Family Histories Available
June 19th, 1994FAMILY HISTORIES AVAILABLE
The first thing one should do when visiting any genealogy collection in a library or archives is check out the family histories which have been published or which might be in the vertical files. See how the library has indexed the volumes, since some, like the Washington Memorial Library in Macon, have a card catalog specifically devoted to all the major surnames found in a family history. You never know when someone has written a book on your family. Just because you do not know about it is no reason not to look. In the 1970s after President Carter was elected, it became known that there were many published family histories that included some of his ancestors, including his grandparents on one side and great-grandparents on the other. Neither of these books was known to his family. No one has to ask your permission to put you or your ancestor in a book.
OLLIFF FAMILY
Robert Brooks Casey and his mother Bernice Brooks Casey have recently published “Olliff Family History”. This book records the descendants of John Shears Olliff, who died in Bulloch County, Georgia. He was a Revolutionary Soldier and died in 1801. Since his roots are not known, all those with the surname in Georgia are presumed to descend from him, although some “other” Olliffs are included. The Jackson family of his wife is also included. Perhaps the most important aspect of the book is the unexpected migration of this family from Effingham, to Screven, then Bulloch, with his near kin in Putnam and Wilkinson. Noted descendants include former Georgia first lady Betty Foy Sanders and the Brannens of Statesboro. Family photographs are well reproduced and the author has included a lot of the mysteries he encountered in his research making it an interesting book to read. He has written books on the Brooks and Casey families. The Olliff volume is available for $25 postpaid from Robert Casey, 4705 Fred Eby, Jr., Lane, Austin, Tex. 78731.
WOODALLS OF TALBOT
The Woodall and Baugh families of Talbot and Muscogee Counties, Georgia are the subject of the “Woodalls of Talbot” by Margaret Woodall Browne and Jane N. Grider. This attractive volume was published through Gateway Press of Baltimore, a firm that specializes in publishing family histories. The authors have traced this pioneer family of west Georgia in an interesting way, including documents and photographs, to make it very readable. One can understand a lot about the times these people lived in due to the details that have been included. Best-known members of the clan include W. C. Woodall (1878-1971) noted editor and historian from Columbus and the Allen Woodalls. A good bit on the Daniel Baugh family is also included. If anyone is looking for a model to follow in creating their own family book, this is one to look at. Any family should be quite honored to have such a record. The author, Mrs. Browne, is a former librarian from Dalton. The book is available for ___ plus $3 postage from Margaret W. Browne, 651 S.E. Degan Dr., Port St. Lucie, Fla. 34983.
WILSON FAMILY
H. Grady Wilson, Jr., has written “Mule Creek: History of the Wilson, Stanaland, and Allied Families”. The author traces the line from his Revolutionary War ancestor, James Wilson, who came to Effingham County, Ga. He includes many good reproductions of documents, photographs of people as well as of houses and churches. He traces briefly the other Revolutionary-era ancestors: Lucas, Mikell, Ball, Robeson, and Stanaland. The book is a well-presented record of 200 years of a family. There is a full-name index. For information, contact H. Grady Wilson, Jr., 4819 Rock Springs Rd., Lithonia, Ga. 30038. He has also written a book on the Spears family.
YELDELL AND FANCHER
Oliver C. Weaver, Jr., has compiled a history with the title: “Yeldell and Hartsfield Families…and The Weaver Family”. Divided into sections on each family, it is heavily footnoted, probably due to the author being a retired professor. Each section has its own index. The author includes a lot of biographical information, making it readable, interspersing the text with family letters, legal notices, and family mysteries. All of this makes this one of the few family histories that is really interesting reading. The families lived in South Carolina and Alabama. The author involves the reader in many of the crossroads and misadventures of research. The book is available for $39.95 plus $3 postage from Oliver C. Weaver, Jr., 1229 Greensboro Road West, Birmingham, Ala. 35208.
Paul B. Fancher has written “Richard Fancher (1700-1764) of Morris County, New Jersey”. It is rare that an author can share the same surname as his 18th century ancestor. He has traced the different branches to Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. The migration and dispersal of this family is an interesting study and shows how the opening of the frontier affected one line. The book has no illustrations and a full-name index. Published through W. H. Wolfe Associates, it is available from the author, Paul B. Fancher, 1479 Ashwoody Ct., Atlanta, Ga. 30319 for $19.