Google Map!

I've added a Google Map I'm building that will help chronicle the story of Annie's early childhood. Included thus far are her Birthplace Historical Marker, an estimate of where the cabin itself would have been, the location of what once was Darke County Infirmary, and finally, the properties in question, and the likely location of what would have been the house where Annie would have stayed.

I'm looking into making a trip out to Ohio spanning about a week this summer, approaching the owner of the home, asking to have a look around, and maybe sharing what I speculate about it. Hopefully by then, I'll have viewed the DCI Day Book, and will have more certain confirmation of who employed Annie, and can offer more than just speculation.

The Escape.

Using some historical maps, I've been able to plot...

(REDACTED FOR PRAGMATIC PURPOSES)

This is all probably meaningless to the random passerby, but it's all very important to my story. I'm just very pleased at this point that the math makes sense and squares with her own reporting. Accuracy is paramount in what I'm aiming at.

Urban Camping.

Unfortunately, the Ohio Historical Society doesn't have the microfilms I'm looking for... They have the Register of Inmates from D.C. Infirmary, but not the Pauper's Register, the Day Book, or others... To make copies of an existing microfilm is within my price range, but to order a new one be made is about $500. And that would be $500 for something of which I don't know the value -- it could well be that it contains no relevant information. It's actually far cheaper to fly out and see the materials in person at Wright State U.

It puzzles me though, that I've seen an existing microfilm for the Pauper's Register, so I know it exists somewhere -- there's a copy at the Garst Museum. Maybe it's time I get on the horn with Phyllis again, and see if they have what I'm looking for.

That said, I'm giving serious consideration to a trip to Dayton. A trip I'd considered taking earlier in the year had to be cancelled, and I have refund money available to cover the cost of the flight. I'd just have to find a room -- and there is some super cheap (I'm talking $33-a-night-cheap!) stuff available. It won't be the Ritz-Carlton, but I view trips like this as "urban camping" -- you've got a good wind-block and shelter at the least. You may be sleeping with some creepy-crawlies, but I did that in Boy Scouts, too. No biggie.

Meanwhile in the real world, I'm up in NY to celebrate Nephew-Monkey's birthday on Sunday! Woot!

And Mom, Happy Birthday today, wherever you are. :)

That is all.

Patsy Cline.

On this day in 1963, Patsy Cline died in an airplane crash. She was the first female solo artist inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.



G'night, Patsy.

Tweaks.

I'm doing a few tweaks here and there, despite just how tech-inept I am -- adding wallpaper, a pic... I tried to do a title banner, but it never seems to fit its space, so perhaps later. I'd like to get some music on here, too... Just trying to get the mood right.

I've printed out an order form for the Darke County Infirmary Register microfilm. Sure, it seems like a small thing to those of you with working printers, but I had to drive to the library, people. Anyway, the next steps include investigating to see if the Day Book has been translated to an accessible microfilm, and finally contacting the Annie Oakley Foundation, to be completed Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile, I'm in the midst of proofing a friend's screenplay... It'll take a while. I was silly to take it on while working on the current project, but I do silly things sometimes.

Anyway, here's another clip from the movie "Brendan and The Secret of Kells". Enjoy!

Huzzah!

The Ohio Historical Society responded to a query, and I can buy the Darke County Infirmary Register of Inmates on microfilm for under $20! From this, I'll be able to tell who was staying at the Infirmary/Poor House during the time Annie was there, and maybe a little something as to why... Commentary like "idiotic" and "insane" are not uncommon, but sometimes there are some more interesting details...

Considering that I was considering making researching that data a centerpiece of my next research trip out there, this is something of a little coup for this novice researcher. I wish someone had the Day Book on film, though, too... That would be killer.

On a different note, I'm looking to include any number of things I find dark, haunting and wonderful in this blog, and so, I'll begin here with a movie I desperately want to see... This is "Brendan and The Secret of Kells", an independent traditional 2-D animation piece from Ireland that's running with the big dogs for Best Animated at this year's Oscars:




I'm really rather taken with this movie, so I'll probably post more clips later.