"Digging
For Your Roots”CONTENTS: Queries & Surname Registrations Review of the book, East Tennessee in the Civil War The Modified Register System of Genealogy Research The Christopher Taylor Bible How to Get Past the "Stone Wall Syndrome"
Interested in the History of East Tennessee and the Civil War? The following review appeared in the Fall, 1972 issue of the TENNESSEE HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, p. 291:
“On a meadow on the slope of Grandfather’s Mountain in Western North Carolina (an area which would be in Tennessee if the original cession of North Carolina’s western lands, following the eastern Continental Divide, had been observed), are three springs, lying within a quarter of a mile of each other. The waters from one flow southeasterly, becoming the Catawba River, and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean; a second flows northward, becoming the New River (one of the two rivers in the United States whose courses are primarily northerly), emptying into the Ohio River in West Virginia; the waters of the third spring run westwardly, becoming the Watauga River, upon which Tennessee’s first settlements were made, and it then debouches (sic) into Holston and Tennessee Rivers.”
"This possibly little-known
item of information is found on page one of Oliver P. Temple’s East
Tennessee in the Civil War, originally published in 1899 by the Robert
Clarke Company in
Philadelphia. This volume, long out of print, is far more than
a history of the Civil War in East Tennessee. It is a history of
East Tennessee itself, from the beginning. . . . It is now available,
in a handsome limited edition, from Burmar Books, Box 100, Blountville
37617, and Box 2284, Knoxville.”
If you have seen a copy of this book for sale, please write to John L. Kiener % Washington County – Jonesborough Library, 200 Sabin Drive, Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659-1306. (The volume originally sold for $20.00. It has 588 pages.)
Ever wonder about the symbols
and methods used by professionals in genealogical research? The Washington
County – Jonesborough Library has a volume entitled “DIGGIN’ FOR ROOTS
in Old Virginia” (Published by the CLEARFIELD COMPANY.) The PREFACE
to the volume explains: “This work is a compilation of a series of articles,
first written for the monthly newsletter of the Contra Costa County (California)
Genealogical Society. The articles have been further arranged and
edited for this presentation with help from several Society members.
The original series was
intended to assist those who would seek their heritage in distant places
– help them find the truth, and then present it for others to enjoy.
This work is intended to extend that effort further, not just combine the
series into a single work. To this end, Part I is an explanation
of a simple five part travel plan – a working itinerary – easily prepared
for any trip that, if used, should help the traveler schedule and enjoy
both personal and diggin’ time; Part II contains record explanations and
sources, along with word lists and glossaries, to assist both the experienced
and inexperienced, interpret the writing used in old documents, such as
that found in sixteenth and seventeenth century, Colonial Virginia;
Part III demonstrates various ways diggin’ results – family history
– can be preserved, and
presented in a manner that others will enjoy. These example demonstrations
are accomplished through the use of real examples and style comparisons.
The work concludes with a family history, presented in the formal style, referred to as the Modified Register System, used by the National Genealogical Society. The history includes a name index and appropriate endnotes; finally, Part IV is a major glossary, containing over 650 unusual words and terms, found in researching Old Virginia, or elsewhere.”
If you have used the Modified
Register System and would like to share your knowledge with readers of
the Herald & Tribune, please write a letter or article and send to:
“Digging For Your Roots,” % Washington County – Jonesborough Library, 200
Sabin Drive, Jonesborough, TN
37659 – 1306.
SURNAME RESEARCH
BRUMLEY, CLEVELAND, FRIZZELL,
GAINES, HARRIS, HOUSTON, MALEY, McMACKIN, PILGRIM, WILLIAMS being
researched by Donna H. Cleveland, 901 W. College Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659;
DUNLAP, HUMPHREYS, McKEE, McNABB, RENAU/RENO, STANFIELD being
researched by Mrs. Walter Clore, P. O. Box 506, Harlingen, TX 78551-0506;
COFFIE/COFFEE/COFFEY, FOSTER, GOUGE, HARRIS, HENSLEY, RANDOLPH,
WATTS being researched by Donna Coffie, 129 Sam Coffie Lane, Telford, TN 37690,
ALLISON, COLE, COLLIER, DICK, FOX, HAWKINS, HOWELL, JOHNSTON, MESSEMER, REGARST, SIMPSON being researched by Marilyn Collins,
10039 Kemp Forest Drive, Houston, TX 77080.
(Editor’s note: TENNESSEE HISTORICAL MARKERS (Eighth Edition, 1996 published by the Tennessee Historical Commission), p. 121 provides: “Christopher Taylor: 200 yards north of this road is the house built by this officer, veteran of the French and Indian War and major in the Revolution, in 1777. He is buried in the family cemetery nearby. Andrew Jackson lived here while practicing law in Jonesborough, 1788-89. TN 81, Washington County, south of Jonesborough.”
The cabin is now located in downtown Jonesborough next to the National
Storytelling Center. The
Christopher Taylor bible information was “Printed and published by
Matthew Carey – 1806.”
Anne Shaw researched the Taylor Bible document used in this week’s
“Digging For Your Roots” at the Washington County – Jonesborough Library.
The article contains a note, which reads: “All of these people were resided
in Washington County, Tennessee or the adjoining areas. This material
through courtesy of Mrs. L. W. McCown.” – J.L. Kiener)
TAYLOR, Christopher – born 1744, died September 10, 1833. He married Nancy EDWARDS, who died December 10, 1844.
TAYLOR, Henry married Delilah DEMOSS who was born September 31, 1776
and died June 6, 1859. Henry was born December 10, 1771. Walter
has after his name “September 14, 1853” which may be either a birth or
death date.
McCROY
McCROY, Mary was born on February 27, 1824. Henry McCROY was
born on December 18, 1825.
TAYLOR
TAYLOR, Skelton was born on August 19, 1831; Elbert on December 31,
1832; Casander on
November 20, 1934 (?) should date be 1834 (?); Henry on February 29,
1836; Norah T.
on January 5, 1839; John W. on September 24, 1840; James G. on July
23, 1847;
Nathaniel A. on December 22, 1847; Christopher Junior on December 10,
1794; Hannah
Levizy on April 27, 1800; Skelton on February 22, 1802; Abraham D.
on March 18, 1804;
Polly Emmeline on November 4, 1806; Mary (with a birth date inserted
in the margin of
the Bible) was born on May 11, 1804, and Samuel B. in April, 1806.
BLACK & BROYLES
BLACK, Franky born July 21, 1796.
BROYLES, Abraham born April 1, 1800.
TAYLOR, Christopher born September 15, 182? and Newton born on July
9, 1826.
McCROY, Skelton born on February 15, 1833.
BROYLES, Samuel N. born on July 22, 1841 and A.T. born on November
7, 183?
BLACK, Cain born on September 11, 1885.
DATE OF DEATH
TAYLOR, Skelton died on February 8, 1794; Christopher Junior died on
September 20,
1818 and Christopher Sr. died on September 10, 1833.
MILLER, Nancy died August 29, 1833, and John Edward died on October
16, 1833. TAYLOR, Mary died on March 29, 1937.
McCRORY, Henry T. died on January 13, 1846.
TAYLOR, Arthur died on September 4, 1882 (Aged 78 years 5-16) and Nancy
died on
December 10, 1844.
DEMOSS, Drusiller died on December 10, 1814.
TAYLOR, Henry Senior died on October 29, 1856.
MILLER, Hannah L. died on July 24, 1858 and Delilah died on June 16,
1959
(Aged 82 years 8-15).
TAYLOR, Christopher born on August 19, 1831; Elbert born on December
31, 1832; Casander born on November 31, 1832; Mary D. born on June 26,
1843; James G. born on July 23, 1847, and Nathaniel A. born on September
11, 1885.
BLACK & McCROY
BLACK, Lee born on October 28, 1823; Jim born on November 28, 1825;
Wesley born on April 26, 1837; G. Nelson born on March (?), 1811; Napton
born on January (?), 1813; Judy born on February (?), 1815; Fanney born
on April (?), 1817, and Joseph born on July (?), 1819.
McCROY, Hannah Skelton born on February
15, 1833 and John born March 11, 183(?).
TAYLOR, Henry Sr. (1771-1856) married Delilah DEMOSS (1776-1859).
TAYLOR, Abraham D. (1804-1882) married Eliza McCROY (____ - 1867). A note reads: “Buried at old home.”
TAYLOR, Skelton ( _____- 1831) married Sarah STUART. A note reads:
“Skelton and Sarah had two daughters, Decatur and Jane.”
TAYLOR, Alice (1854-1934) married Hugh BOYD (1844-1917). A note reads: “Hugh and Alice had a son John. John married Jane WILLIAMS. They were the parents of Miss Lennie BOYD
of Jonesboro, Tennessee.”
to Wm. WARD 640 acres, 50 shillings, Washington County, Nov. 4, 1784, Alex
MARTIN. “N. C. # 718, 50 Shillings, 200 acres, Washington County, James LITTLE’s
line, William LUCAS’ line, along Brush Creek Knox, Jeremiah Dugan’s corner --October
26, 1786. Rd. CASWELL. “Also these names appear on another sheet: Jos. Culberson,
3-8-1802; Urian KEEN, Jona KEEN, Lewis KEEN, Wm. GRIMSLEY, 11-3-1809; Jolly
DUDLEY, 1819; Wm. WARD from N. C. 11-4-1784; Wm. WARD to David STUART,
1800; Wm. WARD to Jos. MORRISON, 1803.” There is an additional note that
provides: “These may have referred to land transactions.” This concludes the material
on the “CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR BIBLE.”
Back to JGS Home Page
As explained in the Journal: “The Board of Directors of Rotary International encourages Rotarians with common interests in recreational, avocational or vocational activities to form informal groups to encourage fellowship in these areas in harmony with established Rotary policy.” For additional information, readers can contact IFR Genealogy, % James R. High, Treasurer, 10 Fox Trail Lane, Brookfield, CT 06804, United States of America.
The publication notes: “You do not have to be a Rotarian to share this
fellowship, only willing to share your knowledge.” The following
is printed here by way of a review to stimulate your
interest in joining ROTA.GENE or any one of the numerous genealogical
societies, including the JONESBOROUGH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY. – J. L. Kiener)
To climb over the stone wall, become more acquainted with records, so
you can start looking for the right record and for the right information.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: Outside the U. S. and Canada: look for ‘Civil Registration’
instead of ‘Vital Records.’
“To Obtain Information On:
AGE: First look for: Census, Vital records, Cemeteries. Then check the Military records, Taxation and Obituaries.
BIRTH DATE: First search Vital records, Church records, Bible records. (See the article printed in this week’s “Digging For Your Roots” on the CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR BIBLE.) Then check Cemeteries, Obituaries, Census, Newspapers and Military records.
BIRTHPLACE: Check Vital records, Church records, Census. Then go to Newspapers, Obituaries and Military records.
CITY OF PARISH AND OF FOREIGN BIRTH: First check Church records, Genealogy, Biography, Obituaries, Naturalization and Citizenship. Then look for Emigration and Immigration and Vital records.
COUNTRY OF FOREIGN BIRTH: First research Census, Emigration and Immigration,
Naturalization and Citizenship, and Vital records. Then look
through Military records,
Church records, Newspapers and Obituaries.
COUNTY ORIGINS AND BOUNDARIES: First look for History, Maps and then look for Gazetteers.
DEATH: First research vital records, cemeteries, probate records, church records, obituaries. Then research Newspapers, Military records, Court records, Land and Property.
DIVORCE: First research Court records and Divorce records. Then research Newspapers and Vital records.
ETHNICITY: First research Minorities, Native Races and Societies. Then “Digging For Your Roots,” CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR BIBLE, p. 6 research Church records, Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: First research History, Periodicals and Genealogy. Then research Church History and Minorities.
IMMIGRATION OR EMIGRATION DATE: First research Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Genealogy. Then research Census, Biography, Newspaper and Church records.
MAIDEN NAME: First research Vital records, Church records, Newspapers, and Bible records. Then research Military records, Cemeteries, Probate records and research Obituaries.
MARRIAGES: First research Vital records, Church records, Census,
Newspapers and Bible records. Then research Biography, Genealogy, Military
records, Probate records, Land and
Property and Nobility.
OCCUPATION: First research Census, Directories, Emigration and Immigration, Civil Registration, Occupations and Probate records. Then look for: Newspapers, Court records, Obituaries, Officials and Employees.
PARENTS, CHILDREN AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS: First check Vital
records, Church
records, Census, Probate records, Obituaries. Then research Bible
records, Newspapers,
Emigration and Immigration, Land and Property.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: First research Military records, Biography and Court
records. Then research Naturalization and Citizenship, Civil Registration,
Church records, Emigration and Immigration, Genealogy and Newspapers.
PLACE-FINDING AIDS: First check for Gazetteers, Maps. Then look for Directories, History, Periodicals, Land and Property and Taxation.
PLACE (TOWN) WHERE YOU ONLY KNOW THE STATE: Look for Census, Genealogy,
Military records, Vital records and Church records.
RECORDS AND DIRECTORIES: Look for Biography, Probate records, History, Land and Property and Taxation.
PLACES FAMILY HAS LIVED: Research Census, Land and Property and History.
Then check Military records, Taxation, Obituaries.
PREVIOUS RESEARCH (COMPLIED RECORDS): First look for Genealogy, Periodicals and History. Then look for Biography, Societies and Nobility.
RECORD – FINDING AIDS: First research Archives and Libraries, Societies and Genealogy then check Periodicals.
RELIGION: First check Church records, History, Biography, Civil
Registration and then look at Bible records, Cemeteries, Obituaries and
Genealogy.