The Sheridan Genealogical Society was formed in 1982 as a group to provide
encouragement, interest, and education for the beginner as well as the
advanced genealogist.Once a month we meet to exchange ideas and
information, hear informative programs, and attend workshops.
Over the years, we have contributed to the Sheridan County genealogical
community by completing several projects:
- Compiled Mount Hope Cemetery Record Book
- Indexed all marriage records
- Indexed naturalization records
- Indexed Declarations of Intent
- Copied and bound military discharge papers
- Cataloged the rural cemeteries in Sheridan County
We also have several ongoing pursuits:
- We donate numerous books and publications to the Wyoming Room of the
Sheridan County Library System
- We compile local family histories
- We do research for people who live outside of the area and can’t
access our records easily
History
and Founding of the Sheridan Genealogical Society
Following
a Community Services course in genealogy, offered at Sheridan
College during the spring semester, 1982, a group of students and
other interested persons began meeting monthly as the Sheridan
Genealogy Interest Group, now called the Sheridan Genealogical
Society.
One of the first
money-making projects decided on by the group, was the sale of
family group sheets, pedigree charts and other material important in
the genealogist's organization of collected information. These were
sold at the monthly meetings and at the first community activity for
the group, which was a booth at the Third Annual Renaissance Faire,
held Sunday, August 29, 1982.
At the August 21st
general meeting, the Bellevue Cemetery was discussed, and undertaken
as a service project by the genealogy group. The purpose of the
project is to compile an alphabetical index of names from
gravestones as well as other available records, which will benefit
the community.
The interest group
became incorporated in October 1982 under the new name of The
Sheridan Society for Genealogical Research Inc., and began actively
taking memberships and seeking donations and public support. By the
end of 1982 there were 30 members in the new organization.
During the November
general meeting, the first officers elected by the membership were:
Sharon Thornburg, President; Diane Gunderson, Vice-President; Ann
Vigil, Recording Secretary; Katie Popovich, Treasurer; Marian
Shultz, Corresponding Secretary; Vernita Gordon, Membership Steward;
Helen Graham, Librarian; and Hazel Richards, Parliamentarian.
For its future, it
is hoped the SSGR Inc. will provide encouragement, interest and
education for the beginner as well as the experienced genealogist.
