Announcements

Seeking Family Bible Information

Photographing Family Bibles

Managing Director Leslie Wyman, center, photographs the genealogical information found on the family pages of an 1874 Family Bible, assisted by staffer Tommy Roberts, left, and volunteer Ethel McLemore, right.

The White River Valley Historical Society is seeking genealogical information from family Bibles to be made available to researchers online, as well as at the Society’s Research Library.

“The information recorded in Bibles on the family pages usually includes birth, marriage, and death dates and names”, explained WRVHS Managing Director Leslie Wyman. “Many times, this information is the only place where these details are found, particularly for those who were born and/or died between census enumerations and buried without a tombstone. Generally, the individual who recorded the information knew the names and dates from personal knowledge, and therefore, it may be more accurate than what was provided by someone outside of the family for other documents.”

“While we are happy to accept these precious Bibles into our collection, we are primarily interested in obtaining good-quality copies of the family pages. Due to modern technology and by using a special tablet stand created for us for this purpose, we can now easily photograph the pages at our Forsyth location. We are indexing all names from the pages, and will publish the index on our website in the near future.”

Those who have family Bible information to share are encouraged to call 417-546-2210 or email info@wrvhs.org. The 56-year-old non-profit White River Valley Historical Society includes a museum, research library, and bookstore/gift shop. WRVHS regular hours are Monday–Friday, 10:00–4:00, weather permitting, at 297 Main Street in Forsyth. The Society’s Branson Centennial Museum (417-239-1912) is located at 120 S Commercial, downtown Branson, and features the Reish Family Gallery of History, as well as a bookstore/gift shop. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00–4:00, weather permitting. There is no admission charge at either location.

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