RELEASE DATE: JULY 13, 2008
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Over the years, Betty C. Wiltshire has assembled several interesting series of books that have been particularly useful to genealogists. Recently, she completed VOLUME I in her newest series, CONFEDERATE CASUALTIES OF THE WAR FOR SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE.
Although now commonly known in the United States as the Civil War, the tragic conflict has had other titles, depending on which side the people or their descendants discussing it fought. Among the names are the War between the States, the War of the Rebellion, the War of the Secession, the War of Northern Aggression, and the War for Southern Independence. Regardless of the term used, it was larger than any previous American war. As a result, more Americans lost their lives--usually from disease rather than from wounds--than in any other war. The illustration on the book's front cover shows a scene in one destructive battle.
By releasing this latest series, Wiltshire strives to honor the memory of deceased Southern soldiers by attempting to compile a comprehensive list of their names, which are arranged alphabetically. Available facts about individuals may vary. The entry for Henry WHITINGTON, for example, only shows that he served with Co. I, 25th LA, and died in Hinds Co., Miss., in 1862. However, the entry for C. M. WHITTINGTON is more informative, stating that he was a private, served in Co. K, 2nd Texas Infantry, and was interred on 10 April 1862 in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, TN. Most entries usually furnish brief details about the person's service, death, and burial place.
Utilizing a variety of sources, Wiltshire gathers information on individuals who died in minor skirmishes as well as in major fights, are buried in small family graveyards as well as in large Confederate cemeteries, and whose rank ranged from general to private to guerrilla. Her list of references and data about locations of battles, hospitals, prisons, and burials conclude the publication. Libraries and interested family researchers will want to add a copy of CONFEDERATE CASUALTIES OF THE WAR FOR SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE, VOLUME I to their genealogical collections.
The 317-page paperback costs $40.00 postpaid. It may be purchased from Pioneer Publishing Co., P. O. Box 408, Carrollton, MS 38917 (phone 662-237-6010; e-mail [email protected]; website www.pioneersoutheast.com).
Bonnie Bright Johannes, 5594 North 10th, Apt. 103, Fresno, CA 93710-6586 (e-mail: [email protected]) would appreciate information all on BRIGHT families in North Carolina from the 1600s to 1800, especially those who settled in Craven and McDowell counties, NC, as well as in Bath Co., VA. She is also interested in the REEL family as well as the BRIGHT, BROUGHTON, and HAMMONDS families in Knox Co., KY, and those related to this line who have muscular dystrophy in their family tree. Johannes believes the disease may come from the BRIGHT family but needs to pinpoint its origin. Primarily, male family members, both in past and present generations, inherited the disease.
This death notice can be found on page 3, column 5 of the 18 Feb 1836 (Vol. XIII, No. 12) issue of the Staunton Spectator and General Advertiser, published in Staunton, VA:
"Died, very suddenly, on Mon. night last, at the house of Dr. ALLEN, in this county, the Rev. Dr. Conrad SPEECE, for many years Pastor of the Augusta church...."
On 13 September 2008, the East Texas Genealogical Society will host an all-day seminar in Tyler. Featured speaker will be Desmond Walls Allen, who will present a two-hour problem-solving workshop which covers a systemic approach to tracing difficult ancestors. In addition, she will lecture on Confederate military research and DNA. For more information, e-mail Scott Fitzgerald at [email protected].