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Victoria Advocate | Genealogical Society encourages keeping records

The Victoria County Genealogical Society met Feb. 11 with Kenneth Booth, president, calling the meeting to order. After approving the minutes from the last meeting and treasure report, each committee member gave a report on what they did during the month. Everyone was reminded that the dues are due, and when you pay, you would get a quarterly publication, two socials during the year and a monthly meeting with a guest speaker each time. The publications are interesting as they are usually about happenings and people from the past, from the areas in the seven counties that the society covers. The guest speaker at the monthly meeting is always interesting, as they either give us a history lesson or tell to what extent they went to trace their family. Everyone seems to regret not taking notes or asking about the past family members while their mother and/or father was alive. After they are gone, there are so many unanswered questions; so we are encouraging you to come join us and learn to document those important things that you may forget.

We were fortunate to have two programs at this meeting. Velma Mathias gave a report on Harriet Virginia Hackett Broadus, who grew up in Kennedy and attended Bishop College in Marshall. When she finished school, she was a teacher and taught in Cuero and then Victoria in the 1930s. She met and married Mr. Broadus, who was a minister for the Palestine Baptist Church for more than 50 years. Harriet had a child and decided to teach her the finer things in life and said if she could teach hers, why not others, so she began teaching the neighborhood children in her block first grade material, dancing, marching and nursery rhymes. They colored, learned Bible verses, had tea parties and girl scout and summer camp. When they started to school, they practically took over the 1st grade.

Next was Bobbie Quinn from the Victoria Historical Society giving a program on Madame Anna Blackley, a clairvoyant who was born 1840 in Virginia who was said to be closely associated with Presidents Lincoln and Grant. She moved to Victoria in 1882. Many stories abound about how Annie helped people or was always able to tell them what they were searching for. Sometimes it was not so good to hear because they say she was always right. She never charged for her service but accepted donations. She died a wealthy woman who helped many charities.

Our next meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 11 at The First Christian Church Fellowship Center, 2105 N. Ben Jordan St. Members are encouraged to come and visitors are welcome. Our program will be “Tracing Your Roots Through Social Media” by Judy Turner.

For more information, contact Louise Browning at 361-782-2171 or Kenneth Booth at 361-575-7584.




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