Author Archives: SCblogger

In Defense of Ordinary Ancestors

“An Authority said not long ago that there are only 40 or 50 American families that are in any way entitled to the insignia of nobility, but you cannot get the average American who has made money to believe that.  … Continue reading

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Probate Records: Exempt from Execution

Probate records are very popular with genealogists, and no wonder.  Probates basically tell the story of who got what and what it was, which is always interesting, and to this end, it includes an heir list and an inventory of … Continue reading

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Not Exactly Neighborly: The City Hospital Fire of 1860

Every city experiences growing pains along the way, and Davenport, Iowa is no different. As population and businesses grew during the nineteenth century the city began to adapt. Davenport’s city council realized early on that two medical facilities to treat … Continue reading

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Now Available: Two New Online Indexes

We are pround to announce that our searchable Local Index Databases  have increased by two! The anticipated index for the  Civil War Enlistment Papers is now up and running.  As you may recall, these papers are for the men who volunteered for the … Continue reading

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Bridge Appreciation and the Diary of Benjamin F. Gue

While walking my dog along the Duck Creek Bike Path recently, I stopped on the little bridge that crosses the creek near our house and listened to the ice creaking and cracking as it was thawing. That brought to my … Continue reading

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Happy 106th Birthday, Bix!

As we could not confirm that Bix Beiderbecke ever recorded the “Happy Birthday” song, we present for your listening pleasure,  ‘Singing the Blues” by Trumbauer’s Orchestra.* May we recommend 1:25-1:40?  That right there would be the sound that lives on.** ___ * From … Continue reading

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Save the Date: Genealogy Night at the Library!

Never seem to have enough time to explore your family tree? Do you wish the Davenport Public Library were open a little later on the weekends so you could get all of your research done? Your wish has been granted! … Continue reading

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Just Shelved: Histories of Iowa Counties

 Thanks to the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society (SCIGS), our Center can now offer the following reprints of several county histories: •      Harry Church Chappel’s History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its People (1914) •      History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, … Continue reading

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Heads Up! March SCIGS Meeting

The next Scott County, Iowa, Genealogy Society (SCIGS) meeting is on March 2 (this coming Monday) at seven p.m.  The meeting is at St. Paul Lutheran Church (2136 Brady Street). Non-members are welcome to attend.  Gene Eiklor will be speaking about … Continue reading

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Announcement: Under New (Computer) Management

The Davenport Public Library will be implementing a new computer reserve and print release system on Sunday, March 1 – Tuesday, March 3. Here’s the important information: 1. All copies will be $0.10 per page once the system is complete. … Continue reading

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