Silent Auction

The Genealogy and Local History Department will hold their annual "Silent Auction" of duplicate or superseded genealogical and historical materials from October
1-31.  See a list of what is available on the website at www.KHCPL.org or view the items in the department beginning October 1.  You can enter a bid by filling out the form on the website or in person at the library.  We may have the treasure that you have been looking for.  The bidding ends October 31 and you will be notified if your bid was the winning bid.  For more information call the department at 765-626-0839.

Volunteers Honored

Volunteers in the Genealogy and Local History Department at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library were honored recently. 

Karen Sosbe, Department Head Amy Russell, Jon Russell, Debby & Ed Beheler, Marcia Ford, Vivian White, and Alarica Eichenfels

Kokomo Living History

Former Kokomo Mayor Robert Sargent, retired Deputy Sheriff Jon Zeck, and David Foster, the great-great-great-grandson of Kokomo founder David Foster were the featured guests for a program and group discussion at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library sponsored by the Howard County Genealogical Society. The program was hosted by local history writer Gil Porter.  Life stories about these gentlemen and their collective experiences in Kokomo and Howard County reached back to the Great Depression in the 1930's.

Genealogy for Night Owls

Genealogy for Night Owls is a relaxed after-hours research evening for adults of any experience level.  Plan to attend our 43rd lock-in event from 5:30 p.m. until midnight on Friday, October 12.  Included in the evening activities are a buffet dinner,
snacks, door prizes and access to all of the genealogy collection and databases.  To register for this event, pay the fee in GLHD beginning September 12.

'Kokomo Living History' Life Story Discussion

Come listen, learn and ask about the life stories of three hometown citizens whose collective experience in Kokomo and Howard County reaches back to the Great Depression in the 1930s.

Former Kokomo Mayor Robert Sargent, retired Deputy Sheriff Jon Zeck and Jack Foster, the great-, great-grandson of Kokomo founder David Foster, are the featured guests for an hour-long program and group discussion at the Howard County Genealogical Society monthly meeting on Sept. 10. The program will be hosted by local history writer Gil Porter.  The event will held at the lower level of the Kokomo Howard County Public Library at 220 N. Union Street in Kokomo. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.  Admission is free.

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Robert Sargent

Robert Sargent grew up on the “tough north end of town” and ultimately went on to serve as Kokomo’s 32^nd mayor from 1988 to 1995. A World War II Navy veteran and longtime Kokomo police officer, Sargent was twice elected Howard County Sheriff and elected to City Hall in 1987. One of his proudest achievements as mayor was being part of the successful city-county effort that resulted in the then-Chrysler Corporation transmission plant expansion.

Jon Zeck

Retired Deputy Sheriff Jon Zeck grew up on the west side of Kokomo. His early life revolved around his father’s Shell American Petroleum filing station on the northwest corner of Washington Street and Markland Avenue (today the location is immortalized as “Zeck’s Corner”). Jon served 35 years with the Howard County Sheriff’s Department. After retirement, he has been instrumental in recording and preserving Howard County law enforcement history.

Jack Foster

Jack Foster grew up on the north side with a bow and arrow and 16-gage shotgun. From the Wabash to the Wildcat, Jack knew the land by heart, whether hunting, fishing or trapping. He worked 42 years as a lineman and a superintendent with the electric company. Jack’s firefighter father served as Indiana state fire marshall, he is the great-grandson of a notable Kokomo mayor and surgeon, and his great, great-grandfather founded the town of Kokomo.

Howard County Genealogical Society Meeting

The Howard County Genealogical Society will meet Monday, September 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Meeting rooms A & B at KHCPL Main.  For the program, Gil Porter will lead a panel discussion with Jon Zeck, Bob Sargent and Jack Foster.  The public is welcome and for more information call 765-626-0839.  Visit the Genealogy and Local History Department online at www.KHCPL.org.

Genealogy Humor

• Genealogy:  Chasing your own tale!
• Climbing my family tree was fun until the nuts appeared.
• Families are like quilts, lives pieced together, stitched with smiles and tears, colored with memories and bound by love.
• Isn't genealogy fun?  The answer to one problem, leads to two more.
• Why do I do Genealogy:  Because Rocket Science wasn't challenging enough.