Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society

08/07/2026

The Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, August 11, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the Program Center located in the Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street, Jackson.

Join us as Gwen McCaffery McReynolds and Sharon Pickens Spencer present: Tigrett Industries: Jackson's Toy-Making Legacy.

From about 1950 until 1964, John Burton Tigrett's, Tigrett Industries operated in Jackson, Tennessee, manufacturing patented toys, sports equipment, and children's furniture. Products made right here in Jackson found their way into homes in every state across the United States and in countries around the world.

Gwen and Sharon will take us on a nostalgic journey through this well known chapter of Jackson's industrial history, sharing the story of a hometown company whose innovative products brought joy to generations of children. Whether you remember these toys from your own childhood or simply enjoy learning about the people and businesses that helped shape our community, this program is sure to rekindle memories and introduce you to a fascinating piece of Jackson's past.

All those interested in genealogy and local history are encouraged to attend. Annual membership dues for the Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society are $25, which includes quarterly issues of Family Findings featuring West Tennessee genealogical stories and valuable research tips. Questions should be emailed to [email protected].

07/13/2026

The Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, July 14, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the Program Center located in the Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street, Jackson.

Join us as Gwen McCaffery McReynolds presents: Rev. John Deaver, KIA WW1 and Namesake for A.L. Post 90.

Discover the remarkable story of Rev. John Alexander Deaver, the First Cumberland Presbyterian pastor who answered the call to serve as an Army chaplain during World War I. Killed in action in France on October 13, 1918, while ministering to soldiers on the front lines, Deaver became one of the first Cumberland Presbyterian chaplains to make the ultimate sacrifice. This program explores his life, military service, legacy, and why Jackson's American Legion Post was named in his honor—a tribute that has preserved his memory for more than a century.

All those interested in genealogy are encouraged to attend. Annual membership dues for the Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society are $25, which includes quarterly issues of “Family Findings” featuring West Tennessee genealogical stories and valuable research tips. Questions should be emailed to [email protected].

07/02/2026

We hope everyone has a safe, happy, and fun 250th Independence Day weekend!

06/20/2026

https://youtu.be/cwmo8Amzu8Q

MWTGS Meeting 6.09.2026The Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society...

06/15/2026

If you haven't had a genetic genealogy profile done, Ancestry is currently running Father's Day sale on DNA kits.

Link is pinned in the comments.

Send a message to learn more

06/01/2026

The Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, June 9, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the Program Center located in the Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street, Jackson.

Lorri Skelton will present “16 Kids and on the Farm” — the story of the family of William Herschel and Bessie Lee Vaughn Montgomery of Middle Tennessee and their sixteen children.

From big family stories to surprising twists in the research, this program explores family history, life on the farm, and some unexpected genealogical discoveries along the way.

All those interested in genealogy are encouraged to attend. Annual membership dues for the Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society are $25, which includes quarterly issues of “Family Findings” featuring West Tennessee genealogical stories and valuable research tips. Questions should be emailed to [email protected].

05/18/2026

Come to the library on June 1st, and support one of our very own!

"Know Hope Chronicles"

The Life and Times of Bro. Jacob T. Rastus

Book Release Event/Signing on Monday, June 1st, 3:30 - 6:00, Jackson-Madison County Library, come and go.

There will be a 10-15 minute presentation and Q/A with the Author (GeorgeB) at 4:00 and repeated at 5:15.

05/11/2026

The Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, May 12, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the Program Center located in the Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street, Jackson.

Matthew R. West, Attorney at Law, will present: “Where Law Meets History: The 1872 Tennessee Will Case.” The program will feature a discussion of an 1872 Tennessee Supreme Court case involving an alleged handwritten will that centered on the authenticity of a handwritten Will and the legal questions surrounding it. The case not only reveals the social and legal climate of post–Civil War Tennessee but also demonstrates how court rulings from more than 150 years ago continue to influence probate law, handwriting evidence, and genealogical research today.

Please note that this meeting will not be recorded. All those interested in genealogy are encouraged to attend. Annual membership dues for the Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society are $25, which includes quarterly issues of “Family Findings” featuring West Tennessee genealogical stories and valuable research tips. Questions should be emailed to [email protected].

04/27/2026

04/06/2026

The Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, April 14, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the Program Center located in the Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street, Jackson. All are welcome to attend.

Mary Sue Hubbard will be sharing her story, “How DNA Changed My Life.” Following decades of extensive genealogical research proving nine generations of her paternal ancestors, a DNA test destroyed it all. The test was ordered to help locate maternal cousins; however, none were found through DNA. Instead, her world was turned completely upside. As a child and young adult, Mary Sue had experienced years of emotional trauma, which she ultimately overcame through significant personal effort and with the help of her husband. Now, DNA results opened a truly horrific Pandora’s Box. When she thought all the skeletons were out of the proverbial family closet, a real monster emerged. Can one reconcile their identity with an unconscionable act from long ago? Even as Mary Sue dealt with these thoughts, she searched for a box of her mother’s things, seeking specific old newspaper clippings, a letter written by her maternal grandmother, and what appeared as rambling notes written by her mother on the back of an envelope from 1949. As Mary Sue searched, she cried.... Then what? That is the rest of her story.

Please note that this meeting will not be recorded. All those interested in genealogy are encouraged to attend in person to hear the remainder of Mary Sue’s compelling story. Annual membership dues for the Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society are $25, which includes quarterly issues of “Family Findings” featuring West Tennessee genealogical stories and valuable research tips. Questions should be emailed to [email protected].