Genealogy research trip

Mom wanted to meet in Kite to visit Daddy's grave since he has been gone a year on the 15th. It dawned on me I could go down to Dublin a day early and do some family research that I have been wanting to do for probably two years or more. I had enough points built up with LaQuinta that I could get a room for only $15!! So the plans were made!

It was nasty weather today, of course. Mom and I say that it always rains when we get together, but with the weather we've had this fall, I can't say it's our fault! It was foggy and misting rain the entire way. I still made good time once I got out of Covington (I had an eye doctor appointment! My eyes are great, BTW! Doctor was happy. Pressure was only 18 in the left eye! Damage that was there in 2007 is completely gone!) and got to Dublin about 12:30 pm. Once I found some lunch, I headed to the library to get to work!

The Laurens County Library is absolutely beautiful! They have a HUGE Heritage Room with the most helpful lady who works there. (Some GREAT customer service for a change!) I was researching my paternal grandmother's family (Drake) today, and she just kept pulling books for me! It was great! Except I ran out of time and will HAVE to come back. I really don't mind cause it's a pleasure to research here!

I looked at newspapers (Wrightsville, Swainsboro, and Dublin) on micofilm until I was cross-eyed and nodding off! But I did find one item I was looking for, and I found some other miscellaneous items. The jackpot came when the library lady found a book on the Drakes!! It is full of information about our direct line! The book was just published in 2005 and the author's address was included in the book, so I am definitely going to try to contact him and see if there is a copy available for purchase. I NEED that book!!

I really don't even know what all I found today... my head is spinning with the information. I've got to get it home and sort it all out. I do know that my re-organizing my genealogy information into 3-ring binders works great! I brought the Drake binder with me, and I was able to flip right to information I needed. I was so glad to put the system into practice and see how I need to tweak it... and the best part is I didn't find much of anything to tweek this time around!

(Except I do need to remember to pack a pencil!!)

When I left the library about 6pm, it was pouring rain! It's difficult navigating in an unfamiliar town in the dark AND the rain (even with my GPS). I went to my motel, checked in, dumped bags in the room, and headed out to do some shopping and get some dinner. I tried to go to Sonny's BBQ, but after sitting in the drive thru for 5 minutes, I finally looked up and read the sign that said "Closing at 5 today for company Christmas party"!!!! I was relieved to just grab something fast and get back here to the motel to relax.

I have to meet Mom in Kite about 9:30 in the morning. That's about 45 minutes from here, so I'd better get to bed so I can get up and get moving early!