Melody Porter.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Opening Lecture for the newly-renovated Odom Genealogical Library will feature one of the area’s leading genealogists.

Melody Porter will present a two-hour lecture titled “Census First” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. The lecture will be held in the auditorium of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, 204 Fifth St. S.E. in Moultrie.

The lecture is sponsored by John Benning Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  The is a free lecture but pre-registration is requested.  

“Census First” is for all audience levels, beginners to advanced. The Census is the easiest and best place to start or restart a genealogy search, according to a press release from the DAR chapter.  

“The Census is a timeline to our ancestors and we often overlook information provided beyond names, places and ages,” the DAR said. “This class will help you take the time to read all the columns on each census and the census taker’s notes and learn what they mean.  Hour 1 is Census 1790-1870 and Hour 2 is Census 1880-1940.”

Those attending the lecture are also invited to peruse the newly renovated library, especially the Odom Genealogical Library.  

Porter has been deeply involved in genealogy since 2004. She has attended The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford and the Volunteer Genealogist Class at the headquarters for the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C. Past Secretary of the Florida State Genealogical Society (FSGS), Porter was presented the FSGS Distinguished Service Award in 2006. She is a current member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG), National Genealogical Society (NGS), and treasurer/seminar chair for the Tallahassee Genealogical Society. Porter’s lineage societies include United Daughters of the Confederacy, The Mayflower Society, and Thomasville Chapter NSDAR, of which she served as past regent and is now registrar.  She also currently serves as the Georgia State DAR registrar.

Register for the free lecture or send questions to paulan48@gmail.com.

One of the largest patriotic women’s organizations in the world, DAR strives to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service, and more. For additional information about DAR and its programs, visit moultriedar@gmail.com.  

Members of the John Benning chapter will be available at the lecture for those interested in tracing their lineage to an American Revolutionary War patriot and becoming a member of DAR.