The National Genealogical Society (NGS) has announced plans for the NGS Regional Conference to be held in New Orleans 25 March 2000.

The professional speakers presenting this program are Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG, a noted author and most recently co-author of THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO GENEALOGY and Curt Witcher, MLS, FUGA, manager of the Historical Genealogy Department of the Allen County Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The NGS Regional Conference provides genealogists with the opportunity to sample the educational opportunities offered during the four-day NGS Annual Conference held later in the year.

Local hosts are the Baton Rouge Genealogical and Historical Society, the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans, the Jefferson Genealogical Society, the Jewish Genealogy Society of New Orleans, Le Comite, des Archives de la Louisiane, the Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society, the St. Bernard Genealogy Society, Inc., and the St. Tammany Genealogical Society.

This unique educational opportunity will be held at the Radisson Inn New Orleans Airport. Registration is $40 for NGS members, $50 for non-members and $14.90 for the Saturday luncheon. For a brochure call 1-800-473-0060 or visit the NGS homepage at www.ngsgenealogy.org.

DOES ANYONE KNOW….

— Judy K. Vaughn (300 North Labarre Road, Metairie, LA 70001, 504-834-4411) is searching for information on her grandfather, JESSE AARON PITTMAN. Mr. Pittman is believed to have been born between 1880-1890. He married ALMA MATHILDA WATERS of Yazoo County, Miss., and the couple had nine children: Alma Elizabeth, Corinne, Jesse James, Emmett Alvin, John Ernest, Opal, Walter Aaron, Willie Wyatt and Annie Belle. Mr. Pittman died sometime in the mid 1950’s and is buried in Benton, Miss. Any information on this family would be of great help as Mrs. Vaughn has been up against that ole brick wall in this part of her research.

— Earline Keith (1235 Allston Street, Houston, Texas, e-mail wearlk@concentric.net) needs help with her two year search for her grandfather, JAMES CROSBY JOHNSON, who was born on 15 March 1853 in Corinth, Miss. It is believed that his mother was English and that he had one brother named JAMES who was referred to as Uncle Jim. At some point Mr. Johnson moved to Trinity County, Texas and then to Houston County, Texas. He married MARY LOUISE LANE on 13 May 1883 in Groveton, Texas. He went by the name BABE and she was known as MOLLIE. Their farm was on Pine Prairie Road out of Kennard, Texas. Can any reader help with this family’s Mississippi history?

— Mary Lou H. Grady (308 Peach Orchard Drive, Ridgeland, Miss. 39157, 601-856-2671, e-mail marylou@netdoor.com) is seeking information on her grandfather’s siblings. Her grandfather, JOHN RISHER HOLDER, was born in Jasper County on 8 May 1866 and died there on 18 July 1944. His siblings were Henry B. Holder, Sophronia Holder, Lavinia Mattie Holder, Roxanna (Roxie) Holder, Rebecca Holder, Lilly (Liby) Holder, Elizabeth (Eliza) Holder and Julia Holder (born 11 February 1869; died 11 July 1945; married Matthew B. Stringer). Any information would be greatly appreciated.

— Katherine Roberts (334 Beaumont Drive, Pearl, Miss. 39208 601-939-5902) wishes to correspond with anyone having knowledge of BANKS MONROW TURNER who was born in 1908 and died on 13 June 1979. He was married to FLORENCE E. POWELL on 13 December 1894 in Leake County, Miss.

Florence was born in 1879 in Attala County, Mississippi and was the daughter of JOSEPH (JOE) HENRY POWELL and VIRGINIA ANNA (GENNIE) BOWMAN. Banks & Florence are Mrs. Roberts great uncle and aunt. Can anyone please help with more information?

Please send queries and announcements to FAMILY TREES, 900 Main Street, Natchez, Miss. 39120 or e-mail FAMTREE316@aol.com. All queries printed free of charge. We look forward to hearing from you

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