In celebration of National Genealogy Day, the Benton Public Library will play host to a genealogy event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9.
Volunteers are coming from Benton and surrounding counties to talk about their genealogy information and to share pictures about the past. Guest speakers:
• Jack McReynolds will talk on the Orient No. 2 Coal Mine disaster in West Frankfort.
• Curtis Mandrell will talk about dowsing and Franklin County cemetery locations.
• Les and Vicki Whitefeather will share Native American eastern woodland teachings.
Vendors who will be present are:
• Kaye McClintock from the Frankfort Area Genealogy Society will have books to sell and pamphlets to handout.
• The Hamilton County Genealogy Society will have books to sell and pamphlets to hand out.
• The Franklin County Historic Preservation Society will have books to sell and talk about the Jail Museum.
• West Franklin Historical District and Silkwood Inn Museum
• Robert Rea, President Franklin County Historic Preservation Society
• St. Clair Genealogy Society
• Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois (GSSI)
