Almost New York.

By this time tomorrow, I'll be a very sleep-deprived boy in NYC. I'd received research copies of the maps I was seeking from Historic Mapworks, but they're not quite all I was hoping, so Tuesday I'm hitting the NYPL while I'm there to get my own copies. While Shannon's at Book Expo America, I should have plenty of time to do that, and skim a couple of obscure books I need to look at.

Left some research materials at dad's, so I haven't ordered the microfilm I need.

Unlikely that I'll get the DCI Daybook data I need before I go there myself. The real question is, will I fly or drive? I need to use that Southwest Airlines leftover refund somehow... Maybe on Florida.

Oh Holy Crap.

I just signed on to ancestry.com for a sec 'cause I hadn't been there in a bit, and a bunch of leads off the one family tree popped up... There may well be more living relatives I can track down and talk to... It'll be a few days while I sift through the info and start making connections, but I'll update when I've completed it.

Slowly.

My Dayton contact has been busy researching his own stuff (can't say I blame him), so I reckon while he might get around to mine, I'll likely first see the data firsthand when I get out there myself.

Wrote a letter to a member of a research family asking for memories, stories, and whatnot, but the lack of a printer is a hindrance. Things are slow now as I've been having the urge to draw more than write.

All for now.

Progress.

Through my ancestry.com account, I've found and contacted a link to one of the families I'm studying. It has revealed that there are, once again, a great many new avenues to pursue in the pursuit of comprehensive data about the family.

More later.

Well...

*sigh* This weekend wasn't as fruitful as I'd hoped...

The National Archives is broken into regional branches, and unbeknownst to me, they have only material specific to their region, excepting U.S. Federal Census data... The USFC data I can get off Ancestry.com with greater ease, and it seems that my local NARA branch covers only the mid-atlantic states (which means zippo about Ohio).

I ran on over to the Free Library to see if I could access their atlases, but naturally, the map department closes an hour before the rest of the joint -- which was precisely the time I arrived.

Don't get me wrong... Some gelatto, some food, and chilling with Hal Sparks was lovely, but I'd hoped to get so much more accomplished for what I've spent this weekend.

And now I have to do taxes tomorrow... Grr.

One highlight was that my Dayton contact said he'd likely be able to conduct the research-by-proxy in about two weeks, so hopefully, I'll have the confirming data soon.

Anyway, a bit sleep-deprived now, so, off to sleep. Peace to all you random passersby! :)

Waiting/Thin Blue Flame.

I've got my own copy of Courtney Ryley Cooper's biography "Annie Oakley" -- that's the first printing in 1927, not the later "Annie Oakley: Woman At Arms". Having the original is important to me... As though it's more authentic somehow, and authenticity is imperative in this process... Only adds a couple more details, little substantially different, and I probably paid more than it was worth, but this is fuel in my fire... I get easily distracted, and so on something I'm determined to get done I must encourage my more obsessive tendencies... Besides, I have a special fondness for rarity, especially as it pertains to books.

I'm still waiting to hear word from my researcher by proxy, and whether he's arranged to see the materials.

I like to keep a consistent mood here... This site is meant for darkness, foreboding, Americana, mystery, magical realism... And so, I offer you Josh Ritter, "Thin Blue Flame":

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.