History means so much more to you when there is a personal connection to what happened in the past. That connection comes from personal experience with what happened, where you live or have lived, who you know or have known, or the most personal connection, your family.
The Fayette County Genealogical Society held their Annual Linage Society Dinner on May 15, which was a celebration and recognition of the families of the pioneers who settled Fayette County, the later settlers, and soldiers all from 1820 to 1916.
The dinner was held at the Pinkerton House at 605 S. North St., Washington Court House, with a social hour at 6 p.m. and a delicious dinner served by Jason Gilmore at 6:30. The Pinkerton House was built in the 1800s and is furnished in lovely antiques making it the perfect setting for Society’s Linage celebration.
Within the Genealogical Society are three Linage Societies, First Families, Century Families, and Civil War Families all of Fayette County. After dinner, the following became the newest inductees into these three Linage Societies. To become a member of the First Families Society you must have an ancestor(s) who resided in Fayette County by Dec. 31, 1820. Danny Gilmore was inducted into the First Families of Fayette County with his ancestors Leonard Bush, Catherine Stingley, Robert Burnett, Susannah Hollingsworth, Magdalene Bush, and Henry Burnett. All were residents by 1818.
Century Families inductees must have an ancestor(s) who resided in Fayette County by Dec. 31, 1916. Sue Gilmore and Rena Beth Higman became members of this society with their ancestors Leo Rodgers, Dorothy Marie Minshall, Henry Jefferson Rodgers, Cora Nelson, Henry Manser Rodger, Dora Wood, George J. Rodgers, and Rebecca Lowderman. All were proven to be residents in the years between 1910-Dec. 31, 1916.
Other Century Families inductees were Cathy Massie White, Chad Alan White, and Heather Ann White with their ancestors James Hiram Massie and Letha Adrian Spears Massie who were residents by 1910.
The last society of induction during the evening’s program was the Civil War Families Society. To be eligible for this society your ancestor must have served in the Civil War for the Union or the Confederacy and lived in or served from Fayette County and served between April 12, 1861 and April 18, 1865. Sue Gilmore and Rena Beth Higman was inducted into this society due to the service of their ancestor George J. Rodgers, a Union soldier, serving in 60th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C.
Another Civil War Families inductee was Kitturah Westenhouser due to the service of her ancestor, David Reynold, in the Union’s Ohio 149th Infantry, Company B, 1861-1865.
Each of the inductees received a pin especially designed for each of the societies and a certificate declaring that they had proven their linage, having been approved by the Linage Committee of the Fayette County Genealogical Society. The Society congratulates the newest members of these societies and their work in adding to the rich history of Fayette County and its people.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Genealogical Society or any of its Linage Societies can obtain forms by contacting Cathy Massie White at 740-333-7227 or [email protected]. You can join the Society at any time and dues are only $10 a year. Meetings are at the Carnegie Library in Washington Court House the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. except January and February or if otherwise announced. The deadline for the Linage Society Forms is Feb. 1 of each year, but it is never too early to start your research and the society is always willing to be of assistance .
