Thanks for the info on Mr Sistler. Have ran across many of his books over
the years and met him at some conferences.
Donnagene
----- Original Message -----
From: <Darburns(a)aol.com>
To: <INMARION-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 1:29 PM
Subject: [MARION COUNTY, IN] Tennessee Researchers
I thought some of you might be interested ...
Byron Sistler, 83, genealogist and archivist, dies
By EVAN MAYOR
For The Tennessean
Byron Sistler, a genealogist who published more than 50 publications on
census records and genealogy in Tennessee, died Friday at Belcourt Terrace
Nursing
Home. He was 83.
Mr. Sistler was a founder of the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society and
was a past president of the group.
''Thousands of people use his work every day across the country,
especially
here at the state library,'' said Mr. Sistler's son, Sam
Sistler, 33, who
co-authored a number of books on genealogy with his father. ''The impetus
was, in
1968 he was working on his own family history, and discovered how
hard it
was
to look up his own records, so he started indexing'' state
census records.
Those who worked closely with Mr. Sistler described his dry wit and
unselfish
nature.
''He was a character,'' said Gale Bamman of Cross Plains. ''He
came across
rather blunt at first â?¦ but once you stopped and thought about what (he
was
saying), it was funny.''
Bamman, who met Mr. Sistler through her interest in genealogy, said she
had
known him for more than 40 years.
''There is nobody to compare him with, really â?" he was a leader in his
field,'' Bamman said. ''When he began indexing census records, there were
very few
state census records that had been archived.
''He helped people working with Tennessee records tremendously, not just
people in Tennessee, but anyone that has had Tennessee ancestors.''
Mr. Sistler transcribed and published Tennessee census records spanning
from
1830 to 1880 and published six volumes of early Tennessee marriage
records.
He also wrote and published his own family genealogy, titled
Grandfather
was
Always a Very Old Man.
''It brings history down to a personal level,'' Bamman said of Mr.
Sistler's
work. ''You have to know your past or there is no way you
know where you
have
been.''
Mr. Sistler's wife, Barbara, assisted him in running his genealogical
publishing business, Byron Sistler and Associates, before passing the
business on
to
his son.
''He was loved by a lot of people and well-respected,'' Sam Sistler
said.
''He was very forgiving and known for his patience and excellent work
ethic.''
Mr. Sistler had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for the
past four
years. He died peacefully in his sleep, Sam Sistler said.
Along with Sam and Barbara Sistler, survivors include sons Tom and
Nicholas
Sistler of Chicago, a daughter, Anne Sistler of Boston, and four
stepchildren.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete yesterday, but a public memorial
service
is being planned at the Tennessee State Library in the near future,
Sam
Sistler said.
Darlene Anderson
Executive Director, Genealogical
Society of Marion County, IN
and
County Coordinator, Marion
County INGenWeb
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