families.

S-13    The Underground Railroad in Southeastern Ohio (Henry Burke) - From the Ordinance of 1787 creating the Northwest Territory which prohibited slavery, through the Underground Railroad of the Ohio Valley to the local Black History in the Civil War, this class will discuss them all.  It will also include discussions of the laws, customs and realities in our region.

S-14    Researching the History of Your Home and Property (Nancy Hoy) - Learn how to research homes or property using various methods.  What does your home’s architecture tell you about its history?  What do deed and tax records tell you about your property?  What other resources are available to help in your search to discover information about the owners, the house, property or businesses operating in them?

L-21    Computer Lab Southeast Ohio on the Web (Ernie Thode) - This computer lab on Southeast Ohio genealogy will include online demonstrations of the Web sites Cyndi’s List, Linkpendium, Ohio Genealogical Society and individual chapter Web sites, the Ohio Historical Society including the Ohio Death Certificate Index and the Ohio Memory Project, the Digital Shoebox project of images of southeastern Ohio, the FamilySearch labs project which includes digitized images of all Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953, local mailing lists, some free censuses available online, and sites with free digitized local history and genealogy books: Google books, BYU digital collections, and HeritageQuest Online. If time permits, the SAR 1810 census project will be demonstrated.

S-21    Beginning Genealogy 101 (Larry Perkins) - Always wanted to research your family history, but don’t have a clue how to get started?  Just recently started your search, and don’t yet have a good grasp on what resources you should be checking?  This class is for you.

S-22    Preserving Your Family Photos (Rachel Verhoff) - She will provide an overview of how to organize, evaluate, care for and store your family photographs.  Attendees will learn about dating photographs, basic research tools, and proper archival organization and care of their photographic heirlooms.

S-23    A Multicultural Look at Genealogy (Ada Adams) - This session will explore different aspects of research, documentation and dissemination of the rich history of the multicultural people of the Ohio River Valley.

S-24    The Forts of Ohio (Gary Williams) -    The earliest years of Ohio’s recorded history were filled with conflict as Americans, Europeans and Native Americas struggled for control of the region. For the white intruders of this era, log forts became the key to survival in this wilderness. The story of these forts is the story of Ohio’s beginnings and features some compelling tales.

S-25    The Not So Fashionable Frontier, Everyday Dress of the Ohio Company, 1788-1803 (Bill Reynolds) - Attendees will learn about the mode of dress of the Ohio Company settlers , its relationship to the living conditions and source of supply. He will discuss store ledger books, taylors account books and will give first hand accounts that will provide a balance to those “folks back east” and their fashionable ways.

Free Lunch and Exhibits - Lunch is included with your registration fee.  There are 5 choices of subs and salads from Subway®.  Various groups will have exhibits to view and will be staffed to answer any questions about various historical, genealogy & heritage societies in the area.

L-41    Computer Lab Researching Your Civil War Ancestor (Jim Miracle) - This computer lab will give you strategies to discover ancestors and relatives in your family that fought in the Civil War.  He will detail internet and other local sources to discover clues to learn about their service, their units and their participation in a struggle that changed our country forever.

L-42    Computer Lab Computer Genealogy Programs (Catherine Sams) - Computer Lab Computer Genealogy Programs (Catherine Sams) - This computer lab focuses on the different genealogy programs available to help with your research and how best to utilize them based on your needs.

S-42    Washington County Graves Registration Projects (Scott Britton) - He will give an overview of various efforts by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution to identify and catalog the final resting places of Military Veterans buried or memorialized in cemeteries in Washington County.  Find out what information is being collected, what information is currently available for research and who you can assist with this project.

S-43    Research To Join Patriotic and Lineage Societies (Beverly Schumacher) - Learn how to compile and complete an application for any hereditary society.  Learn how to check it to be certain you have everything you need and submit it in the correct order.  When do you need original documents? When can you substitute a copy of a copy of a copy?  What if you don’t have a marriage record?  Do you highlight or underline?  Do you sign in blue ink or black magic marker?  Do you write on the front or the back of your documents?  The main purpose is to get the application approved with the least amount of aspirin.  If I don’t have the answer, she’ll get it for you!

S-44    Farmers’ Castle: Belpre History Then and Now (Nancy Sams & Charlotte Powell) - They will discuss the 1789 pioneer founders and what has happened to Belpre through the years.  They will provide information on the extensive Underground Railroad display, genealogy research area and other historical collections or keepsakes available at the Farmers’ Castle Museum in Belpre.

S-45    Finding Your Ancestors in Pennsylvania (Larry Perkins) - Learn tips to improve your chances of finding information on your Pennsylvania families.  With a much longer history than Ohio, what additional sources are available and where can you find them?

L-51    Washington County Genealogy Research (Ernie Thode & Sharon Gardner) - These two Washington County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society members will develop a foundation for you, from material and locations to find valuable clues and indexes to often overlooked resources, to make your local family research successful.

S-51    The ABC’s of Public Relations (Lynne Bodny Shuman) - With more than 30 years working with Not-for-Profits in several states, Lynne has come to know that marketing a small organization can be a challenge.  She will explore the many resources available for marketing that are free or of little cost to organization like Historical Societies, Museums and other non-profit groups.

S-52    Local History and Genealogy Resources in the Marietta College Library (Linda Showalter) - The Special Collections at the Marietta College Library includes rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other historical materials.  Linda recently served as project archivist in preparing the Manuscripts and Documents of the Ohio Company of Associates for preservation and digitization.  Learn what is available for research, what has been found in the preparing materials for storage while a new library is being built and how this process will improve research opportunities in the future.

S-53    Genealogy and DNA (Catherine Sams) - Presentation on how DNA results can be used in genealogy research to establish relationships and find new cousins!

S-54    Washington County Civil War History (Scott Britton) - This class will be heavily story-oriented regarding men on both sides of this conflict.  Some are humorous, some tragic and still others that are inspirational.  Learn some of the more interesting and remarkable tales of some of our local famous and infamous citizens who changed our country’s history during a period that split our nation and pitted brother against brother.

S-55    Native American Archeology in Washington County (Wes Clarke) - Topics will include the historic and prehistoric Marietta Earthworks, new discoveries and history of the search through the Marietta Earthworks.

L-61    Computer Lab Computer Genealogy Programs (Catherine Sams) - Computer Lab Computer Genealogy Programs (Catherine Sams) - This computer lab focuses on the different genealogy programs available to help with your research and how best to utilize them based on your needs.

L-62    Surnames: What My Family Name Means and Why Can’t I Find It In Records? (Eric Richendollar) - This lab will give an overview of the history of surname formation and the various types of surnames.  It will also discuss some of the reasons why some surnames can be difficult to find in the records, particularly when searching indexed sources.

S-61    Wood County Genealogy Research (Jim Miracle) - This experienced researcher who has been President of the West Augusta Historical Society will talk about how Wood County resources dating back to West Augusta county before the Revolutionary War.  From its rich Civil War heritage and leadership in West Virginia’s statehood to its significant industrial and Oil & Gas history, there are many trails to follow to successfully track down your ancestors in Wood County.

S-62    Put Meat on the Bones of your Revolutionary War Soldier: How to Research and Publish a Book (Millie Covey Fry) - Learn how to do the research needed to put some “meat” on the bare bones of your Revolutionary War soldier.  She will discuss how one patriot and his family lived on the Monongahela Valley frontier in Virginia from 1774 - 1808.  Then she will show how you too can write a small book, self-publish it, develop publicity and sell the story of your Revolutionary War patriot.

S-63    Early History of Free Masonry in Ohio and the Northwest Territory (Ken Finkel) - From the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, Paul Revere, George Washington and others prominent in the Revolutionary War, freemasonry comes to Marietta by way of Fort Harmar’s Jonathan Heart, Captain of the 1st American Regiment. The class will review the history of the early years of freemasonry and its influence in the new territory.

S-64    Talking the Talk With the Pioneers (Louise Zimmer) - Join Louise as she spins an intriguing web of stories about the earliest pioneer settlers and their descendants.  Her spellbinding tales of our area’s pioneer past always captivate audiences of all ages.

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Patriots & Pioneers History and Genealogy Conference

Arts & Science Building
Washington State Community College
710 Colgate Drive, Marietta, Ohio (Directions)
Saturday, 29 March 2008     

Sons of the American Revolution
Marietta, Ohio Chapter

The cost of this conference for members of any historical society, patriotic organization, genealogical group or if you are a volunteer in a community organization will be $25.00 if the application and registration fee is postmarked by March 12.  Applications and fees postmarked by March 12 for non-members of these groups will be $32.00.  All applications and fees received after March 12 regardless of membership status will be $40.00.  A morning continental breakfast and a lunch from Subway® will be provided and are included in your registration fee.

For those wishing to download any of the files concerning the conference, click on the following links:

Click here to view Registration Application in Microsoft Word

Having questions with the application?
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Patriots & Pioneers History and Genealogy Conference

Arts & Science Building
Washington State Community College
710 Colgate Drive, Marietta, Ohio (Directions)
Saturday, 29 March 2008     

Sons of the American Revolution
Marietta, Ohio Chapter

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Registration in the lobby Washington State Community College Arts and Science Building.  Continental Breakfast (pastries, etc.), Coffee and other refreshments are available free of charge.

8:30am-9:00am

Graham Auditorium - Welcome and introduction - Jean Yost

Class#  Subject and Presenter          9:30am-10:30am

L-11  Computer Lab (Researching Your Civil War Ancestor) -          Jim Miracle

L-12  Computer Lab (Computer Genealogy Programs) -          Catherine Sams

S-11  Obits: A Short Life Story - Julia Engle

S-12  Finding My German Ancestors - Ernie Thode

S-13  The Underground Railroad in Southeastern Ohio -          Henry Burke

S-14  Researching the History of Your Home and Property -          Nancy Hoy

Class#  Subject and Presenter           10:45am-11:45am

L-21  Computer Lab (Southeast Ohio on the Web) -          Ernie Thode

S-21  Beginning Genealogy 101 - Larry Perkins

S-22  Preserving Your Family Photos - Rachel Verhoff

S-23  A Multicultural Look at Genealogy - Ada Adams

S-24  The Forts of Ohio - Gary Williams

S-25  The Not So Fashionable Frontier, Everyday Dress of the                     Ohio Company, 1788-1803 - Bill Reynolds

            Free Lunch and Exhibits           12:00pm-1:15pm

Class#  Subject and Presenter             1:30pm-2:30pm

L-41  Computer Lab (Researching Your Civil War Ancestor) -          Jim Miracle

L-42  Computer Lab (Computer Genealogy Programs) -           Catherine Sams

S-42  Washington County Graves Registration Projects -           Scott Britton

S-43  Research To Join Patriotic and Lineage Societies -           Beverly Schumacher

S-44  Farmers’ Castle: Belpre History Then and Now -           Nancy Sams & Charlotte Powell

S-45  Finding Your Ancestors in Pennsylvania - Larry Perkins

Class#  Subject and Presenter             2:45pm-3:45pm

L-51  Washington County Genealogy Research - Ernie Thode &              Sharon Gardner

S-51  The ABC’s of Public Relations - Lynne (Bodny) Shuman

S-52  Local History and Genealogy Resources in the Marietta                 College Library - Linda Showalter

S-53  Genealogy and DNA - Catherine Sams

S-54  Washington County Civil War History - Scott Britton

S-55  Native American Archeology in Washington County -           Wes Clarke

Class#  Subject and Presenter               4:00pm-5:00pm

L-61  Computer Lab (Computer Genealogy Programs) -          Catherine Sams

L-62  Surnames: What My Family Name Means and Why Can’t               I Find It In Records? - Eric Richendollar

S-61  Wood County Genealogy Research - Jim Miracle

S-62  Put Meat on the Bones of your Revolutionary War                          Soldier: How to Research and Publish a Book - Millie                     (Covey) Fry

S-63  Early History of Free Masonry in Ohio and the Northwest              Territory - Ken Finkel

S-64  Talking the Talk With the Pioneers - Louise Zimmer

Click here to view class schedule in Microsoft Word

2008 Patriots & Pioneers
History and Genealogy Conference Speakers

List of Speakers and Their Background

Ada (Woodson) Adams is a graduate of Ohio University’s College of Education.  She is the current President and was the co-founder of the Multicultural Genealogical Center in Chesterhill, Morgan County, Ohio with her husband, the late Alvin C. Adams, the first African-American graduate of the Ohio University School of Journalism.  She currently serves on the Athens County Library and the Athens Foundation Boards. As a result of several research projects, she co-produced a book; A Significant Presence: A Pictorial Glimpse of the Black Experience in Athens County, Ohio and has submitted articles for books produced by the Multicultural Genealogical Center.  Ada participated in oral history interviews that resulted in the production of the Morgan County Wallpaper Play, a State of Ohio Bicentennial Project in 2001-2003.  Ada was awarded the Midwest Archives Conference (the nation’s largest regional professional association for archivists) President’s Award in May 2007 for her research, documentation and dissemination of the rich history of the multicultural people of the Ohio River Valley.  On her Father’s side, her ancestry goes back to Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson.

Scott Britton has taught a number of individual Learning and Retirement classes at Marietta College concerning the Civil War and has given frequent speeches throughout the Mid-Ohio valley concerning various aspects of local soldiers and their actions in the during the Civil War. His is a Past President of the WCHS, Past Commander of the General Benjamin D. Fearing Camp, SUVCW and is currently Secretary and Historian of the Marietta Chapter SAR. For the past 3 years, he has served as the Ohio Department SUV’s Buffington Island Representative.  He was a member of the 2003 Ohio Bicentennial Committee in Washington County and has performs many living history presentations on the Washington & Wood County Civil War Soldiers at local schools, for local civic and veterans organizations, as well as local public events since 2000.  He has written several historical articles for the Marietta Register newspaper as well as the WCHS and New Matamoras Historical Society newsletters.

Henry Burke has studied African-American genealogy and Underground Railroad history for over 50 years.  He has received a number of awards for his work on the Underground Railroad research and is active in many local historical and genealogical groups.  He wrote a weekly newspaper columnist for nearly 10 years and has written four books on the Underground Railroad and slavery: Escape of Jane, Mason Dixon Line, The River Jordan and Washington County Underground Railroad. For more information on his life and historical research background, visit http://henryburke1010.tripod.com.

Wes Clarke has been working as an archaeologist in the American Midwest for over thirty years, including field work throughout Ohio and at some of the major earthwork sites at Chillicothe.  He is currently employed by the Ohio Department of Transportation, Marietta office, as an environmental planner with a focus on cultural resource management issues. Wesley has worked on the Indian Acres archeology dig in Marietta for a number of years and has examined sites around Washington County involving local Native-American cultures.

Julia Engle has been a lifelong resident of Washington County, Ohio.  She received an Associates Degree in Business Management from Washington Tech (now Washington State Community College).  She has been an employee in the Washington County Public Library, History & Genealogy Department for over 15 years.  She is a member of the WCHS and is currently the Corresponding Secretary of the Washington County Chapter, OGS.  She has compiled the multi-volume local obituary collection at the History & Genealogy Department from 1989 to Present.

Ken Finkel joined the Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge # 37 in Beverly, Ohio in 1983, progressing through the officer line and became Master of that lodge in 1988.  He served as presiding officer in Rufus Putnam Chapter # 108 Royal Arch Masons in Beverly, Marietta Council # 78 Royal and Select Masons of Marietta and Marietta Commandery # 50 Knights Templar. He was elected and received as a Knight York Cross of Honor in 1999 and served three years as a District Deputy Grand High Priest for the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio.  He belongs to the Scottish Rite as a 32 degree mason and several other appellant Masonic bodies too numerous to mention. He has studied the history of the Masonic fraternity for many years and have taught many classes pertaining to that history. He is an avid genealogist and a life member of the Lower Muskingum Historical Society in Beverly and is currently President of the WCHS.

Millie (Covey) Fry is a graduate of the Kent State University School of Library and Information and a retired librarian with over 38 years of service in libraries in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.  She developed Library Leadership 2000, a week-long leadership conference for young librarians in Ohio who work with nationally recognized librarians serving as their mentors.  Millie was named Librarian of the Year in 1995 by the Ohio Library Council, received the national ASCLA Award for Leadership Excellence in 1996 and the KSU School of Library and Information Science named her the 1998 Alumni of the Year.  She appears in Who’s Who of American Women.  Millie is the author of The Charles Snodgrass Family: Frontier Life in the Monongahela Valley; Women on the Ohio Frontier (winner of the 1978 Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Commission essay contest); German-American Communities, Churches, Cemeteries, and Records in Washington County and Adjoining Townships in Noble and Monroe Counties, Ohio; Tecumseh’s Unrequited Love; James Galloway and Tecumseh: The Pact of Peace and Friendship; At the Monument: Standing Where They Fell (with Debra Ice); and Kin-nections.  Millie began researching her family in 1969 and enrolled in genealogy classes taught by Joy Moulton, a nationally recognized genealogist and author, in Columbus, Ohio in the early 1970s and participated in a week-long family research conference in Salt Lake City in 1980.  Millie is a member of First Families of Washington County, First Families of Ohio, Washington County OGS and Marietta Chapter, DAR where she helped establish their research library.  She lives in Marietta where she is the owner of a family research business.

Sharon Gardner is a Registered Nurse who was born and raised in Morgan County, Ohio.  She has been a genealogical researcher for 40 years, 20 years as paid researcher.  She has been the President of WCOGS for 14 years and Editor of the WCOGS newsletter for 15 years and is a member of the OGS.

Nancy Hoy received a Masters degree in Liberal Learning from Hood College in Maryland. She has been a long-time architectural tour guide and lecturer in Marietta with Campus Martius Museum, American Association of University Women, Elderhostel and the Marietta Trolley Tours.  An architectural historian in the Mid-Ohio valley, she has taught Architectural classes in the Continuing Education Department at Marietta College and has placed a number of houses and historical properties in the Mid-Ohio Valley on the National Register of Historic Places.  She is the past President of the WCHS, past Secretary of Habitat for Humanity, past Secretary of the Welfare League and has been a member of Telesis.

Jim Miracle is a Retired US Navy Hospital Corpsman and Substitute Teacher in the Wood County School System. He has been the Chairman of the Wood County Historic Landmarks Commission, WV since 2001, President of the West Augusta (Wood County, West Virginia) Historical And Genealogical Society since 1997, is a member of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society, a Past Senior-Vice Commander & Junior Vice Commander of the General Benjamin D. Fearing Camp, SUVCW and serves as its current Secretary.  He performs many living history presentations on the Civil War Soldier and Civil War Medicine at local schools and public events.  He has authored History of the Miracle Family of Ohio; John Andrew Miracle and Co. D, 63rd O.V.I.; Central Station, Doddridge County, West Virginia: Railroad Center to Obscurity, the Demise of a Small Town; and Beechwood, The Saga of a Steel Community on the Ohio River.

Larry Perkins is currently an Associate Professor at Belmont Technical College where he teaches online and in-class genealogy. He received a BS from the University of Maryland and Masters in Education from Ohio University, is the Founding President of the Ebenezer Zane Chapter SAR, Past President Ohio Society SAR, Past Trustee National SAR, current Vice President General, Color Guard Commander & Executive Committee Member National SAR and is currently President of the Cumberland Trail Genealogy Society.

Charlotte Powell graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.  She completed several graduate classes at OU and Ashland College and is a retired teacher from Warren Local School District with 32 years of service.  She co-managed the Artists Building in Craft Village on Blennerhasset Island and has been a genealogy researcher since 1999.  Charlotte is currently active with the Belpre Historical Society & Farmers’ Castle Museum in Belpre.

William “Bill” Reynolds has written numerous articles and has been a researcher of the early Northwest Territorial settlement for over 30 years.  Bill has a BA in Art History and Elementary Art Education from Kent State University in 1970.  He has been an employee of a local area history museum and been a speaker at frequent venues regarding General Rufus Putnam, aspects of the Revolutionary War and Ohio’s pioneer settlers.  He was a member of the Brigade of the American Revolution living history association where he conducted educational seminars and demonstrations who served as a historical consultant to the award-winning PBS documentary film, Opening the Door West.

Eric Richendollar has been conducting genealogical research since 1982, having published a number of articles in genealogical and historical society newsletters and local history books.  He has been an employee at the Washington County Public Library since 1999 and a Library Assistant in the Local History & Genealogy Department since 2001.

Catherine Sams was born and raised Washington County, where she graduated from Washington Technical College (now Washington State Community College) with a degree in Accounting.  She has been an avid family historian and genealogist for 34 years and has been employed for 11 years at the Washington County Public Library, Local History and Genealogy Department.   Catherine has published 9 books on Washington County cemeteries & census records and 1 book on her family history.  In 1983 Catherine was the founder of the WCOGS and served as the President and Newsletter Editor for 3 years.  She has been the Editor of WCHS newsletter, The Tallow Light, since 1998.  She is a medieval re-enactor thru the Society for Creative Anachronism and was a member of VestRus, a Viking re-enactment group that has built a 20 foot replica of a Faering ship with original methods and period tools.

Nancy Sams is the current President of the Belpre Historical Society, Administrator for the Farmers’ Castle Museum Education Center in Belpre, Ohio and was Co-Chair of the 2003 Ohio Bicentennial Committee in Washington County.  Nancy was the a 4-H Program Assistant, retiring following 31 years service from Ohio State University Extension in Washington County.  She was responsible for recruiting and training Adult Volunteers and Members, planning and organizing 4-H Project Judging, coordinated 4-H County and Belpre City Government Days (1975-2001) and conducted 4-H in-school programs.  She has co-authored three project books, Into The Past, Homespun Clothing and Family History Treasure Hunt.  She served on the research committee to develop the Ohio “4-H Citizenship Guide” and represented the East District on the state 1902-2002 Committee that planned Ohio 4-H Centennial events and activities.

Beverly (Cochran) Schumacher began tracing her various family branches in 1979 and was a founder of the Athens County Chapter of the OGS in 1980 and has served as President for the first three years and many years since. She is a member of the DAR and served many local and state chairmanships including the Nabby Lee Ames Registrar and Regent and the Ohio State District Director.  She serves on the Board of the Athens County Historical Society and Museum and for about 25 years served as Editor of their newsletter, The Bulletin.  She organized First Families of Athens County and is a member of Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century and has served two chapters including delegate to their National Conference.  She is the Ohio State Registrar for Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America.  She is a National Volunteer Genealogist for DAR and Colonial Dames receiving her training and certificates by attending classes in Washington D. C. at their National headquarters.  In the last three years, Ms Schumacher has completed more than 60 applications for the Marietta and Ewing Chapters of the SAR and none have been rejected.  Beverly has compiled, authored, edited, co-wrote or helped with about 40 genealogical publications used for mostly Athens County research.  Currently, she is cataloging the genealogy/history library for the Athens County Historical Society & Museum in Athens.

Linda Showalter is the Special Collections Associate at the Marietta College Library, where she assists researchers in accessing rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other historical materials.  She recently served as project archivist in preparing the Manuscripts and Documents of the Ohio Company of Associates for preservation and digitization, a project funded in part by a Save America’s Treasures grant.  She is the author of History Goes to School, a manual for small museum educators, and the former editor of The Magic Lantern, a local history publication for elementary students, and of The Tallow Light, the journal of the WCHS.  With over twenty-five years’ involvement in Linda has developed and presented numerous programs for school groups, genealogists and historians

Lynne (Bodny) Shuman graduated from Wittenberg University majored in elementary education and received a degree in business from Indiana University.  While living in Fort Wayne, Indiana she became active at Historic Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Youtheatre and Artlink (a contemporary artspace.).  During her twelve years there, she extensively researched and performed her first-person personna, Mary Stark Stickney, daughter of Revolutionary War hero, General John Stark.  After more than 30 years working with Not-for-Profits in several states, Lynne has come to know the challenges of promoting and marketing small organizations.  She has presented “The ABCs of PRs” for the Ohio Museums Association and for the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums.  She is currently the Executive Director of “The Castle” museum in Marietta.  Lynne has also been involved with the performing arts since childhood.  She also acted in and wrote scenes for two historic plays based on documented events in Fort Wayne and wrote many articles for the Fort’s quarterly newspaper Inside Old Fort Wayne, which she co-edited. She is the author of Past Presents, a Guide to Northeast Indiana, co-author of Youtheatre, 50 years of Children’s Theater in Fort Wayne, and photographic historian of Fort Wayne Cityscapes.

Ernie Thode is manager of the Local History & Genealogy Department of the Washington County Public Library in Marietta, OH.  His interests include Germanic genealogy, German-Americana, and German names.  He is the author of several books on Germanic research, including Address Book for Germanic Genealogy, German-English Genealogical Dictionary, and co-author of A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your Germanic Ancestors.  He has won several awards in writing contests of the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors for his “Family Tree” column in the Marietta Times.

Rachel Verhoff has a Bachelors degree from Miami University and a Masters Degree from Wright State University where she specialized in public history with an emphasis on archival administration.  She has worked as the Curator/Director for the Logan County Historical Society and as the Local History Coordinator for the Flesh Public Library, where she managed an archive and a local history museum.

Gary S. Williams is a lifelong resident of Ohio. A native of Tuscarawas County, his first job was on the archaeological excavation of Fort Laurens, Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort. He has a B.A. in History from Marietta College, a Masters of Library Science from Kent State University, and 25 years experience as a librarian. He lives near Caldwell, Ohio.  His is the author of four books: Historic Tours of Ohio;, Spies, Scoundrels and Rogues of the Ohio Frontier; Gliding to a Better Place: Profiles From Ohio’s Territorial Era and The Forts of Ohio: A Guide to Military Stockades.

Jean Yost is graduate of Ohio University and lifelong resident Barlow area.  He is the current President of the Marietta Chapter, SAR and is the Coordinator of the Marietta Chapter’s Patriots and Pioneers Project. From 1995 to 2000 he was the Donor and Volunteer Coordinator for major renovation of the Floral Hall (T-Building) and other buildings on the Historic Barlow Fairgrounds.  In 2000 and 2003, as a member of the Western Washington County Historical Society, he served on the White Oak Bicentennial Committee and the Ohio Bicentennial Project at the Barlow Fairgrounds. He currently serves on the Board of the Muskingum Valley Chamber of Commerce and is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of Vietnam and member of American Legion Post 64.

Louise Zimmer worked for 18 years as Manager of WCH&G, for 4 years at the O’Neill Senior Center as activity coordinator and as a clerk at Sugden’s Book Store for 10 years where she selected and purchased books for their local history collection.  She served as a historical consultant to the award-winning PBS documentary film, Opening the Door West and was a past historical columnist for the Marietta Times.  She has researched, wrote and produced a radio program 5 days a week since 1980 and can be heard each weekday on WMOA 1490AM called Pioneer Past.  A certified genealogist, she is one of the most popular storytellers in the entire Mid-Ohio Valley where she speaks at various local schools, the Institute for Learning in Retirement, Elderhostel, various groups and festivals including the Soakum Festival at Caldwell and on board both the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen.  She has also written True Stories of Pioneer Times and More True Stories from Pioneer Valley.

Abbreviations:
DAR - Daughters of the American Revolution
PBS - Public Broadcasting System
OGS-Ohio Genealogical Society
SAR-Sons of the American Revolution
SUVCW-Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War
WCH&G  Washington County Public Library, History & Genealogy Department
WCHS-Washington County Historical Society
WCOGS- Washington County Ohio Genealogical Society

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The Marietta Chapter Sons of the American Revolution is developing an exciting new undertaking called the PATRIOTS and PIONEERS PROJECT to honor and perpetuate the memory of our rich local heritage.  In October 2005 the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) formed a Marietta Chapter and received their charter. In the spring of 2007, the Marietta Chapter, after months of planning and discussion, voted to proceed with research on the Patriots of Washington County, Ohio who gave service during the American Revolution.  This group has the goal of completing details on all of the Patriots with connections to Washington County for publication in a series of books.This series will be called, “Revolutionary War Patriots of Washington County, Ohio,” with a subtitle of Patriots who lived, died, had descendants in Washington County or were patriot ancestors of local SAR or DAR members.”  Most books of this style include name, birth and death details, spouse, military unit or service, place of enlistment and rank, but little more. Some books also include lineage to members of SAR, DAR or CAR.  The plan for this book however will include the information listed above, but will add much more detail of the actual life of the Patriot, incorporating historical facts from census, tax records, county and military histories as well as “family legacy stories.” These legacy stories often will not have a history book as a reference but will be the writings of the family, with data on parents, children and their families as they experienced pioneer life - the successes and hardship.  All of this information will contain notations of source material used so future generations of researchers can trace this information to use in their own research.  They would also like to include as many photos of the Patriot’s tombstone (immediate family and their descendants), home, monuments, portrait and copies of important documents as possible. All of this data will include GPS locations, cemetery inscription, stone condition, military markers, etc.

As the summer progressed, they then looked at ways to better collect accurate material and to enlist the help of other Patriotic and historical organizations as well as the public in this endeavor.

In the process, they have met several times with the officers of the Marietta Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  At the November 3, 2007 meeting of the DAR, the PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS PROJECT was presented to the full membership and received overwhelming support.  Members suggested they could help in many ways, including special programming, event planning, state and national speakers and a good number of volunteers to assist.  It should also be noted that their chapter library at 8th and Wooster Streets contains information on over 700 Patriot ancestors, many of which did not live, die or even pass through Marietta.  However, with the criteria for inclusion, all are eligible for inclusion in this book series. The SAR also met with members of the Ebenezer Zane Chapter SAR of St. Clairsville, Ohio. This chapter has completed an excellent, informative series of four books on Revolutionary War Patriots buried in Eastern Ohio and the West Virginia Panhandle.  That chapter is currently compiling basic data on Washington County Patriots for publication of a fifth book.  The Zane Chapter books contain one page or less of strictly genealogical information.  The Marietta Chapter’s project will greatly expand on the Zane Chapter series with more in-depth stories, photographs and descendancy information.  Several other DAR, SAR, civic and historical groups have also assured their assistance on this Patriots project.

Early in the summer while reading an old copy of the “Tallow Light”, Washington County Historical Society Quarterly, I found reference to a booklet SPIRIT of 76′ PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO, with preamble dated January 1975, by Ralph L Schroeder, past WCHS President. In part, it read “the following role of Revolutionary War Patriots associated with Washington County, Ohio is preliminary…hopefully a refined…list may be issued by 1976.”  This list of 606 men and women (people believed to have served in the Revolutionary cause) has been entered into the SAR database.  However, until the data is proven on each person, they will be listed as pioneers, not Patriots. To this date no one has located the research documents used by the DAR and Historical Society in preparation of the list.  A copy of this listing is included elsewhere following this article.  If any of the readers knows the source of this information, please contact us.

In September, the Marietta Chapter SAR voted to start a website, http://mariettasar.com/ to post facts about the Patriots and Pioneers Project.  This site includes a blog area that will enlist the public for help.  The website to be up and fully functional sometime in January, 2007.  For now, visit the website, bookmark it for future reference and check back frequently to track the progress.

At the SAR’s Washington’s Birthday Dinner on Sunday, February 3, 2008, the SAR plans to announce the book project, the new website and distribute a press release about the upcoming PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS HISTORY AND GENEALOGY CONFERENCE.  They will also be announcing finalized plans for the upcoming 12 DAYS WITH THE PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY project.  That press release will give details of a Patriots and Pioneers History and Genealogy Conference at Washington State Community College scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2007.

At the Washington’s Birthday Dinner, the Marietta Chapter plans to induct over 25 new youth and adult members into our chapter.  All area Patriotic, Historical and Genealogy groups are invited to attend the dinner.  Reservations can be made by contacting the SAR.  Cost of the dinner is $12.00 for adults, $5.00 for youths and will be held at the American Legion Post 64 in Marietta at 8th and Wooster Streets at 1:00pm.

The Marietta Chapter SAR will host a PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS HISTORY AND GENEALOGY CONFERENCE at Washington State Community College (WSCC) on Saturday, March 29, 2008. So far, the SAR, DAR, WCHS, Washington County Genealogical Society, Western Washington County Historical Society, Belpre Historical Society, Lower Muskingum Historical Society, Washington County Public Library, Sons of Union Veterans, Muskingum Valley Chamber of Commerce, Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau and some local veterans groups have already pledged their support.

The PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS HISTORY AND GENEALOGY CONFERENCE will be an all day event designed to promote family history activities in our region with an open invitation to all. The attendee would select five or six classes from a list about 20 subjects. Classes would have appeal to young and old, amateur to the advanced. Space is limited to 300 individuals and advance registration after the February announcement is requested to allow proper programming.  Cost of the conference will be $40.00 per person for all conference events, but is $25.00 with paid reservations made by February 28, 2008 if you have a membership in any patriotic society, historical society or genealogical organization.  Therefore, contact and join the local group of your choice today to take advantage of this discount rate.  A list of subjects and programs at this Conference will be posted shortly at http://www.mariettasar.com.

Washington State Community College has reserved the entire Arts and Science Building for our use as well as the cafeteria for the Conference. The building is fully handicap accessible with an elevator to the second floor. Students will be on Spring Break and we will have full use of the parking lot next to the building. The Information Technology Director at WSCC will provide full access to three computer labs and give full support with power point projectors or any audio-visual equipment needed. The Graham Auditorium will seat 300, but most classroom presentations will seat 30 people or less.

The Patriots and Pioneers History and Genealogy Conference will be part of a larger event in the Spring of 2008.  This SAR project is called, 12 DAYS WITH THE PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.  Ernie Thode of the Washington County Public Library, History and Genealogy Branch, has worked with the SAR to develop a two page list of potential speakers for the conference. He is also a member of some Genealogy and History groups around the valley and he believes there will be great support for the program and plenty of help if all will come on board.

This 12-day program will be a mix of local history, tours, genealogy and military research to celebrate the founding of our county.  There will be maps for driving tours available throughout the county.  The ultimate goal of the project is to get lovers of history involved in events and stir the interest in history to a new generation of young people.  With their assistance, it is also the goal to identify, catalogue and document patriots for the SAR’s book series.

Washington County Public Library Director, Justin Mayo, has worked with Ernie Thode and has agreed to allow extended hours at the History and Genealogy Branch for most of the days between March 28, the day before the WSCC Conference, and April 7, Marietta’s birthday. A list of the dates and times for these extended hours will be posted on the library’s website at http://www.wcplib.lib.oh.us/locations.htm#hist. 

Director of Campus Martius Museum and WCHS Trustee, Andy Verhoff, has worked up several proposals to allow special programs at the museum during this same 12-day period.  The Marietta Chapter Sons of the American Revolution has entered into an agreement with the Ohio Historical Society to rent the Campus Martius Museum to make it available to the public free of cost during special hours from March 28 through April 6, 2008.  Corporate sponsors obtained by the SAR will allow free admission from 5:00 to 8:00pm on weeknights and free admission for the entire day on both weekends.  There will be candlelight tours of the Rufus Putnam House each night. Other events will take place during this time, again through corporate sponsorship. The SAR will sponsor a reception on Friday evening, March 28.  Each of the other days at the Museum, the SAR has asked other patriotic, genealogical or historical groups to present special programs and speakers.

The Sons of the American Revolution is working with local youth groups, including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Ely Chapman Educational Foundation, public library branches and area schools to provide additional educational opportunities for young people.  Some of the scheduled programs include a Historical Scavenger Hunt and Hiking Tour of Marietta, special museum programs, educational material for merit badges and 4-H project work and written material for any parent or grandparent to share with their families.

The SAR has already secured pledges of monetary support from several corporations and private entities to ensure this project moves forward.  They will be soliciting contributions to cover the cost of publishing and distributing over 32,000 tabloids to area residents and students, as well as regional historical, genealogical and patriot organizations.  A large number of these events are already established heritage sites or programs throughout Washington County and are available on a daily, weekly or annual basis.  However, with the partnership and cooperation of a great many organizations and individuals expending great time, talent and energy, we will conclude this exciting event with the WCHS Founders Day Dinner on April 7 and Belpre’s Founder’s Day Dinner on April 8.  The SAR has received an abundance of encouragement for this large undertaking and wish to thank in advance all of those who wish to donate, assist and participate in this project.  It cannot be done alone, but with the combined efforts of all of the aforementioned groups and individuals, the completion of this anticipated 10-year Patriots and Pioneers Project is truly possible!

For more information, contact the Marietta Chapter SAR:

Jean Yost, President, (740) 678-8060   email: jean.yost@gmail.com

Dick McAllister, Vice President, (304) 422-9679  email:  rmcall01@aol.com

Scott Britton, Secretary, email: mariettablues@yahoo.com

Patriots & Pioneers History and Genealogy Conference

Arts & Science Building
Washington State Community College
710 Colgate Drive, Marietta, Ohio (Directions)
Saturday, 29 March 2008     

Sons of the American Revolution
Marietta, Ohio Chapter

The Marietta Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, along with many other historical, genealogical and heritage based organizations is pleased to offer a wonderful new learning opportunity.  We will be holding a Patriots & Pioneers History and Genealogy Conference on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Washington State Community College.  It will be a one day opportunity for people of all skill levels, from amateur to expert, to take classes to learn about a wide range of topics concerning history, genealogy and more.

The conference will take place at the Arts & Science Building at Washington State Community College at 710 Colgate Drive in Marietta, Ohio.  Click here for directions to the college.  Readers can view additional details under other categories on this website or at the end of this post, including a list of five sessions of classes, class descriptions, a short biography of each of the class instructors and downloadable applications.  Many local, state and national organizations in historical and genealogical fields will be represented at this event.

The cost of this conference for members of any historical society, patriotic organization, genealogical group or if you are a volunteer in a community organization will be $25.00 if the application and registration fee is postmarked by March 12.  Applications and fees postmarked by March 12 for non-members of these groups will be $32.00.  All applications and fees received after March 12 regardless of membership status will be $40.00.  A morning continental breakfast and a lunch from Subway® will be provided and are included in your registration fee.

The conference is being sponsored by many generous supporters, who without their assistance, this event would not be possible.  We hope you will join us for this unique opportunity to learn about history and genealogy!

For those wishing to download any of the files concerning the conference, click on the following blue links below:

Class Schedule - Click here to view class schedule in Microsoft Word

Class Description -  Click here to view class descriptions in Microsoft Word

Class Speakers - Click here to view speakers in Microsoft Word

Registation Application - Click here to view application in Microsoft Word

Having questions with the application?
Download this Example as a guide - Click here to view example in Microsoft Word

The Marietta Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution invites you to attend the 2008 Patriots and Pioneers Project from Friday, March 28, 2008 thru Tuesday, April 8, 2008 throughout Washington County, Ohio.  Our program will include events over an 12-day period that presents a broad range of topics for all ages and skill levels of history, genealogy, historical research and museum tours.

From Friday, March 28 thru Sunday April 6, normal operating hours will extended at the History and Genealogy Library for genealogical research. We will also be holding a reception at Campus Martius Museum on Friday, March 28 to kick off the event. All conference-related activities throughout the week will include free admission to the Campus Martius Museum as noted on the museum schedule. Special tours and county-wide programs are being planned during the 12-day event.

A 2008 Patriots and Pioneers Conference on Saturday, March 29, 2008, located at Washington State Community College in Marietta, will offer you the opportunity to network with many other genealogists and local historians. We will also have many genealogical groups and exhibits on hand, including the Marietta SAR, Marietta DAR, Washington County OGS, Washington County Public Library-History and Genealogy Department and many local historical societies, featuring books, genealogy material and Mid-Ohio Valley historical information.

Opportunities for those considering applying for membership in one or more of our county’s lineage and/or historical societies: First Families of Washington County and Ohio, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Historical Societies of Belpre, Western Washington County (Barlow), New Matamoras, Lower Muskingum (Beverly) and the Washington County Historical Societies and more. All of these societies will have representatives participating in these Spring activities.

The event will celebrate the 220th Anniversary of the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, Ohio and Washington County. Founders Day events include the annual Harmar Elementary School bell ringing ceremony throughout the day at the Henry Fearing House in Harmar (west side of Marietta).  The Patriots and Pioneers Project will conclude with the Annual Founders Day Dinner April 7 and Belpre’s Founder’s dinner on April 8.

We are preparing programs with many locally, state and nationally known speakers. The program committee has included many topics and some new speakers that are sure to interest you.  We expect this project to be a great collaborative effort of most of the lineage and historical groups to educate and learn about our bountiful local heritage. We invite you to join us in a wonderful learning experience and have an opportunity to celebrate your ancestors’ Patriot and Pioneer past.

Sincerely,
Jean Yost
President, Marietta Chapter Ohio Society Sons of the American Revolution

Conference Contacts:
Jean Yost, Conference Chair, jean.yost@gmail.com

Schedule of Events for Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Farmers’ Castle Museum and Education Center
509 Ridge St, Belpre, Ohio
9:00pm - 2:00pm

Belpre Founders Day Dinner (by Belpre Historical Society)
(More Details at a Future Date)

History & Genealogy Library
418 Washington St, Marietta, Ohio
9:00am - 8:30pm (Regular Hours)

  Schedule of Events for Monday, April 7, 2008

Henry Fearing House Museum
131 Gilman Street, Marietta, Ohio
9:00am - 3:00pm
Tours of Henry Fearing House
Harmar Elementary School Founders Day Bell Ringing

Washington County Historical Society Founders Day Dinner
(Location and Speaker Details at a Future Date)
6:00pm - 8:00pm, RSVP
Silent Auction and Historical Books for Sale

History & Genealogy Library
418 Washington St, Marietta, Ohio
9:00am - 8:30pm (Regular Hours)