Thanks for your help -- When the South seceded from the Union, the Southerners renounced their United States citizenship; and when the South surrendered, the Confederacy ceased to exist, leaving the former " Rebels" without citizenship. In order to regain their U.S. citizenship, the Southerners were required to sign a loyalty oath to the United States. According to President Andrew Johnson's Amnesty Proclamation, Union Sympathizers, Blacks and the common class of Southerners could sign the loyalty oath, regain citizenship and resume their lives. The Reconstruction Act of March 13, 1867 required the commanding officer in each military district to have, before September 1, a registration of all qualified voters in each county. These lists would be used to determine all who would be eligible to vote for any proposed Constitutional Convention in the state. A search of the Georgia Department of Archives and History in Atlanta, Georgia revealed that a "Summer Gibbins" (Givens) was listed in the "The Reconstruction Returns of Voters Under the Reconstruction Act - 1867." This record can be found in Drawer 297/Microfilm Box #15/Negative/GRG 4-354/Georgia. Executive Department, Returns of Qualified Voters Under the Reconstruction Act - 1867/Volume 47, District 15, Irwin County. This record lists voter's number (#82), date of registration (August 20, 1867), name (Summer Gibbins), book (A) and page (Page 440) in Oath Book, race (Colored), time of residence in state (12 months), county and precinct within a year (432nd Precinct, Senatorial District No. 15, Irwin County, Georgia). Also located in the Georgia Department of Archives and History in Atlanta, Georgia were the "Reconstruction Registration Oath Books (1867)". This record can be found in Drawer 296, Microfilm Box #35 / Negative / GRG 3-3069 / Georgia. Executive Department, Reconstruction Registration Oath Books - 1867/Volume 88, District 15, Irwin County. This record lists name (Summer Gibbins), date of registration (August 20, 1867), and county of residence (432nd Precinct, Senatorial District No. 15, Irwin County, Georgia). I also made a copy of the entire voters registration list for Irwin County. If you would like me to check for a relative, let me know. Gene Givens Abingdon, MD