From Clueless to Connected

And Why the Upper Cumberland Family History and Genealogy Festival Is the Perfect Place to Begin written in collaboration with Karen Sarraga

Are you curious about your roots? Do you have a box of old family photos tucked away, or a surname that’s always sparked questions? Whether you're just beginning to trace your family tree or you’ve spent years mapping out generations, the Upper Cumberland Family History and Genealogy Festival in Granville, Tennessee, on July 26 is the perfect place to start—or continue—your journey.

Held in the heart of Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region, this one-day event brings together passionate researchers, regional experts, historical archives, and fellow family historians to celebrate the stories that make us who we are.

A Personal Discovery                                                    

Genealogy isn’t just about names and dates—it’s about stories, connections, and those surprising moments that tie the past to the present. As the author of this blog site, I can tell you from experience, these festivals can lead to life-changing discoveries.

At one such event, I met a cousin I didn’t even know existed. We started talking about shared relatives, exchanged contact information, and kept in touch. Years later, she called me and said, “I think someone from the other side of your family is searching for their ancestors.” She shared the website, and sure enough—it was a cousin from a long-lost branch I had tried to trace many times before. Our families had drifted apart after the passing of grandparents and great-grandparents, but that single connection reopened the door. We’ve since met in person, shared stories, and we’re even co-writing this article.

And here’s another twist, while strolling through a genealogy website one evening, I came across a baby photo posted with the question, “Does anyone know who this is?” Something about it looked familiar. I pulled out my old family albums and, sure enough—there it was. It was my baby picture. (Did I say—it was a very cute baby?)

And just like that, I went from clueless to connected.

Top Ten Reasons to Attend the Upper Cumberland Family History & Genealogy Festival           

1. Connect with a Community

Genealogy is often a solitary pursuit, and it’s not always easy to find others who share your passion. This festival is your chance to meet people who get it—like-minded people who love digging through records, piecing together puzzles, and keeping family stories alive. You'll leave inspired and energized.

2. Access to Local and Regional Resources 

Inside the Granville Museum, you’ll find over 100 family albums, cemetery maps, and books focused on Upper Cumberland families. Exhibitors include representatives from regional archives, libraries, genealogy societies, and lineage groups. It’s a rare opportunity to explore materials from multiple counties—all in one place.

3. Expand Your Knowledge         

Enjoy three presentations throughout the day at the Granville Museum, covering a range of genealogy and family history topics. It’s a chance to go beyond the basics and learn how to “put flesh on the bones” of your ancestors’ stories. Full agenda is available at www.granvilletn.com.

4. Discover New Research Leads

Conversations with fellow attendees or experts from groups like FamilySearch may lead you to overlooked resources or new research strategies. Sometimes, one small tip is all it takes to crack a decade of old mysteries.

5. Experience Personal Growth            

Tracing your family’s history helps you better understand your place in the world. Discovering your ties to the Upper Cumberland region can deepen your sense of belonging and add new meaning to old family tales.

6. Find the Missing Pieces

Genealogy can feel like assembling a puzzle with missing pieces. A single conversation with another attendee might provide the clue you’ve been missing—especially if you're researching the same surname or region.

7. Experience History Where It Happened                                                        Imagine sitting in the same church where your ancestors worshipped or standing beside your third great-grandmother’s grave. In Granville, history is more than something you read about, it’s something you stand in the middle of.

8. Share Your Own Story

Bring a copy of your family history to donate to the Granville Museum. By sharing your story, you help preserve our collective heritage and may just help someone else connect their family dots.

9. Enjoy the Social Side of Research      

This festival is filled with warmth, conversation, and camaraderie. Sharing laughs, stories, and research challenges with others helps keep your motivation high and your curiosity alive.

10. Connect with Distant Relatives             

You never know who you’ll meet. A long-lost cousin may appear—with old photos, family tales, or answers to questions you’ve wondered about for years. (Like Alonzo’s middle initial “H,” which, according to his grandson, stood for absolutely nothing—he just thought he needed a middle initial, and liked the way Alonzo H Huff sounded!)

I’ll never forget the words a distant cousin shared with me near the end of his life. He said, “You need to know this.” And he was right!

Learn from Experienced Experts              

Whether you're a beginner looking for guidance or a seasoned researcher hoping to break through a brick wall, the Upper Cumberland Family History and Genealogy Festival in Granville offers a unique opportunity to learn from experts who know this region's stories inside and out. And there’s no better setting than Granville—a town where history isn’t just remembered, it’s lived. With its Pioneer Village, museum exhibits, the historic Sutton Home and General Store, Granville invites you to step into the past while planting seeds for future discovery. Who knows? Your visit may be just the spark that inspires the next generation to ask, “Where did we come from?”—and start their journey to find out.

Mark Your Calendar:

Upper Cumberland Family History and Genealogy Festival

Granville, Tennessee                                                                                                  

Saturday, July 26                               

Visit www.granvilletn.com for the complete agenda      

You just might walk away with a long-lost cousin’s phone number, a missing puzzle piece, or the answer to a question you never thought you’d solve. And when you do, don’t be surprised if you call someone and say,

“Guess what I learned today? Listen, you need to know this!”