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Blog Entries: 1 to 10 of 59
The Importance of Caring for Cemeteries
Cemeteries often conjure up images of quiet contemplation and remembrance. They serve as the final resting place for loved ones, offering a space for families to grieve and honor their memory. But beyond this primary function, cemeteries hold a deeper significance, acting as:
- Preservers of history: Cemeteries are like open-air museums, holding the stories of individuals and communities. Headstones and memorials document lives lived, offering glimpses into the past and shaping our understanding of local history.
- Sanctuaries of peace and reflection: In our fast-paced world, cemeteries provide a haven of tranquility, allowing visitors to find solace and connect with their inner selves. The serene atmosphere fosters reflection and remembrance, offering a space for quiet contemplation and emotional processing.
- Havens for wildlife: Contrary to popular belief, cemeteries can be crucial ecosystems for various wildlife species. Mature trees and diverse plantings provide valuable habitat for birds, butterflies, and other creatures, contributing to the ecological balance of urban areas.
Therefore, caring for our cemeteries goes beyond maintaining a respectful environment for the departed. It's about preserving our heritage, fostering well-being, and protecting the natural world. Here's how we can all contribute:
- Supporting cemetery upkeep: Many cemeteries rely on donations and volunteer efforts to maintain their grounds. Contributing financially or volunteering your time can make a significant difference.
- Practicing respectful visits: Be mindful of others while visiting a cemetery. Follow designated pathways, keep noise levels low, and dispose of any trash properly.
- Documenting family history: Take the time to record family stories and information about those buried in cemeteries. This helps preserve personal histories and ensure their legacy is passed on to future generations.
By recognizing the multifaceted value of cemeteries and taking an active role in their care, we can ensure these sacred spaces continue to serve our communities for generations to come. As we near Spring, the historical society invites all of those that manage or care for our local cemeteries to reach out to us with information regarding upcoming events for your cemetery, e.g., annual meetings, clean-up days, etc. You can email us at askus@ironcountyhistory.org and please include the following in your email:
- Cemetery name and location
- Date and time of event
- Point of Contact to include name and either email address or phone number
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School Records Project - Update
PHASE I OF THE SCHOOL RECORDS PROJECT IS COMPLETE!
With the creation of the master indexes for students and teachers, the first phase of the School Records Project is now complete! Phase I of the project includes the Iron County Superintendent of School's Consolidated School Records covering some 39 rural school districts in Iron County from the 1939-1940 school year through the 1953-1954 school year. To read more about this phase of the project go to our Superintendents Records page. To read more about the entire project and all three of its phases, go to our School Records page. |
Museum is OPEN
We are happy to announce that we have resumed our normal operatiing hours. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
A couple of things to note. First, the museum will close from approximately 11:55 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 24. 2024 so that our volunteer working that day can attend the historical soceity' annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Second, our restrooms are still closed and will remain closed until the the problem with our sewer line is fixed.
We apologize for any inconvenience that our being closed has caused. |
Scam Alert - Bank Accounts
One thing that never seems to stop is thieves coming up with new ways to separate you from your hard earned money. This post from KHMO Radio deals with criminal attempts to gain access to your bank account information.
The bottomline remains, when it comes to sharing personal information, TRUST NO ONE! |
School Record Transcriptions
We've reached a new milestone in the first phase of our School Records Project! The first phase of our project includes the Consolidated Superintendent's Reports for some 39 Iron County school districts for the school years 1939 -1940 through 1953 - 1954.
Our original intention was to publish all of thousands of scanned images contained in these records in the Members Only area of our website and to create publically available indexes for all the teachers and students contained in these records.
As some of the students contained in these records are still alive, my own mother is one of these students, we found out that federal and state laws prevented the posting of the scanned images without heavily redacting them first. As a compromise, it was decided to still create the public indexes for the teachers and students and also publish transcriptions of the records themselves without including any of the information that would be precluded by law. Once these records reach 100 years of age, the scanned images can be posted.
Today, the last of those transcriptions have been posted in the Members Only area of the website. To view the transcriptions, click on the Members Only tab on the left side of the screen and then click on School Records tab. Then just click on the school whose records you want to review. Note that not all schools have records for all the years from 1939 through 1954.
Work to create the publically available indexes to teachers and students will begin shortly. |
Tax Season Means It's Scam Season
Benjamin Franklin is credited with first saying that, "Nothing is certain except death and taxes." Unfortunately, today I think that phrase could be updated to, "Nothing is certain except death, taxes and scammers trying to get your money.
With tax season upon us, I thought it would be a good time to remind you to be extra vigilant when it comes to filing your taxes and the scams that criminals are using to help them steal your hard-earned money. Here's a link from the IRS detailing a number of these scams. |
Writing Your Family History
Unearthing Your Roots: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Your Family History
Have you ever gazed at an old family photo, wondering about the lives behind those faded faces? Do you crave a deeper connection to your past, a richer understanding of where you come from? Then step into the fascinating world of family history writing! It's a journey of discovery, unearthing stories and traditions that bind generations, leaving you with a precious legacy to cherish.
But where do you begin? This adventure might seem daunting, but fear not! Here's a beginner's guide to kickstart your family history exploration:
1. Gather Your Treasures:
Start with what you already have. Dust off photo albums, rummage through attics, and scan the recesses of your mind. Birth certificates, letters, diaries, even old kitchen recipes – each holds a clue to your family's past. Interview relatives, record their memories, and capture those heartwarming anecdotes passed down through time.
2. Organize Your Findings:
Chaos breeds confusion! Create a family tree, either digitally or on paper. Map out relationships, noting key dates and life events. This becomes your roadmap, guiding your research and keeping track of your discoveries.
3. Become a Master Detective:
Embrace your inner Sherlock Holmes! Dive into online genealogy resources, like Ancestry.com or FamilySearch. Explore census records, immigration documents, and historical archives. Each document adds a brushstroke to your family portrait.
4. Focus Your Lens:
Don't get overwhelmed by generations of information! Choose a specific branch or theme to delve deeper into. Did your ancestors pioneer a new land? Did they overcome unimaginable challenges? Focus on a compelling narrative that draws you in.
5. Weave Your Tapestry:
Now comes the magic – transforming facts into captivating stories. Breathe life into your research with vivid descriptions, poignant quotes, and heartfelt anecdotes. Let your characters jump off the page, their joys and struggles resonating with your own.
6. Share Your Gift:
Don't let your hard work gather dust! Publish your family history online, create a family scrapbook, or even hold a family reunion to share your findings. Your story enriches not just your own life, but also preserves the legacy for future generations.
Remember: Writing your family history is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the twists and turns, the surprises and dead ends. Be patient, be curious, and above all, have fun! Your ancestors are waiting to be rediscovered, their stories yearning to be shared. So, pick up your pen, open your mind, and embark on this incredible adventure into your family's past. You might just find yourself rewriting your present, and your future.
Bonus Tips:
- Interview older relatives while you still can! Their memories are priceless treasures.
- Don't be afraid to use photos, maps, and documents to break up your text.
- Fact-check your information diligently. Accuracy is key!
- Join online communities and forums to connect with other family history enthusiasts.
- Most importantly, enjoy the process! It's about connecting with your heritage and celebrating the unique story of your family.
Happy writing! Your ancestors are waiting to be remembered.
Further Reading:
Portions of the preceding were written with the assistance of Google Bard (c)
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1852 New Years Resolutions
I meant to post this the other day, but as usaul these days, I got overwhelmed by events. I certainly have ancestors that followed these resolutions, how about you?
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Password Security and Data Breaches
If, like me, you have had a DNA test through 23andMe you may want to look at this article from the Malwarebytes' Blog. It discusses a data breach at the 23andMe and how their users' private information could be at risk. If you read the entire article, you will see a list of things that you can do to help protect your own identity. Quoting from this article, they include:
Check the vendor’s advice. Every breach is different, so check with the vendor to find out what’s happened and follow any specific advice they offer.
Change your password. You can make a stolen password useless to thieves by changing it. Choose a strong password that you don’t use for anything else. Better yet, let a password manager choose one for you.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). If you can, use a FIDO2-compliant hardware key, laptop or phone as your second factor. Some forms of two-factor authentication (2FA) can be phished just as easily as a password. 2FA that relies on a FIDO2 device can’t be phished.
Watch out for fake vendors. The thieves may contact you posing as the vendor. Check the vendor website to see if they are contacting victims and verify any contacts using a different communication channel.
Take your time. Phishing attacks often impersonate people or brands you know, and use themes that require urgent attention, such as missed deliveries, account suspensions, and security alerts.
Set up identity monitoring. Identity monitoring alerts you if your personal information is found being traded illegally online, and helps you recover after.
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One More PSA - Free COVID Test Kits
Oops, I forgot to add this one to my PSA from earlier this morning. As you may have heard, with the winter season there has been an uptick in respriatory illnesses like COVID19, RSV, and the flu. Beilive me, I know this is true because our Thanksgiving plans were all canceled when my wife, my 6 year-old granddaughter and I all tested positive for COVID. Of the three of us, the lest affected our granddaughter. The wife and I had different symptoms and while my infection cleared up quicker than hers, I had what they are calling a "rebound" infection with much milder symptoms about 11 days after first becoming symptomatic.
Anyway, the point of this PSA is just to let you know that you can once again get free COVID tests through the mail and that if you still have some tests that have now expired, that the may still be good. This link will tell you all that you need to know. I hope you all have better luck than we did, but we are all thankful that it wasn't any worse than what it was. |
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