Alabama is celebrating 200 years of statehood.
As part of the celebration, two books have been published about the early history of the state. They are great resources for genealogists who want to learn more about territorial and early statehood days there. This week, we will discuss the first book, Mike Bunn’s “Early Alabama, An Illustrated Guide to the Formative Years, 1798-1826.” Next week, we’ll talk about the second one, “Alabama: From Territory to Statehood.”
Bunn focuses on what was going on in the area that was first part of the Mississippi Territory, then briefly Alabama Territory, then early statehood. He writes about what was happening on the land as politics and population growth lead toward statehood, which became official December 14, 1819.
One chapter is “The Creek Wars and War of 1812,” an area of special interest to Bunn. Then “Alabama Fever: The Great Migration,” which gives genealogists some insight into why our ancestors moved there. In “The Place and the People” he covers more about what brought settlers there, the agricultural advantages and social activities. In “The Land Called Alabama, From Territory to State,” he addresses the various political wranglings during the push toward statehood including Creek Indian land cessions. The last portion of the book is an 86-page “Historic Sites Tour,” directing people to many existing sites in Alabama and Mississippi that reflect the early history.
The book is beautifully illustrated throughout and is footnoted, with a full bibliography and an index. It is available for $24.95, plus shipping, from the University of Alabama Press at uapress.ua.edu, at bookstores and through online sources.
Alabama Bicentennial
Alabama bicentennial activities have been going on for some time. To check what is happening this month, see alabama200.org. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has been adding more records to its website, see archives.Alabama.gov. Note the research and museum hours, which includes Saturdays, if you plan a visit.
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Christmas traditions
Penny Cliff, Georgia Archives education specialist, will speak December 13 at the Georgia Archives Lunch and Learn program on “God Bless us Every One: How Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol influenced our Christmas traditions.” The event starts at noon and is free, but bring your own lunch. For more, see GeorgiaArchives.org or call 678-364-3710.
