Most people begin their family history work or genealogy research by recording their family’s stories, usually from the older members of the family.
I know, in my case, at 16 I sat with my grandmother and her three older sisters and took notes.
Still, how accurate were these stories? Fifty years later, I wish I had asked more questions to clarify various points. But who knew then what I would know now, or have access to?
While most movies based on history are changed a bit to make a better story, we should not do that with our family stories. Sometimes, you just have to stop repeating things you know cannot be true. Even if it makes a good tale, it’s still wrong.
A popular story repeated in just about every family is the one about “three brothers” — one who went North, one who went West, and one who came South. I had to point out to one storyteller that a man’s death was a fact — it appeared in the newspaper — and had to be factored into the story. She took it very hard, as it messed up her tale.
We also must beware family claims that, just because a surname is the same as a famous person’s, they are naturally kin to that person.
So, do a better job with your family’s stories than the movies do, keep them as honest as you can, and if you are writing them up for the next generation, try to stay clear of things that appear to be tall tales. The real family story should be interesting enough.
Civil War ancestors
A session on researching your Civil War ancestors will be offered at the Atlanta History Center from 10:30 a.m. to noon June 7. Sue VerHoef will offer tips and strategies.
Admission is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Space is limited and reservations are suggested at 404-814-4150. For more information, call 404-814-4042.
Researching your Civil War-era ancestors should help you get prepared for the various lectures and other events this summer and fall marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta and the 1864 March to the Sea.
1864 census reprinted
The “1864 Census for Re-organizing the Georgia Militia,” abstracted and compiled by Nancy J. Cornell of Fairburn and first published in 2000, has been reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Co.
This is an incredibly important source of information on the men and boys who were not in Confederate service in 1864 in Georgia.
The softcover edition is available for $69.95 plus $5.50 postage from the Genealogical Publishing Co., 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211 or www.genealogical.com.
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