You now know where you want to go on your first stop up your family tree and you’ve given some thought to a filing system that will work for you. It is now time to start fleshing out that family tree that is hidden just around the corner. You just have to get started. Most … Continue reading Start with What Your Know – Genealogy Tips – Build out the Foundation of Your Tree
The Shadow Occupation in the Florida Panhandle – Ancestors Bootlegging for Fun and Profit
Sooner or later if you study and/or write about America, the South, or the Florida panhandle, you will likely find references to the making of moonshine. I did not have to find my first reference to this once shadowy endeavor, my grandfather spent a year in the Atlanta Penitentiary after being picked up for his … Continue reading The Shadow Occupation in the Florida Panhandle – Ancestors Bootlegging for Fun and Profit
Too Many Files – Genealogy Tips – Slay the Dragon with Organization
I know of no better way to find yourself eyeball deep in information than to get busy collecting lots of stuff about possible ancestors. When I started many years ago, the majority of what you collected was either loose paper or entries in a notebook when you went to the library or on a walkabout … Continue reading Too Many Files – Genealogy Tips – Slay the Dragon with Organization
To Plan or Not to Plan – Genealogy Tips
I should do a confession at the beginning of this post. I spent years working as a planner, and then as an executive with multiple planning functions in my division. I find life a bit easier if I have a general idea where I want to go and I have at least a few steps … Continue reading To Plan or Not to Plan – Genealogy Tips
“The New County of Bay, a Paradise for the Homeseeker, Agriculturist and Sportsman”, Pensacola Journal, 12 April 1914
Bay County was one of the late-comer counties in the panhandle. It was created from Calhoun and Washington Counties in 1913 at the same time that Walton County obtained a significant shoreline from Washington County. Two years later, Okaloosa County was formed from Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. Unlike the other postings in this series … Continue reading “The New County of Bay, a Paradise for the Homeseeker, Agriculturist and Sportsman”, Pensacola Journal, 12 April 1914
Intro to Getting Started – Genealogy Tips – Plan, Organize, Interview
I'm going to start this new series on genealogy at the very beginning. Some who follow me may think this is way too basic. Stay with me. You might find a point or two that will help you with what you've accumulated and what you still haven't found, or lost in the piles of material … Continue reading Intro to Getting Started – Genealogy Tips – Plan, Organize, Interview
“Walton County – Great West Florida Empire” – 16 March 1913
If your ancestors helped settle the Florida panhandle in the early 19th century, at some point they lived in either Escambia, Walton or Jackson counties because that was the earliest panhandle counties. In 1821, Escambia was the only county in the panhandle. The following year Jackson was added. In 1823, Gadsden separated the eastern part … Continue reading “Walton County – Great West Florida Empire” – 16 March 1913
Visiting the Florida State Hospital at Chattahoochee
If you are a native-born Floridian you have several thoughts when someone mentions Chattahoochee. One, it is a major river that flows into the Apalachicola River which in turn separates the Florida panhandle into east and west Florida. Two, it is a town on Highway 90 near the Apalachicola River and three, it is the … Continue reading Visiting the Florida State Hospital at Chattahoochee
The Original Tiny Houses
Today there is a growing movement to downscale the size of homes. For some of us, when we see folks trying to live in 300 square feet, we wonder how and why. But our ancestors had much larger families in not much more space. Let’s look in detail at the homes of our ancestors. Start … Continue reading The Original Tiny Houses
Santa Rosa County – West Florida’s Garden Spot – 27 April 1913
We are back to visiting the past through sections of The Pensacola Journal. This post will look at Santa Rosa County just before a large section of the eastern part of the county went to form Okaloosa County. I will admit, upfront, that I have a soft spot for Santa Rosa County so I will … Continue reading Santa Rosa County – West Florida’s Garden Spot – 27 April 1913
