Free Workshop: Preserve Your Family Photos and Papers
Crimson Stories is hosting a free workshop on Saturday, October 24, to share what we have uncovered in Delta Burial Corporation’s historic funeral records and help community members preserve their own family documents.
The project is supported by a $10,000 grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council and Mississippi 250.
For the past several months, Crimson Stories has partnered with Scan South to digitize Delta Burial’s delicate record books spanning 1925 to 1975.
"What we are uncovering in these archives goes far beyond simple names and dates," said Tommiea Jackson of Crimson Stories. "We are seeing records of individuals who passed in the 1930s who were born during slavery or immediately after, and causes of death like malaria that we do not worry about today. Then we see familiar churches and family names still right here in our community like Carter, Smith, Lee, Hodo, Watson, Berry, Wiley, Tillis and Dockery. It brings the history close to home."
That hands-on effort to safeguard vulnerable pages is also what the team hopes to pass along to local families.
"We have spent months handling and scanning these books with the care they deserve," said Laurie McCarthy of Scan South. "We are excited to come to Lambert to share the process, discuss best practices and help families protect their own historical records."
What to Bring
Attendees are invited to bring up to five family items to be digitized on-site:
Photographs
Funeral programs
Family Bible records
Certificates, letters or official documents
You will receive digital copies to take home. Lunch will be provided for all registered participants.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 10 AM to 2 PM
Location: Pleasant Hope M. B. Church, 945 Sixth St., Lambert, MS
Registration
Space is limited to ensure everyone receives scanning time. Please complete the registration form by noon on Thursday, October 22.
Register here: Workshop Registration Form