Genealogical society hosts fall seminar despite COVID

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  • Holly Stovall and Earl Pogue operate the virtual space for attendees of the fall HCGS seminar that could not be there in person/ Courtesy HCGS
    Holly Stovall and Earl Pogue operate the virtual space for attendees of the fall HCGS seminar that could not be there in person/ Courtesy HCGS
  • HCGS lecturer John Sellers shares 35 years of historical researching wisdom with nearly 40 attendees at the fall seminar/ Courtesy HCGS
    HCGS lecturer John Sellers shares 35 years of historical researching wisdom with nearly 40 attendees at the fall seminar/ Courtesy HCGS
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 Informative series back after long hiatus 

 

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Despite COVID-19, the Hopkins County Genealogical Society (HCGS) hosted their first fall seminar in five years. The Sept. 19 session featured John A. Sellers, Mayor, local historian and current President of HCGS. According to members, it was a “fun and successful day.” 

“Several months ago, Jan Stovall, HCGS librarian, and some of the other board members began discussing hosting a genealogical seminar similar to ones the Society had more than five years ago,” said first vice president Rhonda Bechhold. “With the current Covid-19 environment, members and visitors to the library had expressed that they were missing the opportunity to learn from others’ research experience.”

The board members realized the Society had a member who had more than 35 years of not only researching his own and others’ family trees, but has lectured at more than 60 all-day seminars across the south central United States-- Sellers.

The board members asked Sellers to share his knowledge and experiences and the seminar was a great success, according to attendees. 

Twenty nine people attended in person, with an additional 10 attending virtually. Sellers gave his talk at the Winniford  House at Heritage Park. The crowd was socially distanced and wearing masks for safety, the society noted. 

“All of us learned from the roadblocks John [Sellers] has encountered and how to get past them,” Dixon noted. 

Topics ranged from courthouse deeds, burned courthouse work-arounds, digging for maiden names, and how to proceed with DNA matches. 

Sellers took questions both in-person and from those online. Sources and a deed abstract form helped guide researchers in focusing on the details included in the deeds that most amateurs have collected over the years.

HCGS extends their thanks to the Hopkins County Historical Society, City National Bank, Holly Stovall and Scott Fitzgerald. 


Rhonda Bechhold of HCGS contributed to this report.