Oklahoma Genealogical Society and the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) Research Division sponsored the free 2008 Ancestor Fair event on Saturday August 9. History Center staff at the front desk said that 380 attended the Ancestor Fair and another 220 paid to go to the museum exhibits.

 

OGS President Billie Fogarty said she was well pleased with the enthusiasm shown by the crowd. Festivities began at 10:00 AM and continued throughout the day. Some forty booths offered displays and handouts, entertainers provided music, stories, demonstrations of sculpting and other crafts, a bagpiper led the costume parade of participants dressed to represent their favorite ancestors. Many others came just to enjoy the presentations. 

A total of 213 photos were judged by the team of professional photographers.

Jim Slade is well-known for his genealogy expertise and has spoken at many national conferences. He loves photography and has collected many old photographs and served as chairman of last year’s photo contest.

 

 Johnnie Sue Olson, Freelance Photographer of Freedom, h as seen her photos published on covers of many local state and national magazines, including Western Horseman, and Reiman publications. She has photos displayed in the Alabaster Room of the Ford Center and many have been printed in professional calendars.

 

Terry Zinn’s photos are often published in national publications such as Persimmon Hill and Oklahoma Today magazines. He is a research and photo archivist with the Oklahoma Historical Center, and is president of the Travelwriters Association.

 

Arvela Bateman, Print specialist, has been collecting family genealogy for more than twenty years and has always loved photography and old photos. William Welge also served as a judge. Welge is Research Division Director for the Oklahoma History Center.