The Venango County Historical Society will soon be one step closer to completing the World War I monument in front of the Venango County Courthouse.
The monument, placed on its granite base in 2014 after a campaign led by Bob Billingsley and the Venango County Historical Society, features the likeness of a “doughboy,” the term denoting U.S. infantry throughout World War I.
Since then, the Historical Society has worked diligently to collect the names of thousands of local residents who were sent overseas throughout the war.
Local historian Carolee Michener estimates that more than 4,200 names have been collected since the effort began.
“It’s coming along great. We have been doing research on it for over two years,” Michener said.
The process involved researching historical databases, veteran databases and perusing editions of The Derrick and The News-Herald dating all the way back to 1917.
Records dating back to the early 1900’s are not always accurate and sometimes incomplete.
“They don’t all agree so there’s a lot of cross-checking,” she said.
Even names coming from living relatives were hard to confirm, Michener said. Although they had originally asked for documentation with the names, many families were unable to provide it, requiring Historical Society members to cross-check everything they received.
The names will all be engraved on pieces of granite that will be placed near the statue. With such intensive work involved, the Historical Society will have to compile a final list next week before it can be sent off to be engraved.
Michener said the group hopes to have the engraving complete by the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 2018.
Names of World War I veterans can be sent to Michener before Monday at 437-6531. She is asking that interested residents leave their name and number along with the veteran’s name.
