Early Genealogists’ Records Are Important

EARLY GENEALOGISTS’ RECORDS ARE IMPORTANT

The works of earlier genealogists are becoming more and more important resources themselves. Many of these people spent lifetimes researching without today’s benefits of photocopying, microfilmed records, indexes, published records, or numerous quarterlies. Some of the widespread knowledge they shared can be seen in the genealogy column published in the “Atlanta Constitution” by the Daughters of the American Revolution from 1900-1902. Most of this column was later published in a two-volume set, with an index. These books are worth searching for anyone with early Georgia roots and anyone with prominent ancestors, for that is what early genealogists concentrated on.

Dr. Thomas Hart Raines (1878-1918) was one of these. He submitted many queries for the column, was on its editorial board, and also contributed to the “Virginia Historical Quarterly” and willed his papers to the Virginia Historical Society. Interest has increased lately in his widespread interests and where, if anywhere, one might find more of his correspondence. He intended to write several family histories, but died while in military service. Another early pioneer was Annie Belle Jones of Decatur, a teacher, at whose death many of her writings came to the DeKalb Historical Society, Decatur, Georgia. Biographical sketches of Ms. Jones and others can be found in one of the volumes of “The Handbook of American Genealogy” edited by F. A. Virkus in 1932-1934. Virkus stated in volume 2 that volume 1 was to “include the name of every person reported to be engaged in genealogical work beyond his or her own lineages”. It was a national record and should be checked. The books are actually a who’s who of American genealogists.

Anyone who might have the genealogical papers or letters of someone who did extensive genealogical work should attempt to donate them to a library or archives where they can be preserved and used in the future. The Georgia Archives is the repository of several sets of papers by county historians, such as Mrs. H. M. Dixon of Stewart County, and T. B. Rice of Greene County. The University of Georgia has the papers of J. A. LeConte whose interests went from the coast to Wilkes County. Other genealogists who died more recently hopefully arranged for their papers to be placed in a proper library.

HISPANIC SOCIETY

Anyone interested in forming a society for those researching Spanish-speaking America, should contact Emma Zell, 4022-C Dunwoody Park Dr., Dunwoody, Ga. 30338 (481-0219). She is interested in forming a group of people who have done work in Hispanic records, either in person, via the Mormons, or however. She wants to share research sources, books, case studies, etc.

FRENCH WEST INDIES

The Saint-Dominque Special Interest Group is devoted to anyone researching families from the French West Indies, including Haiti (Saint-Domingue before 1804), and other French colonies. They publish queries in an extensive newsletter, share the location of sources, and have meetings. Contact Augusta Elmwood, 1514 Saint Roch Ave., New Orleans, La. 70117-8347 for details.
Update: Ms. Elmwood is still at this address and still working on this topic, December 13, 2010.

NEWSPAPER INDEXES ARE IMPORTANT SOURCES

Newspapers are one of the most important resources for genealogists and historians. While Georgia’s extant early newspapers are on microfilm at the University of Georgia’s Main Library, access to the information is made easier through detailed indexes. Luckily, the R.J.Taylor, Jr., Foundation has made possible the publication of several important series of indexes. The most prolific indexer in Georgia is at present Tad Evans of Savannah. He is continuing the indexing and abstracting of Milledgeville’s “Georgia Journal”. Begun by the late Fred Hartz and his wife Emilie, Evans has now published Volume IV which covers 1829-1835. It covers all the legal notices from the various counties surrounding the capital city of Milledgeville, marriages, deaths, letters at the post office, and other items of interest. The 1100-page volume is fully indexed. ($65 plus $4 postage).

Evans, who abstracts, edits, and publishes from his home, has just completed a three-volume set: “Washington County, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings”. Volume I covers 1852-1866, Vol. II (1867-1880) and Volume III (1881-1889). Each of these also includes legal notices, marriages and deaths, letters at the post office, grand jury lists, and Civil War muster rolls in volume one. Each has a full-name index. Each of the Washington County volumes is about 500 pages long, and sells for $40 plus $4 postage. The author also has a ten-volume series of Dodge County newspaper abstracts covering 1873-1968, and two for Montgomery County (1886-1919). He has launched a new series on Milledgeville’s other newspaper, “The Union Recorder”, to be out early in 1995. For any of these works, contact the author, Tad Evans, 1506 Stillwood Dr., Savannah, Ga. 31419. Those volumes sponsored by the Taylor Foundation can be found at any of the thirty Georgia libraries where they have been donated, including those in Marietta, Macon, and at the Georgia Archives.

CENSUS UPDATES

The 1850 Census records for Baldwin and Bibb Counties, Georgia, have been abstracted and added to the multi-volume series being compiled by Rhea Otto of Savannah. For the past twenty years, she has published abstracts, county by county, of Georgia’s 1850 Census, the first one to list all members of the household. Baldwin County’s booklet includes lists of Irish-born laborers, and inmates of both the state mental hospital and the state prison, both of which were in the then-state capital of Milledgeville. The prisoners appear under “Allen” and the mental patients under “Featherstone” and “Green”. Since the inmates names have a greater likelihood of being misspelled, the lists should be read carefully. The records of these two state institutions can be found at the Georgia Archives and some have been published in Robert S. Davis, Jr.’s “The Georgia Black Book (2 volumes)”. Remember, if you cannot find someone in the state-wide index to the 1850 Census and yet think he was in a certain county, read the abstracts! Each of these are $6.75 each from Mrs. W. W. Otto, 8816 Ferguson Ave., Savannah, Ga. 31406. A long, stamped, self-addressed envelope is needed for a list. Mrs. Otto abstracts only Georgia for 1850 (a monumental project itself) and no other years, and no other states.
Update: Mrs. Otto died, and family members carried on her work briefly. Address validity unknown. December 13, 2010.

DODGE, HARALSON PUBLISH COUNTY HISTORIES

County histories are always a mainstay for researchers needing an insight into the history and families of an area. The largest collection of Georgia county histories can be found at the Georgia Archives. The two newest additions to that collection, begun when Georgia celebrated its colonial bicentennial in 1932 and designated county historians in many counties, are those for Dodge and Haralson Counties. The “History of Dodge County, Georgia, 1932-1992” was presented by the William Few Chapter, DAR, although copyright is held by the Dodge County Historical Society. The major chapters in the book act as a sequel to the 1932 county history. These chapters cover the intervening sixty years in the county, its towns and communities, the economy, community organizations, health care, schools, churches–a very long chapter, and then by far the largest chapter, family histories. Each of the latter were prepared by a family member. Notable families include the Stuckey family of candy fame. There is a surname-only index. Published through W. H. Wolfe Associates, the book can be ordered from Col. William Few Chapter, NSDAR, c/o Ocmulgee Regional Library, 525 Second St., Eastman, Ga. 31023.

HARALSON COUNTY HISTORY

Lois Owens Newman, at 90, has become Georgia’s oldest published county historian with the appearance of her “Haralson County, Georgia, A History”. The author, of Tallapoosa, wrote for the local newspaper for several decades and thus got her interest in the county’s history. The book opens with the pre-Haralson part of its history before its creation in 1856. It is full of useful lists of citizens in various activities throughout the county’s history. There are chapters or parts of chapters devoted to streams, communities, liquor licenses, Civil War soldiers, widows, and pensioners, some historic photos, and lots of lists of early citizens. About 70 pages are devoted to families. The appendix includes marriages from 1856-1900, tax digests of 1866 and other years. The full-name index does not include names from the appendix. The book, more a compilation than a written history, is the culmination of years of information gathering by the author. She is commended for her perseverance. The book is handsomely published by W. H. Wolfe Associates for the Carroll County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 576, Carrollton, Ga. 30117 for $40 plus $4 postage and $2.40 sales tax.

CHARLESTON ORPHANS AND PASSENGERS

Two books related to Charleston, South Carolina have recently appeared. “History and Records of the Charleston Orphan House, Volume 2 : 1860-1899” was written by Susan L. King. It is the second volume of records from this, the oldest public orphanage in the U.S. Orphans are arranged alphabetically with some parental data given. There is also an index. The first volume is also available.

“Passenger Arrivals at the Port of Charleston, 1820-1829” was transcribed by Brent H. Holcomb. The passengers are listed by ship and date, accessed by an index. Both are available from SCMAR, Box 21766, Columbia, S.C. 29221. The Orphans book for $22 postpaid, the passengers for $25 plus $3 postage.

MAYFLOWER SOURCES AVAILABLE

With Thanksgiving this week, we turn our attention to the Mayflower and the Pilgrims who arrived in 1620. There has been a lot of research into those first settlers and their descendants. Various states, including Georgia, have Mayflower Societies, consisting of their lineal descendants. A series of books has recently been published which makes available many records related to the Mayflower’s passengers. Those which are reprints are: “The Truth About the Pilgrims (1952)” by Francis R. Stoddard, a book written to correct myths about the Pilgrims, with each member being discussed ($21). “The English Ancestry and Homes of the Pilgrim Fathers (1929)” by Charles E. Banks who discusses those on the Mayflower, as well as other boats, with corrections to the original edition. The recently-completed new series was compiled by Susan E. Roser. It consists of four volumes: “Mayflower Deeds & Probates”, “Mayflower Increasings”, “Mayflower Marriages” and “Mayflower Births & Deaths”–a 2-volume set. The deeds, probates and marriages are from the files of George E. Bowman (d. 1941), found at the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants. The Deeds and Probates volume contains a wealth of original material, while the others tend to contain lists of descendants. Surely anyone with ancestors who are Mayflower Pilgrims will find some proof to pursue in these volumes. Since the Pilgrims landed a century before Georgia was founded and several generations before the Carolinas developed, it is worth a look to see if any ancestors might appear there before moving South. The Roser volumes are priced from $18.95-$75. One should contact the publisher, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21202 for availability. Check your local library’s genealogical collection to see if the earlier editions are there, plus no doubt many others written about these early American settlers.

NEW ENGLAND RESEARCH

For more detailed New England research see the index to the first 50 volumes of the “New England Historic and Genealogical Society’s Register”. It is found in many libraries, for sure in the Georgia Room in Marietta. It contains a wealth of names.

“DOCUMENTING YOUR RESEARCH”

Diane Dieterle, professional genealogist, will speak on “Documenting Research: What is Reasonable Effort?”, at the Georgia Genealogical Society’s Saturday, December 3rd, brunch, to be held from 9:30-1 at the Sheraton Century Center Hotel, at I-85 and Clairmont Rd., Atlanta. Cost is $15 members, $18 Non-members. Send reservations (payable to GGS) by November 26th to Linda Geiger, 4526 Bexley Dr., Stone Mt. GA 30083 or call 987-2301.

LUNCH and LEARN

The Georgia Archives Noon-time Lunch and Learn Series continues with November 30, staff-member Dale Couch’s lecture on “Southeastern Culture as Genealogical Information”, and December 6th, Atlanta historian Franklin M. Garrett speaking on his Necrology of Atlanta’s early citizens. All lectures are held from 12:15-1:15 in the Georgia Archives, 330 Capitol Ave., Atlanta. Call 656-2350 for further information. Free.

VITAL RECORDS ARE IMPORTANT

Anyone doing genealogy must make use of vital records, that is the birth and death records recorded by the government. The “International Vital Records Handbook, 3rd edition” by Thomas Jay Kemp is the latest attempt to include a copy of the actual application form from each state and country, or at least the latest information on where to write and how much it will cost. Since obtaining copies of death certificates is a very necessary research need in genealogy, the book is an important tool. Since the prices continue to rise, at least in the U.S., one might still find they have to check the fees. One important addition in this volume is a copy of Social Security Administration Form L997 which gives one access to the original social security application form. This form cannot easily be located by Social Security itself, so it is a great inclusion here. One can copy any of the state forms, and file for a copy. Earlier editions can be found at local libraries. This edition is $29.95 plus $3 from Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21202.

U.S. ROLL OF HONORP

“Roll of Honor” is a ten-volume set which reprints a 27-volume set originally published from 1865-1871. It contains a list of 300,000 Union soldiers buried in National cemeteries, cemeteries on military posts, and other known cemeteries. Many of the men were disinterred from battlefields and reburied in these cemeteries. The series was originally published by the authority of the Secretary of War. One main reason for its original publication was to help friends, relatives and their comrades locate the graves, especially since most were moved from where they fell in battle. The final volume includes the “Final Disposition” of those that were removed and reburied. This series was massive when originally published and just as much so in its reprinting. The publishers plan an all-name index next year since the current printing, as did the original, does not include any index. Those buried at Andersonville, Georgia, are found in the first volume of the reprint. The names of the deceased are in a rough alphabetical list in each cemetery. The volumes vary in price. For information on the set, contact the Genealogical Publishing Co., at (800) 296-6687.

CHURCH RECORDS

Local churches were the subject of books recently published by two local writers. These books show how a church’s history and especially its records can be published in an attractive manner. Diane Middlebrooks has compiled “March to Mount Zion: History of Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Ellenwood, Henry County, Georgia, 1853-1993”. It includes a lot of history and philosophy of this church and its faith, with some early minutes, ministers, and members. It has a full-name index. For information contact Diane Middlebrooks, 5990 Hearn Rd., Ellenwood, Ga. 30049.

Eleanor C. Richardson has compiled a small, 32-page work, “Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Newton County, Georgia, Records of the Session, 1830-1917”. These records include baptismal records, and members. For information contact the author at 3205 Linda’s Circle, Conyers, Ga. 30208.