As you have learned, I am to reduce social media posts by 66% over the course of the Performance review period that runs from April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023. I have had some difficulty cutting things down since that went into effect but as the posts below indicate, I am getting some better at it. Without doubt, I will exceed that dictum - and do more than the 200 required posts -- but I seriously doubt that I will ever get close to 700 posts in a year again. Here are the posts I made or scheduled to appear during June and July.
JUNE 2022
June 1 - Overview of the months of June and July in the BDC:
The Library system offers "Oceans of Possibilities" during the 2022 Summer Reading Program. You can expect to see some promotion of "salty" materials from the BDC this month and next.
I am thrilled to announce the return of Doug Bostick, Executive Director of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust for our annual "Carolina Day" lecture on June 28th. The Beaufort County Historical Society and the BDC are co-sponsoring the event.
No local history programs are planned for July though there is a historical marker unveiling at the Carnegie Library building on July 7th that you might want to attend.
The Library system will be closed on Monday, July 4th for the Independence holiday.
June 2 - I am going to 'The Search for Stuarts Town' Free Kick-Off Event Monday, June 6, 2022 10:00 AM 12:00 PM and perhaps you should too! (BTW: I'm stealing this notice from the BCHS)
The public is invited to the kick-off of this community archaeological project that will happen, LITERALLY, in our own backyard! Join us on June 6th from 10AM to noon at Morrall City Park on Craven Street to get the “inside view” from local experts Dr. Larry Rowland and Dr. Chester DePratter, and Mr. Adam King, Director of USC’s SC Institute of Archaeology & Anthropology. A demo of the archaeological digging process will be provided and The St. Andrews Society of the Lowcountry, SC will be on hand, clad in their Scottish regalia, with light refreshments.
June 3 - Today is World Bicycle Day. In its honor I share an historical tidbit that I came across while reviewing the clippings in the "Merchants" vertical file on behalf of an off-site BDC customer awhile back. From the "Palmetto Post" newspaper of 4 October 1900, [p.2]: "It is estimated that there are 500 bicycles in Beaufort, and only one first class repair shop. The business ought to pay handsomely." (I just love the Palmetto Post's slogan.)
June 6 - "Materials Monday: 50 Shades of Beige" in honor of the kickoff for a new archaeological project: Map #239 [Scotts Settlement or Stuart Town 1682 - 1686] is a reproduction of a map rediscovered in the British Museum in 1971. Local historian John Morrall wrote an article for the Beaufort Gazette published on 29 July 1971 on page 3-B explaining his reasoning for stating that the Stuart Town colony was likely along Hermitage Road.
The article is among others in the STUART TOWN COLONY vertical file in the Research Room.
The goal of the "Search for Stuarts Town" archaeological shovel test being demonstrated today at the project kickoff in (appropriately named) Morrall Park on Craven Street from 10 AM to Noon is to ascertain information that might lead to the discovery of the exact location of Stuart Town - which remains in doubt.
June 6 - Great turnout at the Search for Stuarts Town Kick-off this morning. I was privileged to be among my "tribe" and sitting next to Mr. Robert DeLoach who designed the BDC's HVAC system more than a decade ago. Lead archaeologist Dr. Chester DePratter was explaining what archaeologist Hannah was doing to the crowd. (I support the study of archaeology professionally and with BDC programs, personally make a point to visit archaeological sites on my free time, but no way would I want to practice their profession.)
June 7 - My 4 year old grandson is fascinated by sharks and whales. During his recent visit he told me all about the various species. The BDC has sufficient material about local sharks but not so much about whales. A desire to impress my grandson was a key reason why I went to the St. Helena Branch Library's SC Aquarium's presentation on 4 June to gather some more information in hopes of sounding a tad more knowledgeable about whales and sharks the next time he and I What's App. The Aquarium folks didn't say much about sharks but I did learn that a Cuvier's beaked whale can dive almost 2 miles below the surface of the ocean. Can't wait to tell Aidan! (Cuvier's beaked whale photo by Ed Corey, Brian Patterson, Andrew Rapp, Seabirding customers)
June 8 - "Black History Note:" The Family Tree Magazine announced its "Best African American Genealogy Websites" list recently. Be sure to explore all the offerings but particularly the wonderful resources curated by genealogy guru Toni Carrier hosted on the International African American Museum's Center for Family History website.
June 8 - The Spring 2022 issue of the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina magazine features Beaufort's Jewish families: the Levins; the Keyserlings; the Scheins; the Lipsitzs; the Marks; the Neidich/Rudowitzes; and the Youngs, the Beth Israel Congregation, and a few images from the BDC's holdings. We have a copy in the Research Room for permanent safekeeping.
BTW: The JHSSC will meet in Beaufort this weekend, June 10 - 12. Contact Enid Idelsohn idelsohne@cofc.edu or 843-953-3918 for details regarding conference program details, schedule and fees. [Note: This event has passed.]
June 9 - During my absence, my "Diversify Your Reading" choice for May was published in the Connections blog If you just want the meat: The most classic of Beaufort District related titles, Rehearsal for Reconstruction: The Port Royal Experiment by Willie Lee Rose (1964) was my "History" choice.
June 9 - Well it's hurricane season again and the predictions are for another active season. I watched with some trepidation a Pacific cyclone end up off shore of South Carolina last weekend. Are you ready? Neil Baxley, head of Beaufort County Emergency Management is presenting "Are You Ready?" at various library branches. Check the Library's events calendar for details. Looking ahead: I'll be doing my most popular presentation "Tide of Death: The Great Sea Island Hurricane of 1893" at Bluffton Branch on the anniversary of the storm. Live and in-person ...
June 10 - FamilyTree Magazine named the South Carolina Digital Library as one of its 75 Best State Websites. Did you know that some of the BDC's resources are hosted on the SCDL website courtesy of our long partnership with the Lowcountry Digital Library? See images from the American Civil War to the mid-20th century. View postcards. Read a surgeon's journal and accounts of the 1893 hurricane. Access all 1750 items (so far) that the BDC staff and beloved docents have labored to share digitally with our customers, locally, nationally and internationally.
June 12 - According to FB, this is when most of you actually read my posts. Learn about what was "New and (New to Us) in the BDC for March and April 2022".
June 13 - Oysters and the lowcountry just go together. so the "Materials Monday : 50 Shades of Beige" series will have a briny focus the next few weeks. I will share a few beige hued items in the Research Room that are about oysters. First up: Read Burrell's South Carolina Oyster Industry: A History in the Research Room by advance appointment, borrow Bluffton Branch Library's local history copy or read it online.
June 14 - Registration for the "Legacy of Carolina Day" lecture by the Executive Director of the SC Battlefield Trust, Doug Bostick on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 11 AM has opened. Space is limited. Please note: This lecture is being held in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, 1201 North Street at 11 AM. Registration closes when capacity is reached. This in-person only program is brought to you by the BDC and Beaufort County Historical Society as lecture #4 of the 2021 - 2022 "Historically Speaking" series.
June 15 - "Black History Note:" Photographer Jack Leigh celebrates the African American men and women who made Oystering: A Way of Life before it passed into history. When he took the photos between 1979 and 1981 before his eyes the traditions were being lost. Pictured hard at work on the water and in the canneries are Beaufort County residents Fred Walker, Joseph Heyward, Joseph Pinckney Sr. and Jr., Sam Bennett, Nealy Fripp, Annie Mae Gadsen, Henrietta Kitty, and William Lawton.
June 16 - Family Tree Magazine selected the South Carolina Department of Archives and History website as one of the nation's best. I think that the index is geared more towards genealogists than historians and can take some patience to work through all the variations in names and spellings. That written, it is one of my "go-to" suggestions for any family historian. Search the index to names in wills, records of Confederate veterans, criminal court records and other sources - many of which you can view in their full glory.
June 17 - Only a few seats remain for Doug Bostick's lecture about the "Legacy of Carolina Day."
June 17 - I run across all sorts of interesting "things" while on the hunt for my customers - and sometimes I am struck by how everything old eventually becomes new again seeing as human nature seldom alters very much. Case in point, I came across the following statement in a MARC record created by Brenda Beasley-Forrest about a particular title we have in the BDC. She quoted the author of the source in the MARC record: "Manipulation, fearmongering, intolerance, elitism, arrogance, greed, deceit, slander, hatred, inhumanity, exploitation, unbridled ambition, and mercenary self-interest--all are inimical character traits . . . found in three recent biographies of ..."
Select the best answer - for you.
A) Randolph Murdaughs Sr., Jr., and IIIB) Presidents Biden, Trump and ObamaC) early South Carolina religious leaders: Alexander Garden, Oliver Hart, and Archibald Simpson
Just to be clear - Ms. Beasley-Forrest was only quoting the author of the material and I am responsible for creating 2 of the 3 options above - but which 2? And I hope that you will chuckle at the irony ... I'll provide the answer from the MARC record a few days from now.
June 20 - A federal document is today's "Materials Monday : 50 Shades of Beige" selection. If you were interested in marine crustaceans it could put you in heaven but me, not so much. (JSYK: A special collections librarian doesn't have to like everything in a collection - the item just has to meet the collections development rubric and be affordable). It is a tri-colored beige item entitled Annotated Bibliography on the Fishing Industry and Biology of the Blue Crab, Callinectes sapdius by Marlin E. Gazatz and Ann Bowman Hall, NOAA Technical Report NMFS SSRF-640 (1971). JSYK: The cover looks a lot more beige in person than in the photograph - and the pages are definitely creamier in person.
June 21 - And the answer is to the Quiz Time post on 6/17/22 is: "Manipulation, fearmongering, intolerance, elitism, arrogance, greed, deceit, slander, hatred, inhumanity, exploitation, unbridled ambition, and mercenary self-interest--all are inimical character traits . . . found in three recent biographies of C) early South Carolina religious leaders: Alexander Garden (Anglican), Oliver Hart (Baptist), and Archibald Simpson (Presbyterian). The MARC record goes on to quote: "Promoting their respective Christian denominations throughout the colony . . . sparked volatile contests over membership and power, both between and within religious denominations. It likewise fueled fiery debates among clergymen concerning conversion methods and the proper role of the church in shaping individual congregants along with the larger society." Source : The Library's catalog record for the South Carolina Historical Magazine : July 2018, Volume 119, Number 4, page [251].
June 21 - Connections has a new post: The "Thriller" selections for June as part of the "Diversify Your Reading Challenge."
June 22 - "Black History Note:" Oystering was traditionally a part of the Gullah lifestyle. In addition to the book Oystering that I wrote about last week, the BDC has an inscribed poster of the book cover's in our holdings. This poster from 1983 is part of a collection of 200+ posters of local events and activities that we have in the Research Room. Titles of the posters are listed in the Library's catalog. Photodocumentarian Jack Leigh inscribed this poster "To Julie" - who was actually Julie Zachowski, the Director of the BCL from 1973 to 2003.
June 23 - Just in case you're interested in the rascals named in the post on 6/21/2022, the Library has more materials about Rev. Oliver Hart, Rev. Archibald Simpson, and the Alexander Garden, an Anglican priest who lived between 1686 - 1756 to share with you. There are chapters about Oliver Hart in both Saints of Clay by Louise Owens and A History of South Carolina Baptists by Joe King. We have two biographies about Rev. Alexander Garden: one by Hawkins (1981) and the other by Witzig (2018) and the 2 volumes of the Rev. Simpson's diaries, 1754-1784. Just be sure to make the necessary appointment: 843-255-6468 or bdc@bcgov.net.
June 24 - In keeping with the "Oceans of Possibilities" Summer Reading Program theme of 2022: My favorite sea creature is the dolphin. Did you know that the dolphins off Hilton Head Island have unique characteristics? Check out Dolphins of Hilton Head from one of the BCL's Local History sections to learn more.
June 26 - Pencil this into calendar: The Library will be closed on Independence Day. If you want to come to the Research Room between Wednesday, June 29th and July 8th, now would be a good time to make those arrangements with me: bdc@bcgov.net ; 843-255-6468.
June 28 - I do so hope that you got a seat reserved for today's "Historically Speaking" Carolina Day 2022 program before they were all taken. I'll be there to learn -- and hawk the materials and services of the BDC to the assembled group. Please note: This is an in-person only local history program. JSYK: Most local history programs "sell out" within a few days once registration opens - and we have a great 2022-2023 roster for you! Details will be announced soon.
June 28 - We had another "sold out" "Historically Speaking" local history program with our partner, the Beaufort County Historical Society. Doug Bostick, Executive Director of the SC Battlefield Preservation Trust, got us all up to date about the Liberty Trail and highlighted the Patriot victory at the Battle of Sullivan's Island that we natives celebrate on Carolina Day.
June 29 - "Black History Note:" The Fishermen of the Lowcountry : Memories from Home features African American crabbers, shrimpers, and oystermen of the upper South Carolina coast. The BDC has the only copy in the BCL because of its beautiful depiction in images of one aspect of the Gullah way of life. There are a few copies you can borrow through the SCLENDS consortium.
June 29 - Looking ahead: If you want to come to the Research Room on or before July 8th, now would be a good time to make those arrangements with me: bdc@bcgov.net ; 843-255-6468.
June 30 - Lowcountry marine creatures are fascinating. Follow the link to an updated oldie-but-goodie post about a special type of shrimp.
June 30 - I "stole" a wonderful post from the SC Battleground Preservation Trust about South Carolina's Signers of the Declaration of Independence for Connections.
JULY 2022
July 1 - Didn't get a reservation to the "Historically Speaking" lecture on Tuesday? Never fear. The Library offers titles by presenter Doug Bostick to increase your knowledge of South Carolina history.
July 1 - Reminder: All units of the Library will be closed on Monday, July 4th. Regular hours resume Tuesday, July 6th.
July 3 - In honor of our country's 246th birthday, I "borrowed" this post from an email I received from the South Carolina Battlefield Preservation Trust in 2020. Enjoy! (PS: Don't forget that the Library is closed on Monday, July 4th).
July 4 - Closing notice
July 5 - The Beaufort County Historical Society loves for the public to attend historic marker installations. As is the case for many of the BCHS Historic Markers, much of the research began in our very own Research Room - and of course, this particular dedication is part of our Library's own story.
July 5 - There's still time for you to participate in Hampton County's Historical Marker Hunt. (For those of you who don't know, all of Hampton County was once part of Beaufort District. It became a separate county in 1878). Details.
July 6 - "Black History Note:" Ocean views offer an "ocean of possibilities" for generating profits for some real estate developers. The Land was Ours: How Black Beaches Became White Wealth in the Coastal South by Andrew W. Kahrl (2016) documents the interrelationship between coastal economic development beginning in the mid-20th century and the dispossession of traditional African American landowners along the southeast and Gulf coasts. Hilton Head Island and St. Helena Island Branch libraries have a circulating copy of this title that you can borrow.
July 6 - New entry on Connections: This time the briny materials on display in the BDC.
July 7 - I hope to see at least a few of you around 11 AM today at the Historic Marker dedication. If you miss it or don't live in this area, you can read about the Beaufort Township Library's history on the BCL's website.
July 8 - The Association for State and Local History 2022 conference theme concentrates on the "Power of Place." The BDC has some "power of place" themed items. For example, Margaret Rushton's local history projects with the 6 - 8th grades at Lady's Island Middle and Beaufort Middle Schools and the Essence of Beaufort & the Lowcountry volume were all about the power of place. What it means to be here : Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, the Lowcountry and beyond : the photography of Marge Agin and Bluffton State of Mind are all about the draw of the southern reaches of Beaufort County. Copies are in the BDC and in the local history sections at the Branch Libraries.
July 8 - I begin FMLA on Monday, July 11th. I have scheduled the Materials Monday and Black History Note posts in advance so no one has to be completely devoid of BDC historical notes and tidbits.
July 11 - "50 Shades of Beige: Materials Monday:" Of Sand and Sea : Teachings from the Southeastern Shoreline was published by the S.C. Seagrant Consortium in 2000. The booklet examines the physical features and marine life of the Ocean Planet as well as issues affecting its fragile marine environment. The title is available inside the Research Room for those who have made an appointment, you can use your BCL library card to borrow the item from another SCLENDS library or you can just read it online.
July 13 - "Black History Note:" 200 years ago a former enslaved Black preacher, Denmark Vesey, was convicted and executed (on July 2, 1822) for conspiring to foment a slave insurrection in nearby Charleston. The conspiracy to revolt was purportedly set for July 14th in honor of the storming of the Bastille in France during its Revolution. All of South Carolina's white residents were distressed by the events. The BDC has the only original published copy of An official report of the trials of sundry Negroes : charged with an attempt to raise an insurrection in the state of South Carolina: preceded by an introduction and narrative; and in an appendix, a report of the trials of four white persons on indictments for attempting to excite slaves to insurrection (1822) in the SCLENDS consortium and several secondary works about the trial and its consequences for you to increase your knowledge of this key antebellum event. The SCLENDS consortium and Hoopla have even more...
July 17 - Check out the latest content on Connections.
July 18 - "50 Shades of Beige: Materials Monday": Sallie Ann Robinson has released 3 cookbooks so far and the first one, Gullah Home Cooking, the Daufuskie Way (2003) featured a number of recipes featuring fish, crab, shrimp and oysters. The BCL has plenty of copies in the Local History sections to share. Whip up some "Daufuskie Catfish and Shrimp Mull" (p. 64) for your next gathering.
July 20 - "Black History Note Wednesday:" One of the hazards inherent in the obituary card files is the opportunity for misfiling. For example, earlier this summer I had a customer interested in the Stewart Family. Amid the obituaries for Stewart Family members was this card relating to the death of the teenaged son of a local Black law enforcement officer due to unspecified causes, but likely a disease of some sort. Because SC didn't require death certificates until the 1910s, we likely won't ever know what killed young Sandy. I have returned the card to its proper place in the obituary card files. Sandy B. Colonel is the only Colonel family member in our Online Obituary Index.
July 25 - "50 Shades of Beige: Materials Monday": A Guide to Saltwater Sport Fishing in South Carolina was published by the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department in 1973. The photos of mostly fishermen triumphant with their catches are a real blast to the past.
July 27 - "Black History Note:" WEBE Gullah/Geechee : Cultural Capital & Collaboration Anthology compiled and edited by Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine (2015) includes 3 essays that fall within the Oceans of Possibilities theme: "Culture interrupted: a brief overview of the history and state of Gullah/Geechee fishing" by Dr. Jamelle Ellis; "Gullah/Geechee subsistence fishing economies: under threat from gentrification" by Dr. Annette Watson; and "Protecting Coastal Communities of color through understanding the Federal Environmental Justice Executive Order and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964" by Attorney Chandra T. Taylor. There are reference copies of this title in the BDC and in the St. Helena Branch Library. The State Library has one copy that can be checked out by BCL library cardholders.
July 31 - Check out the latest content on Connections.
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