Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society (MTGS)

08/02/2026

We are pleased to announce that the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society's 38th Annual Seminar, Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with Genealogy. Along with our co-hosts, the Tennessee Historical Society and the Brentwood Historic Commission.

We will be delighted if you choose to join us for this exciting event featuring well known speakers Chuck Sherrill and J Mark Lowe.( see the brochure for details)

The seminar site will be Tennessee State Library and Archives, 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N. Nashville, TN 37219 on September 19, 2026. Registration will begin at 8:15am. The seminar will start at 9:00am and run until 3:30pm.


Please visit our Seminar page for the full brochure and registration information.
https://www.mtgs.org/seminar.html

07/26/2026

What an incredible day at the Upper Cumberland Family History & Genealogy Festival in Historic Granville!

The Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society was proud to host a resource booth, where we met so many people eager to learn more about researching their family history. It was wonderful to connect with both experienced genealogists and those just beginning their journey.
A special thank you to Jeff Bockman, one of our MTGS members, for his outstanding presentation, "No Birth Certificate? No Problem!" His practical research tips showed that even the toughest genealogy puzzles can often be solved with the right records and strategies.
We were also delighted to see fellow MTGS member Brenda Francis sharing her knowledge at one of the Family Name Booths, helping visitors explore their ancestral connections and Upper Cumberland roots.
But the festival is about so much more than genealogy. Historic Granville is a charming Tennessee treasure where you can enjoy museums, historic buildings, artisan demonstrations, local shopping, delicious food, and warm small-town hospitality. Whether you're researching your family tree or simply looking for a memorable day trip, there's something for everyone. The festival also brings together archives, historical societies, FamilySearch volunteers, and surname researchers from across the region, making it a unique opportunity to learn and connect. If you've never visited Granville, put next year's Family History Festival on your calendar. You'll leave inspired, informed, and maybe even with a few new branches added to your family tree!

Societies that had booths were:
• Cemetery Restoration and Preservation Assoc.
• Cumberland Mountain Civil War Round Table
• Daughters of the American Revolution:
-Caney Fork Chapter, NSDAR
-Old Walton Road Chapter, NSDAR
• East Tennessee Historical Society
• Fentress County Historical Society
• Gainesboro Kin Seekers
• Jackson County Veterans Memorial Hall
• Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society
• Overton County Archives
• Overton County Historical Society
• Pickett County Historical & Genealogical Society
• Putnam County Historical Society of Tennessee
• Smith County Heritage Museum
• Sons of Confederate Veterans
-Dillard-Judd Camp
• Tennessee Tech University Archives and Special Collections
• Shawn Gray, Bookseller for History Books for
Fentress, Overton and Pickett Counties​
• United Daughters of the Confederacy
-Capt. Sally Tompkins Chapter
-Capt. Henry W. Hart Chapter
• White County Genealogical-Historical Society

07/23/2026

Hello MTGS followers and members. We need your input. We have meetings every other month that you can attend in person or on zoom. My question to you is " Is there an activity or service that would encourage you to attend the meetings at TSLA?" Please comment with ideas or suggestions that you would like to see for the in person option.

07/21/2026

Come to Granville TN this Saturday, July 25 for the Upper Cumberland History & Genealogy Festival! MTGS will gave a booth and speakers will be Jeff Bockman, David Reeves, Anna Stephenson, and Dr. Kent Dollar.
Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12.

https://www.granvilletn.com/post/upper-cumberland-family-history-genealogy-festival-expands-to-four-venues-with-renowned-speakers-a

An hour from Nashville is Tennessee's Mayberry Town, located on Cordell Hull Lake. Visit the I Love Lucy Mayberry Museum, an 1880 charming country store, historic home tours, and other museums and pioneer village.

07/18/2026

Hope you were able to join in person or online for todays MTGS meeting. Guest speakers Janice Eleenor Smith and Jim Thweatt discussed the DAR and SAR process. Here are some pictures and shots of their favorite websites for researching Revolutionary War Patriots!

07/17/2026

Meeting Reminder:

Saturday, July 18, 2026, 1:00pm - 3:00pm Central, at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, and on Zoom
MTGS Regular Meeting: Claiming Your Ancestral Connections to America's Past
Speakers: Janice Fleenor Smith (Crab Orchard Chapter, Tennessee DAR) and Jim Thweatt (Valentine Sevier Chaper, Tennessee SAR)

Learn about lineage verification processes for lineage societies such as the DAR and SAR. Janice Fleenor Smith will highlight DAR history, female Patriot contributions and her chapter's three-person membership support system that helps prospective members navigate the sometimes-lengthy documentation process.

AND our "After Meeting" will feature Chuck Sherrill demonstrating ways to build out your family tree using Ancestry and other sites.

Everyone is welcome to attend - beginners, seasoned researchers, and anyone curious about connecting their family story to America's founding era.

See you there!

06/27/2026

Start the countdown! Beginning NOW, and for the next 250 hours, enjoy FREE ACCESS to Fold3 Revolutionary War records, including full-text search pension records! www.fold3.com/freeaccess

06/23/2026

“The true value of genealogy is connection…”. Hope to see you in Granville the last Saturday in July.

Two little feet, nine generations of footsteps. These children are the 9th generation of the Huff family to walk on Granville paths, trails, and roads, a reminder that the past lives on through the future. The true value of genealogy is connection, helping families understand they are part of a rich past while inspiring them to shape the future. Knowing where we come from gives meaning to where we are going. Make connections, attend the Upper Cumberland History and Genealogy Festival in Granville, TN on July 25. For a detailed schedule go to www.granvilletn.com.
Explore Jackson County
Upper Cumberland TN
Liz Huff Bennett
Beth O. Rustenhaven

06/21/2026

Did you know that Descendants Day was founded in Nashville? 🌿 Celebrated on the last Sunday in June, it was launched by Nashville historic preservationist Charlie Howell in 1996. He founded this special day to remind us to honor our roots and consider the legacy we leave for future generations.

Join us at the Nashville City Cemetery on June 28 to celebrate Descendants Day in the city where it started! We hope to see you this special day!

You can find more information about Descendants Day at the Eventbrite link posted in the comments below.

Photo caption: NCCA Co-President Susan Laux honoring her ancestors at her family plot in the Nashville City Cemetery.