Randy:
Will you keep us informed as to when we can order a book, the cost and where to order?
Thanks, Pat B, Indianapolis
Randy <rklemme(a)verizon.net> wrote:
Franklin Co. writes its history
Seth T. Whitecotton
Reporter
BROOKVILLE - A book about Franklin County history should be available in June to accompany
Brookville's bicentennial celebration, Julie Schlesselman said.
Schlesselman, head of Brookville Public Library's genealogy department and of the
local history department, said the book, "Franklin County: A Glimpse of the
Past," is coming to fruition through the efforts of local residents, historians and
writers.
Local historian Don Dunaway is writing general history, former Franklin County School
Superintendent Don Jobe is writing about schools in Franklin County and Chuck Taylor and
Ron Cooper are writing about fire protection and law enforcement history in Franklin
County, Schlesselman said.
The book will also include the genealogy of 125 families and the history of churches and
businesses.
Additionally, there will be information about people who have contributed
philanthropically, gone on to become celebrities or successful artists, and those who are
otherwise notable, Schlesselman said.
A history of structures and houses in the county is to be titled, "If Walls Could
Talk," she added.
The end of the book will have journal and diary entries documenting individuals'
memories of Franklin County, she said.
It will feature individuals' thoughts on abolitionism, black settlements and other
socio-political topics. The book will be at least 350 pages and will also include
pictures.
Stories come from local and national contributors alike, Schlesselman said.
People from Franklin County who moved away but continue to stay in touch with local
happenings are also involved, she added.
"Basically, the book has contributions from people all over the country,"
Schlesselman said.
Schlesselman said there has never been a book quite like this in Brookville.
"This one is unique in the fact that it covers family histories and general
history," she explained.
Schlesselman said the closest comparison would be the 1915 book, "Reifel's
History of Franklin County," which documented family histories of early settlers into
the 1900s.
The idea for the book started with Melissa Spillers and Sherry Allen of Whitewater
Publications, Schlesselman said.
Spillers said when she was in Liberty, Ind., she stumbled across a book chronicling
various aspects of local history. After learning the book was the product of cooperative
efforts, she was inspired.
Spillers said she realized the release of a similar book would be perfect during
Brookville's bicentennial.
Spillers said she explained the idea to her co-worker, Sherry Allen, who took the project
to heart.
Allen is now constructing the layout for the book and works directly with Schlesselman to
ensure the project's success.
"It's going to be wonderful," Spillers said.
Schlesselman said Whitewater Publications got started on the book by itself, but soon
realized the project would be a lot more involved than originally projected.
Writing the book requires extensive research and outside story contributions, she
explained. Allen asked Schlesselman to be project coordinator for the book in August
2007.
Schlesselman said she enjoys being part of the process. She helps write stories, conducts
research and contacts others who can contribute with their knowledge and accountings of
history, she said.
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to INFRANKLI-request(a)rootsweb.com with
the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the
message