National Intelligencer

The National Intelligencer & Washington Advertiser was the first newspaper printed in Washington, DC. The Library of Congress owns the microfilm of the newspaper from it's first issue of October 3, 1800. Our library owns 7 volumes of the abstracts created by Joan M. Dixon beginning with 1800 and running through 1846. Should you check it even if you don't have evidence of your ancestors having lived in DC? Probably. DC was our nation's capital so there are names of  individuals from any number of places. As I look through the one for 1800-1805 I see mention of Vermont, Massachusetts, various US ships' crews, Virginia, a dead Revolutionary War general, Maryland, Charleston, SC, Detroit, MI, and Georgia. "The abstracts are advertisements, appointments by the President, House of Representatives petitions, passed acts, legal notices, marriages, deaths, social events, tax lists, military promotions, court cases, prisoners and maritime information." An explanation of the abbreviations used in the newspaper at that time are included in the front of the books. You can find these resources at R Gen 929.3753 DIX.

Persons of Quality

A book with the title The Original Lists of Persons of Quality 1600-1700 just makes you hope you have an ancestor in there. I mean “persons of quality” certainly sounds good. This book, edited by John Camden Hotten (originally published London 1874. reprinted Clearfield Co, Inc. 2003) is subtitled emigrants; religious exiles, political rebels, serving men sold for a term of years; apprentices; children stolen; maidens pressed; and others who went from Great Britain to the American Plantations. Now you have a better idea of what’s in the book and you still might be glad to find one of your ancestors in this book. The introduction tells us that of the groups of early emigrants “by far the greater number was composed of comparatively obscure men – men of little means, but possessed of hearts and consciences of too honest a nature to permit them quietly to submit to the intolerance which was forced upon them at home.” If your ancestors can from across the pond during this noted century you should come take a look at this, and a follow up book edited by James C. Brandow entitled Omitted Chapters from Hotten’s original lists of person of quality…and others who went from Great Britain to the American Plantations, 1600-1700 (copyright 1982 Genealogical Publishing Co.). They can be found shelved together at R Gen 929.3 HOT.

Do you have a favorite librarian?

Do you love a librarian? Here's a way you can thank that librarian for helping you.
Nominations for the national Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award run through September 20. Nominations are accepted at www.ilovelibraries.org/ilovemylibrarian.
The award invites library users nationwide to nominate librarians in public libraries, as well those in school and academic libraries. It is an opportunity for library users to tell how librarians make a difference in their community. Thanks to the generous support of Carnegie Corporation of New York, 10 librarians will win $5,000 and be honored at an awards ceremony in New York in December, hosted by The New York Times.
 In 2008 and 2009, nine librarians in public libraries were honored with the award. You can learn about them, as well as other winners, at www.ilovelibraries.org/ilovemylibrarian. Click on the links that say “2009 winners” or “2008 winners.”
Winners of the 2010 award will be announced to the public in December. If you have any questions, please e-mail Megan Humphrey at the American Library Association: mhumphrey@ala.org.

The Fighting Men (and Women) of Texas

The 36th Infantry Division of the National Guard was established at Camp Bowie, TX in 1917. It was composed of units from both Texas and Oklahoma. They fought in France, with great success, against the Germans in The Great War in 1918. After that war the Oklahoma folks splintered off to an Oklahoma National Guard division. On Nov. 25, 1940 the 36th Texas National Guard Division was inducted in Federal service, ultimately becoming a party of the U.S. Army ground forces. They headed for North Africa in April 1943.
A five-volume set of books entitled The Fighting Men of Texas (copyright 1948 by Historical Publishing Company, Dallas, TX) is now complete in our collection. Until recently we only held a couple of the volumes. In this set you will find biographies of each of the men and women who served in World War II from Texas. Though the first book gives the history of the 36th division, it appears that the set includes many Texans who served in other divisions as well. Photographs, in uniform, are included of each service man or woman. The biographies typically include birth date and place, education, date and place of service entry, campaigns in which they served, and discharge or death date. Some include other information.  Even if you don't have an ancestor in this book, it's a great set to flip through and remember those who served for our freedom.  The set can be found at R Gen 929.3764 HIS