Thomas speaks at Genealogy Society meeting

Amos Thomas was the guest speaker at the October Clay County Genealogy Society’s Meeting. His early American ancestor, John Thomas, came from Wales to Boston in the early 1800s. Three of his ancestors served in the Civil War; two were Confederate soldiers and one was a Union soldier.

Thomas shared several interesting antidotes about his ancestors including one about the two Confederate soldiers being captured, who were sent home when they said they would support the Union cause. On their way home, they encountered a Confederate contingent and were sent into another battle, where they were again captured and sent to a prison camp in Delaware. They survived imprisonment again, and one of them came to Parke County, Indiana.

Thomas’ Union soldier ancestor was captured and sent to Andersonville. When released from prison, he was sent home on the Sultana riverboat that blew up on the way up the Mississippi River.He survived the explosion and walked home.

Everyone enjoyed Thomas’ presentation and advice about conducting genealogical research and recording antidotes from their relatives.

The Clay County Genealogical Society conducts monthly meetings, which are open to the public, each third Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Genealogy Library in Center Point.

-Submitted