Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogical and Historical Society

Benton, the County Seat of Marshall County, KY is a lovely old town. Perhaps so, partly because I'm used to a city of 130,000+, and it was a pleasant novelty from the same-ole-same-ole rituals of Hometownsville, but this old town was alive and bustling with folks out and about the main streets of town. On the way in, there was a Festival running that is part of their annual Tater Day Celebration.

Ed Whitfield, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st District, submitted the following description of this seemingly unique festivity:

The Library of Congress, Kentucky, Local Legacies: Tater Day Festival http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/KY/200003055.html, (retrieved: 2 April 2010)

Possibly the only celebration of the humble sweet potato, this three- day festival is held in Benton, Kentucky on the weekend before the first Monday in April. One of the oldest indigenous festivals in the state, it grew out of the county court day first held in 1843, when farmers would take advantage of the opportunity to sell or trade their livestock, produce -- including their extra sweet potatoes--and farm equipment in the town square. Today's festival is highlighted by a large parade with floats, marching bands, and a beauty queen. The event has a long and colorful history that is documented in 14 pages of text, two videotapes, photographs, news clippings, and a collection of handbills.

The Courthouse is at 1101 Main Street, and the Marshall County Genealogical Society is located in the basement. There, the volunteer staff maintains the Archives of the County Clerk's historical, as well as current, records.

The security, and care, with which these records are maintained is very formal and strict. The area in which the Archives are housed is in immaculate condition. Every record location is filed in either cardboard filing boxes, or metal filing cabinets. The original marriage records, with consents, where applicable, are enclosed in plastic sheets, keeping them in as pristine shape as is possible. The staff, this day consisting of Clara Creason and Evelyn (Pfingston) Dismore, demands that only they physically obtain the original records for the researcher.
Of course, there are published records and indexes galore, in book form.

Marshall County is but one of 8 counties making up the Jackson Purchase Area of Kentucky, and the Genealogical Society has the published books, and microfilm on each of these counties.

The material in this county is abundant. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and extremely knowledgeable of the material available. I would recommend membership in this society to anyone who has research interest in any of the counties in the Jackson Purchase Area, in general, and Marshall County, in particular.

You can contact the Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogical and Historical Society by
email at: marcoky@ky.gov, or
by phone at 270-527-4749, or
by mail at: MCGHS
P. O. Box 373
Benton, KY 42025

Their hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am-3pm. If you plan a trip for a Thursday, you should call first, as they sometimes aren't able to open on that day.