Anyone who enjoys gathering genealogical data and publishing books may be interested in the R. J. Taylor Jr. Foundation.
The foundation gives grants that cover the expense of publishing books containing genealogical records concerning residents of Georgia prior to 1851.
Taylor-funded books include transcriptions and/or abstracts of deeds as well as court, probate, newspaper, marriage, cemetery and other records. Taylor does not fund county, town, church or family history books.
The foundation works in conjunction with the Georgia Archives and the Georgia Genealogical Society to determine grant eligibility. Grant recipients provide manuscripts for publication and keep the finished books to sell.
The foundation also purchases books it funds and distributes them to more than 40 Georgia libraries and some major out-of-state genealogy collections. The majority of books on Georgia genealogy found in our state's libraries were funded by the Taylor Foundation.
The foundation was created in 1971 under an irrevocable trust established by Robert Jenks Taylor Jr. for the purpose of promoting genealogical research and study in Georgia. His own extensive personal research gave Taylor a deep concern about the loss of Georgia's early records and a keen appreciation of the valuable information contained in the state's records.
The application form and grant guidelines are on the foundation's website: www.taylorfoundation.org.
DAR Genealogical Resource System
The Daughters of the American Revolution long have been known for their excellent genealogy library in Washington. Now you can access additional genealogy resources online, even if you are not a member of the DAR.
Their website www.dar.org is a portal to the DAR's Genealogical Resource System. On the home page, just click on "Genealogy" to enter the GRS system.
There, you can search by ancestor name, member name, membership number or descendant name. Transcribed lineage papers of many members are there, and record copies of applications can be ordered by credit card and downloaded immediately to home computers.
These record copies may reveal sources, such as family Bibles, that are only available at the DAR library. For privacy purposes, the first three generations of lineages of living members have been redacted, but older generations can be viewed. Additional tabs let you access the DAR library catalog and other resources.
From the home page you can access information about joining the DAR and locating a chapter in your area. DAR library search services are also available. The DAR website does not have all people who took part in the patriot cause; only those whose descendants joined based on their service are included.
Find a Grave worth checking
One website you should not overlook is Find a Grave at www.findagrave.com.
You can check by surname or by state and county to find missing relatives or even just a clue. Many people have posted photos of tombstones and additional data on people.
Whatever you find or decide to post -- and it's all free -- may help others find you and contribute to your research. Great discoveries have been made using this site, so add it to your research checklist.
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