January 13, 2010

Happy New Year to all of our readers in the tri-county region!

While our Richland facility is closed until April, the society is still active with Friday afternoon hours at the Barclay Court House in Pulaski (2nd floor over DMV, 2pm until 5) or by appointment. We got off to a rocky start following our move there with a semi-annual computer crash. We are fortunate to have invested in an off-line backup subscription, but meanwhile all of our main files are difficult to access, and photo scanning has come to a halt. We anticipate purchase of a new computer in the next couple of weeks.

One of our community service workers has been scanning and organizing the Giddings-Castor-Yerdon collection of photos that we had received last year. This six album collection is based on the collection of Lucy Joyner Castor Fry and her daughters, and we hope to have on full display at the 2010 county fair.

George Widrig has been working diligently at updating our obituary files, and works out of the Court House many mornings. One obituary of interest to us that has drawn questions is that of the late Lauretta Clute formally of Central Square who died on October 24, 2009 in Syracuse. Mrs. Clute appears in many of our first Half-Shire minutes as an early and active charter member. We had not heard from her in many years, and were unaware of her death until recently. Mrs. Clute was buried in Orwell’s Evergreen Cemetery. Anyone who remembers Lauretta’s interest in history and connections to the area families give George a call at 298-2986 so we can better document her in our files.

Many winter sports enthusiasts have been drawn to the Tug Hill region with the recent snow accumulation. The occasional appearances of the sun have also drawn a few of us to tour the winter highways taking photos and checking out natures wonders. On Saturday January 9, this writer and one of our regular volunteers began a planned drive around the circumference of the Half-Shire region. While in Boylston, we opted briefly to turn of North Church Rd. onto the Bargy Rd. I say briefly as once on the road we discovered that it was not plowed, but groomed for snowmobiles and skis. We were soon stuck, and efforts to dislodge the 4-wheel drive were fruitless. Cell service was bad, but text messages were able to be sent. We text-messaged member Margaret Sullivan in Parish who placed a call to Trustee Rita Rombach who lives on North Church Rd. and within minutes Rita’s husband Phil was on the scene and effortlessly dislodged our vehicle from the road edge. Our thanks go out to Phil once again for coming to the rescue!

Our friends at the Williamstown Historical Society have recently sent out a nice newsletter complete with a transcription of that town’s 1880 census. Copies can be obtained by getting in touch with the group at P.O. 54, Williamstown, NY 13493.

Half-Shire calendars for 2010 are not yet ready, an earlier plan to focus on the dairy industry has been set aside in favor of the theme “Our favorite photos” which covers the eleven township region.

Half-Shire can be reached at www.halfshire.com or halfshire@hotmail.com. Our mailing address is P.O. 73, 1100 County Rte 48, Richland, NY 13144

December 4, 2009

The last meeting of the year will be followed by an exciting musical program held at the H. Douglas Barclay Court House in Pulaski on Saturday December 5, beginning with a light lunch at noon. At 1 pm Kelsey Munz of Osceola will perform Christmas selections on her concert harp. This is a “must not miss event” from 1-3pm as the acoustics in the nearly 200 year old Court room are fantastic for the harp. The event is free, and there will be cookies and refreshments provided. For more information contact Shawn Doyle at 298-3620.

During the Thanksgiving holidays the scores of people who helped us this year came to mind. Half-Shire was very fortunate in these tough economic times to continue our building repair program, offer monthly lunches and occasional programs, and continue our Revolutionary War grave marking endeavors. All of our work could not have been accomplished if it were not for the generous contributions of over 300 dedicated members and several local industries such as Entergy Corporation and Healthways.

During the year volunteers such as Erma Schroeder, Rose Graham, Rita and Phil Rombach, Kay Ann Colvin and Richard Cooper have spent a great deal of time at the building assisting with various projects. Members of the Pulaski history Club such as Adam Wickert, Kenny & Kari Bacon, Jon Thousand, Dan Bellinger and their advisor John Gosek have begun a new cemetery documentation project, picking up where Leah Munz left off the year before on the east end. Jodi Wickert, Carol Thompson and Keith Munz donated three gorgeous hand-made afghans that in toll netted us nearly $1,700.00 during two very successful raffles.

As we look forward to 2010 with George Widrig continuing on as our Experience Works employee four days a week, we will again offer hours first at the Pulaski Court House Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Fridays From 9-12, then at Richland the same days beginning in April. Our new Snow scholars Christi Savastano and Colin Wansink will undoubtedly add much to our collections with their two projects that will span the winter. All in all it is an exciting time to be working in the historical field in our region!

We are hoping to re-launch the Tug Hill literary Review in 2010, with George Widrig and Richard Cooper’s valuable research we have uncovered some good poetry and prose from the past 150 years that we would like to share. This writer has been working on compiling a couple of historical ballads based on material from our files. In one such work the Florence town “character” Edwin “Ned” Roach has been spotlighted. Some good data on Roach’s colorful life has been located, detailing his six marriages, his business activities and support of St. Mary’s Church. However, we are still in search of a photo of this colorful Irish Immigrant who dominated Florence town democratic politics during the late 1800s before his death in 1889. Any information that can be shared is most appreciated.

Half-Shire can be reached at P.O. 73, Richland, NY 13144 or on the net at www.halfshire.com or halfshire @hotmail.com

October 30, 2009

Our October 24th meeting which coincided with archives day went quite well at our Richland facility. We had 30 for a sit down lunch at noon, and another 10 or so folks came in and out through the afternoon. At 1 pm we held a brief meeting of the society, our last at Richland for the season. Our next meeting will be held at the H. Douglas Barclay Court House in Pulaski on Saturday November 21. We are trying to also reschedule our annual holiday musical concert for that afternoon, and will let everyone know in this space as time gets closer.

Also during the 24th four students from the Pulaski School History Club (SHIP) worked at photographing stones in Richland cemetery around the corner from our facility. The students have taken on a project to photograph all of the existing stones for our records. A good two hours work was undertaken before they were driven out by the rain. Our thanks go out to history club members: Ken and Cary, Dan, John. Back at the facility, Ian Lowery, another student worker assisted in insulating an interior wall on the second floor.

Our dinner was donated by Barbara Brown of Palermo, and consisted of three choice hams, scalloped potatoes and salads. Roberta Cleveland also brought one of her famed tossed salads that this writer is particularly partial to.

Tours of the nearly completed 2nd floor room were ongoing through the day. We need to install a drop ceiling before the room is put into use. Right now our insulation and the beams are exposed. The work has come along very well though, and we are grateful to the contractors as well as our volunteers and donors.

Effective Monday October 26, our librarian George Widrig will be working from the Barclay Court House Historians office off the elevator over DMV. George will be there Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 9-noon. On Fridays this writer will generally be there from 2 until 5 pm. We have moved our family files to this location for the winter, and many other research items are available for perusal, including access to our ancestry.com and footnote.com accounts.

We have had a couple of new life members: Bob & June Walker of Chaumont, NY and Edwin Fisher of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Mr. Fisher has also made several archival donations in the past year. He is researching the Gurley, Laney, Hazzard and Edgar families of Central Oswego County. Life memberships are available for $250.00 while our regular membership is $12 annually or $25 per household.

Half-Shire can be reached at halfshire@hotmail.com or on the web at www.halfshire.com. Our mailing address is P.O. 73, 1100 County Rte. 48, Richland, NY 13144. 298-3620 for hours or inquiries.

October 16, 2009

On Saturday October 24, the society will open its doors from 10am until 4 pm for a full day of research. At noon the society will serve a roast ham lunch just prior to our regular monthly meeting. The meeting and lunch are open to the public. There are many new research volumes on the shelves, and even those familiar with our collections will be surprised.

As the season goes forward we still continue to welcome researchers from near and far. Over the weekend of October 11, we had a research her in from Utah looking for information on Blakeslee and Kitts ancestors who lived along the eastern shore of Lake Ontario as well as the foothills of Tug hill.

Also on the 4th and the 11th Ian Lowery assisted us in some winter storage work. We began at the Heritage Hall on the fairgrounds, and put away the last of the remaining exhibits from the 2009 fair. Some items were then transported to Half-Shire for storage.

On October 2, the Agricultural Society of Oswego County held their annual meeting and dinner. Officers were elected for the upcoming year which include: President, Carol Sweeney; Sr. Vice President, Fred Potter; Three Jr. Vice Presidents: George Commins, Shirley Rice and Robin Seaman.; Treasurer Kathy McPhearson and Secretary Anne Gibbs. One third of the jurisdictional directors were also up for election, new among the list are Margaret Sullivan for Fulton; Kathy Mulcahey for Minetto and Betty Atkinson for Sandy Creek. The 2010 County fair will be held the first week of July at Sandy Creek.

Fall cleaning has begun at the Court House office of the Richland Historian in anticipation of relocating Half-Shire’s research center for the winter months of December-March. We’ve added a new set of shelves to try to alleviate some of the congestion. More information as the move gets closer.

Two seniors from Pulaski Schools have been meeting and communicating with us on their proposed projects for the school year. Colin Wansink will be starting a digitalization project that will focus on photographs from the Pulaski Masonic Lodge collection. Colin prepared his proposal and looked over the work area last week, and hopes to begin soon. Another student is looking to work on re-mapping of area cemeteries. More on that project as we get closer.

Half-Shire can be reached at www.halfshire.com or halfshire@hotmail.com. Our mailing address is P.O. 73, 1100 County Rte 48, Richland, NY 13144

October 2, 2009

With the first week of autumn now past us, we still continue to see several researchers dropping in at Half-Shire. George Widrig is available to work with people during his regular hours at the facility each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am until 1 pm. Erma Schroeder follows George on Fridays keeping the doors open until 4 pm. For out of town researchers we can also open up by appointment most anytime.

George has been adding many new volumes of “topic binders” on the research shelf. One particularly interesting set is a three volume folio set on the Salmon River “from the source to the mouth” which is loaded with images, articles and even some poetry. A companion book on the 1983 Tube races is also available for review, with many familiar faces evident, including this writer as a 17 year old participant.

On September 26th several Half-Shire members spent time at the Silver Mine in Sandy Creek to take part in a Cancer society benefit organized by Trustee Glenna Gorski of Williamstown. Gorski has been undergoing treatments for several months now, and wanted to do something to advance the research into cancer cures. All proceeds raised were sent to the Cancer society. Williamstown Supervisor “Chip” Hamlin was also present to support his town historian.

Later in the day, Shawn Doyle, Roberta Cleveland and Anne LaDuke were among those who attended the 50th wedding anniversary of Warren and Florence (Pizon) Gardner held at the Sandy Pond Sportsmen’s club. Florence, our trustee from Albion was very surprised, and both were pleased to have all four of their daughters in attendance.

Work on the southwest classroom seems to be progressing well, the closet doors are all now attached and the primer coat of paint applied. We are going to be at a standstill on the drop ceiling until we raise a little more money, but none the less are quite pleased with the progress so far.

The Oswego County history consortium has set Saturday October 24th as a county-wide day of open houses for all historical and Cultural locations. Half-Shire will be open 10-4pm and offer chili and free coffee and cider to mark the day, along with full access to our research materials. More information will follow in future columns.

Half-Shire can be contacted at halfshire@hotmail.com or 1100 County Rte. 48, Richland, NY 13144. 298-3620

We have a winner!!

The drawing for the beautiful American Flag afghan was conducted, and Phyllis McNitt of Boylston was the winner. Trustee Margaret Kastler later delivered the afghan. Thanks go out again to jodi Wickert for making the amazing coverlet that was a profitable fundraiser for us.

Kelsey Munz drew the winning ticket for us.

September 26, 2009

The annual meeting of the society was held on Saturday September 19, at the Richland headquarters. Trustees Rose Graham (Orwell); Mary Munz (Osceola-Florence); Mary Lou Guindon (Parish); and Charlene Cole (at-large Trustee) were all reelected to succeed themselves. In other business, President Doyle went over the progress in the SW classroom, and outlined some broad goals for the upcoming year. The assemblage wished Mary Munz a Happy 80th birthday, complete with a cake sent up by her daughter in law Amy. Cards were signed for many members who were sick or had lost loved ones. (Mary pictured right)

Former Vice President Keith Willis was in attendance, and told the membership about his recent activities with Albany’s Vale Cemetery. Other reports were given by Vice President Monette and Trustees Munz, Gardner, Kastler, Graham, Rombach and Secretary Widrig. A delicious meal was prepared by Trustee Erma Schroeder. The next meeting will coincide with Archives week activities across the county on Saturday October 24th. A lunch at noon will be both preceded and followed by research programs from 10-4 pm.

Also on September 19, the society attempted an exhibit on the Civil War at the Barclay Courthouse foyer. Member Richard Cooper staffed the exhibit for three hours and saw one person. This event was planned to be part of the Salmon River Fest in the park, which otherwise was a great success.

Back a couple weeks, the Redfield Old Home days were quite successful, and Half-Shire sold a few books and took in some membership. Thanks to Erma Schroeder for her good work at the booth both days.

Visitors to the society recently have included members of the Edger and Gurley families who left an extensive file for our records. These folks travelled here from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Several other local visitors have come in during our museum days open.

On Sunday September 20, over 350 parishioners and guests filled the shrine of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel in Florence for a thanksgiving mass conducted by the honorable Bishop Emeritus Thomas Costello of Syracuse. Costello, a “son of Florence” had agreed to assist the community of faith in December 2006 when the former church was slated for demolition. Since that meeting less than two years ago, over $200,000 has been raised and the church is now restored and in excellent repair. The mass blended Catholic liturgy with several homilies on the historic church and its people. Following the service the graves were blessed by the bishop, (seen left) and doves released. A reception was then held at the Florence Hotel. Representatives of most all of the legendary Irish Catholic clans of Florence were in attendance, and this writer was one who enjoyed the day immensely.

Other Half-Shire members who were noticed in attendance and who had contributed to the restoration included John & Ann O’Mara, Thomas Clark, Bob & Susan (Archibee) Hemings, Leo Seaton and Sue Kidney, Stedman & Mary Lou Twiss, Mary Adams Lambie, Sylvia Yerdon Adams, Doreen Tilton, Barb Paufe, Dorothy Fey, Jack Plumley, Matthew Clark, Martin Clark, Michael Clark and Monica Clark—the last named siblings being central to the renovation efforts. It was a proud day for Florence and for those among us who appreciate history.

Half-Shire is open through the falls months Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 9-1 pm. Friday afternoons usually until 4 pm. We can be contacted at http://www.halfshire.com/ emailed at Halfshire@hotmail.com. Our mailing address is P.O. 73, 1100 County Rte. 48, Richland, NY 13144

September 4, 2009

On Saturday August 22, Half-Shire hosted our monthly lunch meeting at Richland. Following a lunch of stuffed pork chops with all the fixings, there was a short meeting and some historical discussion.
On Saturday August 29, we hosted the 25th annual Redfield Schools Reunion. The event was a great success with over 30 people present. Three members of the surviving graduates of the Redfield high School were present: Ron Jones, Meda Perry Yerdon and Edward Simson. Meda Yerdon was cited for her commitment to her alma mater in organizing the first reunion 25 years ago, and most of the subsequent ones through the years. A large contingent of Yerdons was present, so a family photo was taken which represented descendants of Abraham Yerdon (1837-1923) through two of his daughters and three of his sons.
Vernon V. Randall was the most senior member present, and of those who attended Redfield Schools Don Yerdon the youngest. Officers of the group were re-elected for another term: Mike Yerdon, President; Shawn Doyle Secretary and Fay Ann Yerdon Colvin Treasurer. Those in attendance enjoyed browsing Half-Shire’s extensive collection of Redfield photographs and scrapbooks, and also shared many good stories!
Also with us on the 29th were two researchers from the west—Mila Behunin Anderson and Nola Behunin Durall. Both of these ladies are descendants of Albert Bohanan, one of Richland’s earliest settlers who located at the mouth of Snake Creek on Lake Ontario about 1803. They brought with them some very good information on the family which was footnoted well. Going through our files the ladies found additional information to add to their files, and they returned the next two days meeting with George Widrig and Erma Schroeder. The current information seems to lead to a direction that the Bohannan/Behunin family was of French Canadian descent.
On September 5, the Ballou and McCaw families of Redfield will gather in Redfield for their 20th Family reunion. Half-Shire has an extensive collection of documents on these early Oswego County families in our collection. Half-Shire will conduct a display/sales booth at the Redfield Old home Days on the 5th and 6th from noon until 6 pm each day.
Half-Shire’s Richland research facility is open four days a week—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9-1pm and Fridays 9-4 pm. We are also pleased to schedule any other appointments. Our faculty is located in the former Richland hamlet school, 1100 County Rte. 48, Richland, (PO 73) or on the web at www.halfshire.com.
halfshire@hotmail.com

The 152nd Oswego County Fair ended on Sunday July 5 with bright sunny skys—a contrast to an otherwise overcast week. Despite the poor weather attendance was steady for the five day event. In our Heritage Hall the crowds were not at all lessened by the weather. Each day we were very busy from early morning through the evening. Of the 22 townships of Oswego County historians from all but three participated in the week’s activities.

Photo: Roy Weldon of Howardville won the trophy as “Sr. Spelling Champion” for 2009 at the Oswego County Fair. Weldon stood with third Cousin Shawn Doyle for this photo.

The main competition in or building each year is the historic room display competition. This year’s competitors did a tremendous job and the three judges had an unenviable task. West Monroe’s historic barn interpretation took the blue ribbon, followed by Lakeshore Hardwood’s historic woodworking shop. New Haven’s model of a working farm in miniature took third place. All entrants are congratulated for their hard work again this year.

During the week our digitalization project moved along at a brisk pace with several volunteers and community service workers taking a turn at scanning some of the thousands of photos brought in for us to copy. The family of the late Malcom and Joan Noble loaned us a large collection of family photos that much time was spent copying and organizing. Included with this collection are many interesting images of the Nobles and their friends snowmobiling on Tug Hill during the 1950s and 60s. The early sleds are quite interesting to see.



The take-down of the Heritage Hall also went better the usual, with most all items returned to their place on the Half-Shire shelves within a few days. Thanks are extended to all who volunteered or assisted during this very busy week.



Back at Richland we met with Andrew Clemens and his three brothers on July 11. The Clemens family was all in the region to attend the annual reunion in Osceola that weekend. Several pages of early data on the Clemens, Blazier and their related families were exchanged, as well as scanned images of Redfield and Osceola photos. All of the brothers are now among our members.



Chances are still available on the amazing American flag afghan donated by Jody Wickert of Fernwood. Tickets went out in the mail with the summer newsletter and will be available at our Pulaski Farmer’s Market stand each week. Drawing will be at our September 19, annual meeting in Richland.

Half-Shire is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 9am-1 pm or by appointment. We can be reached at P.O. 73, Richland, NY 13144 or on the web at http://www.halfshire.com/