By the close of the Second Seminole War in 1842, Flagler County was virtually uninhabited. Almost all current residents of the County, or their forbearers, arrived here after that era. We represent a diverse cross section of ethnic and racial origins. We came from many places and for our own reasons; many were looking for the "good life" promised by land developers. What we brought to the experience, what we found here and how we adapted create our own personal life stories.

The staff of the Flagler County Public Library and members of the Friends of the Library began an oral history project in 200l as an effort to preserve samples of these memories and relevant images for the future. This collection of oral life histories seeks to sample the common themes and unique stories of selected local residents. The compact disk/ digital format was selected as the best available method for recording the materials. There was no intent to create a history of the county or any of its cities, towns and settlements, though individual stories often reflect those of the area. The compact disks are now part of the Library collection and are available for public use; inquire at the Circulation Desk.

The following residents have been interviewed:

Mary Ann Clark

John A. Clegg

Patsy (Moody) and Tommy Durrance

Sandra Rose Friedman

Rev. and Mrs. Frank Gibbens

Alice Longwood

Audrey McKnight and Norma Turner

Emily Shoemaker

Catherine Wickline Wilson

These interviews may be viewed on line with 'streaming sound"
located at http://www.flaglerlibrary.org/flaglerinterview/start/historystart.html

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This is a nation-wide project whose purpose is to record the memories of US veterans who served in all branches of the Armed Forces. Once recorded and transcribed, these interviews will be preserved for all time in the Library of Congress. Copies of the materials created locally will be housed in the Flagler County Public Library in the form of compact disks. Patrons may view the images and transcripts and listen to the audio recordings using the Library’s public access computers. The images and text may be copied and printed.  These CD discs require a computer with an internet browser for viewing.  A new advancement are interviews recorded in Video format, which are now also available in DVD+R format which  play on home DVD players, or on computers that have DVD capability.   http://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets/

While working on the Flagler Memories Project it became apparent that many County residents were veteran’s with stories to tell concerning their military service. Some of these veterans are long-time County residents, many more moved to the area in their retirement years. Together they have formed several military service organizations that actively serve the community. Their interest in military history has been a force for building the Library’s extensive collection of materials, particularly those relating to World War II.

In 2002 the project staff successfully petitioned for Official Partner status in the Library of Congress~Veterans History Project. Local veteran’s groups were contacted and lists of potential interview candidates were compiled. The first interview was completed, featuring Violet Hill Gordon, a member of the first class of women selected for Officer’s Candidate School in what was to become the Women’s Army Corps. Mrs. Gordon is one of several of our veterans who are featured on the Library of Congress’ website: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cocoon/vhp/search?query=Flagler+County+Public+Library&field=affiliation

Our veterans are also featured in two books published by the Library of Congress and the National Geographic Society, Stories of War and Forever A Soldier. Both volumes present unforgettable stories of wartime service and are highly recommended reading.

If you are a veteran and would like to record your story or would like to recommend a veteran for the Project,      please contact us.