Rankin to explain missing records to historical society

(CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE – Well-known historian and author John Rankin of Madison will speak to the Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society on Sept. 8.

The historical society will meet at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library main branch.

Rankin will discuss many records that have been missing from the Madison County Courthouse for the past 60 years. He has been digitizing the missing records, including the “county bastardy files” (which named unwed fathers) and several interesting court cases, spokesperson Jacque Reeves said.

In his work, Rankin has researched and recorded historical accounts of pioneers across North Alabama.

This meeting is open to the public. For more information, call Reeves at 256-509-3940 or visit hmchs.org.