Hopkins County Genealogical Society annual spring seminar 2023

Hopkins County Genealogical Society annual spring seminar 2023 speaker: John A. Sellers is a fifth generation native to Hopkins County, Texas. He graduated from Texas Tech University, with a degree in advertising/public relations and, received his teaching certificate in history from Texas A & M, Commerce; He has been doing genealogical and historical research since 1985. His favorite area of research is in the courthouse. He has visited courthouses in several southern states and has conducted extensive research in Texas and Louisiana.

John is an active member of the Hopkins County Genealogical Society and has served sixteen years on the executive board and as President, 1997-1998, 2017-now. He was several times a speaker at the FGS National Conference. He has been the featured speaker for more than 75 all day seminars located in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. John has given over 300 programs on genealogy and history. He has been the featured speaker at the DRT Genealogical Conference at the Alamo and the Louisiana Historical and Genealogical Seminar in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has been a faculty member for Angelina College Genealogy Conference, in Lufkin and was a featured instructor at the new Texas Institute of Genealogical Research, in 2017,2019,2021 and 2023. He has completed Genealogy as a Profession, Advanced Methodology, and Advanced Library Research courses at the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, Samford University.

John was a lecturer at the Institute of Genealogical Research, Samford University, 2009, 2010,2014 and University of Georgia, 2018 and 2021 He compiled an addendum to the 1850 Census of Hopkins County. He is currently the Hopkins County Marker Chair for the Texas State Historical Commission. He is also serving his fifth term on the Sulphur Springs City Council.

Topics for the Seminar

Here Comes the Judge”, Your Ancestor’s Day in Court.” Most of our ancestors had their days in court either as a defendant, plaintiff, or a juror. This lecture studies the proceedings of trial courts and how to access their records. Court cases and their genealogical value will be emphasized. How cases are appealed and where to look for those cases including the State’s Supreme Courts

“Researching Newspapers in Cyber Space.” Historic Newspaper websites are increasing every day for genealogical searching. This lecture reviews the available sites and how to research them. Tricks of the trade to glean the most from your research will be reviewed. Vital records and personal information that can be gleaned from newspapers will be discussed. Newspapers are used as evidence and their possible pitfalls are analyzed.

Giving the Old College Try! Researching in University Special Collections and Archives. This lecture takes you into the challenges and rewards of archival researching. Exploring college and university archives is both challenging and rewarding. The research and its contents are somewhat different from your typical genealogical collection. Digital collections and finding aids will be reviewed. How to find hidden jewels of collections and material will be explored.

Your Ancestor’s Own Cousins and Other Relations, And Their Value to Your Research! The study of collateral research, siblings of your ancestors and their offspring can lead you to new research and discoveries. Never ignore the relatives of your ancestors or a brick wall you will build. Rarely does a family unit move across the country in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th century, alone. They usually are a part of an extended family, church, or ethnic group. Even if they are not originally related, there is a high probability that there will be intermarriages among families.

Place: HCGS Research Library, 611 N. Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas

Schedule: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a. m. – Welcome and Check-In

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – 1st Session

10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Break with snacks & drinks provided

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – 2nd Session

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Lunch – enjoy one of our local restaurants!

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – 3rd Session

2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Break with snacks & drinks provided

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – 4th Session

Cost: Early Bird Registration before April 28th

$20.00 for current HCGS members

$25.00 for Non-Members

After April 28, 2021

$30.00 for everyone For more information: call (903) 885-8523 or email hcgstx@suddenlinkmail.com