February 2002 Genealogy Forum News

My Research Experience

I decided to take the opportunity to visit my grandchildren in MD for Christmas. I took the long way to MD, but I had a mission! I was going to the SC Archives. I left FL headed for Columbia, SC. Decided to take Route 21 up to Columbia. I found the neatest cemeteries on that little back road. ( Guess that is another story.) Of course, I had to get out and stretch the legs when I spotted the first cemetery........

Back to my research......

I was going to the SC archives for two of our chatterers. It has been a good 12 years since I had been digging in an archive. The last time was in Ohio at the Western Reserve Historical Society.

This was a whole new experience for me. I was looking up names that were not on my family tree. I had no clue who these "ancestors" were or what they had done. I knew nothing about the state of SC. I have mostly New England roots.

Of course, I got misplaced (I never get lost) when I got to Columbia. A few directions from the friendly folks of Columbia got me to the Archives in one piece.

I went to the desk for assistance first thing. I figured if the folks of Columbia were so kind to help me find the place; the folks at the Archives were bound to be just as nice. They went above and beyond the call of duty with me. :c)

We chatted about the state of SC and they told me stories from their own family trees, including the brick walls. I was becoming familiar with the area I was going to attempt to research. Such wonderful stories were shared with me. (hmm? another story?)

I have never done a search on someone else's family tree. I only had a name or two to go on. I started going through reference books they had available. More education for me. :c)

The folks (wish I had their names, now) from the Archives showed me where all the microfiche was located. That helped. So I spent a couple of hours going through microfiche. When I finally located one of the famous ancestors, they showed me how to use the "new fangled" machines to photograph the information. I know they did not have those in Ohio!!

I felt I had not done a complete job for these our folks who needed some assistance. So I E-mailed them from the SC archives for more information.

I went back the next morning to check for e-mails. They had written more information in there that seemed heaven sent not cyberspace sent. :c)

The Archive folks read the e-mail and went OH!. The Archive folks knew where the information was they needed! Hot Dog! In no time flat I was handed two books with information in it and more microfiche. I copied the book titles and face page (I think that is what the first page with the publishers name of it is called) to send to them. I zoomed through the microfiche because I knew now what to look for. I had mastered the "new fangled" machines the day before; so I was making copies lickety split. It only took me a couple of more hours to complete the task.

I left the SC archives feeling a little sad. Remember how you felt as a youngster when you were having fun and it was time to leave and go home. That was the feeling I had.

So with mixed feelings I left to go see my darling grandchildren and their mothers. :c) This was a great way to spend a Christmas Holiday. May everyone have as much fun researching as I do. :c)

With Smiles :) :)
Host GFS Chrissy

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