Our Story

Wood County, Texas: A Genealogy Resource

Since 1983-84, we have been the bridge between the past and the present.

Founded by Margaret Franzen and Peggy Hughes, the Wood County Genealogical Society (WCGS) began with a simple mission: to help the Quitman Public Library answer the flood of research letters from families looking for their East Texas roots.

Our Mission in 2026 We are a "Modern-Classic" society. While we embrace the digital tools of today, we maintain the same dedication to service that our charter members established 40 years ago. Whether you are a local resident or a descendant of a Wood County pioneer living across the country, we are here to help you navigate your family’s journey.

What We Do:

  • Preserve: We maintain the physical and digital archives of Wood County’s history.

  • Educate: We host workshops with national experts and offer one-on-one research help.

  • Connect: We provide a community for family historians to share their "brick wall" challenges and breakthroughs.

woman wearing yellow long-sleeved dress under white clouds and blue sky during daytime

Wood County Heritage helped me trace my family roots back three generations with ease.

J. Lee

A warm portrait of an elderly woman smiling gently, surrounded by old family photos.
A warm portrait of an elderly woman smiling gently, surrounded by old family photos.

The society’s resources made my genealogy research feel like a personal journey home.

M. Cruz

A cozy scene of a researcher at a wooden desk, studying old documents under soft light.
A cozy scene of a researcher at a wooden desk, studying old documents under soft light.
★★★★★
★★★★★

Our Services

Helping you trace your Wood County roots with experienced guidance and resources.

A warm, inviting genealogy research room filled with books, maps, and a vintage wooden desk.
A warm, inviting genealogy research room filled with books, maps, and a vintage wooden desk.
Volunteers carefully documenting headstones during a cemetery survey on a sunny day.
Volunteers carefully documenting headstones during a cemetery survey on a sunny day.
Research

Access our digital toolbox and genealogy room at Quitman Public Library for in-depth family history.

Volunteering

Join roles like cemetery surveyor or digital indexer to preserve Wood County’s heritage.

© 2025. All rights reserved.

Map: digital-topo-maps / CC BY-SA 3.0 License: https://creaticecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0