For those who are not on Facebook, here's a re-cap of the posts that I made there during February.
February 1: "Monthly Overview: February 2022" Those who follow this FB page know that I always include posts relating to African-American history on it year round. However it would be remiss of me to not remind all that February is indeed "Black History Month," a time when many organizations make an extra special effort to acknowledge the contributions, tribulations, and impact of African Americans to our state's, nation's, and world history.
Schedule-wise this month: Appointments are even more critical now that the BDC is back to just one staff member - again. (Sigh.) We are hosting an in-person only local history program with the Beaufort County Historical Society on 17 February (Registration required and opens on 3 February. Details in the image). All units of the Library will be closed on 21 February for Presidents Day.
Posts about Black Health and Wellness - which sometimes are "Black History Note" Wednesday and "Materials Monday: 50 Shades of Beige" posts as well.
February 3 - On this National Women Physicians Day, I draw your attention to A Woman Doctor's Civil War : Esther Hills Hawks' Diary. She provided medical care for Black soldiers on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Florida off and on between October 1862 and November 1866. There are plenty of copies available for you to borrow through the SCLENDS consortium.
February 8 - Black History Month 2022: Among the health care workers mentioned by Caroline Robinson and William Dortch in their The Blacks in These Sea Islands Then and Now (1985) are Tenner Green, RN, Drs. Montgomery P. Kennedy, Jr. & Sr., Dr. Charles Simpson, Dr. York Bailey, Dr. Elijah Washington, Dr. Ralph Emerson Bailey, Dr. LaFrance Ferguson, and Dr. Jonathan C. Glenn. Each either practiced in the Beaufort area and/or were raised on one of the County's sea islands.
There are also copies of this local history title available for check-out through the Branch Libraries.
February 14 - Today's "Materials Monday : 50 Shades of Beige" might at first glance seem to be an odd pick. The cover of this book that addresses the medical treatment of troops more than 150 years ago also addresses the 2022 Theme of Black History Month: Black Health and Wellness. The BDC has the only copy of Intensely Human: The Health of the Black Soldier in the American Civil War by Margaret Humphreys (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008) in the SCLENDS system.
Using archives for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, Humphreys documents why Black soldiers were more likely to die of disease than white soldiers. Rather than acknowledging that these troops had higher rates of malnutrition, worse shelter and clothing, harder assignments, and oftentimes inadequate medical attention, most physicians attributed the high mortality rate to "the so-called innate inferiority of the black body."
The USCT soldiers stationed in the Beaufort area were lucky in that they were among the healthiest regiments on the East Coast. Humphreys credits that to the fact that the 1st and 2nd South Carolina and 54th and 55th Massachusetts soldiers were officered by men and surgeons dedicated to the cause of abolition.
Set up an appointment to come read Humphrey's "lucid, balanced interpretation [that] makes it an excellent primer on tough issues of race, medical thought, and medical practice' (Steven M. Stowe, AHR)". Dr. Lynn C. Smitherman reviewed the book for JAMA. She wrote of it: "Well written, interesting, and informative. The narrative is honest and straightforward, and Intensely Human gives readers some insight into current health disparities."
February 19 - Black History Month 2022: We have a copy of an SCETV DVD about The Stroke Belt (2008). The study confirmed that Southerners and African Americans are more likely to die from stroke than their counterparts elsewhere in the United States.
The BDC is the only SCLENDS unit with this particular item. Contact us to make an appointment to view it.
February 22 - Black History Month 2022: The Gullah People and Their African Heritage by William S. Pollitzer (University of Georgia Press, 1999) presents a wealth of data on blood composition, bone structure, disease pathology and prevalence, and other biological factors in Chapter 6 of this "ground-breaking study." This research not only underscores ongoing health challenges to the Gullah people but also helps to highlight their complex ties to various African peoples.
We have a vertical file of reviews of this book that you can see in our Research Room. The book is also available for check-out through the SCLENDS catalog.
February 23 - "Black History Note Wednesday:" 107 years ago today, Beaufort District lost one of its most consequential historical personages. My personal opinion: If you live in Beaufort County and don't know at least the basic facts about Robert Smalls and his contributions to local, state, and national history, you should. And isn't it a good thing, that the Beaufort County Library offers so many resources about his life and times through the BDC and the local history sections at the branch libraries and bookmobiles so that you can?
February 25 - Black History Month 2022: The Gullahs - Medicine vertical file addresses the topic of medical care and folk medicine. For example, it contains a list of sources about "African-American Healing Practices" (9 pages) ; basic information about the Medical University of South Carolina's Project SuGAR, (Sea Island Genetic African American Registry, 1995 - 2004), and a few other articles about health and wellness among the native Sea Islanders.
February 26 - Black History Month 2022: The advice given in The Planter's Guide and Family Book of Medicine by Dr. J. Hume Simons 1848, reprinted by USC Press provides lots of advice to the planters about how to treat medical conditions of their family members and enslaved people. For example, there are 7 pages devoted to the symptoms and treatments of Country Fever. Blood-letting was a frequent stage of treatment. Digestive issues and female health challenges feature prominently. (Examples of which you can find in the BDC's Dr. Johnson's medical journal online: http://bit.ly/2P0D6ey)
Perhaps most upsetting is his chapter on "General Directions for Raising Negroes" that includes advice on personal grooming, healthy living quarters, management of slaves too young to work, and nutritional advice for the enslaved. Dr. Hume believes that bacon is good for slaves but that olive oil would help prevent dyspepsia, cholera-morbus, diarrhaea, dystentery & other indigestion diseases that run rampant on some plantations. Dr. Hume shares his racial prejudices broadly and often. He expresses distaste that the enslaved try to follow their African traditions to subsist "chiefly on the natural productions of the earth." (p. 210) [The concept of "whole foods" hadn't reached mid-19th century South Carolina.] In acknowledgement that the planter's true aim is his own profit, Dr. Hume proposes those who follows his instructions regarding the slaves "would be materially improved." He argues that healthier slaves can work longer and stronger and healthy mothers tend to make healthier enslaved infants. More natural increase among the enslaved means more profit for the slaveowner.
February 27 - "Death is the great equalizer of human beings." Records of the names of all persons usually living at home who died during the twelve months ending on June 1 of the census years for 1850 - 1880 were kept. This means that if an enslaved person died between June 1, 1849 to June 1, 1850 or June 1, 1859 to June 1, 1860 you might find him/her registered in the "Mortality Schedules for South Carolina." The most complete entry would include the slave's name, age, gender, marital status, color, and slave owner.
We have microfilm with the mortality schedules, printed indexes for the 1850 and 1860 SC Mortality Schedules, a guide to the census mortality schedules, and provide access to Ancestry Library Edition inside our buildings to ALE database 8756: U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885. It includes a few state mortality indexes taken in 1885 in addition to the US census schedules for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880.
February 28 - "Materials Monday : 50 Shades of Beige" and Black History Month 2022: The Gullah people's understanding of health derived in part from their experiences with African culture that respects the power and abundance provided by Nature to provide remedies to ailments. Sharla M. Fett takes that one step further to reveal how herbalism, conjuring, midwifery, and other African American healing practices became arts of resistance during slavery. We have a copy of her book, Working Cures: Healing, Health, and Power on Southern Slave Plantations (University of North Carolina Press, 2002) in our Research Room. According to my eyeballs the cover is a shade of beige, with a slightly greenish cast. Set up an appointment to come in to review this and other items that we have about herbalism and conjuring: bdc@bcgov.net ; 843-255-6468
Posts about Programs:
February 2 - "Black History Note: Wednesdays" Odds are strong that one of your Black male ancestors was among the 200,000 strong Union Army or Navy contingent - if your family was in the United States before 1860. Guide to Tracing Your African Ameripean Civil War Ancestor by Jeanette Braxton-Secret (1997) outlines some of the key government records to search and steps to take that are most likely to help you identify your Black soldier or Black sailor who served between 1861 - 1865. We are the only location within the SCLENDS consortium that shares this title with our in-house customers. [Braxton-Secret uses the term "Ameripean" to indicate white American ancestors with European genetics.]
February 3 - Registration for "Historically Speaking 3.2" is now open on our partner's website! Limited seats.
February 7 - "Materials Monday: 50 Shades of Beige" Editor John David Smith has selected 16 groundbreaking essays about Race and Recruitment from 60 years worth of Civil War History journal articles. Smith's introduction assesses the contribution of each article to our understanding of the Civil War era. The final three articles are particularly relevant to Beaufort District's Union veterans: "'I Do not Suppose that Uncle Sam Looks at the Skin': African Americans and the Civil War Pension System, 1865-1934" by Donald R. Shaffer; "'Shoulder to Shoulder as Comrades Tried': Black and White Union Veterans and Civil War Memory" by Andre Fleche; and "Slavery, Emancipation, and Veterans of the Union Cause: Commemorating Freedom in the Era of Reconciliation, 1885 - 1915" by M. Keith Harris. The BDC is the only library within the SCLENDS consortium with this title.
Reminder: The next "Historically Speaking" Lecture with Rev. Dr. Elijah Washington is about the role of the Grand Army of the Republic in the post-war period. Be sure to register for a seat before they all get taken. Details: BCHS website.
February 8 - Seats for Dr. Washington's lecture about the Grand Army Hall went very quickly. We have reached capacity and registration has closed.
February 9 - "Black History Note: Wednesdays" Before one can be a military veteran, one must have served in the uniformed services of their country. During the Civil War era, approximately 200,000 African Americans served on the side of the Union - and changed history. Later some of the survivors founded and joined the Grand Army of the Republic, including some Black and White Union veterans of Beaufort County. Learn about the local GAR Hall during the "Historically Speaking" lecture. The Beaufort County Historical Society and the BDC are hosting Rev. Dr. Elijah Washington who will lecture about the David Hunter Chapter, GAR and Hall on 17 February to a full house. (No seats remain).
February 10 - The love of local history is strong in Beaufort County. All seats for Dr. Washington's talk about the local GAR chapter are gone.
February 15 - "Black History Note Wednesday": One of the most frequently accessed resources the BDC provides online is "Black Soldiers and Sailors During the Civil War." Approximately 200,000 men of color would serve in the Union Army or Union Navy during the Civil War. Some of the men were free black men from Northern states; some were former enslaved men from the states which seceded from the United States of America. Because the area around Port Royal and St. Helena Sounds was occupied by the Federal government so early in the Civil War, three of the four regiments of USCT soldiers raised in South Carolina were organized here. Some of these men founded the GAR Hall that is the subject of Dr. Washington's sold-out lecture tomorrow.
February 16 - Pencil this into your calendars: The Beaufort History Museum / Beaufort County Library's local history series continues on March 11, 2022. Topic: The Battle of Purysburg, 1779 with archaeologist Rita Elliott. This lecture is on Friday; the BHM's Revolutionary War Encampment is on Saturday. Registration will open 2 weeks ahead of the lecture.
February 17 - In-person local history programming returns today. I hope that you registered and secured your seat. Reminder: Be sure to wear your face mask properly, covering your mouth and nose. Them's the rules at the program site: First Presbyterian Church's Fellowship Hall at 1201 North Street in downtown Beaufort.
February 17 - We had a full house today for the latest installment of the "Historically Speaking" series co-sponsored by the BDC and the Beaufort County Historical Society. Rev. Dr. Elijah Washington, Commander of the GAR post, shared his knowledge of the organization's history and its plans for the Afro-American Military Museum and community outreach here in Beaufort County. Attendees asked a number of questions and had made interesting comments during the Q & A.
Looking ahead: "Historically Speaking" returns in May and will feature Dr. Vernon Burton author of "Penn Center: A History Preserved" (2014).
February 17 - Beaufort District Collection, Beaufort County Library system, SC added 18 new photos.
February 18 - We distributed copies of our How to Find Out More: Civil War Ancestors pamphlet yesterday at Dr. Washington's lecture about the Grand Army Hall. Contact us if you would like us to send you an e-brochure of it or want an appointment to review all that we have on Civil War veterans and their various heritage organizations: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468
February 24 - Registration for "Battle of Purysburg" has opened earlier than I expected - and seats are going really, really fast. Sign up asap.
February 25 - FOMO: Seats are going fast!
The Revolutionary War Battle of Purysburg [spelled with only one 'r' in the year 1779] in old Beaufort District was part of a series of military movements to prevent the invasion of British troops into South Carolina. British General Augustine Prevost hoped to gain support of the numerous Tories in the area and capture Fort Lyttelton near Beaufort with its 21 cannon and small garrison. Standing in opposition was Patriot General Benjamin Lincoln who had approximately 6000 soldiers and militiamen spread along the Savannah River from the sea islands to Augusta. Who would emerge victorious? Sign up and come to the next BDC/Beaufort History Museum local history program to find out!
February 28 - Notice: I am surprised by the speed at which Rita Elliott's "Battle of Purysburg" local history program "sold out" - but it's a very good thing for the BDC and my partners that this community has plenty of people who enjoy learning about the history of this special place through free programs at the Library. To get on the wait list for "Battle of Purysburg," go to Beaufort History Museum's website.
Film-Themed Posts in recognition of the Beaufort International Film Festival:
February 22 - In honor of the Beaufort International Film Festival, I updated the BDC's WordPress blog posts about motion pictures that used parts of the former Beaufort District as locations.
February 24 - Pop Quiz:* What movie filmed partly or predominantly in the area once known as Beaufort District has made the most money in terms of calculating its receipts as 2021 dollars?
A. The Big Chill
B. Forrest GumpC. The Prince of TidesD. The Rise and Fall of the Confederacy
[* Answer is at the end of this post-gmc]
Posts about the 1950 Census:
February 7 - Now's the time to get ready. The release of the 1950 Census is set for 1 April 2022. A key point for everyone to understand is this : There is no obligation that the Census Bureau provides indexing to it. Though required by law to be made available to the public (ironically) on April Fool's Day, the census will NOT be indexed at release. Legions of volunteers will get to work providing that indexing. It took about 6 months for the major players in the genealogy field to get the 1940 US Census indexed. The general feeling is that family historians should expect a similar turn-around time for the 1950 US Federal Census.
February 9 - It's coming ... The 1950 Census releases on 1 April 2022. Ancestry announced that it will be using handwriting-recognition technology (powered by artificial intelligence) to create the indexes of the 1950 census, and expects that "the indexing of the 1950 Census to be completed and available on Ancestry.com this summer, with states released in real time upon completion." Ancestry is the parent company of Ancestry Library Edition. As you may recall, the Library pays for ALE so you don't have to. The ALE database is available on the public access computers inside our library buildings. Read Ancestry.com's announcement.
February 13 - It's coming ... FamilySearch.org is looking for volunteers to help with their 1950 Census indexing project in case anyone is interested. Details.
February 17 - It's coming ... The 1950 Census will be released on 1 April 2022. The 1950 census encompassed the continental United States, the territories of Alaska and Hawaii, American Samoa, the Canal Zone, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and some of the smaller island territories.
February 23 - It's coming ... Americans abroad were enumerated for the first time in 1950. Provisions were made to count members of the armed forces, crews of vessels, and employees of the United States government living in foreign countries, along with any members of their families also abroad. This enumeration was carried out through cooperative arrangements with the departments of Defense and State, the United States Maritime Administration and other federal agencies that took responsibility for distributing and collecting specially designed questionnaires.
Remaining "Materials Monday : 50 Shades of Beige" posts:
February 21 - Though the Library is closed today for Presidents' Day, I wanted to feature a very timely "Materials Monday : 50 Shades of Beige" post.
Other Posts:
February 1 - The Gullah Celebration is a month-long cultural arts and history festival on Hilton Head Island. Visit GullahCelebration.com for a full listing of events throughout February. We have a vertical file of materials about the festival collected over the past quarter century in the Research Room in case you want to see it sometime.
February 2 - A sister cultural heritage agency has a special event this weekend that you might want to attend.
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park in partnership with the 26th Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration will host a Freedom Walk. Come learn about the historical connection of Ft. Howell and Mitchelville through the stories passed down from generation to generation. Vaccines, Screenings and Wellness Information provided by Volunteers in Medicine, Memory Matters, Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, Senior Center, Hilton Head Fire, Life and Safety. Featured speakers include Rev. Dr. Robin Dease of St. Andrews by the Sea and Dr. John Newman of Volunteers in Medicine. Plus, a special surprise guest. Details.
Can't make it to the Freedom Walk but are interested in the history of Mitchelville? We have a list of links and materials about the settlement on the BDC's WordPress blog
February 3 - Today's another local history red letter day. Last year we received "In the Glorious Case of Liberty" from Daniel Battle to celebrate. The year before that, I wrote a Connections blog post on the significance of the day. Read more.
February 4 - Update: I write and schedule my FB posts at least 2 weeks in advance, sometimes even more. I wrote this post based on the published Friends of the Beaufort Library flyer. But life happens and schedules change. Jonathan Haupt subbed in with The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy. I did not catch the change in advance. If I had I would have pointed FB folks to the Pat Conroy bibliography on Word Press. - Grace Cordial 3 March 2022
The Books Sandwiched In series continues Monday, February 7th with Rebecca Dwight Bruff discussing her novel about Robert Smalls, Trouble the Waters, on Zoom.
Bruff's novel was part of the "Book Drop Blitz" the week of July 25 - 31, 2021. If you picked up your free copy then you'll know that some parts of the novel are based on historical fact, and some parts of the novel come from the author's fertile imagination. I have it on good authority that most everyone who has read it, loved it. Details.
Afterwards if you'd like to learn more about his the rest of his fascinating life story, I recommend "Robert Smalls : War Hero, Public Servant, and a Man of Mark" on the BDC's WordPress blog.
February 4 - Today is World Cancer Day. I am sure that many of us have either battled cancer yourself and/or watched someone near and dear to you fight cancer. The 2022-2024 World Cancer Day campaign theme is 'Close the Care Gap' which aims towards the time when "every person has the opportunity to reach his or her full health potential without barriers or limitations created by social position or other socially determined circumstances."
In tribute to all those who fight this scourge, I recommend "Cancer goes down easier with Dr. Perfect and Jim Carey" by former Island Packet humor columnist Marge Holcomb in May All Your Turns Always Be Right Ones, Book 2 here in the Research Room. She was diagnosed with a blood cancer in 2006. She survived another 8 years.
Holcombe wrote her own obituary that begins "I died at Hilton Head Hospital from a wide assortment of ailments on Tuesday, August 12, 2014. When a friend facetiously asked if I was writing my obituary before or after I passed away, I told her "Carol, I know my limitations...." Her obituary was published in the combined Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet on August 14, 2014. You can read the 6 columns spread that includes her many contributions to the community on the newspaper microfilm here in the Research Room - once you set up an appointment with me: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468. It's worth the bother.
There's more about this event and other world-class performers of color brought to Beaufort by W. Kent Alston in the Research Room. Contact me to make an appointment: 843-255-6446 or bdc@bcgov.net.
PS: I don't want to appear smarter than I am. I got an email from SCETV publicizing its February 8, 2022 "American Masters" program about Marian Anderson. I knew that she had performed in Beaufort - but I did not recall the actual year and date. It is only by happenstance that it turned out to be today - and I could easily move my FB post previously scheduled for 5 February 2022 to another date. Occasionally all the stars align just right ...
February 6 - A friendly reminder: Limited access to the BDC Research Room continues due to COVID mitigation efforts and staff shortage.
Please be sure to contact bdc@bcgov.net or call 843-255-6468 / 843-255-6446 at least several days in advance to set up an appointment. BDC staff do not monitor incoming requests for appointments on weekends, holidays, or when staff is on personal leave. No same day appointments; no drop-ins accepted.
February 10 - Earlier this week I wrote a Connections blogpost about some of the Minutes that we have for the Board of County Commissioners aka Beaufort County Council for the period 1888 - 1970. Though the post arose from a genealogical question I received, what I wrote also applies to sources for researchers with an local history related question. It may be a little nerdy or geeky for some of you but I trust that it will be helpful to those who want to know more about sources for exploring Beaufort County's history from the late 19th into the mid 20th centuries.
February 11 - Celebrate National Guitar Day with Pauline Donner as she plays her guitar for some African-American girls on Chisholms Island in 1886. This photo is one of about 450 in the Phosphate, Farms, and Family : The Donner Collection that we share through the Lowcountry Digital Library's website.
February 11 - In 1863, the Union was unable to adequately fill its black regiments. In an attempt to remedy that, Colonel James Montgomery led a raid up the Combahee River on June 2 to gather recruits and punish the plantations. Aiding him was an expert at freeing slaves--famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman. The remarkable effort successfully rescued about 750 enslaved men, women and children. Author Jeff W. Grigg details the fascinating true story of the Combahee River Raid that became a legend in "The Combahee River Raid: Harriet Tubman & Lowcountry Liberation."
The BDC and local history sections have copies. If you prefer an e-book, Hoopla has you covered:
February 12 - In honor of Old Abe's birthday: Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery by Eric Foner (2010) explains how the issue of enslavement defined Lincoln's greatness. In some ways, General David Hunter's decision to emancipate the freedmen locally here in Beaufort District forced the U.S. President's hand. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2011.
The BDC has a copy for use inside our Research Room; the SCLENDS consortium has additional copies for you to check out.
February 14 - Genealogists take note. FamilySearch.org has a lot of plans - and some could affect your research!
February 15 - The naval history of the Civil War often gets rather short shrift. That is not the case at all in the BDC because of the role that Port Royal Sound played in the Union's conduct of the war. Case in point: I draw your attention to Commanding Lincoln's Navy : Union Naval Leadership during the Civil War by Stephen R. Taafe (Naval Institute Press, 2009). Lincoln was so busy with the Army that he gave Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles a lot of latitude in running the Navy. Only two men headed the South Atlantic Naval Squadron based in this area. Welles first chose Samuel F. DuPont (nicknamed "Frank") who led the flotilla that attacked and captured Port Royal Sound. DuPont asked to be relieved of command in the wake of the failure of the attack on Charleston during the summer of 1863. DuPont's replacement, John Dahlgren, led from 6 July 1863 through late July 1865. The BDC has the only copy of the book in the SCLENDS consortium.
We have additional materials about both Rear Admirals in the Research Room if you want to learn more about South Atlantic Naval Squadron operations during the Civil War.
February 18 - Time is running out to schedule a research appointment for next week. If you're in need of a time slot on my calendar February 22 - 25, be sure to reach out by 4:45 today: bdc@bcgov.net or 843-255-6446. When the Research Room closes today, I won't be back to read your email or listen to your voice mail until Tuesday, February 22nd on account of the upcoming Presidents' Day County holiday.
February 18 - It's less than a month to the all free and all virtual RootsTech online conference. If you're interested in family history research at all, you might want to register.
February 20 - Continuing with the 2022 Diversify Your Reading Challenge: February is dedicated to romance. The aim of the romance genre is simple: Explain how two people overcome trials and tribulations to find an enduring true love. Not a usual topic one would expect in a geographically based historical collection but I am not one to be easily thwarted. And though I couldn't find an-acceptable-to-me romance novel in the BDC to write about (more about my selection process is in Connections for the nerds among you), I did find a wonderful graphic representation of romance in our holdings - BDC Poster #257. The Coastal Stage Players put on a production of the romantic comedy "The Last Romance" in 2019.
Make an appointment to see this - and other items - in the BDC's poster collection: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468
Reminder: The Library is closed tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 for Presidents' Day.
February 24 - PSA: AARP and VITA tax help has returned to select locations. Details are on the Library's website under the "Services" tab, select "Tax Help" or save a few seconds by going directly to Tax Help page.
* The answer to the biggest money-making movie filmed in Beaufort County pop-quiz question is Forrest Gump.
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