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SOCIETY HISTORY |
Genealogical Society of |
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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 Chairman:
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 the past
twenty-five years, the Society has published eight volumes of Cemetery
Records, three volumes of Bible Records, five volumes of Marriage Records,
Davidson County (Old Rowan) Cemetery Inscriptions, and over 90 quarterly
Journals. 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 Joy 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- 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. Current Officers
are as follows: President 1st
Vice President Ruth Parks 2nd Vice
President Daniel Long Corresponding
Secretary Becky Lassiter Recording
Secretary Maurine Perryman Archivist Vernelle Green Treasurer Katherine Skipper Past President Belinda Rodgers Director (term
expires 2007) Linda Perryman (completing
Roy Cope’s term) Director (term
expires 2007) Grady Anderson Director (term
expires 2008) Mike Hege Director (term
expires 2008) Evelyn Smith Journal Editors Marie Hinson, Linda Perryman Honorary
Directors Marie Hinson, Bridget Nifong |
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