Amanda Clark writes to let me “know about a new genealogy society forming in the east-central Indiana area.
“We are in the planning stages right now and will begin having general membership meetings in January 2016.
“Our name is East Central Indiana Genealogy Alliance, and we cover the five counties of Delaware, Hancock, Henry, Madison and Randolph.
“Our mission is education, for beginning and advanced genealogists alike.
“I’m reaching out to you in hopes of spreading the word to Hancock County residents about the group. We plan on having monthly meetings and moving the meetings around to the different counties.
“Our website is ECIGA.info for more information, plus we have a Facebook page (search for East Central Indiana Genealogy Alliance).
“We are a not-for-profit group focused on helping those interested in learning more about their family history and supporting local historical societies and repositories.
“Our last planning meeting was Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at the Randolph County Historical Society in Winchester. We begin at 11 a.m. and the meetings have been running to around 1 p.m.
“We would love to have people from Hancock County join us in the planning and could have our final planning meeting in Hancock County. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].”
They are looking for a meeting place in Hancock County.
Nancy Finister shares with us her research on her home, which was Larry Fox’s old home, on Wood Street. Winfield Scott Fries was the long time the owner of the property, and he died there in 1908. Fries served for many years as the county surveyor and owned the Hancock County Flooring Mill and also the Mohawk Mill.
He started his career as a school teacher in 1873 at the old Macedonia School, which was on 100 South. It’s interesting to note during those days the township trustees were responsible for the schools in their townships. They would visit the school and publish their findings in the Hancock Democrat or other newspapers.
In 1897, Fries, a surveyor, was scolded soundly in the Hancock Democrat for repaving Whiskey Alley to the discontent of some the citizens. It seems that he recently had paved it with brick. Fries paid his workers $1 per day. Do any of you know the location of Whiskey Alley?
Stacey and Stu Poe live on Walnut Street in the old Earl Brown house. Earl Brown was an Iona Black brother. Mrs. Black was the mother of the famous artist Richard Black. Earl traveled extensively through France and Germany, but I don’t know much more about him. Do you? Stacey and Stu take their study of history seriously. Stacey Poe owns the dance studio in the old Masonic Building.
Enough. I have told you everything that I know and some things I don’t. Talk to me.
