Hi! I wanted to jump in with this discussion of the 7th floor of the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse because I think I can dispel some of the myths. I will disclose that I've never been up there, largely because I was told by a researcher that a court clerk must take you up there. This will fit with Mrs. Tucker's post that the 7th floor is not closed to the public. It is my understanding that all of the records are public records, so therefore open to the public. Now comes the catch 22. The Probate Court is charged with keeping the records and the 7th floor is where the very old records (many pre Civil War) are stored. It should be accepted that not all records can be kept in the Probate office, so the less requested records (the older ones) are in storage. Now the catch to catch 22. The Probate office is also charged with safeguarding the records. That is why they are locked and a clerk from the Probate office has a key. I do not think it difficult to understand that any request to research the records on the 7th floor would in fact be a special request because those records are not in the Probate office, so anyone making this request should call ahead first to make sure they will be able to get up there. That should be viewed as common politeness. The alternative is to just show up and demand access. Come on, everybody knows you can catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar. Accepting that the courthouse employees are aware you have the right to view these public records, we should accept that getting to the 7th floor is not as easy for an employee to say "Sure, come on in and I'll show you where they are." Regarding the condition of the 7th floor. It is hard for me to accept that it is a hazardous place but I know that it is a storage space. Stating again that I've never been up there but I've been told by many that as a storage space, it is unventilated. That means no heat or air conditioning, so pick your time carefully. It is also very, very dusty. That leads me to tell you that most of the records are in bound volumes, which tells me that they are not loose papers. Still they are old records and deserve better preservation than they are receiving. The ADAH has been working with the Utah Genealogy Society (The LDS) to film the loose papers at county courthouses state wide. ADAH has said that certain bound volumes can be filmed if they meet certain guidelines and there is enough interest. What is taking place right now is that many members of the Tuscaloosa Genealogy Society Night and Day groups have volunteered to prep the records for the filming. This is not hard work but just like the filming itself, it is time consuming. The current project is with the old divorce records but I hope there will be other records to be filmed. There have been some others filmed in past years. As already stated, there are many members of the local genealogy society that have volunteered but this is not a Society project. Anybody can volunteer their time and the job really isn't hard! Now what happens after filming? First LDS will put them on CD's which anyone can buy. This should be an acceptable practice because they are incurring expenses. Later, years later, they will be put on the Family Search website. Meanwhile, the ADAH will receive a copy of this CD and they will provide a copy to each county courthouse to do as they please. That last sentence came straight from the ADAH. Here is where I hope we can get something done that isn't scheduled and I think should be an acceptable request because we are working for free. Since the courthouse already has the records and will receive a CD copy of those records to do as they wish, it would be more than a little beneficial to also have a few copies placed in the local county public library of each county. Judge Hardy McCollum has always worked well with genealogy and I've been told we can copy anything in his office. How many brick walls have been faced because of a burned courthouse? How hard is it to get parking and help from busy employees at the Tuscaloosa Courthouse? It only makes good sense to have copies at the library. To do this, there must be voiced interest and plenty of volunteer help. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Please contact Judge McCollum's office and tell him you would like a copy or copies placed at the library. Contact Tom Turly at ADAH and let him know you have an interest in preserving these records on the 7th floor. That's my two cents! Please contact me at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Take care. Bye, Mike

Loretta Randolph [email protected] "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."

Much, much, more than that, Caroline. Legal books/docs, court docs, and more. I found about 12-15 hits on my Solomon Stewart timeframe 1823-1827 or so, as I remember, back in 1993. Apparently no one has taken any action to preserve, tidy up, and catalogue the holdings. When I was up there with one of the clerks, it seemed like it was about 160 degrees, so I doubt if anyone has the motivation to get up there and nail down what's there. My estimate is that is would take about week for a two-person team to 'index' or 'catalogue' what's there. The clerk that assisted me, by the way, KNEW EXACTLY where the docs where that I would need. I.E., I said '1823 to 1829' or so and she took me to two separate shelves in a heartbeat. So there is some method to the neglected madness up there, and it would be a beautiful project for the local genealogical society to undertake. Better yet, let the LDS folks get in there and film all, and in the process, submit a catalogue of the holdings to the Judge and the public, as well as a local copy of the films made. For a few dollars, and the cost of my RV lodging, I would happily go over there in the colder months (Jan / Feb 2005) and attempt to catalogue the holdings. There's a mint of information there, and, now that I understand the value of, and routinely use, a scanner, I would love to scan the outside of each doc and catalogue it for content. (Although I'll admit many of the docs there are extremely worn and the front etching or writing is illegible.) Dick Stewart Colorado Springs ============== Just a guess - perhaps these are "loose papers" that the LDS History Library is in the process of sorting and microfilming in every county in Alabama. In some counties the Gen. Society has a committee doing the initial work, such as Jefferson. This has been done in Bibb within the last year; Autauga County was the first several years ago. Caroline H.

Monday I personally went to the Probate Judge's office and spoke with the staff who, in turn, spoke to Judge McCollum. The 7th floor of the Tuscaloosa Courthouse has never been closed to the public. The researcher may go to the Probate Judge or the Circuit Court Clerk's office and request to do research on the 7th floor. My personal comment here: 1) I recommend that any researcher planning to do work at any court house do a little homework. Not all original record books are at the local courthouses anywhere. This is true at Tuscaloosa ... 2) Always ...ALWAYS... take someone with you to any courthouse. You will need help with the very heavy books. 3) If you choose to visit the 7th floor of Tuscaloosa County Courthouse - wear old cloths, etc., it is very dusty and crowded. Along these lines, the Tuscaloosa Genealogical Society is preparing divorce papers from 1922 to 1950 for filming by the Utah Genealogical Society. We are in need of help. Won't you please consider joining us? We meet 1 - 4 PM on Monday; 10 - 2 and 7 - 9 PM on Tuesdays; Thursday 10 - 2. We work on the 2nd floor near the Circuit Court. As you get off the elevator turn left and go to the end of the hall. On the your left will be the door to Social Work. Go through that door and down a short hall. The door is usually open, if not it will have a sign about the TGSNG meeting there. Hope to see some of you there ! Charlotte

Just a guess - perhaps these are "loose papers" that the LDS History Library is in the process of sorting and microfilming in every county in Alabama. In some counties the Gen. Society has a committee doing the initial work, such as Jefferson. This has been done in Bibb within the last year; Autauga County was the first several years ago. Caroline H. ----- Original Message ----- From: "DS" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [ALTUSCAL] Tuscaloosa Courthouse > All I know is that it would seem to me that EVERYTHING up there is as a minimum historal and should enjoy the legal/archival protection of the state. As to public access, this also would seem to be part of the legal / archival protection umbrella, but somehow the county's responsiblity to the public seems to be ignored. > > ds > > ================== > All I know, is that another researcher I regularly correspond with had done some research there in the last year. I think the conditions there were VERY bad and the records not bing taken care of. She's the one who mentioned they are closing the floor off to researchers because of "hazardous" conditions and I thought I would query the mailing list to see if anyone knew anything about it. I wonder why the historical society has not done something about it....unless their hands are tied. > > Julie >

All I know is that it would seem to me that EVERYTHING up there is as a minimum historal and should enjoy the legal/archival protection of the state. As to public access, this also would seem to be part of the legal / archival protection umbrella, but somehow the county's responsiblity to the public seems to be ignored. ds ================== All I know, is that another researcher I regularly correspond with had done some research there in the last year. I think the conditions there were VERY bad and the records not bing taken care of. She's the one who mentioned they are closing the floor off to researchers because of "hazardous" conditions and I thought I would query the mailing list to see if anyone knew anything about it. I wonder why the historical society has not done something about it....unless their hands are tied. Julie

I heard today that the Tuscaloosa Courthouse had closed its 7th floor to researchers because of hazardous conditions. There are evidently many records there, although being kept in poor condition. Does anyone know the story.....are they planning to reopen these records to the public? Julie __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Hey Everyone First, Thanks to everyone that has sent me information so far. I appreciate it Sooo much! Secondly, Can anyone tell me what precinct "The Big Creek Neighborhood" would have been in, in Tuscaloosa County? Thanks so much Sharon Griffin-Cobb

Decendants of David and Redema Weaver Kyzer Friday, July 30, at noon, those in Tuscaloosa will meet at Shoney’s resturant on McFarland (Highway 82 near the University Mall) for lunch –Dutch treat. Friday, July 30. at 6pm, meet at the Piccadilly resturant in the University Mall for the fellowship and evening meal – Dutch Treat. Saturday, July 31, gather at the Vance, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Civic Center for fellowship (10:30-12:00). Luch will be served between 12:00-12:30 – barbecue will be catered. Those nearby (within 50 miles) are requested to bring a covered veggie or dessert dish. Directions to the Vance Civic Center from Tuscaloosa: Go North on I-59 to exit 89, right on Mercedes Drive 1 mile US 11, left on US 11, 1.9 miles to Vance. The Civic Center is at Mile marker 100 on US 11 A trip to the Kyzer Cemetery is planned in the afternoon, road conditions permitting, for those wishing to visit. Please share this info with any and all relatives with connections of DESENDANTS OF DAVID AND REDEMA WEAVER KYZER. For more details contact Arlie Kyzer at [email protected] or Betty Weaver at [email protected]

Hey All I'm looking for someone that can look up a marriage for me .. actually a copy of the marriage license because I'm hoping for parental information to be on this. I do not have the year of marriage but probably somewhere between 1880 to 1899. The marriage is between Eugene Lett and Katie C ( Katherine ) Edgeworth in Tuscaloosa County. Thanks for the help in advance :) Sharon

This from another mail list; might be a helpful source ~ Caroline www.copies1918.com

I am looking for information on the Rueben Jones family. He was a Revolutionary War soldier buried in Greenwood Cen. Many of this descendants are buried in Skinner's Cen at Fosters. His son was David Golden Jon. Whose son was John Westly. That son was a Confederate soldier I am trying to find out what unit. Thanks for the help Warrick

I'm looking for information on a J. Turner's Store somewhere in Tuscaloosa in 1862. I have some letters from a member of the 41st Ala who keeps mentioning this place. All help greatly appreciated!!! Alice Campbell

Interesting I was working on a obit of Victor Lee Rogers a couple weeks ago and the last sentence asked that donations be sent to Nazareth Church Cemetery Fund at 12796 LeSueur Road, Northport, Alabama, 35475. The obit didn't say what denomination this church is. Maybe it is the Primitive Baptist you are looking for. Good hunting! Please let me know the results. David Gray "A Confederate American" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alice Campbell" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 1:26 AM Subject: [ALTUSCAL] Nazareth Primitive Baptist Church - Directions? > I'm looking for directions to the Nazareth Primitive Baptist Church > Cemetery in somewhere in Tuscaloosa Co. Can anybody help? I'll be > going thru Tuscaloosa next week and would like to take pictures of some > tombstones. I can't find it on GNIS or Bigfoot, so I have no idea where > to start. > > Thanks, > > Alice Campbell > > > > > > ==== ALTUSCAL Mailing List ==== > Tuscaloosa, Alabama AlGenWeb Page > http://www.rootsweb.com/~altuscal > send comments to [email protected] > > ============================== > Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration > Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 > >

At 01:26 AM 6/27/2004 -0400, you wrote: >I'm looking for directions to the Nazareth Primitive Baptist Church >Cemetery in somewhere in Tuscaloosa Co. Can anybody help? I'll be going >thru Tuscaloosa next week and would like to take pictures of some >tombstones. I can't find it on GNIS or Bigfoot, so I have no idea where >to start. Nazareth is located in the community of Samantha. North on Route 43. Sandy Kizziah provided a listing of the graves. See http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/tuscaloosa/cemeteries/nazareth.txt By the way, Nazareth does show up on GNIS -- but the name is simply "Nazareth Cemetery". I found it by searching on a feature type of "cemetery" in Tuscaloosa County and then looking through the list produced. You can also find it by searching on feature type of "church". Regards, Elsi

I'm looking for directions to the Nazareth Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in somewhere in Tuscaloosa Co. Can anybody help? I'll be going thru Tuscaloosa next week and would like to take pictures of some tombstones. I can't find it on GNIS or Bigfoot, so I have no idea where to start. Thanks, Alice Campbell

Looking for information on Eugene Lett and Sarah Katherine (Katie) Edgeworth. Two children; Mamie Bell born in 1891 and Grover born in 1897. They were living in Buhl Alabama I do believe. Thanks Sharon Cobb

Just passing along info of the KYZER REUNION. This is DAVID KYZER, REV. and REDEMA WEAVER KYZER family. All Kyzer connections or searchers looking for info are welcome. Have any questions contact Betty Weaver at [email protected] or Arlie Kyzer at [email protected] . Kim On Fri. night, July 30th, we'll meet at the Picadilly in University Mall in Tuscaloosa, for food and fellowship. On Sat. the 31st, we'll meet around 10 am at the Civic Center in Vance, Al., for the reunion. Lunch will be catered. For more details contact Arlie Kyzer at [email protected] or Betty Weaver at [email protected] Tell everyone to get in touch with their Kyzer cousins and invite them to attend.

Paula, I think I can help you. "The Mayfields" by Glenn W. Mayfield gives the name of Shuga Mayfield as Ezekiel Sugar Mayfield. It also says that eight childred were named in Robert's will. I have never seen any record generated during their time that has Ezekiel Sugar. You seem to have Ezekiel or Shuga and they occurred in the same area. As you have pointed out, there are two Obediah Mayfields in Tuscaloosa County. One is the son of Edmond Robin Mayfield. This is apparently well researched. He is is the father of James Jefferson Mayfield, a prominant citizen and a war hero. In the 1840 census there are listed two Obediah Mafields, one with children and one without. The one with children is apparently the the son of Edmond Robin and the husband of Harriet Mills. In 1850 you have an Obediah, Hanna, William,and James, and you have Harriet and two of the children listed. Obediah and Hannah are buried in Dunn's Creek Baptist Church. In 1853 (I think) Hannah and his two adopted sons were named as heirs of Obediah's estate. I believe that I have enough proof that these two adopted sons were children of Peter Randolph Cabiness and Catherine Mayfield. This suggests a strong link between Catherine and Obediah. Shuga Mayfield gave power-of-attorney to Obediah Mayfield to receive his share of the estate of Ezekiel Saunders.. I have taken this as proof that Obediah was a son of Sjuga Mayfield. My great-great-grandfather in Itawamba County was named Sugar Mayfield. I have nothing other than the name to prove that he was a son of Shuga in Tuscaloosa County. Elisha B. Mayfield of Yazoo-Holmes County in his will left his estate to his nephews William Westley Mayfield and Elisha Mayfield. These are sons of Sugar Mayfield in Itawamba County. Elisha B. Mayfield was also executor of the estate of Peter Randolph Cabiness in Mississippi. Thus I have Ezekiel Shuga as having at least four children,Sugar,Elisha B., Catherine and Obediah. Do you have anything to add to this. I would be glad to exchange information. James Laney <[email protected]> <[email protected]> On Sat, 29 May 2004, Paula wrote: > BlankAm trying to sort the families of Obadiah Mayfield who married a Hannah > and Obadiah Mayfield who married Harriet Mills. Also looking for the > family of Sugar/Shugar Mayfield - some have stated his first name is > Ezekiel but I cannot prove this. > > Can anyone help. > > Thanks > > Paula > [email protected] > > > > > > ==== ALTUSCAL Mailing List ==== > Tuscaloosa, Alabama AlGenWeb Page > http://www.rootsweb.com/~altuscal > send comments to [email protected] > > ============================== > Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration > Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 > >

Just in case some of you that are related to the Kyzer would like to attend that we do not have email or home address. I will pass the rest of the info as I get it. Kim From: "Arlie G Kyzer" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 2:49 PM Subject: Kyzer Reunion in Tuscaloosa Alabama > Kim, > > This message was sent to your old e-mail address and came back. Jane > just provided me with another address, so am trying it. > > Arlie > > > Greetings to my kin folks. > > My name is Arlie Kyzer and I am from the James McGrady line of Kyzer's > and as some of you will know I have been at the Tusc reunion all but one > of the years that it has been meeting. Well this year I am in charge of > getting the word out on time and place, except I do not have the word to > put out just yet. I can tell you that the reunion will be held July 31 > in Vance, Alabama. Food arrangements have not been provided me yet, but > I can tell you that lunch will be available on Saturday and possibly > other meals. We hope to have lunch at Shoney's in Tusc on Friday and > possibly an evening meal at the Picadelly on Friday. The location for > the reunion in Vance is unknown to me at this time, but will let you know > as soon as I know. > > Now what I need from each of you is some assistance. Please provide me > with the e-mail address of all your Kyzer family relatives, or forward > this message to them. I will be happy to let them all know the time and > place when I have it. Also please let all your relatives know about the > reunion and invite them to attend. I will be contacting many folks by > mail in a few days but would like to contact all possible by e-mail, so > send me those addresses as well as advise them to keep the weekend of > July 31 open. I need help getting the word out. I have over a hundred > mailing addresses, but have no idea how many are any good. If you can > provide me with mailing addresses of your kin folk that do not have > e-mail addresses I will be happy to send them a letter. As you can > understand postage is expensive and sending a couple of hundred letters > to bad addresses is poor business. > > Thanks for your assistance and I look forward to seeing you at the > Reunion on July 31. > > Arlie G. Kyzer > Woodland Park, CO.