The Gilmer County Genealogical Society has chosen to host the "Gilmer and Wayne County Connections" on July 16 and 17, 2004 in Ellijay, Georgia. This event will take the place of the fourth Gilmer Gathering in Wayne County. This will be a wonderful opportunity to visit sites our ancestors called home before coming south for new ventures. You can visit churches such as Pleasant Hill, Mount Vernon or Nine Mile. You can visit Fort Mountain State Park and drive the winding mountain roads that would have been the paths taken by our ancestors.

There will be a formal program at the Coosawattee Shrine Building on Saturday, July 17, beginning at 10:00 a.m. After introductions, everyone will be able to mingle, visit and share genealogy. The Society will have a register which includes family lineage. Refreshments will be provided. "The Connection" will be filmed. Books and videos will be or sale by the Gilmer County Genealogy Society with prices ranging from $20 to $63. Plans are for the program to end around 2:00 p.m. to allow for time for any interested to do research at the Gilmer County Library's Genealogy Room until closing time at 4:00 p.m. or to visit cemeteries. If you arrive in Ellijay on Friday, the Gilmer Library will be open until 5:00 p.m. The Stratford Inn (800-526-1258) will be the lodging headquarters for the event. Other motels are Best Western (706) 515-1500, Budget Inn (706) 635-5311, Ellijay Inn (706) 635-4615, and Cohutta Lounge (706) 695-9601.

In a side room, the Genealogical Society will have photo copies of Gilmer, some letters, family photos and other items to show. Everyone is welcome to place copies of items of this type with the Society. A copier will be available and the Gilmer Library has a photo scanner. The Society will gladly accept and appreciate donations of any family genealogy.

For more information contact (in Wayne County) Malvia Tootle at (912) 427-3245 or Jackie Dekle at (912) 427-8462. You can also contact the Wayne County Historical Society at 125 N.E. Broad Street, Jesup, Georgia 31546 or Janet Royal, President of the Historical Society. The Gilmer County contact is Kathryn Watkins (706) 273-2526.

If you would like to have dinner with the group about 6 p.m. on Saturday, please contact Kathryn Watkins in Gilmer County. Directions to Coosawattee Shrine Building: In the center of town is the Ellijay "Round-a-bout." You must yield to the left and vehicles should travel around the center (pond) in a counter-clock-wise direction. Take Dalton Street; go past the First Baptist Church, then Logan's Funeral Home on the left; turn at next left which is Boardtown Road. Turn left at second road which is a small culvert with rails. The road is sloped downward. The Shrine Building can be seen from the road.