There is still time to register for the CCGS-ETHA FAMILY HISTORY FAIR on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, 1031 SE Loop 456, in Jacksonville organizers said earlier this week. Late registrations and walk-ins will still be accepted on Saturday morning. However, organizers suggest the best plan is to call in or e-mail your lunch reservation and pay at the door Saturday morning. Contact the Cherokee County Genealogical Society at 903-586-0135, ccgs@suddenlink.net or P. O. Box 1332, Jacksonville. "White Elephant" items are still being sought for the silent auction to be held during the morning sessions of the fair. Donations can be made by contacting CCGS member, Rev. Barbara Hugghins, at 1st UMC, Jacksonville or CCGS Treasurer Helen Marable of Jacksonville. Rev. Hugghins and Mrs. Marable are in charge of organizing the CCGS-ETHA silent auction. Speakers for the CCGS-ETHA FAMILY HISTORY FAIR will include Mrs. Peggy Lloyd of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives in Washington, Arkansas, for three sessions. Mrs. Lloyd's third session from 2-3PM will be "George Martin of Angelina County, Texas, and Hempstead County, Arkansas, in Reconstruction." George Martin was an Angelina County official during the turbulent times at the end of the Civil War when the Angelina County seat was at Homer. Mr. Martin eventually left the area and eventually settled for a time in Hempstead County, Arkansas. One of the events that occurred during these turbulent times was the mortal wounding of the Angelina County Sheriff in a "shootout" on the courthouse square in Homer. More details about Angelina County's history in that time period can be learned by attending Mrs. Lloyd's session during the fair organizers said. Dr. Richard Hackney of Jacksonville will give one session on preservation of African-American Cemeteries in East Texas. Participating in a series of sessions on Cherokee County Cemeteries will be CCGS president Gordon Bennett, CCGS Web Master Mrs. Kaye Slover of Nacogdoches, CCGS 2nd Vice-President David Henderson and new CCGS member George Martin. Keynote speaker will be John Versluis. Dean of the Texas Heritage Museum at Hill College, Hillsboro, Texas, who will also present two additional morning sessions following his keynote address beginning at 9:00AM. Kevin Klaus, Information Specialist and Archivist, General Land Office, Austin will present two afternoon sessions. Mrs. Carol Taylor of Greenville, Texas, will be presenting four sessions on "So You Want to Climb Your Family Tree!" Her session titles are "First Steps," "Spreading Out," "Reaching Even Farther" and "Now Down to the Roots of Your Tree." Attendees in Mrs. Taylor's four session one day class can learn how to begin finding out if they are who they think they are just like the stars of the television programs of a similar title, organizers said. George Avery PhD, an archeologist at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, will present one morning session about grave marker customs and designs found in East Texas cemeteries. More information can be obtained about the upcoming CCGS-ETHA FAMILY HISTORY FAIR by visiting the CCGS web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~txcherok, via e-mail to ccgs@suddenlink.net or by calling 1-903-586-0135 and via regular mail at Post Office Box 1332, Jacksonville, Texas, 75766-1332. Brochures, either printed on paper or via e-mail, containing more detailed information about the CCGS-ETHA FAMILY HISTORY FAIR can be obtained by contacting the society. Cost for attending the one-day fair is $35.00 including a full plate lunch, discounted to $15.00 for CCGS or ETHA members. Lunch for the event is being provided by the 1st UMC Adult Mission Group to fund local missions including the church's food pantry. Anyone interested in researching their family history and genealogy is invited to attend the CCGS meetings and join the society members said. Free genealogy and historical research help is available after the regular CCGS business meetings and programs. CCGS dues can be paid at any society meeting or by mail. Annual membership dues are $20.00(single) and $25.00 for a two-member household. Membership includes issues of the CCGS publication, TREE TALK. Single issues of TREE TALK are also available for purchase by regular mail or e-mail. Vivian Toole Cates, Alto 1-936-858-3801 1st Vice-president Program Chairman, Publicity, Special Projects-Cherokee County Genealogical Society