Rutherford County Archives welcomes County Genealogist Kayla Howard

Rutherford County – TN (02/13/2025)   Rutherford County Commission has confirmed Kayla Howard as the new County Genealogist. 

This position is a non-payroll appointed position, similar to the County Historian’s position currently filled by Greg Tucker. 

 Howard replaces Susan Daniel, who stepped down after serving for 46 years. 

 Rutherford County Archives Director John Lodl said the County Genealogist position was created in 1978 at the same time that the Rutherford County Public Records Commission was started by state mandate. Daniel championed the need for a county archives department. 

 “We are very excited to have Kayla Howard appointed as the new County Genealogist,” Lodl said. “As current supervisor of the Historical Research Center, a branch of the Rutherford County Library System, Kayla is in a key position in terms of researching our rich and diverse local history. Kayla will continue making great strides in connecting researchers to their ancestors though the records of our historical past.”

 The mission of the Rutherford County Archives is to preserve and protect the written documents, past and present, generated by the government offices of Rutherford County, Tennessee. The county records preserved at the archive include judicial proceedings, tax documents, and administrative records. The preservation of most of these records is required by law and serves to protect the rights of citizens. The Rutherford County Archives seeks to make these documents accessible to government agencies, the people of Rutherford County, and the public at large.  More information about this department can be found at https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/archives.