Society hears of Memorial Day history; Tankersley named First Family
Martha Heard gave a Memorial Day program at Van Zandt County Genealogical Society meeting.
The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society met May 28 at the Van Zandt County Library for their monthly meeting.
The program, a history of Memorial Day, was presented by Martha Heard of Canton. Heard told of the evolution of the holiday from the original cemetery decoration day observance to the ceremonies and celebrations held today.
In addition to the program, First Vice President Ellen Wheeler presented a First Families of Van Zandt County certificate to Ron Tankersley of Canton.
Tankersley is a descendant of William Wade Tankersley, an early settler in Van Zandt County.
First Families Certificates are presented by the genealogical society to descendants of Van Zandt County settlers who arrived in the county prior to 1860.
For more information on First Families, contact Van Zandt County Genealogical Society at 903-567-5012.
The Genealogical Society meetings are held at 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at the Van Zandt County Library, 317 First Monday Ln.
The meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend, society officials said.
