THURS, FRI 1-4 PM

SAT 10-1

Researchers come to Davis County for citation of the records left by their ancestors, to fulfill the family tree search. From far and near, these researchers appreciate all that DCGS has to offer. They also provide tourism dollars while in the county. Researchers whom cannot travel to Davis County, can have research and sources done by the society volunteers for a fee.

DCGS Membership continues to hold strong at about 55 members any given calendar year.[35 in 2018]. Of those members, many are local citizens and provide excellent volunteer efforts to the society.

The Library has been located at the Old School Elementary since June 2013, previously located in the Bloomfield Public Library. Meetings are held monthly, and annual Holiday meetings in members’ homes, as a tradition.

The DCGS was started in 1973, and become Charted by the Iowa State Genealogical Society in 1974. The local society started meetings in the basement of the current county courthouse. 30 charter members began the groundwork for the societies existence. By laws were created and upheld, monthly meetings scheduled, and officers were appointed. Dorothy Goldizen was the first President, Later to be President of the Iowa Genealogical Society, and instrumental in organization of other county societies.

By 1975, the location and library were moved to the Bloomfield Public Library, 1882 & 1924 county history books were reprinted, The Historical Society was born.

Records were gleaned and recorded, proof read and typed by the manual typewriter of the day, and progressed like all technology through microfilming unto word processing.

Images and record books were diligently transposed into records of source materials to be used by genealogists. Many of these original compilations are part of the library records today. Grants and donations have been solicited and used for microfilm readers, copiers and computers.

A newsletter has been produced quarterly since 1983. Another compilation of information, shared with members, other societies and organizations. Most recent content topics of interest, The Old Bloomfield High 1923 School, Gilfillan Clinic, Floris Churches & Photographs, Rural schools,  the year 1974 in Review, queries by non-members, always an interesting themed newsletter.

Several new compilations have been created over the last decade. I.E., records are now available on CD, in booklet format, or on the Society’s web page http://iagenweb.org/davis.

New last year was the 1903-1907 Farmer Biographies, printed by the Bloomfield Democrat, and now available in booklet format, indexed.

As researchers find their data, and compile it to share with family, the final collections do find their way back to DC; many holdings are surnames of local interest, with whole collections being sent to DCGS for preservation. Family heirlooms and photographs also make their way back, we try best we can to preserve, share and find family for some of the lost and found.

We as a group have provided to the public  genealogy 101 workshops, historical & hot topics at our past presentations; Heritage Roadshow [2008] & Heritage Showcase[2012]. So we are not new to bringing current trends to the public, but the paper trail is still essential in genealogy work.

Many cemeteries have been tread by the footwork of our members and volunteers. The cemeteries were originally canvassed and recorded in the 1940s by the WPA. Again in 1973,  and up to current, the society continually accepts and uses updated canvasses. The most recent Troy cemetery book was created and donated by Diana Barker Latch and her sister Dot. A beautiful work, presented creatively for years and generations to come. DCGS was instrumental in creation of the Cemetery Preservation group in 2004. Gravestone photographs are archived by being uploaded to https://iowagravestones.org, local community resident(s) Butch Priester and friends have the complete IOOF photographed.

We have successfully continued to be part of the Davis County Fair, and sponsor exhibitors and classes of entries; along with providing a seasoned, Judge Jay De Young of New Sharon, IA.

President Deb Barker [2004-2016] has held the elected position for 1/4 of the societies life or the last decade. Volunteers are essential, we man the library during open hours to assist researchers.

Our society is not for profit, but in order to continue to thrive we need revenues created by doing research, memberships, creating new sources, and raffles. Be sure to contact a DCGS member or stop by the Library @ the Old School Tu-Fri 1-4 PM, [Winter Hours Nov 1-Apr 1 Thu, Fri] Sat 10-12 to purchase tickets for the P Buckley Moss, Courthouse Print, $2 ea or 6 for $10; to be raffled after the Open House on October 4^th.

What does the future hold for record preservation? There is an advisory board established under Iowa Code Section 305.16(6)(a)(1) to “Serve as the central advisory body for historical records planning in the state and as a coordinating body to facilitate cooperation among historical records repositories and other information agencies within the state.”  an Iowa Historical Records Advisory Board. Their mission is to bring together such groups such as clerks of court, county recorders, city clerks, the Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium, Iowa Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and others with interests in historical records preservation. DCGS is represented by other iagenweb.org end users. Memberships are welcome, donations appreciated.