A self-described genealogy “nerd,” Lillian Wingate became the Statesboro-Bulloch County Library’s genealogy librarian in 2015 and has helped hundreds of area residents trace family histories and gain an appreciation of their past.

But, after nine years, Wingate is moving closer to her own family’s home in south Georgia to become the executive director of the Genealogy Library at Thomas University in Thomasville.

“I hope everyone knows just how much I love my job here and I will miss it,” Wingate said. “But I will only be a phone call or a Zoom call away and I'm looking forward to still working (on the 2025 Genealogy Resource Fair at Georgia Southern University) in March.”

Last week, the Friends of the Library hosted a farewell reception in the Isabel Sorrier Community Room to thank Wingate and wish her well in her new position.

“Through all the years, she's helped so many people with their genealogy research,” Caroline Johnson, director for the Statesboro Regional Library System, said at the reception. “I know she loves it because of all the positive feedback we have from folks who worked with her.

“Even though I hate to see her go, I'm excited for her new adventure. We're all happy for you. You get to live your dream, and you're going to be close to your family.”

Wingate is from Pelham, about 25 miles north of Thomasville, and has a BA in History and Anthropology from Georgia Southern University, where she interned at the Georgia Southern Museum.

“This new job allows me to be a lot closer to home, which I'm sure all of you can appreciate your children being close,” she said.

Wingate said her fascination with genealogy came from growing up in a home where genealogy was a part of family life.

“I've been a genealogy nerd the whole time,” she said. “My mom did it as a hobby and got me started. And I ran with it. I've got degrees in history and anthropology. I love research.”

However, Wingate has been pleasantly surprised she has been able to forge a working career from her love of genealogy and helping people in their family history searches. And she is excited about her new position at Thomas University for a personal reason.

“It is nice that I can tell many of my professors I'm going to be working at a university now,” she said. “I feel like I'm a real adult now.”

Though Wingate is moving on from Statesboro, the library will continue to offer assistance to anyone needing help with their genealogy research. A list of the library’s local resources are available at http://strl.info/genealogy/