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Friday, February 28, 2014

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Discovering historical records up close and personal

Greenwood County Courthouse, Robin Foster 26 February 2014
I spent the first eight years of my move to South Carolina in Columbia researching in the archives, libraries, and getting to know cousins there.  I have worked my way back to the 1800's in my research. Our family decided to move to Greenwood, South Carolina at the end of the summer last year where I could be closer to research in the area where my ancestors lived before Columbia.

Walking in their footsteps

I live just down the street from the place where my 2nd great grandparents spent their lives as slaves and experienced emancipation (1847-1919).  I have been working on mapping important sites to gain further insights for my research.  Yesterday was the first day I actually walked into the courthouse in Greenwood to look for records.  I wanted to see if I would be able to find marriage records, probate records, and land deeds.  

Courthouse scavenger hunt

After walking through the security scan at the Greenwood County Courthouse, I went upstairs and dialed the number four on a phone just outside a glass door which led to the probate records.  I explained that I wanted to look at marriage records and probate records.  I looked through the marriage books first where I found a few marriage records (more on those later).

I just wanted to share my greatest find.  My great uncle, Lewis Johnson (Andrew and Jane Johnson) married my great aunt, Arie Anna Vance (Beverly and Matilda Vance).  Both Lewis and Arie Anna are related to me. Their parents are my 2nd great grandparents.  I have researched this line backwards and forwards never finding the death date for Lewis who died leaving Arie Anna to raise a large family.

I searched the probate index and discovered an entry for Lewis Johnson, packet 64 -6:

 Index to Estates in Probate Court, Volume Number 1, 1895 to July 1st 1946, Greenwood County, South Carolina 

I really did not know if this was the correct Lewis Johnson until I removed the packet from drawer 64 and saw Arie Anna's name on the front:

 Lewis Johnson will (1909), Greenwood County Estate Packet 64 -6, Probate Records Office, Greenwood, South Carolina

I found him long ago on the 1880  and 1900 Censuses, but he was not on the 1910 Census. He never appeared again on any census with his family, so I presumed he had died sometime before 1910.  Deaths were not recorded in South Carolina at that time.  

Leave no stone unturned

I assist a lot of people who frown when I suggest they check probate records.  I often hear, "My family never owned anything.  I do not think he had a will."  They even chuckle a little.  Well for my family, I do not presume anything.  I look under every nook and cranny to discover everything that might be there.  I inspect every record known to exist, and it is that kind of persistence that has brought me the success that I have had so far. 

I am so glad the room was empty yesterday while I had this experience.  I took my time and basked in the joy and excitement over this find.  I could not believe my eyes when I unfolded the contents of this packet and saw Lewis' will which he had put together just before he passed away:

 Lewis Johnson will (1909), Greenwood County Estate Packet 64 -6, Probate Records Office, Greenwood, South Carolina

Records up close

I have a lot to go through here with all the contents of the packet.  One thing that I took away this day was the fact that casting your eyes upon the original historical documentation on your own family feels much different than looking at an image on microfilm or a computer screen.

Granted, not everyone can travel to the places where the records exist, but this is my way of connecting  with the people that I never knew in this life --the people whom I have come to love and feel close to.  My reward is feeling their presence and help.  

I know I am getting closer to discovering even more significant things.  This move has been good for me.  I do admit that I am getting a little nervous.  I do not know if I will be able to bear the discoveries that await me.  Maybe that is why they are unfolding a little bit at a time.

My scavenger hunt at the courthouse was not over.  This record led me to another record which I will discuss next time.  Be sure to subscribe above so you that you do not miss the next post. 

Thursday, February 27, 2014

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Marriage records for DeSoto County, Mississippi African Americans 1866-1933

My African American ancestors would have married in DeSoto County, Mississippi before 1900. Marriage records would not be found online for them yet, so I need to order the record on microfilm. Perhaps I will trace all my family from that time period in DeSoto while I am at it.

Do you have marriages of African American ancestors from DeSoto to document? If you do not find the marriage in the Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1911 online collection at FamilySearch or if the marriage you are looking for occurred after 1911,I have included a list of microfilm for marriages in DeSoto County between 1866-1933 on the table below.

Find the microfilm that corresponds to the date of the marriage, and locate the film number on this page in the Family History Library Catalog.  The microfilm will appear on the section half of the page.  It will be hyperlinked.  Click on the link to order the film, and have it sent to your nearest FamilySearch Center.

Are you looking for a marriage that took place in a different county in Mississippi?  Let me know in the comments section below.
Film Film Number
Marriages, colored, v. A-B, 1866-1871 895696
Marriages, colored, v. C-D, 1871-1883 895697
Marriages, colored, v. E-F, 1883-1893 895698
Marriages, colored, v. G-H, 1892-1898 895699
Marriages, colored, v. G-H, 1892-1898 895699
Marriages, colored, v. 1-2, 1898-1903 895700
Marriages, colored, v. 3-4, 1903-1908 895701
Marriages, colored, v. 5-6, 1908-1912 895702
Marriages, colored, v. 7-8, 1912-1916 895703
Marriages, colored, v. 9 (p. 1-125, cont.), July-Nov. 1916 2413625 Item 5
Marriages, colored, v. 9 (cont., p. 126-end)-v. 11 (p. 1-547, cont.), 1916-1922 2412427
Marriages, colored, v. 11 (cont., p. 546-end)-v. 14 (p. 1-33, cont.), 1922-1928 2412428
Marriages, colored, v. 14 (cont., p. 32-end)-v. 16 (p. 1-277, cont.), 1926-1931 2412429
Marriages, colored, v. 16 (cont., p. 276-end)-v. 17, 1931-1933 2412495 Items 1 - 2

Friday, February 21, 2014

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Numismatics, Coin Collecting, Can Help Us Understand History

"Thank you to Sarah Brooks (Free People Search) for this very insightful guest post about coin collecting.  I have ancestors who were coin collectors, and this post has helped me to consider learning more."  - Robin

Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, paper currency, and tokens. As a hobby, its most common form is coin collecting. Once called the “hobby of kings” because it was really only accessible to the wealthy, coin collecting has become much more affordable to just about anyone with even a modest amount of disposable income. 




If you’re looking for another engaging hobby (just in case genealogy doesn’t take up all of your free time), or if you’re considering an addition to your legacy – something to pass on to your heirs – there are several very good reasons to consider numismatics.

More than just bright shiny objects

Human beings, it seems, are born collectors. We collect things because they’re attractive or interesting, even if they don’t have much practical function in our day-to-day lives. From the most primitive societies to the more developed and affluent cultures, collecting for its own sake is a practice that is thousands of years old, even though collecting as a hobby hit its stride in the nineteenth century in industrial countries.

Of all the types of collectibles, coins are among the most appealing for people of all ages and levels of expertise. There are several reasons coins have captured the fancy of so many people (genealogy buffs and otherwise).

1.      Coins are beautiful. Apart from their value (past or present) as legal tender, coins are lovely works of art. Some of the finest artists and engravers have been employed over the centuries to create them. It’s little wonder that coin collecting has been a passion for countless art aficionados throughout history.
2.      Coins are educational. Coin collecting can expand and enhance your knowledge and appreciation of history, politics, and art. Every coin tells a story – often a fascinating story of political struggles and wars, hard times or affluence. Coins are very much a reflection of the prevailing cultural and aesthetic values when they were minted, so if you’re already a history buff, coins can add depth and breadth to your knowledge. People who are interested in genealogy and researching their own family history often find that learning about coins enhances their understanding of the times in which their ancestors lived.
3.      Coins can be part of your legacy. Many people who are interested in researching the past are equally interested in the future – specifically, in building their legacy. A fine coin collection can be part of your legacy, something to be handed down from generation to generation.

Are coins a good investment?

In countries such as the US where there are strict laws regulating investments and investment advice, ethical coin dealers are very cautious about pushing coins as an investment. We would never suggest that you go into coin collecting as an investment strategy, although a carefully built coin collection could possibly, in some cases, be a viable part of a diversified portfolio. To make this determination you would need to consult with a qualified investment or financial advisor, as well as with a qualified numismatics professional. In our view, though, the three reasons listed in the section above are good enough reasons to explore the world of numismatics.

Three essential tips for successful coin collecting


1.      Narrow your focus. Since there are so many different kinds of coins, and so many different ways to build a collection, you might have a little trouble deciding how to get started. Do you want to focus on rare American gold coins or European coins? Do you want to concentrate on a specific time period? Do you want to purchase individual coins or buy a complete set? Virtually any type of coin can be offered as a set, and there are plenty of advantages to collecting coins in a set as opposed to buying individual coins. For one thing, buying sets is a great way to “jump start” your collection. There are numerous other advantages as well. It’s really up to you, as an individual collector, whether to purchase in sets or individually. But there are many other considerations when buying coins, such as the coin’s condition and how it is “graded.” (That’s worthy of a whole other blog post.) One of the wisest things you can do is to find a coin dealer you trust, or someone you know who has been collecting coins for many years, and let that person help you decide how you want to proceed.
2.      Ignore the precious metals markets. Numismatics experts caution that you should never let your purchase decisions be guided primarily by current precious metal prices. The world of coins is complex and, contrary to common belief, there is very little relationship between the actual value of rare coins and their metallic content. Instead, the price of a rare coin is based on many other factors, such as rarity, the coin’s condition, and various aesthetic issues.
3.      Don’t go it alone unless you REALLY know what you’re doing. We can’t stress it enough: Get expert help. No matter which type of coin collection you are considering, it’s a very good idea to enlist expert help, not only because there are so many choices as to be overwhelming, but also because, unfortunately, there are still plenty of shady players in the coin world. These people are all too willing to take advantage of the novice’s naivete. Find a dealer you can trust, someone who not only has the right qualifications but who also has an obvious passion for numismatics. Ask your dealer how long they have been in business, and inquire as to whether they are a member of the Professional Numismatics Guild.
4.      Look at coin collecting as a fun, educational hobby, not as a way to get rich. See the section on investments, above.

Author Bio:

This is a guest post by Sarah Brooks from best people search. She is a Houston based freelance writer and blogger. Questions and comments can be sent to brooks.sarah23@gmail.com.


Sunday, February 16, 2014

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Our ancestors knew about South Carolina earthquakes

Near the close of Valentine's Day, some people were still without power as a result of a icy Winter storm which crippled the state for a few days.  Others, like myself were winding down for the day with our Valentines when all of South Carolina and part of Georgia and North Carolina went through about 6 to 8 seconds of the shakes.

USGS Interactive Fault Map
An earthquake?

The thought of it being an earthquake was far from my mind.  My husband turned and said, "My that helicopter is flying mighty low."  I actually thought it was the after effects of a bomb, but I did not say so.  I did not feel one ounce of fear, I just braced myself and waited until it was over, trusting that if the situation called for more than that, I would receive an internal warning.

I immediately went back to preparing to retire when not long after, our newlywed Valentines entered from an evening dinner date and asked, "What did you think of that earthquake?"  I honestly did not believe them.  I had even forgotten about what had just happened. I went to Google to find the latest news, and sure enough it was confirmed by USA Today that many others had felt it in South Carolina on the scale of at least 4.1. 

I took to the internet looking up fault lines to discover South Carolina is full of them and that we have earthquakes all the time. We just do not notice them since none of the recent ones have been much over 2.0.  What shocked me was that this is not common knowledge, and I do not see a great effort to educate people about creating emergency plans.

Get educated

According to the South Carolina Earthquake Awareness Project which has more up-to-date information on how to prepare for the risk of a future earthquake than local or state websites cautions that as of 2012 only one in every thousand South Carolinians are aware of the history of hazardous earthquakes in this state or know how to prepare for one. 

Yet this reality—and the threat of future catastrophic South Carolina earthquakes—is virtually unknown to the vast majority of the state's residents and the millions of people who visit here. In 2008, 122 years after the Great Charleston Earthquake, the residents of South Carolina have no greater awareness of the state's earthquake hazards than they had in 1886. The reasons are twofold. First, no one living in South Carolina since their birth has experienced a catastrophic earthquake here. Second, no government agency in the history of the state has attempted to put useful earthquake awareness and preparation information directly into the hands of all the people. As a result, less than one South Carolinian in 1,000 is actively aware of the state's earthquake history and hazards -- or how to prepare for "the next big one." See South Carolina Earthquake Awareness Project.
This presentation from the South Carolina Earthquake Education and Preparedness Program is definitely outdated, but it brought me up to speed on where fault lines are know to exist, where earthquakes occur in South Carolina, and the potential hazards that occur as the result of earthquakes here like Tsunamis and the liquefying of the earth because of all the sand we are sitting on.  I searched for "South Carolina earthquake preparedness" and found a bunch of outdated sites, so for now I am trusting this one from the USGS.  Let me know if you know of something better.

1886 earthquake

All this research on earthquakes brought to mind oral history that I came across while researching my family in Union County.  You can easily research the 1886 earthquake that devastated Charleston, but what is impressive to me is the WPA account given from a Union County resident:

Things run along alright till the night of Aug. 31, '86.  Dat' earth sho' wuz' a-shaking av'ywhars' and things wuz fallin', The Lord or somethin' had things by the hand that night.  Next day the Lawd heerd' folks prayers and stipped hat earth's gwine's on.  Of all the ups and all the downs I sec' dat the worses' skeert' I is ever been,"  Eison Lyles, January 20, 1938 (recalling the earthquake of 1886).
Caldwell Sims, Voices of the Past, (Union, South Carolina: Union County Historical Foundation, 1979), 63.  

Monday, February 10, 2014

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Genealogy and local history resources in the SC Upstate



On Saturday, February 8th, I had a great time at the 10th Annual African American Family History Workshop held at Spartanburg Community College in Duncan, SC and sponsored by The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints and SCC Student Life. I provided two presentations:


I thoroughly enjoyed the two other presentations:

Preserving Family Documents by Brad Steinecke, archivist at Spartanburg County Public Library provided actual examples of how to preserve photos and records and several tips on keeping family records safe.  


The special guest speaker, Dr. Minuette Floyd, Professor of Art Education and Director of the Young Artist's Workshop at University of South Carolina presented on the tradition of African American Camp Meetings.  She shared video and photos from her exhibit "This Far By Faith." Her website is tfbyfaith.com.

Dr. Floyd actually grew up attending camp meetings in North Carolina.  I have often heard family members speak of having to meet in a "bush harbor" before there were churches. I had no idea what they were referring to until Saturday as Dr. Floyd presented.  It seems I have neglected this tradition in my family history research, and I was glad to learn of the significance of camp meetings.

Steve Smith, Coordinator of Local History
Special & Special Collections at Spartanburg
County Library, Robin Foster, 8 Feb 2014.
I was so pleased to hear about the success of Spartanburg County Library, and I was so wonderful that they came out to support this workshop.  They are a FamilySearch affiliate which means that you can order microfilm online from the catalog, and it can be sent to their library for viewing and take advantage of their great expertise at the same time! Steve Smith, Coordinator of Local History & Special Collections brought a copy of the libraries FamilySearch Affiliate certificate to show attendees:


Steve also informed me that they are almost finished with an index to the Freedmen's Bureau Records.  Check out the resources in the Kennedy Room of Local and South Carolina History.  Visit Kennedy Free Press online to learn about the rich resources for local history (see Trotting Sally).  Other affiliate libraries in the Upstate include:

Union Carnegie Library:  See Genealogy Resources.
Greenville County Library (Hughes Main Library):  See Genealogy and Local History.






To find a local family history center near you click on "Get Help" at the top of familysearch.org.  Then click on "Visit Us'"





If you have any information or update about family or local history events in the area, please e-mail:  robin.savingstories@gmail.com. 

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