Author Archives: SCblogger

Introducing America’s GenealogyBank

Posted on June 30, 2011 by SCblogger

We are pleased to announce that we’ve subscribed to another terrific online genealogy resource: America’s GenealogyBank. This resource is user friendly—our staff enjoying experimenting with it!—and offers some keyword searching. Its five databases can help researchers find family members, verify … Continue reading →

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One hundred years ago: Davenport High School, Class of 1911

Posted on June 23, 2011 by SCblogger

In June of this year, around 970 students graduated from our three Davenport high schools. In contrast, ninety-two students received their diplomas from Davenport High School in June of 1911. This marked the first time that graduates from both semesters were … Continue reading →

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Summer is here!

Posted on June 21, 2011 by SCblogger

And about time, too. Summer river outing, ca. 1890s This image shows nineteen people and one brave little boat sitting pretty low in the water, on a “Summer River Outing”, 1890’s style. This 4 x 6 inch postcard is part of our … Continue reading →

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Summit Cemetery: Memories of a Rural Past

Posted on June 16, 2011 by SCblogger

It catches the eye.  Nestled amongst more elaborate headstones in Summit Cemetery is a small wooden grave marker.  It is simply engraved “Lena Smith 1915 – 1932.”  One cannot walk by, but feels the need to stop and ponder about … Continue reading →

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New Feature: Have You Seen . . . ?

Posted on June 8, 2011 by SCblogger

One of our ongoing projects is to scan and research each image in our photograph collections.   Most of the time, this is relatively (no pun intended) easy. The majority of our Hostetler glass negatives, for example, came with an original … Continue reading →

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“One of the grandest soldiers the North had . . . “

Posted on May 30, 2011 by SCblogger

While we take the time to remember and honor  the men and women of our armed forces who have fought to keep our country and people safe, it seems fitting that we also remember those civilians who have fought to … Continue reading →

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The Davenport Glucose Works

Posted on May 25, 2011 by SCblogger

Corn, as everyone knows, isn’t just for eating on the cob.  The possibilities for corn products appear to be endless:  ethanol, plastics, liquors, starches, packing material, fabrics—and of course, corn syrups. It seems like corn syrup has been part of … Continue reading →

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Remembering Police Officer James W. Means

Posted on May 17, 2011 by SCblogger

James Wilson Means was born in Pennsylvania around 1824, reared and married in Ohio, and then settled in Davenport around 1855 with his young family.  By the spring of 1883, Mr. Means was a respected officer with the Davenport Police Department.  … Continue reading →

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A Flood of Images: 2011 edition

Posted on May 12, 2011 by SCblogger

Now that the River has receded from its crest of 20.7 feet,* we thought it was time to take a look back at this year’s flood, which knocked the 1892 flood out of fourth place by almost a foot and … Continue reading →

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How do your Mayflowers grow?

Posted on May 5, 2011 by SCblogger

If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring? Ancestors! If you’d like to research your Pilgrim ancestors, try searching our library catalog for “Mayflower”, “Pilgrim” and “Plymouth”, and see what we have available. Or try our subscription databases from … Continue reading →

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