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Seated (L to R): Robbie Hartley, Historian; Frances Sims, Secretary; Joan Hatley, President; F.B. Cain, Vice-President; Mavis Jones, Treasurer; Standing (L to R): Darlene Heathcott, W.C. McDaniel, Virginia Whitworth, E.J. Sims, Elton Hatley, Floyd Robins, Peggy Robins, Sue Kee, Marie Phifer, Raymond Lindsey, Elizabeth Brewer, Virginia Pafford, Dona Taylor.
On October 1, 2001, the Benton County Genealogical Society was presented The John H. Thweatt Archival Achievement Award at the Tennessee State Archives in Nashville, TN. The award was for the dedicated work the members of the Benton County Genealogical Society have been doing to preserve the county records, some dating back to 1832. The Benton County Archives is located in a climate controlled room in the basement of the Benton County Library. Shown in the picture are left to right, Dorothy Cain, F.B. Cain, Virginia Whitworth, Dr. Wayne Moore of the Tennessee State Archives, Brenda Griffith, President of the Benton County Genealogical Society receiving the award on behalf of the society and Artie Griffith.
THE BENTON COUNTY
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Twelve Benton County residents met in Camden on April 3, 1986 to discuss the possibility of forming a Benton County Historical Society. The group felt there was much of historical interest in Benton County and an organized historical society would be an ideal vehicle to gather such facts together. This organization’s primary purpose would be the study and preservation of Benton County history in general. Those present at the first meeting were: Mr. And Mrs. Floyd Robins, Mr. And Mrs. Faye Cain, Mr. And Mrs. Ernest J. Sims, Mrs. Marie Phifer, Miss Mavis Jones, Mr. And Mrs. Elton Hatley, Mrs. Christine Palmer and Mr. Guy Wilkerson. A Board of Directors and officers were elected. The Board of Directors were: Faye Cain, John C. Brown, Floyd Robins, Christine Palmer and Joan Hatley. The Officers were: Joan Hatley, Chairperson and Editor; Faye Cain, Vice-Chairperson and Asst. Editor; Frances Sims, Secretary; Mavis Jones, Treasurer; and Floyd Robins Publicity Chairman. The Board and Officers were to prepare a constitution for the organization and present it at the May meeting to the membership for approval. On May 8, 1986 the organization’s constitution was approved. An application to the State of Tennessee for a charter was submitted at which time it was discovered a defunct organization existed with the name Benton County Historical Society. The membership voted to use the name Benton County Genealogical Society and received its charter in July 1986.
The society is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-political, educational organization dedicated solely to the cause of genealogy, which includes the following purposes: To collect, preserve and make available genealogical materials, documents and records; to encourage an interest in genealogy and to sponsor educational programs for its development; to cooperate with and assist all other genealogical, historical, patriotic societies in the furtherance of these purposes; to compile and publish a quarterly composed of records and dates related to the Science of Genealogy.
REGULAR MEETING
The Genealogical Meetings "normally"
take place in the Tennessee Room in the new Benton County
Library. The Meetings start at 6:30pm. Please join us the 4th
Thursday of every month.
(Watch the main page of this county for
notices of meeting places different than the Library)
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Per Calendar Year -- $20.00. All members will receive four issues of the Benton County Genealogical Society Quarterly which is published in March, June, September and December. Back issues can be purchased for $3.00 plus $1.00 shipping and handling each by writing to address below.
Members shall be allowed (2) free queries in the quarterly per year, not to exceed fifty (50) words of text and the name and address of the inquirer, and all over 50 words shall be charged at 10 cents per word.
Non-members may also submit queries for $5.00 for first fifty words and a charge for all words over fifty (50)
CONTRIBUTIONS
The Benton County Genealogical Society
welcomes genealogical material pertaining to Benton County.
Occasional articles concerning neighboring counties will be used.
Families in our County prior to 1900 are of the most interest,
genealogically speaking, so please do not send very recent items.
We are most interested in: Family Bible records (include title
page with date the Bible was published if page still exists),
courthouse records, old newspaper items, diaries, church records,
military records, minister's records, cemetery readings (give
location of cemetery and whether or not the listing is complete)
BENTON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 2010 OFFICERS
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President: |
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Vice President |
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Clara Nell Morisette |
Treasurer: |
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Front (L to R): Debra Daniel, President;
Clara Nell Morisette, Secretary;
Back (L to R):
Brenda Griffith, Treasurer; Artie Griffith, Vice-President
Newer Publications of interest to Benton County Researchers
"Wills of Benton County 1836 - 1910" has been completed, and the books are now available for sale. This book covers
all wills found from the formation of the county to 1910. It is 8.5 x 11 inches
in size, 223 pages, contains over 225 wills and an every name index of
approximately 2200 names.
The price of the book is $30.00 plus S&H $5.00 if mailed. Locally, copies can be
picked up at the Benton County Library for $30.00.
Images of America: Benton County
was published in 2005. It contains over
200 photos with captions for each, 55 of these are churches, including
the Mt. Zion Baptist Church which was on the National Historic Registerand was
destoyed by arson some years ago. Many other buildings which no longer exist are
included such as the rock shelter that was at Nathan Bedford State Park. The
front cover is sepia tone of the courthouse in 1890 with a crowd of people
gathered in front of it. The book is 6.5 x 9.25 in size with 128 pages, most
pages have 2 photos on them and many photos are from a collection of Big Sandy
photos.
Price is $20.00 plus S&H $4.00 if mailed or pick up at the library for $20.00 Family
Bible Records of Benton County, Tennessee by Jonathan Smith. Softbound book, containing 192 pages including surname index.
Mr. Smith generously allowed us to reprint this book, from the 1976 printing.
When he published it originally he only did a few copies and they mostly went to
libraries. We believe this is the first time it has been available to the public
to purchase. Price is $25.00 plus S&H $5.00
"Benton County Historical Places Print"
Prints of
historical places in and around Camden: in the middle is the old Courthouse, upper left and
clockwise are; the Presbyterian Church, Pilot Knob
(Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park); the old High School
(still standing today); and bottom left in the west side
of the court square.
published by
Benton County
Genealogical Society
Copyright © 2009
To place mail orders please send your check or money order to: The Benton County
Genealogical Society, Attn: Will Book Order, P.O. Box 775, Camden, TN 38320. For
additional information write the above address or email:
bjcgintn@charter.net
To place mail orders please send your check or money order to: The Benton County
Genealogical Society, Attn: Images of America, P.O. Box 775, Camden, TN 38320. For
additional information write the above address or email:
bjcgintn@charter.net
To place mail orders please send your check or money order to: The Benton County
Genealogical Society, Attn: Family Bible Records, P.O. Box 775, Camden, TN 38320. For
additional information write the above address or email:
bjcgintn@charter.net
They are signed and numbed by the artist, Michelle
Rideout. There are only a limited number of prints left and they will never be
reproduced again. The price of the prints are $15.00 plus $5.00 Shipping and Handling.
Click on
picture to see full size
To place mail orders please send your check or money order to: The Benton County Genealogical Society, Attn: Historical Print, P.O. Box 775, Camden, TN 38320. For additional information write the above address or email: bjcgintn@charter.net
Thank you for visiting the Benton County Genealogical Society
