Services
Copyright 2009. Bedford Genealogical Society Inc., All Rights Reserved.
The Bedford Genealogical Society was formed in 1987 by a group of individuals wishing to preserve family histories of the people who have lived in this county and surrounding areas. One of the first large projects of the Society was begun by Dr. Tom Jennings (then Society President) to find, identify, and record all cemeteries in Bedford County. Between 1990-1994, over 1400 cemeteries were visited and recorded by members of the Society. The project produced a database with over 35,000 names and grave locations.
In 2007 Bedford County offered the Society a cemetery overlay to the county Geographic Information System (GIS) site if latitude and longitude numbers for each cemetery could be provided. The society began this work that same year, with members returning to the field to gather the information with Garmin GPS devices. The coordinates collected are now reported to the county on a quarterly basis; and, as of 2009, 600+ sites have been revisited. The name and assigned number for the cemetery can be viewed online at the GIS site HERE. While visiting that site, make sure to turn on the “cemetery overlay” on the left-hand options bar.
The Society also publishes a 16-page Quarterly four times a year - in February, May, August and November. This Quarterly is sent to all members free-of-charge. The publication covers a wide range of topics, including military & historic articles, old articles from the Bedford Bulletin/Democrat, and memoirs of county residents. The Quarterly also provides computer and Internet technology tutorials relative to genealogy and posts notices to genealogical happenings within the state. The Quarterly also accepts queries.
Another project of the Society is a course offered in basic genealogical research. This six-session Saturday class is open to members and the general public alike for the price of the textbook and handouts. Additionally, the Society organizes the Annual Genealogy / Family History Fair offered in September. More information about this event can be found HERE.
Our members reside not only in Bedford County but throughout the entire state of Virginia, and other states, some as far away as California, Oregon, and Washington.
This Society is a joint effort. Both the organization and its members work together to promote the gathering and sharing of genealogical information. If you feel you can benefit from or be a benefit to the Bedford Genealogical Society, we invite you to JOIN US.