Articles Taken From the Pocono Shopper October, 1992-May, 1997

Articles Taken From the Pocono Shopper October, 1992-May, 1997

These newspaper articles by Dr. Appel cover a wide range oflocal activities and events. There is no index and the table of contents is very long; the article titles are also long. To help

researchers to save time when looking for a specific subject, this "demi-index"sorts the articles by major subject categories and gives a short label, leaving to the individual to read enough of the article to check for usefulness. We hope this will make the collection more helpful. For history buffs, the articles are interesting and often fun, and give an insight into the activities and interests ofMomoe  County people over the years.

Historic Momoe County  by John Appel

Momoe County

Name of county 8/7/92

Historical Society  10/14/92, 10/21192

Electric Railway & Pocono Creek Bridge 12/8/93

Forests 6/21/95

Mathews history  11/22/95

Keller history  1/3/96

Daylight saving  4/3/96  & 4/10/96

Elections  8/7/96,  8/14/96 and  8/21/96

Lackawanna Trail 1122/97

Foxtown Hill  road 4/16/29

,.          ,

!_if;_

Stroudsburg

Stroud family and house  10/28/92, 1114/92,	11/11/92, 11/18/92, 11/25/92	Pictures -Mansion
House, 10/21192, Picture -Daniel  Stroud,	10/28/92

Jacob Stroud- military service 11125/92

Street names 11/18/92,7/14/93

Telegraph 7/28/93

·Environment   9/15/93  & 9122193

Town clock 6/8/94

7th Street Bridge  12/29/93,  1118/95, 11115/95

Federal Building and Post Office 12111/96 . ' East Stroudsburg

East Stroudsburg- name 12/2/92

Town clock 6/15/94

Railroad bridge 4/9/97_

\

Biography, etc.

Picture of President Momoe, after table of contents, before text begins

Lincoln's death 2110/93

McKinley's murder  2/17/93

Mexican War hero: William Schoonover, 8/11/93

General Grant, cancer 8/18/93

Garfield assassination 11/3/93

George Washington, Bicentennial  2/23/94

Summerfield Staples (Lincoln"s "substitute") 4/6/94, 611194

A. Mitchell Palmer, William Penn and politics, 1909 9/20195

Stogdell Stokes 2/5/97

General John Sullivan,  3/5/97, .3/12/97

Harding's death 3/26/97

George Kemp 5/7/97

Jacob and Henry Singmaster  5/14/97

Business

------------------- --------

American House,  5/2/97

Grand Theater, 7/12/95, 7119/95

Huckleberries, 8/2593

Ice Industry, 12/9/92

Indian Queen Hotel,  2/8/95

Livery Stables, 617/95

J\1ail Delivery,  i/12/94

Opera, 3/6/96, 3/13196

Plaza Theater, 7126/95

Radio Station, 115/94

Stogdell Stokes, 2/5/97

Stroud Theater, 9/27/95,  10/4/95

Swindling, 4/13/94

Telegraph, 1855,   7/28/93

Wesley Water Cure, 7/17/96,7/24/96,  7/31196

Williams Hall, 9/6/95, 9113195

Disasters

:Blizzard of 1888 3/23/94

Earthquakes 2/24/93,  319194

Johnstown's flood 10/27/93

Flood of 1841 3/30/94

Flood, 1955 8/23/95

Fire safety 12/20/95, 12/27/95                                      \ Ice 12/9/92, 1/10/96

Japan - earthquake 8/28/96, 9/4/96

InfluenZa, 1918  10/30/96, 1116/96, next, but not dated.

Armenians 12/18/96, 12/25/96

!,.

Holidays and celebrations

Christmas trees12116/92

Christmas time12/23/92

Christ.'Ilas - mid-1920s

Christmas Sunday School 12/30/92

Christmas 1918,  12/15/93,  12/22/93

Christmas 1896,  12/4/96

Thanksgiving, 1918  11124/93

Thanksgiving 1930-32,  11116/94, 11/23/94

Thanksgiving in the Depression 11123/94

Independence Day,  1851,  1876     6/22/94,  6/29/94

Liberty Bell   3/27I 96, 4/3/ 96

Tum of  the Century  1900-1901,  3/2/94

Organizations

Medical Society   7/6/94

Agricultural Society     8/31/94

Agricultural Fair   917/94

Odd Fellows   12/28/94, 114/95

Red Me)1  3/22.95

Knights ofPythias   3/29/95

Sons of Veterans	7/5/95
Farmers Institute	5/10/95
Fund-raising Fair	8/2/95
Knights ofMalta	10/11195, 10/18/95, 10/25/95, 1111195

Elks Club   6/19/96

Woodsmen of the World   7/3/96

Daughters ofPocahantas     10/16/96

Rebekahs    10/22/96

Dames of Malta   4/2/97

GAR (Veterans of the Civil War)  5/24/95

Christmas 1925, charity by groups,  12/21/94

Recreation

Baseball Team   8/9/95, 8/16/95, 8/30/95

Brass Bands   2/22/95, 3/1/95, 3/8/95, 3/15/95

Liberty Bell   3/20/96, 3/27/96

Parks  5/25/94, 4/20/94

Theaters,   7/12/95,  7119/95, 7/26/95,  9/6/95, 9/13/959/27/95,  10/4/95,  3/6/96, 3113/96

Religion, Missions, Revivals

Moravian Mission  3/3/93, 3/10/93, 3/17/93',

Camp meeting  7/13/94, 7/20/94, 7/27/94, 8/3./94, 8/10/94

Mission to Dansbury  4/17/96,  4/24/96,  5/119., ReVivals 5/8/96, 5115/96, 5/22/96, 5/29/96                                                       ·

Billy Sunday and Rev. Asher  9/11196, 9/18/96, 9/25/96

Bible Society   4/21/93

Temperance   9/1193, 9/8/93

Thanksgiving 1930-1932,  11116/94, 11123/94

Schools and Colleges

Normal School,  1113/93, 1120/93, 1/27/93, 2/3/93, 4/19/95, 4/26/95,5/3/95,615/96,6/12/96

Normal School-Football      10/19/94, 10/26/94, 1112/94, 1119/94

Normal School- State Ownership 7/10/96

Superintendent of Schools.4/28/93

State Teacher's College 10/9/96,  118/97

School Directors 5/5/93

Teachers 5/12/93

Buildings  5/19/93

Furniture 5/26/93

Lenape Institute 11130/94, 12/7/94

Fanners' Institute,  5/10/95

People's College     11/29/95, 12/6/95, 12/13/95

Academy of Music  1/17/96,  1124/96, 1131196

Transportation

Bicycles  6/2/93,  6/9/93,  6/16/93, 6/23/93

Stagecoaches 9/29/93,  10/6/93,  10/13/93

Streetcars   11110/93, 11/17/93, 12/1193, 12/8/93, 12/29/93

7th Street Bridge, 1907-1928,    12/29/93

Trolley  8/17/ 4,  8/24/94

Delaware, Lackawanna and Western RR,     1119/94, 1126/94,2/2/94, 3/16/94

New York, Susquehanna and Western RR,   4/27/94, 5/4/94, 5111/94, 5/18/94

Wilkes-Barre and Eastern RR,   9/14/94, 9/21194, 9/28/94, 10/5/94

Erie RR,   10/12/94

Auto clubs and runs,  4/5/95,  4/12/95

Livery stables and horses,   6/7/95, 6/14/95

Dirigibles,  2/7/96                                                                                         .        r,1

Airports   2/14/96, 2/28/96

Motorcycle races,   2112/97, 2/19/97

Lackawanna Trail,  1/22/97,  1/29/97

Railroad Bridge,  4/9/97

Foxtown Hill Road, 4116/97

Wars

Frontier Forts   3/24/93,  3/31193, 4/7/93, 4/14/93, 4/21193

Revolutionary War Forts   717193

Mexican War   8/4/93,  8/11193

Red Cross   1917-1918   10/20/93

Spanish-American Wars   2/9/94, 2/16/94, 12/14/94

United States Independence   9/8/93,  6/29/94

Normal School and W.W.I.,  4/19/95, 4/26/95, 5/3/95

National Guard     1111195, 1118/95, 1125/95

Sullivan Trail  No date, between 6/28 and 7/5/95,   61?1195, 6/28/95

Veteran's Sons,   7/5/95                                                  '

Do).lghboy Memorial        10/2/96

Armistice Day         11113/96, 11120/96, General Sullivan  3/5/97,  3/12/97

'•.

Returning Servicemen, Memorial   No date, between 11120/9:6 and 12/4/96,       4/23/97, 4/30/97

Memorial Day,  5117/95, 5/24/95                                             1

General John Sullivan,  3/5/97,  3/12/97

Pa. birth and death certificates

The Pennsylvania State Archives has recently signed a contract with Ancestry.com to have the original state birth and death certificates that are now open records scanned and data extracted. The contract gives exclusive online access to Ancestry for three years after which the database will be moved to the Pennsylvania State Archives website where it will be free to all. Unfortunately access to the records while they are on Ancestry will require having a subscription to Ancestry. However, the contract does require that Pennsylvania residents have free access to this particular database. How that will be accomplished has not been worked out and they are open to suggestions as to how all Pennsylvania residents and only Pennsylvania residents could have access.

While we would have very much preferred that the records be made available online for free to all immediately rather than after three years it is still much better than what we have been dealing with for over 100 years. Ancestry was apparently able to make the best deal for the Archives and the records will eventually be available online to all at no cost to the taxpayer.

For more on this please see When Will The Records Be Available Online? under Frequently Asked Questions on our website: www.pahr-access.org. 

Tim Gruber

Monroe County Public Library Chronology

Monroe County Public Library
Chronology by Julie Bonser



Feb 1, 1916 Library officially opens by the Stroudsburg Civic Club in Reformed Church on Eighth Street, Stroudsburg, PA.

Nov 1917 Library moves to room in home of Mrs. Pugh, Main Street. (Next to the Stroudsburg Methodist Church.)

Sep 1920 Stroudsburg Civic Club purchases Stroud Mansion (900 Main Street) for library’s new location.

Dec 1920 (approx) Library moves to Stroud Mansion.

Jan 1929 Stroudsburg Council’s donation of $300 to library is reported.

1933-36 Library run by club, now known as Stroudsburg Woman’s Club.

Nov 13, 1936 First library board meeting. The minutes report Elizabeth Kane hired as librarian.

Sept 1937 Monroe County Library is born with Commissioners Willard L. Quick, George E. Shick & Lawrence M. Ramsey signing a cooperative statement with the Stroudsburg Woman’s Club appointing a library board chairman.

Oct 1, 1937 According to library minutes, “It was decided to establish a county library…. the name of the library will be changed from the Stroudsburg Library to the Stroudsburg and Monroe County Library.”

1941 First bookmobile is purchased – half paid by Kiwanis, half by Commissioners.

Dec 1943 Junior department opens in rear of Stroud Mansion House.

Jun 2, 1948 913 Main Street is deeded to Monroe County Library by Howard L. Keiper.

Jun 15, 1953 Ann Kane, daughter of Elizabeth Kane, begins working at library.

Dec 15, 1954 Library opens on first floor of 913 Main Street.

Aug 1955 Bookmobile destroyed in flood. The Red Cross and other individuals loan the use of their vehicles until a new bookmobile is purchased.

Feb 16, 1956 Kiwanis Club presents library with a second bookmobile.

Jun 1957 Agnes Shafer Ransbury Trust funds of $41,932 plus a lot on Route 611 presented to library.

Dec 11, 1961 Elizabeth Kane is honored for 25 years of service. Lulu Shafer Conway was also honored for serving as library’s treasurer for 25 years. She resigned on May 5, 1962.

1963 Howard L. Keiper passed away.

1969 Minutes of Board of Trustees meeting reflect much discussion about building plans; number of board meetings increased from 4 to 6 a year.

Spring 1971 Junior department moves upstairs – renovation.

Fall 1974 A period of transition marked by the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Kane in September; special entry in Trustees’ minute book records details.

Jul 1975 Carol Deane appointed as librarian.

Sept 1975 Mount Pocono Borough Council established Mount Pocono Library with a Board of Directors appointed by council.

Oct 6, 1975 The first meeting of the “Friends of the Library.”

1975-76 Mount Pocono Public Library (MPPL) library policies & procedures developed.

Apr 1976 MPPL open; first borough funds received in March.

Dec 1976 Carol Deane resigns.

Nov 1977 Mount Pocono receives CETA staff to assist volunteers so library can be open longer; regular schedule.

Jun 1978 Barbara J. Keiser hired as library director.

Oct 78 – Sept 79 Library Services & Construction Act, Title 1 Grant to Monroe County Commissioners for a study of public library services in the county. Audrey Cohen elected chairperson of the Ad Hoc Library Committee of 17 representatives of various kinds of libraries appointed by the Commissioners to oversee the grant. Consultant Edwin Beckerman hired. After public meetings, surveys & much investigation, the committee published a final report in 9/79 outlining the general needs for an improved library facility.

Nov 1979 Circulation exceeds 100,000 per year for first time.

1979 Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) receives per capita state aid for the first time on the basis of 1970 census figures for Monroe County less Barrett Township. Funding was received because of an ambitious plan to meet state standards of collection size which cannot be realized in the present count library building in Stroudsburg.

Jun 1980 MCPL Long Range Planning Committee submits “Library Space Needs” report to Board of Trustees.

Jul 1980 Bookmobile services extend to developments during summer months.

Sept 1980 Mount Pocono Public Library (MPPL) & Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) begins coordinated services providing staffing & collection development assistance. State aid administered for both libraries on the basis of a Monroe County Library System.

Oct 1980 MCPL Long Range Planning Committee submitted to the board general comments on funding sources for capital development. Report includes 18 location options for the central county library facility. The committee further lists four guidelines for selection & indicated preference for two buildings & two land sites. Importance of locating county library in downtown Stroudsburg addressed.

1980 County population increases to 69,409; annual county library circulation 130,874.

Jan 1981 Site Selection Committee formed of Board members Frank M. Brown, Edward Katz & Susan Kovarick.

Apr 1981 Trader’s Hardware building was sold to furniture business & removed from consideration.

May 1981 Board of Trustees authorized Tretheway Associates to do a feasibility study of the Avlon property on Main Street.

Jul 1981 Tretheway Associates submit “The Avlon Building; Study for Use as the Monroe County Library” to the board for discussion.

Sept 1981 Bushkill Library opened 10 hours per week at Schoonover House Bushkill Community Center; staffed by volunteers from the center.

Computer database searching made available as an enhancement to present reference & research services. Equipment & training provided through Library Services & Construction Act funds in cooperation with the Easton Area District Library.

Nov 1981 MCPL Board of Trustees votes to carefully consider a proposal submitted by Mill Race Developers to convert one wing of the Holland Thread Complex for use as the new central library.

1981 System circulation totals 138,121.

Apr 1982 The John F. Rich Company, fundraising counsel hired to do a feasibility study to measure fund-raising potential for the Holland Thread project. Report submitted May 21, 1982.

Spring 1982 New book drop is added to the Loder Building, courtesy of the Daybreak Kiwanis Club.

Nov 1982 Mount Pocono Public Library and the Monroe County Public Library solidify coordinated services agreement and join as one system.

Jul 1983 Library mascot, Yertle the Turtle, joins the library.

Nov 1983 Referendum effort fails.

Sept 1984 Barbara Keiser resigns as director.

Sept 1984 Michelle Turbak hired as director.

1985 New Bookmobile purchased.

Sum/Fall 1986 Bushkill Library, at Schoonover House Bushkill Community Center, closes.

Apr 1, 1987 Pocono Mountain Public Library withdraws from the Monroe County Public Library System. This was decided by PMPL board at its previous monthly meeting.

Aug 26, 1987 Grand Opening of the Pocono Township branch, located at Route 715 and Warner Drive, next to United Way offices.

Jan 1990 The Pocono Township branch relocates to township building in Tannersville. The grand opening ceremony is celebrated March 23, 1990.

Sept 25, 1990 The Associated Libraries of Monroe County is created when Monroe County Public Library joins Pocono Mountain, Clymer, Barrett, and Western Pocono libraries. The Monroe County library then becomes known as the “Eastern Monroe Public Library.”

Sept 1990 Michelle Turbak resigns as director. Barbara Keiser serves as acting director until Phil Hearne is hired in 1994.

Feb 1991 Library celebrates 75th anniversary.

Nov 1991 Smithfield branch library opens for the first time. Originally scheduled to open in October, the opening had to be postponed due to a building inspection. The grand opening ceremony is celebrated on December 3, 1991.

May 18, 1993 Referendum effort passes that guarantees funding for library service. Election results: Yes, 5,085 ; No, 3,402

May 1994 Phil Hearne hired as library director.

Sum 1994 A location is chosen for the new library on Route 611 in Stroudsburg, the old Stroud’s Jewelers and Distributors building.

Nov 1994 It is announced that the new library will be named the Hughes Library, named after R. Dale Hughes and his family. Total donations from Mr. Hughes and the Hughes Foundation totaled $1 million.

Spring 1995 The first OPAC’s (Online Public Access Computers) are in use. The public can now search the library catalog from computer stations, donated by Nazareth National Bank.

Sum 1996 Staff and 150-200 volunteers prepare for move to new library location. Must move approximately 80,000 library materials.

Aug 19-25, 1996 Due to the move, annual book sale is held at the Stroud Mall.

Aug 31. 1996 EMPL opens main library named Hughes Public Library. It is finished on first floor only.

Nov 1, 1997 Gala Opening of Hughes Library held on unfinished second floor

Jan 1998 Manual check-outs cease as library goes to an automation system with MulitLIS.

Jan 1998 Second floor of Hughes Library opens releasing community meeting rooms on first floor; adult collection and staff work areas relocated to second floor.

Sept 1998 Phil Hearne leaves position of library director.

Jan 1999 Deb Messling hired as library director.

Mar 23, 2002 “Kick-off” event for newly purchased Bookmobile.

Jun 2002 Deb Messling resigns as library director.

Aug 2002 Alan Bobowski hired as library director.

Aug 24, 2002 R. Dale Hughes, local philanthropist and major donor to library, passed away.

Mar 2002 Service at the Monroe County Correctional Facility goes “live” with automated checkout.

Mar 2003 Library switches automation systems and goes live with SIRSI (Unicorn Workflows).

Jun 15, 2003 Ann Kane celebrates 50 years of library service.

Nov 2004 Alan Bobowski leaves position of library director.

2004 EMPL circulation exceeds 500,000 (all locations)

Jan 2005 Barbara Keiser appointed library director

Mar 2005 Rearrangement of 1st floor. The new layout helps accommodate for more audiovisual materials plus moves the young adult collection closer to the YA librarian’s office.

May/Jun 2005 Wireless Internet network added, accessible to patrons with laptops.

Aug 26, 2006 10th anniversary reception held for Hughes Library

Oct 2007 Resource room collection opens in Youth Services. The collection originally came from Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance.

Dec 2008 Commissioners increased tax millage to 1.1 mil.

Bibliography/Monroe County During Civil War

Eastern Monroe Public Library
Local History Room Collection Bibliography of materials relating to Pennsylvania and Monroe County during the Civil War


HIST REF. 973.7448 Sau (V.1 V.2) Sauers, Richard Allen
Advance the colors! Pennsylvania Civil War battle flags

HIST REF. 973.4774 Pen ( V.1 V.2) Pennsylvania. Battle-field Commission
Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Ceremonies at the dedication of the monuments erected by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to mark the positions of the Pennsylvania commands engaged in the battle.






HIST REF. 973.7448 Bat V.5 Bates, Samuel P.
History of the Pennsylvania volunteers. 1861-5.


HIST REF. 973.7448 Lin Lindbuchler, Ryan
Gone but not forgotten: Civil War veterans of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Walton, William D.

HIST REF. 973.7448 Wal “It has seamed like war today”: the Civil War letters of



HIST REF. 973.78 Gum Gumm, Marion Hobbs
Civil War letters and now

HIST REF. 974.825 Koe Koehler, LeRoy Jennings.
The History of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, during the Civil War: a
study of a community in action from 1840 to 1873

HIST REF. 973.74 Dou Dougherty, Charles Bowman
Historical souvenir of the Ninth regiment infantry, N.G.P.

HIST REF. 973.7 Boy Boyle, John Richards
Solders true: the story of the one hundred and eleventh Regiment
Pennsylvania Veteran volunteers,

HIST REF. 973.7448 Cra Craft, David
History of the One Hundred Fourty-first regiment. Pennsylvania
Volunteers 1862-1865

Web Sites

Pennsylvania in the Civil War: www.pa-roots.com/pacw/

Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Civil War: www.pacivilwar.com

Civil War Veterans Card File, 1861-1866 index: www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp

Pennsylvania Conscientious Objectors Database: www.genpa.org/CivilWarCO.html

Civil War Pension Project, Pennsylvania: www.usgwarchives.org/pensions/civilwar/paindex.htm

The Yeisley/Pearce Log Cabin-CIRA 1795

THE YEISLEY/PEARCE LOG CABIN- CIRCA 1795- RELOCATION AND RESTORATION

In 1938, Smithfield Township resident and local historian, Luther S.
Hoffman, expressed that "we should hold our ancestors in
veneration and be profoundly thankful for the heritage they have passed on to us, and should prove ourselves their worthy
descendants•. So ends the foreword to his book entitled "The Unwritten History of Smithfield Township". Mr. Hoffman's book was
based on the records and traditions which came to him from his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who settled in the
township in 1790.
Following is an excerpt from the Hoffman book regarding the Yeisl.y/Pearce log cabin:
"The oldest log house still standing in the township was built !n 1795 by George A. Yeisley. He, with his family and small
outfit of cooking utensils, fumlture and tools, came up from n.ar Easton, Pa. They came by way of Wind Gap, made their
way over trails and through thick forests and settled along M~· halls Creek. The log house he built is 32 feet long, 24 feet
wide, and one and one-half stories high. The first story is divi 8d Into two rooms-kitchen and living room. The. kitchen is
12 feet by 24 feet and has a large fireplace and two windows. 'he living room Is 20 feet by 24 feet with three windows. The
second floor Is one large room with the rafters and shingles rming the ceiling. In this house he reared his family of seven
children. When his oldest son, Peter, was man1ed George Ye . ley retired from farming and built himself a stone house a
little way up the creek. Peter and his wife began farming and at the same time children were bom to them until sixteen boys
and girls were crowded Into that small house. Then there waS! a break made by building a frame addition 16 feet by 24 feet
This made an extra room on both the first and second floors".·
'f
In 2004, issues concerning the Marshalls Creek Bypass project required that the Yeisley/Pearce Log Cabin be relocated or
demolished. Sam, Nancy, and Linda Dailey (Pearce family descendants and owners) donated the cabin to Smithfield Township and
on July 30, 2004 it was moved to its new home at the Township's "Waterfront Park".
The funds needed for the move were donated by Township businesses and residents. The entire restoration of the original log cabin
including the building foundation; the hand sawn roof and floor joists and floor planks; the roofing material; the stone masonry; was
accomplished through donations of labor, equipment, and materiaiJ and grants through PADCED. The original fireplace and chimney
survived the move intact and required little repair and re-pointing. the original door with its hardware was well protected and
preserved and is still operational.

Please contact the Smithfield Township Municipal Center (1155 RJd Fox Road, East Stroudsburg, PA, 18301) if you would like to
visit the Yeisley/Pearce Log Cabin. Our phone number is 570-223-5082 or you can cont~ct us via email at
smithfieldsec@lverizon.net. :

Worthington Golf Course Tractors

Just added to the collection, Worthington Golf Course Tractors by local author Harley Collins of Bath Pennsylvania. Great research tool for anyone interested in old tractors.

Military Images Magazine

Just added to the Local History Room collection. Military Images, 21 volumes with index. The magazine is a photographic history of the U.S. Soldier and Sailor in the nineteenth century. The magazine was established in 1979 by local publisher Harry Roach. Great reference tool for researchers studying the American Civil War.

Affiliate Library LDS

Eastern Monroe Public Library is now a new member of the FamilySearch Affiliate Library program. Patrons now have access to the microfilm collection of the largest genealogical library in the world. The collection includes over 2.4 million rolls and 727,00 microfiche of microfilmed genealogical records spanning the globe. For additional information on how to order, please contact the Eastern Monroe Reference Department.

Hand Guns Sold in Pennsylvania

Q: How many hand guns were sold in Pennsylvania in 2010?
A: There were 237,938 hand guns sold in Pennsylvania in 2010, according to the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Research and Development, as reported in the PaSDC’s 2011 Pennsylvania Abstract.

Pennsylvania Newspapers

The State Library of Pennsylvania is a partner with The Pennsylvania State University on its Pennsylvania Digital Newspaper Project, funded through a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. Additional titles are planned for digitization during the grant period.

The Evening Herald (Shenandoah, PA) is now posted on the Library of Congress Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Chronicling America now has 3,999,267 pages.

With the recent release, the Library of Congress added approximately 290,000 pages, 42 titles, and 25 additional essays, and the time coverage now extends the full scope for the program, 1836-1922.

Pennsylvanians Renting

The recently released 2010 Census figures show that the number of Pennsylvanians renting living space is on the rise. The number of Pennsylvanians living in renter-occupied housing units increased 13.6 percent between 2000 and 2010, an increase of 394,082 people. More than 3.3 million Pennsylvanians resided in renter-occupied housing units with an average household size of 2.16 persons per household in 2010.

The data on housing tenure originates from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 released in June, which contains summary statistics compiled from the questions asked of all people and about every housing unit in the nation.

New Addition to Collection

The Local History Room has just added to its collection "The Photographic History of the Civil War in Ten Volumes". The ten volumes cover such topics as artillery, army and leaders, navies, prisons and hospitals. The Local History Room is open to the general public during regular library hours.

The 1940 Census

The 1940 census will be released on April 2, 2012. This census will be released digitally
only. There will be no microfilm. The census will only be available initially through the National Archives facilities and its online web sites. There will be no indexing at the time of release.

Pa. School Age Population

Pennsylvania’s school age population declined, according to the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Pennsylvania released today.

The school age population (children age 5 to 18) declined over the past 10 years, shrinking almost 5 percent from 2,367,358 in 2000 to 2,251,781 in 2010. The infant and toddler group (under age 3) increased just 1.0 percent during the decade and the preschool population (age 3 and 4) declined by nearly 1.0 percent.

2010 Census

Monroe County and the Civil War

Happy Birthday Monroe County

Happy 175th Birthday, Monroe County!
Amy Leiser, Executive Director
Monroe County Historical Association

On April 1, 1836, after nine long years of debate and discussion, Monroe County was formed from pieces of land cut from Northampton County and southern Pike County. Although settled by some of the earliest-arriving European colonists, Monroe County was not one of the earliest-formed counties in Pennsylvania. It was the 53rd recognized county out of 67 statewide.

250 Years of Yeisley Families

Added to the Local History Collection, this study of the Yeisley family attempts to link all known Yeisleys to Nichlaus Yeisli and his wife Julianna who arrived in Philadelphia on August 28, 1750. In 1790 George Adam Yeisley and his wife Christina took up a track of land in Smithfield Township, in what is now Monroe County. They were one of the first settlers in the region.

Literary and Cultural Hertiage Map of Pa.

What is the Literary and Cultural Heritage Map of Pennsylvania?

The Literary and Cultural Heritage Map of Pennsylvania is a graphic display of the literary history of our Commonwealth. On the map you’ll find writers of novels, plays, short stories, technical manuals, legislation, children’s literature.just about anything you could imagine connected to writing. We have used this geographic method of organizing our authors to show the breadth of places in Pennsylvania that have fostered the writers of the state, not only our greatest cities, but the rural hamlets in the mountains and every place in between. Pick up your mouse and begin your literary explorations of Pennsylvania!

Halloween in Pennsylvania 2010

Research Brief The Commonwealth’s Official Source for Population and Economic

Statistics October 27, 2010 Halloween in Pennsylvania - October 31, 2010 PENN STATE HARRISBURG – The occurrence of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals performed thousands of years ago, has long been associated with thoughts of witches, ghosts, devils, and other creatures of the night. In the United States, the first recorded instance of Halloween festivities occurred in Anoka, Minnesota in 1921. However, Allentown, Pennsylvania’s annual Halloween parade, rumored to be the nation’s first, dates to 1905. While the customs and rituals associated with All-Hallows Eve have changed dramatically over the years, Halloween has grown to one of the most popular and widely celebrated holidays in the United States. “Trick or Treat!” An estimated 1.5 million Pennsylvanians – ages 5 to 14 – were potential “trick-or-treaters” in 2009, down 173,667 since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2009 Population Estimates. The highest proportion of this age group was located in Chester County (13.7 percent), while the lowest was in Forest County (6.1 percent). The commonwealth’s 5.5 million housing units rank it 5th among the states, and offer plenty of possible stops for “trick-or-treat” participants. The commonwealth ranks 42nd among the states and the District of Columbia in proportion of the population ages 5 to 14 to the total population (12.0 percent). More Scares! For many trick-or-treating will provide plenty of fright, but others may turn to horror movies to boost the thrills. In 2007, Pennsylvania’s movie and film production industries had 1,841 total establishments, which employed 8,749 individuals, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2007 Economic Census. Several scary movies have been filmed in Pennsylvania, including Night of the Living Dead, Silence of the Lambs, and most recently— Signs, which depicted an extra terrestrial invasion of a Bucks County farmhouse. In 1965, Pennsylvania was the site of a mysterious UFO episode dubbed “Pennsylvania’s Roswell,” due to its similarities to the infamous Roswell UFO incident in New Mexico. Eyewitness in the small village of Kecksburg, Pennsylvania reported seeing a brilliant fireball enter the skies to the west shortly before hearing a thunderous crash in the nearby woods. The crash site was immediately secured by the U.S. Army, who, despite claims from local residents, later declared that nothing was found in the area. To this day, the mystery continues to intrigue alien enthusiasts and conspiracy theorist alike.
Pumpkins Galore Pumpkin carving is a popular part of a modern Halloween celebration. Luckily, Pennsylvanians don’t need to search too far to find the perfect pumpkin for their jack-o’-lanterns. Pennsylvania is one of the top 5 pumpkin-growing states in the nation and produced more than 81.9 million pounds of pumpkins in 2009. The value of Pennsylvania’s pumpkin crop was $12.7 million (see Figure 1). Ohio lead all states in 2009 with $22.5 million in pumpkin crop value; the remaining states in the top 5 include New York ($21.8 million), California ($20.6 million) and Illinois ($14.9 million). Candy and Costumes A fully loaded candy bowl will need to be on hand for this year’s celebration. Americans consumed about 24.3 pounds of candy per capita in 2009, and it is believed that children consume much of this around Halloween. In Pennsylvania, the production of chocolate, cocoa, and other candy products is an important part of the manufacturing industry. According to the 2007 Economic Census, the commonwealth was 2nd in the nation in number of chocolate and cocoa product manufacturing establishments (121). These businesses employed 8,590 people. An additional 27 establishments employed 1,395 workers in the manufacture of nonchocolate confectionary products. Overall, Pennsylvania’s sugar and confectionary industry shipped nearly 5 billion dollars in goods in 2007. Costume shops can also look forward to a boost in business around Halloween. In 2007, 81 formal wear and costume rental establishments in Pennsylvania employed 448 people and grossed 38.8 million dollars. An additional 32 non-employer formal wear and costume rental establishments earned just over $1.7 million. Figure 1. Value of Pumpkin Production, 2009 State Rank State Value of Production (dollars) 1 Ohio $ 22,513,000 2 New York $ 21,750,000 3 California $ 20,558,000 4 Illinois $ 14,896,000 5 Pennsylvania $ 12,695,000 Source: United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Annual Population Estimates, 2009; Economic Census, 2007; U.S. Department of Agriculture The Pennsylvania State Data Center is the commonwealth’s official source for population and economic statistics. It is based at Penn State Harrisburg’s Institute of State and Regional Affairs. The Pennsylvania State Data Center is part of the U.S. Census Bureau’s National State Data Center Program. Editors: For additional data, contact the Pennsylvania State Data Center’s State Capital Office at 717.772.2710 or for faculty comment on this topic, contact Penn State Harrisburg’s Public Information Office at 717.948.6029.

Population Estimates for Monroe County

Monroe County, Pennsylvania

Total Population


July 1, 2009


166,355

July 1, 2008


165,540

July 1, 2007


164,670

July 1, 2006


162,891

July 1, 2005


160,169

July 1, 2004


156,762

July 1, 2003


152,999

July 1, 2002


148,277

July 1, 2001


143,560

July 1, 2000


139,771

April 1, 2000 (Estimates Base)


138,690

April 1, 2000 (Census 2000)


138,687

Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program
More Tables and Information: Population Estimates Program

Note: The April 1, 2000 estimates base reflects changes to the Census 2000 population resulting from legal boundary updates as of January 1 of the estimates year, other geographic program changes, and Count Question Resolution actions. All geographic boundaries for the July 1, 2009 population estimates series are defined as of January 1, 2009. An "(x)" in the Census 2000 field indicates a locality that was formed or incorporated after Census 2000 or was erroneously omitted from Census 2000. See Geographic Change Notes for additional information on these localities.

Dannsbury Depot Move

By Beth Brelje
Pocono Record Writer
October 13, 2010

The historic former train station known as Dansbury Depot is set to be relocated Friday by Wolfe House and Building Movers, professionals experienced in moving community heirlooms.

The company placed steel beams under the station Tuesday in preparation for a move across the train tracks from Crystal Street to a temporary location in the municipal parking lot.

York County Archives Online

Marriage index 1885-1929
Birth index 1893-1905plus may other indexes

About The York County Archives

The York County Archives is a department of the York County Government.

The Archives was established in 1987 and moved to its current location in 1995. To accommodate the growing number of records, the Archives building was expanded in 2001.

York County's records begin in August of 1749 when York County was formed from Lancaster County. The Archives stores records for over 40 different county offices during various time periods throughout the past 250 years.

Library funding in Pennsylvania

Everyone remembers the bookish kid who used to get picked on after class for no good reason.

Socked by several rounds of state budget cuts, at a time when they say demand for services has never been greater, the people who run Pennsylvania's public libraries are feeling much the same way.

"I know everyone has to cut and I understand that," Janet Fricker, director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library, told a legislative panel Wednesday. "It seems as though libraries have been on first, to take the worst. There's a mistaken idea we're not essential. We are essential."

Fricker was one of several area library directors to come before the House Democratic Policy Committee in Bethlehem to discuss the implications of cuts to public libraries, which also receive local support.
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Library officials who appeared before the committee Wednesday at Moravian College all said they've gotten busier since the bottom fell out of the economy two years ago. Parents are taking advantage of easy access to books for their children, and job seekers are using free access to the Internet to troll the help-wanted ads.

"The people of Pennsylvania want and need their libraries," said Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, who organized the hearing. "Pennsylvania is the state that built the first public library. In 1731, Benjamin Franklin started the first one."

State funding for libraries was cut by 9 percent, to $54.5 million, in the $28.04 billion state budget that Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law last month. Overall, state funding has declined by $21 million, from $75.5 million in 2006-07.

The subsidy provides 20 percent to 25 percent of the operating budgets for local libraries, said M. Clare Zales, deputy secretary for libraries at the state Department of Education, which controls the subsidy.

Rendell on Wednesday announced a possible 1.9 percent across-the-board cut in discretionary spending. That could further affect libraries, said the House panel's chairman, Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster.

The decline in state support doesn't reflect how heavily libraries are used, Zales said. Library use is up 10 percent from the last economic downturn in 2001 and the number of items being lent is up by more than a quarter.

"Unfortunately, this increase comes at a time when communities are least able to support their libraries," she said.

Fricker said she expects to shave about 10 percent from her $3 million budget for 2010, and things are getting snug.

"We can't run our libraries on bake sales," said Fricker, who's had to trim hours and furlough staff to make ends meet. "It's unfortunate we're in a recession right now. Our communities can't jump in and make that up."

Allentown Public Library Director Renee Haines told committee members she was forced to close a branch on Emmaus Avenue in 2009, prompting layoffs for several part-time employees. With a budget of $2.2 million, Haines said she's been able to duck any further staff cuts and hasn't been forced to trim hours. But, she said, that might not last.

With at least some lawmakers focused on the libraries' plight, Haines said she hopes the Legislature will pay attention next year.

In Easton, where the library is getting ready to celebrate its 200th anniversary, director Jennifer Stoecker has had to make do with less spending on new materials and an increased reliance on library boosters to provide programming.

The reductions come as the library has seen a 23 percent increase in visitors, she said.

"In times of recession, libraries are used more and more," Stoecker said.

Several people who testified recommended giving communities greater flexibility to come up with ways to pay for local libraries or to approve a so-called "dedicated" funding source that would provide a predictable stream of cash.

One way to do that would be to create library districts, modeled on school districts, that would levy a "library tax," said Glenn R. Miller, executive director of the Pennsylvania Library Association.

john.micek@mcall.com

717-783-7305
PURC

Schuylkill County Marriage Records

Schuylkill County Pa. Courthouse Archives. Marriage Records Index 1885-2010

www.co.schuylkill.pa.us

Monroe County Public Library Chronology

Monroe County Public Library
Chronology by Julie Bonser



Feb 1, 1916 Library officially opens by the Stroudsburg Civic Club in Reformed Church on Eighth Street, Stroudsburg, PA.

Nov 1917 Library moves to room in home of Mrs. Pugh, Main Street. (Next to the Stroudsburg Methodist Church.)

Sep 1920 Stroudsburg Civic Club purchases Stroud Mansion (900 Main Street) for library’s new location.

Dec 1920 (approx) Library moves to Stroud Mansion.

Jan 1929 Stroudsburg Council’s donation of $300 to library is reported.

1933-36 Library run by club, now known as Stroudsburg Woman’s Club.

Nov 13, 1936 First library board meeting. The minutes report Elizabeth Kane hired as librarian.

Sept 1937 Monroe County Library is born with Commissioners Willard L. Quick, George E. Shick & Lawrence M. Ramsey signing a cooperative statement with the Stroudsburg Woman’s Club appointing a library board chairman.

Oct 1, 1937 According to library minutes, “It was decided to establish a county library…. the name of the library will be changed from the Stroudsburg Library to the Stroudsburg and Monroe County Library.”

1941 First bookmobile is purchased – half paid by Kiwanis, half by Commissioners.

Dec 1943 Junior department opens in rear of Stroud Mansion House.

Jun 2, 1948 913 Main Street is deeded to Monroe County Library by Howard L. Keiper.

Jun 15, 1953 Ann Kane, daughter of Elizabeth Kane, begins working at library.

Dec 15, 1954 Library opens on first floor of 913 Main Street.

Aug 1955 Bookmobile destroyed in flood. The Red Cross and other individuals loan the use of their vehicles until a new bookmobile is purchased.

Feb 16, 1956 Kiwanis Club presents library with a second bookmobile.

Jun 1957 Agnes Shafer Ransbury Trust funds of $41,932 plus a lot on Route 611 presented to library.

Dec 11, 1961 Elizabeth Kane is honored for 25 years of service. Lulu Shafer Conway was also honored for serving as library’s treasurer for 25 years. She resigned on May 5, 1962.

1963 Howard L. Keiper passed away.

1969 Minutes of Board of Trustees meeting reflect much discussion about building plans; number of board meetings increased from 4 to 6 a year.

Spring 1971 Junior department moves upstairs – renovation.

Fall 1974 A period of transition marked by the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Kane in September; special entry in Trustees’ minute book records details.

Jul 1975 Carol Deane appointed as librarian.

Sept 1975 Mount Pocono Borough Council established Mount Pocono Library with a Board of Directors appointed by council.

Oct 6, 1975 The first meeting of the “Friends of the Library.”

1975-76 Mount Pocono Public Library (MPPL) library policies & procedures developed.

Apr 1976 MPPL open; first borough funds received in March.

Dec 1976 Carol Deane resigns.

Nov 1977 Mount Pocono receives CETA staff to assist volunteers so library can be open longer; regular schedule.

Jun 1978 Barbara J. Keiser hired as library director.

Oct 78 – Sept 79 Library Services & Construction Act, Title 1 Grant to Monroe County Commissioners for a study of public library services in the county. Audrey Cohen elected chairperson of the Ad Hoc Library Committee of 17 representatives of various kinds of libraries appointed by the Commissioners to oversee the grant. Consultant Edwin Beckerman hired. After public meetings, surveys & much investigation, the committee published a final report in 9/79 outlining the general needs for an improved library facility.

Nov 1979 Circulation exceeds 100,000 per year for first time.

1979 Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) receives per capita state aid for the first time on the basis of 1970 census figures for Monroe County less Barrett Township. Funding was received because of an ambitious plan to meet state standards of collection size which cannot be realized in the present count library building in Stroudsburg.

Jun 1980 MCPL Long Range Planning Committee submits “Library Space Needs” report to Board of Trustees.

Jul 1980 Bookmobile services extend to developments during summer months.

Sept 1980 Mount Pocono Public Library (MPPL) & Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) begins coordinated services providing staffing & collection development assistance. State aid administered for both libraries on the basis of a Monroe County Library System.

Oct 1980 MCPL Long Range Planning Committee submitted to the board general comments on funding sources for capital development. Report includes 18 location options for the central county library facility. The committee further lists four guidelines for selection & indicated preference for two buildings & two land sites. Importance of locating county library in downtown Stroudsburg addressed.

1980 County population increases to 69,409; annual county library circulation 130,874.

Jan 1981 Site Selection Committee formed of Board members Frank M. Brown, Edward Katz & Susan Kovarick.

Apr 1981 Trader’s Hardware building was sold to furniture business & removed from consideration.

May 1981 Board of Trustees authorized Tretheway Associates to do a feasibility study of the Avlon property on Main Street.

Jul 1981 Tretheway Associates submit “The Avlon Building; Study for Use as the Monroe County Library” to the board for discussion.

Sept 1981 Bushkill Library opened 10 hours per week at Schoonover House Bushkill Community Center; staffed by volunteers from the center.

Computer database searching made available as an enhancement to present reference & research services. Equipment & training provided through Library Services & Construction Act funds in cooperation with the Easton Area District Library.

Nov 1981 MCPL Board of Trustees votes to carefully consider a proposal submitted by Mill Race Developers to convert one wing of the Holland Thread Complex for use as the new central library.

1981 System circulation totals 138,121.

Apr 1982 The John F. Rich Company, fundraising counsel hired to do a feasibility study to measure fund-raising potential for the Holland Thread project. Report submitted May 21, 1982.

Spring 1982 New book drop is added to the Loder Building, courtesy of the Daybreak Kiwanis Club.

Nov 1982 Mount Pocono Public Library and the Monroe County Public Library solidify coordinated services agreement and join as one system.

Jul 1983 Library mascot, Yertle the Turtle, joins the library.

Nov 1983 Referendum effort fails.

Sept 1984 Barbara Keiser resigns as director.

Sept 1984 Michelle Turbak hired as director.

1985 New Bookmobile purchased.

Sum/Fall 1986 Bushkill Library, at Schoonover House Bushkill Community Center, closes.

Apr 1, 1987 Pocono Mountain Public Library withdraws from the Monroe County Public Library System. This was decided by PMPL board at its previous monthly meeting.

Aug 26, 1987 Grand Opening of the Pocono Township branch, located at Route 715 and Warner Drive, next to United Way offices.

Jan 1990 The Pocono Township branch relocates to township building in Tannersville. The grand opening ceremony is celebrated March 23, 1990.

Sept 25, 1990 The Associated Libraries of Monroe County is created when Monroe County Public Library joins Pocono Mountain, Clymer, Barrett, and Western Pocono libraries. The Monroe County library then becomes known as the “Eastern Monroe Public Library.”

Sept 1990 Michelle Turbak resigns as director. Barbara Keiser serves as acting director until Phil Hearne is hired in 1994.

Feb 1991 Library celebrates 75th anniversary.

Nov 1991 Smithfield branch library opens for the first time. Originally scheduled to open in October, the opening had to be postponed due to a building inspection. The grand opening ceremony is celebrated on December 3, 1991.

May 18, 1993 Referendum effort passes that guarantees funding for library service. Election results: Yes, 5,085 ; No, 3,402

May 1994 Phil Hearne hired as library director.

Sum 1994 A location is chosen for the new library on Route 611 in Stroudsburg, the old Stroud’s Jewelers and Distributors building.

Nov 1994 It is announced that the new library will be named the Hughes Library, named after R. Dale Hughes and his family. Total donations from Mr. Hughes and the Hughes Foundation totaled $1 million.

Spring 1995 The first OPAC’s (Online Public Access Computers) are in use. The public can now search the library catalog from computer stations, donated by Nazareth National Bank.

Sum 1996 Staff and 150-200 volunteers prepare for move to new library location. Must move approximately 80,000 library materials.

Aug 19-25, 1996 Due to the move, annual book sale is held at the Stroud Mall.

Aug 31. 1996 EMPL opens main library named Hughes Public Library. It is finished on first floor only.

Nov 1, 1997 Gala Opening of Hughes Library held on unfinished second floor

Jan 1998 Manual check-outs cease as library goes to an automation system with MulitLIS.

Jan 1998 Second floor of Hughes Library opens releasing community meeting rooms on first floor; adult collection and staff work areas relocated to second floor.

Sept 1998 Phil Hearne leaves position of library director.

Jan 1999 Deb Messling hired as library director.

Mar 23, 2002 “Kick-off” event for newly purchased Bookmobile.

Jun 2002 Deb Messling resigns as library director.

Aug 2002 Alan Bobowski hired as library director.

Aug 24, 2002 R. Dale Hughes, local philanthropist and major donor to library, passed away.

Mar 2002 Service at the Monroe County Correctional Facility goes “live” with automated checkout.

Mar 2003 Library switches automation systems and goes live with SIRSI (Unicorn Workflows).

Jun 15, 2003 Ann Kane celebrates 50 years of library service.

Nov 2004 Alan Bobowski leaves position of library director.

2004 EMPL circulation exceeds 500,000 (all locations)

Jan 2005 Barbara Keiser appointed library director

Mar 2005 Rearrangement of 1st floor. The new layout helps accommodate for more audiovisual materials plus moves the young adult collection closer to the YA librarian’s office.

May/Jun 2005 Wireless Internet network added, accessible to patrons with laptops.

Aug 26, 2006 10th anniversary reception held for Hughes Library

Oct 2007 Resource room collection opens in Youth Services. The collection originally came from Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance.

Dec 2008 Commissioners increased tax millage to 1.1 mil.

Frank Frazeta, master of fantasy art, dead at 82

FRANK FRAZETTA TIMELINE: A LIFE LIVED FOR ART (Pocono Record 5/11/2010)

Born Feb. 9, 1928, in Brooklyn, Frank Frazetta attends the Brooklyn Academy of Fine Arts at age 8.

He turns pro at age 16, after entering a painting in a scholastic art competition and is disqualified on the grounds that he had had professional help.

In 1944, Frazetta creates his first published comic, "The Snowman," a wooden idol resembling a snowman who comes to life to combat the evil of The Fang.

He paints the first Conan the Barbarian cover in 1966. The cover "knocked publishing on its ear," he said about the artwork in a 1985 interview.

Singer/entertainer Cher, making another comeback in 1979, had a new image in the form of bizarre costumes inspired by Frazetta's fantasy art.

In the early 1980s, Frazetta turns the upper floors of the former Masonic building at the corner of South Courtland and Washington streets in East Stroudsburg into a gallery. The art museum would be on the floors above Frazetta's Fantasy Corner and would not only house Frazetta's work, but offer display space to other artists in a separate gallery.

On July 17, 2009, his wife and business partner, Eleanor "Ellie" Frazetta, dies after a year-long battle with cancer. She oversaw the daily operations of the Frazetta Art Museum in East Stroudsburg. Frank and Ellie had been married 53 years.

Sources: Pocono Record archives; The Progress, Clearfield; "Fantasy Artist Frank Frazetta" by Cathi Sutton, hubpages.com; The Lawton Constitution, Lawton, Okla.

Pennsylvania Public Records

PennsylvaniaPublicRecord.com is a comprehensive resource for finding public record information by county, with important links to government websites and other state agencies to assist individuals with locating vital records, genealogy archives, court record documents, and other public record searches. PennsylvaniaPublicRecord.com was built to help people save time when requesting information or searching for records by directing them to the appropriate county or state agency.

Child Life of Pennsylvania Germans

Just added to the Local History Room collection by Monroe Aurand, Jr.

Child Life of the Pennsylvania Germans. Childhood Days: Games and Sports, Folklore, Industry, School Days Halloween Toys, Reminiscences.

New jersey Civil War Treasury Vouchers 1861-1865

Civil War Treasury Vouchers, 1861-1865

The processing and indexing of New Jersey’s Civil War vouchers was made possible by the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association (NJCWHA). This non-profit organization supplied a corps of volunteers to sort, flatten and folder nearly 16,000 documents, and—through grant funds from the New Jersey Historical Commission—contracted for the creation of a database to index them. New Jersey State Archives gratefully acknowledges the work of the NJCWHA volunteers: Laurie Berg, Louis “Jim” Bordonaro, Jack FitzPatrick, Leroy Bruce Jones, Charles Larkin and Joseph Seliga.

New Jersey’s Civil War-period treasury vouchers collection includes 15,770 payment receipts for military expenditures and wartime purchases made by the State of New Jersey from 1861 through 1866. It includes soldiers' discharge certificates for final pay (over 9,300 items), affidavits of family members for pay due to deceased soldiers (over 1,400 items), and quarterly returns of the counties and cities listing the names of soldiers’ families and dependant mothers who received subsistence pay during their service. In all, nearly 114,000 index entries provide access to the content of the documents.

You may search by any combination of Last Name, First Name, Regiment, County, and/or Years. Entering the initial letter or string of letters into the Name Fields will return all records beginning with that string. To search on a string within a name, simply type "%" followed by the string. The spelling of personal names in the vouchers is often inconsistent and it advisable to try variant spellings. Where possible cross references to variant spellings for soldiers found in William S. Stryker's Record of Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Civil War, 1861-1865 (Trenton, NJ: 1876) is provided, and the database automatically searches them. The Stryker variants, when applied, are given at the end of the voucher description.

For more information about the vouchers and other Civil War Era records held at the Archives please consult the Civil War Collections referenced in our catalog. See also Civil War Grant Project.

War Department Papers

This site makes available 55,000 documents of the early War Department. Many thought to be lost in the fire of 1800.

http://wardepartmentpapers.org

Historic American Newspapers

Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers

Welcome to Chronicling America, enhancing access to America's historic newspapers. This site allows you to search and view newspaper pages from 1880-1922 and find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress as part of the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

Zeamer Collection: Cumberland County

Zeamer Collection: Cumberland County

The State Library has undertaken a project to transcribe and provide online access to Cumberland County cemetery and other records transcribed by Jeremiah Zeamer in the early 1900s.

Because of the deteriorating condition of the original transcriptions in the library's collection, the State Library has made the decision to transcribe the records as they appear in his notebooks and publish them on the web. More records will be made available as this project progresses.

Library funding cuts

By HOWARD FRANK
Pocono Record Writer
November 25, 2009

Monroe County's public libraries could see fewer programs and services after an across-the-board cut in state funding next year.

The state reduced funding to libraries by 20 percent in 2010, but the local impact varies.
Related Stories

* Fair to support Pocono Mountain Community Library this weekend

"This has probably been the most difficult year for us to balance the budget," said Wendy Franklin, Clymer Library's director.

Clymer faces three key budget issues. One is the funding cut from the state — about $10,000 of their $258,000 budget.

Second are lower local revenues. Clymer receives part of its funding through a tax assessment based on property values, which have decreased.

And third, PPL has uncapped its electric costs. The library is facing a 34 percent increase in its electric bill.

"We've been cut $10,000, and our electric bill is going up about $4,000," Franklin said.

That means cuts in several areas. There will be cuts in programs. There's no increase for staff salaries. The library will be looking to offer programs that are free or inexpensive to run. And it's cutting anything that is not essential to the operation of the library.

"Furniture and equipment purchases have been eliminated. We've reduced technology funds to $500 next year," Franklin said.

Clymer serves Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships.

Barbara Keiser, director at Eastern Monroe Public Library, said "We're holding our own pretty well, although the state aid — a 20 percent cut — isn't insignificant."

That aid — $561,022 last year— is more than a quarter of the budget of $1.9 million.

Despite the funding cut of more than $100,000, Keiser said her staff might still grow.

"Our budget isn't approved yet for 2010, but staff has recommended we keep our staff and perhaps increase it at the Smithfield branch — because our local income has come in ahead of budget," she said.

The programs and materials portion of the library's budget may face cuts.

"... The cuts will probably come from resources — new material available — databases, new books, movies. We will still be buying them, but people may have to wait longer, because we won't be buying as much in the past," she said.

Eastern Monroe Public Library is supported by a 1.1 mill local tax from the municipalities it serves — the boroughs of Delaware Water Gap, Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg and the townships of Stroud, Smithfield, Middle Smithfield, Hamilton, Jackson, Price and Pocono.

Meanwhile, Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville has cut five employee positions through attrition since 2000.

"We saw the handwriting on the wall. The state cut affected us very deeply," said Director Carol Kern.

They also lost about $100,000 last year from uncollected taxes. Western Pocono, unlike the other county libraries, receives its funding through the Pleasant Valley School District, which collects its 1.75 mill tax.

"People walked away from their homes," she said.

But the cuts have been strictly staff, through attrition — the library hasn't cut in programs or purchases. "We have to be careful — we still have to maintain our state standard," Kern said.

Kern said the library would wait until after Sunday's fundraiser to decide what she has to cut in January.

"Maybe reduced hours on a Saturday afternoon is one option. That would be the first thing we'd probably do. We're working hard at not cutting anything, so we can provide full service to our community," she said.

Pocono Mountain Public Library's operating budget will receive about $16,000 less from the state. That's about 4 percent of its total budget for 2010.

But the majority of Pocono Mountain's budget is from local support. The library receives tax remittance from Mount Pocono and Coolbaugh township millage surcharges.

This year continues a pattern of diminishing state aid, according to Ann Shincovich, the library's director.

"We eviscerated our budget last year. ... We had to eliminate some of our technology and professional development. We had to gut our programs last year. People expect us to do certain things that we just can't do," she said.

That means the library cannot fill vacant positions or support all the technology. "We won't have the same programming funds," she added.

But residents can always donate to help programs and technology. "We see a lot of people using our computers for the Internet especially when they are looking for jobs," Shincovich said.

Barrett-Paradise Friendly Library in Cresco is out about $6,000 because of the state funding cut, but that won't take them off course.

"The library board and our staff want to work and fundraise so we do not have to cut back on materials and services for our patrons," library Director Cindy DeLuca said.

DeLuca said the library customarily uses state money for materials, such as children's books and recordings, but may have to find a way to replace the lost funding.

"What we will have to do is find another event or fundraiser to replace that money," she said.

But of greater concern to DeLuca is the cutbacks on the state level. She said "The state system provides so many services and helps libraries large and small provide so many services, like databases and interlibrary loan services."

The Ramirez Solar Home

By Pocono Record staff report
November 06, 2009

BUSHKILL — Work has begun to rehabilitate one of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's most significant historic structures: the Ramirez Solar House.

National Park Service staff and Frederic Schwartz Architects worked for the past two years to complete architectural and engineering plans to restore the building near Raymondskill Road, south of Milford. The Washington Office of the National Park Service provided funding used to award a restoration contract in September to MERIT, Inc.

Fire guts historic Dansbury Deopt

An early Monday morning fire gutted the historic Dansbury Depot on Crystal Street in East Stroudsburg. Read the complete story by visiting the Pocono Record web site at

Family Histories in the Monroe County Histroical Association Collection

The Monroe County Historical Association has an excellent collection of local material, which can be used in their Reference Room. Among the material in their collection are a number of individual family histories, many prepared by members of the families with the help of the Staff of the Historical Association over a period of many years. Persons who are in the process of compiling their own genealogies may wish to go to the Stroud Mansion and refer to some of these. Those in the list which follows appear in our catalog, with the notation that they are in the Historical Association Library.. We have duplicates of a few of them on a shelf in the Local History Room, on the back of the low bookcase in the center of the room, but most of them are available only at the Historical Association and must be used there.
We may perhaps add that it is our hope that when genealogies of local families are completed by people who have used the Local History Room materials in their search, they will be kind enough to those who follow, to donate a copy of their history to the library as well as to the Historical Association, giving a helping hand to those who follow, however distant the relationship may be.

The index can be found in The Local History [ HIST Ref. 929.9 FAM ]

Pa. Civil War Conscientious Objectors Database

Found this on The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania website.( http://www.genpa.org/CivilWarCO.html)

Pennsylvania's Civil War Conscientious Objectors Database
Introduction (Summary)
Jonathan R. Stayer, Head, Reference Section, Pennsylvania State Archives

Provided here is a database of names of Pennsylvania men who refused military service during the American Civil War for reasons of conscience--primarily religious convictions. Volunteers of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania transcribed these entries from the "Register of Aliens & Persons Having Conscientious Scruples Against Bearing Arms, 1862," (entry #3168); Records of State and District Offices, 1861-72, Pennsylvania (Part IV), Western Division; Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau, Record Group 110; National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

This register serves as an index to original requests for exemption on file as "Conscientious Objector Depositions, 1862" (Series #19.15); Records of the Adjutant General; Records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, Record Group 19; Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg, PA. In some instances, the depositions show the age and the occupation of the objector, and each one is signed by the man seeking exemption. These papers are arranged first by county and then roughly in alphabetical order by the individual's surname, similar to the entries in the Register. Copies of the depositions may be obtained for a fee from: Reference Section, Pennsylvania State Archives, 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0090 (www.phmc.state.pa.us).

Monroe County names:
945 Absalom Fetterman Monroe Not Given
947 Henry Houser Monroe Not Given
946 Israel Houser Monroe Not Given
948 James H Kerr Monroe Not Given
949 Ransom Labar Monroe Not Given
950 Sydenham W Palmer Monroe Not Given
951 James Teel Monroe Not Given
952 Robert Teel Monroe Not Given

Mountainsides

In the early 1990's, Brain Hineline a life-long Pocono resident saw a need for a general magazine devoted to Northeastern Pennsylvania and founded the Mountainside in 1992. The magazine was well received by the public however not very profitable. Publication was halted after just three issues.

In the hope of saving a valuable local resource, Brian has given Eastern Monroe Public Library permission to add the Mountainside to its growing digital projects collection.
Just go to to www.monroepl.org and look for the Local History link. Click on the link and look mfor the digital collection.

Agricultural Production Monroe County Pennsylvana

Monroe County farms:

Number of farms: 1945-(1,219) 1950-(884)

Average size of farms 1945-(95.3) 1950-(100.8)

Acreage in farms 1945-(116,145) 1950-(89,145)

The Rain Boy: Do you believe in the supernatural?

Do you believe in the supernatural? Or do you want to understand people
who do? It seems that various strange things have happened here in Monroe
County, and if you want to know more about that sort of thing, the Local History
Room has copies of both volumes of “ Pocono Ghosts”, a copy of “ Spooky
Pennsylvania, tales of Hauntings, strange happenings and other local lore”
(all shelved in 133.1) and a folder in the vertical file, under Supernatural and
Paranormal, about the story of the Rain Boy, who was the central character in
a story of poltergeist phenomena, especially including a sort of indoor rain that
was never explained, although it was investigated both by the local police and
by a parapsychic. All these materials can be used in the Local History Room.
The folder also includes reactions of various people on the Internet who discuss
this story. We also have copies of the books, that can be borrowed, shelved, again,
in 133.1.


Sometimes very odd things happen. Or, of course, sometimes we hear that very
strange things have happened, but no-one we know actually witnessed them, and we
don’t know what to believe. Such was the case of the “Rain Boy”. Left homeless by
the death of his grandfather, a young man was taken in by some people who lived on
Ann Street, behind the Methodist Church and across from the Driebe Freight Station
Museum. Soon a series of very strange events took place, especially involving water, or
“rain”, which sprayed around inside the house. The police were called to investigate,
also a local parapsychic. The center of the disturbance seemed to be the homeless man,
who appeared to be the victim of violent activity. There is a folder in the Local History
Room vertical file under “Supernatural and Paranormal”, which tells several versions of
the story; a chapter from the book “Pocono Ghosts”; the story of a French television crew who came to film the story for a series on strange phenomena; comments from
fans of such stories, taken from the Internet ,etc. The library also has copies of “Pocono
Ghosts”, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and “Spooky Pennsylvania, tales of Hauntings, Strange
Happenings, and Other Local Lore”, in 133.1, both copies to borrow, and copies in
the history room. This story is covered in these books.

Submitted by Ann Kane
Reference Librarian
Eastern Monroe Public Library
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Monroe County Resorts by Susan Kopczynski

MONROE COUNTY – The Old and Near Vacation


Even before the Civil War, Monroe County was a place to visit. The picturesque Delaware Water Gap attracted vacationers and inspired artists and poets.

Attracted by co-religionists who settled here, Quakers from Philadelphia began to come for vacations as early as 1820. In 1829, Antoine Dutot who founded the village of Delaware Water Gap and built the first hotel named the Kittatinny House. In these early years, only the wealthy had the time and money to take a holiday. Because of poor accessibility, many avoided the Pocono’s and went to the more fashionable Hudson River valley, the White Mountains of New Hampshire or the shore resorts. Those that did come here came for country living and did not care about status or fashion.

In 1856, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad was completed, changing Monroe County forever. Service from New York City brought vacationers to the Pocono’s to join the earlier ones from Philadelphia. After the Civil War, service was improved. Travel time was shortened to four hours and eight stations were added.

The railroad also made the area more accessible to a broader range of people – less educated and less fussy or affluent. What attracted them were the pure mountain air, sweet clean water and quiet healthy country lifestyle. It was a respite from the hectic, stressful, unhealthy city.

In 1877, the New York Times estimated that the 35 mile stretch along the Delaware River from Milford to Delaware Water Gap expanded by 5,000 people during the summer. To accommodate this influx, more and more boarding houses were built. According to the railroad’s resort directories, Monroe County had 152 hotels and boarding houses in 1905. Four years later, there were 204. While Delaware Water Gap was the focal point, resorts spread north to Bushkill and Milford and west towards Cresco.

There was a place for everyone. For those who could not afford the resorts, there were boarding houses. To supplement their income, farmers opened their homes to vacationers. Some of the wealthy built their own summer homes or bought or renovated older homes.

With train travel time down to three or four hours, some came just for a day or a weekend. Businessmen from the city could establish their families for the summer and join them for the weekend. Those who preferred the resorts “dry” and free of vices could go the Quaker resorts such as Buckhill Falls or Pocono Manor and simply enjoy nature, solitude and a healthy lifestyle.

As time went on, more emphasis was placed on recreational activities such as boating, golf, tennis, fishing, hunting, swimming, horseback riding, croquet and even bowling. Bicycling became all the rage around 1900 with clubs sponsoring trips to the area. Walks to scenic spots and waterfalls were popular. Besides recreation, there was entertainment. Amusement rides, music programs and even vaudeville shows were offered.
Promoting the resorts was the Monroe County Resort Association established in 1902. They were successful beyond their wildest dreams. So many vacationers came to Monroe County in 1902 that 20,000 visitors were turned away by the resorts. Resorts had to place people on cots in halls, parlors and cellars. The famous and not so famous flocked to the Pocono’s. Among the former was William Cullen Bryant, Joseph Jefferson (the actor), and John D. Rockefeller. Theodore Roosevelt stopped overnight at the Kittatinny House.

With the advent of the automobile, the American vacation changed. Instead of summer long stays at a resort, vacationers opted for shorter stays with weekend jaunts. Large resorts tried to compensate by staying open and offering year round activities. Resorts further west in the Pocono Mountains began to offer skiing, skating, tobogganing and sledding. Camping also became popular as a cheap vacation. By World War I, the resort industry was declining.

Modernization, innovation and uniqueness helped the big resorts survive Prohibition and the Great Depression during the 1920’s and 1930’s. But by 1938, Delaware Water Gap had only five resorts listed by the Chamber of Commerce. Instead of being a vacation destination, the town became “the gateway to the playground of the East”. By the end of the Depression, the term Pocono’s came into general use. During World War II, rationing of food items, tires and gasoline, as well as labor shortages, impacted the resorts. After the War, the interstate highway system eased travel to Monroe County. New York City was now just a two hour drive along Interstate 80.

The use of artificial snow machines, made the ski resorts less dependent on Mother Nature. In the 1950’s, new resorts that catered to honeymooners sprang up offering heart shaped or sunken roman tubs. By 1969, there were 25 such resorts with an average of 2000 guests per week. The changing youth culture of the 1960’s, brought a decline of the singles and honeymoon resorts. The new visitors wanted indoor swimming pools and nightclubs. Year round conventions business required that as well.

Today, the area still attracts visitors. Arriving by car from New York City or Philadelphia, they seek a quick, easy and inexpensive getaway for the day or weekend. The outdoor enthusiasts still bird watch, fish, hunt, hike and canoe along the river. Camping is still popular and there are many shows and festivals to enjoy. Some have built summer homes. Many visitors become year round residents making Monroe County one of the fastest growing counties in Pennsylvania.

Extracted from Better in the Poconos by Lawrence Squeri, University Park, PA, The State University Press, 2002.

Pittsburgh Jewish Newspaper Project

The Pittsburgh Jewish Newspaper Project (PJN) is a unique, free, searchable fulltext archive that documents the history and life of the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania. To date, it is a digital archive of The Jewish Criterion (1895-1962) and The Jewish Chronicle (1962-present).

Californial Digital Newspaper Collection

The California Digital Newspaper Collection offers over 200,000 pages of California newspapers spanning the years 1849-191l: the Alta California, 1849-1891; the San Francisco Call, 1893-1910; the Amador Ledger, 1900-1911; the Imperial Valley Press, 1901-1911; the Sacramento Record-Union, 1859-1890; and the Los Angeles Herald, 1905-1907. Additional years are forthcoming, as are other early California newspapers: the Californian; the California Star; the California Star and Californian; the Sacramento Transcript; the Placer Times; and the Pacific Rural Press.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

http://cdnc.ucr.edu/

Suffolk Historical Newspapers

Search the pages of some of Suffolk Counties oldest newspapers.

http://shn.suffolk.lib.ny.us/

First Polio Case Reported in Monroe County Region

With the advancement in technology, librarians are receiving requests for specific information from all parts of the world. Last week I received a very specific request from a person living in upstate New York.

Request
I am trying to find out about Little Flower Camp for Girls, which used to be near Tobyhanna in the 1940's. I attended that camp in the summer of 1949. It was supposed to be for 2 weeks but we were quarantined for an extra week because of the death from polio of a fellow camper. I know it was a long time ago but it was traumatic for a 7 year-old, her first time away from home. I have always wondered about the story behind that event.

In 1949 there were 38,153 cases of polio reported in the United States, so my chances of finding
this particular story seemed fairly good. I found an article in The Daily Record for Monroe County 8/11/1949 explaining about what had happened at the camp. What I found interesting was that the story was not on the front page of the newspaper but on page five. How the way that we report the news has changed.

Two New Digital Postings!!!!!

On the Local History Site we have two new digital postings.The first is a paper written by local historian Vertie Knapp that deals with the ice harvest industry of Monroe County Pennsylvania. The second is the early history of Eastern Monroe Public Libray.

Pennsylvania City Directories

Pennsylvania City Directories

The State Library of Pennsylvania collects historical Pennsylvania city directories in print and microform formats. These directories can be used for family history research, local history research and other purposes. The link on this page is to a directory of our city directory holdings. Please ask at the Reference Desk in the Main Reading Room (Room 102) for help to retrieve these items.

www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=147640

Digital Collection

Greetings from the Local History Room. We have some great news to report. A Digital Collection feature has been added to the Local History page. The first entry is titled:

SOUVENIR: Four County Firemen's Association. Stroudsburg, PA
June 16 & 17, 1911.
19 pages is available for viewing. Original copy is located in the Local History Room.

Just go to www.monroepl.org and click on the Local History link and look for the Digital Collection.

Dick Phillips ( Local Sculpter)

Local sculptor Richard 'Dick' Phillips died Sunday in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Story and photo on page A3. obituary A4 in the Pocono Record 2/10/09.

90th Division in WWII

I am looking for veteran's who were in the 90th Division during WWII. Specifically from the time period 12/45 to 3/45. If you know of or have any information on this topic please contact me .

jadams@monroepl.org

Historical Association

The Monroe County Historical Association has just update their web page. Go to http://www.monroehistorical.org/ and see what a great job they did.

Primary Sources for Historical Native America on the Web

A wonderful collection of information on Native Americans.

http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/History_and_Culture/AmericanIndian_History.htm

Digital Resources

State Digital Resources: Memory Projects, Online Encyclopedias, Historical & Cultural Materials Collections

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/statememory/

Local Families/Microfilm Holdings

To view the microfilm holdings of Eastern Monroe Public Library and to view a listing of local family histories go to the link listed below.

http://www.monroepl.org/localhist.html

World War II Casualties

I am doing research on a local servicemen named Edward S. Wagner of Monroe County Pennsylvania. He was killed in action on 2/1/1945 and is buried in Henri-Chapelle military cemetery in Belgium. If anyone has information about him or his family please contact me at
jadams@monroepl.org.

New York Times on Microfilm

The library has now added the New York Times on microfilm from 1851 - 2005 with index. For additional holding of microfilm please contact the reference department at 570-421-0800 ex. 39 0r email at reference@monroepl.org.

Genealogy Club Meeting

The Genealogy Club meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday March 26th 7:00 PM at Eastern Monroe Public Library.