Congratulations to the Hopkins County Genealogical Society! The local organization earned two more awards from the Texas State Genealogical Society. during 2017. The Quarterly, edited by Carol Ann Dixon, was named second-best in state. A new publication based on The Collection of Kenneth and Sidney Brice, complied by Shirley Patchen and other members, received a third-place award.
John Sellers, President of H C Genealogical Society, displays a working copy of 1914 city directory
Do you remember the old City Directory published in Sulphur Springs where you could look up individuals and businesses and cross-reference them by name, street address and phone number? They were common even until the 1990’s. Well, these old hard-bound directories published by private companies provide a wealth of historical information for researchers. Late historian Sydney Brice helped compile information for the earliest-known published local directory, the 1914 Sulphur Springs city directory. Later, late historian June Tuck re-typed the directory and entered it into a computer file so that it could be safely stored for future use. That’s the project the Hopkins County Genealogical Society has in full swing right now.
Society President John Sellers says this new book, 1914 Downtown Sulphur Springs, will be important because it will document life during an important era. In 1914, the World was at war, scores of local residents serving as soldiers, local business and home construction was taking off, two railroads were actively providing transportation and commerce with distant cities, and the local Chamber of Commerce was active. 1914 brought a new United States Post Office to Sulphur Springs and free mail delivery in town by postmen. In order to provide postal delivery, homeowners in town got house numbers and merchants got business addresses, and the first listing of this new innovation was in the 1914 City Directory.
The 1914 Downtown Sulphur Springs project also needs photos. If you have snapshots or photographs of a house, street, church or business that is up to ten years older or ten years younger than 1914, bring it to the Genealogical Library. Photos can be scanned in and your photo returned while you wait. If you have photos that you are not sure of their location or if they fit the era, you can bring those too, to be added to the growing computer archive for use when identified. You can find helpful volunteers to assist you at the Genealogical Library inside the Sulphur Springs Public Library, 611 North Davis. And the Genealogical Society is accepting new members. Phone 903-885-8523.
