USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
With all these thoughts in view, the Olin Commercial Club was organized September 14, 1905, with the following members: A. A. Cole, C. E. Mershon, H. W. Flenniken, W. B. Brock, M. W. White, S. W. Flaherty, Thos. Edleman, Geo. W. Huber, Gilbert Blahney, M. H. Crissman, F. D. Lawson, W. H. Crain, Lamb Brothers, G. B. Macomber, L. H. Peck, O. A. Dayton, E. H. Mershon, H. G. Halsey, Wilber Starry, R. E. Stubbs.
The officers are : C. E. Mershon, president ; A. A. Cole, secretary ; H. W. Flen- niken, treasurer.
The club does its work without much display. Suggestions are made to the town council, improvements are inaugurated, and the general welfare is always borne in mind.
JONES COUNTY POULTRY FANCIERS' ASSOCIATION. This association of poultry fanciers was organized January 8, 1906. A meeting had been called in the Opera House on that date for the purpose of organizing an association of this kind. E. N. Fortney was chosen as chairman of the meeting and W. B. Brock, secre- tary. The subject was fully discussed and the association organized with the following officers: President, Mrs. M. C. Daly; vice-president, E. N. Fortney ; secretary, W. B. Brock ; treasurer, Mrs. L. J. Streeter. The executive committee : F. E. Truax, Thos, Elliot, L. D. Stubbs, Wm. Daly, L. J. Streeter.
The object of the association, as stated in its constitution, was to promote and encourage the breeding of fancy poultry. The third week in January was fixed as the annual show date, and U. J. Shanklin retained as judge for the show. Good shows were held at the time fixed in 1906, 1907 and 1908. Good exhibits were had, the entries numbering from three hundred to five hundred birds. The show did not prove financially successful, although otherwise, the object of the association was attained.
A similar association has now been organized at Anamosa, and the Olin organ- ization has been discontinued.
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB. This is one of the prominent ladies' clubs of Olin, and is decidedly literary in its character. When first organized. the Chautauqua course was followed. The charter members were: Mrs. C. C. Lamb,
Digitized by Google
569
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Mrs. Amy Easterly, Mrs. Alice Port, Mrs. Ella Scott, Mrs. E. E. Snyder, Mrs. Viola Lindley, Lulu Port, Miss Martha Herrick, Mrs. T. J. Cowan.
In 1906, the club was divided into three branches, viz., literary, musical and domestic science. The latter branch has survived and is now a flourishing club in itself and is known as the Domestic Science Department of the Twentieth Century Club. Its membership is limited to twenty and it meets once each month at the homes of the members. The course of study as found in the Study Book by the International School of Home Economics is followed.
The present officers and members are : President, Mrs. Gilbert Blahney ; vice- president, Mrs. W. S. Scott; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. John Moffit; Mrs. W. B. Brock, Mrs. H. E. Carter, Mrs. L. M. Carpenter, Mrs. M. H. Crissman, Mrs. Amy Easterly, Mrs. F. W. Port, Mrs. W. C. Peck, Mrs Ella Sherman, Mrs. Payson Scott, Mrs. Pearl Swanson, Mrs. M. Fortney, Mrs. K. T. Lamb, Mrs. G. B. Macomber, Mrs. H. Flenniken, Mrs. Ed. Mershon, Mrs. J. J. Kidder. The honorary members : Mrs. Percy Lamb, Mrs. Willis Jordan, Mrs. Verba Brainard, Miss Lulu Bender.
The programs given by the club are interesting, instructive and practical. The members take an active interest in the study and the club is well maintained.
THE OLIN-MORLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY. The first, telephone organiza- tion in Olin was the Merritt Telephone Company in 1900. The Morley Tele- phone Company extended its lines into town in 1901. Another line called the St. John line came into town the same year. Out of these lines developed the Olin-Morley Telephone Company. Good service is maintained. J. W. Lyon is now the Central, and also looks after the repairs necessary on the several lines. H. S. Merritt is president. W. E. Tallman is secretary, and Roy Easterly, treas- arer.
The telephone is now a business necessity in Olin, and every business house, and many of the residences in town and in the country tributary, enjoy the pleas- ure and convenience of this necessity.
THE OLIN CREAMERY. This once bustling dairy institution has joined the forces of the past industries, and history can only record the fact that the cream- ery once existed and did a flourishing business. The creamery was organized about 1880 by D. R. Carpenter & Company, and the business of the institution was conducted for several years by this firm. C. L. Passmore became the pro- prietor in the year 1894. After a few years' experience in the creamery business, this proprietor was succeeded by Condit & Swanson. In 1906 the creamery closed its doors. The building is now being used as an ice house by Frank Knight, the ice man.
THE OLIN TILE AND BRICK COMPANY. This industry began operations about the year 1883, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. The plant was lo- cated at the north edge of town. Lew Parsons became proprietor in 1898. About the year 1903, the industry went out of existence, the machinery being now used in the brick and tile works at Center Junction.
DON A. CARPENTER POST NO. 191, G. A. R.
The Don A. Carpenter Post. No. 191. G. A. R., was organized at Olin in 1883. We have been unable to secure much data in regard to the organization
Digitized by Google
570
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
other than the names of those who have been members. The ranks have become thinned as must be inevitable with the advance of years. The soldier boys who yet survive are none the less patriotic because of age, and the sound of the fife and drum yet brings to them the same stirring emotions as in the days of 61-65. The present officers are : D. E. Rummel, commander; J. L. Pike, S. C .; Albert Green, J. C .; Henry Glick, Adj .; J. A. White, surgeon.
We give herewith the names of the soldier boys who have been members of this post since its organization, together with the name of their company :
David E. Rummel, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Albert Green, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; John A. Stuart, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Riley Arnold, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Wm. H. Glick, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; John M. Price, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Uzal Bar- ker, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Clement H. Lane,' Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Wm. H. Starry Co. B. 9th Iowa Inf .; H. C. Freeman, Co. B. 9th Iowa Inf .; Benedict Sherman, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Geo. Hammond, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; J. T. Brickley, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Manville Tarbox, Co. B, 9th Iowa Inf .; Robert H. Shipman, Co. A, 18th O. V. I .; Oliver P. Holmes, Co. H, 35th Iowa; Jas. Duncan, Co. H, 14th Iowa Inf .; William Duncan, Co. C, 82d Ill .; J. L. Pike, Co. K, 17th Iowa Inf .; Edward A. Dewey, Co. G, 31st Iowa; Frank D. Webb, Co. I, 23rd N. Y .; Wm. H. Dicus, Co. G, Ist Ill. Cav .; John A. White, Co. E, 11th Iowa Inf .; Samuel W. Reed, Co. G, 31st Iowa Inf .; Henry Benfield, Co. H, 8th Iowa Inf .; E. R. Sealls, Co. H, 35th Iowa Inf .; Nilas Vorhies, Co. G, 31st Iowa Inf .; John C. Simpson, Co. G, 31st Iowa Inf .; Horatio H. Waldo, Co. E, 5th Iowa Cav .; Wm. H. Ellis, Co. K, 24th Iowa Inf .; Wm. Seeger, Co. F, 12th Ill. Inf .; Coleman Simonds, Co. B, 24th Iowa Inf .; Enos H. Stivers, Co. F. 5th Iowa Cav .; Gideon Jacobie, Co. D, 155 Ind .; Chas. Emerson, Co. G, 31st Iowa Inf .; Theo Clothier, Co. G, 31st Iowa Inf .; W. L. Vrooman, Co. G, 31st Iowa Inf .; Simeon W. Cole, Co. G, 31st Iowa Inf .; J. C. Austin, captain, Co. G, 31st Iowa Inf .; Andrew Jackson, Co. H, 177th Pa .; Elias V. Miller, Co. F, 13th Iowa; Wm. Fisher, Co. G, 104th Ohio; Samuel L. Walton, Co. - , 24th Lt. Art'y .; Wm. White, Co. K, 24th Jowa Inf .; Philander E. Olmstead, Co. I, 53 Ill .; James Slife, Co. G, 24th Iowa; Wm. H. Green, Co. E, 92 Ohio; Samuel Sawyer. Co. E, 169 N. Y .; Wm. Mills, Co. E, 15th Mich. Inf. ; L. F. Renne, Co. - , 5th N. Y. Cav .; J. W. McClure, Co. F, 36th Ill .; Benj. W. Lucas, Co. G, 63d Ind. Inf .; C. L. Brock, J. L. Horton, -McCartney, A. W. Hilton.
It is worthy of mention that at the time of the Decoration day exercises in 1909, the commander, D. E. Rummel was too ill to take part or be present at the exercises, and that the line of march of the school children was planned to pass the residence of the ill commander. This token of sympathy and respect was appreciated by the aged and invalid veteran.
No Ladies' Relief Corps has ever been organized at Olin. The ladies have taken part in the exercises of the day but have never organized.
THE OLIN COLLEGE.
Future generations will be able to glance backward to the time when a college was one of the educational institutions of Olin. Though its life was short, there
Digitized by
i
571
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
was a time in its career when the prospects for the future with a college of sev- eral hundred students were bright and promising. C. L. Porter, A. M., a grad- uate of Amherst College, was principal. Laura J. Hendy was teacher of music. Three distinct courses of study were presented-Preparatory, Scientific and Classical.
The studies taught were: Fundamental reading, spelling, writing, grammar, United States history, drawing, rhetoric, logic, elocution, mental and moral sci- . ence, theory and practice of teaching, constitution of the United States; mathe- matics, arithmetic, bookkeeping, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, surveying, conic sections, calculus. Natural Sciences-geography, geology, min- eralogy, physiology, botany, natural history, astronomy. Languages-Greek, Lat- in, French and German. Music-Vocal and instrumental.
The college was organized September 1, 1878, and incorporated August I, 1879. The enrollment the first year was forty-eight students. The trustees of the college were : A. J. Dalby, president; C. L. Porter, secretary ; N. M. Everhart, treasurer; John Merritt, D. R. Carpenter, Andrew Coppes, John M. Rummel, W. V. Field, J. B. Ingersoll, J. A. White, J. W. Jamison, L. K. Rose, J. Scoles, J. Whitmore, Jonathan Easterly, F. S. Dunklee, C. H. Derr, John Hess, Jacob Starry, William Gordon.
Those who are familiar with the names of these trustees will recognize that the college had splendid backing, and the blighted hopes which befell the insti- tution were a disappointment to these men.
There were ten graduates from the college at the commencement in the year 1880, and in fact this was the only class ever graduated. This class was com- posed of the following young men and women : A. A. Cole, G. F. Rummel, Carrie Hull, Will Fields, Flora Fields, Jas. Smith, Cora Perry, Miss Stivers.
The highest enrollment at any one time was seventy students. There were three instructors besides one music teacher. At the commencement exercises in 1880, the principal gave a word picture of the new college building which was to be constructed. It was to be a three-story building and to be located on the com- manding knoll one-half mile west of town where Scott & Easterly's feed yard was afterward built. There were to be fifteen instructors, and accommodations for three hundred and fifty students. The money for this grand institution was partly pledged, and in fact with the above named trustees supporting the project, there were bright prospects for the future of the college. But "The best laid plans of mice and men, gang aft aglee," and the institution was never built. A female music teacher led the principal into some indiscretions of conduct, or rather the conduct of the principal and the music teacher was considered indis- creet and unbecoming. Furthermore the principal took an unnecessary part in the saloon and temperance agitation in the town at that time. These things and perhaps others caused the people to lose confidence in the principal. The people took sides on the question of the temperance agitation and on the question of indiscretion of conduct, and by the time the spring of 1881 arrived, it was found necessary to close the doors of the college. And thus ends the history of The Olin College.
Digitized by Google
572
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
THE OLIN CEMETERY.
There are few cemeteries in the county that are favored with a better location than the cemetery at Olin. It is indeed God's Acre and set on God's Hill, from the promontory of which the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey for miles around can be viewed and reviewed. The grounds are well cared for and the spot where loved ones lie buried are kept beautiful and held sacred in memory.
Some of the head stones in the cemetery indicate that burials were made as early as the '40s. For many years the cemetery was under the care of the town- ship, and while the grounds were given attention, no attempt was made to keep the cemetery beautiful.
About in the early '40s, Samuel Easterly, N. B. Seeley, J. M. Rummel, and perhaps a few others became interested in the location and selection of burial spot. Money was raised by subscription and the original cemetery plat was pur- chased. The burials at first were rather promiscuous, very little regard being given to the orderly arrangement provided for later. For this reason, the early plat has very little arrangement of the graves or head stones.
About the year 1881, those interested in the cemetery decided that the best interests of the cemetery demanded the care of an organized body. And in this year the Olin Cemetery Association became an incorporated body. Unfortunately the early records of the association were wiped out of existence by the great fire of 1892. The first record now in existence dates from 1894. Beginning with this date we find the following names as directors : D. E. Rummel, Aaron Gearhart, B. H. Miller, A. J. Dalby, J. M. Rummel, L. M. Carpenter, John Easterly, Jos. Whitmore, I. B. Southwick, J. D. Saum, H. G. Halsey, D. C. Easterly. E. R. Sealls, K. T. Lamb, C. E. Mershon, J. W. McConkie.
At the annual meeting of the association held February 5, 1901, the articles of incorporation and by-laws of the association, were readopted, and placed on file in the county records. In 1907, a fine new fence was built around the ceme- tery grounds, and in the same year the arch was placed over the gate-way. In 1908, another acre of land was purchased for cemetery purposes; the sum of three hundred dollars being paid Tobias Swanson and Simeon Ballou for this acre. Nearly five acres are now being cared for, for cemetery purposes.
If one man, more than another, has given his attention to the welfare of the cemetery, D. E. Rummel would be that man. Since the association was organ- ized, Mr. Rummel has been president the greater part of the time, and a member of the board of trustees all of the time. It was only when his health failed that he was obliged to leave this charge to others. The present officers of the associa- tion are: L. M. Carpenter. president; C. E. Mershon, secretary : K. T. Lamb, treasurer ; J. W. McConkie, John Easterly.
At the meeting of the board of trustees held November 25, 1907, provision was made for the establishment of a trust fund. The object being that those who contributed twenty-five dollars or more to this trust fund, would be relieved from making annual contributions for the care of their lots. A number have taken advantage of this offer and the trust fund is now getting a nice start.
Digitized by Google
573
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
THE LADIES CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
As an aid to the Olin cemetery board, a number of the ladies of Olin, met at the home of Mrs. F. W. Miller March 2, 1909, at the earnest solicitation of Mrs. F. W. Miller and Mrs. Jane Blahney. To these two public spirited ladies is due the credit of organizing this helpful society.
Eighteen ladies responded to the invitation and were present at the meeting. The question of making the cemetery grounds more beautiful was fully dis- cussed, and those present were agreed that the Ladies Cemetery Association should be organized as auxiliary to the Olin Cemetery Association.
The following officers were elected: president, Mrs. Jane Blahney; vice- president, Mrs. Albert E. Barker; secretary, Mrs. Vaughn Lindsey ; treasurer, Miss Jennie Rummel.
Mrs. F. W. Miller collected donations to the amount of one hundred dollars to carry on the work of the society. The good services of the society has already been manifest in the appearance of the cemetery. Before these lines meet the eye of the reader, a fine cedar flag pole will be erected in the cemetery. the thoughtful donation of Mrs. J. W. Jamison of Cedar Rapids. The ladies so- ciety is a helpful and practical organization.
THE CHURCHES.
OLIN UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH. The date of May 20, 1884, marks the beginning of the church of the United Brethren in Christ in Olin, Iowa. Olin had long been the center from which the pastor of what was then known as "Big Woods" circuit radiated to serve the St. John, Union, Forest, Antioch, Center and White Oak churches; but not until the above date were steps taken to es- tablish a church in Olin.
At the conference held in Lisbon in October, 1883, L. B. Hix was appointed pastor of Big Woods Circuit. On May 20, 1884, a class was organized in Olin consisting of eleven members from the St. John class, two from center class and three others making a membership of sixteen charter members. The first trus- tees were Jonathan Easterly, Andrew Minor and J. M. Rummel.
A subscription was started toward the erection of a church and on January 11, 1885, the building was dedicated to the services of God, at a cost of one thou- sand, seven hundred and fifty dollars. Bishop J. Weaver conducted the dedi- catory services. A series of revival meetings were begun at the time of the dedi- cation, and as a result therefrom, the work of the church was greatly strength- ened. Over forty were converted and many others renewed their faith and al- legiance. Twenty-eight members were added to the church. The Sunday school was organized February 20, 1885, and has always continued in a prosperous condition.
The circuit had owned a parsonage in the east side of town which was sold in the spring of 1890, and the purchase was made of the present site of the par- sonage north of the church building. On June 4th, 1901, a meeting was held and the members decided to sell the old parsonage and build a new pastor's
Digitized by Google
574
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
home. Following this decision, the present neat and comfortable parsonage was built.
In the year 1898 improvements consisting of a choir gallery and a lecture room were made on the church building amounting to one thousand dollars.
The work of the church has been under the supervision of eleven pastors; Rev. L. B. Hix was pastor at the time of the organization and erection of the church. He was followed by Rev. W. Cunningham and Rev. F .. Fathergill. The church had a very successful period under the labors of Rev. E. Harper, who served two pastorates, eight years in all. He was followed by Rev. A. B. Stat- ton. It was during the pastorate of Rev. A. H. Hooker that the church was re- modeled. Rev. W. E. Bovey was pastor when the parsonage was built. The last four pastors have been Revs. E. F. Clark, -Crall, E. Ackley and the present pastor, D. C. Violet, a young man of energy and Christian devotion.
The work of the church for the present year, 1909, has been carried on under the supervision of the following officers : Rev. D. C. Violet, pastor; A. A. Cole, superintendent Sunday school; Mrs. S. W. Cole, president W. M. A .; S. W. Cole, class leader ; Mrs. Kittie Coppes, pres. L. S. U .; H. R. Barkley and Mrs. Kittie Coppes, class stewards; Miss Effie Starry, clerk of quarterly conference; Mrs. J. L. Cole, presiding elder's steward; parsonage trustees : N. Elliot, O. S. Brown, A. A. Cole, U. G. Easterly, J. L. Cole; church trustees : A. Green, A. A. Cole, Gilbert Blahney, H. R. Barkley, S. W. Cole.
The pastor of the Olin United Brethren church also supplies the Riverside United Brethren church north of town which has been organized and the build- ing dedicated June, 1909. The church is in a flourishing condition and the cause is well maintained.
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH OF OLIN, IOWA. This is not the first church organized in Olin, and though it is now fourteen years old, it has taken its place in upholding the high standards of the place and made its in- fluence count for good.
The first services of the congregation were held in the old Advent church in South Olin, in the spring of 1895. Rev. John Moehl of Lost Nation, a pioneer worker of the German Lutheran church, was the organizer and founder. He spent weeks in traveling the rough roads, driving from early morning until late at night looking up the members of the German Lutheran faith who were scat- tered over the southern part of Jones county without church affiliations. He suc- ceeded in finding from twelve to fifteen families who were willing to come to hear the first sermon preached by him in their mother tongue and in the Lutheran creed. Though these people were Americans and believed in American institu- tions, the religion of their youth seemed more effective and soothing to their spir- itual appetite, when presented in their mother tongue.
After the services Rev. Mr. Moehl organized the congregation. The proposi- tion had been thoroughly canvassed previously, and at this time the principal thing to do was to become an organized body with officers and a common object in view. The officers elected were: Deacons: Christian Quandt and George Langschwager; secretary, Hans Jurgensen; treasurer, Mathias Lorenzen.
The charter members were: C. Quandt, Geo. Langschwager, Fred Guhl, 'Au- gust Hartwig, Sr., Chas. Hartwig, Louis Westphal, Albert Hartwig, Mathias
Digitized by Google
i 1
575
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
Lorenzen, Hans Jurgensen, Fred Scellin, Wilhelm Krueger, Chas. Krueger, Ju- lius Jurgensen.
Rev. Mr. Moehl continued to look after this charge faithfully for the three years, preaching every alternate Sunday, driving forty miles to meet his ap- pointments. On account of his over-work. having three other places to supply, viz., Lost Nation and Nashville in Clinton county, and Wyoming in Jones county, his health began to fail. On his request Rev. W. H. Bunge was sent from Dubuque to aid him in the ministry of his four congregations.
Rev. Mr. Bunge had just finished his studies and was well qualified to take up the work laid out for him. Mr. Bunge took charge of the Olin and Wyoming churches ; for the first three or four months residing at Wyoming and then moved to Olin where the Olin congregation had rented the old Stivers residence for a parsonage.
In the spring of 1900, the congregation purchased the residence of Theodor Clothier on the corner of Benton and Second streets in the heart of the town of Olin, for a parsonage, and here on the corner lot erected their own church edifice which was dedicated on Sunday July 15, 1900. The church is a frame building twenty-eight by forty-eight with a fifty-foot spire, erected at a total cost of two thousand, two hundred dollars. At the dedication services the following ministers took an active part, viz., Rev. John Bunge of Hawkeye, Rev. C. Rem- bold of Lost Nation, Rev. J. Monich and Rev. W. H. Bunge of Olin.
Rev. W. H. Bunge remained at Olin until the fall of 1904, when he accepted a call to Defiance, Ohio. The Olin congregation then extended a call to Rev. Paul Clemen of Butler Center, Iowa, who has been the minister ever since. Under his charge the congregation has grown and prospered, improving their property and paying off their indebtedness, so that at the present time the congregation is in a flourishing condition.
THE ADVENT CHURCH. This religious organization has existed in Olin for about thirty years. The record of the organization has been misplaced and consequently the history of the early organization cannot be given. The church building was erected in South Olin, about twenty-eight years ago. Regular services were held for a number of years. During the past ten years or more, there has been no regular pastor. A funeral service has been held in the build- ing when necessary. The members have become scattered and the organization is no longer kept up.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Nothing definite has been secured in regard to the early history and beginning of this religious organization. The present organ- ization is as follows: pastor, Rev. G. W. Hughes; elders : B. F. Wilson, John Mailey ; deacons : Ed Mershon, Geo. Vernon, Simeon Ballou; Sunday school superintendent, Mrs. A. J. Hughes. The present membership of the church num- bers about sixty-five members. Regular services are held in their church, and the organization is well maintained. The members are faithful and earnest workers in the vineyard of the Lord, and take pride in upholding the moral and religious standard of the community.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This is one of the live churches of Olin, and was a pioneer organization of the town. The date of its organization, however, can not be definitely determined. The records of the church do not
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.