GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS OCTOBER "ARKANSAS FAMILY HISTORY MONTH" Across the nation Governors are being asked by the National and state genealogical societies to proclaim the month of October "Family History Month." Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas has issued an official Proclamation for October 2000 to be observed as Arkansas Family History Month and calls upon the citizens of the state to observe the month with appropriate programs and celebrations. Lynda Suffridge, president of the Arkansas Genealogical Society, invites all citizens of our state and those across the country whose ancestors came from Arkansas to observe the month by having reunions with family members, gather family stories, customs and traditions, identify family photographs, make scrapbooks and research your family's history. Learn the history of your community and county and support those organizations that are working to preserve the artifacts and records that document the past. Collect oral histories of your family and community. Lend your support to local, state, and national historical and genealogical societies. These groups all encourage records preservation. The past tells us where we came from, who we are, and if we study it carefully we can learn where we are going. One of the activities being held to observe the month will be held October 20 & 21, 2000, at the Holiday Inn-Airport, when the Arkansas Genealogical Society will hold their 38th annual seminar offering outstanding opportunities for those just beginning family history research as well as those who are more experienced. Friday evening, October 20, five classes are offered with the choice of taking two classes. Speakers include: Russell Baker discussing "Neglected Genealogical Sources;" David Burdick speaking on "Genealogy Sources on the Web;" Jan Eddleman teaching "Genealogy from the Roots Up"; Dr. Ed Sanders speaking on "Courthouse Research"; and Lynda Suffridge teaching "Land Platting: Metes & Bounds, Township & Range." Saturday, October 21 Desmond Walls Allen will speak on "Research Strategies for that Difficult Ancestor" and "Maximizing Death Records." For a flyer and further information contact Arkansas Genealogical Society, PO Box 908, Hot Springs, AR 71902-0908; call Mary Reid Warner, Seminar Chair, 501-922-6598; Email: Ags-1@rootsweb.com; or visit our website at www.rootsweb.com/~args