Families needed for history book

Washington County families, past and present, have a chance to be in a new book being published by the Mine au Breton Historical Society.

The group is compiling the history of Washington County, its families, communities, churches, schools, businesses, farms, clubs, organizations, memorials and tributes. Families are invited to submit their family’s history.

The project is part of the preparation for Washington County’s bicentennial in 2013 and is a fundraiser for the historical society.

“We will use the money for the upkeep of our three houses,” said Sue Hensley, chairman of the Washington County history book committee. “We own the Long Banta House, the Lucas Store and the church museum.”

The book, “Washington County, Missouri, Bicentennial History and Families,” will include information from 1760 to 2012. The book is expected to be 200-300 pages long and will be published in hardback with a swirl-grained leatherette cover. The cover will feature a gold foil-stamped seal depicting the county courthouse on the cover.

Family histories should be written in third person and should include information such as the date your family first came to Washington County, from where they came, and interesting stories about the family. Marriages, children, jobs, military experience, education, and other topics of interest may be included. Be sure to sign your name on your family history.

Family histories that are 500 words or less will be published without charge; each word after that will cost 15 cents. One photograph of your family, either current or historic, will be published with your story at no charge. An additional photo may be submitted for a fee of $15. Be sure to include names of people in the photos, the date and a caption for each photo. Put your contact information on the back side of the photos if you want them returned.

The book will be sold on a  pre-sale basis only for a cost of $54.95. The money will be held in escrow at a local bank until paid to the publishing company. The historical society is collecting the stories, and the publisher will compile them into book form.

 “We want it to  be as comprehensive as possible, so we encourage everyone to include their family,” Hensley said.

Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.