On the Go Again

The You Go Genealogy Girls have been together to travel ... like in genealogy traveling.  Last week we spent two days in Broken Bow, Nebraska where our ancestors settled and lived for generations.  We stayed overnight in the historic Arrow Hotel in downtown Broken Bow, enjoyed the local home-cooked food and were delighted in our "find" at the Custer County Historical Society Museum.

Located across from the town square, the museum has an excellent research room.  They have a collection of photographs and displays, as well as numerous books, maps, microfilm, family files and indexes.  We were especially interested in the family files and spent two days scanning the contents for those of our ancestors.  The volunteers at the museum allowed us to set up our computers and scanners on a large table.

I was pleased to see so many traveling genealogists there on visits for a few hours, half a day or more.  They came from a lot further than 70 miles down the road.  I hope they had good luck in locating records of their ancestors.

Today I am leaving for the panhandle of Nebraska to visit You Go Genealogy Girl #2.  We will talk and do genealogy, decorate graves and probably do a little shopping.  I can always use some new shoes!

Next week Lil' Red will take me to Colorado Springs to the Family History Expo.  If you live in the area, be sure to take in the Expo.  I'll be presenting two lectures and would delight in having somebody say "hi."

You Go Genealogy Girl #1 -- Ruby

Files and Files ... A to Z

Family File Folders
North Platte Genealogical Society

Almost two years ago the North Platte Genealogical Society, North Platte, NE (where I live!) was given access to hundreds of family files.  They pertain to families who lived in North Platte and Lincoln County.  By the end of January I realized there were too many files to copy at home or I would need a new all in one printer.  The last day of January a rental copy machine was delivered to the genealogy section at the library.  Thus began a month of frustration and fun ... mostly fun.

While I did most of the copying, a good crew of volunteers prepared files, cross-checked and filed them.  There were lots of laughs along the way.  In the category of frustration, we soon realized that we were spending society money for the copies, paper, files and rental of the machine.  However, it was that or ignore the access given us to the files.  Working diligently we were able to finish the last file on March 1st, turned the copy machine off and closed the last file drawer.

The five drawer file cabinet is full of great information ...  pedigree charts and family group sheets, copies of marriage records, death certificates, photographs and more.  I first moved to North Platte in 1976 and consider myself a transplant.  Can you imagine my surprise when I discovered an old cousin from Indiana had moved here and is buried here?  I found her information in a family file I was copying.

When I wasn't copying at the library, I was here at home scanning records such as marriages of Lincoln County, WPA interviews and church records.  Eventually we hope to have those on a web page.  It takes time, but it is worth the effort.

It is time the You Go Genealogy Girls start thinking about travel.  YGGG #2 is coming to visit me in 1 1/2 weeks.  She is presenting the program, Antique Photos and Cherished Reflections, for the North Platte Genealogical Society meeting on March 21st.  The next day we will load up 'Lil Red and head to Broken Bow, Nebraska.  We plan on staying in an old, renovated hotel and using the Custer County Historical Society museum/research center for two days.  They also have file cabinets of family files.  We will be scanning the files.  This is our first excursion together since May/June of last year.

You Go Genealogy Girl #1 .... Ruby

PS  If you are interested in the North Platte Genealogical Society family files, they are on the second floor of the North Platte Public Library, 120 West 4th Street, North Platte, Nebraska.