These gene-ius resources will help you track your family tree

Uncover your ancestry using these local resources in Nashville, TN

A view of looking east down Broadway in 1917 with the entrance of Union Station to the right.

Let’s get back to our roots — do they trace as far back to Nashville in 1917? | Photo via TSLA

Whether you spend the holidays with immediate or extended relations, or even close friends, the season might spark some curiosity about your own family tree — it definitely has for Editor Skylar. If you’re looking for an icebreaker to liven up the dinner table talk or just find yourself with some extra time on your hands, there are plenty of resources in your own backyard to start exploring those roots.

Start with your library card

The Nashville Public Library has an entire “Genealogy” tab on its website with direct links to local records and family + heritage search databases. Pro tip: If you’re a Davidson County transplant, the two worldwide databases linked above will still help you begin narrowing your genealogy search. Among these other library resources, you’ll find:

💻 City of Nashville birth index (1881-1913)
💻 Davidson County death index (1900-1913)
💻 Marriage records (1788-1916)

Additional records outside of these dates may be obtained by contacting Metro Archives.

Attend Family History Day

As luck would have it, The Tennessee State Library & Archives is hosting its “Family History Day” this Sat., Oct. 29 beginning at 9:30 a.m. — 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N. Though the event is free, reservations are required due to limited seating during this year’s feature presentation, “Welcome Home: Unlocking History Through the Places We Live.”

Librarian Trent Hanner will lead the presentation, showing attendees tools they can use to research the history of their home utilizing the Library & Archives’ collections. Immediately following, staff will help visitors trace their family history in the Reading Room.

Pro tip: Parking is available in the Library & Archives garage located on Jackson Street and Junior Gilliam Way.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues | Thurs., Oct. 27 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $35+ | Cheer on the Preds on home ice. 🏒

Friday

Bahamas | Fri., Oct. 28 | 8 p.m. | Brooklyn Bowl | $30+ | Enjoy an evening of folk rock tunes. 🎸
Halloween Glow in the Park at The Adventure Park at Nashville | Fri., Oct. 28-Sat., Oct. 29 | 6-10 p.m. | The Adventure Park at Nashville, 801 Percy Warner Blvd. | $42 | Zip and climb in glowing lights to Halloween-themed music.

Saturday

2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s | Sat., Oct. 29 | 8 a.m. | Nissan Stadium | Free, donations encouraged | There are two routes for the walk — a 1-mile route around Nissan Stadium and a 2.2-mile route around the stadium and downtown. 👟
Día de los Muertos Art Exhibit and Celebration | Sat., Oct. 29 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Center 615, 615 Main St. | Free | Enjoy live music, food, activities, and an art exhibit.

Sunday

James Gregory | Sun., Oct. 30 | 4 p.m. | Zanies | $35 | The comedian is heard weekly on syndicated radio shows such as Rick and Bubba, John Boy and Billy, and Bob and Tom. 🎤
Mariachi Mexico International | Sun., Oct. 30 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pk. | Free | Enjoy some Sunday afternoon mariachi music with Mariachi Mexico International.

Monday

Halloween Trivia | Mon., Oct. 31 | 7-10 p.m. | Assembly Food Hall | Free | Bring your friends to Homegrown Bar for trivia, themed cocktails, and a costume contest. 👻

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Montgomery Bell Academy hosting Admission Preview Day this Sunday 🎒

At 155 years old, Montgomery Bell Academy is the oldest independent school for boys in TN. | Photo provided by Montgomery Bell Academy

Montgomery Bell Academy (4001 Harding Rd.) offers young men an exemplary college preparatory experience in an inclusive community with the skills necessary to succeed in the classroom + beyond. The school’s goal is to help develop men of wisdom and moral integrity who could make significant contributions to society.

Interested? Prospective families of boys in grades 7-12 are invited to Admission Preview Day on campus on Sun., Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. 📚*

TOUR THE SCHOOL

Weather

66º | Sunny | 7% chance of rain

Announced

Anzie Blue will close its restaurant doors Sun., Dec. 18, with plans to reopen in late January 2023 as a special events and live music venue. Future events include cooking classes, drag brunches and bingo + catering and community gatherings. Chef Star Maye will craft specialty menus for the events.

Coming Soon

Restaurant chain World of Beer Bar and Kitchen will open its first Tennessee location in Midtown — 2010 West End — by 2023. The business, which offers ~300 craft ales and lagers, will be the first commercial tenant in the 25-story tower. 🍺 (Nashville Post)

Open

Paramore’s Hayley Williams + her stylist Brian O’Connor opened Fruits hair salon yesterday at 1229 Martin St., a site previously eyed for a craft beer bar. The business is a Green Circle Salons member, meaning a small fee is added to each service that goes towards sustainability causes. (Nashville Post)

Concert

Wynonna Judd will bring “The Judds: Love Is Alive – The Final Concert” to MTSU on Thurs., Nov. 3 — a recreation of “The Judds 1991 Farewell Tour” for an event airing on CMT in 2023. Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, and Martina McBride will join the star. Tickets are on sale now.

Edu

Mayor John Cooper has launched Nashville’s first Metro Out-of-School Time Program Locator — a new online tool that connects parents with afterschool programs in their area. Just under 60 locations across Metro Nashville are part of the program. 🎒

Drink

To show appreciation, participating Middle Tennessee McDonald’s are giving first responders a complimentary medium iced coffee, hot coffee, or soft drink on Fri., Oct. 28 with valid ID. (Rutherford County Source)

Job

Gaylord Opryland is holding hiring events for holiday positions, seeking full and part-time employees for A Country Christmas celebration and the ICE! attraction. Visit the employment office — 2800 Opryland Dr. — on Thurs., Oct. 27 (4-8 p.m.) + Sat., Oct. 29 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) to apply. 💼 (WZTV)

Listen

Does this image ring a bell (bottom)? If you’ve driven by the Musica statue on Music Row, you may be wondering why it’s dressed up in the flared pants. Country artist Lainey Wilson drops her newest album, “Bell Bottom Country,” on Fri., Oct. 28, and the statues act as a promotional technique for the release.

Stat

Location, location, location. Nationally, 32% of prospective homebuyers are willing to move out of state to get their dream home. Would you? 🏡 *

Shop

Looking to relieve muscle soreness without dropping $150+ a month on a deep tissue massage? Enter: the RENPHO massage gun. It has 17,000+ five-star reviews and is on sale for $99 (down from $249) for a limited time.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Bone appetit 💀

NASHtoday’s Halloween charcuterie board

This locally-sourced charcuterie board is all treats, no tricks. | Photo by NASHtoday

Introducing NASHtoday’s Halloween charcuterie board — filled with our favorite local sweets. 🍬

Hosting a Halloween party this year? Before you break out the snacks, we’re here to serve up some festive inspiration. If you want your charcuterie board to look like ours, here’s what to get:

🎃 Colts Chocolates | chocolate covered animal crackers

🎃 The Loveless Cafe | strawberry preserves

🎃 The Bang Candy Company | rainbow bark

🎃 Goo Goo Cluster | Lil’ Goos

Looking for more local treats? Consider adding Olive and Sinclair’s chocolate bars, Poppy & Peep’s bon bons, and pralines from Leon’s Candy.

Pro tip: Level up your board by using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to shape the brie. Don’t forget to email us your creations or tag @theNASHtoday on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Skylar.

Editor’s pick: Be-leaf it or not, winter is on the way. If you’ve noticed the leaves piling up in your yard, consider raking and bagging them up to donate to the Nashville Food Project for compost. The organization has three gardening sites around the city and was able to distribute 230,000+ meals last year.

Nashvillians can drop of bags to 5904 California Ave. by the compost bins, or outside the gates of the Community Farm at Mill Ridge — 12924 Old Hickory Blvd. 🍂

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn what key design features are outlined for the proposed Titans stadium + see renderings.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Dylan Aycock, Skylar Webb, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Sarah Edwards | Advertise with us.

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