For over 10 years, the Franklin County Archives has helped people research, trace and learn their family history.

Chris Ozbirn was researching her husband’s mother’s side of the family at the Lawrence County Archives when the idea for an archive for Franklin County came to her. After 14 years of pleading for a building that would contain the entire information a person would need to find the history on their family, Chris Ozbirn helped establish the Franklin County Archives in 2002.

Ozbirn and other volunteers walked into the building for the first time in Nov. of 2003 to start renovations. The building was opened to the public in March of 2004. The archives is a Franklin County property and therefore Franklin County pays the utilities. Other expenses are paid for by fundraisers and donations. A Franklin County Archive support group, “Seekers of the Past,” pay dues once a year as well.

“My favorite place in the whole building is the Franklin County Veteran’s Hall of Honor,” said Ozbirn.

The hall of honor is dedicated to all the men and women of Franklin County that have served in the military.

“In my opinion, you have to know where you come from to know where you’re going. Once people come here, they’re going to come back,” said Ozbirn.