R.I.P. Shelby Foote

Mississippi native Shelby Foote, a well-known Civil War historian, died yesterday. A few obituary excerpts:

Foote was born Nov. 7, 1916, in Greenville, a small Delta town with a literary bent. Walker Percy was a boyhood and lifelong friend, and Foote, as a young man, served as a "jackleg reporter" for Hodding Carter on The Delta Star. As a young man, he would also get to know William Faulkner.

During World War II, he was an Army captain of artillery until he lost his commission for using a military vehicle without authorization to visit a female friend and was discharged from the Army. He joined the Marines and was still stateside when the war ended.

Beverly Drive-In

The city of Hattiesburg is trying to get this landmark placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Confederate Research Guide updated

J. H. Segars' In Search of Confederate Ancestors: The Guide has been updated.

The newly revised edition sells for $16 ($2 shipping included) and may be ordered from Southern Lion Books Inc., Buckhead Manor, 1280 Westminster Way, Madison, Ga. 30650 or by phone at (706) 342-0112.

Researching Tate County Roots

First cousins from Oregon and Florida met up in Tate County to research their family history.

Natchez Student Wins DAR Award

Natchez fifth-grader Madeline M. Iles won the DAR's American Revolution History Essay Contest. It was entitled "Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery, May 1804-September 1806." She is the daughter of Mississippi author Greg Iles.

Fly's Drug Store

Read about the history of a small town drug store in Summit.

Greeneville First United Methodist Church

Begun in 1844, Greeneville's First United Methodist Church has a rich history.

Delta's Religious History

The Delta Democrat Times will begin offering a series of articles written by John Black, a retired banker, concerning the religious history of the Delta Region.

The multi-part compilation will focus on church histories, church leaders and unique individuals that have helped shape Greenville through their church affiliation.

Natchez Slave Site Needs Funding

An exhibit at a Natchez slave site is in need of additional funding. The city of Natchez has not provided expected funding for the building at the "Forks of the Road."

The Forks of the Road market, by one historian's account, probably looked like "a sprawling prison camp" where slaves would be haggled over and sold to cotton plantation owners who came from across the South.

Louis Taunton

WTVA interviewed Louisville, Miss. mayor Louis Taunton on the air today. The interviewer asked him what he planned to do after he retires from office later this summer. He said that first he had a lot of "honey-dos" to address, but then his plans include "genealogy, genealogy, and genealogy."

NHPRC Funding Update

The House has approved $7.5 million funding for NHPRC. It's now in the hands of the Senate.

Vicksburg's Bridge Turns 75

The Mississippi River Bridge in Vicksburg is celebrating its 75th birthday.

Proposed Museum

There's a proposed "Museum of Mississippi History" which would quadruple the space offered by the Old Capital Museum.

Historic Hernando Home For Sale

Built in 1866 by French immigrant Felix Labauve, this 3000 square foot home in Hernando is on the real estate market. Asking price is $274,500.

Trolleys Along the Gulf

A very brief but interesting look at a trolley that ran from Biloxi to Pass Christian in the early part of the 20th century.

Vacation

If you've been wondering why I've not been posting a lot, it's because I'm on vacation. I will get back to a regular schedule in about a week. I might even post a few items between now and then.

Back from NGS - an Exciting Find

I've been to the National Genealogical Society's Conference in the States. I apologize for the absence of blogging, but I simply did not have time.

I do want to share one of the most exciting new products exhibited. Arphax Publishing has introduced a new series of county atlases that show the first land grant holders in counties on maps showing townships, sections, and ranges. Two Mississippi counties, Leake and Lawrence, are presently available. The exhibitors told me that the other Mississippi counties will be some of the first ones to be published! I am really looking forward to obtaining the ones for the counties in which I research!