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Category Archives: Local History
An Exciting Find: Iowa death records, 1921 – 1940
One of the roadblocks we frequently run into while helping patrons with genealogy and local history research is a gap in Scott County death records from 1921 – 1940. During that time, death records were maintained by the State of Iowa and … Continue reading
Digital Learning Day in the Archives
In honor of Digital Learning Day, the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center is highlighting HeritageQuest, one of the Davenport Public Library’s research databases. There’s a wealth of genealogical information to explore and you can access it from home, for free, with your library card! How to … Continue reading
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Presidents’ Day
On “Presidents’ Day” George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are usually the first to be recognized, and quite logically so, since both were born in February. However, the spirit of the day can be broadened to include more “Presidents” of the … Continue reading
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An Unfortunate Valentine’s Day Blog
While researching recently, we came across what looked like a wonderful Valentine’s Day blog about love. It was only while doing further research we found it was more a case of love gone wrong. On February 6, 1920 The Davenport … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Mary Borsdorf, Mary McKay, Mary McNitt, Mary Ward, Valentine's Day, William McKay, World War I
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In Memoriam: Dudley Bell Priester
Dudley Bell Priester was born January 18, 1923 in Davenport, Iowa to Oscar and Helen (Bell) Priester. According to the 1930 U.S. Federal Census, his father was vice-President of Priester Construction Company and his mother owned a gift shop. The … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Dudley Bell Priester, In memoriam, Priester Construction
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In Memoriam: Sgt. Major Alvis Marshal Taylor
Sgt. Major Alvis Marshal Taylor, one of only two Quad-City area survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, passed away last week on Monday, January 16, 2017. Alvis Taylor was born on March 18, 1923 in … Continue reading
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In Memoriam: Bill Edmond
William F. “Bill” Edmond was born December 4, 1949 in Indiana, PA. His parents were Robert and Elsie (Sees) Edmond. He attended High school in Michigan and attended the University of Texas, El Paso. He served in the U.S. Army … Continue reading
A Moment in (Watch) Time
Once again our J. B. Hostetler glass plate negative collection has yielded another fascinating image: a young H. E. Meier posing in his World War I Doughboy uniform. Herman Edward Meier was born to John and Christina Meier on July 21, … Continue reading
Iowa’s 170th Birthday – Life in Davenport at the end of 1846
The State of Iowa turned 170 years old this week! Let’s have a look back at what was going on in Davenport at the time. From the Davenport “Town” Council Proceedings for December 8th 1846: The big issues: amending the … Continue reading
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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
