- December 17, 2025
Research turns into lifelong hobby, social outlet.
When John Parkerson, of Ormond Beach, was a teenager, he would hear his relatives talk about their ancestors. There was talk of queens and ladies-in-waiting.
“Some of it sounded far-fetched,” he said recently. “I thought there must be a way to find out for sure one way or another.”
So, he began to conduct research in the National Archives and Library of Congress, which were not far from his Silver Spring, Maryland, home. He discovered some of his relatives had “fanciful” ideas.
“I found out a relative was not a lady-in-waiting, but probably a servant. She was waiting on another lady,” he said, laughing.
But, he said he found it interesting to learn about his ancestors, who were not “spectacular,” but honest, hard-working people. The experience started him on a lifelong interest in genealogy, a hobby that he still finds mentally stimulating and a good social outlet today at the age of 81.
Parkerson retired from his job as an engineer in 1988 and relocated to Ormond Beach. He’s been an active member of the Halifax Genealogical Society since 1994, soon after it was organized, and he was recently recognized for his contributions.
The Florida State Genealogical Society presented him with the 2014 Genealogy Outstanding Achievement Award at their annual conference in Gainesville on March 29. The award is presented to an individual, society, or institution in recognition of contributions toward the promotion of genealogy in Florida, according to a statement from the society.
Parkerson said the Internet has had a big impact on research because of the information at your fingertips. The website ancestry.com is constantly adding new information, he said.
“It’s exciting to browse the Internet,” he said. He cautioned, however, that the Internet provides clues and the researcher needs to look at actual documents and verify identities of people.
“The main point is to document everything, in true research style, so that other people can carry on your work,” he said. “You need to be careful about citing your sources.”
Genealogy has been a lifelong hobby for Parkerson.
“One of the best things in the process is the people you meet,” he said. “The club is a very nice group of people. You also find family you didn’t know you had … fourth or fifth cousins.”
The Halifax Genealogical Society meets monthly at the Ormond Beach Regional Library. There are several other societies in Volusia County.
Parkerson has served in numerous capacities since joining, including president; editor of GenNews, the society’s newsletter; director of membership; and treasurer.
Clyde Stickney, past president, said Parkerson has been “Mr. Everything” to the society and helped many people with their own research through the years. He credits him for the society’s growth to about 120 members.
“John stepped down from administrative responsibilities at the end of 2013, and it is our pleasure to recognize his contribution,” he said. “He’s a great encourager, an effective leader and a real southern gentleman. He traced his own family back to the American Revolution.”
Parkerson contributes the society’s growth to the programs that are brought to the meetings by Stickney and others. They bring in experts to discuss how to sources such as military, census and ship immigration records.
“They bring in programs that people don’t want to miss,” Parkerson said. He said there are usually 50 to 70 people at the meetings.
