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Old Newspapers are a Genealogist's Cache
By Jeannette Holland Austin
Did you know that births and deaths are scattered throughout newspapers and that a thorough search could take many long hours? Most regional libraries have access to the University of Georgia's microfilm collection of old Georgia newspapers. The Clayton County Regional Library, Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro, has its own microfilm collection of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution in the house. Their newspapers date back to late 1800's. The Atlanta Georgian (Atlanta Public Library, downtown Atlanta) was the first newspaper for this area and is a good source. But you must be prepared to stay awhile. One month could equal one or two reels, and a search is indicated before the event and several weeks afterwards. The reason for this is that some of these articles were syndicated from other newspapers. It is a real job finding a death notice even when you know the exact date of death. But wait! I have already done this for you! Abstracts of obituaries dating from 1740 to ca 1933 is online to members of GeorgiaPioneers.com. This collection includes all of the old surviving Georgia newspapers preserved by the University of Georgia, as well as some loose ones discovered by myself in old court houses. To make it easy, the abstracts are alphabetical and 2000 pages long. Genealogists search old newspapers to fill in the gap for non-existent or missing records. There are no Georgia census records for the years 1790, 1800, 1810 or 1890. Deaths did not start getting recorded until 1919. This is how old newspapers are a vital resource. Good luck!
Author of over 100 family histories and genealogies
Permission is granted to reprint this article, however, you must provide this byline:
Jeannette Holland Austin
Georgia Author of over 100 family histories and genealogies
Georgia Pioneers
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BAILEY. Hey there.
I'd like to find the childhood homeplace of my maternal grandmother and that of her mother. Both were of Screven County and the small town of Cooperville is named for my grandmother's mother's family. I don't know how it came to be named for them, and I'd like to know that too.
My grandmother was Sarah Ellizabeth Bailey. I am able to find census records in Savannah. I have also seen entries for Laura Cooper and, later, Laura Cooper Bailey of Screven Co. This was her mother. On the Georgia pioneers site I see refernece to wills made by Coopers of Screven Co., and I suppose these must be ancestors, but I'm not sure.
My paternal grandfather's family is much easier to track: Brick church at Millhaven and Midway Church in Liberty Co.
They were Lines. brown_helen
BOOTH, etc.
Researching: Father's Line - BOOTH, BOND, CAREY, COILE, CROMER, CROW, DOVE, EADS, EVANS, FINDLEY, FITTS, FOWLER, GOBER, GUEST, HUMAN, JAMES, JOHNS, JORDAN, KESLER, MIZE, MOORE, NICHOLSON, NICKELSON, PARHAM, PARR, PHILLIPS, ROACH, SARTAIN, SCARBOROUGH, SCURLOCK, STEPHENS.
Mother's line - PRATHER, FULLER, BRYAN(T), DILDY, EDMONDS, LACKEY, POOL(E), HUFF, MANNING, WASHINGTON. Ann Nicholson. ANNTODAY@aol.com
BROWN of Haralson Co., GA. RESEARCHING THE BROWNS OF HARALSON COUNTY,GA IN PARTICULAR, JAMES R. BROWN
B. 1853 IN HARALSON COUNTY. I HAVE HIS DATE OF BIRTH AS FEB 1853 AND DEATH AS 9, APRIL OF 1917. I HAVE NO GOOD INFO ON HIS PARENTS AT ALL OTHER THAN THAT THEY CAME FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. HIS WIFE WAS MEVINIA NORTON ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS RECORDS. SHE JUST APPEARS IN THE 1870 CENSUS AS WORKING ON A FARM IN HARALSON COUNTY AND THAT HER PARENTS WERE FROM ALABAMA. IHAVE NO OTHER INFO ON HER AT ALL.
ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. LAWRENCE BROWN. LBrown1117@aol.com
CARR/WATSON. I have tried for years to find any trace of information on the woman who married Capt.
Thomas Dabney Carr, Jr., of Columbia Co., Ga. Her name is Anna Bell Watkins, and based on a census
I found, she was born about 1803, but I don’t know where or to whom. She married second in 1836 to Abijah Holliman,
in Columbia Co., Ga. Her Carr children were: Thomas Alexander who married Elizabeth Rachel Prior.
Susan Frances, who married Dr. James Corbin Avary. Mary Ann Selina who married Edwin B. Densler (Dantzler).
Emily Barnes who married Thomas Dooly, Jr., and Elizabeth Dabney who married Dennis Paschal.
Her known Holliman child was Albert. If you have any information on the above people, please email me
at sundown@satx.rr.com no matter what it might be. Every little bit helps to point in a search direction.
Thank you. Lynne Watson
DANIEL: My name is Richard B. Daniel and my brick wall is my great grandfather, James Thomas Daniel born 1832 in Columbus, Georgia. Despite extensive research, I cannot find the names of his parents and need help. JTD’s parents died when he was a young man and according to his obituary, he spent all his life in Columbus except for some early years of his life which was spent in Eufaula, Barbour County, Alabama. I found a young James Daniel, age 17 in the 1850 census for Barbour County, Alabama living with the E. B. Young family but so far can find nothing that confirms he is my JTD. He married Mary Hannah Holland April 15, 1857 in Columbus, Ga. and she gave him two boys, James Edward Daniel (1858-1930) and Harry Holland Daniel (1859-1919) both born in Columbus. Mary dies in 1861 and is buried in Linwood Cemetery in Columbus. JTD serves in the Civil War and rises to the rank of Captain in the 46th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. He returns to Columbus after the war and enters business there. He marries Alice Gray in Columbus in 1868 and she gives him eight children:
Mary Lelia Daniel (1870-1942), Bessie Daniel (1872-1928), Mabel Daniel (1873-????), Eva Daniel (1878-????), Edith Daniel (1884-1964), Grace Lee Daniel (1880-1901), Edgar Hugh Daniel (1882-1949) and Robert Woodham Daniel (1875-1927). Genetic testing has revealed ties to descendents of Robert C. Daniel (1779-1849) of Edgecombe County, N. C. who was found living in Laurens County, Ga. during period 1810-1818 and who moved to Sumrall, MS area by 1818. It might be possible that brothers or sons of RCD remaining in Laurens County, Ga. are the Ancestors of JTD as at least one such brother or son participated in Georgia Land Lottery of 1828 and successfully obtained land in Muscogee County, Georgia via the lottery. Would appreciate any leads or information. Contact Richard B. Daniel at:
2758 Upper Breckenridge Loop NW
Salem, OR 97304
Tel. 503-371-9759
E-Mail: rbd00001@comcast.net
DEADIMMA HENDLEY HARRIS. Looking for info on this woman, she came to GA from VA in 1777 or thereabouts. She had one son Hendley Harriss/Harris any info appreciated. E-mail me
GUTHRIE. William Guthrie came into Coweta Co. GA about 182?, probably with sons William J. and James Martin Guthrie (probably other family members). In 1828, son William J. married Hannah Weaver, a widow from Wilkes Co. GA in Coweta Co. Hannah, whose maiden name was Snyder, apparently originated in Edgefield Co. SC, where William J. was born. When she married William J., she brought two sons, John and William Weaver with her to Coweta Co. Can anyone provide information about William and his ancestors? Richard and Kay Guthrie [543kay@charter.net]
RIVERS. I got your e-mail address via your blog. I am researching two families in Georgia. I have been trying to find a wills or any documents on them. Any advice or help you could give me would be most appreciated.
If you have the time to read the specifics of my research please continue reading below:
Though I have been researching my African American family since 1980, I have not been able to find direct
reference to my Georgian ancestors prior to the 1870 US census. On an unrelated note, I have had luck on several of my ancestors in the North Carolina region where I've discovered their slave owners and documents that mention them. Yet my RIVERS family in Wilkinson county, Georgia has not gone beyond my suspicion
the Joel RIVERS as the possible slave owner. I can not find a Will or any documents from him. The other Georgian ancestor was still listed in the household of the possible widow of the slave owner. The very possible slave owner was Samuel BROWN born 1792 in North Carolina and died May 1863 in Wilcox county,
Georgia. Samuel BROWN's wife was name Honor MILLER born 1804 and died Apr 6, 1878 in Wilcox county, Georgia. My GGG Grandfather Abner BROWN and his wife and two children was still living in Honor BROWN's household in Wilcox county, Georgia during the 1870 US census.
Thank you for having read my research. Any thoughts, resources and or help will be Greatly Appreciated!
Allen McClain
Reply from Jeannette Austin: I have added your information to the Pioneer Newsletter which is distributed about once a week to over 6,000 subscribers. Also, put you on the email list (free).
Perhaps someone can help you. You might try Laurens County as I have found that a number of Wilkinson County people recorded deeds, estates, etc. there.
I would search Wilcox, Wilkinson, Laurens Counties – deeds, estates, inventories, etc., everything that county has. Good luck!
STROZIER. Strozier - John Martin Strozier appears in deeds in Columbia County, GA in 1795, 1797 and 1798. Does anyone know if he had a wife and/or children? Did have a son named Charles? I would really like to know what happened to him. Thanks, Phyllis Porter. PmpGenie@aol.com
DOZIER. Hello,
Doing a little research and wanted to know if you had any information on a Dozier Thornton. My father (William F. Thornton) who died a few years ago in his 80's use to talk about his grandfather who had one leg (perhaps diabetes). . . Dozier Thornton. The only thing that he remembered was that the family lived in Stewart County Georgia. Dozier Thornton was a slave who later became free and purchased a large sum of land. Dozier had a brother named John whom he lost contact with. My father's mother's name was Gussie and her mother's name was Ollie. Ollie had siblings named Rosie, John, Mattie, Josie, etc. I know that Josephine was the youngest or my daddy use to say they called her Dozier's baby girl. I think Dozier's wife's name was Heidi or something. If you have any info. I would appreciate it if not thanks for taking time out.
Marjorie Thornton Bostic, MPH ,
Health Planning Specialist,
Oklahoma State Department of Health,
Health Resources Development Service,
1000 NE 10th Street,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73117,
Office: 405-271-6868 Fax: 405-271-7360
Reply from Jeannette Austin: See The History of Stewart Countyby Terrell. There are some Thorntons in those 2 volumes.
HOLLAND. My brickwall is William M. Holland b. 4-4-1826 d. 7-2-1885....He was born in S.C. and died in Ark/Texas, right on the border.
He married Mary Chappelear b. 12-18-1830 in Ga. Died 4-14-1887.. They had 11 children...4 boys, 7 girls. One of their sons was Thomas Jefferson Holland born 1857 in Ga. and died 1937 in Texas.
I have Mary Chappelears family traced way back. But nother on William..all I know about him is that his father was from Virginia and his mom was from S.C.
Thanks for anything. Jimmy Holland, Atlanta, Texas. Email: jlholland@aep.com
Hi,I saw in the newsletter that you allow free advertising and I was hoping you would accept my submission. I have started the first social network site SPECIFICALLY for genealogy/genealogist, its like myspace/facebook but without all the "crap" that goes along with those sites. We are a little over a month old and already at 570 members. Its completely free and we are trying to get the word out about it (which Im sure you know is difficult in the genealogy community, everyone always thinks your spamming lol)
Check us out at http://www.ancestralspace.com and hopefully it will meet your submission requirements for the free advertising :) If not, well then just come on by and make yourself a page anyway!! We'd love to have you.
Shannon, Owner AncestralSpace
HUMPHREY. I have been trying to chase down some information about my ancestors from Georgia because I was told that one of them, Charity Humphrey (maiden name: Charity Ewing), was Native American. I believe Charity married a man named Matthew Humphrey in 1829 in Hancock County Georgia. Stephen SMITH [smithyolboy@msn.com]
WILSON, etc. I am working on Wilson; Duck; Cullifer, McMillen; Pinkerton; Peoples; Moon; Haggard: Randolph; Robeson; Hutchinson; McDonald; Stalcup; Phelps:Allen; Akin; Terry;McKinney; Garren;Davenport; Davis; Hydrick; Stokes; Joyner; and Tarrant. ETC. Interested? Bartina. BartiPeop@aol.com
WILSON, TODD, RECTOR, AUSTIN.
I HAVE Jeremiah Wilson, GRAYSON CO VA. HENRY TODD, BENNETT RECTOR
ISAAC AUSTIN FROM THERE TO LA VERA JONES. CJones05695@aol.com
BOOTH, etc. Researching: Father's Line - BOOTH, BOND, CAREY, COILE, CROMER, CROW, DOVE, EADS, EVANS, FINDLEY, FITTS, FOWLER, GOBER, GUEST, HUMAN, JAMES, JOHNS, JORDAN, KESLER, MIZE, MOORE, NICHOLSON, NICKELSON, PARHAM, PARR, PHILLIPS, ROACH, SARTAIN, SCARBOROUGH, SCURLOCK, STEPHENS. Mother's line - PRATHER, FULLER, BRYAN(T), DILDY, EDMONDS, LACKEY, POOL(E), HUFF, MANNING, WASHINGTON. Ann Nicholson. ANNTODAY@aol.com
BROWN of Haralson Co., GA. RESEARCHING THE BROWNS OF HARALSON COUNTY,GA IN PARTICULAR, JAMES R. BROWN B. 1853 IN HARALSON COUNTY. I HAVE HIS DATE OF BIRTH AS FEB 1853 AND DEATH AS 9, APRIL OF 1917. I HAVE NO GOOD INFO ON HIS PARENTS AT ALL OTHER THAN THAT THEY CAME FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. HIS WIFE WAS MEVINIA NORTON ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS RECORDS. SHE JUST APPEARS IN THE 1870 CENSUS AS WORKING ON A FARM IN HARALSON COUNTY AND THAT HER PARENTS WERE FROM ALABAMA. IHAVE NO OTHER INFO ON HER AT ALL. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. LAWRENCE BROWN. LBrown1117@aol.com
CARR/WATSON. I have tried for years to find any trace of information on the woman who married Capt. Thomas Dabney Carr, Jr., of Columbia Co., Ga. Her name is Anna Bell Watkins, and based on a census I found, she was born about 1803, but I don’t know where or to whom. She married second in 1836 to Abijah Holliman, in Columbia Co., Ga. Her Carr children were: Thomas Alexander who married Elizabeth Rachel Prior. Susan Frances, who married Dr. James Corbin Avary. Mary Ann Selina who married Edwin B. Densler (Dantzler). Emily Barnes who married Thomas Dooly, Jr., and Elizabeth Dabney who married Dennis Paschal. Her known Holliman child was Albert. If you have any information on the above people, please email me at sundown@satx.rr.com no matter what it might be. Every little bit helps to point in a search direction. Thank you. Lynne Watson
DANIEL: My name is Richard B. Daniel and my brick wall is my great grandfather, James Thomas Daniel born 1832 in Columbus, Georgia. Despite extensive research, I cannot find the names of his parents and need help. JTD’s parents died when he was a young man and according to his obituary, he spent all his life in Columbus except for some early years of his life which was spent in Eufaula, Barbour County, Alabama. I found a young James Daniel, age 17 in the 1850 census for Barbour County, Alabama living with the E. B. Young family but so far can find nothing that confirms he is my JTD. He married Mary Hannah Holland April 15, 1857 in Columbus, Ga. and she gave him two boys, James Edward Daniel (1858-1930) and Harry Holland Daniel (1859-1919) both born in Columbus. Mary dies in 1861 and is buried in Linwood Cemetery in Columbus. JTD serves in the Civil War and rises to the rank of Captain in the 46th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. He returns to Columbus after the war and enters business there. He marries Alice Gray in Columbus in 1868 and she gives him eight children: Mary Lelia Daniel (1870-1942), Bessie Daniel (1872-1928), Mabel Daniel (1873-????), Eva Daniel (1878-????), Edith Daniel (1884-1964), Grace Lee Daniel (1880-1901), Edgar Hugh Daniel (1882-1949) and Robert Woodham Daniel (1875-1927). Genetic testing has revealed ties to descendents of Robert C. Daniel (1779-1849) of Edgecombe County, N. C. who was found living in Laurens County, Ga. during period 1810-1818 and who moved to Sumrall, MS area by 1818. It might be possible that brothers or sons of RCD remaining in Laurens County, Ga. are the Ancestors of JTD as at least one such brother or son participated in Georgia Land Lottery of 1828 and successfully obtained land in Muscogee County, Georgia via the lottery. Would appreciate any leads or information. Contact Richard B. Daniel at:
2758 Upper Breckenridge Loop NW
Salem, OR 97304
Tel. 503-371-9759
E-Mail: rbd00001@comcast.net
DEADIMMA HENDLEY HARRIS. Looking for info on this woman, she came to GA from VA in 1777 or thereabouts. She had one son Hendley Harriss/Harris any info appreciated. E-mail me
GUTHRIE. William Guthrie came into Coweta Co. GA about 182?, probably with sons William J. and James Martin Guthrie (probably other family members). In 1828, son William J. married Hannah Weaver, a widow from Wilkes Co. GA in Coweta Co. Hannah, whose maiden name was Snyder, apparently originated in Edgefield Co. SC, where William J. was born. When she married William J., she brought two sons, John and William Weaver with her to Coweta Co. Can anyone provide information about William and his ancestors? Richard and Kay Guthrie [543kay@charter.net]
RIVERS. I got your e-mail address via your blog. I am researching two families in Georgia. I have been trying to find a wills or any documents on them. Any advice or help you could give me would be most appreciated. If you have the time to read the specifics of my research please continue reading below: Though I have been researching my African American family since 1980, I have not been able to find direct reference to my Georgian ancestors prior to the 1870 US census. On an unrelated note, I have had luck on several of my ancestors in the North Carolina region where I've discovered their slave owners and documents that mention them. Yet my RIVERS family in Wilkinson county, Georgia has not gone beyond my suspicion the Joel RIVERS as the possible slave owner. I can not find a Will or any documents from him. The other Georgian ancestor was still listed in the household of the possible widow of the slave owner. The very possible slave owner was Samuel BROWN born 1792 in North Carolina and died May 1863 in Wilcox county, Georgia. Samuel BROWN's wife was name Honor MILLER born 1804 and died Apr 6, 1878 in Wilcox county, Georgia. My GGG Grandfather Abner BROWN and his wife and two children was still living in Honor BROWN's household in Wilcox county, Georgia during the 1870 US census. Thank you for having read my research. Any thoughts, resources and or help will be Greatly Appreciated!
Allen McClain
Reply from Jeannette Austin: I have added your information to the Pioneer Newsletter which is distributed about once a week to over 6,000 subscribers. Also, put you on the email list (free). Perhaps someone can help you. You might try Laurens County as I have found that a number of Wilkinson County people recorded deeds, estates, etc. there. I would search Wilcox, Wilkinson, Laurens Counties – deeds, estates, inventories, etc., everything that county has. Good luck!
STROZIER. Strozier - John Martin Strozier appears in deeds in Columbia County, GA in 1795, 1797 and 1798. Does anyone know if he had a wife and/or children? Did have a son named Charles? I would really like to know what happened to him. Thanks, Phyllis Porter. PmpGenie@aol.com
DOZIER. Hello, Doing a little research and wanted to know if you had any information on a Dozier Thornton. My father (William F. Thornton) who died a few years ago in his 80's use to talk about his grandfather who had one leg (perhaps diabetes). . . Dozier Thornton. The only thing that he remembered was that the family lived in Stewart County Georgia. Dozier Thornton was a slave who later became free and purchased a large sum of land. Dozier had a brother named John whom he lost contact with. My father's mother's name was Gussie and her mother's name was Ollie. Ollie had siblings named Rosie, John, Mattie, Josie, etc. I know that Josephine was the youngest or my daddy use to say they called her Dozier's baby girl. I think Dozier's wife's name was Heidi or something. If you have any info. I would appreciate it if not thanks for taking time out. Marjorie Thornton Bostic, MPH , Health Planning Specialist, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Health Resources Development Service, 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73117, Office: 405-271-6868 Fax: 405-271-7360
Reply from Jeannette Austin: See The History of Stewart Countyby Terrell. There are some Thorntons in those 2 volumes.
HOLLAND. My brickwall is William M. Holland b. 4-4-1826 d. 7-2-1885....He was born in S.C. and died in Ark/Texas, right on the border. He married Mary Chappelear b. 12-18-1830 in Ga. Died 4-14-1887.. They had 11 children...4 boys, 7 girls. One of their sons was Thomas Jefferson Holland born 1857 in Ga. and died 1937 in Texas. I have Mary Chappelears family traced way back. But nother on William..all I know about him is that his father was from Virginia and his mom was from S.C. Thanks for anything. Jimmy Holland, Atlanta, Texas. Email: jlholland@aep.com
Hi,I saw in the newsletter that you allow free advertising and I was hoping you would accept my submission. I have started the first social network site SPECIFICALLY for genealogy/genealogist, its like myspace/facebook but without all the "crap" that goes along with those sites. We are a little over a month old and already at 570 members. Its completely free and we are trying to get the word out about it (which Im sure you know is difficult in the genealogy community, everyone always thinks your spamming lol) Check us out at http://www.ancestralspace.com and hopefully it will meet your submission requirements for the free advertising :) If not, well then just come on by and make yourself a page anyway!! We'd love to have you. Shannon, Owner AncestralSpace
HUMPHREY. I have been trying to chase down some information about my ancestors from Georgia because I was told that one of them, Charity Humphrey (maiden name: Charity Ewing), was Native American. I believe Charity married a man named Matthew Humphrey in 1829 in Hancock County Georgia. Stephen SMITH [smithyolboy@msn.com]
WILSON, etc. I am working on Wilson; Duck; Cullifer, McMillen; Pinkerton; Peoples; Moon; Haggard: Randolph; Robeson; Hutchinson; McDonald; Stalcup; Phelps:Allen; Akin; Terry;McKinney; Garren;Davenport; Davis; Hydrick; Stokes; Joyner; and Tarrant. ETC. Interested? Bartina. BartiPeop@aol.com
WILSON, TODD, RECTOR, AUSTIN. I HAVE Jeremiah Wilson, GRAYSON CO VA. HENRY TODD, BENNETT RECTOR ISAAC AUSTIN FROM THERE TO LA VERA JONES. CJones05695@aol.com
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