Atco, Cochran, Worthy, Kennedy

This week is sort of a mixed bag of genealogy since I received so many letters.

Also, I want to add to some information that was in last week's column.

No sooner had I sent my column to Dave last week, than he responded back on Atco, Ga., which I couldn't find on my map.

It was a strange coincidence, but Dave's father preached there for a time and he knew exactly where it was. Atco is about two miles from Cartersville in Bartow County and was organized around the Goodyear plant there. We surmised that it may not have been formally incorporated and that may have been the reason it wasn't on the map. But Dave says the community is clearly marked and set off with a sign and "big brick columns." Since MaLinda Jackson Weller of last week's column was born there, I'd be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that a member of her family worked at the plant. More clues to MaLinda's family.

Another e-mail from Nora Daler of Peachtree City revealed some interesting information on the name Cochran. Nora is a native of Ireland and is interested in name derivations. She writes: "Is the name Cochran a derivative of the Irish name Corcoran? I think it is.

"I have a book on Irish names written by an Edward MacLysaght (1887-1986). He served as chief herald and Genealogical Office Of the Irish Office of Arms, as keeper of manuscripts at the National Library of Ireland and, for many years, as chairman of the Irish Manuscripts Commission.

"He states: 'The Irish forename Corcoran is derived from the Gaelic word corcair, now used to denote purple but formerly meaning ruddy. The sept (clan) called MacCorcoran were from Offaly and Tipperary. The name is also found in Cork. The O'Corcorans were from Fermanagh and produced a number of ecclesiastics from the 11th to the 15th century.' MacLysaght (further) states that General Michael Corcoran (1827-1863) recruited an Irish Legion in the United States in 1861."

All you Cochran descendants take note. This could be where your name came from. If name derivations interest you, Nora can be reached via e-mail at Ndaler@aol.com.

Carleen Maurer of Riverdale was so impressed with our response to Cochrans, she decided to try another line of her family, the Worthys. Carleen writes:

"... You had such great response from your article on the Cochrans I'm wondering if you could do one on the Worthys. This is what I have and it is not much ...

"Found in the 1850 census, Cobb Co., Roswell Dist., Originated from S.C.: Father, William Worthy, 48; Catherine Worthy, 40; John Worthy, 18; Susan Worthy, 13; Lettie Worthy, 9; Samuel Worthy, 8; and one name I cannot make out, age 16.

"Lettie is my great-grandmother, b. April 1844. She married John Pendergrass and they showed up on the 1870 Campbell Co. census. After that Lettie showed up in the 1900 census Campbell Co. living with my grandparents, Jessie and Mary Cochran. I have nothing after this.

"John Pendergrass was in the Civil War 1861-1864 I can't find any info on their marriage or when John died.

"I hope this isn't too much or, better yet, not enough. Also hope it isn't confusing. Hope to hear from you soon, Your Cuz, Carleen."

I appreciate Carleen's writing again and hope any Worthy researchers out there will respond. Carleen's e-mail is ccdm@msn.com.

One more e-mail came from Ginny in Newnan who is actually from Pennsylvania but is volunteering to help folks up north who have roots in Coweta County. Ginny writes:

"I occasionally get The Citizen Review and noticed your column of Feb. 8, 2001. I am a Pennsylvanian currently living in Newnan, researching my family. Since I rely on so many people in Pennsylvania, I thought I would volunteer my services to people looking for grave sites in Coweta County. My idea was to simply take pictures at the cemetery they indicated.

"My first, and only, request is someone looking for Elizabeth Cason and William J. C. Kennedy. They have no idea where they are buried, and I have had no luck finding any information for them. Below is the only information my requestor has. Can you give me any guidance? I would really like to help Edna. Thanks for your consideration. Ginny."

Ginny included the letter from Edna, detailing her Kennedy family, which says: "... I've unsuccessfully looked at all the cemetery records for Coweta County online that I can find. I notice that an abundance of them are church cemeteries. Unfortunately I do not know their religion, but I believe they were Protestants. The family later attended the Church of Christ.

"What little I know is that the family is listed in the 1850 Coweta County census records. When Elizabeth Kennedy died in 1860, her husband, William John Cicero Kennedy, was not mentioned. I make an assumption that he'd already died. The Newnan, Coweta Co. 1860 census lists only the youngest son Sylvester or S. V. Kennedy, who was executor of his mother's will, an unrelated individual and two nephews William, age 5, and John, age 3, living with him. The eldest son, John, and wife Evalina lived in Randolph County, Ala., in 1860. I have a copy of their Coweta County marriage certificate from 1854 or 1855.

"Elizabeth Cason and William J. C. Kennedy were married in 1822 in Early County, Ga. I obtained a copy of Newnan historical city records which lead me to believe the family arrived in Newnan during the 1830s and that Wm. J. C. Kennedy was a jeweler and a watchmaker. ... If you are able to find a grave site I'll be delighted. I'm grateful for your efforts."

For those of you who don't know, (and this is what I told Ginny) the Newnan public library has a copy of the complete cemetery records for Coweta County, a copy of the "Coweta Chronicles," and a copy of "The History of Coweta County, Georgia." These are excellent resources for Coweta County research. And, of course, the be-all and end-all for Coweta reseach is the genealogical library in Grantville. Ginny's e-mail is Sawgrass51@aol.com.

If you're looking for your Georgia ancestors, have a genealogy tip, or have a local family history to share, write to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com. I'll be happy to share it with others and maybe help you "find your folks."

Until next week, happy hunting!

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