1991 and 1992 have been important years in the areas of family history and genealogy as a number of improvements in resources and the general climate of research have been made. In early March, ten persons met at the Randolph County Airport for the purpose of forming a genealogical society for Randolph County. After some discussion a number of decisions were made. It was decided that since (county boundaries are often crossed by material gathered in family history, the group should be a regional group, drawing it's interests and membership from a wide regional area. The group held considerable discussion regarding the difference between family History and genealogy, and it was decided that there is a difference, and that family history is the more inclusive. So the attendees voted to form a family history society rather than a genealogical society, and the result is the ALLEGHENY REGIONAL FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY. All persons interested in the study of family history and genealogy are invited to become members. Complete information on the group and membership fees can be found elsewhere in this issue.

Last, winter the Randolph County Commission voted to hire area journalist and historian, William H. Rice, to catalog and organize the county's records dating before the Civil War. This was an important step on the part of the commissioners and shows a concern of our elected officials for preserving our heritage and an understanding of the value of such records, concerns and understandings being solely lacking in many counties. Mr. Rice carefully gathered the records into one room, assigned a name and or number to each, repaired the bindings on many, and distributed the same to areas in the courthouse where it was felt they could be best used and protected. Many of the miscellaneous old records are now housed in the office of the Circuit Clerk. Perhaps persons interested in genealogy, family and local history should contact their county commissioners and commend them on this most important step in the improvement of resources for studying our ancestors.

A number of important indexes have lately been created by Mrs. Owen Crickard of Beverly. Madeline has prepared an index for MCWHORTER'S BORDER SETTLERS, THE GEORGE MCLEAN DIARY, and perhaps most importantly MORTON'S HISTORY OF PENDLETON COUNTY. These important resources will now be much easier to use thanks to the effort of Mrs. Crickard. Persons interested in copies of these indexes may contact her for more information.

The Elkins ward of the Mormon Church continues to make important additions to their genealogy collection. Perhaps the most important of these recent additions is the new computer system, about which much was recently written in the national media. The computer and all the resources of the church library at Beverly are open to the public. However, the library is short of staff and the hours are quite limited, and even the announced hours have been found to be unreliable at times. Librarian Ruby Simmons has been working to rectify this situation and persons interested in the use of church facilities are referred to her for more information. Until the staff problems at the Elkins ward are cleared up, all of the church's records are available on loan through the regional center in Fairmont.

Perhaps one of the lesser known regional sources of family history and genealogy is the Belington Public Library. Librarian Janice Coontz has built a collection at this small library that may well be the foremost genealogy collection in a 50 mile radius. In addition to a number of published sources Janice has joined the American Genealogical Lending Library, and through them can order nationwide census records (including 1920), passenger lists, Civil War records, and Revolutionary Pension Files on microfilm. If persons needing these sources would contact the Belington Library, it may take some of the pressure off of the staff at the Elkins Mormon Church, leaving them more time to deal with requests for items available only through them. It is hoped that more detailed information about the collection at the Belington Library will appear in a future issue.

Largely due to the efforts of Librarian Jane Fair, the genealogical collection at the Elkins Public Library continues to grow.

Persons who used this source ten years ago would be quite surprised at the many additions to the collection. While these additions are far too many to list here, a few of the major ones will be discussed. The census records for Randolph County are now complete through 1910, and the same for many of the adjoining counties are more or less complete. Particularly strong is the collection of census records for Pendleton County. The 1787 tax lists for Harrison and Randolph County are available. Persons having ancestors in the Confederate States Army will find a wealth of information in the unit histories published by Howard publishing, and available at the library. Ms. Fair has ordered the books for the 14th, 18th, 23rd, 31st, 44th, and 62nd infantry units as well as McClanahan's Battery of artillery. These comprise the confederate units with the largest representation of Randolph County and regional men. The books can be found in the Pearl Buck Collection.

A number of published courthouse records have been added to the collection, including the early records of Hampshire County, the Lewis County marriages, and the Bath County marriages. These are held in addition to the Augusta County records that have been in the collection for a number of years.

Some foreign records have been added to the collection, including a new book on German Emigrants by Yoder. Also, the published index to Irish Wills is now available, although most of these actual documents were destroyed in the Dublin Four Courts fire of the 1920's. A volume of American Ancestors mentioned in the English Court of Canterbury is now available, and provides a useful source for persons with British ancestry provided those ancestors were mentioned in court during the 1600's and 1700's. In addition to the German emigration records mentioned persons with German ancestry will also find Volume I of PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN CHURCH RECORDS, as well as an indexed copy of Rupp's THIRTY THOUSAND NAMES OF IMMIGRANTS, both vital sources to German American research. Persons with ancestors who came from Europe to Maryland in the colonial period will find a valuable source in Skordas' EARLY SETTLERS OF MARYLAND, now available at the library.

Perhaps one of the most valuable additions to the collection is that of the EPHEMERA CATALOG, prepared by volunteers and kept in the Pearl Buck Collection. The Library holds many valuable local sources such as City Directories, Phone Books, Elkins High Yearbooks, Local Films, and Historical Magazines. Also available are bound volumes of the RANDOLPH ENTERPRISE donated by the late Frank Palavido. All of these records are stored in the upstairs regional archives room, and this is a non public area. However, these resources are listed in the EPHEMERA CATALOG and can be brought down to the main floor for public use. The EPHEMERA CATALOG also contains an index of local history as published in various periodicals, and this can be a valuable sources for persons studying the local area. During the 1970's, the TYGART VALLEY PRESS newspaper published a good deal of regional history, and a complete set of these is on file in the regional archives collection. These articles are fully indexed in the EPHEMERA CATALOG.

The RICH MOUNTAIN BATTLEFIELD FOUNDATION is spearheading a drive to purchase and preserve the site of the Battle of Rich Mountain, perhaps the area's most important Civil War engagement. Sections of the battle site and the Confederate Camp at the base of the mountain have already been purchased, partly through loans from local banks, and the foundation is seeking financial assistance from Battlefield preservation and other groups. A tax-deductible donation of $10.00 will secure a one year membership in the group, including regular mailings on the progress of the drive. Those interested in joining the foundation or making a donation to the effort may write to P.O. Box 227, Beverly WV, 26253.

During the past school year Harman High School Social Studies teacher and Allegheny Regional Society member, Vera Lewis, has made significant contribution to the preservation of the history of the Dry Fork region through an innovative approach. Vera assigned her students various genealogical projects and in the process they have collected a number of family histories, bible records, letters, cemetery records and other items that will add a good deal to our knowledge of the history of the Dry Fork region. These students are to be commended for their work, and Mrs. Lewis is to be congratulated on this innovative approach to the study of local history. Perhaps more of the area teachers would like to follow her example.

All persons interested in family history and genealogy are invited to submit articles for publication in ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ANCESTORS. Deadlines are as follows: Feb 15 for the March issue; May 15 for the June issue; August 15 for the September issue; and November 1 for the December issue. The editors reserve the right to reject any submission subject to the guidelines adopted in committee, and reported to the membership.

Previously unpublished, original submissions will be given first consideration, although previously published items will be considered on an item by item basis. Submissions written in full sentences will be considered favorable, for example: "John Smith was born in July of 1804, and married Phebe Smith" is preferable to "John Smith B: Jul 1804; M: Phebe Smith~. All submissions should be finished and camera ready. Family legends and tradition are welcome so long as they are qualified as such in the article. All submissions should contain footnotes or a bibliography so that others can verify the research. Such entries will be given first consideration.

Articles and writers will be given equal consideration without -regard to race, gender, religion, etc. Persons unhappy with an editorial decision may address the publications committee through the grievance procedure adopted in committee and entered in the minutes of the June 2 meeting. Persons who desire a return of rejected material should include a self addressed, stamped envelope with submissions.

Comments regarding this page to: Deborah Johnson.