BONHAM – Research for genealogists with Fannin County roots just got a little bit easier. The Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bonham has recently added substantial records for Fannin County to its permanent collection. These include such records as the Index to Deeds from 1838-1900, Index to Probate Records 1838-1934, and the Cross Index for County Court Minutes 1840-1899. Soon to be added will be the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Minutes for the Red River Presbytery, and the Index to Marriages and marriage records for 1852-1885. In addition, a large donation of genealogical materials with records for Kansas, North Carolina, and New England were recently donated.
The Center has access to all census records, as well as many other on-line research areas. “We are currently collecting county church records and histories, including session records,” stated Family History Center Director, Susan Hawkins. “We also welcome any donations of Fannin County family records.”
Center volunteers are happy to help you get started on your genealogy, or though that “wall” that often comes with your research. “I called the Center to see if it had some census records that would include my family, “ stated Sandra Walker of Whitewright. “Not only did they look them up while I was on the phone with them, but when my husband and I went to pick up copies, one of the volunteers helped my husband located the grave site of his grandfather! We’d been looking for years for that information, and they found it in minutes. The volunteers are so helpful and get as excited as we were when we found something!”
The Family History Center is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the 1st and 3rd Tuesday nights from 6 - 9 p.m. “We will soon have a display of unidentified pictures of Fannin County residents,” stated Hawkins. “Stop by and see if you spot one of your relatives!” The Center is located at 1540 S. Hwy. 78 in Bonham.