Preserving Old History...Making New History

2007 Events

Society Meets

Members and guests of the Tishomingo County Historical & Genealogical Society met at the historic old Tishomingo County Courthouse on Thursday, January 11, 2007. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with Tishomingo County Archives & History Museum Project Manager, Jan Anglin, welcoming everyone. Mrs. Anglin updated the group with the recent new activities of the Society. She explained that a concerted effort was currently being made to transcribe Tishomingo County Educable School Records. Additional school albums have been added to the CD collection. Tishomingo County Marriage Records proofing is still on-going. The Society has many ways that members can become involved and she encouraged the attendees to consider volunteering on-site or off-site in the Society’s endeavor to preserve Tishomingo County History. Mrs. Anglin introduced TCHGS President, Cindy Nelson, who presented the 2006 TCHGS Annual Awards.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was awarded jointly to Janice Switcher and Helah Wilson. This was their second year in a row to receive the award. The duo became involved with the society in 2004 when they met Mrs. Nelson is Corinth to assist her with a project to promote the historical society. Since that time, they have been involved with numerous transcription projects and have assisted in resurveying local cemeteries. This award recognizes a member for outstanding volunteer service to TCHGS during the preceding years.

Presenters and Recipients pictured left to right are Cindy Nelson, Carolyn Terry, Janice Switcher, Helah Wilson, Betty Marlar, and Jan Anglin

Mrs. Carolyn Terry was the recipient of the Preservation Patron Award which recognizes members for commitment to historic preservation in the County. Mrs. Terry has a love for history and it shows. She is very preservative minded and has spearheaded two important projects this past year. Almost single-handed, she embarked on the clean up of the Burnsville Cemetery, including landscaping and drive-way improvement. More recently she purchased and renovated buildings in down town Iuka, where she has her “Pine Slab Apron Museum.”

The Award of Merit was awarded to Mrs. Marilyn Goss. Mrs. Goss has been volunteering for the Society for almost two years. She has provided in-valuable assistance during the annual Christmas Open House for the past two years as the “Hot Chocolate Lady”. This award recognizes members) for outstanding contributions to the Society over a period of years.

The Spirit of TCHGS Award Recognizes a volunteer whose leadership qualities best exemplifies the Society's ideas. Mrs. Anglin presented her mother, Mrs. Betty Marlar with this award. Mrs. Marlar is a charter member of the Society and had just been elected as president when she had her stroke in 1998. Being a lover of history, Betty returned to the activities of the Society joining January of 2006 as a daily volunteer. Mrs. Anglin expressed the joy of working hand – in – hand with her Mother, who has always instilled a love of history in her.

George Pearson

Mrs. Nelson introduced Mr. George Pearson as the program leader. Mr. Pearson was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2005 after serving several faithful months as a courthouse volunteer. Mr. Pearson presented a very educational program introducing basic knowledge needed to find a person’s ancestors tract of land purchased or homesteaded in the public land states of Alabama and Mississippi, between 1820 and 1900. He demonstrated the method of locating boundaries, ranges, townships, and sections on the map and the method that was used originally in determining the meridians and boundaries. Copies of his handouts will be soon be available in the John Marshall Stone Library.

Those present for the meeting, not previously mentioned, were: Martha Burcham, Christina Goss, Rosa Spencer, Abby Hamlet, Roberta White, Eunell Handy, Henry Terry, and Terry Martin. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Society will be March 8^th at 6:00 p.m.

Society Meets

Members and guests of the Tishomingo County Historical & Genealogical Society met at the historic old Tishomingo County Courthouse on Thursday, March 8, 2007. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with Tishomingo County Archives & History Museum Project Manager, Jan Anglin, welcoming everyone. Mrs. Anglin updated the group with the recent activities of the Society. Mr. Hayden Ables, Chancery Clerk for Tishomingo County, was the guest speaker. He shared with the members all the records and resources available in the Chancery Clerk's office.

Courthouse Wedding Celebrated

Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Johnson

The Third Annual Wedding Reunion was held at the historic courthouse on April 14, 2007. The renewal of vows began at 1 p.m.

Midway School Renovation Open House

Family History Fair

The Tishomingo County Historical & Genealogical Society hosted the 1^st annual Family History Fair on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at the Midway School Building Museum. The event attracted many researchers and genealogists who wanted to learn of their ancestors. Sixteen people registered for tables to bring their family research to share with others. This will be an annual event and we hope to grow in number each year.

Beth Freshour of Macon, Mississippi was the keynote speaker at the Tishomingo County Family History Fair on May 5th. Her seminar is designed to help the beginning genealogy researcher know where to look for primary sources, what information can be gleaned from them, charting the info, and developing a workable numbering system and filing system which will be easily accessible even to a Novice.

Mrs. Freshour holds three Master's degrees, one for each of her careers - school teacher/university instructor, private school headmaster, and county library director. Born in Columbus, MS, Mrs. Freshour spent most of her years there until moving to Macon where she has lived since 1976. Her interest in genealogy has taken her to many of the best genealogy libraries over the last 35 years, including genealogy courses at Sanford University. She has served as Lineage Research chairman for the MSSDAR and two terms as Division Registrar for the United Daughters of the Confederacy [Registered Trademark].

Christina Goss and Eunell Handy Beth Freshour

The Sparks Family Singers from Belmont performed at 2:00. For more information on the family you can visit their website at www.thesparksfamilysingers.com.

Other fun events included:

The Sparks Family Antique Tractor Show

Chief Wayne "Black Eagle" Voyles

Society Meeting

Members and guests of the Tishomingo County Historical & Genealogical Society met at the historic old Tishomingo County Courthouse on Thursday, May 10, 2007. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with Tishomingo County Archives & History Museum Project Manager, Jan Anglin, welcoming everyone. Mrs. Anglin updated the group with the recent activities of the Society. Mrs. Donna Henry Dill, Circuit Clerk for Tishomingo County, was the guest speaker. She shared with the members all the records and resources available in the Chancery Clerk's office. She also brought a new voting machine and demonstrated how to use them. She explained the voting process to the members in attendance.

Donna Dill shows Abby Hamlet how to use the new voting machine.

Flag Day Celebration

Flag Day festivities were held on Saturday, June 16, at the Tishomingo County Archives & History Museum. A flag retirement ceremony and other activities were held. The U.S. Flag Code states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Betsy Ross came to life and told the story of how George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross came to her home in May 1776 and asked her to make the first flag. Betsy also demonstrated how she could cut a five-pointed star with one snip of the scissors. This talent led George Washington to redesign the flag using five pointed stars instead of six pointed ones.

The Children of the American Revolution (CAR) assisted with the flag retirement ceremony. A total of 20 flags were retired. Several people were in attendance to pay honor and tribute to the great symbol of our nation and the freedom it embodies.

Stephanie Giles, Timmy Anglin, Betsy Ross (aka Christina Goss)

and Brandon Grissom

Camp Courthouse Ages 6-9

Camp Courthouse for ages 6-9 was held June 25th and 26th. Twelve kids were in attendance. This year's focus was historical games and musical instruments. The kids enjoyed playing tops, yo-yos, and having court. Mr. Burkett came on the 26th and showed the kids how to play the dulcimer. The children got the chance to play it themselves. They also enjoyed playing their harmonicas. The children decorated their own t-shirts with their handprints and other designs.

The children enjoy playing tops. It's time for court!

Society Meets

Members and guests of the Tishomingo County Historical & Genealogical Society met at the historic old Tishomingo County Courthouse on Thursday, July 12, 2007. Mr. George Pearson was the guest speaker.

Camp Courthouse Ages 10-13

Camp Courthouse for ages 10-13 was held July 16th and 17h. Eleven kids were in attendance. This year's focus was historical games and musical instruments. The kids enjoyed playing tops, yo-yos, and having court. The children also tie dyed shirts.

The kids show off their tie-dyed t-shirts. Colton Woodruff spits his watermelon seeds.

Library Department Attends Workshop

Martha Burcham and Cindy Nelson attended the Native American Genealogy Workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas on July 21, 2007.

Old Fashioned Music Day

Old Fashioned Music Day was held on July 28th at the Old Courthouse Museum. The Magnolia Dulcimer Club was the special guest. Over 30 people were in attendance to enjoy an afternoon filled with great music.

Holcut 100th Anniversary

In 1907 the community of Holcut became a town but was later acquired for the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway. It was the only town to be lost for the waterway construction and the Holcut Memorial Park was built to honor the town. At the birthday celebration the residents and families were asked to come and tell their stories of the schools, churches, stores, families and even the funny happenings. A representative from the Tishomingo County Archives & History Museum was on hand to record these stories for future generations so that the wonderful history would not be lost.

The celebration was held at the Holcut Memorial Park on September 8, 2007. There was a birthday cake, food vendors, old tractors and t-shirts. More than 200 people came out to enjoy the festivities.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day was held on Sunday, September 16, 2007 in the historic courtroom of the Old Tishomingo County Courthouse. Over 100 people were in attendance. The festivities began with Jan Anglin welcoming everyone. Local boy scouts performed the flag presentation. The special guest were Brave Voices, the choir from Tishomingo County High School. The constitution was then read by members of the Children of the American Revolution. Betsy Ross was also in attendance. Refreshments were served by members of the Chief Tishomingo Chapter DAR.

Society Meets

Members and guests of the Tishomingo County Historical & Genealogical Society met at the historic old Tishomingo County Courthouse on Thursday, November 8, 2007. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with Christina Goss welcoming everyone. Ms. Goss gave a yearly update of new acquisitions to the John Marshall Stone Research Library and the museum. She also gave a report about the Society and the current memberships. Mr. George Pearson was the guest speaker. He explained how to locate land records from the Bureau of Land Management website.

Museum Staff attend SEMC Annual Meeting

Cindy Nelson and Jan Anglin attended the SEMC Annual Meeting at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 3, 2007.

Society Meets

Book Reading at Courthouse

On November 10, 2007 Sylvia Eisenmann was on hand to read from her book "Lillian". The book is about her mother's life.

Christmas at the Courthouse

Our annual Christmas at the Courthouse was held on November 30th in conjunction with Iuka's Christmas parade. Hot Chocolate and Christmas cider was served to keep attendees warm and cozy. Over 200 people came to the museum.

Brenda Whitfield holding grandchild and Theresa McGaughy

Pat Foote Hyneman

Home Research Library Museum Gift Shop

Tishomingo County Archives & History Museum

203 East Quitman Street

P.O. Box 273

Iuka, MS 38852

662-423-3500

E-mail: tcarchives@nadata.net

Last Modified: Wednesday April 09, 2008.