Ancester Fair Coming to Grove

The 2006 Grand Lake Ancestor Fair and Seminar comes to Grove Saturday, April 22, headlined by a seminar by Russell P. Baker and activities for the family researcher. The fair is held at the Grove Community Center, 104 W. 3d Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Delaware County Genealogical Society hosts the fair. Russell P. Baker, a native of Arkansas, is archival manager for the Arkansas History Commission and State Archives in Little Rock. He is a genealogist, former president of the Arkansas Genealogical Society, and has served on the society’s board for nearly three decades. Baker is the author of a number of award-winning historical and genealogical publications. His Historical Directory of Arkansas Post Offices 1832 — 1971 and Arkansas Township Atlas, both recently revised and reprinted, are modern classics. Baker will give three presentations; "Over the Mountain Men”, genealogical research in Tennessee, will cover the rich lode of materials available to researchers of Tennessee families; “The Blue and the Gray” will be a discussion of Civil War research for genealogists. The war was one of the most traumatic events in American history, and many materials are available to researchers. “Who Blowed Up the Church House?” is the title of a presentation on records which can be an alternate source when burned courthouses leave gaps in records. Local parish records, church newspaper records, and records of denominational organizations can be filled with useful information. Several free events will be available to fair visitors. At 12:15, a free presentation ‘Beginning Cherokee Research” will be given by Rose Stauber, well-known researcher in Cherokee records. It is suggested that those attending bring pencil and paper and their family research back to 1900. Free computer searches of the Dawes Roll, or Final Roll of the Five Civilized Tribes will be offered all day by the host society. Again, those using the searches should have family information back to 1900 to assist in the search. Visitors to the fair are invited to “Meet the Authors” of three books about the Civil War. They are Patrick L. and Sharolyn S. McCoy, authors of Elkhorn Tavern, 1860, The Pea Ridge Community; David L. Haimerl, author of Clarkson's Battalion, C.S.A. which covers action in this border area: and Linda Alstrom Hare, author of Seven Hares in the Civil War which follows members of an Iowa family. The admission for Russell P. Baker’s Seminar and all activities is $20 if registration is received by April 15. The admission is $25 after that date. Admission to one of Baker’s presentations is $10 which includes the $3 entrance fee. Admission to the fair and all activities except the seminar is $3 at the door. Family researchers who wish to share their work with others can reserve half a table for $3 if the reservation is made before April 15.