Many people received DNA kits for Christmas and have or will be soon receiving their results.
The Butler County Genealogy Society is able to help you get started understanding those results.
If you’ve asked yourself any of the following questions:
I got my DNA test results back. Now what do I do?
How do I make sense out of all my matches?
Can my ancestry DNA be attached to my Ancestry tree? If so, then what’s the advantages of doing this and how do I do that?
How to approach a DNA match who might be a surprise in the family?
If you’ve wondered about these things or more then you are invited to join the monthly genealogy meeting at the Butler County Historical Society and the Kansas Oil Museum on Thursday, Jan 15 from 6 to 8 pm.
A fun and unique alternative to the haunted houses typically reserved for this time of year was hosted by the Butler County Historical Center and Kansas Oil Museum and spearheaded by historical consultant to the museum, Ken Spurgeon.
Historical Consultant and tour organizer, Ken Spurgeon.
On Saturday, October 26th, cemetery tours at Belle Vista were given. Complete with tour guides and re-enactors, early citizens of El Dorado and Butler County were brought to life.
General Alfred W. Ellet portrayed by Randy Edens.
General Alfred W. Ellet, brought to life by Randy Edens, shared his military history and how he came to El Dorado.
Nathan Frazier, brought to life by Tom Penning, tells of his adventures us exploits while tour guest Scott Glaves listens.
Nathan Frazier, whose storyteller was Tom Penning, told of his risk taking spirit and love for adventure that ultimately led him to become a leading banker of El Dorado, and one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of Kansas
Matilda Friend was portrayed by Debbie Edens.
Tour guests listen to Matilda Friend’s courageous life story.
Matilda Friend, embodied by Debbie Edens, shared her harrowing story of bravery in the face of a Comanche attack, her survival and migration to El Dorado.
Mark Mannette, portraying former El Dorado Mayor, Charles Selig.
Charles Selig, brought to life by Mark Mannette, told of his experience of enlisting to fight in the Civil War at 11 years old. He made his home in El Dorado where he became a leading businessman and served as Mayor form 1907-1909.
Tour guides Deanna Bonn, Carol Turner, and Suzanne Walenta lead guests through the cemetery giving a brief history about its founding.
Tour guide, Deanna Bonn, at the grave of Edward and Eugenia Stevenson. Edward killed his wife and then himself in his 67th birthday. He wanted to “give the old town something to talk about.”
They shared local folklore regarding the cemetery’s haunting by a ghost named Too Moons, as well as stories of the famous, and infamous, citizens of Butler County’s early days.
One of the tour groups at the memorial for Rolla Clymer.
The tours ended at the Belle Vista Mausoleum with stories of influential Butler County residents. Rolla Clymer, an El Dorado newspaper editor who was called “the Sage of the Flint Hills,” was the President of the Butler County Historical Society from 1959-1976.
Also buried in the mausoleum is Frank H. Cron, the first President of the Butler County Historical Society. In his will, Mr. Cron gave an endowment which made possible the establishment of the museum.
At the time of the writing of his will in 1957, he wanted to provide educational benefits to Butler County citizens in perpetuity and desired to preserve the heritage of Butler County by declaring in his will that “said institution shall be operated and maintained primarily as a museum or gallery devoted to the collection and exhibition of historical objects of particular interest to Butler County, Kansas.”
If you are unfamiliar with the genealogy process, or you are just starting out and require more assistance, there is free help available.
The Butler County Genealogical Society, held the third Thursday of each month, September to May, will host this month’s meeting on Thursday, Sept 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Kansas Oil Museum. These meetings are free and open to the public.
The September meeting will discuss how to locate ancestors through the new Find A Grave website, as well as many other websites and resources. This first meeting will probably last less than an hour at the museum; then a hands-on activity is planned.
Attendees will carpool to local cemeteries in El Dorado and do some searching together. How to gather information from the headstones and the cemetery will be discussed.
In October, the topic of discussion will center around organizing your records and research. You will learn how to tame your digital and printed paperwork.
November’s topic centers on discovering ways to track your Civil War ancestor.
Mark your calendars and plan on attending the upcoming Butler County Genealogical Society meetings held at the Kansas Oil museum beginning this Thursday, Sept. 20th, and bring a friend.
Deanna Bonn 
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