The East Texas Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at the Tyler Public Library in the Taylor Auditorium. The featured speaker will be Mic Barnette of Dallas/Plano. Mr. Barnette’s subject will be “Taking the Mystery Out of the Georgia Land Lotteries.” Founded in 1733 Georgia was one of the smallest and last of the thirteen original American colonies to be settled. After the American Revolution Georgia purchased huge expanses of land from the Indians and chose to distribute this newly acquired land in an unusual fashion known as the Georgia Land Lotteries. Over time Georgia held eight land lotteries known by and designated by the year in which they were held; 1805, 1807, 1820, 1821, 1827, two in 1832 and a final one in 1833. In his talk, “Taking the Mystery Out of The Georgia Land Lotteries,” Mr. Barnette, a former professional Georgia genealogical and historical researcher, will enlighten genealogists and historians of East Texas with the history of the eight lotteries, how they were conducted, and how one can use the records today to locate elusive and often difficult to find Georgia ancestors. Mr. Barnette, owner of Barnette’s Family Tree Book Company, attended Southwest Texas University where he obtained a degree in history, political science, and education. He has been actively engaged in genealogy since he was sixteen and has written numerous articles which have appeared in many national, state, and local magazines, newsletters, and quarterlies. For ten years he penned a widely read award winning historical-genealogical column in the Houston Chronicle. Mic currently works in the Genealogy Department of the Dallas Public Library and volunteers at the Plano Public Library’s Haggard Library. He is a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Sons of the Confederacy, the Sons of the American Revolution, and is an Admiral in the Texas Navy. Approximately thirty minutes following the conclusion of the regular program and refreshments, the Computer Interest Group of the East Texas Genealogical Society will meet with Barbara Galbreath, Tyler Library Local and Family History Librarian, who will present a program on “Internet Resources Available in the Tyler Public Library.” ETGS meetings are free and open to the public. For more information about ETGS go to our web-site: www.etgs.org or contact June Everheart, Publicity Director at 1stvp@etgs.org or (903)877-4501.