https://sites.rootsweb.com/~arnwags

Library Collection Located at the Bentonville Public Library

THE HISTORY of

the NORTHWEST ARKANSAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

The Northwest Genealogical Society officially began on May 28, 1971, when 17 local citizens met informally to discuss their family histories and to share their individual resources. After realizing there was very little experience among the group in tracing their ancestry, they decided to form a club that would focus on providing both assistance and resources to its members. For the next several months, they continued holding meetings, elected officers, and officially approved the bylaws of the Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society on November 21, 1971. This new Society would serve the interests of families with roots in Benton, Washington, Carroll, and Madison Counties (Originally served more counties).

The original charter members were: Edith Bates, Vivena Blackman, Donna Cooper, Jessie Cowen, Rita Duren, Belva Easley, Rayburn Easley, Lillian Fagala, Evelyn Jennings, Grace Kane, Myra Kuhn, Mary Marholtz, Verba Jo Pearce, Danny Putman, Doris Raby, Maudine Rand, Carolyn Roughton, Josie Stanley, and Thelma Teeter.

The Backtracker, the quarterly publication from the Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society, introduced its first issue in December, 1971, and has been published continually ever since.

The Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society’s first research “Library” opened in 1973 and was located in a member’s garage. The early members pooled their books so all could benefit from them. The Society then began purchasing books of important, early court and government records that continue to be the foundation of any genealogy research facility. These well thought-out decisions and continued donations from members have contributed to make the Library an excellent place to research your family roots.

As the number of books continued to grow, so did the need for a larger “Library”. From the garage the Society moved to the Bentonville Public Library when they were offered a small section of shelves for the Genealogical Research Library. A microfilm reader and film cabinet was added to assist the Library's patrons. Through the years the library collection was housed in various locations, including the Peel House and Compton Gardens. In September of 2006, the Society donated their genealogical collection to the Bentonville Public Library when their new building was opened to the public.

This collection, which now contains over 4,000 books, 120 microfilms, and 163 CDs, is located in the William Enfield History & Genealogy Research Room inside the Bentonville Public Library at 405 S. Main Street, Bentonville, Arkansas. This collection allows researchers to trace their family roots from the very beginning of our country when the ships first arrived, and throughout the original colonies and territories as we developed as a nation. Nearly every state in the union is represented and new volumes are being added weekly.

The Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society meets monthly January through November at 6:00 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Bentonville Public Library. The May meeting is reserved yearly for special events. Please contact the Library at (479) 271-6820 for scheduling and event details for May. The public is invited to attend.

Yearly dues are $15.00 per calendar year. Members receive a year’s subscription to the Backtracker, published quarterly, and free posting of queries.

Please direct all questions to:

Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society
c/o Bentonville Public Library

405 S. Main St.

Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 271-6820
E-mail: [email protected]

Bentonville Public Library

Would You Like To Become A Member?

Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society

Serving the Northwest Arkansas Counties of Benton, Washington, Carroll, and Madison

Dues are $15.00 per year which entitles you to our quarterly, the Backtracker. It consistently has 24+ pages and usually includes family stories plus indexes to records.

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DUES:
( ) $15.00 yearly membership

MAIL TO:

Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society

c/o Bentonville Public Library

405 S. Main St.

Bentonville, AR 72712

Phone: 479-271-6820

Email: [email protected]