Get out those new 2014 calendars and
save the dates of April 24 - 26 for the fifth annual Reunion of Upcountry Families.
This three-day event includes speakers, classes, tours of local family history research
centers and tours of popular cemeteries. The event concludes with an all-day
genealogy reunion.
Activities begin on April 24 at the
Hampton Memorial Library in Easley with genealogy classes to be held in their computer
lab. One of the classes is designed for third- through sixth-grade students. An
open house is scheduled in the Gregorie Historical Room in the afternoon. At
the library that evening, Professor Tim Drake will discuss “Death, Burial and
Mourning Customs in the 18th and 19th Century South.” Drake is a noted historian and descendent of
Revolutionary War General Andrew Pickens. He is the vice-president of the
Pickens County Historical Society, a member of the Pendleton Historic
Commission and the Old Pendleton District Genealogical Society.
On April 25, several cemetery tours are
planned at different times. Also, visitors can tour the Pendleton District
Commission Archives. Guest speakers will be scheduled for that evening in
Folger Auditoium on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University in Central.
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The main event is April 26, from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Founders, located downstairs in the University Dining
Commons at Southern Wesleyan University in Central. Families will display
genealogical research, pictures, Bibles, old documents and other ancestral
memorabilia. A copier and printer will be available to help share information,
charts, pictures and other items.
During the day, guest
speakers and special tours are scheduled. In addition, local historical and
genealogical groups will be available. Participants can enjoy lunch upstairs in
the Dining Commons.
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This unique Upcountry
family history event continues to grow, thanks to funding from the Pickens
County Accommodation Tax, and is sponsored by the Birchwood Center for Arts and
Folklife, Old Pendleton District Genealogical Society, Southern Wesleyan
University, Central Heritage Society, Faith Clayton Family Research Center, Pickens
County Historical Society, Pickens County Museum of Art and History, Pickens
County Library, Anderson County Genealogical Society and Pendleton District
Commission.
For more information or to reserve a table, contact the
Birchwood Center or Ken Blakeney at kblakeney@live.com.