Ella Evanda Lee Sheffield

A native of Bastrop County, Texas,  I started researching my family history more than 38 years ago. It was at that time I started collecting genealogy books, many of which are now out of print.

I taught genealogy at College of the Mainland in Texas City, Galveston College in Galveston, and Smithville High School, all located in Texas.  I was also an Elderhostel genealogy instructor for College of the Mainland. In addition to teaching, I have held workshops and spoken at seminars throughout the United States.

From 1978 – 1980, I participated in planning the Houston Genealogy Institute and completed all of the courses presented including “New Frontiers in Genealogy,” “Exploring American Genealogy” and “American Trails.”  I also completed the National Genealogical Society genealogy course as well as attended several National Genealogical Society Conferences including those held in Biloxi, Mississippi; Washington, D.C.; and, Houston, Texas, where I was Chairman of the Vendors.

For more than ten years serving as the Texas Gulf Coast Office Manger for Southern Historical Press, I formatted, compiled, indexed and supervised the typing and indexing of genealogy books.

I either am currently or have been a member of many historical and lineage societies including Colonial Dames of America, Colonial Dames Seventeenth Century, National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, National Society Descendants of Early Quakers, National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor, Flagon and Trencher: Descendants of Colonial Tavern Keepers, National Society United States Daughters of 1812, Illinois Prairie Pioneers, Tennessee Ancestry, National Society Southern Dames of America, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.  I have also been on the National Speakers Staff and the State Speakers Staff for DAR.

Several of the books I have compiled include Grainger County Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Record Book No. 3 1812-1816, Grainger County Tennessee Letters of Administration 1842-1854 and Marriage Records LaGrange, Fayette County, Texas, January 19, 1838 through Feb 18, 1846. I was also the co-editor of 35,000 Tennessee Marriage Records and Bonds 1783-1870 3 vols. and Washington County, Tennessee Settlements of Estates 1790-1867.  In addition, I compiled Port of Galveston Ships Passenger List for the Galveston County Genealogical Society.  I am in Who’s Who in Genealogy and Heraldry edited by Mary Keysor Meyer and P. William Filby.  Many of my books can be found at Amazon.com.

I am founder and past President of the Texas City Ancestry Searchers, Galveston County Genealogical Society and also one of the founders of the Smithville Genealogy Group.  I served on the Galveston County Historical Commission, Galveston County Museum Board, Galveston Children’s Home Board, and was Lay Representative for Moore Memorial Library in Texas City.

Now, after almost 40 years of genealogy research I have decided to sell my extensive library. If you have any questions about the books I have listed for sale email me at travisandella@gmail.com.