Name Changes Should Be Considered

NAME CHANGES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

Many of our ancestors or relatives who remain unfindable could have been among the minority of Americans who moved away from their family and, for whatever reasons, changed their names. How one finds this out is another story. A good example of this is in the November/December 1994, “The Genealogical Helper”. The example was of one Frank Jackson born in Kentucky in 1849 who moved to Montana, became Frank Turner, and on to Idaho. Only by the chance meeting of a former neighbor was his secret discovered and then the families kept in touch, but he remained Frank Turner. I have heard of people dropping their surname and using their middle name, of recent immigrants changing the spelling or having a whole new surname substituted due to a misunderstanding or a need to simplify. Name changes are something those researchers with a “brick wall” should consider as a viable possibility.

SOUTHERN ARGUS

The marriages and deaths for 1871-1872 from “The Southern Argus”, a Selma, Alabama, newspaper, has been indexed and published on microfiche. The originals are at the Alabama Archives. The index is surname-only, and is separated between black and white notices. It covers many counties, some a good bit away. I found a notice about my Eufaula relatives. Anyone with Alabama interests should check this and the rest of the series as it is completed. $8 postpaid from Michael Kelsey, 905 Duval, Temple, Texas 76501.

POCAHONTAS

Its been some time since many of us have heard anything on the subject of “Pocahontas’ Descendants”. The current reprint is an update and expansion of an 1887 work by Wyndham Robertson, “Pocahontas and Her Descendants”. This volume with new information, is by Stuart E. Brown, Jr., and others. This new version is from a typed revision, and all descendants come from the only child, Thomas Rolfe, born around 1615, of her 1614 marriage to John Rolfe. She married at Jamestown, Virginia, the British colony founded in 1607 by Captain John Smith. While Pocahontas is best known for saving the life of Captain Smith, she did not marry him. Pocahontas died in 1617 while visiting England. Many prominent Americans descend from her: Edith Bolling Wilson, wife of President Woodrow Wilson; some of the descendants of Thomas Jefferson, including Hollins Randolph (1872-1938) of Atlanta; some descendants of President John Tyler; and Gay Bolling Shepperson of Atlanta. The book must be studied to be understood: it has three sections, each with its own index and a rather complicated numbering system. But if you have ever wondered who descends from Pocahontas, this is the source. The book is $50 plus $3 postage from the Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21202.

ALEXANDER STEPHENS

The Georgia Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy has reprinted “Alexander H. Stephens: The Sage of Liberty Hall” by Lucian Lamar Knight, state historian and first state archivist. Originally published in 1918, the book contains much information long out-of-print from people who knew Stephens, the Vice President of the Confederacy and Georgia governor. His house, Liberty Hall, is open as a State Historic Site, at Crawfordville. The book is $12, c/o Ga. Div., UDC, 1604 Executive Park Lane NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30329.
Update: Address still valid in 2011.

COMPUTER GENEALOGY PROGRAMS/SERVICES

Genealogy by its nature easily lends itself to computers. Thus its time to mention the leading genealogy computer programs, those on which one can compile his genealogy and print out charts, group sheets, and an entire narrative, easily publishable. Programs can also index said narratives. The best known ones (and there are new ones created each year) are Personal Ancestry File (PAF), Roots IV, and Family Tree Maker. Many on-line computer services have genealogy features. The Sept/Oct 1994 newsletter of the National Genealogical Society includes within its usual 16-page computer interest group insert a chart of those services on America On Line, CompuServe, Prodigy, Genie, and Delphi. The NGS address is 4527 17th St., North, Arlington, Va. 22207-2399. America On Line is discussed in a recent issue of “Genealogical Computing”, P.O. Box 478, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. This newsletter contains more than you would ever want to know about the subject. The July-August-September issue contains the 1994 Directory of Genealogy Software with mini-reviews of over 40 genealogy programs. The October-December issue contains a chart of On-Line Services including, besides those mentioned above, the National Archives, Bureau of Land Management, Everton’s, and the National Genealogical Society’s Bulletin Boards. Another genealogy computer feature can be found in the “Genealogical Helper” found at many libraries. What are you using? Here is your chance to let others know which genealogy program and which genealogy service you are using and why you like it. Have you tried others? Why did you change? Results will be published and hopefully can help other readers make a decision. The computerization of one’s genealogy records saves hours of agony over lost records, and certainly helps get information in better shape to share, even if not published, with other relatives. It makes publishing research much easier.

CLASSES

“Beginning American Genealogy”, will be taught by Joye Lett Quinn, 7-9 PM, Tuesday, Jan. 17 through Feb. 21, six weeks. Fee is $35. Duluth High School, 3737 Brock Rd., Duluth, Ga. To register call 476-8781 after 4 PM. Class will include field trips to the Georgia Archives and the National Archives in East Point.
Paragraph: “Genealogy Workshop, Level 2”, will be taught by Rita B. Worthy, 10 AM-12 Noon, Saturday Jan. 21, 28, and Feb. 4 (three weeks), Fee: $30 members, $35 non-members, DeKalb Historical Society at the Old Courthouse in Decatur, call 373-1088 Carolyn Khadan to register. Course is a follow-up to previous workshops by the speaker and includes land, probate and immigration records.

NEW HOURS

The National Archives-Southeast Region, 1557 St. Joseph Ave., East Point, has new hours. Monday-Friday open 8-4, and on Tuesdays until 8 PM. Microfilm reservations are now for four hour blocks. It is not open Saturdays, but will open 1-5 on Sunday following the Second Saturday. For information, call 763-7477.

TAYLOR FOUNDATION PUBLICATIONS

The R. J. Taylor, Jr., Foundation, established in 1971 to promote the publication of Georgia genealogical materials, is a special Christmas Gift to Georgia’s genealogy and local history constituents all year long. There are several new books which were published through grants from the foundation.

Mary B.Warren has transcribed and edited “Revolutionary Memoirs and Muster Rolls”. This is a very important work related to Georgia’s Revolutionary War era (1776-1781). The editor has ferreted out information from collections at the University of Georgia and the Library of Congress. The book contains numerous lists of Revolutionary War soldiers, maps, and other important records. There is a full-name index. The book provides new access into these 18th century records. Available from Heritage Papers, P.O.Box 7776, Athens, Ga. 30604.

John I. Bruno has edited “Newton County, Georgia, Records: Public School Lists, 1838-1866”. These records are often called Poor School lists, because the students were supported by public funds. The text is a photocopy of the original book, with an introduction and full-name index. This source is available on many counties but is often overlooked. The original information was submitted to the Inferior Court by teachers, trustees, and J.P.’s in order to allocate county funds. One could find ancestors as teachers, students or parents herein. Published through W. H. Wolfe Associates, the book is available for $65 postpaid plus 5% sales tax from John Bruno, 1427 Highway 138 SW, Conyers, Ga. 30208.

“Black Marriage Records: Hart County, Georgia, Vol. I, 1866-1923” edited by David T. Ray, was published by the Savannah River Valley Genealogical Society. The marriages are alphabetized by grooms, then by brides, and were compiled from several books. The date is given, but neither the officials nor the book or page. The book is available from the society, P.O.Box 895, Hartwell, Ga. 30643 for $10 plus $3 postage.

Wyndell and Bernice Taylor have continued their series with “Cherokee County, Georgia, Land Records, Vol. 5, Deed Book E” covering 1840-1841. By abstracting the deeds exactly, they have produced a great source for this north Georgia county. One should consult such volumes for clues, since your own ancestors could have witnessed a deed elsewhere. It could be a rare record. This volume has a full-name index. It is $25 postpaid plus $1.20 tax from Bot’s Books, P.O. Box 63, Powder Springs, Ga. 30073-0063.

“Henry County, Georgia, Obituaries, 1900-1907” is the latest work from that county’s prolific genealogical society. The information was edited by Rhoda A. Bowen from newspapers microfilmed by the University of Georgia. The obits are arranged in chronological order by date, and there is a full-name index. All pertinent information is included. By bringing the records up to recent times, many lost people will no doubt be located. Published through W. H. Wolfe, it is available for $30 plus $2.50 postage from the Genealogical Society of Henry & Clayton Counties, P.O.Box 1296, McDonough, Ga. 30253.

FURTHER EVENTS FROM 1994

Update: This column, like the previous one for December 18, 1994, was never published, see comments above. This one was written to be published on December 25, 1994. The one, below, that was published was hastily written after these two were rejected. KHTjr., December 13, 2010.

A number of important research guides and bibliographies appeared in 1994, including those for Wales, Virginia, and New Netherland (New York). “Chattahoochee Valley Sources & Resources” by John S. Lupold was an important bibliography for records and books from the Georgia counties along the Chattahoochee River.

COUNTY RECORDS

The R. J. Taylor, Jr., Foundation continued its support for the publication of Georgia county records and was the funding source for many Georgia projects. County records that were published in 1994, by them and others, include: Deeds for Bartow, Campbell (index only), Cherokee, Henry, Houston, and Macon counties. Jackson County court records, Madison County probate index, and Pulaski County wills were also published. Meriwether County’s marriages and early census records were published. Newton County’s marriages and poor school records were published.

CEMETERIES

Cemetery records were published for Bartow, Cobb (the National Cemetery), Oconee, and Turner Counties, many with support from the Taylor Foundation.

GEORGIA ARCHIVES

The Georgia Archives saw the arrival of the Vital Records Index to Death Certificates, the continuation of their popular Lunch and Learn seminars–including one by Martha Redus on Indian Research, the availability of Wilkinson County courthouse records on microfilm, and a new computer donated by the Georgia Genealogical Society to be used for CD-Roms donated by the society.

CENSUS

Rhea Cumming Otto of Savannah added three more volumes to her multi-volume, county-by-county index to the 1850 Census of Georgia. Those added this year were: Baldwin, Bibb, and Richmond.

DRAFT RECORDS

World War One Draft Records are available at the National Archives-Southeast Region for the entire USA. Indexes were published for three metro-counties: DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett.

GENEALOGY CALENDAR

The Georgia Genealogical Alliance, a state-wide consortium of genealogical societies formed in 1993, continued its state-wide calendar of genealogy events through the Friends of the National Archives, Southeast Region. The calendar facilitated statewide planning efforts so that societies would not schedule seminars on the same days, thus insuring better attendance.

EMMETT LUCAS

Southern genealogy lost one of its mainstays with the death in May of Rev. S. Emmett Lucas, Jr., editor of the “Georgia Genealogical Magazine” and owner of the Southern Historical Press.

HONORABLE MENTION

Readers should also know that many important events and publications may not come to the attention of this column or be sent for review, such as the DAR’s new Patriot Index. If you learn of something you want others to know about it, let us know.

1994 PRODUCED MANY IMPORTANT SOURCES, BOOKS

Update: This column was never published. My editor informed me that the AJC did not like end-of-the-year summaries of events., etc. Information mentioned herein was previously covered in earlier 1994 columns. KHTjr., December 13, 2010.

As 1994 draws to a close, its time to look back toward the high points. The release of the Georgia Vital Records Index to Death Certificates (1919-1993) was the most important event of the year. Since September, the index, on microfiche has been available at the Georgia Archives, and available for purchase by other libraries and individuals. A number of county histories were published: Calhoun, Dodge, Haralson, and reprints of Camden and Lamar. “First Families of Henry County, Georgia” was also an important book. The Georgia Historical Society, the state’s oldest historical organization, announced an annual award for the best county history and will honor one of those published during 1992-1993 at the spring meeting, 1995. The award honors Lilla Mills Hawes, director emeritus of the society, who died this year.

Civil War Sources

The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Georgia Division, completed their 10-volume “Ancestor Roster”. They also reprinted the six-volume “Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia” by Lillian Henderson, all while celebrating their centennial. “Southern Loyalists in the Civil War” by Gary B. Mills, a new, nationwide index to Civil War claims and “Camp Fires of Georgia’s Troops”–a listing of 747 camps where Georgia’s Civil War soldiers camped– by William Smedlund were published. Frank McKenney published “The Standing Army” concerning Georgia’s Confederate monuments and the University of Arkansas continued their series “Portraits of Conflict” where they intend to publish actual photographs of Confederate soldiers. Nancy Cornell launched her series on Georgia’s Joe Brown Census with “1864 Georgia Militia”. “Roll of Honor”, a ten-volume set of burial records of Union soldiers, was reprinted.

NEWSPAPER INDEXES

Indexes to the “Augusta Chronicle” (vol. 4, 1821-1830) and Milledgeville’s “Georgia Journal” (vol. 3, 1824-1828, and vol. 4, 1829-1835) were completed. Tad Evans, who is continuing the “Georgia Journal” series after the death of Fred Hartz, also published three volumes on Washington County newspapers, 1852-1889. Methodist newspapers have been indexed further by Brent Holcomb. One book covered deaths from the “Southern Christian Advocate” (1867-1878) and the other marriages for the same years.

ACCESS ATLANTA

This column, along with the rest of the newspaper, went on-line for public access, with the advent of Access Atlanta, through Prodigy. Columns since early summer have been carried.

NEW SOCIETY, LIBRARY, HOURS

The National Archives, Southeast Region, in East Point (763-7477cq) announced their opening on the Sunday following the second Saturday, but at year’s has had to reduce other hours. The Roswell Historical Society has opened a genealogy and local history room in the new Roswell Municipal Auditorium. The Rockdale County Genealogical Society was also formed this year.