In Honor of a Dedicated Volunteer and Friend to the Genealogical Community: Jane Van Tour (1946-2026)
Jane Van Tour passed away on 24 January 2026. She was a longtime friend to many of us in genealogy. She volunteered regularly at any conference, seminar, or institute at which she was also attending as a student. Jane attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Their symbol is the Volunteer, and according to Jane’s sister she undertook that role as a lifelong commitment to helping and showing hospitality to everyone she met. Jane’s sweet smile and kindness will be sorely missed by all of us.
Jane Van Tour
Her dedication to genealogical education involved her own registration last November for the upcoming African American course at IGHR 2026. Jane’s family would like to gift that registration to someone who knew and appreciated Jane’s volunteer spirit: Octavia Ashby, Branch Manager at the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center (GRHGC) in Germantown, Tennessee. Octavia will be attending the class to further her education in African American research methodology so that she in turn can help patrons at Germantown. With this Jane’s spirit continues to contribute and help everyone.
Thank you to Jane and her family members for their generosity.
Jane’s obituary is here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/memphis-tn/jane-vantour-12722107
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