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COASTAL GEORGIA GENEALOGY
SOCIETY NEWS & REVIEWS
MARCH 16TH MEETING at College Place United Methodist Church on Altama Ave.
in Brunswick will be headed by our very own, Jerry Martin at 2 p.m. He
will be showing us a video on “Using the Family History Catalog” and
giving a short presentation that he calls: “What are you leaving behind?"
JANUARY 26th MEETING at
College Place United Methodist Church on Altama Ave. in Brunswick, was
directed by Darren Harper of the Bryan-Lang Historical Library in
Woodbine, Camden Co., GA. For research in the surrounding counties, this
is the place to be. See article within for more details.
NEW EDITOR
To those of you who are not familiar with recent events, Jim Wroton has
passed the torch, actually the newsletter, on to me, Amy Hedrick. I can
not make any promises, but I will try my best to live up to Jim’s legend.
I am going to take this space to introduce myself to you fine people, I
won’t take long.
My name is Amy and I was born in Marion, Grant Co., Indiana on 11 August
1975. That’s right, I am just a baby. When I was 12 years old, my father
bought H&T Locks here in Brunswick and moved myself and my mother and
brother to this fine town.
I am a graduate of Glynn Academy and am currently employed at the Jekyll
Island Club Hotel as the overnight baker. I make all of those yummy
cookies and pies that you see in the Café Solterra.
Around 1997, when my last grandparent passed away, I became interested in
my family history. A little too late to talk to the ones who would have
been able to help me. My aunts and uncles on both sides of my family
“know nothing” about our families. I started with two bibles, and the
information that each of my relatives could provide about themselves, and
that is it.
Five years later, I have over 1500 names in my family tree, all from
internet searching. I have gotten in contact with cousins I have never
met, and I finally got to meet my uncle that the family never talked
about.
Currently I am doing some volunteer research for people who do not live in
the area, and I am also transcribing pre-Civil War estate records. I also
have been transcribing abandoned cemeteries that are hidden within our
little county. And finally I will be starting a new project indexing the
ancient criminal records from the Superior Court that are in storage.
I would also like to take this time to introduce some new ideas. Nothing
frightening, just something to add to the newsletter that could help us
all in our pursuits.
Many people have come up against a brick wall in their research. Mine was
my great-great grandfather, Jacob J. HEDRICK born about 1798 in Giles Co.,
Virginia and died between 1870-1880 maybe in Grant Co., Indiana. Through
census and estate records, the bricks have been chipped away to reveal yet
another wall: “Who were HIS parents?”
What I would like from you, the readers and members of this Society, is to
tell me about your brick wall and allow me to include it in future
newsletters. I know we tried this before, but, maybe it was just me, the
last time I saw a posting, it was just names and dates. I didn’t know
where these people were supposed to be found, or what records were already
searched for them, or what the dilemma was that needed to be overcome.
Email the newsletter at: <cggsnews@hotmail.com>
and tell us about your research and where you are stuck. In the subject
line type in “My Brick Wall” so that I will know what your are sending,
and let me know if you would like for it to be featured in future
newsletters.
Sometimes an outsider can help break down that wall by offering a fresh
perspective and new ideas.
I would also like to involve everyone in our newsletter by providing some
topics to be mainstays within this publication. One being “The Brick
Wall“.
Number two being “The Internet” highlighting websites that we use or
problems that we have.
Number three “Publications”. I, and possibly others, would like to know
what your are reading to help with your research, new books that have come
to light, or old books rediscovered.
Number four “Upcoming Events”. Let’s hear about family reunions,
festivals, meetings, or any event involving Glynn County or genealogical
pursuits.
Together we can make this newsletter a useful and informative tool.
BRYAN-LANG HISTORICAL
LIBRARY
Tucked away, in a tiny little corner of Camden County, GA, is a treasure
waiting to be found. The Bryan-Lang Historical Library in Woodbine, GA
just might hold the key to your family research.
Started in 1984 and named after it’s main compilers of data, Beatrice
“Bebe” Lang and Mary Givens Bryan (Georgia State Archives Director from
1951 to 1964), this small non-circulating library is now bursting at the
seams with books, maps, and many records of historic and genealogical
value.
Resources include:
The entire private collection of books and records belonging to Ms. Lang
(mentioned above).
The collection of Mrs. Kenneth Berrie, longtime head of what is now the
Chamber of Commerce. Collection includes books, papers, and photographs
of the lower Georgia coast and the original papers of the Fort Frederica
Assoc. that helped establish the Fort as a National Park.
Coastal Highway District Data.
Lillie Slade Harris educational documents.
Over 1400 family histories, including African-American families, for the
surrounding counties.
Timber, logging, and naval store records.
Newspapers starting from 1895.
Every name census indexes for Camden County up to 1930.
And so much more that you will have to come and see it for yourself!
Darren Harper, director of the Historic Library, is dedicated to
preserving and compiling our history in order to bring it, and keep it,
closer to home. This has proven to be a monumental task, but the only
obstacle in Darren’s way is the space to keep these records for the public
to view.
This editor would love to see the people of the surrounding counties get
together and help fund a new building that will allow future expansion.
Many of coastal Georgia’s records are kept in repositories far away, some
in other states. Having historic records and documents in one location
makes research a lot easier and allows more time to browse, time that
would usually be spent on driving from one county library to another.
The Bryan-Lang Historic Library is located at 311 Camden Avenue in
Woodbine, GA. They are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If the flag is hanging outside, the doors
are open. Their mailing address is P.O. Box 715 Woodbine, GA 31569 and
their phone number is (912)576-5841. Donations in the form of money,
books, maps, or any historic or genealogical records, are gratefully
accepted and appreciated.
If you are stuck at a brick wall with your coastal Georgia ancestors, or
you just want to learn more about the history of this area, a visit to the
Bryan-Lang Historic Library should not be passed up.
THE INTERNET
<www.ancientfaces.com>
This is one of two popular websites for photographs. This site features
family photos, stories, recipes, places, links, and forums. There are
military photos, mystery photos, and special collections involving themes,
like marriages, anniversaries, etc. Some of these photos are wanting to
be returned to their owners, others just shared with distant lines. I
found one of my Dooley ancestors here!
<www.deadfred.com>
This site is set up the same as the above. I did a small search around
the page, and I found a picture of an R.L. Rea from the Alabama Club,
maybe he is related to Dot Fowler‘s Rea family.
<www.ehistory.com>
“…the site for history fans, enthusiasts, and students.” War, war, war,
war, and more war. Almost everything you wanted to know and more. You
can do a surname search for your ancestors! Or look up their Regiment.
There are articles, biographies, books, maps, world history, ancient
history, Civil War, Vietnam, the list goes on.
PUBLICATIONS
Since I rely on my cyber-self so much for research, I sometimes need a
little extra help on where to take my physical-self to find the originals
to the many transcribed indexes and records found on the web. The editors
of “Family Tree Magazine” have produced just the book for me called “The
Family Tree Guide Book” published by the editors of the magazine and
Betterway Books.
This book contains a state by state “guide” to addresses for family
history centers, libraries, archives, web sites, and even suggestions on
where to stay and eat while visiting these places. This information will
come in handy, as I am at the point in my research where I need to find
the actual records involving my ancestors.
Although I lack the funds to make a road trip, I can afford a stamp!
You can find or order this book through any bookstore or on the web at
Amazon.com or <www.familytreemagazine.com>
UPCOMING EVENTS
22 March 2003 Cemetery Preservation Workshop: The Bryan-Lang Historical
Library will be hosting Ms. Debi Hacker, Conservation & Education
Coordinator & Cemetery Preservation Specialist, from the Chicora
Foundation, Inc. of Columbia, South Carolina. She will be teaching us the
history and lore of cemeteries, inventories & mapping, appropriate
conservation and preservation of tombstones, and other perpetual care
concerns. The class is $30 which covers materials, lunch, and breaks.
You must register by MARCH 14TH. For more information or to register,
contact the Bryan-Lang Historical Library at (912) 576-5841. This class
will be held at the Woodbine City Hall Meeting Room from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m.
Unfortunately, if there aren’t enough registrants, this meeting will not
be held.
SAILING TO AMERICA
Have you ever wondered what is was like for your ancestor to cross the
“big pond” to America? Who was on board the ship, what was the weather
like, should you believe that family yarn about great-great grandpa being
a stow-away? For many of us, there may be answers to these questions.
All you need to start on this quest are the facts.
My great-great grandfather, Friedrich Christian Christoph Schaper (aka
Chris) left his home in, of all places, Braunschweig (translated
Brunswick), Germany in the year 1868 from the port of Bremen.
>From locating church records in Germany, it appears that Chris’ mom, dad,
and siblings had passed away when he was 24, leaving him an orphan. The
only family member left was a brother, Christian Christoph Schaper who
lived in the US. The choice for Chris was obvious, move to America to be
close to your one remaining brother.
Chris hopped aboard the New York vessel SS Herman and left the port of
Bremen and landed at the port of New York around 15 June 1868. Family
tradition had it that he was a stow-away, but the location of the ship’s
passenger list from the NARA, proved that theory wrong. He was passenger
#178 in steerage. But what I would really like to know, is what was that
trip like? Was it a smooth trip? Did they encounter storms? Was there
sickness on board?
If you know the facts of your ancestors’ arrival, you may be able to find
out what that incredibly long voyage was like. All you need is the date
and place of arrival, plus the ship’s name, and the local newspaper for
that time.
Some early newspapers had a column dedicated to ships arriving and leaving
ports in the area that can prove to be a genealogical boon to researching
your immigrant ancestors.
Through the website: <www.newspaperarchive.com>
you may be able to find the newspaper published when your ancestors came
to America. You can purchase a one day pass for $4.95 to quickly look up
this newspaper. This is a great price for those of us who don’t want or
need a complete newspaper subscription that costs over $50 at most
websites. Many newspapers can also be ordered on microfilm from various
repositories.
Just my luck, the New York Times was available online for June 12, 16, &
20th of 1868. I automatically went to the 16th as it was one day after
the ship’s manifest was signed by the captain. I didn’t find any mention
of the steamship. So I went to the 20th, no luck there either. Then I
slowed down and curbed my excitement and thought for a minute, just
because the manifest was dated June 15th, doesn’t mean the SS Herman
arrived in port that day. Why not check out the 12th or earlier or later?
Well, my search proved unfounded on the web, I will have to write to a
library and have someone research other papers during that time period
that would have shipping news.
But, just so you are not disappointed, here is an excerpt from the “New
York Times; pg. 8 col. 5; 16 June 1868”
“Ship American Union, Grant, London and Isle of Wight May 3, with mdse.
And 263 passengers to Grinell, Minturn & Co. Had light winds most of the
passage. May 8, lat. 42 30, lon. 63 30, Jan. Chris. Flishen, passenger,
native of Holland, fell overboard and was drowned: a boat was lowered,
and every exertion made to save her, but was unavailable, as she never
rose to the surface after falling. The A.U. did not arrive on the 13th,
as reported in the Herrald.”
I have recently visited the library in Darien, GA and they have newspapers
from the very early 1800’s, so if your ancestor came to Georgia through
McIntosh County, you may be in luck.
Brunswick also has early papers with a shipping news section that lists
passengers and ship names coming in to port here in Glynn County. All you
need is the date of arrival, and a ship name, and maybe, just maybe, you
will be lucky enough to learn what kind of trip your ancestor had coming
to America.
CIVIL WAR SKIRMISH IN GLYNN
CO.?
A couple of years ago when I started transcribing abandoned cemeteries, I
came across the historic town of Bethel here in Glynn County. There were
several plantations here, some of the biggest being Anguilla and Dover
Hall.
In early newspapers you will find mention of meetings being held in this
town and correspondence from citizens like Job Tison, Thomas Dover, and
Robert Hazlehurst. One of the most interesting things I learned was of a
small skirmish during the Civil War that happened here, in our community,
at the small town of Bethel, Georgia:
“Boat expedition under Commander Colvocoresses, U.S.S. Saratoga, composed
of men from Saratoga, U.S.S. T.A. Ward, Acting Master Babcock, and U.S.S.
Braziliera, Acting Master Gil-lespie, engaged Confederate pickets along
Turtle River, Georgia. The expedition aimed at the capture of an
encampment at Bethel, Georgia, but the Confederates there were alerted by
the firing downstream and escaped. On 15 September the daring and
resourceful Colvocoresses was commended by Secretary Welles for his three
successful forays into Southern territory.”
August 1864 (<www.historycentral.com>
under “Naval History”)
While talking with Patricia Barefoot at Fort Frederica, she showed me an
interview that they have in their extensive data collection about a
personal experience of one of the citizens of this small town. This
interview is from “Reminiscences of Georgia” by Bessie Wright (copyright
April 1962).
Ms. Wright tells of her father, George Washington Wright, being in the
Army during the War Between the States, and that her mother was home alone
at Dover Hall, which her parents bought with every gold piece that they
had saved since they were married, from Robert Hazlehurst. Mrs. George
Wright was home with her---
"---three little boys when the gunboats came up to shell Dover Hall and
that was the time that she gathered the three little boys and ran across
Cabbage Bluff to a farmer’s home, whose name was Blount, and when she got
there she fainted dead away.”
Dover Hall Plantation is now paper company land and a hunting club. My
cemetery buddy Chrissy Chapman and I went out there to see what we could
see, and we found two graves. One for Thomas Dover, the founder of Dover
Hall Plantation, who died on 13 June 1845, and another for John Vickery.
The graves were bulldozed over and pieces of Thomas Dover’s stone are
about 200 feet away from the original grave!
FEED BACK
Let me know what you think of this new format. If you have suggestions,
articles, information, or anything that you think will be of interest to
the group, please email the newsletter at: <cggsnews@hotmail.com>
In the subject line type “feedback” for suggestions or opinions.
(Suggestions and opinions may be included in future newsletters, your name
will remain anonymous unless otherwise stated).
"The Brunswick Advertiser &
Appeal"
The girl who married Phil SHERIDAN recently sent to another lover, Capt.
BROWN, a ring with the following inscription: "Be satisfied." He
swallowed the ring and then cut his throat with a razor. Cruel woman
that.
Vol. 1 No. 15; Wed. Morning, 30 June 1875
"We are each of us angels
with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ---
Luciano de Crescenzo
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Annual membership to the CGGS is only $15 for one person or $18 for a
family. Membership extends from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003.
Remit payment to our treasurer:
Barbara Baethke
119 Bayberry Circle
St. Simons Is. , GA 31522 |
