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!

HCGS is proud to be a Partner Society of the Texas State Genealogical Society.

Joins us for our November Meeting Election of Officers for 2025 Don Easterling – Tales of a Purple Tiger November 21, 2024 at 7:00pm In-person or via Zoom. More info . . .

You Are Invited To The Hopkins County Genealogical Society Holiday Social Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 1:30 – 3:30 pm

From Hopkins County History

Monday, November 10, 1924, page 1 Black Oak Man Makes Money On Ribbon Cane  A.B. Craig came in early Monday morning from Black Oak with 240 gallons of new fine home made ribbon cane syrup that he made from a 1 ½ acre patch. He left 100 gallons at home for future delivery. How is that for Old Hopkins county on a dry year? He is getting $1.50 per gallon.Monday, November 10, 1924, page 1 The Turkey Market Is Now On The turkey market is on in Sulphur Springs and the Hopkins County crop is being brought in from day to day. Wagon load after wagon load are being brought in from day to day. The price ranges around 16 cents.Wednesday, November 19, 1924, page 1 7 Cars November Watermelons Are Shipped Out J.I. Darby is loading another car of fine 50-pound Hopkins County November raised watermelons for the market. This is his seventh car load for the month of November, and breaks a record for the county so far as late melons go. Among those bringing in  melons to go in the car, is Fred Hester of Martin Springs, who has been bringing melons in almost daily for the past four months and one day, having brought in his first load on July 18th. Asked how many he had marketed this season, he replied that it would require an adding machine to tell, as he had sold “oodles.” Mr. Darby stated that he had no record of the number of cars he had shipped and did not think anyone did, as the two railroad offices here had not made a report. Anyway, there have been thousands of the finest melons ever grown shipped from Hopkins County, and the growers have received lots of money in return for them, and at the same time furnished thousands of people with some of the best eating that went into the “goozle” of the rich and poor.

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.