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Blog Entries: 1 to 10 of 56
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Tell Me a Story
 October is Family History Month and we will once again be devoting most of our Fall Newsletter to Family History related articles. Anything related to family history is acceptable, but should, if possible have an Iron County connection. Articles should be no more than three pages in length and should use the Times New Roman Font and Font Size 11. Photos are also welcome. Note that only electronic submissions will be accepted. If we receive too many submissions, those articles will be published in later newsletters. Questions and / or submissions can be sent to John Abney at webmaster@ironcountyhistory.org and articles must be received no later than September 1, 2024.
It can be a story about your family's history, your memories growing up in Iron County, a particular story from an ancestor's life, a family member's life or your own. I look forward to reading and sharing yours! |
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2024 Annual Meeting & Elections Reminder
 Just a reminder our Annual Meeting and Elections will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 2 p,m. The meeting will take place at the First Presbyterian Church of Ironton located at the corner of Reynolds and Knob Streets in Ironton.
Charlie Brooks will give his program on his hobby of toymaking prior to the start of the meeting and will have examples of his work on display.
We have four vacancies to fill in the upcoming elections. These positions include those of Vice President and three positions on our Board of Directors. The three positions on the Board are for one each for one year, two years, and three years. Our normal term for Board members is three years, but one of these positions of for a director that moved out of state and another is for a director who is stepping down to fill another position in the historical society's leadership. While not yet vacant, the Newsletter Editor and Webmaster positions are also available to anyone interested. Our historical society, along with its museum, performs an important function in our community. We need your help to make sure it can continue to achieve its mission of preserving and sharing Iron County's rich history. If you have any questions about these positions, you can email us at askus@ironcountyhistory.org or talk to any current officer or board member. |
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Civil War Living History Event
If you have never been to one of these and, even if you have, the Turner Brigade does a wonderful job in bringing Civil War history alive. Come and see what daily life was like for our Civil War ancestors who served in the military. The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, April 20th and 21st, 2024 at the Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site in Pilot Knob, Missouri.
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Extended Museum Hours - Eclipse Weekend
The historical society's museum will be operating on extended hours this weekend. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (April 6, 2024 - April 8,2024).
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The Importance of Caring for Cemeteries
Cemeteries often conjure up images of quiet contemplation and remembrance. They serve as the final resting place for loved ones, offering a space for families to grieve and honor their memory. But beyond this primary function, cemeteries hold a deeper significance, acting as:
- Preservers of history: Cemeteries are like open-air museums, holding the stories of individuals and communities. Headstones and memorials document lives lived, offering glimpses into the past and shaping our understanding of local history.
- Sanctuaries of peace and reflection: In our fast-paced world, cemeteries provide a haven of tranquility, allowing visitors to find solace and connect with their inner selves. The serene atmosphere fosters reflection and remembrance, offering a space for quiet contemplation and emotional processing.
- Havens for wildlife: Contrary to popular belief, cemeteries can be crucial ecosystems for various wildlife species. Mature trees and diverse plantings provide valuable habitat for birds, butterflies, and other creatures, contributing to the ecological balance of urban areas.
Therefore, caring for our cemeteries goes beyond maintaining a respectful environment for the departed. It's about preserving our heritage, fostering well-being, and protecting the natural world. Here's how we can all contribute:
- Supporting cemetery upkeep: Many cemeteries rely on donations and volunteer efforts to maintain their grounds. Contributing financially or volunteering your time can make a significant difference.
- Practicing respectful visits: Be mindful of others while visiting a cemetery. Follow designated pathways, keep noise levels low, and dispose of any trash properly.
- Documenting family history: Take the time to record family stories and information about those buried in cemeteries. This helps preserve personal histories and ensure their legacy is passed on to future generations.
By recognizing the multifaceted value of cemeteries and taking an active role in their care, we can ensure these sacred spaces continue to serve our communities for generations to come. As we near Spring, the historical society invites all of those that manage or care for our local cemeteries to reach out to us with information regarding upcoming events for your cemetery, e.g., annual meetings, clean-up days, etc. You can email us at askus@ironcountyhistory.org and please include the following in your email:
- Cemetery name and location
- Date and time of event
- Point of Contact to include name and either email address or phone number
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School Records Project - Update
 PHASE I OF THE SCHOOL RECORDS PROJECT IS COMPLETE!
With the creation of the master indexes for students and teachers, the first phase of the School Records Project is now complete! Phase I of the project includes the Iron County Superintendent of School's Consolidated School Records covering some 39 rural school districts in Iron County from the 1939-1940 school year through the 1953-1954 school year. To read more about this phase of the project go to our Superintendents Records page. To read more about the entire project and all three of its phases, go to our School Records page. |
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Museum is OPEN
 We are happy to announce that we have resumed our normal operatiing hours. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
A couple of things to note. First, the museum will close from approximately 11:55 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 24. 2024 so that our volunteer working that day can attend the historical soceity' annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Second, our restrooms are still closed and will remain closed until the the problem with our sewer line is fixed.
We apologize for any inconvenience that our being closed has caused. |
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Scam Alert - Bank Accounts
 One thing that never seems to stop is thieves coming up with new ways to separate you from your hard earned money. This post from KHMO Radio deals with criminal attempts to gain access to your bank account information.
The bottomline remains, when it comes to sharing personal information, TRUST NO ONE! |
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School Record Transcriptions
 We've reached a new milestone in the first phase of our School Records Project! The first phase of our project includes the Consolidated Superintendent's Reports for some 39 Iron County school districts for the school years 1939 -1940 through 1953 - 1954.
Our original intention was to publish all of thousands of scanned images contained in these records in the Members Only area of our website and to create publically available indexes for all the teachers and students contained in these records.
As some of the students contained in these records are still alive, my own mother is one of these students, we found out that federal and state laws prevented the posting of the scanned images without heavily redacting them first. As a compromise, it was decided to still create the public indexes for the teachers and students and also publish transcriptions of the records themselves without including any of the information that would be precluded by law. Once these records reach 100 years of age, the scanned images can be posted.
Today, the last of those transcriptions have been posted in the Members Only area of the website. To view the transcriptions, click on the Members Only tab on the left side of the screen and then click on School Records tab. Then just click on the school whose records you want to review. Note that not all schools have records for all the years from 1939 through 1954.
Work to create the publically available indexes to teachers and students will begin shortly. |
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Tax Season Means It's Scam Season
Benjamin Franklin is credited with first saying that, "Nothing is certain except death and taxes." Unfortunately, today I think that phrase could be updated to, "Nothing is certain except death, taxes and scammers trying to get your money.
With tax season upon us, I thought it would be a good time to remind you to be extra vigilant when it comes to filing your taxes and the scams that criminals are using to help them steal your hard-earned money. Here's a link from the IRS detailing a number of these scams. |
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