Genealogical research is popular and the Tennessee’s Backroads Heritage Spring Dinner is going to feature valuable information about the process.

Gordon Belt, director of public services for the Tennessee State Library and Archives, will be the featured speaker.

The event is scheduled for May 21 at the Bell Buckle Banquet Hall. The silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6.

Belt’s talk will focus on genealogical research using the resources of the Tennessee State Library and Archives. He will present a practical introduction for those just beginning their research as well as offering useful tools for those who have already started research.

He will trace the movement from family stories to documented histories in terms of research including records for marriages, divorces and deaths as well as adoptions.

Belt will also inform those present what to expect when visiting the Tennessee State Library and Archives as well as discussing databases available online.

A public historian and archival administrator, Belt has worked in special collections and archives since 1995.

He has a master’s degree in history from MTSU and a bachelor’s degree in political science from UT-Chattanooga.

Belt is the author of “John Sevier: Tennessee’s First Hero”, published by The History Press. He writes and speaks frequently on Tennessee history.

Tennessee’s Backroads Heritage promotes tourism in the counties of Bedford, Coffee, Moore, Lincoln, Marshall, Franklin and Grundy.

The cost for the dinner is $25 per person and reservations are required. Send checks to Tennessee’s Backroads Heritage, 1994 John R. Hill Road, Lewisburg, TN 37091 or call 615-613-5627 for more information.