Two local Eagle Scouts presented their Eagle projects to the Laurel-Jones County Library’s genealogy department.

Thomas Howse and Le’Byron Jackson donated their works to the collection of genealogical materials housed in the Genealogy Room at the library.

Howse’s project involved cleaning up the Good Hope Cemetery in Sandersville and recording the information on the tombstones for future researchers.

Also known as the Old Maid Cemetery, it had fallen into disrepair and suffered damage from Hurricane Katrina.

In the written portion of the project, Howse provides details of the cleaning and restoration completed by 18 volunteers with assistance provided by the Sandersville Fire Department, U.S. Forestry Department, Walker Memorial Company and Magnolia Portable Buildings.

The volunteers spent more than 350 hours completing the project according to Howse’s material.

Jackson’s project focused on Laurel resident James Jones, 85. Jackson interviewed Jones about his service in World War II. Jones served in the 761st Tank Battalion.

In addition to being honored this year by the New York State Senate for its service in World War II, the unit received the Presidential Unit Citation for Heroism in 1978.

Genealogy clerk Susan Blakeney accepted both donations.

“The two donations made to our genealogy department will hopefully give others insight into how important family history is,” said Blakeney.

Library director Mary Louise Breland sees a similar benefit to these projects.

“Young people like these showing an interest in and performing research of a genealogical nature encourages other young people to be interested in history and genealogy,” said Breland.

Over the years, many similar projects have been donated to the library. “These works are used mainly as a resource of family research,” said Blakeney.

The genealogy collection draws visitors not only from the local area but from across America. “Growth of our genealogical collection through donations like these helps make our collection vital to people researching families in this area,” said Breland.

All area residents are invited to view these projects as well as other materials such as family histories in the genealogy department of the Laurel-Jones County Library, said Breland.