The last few years have seen the horizons of genealogical research expand beyond belief. Not only does the sheer volume of records available now boggle the mind, but even the way this information is supplied has changed dramatically. Just keeping up can put a wrinkle on the researcher’s brow!

The Family Research Association of Mississippi, the state’s largest genealogical group, is an invaluable source of assistance in the art of keeping up, and if you are not already a member, you may want to take this opportunity to become one.

This active group’s mission is education in family research with emphasis on sources, state-of-the-art methodology, preservation of historical records and interactive participation by members. This year their monthly newsletter becomes a quarterly one which will allow for publication of more research materials. Their Membership Directory/Surname Index is published each April, revised annually and distributed to all members. It contains data from applications (over 3,500 surnames and growing) and allows members to contact others doing research on their own surnames.

Meetings are held January through May and September through November at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood Road, Jackson, Miss. Annual membership dues are $12 for individuals and $15 for married couples. These may be sent to Family Research Association, P.O. Box 13334, Jackson, Miss., 39236-3334. Beginners are welcome. This is the perfect time to become a member.

DOES ANYONE KNOW…..

n Doyle L. Jones (911 Oak Hill Circle, Clinton, Miss. 39056-3743) is seeking assistance with the family of EBENEZER BARTLETT FOSTER who was born in about 1808 in Vermont. He married MARTHA ANN DEFORD on 25 June 1838 in Copiah County, Mississippi. Martha Ann was born about 1819 in Louisiana.

The couple had five children: Isabel F., Mary F., Permelia Ann, Matilda Jane and Jesse Herbert who was born 13 March 1841. Permelia Ann Foster married J. KENDRICK STANLEY; Jesse Herbert Foster married MARY MCPHAIL; and Matilda Jane Foster married WILLIAM W. DAVIS. Can anyone provide any further information on this family?

n Charles N. Ferguson (811 South Market, Shawnee, Okla. 74801) needs the birth date, death date, parentage, siblings and county of birth for an A. or AMBROSE PRICE. Mr. Price was born about 1856 or 1857 in Mississippi and died about 1900 in Madison or Robertson County, Texas. He married MARTHA OVIE FERGUSON on 25 December 1890 in Texas. The couple had three sons: Joe, Robert and Henry. Any information at all will be greatly appreciated.

n Mary Collins Landin (3084 Tom Collins Road, Utica, Miss. 39175, 601-885-8683, landinmc@aol.com) needs information on a MAJOR J. COOK. Major Cook, a native of Virginia, was born in 1762 and died 23 February 1818 in Utica, Miss. His gravestone was found in oldest part of Utica Cemetery under six inches of soil. Ms. Collins wants to know his family, relatives, connections and if he was possibly a Revolutionary War veteran.

In the vicinity of Utica in the early 1800’s JAMES, JOHN, and JARAD COOK have been found, all of the next generation from Major Cook Two generations of COOKS, MCELWEES, and DEVENPORTS are buried with him with the latest grave being 1851. So far, no one in the Utica area descended from any other Cooks has claimed him. There is a desire to mark Major Cook’s grave with the appropriate war emblem if the war he was a major in can be determined. Can any reader help with this quest?

Please send announcements and queries to FAMILY TREES, 900 Main St., Natchez, Miss., 39120 or e-mail (with your snail mail address) to Famtree316@aol.com. All queries printed free of charge.

Family Trees is a weekly column written by Nancianne Parkes Suber of Natchez.