Well that's a good question. A Family History Fair is like a flea market. There are booths (tables) for the vendors (providers and vendors of books and accessories) and the vendors (the providers in this case) are sharing their accumulated research on a specific family or families. There are also vendors who are selling books and materials relating to or about genealogy. And then there are people who just attend, looking, perhaps, for that long lost ancestor or distant relatives. And there is lots and lots of talking. So much at times that it is difficult to hear what someone standing next to you is saying. But, oh, the fun you can have. For those who are new to genealogy, there are "pros" who have been working for thirty years or more who can help with "how tos" and "where tos" and lots of other hard learned tidbits. Got a question? There is bound to be someone at the Fair who can answer.
Well that depends on you. The admission to the Fair is the grand sum of $1.00. The Wayne County Historical Society charges that admission fee to cover the costs associated with renting the hall (lighting, AIR CONDITIONING, janitorial service). And copy machine charges are normally 15 cents per copy. Costs can vary per individual depending on whether or not you have hotel costs involved, and whether or not you purchase items from the vendors of genealogical books and materials. But the only charge to get in the door is the $1.00 admission charged to EVERYONE who attends the fair. If you're like me, I spend all my money on books and food. There will be a concession booth available and the food will be good ol' country grub - with hamburgers and hotdogs on the side for those not familiar with white beans, cornbread and onion!
Certainly! All you need do is print out the Table Reservation Form and send it via regular mail or as an attachment to email. To send via regular mail, please address your envelope to
Wayne County Family History Fair
Attn: J. Allen Berry
P.O. Box 866
Waynesboro, TN 38485-0866
To send via an attachment to email, send your message to Allen Berry email address onealphabravo@hotmail.com. Or you may simply send a message to Allen, requesting reservation of a table and giving the information that would appear on the form.
Please make certain that you indicate if you will need access to an electrical outlet or will need any special considerations. The building where the fair is held is fully accessible.
Reservation Forms Must Be Received By 1 July 2004.
You certainly may!! Electrical outlets are available on a reserved table basis. We regret there are no telephone connections in the auditorium; so internet access in the auditorium will not be available.
You may also bring your cameras: film, digital, video. In fact we encourage you to make all the photographs and videos you desire. We might even ask for copies!
The Wayne County Historical Society cannot and does not endorse any hostelries. However, there are several good motels and bed and breakfasts in the Waynesboro, TN area. We recommend that if you need overnight or weekend accommodations that you contact the Wayne County Tourism Office at telephone 931-722-5291 or the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce (email: Info@WayneCountyChamber.org) or telephone 931-722-9022. The same applies for camper or motor home hookups.
Please contact Allen Berry at onealphabravo@hotmail.com or via regular mail at 1598 Big Cypress Road, Cypress Inn, TN 38452.
Credits: Photographs on this page were made at the 1998 Wayne County, Tennessee Family History Fair by Billie R. McNamara and shared by her.