Conduct that society views as taboo changes over the years.
But we shouldn’t forget the social rules that our ancestors lived under. Some were ostracized or, in some cases, written off if they violated these norms. Many of our television shows — and I would cite “Downton Abbey,” in particular — make several behaviors that were very taboo in that era seem OK. Illegitimacy, or children born out-of-wedlock, is a prime example.
Laws were in place for centuries governing how communities should react. Women in Georgia in the 1840s were forced by law to either name the father of the child or face jail. A bond had to be posted to be sure the child was not going to become a ward of the county. And while divorce is nothing unusual today, in 1908, when my great-aunt and her own aunt got divorces, it was never mentioned. Not even when I interviewed her in the 1960s. She reverted to her maiden name, and unless you knew or found out, it was a deep secret.
Some relatives had reputations that caused the family to ostracize them, maybe because of bootlegging activities, or occupations that one didn’t speak of, like prostitution. But my moonshining relatives were so prolific in North Carolina that it seemed to be a badge of honor in the Hoyle family, and always mentioned. The recent PBS showing of “Little Women,” based on two volumes published in 1868-1869, reminds viewers of what people expected women to do and how it upset a family for a young woman to do otherwise, especially if she left home to go to the big city. My great aunt caused a stir in the 1930s when she left her husband (but did not divorce), moved to New Jersey (and thus became a Yankee), became a Christian Scientist, and a Republican. I’m not sure which of these was the worst for our Georgia family, but she was out, and I never met her.
Colonial Georgia: The Oglethorpe Years is topic
Robert C. Jones, historian and author, will speak at the Georgia Archives at noon, February 8, for the Lunch and Learn lecture. The event is free, but bring your own lunch. For information, call 678-364-3710 or check GeorgiaArchives.org. Jones is the author of more than 45 books, see rcjbooks.com.
Tracing African-American Ancestry on February 10
Emma Davis Hamilton is conducting a hands-on workshop for tracing African-American ancestry at the Atlanta History Center on Sunday, February 10, from 12:30-2 p. m. For registration, see atlantahistorycenter.com/programs. The cost $15, call 404-814-4150 for tickets. Hamilton has been president of the Metro Atlanta Chapter, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society.
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