6 • The Beacon May 12 , 2022
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FAMILY FISH FRY Open to the Public Friday , May 13 th • 6pm-7:30pm Adults $ 11 • Children $ 8 COSHOCTON ELKS
434 Chestnut St . • Coshocton
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Use your genealogical resources
Sometimes we forget there are several genealogical resources that are available to the public . These records are valuable . The amount of type and data differ due to some degree because of the various nature of clubs , organizations and societies , but their resources can be most informative .
The Masons , Odd Fellows , Elks and Knights of Columbus are all fraternal organizations that retain records back to their inception .
The Kiwanis , Rotary and Lions clubs all have records that include members ’ names , dates and places where they joined .
Many of these records include the names of members ’ parents , wives and children . Some records have detailed biographical descriptions that include educational background , occupation , religious affiliations and often photographs .
College fraternities also keep excellent membership files . Kappa Alpha Society is the oldest social fraternity in America . Phi Beta Kappa has records back as far as 1776 .
Three of the oldest colleges in America — Harvard University , William and Mary College , and Yale — have rosters , rolls , year books and enrollment records dating back to their founding .
They usually show a student ’ s residence and their parents or guardians .
Once you have determined the residency of the person you are hunting , check local records to see what schools were operating at that time . Don ’ t forget state historical societies and the National Archives , hospital records and professional organizations .
School records are limited , but they can provide verification .
Church records are as old as the churches themselves . For centuries , members of religious orders like monks and priests were elite because they could read and write . Way back in 1273 in England , clerks were hired to compile church and land records so the monarchs could levy taxes . Early records are still available .
Parliament passed an act in 1538 that required clerks of the church to record christenings , marriages and burials . The records are highly accurate and valuable but keep in mind many church records have been lost , may be illegible or destroyed by war . The amount of information provided varies greatly from one denomination to another .
The most extensive number of records is held and shared by the Church of Jesus of the Latter-Day Saints . Check their website . Part of the Mormon creed is to keep a complete and accurate record of their immediate family and to trace the direct line as far back as possible .
In 1894 several members of the church organized a genealogical society . In 1938 the Mormons put all their data on microfilm . In 1960 they had collected 246,838 on 11-foot rolls . Can you imagine how much information is now available ? You might have seen volunteer workers copying records in our Coshocton Courthouse . Imagine the astounding information that has been collected to date .
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