A Major New Genealogy Library Announced

When was the last time that you read about the formation of a major new genealogy library? That is, a full-fledged genealogy library with more than 70,000 books and more than 10,000 CD-ROM disks, all related to family history? The brand-new Connor-Bishop Historical Resource Center will be exactly that.

The Connor-Bishop Historical Resource Center is being established in the Portland, Oregon, area to honor the memory of Eloise Connor Bishop and Charles Kay Bishop. The focus will be on materials to assist family history researchers and to "add meat to the skeletons" in their family histories.

Thanks to the generosity of Ruth Bishop and several others, the new Connor-Bishop Historical Resource Center already has been able to acquire more than 70,000 family history books including:

The former circulating library of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), formerly housed in the Boston area and circulated by mail to NEHGS members worldwide.

Richardson Dougall's collection of European History, formerly housed at the National Genealogical Society (NGS) library in Arlington, Virginia.

The NGS Hall of Fame Collection as well as duplicate copies from the NGS General Collection, formerly housed in Arlington, Virginia.

A large collection of Civil War and Americana books donated by Ruth Chauncey Bishop.

From William R. and Kaleen E. Beall, a large collection of Automotive History, Biography, Entertainment, and Medieval books, plus the Beall Family Library collections.

Stanley R. Clarke's British, Oregon, and General collections.

The Dean H. Byrd and Janice M. Healy Oregon Burial Site Guide Collection, including all photos and maps used for producing the book.

Bound Portland, Oregon, newspapers.

Other collections are also being donated through wills and trusts.

The members of the Board of Directors are currently purchasing even more materials to add to the general research materials.

In addition to the main reading room there will be rooms devoted to rare books, maps and microform, as well as a darkroom.

The Connor-Bishop Historical Resource Center is not yet open for business. There are a few "minor items" to be completed: finding a location, purchasing a mile or so of shelving plus furniture and computers, and hiring staff. These will be happening in the coming months. I hope to write occasional reports of the progress and to describe the opening ceremonies in the near future.

Even with these extensive resources already obtained, the Connor-Bishop Historical Resource Center needs many more books. Donations of books and of funds to purchase books are solicited. The new Resource Center has applied for status as a 501c3 educational organization and expects to be accepted. As soon as the 501c3 status is obtained, all donations will be tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers.

You can mail pledges to:

Connor-Bishop Historical Resource Center
c/o Janice M. Healy
PO Box 5414
Aloha, OR 97006-0414

Comments

[Nancy]

I was just considering a membership to NEHGS - now it sounds like the very books I was hoping to utilize won't be available?

[Patsy Finley]

It sounds like a fantastic collection. People in your area are very fortunate to have such within their reach. Good luck to all. Patsy

[sandy smith]

A library on the west coast {Aloha, Oregon} will be wonderful since all of us can not get to Salt Lake City or to the NEHGS. this will make life easier. Thank you and keep us informed.

[Elizabeth Patterson]

Does this mean that we can no longer request books from NEHGS?

[Tony Norris]

I wonder what type of relationship they might develop with the 60 year old Genealogical Forum of Oregon (gfo.org)in Portland?

[Joy Rich]

Dick Eastman wrote about the demise of NEHGS's circulating library a year ago on his website at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2005/08/nehgs_to_shut_d.html

Joy Rich

[Dick Eastman]

---> Does this mean that we can no longer request books from NEHGS?

You have not been able to borrow books from NEHGS for nearly a year or so. Their lending library was closed last year and the books were sold to the new Connor-Bishop Historical Resource Center. The books were shipped perhaps six months ago.

- Dick Eastman

[Dawn Moriarty]

Will the Connor-Bishop Historical Center develop a lending library? NEHGS has an out of print book that gave me alot about my family lines and I have no way of obtaining to look at it as I live in the Midwest.

[Robin Hurst]

Wow, This is great, i like the idea of having a new
place to go for my Oregon research. Thank You.

[Janice M. Healy]

The NEHGS books bought by the Conner-Bishop Historical Resource Center, were the duplicate copies that made up the circulating library. So you can still access all the same books in Boston at the NEHGS library along with many more. NEHGS has a photo copy service for those of you who can not travel to Boston. Also you have the on-line Genealogist when more help is needed. Please go to the NEHGS web site for more information of the services available to us who are not in Boston. http://www.NewEnglandAncestors.org The new Conner-Bishop library will be located some where in the Portland Metro area. The location yet to be decided on as it will depend on what building and land is available to fit our needs.

[Ron Weir]

Dear Janice:
I was interested in learning about the Conner-Bishop Historical Resource Center because I am representing the Douglas County Library System (Douglas County, Oregon) in the disposition of the remains of a rare book collection assembled by Samuel Evans of Umpqua, Oregon in the early 1900's era. The Endownment Committee of the Library Foundation has undertaken the marketing of this valuable collection, either whole or in part. Toward that end, I would be pleased to send you a complete listing of the approximately 180 remaining volumes for your consideration. All of these books are Ex-Lib and most are in Good to Near Fine condition, but with the usual library accoutrements and markings. Any funds received as a result of purchase of books goes entirely to the Library Foundation for the acquisition of new books and/or other necessary library works. If you are interested in obtaining this listing from me, please respond to this email with an appropriate email link so I can send it along to you. ron weir