Polk County Historical
& Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 636
Benton, TN 37307

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Polk Historical Society Treasurer / Author Wins ETHS Award

Jo Ann Garren Finnell is the recipient of the East Tennessee Historical Society's Award of Distinction for Lower East Tennessee. Ms. Finnell, Treasurer for the Polk County Historical & Genealogical Society, was honored for her work on the book, The Resting Places: Cemeteries of Polk County, Tennessee. This prestigious award is presented each year to an individual or organization that demonstrates excellence in the accomplishment of a history-related project, such as a book, building preservation, programming, or other special event. The Resting Places features almost 20,000 names and includes global positioning satellite readings, directions to cemeteries, photographs, information from vital statistic and funeral home records, and older lists of burials for which stones do not now exist. "Ms. Finnell's book is an outstanding contribution to the history of Polk County and will be a valuable resource for those doing family research in this important county," says ETHS director Cherel Henderson. "The attention to detail and standard of excellence are unbelievable for a work of this size." Ms. Henderson continued, "Jo Ann Finnell continues a tradition of excellence in history in Polk County. PCHGS President and Polk County Historian, Marian Presswood, received the ETHS Teaching Excellence Award in 1996, the ETHS Award of Distinction in 1998, and Honorable Mention in Southern California Genealogical Society's 2003 Writer's contest. Polk County educator and PCHGS member, Pam Thomas, received the Teaching Excellence Award in 2002. The Society's Quarterly / Newsletter, edited by Presswood, is a 4 time winner in the Odom Genealogy Library's Family Tree Newsletter Contest and runner up in the National Genealogical Society's Contest..

Established in 1834, ETHS's mission is to preserve, promote, and interpret the history of Tennessee, especially East Tennessee. Anyone interested in information on the society and its programs, including the awards program, should contact ETHS at P. O. Box 1629, Knoxville, TN 37901 or call 865-215-8824. E-mail cherel@east-tennessee-history.org.

(May 2004 PCH&GS)


Polk County Historical & Genealogical Soceity was notified of winning First Place in the Odom Genealogy Library's Family Tree Newsletter Contest. This makes the fourth time for winning this honor. Congratulations to PCH&GS and editor, Marian Presswood.(May, 2004)



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©2004 PCH&GS
2004-06-06