"Research Until You Drop!"...... genealogists took advantage of the extended hours, on Saturday to
research local sources and complete portions of their family research, a they participated in the Lock-In.

 

Genealogical Society Report Successful
Weekend "Lock-In" Event

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

"How many times have you been busy researching some important bit of family history, only to look-up and see that the local genealogical library was about to close?" asked Marynell Bryant, a member of the local Hopkins County Genealogical Society. "It's quite frequent that you'll be consumed in research and soon run out of time. Well, the annual lock-in recognizes that and allows for you to actually research until you 'wear-out' and are ready to go home!"

"We make it convenient and easy for researchers to have adequate help in finding the materials that they are looking for, by providing enough volunteers to aid them in finding their sources, too!" added member, Sandra Glenn. "That way the researcher can spend maximum time working on their sources."

 

Ancient records on births, deaths, court cases, and other sources are preserved on the shelves
of the local Hopkins County Genealocial Library.

 

 

Bryant and Glenn were just two of the local members that were helping at Saturday's annual Hopkins County Genealogical Society Lock-In, that begins at 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, and may find researchers still perusing sources at 6:00 on Sunday morning. "We provide a program for researchers on Saturday morning, and this year's program was given by Hopkins County Genealogist, John Sellers, who gave a wonderful program on some sources that researchers might not have considered," continued Bryant. "Then, we as volunteers are available to aid researchers in finding sources in old records, research books, funeral home records, local school records, private history books, and even on-line sources, that are available at the library."

 

 

"And, the best part is that there is plenty of food provided, so that researchers can continue to look through the materials, without even leaving the building to go eat," expressed Glenn. "All of our members bring finger foods and we prepare a meal on Saturday night, so that researchers can continue to look through records and enjoy the fellowship with our local society!"

 

Local genealogical members, Sandra Glenn, seated, and Lavyn Sisco, back, aid this
researcher in locating some of her family records, at Saturday's Lock-In.

 

 

"You never know where some clue might come from!" expressed Genealogical Society President, Ronny Glossup. "By just talking and visiting with local members, researchers may be looking for some of the same informtation and 'swap' stories and information, adding to their collection of data!"

"We have a wonderful library, one of the best local libraries in the state, and thus this is a destination for anyone with ties to Hopkins County and Northeast Texas research," expressed local member Lavyn Sisco. "We've got great local sources and have been very fortunate in preserving much of the local history of the area!"

 

 

Saturday's event attracted some 40 researchers who were busy working on family histories, searching local sources, and having adequate time to explore the many avenues of finding about their ancestors.

 

Old records of Hopkins County events are recorded in the many, many sources that are
available at the Hopkins County Genealogical Library, on Main Street.

 

 

"This is an economic advantage to the local economy, too!" advised Glossup. "These researchers come to our community, spend the night in the local hotels, purchase gas and sundries, and will eat at our local restaurants probably a time or two, while they are in town, as once they leave the local library, many of them stay another day or two, seeking sites of old home places, additional records in the Hopkins County Courthouse, and making attempts to contact local family members. They come from all over the state of Texa and from other states, looking for family records!"

 

 

"It's just a great time for everyone, and an enjoyable weekend of making contact with like-minded researchers!" expressed Bryant. "Everyone has an enjoyable time, regardless of being a little bit tired and sleepy, once the research ends!"

 

Local researcher, Larry Gamblin, looks over some materials that he found at the local library,
at Saturday's event, but allowed that he got tired, by about 9:30 p.m.

 

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