Genealogy retreat well received

(Further information available upon request)

 In 2003, “Genealogy in the Woods”, a genealogical and historical retreat was conducted by The Gregath Publishing Company.  Over three days, October 24, 25, and 26, 2003 researchers and historians converged on Cave Springs Christian Retreat in rural northeast Oklahoma. Again (as in 2001) due to the nature of the event, attendance was by reservation only.  Students of family history were able to enjoy an all inclusive weekend that allowed a wide variety of activities in addition to instruction.  Since a retreat, while being instructional, should not be the least bit stressful, the decision not to include any exhibitors was made. 

Attendees arrived from several states on a pleasant, if windy, Friday afternoon and began settling in.  The owners of the location were on hand to make the genealogist’s as well as several other groups sharing the campus, feel right at home.  The fall colors made the afternoon enjoyable by all.  After a fine dinner, the attendees enjoyed special entertainment by Jake Simpson, beside the camp fire.  Jake, the youngest volunteer in the National Parks System, wowed those assembled with a fine selection of War Between the States “fiddle” pieces accompanied by historical narration from David Simpson.  S’mores were served as Jake, in War Between the States costume, took requests from the attendees.

Saturday dawned grey and cold – perfect for a day of classroom activities.  Sessions included Clione Beiber, Kansas Research; Shirley Carter, Surnames; Carrie Cook, Preservation and Restoration, Oral History, Writing Family History; Fredrea Gregath Cook, Expanding Horizons, Where Yesterday’s Documents Are Found, What You Can Do For Your Library; Barbara Crew Hutton, War Between the States Confederate Military Records; Ronald Jacobs, Cherokee Courthouses, Working with Officials, Interesting Lineal Organizations; Janice Merideth, Finding Your Female Ancestresses; Frankie Meyer, Missouri Research; Dalena Nichols, Researching Tennessee Records; Vesta Nadine Severs, Newtonia’s Baptism by Fire; Sue Tolbert, Cemeteries and Their Bones, Digital Photography; and Wally Waits, Advanced Arkansas Research – both Pre-War Between the States to 1900. 

Sunday sparkled with the crispness that October offers in northeast Oklahoma and capped the retreat with an optional non-denominational service by Parson Ken Higgins in War Between the States period vestments.  The weather also provided the attendees a perfect day for travel back to their homes and families.

Questions:
The Gregath Publishing Company

PO BOX 505, Wyandotte, OK 74370

http://www.gregathcompany.com      ¶         918-542-4148

Page Last Updated: August 08, 2008