I made 78 posts to the BDC's Facebook page in December 2021. As probably to be expected, many posts were seasonal in nature and/or reflected local history opportunities and several commemorating significant dates in history. The highest ranking posts in December were the ones about Beaufort’s snowstorms (804), the model train display to Beaufort Branch (412), and the “Holiday Spirit” flyer (315) of materials to check out from the Branch Libraries.
By the way, I compiled our FB statistics for all of 2021 earlier this month. I think that we're doing A-okay. According to the year-end statistics, the BDC Facebook page's reach increased by 54.5% over 2020. Facebook defines “reach” this way: The number refers to people who saw any content from your Page or about your Page, including posts, stories, ads, social information from people who interact with your Page and more. Reach is different from impressions, which may include multiple views of your posts by the same people.
Just in case you're wondering: The post with the greatest “reach” of 2021 (1.6K) was made on 18 May 2021 and concerned Joe Lipsitz’s memoir. The second largest “reach” last year (1.2K) came after I posted a flyer of local history materials that we have and share about “The History of Bluffton, SC”.
December 1: "Black History Note:" Gullah Spirituals: The Sound of Freedom and Protest in the South Carolina Sea Islands by Eric Sean Crawford with Bessie Foster Crawford focuses primarily on St. Helena Island's elders and the songs that they sing to express their cultural heritage. He traces the history of the songs from West Africa to the Lowcountry, as links to the past and as visions for a more just future during the Civil Rights Movement. Among the Christmas spirituals are these that you might already know: Go Tell It on de Mountain; Mary had a Baby, Aye Lawd; Mary had a Baby, Sing Hallelu; and Rise Up, Shepherd an' Foller. We have copies to share through the Local History sections at the BCL Branch Libraries, too.
December 8: "Black History Note:" The BDC has some DVDs of popular local performers. For example Gullah Traditions: Fa de Chillun features the Hallelujah Singers who share seasonal favorites, "Silent Night," "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and "'Twas the Night before Christmas" in Gullah. There are also copies of this DVD in the Local History sections at some of our Branch Libraries. Listen to "H" is for the "Hallelujah Singers" by Dr. Walter Edgar as part of the "South Carolina A to Z" series.
December 15: "Black History Note:" The BDC collects some Gullah materials - even when the author is not a "local" in the sense of how the BDC defines "local resident." Case in point: Gullah Night Before Christmas by Virginia Mixson Geraty (1998) is a children's book and Ms. Geraty was a Dorchester and Charleston County resident all her life. Nevertheless I decided to buy one for permanent retention on account of its subject matter (a re-telling of a now classic story in a local traditional language) and the author's reputation as a staunch defender of the Gullah language. We also have her books Bittle en' T'ng and Gullah fuh Oona in the Research Room and some local history sections. BTW: There are plenty of copies of Gullah Night Before Christmas in the children's sections of the Branch Libraries for you to borrow.
December 22: "Black History Note:" Poet Alvin J. Green wrote of "Christmas Music" in his book The Struggle for Peace of a Gullah Mind:
'Give me Mahalia so I can feel the season.Like no other singer, she sets my soul free.'
In my case, it takes Joy: Marlena Smalls and the Hallelujah Singers : A Gullah Christmas (1998) to get me in the holiday spirit. If you like to have music playing in the background, Hoopla, the Library's streaming service, has more than 1000 seasonal musical recordings ranging from medieval Gregorian Chant to Kelly Clarkson's "When Christmas Comes Around" (2021) that you can borrow. Alas, Hoopla has no Hallelujah Singers recordings. But there are plenty of other singers and instrumentals to soundtrack the season for you.
December 29: "Black History Note:" The annual Watch Service rites observed in many of the African American churches on New Year's Eve draws nigh. Earlier this year, I re-discovered another person's description of that Day of Jubilation when the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in the states then in rebellion against the government of the United States. See Connections for Mrs. Hawley's account.
Materials Monday: Letters
I concluded the 2021 theme with the following posts. The first one for December 6 was chosen for its relevancy to the Beaufort History Museum's Civil War Encampment of December 4th:
December 6: "Materials Monday: Letters" The Research Room has a hodge-podge of personal narratives (letters, diaries, memoirs, etc.) of Civil War experiences, both published in book form, from donations and as clippings from newspapers and magazines. There are so many in fact that there are multiple vertical files. I thumbed through the reams of clippings in the "History - Civil War, 1861-1865 - Personal Narratives -- Union" and "History - Civil War, 1861-1865 - Personal Narratives - Confederate" in hopes of finding a reference to the 79th New York Highlanders. Alas, I did not. However, I did find a few personal Union narratives related to men who served with the 56th New York.
James Bell, 56th Regiment New York writes his Brother on July 24, 1864: "Times are rather dull here as there is nothing going on of importance. The Regiment is on picket. We are almost eat-up here by mosquitoes; they are as thick as the hairs on a dog's back."
Complaints about the heat and the bugs is a frequent refrain in many of the personal narratives.
I chose L.B. Harvey's letters because it described what his Christmas Day was like the first year of the Civil War - and because he has some rather famous - and infamous - descendants.
December 13: "Materials Monday: Letters" L.B. Harvey (1822 - 1869), a Sergeant in the Whippy Swamp Guard (a Confederate reserves unit) at the time that he wrote the letter to his wife Lavinia in late December 1861. He shares what's going on in his camp and at his current assignment. The holiday had been a "most beautiful, but lonesome day....I am now standing Pickett at McKay Point right at the head of Broad River at the water's edge. The Yankees are just across the River from us. Only twelve of us are stationed here at a time, .....I do not know now when I will come" [home to visit.]. He explains that no one was granted a Christmas furlough, he's a bit worried about catching the measles, and gives her some directions about how Lewis should handle the farm business and butchering while L.B. is away.
The transcription is easy to read from the photograph. The BDC has the only copies of this booklet in SCLENDS. BTW: L.B. and Lavinia's granddaughter, Etta Lavinia Harvey, would marry Randolph Murdaugh (Sr.). Lowcountry family kith and kin runs deep.
December 20: "Materials Monday: Letters" Here's a poignant letter from a little boy that was printed in the Beaufort Times as a letter to Santa in December 1944. 
He wrote it as the World War II Battle of the Bulge raged. I wonder if his brother fought in that battle. We have the Beaufort Times published between June 1944 and December 1945 on microfilm in our Research Room.
He wrote it as the World War II Battle of the Bulge raged. I wonder if his brother fought in that battle. We have the Beaufort Times published between June 1944 and December 1945 on microfilm in our Research Room.
This post generated some unexpected feedback:
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For a few more local newspaper published Letters to Santa, read the Connections post of 15 December 2021 about the items Cassi picked for the Research Room's Winter Holidays display.
Posts Related to Local History Programs and Activities in and outside of the BDC
December 2: Our friends at the Heritage Library have a lot of activities for the holiday season with historical leanings to share with you. Details.
December 3: Are you a member of a religious organization that would like to set up its own archive or write its own history? The standard Manual Manual for South Carolina Religious Archives and Record Keeping was written by archivist Jeanette Bergeron in 1999. We're lucky that a copy has been posted to the internet. Or you can borrow a copy from the State Library with your valid Beaufort County Library card. PS: If you do write one [a history] for a congregation, church or synagogue or temple that was in Beaufort District or is now in Beaufort County, please be sure to make a copy for the BDC Research Room. We love getting donations of materials relevant to Beaufort District's long and storied history.
December 3: Enjoy images of churches from the BDC's Arnsberger postcard collection. You'll see some of the more historic religious institutions pictured therein.
You, however, can be hospitable - and visit the Beaufort History Museum's Civil War encampment at the Arsenal today. Cassi will be there 10 AM - 2 PM with hand-outs about some of the many Civil War related materials we have in the BDC.
December 6: Getting the hand-outs ready for the Encampment on Saturday, reminded me to share this one about online sources of Civil War photographs with all you faithful BDC Facebook page followers.
December 7: I was one course shy of a minor in Religion as an undergraduate so I found The Means of Grace a very interesting book - which led me to identify other religious history materials here in the Research Room for you. The "Local Church Histories" flyer contains only a few of the many religious history materials that we provide inside the Research Room. Those with the aqua colored stars indicate titles that you can borrow through the SCLENDS catalog - as long as you have a valid library card. [Watch Dr. Plaag's Author Book Talk about The Means of Grace at on the Library's YouTube Channel.]
December 8: Our friends in the Historic Port Royal Foundation are hosting Woody Collins, author of "Where Have All the Shrimp Boats Gone?" on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the museum (1634 Paris Avenue) as part of their annual membership meeting. Details: 843-524-4333
Those who go are sure to see at least a few photos from our collection. BTW: We have copies of the book at the Branch Libraries Local History sections for you to check out. Captain Woody was very gracious and gave the BDC inscribed, signed and numbered copies for permanent retention.
December 9: Get ready for the Beaufort Branch Model Train Exhibit, December 14 - 18 by first enjoying some photographs of the Yemassee Train Station taken at the turn of the 20th century. These images are from the Phosphate, Farms and Family: The Donner Collection that was the BCL's first digital collection. We are thankful that the Lowcountry Digital Library asked us to be one of the two public libraries that served as a pilot project way back in the early 2000s.
December 10: Our friends Historic Beaufort Foundation and USCB Center for the Arts are hosting a 5 week lecture series in January and February 2022 entitled "Beaufort: Five Centuries of History" by Dr, Larry Rowland, Dr. Stephen Wise, and Dr. John McCardell. $ Details. BTW: The same three men offered a similar series in 2011 as part of the Beaufort Three-Century Project. The Library has DVDs of those lectures in the BDC and Local History section, courtesy of the now defunct Beaufort Three-Century Project.
December 13: Several organizations have banded together to host Dr. Eric Crawford virtually during an in-person gathering in Second Founding of America's space at 913 West Street on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. The event is free; Masks are required for the in-person gathering. Details: info@gullahgeecheecorridor.org Reminder: In case you didn't read my 1 December post: Dr. Crawford's book is available in the BDC for permanent reference purposes. Other copies can be checked out from the Local History sections at the Branch Libraries.
December 14: The Model Trains are back and on display in Beaufort Branch! Learn more about the history of railroads in Beaufort District in the Connections blog! This post generated a little extra FB conversation too:
December 17: Just prefer the "down & dirty" about the history of local railroads? Read the photo - and make plans to get to the Model Railroad displays before the trains chug out of Beaufort Branch tomorrow.
Posts Related to Significant Dates
December 1: Well, we made it through 2021 hurricane season with no evacuations ordered. Whew! Looking ahead, there are only 182 days left to the beginning of Hurricane Season 2022.
December 7: Some of Beaufort's own were at Pearl Harbor that fateful morning 80 years ago. One sailor paid the ultimate sacrifice. Read more in Connections, the BDC's longest running blog.
December 20: Today is a significant one in Beaufort District's long and storied history. Read more in Connections.
December 9: ... and all it takes is a valid BCL card and the proper password. Rules for getting one are posted on the Library's website.
Note! Note!! Note!!! ALE has made it abundantly clear (in spite of how hard librarians have lobbied to continue providing this service for you) that home access will cease at the end of December. In other words, if you want to do some family research from home and use the Library's subscription to ALE to make that happen, your time is running out.
December 16: Second warning: Time is running out on home access to the Ancestry Library Edition database (Ancestry.com's rules not the Beaufort County Library's. We, like thousands of public libraries, have lobbied that home access be continued but those heartfelt pleas have fallen on deaf ears.) If you're alive, you have ancestors. Start searching for them today.
December 28: You have only a few more days to search for your forebears in the Ancestry Library Edition database from your home. According to conversations with the Library's vendor, ProQuest, Ancestry.com is pulling the plug on home access through public library subscribers. If you've been meaning to search, there's no time like the present moment to get started.
December 29: Final warning: Home access to Ancestry Library Edition is ending. Ancestry.com has decided to no longer extend the service to Library cardholders. We are being forced to revert back to the "In-Library Use" only delivery of ALE.
If you want to do a final search or two on ALE from home, today is the day to git-er-done.
Seasonal Tidbits
December 10: The dark days of World War II were quite literal. Outdoor Christmas lights were banned - again - in 1944. The fuel powering electrical plants was needed for the war effort as defeat of the Nazis and the Japanese remained uncertain. Besides there was still fear of potential bombing attacks from sky and sea. This notice appeared in the Beaufort Times on 30 November 1944. I was pleased to hear from several FB members that they enjoy what I post on the social media platform.
Did you know that Santa got his substitute reindeer team from Hilton Head Island when Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen got the flu? More in Connections, the BDC's longest running blog.
December 15: There's a new post in Connections today about the items Cassi picked for the BDC's display case. I think that you'll find something edifying about her choices - and I hope from my exposition about her choices.
December 16: We try to collect copies of titles published by local presses. For example, the Chinese Christmas Box by Gerald Chan Sieg; calligraphy by Han Sun Woo was a product of poet Edith Dowling's private press, "The Peacock Press, LTD." The booklet was printed by the Beaufort Gazette, 1970.
December 12: Catch the holiday spirit with these local history titles.
December 18: Here's an easy recipe from Yuletide on Hilton Head to entertain your young or young-at-heart loved ones. I may have to start making these with my grandchildren!
Berries-in-the-Snow
6 premium white chocolate baking squares3/4 cup dried cranberriesUnwrap baking squares and place in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on High for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Stir half-way through heating time. The squares will retain some of their original shapes; remove from microwave and stir until smooth. If not completely smooth return to microwave for 10 seconds, one or more times. When smooth stir in dried cranberries. With two teaspoons, scoop mixture onto a sheet of wax paper, making clusters about the size of a half dollar. When set, store in covered container.Yield: 12 to 14 clusters
December 19: Christmas draws nigh - so we have a short week. Please note: The Library - and the BDC -- will be closed from December 23, 2021 through December 27, 2021. If you want a BDC Research Room appointment before the end of the year, please be sure to contact us before 3 pm on December 22nd to make the necessary arrangements: bdc@bcgov.net or 843-255-6468.
Schedule Adjustments and Notices
December 2: As we enter the waning days of 2021, appointment opportunities are limited by available staff and the fewer days that the Research Room is open during December. Please make the necessary advance arrangements for a research visit by calling the BDC 843-255-6468 or be sending an email to bdc@bcgov.net. Be sure to allow up to 72 hours before getting a response. Please note: BDC staff does not monitor business communications when the Library is closed.
December 5: The year's end holidays are a bit longer than usual due to the days of the week on which Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day fall in 2021. Please pencil the closures into your research calendars and contact bdc@bcgov.net or call 843-255-6468 to make your appointments for late December - early January.
December 22: The Library is closed. May you and yours have a wonderful holiday.
December 24: The Library is closed. Enjoy your holidays!
December 28: Most years the Library closes early on New Year's Eve, but in 2021, New Year's Eve falls on a Saturday. County policy states that holidays falling on a Saturday are observed on a Friday. Thus the BDC Research Room will be closed on Friday, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022 for New Year's Day.
December 31: The Beaufort District Collection Research Room will re-open to customers with confirmed appointments on Monday, January 3, 2022. Happy New Year!
and a few Miscellaneous Posts to wrap things up:
December 20: Read about a few of Cassi's favorite things housed in the Research Room in Connections.
December 21: A little factoid: According to our volunteer obituary indexer Kathy, the total obituaries in the Beaufort Gazette in 1987 was 681 -- which means that there are now more notifications of death for people you may want to discover in our Online Obituary Index file.
December 23: Snowstorms do not happen very often in Beaufort County, SC but when they do, havoc ensues. The most snowfall recorded in a 24-hour period was 5 inches 32 years ago today. This snow stuck around in spots to give Beaufort County a White Christmas. It caused havoc with airports, vehicle accidents, and electricity demands. 
The image is from the Island Packet newspaper's December 24, 1989 issue on page 5A.
The Library is currently closed and will reopen on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. We trust that you and yours will enjoy a splendid holiday season.
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