Upper Cumberland Family History & Genealogy Festival Expands to Four Venues with Renowned Speakers and More Research Opportunities Than Ever

The Upper Cumberland Family History & Genealogy Festival continues to grow, and the 2026 event promises to be the largest and most comprehensive in its history. Due to overwhelming interest, this year's festival has expanded into four locations throughout Historic Granville, providing additional space for nationally recognized speakers, genealogy research organizations, family history exhibits, and surname research tables.

The expanded festival will utilize the Granville Event Center and the Granville Artisan Workshop & Gallery for research exhibits, resource booths, and family history displays, while educational presentations will be held simultaneously in the Granville United Methodist Church and Granville Presbyterian Church.

Whether participants are just beginning to explore their family tree or have spent years researching their ancestry, the festival offers an exceptional opportunity to discover new resources, learn advanced research techniques, and connect with others who share a passion for preserving family history.

Headlining the educational program is nationally known genealogy lecturer and author Jeff Bockman, who will present "No Birth Certificate? No Problem!" His session explores the many primary and secondary sources that can help genealogists determine when and where an ancestor was born and identify parents when traditional records cannot be found.

Local historian David Reeves will present "Welcoming Presidents to Pioneers: The Raulston/McKinley Stand," sharing the fascinating story of two families whose hospitality served travelers, pioneers, and even presidents along one of Tennessee's earliest migration routes following the Revolutionary War.

Experienced genealogist Anna Stephenson will offer practical solutions in "Genealogy Research: Beginners and Pros Alike Meet at the Dead End!" Her presentation provides valuable strategies and research tools to help genealogists overcome brick walls and continue discovering their family's story.

History enthusiasts will also enjoy Dr. Kent Dollar's presentation, "Civil War: Jackson County & Upper Cumberland," which examines the region's Civil War history and offers valuable insight for those researching ancestors who lived during one of America's most challenging periods.

Beyond the speaker presentations, visitors will find an impressive collection of genealogy organizations, historical societies, archives, libraries, and preservation groups representing communities throughout the Upper Cumberland and Middle Tennessee. New for 2026 is the TNGenWeb Project, joining returning organizations that provide research assistance, historical records, and expert guidance.

The festival also features Family Name Booths where researchers can meet descendants, exchange information, and explore shared ancestry. This year's featured family is the Woodard Family, along with numerous surname researchers representing families from Jackson, Overton, Putnam, White, Smith, Warren, Van Buren, Fentress, Pickett, and surrounding counties.

The Upper Cumberland Family History & Genealogy Festival continues to establish itself as one of the region's premier genealogy events, bringing together researchers, historians, archives, and families from across Tennessee to celebrate the stories of those who came before us.

Whether you're searching for your first ancestor, hoping to break through a long-standing research mystery, or looking to meet cousins you never knew existed, Historic Granville invites you to discover your family's story.

Visitors can further enhance their experience by exploring Historic Granville's many attractions, including America 250 exhibits at Independence Hall, Aunt Polly appearing at Independence Hall gazebo, the historic Sutton General Store serving delicious food, “Home Runs Home Teams”,  a traveling baseball exhibit and Jackson County cemetery maps at the Granville Museum,  artisan demonstrations, 1820s cabin, and antique car museum in Pioneer Village, Sutton Homestead for a look into home life through the decades, Mayberry and Lucy Museum, and the World’s Largest Decanter Museum. Historic Granville offers twelve venues to visit, shopping, and eating experiences.  The purchase of a $7.00 Town Tour Ticket is your admission to a full day of experiences.

For additional information, visit www.granvilletn.com or call 931-653-4151.

Two chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be returning for the 2026 event and will be included among 26 other exhibits and family history displays.