| BLIA History Project FAQ |
Bay Lake History Project Frequently Asked Questions What are our objectives?
What will be included? Previously documented historical information and resident (and former resident) submissions. What steps will be followed to achieve our objective?
What is the timing of our project? Approximately two years was spent raising BLIA member awareness through Breeze’s articles and meeting presentations. A year was spent conducting the Hunter’s Bay Point pilot project and a second year was spent creating the Woodland Beach Association history project. Over half of our shoreline projects are done and the rest should complete in 2010. When our shoreline initiatives have been completed we will begin the development of a “Bay Lake History” book. The timing and format of this document is yet to be determined. What is the role of a Shoreline History Coordinator? Coordinate a Shoreline History Initiative on their shoreline. (See “Suggested Steps to Coordinating a Successful Shoreline History Initiative”) Who can be a Shoreline History Coordinator? Any resident or team of residents. What and who determines what properties are included in a “shoreline”? A “shoreline” should have some type of common bond. If all or most of the land was part of one homestead (or farm or development) and if it’s possible to find information regarding that homesteader, farmer or developer, it can be a foundation on which the residents can base their submissions. Alternatively, common roads or “neighborhoods” may help define a shoreline. Ideally the “shoreline” should be something with which every resident can identify. It’s up to the Shoreline Coordinator or Team to determine the scope. What are the likely costs of a Shoreline Initiative and who pays for it? The seven shorelines that have completed their shoreline initiatives to date have incurreda cost of $15-30/cabin. The primary costs are postage, printing, materials (binders, paper and envelopes) and the completion party. The Bay Lake Improvement Association will provide 50/50 reimbursement of up to $10/cabin (If the initiative costs $15/cabin BLIA will reimburse $7.50 times the number of cabins on the shoreline. If the cost is $20/cabin or more, BLIA will reimburse $10.00 times the number of cabins.). It’s up to the shoreline to determine how they will fund their initiative (beyond the BLIA reimbursement). What should be included in an individual property/family history submission? Although history submissions will be part of the Shoreline History Project, it’s important to understand that they are primarily being written to/for the family. It’s information that their future generations will treasure. A format that has worked well includes three sections: Historical Background, Our Story and Our Memories. Here are suggestions of what to include in each section: Historical Background: -List the names of the original homesteader(s) and/or early residents. If possible, get the information from the abstract. Abstracts list more than just sales. Just list the names and dates involved when ownership transferred. If your property is located in an even numbered section of Bay Lake Township the abstract will likely start with the original homestead (late 1800’s). It will say something like “US Government to G. A. Hunt (Consideration “Homestead”) and show the date. If your property is in an odd numbered section of Bay Lake Township the US Government gave the land to the Northern Pacific Railroad in consideration of railroad construction costs in approximately 1864. This was done to finance the building of the transcontinental line from Lake Superior to the West Coast. It will then list sales to lumber companies and ultimately to someone who bought the property to farm or develop. Here is an example of how abstract information can be listed:
Our Story: This is the “factual” part of your submission. It can be long and detailed or short and sweet. Often people use this section to document family information that they want their children and grandchildren to know. My advice: go overboard! Those who come later will appreciate it. Information you may want to include: -If the property was undeveloped, when did you build. Our Memories: This is the “fun” part of your submission. Stories to include could be: Who Will Get Copies Of My Submission? Individual family submissions will be included in the Shoreline Hostory Book for that particular shoreline. Submissions will not be reprinted by BLIA without prior authorization. When the project has been completed BLIA may consider maintaining a "library" of Shoreline books for the use of our members.
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