The key to unlocking the answers

By Peggy Laizure

November 15, 2008 02:37 am

— Ever wonder what Grandpa did for a living? Where are his parents buried? How many brothers did Grandma have? Did Aunt Tilly really divorce Uncle Horace?
Answers to these genealogy questions and many more can be found at the Cleveland County Genealogical Society Library, 1119 E. Main St.
Louana Bowker, Tressie Weathers and Katherine M. Matthews founded the Moore Pioneer Genealogical Society March 1980. The first official meeting was April 15, 1980, with an attendance of 22. Officers were Matthews, president; Weathers, vice president; Bowker, secretary; Opal Lane, treasurer; and Pat McFall, publicity.
The society met in the homes of the members. Sharron Ashton spoke on "Records in the Indian Archives," at the first program meeting May 20, 1980. She will speak again 7:15 p.m. Tuesday on "What's New and What's Hidden -- an exploration of new and lesser known resources at the Oklahoma History Center's Research Room."
By 1981, the majority of the members were Norman residents and the society changed its name to Cleveland County Genealogical Society.
The first genealogical endeavor was the creation of surname files. To commemorate the centennial of the land run, the society organized a book of the "First Families of Cleveland County up to 1910."
The first membership in "First Families" was issued to 9-year-old Jonathan Wilhite, who descends from Lexington pioneers Thomas Lafayette and Katie Jane Osborn Wilhite.
The books, information and materials began to build and the need rose for a suitable permanent place to meet and store records. A temporary library was established September 1990 at 1118B Park Plaza, 927 Flood Ave.
The collection grew and the library moved to 1004 N. Flood Ave., and in 1999, moved to 205 W. Main St. The library moved July 2004 to 1119 E. Main St.
The publication list has grown to 70 publications. There are marriage, probate, divorce, census and tax records. There are abstracts, deed books and land patents. Other records include civil court, early rural schools, funeral homes and county cemeteries. There are many books in the collection by John Womack, Bonnie Speer and other local historians.
There are almost 5,000 books and publications from all 50 states and several foreign countries. The library has microfilms, CD collections, periodicals, computers and Internet access and microfilm of early Cleveland County court records.
The main pieces cover Oklahoma Territory, Cleveland County and other Oklahoma counties and Native American materials. There are research materials on every state as well as reference and how-to sections, military interests, biographies and family history.
Much of the reference literature and books are for sale and can be mailed. CCGS researchers are available to help with questions and queries.
The society receives no financial support from federal state, county or city funds so they rely on private monies. The membership drive will begin in December. Membership to the society can be as little as $20 per year (for individuals) or up to $1,000 for benefactor membership. The society is a 501(c) corporation so all donations are tax deductible.
Officers are Mary Lewis, president; Jo Mustoe, past president; Crystal Toenjes, first vice president; Sarah Pool, second vice president; Mary Sue Schnell, secretary; Jimmy Baker, treasurer; and three members at large are Frank Appl, Mae Cox and Jean McCracken.
Members meet 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month with speakers whose topics relate to collecting and preserving history and heritage.
A writers group meets 10 a.m.-noon the second Wednesday of each month and is open to anyone interested in creating and sharing family stories through written documentation.
A computer users group also meets monthly in the computer room at the Norman Public Library.
Library hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For more information, call 329-9180 or 701-2100 or e-mail ccgs@csbi.org. The Web site is www.rootsweb.com/~okccogs.