Want help learning about your family tree or preserving family history?
Mississippi State University Libraries will host the 2025 E.O. and Betty Templeton History and Genealogy Fair on June 7, offering history enthusiasts a chance to explore resources and research strategies. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library.
DeeDee Baldwin, associate professor and engagement librarian with MSU Libraries, said in a Wednesday press release from Mississippi State University that the fair is for genealogists of all experience levels and history enthusiasts of any kind.
“Everyone can benefit from learning creative new ways to record and preserve your family’s stories,” Baldwin said. “Learning about different types of records is useful to every genealogist. Even if a particular set of records doesn’t apply to their own family, they might pick up search strategies they can use elsewhere.”
The event will feature three speakers. Cassandra Hawkins will discuss methods for preserving family stories. Hawkins is an MFA student in documentary expression at the University of Mississippi, according to her website.
Columbus-Lowndes Public Library Local History Assistant Melissa Hering will share intriguing cases involving women in circuit court records of the Lowndes County archive.
Tribal archivist Eddie Johnson will also highlight resources available through the archives of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
“We’re so excited to partner with DeeDee Baldwin and Mississippi State University to host this year’s History and Genealogy Fair,” SOCPLS Director Phillip Carter said in a Wednesday email to The Dispatch. “Our Stark Annex here at the Starkville Public Library is devoted entirely to collecting the history of Starkville and Oktibbeha County and helping our patrons research their own genealogy and build their own family trees. I and our Local History and Genealogy Librarian, Perian Kerr, can’t wait to host this event and hope it results in a surge of interest in the wonderful history we house here at Starkville Public Library.”
Admission is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Visit msstate.libwizard.com/f/genfair.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
