Researching is fun, but can be a daunting task. It is important that prior to going into a neighborhood, especially some of the more urban areas that I am unfamiliar with, that I have all of the specs, or at least as many as I can glean from various sources. Google Maps has become a very dear friend of mine. I always secretly rejoice when I can use the street level viewer to actually spot the marker I am trying to find. It's like getting a sneak peak before we actually get on location.
I am taking all of my research and storing it in a huge Microsoft Excel file... name of the marker, the county and city, address or intersection and any odd notes that I can get on the location... example: the marker is located near the front door of the library, etc.
It is in this stage that I am so grateful for my history degree. If it wasn't for that, I don't think that I would have the patience or the fortitude to sit at my computer combing endless websites, maps and databases.
In my quest to find the location of the Collinwood School fire of 1908, J.J. recommended this great resource in an unlikely place, YouTube. I found this film footage extremely helpful (read the video's description), but also moving. I am excited to share it with you. Thank you J.J. for this great find!
:) ABCS