Hi Betty, The church is located in the south central section of Barbour County, which indicates that it is the church of which you write. There is a short history and then the constitution and then a Roll of Church Members indicating their status of leaving . I see a Solomon Shirah as a member who was excluded. That was circa Jan. 5th, 1861. The records of the church are given in dates such as May 9, 1835. Business included the reception of members, choosing of deacons and clerk(by name), etc. Minutes of the church are included. The records are presented about bi-monthly from 1835 to 1944, though not always that often in the later years. Mrs. Helms chose to include only the most interesting highlights of the later years. Altogether there are a total of 118 pages (8x11") of Bethel Primitive church records. S.K. Shirah (b.Oct. 1, 1818, d. Feb. 27, 1898) was church clerk for a long time during that time and is buried in the cemetery with 4 other Shirahs, including his wife, Rhodia (b. Aug. 9, 1836, d. Sept. 13, 1916) and 2 of A.S.K. Shirah's children, Gussie Arlevia (b. Feb. 26, 1892, d. Apr. 21`, 1893) daughter of A.S.K. and E.E. and Bertie Lee (daughter of A.S.K. and E.E.)b. Jan. 13, 1894, d. Sept. 18, 1898. Plus George Williams, Son of S.K. and Rhoda, (b. Apr. 3, 1878, d. Dec. 17, 1897) There is over a column of Shirah/Shirar/Shire ( at least 36 different given names) listed in the index with S.K. Shirah alone listed on at least 36 pages of the records. The records show baptisms and inscriptions from the cemetery gravestones. You might wish to purchase the book since your family is so well represented in it. If so, the address is; Mrs. Lavinia Jordan Helms 103 Lakewood Drive Enterprise, Al. 36330 Phone; 334-347-6150 If Mrs. Helms sells all of this book then she is thinking of doing a second volume, since she has materials enough already for a second volume. I hope this helps and I am glad SOMEONE is finding THEIR Barbour County kin.<grin> Peace and Grace; Willie in California ----- Original Message ----- From: <SidneyV1@aol.com> To: <ALBARBOU-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 10:06 PM Subject: Re: [ALBARBOU] Church Records of Southeast Al. > In a message dated 00-07-20 00:33:41 EDT, you write: > > << > Yes, Margie > I have the book, Church Records of Southeast Ala. > Willie in California > >> > Willie... I'm wondering how much information is given about Bethel Primitive > Baptist Church. Is it a history of the church? Copies of the minutes? > Cemetery census? > Also, does it tell where the church is located? Is it near Blue Springs? > I apologize for asking so many questions. However, my Shirah ancestors were > members of what was known as the Church at Bethel, in the mid and late 1800s. > I think it is now known as Old Bethel Primitive Baptist Church. It is located > near Blue Springs. I wonder if it is the same church that is listed in the > book. > Thank you for any information you might give me.............Betty > > > ==== ALBARBOU Mailing List ==== > Have you checked the Georgia Counties just across the river. Many of the Barbour residents came from, Crawford, Taylor, Randolph, Macon, Stewart Counties in Georgia just to mention a few. >