English Parish Data Rebound, Ready

Sun., March 2, 1997

Donna Potter Phillips The Spoke

The Genealogical Society and Hayden Lake (Idaho) Public Library have a new treasure of old English parish records on their shelves.

About a year ago, the Emmett, Idaho, library decided to close its genealogy section. It advertised on the Internet that the entire collection of more than 200 books of English parish registers and other historical English books was available for the cost of shipping.

Lee Starr, co-director of the Kootenai County Library system, saw the listing and secured the books. Most needed rebinding and a few were of no value to genealogy research.

The decision to obtain the books was made with the Kootenai County Genealogy Society, which contributed to the rebinding costs. Now the books sit on shelves, ready for use.

Rod and Alice Burnell, librarians with the Kootenai County Genealogy Society, provided us a list of the 199 books, many which cover material before the 19th century.

Have a look at the list in the genealogy section of Spokane’s downtown library and plan a fun research day in Coeur d’Alene. Or, give the Burnells a call at (208) 765-3908 to ask about a certain parish.

The Hayden Lake Public Library is on North Government Way, just east of Silver Lake Mall. The genealogy section is open during library hours.

Kootenai County Genealogy Society meets the third Thursday evening in the library. Their meetings highlight new books in their collection and feature speakers on various genealogical topics. All area family historians and genealogists are welcome. Call the Burnells, or president Dorothy Tice at (208) 664-1342 for more information.

The Heritage Quest Library in Orting, Wash., is about to outgrow its home.

I visited with Betty Leonard, library director, who excitedly reported their collection numbers nearly 30,000 items, including many out-of-print state and biographical works. Their microfilm collection includes general indexes to compiled military service records for the Revolutionary War and amnesty papers from the Civil War (70-plus rolls of both Union and Confederate records). They also have microfiche editions of city directories for all available cities.

Genesis for this library was the number of books sent to Heritage Quest magazine for review. Magazine editor Leland Meitzler also collected books in his travels across America doing Heritage Quest Roadshows.

The library is open seven days a week, 1 to 5 p.m. There is a daily fee of $4, but the library offers a yearly membership for $30, which eliminates the daily charge.

Copiers for paper and film are available, as is a bookstore featuring all AGLL and Preservation Emporium products.

It’s easy to find this library, little in size but large in collection. Locate Orting (near Tacoma); when you arrive, look for the library sitting behind Jeris Cafe. For more information, call the library, (206) 863-7372, or send me a SASE c/o this newspaper.

Today’s Trivia: Know what “God willing and the creek don’t rise” really means? Settlers into the newly opened Alabama lands had to cross southern Georgia, where the Creek Indians lived. Settlers could claim their land, God willing and if the Creek Indians didn’t rise against them.

, 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

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

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