Lost Generations

Images of Early Co. GA Wills and Estates #genealogy #georgiapioneerscom

2019-09-02T12:57:00.000-04:00

Early County Wills, Estates, Marriages

Early County was created in 1818 containing 3,750 square miles in Southwest Georgia. The original occupants of this land were the Creeks who were removed under the Treaty of Ft Jackson on August 9, 1814. This treaty settled all of the claims to the South Georgia land. It was named for Governor Peter Early, a native of Virginia; Congressional delegate and Governor from 1813 to 1815. The first settlers came in 1817, settling on Harrod's Creek (now Old Factory Creek) on the Chattahoochee River. Earliest Settlers: L. B. Avirett, Thomas Avera, M. H. Alexander, Alexander W. Bealer, Woodson F. Davis, George Colley, Joseph Lane, L. D. Gay, A. J. Lewis, W. R. Puckett, Loren Russell, R. H. Sheffield and L. C. Ward. The first court was not held until 1820. The county seat is Blakely.

Early County Records Available to Members of Georgia Pioneers

Marriages

Index to 1823-1834
Index to Marriages 1868-1889

Online Images of Wills 1822-1832

Testators: Broom, Thomas;Cole, Mark; Curry, Samuel; Gilley, John; Griffith, John; Holmes, Nathaniel; Jackson, Robert; Jackson, Samuel; Kelly, William; Liverman, Brown; McCulloh, Anthony ; McCulloh, Leonard; Porter, Benjamin; Sheffield, Isham ; Smith, Laden; Watson, Alexander

Online Images of Wills 1839-1895

Testators: Alexander, James; Alexander, Martin ;Averitt, Abner; Averitt, Ephaly ;Bailey, William ;Bird, James ;Bryan, Sylvanus ;Bryan, William ;Calhoun, James; Calhoun, William ;Chivers, Larkin ;Coley, Philip ;Collier, Benjamin ;Collier, John ;Cook, W. C. ;Crawford, Joel ;Deal, John ;Dill, Job ;Dixon, Jeremiah ;Douglass, Elisha ;Ford, William ;Freeman, James ;Gilbert, John ;Glenn, James ;Goocher, Milton ;Grier, Moses ;Griffin, William ;Grimsley, Joseph ;Grimsley, Lewis ;Grimsley, Sarah ;Grist, Martha ;Harrell, Jane . . . more names . . .

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Douglas County GA Genealogy Records - Images of Old Wills #georgiapioneerscom #genealogy

2019-08-26T12:56:00.000-04:00

Douglas County Genealogy, Wills, Estates, Marriages, Paupers

The Creek and Cherokee Nations occupied the land separated by No man's land by a ten mile wide stretch on top of Tallapoosa Ridge. The first white man's trading post was established in 1835 by W. G. Black from North Carolina. Douglas County County was created in1870 during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War, and was first named for Fredrick Douglas Countys, the African-American abolitionist. When the General Assembly was re-established, reconstruction ended the name was changed to honor Stephen A. Douglas, the Illinois Senator who opposed Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency. The first known settlers in the County came in 1848, three brothers from South Carolina - Abe, Reuben and Young Vansant; J. M. Abercrombie, C. B. Baggett, Alexander Cochran, S. N. Dorsett, T. M. Entretine, W. H. Johnston, A. T. Tucker and others. When researching this county,one should also search Carroll and Paulding Counties.

Genealogy Resources Available to Members of Georgia Pioneers

County Wills 1870-1916, Bk B & C
Letters of Administration and Guardianship 1871-1885
Index to Douglas County County Letters of Administration and Guardianship 1871-1885
Index to Douglas County Letters of Administration and Guardianship 1882-1934
Index to Wills, Bk A, 1870-1932
Index to Annual Returns, Bk A, 1871-1897
Index to Annual Returns, Bk B, 1886-1899
Index to Inventories and Appraisements, Book A, 1871-1887
Index to Inventories and Appraisements, Book B, 1886-1933
Marriages from newspapers 1885-1886
Paupers (1871-1890)

Online Images of Will Books B & C 1870-1916

Names of Testators: - Abercrombie, William, Allen, George, Angle, Thomas, Arnold, Mary Annelia, Arnold, Willie, Banks, E. M., Blair, Columbus, Blanchard, Mary A., Blanchard, Thomas, Blanchard, T. J., Bomar, Margaret, Bowen, C. P., Bowen, Melissa, Breed, Nathan, Brown, John, Burnett, J. H., Camp, Wilson, Campbell, A. L., Capps, J. H., Carnes, Peter, Carnes, Sophie, Cochran, Edward, Colclough, Arden, Colclough, J. T., Connally, Thomas, Daniell, George, Daniel, H. J., Daniel, Jeremiah, Daniel, M. M., Dempsey, John Allen, Dingler, John F.,Dorris, Frank, Dorris, Martha Elizabeth, Dorris, William, Eargle, John, Enterkin, John, Ergle, V. F., Estes, Reuben, Farmer, J. W., Farmer, Lucinda, Foster, J. S. and L. F., Fountain, J. W., Gaines, Nannie, Gattis, W. W., Geer, Stella, George, John, Hagan, W. S., Hamby, Newton, Harding, H. L., Mrs., Harding, J. W., Hatchett, Josiah, Helman, T. H., Henderson, W. W., Henley, Tallulah, Hensler, Miles, Hindman, W. W., Hodge, Patterson, Hollis, Josie, House, Wiley T., Howell, William, Hunt, Thomas G., Irwin, F. M., James, C. W., Miss, James, Elizabeth, Johnson, Eulalie Gleason G., Johnston, Richard, Jones, E. F., Kennedy, William, Kilgore, William, Kirby, Charles, Land, Jefferson Howard, Lane, George W., Lane, Jefferson Howard, Lassiter, W. J., Leathers, Peter, Loyd, William, Lumpkin, . . . more . . .

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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The Tradition of Naming the Children #gagenealogy #georgiapioneerscom

2019-08-19T16:09:00.000-04:00

The Tradition of Naming the Children

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

The ancestors named their children after relatives. A common method was to name the first child after the parents and/or grandparents of the couple, taking the first names. I had an ancestor who named his child George Thomas. I found the grandfather "Thomas" however, for a long while, the name "George" eluded me. It simply did not fit with any of the other family names. Finally, I discovered that it was the first name of the grandfather of the wife. In fact, George was used each generation during the 17th and 18th centuries. Every time I found another "George," he was the father of another fore bearer. The names of the other children were usually taken from more recent family members, such as brothers, sisters, or cousins. Sometimes a family surname was given the child as his first name. The naming of children is not written in stone, however. Yet, when the research gets tough, it is time to start thinking of certain as clues in the ancestry. I used this method when an ancestor named one of his children " Ramsey. " Decided to research all the Ramseys of that county. Turned up a Henry Ramsey who died in Henry County, Georgia, but who also lived in Abbeville County, SC and served in the Revolutionary War. He also had a daughter who married one of my distant ancestors. Never could prove it, but it looked like he probably married the other daughter because she is the one who named her child "Ramsey." This Ramsey followed the trail of my family from Abbeville to Georgia. Hmmm. This sort of digging is more tedious than other methods, yet sometimes reveals some pretty good clues.

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Bibles are Lost to us Now #georgiapioneerscom #gagenealogy

2019-08-12T16:05:00.000-04:00

Bibles are Lost to us Now

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

There are certain standardized references which we have lost. I am thinking of the family bible. When I was growing up during the 1940s it seemed as though everyone had a large family bible displayed in their home. In addition to the recording of Births, Deaths and Marriages there were cut-outs from old newspapers, usually pertaining to funerals of the relatives. I managed to collect a fair number of bible records (copied them) from persons who kept them during the 1930s and published them as follows: North Carolina-South Carolina Bible Records; Virginia Bible Records; Alabama Bible Records and Georgia Bible Records. All of these have been converted to databases and are available to members of Georgia Pioneers (home of 8 genealogy websites)

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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There is Good Reason to Visit State Archives and Regional Libraries #georgiapioneerscom #genealogy

2019-08-05T14:30:00.000-04:00

There is Good Reason to Visit State Archives and Regional Libraries

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

Regional Libraries and State Archives are still a good source for the researching genealogist. They have tons of information not available online. Certain public libraries are in the process of creating excellent web pages, they still operate under the budget system. Genealogists have always known this fact and donated materials when possible. You are likely to discover folder contributions inside filing cabinets as well as on microfilm. The old fiche system is going away. Yet, if you look around, libraries still have some fiche collections. People used to publish their books, then have the Mormon Church microfiche it. This is how such a vast collection of family genealogies amassed. Genealogists also took their genealogy to State Archives where it was microfilmed and then added to the general collection. . . . more . . .

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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The Errors of Yesterday #georgiapioneerscom #gagenealogy

2019-07-29T14:19:00.000-04:00

The Errors of Yesterday

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

There were errors written in the genealogy books of former days. That is mostly because the old microfilm equipment could not read documents as distinctly as our modern technology of today. I recall the many illegible documents due to fading ink, poor storage and other reasons. The old equipment simply did not cut it! The improved microfilm readers of today such as Scan Pro which employs Windows into its system, read the documents with much more clarity. An good example is Forsyth County, Georgia records. Most of the will books were so faded that they were invisible on the page. A photographer's camera did a better job of scanning than the old microfilm machine. But still, the pages were difficult to read. The Scan Pro machine changed horrible to pages into an improved version. Unfortunately, many old court house records were put in cold-storage and this has always been a complaint of the genealogist. As the technology on our computers continues to improve, reading old documents will just get better! ___________________________________________________________________________ Images of Old Wills and Estates are available on (8 Genealogy Websites - includes records in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia)

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Reasons to Examine Old Documents #genealogy #georgiapioneerscom

2019-07-22T13:41:00.000-04:00

Good Reasons to Personally Examine Old Documents

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

People write some interesting stuff in their wills! Before we had the Internet, a convenient method of discovering the heirs was to read "abstracts" of wills, estates, deeds and marriages which were published in book. This tremendous undertaking by the authors of genealogy was insurmountable in brilliance. It saved the researcher a great deal of time. But now that we have access Internet to full documents on Georgia Pioneers. Reading the entire document is a boon to genealogists for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the heirs are mentioned with the details of their specific inheritance, and relationship to the deceased. Second, some of our previous assumptions taken from the abstracts can be clarified. Third, we can discover new information. And fourth, all the details are included, some of which the abstracter did not include because it was not clearly discernible on the old microfilm equipment. _____________________________________________________________________________ Images of Old Wills and Estates are available on (8 Genealogy Websites - includes records in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia).

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Imagine the Hard Times while Researching Ancestors #georgiapioneerscom #gagenealogy

2019-07-15T13:26:00.000-04:00

Imagine the Hard Times while Researching Ancestors

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

Have you ever imagined yourself as a Colonial citizen during the Revolutionary War? What if you were in occupied Savannah or Charleston? Food was rationed and the British Navy prevented you from transporting your crops to market. Merchant ships arrived with staples and supplies for the British Army. Your home was used to house British officers. They ate all of your farm animals and garden vegetables. You were observed by Loyalists who assisted the British. Your loved ones were out in the countryside fighting battles and skirmishes. They had joined for a three-month-stretch in order to return home and plant/harvest the crops. But the city was occupied and they could not return. So they signed up for another three-month term and were sent to fight other battles. This is the sort of activities which the genealogist should envision in order to track ancestors during one of the worst periods in history. A little imagination leads to the discovery of certain avenues of research, and records.
. . . more . . .

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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How Tax Records Help the Genealogist #georgiapioneerscom #genealogy

2019-07-08T13:17:00.000-04:00

How Tax Records Help the Genealogist

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

The tax digests in any given county in the State of Georgia provides essential data to the researcher as it lists all of the parcels of land which the person owned and in what counties. In Georgia, one can easily define the acquisition of properties from lotteries and the approximate date simply by noting the amount of acreage in the tax record. For example, the 1805 and 1807 land lotteries offered 202-1/2 acres in Baldwin and Wilkinson Counties; and 490 acres in Wayne County (1805). During 1820: Appling (490), Early (250); Gwinnett (250); Habersham (250) (490); Hall (250); Irwin (490); Rabun (490)(250) and Walton (250). The 1827 Land Lottery gave 202-1/2 acres in Carroll, Coweta, Lee, Muscogee and Troup. The 1832 lottery consisted of 202-1/2 acres in Cass (now Bartow), Cherokee, Cobb, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding and Union Counties. These are all Indian lands belonging to the Creeks and Cherokees. There was also a lottery encompassing North Georgia lands formerly owned by the Cherokees where people drew for 40-acre gold lots and one can assume the occupation was "gold miner." The best route to information is to first search the lottery records, then the tax digests in specific counties. In many instances, the names of waterways and creeks are provided, also the type of timber on the land, and the name of the adjoining landowner (if there was one). The digests were not indexed and are listed by districts. It is a good idea to search through the time period during which the families resided in that county. In the back of each book is a section of "Defaulters". That is important in discerning whether the family had moved on, or died. A good rule of thumb is that any person listed as a defaulter who was 60+ years of age, probably died in that county. A thorough study of the tax digests becomes essential especially if no other books survived for that county. This is where the tracts of land of each person having the same surname should be compared from one year to the next. For example, John Smith was listed for a number of years. Then, there was an administrator beside his name. (This is the approximate date of his death). Then, following through the years, another persons with the same surname has that exact acreage added to his accounting. This would be an heir, probably the oldest son. A good practice is to make copies of the digest for later comparisons between probable heirs, neighbors and friends. John Smith may appear many times, but how do you know if he is the same John Smith? The answer is to always take notes of the neighbors. Everyone listed in the same district are friends and relatives. It is the community as well as the history of the times!
. . . more . . .

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Images Help Genealogists Read Records Online #georgiapioneerscom #genealogy

2019-07-01T13:13:00.000-04:00

Images Help Genealogists Read Records Online

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

Did you know that it is far easier to read images of all documents on your computer than from microfilm? This is because the microfilm reader is using its limited technological capacity. Many of these old readers have seen their day! However, when a record is digitized for the computer, all of the latest imaging software is operative. For example, Adobe has improved over the years. The reader may now zoom in or out by using the plus or minor signs at the bottom of the screen. So much better than the old days of using a magnifying glass. Even faded and aged images are better interpreted on the computer. The Georgia State Archives where you can read old county documents yet remains open to the public only two days per week. A very stressed situation, I must say. But good news! Georgia Pioneers has digitized hundreds of thousands of the old wills and they are available here -- Index to Georgia Counties

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Why the War of 1812 is Rarely Discussed #georgiapioneerscom #genealogy

2019-06-24T13:05:00.000-04:00

Why the War of 1812 is Rarely Discussed

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

The War of 1812 was mostly a maritime battle fought in the North Atlantic. During the first several months after war was declared, battles were centered around the Middle States. In fact, on October 14th, 1812, the senior naval officer at Charleston, South Carolina, wrote: "Till today this coast has been clear of enemy cruisers; now Charleston is blockaded by three brigs, two very large, and they have captured nine sail within three miles of the bar." Two months he expressed surprise that the inland navigation behind the sea islands had not been destroyed by the enemy, due to its of its lack of defense. In January of 1813, the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay was guarded by a ship of the line, two frigates and a sloop. A commercial blockade had not been established, yet the hostile divisions remained outside and American vessels continued to go out and in around Charleston. A Letter-of-Marque and Reprisal was a government license authorizing a privateer to attack and capture enemy vessels and bring them before the admiralty courts for condemnation and sale. This method of cruising on the high seas for prizes with a Letter-of-Marque was considered an honorable calling because it combined patriotism and profit. Otherwise, captured vessels were done so by "piracy" which was punishable by law. The privateer employed a fast and weatherly fore-and-aft rigged vessel heavily armed and crewed, and its primary objection was for fighting. There existed a robust trade with France by Letters-of-Marque for commercial vessels which carried cargo and guns. By February 12th of 1813, conditions grow worse. The commercial blockade was proclaimed and blockaders entered the Chesapeake while vessels under neutral flags (Spanish and Swedish) were turned away. Two Letter-of-Marque schooners had been captured, one after a gallant struggle during which her captain was killed. Nautical misadventures of that kind became frequent. On April 3rd, three Letters-of-Marque and a privateer, which had entered the Rappahannock, were attacked at anchor. The Letters-of-Marque had smaller crews and thus offered little resistance to boarding, but the privateer, having near a hundred men, made a sharp resistance. The Americans lost six (killed) and ten were wounded, while Britain had two killed and eleven wounded. Source: Sea Power In Its Relations to the War of 1812 by Captain A. T. Mahan, D. C. L., LL. D., United State Navy. (London, 1899) Protecting Georgia During the War of 1812 The Blackshear Trail The War of 1812 in Georgia The Role Georgia Military Forts Played During War of 1812 The Battle of Cold Harbour

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Tales of Woe #georgiapioneers #genealogy

2019-06-17T13:03:00.000-04:00

Tales of Woe

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

One can just about read the history of any given community by reading gravestones. The proximity of the dates of death, particularly of children and mothers, help to define epidemics such as measles, cholera, smallpox, diphtheria and tyhpus, to name just a few. American has gone through many medical transitions, from cures and vaccines to the discovery of new strands of virus. The health of a community helps to tell the story of families and answer "why?" to certain situations. My grandmother was cautioned by her mother not to consider a certain beau for matrimony because he had health issues. In those days, women were considering marriage as a life-time-experience and one in which the husband supported her needs. Reading the old newspapers helps to determine more. When a wife left her husband, he posted a notice in the newspaper stating that he was not responsible for her debts. Too, she returned to the home of her parents. If she was abused, it was the duty of a brother to confront the husband. This sort of behavior spread like wildfire, and sorely affection reputations in all facets of business. Because a bad marriage could disrupt the good reputation of families, the parents assisted in locating a proper husband. My grandfather was a good person, never ill a day in his life. But one day, he climbed up on the roof to make some repairs, and fell off. The result was that he died. That left my grandmother, a young woman in her early forties, a widow for the rest of her life! Daniel Bonnell was Executed for Robbery "Light Horse" Harry Lee died at Dungeness The Case of Hog Smith The Romance of John Wesley Thomas Jones of Wales Capt. John Collins of Acworth William Few Peter Gruber and Neighs Forced out of Austria There were Two Margaret Hollands Dr. N. G. Long He Came Over in a BarrelThe Heartbreak of George A. Benson of Lawrenceville The Old Woman and Toccoa Falls They Traveled Far in Search of a Home The Enduring Escapades of Thomas Ramsey Major James HicksJeremiah Lamar The Flemings of Sunbury Lorenzo Dow Smith Wilson Conner The Sad Tale of Every Cemetery Swedish Soprano If Only I Could Tell My Grandmother the Rest of the Story Grannie Stories told over Chicken Every Sunday Anthony Bonnell Old Dan Tucker

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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A Wintry Day in Georgia #georgiapioneers #genealogy

2019-06-10T12:57:00.000-04:00

A Wintry Day in Georgia

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

Sometimes the best information can be found in old cemeteries during winter. That is because the weeds are dried up thus making the stones more visible. This is a good time to search around for old sunken graves, and depressions in the soil. One February as the cold wind blew against my back, I examined the tombstones in the Davis Smith Cemetery at Brent, Georgia. I had visited there rather often, however, this time my eye caught sight of a sunken concrete slab. Turns out that the name and dates were quite visible, despite the fact that I had to scoop out some dirt. Turns out this was Jeremiah Smith, born 1795, brother of Davis Smith! This extra information helped me to locate the parents, and finally grandparents! . . . more . . .

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Images of Dooly County GA Wills and Estates #georgiapioneers #gagenealogy

2019-06-03T08:23:00.000-04:00

Dooly County Wills, Estates, Marriages

Dooly County was created in 1821 by an Act of the General Assembly and was named for the famous Colonel John Dooly (1740-1780), who was killed at the Battle of Kettle Creek in 1780. The song Tom Dooly was written for him and lingers in Georgia's memory Hang down your head Tom Dooly, hang down your head and die The Georgia Land Lottery of 1821 distributed lands of the Creeks located between the Ocmulgee and Flint rivers at the signing of the Treaty of Indian Springs. Later, portions of Dooly County were used to create the following counties: Worth (1853), Wilcox (1857), Crisp (1905), and Turner (1905). Early Settlers: Levin Adams, Joseph Bridges, Ezekiel Butler, Brinkley Brown, William F. Bealle, Irwin Bullock, W. B. Cone, Wesley Calhoun, Robert Depree, Noah Daniel, Caleb Fullington, John Godwin, Jack Herring, Elbert Hodges, John Hammond, William P. Jordan, Donald Jones, William King, James Lester, Hugh McLain, Henry Mashburn, Henry Oliver, Moses Pipkins, Hardy Royal, Mathew Sheppard, John Truluck and Gideon Watson.

Dooly County Records Available to Members of Georgia Pioneers

Wills

Images of Wills 1847 to 1867

Names of Testators: Adams, John Q.;Adams, Leven; Adams, William;Bealle, James;Bealle, William;Bothwell, Davis; Bridges, Joseph;Bridges, William;Brown, Brinkley;Buckelew, James;Bullock, Irwin;Butler, Matthew;Cato, Benjamin;Collins, Henry;Culpepper, Joel;Daniel, Isaac;Daniel, Noah;Fenn, Elizabeth;Fenn, Henry;Gammage, James;Hammond, John;Harvard, Stephen;Higdon, Charles;Hodges, Elbert;Johnson, Solomon; Jones, Donald;Lasseter, Shemuel;Lester, James;Lewis, James; Lock, Joseph;Mayo, Harmon;
. . . more . . .

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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DeKalb County GA Ancestors -- See Names #georgiapioneers #gagenealogy

2019-05-31T20:18:00.000-04:00

DeKalb County Wills, Estates, Deeds, Church Records, Cemeteries

DeKalb County was created in 1822 after the Muskogee (Creeks) Indians ceded the lands by treaty and was taken from Henry, Gwinnett and Fayette Counties. It was named for Baron Johann DeKalb, a German hero of the American Revolution. In 1853 Fulton County was created from the northern portion of DeKalb County. Many of the settlers to DeKalb County were in search of new lands and were farmers. When researching DeKalb County, Henry (the parent County) and Fulton Counties should also be researched. Unfortunately, the estate records do not begin until 1840. If you have an ancestor who resided within the boundaries of the present-day Atlanta, those records will be found in DeKalb County. Remember, the journey from Atlanta to present-day Decatur to file a deed, will, or other record was quite a trip.

DeKalb County Probate Records Available to Members of Georgia Pioneers

Marriages

DeKalb County County Marriages 1885-1886 from newspapers

Maps

Map of DeKalb County County

DeKalb County Wills

DeKalb County Probate Records by Jeannette Holland Austin comprizes the content of these records.

DeKalb County Wills & Estates 1841-1869
DeKalb County Wills & Estates 1870-1889
DeKalb County Wills & Estates 1890-1919
DeKalb County Appr. & Returns 1852-1858

Indexes to Probate Records

Index to Deed Book L 1846-1852
Index to Deed Book M 1850-1853
Index to Deed Book N 1852-1854
Index to Annual Returns, Appraisements, Inventories, Sales, 1842-1852
Index to Annual Returns, Appraisements, Inventories, Sales, 1852-1859
Index to Annual Returns, Appraisements, Inventories, Sales, 1858-1863
Index to Annual Returns, Appraisements, Inventories, Sales, 1863-1868
Index to Annual Returns, Appraisements, Inventories, Sales, 1868-1884

Deeds

1846 to 1846, Book H

Miscellaneous Wills and Estates

Adair, Thomas O., estate
Adair, William, deed dated 1849
Adams, W. D., estate
Akin, Martha, estate
Allen, William, estate
Anderson, William C., estate
Argoe, Robert, estate
Armstrong, John, estate

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Names of Georgia Ancestors - - - > Decatur County #georgiapioneers #genealogy

2019-05-30T20:14:00.000-04:00

Decatur County Wills, Estates, Marriages

Decatur County was created from Early County in 1823 by an Act of the General Assembly It was named after U.S. Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur. In 1920, Seminole County was created entirely from Decatur County. Also, portions of Decatur County were used to help create Thomas County (1825) and Grady County (1905). South Georgia counties adjacent to Decatur, as well as counties in Florida should also be researched. Early Settlers: Samuel Braswell, W. H. Barbour, B. F. Byrd, Absalom Brown, John Birch, Robert H. Butler, J. J. Chason, A. B. Campbell, John Cameron, Alfred Chester, Jesse Collins, Hardy Crawford, J. L. Durham, John Dollar, William Donalson, R. F. Evans, H. S. Farish, Jesse Glover, Peter Gray, William Hutchinson, R. H. Harrell, D. P. Hines, Jacob Zeigler, and others.

Probate Records Available to Members of Georgia Pioneers

Images of Decatur County Wills, Book A, 1828 to 1838

Testators: Buie, Malcom ;Cloud, Reuben ;Collins, John ;Donelson, John ;Everett, William ;Fain, Thomas; Faircloth, Cader ;Gaines, George ;Harrell, Mary ;Harris, Sterling ;Kemp, Daniel ;McCreless, John ;Powell, William ;Rawls, John ;Rogers, John and Wright, William.

Wills 1828 to 1838 (abstracts)

Images of Decatur County Wills 1838 to 1865

Testators: Amoss, Mary ;Ashley, Jesse ;Ballard, Rufus ;Barbour, Wiley ;Bell, Augustus ;Benton, William ;Blount, Phillip ;Braswell, Samuel ;Brock, Martha ;Butler, Robert ;Campbell, Archibald ;Campbell, Daniel ;Cassels, William; Chambers, William ;Chisolm, Robert ;Cleburn, Temperance ;Cloud, Reuben ;Collins, Jesse ;Cooper, Samuel ;Crawford, Bennet ;Cunningham, Albert ;Daffin, John ;Devaughn, Sarah ;Davidon, Robert H. M. ;Donalson, Rachel ;Donalson, William ;Douglass, Alexander ;Douglas, Harriet ;Douglass, John A. ;Douglass, Sanders ;Ellis, Edwin ;Evans, John W. ;Ferguson, Isaac ;Freeman, Hannah ;Freeman, Jacob; Gainey, Reddick ;Gardner, Sarah ;Gray, Peter ;Griffin, Lee ;Griffin, Susan ;Hamilton, Robert ;Harrell, John Sr. ;Harrell, Mary ;Hines, Anne;Howell, Samuel ;Hutchinson, John ;Hutto, Martin ;Ingram, Hugh ;Johnson, Deliam ;Johnson, Jesse ;Johnson, Jesse (2) ;Johnson, Joshua;Jones, John; Kelly, William Wade ;Lonen, Squire ;Long, Shadrack ;Loper, William ;Lovett, David ;Malone, John ;McElveen, John ;McElvy, William; McGriff, Sarah ;Meeks, Bennet ;Michaux, Joseph ;Mitchell, Greene ;Montgomery, Sarah ;Montgomery, William ; Murphy, Butts ;Newberry, John ;Nicholson, Duncan ;Nicholson, Malcom ;Owens, William ;Parks, Virgil; Paulk, Micajah; Powell, Jethro ;Pullin, Elias ;Pumphrey, Redin ;Regan, Roberson ;Rhodes, William ;Rogers, Benjamin ;Ruckley, Anthony ;Ruckley, William S. ;Russell, Louiza;Scott, Rhoda; Slade, Jeremiah ;Smallwood, F. ;Smart, Edmund ;Smith, Archibald ;Strickland, Reuben ;Sweet, G. ;Thomas, Hezekiah ;Thomas, Nancy ;Truluck, Joseph ;Waller, R. A. ;Whiddon, William ;Whiddon, William (2) ;Whitaker, John ;White, John ;White, Martin;Wilson, James;Wooten, Eliza ;Wooten, Shadrack and Wooten, William

Index to Probate Records

Will Book A, 1828 to 1838
Will Book B, 1839 to 1873
Will Book C, 1873 to 1913
Appraisements and Sales. Book A, 1828 to 1833
Vouchers, Sales, Annual Returns, 1839 to 1837
Journal and Sales (estates) 1834 to 1848
Annual Returns, Book D, 1835 to 1850
Minute Bks A & B (includes Wills).

Marriages

Index to Marriage Licenses (grooms) 1824 to 1841
Index to Marriage Licenses (grooms) 1837 to 1869
Index to Marriage Licenses (grooms) 1868 to 1896
Marriages from newspapers 1885 to 1886.

Traced Genealogies of Lincoln County Families

Brock
Gee
Simms

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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The Mule Chest #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-05-29T17:30:00.000-04:00

The Mule Chest

The Mule Chest is one of the earliest form of the chest of drawers. It was made in the countryside as early as the Cromwellian era and for as long as a hundred years. In more fashionable circles it was soon developed into the well-known Jacobean chest of 55 drawers, the prototype of the form in use to-day. The chest pictured was dated about 1701, and did not develop into a new style for fifty years of more.

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Hunting with Fox Hounds

2019-05-28T10:56:00.000-04:00

Hunting Foxes

"A Field Trial" by John Martin Tracy. John Martin Tracy was likely the first prominent artist who depicted pointing dogs and scenes of upland bird hunting and field trials in American. A descendant of passengers on the Mayflower, Tracy was born in Rochester, OH in 1843. This painting is on display at the Morris Museum in Augusta.

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Names of Butts County Ancestors who Left a Will or Estate

2019-05-27T12:05:00.000-04:00

Butts County Wills, Estates, Marriages

Butts County was created in 1825 from portions of Henry and Monroe Counties. The name was taken from Captain Samuel Butts, a member of the Georgia Militia who was killed in the battle against the Creek Indians during the War of 1812. The town of Jackson was in honor of Andrew Jackson, a Georgia Hero, whose campaigns against the Creeks was memorable to Georgians; and also for his victory over British forces at the Battle of New Orleans. Researchers should search Henry County Records; particularly the deeds where many Butts residents are found.

Genealogy Records available to Members of Georgia Pioneers

Online Images of Last Wills and Testaments 1821 to 1841

Names of Testators: Atkinson, Arthur, Barkley, John, Barron, John, Blessell, Elisha, Blessell, Elisha, continued, Flewellen, Louiza, Heard, Stephen, Holly, Jacob, Knight, Walter, Lawson, Adam, Lindsey, Samuel, Malone, John, Messer, Isabel, Patrick, John, Reynolds, Thomas, Rhodes, William, Smith, John, Spear, orphans, Spears, Joseph, Stark, Samuel, Taylor, George, Taylor, John, Taylor, Joseph, Waldrip, Abraham, Walker, James, Wooten, James

Online Images of Wills and Estates 1845 to 1855

Names of Testators: Allison, William, Andrews, John, Atkinson, Cornelius, Berry, David, Dillon, Henry , Fielder, Joseph , Grier, Robert, Harrison, Benjamin, Lee, Harvey , Lofton, John, McGuire, Abin , Newton, Olive, Preston, John , Still, Bartholomew

Online Images of Wills and Estates 1849 to 1857

Names of Testators: Andrews, John, Atkinson, Cornelius, Allison, William, Bailey, Charles, Bankston, Olive, Camp, James, Cargile, John, Conger, Eli, Curry, Harriet, Dillion, Henry, Douglas, Robert, Douglas, Sarah, Fielder, Joseph, Gray, James, Greer, James, Hammond, W. J., Harrison, Elizabeth, Humber, Robert, James, John, Jarrell, William, Jinks, Joseph, King (minors), Lacy, Thomas, Lofton, John, McClure, James, . . . more .

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

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Genealogy Holiday Discount

2019-05-24T14:45:00.001-04:00

Over the holiday we are offering a discount for 1-year's membership in Georgia Pioneers (8 genealogy websites) for $135.00 (instead of $150.00). To take advantage now please click here

Offer expires Monday, May 27th!

Index to Georgia Wills and Estates

Preserving the Old Traditions and Values

2019-05-20T13:39:00.000-04:00

Preserve the Old Traditions and Values

Working to Preserve History

While genealogists work to preserve their family histories and relate the interesting tales to their children and grandchildren, there is a disruption of traditions and beliefs encircling the globe. Every generation has treasured its ways, from the way we speak, walk, dress and act, to or spiritual beliefs. And yet there has been no American tradition so valued as our personal freedom, and the right to worship our God. This generation has gone awry with its preference for the re-written history of the conduct and actions of our ancestors. Yet, somewhere back in time, in the past of the disruptor's, lies some very startling facts concerning themselves and their ancestors.

If they traced back several generations of their lineage and found some brave patriots who loved freedom and the right to worship so much they they gave their lives and fortunes for it, perhaps a greater appreciation of former generations would awaken them from the deep sleep of ignorance and stupidity.

Perhaps it is up to the old folks to restore peace, love and appreciation for those who came before us by writing more articles and telling more stories on the Internet of how the ancestors sacrificed everything for their posterity! Then, while the disruptor's are wasting their youth spouting anger, marching in parades, littering our streets, vandalizing homes and stores, etc., we will be writing the history of today, of how much we still care for our traditions and values.

Index to Georgia Wills-See Names of your Ancestors

Look for the Names of your Ancestors on Monuments

2019-05-13T13:28:00.000-04:00

Look for the Names of your Ancestors on Monuments

Egyptian Hierglyphs

Throughout the ages, mankind has recorded history in a number of ways, viz: clay tablets, brass plates, papyrus, cement, etc. The case of erecting monuments is universal and dates back to ancient times.

The cuneiform writing of the Sumerians, Egyption hierglyphs, Cretan hieroglyphs, Chinese hieroglyphs, Indus script and the Olmec script of Mesoamerica are but a few methods used in the preservation of historical events and populations. Not to mention monuments, gravestones, footstones, markers, obelisks, plaques and cairns which were included in ancient cities, towns and kingdoms across the map. And America came along and adopted that same practice.

Once, while visitiing the Gwinnett County Court House, I noticed a monument in front which told about the militia driving an Indians war party from Georgia in 1834. The list of those who fought included the children of one of my ancestors! For years I had searched for the names of his children and here was the date and place of an event which recorded their deaths! The monuments are a great help to remembering historical events which occurred in other times.

That makes the vandelism and destruction of our historical monuments as one of the worst atrocities in all the history of mankind on this earth!

Index to Georgia Wills-See Names of your Ancestors

When the Computer is Not the Answer to Genealogy

2019-05-06T13:33:00.000-04:00

When the Computer is Not the Answer to Genealogy

The modern age of technology is wonderful! However, we must not rely upon genealogy programs to find the ancestors. Everyone knows that tracing the family roots is a tedious process involving many long years of hard work. To the new researchers out there: one cannot just sign up somewhere and expect to find the family tree. Should you think that this is the case, the work itself is riddled with errors. For this reason connecting to a World Tree is not advisable. One must keep their errors to themselves, not share them! That is, until they are resolved with factual evidence. Otherwise, in the end, that World Tree will be a trash dump no one wants to tackle. Already the term "junk genealogy" has emerged and cleanup is near impossible. The computer programs of today merging data are not cutting it. Hence, human beings must continue to control genealogical research and maintain it privately on a simple computer program.

Index to Georgia Wills-See Names of your Ancestors

The Battle of the Pen

2019-04-29T16:28:00.000-04:00

The Battle of the Pen

There were a number of Indian Wars and skirmishes in America, as well as the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and the War with Mexico. Do you know your history? If you read history books in school, you do not. The real answers come from researching the movements of American ancestors as they settled upon the vast virgin wilderness. For years after the end of the Civil War, a magazine was published detailing the events of each battle, which included the names of regiments, companies, officers and privates as they fought certain battles. In other words, the northern officers and southern officers wrote vivid details concerning their participation in each battle of the war. The stories often conflicted, however, in the end, the South won the "Battle of the Pen." Perhaps it was this literary accomplishment which boosted the morale of the defeated South, devastated and lying in waste all through the Reconstruction period and through the depression of the 1930s.

Index to Georgia Wills-See Names of your Ancestors

Genealogists Search Many States

2019-04-22T15:31:00.000-04:00

Genealogists Search Many States

All of a person's ancestors did not reside in one State. After coming to this country, they moved around with great regularity. That is because land was so important to survival. The habit of allowing fields to remain fallow for two years or more was helpful, but not enough. A good rich, loamy soil was required to sustain generations of families. In Virginia, it was tobacco which quickly depleted the soil, and soon as ther American Revolution, families were on the move. Genealogists, look to the land grants of these soldiers (for service) and subsent land lotteries in Georgia. Many families drew and won land in the lotteries, according to the number of persons in the family. That is why it is important to examine Tax Digests, which list the number of acres and the county. We trace the movement of our ancestors through deed records, tax digests, land grants and lotteries. As families moved along, it becomes necessary to examine the county records everywhere that they resided. This is where marriage records were recorded, deeds given, and estates probated. Also, a close examination of local cemeteries and churches is indicated. Why? Because burial records and church registers also tell the story. Georgia Pioneers has a vast collection of county records and includes the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. It is easy to search from one state to the next using the same portal.

Index to Georgia Wills-See Names of your Ancestors