Historical Society Adopts a Log at Fort Randolph

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, 7:00 p.m., members of the Roane County Historical Society, Inc. gathered at the Roane County Library, lower level, for their regular monthly meeting. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order & welcomed those present. Jack Nida led an opening prayer and the pledge to the American flag was recited.
Susan Tucker, Secretary pro tem, read the minutes from the April meeting which were approved. Minutes from the March meeting were also approved.
Carol Board-Westfall gave the treasurer?s report of receipts and disbursements for the month of May 2010.
Linda Liss, Membership and Corresponding Secretary reported that we received four new members in April-May and reports one member?s death, bringing the current membership to 191. Annual dues are due by June 30th. Members are urged to check the mailing label on their last newsletter to confirm their individual expiration date. She also brought the membership up-to-date on correspondence she had received. One in particular from the West Virginia Welcome Center at Williamstown, WV requested 100 of the Historic Buildings in Spencer, WV brochure to display at the Welcome Center. A motion was made and approved to have additional brochures printed to take care of the request.
Carol Cronin, Newsletter Editor, reported that the Volume 17 ? Summer issue of ?The Journal? is a work in progress and should be ready to take to the printer soon.
Carol Board-Westfall reported that two new books have been added to the society?s library: (1) ?Images of America ? Wirt Co., WV? by Richard Lowe, (2) ?Marking Our Past ? WV Historical Highway Markers? published by the State of WV.
We were reminded of the 16th Annual Roane County Genealogy Fair to be held on Saturday, September 25th at the Heritage Center Community Building in Spencer. Additional details will be announced after the June meeting.
There was nothing further to report on the 2011 Genealogy/History Essay Contest Scholarship at this time.
Susan Tucker presented an idea of using Digital Photo Frames loaded with photos of past Genealogy Fairs as an advertisement of the upcoming Fair. She has one loaded with photos and will place it at a strategic Spencer area to announce and advertise this up-coming annual event.
Rick encouraged members to visit the West Virginia GenWeb site, that the site has some recently added features and the Roane County Historical Society?s web site can be located at wvroane.org. We were also reminded that the Roane County Library?s web site has a listing of individual family histories that can be accessed in the Society?s library on the building?s lower level.
Rick Greathouse reported that he attended a war reenactment at Fort Randolph, in Point Pleasant, WV recently. While there he learned that the palisade timbers around the fort are deteriorating and need to be replaced. To that effort an Adopt-a-Log Campaign is in progress. The R. C. H. S. voted to adopt a log in memory of Roane Countian and Revolutionary War veteran, Samuel Tanner. A plaque with the names of donors will be located in the fort?s trading post.
The nominating committee for the R. C. H. S. will meet in June to nominate officers for 2010-11. The election will take place in July 2010.
The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to those present: Susan Tucker, Carol Board-Westfall, Patty Wyatt, Rick Greathouse, Jack and Jean Nida, Hazel Gandee, Linda Liss, Denver Gandee, and Carol Cronin.
The Society?s annual birthday party will be held at the conclusion of the June 24th meeting. Members are urged to attend and guests are always welcome.

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met on Thursday, April 22, 2010 for their regularly scheduled meeting. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order.
Susan Tucker served as secretary pro-tem.
Carol Board-Westfall gave the Treasurer?s report for the month of April 2010 and reported that all bills have been paid.
The sending of greeting cards policy was discussed. The practice of sending cards for known member illnesses, family deaths, etc. will be continued.
Carol Board-Westfall reported that one book, The History of Calhoun County WV-1989, published by the Calhoun County Historical & Genealogical Society, has been added to the Society?s library.
Reminder: Please mark your calendars for the 16th Annual Roane County Genealogical Fair, Saturday, September 25, 2010, 9:00 a.m. ? 3:00 p.m. at the Heritage Park Community Building, 110 Church Street in Spencer. This event, sponsored by the R. C. H. S., will have many vendors selling their genealogical books and products.
New business discussion:
Jay and Maggie Volkwein, guest attendees, of Calhoun County, are doing research for a book on Island Run in the Smithfield District of Roane County. They are interested in finding people with stories and/or old photographs of that area. If you have items or stories to share, please contact the Volkwein?s at 18508 South Calhoun Hwy., Orma, WV 25268
Mr. Denver Gandee, guest attendee, Spencer resident and C.S.A. Civil War buff, is searching for information regarding the Civil War service of Confederate soldier Joseph Alexander West, (1820-1890) who is buried at the Goff Cemetery on Goff Hill behind present-day WalMart. Mr. Gandee would like to have a C.S.A. military marker installed in memory of Mr. West?s service. You may contact Mr. Gandee at 304-927-1824 if you have information to share.
Mr. Allen Arnold, guest attendee, led discussion and proposed that the R. C. H. S. sponsor a Cast-Iron Cook-off to be held during Spencer?s Heritage Days Festival next year (May 2011). The event would include community cooking and recipes of old-time cooking in cast iron cookware. No action was taken at this time. Mr. Arnold will gather further information and report back at a future meeting.
Old business discussion:
Essay Contest Scholarship: Claudia Jorgensen reported that she had talked with the guidance counselor at Roane County High School. She received positive feedback for the scholarship to be implemented during the 2010-11 school year. Guidelines will be worked out for prospective essay participants to follow. Mr. Marvin Stemple, who brought the idea of the essay contest to the society, read excerpts from a Harrison County school essay that had won in a previous year?s competition.
Discussion continued with regard to recognizing additional historical buildings or houses built 1910 or before with a bronze plaque. In 2009 the society researched and recognized 18 historic buildings and homes in Spencer with a plaque and a brochure giving their history. If you own or know of a building meeting the 1910 criteria, please contact Carol Board-Westfall at legallady@hughes.net.
Members and guests in attendance were, Rick Greathouse, Carol Board-Westfall, Susan Tucker, Bernard and Patty Wyatt, Okey and Mary Young, Stephanie Poole, Paul Hughes, Denver Gandee, Wilma Rhodes, Brenda Konarski, Claudia Jorgensen, Jay and Maggie Volkwein, Theresa and Madison Parker, Marvin Stemple and Allen Arnold.
The next meeting of the historical society will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 7 p.m. on the lower level of the Roane County Library. Guests are welcome and members are urged to attend. You may contact Linda Liss, WVRoots@aol.com, for more information.

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met on Thursday, March 25, 2010 for their first regular meeting of 2010. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and led the pledge to the flag. Anthony Hofstad led the opening prayer.
Susan Tucker served as secretary pro-tem.
Carol Board-Westfall gave the Treasurer?s report for the period since December 2009 and reported that all bills have been paid.
Linda Cottrell Liss, Correspondence/Membership Secretary, reported that she had corresponded with several members with regard to dues, welcomed new members with a letter and one cemetery information inquiry correspondence resulted in that person joining the society. Current membership total is 188, an increase of 9 since the December report.
Linda also reported for Carol Cronin, Journal editor, that the Vol. 17 Spring issue is nearly ready to take to the printer.
Greathouse presented the photo press kit for our 2009-10 History Hero, Carol Cronin, who was recognized during the February 18, 2010 West Virginia History Day at the Legislature. Mrs. Cronin was the third person nominated by the R.C.H.S. to receive this honor.
New business discussion:
Greathouse announced that he recently met a Mr. Chris Winnell, who does lineal genealogy on the Shawnee Nation. Mr. Winnell will be invited to make a presentation to the R.C.H.S. at a later date. He has requested table space for the annual Roane County Genealogy Fair, September 25th, 2010, to do lookups from his Shawnee and Cherokee database.
Marvin Stemple presented an idea for discussion regarding the possibility of the RCHS creating an annual scholarship for a Roane County High School student. Students will be requested through their school program (English Class or History Class) to write an essay along lines related to their family history and genealogy. Motion was made by Patty Wyatt that an annual scholarship in the amount of $500. be established and awarded. The motion carried unanimously. Claudia Jorgensen will contact high school officials on how to proceed in getting this presented to the students.
Susan Tucker announced that the Wirt County Genealogy Fair will be held on Saturday, April 24th. The R.C.H.S. will have at table at the fair to sell our society publications.
The program was a presentation by Anthony Hofstad, on the school Social Studies project of his step-son, Chase Webb. Chase chose, researched, presented, and won in his category on the middle school level and also won first place on the county level. He related that Chase chose the history of his home on West Main Street, which was built in 1900 and was one of the 18 Spencer homes recently recognized by the society with a bronze plaque.
The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to Rick Greathouse, Linda Liss, Hazel Gandee, Anthony Hofstad, Bernard and Patty Wyatt, Susan Tucker, Marvin Stemple, Okey and Mary Young, Brenda Konarske, Claudia Jorgensen and Carol Board-Westfall.
The next meeting of the historical society will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 7 p.m. on the lower level of the Roane County Library. Guests are welcome and members are urged to attend. You may contact Linda Liss, WVRoots@aol.com, for more information.

Historical Society Learns about
Resources and Activities at
Archives and History Library

The Roane County Historical Society [R.C.H.S.] met on Thursday, December 17, 2009 for their regular monthly meeting. Mr. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order; the opening prayer was led by Mrs. Carol Board-Westfall and the Pledge to the Flag was recited. Twelve members and three guests were present.
The treasurer?s report was given by Mrs. Carol Board-Westfall reflecting an excellent balance to start 2010. Mrs. Linda Liss, Corresponding & Membership Secretary, reported that she has made many follow-up membership contacts over the past month resulting in five membership renewals and three new memberships. The current membership is 179. The annual Membership & Surnames Directory is ready to send to the printer, and membership cards not already given to members will be included with the directory mailing.
Mrs. Carol Cronin, newsletter editor, reported that the Winter issue of ?The Roane County Journal? is nearly ready to go to the printer.
The January or February ?work day? for the R.C.H.S.?s library will be scheduled and perspective workers will be contacted by phone or e-mail.
Mark your calendar. Saturday, September 25, 2010 has been scheduled for our 16th Annual Roane County Genealogy Fair. As in the past two years, the fair will be held at the Heritage Park community building. You will be hearing much more about this annual event.
Mr. Joseph Geiger, Jr., Director of the WV Archives & History Library in Charleston, was the evening?s guest speaker. Mr. Geiger became Director of the Archives? History Section in January 2009, but has worked with that agency since 1998. He has also served as adjunct professor in the history department at Marshall University in Huntington for the past 11 years.
Mr. Geiger brought the historical society up-to-date on many programs and activities in which the Archives and History Library is involved. He also spoke about resources offered to budding or long-time genealogists and others doing serious research on historical topics.
Did you know ?
- That the State Archives & History Dept. was instrumental in replacing or refurbishing 218 state highway historical markers,
- That the department had first-hand input in researching the 11,427 names for the Veteran?s Memorial at the State Capitol Complex, which was rededicated November 10, 2009,
- That the Archives & History department offers Grants for historical preservation projects,
- That a Civil War Soldiers & Sailors database is available
- That the West Virginia Vital Research Records database has new servers that they are now up-and-running quickly and smoothly. Researchers can access WV Birth, Death & Marriage records on line, for free, in the comfort of their own home,
- That several informative, genealogical in nature, workshops are being scheduled on Tuesdays at the Archives Library,
- That in conjunction with the Dept. of Education, a WV Golden Horseshoe Test database is being offered, and
- That the Archives & History Library is constantly searching for new and innovative ways to get young folk involved in West Virginia?s history and family genealogy?
Mr. Geiger provided many other ideas and food for thought not covered in this article. We thank him for sharing a busy December schedule with us.
The next regular meeting of the R.C.H.S will be held Thursday, March 25th, 2010, 7:00 p.m. at the Roane County Library. Members are urged to attend and guests are welcomed.
The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to the following attendees: Our guest speaker, Joe Geiger, Jr., Rick Greathouse, Edward and Carol Board-Westfall, Paul Hughes, Duane and Adith Spencer, Carol Cronin, Susan Tucker, Okey and Mary Young, Brenda Konarske, Claudia Jorgensen, Hazel Gandee, and Linda Cottrell Liss.
For more information about the R.C.H. S. or material in this article, you may contact Linda Cottrell Liss by e-mail at WVRoots@aol.com

Roane County birth and marriage records have been added to the Vital Research Records collection maintained by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. You can access these records through the search facilities at:

http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx