January 10, 2005 - "Presenting the Sullivan County Archives"
Kingsport Optimist Club meeting, Ramada Inn, Kingsport, TN.

January 22, 2005 - Genealogy Workshop
Genealogy Workshop to be held - The Sullivan County Library in Blountville, Tennessee will sponsor a Genealogy Workshop from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2005. The workshop will consist of two classes taught by Shelia Steele Hunt of Hunt Genealogy & Associates. Participants are encouraged to pre-register by contacting the Sullivan County Library at 279-2716, or Shelia Hunt at 279-0422. The workshop is free and open to the general public.

March 2005 - "Genealogical Computing 2005", 4 weeks classes
The Sullivan County Archives in Blountville, Tennessee will sponsor a 4-weeks session of classes newly designed for 2005. Classes will be held at the archives in Blountville on four (4) consecutive Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m, from March 7 through March 28. The series will include the Basic Principles of Genealogy, with special focus on using your computer for research. Sessions will include Basic Genealogy, Understanding Your Computer and Its Maintenance, RootsMagic and other Genealogy Software, Creating Your Website, Managing Your Digital Image Project, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Digital Imaging software, Efficient Use of the Internet, and more. Classes are free, with suggested donations of $50 per person payable to "Friends of the Sullivan County Archives" (may be abbreviated to FSCA). All donations will be used to purchase books/supplies for the Sullivan County Archives. Reservations/donations are due before March 4. Class size will be limited to first-come, first-serve basis. Mail reservations/donations to FSCA, P.O. Box 568, Blountville/TN 37617.

April 14, 2005 - Billy Kennedy, native Irishman to present lecture at Sullivan County Archives
"The Scots-Irish Chronicles: Women of the Frontier"
7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2005
Hosted by the Friends of the Sullivan County Archives located at 3425 Hwy. 126, Blountville, Tennessee (next to the Sullivan County Courthouse) Northern Ireland author-journalist Billy Kennedy, in the eighth book of his popular Scots-Irish Chronicles series, The Scots-Irish Chronicles: Women of the Frontier, will pay tribute to the gallant women of the 18th century American Frontier. Hosted by the newly established Sullivan County Archives, the event will provide a wealth of information on area history. The official press release for Billy Kennedy's latest book is as follows:

"Up to forty stalwart frontier women are featured in his new book, including Rachel Jackson and Eliza Johnson, wives of American Presidents; Elizabeth Jackson, mother of a President; Catherine Montgomery Calhoun, grandmother of a Vice-President; war heroines Mary Neely, Mary Patton, Sarah Ridley Buchanan and Katharine Steel, and native American princesses Nancy Ward and Sacagawea. In his work, Billy Kennedy charts the influences of the 18th century Ulster Presbyterian immigrants in the early creation of the U.S...."

The event is free and the general public is cordially invited. Please email hunt@sullivancounty.org for reservations. Click here for further details.

May 15, 2005 - Deadline for submissions of stories/photographs for Families and History of Sullivan County, Tennessee, 1779-2005, Vol. II - Is your family included in the history of Sullivan County? Sponsored by the Sullivan County Genealogical Society, this exciting new book is slated for publication in 2005. The society invites all residents, former residents, and those with roots in Sullivan County to submit stories (500 words or less) and photographs of historical or genealogical interest for possible inclusion, free of charge, in this all-new publication. Stories may be submitted with topics ranging from area histories, church histories, family histories, business histories, and more. This is a second chance for those who missed getting an article in Volume I which was completed in 1992. The society plans to print only a limited number of these 8-1/2 x 11 hardbound books. Because this is a limited edition book, only those who order and pay in advance are guaranteed a copy. Articles and photographs may be submitted via e-mail to shelia@huntgenealogy.com or on disk to the SCGS Book Committee, PO Box 568, Blountville, TN 37617. You may submit as many articles and photographs as you wish for consideration in the heritage book. With regard to photographs, please do not send originals. All photographs or copies will be retained in the SCGS collection at the Sullivan County Archives unless otherwise noted. The deadline for submissions has been extended to May 15, 2005. Stories will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, visit the SCGS website at www.scgs-tn.org or contact SCGS President, Mike Poe, at mpoe@mac.com, Project Chairman Shelia Hunt at shelia@huntgenealogy.com, or Co-Chairman Vandy Mauk at vandy@chartertn.net.

May 19, 2005 - Historical and Genealogical Research Tour
On Thursday, May 19, 2005, Hunt Genealogy & Associates will sponsor a 1-day research tour from Blountville, Tennessee to the new East Tennessee Historical Center and Calvin M. McClung Collection in Knoxville. The trip is open to all historical and genealogical researchers. The tour will originate in the Ingle's parking lot at I-81 Exit 59, Ingle's parking lot, Colonial Heights, Sullivan County, Tennessee. The coach bus fare is $29. Reservations and fees are due by April 15. Send your reservation fee as soon as possible to HGA, PO Box 3826, Kingsport/TN 37664. This is a nonprofit trip in the interests of promoting education in genealogy and history in the area of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fees should be mailed to Hunt Genealogy & Associates (or HGA), PO Box 3826, Kingsport/TN 37664.

May 21, 2005, Sheriff's Historic County Fair in Blountville

Watch for details of this exciting new event coming on May 21, 2005 in the heart of historic Blountville in Sullivan County, Tennessee. In honor of the 225th year of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, an old-time county fair is planned. The event will feature area artisans/craftsmen, old-time music, sack races, tours of historic Blountville, old-time music, food and various vendors. There is no entrance fee and area groups and residents are invited to participate. Further details will be posted here as plans are made for the festive occasion. Don't miss this one!

June 16, 2005 - Historical and Genealogical Picnic, Bays Mountain Park
Mark your calendars! Sponsored by the Sullivan County Genealogical Society, this event is open to all organizations and/or anyone interested in any phase of history and genealogy. The picnic will be held on June 16, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at Eastman Recreation area in Kingsport, Tennessee. This year's theme is "Civil War in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia". The featured guest speaker will be Randall Osborne, Civil War expert from Kentucky. Mr. Osborne graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky in 1970 with an A.B. in history and social studies. He later received a masters degree in education from Morehead State University. He co-authored The Virginia State Rangers and State Line, a Confederate Virginia militia history, in the mid 1990s. Presently he writes for The Medical Leader, a Pike County newspaper, and is working toward completion of a collection of essays and commentary on Pike County's role in the Civil War. Bring covered dishes, family and friends… Don't forget your lounge chair! This event is open to all historical/genealogical organizations in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, and anyone else who is interested in genealogy and history. Reservations must be made before June 4 by e-mailing Shelia Hunt.