I was amazed, in the midst of my one-week genealogy binge in August 2008, that so much information can be found online. That is, if you know where to look. I might also add if you know how to look, but that would require a much longer entry, in which I actually go into the how of it. I just want to list some of the sources I’ve used here. The how is up to you — and part of the fun, I think.
Primary Sources
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp
http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=home
1., 2. Records culled and maintained by the Mormons. Pretty heady stuff. I prefer the pilot search (second option), because it’s more forgiving when it comes to spellings and places, and allows you to filter the search results any number of ways (date, place, birth, death, record type). Oh yeah, and you get to SEE many of the actual records.
3. Source for searching land patents from the 1700s through 1900s.
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/
You can actually view the scanned patent document. This search enabled me to locate Michael Pfouts in Harrison County on 80 acres secured in 1831.
4. Great diary from an 1800s Harrison County resident mentions the Foutzes and also has great resources listed here:
http://www.ohiodiary1872.com/resources.htm
5. Ohio map/atlas source: http://drc.ohiolink.edu/
FREE.
6. Google Books index of Historical Collections of Harrison County — the full text is available to download here!
http://books.google.com/books?id=V-ouAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA201&lpg=…
7. Powell Family History. Full text is now archived online!!! Use Control-F to search.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-GWRe5vRX-oJ:w…
8. NEW FAMILY SEARCH SITE. Looks like the Mormons have moved all the scanned images of death certificates, censuses, etc. here. You need a login, but the search interface seems better, allowing you to browse individual databases.
http://fsbeta.familysearch.org/
9. Cemetery searches: These are two of the most up-to-date, which allow members to upload info and pics. The third is the source for locating graves in Dover, Ohio — an excellent idea, and an excellent source, and it puts the lack of computerized info in neighboring New Philadelphia to absolute shame.
http://www.dovercemeteries.com/search.asp
Secondary Sources/Member Sites
1. Tuscarawas County Historical Society — if you are patient enough to navigate your way through, it’s a good jumping-off point for other document searches.
2. Good source for locating graves in Dover. Official City Cemeteries site with search, condolences, locator, etc:
http://www.dovercemeteries.com/search.asp
3. Took me awhile to succumb to the allure of Ancestry.com. But I’m glad I did. There’s no other one site on the net I’ve found that has as many resources where you can download the actual document. Every census that has been released is indexed here. There are war draft records, newspapers, social security death indexes, state censuses, etc. And you can connect with other members doing the same research — automatically. I think it’s best to go in with your own verified information, and then triple-check anything you find. but if you want to pony up for a subscription, and are serious about research, it’s worth it.
4. Pfautz-Fouts-Foutz Genealogy Newsletter — Can’t quite call this a primary source, but it’s a compendium of countless sources over several decades by Dr. John Scott Davenport, well-known for his genealogy and historical expertise. The newsletters from 1980-1987 are collected at this site. I’ve combed through them thoroughly — and have a few hard copies from back in the day (well, my dad’s day) lying around somewhere — and although he lists Michael Pfouts emigrating to America and settling in Harrison County, OH, that was a branch unexplored, at least in what I’ve flipped through.
http://www.retracing-our-family-legacy.com/Davenport_Newsletter.htm
5. Heritage Quest books database
Accessible through public library membership. Found a great book on the Weibles here.
http://persi.heritagequestonline.com
6. Pro Genealogists Link Compendium
Not sure if you need to be a member of Ancestry.com to access. Some great links for finding photos, vital records, gravestones, etc.
Whispering Across the Campfire 
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Colt,
Rather late to the party as I just found this blog.. Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that I really enjoyed your stories, especially the article about aunt Nellie. My father was Tom Johnson (aka Leonard ). I’ve been doing some geneology research for a few years and recently had my DNA tested..
Chip
Just found your website. It was so great to see how far back you’d gone with the Weible Family History – I look forward to reading more. Best, Terry Weible Murphy
Hey just found your page im Alex schultz my mother Kelli rae Fisher. We are in ft wayne indiana. So excited to be finding family history finally!
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Hi
Was excited to find this site today, have just started going through your archives. My paternal grandfather was Clyde Harmon (Lefty) Foutz and was from Harrison County (Bowerston I believe). He was born August 1910. My dad has done some research too, will let him know about this site.
Thanks!
Beth! Sure… I’ve traced Clyde Harmon (Lefty) Foutz in my tree!
He’s my second cousin thrice removed. ;-D What this means:
Clyde was the son of George Foutz and A. Bessie Sproul.
George Foutz was the son of John G. Foutz and Mary Alice Caldwell (who may, in turn, have been a sister of my great-great grandmother, Rebecca Jane Caldwell).
John G. Foutz was a younger brother of my great-great grandfather Jonathan Foutz (Rebecca’s husband). John and Jonathan are sons of my great-great-great grandfather, Gideon Foutz (or Fouts, or Pfouts).
Feel free to shoot me an email, or send me a private message through this site with your details — email, current city, state, etc., and your line from Clyde on down, and I’ll get you added to the family tree on Geni.com!