Local Obituarieshttp://obits.syracuse.lib.in.us/ - The library's obituary database 1984 - the present.
Indiana Research Guideshttp://www.in.gov/library/countyrecords.htm
This is a link to research guides for each of Indiana's counties from the Indiana State Library. It's not exhaustive but covers basic research information! |
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Rare Book Preservation Project
The Syracuse Public Library is in possession of twenty-two historic books detailing the history of Syracuse and Kosciusko County. The library believes that these books, some of which are one of a kind (marked “unique” in the table below) and others which have no other copies in public institutions, need to be preserved so that future generations can discover and enjoy the history of our area as much as we do now. The volumes of preserved historic books are as follows, along with their approximate date:
These books are part of our community’s history, and several of them feature elaborate engravings of 19th century homesteads and the people who lived on them, paper ephemera such as school schedules from the 1800′s and local contracts, local hotel registers with the names and home cities of visitors to Wawasee almost one hundred years ago, and much more.
Due to their extremely fragile state, these books have been unavailable for public use for a number of years. However, the unique historical content of these books make them an essential asset to local historians, genealogists, students and even the merely curious. The library wants these materials to be available for public study and perusal without threatening the viability of the books themselves. To this end, the library spent several months raising funds for a full-scale conservation effort for these volumes, and was awarded grants totaling $7,250 to put towards preservation efforts.
The Syracuse Library received generous grants from the following organizations in order to make this project possible:
Ken and Lela Harkless Foundation with $2000, Kosciusko County Community Foundation with $2000, Bertsch Family Foundation with $1000, Hand Family Foundation with $250, and Kosciusko REMC Operation Round-Up Fund (a component fund of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation) with $2000.
The Syracuse Public Library extends its deepest thanks to these contributors, without whom this project would not have been possible.
The preservation work was performed by Etherington Conservation Services, a professional conservation service specializing in rare and antique books, located in North Manchester, Indiana.
The books are in their permanent home, the Syracuse Public Library, where they are available upon request for study and perusal.
These books are part of our community’s history, and several of them feature elaborate engravings of 19th century homesteads and the people who lived on them, paper ephemera such as school schedules from the 1800′s and local contracts, local hotel registers with the names and home cities of visitors to Wawasee almost one hundred years ago, and much more.
Due to their extremely fragile state, these books have been unavailable for public use for a number of years. However, the unique historical content of these books make them an essential asset to local historians, genealogists, students and even the merely curious. The library wants these materials to be available for public study and perusal without threatening the viability of the books themselves. To this end, the library spent several months raising funds for a full-scale conservation effort for these volumes, and was awarded grants totaling $7,250 to put towards preservation efforts.
The Syracuse Library received generous grants from the following organizations in order to make this project possible:
Ken and Lela Harkless Foundation with $2000, Kosciusko County Community Foundation with $2000, Bertsch Family Foundation with $1000, Hand Family Foundation with $250, and Kosciusko REMC Operation Round-Up Fund (a component fund of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation) with $2000.
The Syracuse Public Library extends its deepest thanks to these contributors, without whom this project would not have been possible.
The preservation work was performed by Etherington Conservation Services, a professional conservation service specializing in rare and antique books, located in North Manchester, Indiana.
The books are in their permanent home, the Syracuse Public Library, where they are available upon request for study and perusal.
Syracuse Public Library and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum Digitization Project
Digitization is the act of making digital copies of documents, photographs and other media which is then added to a searchable database made available online for the public to use. Digitizing items allows libraries, museum and historical societies to make digital back-up copies of their most fragile items (items which may not be available to the general public) and make these copies available online for viewing at any computer in the world.
The Syracuse Public Library and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum have joined together in an initiative to digitize part of our respective historical collections and make these items available through our websites, and also on the Indiana Memory Project, sponsored by the Indiana State Library. Indiana Memory is a collaboration of Indiana libraries, museums, archives and related cultural organizations to enable access to Indiana’s unique cultural and historical heritage through a variety of digital formats and free distribution over the internet. Indiana Memory seeks to support and enhance education and scholarship for all Hoosiers for an increased understanding of Indiana’s past and its role in preparing for Indiana’s future.
The Syracuse Public Library and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum have received a grant in 2012 in the amount of $9,000 to digitize our historic collections and make these items available in an online database linked through our websites and through Indiana Memory Project. This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Indiana State Library.
The Syracuse Public Library and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum received a second grant in 2017 in the amount of $10,000 to digitize more of our historic collections. Becky Miller, our IN Memory Digitizing Intern, scanned the extensive Garry Ringler postcard collection – quite an undertaking. After uploading to the IN Memory website, the images are available to view on the Internet by simply clicking the Spink Hotel postcard on either the Syracuse Public Library or the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum’s websites.
The Syracuse Public Library and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum have joined together in an initiative to digitize part of our respective historical collections and make these items available through our websites, and also on the Indiana Memory Project, sponsored by the Indiana State Library. Indiana Memory is a collaboration of Indiana libraries, museums, archives and related cultural organizations to enable access to Indiana’s unique cultural and historical heritage through a variety of digital formats and free distribution over the internet. Indiana Memory seeks to support and enhance education and scholarship for all Hoosiers for an increased understanding of Indiana’s past and its role in preparing for Indiana’s future.
The Syracuse Public Library and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum have received a grant in 2012 in the amount of $9,000 to digitize our historic collections and make these items available in an online database linked through our websites and through Indiana Memory Project. This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Indiana State Library.
The Syracuse Public Library and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum received a second grant in 2017 in the amount of $10,000 to digitize more of our historic collections. Becky Miller, our IN Memory Digitizing Intern, scanned the extensive Garry Ringler postcard collection – quite an undertaking. After uploading to the IN Memory website, the images are available to view on the Internet by simply clicking the Spink Hotel postcard on either the Syracuse Public Library or the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum’s websites.