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SOCIETY HISTORY |
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Research _______________________ GSDC Publications Abstracts of
Davidson County (NC) Divorce Files ________________________ |
Society History The Genealogical
Society of Davidson County was organized in the latter part of 1980. A small group led by Mary Jo Shoaf, a
teacher of genealogy at Davidson County Community College, formed a society
to increase interest in genealogical research. The group agreed to work to preserve and
utilize manuscripts, documents, and other material of genealogical
value. They met quarterly and began to
publish journals, Bible records, marriage records, cemetery records, tax
lists, death certificates, and early news paper notices. The first
official meeting of the Society was held in Reich Auditorium of Davidson
County Community College, with 64 members present. Officers were elected: President: Mary Jo Shoaf First Vice President: Katherine
Skipper Second Vice President: Richard
L.Walker Treasurer: Linda M. Perryman Recording Secretary: Marie L. Hinson Corresponding Secretary: Margaret R.
Trantham Librarian: Jeanette B. Wilson Board of Directors: Richard L. Conrad, Chairman, Coyt W.
Hewitt, Henry A. Reeves,
Rev. Frank W. Snider, and Ruth B. Stoner. Editors of Journal: Kathleen M. Craver, Taft Lewis and Henry A.
Reeves. Membership Committee: Richard L. Conrad, Mary Warren, Linda M. Perryman,
Kathleen Craver and Hazel Payne. Cemetery Committee: Rev. Frank W. Snider, Chairman. Frank Swicegood, Vernelle Greene, Lloyd Canoy
and Iris Ann Routh. One of the
Society’s first endeavors was to glean from old cemeteries their vast
information on birth and death dates.
After publishing the first volume of Cemetery records, Marie L.
Hinson, a charter member, agreed to underwrite expenses for a second volume. In the early
years, the fledgling Society compiled books and journals in the basement of
Kirby and Vernelle Greene’s home. In
1981, a plan to publish quarterly journals was adopted and members worked
hard at establishing an identity for the Society. By then, membership had grown to 229
members from 19 states. The front cover
of The Genealogical Journal was designed by charter member and local artist
Katherine F. Skipper. On January 18,
1982, the society held a ribbon cutting at its new office in the basement of
the old court house. Doug Flick and
Tim Timberlake were present. Frank
Swicegood and others worked tirelessly to make it look like our office. That same year, Society members compiled a
great deal of information for THE HERITAGE OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, which was
published by Hunter Publishing of The Society
began exchanging Journals with other organizations all over the United
States. By October 1982 the Society
boasted 304 members. Many families
offered their old family papers to the Genealogy Room located in the Lexington
Library. The room contains a wealth of information that is made available to
the public by the Society. Through
the years the Society has become firmly established. The genealogy room has been praised and
appreciated by many researchers from all over the United States. Over past years,
the Society has published eight volumes of Cemetery Records, three volumes of
Bible Records, five volumes of Marriage Records, Many members,
including Frank Swicegood have faithfully contributed their time and efforts
in service to the Society. Ruth B.
Stoner was recognized for donating a table, a desk, a typewriter and many
books for use in the Library. The
Genealogy Room was named for her after her death. Violet S. Stokes also gave a large map
cabinet in memory of her husband, Paul Vestal Stokes. Past Presidents
include: Mary Jo Shoaf 1981-1982 Rev. Frank W. Snider 1983-1984 Linda M. Perryman 1985-1986 Bridgett Nifong 1987-1988 Connie C. Leonard 1989-1990 Linda M. Perryman 1991-1992 Joyce W. Melton 1993-1994 Dewey Snider 1995-1996 Linda Perryman 1997-1998 Dewey Snider 1999-2000 Marlene Adams 2001-2002 Becky Lassiter 2003-2004 Belinda Rodgers 2005-2006 Roy Cope 2007-2008 Belinda Rodgers 2009-2010 The primary goal
of the Society is to make research materials available to the public; to
preserve the past for the future. Many
hours, days, weeks and years have been and will be spent in achieving this
goal. |
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