My father and mother instilled in me a love for the people of Henderson and Polk counties in North Carolina. They both researched their families for 30 plus years. I taught history in the public schools, was a reporter and community news editor for the local newspaper, have researched family for more than 30 years, taught the history and heritage of Henderson County, N.C., at the community college for more than 10 years, and, in conjunction with the class, researched and maintain the website hendersonheritage.com on the history and heritage of the county. My direct ancestors include: Jones, Hill, Arledge (twice), Clark, Cagle, Rhodes, Jackson, Edney (twice), Justus (twice), Pace (twice), Justice, McGuffy, Thomas (twice), McCormick (twice), Morris, Lankford, Staton, Wheeler, Sandlin, Maxwell, Mills (twice), Nix, Merrell, Hicks, Barclay, McLean and more. I currently serve on the Henderson County Cemetery Advisory Board, conduct genealogy research for others, and speak on the history and heritage of the region.

My father and mother instilled in me a love for the people of Henderson and Polk counties in North Carolina. They both researched their families for 30 plus years. I taught history in the public schools, was a reporter and community news editor for the local newspaper, have researched family for more than 30 years, taught the history and heritage of Henderson County, N.C., at the community college for more than 10 years, and, in conjunction with the class, researched and maintain the website hendersonheritage.com on the history and heritage of the county. My direct ancestors include: Jones, Hill, Arledge (twice), Clark, Cagle, Rhodes, Jackson, Edney (twice), Justus (twice), Pace (twice), Justice, McGuffy, Thomas (twice), McCormick (twice), Morris, Lankford, Staton, Wheeler, Sandlin, Maxwell, Mills (twice), Nix, Merrell, Hicks, Barclay, McLean and more. I currently serve on the Henderson County Cemetery Advisory Board, conduct genealogy research for others, and speak on the history and heritage of the region.