My husband's family was very prominent family in Georgia and Oklahoma also and we could not go directly to documentation on some of them. We had to go through a lot of speculation and hearsay before I found a particular documentation. It started out from a lady that said--I don't know this for a fact but so and so said..........Then on to that so&so and he sent me to another and 5 so&so down the line I finally found the documentation I wanted and needed. I guess what I am trying to say is never turn down speculation or hearsay cause it just may be the clue you need to find documentation and fact. Just because they were prominent in the community does not necessarily mean the records are readily available. Helen From: Maureen McCarthy <jmm1682@worldnet.att.net> To: <GA-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 12:53 PM Subject: [GA-Roots] Official documentation > > Wanted: Official documentation / proof of relationship of Israel BIRD (father) and William BIRD (son). > Not wanted: Speculation or hearsay - Have excellent resources for both. > > Considering the, documented, public offices held by Israel BIRD and William BIRD, some of which are noted below, and their standing in the communities of Bryan, Bulloch, Screven and Effingham Counties, GA, it seems unlikely, to me, that there would be no available proof of their relationship. > > ISRAEL BIRD born 1738 > JP, Effingham Co., 1784-1789. JP, Screven Co., 1795-1796 > HR, Effingham Co., 1785, 1786, 1789-1790 > > WILLIAM BIRD born 1776 > JP, Effingham Co., 1806-, 1799-1812 (p. 387) > HR, Effingham Co., 1812 > > This IS my brick wall and will welcome documented proof or directions in obtaining documentation. > > Thank you, > Maureen in CA >