Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Workshops Set

The Old State House Museum is sponsoring a series of four genealogy workshops beginning February 8, exploring how to research African American families.

The series is entitled,"The Tree In Me: An Exploration Of Roots," according to Ronnie A. Nicols, museum director.

The Old State House is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

"Four Saturday sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, February 8, March 8, April 12 and May 10," Nicholos said."The site for the first and last session is Trapnall Hall; the March meeting will be at the Arkansas History Commission; and the April session will be held at the Central Arkansas Library System, downtown Little Rock branch."

The fee is $45 for all four workshops. A limited number of scholarships is available.

Carolyn Hurvey, a noted genealogical researcher, will conduct the workshops. Assistance will be provided by Patricia Chamberlin of the Arkansas History Commission, Tim Nutt of the Central Library System and Ronnie A. Nichols, the Old State House Museum director.

Methods of research will include slave narratives, Freedman's Bureau records and census information. Part of the final session will focus on ideas of how participants might be able to have their research published.

Enrollment is limited, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested participants must register before January 31.

Workshop locations are: Trapnall Hall, located at 423 East Capitol, Little Rock; Arkansas History Commission, located at One Capitol Mall, Little Rock; and Central Arkansas Library System, downtown Little Rock branch, located at 700 Louisiana Street.

The project is supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Old Sate House shares the goal of all seven departments of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the State of Arkansas. The agencies are the Arkansas Arts Council; Arkansas Commemorative Commission, which governs the Old State House and Trapnall Hall; Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission; Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers Commission; Arkansas Historic Preservation Program; Arkansas Territorial Restoration and the Delta Cultural Center in Helena.