ALL HAIL CESAR>>>>> You know this means I get little sleep tonite.... Last week's postings kept me up almost all nite.... T H A N K Y O U V E R Y M U C H Dave Blaikie, Atlanta, Ga

Dave, Who are you WHITEs? I have a line of WHITEs that I am stuck on. I need a connection for Camily E White (b 7 Sep 1831, d 13 Jun 1913) who married David Glenn 11 Aug 1846 in Jefferson Co., AL. The death certificate for two of her daughters state that she was born in Blount Co., AL. I surely would like to know who her parents and/or siblings were. I also have Mary Ellen Merrill in my file who married William Vinson "Vince" Reese, 27 Nov 1896. And, Hiran Armstrong who married Jane Goode, 3 Feb 1845. Were you SMITHs in Bibb county in the early 1800's? Might you have any connection to any of these? Thanks, Melba Clark ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 1:11 PM Subject: Re: [ALBLOUNT-L] COURTHOUSE HELP and Stuff > and help me with my Armstrongs, Merrills, Russells, Jetts, Whites, Jones, > Smiths, Thompsons, Kelsos, Whisenants, etc etc etc, etc.... > Dave Blaikie, > Atlanta, Ga > > ________________________________________________________________ > GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! > Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! > Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: > http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. >

these cemeteries were completely resurveyed and / or reviewed over the weekend: Daileys Chapel Cemetery Blackwood Cemetery Pine Grove Cemetery Harris Cemetery Lamb Cemetery Painter Cemetery Hampton Waide Burial Site Harris and Lamb are very small family cemeteries and were missed by Horton / Allred and Jones http://home.hiwaay.net/~bobwonda/index.html kind regards, robin

I know that we all have an opinion about this subject, Good or Bad...but Would I ask a small favor...Let's get back to Genealogy and quit the crap..... I, for one, appreciate any and all Help I ever received, and if the help is not forth coming, I find another source....Lordy, how long are we going to kick this dog.... I believe its dead....Let's get back to the PURPOSE of this list.... discussing BLOUNT CO. GENEALOGY...not flaming each other or others... I love you all.... even those in Tx.....that feel that they have been slighted in some way....Peace be unto you all... and help me with my Armstrongs, Merrills, Russells, Jetts, Whites, Jones, Smiths, Thompsons, Kelsos, Whisenants, etc etc etc, etc....or if you live close by, help Robin Sterling and his wife by surveying another cemetery in Blount CO...or get some records from the courthouse and transcribe them and post to Robin's site.... enough of this endless flaming and back patting.... Lets return to GENEALOGY... I love you especailly Melba hope your health is holding its own... Dave Blaikie, Atlanta, Ga ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

Dear readers: Thanks for the many letters coming to me personally and to the rootsweb sites. Makes one feel mighty good. The Melba who is helping the lady in Tx. is not this Melba. When I offer assistance it is with the fine material I have at home or at the Blount County Museum, which is three miles from my house. This old gray mare is unable to get out and do what she once could, so I am sort of limited. Amy Rhudy has been the curator of the museum for the past ten months, and I can tell you that that little doll treats everyone like they are the ONLY person in the world when they are there. If she is stuck on something she calls me and we figure it out, whatever. You will not leave the museum, under her care, feeling like you made a trip for nothing. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met! I am aware of my friend BG's situation while she was in town and it was most unfortunate. That is a long drive from CA for sure and to leave feeling "unhelped" not a good feeling. I am having to slow on genealogy right now but hope to be in the swing of things again real soon. Just know that when I am able I will gladly help in any way that I possibly can. I love helping you all find your ancestors nearly as much as you do, and who knows I may even have a picture of a great grandmother that you have never seen! I have copied and placed many pictures in the files at the museum and will continue to do so, so you might find a nice surprise on your next visit! If you write I will print out your letters and get to them as soon as I am able. It may be a little slow right now but just hang in there with me. You KNOW how I love this! Happy hunting to each and every one... Melba Lowe Blount County, Alabama

Amen and Hallelujah James! Cheryl

I think some people just like to cause problems The courthouse is not there to do research for you. Most of the time they will tell you where the records are and show you where the records are, but they do not have time to help you with your research-----------I have been to several states and many counties doing research---------if you are nice to the people most of the time they will do what they can for you---------I have never been turned down if I have asked a question Know what you are looking for, which office in the courthouse it is located in---------------as far as letters to the courthouse most of the time they do not have a large enough staff to answer them-----------AND THAT IS NOT THEIR JOB----------I say most of the time because I have had counties that would look up info for me-----------------know the book and page number of the info you are looking for and most of the time they will send it to you for a fee MOST OF ALL BE NICE---------------james

Betty, I had a similar experience as you did, but I DROVE to Ala. to do research. I thought with such a rural small county as Blount, people would be like in old times, but the ONLY person who treated me with any respect was MELBA LOWE. I went to the Museum and the courthouse with no help offered at either place. Thanks to MELBA I have been able to email other people who CAN help me. B.G.Piper Now many, many years ago, when I was twenty-three, I was married to a widow who was pretty as could be. This widow had a grown-up daughter who had hair of red. My father fell in love with her, and soon they, too, were wed. This made my dad my son-in-law and changed my very life, My daughter was my mother, cause she was my father's wife. To complicate the matter, even though it brought me joy, I soon became the father of a bouncing baby boy. My little baby then became a brother-in-law to Dad, And so became my uncle, though it made me very sad. For if he was my uncle, then that also made him brother Of the widow's grown-up daughter, who, of course, was my stepmother. Father's wife then had a son who kept him on the run, And he became my grandchild, for he was my daughter's son. My wife is now my mother's mother, and it makes me blue, Because, although she is my wife, she's my grandmother, too. Now if my wife is my grandmother, then I'm her grandchild, And every time I think of it, it nearly drives me wild, For now I have become the strangest case you ever saw As husband of my grandmother, I am my own grandpa! SURNAMES: ARTIS, BRIGGS, CURRY, GOODE, GULLION, HAMMETT, MARSH, PRICE, SANDERS, SANDRIDGE, SMYRL, TILLMAN, TYLER WEBSITE: <A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/bgozbooks/myhomepage/profile.html">Click Here: "Nuts I've Shaken Outta My Family Tree!</A> http://hometown.aol.com/bgozbooks/myhomepage/profile.html All my outgoing email is certified to be VIRUS-FREE by NORTON!

Sorry to hear about the bad ex to.keep in mind some people like our ancestors are transplants from other states and get jobs where ever their qualified. Also James when did you come to Alabama could have met you.could have took you to James Patman snd Elizabeth Tidwells rave. Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Patman" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2002 11:48 PM Subject: [ALBLOUNT-L] Re: Unfriendly state > I am sorry to hear that Betty had a bad experience and will > no longer do research in Alabama. I also live in Texas and > since both sides of my family have roots in Alabama I have > done quite a bit of research there. I would encourage anyone > who has not been to Alabama to visit there. It is beautiful and > the people are among the nicest you will ever meet. I recently > revisited the Blount County Memorial Museum in Oneonta and > would like to thank Amy Rhudy ( Curator) and Melba Lowe for > meeting with me at the museum. Finally there are so many people > in Texas that can trace their ancestry to Alabama! I'm sure they > must get tired of dealing with us once in a while :) > > James A. Patman > Temple, Texas > >

I am sorry to hear that Betty had a bad experience and will no longer do research in Alabama. I also live in Texas and since both sides of my family have roots in Alabama I have done quite a bit of research there. I would encourage anyone who has not been to Alabama to visit there. It is beautiful and the people are among the nicest you will ever meet. I recently revisited the Blount County Memorial Museum in Oneonta and would like to thank Amy Rhudy ( Curator) and Melba Lowe for meeting with me at the museum. Finally there are so many people in Texas that can trace their ancestry to Alabama! I'm sure they must get tired of dealing with us once in a while :) James A. Patman Temple, Texas

I am writing this to clarify a couple of things. 1. It is suggested I apologize to the list - I probably should - You didn't do it. 2.Melba has graciously offered to get the information for me. I thank her publicly. 3. I did not go to the Web Sites to get the information -I foolishly used the LEGAL forms suggested and sent out by the State. One was earlier than the mandated recording date so it says to contact the COUNTY CLERK - which is where I started. Three months later I still get no answers just more forms and it isn't our department. 4. Government workers work very hard- My husband was military for 20 years. 5. Our County Clerk's office only has three full time workers. The Probate Clerk has two full time workers. They handle the present court cases plus answering inquiries. They would be extremely upset if ANYONE accused them of doing this. I know them all since I am always there doing look-ups for others. I also thank them every time for their gracious assistance. I do not know how small or large Blount County but our Court House manages to at least verify and get the mail to where it needs to be if it was mistakenly sent to the wrong office. 6. I still will not be doing anymore research in Alabama- for two reasons- I do not need the aggravation and I will have his mother's line back four generations- If he wants it any further he can do it (which he wont because he really doesn't care about it- it is my thing) 7. After 31 years of marriage I would NEVER slam my husband- he puts up with my obsession. Thanks for the information. Betty

Perhaps Betty does not realize what a small county Blount is and how hard it is to perform your normal duties as well as reply to misdirected mail in a small county Courthouse. Tight budgets do not allow for excessive postage and excessive time trying to locate the correct outlet for such mail. Perhaps a phone call to the Courthouse would have saved her time and money. The State of Alabama Archives has a very good web site that explains what they have and how to request it. I don't think Betty did any research at all and being a county employee myself, (not Blount) I have encountered many similar ungrateful customers. Cheryl

It is unfortunate that Betty's experience was a negative one. I have been researching my line from Alabama from my homes in Texas and California for almost 20 years. Unlike Betty, I have found everyone in Alabama to be very helpful. Further, Alabama seems to have more information on line among all states. I trust you friends in Alabama won't take Betty's experience to heart. It seems to me that she should have done a little more homework before she dove in. And what a sour attitude. Like we care that she chooses not to research her husband's line. No one loses there except she and her husband. With an attitude like hers, I pity the poor husband! Mike in Dallas

I have never had a discourteous reply to any of my messages to the fine state of Alabama, indeed have had all kinds of help. Further, Alabama is ahead of many of the other states in having old records available online --- I'm sorry Betty has formed a negative impression, perhaps that was what she gave? Billie in Tx. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Berry Spradley" <[email protected]> To: <ALBLOUNT-[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2002 2:24 PM Subject: Fwd: Re: [ALBLOUNT-L] Unfriendly State > > > > >Calm down Betty, you're going to blow a gasket. You're making all Texans > >look unfriendly and bad mannered. I've found Alabama people to be just as > >nice and friendly and helpful as Texas people. According to your letter > >you only know 5 Alabama people and all of them work for the county or the > >state. > > > > > >At 01:37 PM 8/10/02 -0500, you wrote: > >>I am sending two e-mails > >> > >>One to unsuscribe then this one to explain why. > >> > >>I have been doing genealogy research for over five years and have never > >>encountered such an unfriendly state for long distance research. > >> > >>I mailed a request for death certificates to the County Clerk. They > >>returned it to me saying write to Room 206. > >>I remailed the request to Room 206. They returned it saying it needs to > >>go to the State department of Health. So I remailed it again trying at > >>the county level. They returned it saying I need to write the Capital > >>office. I then remailed it to the state capital office. > >>I received it back today - since one date was before 1908 they will not > >>give me any details on the other requests until I remail it without the > >>early date. > >> > >>In my state of Texas - they get up out of their chairs and walk the > >>misdirected letter to the other office. Or if it needs to go to the Healt > >>Department (a State office) - they do have an inter-agency mail that goes > >>once a day. > >> > >>As far as I am concerned I will not trace any line going ito Alabama. > >>Lucky for me it is only my husband's maternal line. If he wants it he can > >>do it. > >> > >>Too bad your state only caters to in state researchers. > >> > >>Betty Scarborough > > > > """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > > Searching for the Spradley and > > Ketchum families. Spradleys > > from SC to TX and Ketchums > > from VA to TX via AL and IL > > Check my home page for searchable > > data base of ancestors. > > http://www.hal-pc.org/~berrys > > """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > > >

As a former functionary, I would suspect my training sessions to have been insufficient if I really had an employee who wouldn't get a misdirected piece of mail to the right location in the same courthouse, particularly for some out of state soul who didn't have it right the first time. Not a lot of cost involved in showing that much courtesy. I wouldn't be proud of such an employee for the same reasons that I wouldn't be proud of myself , had I done the same. I would have been grateful for a phone call from a person such as Betty right after the "wrong room #" reply and would probably have looked personally for her item. As for whether she would have been "grateful"... well, some folks certainly would have... others would have just thought I was doing what I was supposed to do.. (shrug) Given that, I hope that Betty will re examine her feelings re being entirely fair to a whole state population over this one mix up. I have read that genealogy is probably the fastest growing avocation around. I know that our county functionaries are and have been, amazed at the load of inquiries that come in... all too often with un do able requests. Blount 's list is, in itself, a treasure trove as compared to others, with many very helpful listers. I just had two such helpful ones today. (thanks Rita and rjc : ) By the way, I am in Sacramento, CA. and if anyone has a need for obits or death dates on a relative who left for CA at some time, I may be able to help. Just let me know. ron

>Calm down Betty, you're going to blow a gasket. You're making all Texans >look unfriendly and bad mannered. I've found Alabama people to be just as >nice and friendly and helpful as Texas people. According to your letter >you only know 5 Alabama people and all of them work for the county or the >state. > > >At 01:37 PM 8/10/02 -0500, you wrote: >>I am sending two e-mails >> >>One to unsuscribe then this one to explain why. >> >>I have been doing genealogy research for over five years and have never >>encountered such an unfriendly state for long distance research. >> >>I mailed a request for death certificates to the County Clerk. They >>returned it to me saying write to Room 206. >>I remailed the request to Room 206. They returned it saying it needs to >>go to the State department of Health. So I remailed it again trying at >>the county level. They returned it saying I need to write the Capital >>office. I then remailed it to the state capital office. >>I received it back today - since one date was before 1908 they will not >>give me any details on the other requests until I remail it without the >>early date. >> >>In my state of Texas - they get up out of their chairs and walk the >>misdirected letter to the other office. Or if it needs to go to the Healt >>Department (a State office) - they do have an inter-agency mail that goes >>once a day. >> >>As far as I am concerned I will not trace any line going ito Alabama. >>Lucky for me it is only my husband's maternal line. If he wants it he can >>do it. >> >>Too bad your state only caters to in state researchers. >> >>Betty Scarborough > > """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > Searching for the Spradley and > Ketchum families. Spradleys > from SC to TX and Ketchums > from VA to TX via AL and IL > Check my home page for searchable > data base of ancestors. > http://www.hal-pc.org/~berrys > """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

I am sending two e-mails One to unsuscribe then this one to explain why. I have been doing genealogy research for over five years and have never encountered such an unfriendly state for long distance research. I mailed a request for death certificates to the County Clerk. They returned it to me saying write to Room 206. I remailed the request to Room 206. They returned it saying it needs to go to the State department of Health. So I remailed it again trying at the county level. They returned it saying I need to write the Capital office. I then remailed it to the state capital office. I received it back today - since one date was before 1908 they will not give me any details on the other requests until I remail it without the early date. In my state of Texas - they get up out of their chairs and walk the misdirected letter to the other office. Or if it needs to go to the Healt Department (a State office) - they do have an inter-agency mail that goes once a day. As far as I am concerned I will not trace any line going ito Alabama. Lucky for me it is only my husband's maternal line. If he wants it he can do it. Too bad your state only caters to in state researchers. Betty Scarborough

15TH ANNUAL FOUR-FAMILIES REUNION The ALLGOOD, BYNUM, CORNELIUS, and MURPHREE families, who were among the early settlers of Blount County, AL, will hold their 15th Annual Four-Families Reunion on September 28th and 29th, 2002. ALL descendants of these four families are invited to join us for a weekend of history, fun, and fellowship. Events will take place at the Woodmen of the World Life Ins. Society, 28340 State Hwy 75, Oneonta, AL. There will be a Genealogy Session on Saturday, September 28th. The building will be open at 8 a.m. We have two guest speakers scheduled, beginning at 9:00 a.m. so plan to come early. The Family Reunion will be on Sunday, September 29th. Please come anytime after 9 a.m. and bring a covered dish. Activities will begin around 12:30 p.m. with a few opening remarks by the President, followed by lunch. A business meeting will be held after lunch and the remainder of the afternoon will be filled with fun, fellowship, and drawings for door prizes. For more information, or a complete agenda of the weekend's activities, please contact: Marilyn Brown, President, PH. 205-681-5812, or e-mail [email protected] Robert Johnston, Vice President, PH. 334-514-6460, or e-mail [email protected]

Hi List, I am looking for any leads on Wm Reno and wife Exar U. PURDY. Exar was the d/o James H. & Nancy A. DOLLAR. She was born Jan 1877 GA & is listed in the HH of her father in 1880, Blount; in the HH of Wm R. Purdy in 1900 Blount census. Would like to know their children's names; where Wm & Exar are buried and if they remained in AL. Some of the Purdy family went to TX around 1900. Thanks for any help, Diane [email protected]

these cemteries have been updated within the last couple weeks: Bangor Cemetery Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery (near Hayden) Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery (near Hayden) Gethsemane Baptist Church Cemetery (near Hayden) Nectar Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery http://home.hiwaay.net/~bobwonda/index.html kind regards, robin