Recently, we’ve been working on a (surprise) family history book for my dad, Ron Halsey, for his birthday in August.

We compiled a photographic family history of Eli Hamilton Halsey and Lillian Blanche Smith, Dad’s grandparents. It is 102 pages hardcover, 8.25″ x 10.75″ and can be ordered print-on-demand. It takes about two weeks for delivery.

We think this will be a great, affordable service we can offer writers for small runs or print-on-demand type books (like family histories!) 

Using family photographs, tintypes, genealogies, stories, and some recent images, we have made a chronological photo history of the lives of our Alleghany ancestors.

We also drew a map of the northwest section Alleghany County where Eli & Lillian lived and marked important family homes, churches, and schools.

While it’s not a complete genealogy, we have traced some of our family lines back to the Mayflower, to President James Madison, area settlers Andrew Baker and Moses Halsey, as well as early immigrants to America Thomas Halsey and Thomas Avent.

The Halsey Family Arms is also included with a detailed explanation of the language found in Burkes’ General Armory describing the Halsey blazon, crest, and family motto.

Dad spent his career in prepress photography and has copied old family photos for years. He was the “camera man” for most gatherings. Now we are able to scan his negatives and prints and can share these images with everyone.

And thanks to the photographic process, today we can see farther back in time than anyone in history. We can look right into our great-great-grandmothers eyes.

Mystery Solved?

The tintype, above right, was with several others whose subjects aren’t identified. The child is obviously James Kenny Halsey, older brother of Eli Hamilton Halsey. This image was surely made the same day as the one on the left, where little James is with his parents, Elizabeth Frances Halsey and Robert Franklin Halsey. (His clothes and the backdrop are the same.) Since Robert Franklin Halsey had only one brother, about 3 years younger, could it be the man holding James Kenney Halsey is his uncle, James W. Halsey?

The entire project reminded us how important it is to identify your photographs. It is heartbreaking, but common, to have a good, clear photographic record of a person that no one can identify any more.

The collection would not have been possible without the cooperation of cousins and family friends. We appreciate each and every one who shared their photos with us.

Check out the album at The Sparta Store. But don’t tell my Dad!

Promote your big summer event!

Churches, Corporations, Civic Groups! Get beautiful, reusable weather-proof vinyl banners at Imaging Specialists. Great graphics and tons of fonts available! Bring your idea and we’ll design your one-of-a-kind banner.

14 oz. vinyl banner material. Double metal grommets every 2 feet. Cut vinyl installed on white, black, red, blue, yellow, or green banner. 22″, 34″ or 46″ high by whatever length you need!

Contact us for pricing or call 336-372-3002.

Also ask about our rates for corrugated plastic yard signs.

Alleghany 4-H Sponsor Signs

We’ve gone cowboy around here this week! Alleghany 4-H asked us to design and print sponsor signage for new panels that replaced their old wooden show ring.

We printed weather-proof, FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) signs with an old-timey embossed leather look. The design features pastel colors that give the leather a stamped and painted look. If cowboys didn’t have gear that looked this cool, they sure should have!

We’re really proud to be able to support the Open Horse Show this weekend co-sponsored by Alleghany County 4-H, Young Riders 4-H Club and Horse Whispers 4-H Club. Gates open Saturday at Alleghany Fairgrounds 7:30 am, registration begins at 8:00 am and the show starts at 9:00 am. For a copy of the program and class list, click here.

Get more information on Alleghany 4-H here.

Get more info on area activities from the Alleghany News, here.

Imaging Specialists can make your event look great with signage, posters, flyers- whatever graphics you need! Give us a call today at 336-372-3002.

If you’ve not seen the Sparta Store’s website lately, you might want to take a look. We’ve recently reworked it and added some new features and products. The Sparta Store is our retail shop located at 3 North Main Street across from the Alleghany County Courthouse here in town.

We’ve got a unique selection of local themed gifts and graphics that will interest the local folks and those passing through. From Alleghany Genealogical-Historical Society books, to area photographs to postcard sets, there should be something for everyone here.

If you’d like to get our new Newsletter that outlines sales and highlights authors, artists and their products, just register by clicking the Log In link in the upper right hand corner of the home page.

Local artists and craftsmen are invited to sell their products at the Sparta Store and online at www.spartastore.com. We are pleased to be able to offer the site as a service to our smaller customers that might not be ready for their own website. If you’re interested, you can find more information here.

Get your marketing materials for the Memorial Day Business & Tourism Expo at Village Park in Sparta, the kickoff event for the 2010 Summer Jamboree at Imaging Specialists.

If you’re planning an exhibition at the Expo, there is still time to get your signs or banners, flyers, sales sheets, or any other handouts you need. Place your order before May 14 to ensure you get everything in time for the Expo.

Call Today- 336-372-3002 or email claire@imagingspecialists.net for pricing and availability.

Wreath photo by Stewart Royall of Studio Roxie for Reeves Ridge Tree Farm.