The SCHS / SCGS Microfilm Project !
It was like Christmas in November. When the campaign to raise funds for the purchase of our own newspaper microfilm was launched in October, no one was certain how the members of the Historical Society and Genealogical Society would react. It was a new project and the first time the two groups jointly pursued an objective. The Historical Society committed the funds from the Barbara Adams Genealogical Research Center gift made by Dick J. Adams to purchase the state of the art microfilm reader.
The response so far has been great. Our goal for the purchase of the Sidney Daily News film from 1891-2002 and an additional 44 reels of film for nine county newspapers from the Jackson Center, Fort Loramie, Anna and Botkins areas was $33,000. We have raised $25,000 so far. We have paid half the amount due for the Daily News film and owe the remainder in six months.
All of us at SCHS and SCGS are very grateful. Thanks so much!
Within a few days, we received both the Daily News film and the ProScan film reader. It was truly like Christmas. Giddy staff and volunteers began assembling the equipment. Shortly, any member of either SCHS or SCGS will be able to view a newspaper, digitize the image, make electronic notes in the margins and then either save or email the article or photo to their computer or mobile device.
The other exciting development is that film for the county weekly newspapers and the first Sidney newspaper has been found. Researchers know well the pages of the Sidney Journal and the Shelby County Democrat. The Western Herald was printed here in the 1830s. They offer a rich trove of material. If sufficient additional funds can be raised, these papers will be great additions to the library.
The Society Board of Trustees has adopted a strategy to develop centers of excellence for all of its key activities. The acquisition of the film and ProScan equipment represents a major step in making the Barbara Adams Genealogical Research Center a center of excellence.
Rich Wallace
Co-chair, SCHS-SCGS Film Project |