The workshop will be taught by Mary Helms, head of the library’s local history and genealogy department and in-house expert. Helms studied at the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research at Samford and is a member of the National Genealogical Society.
In addition to the event, various artifacts are on display the department—one of the largest collections of genealogical research in the Southeast.
Andria Davis, community relations coordinator at the library, is enthusiastic about the workshop.
“It’s free, and it’s just a sampling of the many fabulous resources we have at the public library. People don’t realize how many resources we have, especially online,” she says.
Compiled military service records, pension applications, and census records are just a few of the library’s many treasures.
Davis explains that the library has six staff members in the local history and genealogy department who are knowledgeable and helpful. Although they will not trace peoples’ genealogy for them, they will act as a guide.
Lee White, a park guide at the Battlefield of Chickamauga, feels that certain developments have caused people to become more aware of local history.
“Due to the availability of resources on the internet, people can trace their history more easily. That, and TV shows, like ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ are causing people to show more interest.”
Mary Helms holds a similar opinion, but adds that the anniversary of the Civil War has also helped to create interest. Between the sesquicentennial and the close proximity to the Chickamauga Battlefield, the library has seen an influx of people seeking information about their ancestors over the past year.
“Even Lionel Ritchie came to our department researching his family in December!” she says.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Public Library hopes to make records and resources even more accessible. With the help of a new funding program, the library has plans to digitize all historical records in order to provide access to researchers worldwide.
“The overall goal is to generate appreciation for the area and a deeper understanding of the role Chattanoogans played in Civil War history,” says Davis.
But even more than this, Helms that hopes the library’s resources and staff will help people gain an understanding of who they are, and where they came from.
“You can’t understand the present without understanding the past. You can’t plan for the future without knowledge of the past. Ancestry helps people understand the events that shaped their ancestors lives, and will shape their future.”
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| Robert Cravens (1805-1888) house and Lookout Mountain Battlefield as viewed from the Point Hotel, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. House, built 1856, was rebuilt after the Civil War in 1867 and then fully restored 1955-1957. Originally called "Alta Vista," the house is now part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Photo Courtesy of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library |
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