Van Zandt County Genealogical
The Van Zandt County Genealogy Library will be closed on Monday, July 4, 2022, for the Independence Day holiday. We will be open as usual at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 5. Happy Fourth of July!
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Events:
July 23, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the main Van Zandt County Library, 317 First Monday Lane, Canton, TX: Regular meeting of the Society. Speaker will be Kenny Ray, Van Zandt County native and retired Texas Ranger, on the history of the Texas Rangers. Come hear this fascinating presentation on a crucial foundation of Texas law enforcement and Texas history, from someone who served on the front lines.
As always, the meeting is free, and you don't have to be a member to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Become a Member of the VZ 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
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.) Our hours are:
M-F: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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. For a 5-minute virtual tour of the library by our Genealogical Society President, Carrie Woolverton, click on the video below:
M-F: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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. For a 5-minute virtual tour of the library by our Genealogical Society President, Carrie Woolverton, click on the video below:
Technical Difficulties Delay Our Heritage Publication
The May edition of Our Heritage, the acclaimed quarterly publication of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, will be delayed, due to continuing technical difficulties at the printer. We regret the inconvenience to our members, and hope to get Our Heritage out soon.
Looking back centuries: Larry Youngblood speaks on YDNA
The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society held its regular monthly meeting on June 25, 2022, at the main county library in Canton. In addition to regular Society business, the meeting featured awards to two persons with deep roots in Van Zandt County. Dennis Rowan was given a First Families of Van Zandt County certificate, signifying that he has ancestors who lived in the county in 1860 or before. Mr. Rowan expressed his appreciation for the hard work of the Society in staffing the Van Zandt County Genealogy Library, preserving local history and helping people find their roots. Imogene Kirkpatrick, who is the Second Vice President of the Society and a librarian at the Genealogy Library, received a 100 Year certificate, which is given to persons who have an ancestor who lived at least 100 years ago in the county. (Anyone wishing to apply for a First Families or 100 Year certificate should scroll down on this page to the information on these programs, or email vanzandtgensoc@gmail.com and ask for information on these certificates.)
The speaker for the meeting was Larry Youngblood, a retired software engineer and business owner (and part-time musician) who has been involved in genealogy for decades. (Picture, above right, of Larry and his wife Marie.) Mr. Youngblood took the meeting attendees on a virtual journey back several centuries, describing how he found his own family’s roots by using YDNA research.
As Mr. Youngblood explained, most people who get their DNA tested for genealogy purposes use the more general autosomal DNA testing. An autosomal test measures all of a person’s DNA except the chromosomes (X and Y) that determine a person’s gender. This sort of DNA testing is very good for finding many hundreds of potential cousins to help a researcher fill out his or her family tree. Such test results are ”diluted” or not as reliable 4 or 5 generations into the past, however. Some genealogists therefore opt for YDNA testing, which yields much fewer matches but can pinpoint exact links to brothers, grandfathers, uncles, etc. going back hundreds of years. YDNA changes very little over the generations, so it is very accurate. But it can only be acquired by testing males.
The Youngblood family, like many families all over the world, has been researched extensively. There is plenty of information available, online and elsewhere, but as Mr. Youngblood and his late father Charles discovered while they researched their line, many errors and dead ends had crept into the masses of information available. Once DNA research, especially YDNA research, became a possibility, Mr. Youngblood decided to track down as many lines of his family as possible, ask everyone he could in the family to do a YDNA test, and see if he could compile a complete and accurate archive of all Youngblood lines related to him, going back many centuries. As a computer expert, he has been able to amass his archive and make it available online. The work is ongoing, and, as he noted, he and his father did plenty of old-fashioned research that didn’t involve DNA testing. Many leads came from documents they found all over the southern U.S. at libraries, courthouses, and anyplace else they could go, and from talking to people. He also used the more common autosomal DNA testing. As with all genealogy, Mr. Youngblood stressed that perseverance and organization are the keys to success.
Larry Youngblood has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from Texas A&M University (1971) with an emphasis on Math and Computer Science. He taught high school physics, math and computer science before joining the oil industry, specializing first in writing engineering software and later training engineers, geophysicists and accountants in using the software. He sold his company in 1999 and his software, updated to the latest languages, is still being used today. He and his wife Marie have two children, Christina and James. He has been a Project Administrator now for 18 years using the Family Tree YDNA Tools. At the June 25 meeting, he donated a copy of his book The Colonial Youngblood YDNA Project: Knocking Down “Brick Walls” to the Van Zandt County Genealogy Library. The website for his project is https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/youngbloods-of-edgefield-sc/about
The speaker for the meeting was Larry Youngblood, a retired software engineer and business owner (and part-time musician) who has been involved in genealogy for decades. (Picture, above right, of Larry and his wife Marie.) Mr. Youngblood took the meeting attendees on a virtual journey back several centuries, describing how he found his own family’s roots by using YDNA research.
As Mr. Youngblood explained, most people who get their DNA tested for genealogy purposes use the more general autosomal DNA testing. An autosomal test measures all of a person’s DNA except the chromosomes (X and Y) that determine a person’s gender. This sort of DNA testing is very good for finding many hundreds of potential cousins to help a researcher fill out his or her family tree. Such test results are ”diluted” or not as reliable 4 or 5 generations into the past, however. Some genealogists therefore opt for YDNA testing, which yields much fewer matches but can pinpoint exact links to brothers, grandfathers, uncles, etc. going back hundreds of years. YDNA changes very little over the generations, so it is very accurate. But it can only be acquired by testing males.
The Youngblood family, like many families all over the world, has been researched extensively. There is plenty of information available, online and elsewhere, but as Mr. Youngblood and his late father Charles discovered while they researched their line, many errors and dead ends had crept into the masses of information available. Once DNA research, especially YDNA research, became a possibility, Mr. Youngblood decided to track down as many lines of his family as possible, ask everyone he could in the family to do a YDNA test, and see if he could compile a complete and accurate archive of all Youngblood lines related to him, going back many centuries. As a computer expert, he has been able to amass his archive and make it available online. The work is ongoing, and, as he noted, he and his father did plenty of old-fashioned research that didn’t involve DNA testing. Many leads came from documents they found all over the southern U.S. at libraries, courthouses, and anyplace else they could go, and from talking to people. He also used the more common autosomal DNA testing. As with all genealogy, Mr. Youngblood stressed that perseverance and organization are the keys to success.
Larry Youngblood has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from Texas A&M University (1971) with an emphasis on Math and Computer Science. He taught high school physics, math and computer science before joining the oil industry, specializing first in writing engineering software and later training engineers, geophysicists and accountants in using the software. He sold his company in 1999 and his software, updated to the latest languages, is still being used today. He and his wife Marie have two children, Christina and James. He has been a Project Administrator now for 18 years using the Family Tree YDNA Tools. At the June 25 meeting, he donated a copy of his book The Colonial Youngblood YDNA Project: Knocking Down “Brick Walls” to the Van Zandt County Genealogy Library. The website for his project is https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/youngbloods-of-edgefield-sc/about
Finding those DNA cousins
On Saturday, May 28, the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society held its monthly free public meeting at the main county library in Canton. The speaker was Sarah Cochran, a professional genealogist known as "The Skeleton Whisperer," speaking via live webinar. (Photo at left.) She spoke on "DNA brought you to the forest; where are the trees?" regarding DNA genealogy research.
Ms. Cochran told the meeting attendees about how to take their genealogy DNA results (available from many companies such as Ancestry DNA) and navigate the systems in place to find links to others who have had their DNA tested. Essentially, one finds genealogy cousins this way. DNA research has provided many family researchers with vital information that bridges gaps that cannot be accomplished by traditional genealogy. DNA research can seem a daunting process at first, with many possible links but not all of them useful. Ms. Cochran provided a way to see the individual trees instead of getting overwhelmed by the forest. DNA genealogy research has become a key part of many genealogists' research plan, and Ms. Cochran's presentation was a welcome education.
Ms. Cochran provides genealogy research and training services all over the country. (Website: theskeletonwhisperer.com.)
Ms. Cochran told the meeting attendees about how to take their genealogy DNA results (available from many companies such as Ancestry DNA) and navigate the systems in place to find links to others who have had their DNA tested. Essentially, one finds genealogy cousins this way. DNA research has provided many family researchers with vital information that bridges gaps that cannot be accomplished by traditional genealogy. DNA research can seem a daunting process at first, with many possible links but not all of them useful. Ms. Cochran provided a way to see the individual trees instead of getting overwhelmed by the forest. DNA genealogy research has become a key part of many genealogists' research plan, and Ms. Cochran's presentation was a welcome education.
Ms. Cochran provides genealogy research and training services all over the country. (Website: theskeletonwhisperer.com.)
Annual Free Genealogy Workshop April 9: Fun for all
Jim Thornhill, professional genealogist, gave a fun-filled and informative presentation at the annual Spring Genealogy Workshop of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society on Saturday, April 9, at the main county library in Canton. (Pictured above: Mr. Thornhill teaching the workshop.)
The Spring Workshop always focuses on getting beginning genealogists started, and Mr. Thornhill showed attendees how to hit the ground running. Research on the computer was the focus of his speech, and everyone learned about the many family research sources available online.
Mr. Thornhill began by encouraging beginners to pause before starting on their family research quest, and to consider their goals and how they want to organize what they find. He told the class to focus on relationships of the people being researched. Knowing the members of an ancestor's family, and not just narrowly looking for one name, can yield details that might otherwise be missed.
Mr. Thornhill said that, while keeping all one's genealogy findings on a computer program has great advantages, it is not for everyone. Some people do better with paper records. Still, he noted that so much information is accessible online now, knowledge of computer research makes genealogy much faster and easier. Most attendees at the workshop were aware of online services such as Ancestry and Family Search, but Mr. Thornhill showed many extra features those services provide. Electronic devices can also make genealogy fun: Mr. Thornhill had the class use their smartphones to electronically find all the relatives each person had in the classroom Saturday--and many of them found they were cousins to several people there. For many, it was a complete surprise.
Accuracy and good record-keeping are essential in family research, Mr. Thornhill said. Using only information that has a dependable source, along with clearly documenting that source, will save time and improve the quality of research. Mr. Thornhill also praised the usefulness of getting one's DNA test done. He urged attendees to incorporate the information they get from DNA results into their family history. The class lingered for over an hour after the workshop ended, with Mr. Thornhill addressing individuals' questions or computer research problems.
Mr. Thornhill is Lead Genealogist for Heroes of the Past, a professional genealogy organization based in Dallas providing help to family researchers, with special expertise in Texas research and migration through the antebellum South. (Website: HeroesofthePast.com)
The Spring Workshop always focuses on getting beginning genealogists started, and Mr. Thornhill showed attendees how to hit the ground running. Research on the computer was the focus of his speech, and everyone learned about the many family research sources available online.
Mr. Thornhill began by encouraging beginners to pause before starting on their family research quest, and to consider their goals and how they want to organize what they find. He told the class to focus on relationships of the people being researched. Knowing the members of an ancestor's family, and not just narrowly looking for one name, can yield details that might otherwise be missed.
Mr. Thornhill said that, while keeping all one's genealogy findings on a computer program has great advantages, it is not for everyone. Some people do better with paper records. Still, he noted that so much information is accessible online now, knowledge of computer research makes genealogy much faster and easier. Most attendees at the workshop were aware of online services such as Ancestry and Family Search, but Mr. Thornhill showed many extra features those services provide. Electronic devices can also make genealogy fun: Mr. Thornhill had the class use their smartphones to electronically find all the relatives each person had in the classroom Saturday--and many of them found they were cousins to several people there. For many, it was a complete surprise.
Accuracy and good record-keeping are essential in family research, Mr. Thornhill said. Using only information that has a dependable source, along with clearly documenting that source, will save time and improve the quality of research. Mr. Thornhill also praised the usefulness of getting one's DNA test done. He urged attendees to incorporate the information they get from DNA results into their family history. The class lingered for over an hour after the workshop ended, with Mr. Thornhill addressing individuals' questions or computer research problems.
Mr. Thornhill is Lead Genealogist for Heroes of the Past, a professional genealogy organization based in Dallas providing help to family researchers, with special expertise in Texas research and migration through the antebellum South. (Website: HeroesofthePast.com)
Women of the Oregon Trail: Elizabeth Covington Speaks at March Meeting About Pioneer Amelia Knight
The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society met for their regular monthly meeting on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the main Van Zandt County Library. Members were enthralled by the speaker, Elizabeth Covington (pictured at the end of this article), award-winning genealogist and reenactor. Ms. Covington, who appeared in 19th century pioneer costume, told the story of Amelia Stewart Knight (photo at left), who in the mid-1800s traveled the Oregon Trail with her husband and 7 children, giving birth to her eighth child along the way.
Ms. Covington told Amelia Knight's story based on Amelia's own words from a diary she kept of her harrowing trip. Amelia and her husband Joel (a doctor) set out from Iowa in early April 1853, with three ox-drawn wagons loaded with food and supplies, numerous cattle and their 7 children, determined to make a better life in the Oregon Territory. They had to follow the Oregon Trail, a 2400-mile-long wagon path that crossed countless rivers, endless dry prairies and plains, and the Rocky Mountains. The Knights' youngest child was barely a toddler, the oldest child was 17. Along the route, the family was beset with challenges. Two children got mumps shortly after the journey began. Torrential rains slowed them down several weeks into the trip; later, dry conditions and dust storms plagued them. They lost numerous cattle and oxen when water and food supplies ran low. Luckily, they received food and assistance from members of native tribes.
Amelia was at least three months pregnant when she left Iowa, and developed migraine headaches in the heat and dust. In the final leg of the trail, with provisions running out and everyone at their weakest, they had to cross the mountains. The final delay came when Amelia went into labor. Her eighth child was born by the side of the trail, towards the end of the trip. At last, after more than five months, the Knight family reached their destination. They crossed the Columbia River (which, with their wagons and cattle, took several days). They settled in a 2-room log cabin on a farm in what is now southeastern Washington State. The family grew crops and Joel served as a doctor for their community. Their children all survived. Amelia's husband died about 14 years later, in 1867; Amelia died in 1896, at 79 years old.
Ms. Covington stressed that Amelia Knight's experience is just one of many stories of pioneer women, who endured countless hardships with no complaint. Ms. Covington, among her other activities (genealogy, public speaking) works at the Historic Nash Farm in Grapevine, Texas, as a reenactor and instructor. The Nash Farm is a preserved 19th century farm that welcomes visitors and offers tours and demonstrations of life in frontier days. Ms. Covington encouraged the meeting's attendees to look for the numerous books available about pioneer women in North America. One such book, Heart of the Trail: Stories of Covered Wagon Women, by Mary B. O'Brien, tells the story of Amelia Knight.
Ms. Covington told Amelia Knight's story based on Amelia's own words from a diary she kept of her harrowing trip. Amelia and her husband Joel (a doctor) set out from Iowa in early April 1853, with three ox-drawn wagons loaded with food and supplies, numerous cattle and their 7 children, determined to make a better life in the Oregon Territory. They had to follow the Oregon Trail, a 2400-mile-long wagon path that crossed countless rivers, endless dry prairies and plains, and the Rocky Mountains. The Knights' youngest child was barely a toddler, the oldest child was 17. Along the route, the family was beset with challenges. Two children got mumps shortly after the journey began. Torrential rains slowed them down several weeks into the trip; later, dry conditions and dust storms plagued them. They lost numerous cattle and oxen when water and food supplies ran low. Luckily, they received food and assistance from members of native tribes.
Amelia was at least three months pregnant when she left Iowa, and developed migraine headaches in the heat and dust. In the final leg of the trail, with provisions running out and everyone at their weakest, they had to cross the mountains. The final delay came when Amelia went into labor. Her eighth child was born by the side of the trail, towards the end of the trip. At last, after more than five months, the Knight family reached their destination. They crossed the Columbia River (which, with their wagons and cattle, took several days). They settled in a 2-room log cabin on a farm in what is now southeastern Washington State. The family grew crops and Joel served as a doctor for their community. Their children all survived. Amelia's husband died about 14 years later, in 1867; Amelia died in 1896, at 79 years old.
Ms. Covington stressed that Amelia Knight's experience is just one of many stories of pioneer women, who endured countless hardships with no complaint. Ms. Covington, among her other activities (genealogy, public speaking) works at the Historic Nash Farm in Grapevine, Texas, as a reenactor and instructor. The Nash Farm is a preserved 19th century farm that welcomes visitors and offers tours and demonstrations of life in frontier days. Ms. Covington encouraged the meeting's attendees to look for the numerous books available about pioneer women in North America. One such book, Heart of the Trail: Stories of Covered Wagon Women, by Mary B. O'Brien, tells the story of Amelia Knight.
Elizabeth Covington, genealogist, speaks on March 26 about Amelia Stewart Knight, pioneer, who traveled on the Oregon Trail in 1853.
Attention all who have old Van Zandt County roots: Are you eligible for a 100 Year or First Families Certificate? See below.
Bernard Meisner Talks About 1950 Census Data at February Meeting
The 1950 Census data is coming, on April 1, 2022! For family researchers, this is exciting news. Bernard Meisner (pictured at left), genealogy lecturer and retired meteorologist, gave a fact-packed and very useful tutorial on how to get at the 1950 Census data when he spoke to the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society at their regular monthly meeting on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at the Van Zandt County Library.
Mr. Meisner began with a quick history of the Census, which is required by the U.S. Constitution and is a massive undertaking by the federal government, every 10 years. To ensure the data is useful to the public, the government releases census data 72 years after a census is taken, so the 1950 Census will be released this year. Mr. Meisner noted that each census has the same purpose--to count all persons in the country--but that each census varies with regard to the specific information requested besides names in each household. He revisited the tragedy of the 1890 Census, which was almost completely lost due to a fire in the government building in which all the Census sheets were stored. Concern that census records and other government information needed a secure home led to the creation of the National Archives, which is the federal agency that now keeps all census records once the Census Bureau has completed its 10-year count. It is the Archives, therefore, that will be releasing the 1950 data to the public on April 1, 2022.
The 1950 Census, like other U.S. censuses before it, counts people in family households, and also those persons at universities, hotels, military bases, prisons and more. The count was not limited to those in states: Territories such as Alaska and Hawaii (which were not U.S. states at the time), Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal Zone, and others, were included. The 1950 count included extensive questions regarding areas like agriculture. It should be a valuable source of information for genealogists and history buffs.
Mr. Meisner explained that it will take a bit of time for companies like Ancestry.com and Family Search to process all the 1950 data and make it available to subscribers, but that the National Archives has a website (https://www.archives.gov/research/census/1950) that will allow the public to start looking through the data immediately on April 1. The search process is not entirely simple, and Mr. Meisner walked the class through it. He suggested a privately-created website (https://stevemorse.org/census/1950census.htm) that helps researchers get through the search process more quickly. His talk was enlivened by examples from his research on his own family, complete with pictures of old childhood neighborhoods. He also gave examples of how to get Van Zandt County 1950 Census data.
He spoke to a full house and also to remote attendees via Zoom. It was a fun program and left everyone looking forward to April 1.
Mr. Meisner began with a quick history of the Census, which is required by the U.S. Constitution and is a massive undertaking by the federal government, every 10 years. To ensure the data is useful to the public, the government releases census data 72 years after a census is taken, so the 1950 Census will be released this year. Mr. Meisner noted that each census has the same purpose--to count all persons in the country--but that each census varies with regard to the specific information requested besides names in each household. He revisited the tragedy of the 1890 Census, which was almost completely lost due to a fire in the government building in which all the Census sheets were stored. Concern that census records and other government information needed a secure home led to the creation of the National Archives, which is the federal agency that now keeps all census records once the Census Bureau has completed its 10-year count. It is the Archives, therefore, that will be releasing the 1950 data to the public on April 1, 2022.
The 1950 Census, like other U.S. censuses before it, counts people in family households, and also those persons at universities, hotels, military bases, prisons and more. The count was not limited to those in states: Territories such as Alaska and Hawaii (which were not U.S. states at the time), Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal Zone, and others, were included. The 1950 count included extensive questions regarding areas like agriculture. It should be a valuable source of information for genealogists and history buffs.
Mr. Meisner explained that it will take a bit of time for companies like Ancestry.com and Family Search to process all the 1950 data and make it available to subscribers, but that the National Archives has a website (https://www.archives.gov/research/census/1950) that will allow the public to start looking through the data immediately on April 1. The search process is not entirely simple, and Mr. Meisner walked the class through it. He suggested a privately-created website (https://stevemorse.org/census/1950census.htm) that helps researchers get through the search process more quickly. His talk was enlivened by examples from his research on his own family, complete with pictures of old childhood neighborhoods. He also gave examples of how to get Van Zandt County 1950 Census data.
He spoke to a full house and also to remote attendees via Zoom. It was a fun program and left everyone looking forward to April 1.
Bernard Meisner, genealogist and retired meteorologist, speaks to the VZ Genealogical Society about the 1950 Census.
Honoring a Former Texas Ranger of Van Zandt County
Van Zandt County history buffs, along with the Former Texas Rangers Association, gathered at Asbury Cemetery, outside Edom, on Saturday, January 29, 2022, to celebrate the life of a former War of 1812 soldier and Texas Ranger who was also a Van Zandt County pioneer.
Adrian Anglin led a life of adventure, crossing half a continent, living in multiple states, participating in two wars, and marrying three times. He was born in 1796 in Virginia, and married young, to Marguerite Kent. He fought in the War of 1812, then moved west for land and opportunity. He lost his first wife and, while living in Illinois, he married Phebe Parker. He moved to the Republic of Texas in the early 1830s with a large wagon train that included many members of the Parker family, settling in Limestone County and helping to build Fort Parker. Fighting was a necessary part of Anglin's life, as with most settlers in those days. He became one of the first Texas Rangers in 1835. In 1836, Fort Parker was attacked by a band of tribes, including Comanches, and numerous settlers were killed. Anglin's sister-in-law, Cynthia Ann Parker, was captured in the raid and spent most of the rest of her life with the Comanches.
Anglin participated in the Texas Revolutionary War, providing food and supplies, and as a result he received a headright of land in Henderson County, part of which later became Van Zandt County. He settled in the Edom area as a farmer, in addition to his Ranger duties. His wife Phebe died; his third wife, Isabella, would outlive him. Anglin also saw many other members of his family die prematurely, including his daughter's husband. He helped raised his daughter's children, in addition to raising other young relatives who had lost their parents. The Anglin house was undoubtedly full for many years. He died in 1865, about 70 years old, and is buried at Asbury Cemetery alongside his second wife, Phebe.
On Saturday, January 29, many descendants of Mr. Anglin assembled at Asbury Cemetery, along with a large crowd, to remember him. Local chapters of the Daughters of 1812, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), and other organizations teamed up with the Former Texas Rangers Association to honor this soldier, farmer, and family man. Carrie Woolverton, President of the local chapters of the Daughters of 1812 and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, officiated at the event. Lieutenant Kenny Ray, Texas Ranger Ret., spoke eloquently of Mr. Anglin on behalf of the Former Texas Rangers Association. Ella Guaqueta, Texas State Society President of the Daughters of 1812, spoke about Mr. Anglin's war service. Carolyn Raney, Past President General of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, brought greetings from that organization. Susan Reno spoke on behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Cash Moser, President of the local chapter of the Children of the Republic of Texas, staffed the Color Guard, along with Hayden Roberts, CRT pending member. Scott McDonald, an 1812 reenactor, demonstrated the firing of a War of 1812-era musket. Pat Thibodeau, the Texas Ambassador of the National Society Descendants of American Farmers, spoke of Mr. Anglin's service, like many men of his day, as a farmer.
An impressive contingent of Texas Ranger reenactors also participated in the event, firing a salute with rifles. The DRT and 1812 Daughters added medallions to Anglin's gravestone to mark his war service, and the Ranger association placed a special Ranger Cross marker next to the grave. The event was both solemn and celebratory.
This event was sponsored by a large group of historical/genealogical organizations: Captain James Burleson Chapter, TSS, US Daughters of 1812; Former Texas Rangers Association; James Pinckney Henderson Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas; Van Zandt County Genealogical Society; Jesse Miller Foster Chapter TX, United Daughters of the Confederacy; Texas Historical Foundation; Van Zandt County Historical Commission; Neches River Chapter, Texas, Daughters of the American Revolution; and the James Pinckney Henderson Chapter, Children of the Republic of Texas.
Adrian Anglin led a life of adventure, crossing half a continent, living in multiple states, participating in two wars, and marrying three times. He was born in 1796 in Virginia, and married young, to Marguerite Kent. He fought in the War of 1812, then moved west for land and opportunity. He lost his first wife and, while living in Illinois, he married Phebe Parker. He moved to the Republic of Texas in the early 1830s with a large wagon train that included many members of the Parker family, settling in Limestone County and helping to build Fort Parker. Fighting was a necessary part of Anglin's life, as with most settlers in those days. He became one of the first Texas Rangers in 1835. In 1836, Fort Parker was attacked by a band of tribes, including Comanches, and numerous settlers were killed. Anglin's sister-in-law, Cynthia Ann Parker, was captured in the raid and spent most of the rest of her life with the Comanches.
Anglin participated in the Texas Revolutionary War, providing food and supplies, and as a result he received a headright of land in Henderson County, part of which later became Van Zandt County. He settled in the Edom area as a farmer, in addition to his Ranger duties. His wife Phebe died; his third wife, Isabella, would outlive him. Anglin also saw many other members of his family die prematurely, including his daughter's husband. He helped raised his daughter's children, in addition to raising other young relatives who had lost their parents. The Anglin house was undoubtedly full for many years. He died in 1865, about 70 years old, and is buried at Asbury Cemetery alongside his second wife, Phebe.
On Saturday, January 29, many descendants of Mr. Anglin assembled at Asbury Cemetery, along with a large crowd, to remember him. Local chapters of the Daughters of 1812, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), and other organizations teamed up with the Former Texas Rangers Association to honor this soldier, farmer, and family man. Carrie Woolverton, President of the local chapters of the Daughters of 1812 and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, officiated at the event. Lieutenant Kenny Ray, Texas Ranger Ret., spoke eloquently of Mr. Anglin on behalf of the Former Texas Rangers Association. Ella Guaqueta, Texas State Society President of the Daughters of 1812, spoke about Mr. Anglin's war service. Carolyn Raney, Past President General of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, brought greetings from that organization. Susan Reno spoke on behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Cash Moser, President of the local chapter of the Children of the Republic of Texas, staffed the Color Guard, along with Hayden Roberts, CRT pending member. Scott McDonald, an 1812 reenactor, demonstrated the firing of a War of 1812-era musket. Pat Thibodeau, the Texas Ambassador of the National Society Descendants of American Farmers, spoke of Mr. Anglin's service, like many men of his day, as a farmer.
An impressive contingent of Texas Ranger reenactors also participated in the event, firing a salute with rifles. The DRT and 1812 Daughters added medallions to Anglin's gravestone to mark his war service, and the Ranger association placed a special Ranger Cross marker next to the grave. The event was both solemn and celebratory.
This event was sponsored by a large group of historical/genealogical organizations: Captain James Burleson Chapter, TSS, US Daughters of 1812; Former Texas Rangers Association; James Pinckney Henderson Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas; Van Zandt County Genealogical Society; Jesse Miller Foster Chapter TX, United Daughters of the Confederacy; Texas Historical Foundation; Van Zandt County Historical Commission; Neches River Chapter, Texas, Daughters of the American Revolution; and the James Pinckney Henderson Chapter, Children of the Republic of Texas.
Dedication of Two Historic Buildings at Heritage Park in Edgewood: Fun and History
Two beautifully-restored Van Zandt County buildings were dedicated on November 6, 2021, at the Heritage Park of East Texas, at their permanent location in Edgewood. The 1850 Courthouse, the first courthouse that stood in the county seat of Canton, had been demolished years ago and was rebuilt by the Heritage Park. The 1890s Poor Farm Calaboose (jail), was saved from destruction and was restored to its original state. Both buildings were showcased at a ceremony that featured a special session of the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court. The Commissioners arrived by mule wagon and read a Proclamation dedicating the new buildings.
The ceremony was followed by a lunch of old-fashioned stew, cooked over an open fire on the grounds of the park. Many attendees--including the County Judge and Commissioners--wore historic attire. The park, which features many beautifully-restored buildings, was open for all attendees to tour. It was a fun and educational event.
The ceremony was followed by a lunch of old-fashioned stew, cooked over an open fire on the grounds of the park. Many attendees--including the County Judge and Commissioners--wore historic attire. The park, which features many beautifully-restored buildings, was open for all attendees to tour. It was a fun and educational event.
Above: Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Members attending the dedication stand on the steps of the 1850 Courthouse: L to R: Sherrie Archer, Cindy Cooper, Elvis Allen, Suzie Bass, Carrie Woolverton. Below, left: The Poor Farm Calaboose jail of the 1890s, showing the iron grate window. Below, middle: The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court meets inside the 1850 Courthouse. Below, right: The Commissioners and County Judge arrive by mule wagon.
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
The Portal to Texas History texashistory.unt.edu/
Van Zandt County Historical Commission www.vanzandthistoricalcommission.com/
Van Zandt County, Texas History (Facebook): www.facebook.com/VZTXHistory
Texas Historical Commission www.thc.texas.gov/
Texas State Genealogical Society www.txsgs.org/
East Texas Genealogical Society www.etgs.org/
Texas State Library and Archives Commission www.tsl.texas.gov/arc
Texas General Land Office www.glo.texas.gov/
Van Zandt County Historical Commission www.vanzandthistoricalcommission.com/
Van Zandt County, Texas History (Facebook): www.facebook.com/VZTXHistory
Texas Historical Commission www.thc.texas.gov/
Texas State Genealogical Society www.txsgs.org/
East Texas Genealogical Society www.etgs.org/
Texas State Library and Archives Commission www.tsl.texas.gov/arc
Texas General Land Office www.glo.texas.gov/