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Genealogy and the Civil War

6/25/2013

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PictureDr. Lee E. Wilson, DDS / Author
Was My Great Grand Pappy Really a Civil War Soldier?   
                                                                                                 Carla Love Maitland 
As a native Memphian and a former history teacher, I’ve learned so much about the city of my birth over the years and at one time even developed and taught special interest courses about Memphis to middle school students. Nevertheless, I constantly learn new and amazing things about the city’s history. Since the beginning of the commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2011, I’ve acquired even more knowledge about Memphis and the surrounding area. The involvement and significance of this area during the Civil War is so much more than most people realize.

I do know that my understanding increased tremendously after the presentation given to the Tennessee Genealogical Society by Dr. Lee Eugene Wilson on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Dr. Wilson, a dentist by profession, is a Civil War enthusiast and author of two published books* relating an ancestor’s story of love, war, and survival in the turbulent years in the Western Theatre of Operations in the Civil War. The stories are based on facts and documents passed along through his family. He has a third book in the series due to come out in July. The name of his presentation was "Genealogy and the Civil War - or Was my Great Grand Pappy Really in the Civil War and How do I Find Out?" 

Lee, as he asked us to call him, explained that he caught the “history bug” due to those many family stories told over the years. He is a native Mississippian, born in the small town of Duck Hill, who has lived in the Memphis area for around thirty years. The knowledge he’s gained of the history of this region is extraordinary. Lee described the numerous Union encampments that were established after the fall of Memphis to Union forces on June 6, 1862. He described the importance of these areas as well as the Confederate bases and forays into those Union forts, resulting in frequent battles in this area.  He used a series of modern-day photos to help the audience put into perspective exactly where those camps, forts and engagements took place, as well as other places of historical significance.

PictureDr. Jay Bobo; Shelby County Historical Commission / Dr. Lee E. Wilson; author* / Tina Sansone; Vice President, TN Genealogical Society
















As Lee said, most people who live in this area don’t realize how much activity actually happened during the 1860s around Memphis, Germantown and Collierville. In truth, most of us in attendance didn’t. He also brought with him a sampling of some of the sabers, swords, bayonets and rifles used during the Civil War. Even more interesting was his own family’s Bible and other memorabilia that were on display for people to look at and examine.
  
Lee’s presentation began with a chart showing what an incredible toll the Civil War took as far as the loss of population in the United States. Although around 650,000 casualties are the current numbers generally given, historians are increasing those numbers based on census records that continue to show the actual ‘missing generations’ of men after the 1860 census. 

Another part of Lee’s presentation had to do with the many websites, books, and other resources that he used to research his own family and that are available for anyone to use in order to find out if their own ancestor or ancestors participated in the Northern or Southern forces during that time period. He went into detail regarding a few of them, describing how to use them for the best research results.                                             

Picture
Lee told so many engaging stories that people were truly disappointed when his presentation ended. The time went by way too quickly. It is a certainty that Dr. Lee Wilson will be asked back soon to delight us with even more of his vast knowledge of this time period.  After all, the Sesquicentennial won’t end until 2015!

*Once a Southern Soldier: A Novel of the Civil War; Copyright @2011 by Dr. Lee E. Wilson.

Always a Southern Soldier
(The second book in the series Once a Southern Soldier); Copyright @2012 by Dr. Lee E. Wilson. 

Forever a Southern Soldier (The third book in the series Once a Southern Soldier); July 2013 release by Dr. Lee E. Wilson. 
                                                                                       Photos by Jim Bobo
                                                                                                                                                                   

1 Comment

March Events and May Seminar

3/5/2013

0 Comments

 
March 2013 Events:

Mark your calendar and participate in these learning experiences with other family researchers. Unless otherwise noted, all classes and programs are: 1) free and open to the public, and 2) held in the Tennessee Genealogical Society lecture room in the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center, 7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN 38138. For details call 901-413-7995 or email Tina Sansone: tinahsansone@gmail.com

Genealogy Journaling (Journaling classes held the second Thursday of the month) 
Thursday, March 07 ~ 10:30am to 12:00n  ~ TnGenSoc Lecture Room 
Discussion of writing techniques, topics and stories. You're welcome to bring your laptop or notebook and pen. No registration is required for this class.

Genealogy Toolbox / Quarterly Membership Meeting
Saturday, March 16 ~ 10:30am to 12:00n ~ TnGenSoc Lecture Room 
Come learn tips on organizing research databases and links you discover. We will also discuss what to put in your genealogy toolbox to take on road trips. 

Field Trip: Morton Museum of Collierville History
Thursday, March 21 ~ 11:00am to 12:00n ~ The Morton Museum of Collierville History is located at 196 North Main Street, Collierville, TN 38017 (At the intersection of Poplar Avenue and Main Street). Lunch after museum tour is optional. Meet at the Morton Museum of Collierville History or, if you need transportation, contact Tina Sansone at 901-413-7955 or email tinahsansone@gmail.com. No registration is required for this field trip.

Spring Lecture Series: Each Thursday @ 7:00 pm, March 28 – May 02
Thursday, March 28 ~ 7:00pm to 8:00pm (50-55 minute lecture with a 10 minute break) ~ TnGenSoc Lecture Room 
Guest speaker Jimmy Ogle, well known as a local historian and an 'urban explorer,' will discuss Memphis Goes to War.

Let's Discuss It (genealogy/computer discussion group)
Saturday, March 30 ~ 10:00 am to 12:00n ~ TnGenSoc Lecture Room 
The first part of the session will be led by Debbie Atchley. Bring up your topic of interest and/or soak up the knowledge from the round table. The last 30 minutes will be led by P.Z. Horton who will answer questions about Family Tree Maker software. If time allows, P.Z. will demonstrate some advanced features in Family Tree Maker. No registration is required for this program. "Let's Discuss It" handouts available for download.
2013 Spring Seminar ~ Lisa Louise Cooke ~ Producer/Host of The Genealogy Gems Podcast
Picture
2013 Spring Seminar ~ Saturday, May 04 ~ 9:00 am to 3:15 pm 
Registration Form and Seminar Schedule available as download: PDF 
Registration: $20.00 TGS members — $25.00 nonmembers 

Lisa Louise Cooke ~ Producer/Host of The Genealogy Gems Podcast ~ a free online genealogy audio show. Episodes feature research strategies, expert interviews and much more. Featured speaker Lisa Louise Cooke has an impressive bio and website. 

Registration at door begins at 8:30 am, Pickering Center, 7771 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN (Next to the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center, 7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN)

Tennessee Genealogical Society
Guest Speaker Lisa Louise Cooke 
9:00 am to 3:15 pm — Saturday, May 04, 2013 

Registration Form and Seminar Schedule available as download: PDF / Or registration at door begins at 8:30 am

Pickering Center 
7771 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN
(Next to the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center, 7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN) 

For more information, contact Tina Sansone at 901-413-7955 or email tinahsansone@gmail.com 

0 Comments

February Events and May Seminar

2/6/2013

0 Comments

 
February 2013 Events:

Mark your calendar and participate in these learning experiences with other family researchers. Unless otherwise noted, all classes and programs are: 1) free and open to the public, and 2) held in the 
Tennessee Genealogical Society lecture room in the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center, 7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN 38138. For details call 901-413-7995 or email Tina Sansone: tinahsansone@gmail.com

African American Genealogy  
Saturday, February 09 ~ 10:30 am to 12:00n  ~ TnGenSoc Lecture Room 
Come learn how to get started doing your family history; focus on African American resources.

Early American Roads and Trails
Saturday, February 16 ~ 10:30 am to 12:00n ~ TnGenSoc Lecture Room 
Come learn about the early roads and trails our ancestors traveled leaving clues along the way.

CANCELLED / WILL RESCHEDULE: Field Trip: Morton Museum of Collierville History
Thursday, February 21 ~ 11:00 am to 12:00n ~ The Morton Museum of Collierville History is located at 196 North Main Street, Collierville, TN 38017 (At the intersection of Poplar Avenue and Main Street). Lunch after museum tour is optional. Meet at the Morton Museum of Collierville History or, if you need transportation, contact Tina Sansone at 901-413-7955 or email tinahsansone@gmail.com. No registration is required for this field trip. CANCELLED / WILL RESCHEDULE

Let's Discuss It (genealogy/computer discussion group)
Saturday, February 23 ~ 10:00 am to 12:00n ~ TnGenSoc Lecture Room 
The first part of the session will be led by Debbie Atchley. Bring up your topic of interest and/or soak up the knowledge from the round table. The last 30 minutes will be led by P.Z. Horton who will answer questions about Family Tree Maker software. If time allows, P.Z. will demonstrate some advanced features in Family Tree Maker. No registration is required for this program. "Let's Discuss It" handouts available for download.
2013 Spring Seminar ~ Lisa Louise Cooke ~ Producer/Host of The Genealogy Gems Podcast
Picture
2013 Spring Seminar ~ Saturday, May 04 ~ 9:00 am to 3:15 pm 
Registration Form and Seminar Schedule available as download: PDF 
Registration: $20.00 TGS members — $25.00 nonmembers 

Lisa Louise Cooke ~ Producer/Host of The Genealogy Gems Podcast ~ a free online genealogy audio show. Episodes feature research strategies, expert interviews and much more. Featured speaker Lisa Louise Cooke has an impressive bio and website. 

Registration at door begins at 8:30 am, Pickering Center, 7771 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN  (Next to the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center, 7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN)

Tennessee Genealogical Society
Guest Speaker Lisa Louise Cooke 
9:00 am to 3:15 pm — Saturday, May 04, 2013 

Registration Form and Seminar Schedule available as download: PDF / Or registration at door begins at 8:30 am

Pickering Center 
7771 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN
(Next to the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center, 7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN) 

For more information, contact Tina Sansone at 901-413-7955 or email tinahsansone@gmail.com 


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