Step Tests Wednesday

Anyone interested in helping perform step tests on the Miners Employment records and Kelly Funeral Home records can stop by the library on Wednesday, December 16th at 6:00 PM. Also, let me know how everybodys schedule looks around the Holidays so we can start filming when we get the step test numbers back. Most likely we won't start filming until after Christmas. However, if we get the numbers back quickly and somebody wants to do some filming before then, that is fine.

Alan

Microfilming to Resume Soon.

I just wanted to post to the blog to let everyone know that we will be resuming microfilming soon. Naturalization, funeral home, cemetery and possibly some mining records are on the schedule to be filmed. I will post more information in the coming week. I will also contact volunteers by email since I haven't updated the blog for awhile and some volunteers may have stopped checking it.

Alan

August 31, 2009 Update

Microfilming has been completed for the PA Grange books and filming is on hold until we receive more records to be filmed. Keep posted to the blog for updated information.

Alan

August 23, 2009 Update

It looks like everyone was anxious to get back to microfilming last week. The full compliment of microfilm volunteers took their turns filming last week and a lot was accomplished. If we get the same turnout this week, we should finish up all the records that we have prepared for filming.

We are in the process of searching for more Church, Cemetery or other records vital to genealogical research to preserve on microfilm. If you have any leads or contacts on possible records that we may be able to film please contact us at: nepgsmail@gmail.com

Alan

August 16, 2009 Update

Microfilming has resumed and volunteers can film on their regular schedule or at their convenience. The cover sheets are completed for all books and the settings can be found on them.
Jim has completed the Luzerne Ave. Baptist Church and Oakdale Cemetery records. Early PA State Grange Records remain to be filmed.

Enjoy the late arrival of Summer!

Alan

August 4, 2009 Update

Hi everyone,
Sorry I didn't post over the weekend, but I just received the step test numbers from Jim W. this afternoon. Volunteers can resume filming on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 using the regular schedule. Following are the step test numbers. I will also leave a copy of the numbers at the library.

PA Grange Books
Book Step test #
1- 339
2- 339
3- 236
4- 236
5- 236
6- 236
7- 236
8- 236
9- 236
10- 236
11- 236
12- 236
13- 236
14- 236
15- 236
16- 339
17- 258
18- 258
19- 258
20- 258


Luzerne Ave. Baptist Church
Book Step test #
1- 236

Oakdale Cemetery
Book Step test #
1- 236

Step Test

Anyone interested in helping out with the step tests for the next items to be microfilmed can meet at the NEPGS Family History Research Library Wednesday, July 22 at 6:00pm.

July 6, 2009 Microfilming Update

I haven't posted in a while because not a lot has been happening. We have been waiting for some records that were to be dropped off at the library, but they haven't arrived as of yet. All the records from Hanover Green Cemetery have been returned to the cemetery. A big thanks goes out to Richard for making the arrangements and delivering them.

I think we will probably do the step tests on the records that we do have in our possession in the next week or two and resume filming when we get the numbers back. That will probably be sometime near the end of July. I will post to the blog when we complete the step tests. Any volunteers that want to help out with the step tests can contact me and we can set up a day and time.

I reviewed all the Hanover Green Cemetery films when Jim W. processed them and everything was good except Book Number 60 which we filmed for the second time. There must be some kind of curse on that book because when Jim W. processed it, it came out to light to read. We will have to re-film it for the third time.
That's about it for now. I'll post as soon as we are ready to get started again.

Enjoy these rare days of sunshine.

Alan

June 1, 2009 Update

The Hanover Green Cemetery Project has been completed as far as filming goes. Film still has to be processed, copied, labeled and stored. The film also has to be reviewed and the records returned to Hanover Green Cemetery. This project was a massive undertaking that took ten months to complete, but with the co-operation and dedication of many NEPGS volunteers and Hanover Green Cemetery officials, WE DID IT!

Filming has been put on hold for a few weeks until step tests can be completed on the next set of records to be filmed that include Oakdale Cemetery, Luzerne Ave. Church of West Pittston and old PA Grange records. Keep posted to this blog for updates when filming will resume.

Alan

Microfilm Crew

Microfilm Volunteers-
Seated L to R: Ron Scheff, Alan P. Drust, Jack Miller.
Standing L to R: David Gates, Richard Cebrick, Jim McAndrew.
Absent from photo- Curtis Whipple.

This is the group photo that will appear in the Summer 2009 issue of The Heritage. Unfortunately Curt couldn't make it the day the photo was taken. If anyone wants an 8 x 10 photo, let me know and I will get one to you.
Click on photo for full size picture.

Microfilm Update May 25, 2009

Microfilming will continue this week. The Hanover Green Cemetery Project will finally be completed this week as there is only one binder of miscellaneous documents to be filmed along with the re-filming of Book 60. Whoever completes the binder, do not start filming Book 60 on the roll of film that is already in the camera. Book 60 will be filmed on a separate partially used roll of film so we can have it spliced to replace the original film section that was filmed improperly. If you don't feel comfortable changing the film, let it go until Jim or I can change it.

Stay in touch through this blog for future filming after this week. We will be doing some step tests next week. The next set of records that we will be filming include the Oakdale Cemetery, Luzerne Avenue Church of West Pittston and possibly some old local Grange records.

Microfilming to Resume May 19, 2009

The last remaining documents from the Hanover Green Cemetery have been sorted and the cover sheets prepared. Microfilming will resume on our regular schedule starting Tuesday, May 19, 2009. There are some smaller books in this batch that have to be filmed, though there is a large number of single sheet or couple sheet documents that will have to be removed from plastic sheets. Many of the documents in the last binder are quite fragile and will have to be handled with care.

Happy filming,
Alan

April 27, 2009 Update

I hope everyone is enjoying this great weather. Microfilming is still on hold for another week or two until all records are sorted and prepared. Ann and Dorothy are working diligently preparing these last records of the Hanover Green Cemetery.
We have a couple of projects scheduled after we complete the Hanover Green Cemetery Project. I will get into the details of these projects on a future post.

Also, I was wondering if all the microfilm volunteers could meet at the Library at 9:30 am on Saturday, May 9 to have a group photo taken to be published in the Summer issue of "The Heritage."
E-mail me or leave a comment on the blog to let me know who can make it.

April 19, 2009 Update

No filming is scheduled for this week. We are waiting until all the remaining material from Hanover Green Cemetery is sorted and prepared to film. I will update the blog as soon as the material is ready for filming.

Alan

April 13, 2009 Update

MICROFILMING CANCELED THIS WEEK!

No microfilming is scheduled until the remainder of the Hanover Green Cemetery miscellaneous papers can be sorted and prepared for filming. Watch this blog for updates.

Alan

April 5, 2009 Update

Last week we finished A-L of the HG Cemetery Lot Deeds. We should be able to finish off M-Z this week. After the Lot Deeds are completed, all that will be left to film will be some miscellaneous papers and re-film Book 59. A change in the schedule this week has Dave and I filming Tuesday night instead of Thursday night.
We probably won't be filming the following week, as the miscellaneous records have to be sorted.
Check the blog. I will update when these records are ready for filming.

Have a Happy Easter everyone,

Alan

March 29, 2009 Update

Microfilming will resume on our regular schedule on Tuesday March 31, 2009. There is a small amount of Burial Permits that have to be completed and then we will start the Lot Deeds.
Curt will not be filming this week, but will resume on April 7.

Alan

Filming Canceled This Week

Although the Plot Deeds have been sorted and are ready to be filmed, we are canceling filming this week because step test numbers still have to be determined and cover sheets completed. Filming will resume next week with our regular schedule.
I just want to add that Ann, Dorothy and Cathy did a great job of alphabetically sorting the deeds over the past couple of weeks. This was no small task.

Enjoy the week off.

Alan

March 16, 2009 Update

Normal filming schedule for this week. Only three binders of Burial Permits remain to be filmed. If we finish the Burial Permits this week , we may have the next week or two off until we get the Lot Deeds sorted. We will also have to do a step test on the Deeds before filming. Watch the blog for an update. When we finish the Deeds and a few miscellaneous items, the Hanover Green Cemetery Project will be complete.

I'd also like to let everyone know that the Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society's Luzerne County Tax Assessment Records Project has been completed. We now have available, on microfilm, all the Luzerne County Tax Assessment Records up to at least the year 1900. Some rolls run a few years into the 1900's. This collection contains over 265 rolls of microfilm and is a great asset to our Society. We'd like to thank Doug Nicol for all his efforts in this project. He made numerous trips to the Luzerne County Courthouse to pick-up rolls of microfilm, dropping them off for duplicating, then returning the originals to the Courthouse and the duplicates to our library.
Thanks Doug.

I guess that's about it for this week.

Happy filming,

Alan

March 9, 2009 Update

Filming went smoothly last week. We completed Hanover Green Burial Permits from 1955 to 1972. This week we will continue filming burial permits from 1973 upwards. Not much more to add as we start winding down the Hanover Green Project and set our sights on future projects.

March 2, 2009 Update

The books of the Hanover Green Cemetery Project have been completed. We now move on to the Burial Permits. The step test has been completed and we have received the results. The Step Test setting for all Burial Permits will be 339. The frame settings are all 25X IF. The binders in the microfilming room have been sorted alphabetically by year and are ready to be filmed starting with 1955.
The binders will be filmed like the books with five or six spaces between each binder. However, since there are multiple years in each binder, I have printed up small pieces of paper listing each year that we will be filming. After completing each year in the binder, add three spaces and then take a shot of the paper that has the year that you will be filming next. As always remember to date and shoot a frame of the Cover Sheet when starting a new binder.
One other important thing. Two Burial Permits can be filmed with each shot taken. Two permits will fit in the 25X 1F area (the smallest frame that is marked with black marker on the edges.)

Try not to freeze or get blown away before tomorrow and as always,
Happy Filming

Alan

February 23, 2009 Update

Hi everyone. Sorry about the late post, but I just got home from the library after finishing up the last batch of books up to Book 114. Tomorrow we start re-filming Books 90-98. These are the books that were filmed on a defective roll of film. Unfortunately they are also the books that we had to pair up to film because we needed an extra hand to hold the pages flat. We are going to try something different this time. I connected the foot pedal switch to the camera. The pedal works the same way as the two buttons on either side of the table that we use to shoot the frame except that you use your foot to snap the picture, thus freeing up both hands to hold the pages flat. Hopefully this will work out and we can get these books finished. They are the last of the books that we will be doing for the Hanover Green Cemetery. The remainder are flat single documents including Burial Permits and possibly some Deeds.

Jim, I may stop in if you're there at your regular time to go over the index you're working on. I will probably wait until we finish this roll before taking any film to be processed.

I guess that's about it. Tuesday and Thursday's filming sessions are on for their regular times. Any questions? Don't hesitate to give me a call or email me.

Happy filming,
Alan

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday's and Thursday's filming schedule is scheduled at their regular times. If we have a full complement of volunteers this week, we should come close to finishing up this batch. We will then re-shoot Books 90-98. Jim brought up the idea of using the foot pedal to use on these books. With the foot pedal, this will free up one hand and I don't think we will have to team up into pairs this time. We will try it and see how it works. But that is getting ahead of ourselves. Let's finish this batch first. There was a little confusion last week on how to film the large ledger books, but I think everyone knows what to do now, so I won't go into detail here. If anyone still has questions, email or call me and I'll explain the procedure.

Alan

Tuesday's Film Schedule

Tuesday's film schedule is a go. The only one I heard from that can't make it at his regular time is Jim. He may be able to take his turn Tuesday afternoon after Richard or may come in on Wednesday evening. The step test numbers are on the table next to the camera. The cover sheets are not marked. I may stop at the library on my way home from work and enter the step test numbers on the covers sheets.

Alan

Good News and Bad News

The good news is that I picked up the step test numbers for Books 99-114 today and filming will resume using our regular schedule.
The step test number for Books 99 through 114 are:

Book Exposure #
99- 283
100- 283
101- 258
102- 309
103- 258
104- 258
105- 258
106- 258
107- 258
108- 283
109- 283
110- 309
111- 216
112- 283
113- 236
114- 236

The bad news is that the roll of film that we used for the last set of books and the previous step test apparently was defective. The entire roll was overexposed, including the first step test for Books 99-114. That is what has caused the delays in filming. Unfortunately that means we have to re-film the books that were on the last roll of film ( I think Books 85-95, but am not quite sure as they are not in front of me).

However, we will film Books 99-114 first. We shouldn't have to team up for this batch. I think one person should be able to film by himself. If anyone can't make it on their scheduled time they can email me or leave a comment on this blog.

Stay warm and think Spring. That groundhog doesn't know what he's talking about.

Alan

Tuesday Filming Sessions Canceled

As of 4:30 this afternoon I still haven't received the step test results from Jim W. I performed a new step test last Thursday night and dropped the film off at Jim W.'s on Friday morning at 9:00 AM. I know its frustrating with the cancellations, but there is nothing else we can do unless we have the numbers. I will keep everyone posted.
Alan

Bad Step Test

I finally talked to Jim W. this morning about why the processing of finished film and the step test was taking so long. He informed me that he had problems with his processing machine and had parts ordered. He did process the step test and found that there was problems with it. He could not read the test numbers on top of the film and there seemed to be an abnormal amount of lighter exposure readings. In a nutshell, the step test is unusable. We don't know what caused this problem; bad film, camera malfunction, or something else. I am going to redo the step test tonight on a new roll of film. I will drop it off for Jim W. tomorrow. I will make a post after 3:00 PM Monday to verify if Tuesdays schedule is still on or has been canceled. Sorry about the delays.
Alan

Tuesday Filming Canceled

As of 1:50 this afternoon I still haven't received the step test numbers from Jim W. so I guess we'll have to cancel tomorrows film schedule. I will put up another post as soon as I receive the numbers.
Alan

January 15, 2009 Update

Jim and Jack completed filming to Book 98, which is the last book in this batch. Next week we will perform step tests on the next batch of books from the Hanover Green Cemetery. I would like to set up the time to do the step test for Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 9:00 AM. Anyone interesting in helping out is invited.

January 12, 2009 Update

Last week we completed filming to Book 93. Books 94-98 still need to be filmed. The remaining books seem to be small but will probably be easier if two people work together to film.
Curt can't make it this week because he has jury duty.
Perhaps Jim & Jack can film at 9:30.
I will try to leave work early tomorrow and finish filming with Richard if he is available at 12:30.
Ann contacted me to let me know that the cover sheets are completed for Books 99-111. I will contact her to see if she wants us to conduct step tests on these books or wait until more material is ready.

January 5, 2009 Update

I hope everyone had a nice Holiday. Now its back to our regular filming schedule.
As I stated before the break, the next few books will be easier to film if two people are doing the filming. From the feedback I have received, this weeks schedule should go something like this:

Tuesday- Jan. 6, 2009
9:30 AM -11:00 AM Jim & Jack

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Curtis & Richard

Thursday- Jan. 8, 2009
6:00 PM -7:30 PM Alan & Ron

If anyone can't make these times, leave a comment on the blog post.