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Writing
history
Mother, daughter working on new county
history book
by Danaline Bryant
Miami News Record Article (©2002)
Two local women are seeking submissions
on family history for a new book about Ottawa County families.
Carrie Ann Cook, and her mother,
Fredrea Cook, are writers with experience in the fields of genealogy and
history. Fredrea Cook said she and her daughter felt it was time to update
the good work done by a former Ottawa County historical writer.
"During her lifetime, Velma
Nieberding did an outstanding job of preserving Ottawa County's past," she
said. "No one can ever replace her work, but new people have moved
into the county since she wrote 'The History of Ottawa County' in 1983. So
we felt it was past time to update the book. This book (series) will be
for the future. You don't have to be part of the families who were here
from Day One to have your families represented in the book, because if something
happened yesterday it's history."
Individuals and families from Ottawa
County are asked to submit information about themselves, Fredrea Cook said. Any
families who were not mentioned in the original history book can also submit
information, and families in the book may want to submit additional information,
she said.
The Cooks plan to cross-reference both
historical volumes.
"This will be an ongoing project
that should serve as a nice companion to Mrs. Neiberding's work and a wonderful
extension of country history," Fredrea Cook said. "Because
Ottawa County is a large area filled with rich history and interesting families,
there will be as many "Ottawa County Families" volumes as information
is available."
Fredrea, her husband Fredas and
daughter Carrie Ann are co-owners of Gregath Publishing Company in Wyandotte.
"Most people don't know that an
international publishing company is right here in their back yard," said
Fredrea. "It's a well-kept secret."
Gregath Publishing has been selected by
the Department of Commerce to represent the United States at the International
Book Exhibition, exhibiting books in the genealogy and history sections.
Additionally, both women have taught
genealogy courses. Carrie Ann currently teaches genealogy and writing at
the Afton vocational-technical school.
"My daughter and I have always
been interested in genealogy," she said. "It's not surprising
that my daughter is interested in it. If you crawl around cemeteries half
the time when you are a toddler, you're bound to develop an interest in
it."
Information can be found at http://www.gregathcompany.com/OttCo,
or from the Gregath Publishing Company Offices.
There is no charge for submitting
information; however, there is a $15 fee for each photograph submitted.
Submitted photos cannot be returned.
Fredrea said she hopes to have the
first volume published before the end of the year. Those submitting
information will be notified of a special advance pricing available only to
them.

Click
here for more about the Ottawa County Families Project

Page Last Updated:
August 22, 2008
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