Augusta Public Library Local History and Genealogy

What do zombies create in the library?

Dead silence.

Thank you to Jimmy Morris for bringing a smile to our faces!

Every October, Reese Library Special Collections celebrates Georgia Archives Month.

Georgia Archives Month is a way to celebrate the value of Georgia’s historical records, publicize the many ways historical records enrich our lives, and recognize those who maintain our communities’ historical records. This also is the ideal time to call attention to your organization or local government and its work in preserving Georgia’s documentary heritage.

This year, Reese Library Special Collections will observe the designated month with two lectures highlighting Augusta State University’s rich past.

Mapping Memories: From Arsenal to ASU
Join Dr. Christopher Murphy, professor emeritus of anthropology, as he virtually demolishes the campus and rebuilds it from 1875 to the present day.
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2:30 p.m., 160 University Hall

Standing on History
Take a trip back in time with Bill Wells, local historian, and get ready to “see” the men, munitions, animals, and living quarters of the working Augusta Arsenal.
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2:30 p.m., Arsenal Quad

A reproduction of the earliest known Augusta Arsenal Map (1830-1874) also will be displayed alongside other Arsenal and campus maps from Oct. 18-Nov. 1.

For more information, about these events or other Georgia Archives Month-related events, contact Carol Waggoner-Angleton, Special Collections Librarian, at 706-667-4904 or spcoll@aug.edu.

Thank you to Lillian Wan for bringing these important events to our attention!

Don Rhodes will speak at 2:00 in the auditorium about Butterfly McQueen. He interviewed her twice and also found her Emmy in the rubble of her house after her death. Following his talk, we will play the digital oral history of her interview with Gary Swint. The interview was recorded over twenty years ago. We will also who a slide presentation of pictures from her professional life.

Pastor Goodman and Tabernacle Baptist Church have generously donated about 300 African American funeral programs to add to Georgia Room’s funeral home collection. The names from the funeral programs have not been added to the database yet- this will occur this coming week. You can read more about the funeral program collection here: http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/richmond-neighbors/2012-07-17/funeral-program-collection-offers-insight-community

By Aspasia Luster

Monday, September 17^th, marked the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. NPR replayed a very interesting and enlightening interview with Drew Gilpin Faust, a history professor and president of Harvard University. Ms. Faust wrote a book in 2008, titled This Republic of Suffering.  In this book, Faust details how the Civil war affected the everyday life of Americans ,changed the American idea of death and the afterlife, and prompted the military to organize more efficient burials and next of kin notifications. You can read a transcript of the interview here: http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=161544181

by Aspasia Luster

We have some programs coming up in October and November that may be of interest. On October 18th we will have program in the computer lab about exploring the 1940 census. Next is a walking tour of Magnolia Cemetery on October 31st. Can’t let the kids have all the fun! It will be about the symbolism on gravestones. Then on November 18th Erik Montgomery has been kind enough to agree to have another walking tour of downtown Augusta. He will discuss historic buildings and their architecture. Mark your calendars!

If you would like to express your dismay and displeasure over the Georgia Archives closing to the public, we have provided a quick reference sheet on who to contact:

Governor Nathan Deal

If you would like to express your dismay and displeasure over the Georgia Archives closing to the public, we have provided a quick reference sheet on who to contact:

Governor Nathan Deal
206 Washington Street
Suite 203, State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-1776
Fax: 404-657-7332

Email the governor here: http://gov.georgia.gov/webform/contact-governor-domestic-form
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle
240 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-5030
Fax: (404) 656-6739

Email the lieutenant governor here: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/contact-lt-governor

Secretary of State Brian Kemp
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-2881
Fax: 404-656-0513

Email the Secretary of State here: http://sos.georgia.gov/cgi-bin/email.asp

Georgia House of Representatives

Lee Anderson (Grovetown) District 117
Capitol Address:
608 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-0298

District Address:
160 Louisville Road
Grovetown, GA 30813
Phone: 706-394-1812
Email: lee.anderson@house.ga.gov

Henry “Wayne” Howard (Augusta) District 121
Capitol Address:
511 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-6372

District Address:
2047B Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Augusta, GA 30901
Phone: 706-722-1123
Email: wayne.howard@house.ga.gov

Quincy Murphy (Augusta) District 120
Capitol Address:
604 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-0265

District Address:
3238 Peach Orchard Road
Augusta, GA 30906
706.790.4600 – Office
706.798.5130 – Fax

Email: quincy.murphy@house.ga.gov

Email the governor here: http://gov.georgia.gov/webform/contact-governor-domestic-form

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle
240 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-5030
Fax: (404) 656-6739

Email the lieutenant governor here: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/contact-lt-governor

Secretary of State Brian Kemp
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-2881
Fax: 404-656-0513

Email the Secretary of State here: http://sos.georgia.gov/cgi-bin/email.asp

Georgia House of Representatives

 Lee Anderson (Grovetown) District 117
Capitol Address:
608 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-0298

District Address:
160 Louisville Road
Grovetown, GA 30813
Phone: 706-394-1812

Email: lee.anderson@house.ga.gov

Henry “Wayne” Howard (Augusta) District 121
Capitol Address:
511 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-6372

District Address:
2047B Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Augusta, GA 30901
Phone: 706-722-1123

Email: wayne.howard@house.ga.gov

Quincy Murphy (Augusta) District 120
Capitol Address:
604 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-0265

District Address:
3238 Peach Orchard Road
Augusta, GA 30906
706.790.4600 – Office
706.798.5130 – Fax

Email: quincy.murphy@house.ga.gov

Barbara Sims (Augusta) District 119
Capitol Address:
508 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-0213

District Address:
10 Retreat Road
Augusta, GA 30909

Email: barbara.sims@house.ga.gov

For a complete list of the Georgia House of Representatives, click here: http://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/HouseMembersList.aspx

Georgia Senate

Hardie Davis, Jr. (Richmond) District 22
PO Box 235
Gracewood 30812
Phone: 706.434.8553
Fax: 866.390.7894
Email: hardie.davis@senate.ga.gov
FAX: 404.657.7853

Jesse Stone (Richmond) District 23
642 Liberty Street
Waynesboro 30830
Phone: 478.237.7029 (O)
Fax: 478.237.9211
Email: jesse.stone@senate.ga.gov
FAX: 404.463.1388

William “Bill” Jacskson (Columbia) District 24
PO Box 528
Appling 30802
Phone: 706.863.5818 (O)
706.541.2307 (H)
706.830.6803 (C)
Fax: 706.541.0197
E-mail: bill.jackson@senate.ga.gov
FAX: 404.651.5795

For a complete list of the Georgia Senate members, click here:

http://www.senate.ga.gov/sos/Documents/PictureBook/senateonly11PB.pdf
by Aspasia Luster

Shocking news was revealed to the genealogy community today with the announcement that the Georgia Archives will be closed to the public effective November 1, 2012. If a researcher wants to access the Georgia Archives, he or she will need to make an appointment with the Archives staff. Unfortunately, the increased budget cut to the Georgia Archives also means that some employees will be losing their jobs. Please contact your state representative and protest this roadblock to information access. You can read more about this story here: http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2012-09-13/georgia-limits-public-access-archives?v=1347598862

by Aspasia Luster

Our Intermediate Genealogy class that was scheduled for this Saturday, the 15^th has been canceled and will be rescheduled later. Keep up to date with any future genealogy events by reading this blog or the library’s monthly newsletter.

by Aspasia Luster