Death Certificates added to Web Site

Evelyn Wekke and Billie Todd, two of our volunteers, have digitized a number of our collections over the past few years and Evelyn recently completed another one. This time it is death certificates from the 1940s and 1950s. It joins earlier work the two had done with death certificates from the 1920s - 1940s and burial permits from 1906 to 1912. (Evelyn is shown at right working in the library.) These products can be accessed by clicking on the link here.

A Free Program: When the Marriage Industry Thrived in Elkton - Feb. 13

Cecil's Past for Ms Litzenberg's Class

Book Features Details About Powerful World War II Era Bainbridge Naval Training Center Football Team

Wilbur D. Jones, Jr., the author of “Football! Navy! War! How Military ‘Lend-Lease’ Players Saved the College Game and Helped Win World War II“ will speak about his new title and sign books at the Historical Society of Cecil County on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1:00 p.m. While highlighting the Navy’s role in preserving the game and football’s impact on national morale and the war effort during the 1940s, it has a significant local angle. One of the star players, “Choo-Choo” Charlie Justice trained at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center.

During World War II, the U. S. military and colleges joined forces, fielding competitive teams to prepare men for combat. The book highlights the Department of the Navy’s role in preserving the game and football’s impact on national morale and the war effort through their “Lend-Lease” to colleges of officer candidates, including All-America and professional players. It describes wartime college and military football.

From a local perspective, the book features details about the powerful Bainbridge Naval Training Center teams of 1943-45, whom Jones rates as the No. 1 military wartime team. Bainbridge opened in 1942 as a boot camp and advanced training station, and closed in early 1970’s. The center was located at the Jacob Tome Institute at Port Deposit. This is a major previously unpublished work on the history of Cecil County and region during WWII.

“Exciting military games were a diversion from war’s horrors and sacrifices, and they helped boost bond sales and home front morale for civilians and the military,” Jones writes. His book covers such games as Great Lakes Navy’s final-minute 19-14 upset over perennial power Notre Dame in 1943 (though the Irish won the national championship anyway). Featured in previously unpublished detail is the sport’s wartime star, teenaged halfback Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, a kid among the All-Americas and NFL players at Bainbridge Navy and a postwar superstar at North Carolina.

Admiral James L. Holloway III (Ret).., 20th Chief of Naval Operaitons and Chairman Emeritus of the Naval Historical Foundation said Football! Navy! War! “is an untold story about the relationship of America’s great game with the armed forces – especially the United States Navy – during this struggle against the Axis powers. As one who fought alongside many of the outstanding athletes that Wilbur Jones portrayed, I can testify how the smash-mouth tactics of the gridiron were applied in the waters and archipelagoes of the Western Pacific. The book is a must-have for any patriot and fan of the sport.”

Don Jenkins of Sports Illustrated said: “I’ve been waiting for somebody to do this book and preserve these treasured college football memories, and now Wilbur Jones has done it – and done splendidly.”

The author, Wilbur D. Jones, Jr., is a retired Navy captain with four decades of service. He spent several days in Cecil County working on this project. This free program takes places at the Society’s headquarters at 135 E. Main Street in downtown Elkton. Light refreshments will be served.

Click here to read a full review of this title in the Star News Online (Wilmington, NC)

The Haunted Eastern Shore at Oct. Meeting

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CECIL COUNTY
ANNUAL DINNER MEETING
OCTOBER 19, 2009
6:00 P.M.
CHESAPEAKE INN BANQUET ROOM

GUEST SPEAKER – MINDIE BURGOYNE
“HAUNTED EASTERN SHORE: GHOSTLY TALES FROM EAST OF THE CHESAPEAKE”

MUSIC BY BOXTURTLE BOB


The October Dinner Meeting of the Historical Society of Cecil County will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. at the Chesapeake Inn Banquet Room, 605 2nd Street, Chesapeake City. Please enter through the Ballroom entrance which is to the right of the restaurant entrance. Please inquire with the valet if you need to use the elevator. There is limited parking so carpooling is suggested.

Our guest speaker will be Mindie Burgoyne who has recently published the book “Haunted Eastern Shore: Ghostly Tales from East of the Chesapeake” Mindie is a native Marylander who currently lives on the Eastern Shore and works for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. There will be copies of her book for sale at the dinner meeting.

The cost of the dinner is $23.00 per person for members and $25.00 per person for non-members. You may select between Crab Cake or Chicken Marsala. Your meal will include salad, coffee or tea and dessert.

Please send your reservation by mail to the Society, with your check, to Paula Newton, HSCC, 135 E. Main St., Elkton, MD 21921. Please make your check payable to the Historical Society of Cecil County. The deadline for reservations is October 9, 2009. This is a catered dinner making it impossible for us to take late reservations or walk-ins. If you have any questions, please call the Historical Society at 410-398-1790.

Don't forget to list the names of the attendees and their meal selection.

Chautauqua 2009 Coming to Cecil County in July

"Rights & Reformers" - July 2009

When:4 pm - 6 pm

Where: Perryville Outlet Center, Heather Lane, Perryville, MD

Description: Performers bring important historical personalities and their accomplishments to life, in live, free, summer presentations. This year's theme is "Rights and Reformers". On Friday the 10th, listen to Woody Guthrie celebrate the life of working people in his songs, poetry and prose. On Saturday the 11th, hear how Jackie Robinson dealt with being the first black player in major league baseball. And on Sunday the 12th, see how Eleanor Roosevelt changed both our nation and the world through her commitment to social activism.

Society Wraps Up Spring Meeting With Living HIstory Performance

Saturday evening, the Society wrapped up its spring meeting.  For entertainment, Abby Harding performed in character as Mary Pickersgill the flag lady of Baltimore.  In addition, the Society presented the Ernest A. Howard Award to the publishers of Cecil Soil and recognized other special guests, including Vince & Sid LaMonica and Mrs. Letts.

Enjoy the slide show presentation containing photos from the evening.