Local History & Family History Programs: January 29 - March 14, 2020

Since August 2019, the BDC has held 15 programs at 5 locations with 744 attendees. The BDC goes "on the road" with its next five programs before returning to Beaufort Branch (311 Scott Street, 1st floor) on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Ron Roth reprises his Author Book Talk about The Civil War in the South Carolina Lowcountry on Wednesday at Bluffton Branch.

Two of the three programs scheduled for February are being held in honor of National Black History Month.

We begin with an author panel to talk about the soon-to-be released Gullah Days: Hilton Head Islanders Before the Bridge, 1861 - 1956. Local luminaries Tom Barnwell, Jr., Dr. Emory Campbell, and Carolyn Grant will share their memories and research about what was like to live on the Island before large scale real estate development occurred. Formal publication is scheduled for February 11, 2020 so attendees will get the first look - and hear the first talk the authors will give - about the completed book at this BDC program.

Family history is sometimes called the #1 hobby in America - though fishing is named by other sources as #1. I like to think that fishing for family members is what genealogy is all about. Toni Carrier, Executive Director of the International African American Museum's Center for Family History returns on February 15 to lecture about how you can find evidence relating to your ancestor's Civil War service in the Federal United States Colored Troops at St. Helena Branch Library. The workshop is divided into two parts: Part 1 is the lecture; Part 2 is an opportunity for guided practice.

The lecture is free and open to anyone who would like to attend and we have room for over 100 people. However, the St. Helena Branch Library's computer lab is rather small so we are requiring pre-registration for the guided practice session. Folks who have their own laptops or electronic devices can participate using their personal electronic equipment and the Library's WI-FI. 

• Register for this workshop by calling the fine folks at the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission to save a seat for you: 843-818-4587. 

Can't make it to our session? Ms. Carrier is offering other sessions in Charleston County Public Library branch locations on February 1 and February 8. This African American family history workshop is brought to you by the Charleston County Public Library, the Beaufort County Library, the Center for Family History of the International African American Museum, and the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission.

Neil Baxley brings another law enforcement/historical topic to the BDC local history series on February 20 at Bluffton Branch. His talk back in August about "Bootlegging in Beaufort District and Beyond" whetted everyone's appetite to explore more law and order topics. He's obliging us with "Dueling in Beaufort District" from colonial times to the late 19th century. The Union causeway in the southern part of the district was a popular location for settling matters of honor, particularly for Georgians who wanted to be out of the reach of Georgia authorities. 

Looking into March: 

Thursday, March 12th  - "Historically Speaking" 1.4 lecture presents Dr. Larry Rowland on 1920s Beaufort at St. Helena Branch Library. Registration is now open on the Beaufort County Historical Society's website https://www.beaufortcountyhistoricalsociety.com.

Saturday, March 14th - The BDC participates in the Beaufort History Museum's Living History Encampment with a booth on Craven Street, 10 AM - 1 PM and "Women of Civil War Beaufort" with Cora Newcomb at 2 PM in the Beaufort Branch Meeting Room. First come, first seated.  

Just so you are aware, the Beaufort County Council has added "Presidents Day" to the County's list of holidays. Thus, all units of the Beaufort County Library will be closed Monday, February 17, 2020.