9. Resources are Tied to Geography, Part 2

     Please be sure you have read the previous post which provides resources and information that will help you discover further documentation on your ancestor.  I am posting Part 2 to "Records are Tied to Geography" because I want to provide an example of a record that I would not have seen with my own eyes had I not taken a closer look at special collections held in repositories in the state and counties where Beverly Vance (1832-1899), my great great grandfather lived.  In a few subsequent posts to this post, I will reveal specific type records that I have discovered, but the one we will uncover here is perhaps the most unique.

     This process, which I call "looking under every rock and in every crevice,"  has really paid dividends when it comes to finding historical documentation.  I did not know much about Beverly until I discovered him on the 1880 Census.  I tell the story about that in a recent talk radio recording that you may listen to on the top right of this page.  The desire I had from the start of this journey to search out my family history and leave a record for my posterity prompted our family to relocate to the area where the records of their lives could be researched.  One of the first places that I visited was The South Carolinina Library on the campus of University of South Carolina in historic downtown Columbia.  I had discovered a book entitled "One More Day's Journey: The Story of a Family and a People," by Allen B. Ballard.  In his book Ballard references a testimony given by my great great grandfather in 1876 in Columbia South, Carolina.

     The South Carolinina has the book containing that testimony, "South Carolina in 1876," a collection of testimonies given by Republicans and Democrats outlining an investigation into the interference of voting privileges of African-Americans and others who supported the Republican Party.  After I submitted my request  for the book to be brought to the table where I sat, my heart pounded and that moment of anticipation caused me to realize that for the first time I would be able to see and hold in my hands a record created during the lifetime of my ancestor. The fact that the words he spoke in 1876 were preserved for me to be be able to read forged an everlasting reverence for the place were I sat waiting.

     As the librarian placed the volume in my hands and slowly walked away, I turned to the page referenced and my eyes fell upon his name.  That was a very emotional moment for me.  As I read through the testimony more of the story of Beverly's life unfolded before me. I have provided the testimony below.  Now it is even available on Google Books and I have discovered other testimonies.  Beverly was a man of great integrity.  He served his family and took a strong stand in his community as a servant of that community. He is one of my role models. If he could speak today, he would explain that actions speak louder than words. I too believe that the way I live my life is the best indication of what I believe, and that speaks volumes in and of itself.  I can only admire Beverly for paving the way for me, without ever seeing some of the blessings we take for granted today.  He spent most of his life as a slave, voted in 1868 and in 1876, and according to his own testimony,  was articulate.  I still have many unanswered questions, but I know staying focused on uncovering the records in the places he lived will continue to prove successful.  I hope my sharing this has inspired you to delve a little deeper and to have a greater desire to learn more about the ancestor of your choice.

The following is the testimony of Beverly Vance before the Senate in Columbia, SC. from the volume "South Carolina in 1876," title page and pgs 417-423, found in The South Caroliniana Library at USC in Columbia, SC.  This testimony illustrates some of what this ancestor, who had great integrity, went through during Reconstruction.   

(December 22, 1876, lived in Cokesbury, Abbeville, South Carolina, 44 years old)

                                                                           

                                                                               Page 417

 

                                                                   Pages 418-419

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8. Resources are Tied to Geography, Part 1

    South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina Campus: Repository for manuscripts and published materials documenting the state's social, political, literary, and cultural heritage.

     It can be quite intriguing to research an ancestor's life and be able to share actual documentation about events you learned about in oral history interviews.  It is even more exciting to be able to share proof of noteworthy events forgotten by posterity.  Our ancestors lived real lives just like we do.  They are only different because they lived in a different time and sometimes a different place.  Historical documentation helps to validate the fact that they were really living, moving, and breathing individuals who followed similar hopes and dreams.  Documentation gives credence to the stories that survive. 

      At this point in our quest, you should be able to identify the geographical area where your ancestor lived.  Records were generated at each level of government.  It is important to document each known locality that corresponds to each event in your ancestor's life.  For example, George Anderson Tucker lived in Buffalo, Union, South Carolina, United States, and he died in Columbia, Richland, South Carolina, United States.  At each level of government, records were kept that could give clues about his life.

     Recording places and events will help you identify government agencies, libraries, and archives.  Many resources are being made available online.  Knowing the county or parish where your ancestor lived will open the door to resources online and offline.  If your ancestor lived in more than one place, use the timeline you created to keep track of where to look for his or her vital records.

     It is important to research the history of the geographical area, particularly paying close attention to the boundary changes which occurred.  Nothing is more frustrating than to search for documentation in one place only to find out that it was redistricted, and even though your ancestor never moved, he lived in more than one county during his lifetime because of boundary changes.  You will need to search for his/her life event in the place within the proper boundary on the date the event was recorded.  Be sure to study the local history of the area because many available resources can be found in this way. 

     Most people that I assist hit a "brick wall" in their research because after they search the obvious places, such as the census, they are discouraged.  They fail to do two key things:

1.  Research records generated in the actual locality where their ancestor lived.

2.   After they discover one piece of documentation, they jump back too quickly to the next generation without realizing that they should search for every piece of evidence that would exist for every member of the ancestor's family group.

Moving back too quickly and not being thorough will limit what you will discover and will hinder your research.  On numerous occasions the information gleaned from researching a collateral line has helped to reveal a direct-line ancestor.

     One of the biggest challenges to learning about the ancestral home has been the amount of time it has required to locate resources and undertake the study of a particular area.  Until recently, this has also been quite costly.  Such was the case until FamilySearch introduced the FamilySearch Research Wiki.  This community-based encyclopedia is a wonderful place to start locating records that exist by geographical area.  After many years of research, I am still amazed by the many types of historical documents that exist.  As the community of professionals and enthusiasts contribute to the FamilySearch Research Wiki, it will grow to revolutionize the way we conduct family history research.

    

     We have provided a few screen shots so that you can see how to perform a simple search for resources on the Wiki.  The first screen shot shows the homepage of the Wiki.  You can register on the top right of the page, and you can learn more about using the site by clicking on "Tour" under the search bar. 

Let's perform a search for Pennsylvania in the search field.  The first result will take you to the main page of resources for Pennsylvania. 

 

Notice the left sidebar with topics you can explore.  There is a history of the origins of Pennsylvania at the top and links to genealogical resources on the center of the page. Near the bottom portion of the page you will find a list of county links.  Let's choose Philadelphia County, PA. 

A whole page of resources that you can explore exist here.  You will just need to be sure that you select a resource that corresponds to the lifespan of your ancestor. Once you narrow down the location by county, parish, or province, etc., be sure to locate the link entitled "Family History Library Catalog" because this link will take you directly to resources in the Family History Library for that particular area. 

Feel free to locate the closest Family History Center where you can order and view microfilm you find in the catalog. You may discover that some libraries and archives are also authorized to order microfilm.  

Looks easy enough, right?  Just remember that this site is dependent on its users to grow.  If you find a resource that is not on the Wiki, why not contribute it?  If you need help getting started, ask on FamilySearch Forums in the FamilySearch Research Wiki discussion section.

     

Happy Hunting!

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