2019 Board Officers, L to R:  Sherrie Archer - President; Ellen Wheeler - 1st VP Programs; Cindy Cooper - 2nd VP Membership; Imogene Kirkpatrick - Recording Secretary; Sylvia Barbee - Corresponding Secretary; Sarah Barnett - Treasurer; Jan Crow - Web Manager/Quarterly Editor; Suzie Bass - Publicity; Shirley Fuller - Parliamentarian; Donna Carter - Director at Large/Society Historian; Tom Tyler - Director at Large

The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society is a not-for-profit organization created to promote interest in family genealogies and to gather and preserve historical county records.  The Society also operates and maintains the Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History in the Courthouse Annex located at Highway 19 and Terrell Street in Canton, Texas. The Society began in 1980 by a dedicated group of individuals who were interested in genealogy and in preserving history of the county.

On Saturday of First Monday weekend, our Society parks cars on the lot beside our building (Courthouse Annex) in order to raise money.  We would love to have you volunteer with us as we are always in need of people to park.  During spring and fall, the job doesn't call for extra people but in the heat of summer and cold of winter, we need extras so people on the lot can have more breaks.  It takes two to four people on each shift; the shifts run 7 AM to 10 AM, 10 AM to 1 PM, and 1 PM to 4 PM.  Please contact the Society at 903-567-5012 and ask to speak to Jan (or leave a message for her).

If you come to shop at First Monday on that Saturday, park with us.  As at most lots in Canton on that weekend, the cost is $5.00.  We are very near the action.
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Below are Sandra Jones and Linda Dean as they discuss where to put the next car.

First Families of Van Zandt County
Benja Mize, First Families Chairman

Are you descended from a pioneer who was living in Van Zandt County before December 31, 1860? The Van Zandt County Genealogy Society is collecting and preserving genealogical records for these early settlers. VZCGS would like to recognize your ancestor by sending you a "First Families of Van Zandt County Certificate." 
ELIGIBILITY: To qualify for a certificate, an applicant must be directly descended from someone who was living in Van Zandt County before December 31, 1860. Applicants must be able to prove descent with official records for each generation. Official documentation showing that the applicant's ancestor was residing in Van Zandt County by this date also must be provided. Applicants do not need to reside in Van Zandt County or be members of the VZCGS.
INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the application forms and line of descent chart. Only one application needs to be completed if the pioneer settlers were husband and wife. In that case, both names will appear on the certificate. Supplemental forms such as family group sheets or pedigree charts that contain names of children, etc… may be attached to the application if desired. Underline on all proofs, in red pencil, all names and dates that are pertinent.
PROOF OF DESCENT RECORDS: Copies (Do NOT SEND ORIGINAL RECORDS) of the following primary source records may be submitted as proof of descent from the early settler: Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, and Death), Probate, Census (State and Federal), Land, Tax, Military. The following secondary source records may be cited as circumstantial evidence but must be supported by an explanation: Bible and Baptismal records, cemetery and tombstone, and obituaries.
Applicants are encouraged to include copies of the following supplemental source records, however, they may not be used as proof of lineage; Newspaper clippings, published family histories, city and county directories. Private papers such as letters, diaries, journals, and reminiscences will be evaluated on an individual basis by the First Families Committee.
SUBMITTED MATERIALS: All applications and supporting documentation will become the property of VZCGS which may use any of all the material to publish a book or as part of the "Our Heritage" publication or on the website. Proofs will be returned to the applicant if so desired by sending a request with $3.00 for shipping and handling.
Eligibility will be determined by a committee appointed by VZCGS. The committee's decision will be final. Incorrect or incomplete applications will be returned for corrections or additions.

Applicants should drop by the Library for form or request an application form be mailed to them by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to:
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society  Attn: First Families
P.O. Box 1388
Canton, TX 75103