Tracing ancestors prior to the 20th century can feel like solving a complex puzzle. So, when I came across 19th-century church minutes from Hardin County, Kentucky’s South Fork Meeting House, I was thrilled to discover a missing piece of my family’s history—an entry mentioning the death of my 4th great-grandfather, Jacob Youtsler. According to the church’s minutes, he passed away a short time before August 1, 1838. After 30 years of searching, I had finally found the answer to a long-standing family mystery. 

This month, KCPL’s Local History and Genealogy Department is shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked value of church records in genealogical research. These historical documents can be goldmines for tracing family roots, especially before the era of official government record-keeping. 

Why Are Church Records So Valuable for Genealogy? 

Vital Records Before Civil Registration - Before governments kept official birth, marriage, and death records, churches were the primary record-keepers. ​ 

• • Baptismal records often include names of parents, godparents, and birth dates.​ 

• • Marriage records provide names of spouses, witnesses, and sometimes parents.​ 

• • Burial records can help identify family relationships and death dates before civil records existed.​  

​Tracing Family Lineage & Connections - Church records help researchers connect generations, confirming family relationships and identifying maiden names and residences. Sometimes, records list multiple generations of a family, making them key resources for genealogy.​ 

Clues to Migration & Ancestry​ - Many churches recorded details about where people came from, helping track migration patterns. For example:​ 

• • Immigrant ancestors may be listed in church membership rolls.​ 

• • Some records note hometowns in other countries, offering a crucial link to tracing roots abroad.  

Community & Social History​ - Churches were central to community life, so their records document more than just names and dates—they capture social structures, religious traditions, and major historical events.​ 

• • Records may list enslaved people, indentured servants, and marginalized communities often missing from official documents.​ 

• • Church minutes and newsletters provide insight into everyday life, social issues, and major events.​  

Unique & Hard-to-Find Information​ - Church records sometimes contain details not found elsewhere, such as:​ 

• • Cause of death (before death certificates were standard).​ 

• • Conversions, excommunications, or confirmations that indicate religious beliefs and life changes.​ 

• • Land transactions (churches sometimes recorded donations or land grants).​  

Preserving Local & Family History ​- Since many of these records are handwritten and fragile, they are now being preserved through microfilm, digitization, and indexing projects—ensuring that future generations can access this rich history. 

Ready to explore your family's story—one record at a time?
Set up a one-on-one appointment with our Local History and Genealogy staff by email at  history@kentonlibrary.org, or call 859-962-4070. We’re here to help guide your research journey. 

Blog written by Local History and Genealogy Department Library Associate Bobbye Winterberg.

List created by KCPL_History

Whether you are new or have been researching for years we have picked some of our favorite genealogy guides to help you with your research.

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The Kenton County Public Library welcomes donations of physical and digital copies of your family and local history related photographs. We accept donations in various formats, including color photographs, black & white photographs, film negatives, slides, and postcards. By donating photographs to the library, you contribute to preserving local history and your family's history. We accept photograph donations related to area families, schools, graduations, houses, old buildings, new buildings, businesses, sporting events, construction, streetscapes, social gatherings, or happenings around town.

The physical photographs added to our collection are preserved with archival materials and securely filed away in our archives. All images are converted to digital files, indexed, and uploaded to our photograph database, Faces and Places. When we index photographs, we input as much information as possible, making them easily searchable by keyword in our database. Faces and Places is free and available to the public, currently featuring around 130,000 images with new uploads frequently. We would love to add your photographs to our collection.

At the Covington branch in the Local History and Genealogy Department, we offer several pieces of scanning equipment free for public use. This equipment can assist you in preserving your photographs through the digitization process. You can scan photographs, slides, film negatives, etc., and save the digital copy to a memory card or flash drive. Digital copies can then be shared through various methods, such as social media and genealogy websites.

If you have any questions about donating your photographs to our collection, accessing Faces and Places, or making an appointment for assistance with using the scanning equipment, please call us at 859.962.4070 or send us an email at history@kentonlibrary.org. 

Blog written by Charles Halbrook, Local History and Genealogy Library Associate at the Covington Branch.

There are a lot of fiction novels that are inspired by family history, genealogy and even DNA. We asked staff for their recommendations of fiction novels that inspire their love for family history. If you find yourself inspired to dig into your own family story our Local History and Genealogy Department staff are here to help. Visit us online at www.kentonlibrary.org/genealogy for more information.

• The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

"I chose this book because it tells a good story about life and the struggles often faced in the hollers of Eastern Kentucky. This story has many ups and downs. But it tells an important story about Kentucky and American History. Having family of my own that were farmers and coal miners in rural Pennsylvania. It encourages me to explore the lives of my ancestors. Who could probably share similar stories." - Charles H. at Covington

• Life after Life by Kate Atkinson

"I picked this book as it examines the family history of a woman who, after making different choices or having different experiences, changes the family dynamic and even local and world history." Debi B. at Covington

• Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

"Gilead is the first novel in Robinson’s series that follows an intergenerational Midwest family from the Civil War to the 20^th century as they grapple with faith and family secrets." Casey B. at Covington

• Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

"I picked this book because it really digs into the lineage of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and how her family shaped the socio-political landscape of Oz (before and after Dorothy dropped in)." – Cierra E. at Covington

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Susan made a bold move in 1903, transitioning from her home-based instruction to founding the Richards Institute on West Eleventh Street. The school would be a family-run, women-owned school of the performing arts - instrumental music, voice and oratory that would run for nearly fifty years.

Susan (called Susie) was born about 1854 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Welsh-born William Richards and Irish-American Mary Catherine Loughran. The Richards family migrated from Pittsburgh to Covington in the late 1850s. Besides Susan, William and Mary Richards had three other children when they settled in Covington; John, Anna, and Josephine. In 1860 they added another son, William V., to the family. Susan’s father was a “roller” in a rolling mill.  “Rolling” is a process in which metal is passed through one or more pairs of rolls to reduce the thickness, make the thickness uniform, or give it a desired shape. Metalworking was a valued skill in Covington. The Roebling Suspension bridge was under construction, and the city’s infrastructure was expanding.

Susan was educated at Notre Dame Academy in Cincinnati and graduated with honors. She remained single and taught music lessons from the family home at 1228 Scott Street (1882-1887), 1111 Garrard Street (1888-1897), then 1131 Scott Street (1898-1903). She also was the organist at Covington’s St. Mary’s Cathedral, then at St. Patrick’s Church for decades more where she also trained the choir.

In 1903 Susan, through her brother William, bought a large home located at 27 West Eleventh Street (changed to 25 in 1917), to operate a private school along with private music instruction. The house had been the home of Judge James J. O’Hara (1825-1900.) The house sat on a large double lot, situated on land originally owned by the Western Baptist Theological Institute. Upon Judge O’Hara’s death, his grand home was sold at auction on June 16^th, 1903. It was advertised as having the following:

“12 rooms, two baths, two toilets, hot water, furnace, large front hall, laundry, basement rooms, double parlors, reception hall, good cellar under all, gas and electric lights, and a large lot, 50 x 200 feet to alley, alley on the side”  When the Richards purchased the home, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, formerly the Western Baptist Theological Institute campus, was directly across the street.

Susan opened the school soon after taking ownership. Within a few years, Susan’s nieces, the Nolan sisters, joined the institute as teachers. The Nolans, Mary Ann, Susie, Anna

Regina, and Josephine, were the daughters of Susan Richards’ sister, Anna Mary (Mrs. Matthew) Nolan. Like their Aunt Susan, the Nolan sisters were all unmarried women. Once the Nolan women established themselves as teachers at the institute, Susan took on the title and role of “President and Principal.”

The institute first operated as a private day school and a music conservatory. Although an article in the Cincinnati Catholic Telegraph in 1915 commented that the Richards Institute was “the only Catholic Institute of the city in lay charge,” it operated independently and was not associated with the Covington Catholic Diocese. The institute had its own baseball team for a short time, competing with the other schools. Once, the school was reported to be participating in marbles tournaments. The institute would, at times, hold performances of plays or music. Recitals and graduation exercises were held each June. The number of graduates varied. Some years only one or two graduates were announced, but other classes were much larger.

Susan Richards died unexpectedly on April 3, 1914.  Following her death, her niece, Anna Regina Nolan, stepped in as the institute’s president and principal. As time passed, the institute appears to have narrowed its scope to music instruction only and ceased operating as a private day school. Josephine (Josie) Nolan, who graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, taught violin. Susie Nolan taught piano. Susie was the first Nolan sister to pass away, dying in 1936. The other three sisters carried on. The Richards Institute was listed in the Covington directory until 1951. Anna Regina died in 1953. The two remaining Nolan sisters sold the property to Wadsworth Electric in November of that year. The home was listed as “vacant” in the 1954 directory and disappeared from city directories afterward. Mary Ann Nolan passed away in 1956, and Josephine in 1958. They were living at 1337 Garrard Street when they both passed. Susan Richards and the Nolan sisters rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery in, Fort Mitchell. The school at 25 West Eleventh Street has been demolished and is currently a parking lot.

Students

Hundreds of students received instruction at the Richards Institute, and news articles mention some of them by name, mostly in the social news, some in obituaries. A list of Richards Institute student names has been compiled and is searchable in GenKY: https://genky.kentonlibrary.org/descriptions/ris/index.html

The list is not by graduation year, only when mentioned in the news. Some students are listed multiple times.

Written by Bobbye Winterberg, Library Associate in Local History and Genealogy Department at Covington. 

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Northern Kentucky History Day will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Erlanger branch of the Kenton County Public Library. The event will be held from 8 AM - 2 PM.

The keynote speaker Bob Webster will present, “From Old Latonia to Turfway Park -- A 140-Year History.”

This year registration is free! To register visit our website.

If you have questions or need to register, call (859) 962-4070 or email history@kentonlibrary.org.

The Local History and Genealogy Department at the Covington branch will be closed Saturday, May 4, 2024. Our staff look forward to seeing you at NKY History Day at Erlanger.

Program Schedule and Descriptions

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Check-in begins and the vendor area will be open. There will be a STREAM Center Open House.

Program Descriptions

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM:

Keynote Presentation – From Old Latonia to Turfway Park -- A 140-Year History

Bob Webster

Ann Bronte Room

Robert D. “Bob” Webster will speak about his latest book, A Tradition Reborn: From Old Latonia Race Track to Turfway Park Racing and Gaming – A 140-Year History, and about the decision and process of taking on such a project. He is a Northern Kentucky native and author of numerous books and articles on the history of the region. He is a three-time winner of the Kentucky Historical Society’s “Outstanding Publication” Award and is a frequent speaker for civic and community groups throughout the region. He has been a featured presenter in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee.

Breakout Session 1

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM:

The Old Barber of Covington

Paul Duryea

Ann Bronte Room

Johnathan Singer was a trailblazer and instrumental in advancing the business, educational and social lives of the African American community in 19th century Covington.  While he is often referenced as simply being the father-in-law of Jacob Price or a long-time businessman, that would be selling the Old Barber of Covington a bit short.  Join us for a look back at the life and legacy of John Singer and the tumultuous time in which he lived.       

What’s With Cincinnati?

Micha O’Connor

Charlotte Bronte Room

Join Micha O’Connor, author of What’s With Cincinnati?, to discover the scandalous history of Northern Kentucky including the formidable fate of Pearl Bryan, find out how King of the Bootleggers, George Remus, got away with murder, and whether accident or arson led to tragedy at the Beverly Hills Supper Club.

Cincinnati Panorama of 1848: A Window to the Past

Christopher E. Smith

Emily Bronte Room

The Cincinnati Panorama, referred to as the Mona Lisa of Daguerreotypes was taken by Charles Fontayne and William S. Porter from a rooftop in Newport, Ky.

This early photograph captures a period during America’s formative years when steamboats ruled the rivers and railroads were on the cusp of dominance as a form of transportation. The earliest cityscape and first known panoramic shot taken in all of North America is of Cincinnati, Ohio, the fast growing Queen City of the West. Taken in 1848 by Fontayne, a native of England and Porter of Covington, Kentucky who were business partners at the time in the new and dynamic field of photography. Many stories can be pulled from this unique piece of history that help to convey the story that is America. 

Breakout Session 2

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:

Genealogy Resources at the Kentucky Historical Society

Daniel Ware

Anne Bronte Room

Looking for a Kentucky ancestor? Learn about the many resources you can use at the Kentucky Historical Society for your research! KHS has several types of records that can help you such as: birth records, marriage records, death records, probate records, family histories and many more. Get a better understanding of what resources may be right for you and how to use them. This presentation will help you understand the resources that are at KHS and will allow you to use that knowledge to further your family research. 

Hard Living: Everyday Life at the Newport Barracks

Patrick Coggins and Brian Hackett

Charlotte Bronte Room

This presentation will explore the everyday living conditions for US military personnel residing at the Newport Barracks. Specific topics will include the "staples" of the soldiering life (food, living conditions, standard of living); yet the presentation will also include how the Newport Barracks personnel and installation affected the community outside the confines of the military base. The presentation seeks to present the human side of the Newport Barracks story.

Forgotten History in Your Own Backyard

Peter Bronson

Emily Bronte Room

A tour through some amazing history of Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, including the Mob in Newport, the deadly Supper Club fire, Cincinnati’s battle against Larry Flynt and the Siege of Cincinnati during the Civil War.

Breakout Session 3

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM:

The ORVILLE Project and You: Ohio River Valley Innovation Library and Learning Engagement

Paul Tenkotte and Dave Schroeder

Ann Bronte Room

Are you tired of hearing our region called the "Rust Belt" or "Flyover Country"? We're out to correct those perceptions. From Orville Wright to Neil Armstrong, the Ohio River watershed has been an engine of innovation, helping to win the Civil War, WWI, WWII, and the Cold War. Learn how you can be a part of this new and exciting volunteer project of the Kenton County Public Library.

Researching at the National SAR Library & Archives

Cheri Daniels

Charlotte Bronte Room

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution has been collecting research material since its beginning in 1889. Not many people know that their national headquarters and award-winning genealogical research library are in downtown Louisville Kentucky. This session will guide researchers through the resources available through on-site access as well as the many free resources available from home. The SAR Genealogical Research library is not just for members and holds collections that reach all 50 states and span the breadth of U.S. history.

The Judge’s Collection: The History of Judge Robert O. Lukowsky

Holly Hall

Emily Bronte Room

A Covington native born in 1927, Lukowsky became one of the most respected judges in Kentucky and a cherished teacher at the Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University. Learn more about Judge Lukowsky in a presentation on the details of his life accomplishments.

STREAM Center Open House

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

9:45 AM – 10:15 PM

Stop by the STREAM Center located across from the Bronte meeting rooms to receive a tour of the equipment and ask questions. The STREAM Center can help you create projects for family reunions, genealogy gifts, family history posters and more.

Speaker Biographies

Peter Bronson - Peter Bronson is a newsman, editor, magazine writer, author and owner of Chilidog Press publishing. He has written eight books, including The Man Who Saved Cincinnati (2023), Not in Our Town (2022), Forbidden Fruit (2020). He was editorial page editor and columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership the Enquirer was judged Best Editorial Page in Ohio four years in a row.

Patrick Coggins - Patrick Coggins is a lifelong tri-state resident and educator of history. He currently holds a Master's in Public History from Northern Kentucky University (2024), a Master's in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati (2010), and a Bachelor's of History from Mount St. Joseph University (2009). He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Northern Kentucky University and Mount St. Joseph University. In addition, Mr. Coggins has six years of accumulative teaching experience at the secondary education level, and ten years of football coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels. His content interests are in military history.

Cheri Daniels - Cheri Daniels, MSLS, serves as Director of Library & Archives for the National SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) Genealogical Research Library located at the national SAR headquarters in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Spanning a career of over 25 years, Daniels has worked in various types of libraries and archives, with the most recent decade spent leading the library and archives department for the Kentucky Historical Society, editing their online genealogy publication, Kentucky Ancestors, and producing their statewide genealogy television program. When she is not writing, researching, and speaking on the national stage, she is producing and hosting her own podcast, BloodRoot, to share stories from her own genealogy journey. Daniels is also a contributing author to the book, Genealogy and the Librarian, published in 2018. You can learn more about her personal projects and upcoming speaking engagements at genealogyliteracy.com.

Paul Duryea - Paul Duryea is the Covington Branch Manager for the Kenton County Public Library system.  He has worked in public libraries for over 30 years, where he has presented at state and national library conferences.   Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Xavier University and a Master of Library Science from Kent State.  In recent years, he has turned more towards topics of historical significance, be it giving a presentation on Irish Genealogy or contributing to the 2019 opening of the Covington-Cincinnati Bridge Company safe. 

Holly Hall - Holly Hall is the Director of the Borderlands Archive and History Center at the Boone County Public Library. She has been with the library since 2018. After earning her MSLS from the University of Kentucky in 2021, Holly was hired into the library’s history department. She enjoys helping people research genealogy and connecting with history.

Brian Hackett – Dr. Brian Hackett is an Associate Professor of History AT NKU. He is also Director of the Public History Master’s Degree Program, which teaches students how to work in Museums, Archives, Historic sites and in Historic Preservation.  Dr. Hackett has a PhD. In Public History from Middle Tennessee State University, an MA in Historical Administration from Eastern Illinois University, and Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.  Dr. Hackett has a great family and a remarkable basset hound named Ginny.

Micha O’Connor - When Micha O’Connor grew up in rural Kentucky, 40 minutes outside of Cincinnati, every visit to the city was a special treat. Driving up 75 through the “cut in the hill” lights unfolding ahead inspires her still. A grant writer by day, Micha has had a diverse career as an artist and educator. She holds a BFA in theatre from the University of Kentucky, where she also attended graduate school for Library and Information Science. What’s With Cincinnati?: The Quirks, Personality, and Charm of the Queen City is her first book.

Paul A. Tenkotte, PhD - Paul A. Tenkotte is Professor of History at Northern Kentucky University. He has published 16 books, contributed chapters and essays to 13 additional books, and written more than 500 articles and book reviews for a wide range of publications. In addition, he has participated in 22 television documentaries, including his 2018 national PBS debut, Ten That Changed America: Engineering Marvels. Dr. Tenkotte’s textbook, The United States since 1865: Information Literacy and Critical Thinking, was published in 2022 by Kendall Hunt. He is also editor of the weekly “Our Rich History” column in the NKyTribune, an online publication of the non-profit Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism; see: http://www.nkytribune.com/category/our-rich-history/.  Currently, Tenkotte is directing a non-profit regional initiative of the Kenton County Public library (KY) entitled ORVILLE (Ohio River Valley Innovation Library and Learning Enrichment).

Dave Schroeder – Dave Schroeder is a native of Kenton County. He was named Executive Director of the nationally ranked Kenton County Public Library in April 2007. Dave began his career at Kenton County Public Library in 1986 as a shelver. In 1987 he began working in the Local History Department indexing historic newspapers. He held the position of Archivist for Thomas More University and the Diocese of Covington from 1996 to 2000. Schroeder returned to KCPL in 2000 as the Kentucky History Librarian. During his term as director of KCPL, Schroeder completely renovated and expanded the Covington Branch Library, expanded the Erlanger Branch Library, oversaw the construction of a new Administration Center, promoted a nationally recognized workforce development program at the library, and is currently establishing a new branch in the Latonia Neighborhood of Covington.

Christopher E. Smith - Christopher Smith is a Reference Librarian in the Genealogy and Local History Department at the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. He’s become a collection specialist over time with regard to the Heritage Collection held at Cincinnati Public. While specializing in local / regional history, Chris also serves as program coordinator for the department. Chris has been with the Public Library for over twenty-five years serving in various positions throughout that time. During his free time, Chris helped design and write tours for Segway of Ohio and is now one of the guides providing both walking and Segway tours of Cincinnati’s Center City neighborhoods. When the opportunity presents itself, Chris also conducts talks at conventions, historical societies or any other community group or family with an interest in history. 

Daniel Ware - Daniel has had a passion for genealogy, history, and learning for as long as he can remember. He watches historical documentaries and reads non-fiction history books for the fun of it. Daniel has provided customer service to the public for many years and has combined all his skills and passions together as the genealogy librarian at the Kentucky Historical Society. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History from Georgetown College in 2010 with a minor in history. He then earned his Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Kentucky in 2017. He has been a KHS staff member since 2022.

Bob Webster – Bob is a multiple winner of the Kentucky History Award and author of A Tradition Reborn: From Old Latonia Race Track to Turfway Park Racing and Gaming – A 140-Year History. His other titles include The Beverly Hills Supper Club: The Untold Story Behind Kentucky’s Worst Tragedy, The Balcony Is Closed: A History of Northern Kentucky’s Long-Forgotten Neighborhood Movie Theaters, Northern Kentucky Fires: A Summary of the Most Memorable Fires of the Region and A Brief History of Northern Kentucky.

Vendors:

To reserve a vendor table email John Boh at jhboh55@gmail.com; if no email address, call John Boh at (859) 491-0490. Vendor set up begins after 7:30 AM. 

Vendors at NKY History Day! (List updated April 24, 2024)

Boone County Historical Society

Boone County Public Library 

Author Peter Bronson

Campbell County Historical and Genealogical Society

Dinsmore Homestead

Drewry Family Historical Production Company

Genealogy by Jan - Jan Lester

Kenton County Historical Society

Kenton County Public Library

Kentucky Historical Society

Ludlow Historic Society

Ludlow Heritage Museum

National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution - Mary Ingles Chapter, Boone County Chapter, and Rebecca Bryan Boone Chapter

Author Micha O'Connor

Author Robert Schrage

Sons of the Union Veterans

Author Don Heinrich Tolzmann

Author Bob Webster

There were several Northern Kentuckians who were on active duty at Pearl Harbor when the attack occurred. The ability to instantly communicate with cell phones or the internet was not available to families waiting for news about their sons and family members serving at Pearl Harbor. Covington families clung to radios for news reports. Letters or telegrams from the military confirming that their loved one was alive or dead took weeks to arrive. According to local news reports at the time families waited between 3 and 6 weeks for official news.

Featured here are the stories of Covington area service members who were reported missing and confirmed killed in action during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. 

William Walker Ford

Killed in Action aboard the U.S.S. Arizona

William Walker Ford was born April 2, 1922 in Kenton County, Kentucky. He was the son of Marion Walker Ford and Eula Kite. He had a sister Ruth Ford. His father served as a Corporal in WWI and died in 1931 when William was 9 years old. His mother Eula remarried George P. Evans. William attended Holmes High School and graduated in June of 1940. He enlisted shortly after graduation. He served as an Electrician's Mate, Third Class, on the U.S.S. Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was announced on December 9, two days after the attack, that Ford had been awarded an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. The announcement was made before it was learned he was among the missing. Almost 5 months later, in March of 1942, his mother received official notification of his death from the Navy Department. Ford was posthumously appointed Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Johnson “for valor and heroism displayed in discharge of his duty” during Pearl Harbor. 

Ford was 19 years old. 

Warren ‘John’ Richardson 

Killed in Action aboard the U.S.S. Arizona 

Warren ‘John’ Richardson was born in 1918 in Ohio. He was the son of Charles and Freda Richardson. He attended Holmes High School. He enlisted in the Navy on February 1, 1938, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Richardson was a Coxswain stationed on the U.S.S. Arizona on the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was listed as missing after the attack, and officially declared a casualty by the Bureau of Navigation several weeks later. His remains were never recovered. His mother Freda Richardson received a letter on December 9, 1941 that her son had written before his death that he intended to reenlist when his term expired on February 1,1942. Richardson was survived by his mother Freda Richardson, two sisters, Mrs. Hazel Conley, Mrs. Ruth Myers, and two brothers James and Charles Richardson. 

Richardson was 23 years old. 

Joseph M. Robertson

Killed in Action aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma 

Joseph Morris Robertson was born in 1923 in Paragould, Arkansas. He was the son of Ophus Robertson and Syble Haley.  He had three brothers, Robert, Paul and Edwin, and a sister Patricia. The family moved to Covington around 1930, where Ophus took a job in a factory. Robertson attended St. Aloysius and St. Mary’s Schools In Covington. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November of 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was serving as a Seaman Second Class aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Robertson was one of over 400 casualties after the haul of the ship was bombed with torpedoes that caused it to roll over and sink. In June of 1943, his parents received a letter from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in which he wrote: “Seaman Robertson stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives and through it he lives in a way that humbles the endeavors of most men.” On June 18, 2020, his remains were identified and accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Burial details were not announced.

Robertson was 18 Years old. 

Edward Alfred Walther

Killed in Action aboard the U.S.S. Arizona

Edward Alfred Walther was born September 5, 1922 in Kenton County, Kentucky to Edward Walther and Helen Miller. He had three brothers William, Robert, and Donald. William and Donald died as infants. Walther attended Holmes High School and graduated in June of 1940 (in the same class as Ford). Walther served as a Fire Controlman Third Class on the U.S.S. Arizona. His mother Helen Walther received flowers from her son on Christmas Eve a few weeks after the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor. She had been notified of Walther’s death, and she contacted the florist who delivered the flowers to learn that Edward had ordered them on December 6, one day before his death. 

Walther was 19 years old. 

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Navy Department to award the Purple Heart to any Navy, Marine, or Coast Guard personnel who were wounded or killed in action beginning on December 6, 1941. Ford, Richardson, Robertson and Walther all received a Purple Heart Medal.

This blog was written by Cierra Earl of the Local History and Genealogy Department. If you are interested in researching your ancestors military service the Kenton County Public Library has many resources available online, and at the Covington branch. You can also schedule a free one-hour one-on-one appointment with a member of the Local History and Genealogy Department to get help with starting your research. Contact us by phone at 859.962.4070 or by email at history@kentonlibrary.org to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available in-person at the Covington branch, over-the-phone, and through a virtual meeting. 

Ownership changed hands several times since the mill was built. The two family owners featured in the collection are the Mackoys and the Downings. Not only are the families chronicled, but we are also introduced to many in the community.  Little tidbits are offered up on their daily lives and the musings of the writer at the time. There are daybooks (interactions between the owner and the customers that frequented the mill, as well as sale of other goods) that were maintained by both James Mackoy and Thomas Downing, and a household account book (Downing). There are two diaries that were written by Thomas’ daughter, Cornelia Frances Downing. 

In the early day books, there are lists of things that people have bought, or brought in to have milled. Occasionally, there would be a comment regarding the customer such as “by the amiable Miss Mary Line of Dover one of the fairest of the fair” (James Mackoy was a smooth talker!), or that their belongings are being put up for sale to either pay taxes or settle an estate. 

(TEXT: ‘Cash rec’d for 50 lbs. shorts 50 E by the amiable Miss Mary Line of Dover one of the fairest of the fair’) 

(TEXT: ‘Pair of Gum Boots by McKoy, Pair of Pants’) 

I found this one amusing, regarding animal husbandry.  

(TEXT: ‘Calvin Holton CR By cash 10$ for 3 cows to my bull Renzi if they should not prove with Calfe post on untill they are with Calfe’) 

One ledger had been partially repurposed as a scrapbook. There are articles that have been cut and then pasted onto pages, covering over sales records. This featured pertinent news all the way up through the 1940s. There is commentary on the times, such as this warning about the dangers of whisky, as well as deaths, marriages, births, etc. 

Thomas Downing kept it as not only a ledger for sales and what he bought himself, but for daily life as well. He mentions loaning someone money to go hunt for their missing son in Michigan, and sending donations for the camp that the Confederate prisoners were kept in. Sprinkled among the business, he shared home recipes, his poetry, a random Hamlet soliloquy, and many other historical gems. There are notes of the passing of loved ones. I’m sure he didn’t know that one day others would find his musings to be significant. 

(TEXT: ‘Loaned Jno. Reeves money for his Father to go after his lost son in Michigan’) 

(TEXT:  
Hair Restoration 
1 Drachm sugar of lead 
1 Drachm of lack. Sulphur 
2 Ounces of Glaysing 
2 Ounces of Bay Rum 
4 times this amount 
 
Cure for Scarlet Fever 
Take 2 ounces of Salammonide dissolve in a pint of strong vinegar wet a cloth of 6 or 7 thicknesses apply it to the throat – renew as often as it gets dry. 2 ounces of Gum Myrrh dissolve it in water gargle with it frequently (every hour). 1 ounce of sweet Spirits of Nitre give half teaspoonful 3 times a day. ½ ounce of Peruvian bark throw a little of it frequently into the back of the mouth. Give a light dose of Rheubarb every morning.) 

There are several locks of hair and even a Confederate ten-dollar bill, which just add even more to the historical journey the collection takes you on.

(TEXT: 1865 Dec Notes to Saml. McLaughlin taken up and new one given. Mar 1866 Paid 2 yrs interest. I took up note & gave a new one) 

There are loose pages of a daybook from 1769, in London. I will admit to being in awe of holding something that had been written before the United States as we know it had even come into being! As the family were merchants, I learned a whole new vocabulary regarding dry goods, clothes, and types of coins. For instance, a pipe referred to a large cask of varying capacity used especially for wine and oil; any of various units of liquid capacity based on the size of a pipe especially: a unit equal to two hogsheads. A hogshead is a large cask, generally filled with spirits.  

(TEXT: London March 23D 1769. Cash, Dr. to bills receivable 141£ 13 S. 4D. Henry Sidney 
Received of in full of Jacob Preston bills 
April 1st 
Sundries Drs. To John keil, 271£. 10 s. 
Cash, received in full for kerseys - 270 00 
Kerseys, for the sum abated him – 1..10 
6th 
Cash Dr to George Young, 280£ 
Received, of him in full for broad clothe -) 

The diaries almost read like a Jane Austen novel. These spanned from 1881-1886 and 1892-1898. There is mention of watching a solar eclipse, and upon researching this, I found out that it did happen on that date. We are allowed to read about the relationship between her and Mr. Mackoy blooming (or Mr. M, as she refers to him), as well as the comings and goings of her many friends and relatives in the community. Visiting, chores, sewing and decorating for parties, and her time as a schoolteacher. I found her to be a highly intelligent young woman, who didn’t always keep the status quo. There is a story of getting signatures for a petition for prohibition of liquor sales, and she names those who didn’t sign. She tells of the Rice Circus coming to town (Dan Rice was not only an entertainer, but he also ran for President of the U.S. in 1868). John L. Sullivan, the prize fighter, appeared at the opera house. There are winters where temperatures dropped to -24F. Sleigh riding and a harrowing accident. Even the tale of a young woman who was stood up at her own wedding where Cornelia was a guest.
In 1893, her aunt, Mary Downing, stepped on a nail sticking out of a shingle in the cellar. They cleaned and medicated it. The hole closed, and all seemed fine. Days later, Mary began to grow ill, developing lockjaw, suffering horrible spasms and pain, at a time when all they could do was dose them with the strongest opiate they had. She died exactly two weeks after the accident. The first tetanus vaccine was not developed until 1921, and the more effective one in 1938. Having just gotten my tetanus shot a few weeks ago, this caused me to really think about how certain things meant death back then, but now are easily treatable if caught in time. Cornelia’s diary ends at the onset of the smallpox epidemic of 1898.  

For those interested, Cornelia married William Henry Mackoy, the grandson of Capt. James, who would become sheriff. James Mackoy was the brother of John Mackoy, whose family has its’ own family collection in GeNKY.  

 Written by Jessica Johnson, Library Associate in Local History and Genealogy Department at Covington. 

The Kenton Co. Public Library Local History and Genealogy Dept. received a collection of yearbooks generously donated by Covington Latin School, as well as access to class diaries and ephemera currently being digitized. When completed, the diaries/ephemera collection will be added to GenKY, our digital history collection.   

100 years ago, on July 15, 1923, Bishop Francis William Howard was consecrated Bishop of Covington. He had become nationally and internationally known for his dedication to education. As an eminent scholar, Bishop Howard made the state of Catholic education in his diocese one of his chief concerns. 

He observed several excellent academies for Catholic girls already existed in the region. But for boys, there was a need for a college preparatory school, especially for those academically gifted, college-bound students. He began work immediately on establishing one.

Bishop Howard modeled the concept of starting high school after sixth grade, after the European “gymnasium” school in which all children planning to pursue studies at the university level first attend a college preparatory school after the sixth year of elementary school.

Bishop Howard’s plan also borrowed from another European idea, that of the “Bishops’ Schools,” also called “Episcopal Schools” or “Cathedral Schools,” where bishops would personally train the students. Beginning with the 1992-93 academic year, Covington Latin School admitted girls as well as boys. The school’s motto is “Bonitatem et disciplinam et scientiam, doce me” (Teach me goodness and knowledge and discipline.) 

A Faces and Places Scanning Bee will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the Covington Library. We are looking to add images related to Covington Latin School to our photograph collection Faces and Places. Bring in up to a dozen originals and we'll scan and return them to you on the spot! Can't make this date or time? Give us a call at (859) 962-4070 to arrange a time to scan your photographs. In the mean time check out some of the pictures of Covington Latin School in Faces and Places. 

Written by Bobbye Winterberg, Library Associate in the Local History and Genealogy Department.

We'd love to talk Barbies. Did you have a favorite Barbie growing up? Leave us a comment below! 

Written by Cierra Earl, Local History and Genealogy Department, Covington branch. 

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