This Brightwell Ancestors and Decendancy research begins with Len Reynolds Brightwell of Crenshaw Co. Alabama. The Brightwell family came to the USA and settled in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. There were Reynolds Brightwell men in those areas but we have not been able to connect our Len Reynolds Brightwell to the descendancy line yet. This Brightwell family settled in Crenshaw Co. and Covington Co. Alabama. Since then the Brightwell family has spread out throughout Alabama and numerous states but the ancestry of this book mainly deals with those older generations in Alabama.
Searching for your Alabama ancestors? Looking for historical facts? Dates? Events? This book will lead you to the places where you'll find answers. Here are hundreds of direct sources--governmental, archival, agency, online--that will help you access information vital to your investigation. Tracing Your Alabama Past sets out to identify the means and the methods for finding information on people, places, subjects, and events in the long and colorful history of this state known as the crossroads of Dixie. It takes researchers directly to the sources that deliver answers and information. This comprehensive reference book leads to the wide array of essential facts and data--public records, census figures, military statistics, geography, studies of African American and Native American communities, local and biographical history, internet sites, archives, and more. For the first time Alabama researchers are offered a how-to book that is not just a bibliography. Such complex sources as Alabama's biographical/genealogical materials, federal land records, Civil WarÂ-era resources, and Native American sources are discussed in detail, along with many other topics of interest to researchers seeking information on this diverse Deep South state. Much of the book focuses on national sources that are covered elsewhere only in passing, if at all. Other books only touch on one subject area, but here, for the first time, are directions to the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
At an early age, I recall hearing many stories told by my elders about the tiny town of Blue Springs and the remarkable people who lived in and around it. I used many of these tales as bedtime stories for my children and grandchildren. Many people urged me to record these stories in writing. Additionally I noticed at an early age how highly esteemed and respected my father was in the community because of his total dedication to his medical practice and how he conducted it. I have also wanted to leave some sort of written tribute for my children and grandchildren about what remarkable people their ancestors were, especially my parents and grandparents. Finally, for a small boy, the tiny little town of Blue Springs was a natural paradise in which to grow up. Springs, swamps, a river, fields and forests abounded. I wanted to tell my children and grandchildren what it was like. I also want them to know, appreciate, and attempt to add to their genealogy. These are the reasons for this book.
Mary Gordon Duffee wrote: "When the drums beat, and the bugles called for men to march to the front, I tell you old Blount responded nobly, and sent hundreds of her gallant sons to march, fight, suffer and die for the flag that now lies furled forever." This series of books attempts to identify all the Confederate soldiers who enlisted in organizations from the Blount County area, along with those who moved to Blount County after the Civil War. Whole company rosters are captured and entire service records, pension applications, birth dates, spouses and marriage dates, newspaper clippings and obituaries, and dozens of pictures are contained in these volumes. This is the first time ever all this information has been available in a single reference book. Volume 3 contains information on soldiers who enlisted in other Alabama organizations and those who moved to Blount County after the Civil War. These books are vital to any serious student of Blount County, Alabama genealogy and history.
Much has been written about men who joined the Federal Army from the so-called Hill Country in Alabama which included Winston County. Little has been written about the men who enlisted from Winston in the Confederacy. Surprisingly, the number of Winston County Confederates almost matched the number of those who supported the Union. Many important Confederate officers hailed from Winston County. The book begins with an essay describing the Forgotten Winston County Confederates. Following is an alphabatized list of all Confederate soldiers associated with Winston County including those that moved in after the war. Information includes service records, pension applications, birth, marriage, and death information. The book is filled with rare photos and obituaries. Additional information includes articles on Captain White's Mail Guard and the Winston County Rough and Ready Volunteers. Full name index. This book is important to students of Winston County History.
Describes the society and the institutions that went down during the Civil War and Reconstruction and the internal conditions of Alabama during the war. Emphasizes the social and economic problems in the general situation, as well as the educational, religious, and industrial aspects of the period.
