Powell’s Work Will Help Many

Barbara V. Powell is a truly outstanding genealogist.

She is nearing completion of a project that few would ever tackle: abstracting all the major records for a county. For this she deserves the applause of all genealogists.

Powell, a Medical Lake resident, once lived in Lewiston and became fascinated with Nez Perce County, Idaho, records. She abstracted all available probate court records, 1864-1884, birth records 1864-1911, and death records 1907-1911.

Then she began abstracting genealogy information from Lewiston newspapers beginning in 1864. She published probate and vital statistic information in one large volume, and the first installment (1862-1875) of newspaper abstracts in a second volume.

She placed copies of these books in 50 libraries, including the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and the Spokane Public Library.

She continued abstracting information from various Lewiston newspapers, and is now working on Volume 21, which will end at 1902.

In 1860, and for the next few decades, Lewiston, in what became Nez Perce County, was the largest and most influential city in North Idaho and south, past Grangeville, Powell said. From Fort Sherman (Coeur d’Alene) north, there were only bears, she said.

Editors of those Lewiston papers actively sought information from this large area. They would travel via horse and buggy, gathering tidbits of information such as who shot who, names of immigrants, births and deaths, mining claims and memories from the old-timers. They also met incoming stagecoaches and questioned passengers. Remember, Lewiston was Idaho’s capitol until the state seal was stolen and taken to Boise.

Powell plans to eventually transfer all this data to microfiche and make the Nez Perce County records available for purchase.

For more information, contact Barbara V. Powell at 211 S. Fairchild, Medical Lake WA, 99022 or call her at 244-4360.

Note that she can’t look up information when you call but will do so if you send her a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your request.

Arlene Eakle, a nationally known author and lecturer, has visited the Pacific Northwest many times. If you have enjoyed her presentations, and wished to have her lectures on tape to hear again, here is your opportunity.

A company called Genealogists Resource Books, Etc. offers dozens of Eakle’s taped lectures in which she covers nearly every genealogical topic.

Each tape costs $7.95. For a free catalog detailing them, write to Genealogists Resource Books, Etc., 6765 W. 4060 S. Suite E, West Valley, UT 84128, or call (801) 250-6974.

Ever feel stumped or up against a brick wall when it comes to your genealogical research?

Toni Benson has compiled “SourceCheck: A Resource Checklist for U.S. Genealogical Research,” a 25-page list outlining 1,000 sources in 31 categories.

If you need a new idea of where to look next, then this list should definitely be of help.

Send $7, plus $3 postage, to F-AMI-LEE Publishing, 37070 82nd Ave., Decatur, MI 49045.

The Washington State Genealogical Society has completed and published a list of every cemetery and known burial location in the state.

Order a copy of this book for $12 from WSGS, PO Box 1422, Olympia, WA 98507-1422.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review