About BHGS


The “Bartons of The South” have met in the United States every year since 1935 with the exception of the war years – 1942-1945 – as an informal family reunion with potluck supper led by a Chief of Clan since 1962.

Formed as an outgrowth of the Barton Family Reunion (which is held often at the historic Tyger Baptist Church near Greer, South Carolina), Barton Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. is a Not For Profit Tax Exempt organization which meets annually according to its By-Laws and elects officers.

President’s Welcome

“Thank you for the honor of serving as the President of Barton Historical and Genealogical Society. This is an exciting time for us at BHGS. We have many opportunities on the horizon to move forward with our research into the history and genealogy of all Bartons.
Our Executive Committee and Board are working diligently to provide up-to -date, reliable and verifiable information on our Barton ancestry. Our DNA Database Manager is making great steps with the DNA project. More and more Barton descendants are being tested and the information database is growing. The historical database is growing as well and we are beginning to archive our documents, pictures and Barton memorabilia into Evernote for digital access.”

Kathy Barton Gerwig

Barton Historical Society was founded in 1979 by the descendants of David Barton and Nancy Barrett and is often associated with “Southern Bartons”, with the “South Carolina Bartons”, with the Thomas Barton married Sarah Wilson, and the David Barton married Ruth Oldham families which are included in The Barton Book. An official name change to Barton Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. was approved by the Board of Directors in October 2018.

However, membership of this society is open to ALL Barton families, not just the founding families.

Our membership application and dues information on-line is here or you may print, complete and mail this.

Our purpose is:

  • to conduct genealogical research on the Barton family;
  • assemble, preserve and distribute this information;
  • establish appropriate memorials;
  • and to promote brotherhood, fellowship, and pride of family

We have a religious service as part of each physical annual meeting.

Since 2003 the Annual Meetings have moved around – often hosted by a local Barton Family Reunion – being held at Pine Log, Everett Springs and Cartersville, Georgia; Traveller’s Rest, Tigerville, and Greenville, South Carolina; Winston, Alabama, and Austin and Longview in Texas. During the COVID Era we are meeting via ZOOM.

Our By-Laws are here.

Over the years Barton Historical & Genealogical Society has accumulated a great deal of information, much of it displayed here and here

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