From the Editor:
We are getting used to the new lights in the Archives and History Library Reading Room. Most of us have conquered our initial urge to don our sunglasses before entering. The new overhead lights are much brighter (and more energy efficient) than the old ones, making deciphering faded handwriting and small print less of a challenge than before. The diffusers over the flourescent lights in the book stacks that had yellowed with age have been replaced, allowing more light emission. Inoperative light fixtures in several areas over the shelving will be repaired soon, so reading book labels and titles on shelved books will be much easier. We have also improved the room's appearance with a little patching and paint in the former card catalog location. We hope you will enjoy the improvements in our research environment.
LEGISLATION IN THE 2003
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
OF INTEREST TO HISTORIANS
AND GENEALOGISTS
By Fredrick H. Armstrong
Director, Archives and History
As of this writing, with some one thousand bills introduced in the House and some five hundred in the Senate, it should be expected that a number would have direct bearing on the interest and work of genealogists, historians, librarians and others interested in historical materials and public records. As we have entered the last half of the session and time is running out on introducing new bills, and for action on bills submitted, we thought it would be a good time to share with you some of the pending legislation. No bills of interest in our area have moved beyond more than passage in one house of the legislature.
Here are some of the bills we believe of interest to our constituents at this time. The budget bill, SB75/HB2050 is always of major importance for continued funding for the Archives and History Library staff and collections. As all should be aware, Governor Wise imposed budget reductions for the current year, FY2002-03, when this budget was submitted, and then ordered an additional 3.4% reduction to be applied for the last six months of this budget year. The agency in allocating these reductions eliminated 4.5 positions, of which 1.5 in Archives and History were shifted from the state general fund appropriation to special funds, with current staff absorbing this work. The FY2003-04 budget required an additional 10% reduction, which was then increased to 13%. This is the budget being worked on now and its direct impact on Archives and History will not be known until it is passed and then allocated by the agency. (Unless specifically listed in a line item in the budget by the legislature, the unclassified funds are allocated by the agency.)
Bills of interest to our readers should include the very first bill introduced in the House, HB2001, which will require all County Clerks to restrict access to the DD-2 forms filed by discharged veterans. This bill passed the House on January 14, and is still pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The intent of the bill is to protect veterans from identity theft, but its all inclusive language will seal these records for World War I and World War II veterans who are deceased, making family history research more difficult. SB3, which has not moved in Judiciary Committee, would impose a fine on any official who released confidential information which may be part of a public record. HB2425 would require confidentiality of Social Security numbers and similar information recorded on public records.
Another important bill relating to records is HB2831, which provides for the continuation of the Records Management and Preservation Board to carry out its mandate to establish records management and preservation policy for county records. Two bills also having indirect implications for county courthouse records, in that they provide for rules for the Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority and fees dedicated for courthouse improvements, are SB240/HB2589 and SB413/HB2828, respectively. SB226, SB227, and SB228 (HB2587, HB2588, HB2589), all of which have moved through the Senate Government Organization and Finance Committees and are currently in the Judiciary Committee, would implement rules drafted by the Department of Administration for the management of state records and storage in a records center.
Another bill of importance to the continued work of Archives and History is HB2829, which addresses the sunset provisions of the Code by providing for the continuation of Culture and History as an agency until 2004. This bill has passed the House and is now in the Senate.
There are a number of bills again this year relating to the dissemination and promotion of history in the state, but only one has moved out of its initial committee. SB40 revises powers and duties of the tourism commission. SB84 would create a heritage preservation and tourism fund. SB169 would establish a Midland Trail Heritage Highway Authority to promote tourism. HB2968 is called the Tourism Development Act.
SB241(HB2599) is a legislative rule submitted by Culture and History to revise the Cultural Facilities/Capital Resources grants program. The revision, if passed, would allow some funding to be directed to support capital projects at history museums and for historical collections. It has moved out of the Finance Committee and to the Judiciary Committee in each house.
Tourism on the Capitol Complex is addressed in SB196(HB2523), which would provide for issuing bonds for capital improvements on the Capitol Complex with financing derived from lottery funds. Also having a direct impact on Capitol Complex tourism and Archives and History Library patrons is a rule submitted by the Department of Administration. SB230(HB2586) revises the parking regulations and fees at the Capitol Complex. This bill has been passed out of the Senate Government Organization and Finance Committee to the Judiciary Committee.
In a broader historical context, HB2245 and HB2747 propose to increase the teaching of history and the use of historical documents in the classroom, but neither has moved out of its initial committee assignment.
SB12 would increase criminal penalties for intentional cemetery damage. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 and House Concurrent Resolution 6 would continue the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study of methods of approving and managing renovation and restoration projects on the Capitol Complex.
People interested in any of these bills or others can access them and their status by going to the state legislative Web site, http://www.legis.state.wv.us/, and by calling or contacting their delegates or senators. Contact information for individual legislators is also available on the Web site, or by calling the House clerk's office, (304) 340-2300, or the Senate clerk's office, (304) 357-7800.
"HOOT OWL" RESEARCH
IN THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE ARCHIVES
"Always dreamed of spending the night in a research library?"
The Mining Your History Foundation, the "Friends" organization for the West Virginia State Archives, is sponsoring its annual all-nighter in the Archives and History Library in The Cultural Center in Charleston. Registration will be limited to 50 participants with a fee of $25.00 ($35.00 for late registration after March 12). Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21, and running through 8:00 a.m., Saturday, March 22, researchers will enjoy the following:
You do not have to be a member of MYHF to participate. For more information and a registration form, visit the MYHF Web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~myhf/hootowl.html .
ROBINSON FAMILY HISTORY
STILL AVAILABLE TO
SOCIETIES AND LIBRARIES
The Archives and History Library received a donation of copies of a Robinson family history book from the author. We have retained three copies for the Archives and History Library, and have distributed copies to public libraries and genealogical/historical society collections across West Virginia. We have three copies remaining of George Washington & Charles W. Robinson Families, by Martha Mable Robinson Jones, published in 1999, available for only $3.00 in postage and handling, to public or society libraries. If a representative of your organization can pick up a copy in person at the Cultural Center, there will be no charge. We regret that we can not give copies to individuals. Address all requests to:
Susan Scouras
Division of Culture and History
Archives and History
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AVAILABLE
Applications are now being accepted for historic preservation development grants through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Approximately $500,000 will be awarded, contingent upon appropriation of funds from the West Virginia legislature or the United States Congress. Eligible projects include the restoration or rehabilitation of historic sites listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places. Properties owned by church organizations or used exclusively for religious or governmental purposes are not eligible for funding. Privately owned properties are eligible only in instances where there is evidence of public support or public benefit.
For more information about the historic preservation development grants or a complete program description, including funding priorities and selection criteria, contact Pamela Brooks, grants coordinator for the SHPO at (304) 558-0240, ext. 720. Deadline for receipt of applications is March 31, 2003.
DONATIONS
We thank Harold Newman, of our own staff, for the donation of several reference books, including U.S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal and State Sources, Colonial America to the Present, listed in the New Titles this month. Dr. Ancella Bickley brought in many interesting books, photographs and pamphlets recently. The estate of William A. Marsh made available a new 14-volume set of The 1880 Census of West Virginia. Katie Miller of Charlotte, North Carolina, donated a collection of materials about the Lilly family. The books from that donation were added to the Archives and History Library collection, while the documents and photographs were added to the Manuscript and Photograph collections.
THROWING LIGHT ON OLD TERMS
[Commentary by [email protected], published in the e-zine, RootsWeb Review: Volume 6, Number 3, January 15, 2003]
I appreciate your explaining many ways that terms were used in past times. The one I have had the most difficulty in getting people to understand is how in-law was used in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Several certified genealogists have indicated that in-law at that time meant "related by marriage" not as it does now in describing your spouse's parents or your siblings' spouses, etc.
One ancestor used this term in his will so everyone assumes that [this] is his wife's mother. Could be, but "in-law" was also used to explain "step" relationships back then, so he could be referring to a step-mother. Also his mother-in-law could have remarried, so this doesn't prove that is his wife's maiden name.
An ancestor, Isaac Dawson, has a wife, Mary Cherry, listed as his spouse in many DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) applications. However, Mr. Cherry never names a daughter, Mary Cherry, in his will although he names many other children. He refers to his son-in-law, Isaac Dawson. [Archives and History News Editor's Note: Mr. Smith is implying that Isaac Dawson may be Mr. Cherry's stepson, and therefore Mary Dawson may not be Mr. Cherry's daughter.]
RootsWeb Review Editor's Note: In earlier times people might have used the term "in-law" when actually they meant a "step" relationship. "Any relationships created by legal means, including step relationships, were often identified simply as "in-law," according to Val D. Green in "The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy," 3rd edition.
Archives and History News Editor's Note: Jaime Simmons, Library Assistant for the West Virginia Archives and History Library, has not seen this type of usage of the term "in-law" in Virginia/West Virginia records. She says that usually relationships are well- explained in our records, such as a statement of "my sister's husband," "my father's wife," or "my wife's children." This meaning for "in-law" as a term for any legal relationship may be a regional usage that was not commonly used in the records of Virginia/West Virginia/Pennsylvania with which Jaime is familiar. A recent RootsWeb Review discussion of the use of the terms "great" and "grand" to demonstrate generational relationships showed such naming patterns to be highly regional, both in past and present-day usages.
NEW TITLES
Lilly Family Reunion Programs for 1982, 1983 and 1986: The Reunion.
Our Heritage: The Lilly Family, Volume 1: Jack Lilly, [1977].
Our Heritage: The Lilly Family, Volume 4: Jack Lilly, 1980.
Reiff to Riffe Family in America, Volume 2: Fred J. Riffe, 2002.
Chief Justice, 1947-48 [Yearbook]: Marshall College, 1948.
Benjamin Lightbourne/Lightburn of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and his Descendants: Robert C. Lightburn, 2003.
Gospel Millions: James A. Haught, 1979.
Conquering the Valley: Stonewall Jackson at Port Republic: Robert K. Krick, 2002, c1996.
Welcome T.H.S. Class of 1956: Triadelphia High School (Wheeling, WV), 2002.
West Virginia Older Boys' Conference [Variant title: Seventh State Negro Older Boys' Conference]: YMCA of West Virginia, 1933.
Speech of Ex-Gov. W. A. MacCorkle on Tax Affairs of the Republican Party Delivered at Charleston Sept. 27, 1912: Tribune Printing Company, no date.
Papers [of Thomas Jefferson]: Volume 30, 1798- 1799: Thomas Jefferson, Princeton University Press, 2003.
Technical Memorandum: Assessment of Conditions and Conceptual Planning Frameworks for Charleston, West Virginia Downtown Area Study: prepared for the Charleston Renaissance Corporation, 1997.
Links [yearbook]: The Girls of St. Hilda's Hall [Chevron School for Girls, Charles Town, W. Va.], 1923.
The Guyana [yearbook]: Logan High School, 1967.
Installation of Reverend William F. Buchanan, Pastor: First Baptist Church (Huntington, W. Va.), 1988.
150th Anniversary Souvenir Book of Providence Regular Missionary Baptist Association: The association, 1984.
The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, Volume 10: University Press of Virginia, 2002.
U.S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal and State Sources, Colonial America to the Present: James C. Neagles, 1994.
Wheeling Heritage Project: Draft Concept Plan: National Park Service, 1990.
Ohio River Navigation: Past, Present, Future: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ohio River Division, 1979.
CRM: America's Civil War: National Park Service, Cultural Resources (Periodical, single issue), Volume 25, No. 4, 2002.
Epling/Eplin: Volume II: Robert Louis Massard, 2002.
Greenleaf Genealogy: Rev. Stanley Greenleaf, 1996.
[Anniversary program]: Charleston Woman's Improvement League, Inc., 1988.
[Anniversary program]: Charleston Woman's Improvement League, Inc., 1999.
Wings of the Morning and Other Reminiscences: John Townsend Collins, 1962.
MAPS
Wards & Precincts: Charleston, West Virginia: James Sell, 1975.
Martinsburg and Berkeley County, West Virginia: Heart of the Eastern Panhandle: Baker Engineers, [1972].
City of Martinsburg: Community Map, 1990.
Note: Includes 1990 Government Directory.
APPALACHIA WIRED:
WEBS OF DIVERSITY
On March 6-8, 2003, the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Gender in Appalachia (CSEGA) and Marshall University will host a first-of-its-kind web- based conference, Appalachia Wired: Webs of Diversity, to explore, investigate, and reflect upon diversity in Appalachia focusing on ethnicity and gender. For more information, go to the CSEGA website.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
NOTE: CALENDAR BASED ON KNOWLEDGE AS OF FEBRUARY 15, 2003. BUDGET CONSTRAINTS MAY LEAD TO CHANGES AFTER PUBLICATION.
PLEASE CHECK OUR WEB SITE FOR GENEALOGICAL and HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES LISTED BELOW.
"SHAPING THE CAPITOL COMPLEX: CASS GILBERT, INC.": Collection of photographs and documents on display in the Archives and History Library and on the Archives and History Web site.
LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY, FEBRUARY 12: The Library will be open.*
PRESIDENT'S DAY, FEBRUARY 17: The Library will be open.*
HISTORY DAY 2003, FEBRUARY 27: The Capitol and The Cultural Center, Charleston.
U.S. SENATOR RUSH HOLT HISTORY CONFERENCE: "ON THE MOVE: MIGRATIONS AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CULTURAL IDENTITY," MARCH 14-16: West Virginia University, Morgantown.
"HOOT OWL" RESEARCH IN THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE ARCHIVES, MARCH 21- 22: Sponsored by Mining Your History Foundation, The Cultural Center, Charleston.
"BUILDING A HEALTHY REGION: ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE, COMMUNITY," MARCH 28-30: 26th Annual Appalachian Studies Conference, Appalachian Studies Association, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY.
BLUE AND GRAY DINNER, APRIL 10: Dennis Frye, speaker, on the Civil War movie, "Gods and Generals," Independence Hall, Wheeling.
MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 26: The Library will be closed.
*Only the Archives Library will be staffed--all other Archives offices will be closed. The State Museum will be open any time the Archives Library is open. The West Virginia Library Commission Library in The Cultural Center is closed weekends and all holidays.
ARCHIVES AND HISTORY STAFF
Fredrick Armstrong: Director
Debra Basham: Archivist (photographs, special collections)
Constance Baston: Researcher (Veterans Memorial Archive)
Greg Carroll: Historian (Civil War, Native American history)
Dick Fauss: Archivist (microfilm and moving images
collection)
Elaine Gates: Library Assistant (microfilming and microfilm
repairs)
Joe Geiger: Historian (Web page)
Ed Hicks: Photographer (archival photography, darkroom)
Mary Johnson: Historian (West Virginia History)
Terry Lowry: Library Assistant (Civil War)
Cathy Miller: Library Assistant (WV State documents,
periodicals)
Sharon Newhouse: Secretary
Harold Newman: Library Assistant (microfilming, Revolutionary
War)
Pat Pleska: Manager of the Veterans Memorial Archive
Susan Scouras: Librarian (cataloging, Kentucky, library collection,
newsletter editor)
Jaime Simmons: Library Assistant (records of the 1700's and early
1800's, Pennsylvania)
Bobby Taylor: Library Manager
Nancy Waggoner: Office Assistant
Working on special projects: Allen Fowler.
Volunteers: Carolyn Conner, Bill Kelley, Angela Tolbert, and Bob
and Lucile Foster.
This newsletter is a publication of :
The Division of Culture and History
Archives and History
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
(304) 558-0230
Nancy P. Herholdt, Commissioner
Permission to reprint articles from West Virginia Archives and History News is granted, provided: (1) The reprint is not used for commercial purposes, and (2) the following notice appears at the end of the reprinted material: Previously published in West Virginia Archives and History News, [Volume and issue numbers], [Month, Year], a publication of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.