Category Archives: Genealogy

In Memoriam: Ellis Kell

The Quad Cities lost a local legend last week with the passing of Ellis Kell.  Mr. Kell was well-known for not only his love of music, but also for his enthusiasm for life and the Quad Cities.  Ellis E. Kell, … Continue reading

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Remembering Lorraine Duncan

Special Collections would like to recognize the passing of Vada “Lorraine” Duncan who has been a loyal and generous supporter of the local genealogy community. She passed away in January, just a bit shy of her 95th birthday. Lorraine was … Continue reading

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The Frank-Goldstone Wedding: One wife too many?

It sounds like the plot to a novel: a young, popular bride-to-be, her up-and-coming groom, a mystery woman, accusations of a hidden marriage, and a (briefly) cancelled wedding. For one Davenport bride, this was reality in January of 1910. The bride-to-be … Continue reading

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OMG! NARA AAD Passenger Lists FYI

Last month, staff from the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center listened in to the National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair. One of the things we learned is that NARA’s Access to Archival Databases has indexed passenger lists available to search from home for FREE. There … Continue reading

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Genealogy Night is Almost Here!

This Sunday, October 25th from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center will be hosting Genealogy Night. Come take advantage of our closed library to research genealogy. Our staff will be available for guidance or to help you … Continue reading

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Beginning Genealogy Class and Genealogy Night!

In honor of National Family History Month, we’re offering a FREE Beginning Genealogy Class this Saturday October 10th from 9:30-10:30am at the Main Street Library. Learn how to get started researching your family history using the materials (and staff!) at the library. … Continue reading

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1925 Iowa State Census

This month as the Davenport Public Library celebrates The Big Read with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic The Great Gatsby we are exploring the 1925 Iowa State Census which you may search for free on Family Search. Unlike the Federal … Continue reading

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She’s a Real Go-Getter: Wilma Zabel at the 1925 Iowa State Fair

In late August and early September of 1925, Misses Wilma Zabel and Gertrude Koch of the Lincoln Township Go-Getters 4-H Club represented Scott County at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Their demonstration on the making of hooked rugs did … Continue reading

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OMG! NARA AAD DCAS FYI!

With Memorial Day approaching, the staff at Richardson-Sloane Special Collections thought to share an online government resource to aid in searching for veterans who have served in United States military forces. These resources are free and may be accessed from any … Continue reading

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Genealogy Night is this Sunday!

There is still time to sign up for Genealogy Night! Join us this Sunday May 17th from 3-8pm at he Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center of the Main Davenport Public Library. The $10 fee covers use of our extensive collections, online … Continue reading

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