For a number of years, Lois L. Norman of Sherman, Texas compiled information on the Norman Family that culminated in publication of the book The Normans of Normandy Hall in 1976. A book that spans a period of nearly 300 years and eleven generations of Normans. Records from this book have been placed on microfilm at the Library of the Latter Day Saints at Salt Lake City, Utah for permanent preservation.
During her search, Lois L. Norman was led to Lincoln County where she found Georgia cousins, descendants of William Norman, the common ancestor we share with the families included in her book. As a result of her search, Lois Norman and her various cousins organized the Norman Family Association in 1972 at Crossett, Arkansas. This brought about a greater interest in the Norman family and its history – especially the Georgia branch of the family.
The original association met every two years in Arkansas. As the membership from the Georgia branch increased, the organization included Atlanta, Georgia as one of the meeting points every fourth year. However, it was felt that it was too long between meeting points for those who were unable to travel the greater distances. At the 1985 Atlanta, Georgia meeting, the proposal was made to split the Association into two factors – the Arkansas and Georgia divisions. This was adopted by the membership present, with the proviso that each division hold bi-annual meetings. The Arkansas division meeting on even years, beginning in 1986 and the Georgia division meeting on odd years, beginning in 1987.
Invitations would be issued to the membership of both divisions to attend each meeting, in the hopes of building interest and increasing membership of each division. Each division would issue newsletters three times each year, with the newsletter editor including information from each division in their current issue.
The Arkansas division disbanded at their Texarkana, Texas meeting on August 3-5, 1990. After only 15 people registered, a meeting of the Action Committee, consisting of the officers and newsletter was called. The ensuing discussion lead to the unanimous decision that without interest and support the association could not continue. The Arkansas Division of the Norman Family Association became inactive.
Since that time, the Georgia Division of the Norman Family Association has continued to function with a newsletter issued in February, June, October each year and a bi-annual meeting in the odd years. Meetings were held in Atlanta, Georgia until 1991 when it was felt the attendance was below expectation. Some of those attending expressed concerns about the Atlanta traffic and their travel distance and requested the officers give consideration to hold holding the 1993 meeting in Lincoln County, Georgia. The meetings were held in Lincolnton, Georgia in 1993 and 1995 with a resulting increase in attendance at the meetings. The August 1-2, 1997 a meeting was scheduled to be held in Lincolnton. The 2019 reunion banquet and program had approximately 150 family members attend from Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Since the Georgia division was formed, the membership has been working on a family record of the descendants of Peyton Wyatt and Elizabeth Hawes Loflin Norman. He was the son of William Harrison Norman and grandson of William Norman our common ancestor with the Arkansas division. So many family members have sent information on their particular branch that we hesitate to mention names in fear of missing someone. Let us simply say that everyone on the genealogical committee – each of whom represents a different branch of the family tree wants to THANK EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.
There are omissions and for this the compilers ask your indulgence, for families change from year to year. In the future, we hope that the second edition will fill those gaps and bring up-to-date the current generation. And so the search goes on.
The first part of this record includes mainly information from Lois L. Norman’s book, The Normans of Normandy Hall, in particular, chapters ten, eleven, and twelve (pages 119 – 137) and information received from the family of Peyton Seaborn Norman. We have relied on family members for the information in the second part of this record and trust this information received was correct. The Norman Family of Lincoln County was compiled by The Norman Family Association Genealogy Committee in August 1997. A copy was placed in the Lincoln County Library.
We continue to collect information on the ancestry and lineage of our earliest ancestor to Georgia, William Norman, his children and their descendants. If you descend from a sibling of our Revolutionary War Soldier William Norman or other family line, you can add that to the form or submit a family group record from your files. Download the family group form to submit or update your information. NOTE: You are the Descendant when completing the form.
It is hoped that this work will encourage the Normans of Lincoln County to continue updating their family records and maintain an interest in their history.
Copyright 2025, The Norman Family Association.
Norman Family Association 