PRELUDE TO OLUSTEE A program to commemorate the Battle of Ocean Pond 12 February, 2003, seven o'clock p m in the ceremonial courtroom of the Baker County courthouse, 339 East Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, Florida Introduction - Gene Barber "FEBRUARY SUNDOWN - THE MARCH TO OLUSTEE", clips and a talk from a documentary on Florida's role in the Civil War presented by television producer Brian Terrell FLORIDA TROOPS - presented by Don Hillhouse, author of the book HEAVY ARTILLERY AND LIGHT INFANTRY >15 minutes break< Please enjoy our refreshments and browse through our publications THE 54TH MASSACHUSETTS - presented by John Peden, Union Army re-enactor and researcher THE WIDOW DUGGER - presented by Linda Rosenblatt, researcher of Baker County war dead THE STORY OF LIZZIE AND THE UNION OFFICER - presented by Gene Barber Comments by Karen Thomas, president of the Baker County Historical Society Gratitude is extended to the Board of County Commissioners for the use of the courtroom, The Baker County Sheriff's Department for security, Joel Barber and Gibson-MacDonald for the loan of the giant television screen, our local newspapers - THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS and THE BAKER COUNTY STANDARD - for their gracious advertising of our event, and the several members of the Historical Society for their tireless efforts in bringing this program to the public. --- Carl Mobley Orlando, FL Mobley Family HomePage http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mobley/ Baker Co, FL USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~flbaker/ 'show me how people remember their dead and I'll show you how they take care of their living.'

I found Charles L. Lathrop on the 1908 reconstructed Bay Co. tract book index. I would very much like to find this person and information about him. Can anyone give me ideas how to best proceed? I have no experience researching in Florida. Any ideas you can give me would be most appreciated. I am looking for my father's 5 half-siblings, one of whom was Charles Lathrop. Loreen Wells [email protected]

Mistake: Marion Anne Blum died in 1925 not 55. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Edwin Ferree" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 10:49 AM Subject: [FLORIDA] Combitz and Elliott > I am looking for any information on a Simon Combitz and a Frank Elliott who were married to a Marion Anne Blum all were from Pensacola (Old Warrington), Escambia Co., FL. I am trying to find when both men were born, date of marriage, date of death. Marion Anne Blum was born Oct. 1864, died Oct. 1955 buried in St. John's Cemetery in Pensacola. She had two children: Annie Josephine and Nettie. I am not sure who was the father: Combitz or Elliott. >

I am looking for any information on a Simon Combitz and a Frank Elliott who were married to a Marion Anne Blum all were from Pensacola (Old Warrington), Escambia Co., FL. I am trying to find when both men were born, date of marriage, date of death. Marion Anne Blum was born Oct. 1864, died Oct. 1955 buried in St. John's Cemetery in Pensacola. She had two children: Annie Josephine and Nettie. I am not sure who was the father: Combitz or Elliott.

I second Paul Hendricks thoughts in it's entirety. You get what you vote for. Perhaps the other counties and at the Archives ought to do what Alachua County is doing and put the records online (now) so that we can all view them (now and in the future). Charles Blankenship Retired FAA Air Traffic Controller (46 years), 8th Gen Floridian from 1762-present with two more lines of descendants (native born too). Also currently a transplanted Tennessean (having left Tallahassee in 1988). CCB

In a message dated 2/2/2003 4:18:09 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > .>>."Told last week that the flap doesn't seem to be going away, Bush > answered, > > "So, stop writing about it."<< > > My congressmen says everyone is just "posturing" about it. I don't call > that "posturing". I call that statement unbelievable from the governor of > a > state. > > I have a few places to post this article. Thanks, Leslie. > Sydney > I have said little and all of it directly to individuals and not the list. However, as much as some would like to take a purist approach to this list and avoid "politics", this has clearly become impossible. I'm glad that this list has become a forum for communicating this issue as it would probably be buried and become a "done deal" otherwise. The genealogy community of Florida should be very proud. The enormous arrogance of the Bush family (Jeb in particular, but it clearly is a family trait) is apparent in the above statement (not to mention the current state of the country, but that is off-subject). Obviously, it gives me little joy to say "I told you so". I'm not sure how many of you voted for the man, but hopefully you will think long and hard in the future (though it is too late for Florida). Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I no longer live in the state and could only scream silently from up here in Tennessee while I saw this man returned to office to continue to mis-manage (I got to that term after editing a few more colorful ones) my native state that I still love. You'd think after Claude Kirk and Robert Martinez, Floridians would have learned their lesson about Republican governors, but apparently not. So, all I can say is please keep up the good work, fight this awful proposal (I have emailed, but as a non-resident can only do so much). I still have family in Florida, get to Tallahassee (where I grew up) periodically (also Jacksonville where I was born) and hope to be able to continue to do research in the future. As an alumnus of Florida State, I think this is a terrible idea. Good luck to you all. Paul M. Hendricks, MD 4th generation native Floridian and current transplanted Tennessean

.>>."Told last week that the flap doesn't seem to be going away, Bush answered, "So, stop writing about it."<< My congressmen says everyone is just "posturing" about it. I don't call that "posturing". I call that statement unbelievable from the governor of a state. I have a few places to post this article. Thanks, Leslie. Sydney ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leslie Maddocks" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 4:02 PM Subject: [FLORIDA] Florida State Library > Below is a column that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel today. Please > pay attention to Bush's answer - and continue contacting your > representatives and senators. The library staff has already been > notified their jobs will cease as of July 1. There are many other > indications that Bush fully believes that this initiative will pass. > This must be stopped. In the future, trying to recreate what we now > have will cost much more than will be "saved" by this ill planned moved. > Many valuable assets will more than likely be lost to Florida > researchers. If the collection is given to a university or private > institution (which is a distinct possibility according to another news > article) I am sure they will require a written agreement that will > preclude these items being returned since this will also require a great > deal of money be invested to create a place to house the collection. > > > > Bush wants to close book on library flap > > > > By John Kennedy | Sentinel Staff Writer > > Posted February 2, 2003 > > > > > > Not long before it was revealed that Gov. Jeb Bush planned to close the > > Florida State Library, lay off the entire staff and move the collection > to > > Florida State University, the governor issued a proclamation declaring > > February as Florida Library Appreciation Month. > > Bush, who has said promotion of reading is a top priority of his second > > term, wants to shut down the state's main library and move almost 1 > million > > books and historical items, including 16th-century maps, early documents > on > > Walt Disney World and some of the oldest photos of Florida. > > > > The budget-cutting move has drawn fire, and even FSU said it doesn't > have > > space or money to house the items. > > > > Parts of FSU's own collection are in warehouses, and the university > > wouldn't get any more money or staff to deal with the new collections. > > > > Told last week that the flap doesn't seem to be going away, Bush > answered, > > "So, stop writing about it." > > > > The governor's proclamation praised the importance of libraries and said > > > the month is "to encourage recognition of all of our Florida libraries > that > > provide outstanding service to our communities." > > > > Good thing he didn't proclaim "Florida Library Year." > > > > > > > > >

Below is a column that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel today. Please pay attention to Bush's answer - and continue contacting your representatives and senators. The library staff has already been notified their jobs will cease as of July 1. There are many other indications that Bush fully believes that this initiative will pass. This must be stopped. In the future, trying to recreate what we now have will cost much more than will be "saved" by this ill planned moved. Many valuable assets will more than likely be lost to Florida researchers. If the collection is given to a university or private institution (which is a distinct possibility according to another news article) I am sure they will require a written agreement that will preclude these items being returned since this will also require a great deal of money be invested to create a place to house the collection. Bush wants to close book on library flap By John Kennedy | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted February 2, 2003 Not long before it was revealed that Gov. Jeb Bush planned to close the Florida State Library, lay off the entire staff and move the collection to Florida State University, the governor issued a proclamation declaring February as Florida Library Appreciation Month. Bush, who has said promotion of reading is a top priority of his second term, wants to shut down the state's main library and move almost 1 million books and historical items, including 16th-century maps, early documents on Walt Disney World and some of the oldest photos of Florida. The budget-cutting move has drawn fire, and even FSU said it doesn't have space or money to house the items. Parts of FSU's own collection are in warehouses, and the university wouldn't get any more money or staff to deal with the new collections. Told last week that the flap doesn't seem to be going away, Bush answered, "So, stop writing about it." The governor's proclamation praised the importance of libraries and said the month is "to encourage recognition of all of our Florida libraries that provide outstanding service to our communities." Good thing he didn't proclaim "Florida Library Year."

Forgive this off topic, but in a way, is genealogy related. I need an old fashioned homemade quilt by May 1st. I will pay a reasonable price or I will accept a donation. The purpose it to give to someone special at a family reunion. A used one in very good condition is acceptable. Liz Gerlits Palm Bay, FL ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Recipes from Family, Friends & Strangers," by Liz Gerlits (a cookbook with a genealogy flavor). Email me privately at [email protected] for details.

Hi Liz I have a first cousin who lives in the country outside Cullman, AL and she is now over 80 years old and a widow. She still hands sews quilts of various sorts and colors. While growing up as a small boy I was 20 years her junior so I would watch her making quilts for her family - she had 12 children in all. She would milk the cows, pick the grapes for juice and jams, can vegetables from her garden, all done while her husband helped the owner of their farm (share croppers) with the other tasks. She has been a lady I have admired for her tenacity and sewing skills. Her eldest daughter now sews wedding gowns and does prototype wedding gowns for several national companies. My cousin does not get a bundle of money for her quilts as she does them only to give herself something to do to keep busy in the winters in North Alabama. If you would like to see a photo of one I will take a digital photo of one here at my house and send to you. I would guess about $100 for the quilt would be the asking price but it is truly a handsewn quilt and done with love. Just let me know Alvie L. Davidson CGRS Lakeland, Florida http://www.floridadetective.net "Keep smiling and keep 'em guessing what you are up to!" --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now

The report on the Florida State Library has made it to the Jeff Rense site. ...almost 1 million documents being displaced by state budget downsizing and the elimination of the Florida State Library. http://www.rense.com/general34/fabulousfloridastate.htm Would it help to get the "local news" involved? Haven't heard anything on their reports yet. I don't watch much television though, so could have missed it. Sharon

The PDF which lists our representatives and their addresses appears to be corrupted. I have downloaded it to my computer and it works fine with Adobe Acrobat 5.1. I can transfer it to anyone who might wish to have a copy. Alvie L. Davidson CGRS Lakeland, Florida http://www.floridadetective.net "Keep smiling and keep 'em guessing what you are up to!" --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now

I searched the net til I found another page which gives FL Government addresses such as the Senator and Representative offices and Email. Works fine: http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/fefdl/counties/polk.html Alvie L. Davidson CGRS Lakeland, Florida http://www.floridadetective.net "Keep smiling and keep 'em guessing what you are up to!" --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now

Is anyone able to bring up the addresses of the Members of the House of Representatives? I keep getting a frozen page done in PDF. I have written the web master and the Speaker of the House Byrd. Alvie L. Davidson CGRS Lakeland, Florida http://www.floridadetective.net "Keep smiling and keep 'em guessing what you are up to!" --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now

Here is an email I sent to my legislators. I am very concerned that the Secretary of State has already met with librarians on this, thus indicating it might be a foregone conclusion. I missed this part of the article since I read it hurriedly. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/5018483.htm How can this be? Here is a quote from the article above. We recently discussed this subject on the phone, and I mentioned that the librarians already think their job is ended July 1. Yet the legislature has not met. Excuse me, but there is something very wrong about this picture. Read this quote: ..."Kent Detzner, interim Secretary of State, met with library employees to explain job counseling and transfer options and said, "We are going to assist them in every way we can." He has assured rural counties, 30 of which depend on state grants for more than half their budget, that the grants program will continue. And while many details remain to be decided, he promised the state library collection and services will "remain available to the citizens." "What the governor's budget has done is challenge us all to think of better ways for government to operate," Detzner said. "This is just one of the areas where the governor had to make tough choices...."" How can they be explaining all this to employees when it has NOT happened yet. Or has it? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx Sydney Cardner

The Southern Genealogist's Exchange Society is now collecting articles for its second volume of "Pioneers of Florida's First Coast." You do not have to be a member of SGES in order to submit an article. You do not have to be related to the person you write about. Here are the criteria: Must have lived in Duval, Clay, Nassau, Baker or St. Johns County, FL prior to 1920. The article should contain as much genealogical information as can be proven or concluded from evidence. It should be in paragraph form, not a printed Family Group Sheet or Ancestry Chart. It is appreciated if sources are cited. No deadline has been set, but we really want to publish this volume in 2003. Please don't wait to submit your article(s). Good quality pictures which can be copied may also be included. There is no charge. The published book will be for sale by the Society later. Copies of the first volume (good looking hard back and excellent print) are selling out, but can be seen at our library at ! 6215 Sauterne Dr., Jacksonville. This is a perfect opportunity to preserve the history of your friends and/or ancestors. For more information, you my contact our library via telephone 778-1000 during the hours of operation, or via email: [email protected] Check our Website at http://sgesjax.tripod.com. Jon Furgeson, SGES President

Can someone tell me where Evergreen Cemetery is located in Jacksonville, FL? Thanks, John

The Southern Genealogist's Exchange Society will meet on Saturday, February 8, at the SGES Library, at 6215 Sauterne Dr., in Jacksonville, at 10 a.m. The program will feature guest speaker Mike Clark, the Reader Advocate for the Florida Times Union newspaper. He will share family history and some of his collection of 200 family letters from the Civil War. For further information, call 904-778-1000, or check the Web site at http://sgesjax.tripod.com. All meetings are open to the public at no charge. _________________________ Ed Murfin, SGES Public Relations Chair ___________________________________

I took Alvie's link directly to the story. The Ledger makes their links too long. www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2003301290467&Profile=1004 ,,,"House Speaker Johnnie Byrd is looking for companies that could place thousands of unsolicited, prerecorded phone calls an hour from state representatives to Florida residents. According to documents obtained from Byrd's office by The Palm Beach Post, the calls would be made to "better inform constituents about the important work being done in Tallahassee by the Florida House of Representatives. The Republican speaker is asking companies if they could make 50,000 30-second calls an hour and what that would cost...." I have call-intercept to stop calls like this. It is a good idea to communicate, but he has already spent a lot decorating his office, like over half a million. Everyone should have to cut back. Communication is good, but maybe there are cheaper ways. Anyway here is the article. Shows that not all have to cut back. www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2002212210350 ..."Just two years after spending millions to renovate the Capitol, the two new leaders of the Florida Legislature decided to spend more than $1.5 million to spiff up their offices over the last few months..." ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alvie L. Davidson CGRS" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 7:15 PM Subject: [FLORIDA] Re: Florida State Library Closing--Info > > Well, if the new speaker of the House of Representatives will dismiss about 10 people on his padded staff (http://www.theledger.com). Rep. Byrd thinks that a bunch of people on his staff making phone calls will help Florida. > > He needs to have his budget chopped down so some can go to the library fund. > > > Alvie L. Davidson CGRS > Lakeland, Florida > http://www.floridadetective.net > "Keep smiling and keep 'em guessing what you are up to!" > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now >

Well, if the new speaker of the House of Representatives will dismiss about 10 people on his padded staff (http://www.theledger.com). Rep. Byrd thinks that a bunch of people on his staff making phone calls will help Florida. He needs to have his budget chopped down so some can go to the library fund. Alvie L. Davidson CGRS Lakeland, Florida http://www.floridadetective.net "Keep smiling and keep 'em guessing what you are up to!" --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now