Van Zandt County Genealogical
The Genealogy Library has the following hours:
Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (closed Monday afternoon)
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (closed Friday afternoon)
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. (closed Saturday afternoon)
Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (closed Monday afternoon)
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (closed Friday afternoon)
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. (closed Saturday afternoon)
Welcome to the website of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society and the Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History! See contact information at the bottom of this page, including for other organizations that provide historical and genealogical help. Our most recent events, and upcoming activities can be found on this page, below. Use our navigational toolbar above to get to know us, including our About page regarding our purposes and mission.
Be sure and keep up with us also on our Facebook site.
Be sure and keep up with us also on our Facebook site.
Upcoming Events:
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society
Saturday, October 21, 2023, NOTE CHANGE OF DATE! One week early! at 2:00 p.m. at the Heritage Park Museum of East Texas, 103 E. Elm St., Edgewood, Texas: Tour of the Heritage Park Museum! Come see history come alive! We are skipping our regular meeting in October and instead will stroll through the historical treasure that is the Heritage Park Museum. This facility is a village of Van Zandt County buildings (also some from other locations in East Texas) beautifully restored and furnished with authentic furniture and other items. Come walk into log cabins, historic shops, barns, train stations, a jail, and the rebuilt 1850 Van Zandt County Courthouse, among others. There's even a genuine outhouse! The museum charges $5 per person, a real bargain for what you'll see. Check out the museum's website at heritageparkmuseumofetx.org and their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HeritageParkMuseumofETX
We hope you'll join us!
Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the main Van Zandt County Library, 317 First Monday Lane, in Canton: Regular meeting of the Genealogical Society. This month's topic: Show and Tell! A yearly favorite! Bring an old photograph, baby shoes, a farm implement, books, just something from your past, your family's past, or somebody's past--anything that strikes you as worth sharing with the group. Or just bring yourself and a story! At Show and Tell every year, we share memories of relatives or friends, reminisce about the changes in everyday life (often illustrated by the items we bring to the meeting), and generally laugh a lot. Not to be missed! The meeting's free, refreshments will be served, no membership necessary.
We hope you'll join us!
Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the main Van Zandt County Library, 317 First Monday Lane, in Canton: Regular meeting of the Genealogical Society. This month's topic: Show and Tell! A yearly favorite! Bring an old photograph, baby shoes, a farm implement, books, just something from your past, your family's past, or somebody's past--anything that strikes you as worth sharing with the group. Or just bring yourself and a story! At Show and Tell every year, we share memories of relatives or friends, reminisce about the changes in everyday life (often illustrated by the items we bring to the meeting), and generally laugh a lot. Not to be missed! The meeting's free, refreshments will be served, no membership necessary.
Become a member of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society
Support local county/Texas history, make friends, achieve your family research goals even faster! Dues are $15 per year for an individual membership and $18 per year for a family membership. Members receive our award-winning quarterly publication Our Heritage. Call us during business hours (M-F 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Sat. 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) at 903-567-5012, or email us at vanzandtgensoc@gmail.com Or to pay by credit card via this website, go to our Store page, or click here. For information on membership and its benefits, go to our Membership page.
The Genealogy Library, located at 250 E. Grove St., Canton, Texas, is here to assist anyone wishing to do genealogy/family research or historical research. Our Library has computer terminals with access to services such as Ancestry, and the public is welcome. (You don't have to be a member of the Genealogical Society.) See our hours, above. We also take calls and emails for short research requests, at 903-567-5012, during business hours. Links to our email address and Facebook page, as well as other useful links, can be found at the bottom of this page. See video tour, below, of the Genealogy Library.
2023 Fall Genealogy Seminar A Great Success!
Emily Richardson speaks at the Seminar
The annual Fall Genealogy Seminar was a fun and knowledge-packed experience for all, taught by genealogist Emily Coffman Richardson, Ed.D. The seminar, held at the Farm Bureau Event Center in Canton on September 23, focused on making everyone’s research experience more efficient, with less wasted time and more solid information.
Ms. Richardson taught four classes during the day-long event, and there was something for all levels of genealogist, from complete beginner to professional. Noting that all genealogists can get stuck on a tough problem (great-grandfather gone missing, not knowing an ancestor’s maiden name, etc.), she stressed keeping focused on a clear question and not get sidetracked. Using examples from her own ancestors, half of whom seemed to be named Fox, she addressed the dreaded problem of relatives all being given the same or similar names, which kept the class laughing as well as learning. Of particular interest to attendees was her presentation of the 20 most important websites for genealogists, which included sites with foreign country research information, interactive maps, tutorials, and all sorts of unconventional materials for genealogists. Finally, Ms. Richardson showed the class how much they’d been missing in their research in military records. More and more military information is being found and made available, she noted, so circling back to recheck one’s research can be rewarding. Attendees were impressed with Ms. Richardson’s depth of knowledge and decades of experience.
The event gave area genealogists the chance to socialize and share research stories. Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks were served, and door prizes were given out during the breaks. Just for fun, attendees who had loaded the Family Search app on their cellphones were able to find cousins (some as distant as 9th or 10th) in the room.
Ms. Richardson of Denton, Texas, retired from higher education in 2019. She had been helping with her mother’s genealogy business part-time for many years and continued that work when her mother passed away. She opened a genealogy business called Kinsearchers, the original name of her mother’s business, providing family research assistance to clients. Ms. Richardson teaches and lectures extensively. She is the secretary of the Texas State Genealogical Society, as well as District C Representative. She is on the board for the Robson Ranch Genealogy Club. She teaches genealogy courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for the University of North Texas. Emily has been the Registrar for The Flower Mound NSDAR chapter and currently serves on the State Application Team for DAR. Her website is kinsearchers.weebly.com.
Ms. Richardson taught four classes during the day-long event, and there was something for all levels of genealogist, from complete beginner to professional. Noting that all genealogists can get stuck on a tough problem (great-grandfather gone missing, not knowing an ancestor’s maiden name, etc.), she stressed keeping focused on a clear question and not get sidetracked. Using examples from her own ancestors, half of whom seemed to be named Fox, she addressed the dreaded problem of relatives all being given the same or similar names, which kept the class laughing as well as learning. Of particular interest to attendees was her presentation of the 20 most important websites for genealogists, which included sites with foreign country research information, interactive maps, tutorials, and all sorts of unconventional materials for genealogists. Finally, Ms. Richardson showed the class how much they’d been missing in their research in military records. More and more military information is being found and made available, she noted, so circling back to recheck one’s research can be rewarding. Attendees were impressed with Ms. Richardson’s depth of knowledge and decades of experience.
The event gave area genealogists the chance to socialize and share research stories. Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks were served, and door prizes were given out during the breaks. Just for fun, attendees who had loaded the Family Search app on their cellphones were able to find cousins (some as distant as 9th or 10th) in the room.
Ms. Richardson of Denton, Texas, retired from higher education in 2019. She had been helping with her mother’s genealogy business part-time for many years and continued that work when her mother passed away. She opened a genealogy business called Kinsearchers, the original name of her mother’s business, providing family research assistance to clients. Ms. Richardson teaches and lectures extensively. She is the secretary of the Texas State Genealogical Society, as well as District C Representative. She is on the board for the Robson Ranch Genealogy Club. She teaches genealogy courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for the University of North Texas. Emily has been the Registrar for The Flower Mound NSDAR chapter and currently serves on the State Application Team for DAR. Her website is kinsearchers.weebly.com.
The Quest for Answers
Barbara Coakley
Revenge killings, family legends, Chicago gangsters—and genealogy! Barbara Coakley, genealogist and lecturer based in the Dallas area, kept the crowd spellbound with her presentation “Search Versus Research” at the meeting of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society (VZCGS) on Saturday, August 26, at the main Canton library.
Ms. Coakley, a university-level instructor and genealogy expert, has been doing family research for 30 years. Her speech on the 26th was based on a story passed down in her family, about an uncle who was supposedly killed in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in the 1920s. Ms. Coakley’s quest to get to the truth of her uncle’s death provided a riveting story for VZCGS members. It also illustrated why it is so important to concentrate on strict documentation and pursuit of facts when looking into family history. Ms. Coakley stressed that, if you are going to get to the truth in the most efficient way possible, you have to develop a research goal, plan the research, document results, and preserve your findings.
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre was the murder of seven men associated with Chicago's North Side Gang that occurred on Saint Valentine's Day, 1929. The men were gathered at a Chicago garage on the morning of February 14, 1929. They were lined up against a wall and shot by four unknown assailants, two dressed as police officers. Ms. Coakley had heard several family members claim that her uncle, John G. Clay, was one of the victims. On and off, for years, Ms. Coakley pursued the mystery of her uncle’s death. She found that Mr. Clay was indeed murdered and was part of the complicated and shadowy world of Chicago power, money and politics. But the answers she found were not as simple as the story she was told.
As Ms. Coakley stressed, genealogy often starts as just searching for answers. But searching is just one step in the process of researching your family history. True research involves forming a clear goal of what question one is answering, searching thoroughly, documenting everything carefully, and following up on even conflicting evidence. Most importantly, she emphasized writing up the results of research, which is often the hardest part. Synthesizing everything that has been discovered and recording it for other researchers and family members is crucial.
Barbara Coakley’s interest in her family history began over 30 years ago when she was given an envelope of family papers. Her journey to discover the stories of her ancestors has taken her to homelands across the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Coakley is Vice President of Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries and edits their newsletter. She taught Continuing Education genealogy classes at Collin College from 2008-2021 and has done presentations for genealogy societies and libraries in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Her website can be found at: https://coakleysennottfamilyhistory.weebly.com
At the meeting, Rick Featherston, who is a member of the East Texas Genealogical Society (ETGS), reminded attendees of the upcoming Family History Fair (a day of seminars and workshops) of the ETGS, on Saturday, November 18 at the Brookshire Convention Center in Tyler. More information can be found in the Events section of the ETGS website: etgs.org. VZCGS President Carrie Woolverton also reminded attendees of the upcoming VZCGS All-Day September Seminar on Sept. 23 at the Farm Bureau event complex in Canton. More information on that seminar can be found on this website, below.
Ms. Coakley, a university-level instructor and genealogy expert, has been doing family research for 30 years. Her speech on the 26th was based on a story passed down in her family, about an uncle who was supposedly killed in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in the 1920s. Ms. Coakley’s quest to get to the truth of her uncle’s death provided a riveting story for VZCGS members. It also illustrated why it is so important to concentrate on strict documentation and pursuit of facts when looking into family history. Ms. Coakley stressed that, if you are going to get to the truth in the most efficient way possible, you have to develop a research goal, plan the research, document results, and preserve your findings.
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre was the murder of seven men associated with Chicago's North Side Gang that occurred on Saint Valentine's Day, 1929. The men were gathered at a Chicago garage on the morning of February 14, 1929. They were lined up against a wall and shot by four unknown assailants, two dressed as police officers. Ms. Coakley had heard several family members claim that her uncle, John G. Clay, was one of the victims. On and off, for years, Ms. Coakley pursued the mystery of her uncle’s death. She found that Mr. Clay was indeed murdered and was part of the complicated and shadowy world of Chicago power, money and politics. But the answers she found were not as simple as the story she was told.
As Ms. Coakley stressed, genealogy often starts as just searching for answers. But searching is just one step in the process of researching your family history. True research involves forming a clear goal of what question one is answering, searching thoroughly, documenting everything carefully, and following up on even conflicting evidence. Most importantly, she emphasized writing up the results of research, which is often the hardest part. Synthesizing everything that has been discovered and recording it for other researchers and family members is crucial.
Barbara Coakley’s interest in her family history began over 30 years ago when she was given an envelope of family papers. Her journey to discover the stories of her ancestors has taken her to homelands across the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Coakley is Vice President of Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries and edits their newsletter. She taught Continuing Education genealogy classes at Collin College from 2008-2021 and has done presentations for genealogy societies and libraries in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Her website can be found at: https://coakleysennottfamilyhistory.weebly.com
At the meeting, Rick Featherston, who is a member of the East Texas Genealogical Society (ETGS), reminded attendees of the upcoming Family History Fair (a day of seminars and workshops) of the ETGS, on Saturday, November 18 at the Brookshire Convention Center in Tyler. More information can be found in the Events section of the ETGS website: etgs.org. VZCGS President Carrie Woolverton also reminded attendees of the upcoming VZCGS All-Day September Seminar on Sept. 23 at the Farm Bureau event complex in Canton. More information on that seminar can be found on this website, below.
Gen. Society Urged to Use Timelines for Research
Michael Chambliss gets 100-Year certificate on behalf of his father.
The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society held its regular meeting on Saturday, July 22, at the main county library in Canton. The program was a webinar on "Using Timelines to Help in Family Research," given by Susan Ball, the Co-editor of the Stirpes genealogy magazine and President of the Texas State Genealogical Society.
Ms. Ball stressed that, for most genealogists, a timeline of events of a family can be a very effective tool in organizing research. She showed examples of how researchers can have stacks of paper, or large amounts of information on digital files or in programs like Ancestry, and still not have a coherent story of their ancestors’ lives. Starting out with a small, simple table, with Who, Where, When at the top, and filling in the facts of what an ancestor (or a couple) did, can make the story of the family become more obvious. Often, she said, researchers are focused on collecting facts and dates, which is good. But laying the facts out and really looking at a whole life can spark more questions about what information is missing and where to look further.
Putting an ancestor’s life in context of history can also help a researcher understand the ancestor’s actions. Ms. Ball suggested paying attention to major events (war, natural disasters, economic depression) and add those to the timeline. Such detail can help explain why a person moved to a certain place, or worked where they did, etc. Ms. Ball emphasized that, as always, the purpose of research is to get the truth, not just to have a nice story, so genealogists should always include evidence that seems to disprove some theory they’ve been following. Having both positive and negative evidence is the way to finally get a real answer to “brick walls” in research.
The meeting featured a ceremony in which President Carrie Woolverton presented a brass medallion from the National Society Descendants of American Farmers (NSDOAF), to Linda Dennis, to be placed on the gravestone of Ms. Dennis’s great-great grandfather Judge George Lunsford Ellis. In addition to being a judge and a farmer, Mr. Ellis was a school teacher, said Ms. Dennis. He donated the land for the Ellis Chapel Cemetery and was the first person to be buried there. Ms. Woolverton also presented a 100-Year Certificate to Michael Chambliss on behalf of his father Jeptha Chambliss. 100-Year certificates are available to persons who have an ancestor who was a resident of Van Zandt County at least 100 years ago. (More information on 100-Year certificates can be found on the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society website at https://www.vzcgs.org/services.html.)
Ms. Ball stressed that, for most genealogists, a timeline of events of a family can be a very effective tool in organizing research. She showed examples of how researchers can have stacks of paper, or large amounts of information on digital files or in programs like Ancestry, and still not have a coherent story of their ancestors’ lives. Starting out with a small, simple table, with Who, Where, When at the top, and filling in the facts of what an ancestor (or a couple) did, can make the story of the family become more obvious. Often, she said, researchers are focused on collecting facts and dates, which is good. But laying the facts out and really looking at a whole life can spark more questions about what information is missing and where to look further.
Putting an ancestor’s life in context of history can also help a researcher understand the ancestor’s actions. Ms. Ball suggested paying attention to major events (war, natural disasters, economic depression) and add those to the timeline. Such detail can help explain why a person moved to a certain place, or worked where they did, etc. Ms. Ball emphasized that, as always, the purpose of research is to get the truth, not just to have a nice story, so genealogists should always include evidence that seems to disprove some theory they’ve been following. Having both positive and negative evidence is the way to finally get a real answer to “brick walls” in research.
The meeting featured a ceremony in which President Carrie Woolverton presented a brass medallion from the National Society Descendants of American Farmers (NSDOAF), to Linda Dennis, to be placed on the gravestone of Ms. Dennis’s great-great grandfather Judge George Lunsford Ellis. In addition to being a judge and a farmer, Mr. Ellis was a school teacher, said Ms. Dennis. He donated the land for the Ellis Chapel Cemetery and was the first person to be buried there. Ms. Woolverton also presented a 100-Year Certificate to Michael Chambliss on behalf of his father Jeptha Chambliss. 100-Year certificates are available to persons who have an ancestor who was a resident of Van Zandt County at least 100 years ago. (More information on 100-Year certificates can be found on the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society website at https://www.vzcgs.org/services.html.)
GenSoc Prez Carrie Woolverton (L) presents Linda Dennis a farmers society medallion for the grave of Ms. Dennis's ancestor.
Find/Organize Your Family Health History
LaDonna Garner, speaker at the June 24 meeting.
What is your family’s health history? This could be a life-and-death question, for which family research can provide some answers, according to LaDonna Garner, the speaker at the June 24 Van Zandt County Genealogical Society meeting.
Family research is rewarding for a number of reasons: It can lead us to a deeper understanding of our ancestors, can entertain us with stories of family that we never knew. But it can also lead to practical information, like health issues that run in the family. In “Recording Family Health History,” Ms. Garner, a professional genealogist and historic preservationist, said family researchers should pay attention to the many health clues sprinkled in their research documents. The obvious places for such clues, such as death certificates, are immensely helpful, but Ms. Garner stressed that there are often signs of health/disease problems in other sources, such as deeds, census records, and in stories passed down through families. Finding this information and organizing it often leads the researcher to discover a hidden health problem, like early heart attacks or strokes, that may be common in the family. This knowledge could help family members right now, said Ms. Garner. Her lecture included specific examples from her own family and others on health conditions that were passed down through generations.
There are many online resources regarding finding and organizing family health history, and Ms. Garner recommended several, such as the Centers for Disease Control’s Family History site at https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/. She also suggested visiting the American Medical Association’s site at https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/precision-medicine/collecting-family-history.
Ms. Garner has a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation and has her own business, Leafseeker Consulting, based in Missouri, offering in-person/online courses and one-on-one consultations on genealogy, historic preservation, and related topics. Ms. Garner is an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is also a licensed Veterinary Technician. See her website at leafseeker.com.
The June 24 meeting also included a short ceremony in which Genealogical Society member Nell Carter received a brass medallion from the National Society Descendants of American Farmers (NSDOAF). The medallion, which is to be affixed to a gravestone, is for the grave of Mrs. Carter’s ancestor, Wiley Scott McFarland. Mrs. Carter told several fun stories about Mr. McFarland, including about his kind treatment of his prized hogs. Information on the Farmers society, which is open to all who can prove descent from a person who farmed in America anytime from 1776 to 1914, can be found at www.nsdoaf.com.
Family research is rewarding for a number of reasons: It can lead us to a deeper understanding of our ancestors, can entertain us with stories of family that we never knew. But it can also lead to practical information, like health issues that run in the family. In “Recording Family Health History,” Ms. Garner, a professional genealogist and historic preservationist, said family researchers should pay attention to the many health clues sprinkled in their research documents. The obvious places for such clues, such as death certificates, are immensely helpful, but Ms. Garner stressed that there are often signs of health/disease problems in other sources, such as deeds, census records, and in stories passed down through families. Finding this information and organizing it often leads the researcher to discover a hidden health problem, like early heart attacks or strokes, that may be common in the family. This knowledge could help family members right now, said Ms. Garner. Her lecture included specific examples from her own family and others on health conditions that were passed down through generations.
There are many online resources regarding finding and organizing family health history, and Ms. Garner recommended several, such as the Centers for Disease Control’s Family History site at https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/. She also suggested visiting the American Medical Association’s site at https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/precision-medicine/collecting-family-history.
Ms. Garner has a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation and has her own business, Leafseeker Consulting, based in Missouri, offering in-person/online courses and one-on-one consultations on genealogy, historic preservation, and related topics. Ms. Garner is an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is also a licensed Veterinary Technician. See her website at leafseeker.com.
The June 24 meeting also included a short ceremony in which Genealogical Society member Nell Carter received a brass medallion from the National Society Descendants of American Farmers (NSDOAF). The medallion, which is to be affixed to a gravestone, is for the grave of Mrs. Carter’s ancestor, Wiley Scott McFarland. Mrs. Carter told several fun stories about Mr. McFarland, including about his kind treatment of his prized hogs. Information on the Farmers society, which is open to all who can prove descent from a person who farmed in America anytime from 1776 to 1914, can be found at www.nsdoaf.com.
L-R: VZ Genealogical Society Prez Carrie Woolverton and Nell Carter with a Farmer's Society medallion.
Flag Day: Celebrating the Stars and Stripes
Genealogy Society volunteers L-R: Carrie Woolverton, Cindy Cooper, Suzie Bass at main library for Flag Day.
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society volunteers celebrated Flag Day on June 14 at the main county library by serving free popcorn and lemonade to the library’s patrons. Many of the library visitors were children, so the celebration was particularly joyful. Everyone got to choose between free red-white-and-blue items to take along: little flags, pinwheels, necklaces. Flags were the favorite, of course.
The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court passed a proclamation on June 7, 2023, declaring the county’s celebration of the week of June 11 as Flag Week and June 14 as Flag Day. At the court meeting, Carrie Wilson Woolverton, President of the Genealogical Society, read out the proposed proclamation before the Commissioners passed it. Flag Day, June 14, is a federally-recognized date that celebrates the day in 1777 that the U.S. Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the nation’s official banner. Two years before, on June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress officially created the Army. So June 14 is Flag Day and the U.S. Army Birthday.
The Van Zandt County Genealogy Society volunteers appreciated the welcome and cooperation of the main library staff in letting them set up on the covered porch at the Sarah Norman Library building. A fun time was had by all. The weather cooperated, warm but not too hot, cloudy but no rain. A good East Texas summer day.
The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court passed a proclamation on June 7, 2023, declaring the county’s celebration of the week of June 11 as Flag Week and June 14 as Flag Day. At the court meeting, Carrie Wilson Woolverton, President of the Genealogical Society, read out the proposed proclamation before the Commissioners passed it. Flag Day, June 14, is a federally-recognized date that celebrates the day in 1777 that the U.S. Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the nation’s official banner. Two years before, on June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress officially created the Army. So June 14 is Flag Day and the U.S. Army Birthday.
The Van Zandt County Genealogy Society volunteers appreciated the welcome and cooperation of the main library staff in letting them set up on the covered porch at the Sarah Norman Library building. A fun time was had by all. The weather cooperated, warm but not too hot, cloudy but no rain. A good East Texas summer day.
More Computer Records Now at Genealogy Library!
The Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History, which is part of the county’s library system, provides computer terminals for free to patrons doing genealogy research. We recently acquired access to an expanded source of research materials by becoming a FamilySearch affiliate. This new status enables researchers to get extra information when they are in the genealogy library doing research on the free FamilySearch program.
We are pleased to offer more sources to our patrons, especially via electronic research, which is how many researchers get the majority of their information. Anyone using the genealogy library terminals simply logs into their own free FamilySearch program and uses it as they would at home, and most will notice there are more documents available. These digital records include images and name indexes. Currently, there are about 400 million original records available in a digital format that affiliate libraries have access to. Come and check it out!
As always, we offer free access to Ancestry.com, another computer research program. And patrons can also log into their own personal accounts of Ancestry or other research programs like Legacy. Don’t forget our other sources, like books and microfilm, also provided at the genealogy library. We strive to help researchers in whatever mode of research they prefer.
We are pleased to offer more sources to our patrons, especially via electronic research, which is how many researchers get the majority of their information. Anyone using the genealogy library terminals simply logs into their own free FamilySearch program and uses it as they would at home, and most will notice there are more documents available. These digital records include images and name indexes. Currently, there are about 400 million original records available in a digital format that affiliate libraries have access to. Come and check it out!
As always, we offer free access to Ancestry.com, another computer research program. And patrons can also log into their own personal accounts of Ancestry or other research programs like Legacy. Don’t forget our other sources, like books and microfilm, also provided at the genealogy library. We strive to help researchers in whatever mode of research they prefer.
Finding Your Inner Sherlock Holmes
Pat Thibodeau (right) presents a Farmers medallion to Carrie Woolverton.
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society members and guests learned all about how to be Sherlock Holmes at their meeting on Saturday, May 27 in Canton. Tamara Hallo, renowned genealogist and instructor, showed how genealogists really are amateur detectives, becoming sleuths in the search for ancestors and family history.
Ms. Hallo stressed that, like any good detective, a family researcher must have clear standards and stick to them. Genealogy is a search for the truth—what really happened many years ago in one’s family, and how each family member is connected to the other. To find the answers, a good detective—or genealogist—should have a clear goal in mind, gather evidence to achieve that goal, and follow up on leads, both positive and negative. Ms. Hallo noted that human nature makes us not want to pursue a lead that would disprove a piece of family lore, but we need to do so nonetheless. For example, she said, many family researchers have heard from their relatives that they are descended from royalty, or from a famous Native American tribe. Most of the time, such stories are not true.
Sherlock Holmes, the famous fictional detective, figured prominently in the speech, as Ms. Hallo compared his methods to the kind of dedication genealogists should have. It was an informative and enjoyable presentation. As usual, there were plenty of free snacks, including a new addition, a popcorn machine that supplied the crowd.
Ms. Hallo, owner of Hallo Genealogy Services, LLC is an educator, librarian, and professional genealogist. She has over 25 years of experience as an educator and holds a Master in Library Science degree as well as a certificate of genealogical research from Boston University. She speaks on genealogical topics to both in-person and virtual audiences. She specializes in Southern United States research.
Pat Thibodeau, representing the National Society Descendants of American Farmers 1776-1914, spoke at the end of the meeting, encouraging those who have ancestors who were farmers to apply for membership to the organization. Ms. Thibodeau also announced that persons with a farmer ancestor buried in Van Zandt County should apply for a special Farmers medallion to go on the ancestor’s gravestone. She presented a medallion to Van Zandt County Genealogical Society President Carrie Woolverton for her work with lineage societies like the Farmers. Those interested in applying for membership or for the Farmers society medallion should contact the Genealogical Society at vanzandtgensoc@gmail.com and ask for Ms. Thibodeau’s contact information.
Ms. Hallo stressed that, like any good detective, a family researcher must have clear standards and stick to them. Genealogy is a search for the truth—what really happened many years ago in one’s family, and how each family member is connected to the other. To find the answers, a good detective—or genealogist—should have a clear goal in mind, gather evidence to achieve that goal, and follow up on leads, both positive and negative. Ms. Hallo noted that human nature makes us not want to pursue a lead that would disprove a piece of family lore, but we need to do so nonetheless. For example, she said, many family researchers have heard from their relatives that they are descended from royalty, or from a famous Native American tribe. Most of the time, such stories are not true.
Sherlock Holmes, the famous fictional detective, figured prominently in the speech, as Ms. Hallo compared his methods to the kind of dedication genealogists should have. It was an informative and enjoyable presentation. As usual, there were plenty of free snacks, including a new addition, a popcorn machine that supplied the crowd.
Ms. Hallo, owner of Hallo Genealogy Services, LLC is an educator, librarian, and professional genealogist. She has over 25 years of experience as an educator and holds a Master in Library Science degree as well as a certificate of genealogical research from Boston University. She speaks on genealogical topics to both in-person and virtual audiences. She specializes in Southern United States research.
Pat Thibodeau, representing the National Society Descendants of American Farmers 1776-1914, spoke at the end of the meeting, encouraging those who have ancestors who were farmers to apply for membership to the organization. Ms. Thibodeau also announced that persons with a farmer ancestor buried in Van Zandt County should apply for a special Farmers medallion to go on the ancestor’s gravestone. She presented a medallion to Van Zandt County Genealogical Society President Carrie Woolverton for her work with lineage societies like the Farmers. Those interested in applying for membership or for the Farmers society medallion should contact the Genealogical Society at vanzandtgensoc@gmail.com and ask for Ms. Thibodeau’s contact information.
Below Left: Imogene Kirkpatrick (L) and Carrie Woolverton (R) enjoying the new popcorn machine.
Below Right: Attendees listen to speaker Tamara Hallo.
Below Right: Attendees listen to speaker Tamara Hallo.
Historical Church, Early Settler of Van Zandt
Celebration on May 7 Honors Past, Looks to Future
Henrietta Reierson grave, with special markers.
The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society on May 7, 2023, joined with the congregation of the Four Mile Lutheran Church of Van Zandt County to celebrate the church's 175 years of continuous service. The historic church has served the community since 1848. It is a beautiful place, founded by Norwegian immigrants, and remains an active church and vital part of the county. The Four Mile Cemetery contains the graves of many old pioneers.
The celebration included a worship service, followed by a ceremony at the cemetery to commemorate special markers being placed on the grave of Henrietta Waldt Reierson (1818-1851), one of the earliest settlers of the Four Mile Prairie community. The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, working with lineage societies such as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, helped to place markers on Mrs. Reierson's grave honoring her status as a citizen of the Republic of Texas and an Early Settler of Van Zandt County. The church's members very generously allowed the Genealogical Society to be part of the day's festivities, and members of the Society attended the Reierson ceremony, along with the congregation and a descendant of Mrs. Reierson, Dana Crandall. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a potluck lunch together.
It was a good day of celebrating past and present.
The celebration included a worship service, followed by a ceremony at the cemetery to commemorate special markers being placed on the grave of Henrietta Waldt Reierson (1818-1851), one of the earliest settlers of the Four Mile Prairie community. The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, working with lineage societies such as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, helped to place markers on Mrs. Reierson's grave honoring her status as a citizen of the Republic of Texas and an Early Settler of Van Zandt County. The church's members very generously allowed the Genealogical Society to be part of the day's festivities, and members of the Society attended the Reierson ceremony, along with the congregation and a descendant of Mrs. Reierson, Dana Crandall. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a potluck lunch together.
It was a good day of celebrating past and present.
L-R: Dana Crandall, VZ GenSoc Prez Carrie Woolverton, Bishop Erik Gronberg at the Reierson grave.
Free Genealogy Workshop April 15: Online Discovery
April 15 2023 Genealogy Workshop class listens to Donna Toups.
Donna Toups speaking at April 15 workshop.
The 2023 Spring Genealogy Workshop was a huge success. Donna Toups, speaker, wowed the class with new discoveries in online genealogy research, focusing on the Family Search research site.
The free class, presented every year by the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, is a public service by the Society to get people interested in family research, and to keep seasoned genealogists in touch with new trends. Ms. Toups is a researcher and librarian at the Wills Point LDS Family History Center. (Info on the Center: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Wills_Point_Texas_FamilySearch_Center ) She determined at the beginning of the April 15 class that nearly everyone in the room had experience with genealogy. With this in mind, she presented a more advanced class that went into the details of online research through Family Search, a free genealogical website sponsored by the LDS Church. Those details were both entertaining and extremely useful for genealogists.
Family Search is similar to other online family research sites, such as Ancestry and Legacy, that help genealogists build their family trees and find documents, pictures and other leads to back up their research. Like the other online sites, it allows participants to contact other researchers with information on a particular family line. Family Search, however, is free, compared to other sites that typically require a monthly fee. Also, Family Search data on any family line is controlled by all; paid sites like Ancestry generally give each subscriber control of his/her own family trees.
Ms. Toups took the class through the many features of Family Search that give researchers the ability to see their data in new ways, find records online, and even quickly record memories orally through the site. Other features included access to free genealogist consultations on family research questions and access to a wealth of online webinar classes.
The Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History has computer terminals available to the public (for genealogy and historical research only), as well as microfilm records and readers and many, many books and other printed material of interest to researchers. There is an Ancestry.com online subscription made available for free to researchers at the library--and of course, researchers can access Family Search for free. Family research has never been easier or more exciting, because of the many online tools now available. We also hope researchers will continue to dig into research that is not online. There is plenty of knowledge out there, from printed records, individual family documents like Bibles and old photographs, church and club records, and interviews with elders.
The free class, presented every year by the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, is a public service by the Society to get people interested in family research, and to keep seasoned genealogists in touch with new trends. Ms. Toups is a researcher and librarian at the Wills Point LDS Family History Center. (Info on the Center: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Wills_Point_Texas_FamilySearch_Center ) She determined at the beginning of the April 15 class that nearly everyone in the room had experience with genealogy. With this in mind, she presented a more advanced class that went into the details of online research through Family Search, a free genealogical website sponsored by the LDS Church. Those details were both entertaining and extremely useful for genealogists.
Family Search is similar to other online family research sites, such as Ancestry and Legacy, that help genealogists build their family trees and find documents, pictures and other leads to back up their research. Like the other online sites, it allows participants to contact other researchers with information on a particular family line. Family Search, however, is free, compared to other sites that typically require a monthly fee. Also, Family Search data on any family line is controlled by all; paid sites like Ancestry generally give each subscriber control of his/her own family trees.
Ms. Toups took the class through the many features of Family Search that give researchers the ability to see their data in new ways, find records online, and even quickly record memories orally through the site. Other features included access to free genealogist consultations on family research questions and access to a wealth of online webinar classes.
The Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History has computer terminals available to the public (for genealogy and historical research only), as well as microfilm records and readers and many, many books and other printed material of interest to researchers. There is an Ancestry.com online subscription made available for free to researchers at the library--and of course, researchers can access Family Search for free. Family research has never been easier or more exciting, because of the many online tools now available. We also hope researchers will continue to dig into research that is not online. There is plenty of knowledge out there, from printed records, individual family documents like Bibles and old photographs, church and club records, and interviews with elders.
Huffer/Rohrer Cemetery: A Hidden Gem
Sign for Huffer Rohrer Cemetery, designed by Danny York.
The Huffer Rohrer Cemetery of Van Zandt County was established in 1852, and has been hidden for the better part of a century. Located on private land, this large graveyard (roughly two acres) is not open to the public, and there have been no burials there in decades. Large trees have grown among the gravestones that once were on a high open field. It is a quiet, shady, beautiful place. (See Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/731438374636044)
On Saturday morning, April 15, the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society joined with Huffer/Rohrer descendants for a rare opportunity to visit the cemetery and to honor Jacob and Samuel Huffer, two early settlers of Van Zandt County who are buried there. Jacob Huffer was a War of 1812 veteran; his son, Samuel, and their families lived in Texas during the Republic. The men's family members are buried all around them, with many graves marked only with fieldstones.
Descendants of the Huffers, and of Silas Rohrer, who married into the family, came April 15 to view the newly-cleaned grave markers of Jacob and Samuel and Samuel's son Jacob Neal Huffer. Special medallions have recently been placed on Jacob Huffer's gravestone, marking his service in the War of 1812, his residence in the Texas Republic, and his status as an Early Settler of Van Zandt County. A special medallion also has been placed on the gravestone of Samuel Huffer to show his residence in the Texas Republic. These medallions were installed with the leadership of the Captain James Burleson Chapter U.S. Daughters of 1812, the James Pinckney Henderson Chapter Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society. The Society also succeeded in securing a Historic Texas Cemetery designation for the Huffer Rohrer Cemetery. At the April 15 ceremony, Genealogical Society President Carrie Woolverton presented an Early Settler of the Free State of Van Zandt County certificate, on behalf of Jacob Huffer, to his descendants Annette Reeves McKee and Jim Adcock. (For more information on whether you qualify for an Early Settler certificate, or a First Families of Van Zandt or 100 Years in Van Zandt, check out the information on our Services page of this website.)
Special thanks are owed to Danny York, whose parents owned the cemetery land for years, for providing access to the property for gravestone cleaning and for the family to visit. Mr. York, a sculptor, also created an impressive metal sign to mark the location of the cemetery.
Thanks to all who attended, and who support keeping alive the memories of our old settlers.
On Saturday morning, April 15, the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society joined with Huffer/Rohrer descendants for a rare opportunity to visit the cemetery and to honor Jacob and Samuel Huffer, two early settlers of Van Zandt County who are buried there. Jacob Huffer was a War of 1812 veteran; his son, Samuel, and their families lived in Texas during the Republic. The men's family members are buried all around them, with many graves marked only with fieldstones.
Descendants of the Huffers, and of Silas Rohrer, who married into the family, came April 15 to view the newly-cleaned grave markers of Jacob and Samuel and Samuel's son Jacob Neal Huffer. Special medallions have recently been placed on Jacob Huffer's gravestone, marking his service in the War of 1812, his residence in the Texas Republic, and his status as an Early Settler of Van Zandt County. A special medallion also has been placed on the gravestone of Samuel Huffer to show his residence in the Texas Republic. These medallions were installed with the leadership of the Captain James Burleson Chapter U.S. Daughters of 1812, the James Pinckney Henderson Chapter Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society. The Society also succeeded in securing a Historic Texas Cemetery designation for the Huffer Rohrer Cemetery. At the April 15 ceremony, Genealogical Society President Carrie Woolverton presented an Early Settler of the Free State of Van Zandt County certificate, on behalf of Jacob Huffer, to his descendants Annette Reeves McKee and Jim Adcock. (For more information on whether you qualify for an Early Settler certificate, or a First Families of Van Zandt or 100 Years in Van Zandt, check out the information on our Services page of this website.)
Special thanks are owed to Danny York, whose parents owned the cemetery land for years, for providing access to the property for gravestone cleaning and for the family to visit. Mr. York, a sculptor, also created an impressive metal sign to mark the location of the cemetery.
Thanks to all who attended, and who support keeping alive the memories of our old settlers.
L-R: Carrie Woolverton, Jim and Annette Reeves McKee, Jim and Traci Adcock, Trey Adcock, Danny York, Suzanne Bass
Van Zandt County's Birthday: Looking forward to 175 more years
L-R: Rep. Bryan Slaton & Sen. Bob Hall speaking. (Gen. Soc. President Woolverton seated.)
Van Zandt County is 175 years old, and the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, with the help of lots of individuals and organizations, threw a party for the occasion. The people of the county, including many elected officials and plenty of other Van Zandt county citizens, turned out to celebrate on March 25 at the Blackwell House Museum and the Sarah Norman Library. Stories and refreshments were in abundance, and perfect spring weather seemed a good omen for the next 175 years.
The crowd was greeted by Stevan Steadham, Mayor of Edgewood, who opened the festivities with positive remarks about the county’s past and future. The invocation was made by Father Marc Dobson of St. Justin’s Episcopal Church, Canton.
State Senator Bob Hall and State Representative Bryan Slaton read a resolution they had written for the celebration, and Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese read a proclamation passed by the Van Zandt County Commissioner’s Court honoring county. Commissioner Chad LaPrade and Sheriff Joe Carter also attended, along with many members of the county’s historical organizations and lineage societies, including Elvis Allen of the Van Zandt County Historical Commission.
Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett provided plenty of entertaining stories about the county’s historic past. She emphasized the contributions of the many veterans from Van Zandt, telling stories of specific individuals from the wars the nation has lived through. Pat Thibodeau, Genealogical Society member as well as a member of many lineage societies, gave a presentation on Elvira Engledow, a very early settler of Van Zandt County, who endured hardships and raised children and grandchildren, including a granddaughter who later owned the Blackwell House.
Attendees got free tours of the Blackwell House, the oldest residence in Canton, which is now a museum. Docents for the museum provided assistance prior to the celebration and were on hand to give tours to the public. Sarah Norman Library staff also were of great assistance in preparing for the event.
Carrie Wilson Woolverton, President of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, hosted the ceremony, thanking all the volunteers and organizations who made the Van Zandt County 175th birthday party a success.
Sponsors of the event were: Captain James Burleson Chapter U.S. Daughters of 1812; James Pinckney Henderson Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas; Jesse Miller Foster Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy; Jose Francisco Calahorra Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists; Martin’s Hundred Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; Neches River Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; Salt Palace Museum, Grand Saline; Van Zandt County Genealogical Society; Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History; and the Van Zandt County Historical Commission.
The crowd was greeted by Stevan Steadham, Mayor of Edgewood, who opened the festivities with positive remarks about the county’s past and future. The invocation was made by Father Marc Dobson of St. Justin’s Episcopal Church, Canton.
State Senator Bob Hall and State Representative Bryan Slaton read a resolution they had written for the celebration, and Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese read a proclamation passed by the Van Zandt County Commissioner’s Court honoring county. Commissioner Chad LaPrade and Sheriff Joe Carter also attended, along with many members of the county’s historical organizations and lineage societies, including Elvis Allen of the Van Zandt County Historical Commission.
Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett provided plenty of entertaining stories about the county’s historic past. She emphasized the contributions of the many veterans from Van Zandt, telling stories of specific individuals from the wars the nation has lived through. Pat Thibodeau, Genealogical Society member as well as a member of many lineage societies, gave a presentation on Elvira Engledow, a very early settler of Van Zandt County, who endured hardships and raised children and grandchildren, including a granddaughter who later owned the Blackwell House.
Attendees got free tours of the Blackwell House, the oldest residence in Canton, which is now a museum. Docents for the museum provided assistance prior to the celebration and were on hand to give tours to the public. Sarah Norman Library staff also were of great assistance in preparing for the event.
Carrie Wilson Woolverton, President of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, hosted the ceremony, thanking all the volunteers and organizations who made the Van Zandt County 175th birthday party a success.
Sponsors of the event were: Captain James Burleson Chapter U.S. Daughters of 1812; James Pinckney Henderson Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas; Jesse Miller Foster Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy; Jose Francisco Calahorra Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists; Martin’s Hundred Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; Neches River Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; Salt Palace Museum, Grand Saline; Van Zandt County Genealogical Society; Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History; and the Van Zandt County Historical Commission.
Attention all who have old Van Zandt County roots: Are you eligible for a 100 Year or First Families Certificate? See below.
Library of Genealogy and Local History
County Courthouse Annex, Suite 104 (East End of Building)
P O Box 1388
Canton, Texas 75103
Our Phone Number, Email link and Facebook link are below, along with other useful links.
Library Hours
Monday through Friday: 10 AM to 3 PM Closed Sunday and Holidays
Saturday: 10 AM to12:30 PM
Please call before making a long trip as there are some unforeseen circumstances that call for us being closed from time to time.
Monday through Friday: 10 AM to 3 PM Closed Sunday and Holidays
Saturday: 10 AM to12:30 PM
Please call before making a long trip as there are some unforeseen circumstances that call for us being closed from time to time.
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Van Zandt County Courthouse Annex
Our BuildingWe are inside the second door on the left side of the building, up the steps .
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The Library offers four computers with internet access, Ancestry.com (Ancestry Library), History Geo, newspapers online, microfilm of local county newspapers, marriages licenses, various other county records, and microfilm Census records (if you like researching the old-fashioned way). We offer quite a few books relating to Van Zandt County specifically, and books of other Texas counties as well as other states. We are a great little library for genealogy research.
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Useful Links
Van Zandt County Historical Commission www.vanzandthistoricalcommission.com/
Texas State Genealogical Society www.txsgs.org/
Van Zandt County, Texas History (Facebook): www.facebook.com/VZTXHistory
Texas Historical Commission www.thc.texas.gov/
East Texas Genealogical Society www.etgs.org/
The Portal to Texas History texashistory.unt.edu/
Texas State Library and Archives Commission www.tsl.texas.gov/arc
Texas General Land Office www.glo.texas.gov
Texas State Genealogical Society www.txsgs.org/
Van Zandt County, Texas History (Facebook): www.facebook.com/VZTXHistory
Texas Historical Commission www.thc.texas.gov/
East Texas Genealogical Society www.etgs.org/
The Portal to Texas History texashistory.unt.edu/
Texas State Library and Archives Commission www.tsl.texas.gov/arc
Texas General Land Office www.glo.texas.gov