Smith County Historical Society

“Unmistakably Tyler II” magazine of the TEDC

Normally we wouldn’t feature just a single item for a blog post.  This magazine  found at an estate sale last year is just to good to pass on postiing about.  Published in 1991, written and commissioned by the Tyler Economic Development  Council, Inc.–has many stories and images of past businesses, organizations, and people that aren’t with us anymore.  I was initially interested ...[Read More]

Katie A. Stewart Collection, 2011.37.001

——————————————————————————- ——————————————————————————- KAS ~ Manuscript 05/02/2024 R ...[Read More]

Aerie Yearbook, Rusk, Cherokee County, Texas, 1973

Index to Aerie Yearbook 1973 Rusk, Cherokee County, Texas Note: Every effort was made to index all names, places, and subjects. Corrections may be sent to East Texas Genealogical Society’s e-mail address – quarterly@etgs.org. Jeanne Sellers created this index. Scott Fitzgerald proofread and formatted the information that was printed in all the diff ...[Read More]

Oscar A. Winkfield

Laon, France – Airman Second Class Oscar A. Winkfield, son of Mrs. Opal J. Winkfield of 812 W, 28th St., Tyler, has been presented the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award at Laon AB, France.   Airman Winkfield, a five protection specialist, received the award as a permanent decoration for helping the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing achieve an exceptionally meritorious rating in support of ...[Read More]

The Tyler Star Annual Safety Book 1958-59 Tyler, Texas

The Tyler Star Annual Safety Book 1958-59 Tyler, Texas

Index to The Tyler Star 14th Annual Safety Book 1958-59 Tyler, Texas Index compiled by Jeanne Sellers and proofread and formatted by Scott Fitzgerald for the East Texas Genealogical Society. Blog by Carla Lacy – Tyler Star Safety Books, posted July 21, 2018. Abel, Bain – 17 Acker, Carolyn – 55 Adair, Timmy – 44 Adam, Margaret – 32 Adams, Stephen – 3 Adamson, Den ...[Read More]

Benjamin Goss Donor of Universe Cemetery, Smith County, Texas

The following is a continuation of information provided by Vicki Betts (vbetts@gower.net) after she and others worked diligently to have the Universe/University Cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery in July 2020. This information is about Benjamin Goss Donor of Universe Cemetery, Smith County, Texas   Benjamin Goss was born in about ...[Read More]

Universe/University Cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery

Universe/University Cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery

The following is a press release that was created by Vicki Betts after she and others worked diligently to have the Universe/University Cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery. Date:  July 14, 2020 Press Release – For Immediate Release Contact:  vbetts@gower.net Universe/University Cemetery Receives Historic Texas Cemetery Design ...[Read More]

Sharing African American History

Since I have been a member of the historical society, still–after all these years African American history is one of the most under donated topics in our holdings.  As a member of the community I do hold things close to my heart and in my personal collections, but I will also share whatever I can for the better of the community.  Here at the Society we are at the mercy of donations to the co ...[Read More]

The Rose Queens of Tyler, Texas

Chamber of Commerce Negative Collection, Object ID: cofcneg168A-002

As with many of my research projects, it started with a question of “Who was the first Rose Queen?” I assumed it would be one of established families of Tyler but I would have been wrong. It turns that the first Rose Queen was from Palestine, Texas, the daughter of a jeweler.   So I started with the book by Frank Bronaugh entitled 50 years, Texas Rose Festival Association, 1933-19 ...[Read More]

State-Wide 2019 Genealogy Lock-In Program

State-Wide 2019 Genealogy Lock-In Program

In celebration of October, as Family History Month, the Smith County Historical Society ­­­­will join the Genealogy Network of Texas (GNT) for a collaborative event on October 18, 2019 from 10 am – 8:30 pm. The GNT is a state-wide initiative to connect libraries and provide educational and research opportunities and is spearheaded by the Genealogy Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library.  ...[Read More]