Georgia Day and Royal Descendants
February 6th, 1994Georgia Day and Royal Descendants
February 6, 1994
GEORGIA DAY AND ROYAL DESCENDANTS
The Colony of Georgia was founded on February 12, 1733 when General James Edward Oglethorpe and just over a hundred colonists landed in Savannah, seeking a better future in the New World. Georgia once again celebrates this event, most notably in Savannah where there is always a parade and other events, many at the Georgia Historical Society. The first colonists are listed in E. Merton Coulter and Albert Saye’s “A List of the Early Settlers of Georgia” found at many libraries. A new work gives some interesting Royal linkages for Georgia’s founder and some later leaders. Gary Boyd Roberts of the New England Historic Genealogical Society has just written “The Royal Descents of 500 Immigrants to the American Colonies or the United States”. While many current Georgians will no doubt find relatives with royal ancestors, I was surprised to find Gen. Oglethorpe and Governor Button Gwinnett, namesake of Gwinnett County, among those listed. The book was compiled with the help of 150 noted scholars and in order to understand the research involved as well as the abbreviated nature of the entries, one must fully read the introduction. Although Gwinnett and Oglethorpe have no descendants, their lineages are traced back to no less a personage than Eleanor of Aquitaine and her husband King Henry II, who were the parents of Richard the Lionhearted. Oglethorpe’s sister was the ancestress of the Kings of Italy, Bulgaria and Portugal. Other Georgia families traced are the Baillie and Irvine lines, the latter ancestors of President Teddy Roosevelt whose mother was married at Bulloch Hall in Roswell. The book is available for $45 plus $3 postage from Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21202.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
An advanced Black History Workshop in honor of Black History Month will be offered this Thursday night from 6:30-9:30 P.M. at the National Archives-Southeast Region in East Point. At this lecture, participants will be able to find the answer to many questions about their ancestors and especially what can be found in the federal records housed there. The fee is $10. To register call David Hilkert or Lonnie McIntosh at 763-7477.
INDIAN RESEARCH
Native American or Indian Research will be the topic for the Georgia Archives Lunch and Learn Seminar on Monday, February 21st, from 12-1. This free lecture will be offered by state representative June Hegstrum and Indian genealogist Martha Redus at the Georgia Archives, 330 Capitol Ave., Atlanta, at I-20, just south of the State Capitol. A sign-up sheet is located at the front desk. Other scheduled lectures include: February 9th, Carl Anderson on newspapers as sources; March 8th, Lorne Busker on using the Mormon Family History Centers; and March 22nd, David Hilkert on using the National Archives in East Point. For further information call Howard Hancock at 656-2370.
REVOLUTIONARY LOYALISTS
“Georgia on the Eve of the American Revolution: Loyalists Voices” will be the topic for Mary B. Warren, of Athens, editor of “Family Puzzlers” for thirty years and one of the most well-known genealogists. Georgia Genealogical Society’s Spring Meeting, 10-12 Noon. Saturday, March 5th. $3 for members, $6 non-members, Georgia Archives, 330 Capitol Ave., Atlanta, 30334. Parking is an additional $3. Attendees may bring a lunch. For further information, call 475-4404. The Archives will be open for research, as it is most Saturdays, until 3:30 P.M.
COASTAL GEORGIA
The Coastal Georgia Genealogical Society was formed in 1990 and holds meetings the second Sunday of the month in Brunswick at the Mormon Church on Community Road. The Society is non-sectarian and has no religious purpose or objective. Membership is $12. The society’s address is P.O. Box 4436, St. Simons Island, Ga. 31522.
LAMAR COUNTY
“The History of Lamar County [Georgia]” originally published in 1932 only a few years after the county’s 1920 creation has recently been reprinted. The more than 500-page work is an important look at the way a new Georgia county looked at itself at the onset of the Depression. Published as part of Georgia’s colonial Bicentennial when county historians were appointed in most counties, it has been re-printed several times before. Divided into traditional chapters, such as schools, military, civic and social organizations, it tells the history of the territory that became Lamar County from its settlement in 1825. The book has a full-name index and was published through W. H. Wolfe Associates. Originally edited by Augusta Lamdin, the current reprint is sponsored by the Friends of the Barnesville-Lamar County Library, to whom checks should be made. The cost is $45 plus $3 shipping, to the Friends, 401 Thomaston St., Barnesville, Ga. 30204.
REUNION OFFER
“Reunions Magazine” is offering a limited number of free subscriptions to all qualified reunion organizers until May 1. To qualify, you must send a letter about the reunion you are organizing, or hoping to organize. This should include the number of people expected, when and where the event will be, and how long it has been going on. If you already are a subscriber, you can request an extension. Send to Reunions Magazine, Dept. QS3, P.O. Box 11727, Milwaukee, Wisc. 53211. A regular subscription is $24 a year. A sample copy is $2. Each issue includes a reunions RegisTREE for family reunions and another for military reunions.