History and genealogy buff? Look for these exciting new events coming soon...

"Genealogical Computing 2005" classes for March

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.

East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Digital Archives project update

Many of you are familiar with our Digital Archives project which has been ongoing for several years now. The project includes images of peoples, farms, homes, Bible records, tombstones, wills, marriages, diaries, ledgers, school records, military records, and more. The indexing phase of the project is still ongoing, but the good news is that a good portion of the collection will soon be available in the newly established Sullivan County Archives in Blountville, which is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Included in the collection are over 450 military photographs from the Sullivan County Genealogical Society's recent veterans' history book, as well as thousands of photographs from both the Hunt Genealogy Library and the Harold Peters collection of Southwest Virginia. Also, several hundred photographs from the Sullivan County Pictorial History are included in the collection. The recently acquired Anderson family collection is being organized and will soon become a part of the Digital Archives collection. Come by and see what we are doing. Please note, that if you have photographs or any other memorabilia we can scan into the collection, let us know and we will be happy to include these in the collection. Have lots of photos? We will be happy to make an appointment to view them on site at your place, and make arrangements to scan them. We can help make sure your photographs are preserved. For further information about the project, call Shelia Hunt at 423.279.0422.

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.

Sullivan County Archives grand opening in 2005
The Sullivan County Archives in Blountville, Tennessee was officially created in May 2004, and plans are now under way to open its doors to the general public in Spring/Summer 2005. The County Archivist and volunteers are currently preserving and processing some of the older records that will soon be available to the general public. Record groups include original wills, marriage certificates, marriage bonds, tax records, chancery suits, and many other items of historical and genealogical interest dating back to the early 1800s. The Sullivan County Archives is currently open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The facility is located at 3425 Hwy. 126, Blountville, TN, next to the old Sullivan County Courthouse. Although not yet open to the general public, the Archives currently needs volunteers and donations to help with the preservation of Sullivan County records. To become a member of the volunteer preservation team, or for further information, contact Shelia Hunt, County Archivist, at hunt@sullivancounty.org.

Billy Kennedy to lecture in Blountville, April 14

Mr. Billy Kennedy of Ireland, author of more than 7 books on Scots-Irish, will speak on his latest book. The lecture will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 14, 2005, at the Sullivan County Archives in Blountville, Tennessee. The lecture is free, but advance reservations are required before March 31. Call 423.279.0422 for reservations which will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Research tour slated for May 19, 2005
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.

Sheriff's Historic County Fair, May 21, 2005

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!

East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia Genealogy Picnic planned for June 16, 2005

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.

Happy hunting, and be sure to visit our East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Digital Archives page!

Shelia Steele Hunt
Hunt Genealogy & Associates