Army Navy notes on servicemen in and around Savanna
Fred Groharing of Norfolk visits his sister Bessie Groharing and returns home. Several local service members are listed on leave or transfers, including Mildred Withhart in Michigan, John Withhart in San Francisco, and Ray Kauffman moving to Kalamazoo. Other notes mention Arthur Thompson ill in Parra gut Idaho and Loretta Crowe's promotion to petty officer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fred Groharing
Norfolk
Bessie Groharing
Calvin Eslinger
Farragut
Ray Kauffman
Indiana
Kalamazoo
Mich
Mildred Withhart
WAVE
University Indiana At Bloomington
Grosse, Mich
Grosse Tle
Miss Withhart
Fred Withhart
East Savanna
Savanna
John Withhart
Navy
Pensacola
San Francisco
Calif
U. S. S. Monticello
Arthur Thompson
Parragut
Idaho
Loretta Crowe
New Orleans
Harold Brown
Guy Brown
Thomson
Pfe
John Dimmick
Hawaii
Franklin Fehler
Great Lakes Naval Training Center
John
Grace News Sees Flu Absences and Civic Tests
Several students are absent with colds and flu while Russell Green misses only the first time this year. May Ann Houzenga brings wildflowers to grow for the class as baseball season starts. The 7th and 8th grades take civics tests on the President Cabinet and yesterday’s test covered the President election. The eighth grade commencement is set for May 19. Mrs. Lewis reviews a book for the 7th and 8th grades. The 8th grade had a storytelling test Tuesday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Russell Green
Russell
Greeley
Ann Houzenga
Robert Frazier
Ronald Bull
Village water tank completed and in use
Erection of the new village water tank is finished and the structure is back in service. The roof remained the last unfinished part and was nearly complete a week ago while the tank was partially filled.
Weekend Visitors and Visits in Thomson Area
Social notes list weekend guests and short visits in Thomson area households. Names include Stage, King, Ashby, Melendy, Stumphy, Switzer, Sack and others from Morrison Sterling Clinton Dubuque Low Moor Cordova Dixon and surrounding towns with multiple family gatherings and birthday celebrations.
Village bids sought for old water tank materials
Sealed bids for the purchase of used material from the old village water tank will be received at the office of the Village clerk until May 1, 1944. Paul Lewis, President, Village Board.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paul Lewis
Miss Mary Cone Hosts WSCS Meeting In April
The Womans Society of Christian Service met April 19 at Miss Mary Cone’s home with 17 in attendance including visitors Mrs. Krier and Miss Etta Bristol of Thomson. President Mrs. Wagner led devotions and minutes were read. A radio program by Mrs. Minnie Ashpole covered Hertz’s oscillator and early radio history, noting 760 stations and radio as a daily necessity. Lunch by Miss Cone’s group followed, and the next meeting is set for May 3 at Mrs. Margaret Murray’s country home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Womans Society of Christian Service
Mary Cone
Krier
Etta Bristol
Thomson
Janet
Billie Lewis
Ralph Stearns
Wagner
Hattie Greeley
Helen Wentling
Mark
Minnie Ashpole
Atlantic
America
Ashpole
Grace Strauch
Florence Ashby
Ethel Kness
Eleanor Lewis
Margaret Murray
New High School Ee Club Elects Officers for Year
The Ee club met with 27 members present electing Mary Halfman as president Lila Curley as vice president Betty Lou Witt as secretary and Wilma Bielema as treasurer Delegates to summer camp were Lila Curley and Lucille Larson with Betty Imel and Mary Halfman as substitutes They will attend Camp Bay Bloomington IL from Aug 23 to 26 A program featured a piano solo by Halfman a Summer Wardrobe talk by Dorothy Johnson Betty Blair and Vera Durward refreshments and games followed The senior play is set for Friday evening
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Home Ee Club
Mary Halfman
Lila Curley
Betty Lou Witt
Wilma Bielema
Lucille Larson
Camp Bay Bloomington
Betty Imel
Dorothy Johnson
Betty Blair
Vera Durward
Spencer
Kane
Surprise Birthday for Mary Ellen Halfman at Betty Imel’s
A surprise party was held Wednesday evening at Betty Imel’s for Mary Ellen Halfman with games and a group gift. Attendees included Rachel Mattie, Tom Hand, Wayne Kaufman, and others. Following lunch, guests departed, with several local residents visiting or staying for meals across Clinton and Morrison.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mary Ellen Halfman
Betty Imel
Rachel Mattie
Tom Hand
Wayne Kaufman
Vivian Wheeler
Donald Kaufman
Austin Lartz
Geneva Imel
Warren Imel
Charles Hartman
Frances Halfman
John Halfman
Doris Roark
Jack DeVries
Donnie
Clinton
Frank Potter
Albert Prins
Kansas City
Walter Milnes Jr
Morrison
Ivan Carroll
Oliver Taschner
Delia Melendy
Margaret Smith
Ella Mae Hadesbeck
Paul Smith
Joe Blair
W. F. Southerland
Lincoln
Neb
PTA Committee Seeks Outdoor Honor Roll For Town
A PTA committee led by Mr. Elliot and including Bill Adams E O Hemmer and several ladies met Tuesday evening to discuss creating an outdoor honor roll for the town. The panel will report to the PTA for further discussion as neighboring towns already have such honor rolls.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
PTA
Elliot
Bill Adams
E. 0. Hemmer
Thos. Hand
Otto Switzer
Chas. McGinty
Marking Time in the New Testament and Christian Living
A church sermon urges marking Jesus teachings not observed by followers and stresses that Christianity is practice as well as belief. It calls for daily Christian service, notes a Sunday church school at 10 a.m. and a children’s night with flannelgraph by Mrs. Blair, plus TNE society meeting April 26 with Mrs. W. A. Adams.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Samuel M. Zwemer
Christ
Jesus
Blair
TNE Society
W. A. Adams
Thomson Methodist Church Weekly Schedule
The Thomson Methodist Church lists a 10 a.m. worship service and 11 a.m. youth fellowship. A girls choir meeting is scheduled at the church on Thursday evening.
Baptist Church Sunday Schedule and April meeting
The Baptist church announces a 9:30 morning service and 10:30 Sunday school with all invited. The ladies' aid will meet Thursday, April 27, with Mrs. Robert Carroll. The social committee for May includes Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Marshall and Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Marshall.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ladies’ Aid
Robert Carroll
May
Harvey Marshall
Mervin Marshall
85 Garments Shipped By Carroll County Red Cross
Carroll County Red Cross workers sent eighty five knitted items to St. Louis headquarters. Navy items included turtle neck sweaters gloves and watch caps while army items comprised mufflers sleeveless sweaters gloves socks rifle mitts wristlets and helmets. Articles were made by workers in Savanna Mt Carroll Lanark Shannon Milledgeville Chadwick Thomson and Frances Shimer College Mt Carroll. A new yarn shipment has arrived and is being distributed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Red Cross
Carroll County
St. Louis
H. F. Whitney
Savanna
Navy
Army
Mt. Carroll
Lanark
Shannon
Milledgeville
Chadwick
Thomson
Frances Shimer College
Whitney
Fair Haven church notices and pastors schedule
The notice lists Fair Haven with Rev. RE Peacock as pastor. Sunday school at 10:00 a.m. and morning worship at 11:00 a.m. Four Sundays of Haven Hubbard Home folders prepare for Mother’s Day service and offering. Other items note Rev. Foard at Ideal Christian Endeavor 7 p.m. and Rev. Hawbecker as pastor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
RE. E. Peacock
Cncerning Haven Hubbard
Foard
Ideal Sunday School
Christian Endeavor
Hawbecker
Local Visitors and Weekend Guests Across Clinton Area
Mrs. George Ketchum visited from Friday to Sunday with Harold Starr's family at Maquoketa Ia. Mrs. Hazel Stagg and daughter Elynor left for Springfield to attend the Illinois Associated Press meeting at the Leland hotel. Paul Pratt of Milwaukee spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Edson Holland. Mrs. John Carpenter and Mrs. Edna Tucker of Clinton visited the B. R. Lewis home Tuesday. Virgil Wilt and family were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Lewis in honor of Everett Wilt who leaves for the army. Cecil Imel and family were Sunday guests of his mother at Fair Haven and at the Wm. Reader home with C. W. Terry, Ernie Oltman, Oscar Engart, and Anna Pawski.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Ketchum
Harold Starr
Maquoketa
Hazel Stagg
Elynor
Springfield
Associated Press
Leland Hotel
Paul Pratt
Milwaukee
Wis
Edson Holland
John Carpenter
Edna Tucker
Clinton
B. R. Lewis
Virgil Wilt
Freighter movements and visitors noted in local column
The James W. Good pushed a merchant marine freighter past Savanna southward at 8 45 a m on Wednesday. Two boats passed Savanna Tuesday morning. The Mark Twain with seven barges went downstream and the Kansas City Socony with four barges of oil went upstream. Friday dinner guests at the Towsley Brothers home were Mrs. Walter Shanafelt of Unionville and Mr and Mrs Kenneth Shanafelt with Kenneth on leave from the Great Lakes Naval training center.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James W. Good
Savanna
Mark Twain
Kansas City
Towsley Brothers Home
Walter Shanafelt
Unionville
Kenneth Shanafelt
Kenneth
Great Lakes Naval Training Center
Francesa Shimer College Horse Show May 21
Frances Shimer college to hold a horse show May 21 at Glengarry Stables Mt Carroll directed by Miss Mildred Jaynes Over half of Frances Shimer students are taking riding this spring and an excellent show is anticipated A pageant will open the show All proceeds will go to the Red Cross the director stated.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francesa Shimer College
Glengarry Stables
Mt. Carroll
Mildred Jaynes
Mise Jaynes
Frances Shimer
Red Cross
Enjoy Party In Kemmer Home Saturday Eve
Mr and Mrs Kenneth Kemmer entertained several friends Saturday night with a pitching game for prizes. Mrs Kemmer won the high prize and Paul Smith the low while guests included Mr and Mrs Paul Smith Mr and Mrs Harold Witt Mrs Dan Sack Mr and Mrs Paul Witt Mr and Mrs James Morgan of Chadwick and Mr and Mrs Louis Witt of Clinton.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kenneth Kemmer
Kemmer
Paul Smith
Harold Witt
Dan Sack
Paul Witt
James Morgan
Chadwick
Louis Witt
Clinton
Fine Weather Patches and Weekend Visit Plans
One or two days of fine weather appear to be all this month allows. Wednesday yielded a beautiful spring day with a light rain starting around midnight and continuing into the morning. Mr and Mrs Fred Miller and family and Mrs Ida Weber will be Sunday guests of the George Mertz family at Milledgeville.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fred Miller
Ida Weber
George Mertz
Milledgeville
Senior Class to Present Play Lena Rivers
The senior class presents Lena Rivers at the Village Hall on April 21. The hall opens 10 a m to 6 p m for free children portraits eight years and under, with pictures later published in the paper. Bring your children Friday for the photo event.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lena Rivers
Kenneth Shanafelt Home on 10 Day Leave Dinner
Mr and Mrs Walter Shanafelt of Unionville hosted a family dinner Sunday for their son Kenneth home on a ten day leave after completing boat training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Attending were D A Shanafelt Salem TJ Mrs Darlene Shanafelt and son Terry C E Tousley and Niel Rock Falls E M Tousley and daughter Mary Ann Lloyd Cecil and Miss Elsie Tousley Eldon Hickey of Thomson and Lyle Shanafelt and son Jeffrey of Clinton Ta.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walter Shanafelt
Unionville
Kenneth
Great Lakes Naval Training Station
D. A. Shanafelt
Salem
Darlene Shanafelt
Terry
C. E. Tousley
Niel
Rock Falls
E. M. Tousley
Mary Ann
Lloyd
Cecil
Elsie Tousley
Eldon Hickey
Thomson
Lyle Shanafelt
Jeffrey
Clinton, Ta
Morristown Notices and Local Visits Report
Neva Baker of Morrison renovates Dr. Olson’s store building on East Main. Mary Margaret Hook returns from Fort Bragg after visiting Lt. J Edward Clair. Dorothe Lewis visits Macomb with Elynor Stagg. Stagg returns home for a visit with Mrs Hazel Stagg. Dick Stagg comes home from Los Angeles. Gerald Printy returns after visiting near Milledgeville with Henry Eubanks. Henry Eubanks and three children visit Carl Robinson. Fred Groharing Betty Baker Bessie Groharing visit Le Roy Foltz in Chadwick with Arthur Hoffman and Myrta Groharing. Do McGinty and family return to Rockford after visiting Chas McGinty’s home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Neva Baker
Morrison
A. M. Olson
Olson
Hazel Stagg
Dick Stagg
Los Angeles
Calif
Gerald Printy
Milledgeville
Henry Eubanks
Suntday
Carl Robinson
Fred Groharing
Betty Baker
Clinton
Bessie Groharing
LeRoy
Local Births Reported From Thomson and Surrounding Areas
Birth announcements list Merle Spencer and partner in Thomson with a son born at Savanna City Hospital weighing nine pounds. A son born by Caesarean at Morrison Hospital to Rob lert Emmert and Vernie Martindale in Lanark. M F Lawler of Auburn Washington and Rhuea Brown announce a son Bruce Michael born April 17 weighing 6 pounds 5 ounces.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Merle Spencer
Thomson
Savanna City Hospital
Roblert Emmert
Lanark
Morrison Hospital
Emmert
Vernie Martindale
M. F. Lawler
Auburn
Wash
Bruce Michael
Lawler
Rhuea Brown
Lena Rivers drama set at the High School Gym
The senior play presents a single set dramatization of Lena Rivers by Mary J. Holmes. Lena and Granny Nichols flee to the Livingstones in Kentucky where social tensions and romantic entanglements unfold. Grandmother Granny Nichols provides comic moments alongside John Livingstone and Aunt Milly. April 21 showing urged. audience urged to attend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mary J. Holmes
Lena Rivers
Granny Nichols
New England
John
Nichols
Livingstone
Matilda
Kentucky
Livingstones
Lena
Anna
Junior Livingstone
Malcolm Everett
John Junior
Aunt Milly
Old Caesar
Local social visits span Chadwick Morrison and DeWitt
Mrs. Ben Stage spent Tuesday with her mother Mrs Ida Weber and other relatives including Mr and Mrs Mark Tilton of Chadwick with grandchildren Virginia and Duane Weeks of Rock Falls as Sunday visitors in the Carl Robinson home. Miss Lois Stage of Jane Lamb hospital Clinton visited Saturday with her parents. Mr and Mrs Louis Witt of Clinton were guests of Mr and Mrs Harold Witt. Harold Witt visited George Lenders in DeWitt. Mr and Mrs Henry Geerts of Chadwick were callers of Mr and Mrs Allen Witmer. The MacLennan home at Morrison lost its composition roof in strong winds last Tuesday morning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ben Stage
Ida Weber
Mark Tilton
Chadwick
Virginia
Duane Weeks
Rock Falls
Carl Robinson
Lois Stage
Jane Lamb Hospital
Clinton
Willis Stage
Louis Witt
Harold Witt
George Lenders
DeWitt
Henry Geerts
Allen Witmer
E. A. MacLennan
Morrison
Local Folk Report Illness and Minor Injury
Mrs Cecil Green is ill with quinsy. Verne Kaufman is sick under a doctor's care. Mrs Cornelius Bultemans is ill in Morrison hospital. George Greeley burned his hand Wednesday while building the fire and is under a doctor's care.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Quinsy
Verne Kaufman
Cornelius Bultemans
Morrison Hospital
George Greeley
Mrs Victor Hines Died at Mount Carroll
Mrs Victor Hines died on Wednesday at Mount Carroll. Oral Lewis gave a detailed review of the book Our Neighbors to the South for the religious education classes in the local school. The event, held during Pan American Day, engaged 7th and 8th graders as they learned about life in the south, its languages, schools, and churches and how this aids the war effort.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Victor Hines
Mount Carroll
Oral Lewis
South
Lewis
Argo-Fe Home Ee Club Meets with Mt Carroll Speaker
The Argo-Fe Home Ee club will meet in the church annex Friday afternoon with guest speaker Mrs. Nelle Stuart of Mt. Carroll. The Thursday evening meeting was postponed to April 27. The T N T society meets Wednesday afternoon April 26 with Mrs. W A Adams. Royal Neighbors met Tuesday afternoon with eight members. next meeting is with Mrs. Kate Adams.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Argo-Fa
Ee Club
Church Annex
Nelle Stuart
Mt. Carroll
Evei
T. N. T Society
W. A. Adams
Royal Neighbors
Roy Houghton
Kate Adams
Pictures of Children To Be Printed
The Thomson Review invites photos of all local children up to eight years old for publication. Wolz studios of Des Moines will photograph free of charge at Village Hall on Friday April 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. No subscription or purchase required. Fathers and mothers should bring their child for a picture, to be printed later if chosen.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thomson Review
Wolz
Des Moines
Iowa
Thomson
Venice visitor Mrs Schiff visits Mt Carroll and Savanna
Mrs. Sid Schiff of Venice California visits her father Harry Kipnis in Mt Carroll and spends time with friends in Savanna. The piece also mentions Mrs. Marie Crowe of Morrison visiting over the weekend and several Sunday gatherings including the Dimmick family, Nellie Schade, Glendora Schade, and other local residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sid Schiff
Venice
Caif
Harry Kipnis
Mt. Carroll
Savanna
Gerwude Kipnis
Marie Crowe
Morrison
Senar
Crowe
Delbert Dimmick
Abs
Nellie Schade
Glendora Schade
Adam Heinze
Ted Storm
Wackey
Willis Stage
Isaac Decker
And
Charles Rick
Mrs. Victor Hines 64 Dies After Stroke North of Mt Carroll
Mrs. Victor Hines aged 64 died at 1 30 a m Wednesday at her Mt Carroll area home after a Tuesday paralytic stroke. Funeral services set for Friday 130 p m at Frank funeral chapel and 230 p m at Hope Evangelical church Chadwick with Rev Moritz officiating. Burial in Chadwick cemetery. Born December 29 1899 in Salem township she was daughter of Henry and Mary Bast. Survived by husband a foster son Cpl Hartzel Haislet of the army a foster daughter Mildred Logutation of Chicago four sisters Mrs Charles Sack Mt Carroll Mrs H J Schmitz Sioux Falls SD Mrs Phineas Bashaw Lanark and Mrs Emma Scheemacker Chicago and two brothers George Bast Mt Carroll Edward Bast Lanark.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Victor Hines
Mt. Carroll
Frank
Hope Evangelic Church
Chadwick
Moritz
Hines
Salem Township
Henry
Mary Bast
Cpl
Hartzel Haislet
Army
Mildred Logutation
Chicago
Charles Sack
H. J. Schmitz
Sioux Falls
S. D
Phineas Bashaw
Lanark
Emma Scheemacker
George Bast
Edward Bast
Arbor Day Program Planned at Library
Arbor Day activities scheduled Friday afternoon April 21 at the library grounds include a flag pledge Why Here led by Mrs. Hogg an exercise planting a tree by Norma Strubb Joan Zenk Irene Zenk Eleanor Stearns Jean Elliott a high school band performance A Hymn for Arbor Day Jo Ann Wilt Trees sung by Gayle Grimm Taps by LaVonne Potter and a doxology all are invited to attend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Library Grounds
America
Mrs. Hogg
Norma Strubb
Joan Zenk
Irene Zenk
Eleanor Stearns
Jean Elliott
Jo Ann Wilt
Gayle Grimm
LaVonne Potter
Local families host visitors from Freeport and Morrison
Mrs Mamie Tripp and daughter Mrs Ben Isbel of Freeport joined Mrs Grace Moyer and Lou on Sunday evening. Alfred Williams becomes a new section employee. Pvt and Mrs John Gaar and Don na dined with the Ed McGinty household in Mt Carroll. Mr and Mrs Jerry Gaar of Freeport also attended. Mr and Mrs Ralph Holesinger dined with their daughter Mrs Marvin Terrell and family in Morrison.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mamie Tripp
Ben Isbel
Freeport
Grace Moyer
Lou
Alfred Williams
John Gaar
Donna
Ed McGinty
Mt. Carroll
Jerry Gaar
Ralph Holesinger
Marvin Terrell
Morrison
Women’s Federated Club District Convention Held at Mt Carroll
Salome McGinty Atel Lewis Ma rie Kimmer Dorothy Carroll Ellen Hogg Agnes Curley Bonnie Curley Mrs Ebl of Clinton Margaret Murray Alice Switzer and Eleanor Lewis attended the annual district convention of the Woman's Federated club at Mt Carroll today.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Salome McGinty
Atel Lewis
Marie Kimmer
Dorothy Carroll
Ellen Hogg
Agnes Curley
Bonnie Curley
Mrs. Ebl
Clinton
Margaret Murray
Alice Switzer
Eleanor Lewis
Woman's Federated Club
Mt. Carroll
Local Visits and Postings Include Fort Sheridan Stint
Preston Prairie Mrs. Carlos Toepher visited the Ward Weidman home. Jesse Smith worked two days at the Carlson home recently. Louis Decker is stationed at Fort Sheridan. The James Turnbaugh home recently entertained friends from Rochelle.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carlos Toepher
Ward Weidman
Jesse Smith
Carlson
Louis Decker
Fort Sheridan
James Turnbaugh
Rochelle
Personal letter from Claude Terry to Mrs Stage in Thomson
Rock Falls Illinois April 12 1944 Claude Terry writes to Mrs Stage enclosing 150 for the View newsletter and sends regards to friends in Thomson while reporting they are well and enjoying the weekly news.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rock Falls
Savanna Residents Host Visitors and Notables
Mrs. John Frosch and her mother Mrs. Bessie Flickinger visited Monday afternoon with family. The Arlie Baty family moved to DeWitt Iowa from Albany. A divorce was granted in circuit court to Ruth P. Beck from Earl H. Beck of Savanna. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Dietrich of Mt. Carroll and Claude Grim home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Frosch
Savanna
Bessie Flickinger
Arlie Baty
DeWitt
Albany
D. A. Shanafelt
Salem
Inlaw
Walter Shanafelt
Unionville
C. Dixon
Dixon
Ruth P. Beck
Earl H. Beck
Raymond Dietrich
Mt. Carroll
Claude Grim
Adeline Groharing
Bruce Groharing
Bernard
Lanark
Lynn Curley
Delbert Curley
George Williams
Ida Frederick
Jessie Green
Also Mentioned on This Page
News of the
Army & Navy
Grace News
Thomson Briefs
Ben Stage Home
Charles Stage
Joan
Rock Island
Howard King
Donald of
Darlene Ashby
Sterling
Wayne Ashby
Lyle Ashby
Dubuque
Beverly Marshall
Alvin Bielema
Fulton
Martin M. Bielema
Clarence Bolhous
John’s
John Melendy
Loreen
Harold
Ed Sack
Methodist Wscs
Newsy
P. T. A. Committee
York
County Red Cross
Fair Haven
Argo Methodist
College Horse Show
Sonor Kenneth Shanafelt
Cecil Green
UBS
Preston Prairie
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!