Ruth is a life long resident of Knott County, Kentucky.  Specifically, Ruth was born (February 20, 1929) and raised in the small town of Smithsboro, KY until 1968. She was forced to relocate to a nearby community when the government constructed a flood control dam.  The flood control project not only forced her relocation but the relocation of the entire community of Smithsboro.

Ruth has devoted her life to being a Knott County educator and family genealogy researcher.  She has participated with several genealogical organizations and family researchers.  Her research includes Combs, Amburgey, Stamper, Francis, Fugate and Smith families.  Ruth, a direct descendent of Elder Richard Smith, John Amburgey, Danger Nick Combs and Thomas Francis has maintained these family records for the benefit of future generations.  Information from her records are found here in Art On The Rocks genealogy files, Lana's GenePool.  We owe her a huge debt of gratitude.

She has graciously shared her work with us by way of JB Francis, a tireless, generous genealogy researcher we once had the good fortune to meet at a Francis/Combs family reunion.