Cumberland Gap Genealogy Jamboree

The Cumberland Gap Genealogy Jamboree begins today in the area through which so many people had ancestors travel. This is a more relaxed genealogy event than many. Outside are crafts, re-enactments, and a few other events. Inside the National Park Visitor Center's auditorium are presentations by known regional and national speakers. The event runs through Saturday.

I won't be attending today's festivities as I'm using the time to do laundry and pack. I have a work-related conference for which I'm leaving as soon as I finish speaking Saturday. Because I plan to attend most of Friday and Saturday, I needed today to get ready (and to spend a little time with my kittens who are quickly becoming full-grown cats).

I'm looking forward to visiting with many friends at the event, but this year's event will be a little sad as Connie won't be there. Connie was from the Evansville, Indiana area and always came. I always enjoyed visiting with her and Lyn at the booth they set up to sell "extra copies" of genealogy books to benefit the Willard Library. A distant "cousin" Mary also usually came and visited. [I say she's a "cousin" even though the connection is not proven. We know it will be there once we discover from which line my ancestor descends. Regardless of the line, we'll end up being related.]

Things will be different, but are things ever "the same" again?

Cumberland Gap Genealogy Jamboree 2016

This year's Cumberland Gap Genealogy Jamboree will be held June 9-11. While the event includes reenactments, old timey crafts, and much more, the event includes lectures of interest to genealogists.

J. Mark Lowe mulling and pondering at the 2015 Cumberland Gap Genealogy Jamboree

The main track of lectures is held at the National Park's visitor center's auditorium.

Thursday, June 9

9 am - 10 am - Dora Fisher / What's New on FamilySearch
10:30 am - 11:30 am - Dora Fisher / FamilySearch Strategies
1 pm - 2 pm - Peggy Clemens Lauritzen / Putting America to Work: The Records of the WPA (Works Progress Administration)
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Peggy Clemens Lauritzen / The Scots-Irish in America

Friday, June 10

9 am - 10 am - Ann Blomquist / Migration Routes
10:30 am - 11:30 am - Ann Blomquist / Using Old Newspapers for Research
1 pm - 2 pm - J. Mark Lowe / Proving Early Relationships
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - J. Mark Lowe / Cemeteries as a Genealogical Resource

Saturday, June 11

9 am - 10 am - J. Mark Lowe / Using State Archives & Libraries from Afar
10:30 am - 11:30 am - J. Mark Lowe / Talking to the Neighbors to Learn More about Your Family
1 pm - 2 pm - Lori Thornton / Researching Your Baptist Ancestor
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Lori Thornton / The Basics of DNA for the Family Historian

The events in the Festival Park location in the town of Cumberland Gap are a bit more diverse in nature but include some lectures of interest to genealogists.

Thursday, June 9

10 am - 11 am - Dick Gault / Military Research Pertaining to Appalachia
11 am - Noon - Jerry Mustin / Explaining the Meaning of Old Sayings
1 pm - 2 pm - Dick Gault / Appalachian Research
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Mike Dahl / Kings Mountain: The American Spirit

Friday, June 10

10 am - 11 am - General Lee / Civil War Flag Presentation
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Dick Gault / Cumberland Gap Area Feuds
1 pm - 2 pm - Abraham Lincoln
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Peggy Clemens Lauritzen / America's Forgotten War: The War of 1812
     or Dick Gault / Cemetery Research: Field Trip to Cemetery

Saturday, June 11

10:15 am - 11:15 am - Sharon Petro / Dulcimer
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Denise Reagan (Nashville Singer/Songwriter)
1 pm - 2 pm - Abraham Lincoln-General Lee Debate
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Peggy Sawyer / Storytelling: Ghost & Folklore/Stories Galore

Vendors along the main street in the town of Cumberland Gap during the 2013 Jamboree.

If you are in the area, please consider joining us for one or more of the days!