In a nation of immigrants, we should focus on why our ancestors migrated to where we found them.
Once they got to the current United States, they continued to move about for other reasons, as well.
People left Europe because of religious persecution, wars, and lack of jobs and land ownership.
They migrated internally for some of the same reasons, as well as the offer of free land (or almost free), homesteading, seeking a better climate for their health, and because of marriages or, in later years, to join children who had already moved away for their own reasons.
Some moved because of family feuds, and, of course, some may have been running from the law and situations they could not face.
It’s also important to note when and why your family moved from a rural to an urban environment, giving up farming for another occupation.
Covington genealogy events
The Newton County Library in Covington is the site Nov. 4-7 of genealogy classes, displays and contests.
On Nov. 4, from 5 to 6 p.m., Ellen Blakeslee will present “Beginning Genealogy,” followed 6-7 p.m. by “Sources From the Newton County Heritage Room.”
On Nov. 5, there will be a discussion of the RootsMagic genealogy program from 4 to 5 p.m., and one on family tree making from 5 to 6 p.m.
On Nov. 6, Debbie Dial will speak from 6 to 7 p.m. on troubleshooting genealogical research.
And Nov. 7 is a day for using the genealogy room and databases.
For directions, see newtonlibrary.org. To register, contact Blakeslee at ceirrageorgia.antq@gmail.com or call 770-265-4963.
DeKalb County deeds
A. Bruce Pruitt has just completed “Abstract of Deeds: DeKalb County, GA, Books H & L (1842-1852),” his first book in a series on the county’s deeds.
He abstracts the pertinent details in deeds from the first two deed books that survived the 1842 courthouse fire. In that fire, the county, founded in 1822, lost two decades of records. Many deeds are dated earlier than 1842, however, having been re-recorded.
Pruitt is known for his excellent work on land records and plats from the Carolinas and Tennessee, and this softcover book is a must for anyone researching DeKalb and Fulton County titles. There is a full-name index to people, then one for geographical terms, including land lots, city lots, roads and creeks.
Cost is $23 postpaid from Bruce Pruitt, Box 815, Whitakers, NC 27891. See abpruitt.tripod.com for more information.
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