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Welcome to the Hopkins County Genealogical Society!
Sulphur Springs, Texas
On behalf of our board and members, we are delighted to have you visit our site, where history comes alive through our extensive resources and community of passionate genealogists. Whether you are just beginning your family history journey or have years of research experience, our society offers valuable tools, including access to a vast library, unique archival materials, and expert guidance. We invite you to explore our online records, participate in our events, and consider joining our society to connect with fellow researchers and support the preservation of Hopkins County’s rich heritage. Membership brings exclusive benefits, and we look forward to welcoming you to our growing community!
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HCGS is proud to be a Partner Society of the Texas State Genealogical Society. TIGR 2025 is June 16-20. |
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Holiday Closing We will be closed Monday, January 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 9:30am. |
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Join us for Lunch & Learn Topic: Our Library’s Lesser-Known Records Wednesday, January 22, 2025. More info . . . |
Start 2025 Strong: Renew Your HCGS Membership Today!
Your Membership Keeps Genealogy Alive—Near and Far
2025 is here, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting year for the Hopkins County Genealogical Society! Whether you live right here in Hopkins County or connect with us from miles away, your membership plays a vital role in preserving and sharing our history.
This year, we’re continuing important projects to make our collections more accessible, our website more resourceful, and our monthly programs engaging—both in person and via Zoom.
Why Your Membership Matters:
- Local Impact: For our Hopkins County members, your support ensures we can keep our collections and archives available for research, community projects, and events.
- For Out-of-County or State Members: Your contributions help us grow our online presence, keeping you connected to your Hopkins County roots no matter where you are.
Important Updates for 2025:
- Quarterly Preferences: Starting in 2026, printed quarterlies will only be available for an additional fee. Please indicate on this year’s membership form whether you’d like to receive your quarterly via email or as a printed copy in 2025.
- Military Service Information: To support our partnership with AmeriCorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program, we’re asking all members to indicate if they are active military or veterans on their application form.
Don’t miss out on another year of discovery, connection, and community with HCGS.
Get Started Today!
Download the 2025 Membership Application and submit your renewal at your earliest convenience. We accept check or credit card. See our membership page for more details. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember for HCGS!
From Hopkins County History
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| Sunday, January 26, 1930, page 1 Chamber Commerce For The New Year [editied here for brevity] President Chas. F. Ashcroft and Secretary M. B. Sherwood are finalizing plans for the Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming year, to be presented for approval this week. Committees are preparing for the annual Chamber banquet, scheduled for February. This much-anticipated event continues to inspire community engagement and progress. Reflecting on past successes, the Chamber played a vital role in advancing Hopkins County’s road infrastructure and attracting significant businesses. Notably, in early 1929, Carnation officials visited Sulphur Springs and, with the Chamber’s dedicated efforts, selected our town for one of their Texas creameries. Land was purchased, and construction plans are set. Additionally, the Southwest Dairy Products Company also chose Sulphur Springs for a plant, further solidifying the area as a hub for dairy production. The Chamber’s efforts extend beyond city limits, fostering growth and opportunity throughout Hopkins County. With a strong foundation and community support, the Chamber looks forward to another year of meaningful progress in 1930. |
Discover the Legacy of Jonathan Knight: A Pioneering American Engineer
The Hopkins County Genealogical Society proudly offers a book by Patrick F. Chase, a long-time member and former board member. This 237-page paperback, filled with full-color pictures, is available for $25. A portion of the proceeds supports our society.
Jonathan Knight 1787-1858 explores the life of an influential American figure. Born in Philadelphia during the drafting of the Constitution, Knight played pivotal roles in early American infrastructure. As a surveyor and commissioner for the Department of War, he developed the National Road, the first U.S. Interstate, stretching from Maryland to Illinois. As Chief Civil Engineer for the B&O Railroad, he helped establish America’s first commercial railroad, impacting the nation’s economic and cultural landscape.
Knight, a self-taught mathematician and civil engineer, was also a devout Quaker and anti-slavery advocate. He and his wife, Ann Heston Knight, raised seven sons. Knight was a farmer, founder of agricultural societies, and an innovator in modern farming techniques. He served in the Pennsylvania State Senate and the 34th U.S. Congress.
Discover why Knightstown, Indiana, a town on the National Road, was named after this remarkable Pennsylvanian.
To purchase, visit our library at 611 N. Davis St., email hcgstx@suddenlinkmail.com for a PayPal invoice plus shipping, or send a check to PO Box 624, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483 (contact us for shipping costs). For more information, call (903) 885-8523.
Back Issues of Hopkins County Heritage
We are now offering for sale ALL of the Hopkins County Heritage back issues on a single flash drive!! (Includes every issue from the beginning in 1984 to June 2017). Each flash drive contains two folders – one folder contains individual issue PDFs and one folder contains a single PDF of the complete set. It is word searchable so that you can easily locate surnames or search terms in any single issue or in the complete set! And travels with you easily to libraries or on research trips!
The cost is $50 (plus $4 for shipping and handling) and can be purchased by contacting the HCGS library.
About The HCGS Research Library
Over 8,000 Titles
The HCGS Research Library houses original county records, maps, family collections, scrapbooks, 1000’s of photographs, and numerous original materials. Note, current Saturday hours – open 2nd Saturday of each month from 9:30am to 1:00pm.
Click here for more details about the HCGS Research Library.
FamilySearch.org Affiliate Library
The HCGS Research Library is an affiliate library of the LDS in Salt Lake City, Utah, which houses millions of digitized restricted records covering most counties in the US as well as worldwide. These restricted images, viewable from our computers, allow our patrons to travel to locations and view many records including court house records such as deeds, wills, probate cases, etc. from the convenience of our HCGS library. Use their catalog to discover what records might be of interest. (FamilySearch Help Center topic 55954 helps to explain how to use their catalog.) And if your county/country of interest has not yet been digitized you can contact FamilySearch to request that they digitize specific films. You may request up to 5 rolls of films in one interaction. For specific details on how to do this by phone, chat, or email go to FamilySearch’s Help Center and view help topic 469883.
Hopkins County Texas Research Guide
Professional genealogist and former Hopkins County resident Cyndi Harlin has graciously shared her Hopkins County Texas Research Guide. This expertly created guide gives numerous tips and areas to explore to help aid your research in Hopkins County. Check out this useful and beautiful booklet by clicking here.