Genealogy is the study of family descendants and ancestors. History deals with events, biographies are concerned with an individual’s life events – genealogy encompasses both.
Who were your ancestors? Where did they come from? What were their lives like? What parts did they play on the stage of human history? When you think about these questions, you are not alone. Thousands of Americans want to know the answer to these questions, and more.
In 1993 a group of dedicated genealogists, including this writer, gathered at the library in Mayodan, North Carolina to discuss the organization of a genealogy society to help people with their research and create a format to more easily share information.
The Genealogical Society of Rockingham and Stokes County, North Carolina began in March 1993 as a non-profit organization creating its by-laws to increase interest in and raise the standard of genealogical research and present educational programs, workshops, and the publication of genealogical materials.
The goals of the society’s members are to reach out to those interested in family research and teach them the art and practice of genealogy research by compiling and organizing family notes and research.
The Society wishes to acquaint its members with how to search for sources of genealogical information and give researchers a format to share and learn from others. The finding and promotion of manuscripts, documents, and other materials of genealogical value are compiled for use by the family researcher.
The Society works with local libraries to share information and answer questions for those researching their family. The libraries in Madison-Mayodan (Rockingham) and Danbury (Stokes) both have rooms with compilations of genealogical material to aid in research.
On April 26, our society will hold a genealogical swap meeting in which anyone can bring their notes and photographs to share with others. A copier is available for use. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Spring Swap will be held at the Francisco Community Center in Stokes County (7104 NC Hwy 89, Westfield, NC). Our President, Debbie Brown will speak on Using the Family Search Website in which she will be giving tips on how to find info not just looking up names. This session will be held at 10:30 am.
Occasionally other special events are held. This summer, the Register of Deeds in Stokes County and GSRS will hold the Stokes County Family History Conference with speakers presenting programs and answering questions. The records vault will also be available for those wishing to search documents and we hope to have the Gypsy Hollingsworth Local History Room at the Danbury Library open as well. This will be held on Aug 23rd from 9 AM to 5 PM. Coming soon, a link to registration for this event and program agenda will be on the GSRS website,
GSRS member W.L. “Butch” Johnson offers insight into family tree research: “Family history is a popular hobby that libraries now devote space or rooms for the use by genealogists. Some families form organizations whose objective is to track down all descendants of a family line. Colleges and universities are offering courses on the art and practice of genealogical research, and oftentimes public schools also are touching on the subject. A family member may print a book or other documents to use as a reference source. Courthouse offices are frequented by people pursuing their family history. Various magazines are published to furnish help and information, and to provide means of contacting other researchers who are interested in the same families. Genealogical associations or societies are organizing on national, state, regional and local levels. All these have goals of answering the above questions.
“So how does one go about conducting a study of family history? Begin at home. Check the family Bible for names and dates of grandparents and other relatives. Examine old family letters, diaries and other papers for clues. Talk with older relatives and make extensive notes of what is remembered, or even better, record the interviews if possible. Search for old family photographs and be sure to label the subjects before everyone is gone who can identify them. Visit cemeteries where relatives are buried and record vital statistics and epitaphs.
“At some point early in your endeavor you should acquaint yourself with two standard forms or methods of organizing your work. One is the “family group sheet” which is used to record information (birth, baptism, marriage, death and burial dates and places) for all members of one family (husband, wife and children). The other is the “pedigree chart” which records the same information for all the direct ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.) of one individual. These two forms are the basic recognized standard for efficiently recording your information. Be sure when preparing these forms to cite your proof or sources for the information, as you and others will need this later. There are numerous family tree computer programs that are available to enter information and organize your research.
“Once you have exhausted all personal resources, there is a vast amount of information that has been accumulated on your family by government agencies on the county, state and federal levels. Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses and bonds, wills and estate papers, court records, deeds, military records and pension applications, tax records, and censuses are but a few of the more commonly utilized public records. This information is available to you and can be found in libraries, courthouses, and state archives, and on online websites dedicated to genealogy.”
The Society also compiles a quarterly journal with articles submitted by its members to share information. Queries are also permitted to be published in the journal for those members with questions about family and local history. Membership in the Society is open to all persons interested in genealogy. There are several classes of membership which run through a calendar year, January 1st to December 31st. For more information about membership contact GSRS, P.O. Box 152, Mayodan, NC 27027-0152; or its website: http://www.gsrsnc.com (membership forms are available at the website).
Visit the Linda Vernon Genealogy Room, Madison-Mayodan Library, and the Gypsy Hollingsworth Local History Room of the Danbury Library. For more information about learning to research contact your local library, historical society or the GSRS; Elvin Perkins, Jr., Email: Eperkins2@aol.com
