Both the Genealogical Society and the Historical Society of Harrison County are integral parts of our community. They track and maintain historical records of both general history and of specific families. The News-Herald was able to sit down with the Genealogical Society’s Secretary/Treasurer Susan Adams, to discuss how these societies help the county in meaningful ways.
Adams initially got involved with the society through her husband. “He started researching to join the Sons of the American Revolution and First Families of Harrison County. I was helping him with his research. I kept finding information on my family and that stirred my curiosity. The best way to research was to work with the folks here at the society. In the late 1990’s I started coming to meetings, then came in to help others do research and look for information on my Harrison County roots.”
There are four current volunteers at the society with Adams being the main person training and working with Diana Hart, Marilyn Hyde and Rebecca Gladman. Adams said they each get her full attention when working together but she does struggle to find time in her busy schedule to come in some days.
Adams explained a few ways the societies work together and also how they are beneficial to the county. “The genealogical society and the historical society work together. They are separate organizations but located in the same building. The genealogical society could not exist on its own. Our group is very fortunate that we have the historical society’sassistance.
“At one time when the courthouse was being renovated the Harrison County Historical Society became the ‘guardian’ of some of the earliest court records. The old Probate files, poll records, immigration records, Supreme Court files, (at one time the Supreme Court came to the counties), Harrison County Children’s Home records, Harrison County Infirmary records, Common Pleas files, Execution Dockets, old tax records and other files. We help make those available to researchers. We had a lot of activity during the gas and oil leasing with the land reps trying to track down heirs from the probate files.”
People come from all over the country to do research in Harrison County. In the last four years, the societies have seen over 30 specific visitors from states as close as PA and WV and as far as FL, KS, and TX.
“When these folks come into Harrison County they are buying food, buying gas, going to local business and many stay at the local motels,” Adams said. “We have supplied information for articles for Crossroads Magazine. We have helped provide information for a gentleman that was doing an article for an archaeology magazine about the excavation and artifacts from Indian burial grounds found in Harrison County that will be read by people all over the country. We helped a man with research for a children’s book he is writing about Linda Warfel Slaughter, who graduated from Cadiz Academy and has a very long list of accomplishments. So, children will be learning about all the things she was able to do… And if the parents are reading that book to the children, they also will learn about her and Harrison County.”
The Historical Society does many events throughout the year as well, to help residents feel more connected to the past and learn about their own history. “The Historical Society, with President Dr. Scott Pendleton, does an annual “Lantern Tour” of one of the county cemeteries, sharing information on a variety of folks that brings out some of “the rest of the story” of the people whose permanent resting spot is here in Harrison County.
“The Historical Society and Genealogical Society do presentations to educate the public and members of some of the history of the county. Some have been during Black History Month, about the Harrison County Fair, Notable Women of Harrison County, Forgotten Communities of Harrison County, Cadiz Then and Now, Harrison County with Pictures and Post Cards, Harrison County Post Offices, The 80th Anniversary of the Nelms Mine Disaster, The Dam Days – The building of Tappan Dam and others. These programs have also been presented to groups outside of the county.”
The societies provide an important service to the county through these services. If you’re interested in either society, please don’t hesitate to contact them.
Harrison County Historical Society, PO Box 362, Cadiz, OH 43907-0362
Harrison County Genealogical Society, PO Box 301, Cadiz, OH 43907-0301
Dues $15 single/$25 joint
Email for HCGS is harrisonheritage@yahoo.com
Call Susan Adams at 740-942-3137 for an appointment. If no answer, please leave a message and the call will be returned as soon as possible.
