Moultrie’s Odum Library Worth A Visit
March 12th, 1995MOULTRIE’S ODUM LIBRARY WORTH A VISIT
Moultrie and south Georgia are very fortunate to have the Ellen Payne Odum Genealogical Library. It is located in downtown Moultrie, attached to the public library at 204 5th St. S. E. The library was created in 1989 by a bequest from Mrs. Odum, a former school teacher. The library’s newsletter, actually a 60-page newspaper, “The Family Tree”, is offered free, and reaches 34,000 people! The library consists of two rooms, one of which is sponsored by the 69 Scottish clans who have made the library headquarters for valuable family information. The library now is a repository for some of Colquitt County’s courthouse books as the clerks use photocopies of original books. The librarian is Irene Godwin, and the newsletter editor is Beth Gay. The library contains a large collection of books on the Southern states, census records, Civil War and family history collections. The collection includes local high school annuals and a new veterans recording project. There is quite a bit on Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas. For brochures on the library and its collections, send a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope to The Odum Library, P.O.Box 1110, Moultrie, Ga. 31776, or just go visit. It’s worth the trip.
SUNBURY
“Sunbury on the Medway” by John McKay Sheftall (now of Columbus) has recently been reprinted. The book is a history of this 18th century Georgia seaport which once rivaled Savannah in citizens and activities. Located in Liberty County, the site of the town and its forts are interpreted at the Fort Morris State Historic Site, operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, publishers of the original edition. The book which includes a narrative history and lists of early settlers, has now been indexed. Reprinted by the Georgia State Society, National Society, Daughters of the American Colonists, it sells for $30 plus $3 postage. Proceeds go to restoring the fence at Sunbury’s colonial cemetery. Checks to the Georgia State Society, NSDAC, should be sent to Mrs. James L. Quackenbush, P.O.Box 223, Norcross, Ga. 30091 or call 446-1382.
UPDATE 2011: Mrs. Quackenbush is deceased. For copies of this publication and subsequent reprints, contact the Sunbury/Ft. Morris Historic Site, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, via their website.
 CONFEDERATE GENERALS
“Confederate Generals of Georgia and Their Burial Sites” by Robert H. Kerlin includes biographical sketches and photographs of the tombstones of the generals in alphabetical order, followed by the Navy commanders: Bulloch, Kell, and Tattnall. Also included is abbreviated information on Confederate generals buried in other states who either lead Georgia troops or who were Georgia natives. For those buried in large cemeteries, maps are included such as for Oakland Cemetery. Directions are included to all cemeteries. The author, co-founder of the Fayette County Historical Society, began this project after seeing similar ones on Louisiana and Tennessee generals. For anyone or any library with Civil War interest, this is a useful reference guide. Since many people named their sons for Confederate generals, it is a good, concise source for a sketch of these men. It is available for $26.60 postpaid from Americana Historical Books, P.O.Box 1272, Fayetteville, Ga. 30214.