Let's gather some south side heritage

I've had this really crazy idea rolling around in my head for a couple of years. I think it came to me when the Carroll County Heritage Book came out and many people were disappointed that their stories weren't included. Either they didn't know about it, or they didn't make the deadline, or they needed to do more research ... something of their own doing kept their family stories from being included.

I felt the same way when the deadline passed for the Fayette County book (which is due to come out soon). Why, oh why, didn't I do a story on the Fowlers who were up in north Fayette? I just let it slip by ... no reason except procrastination. Now I could even include my Owens. A little more time and maybe I could even include the Norrises. But, alas, the book will come out without them.

There is also a gaping hole in the history books available in this area. Campbell County, so rich in history in the early settlement of west Georgia, does not have a history book. I was floored when I learned that since their historical society is so active in the community. They have much of the material, I have been told. But they just haven't gotten around to it.

From being in touch with people around the country who are on message boards and mailing lists, I have learned that many people have enough information on several branches of their family in Campbell County to write a short history. Many of these are included in queries you see going back and forth across the Internet.

So, ... here's my idea. Let's start our own little "South Side Heritage Book." We don't have to confine it to one county ... heaven knows the boundary lines switched so much it was hard to tell where you lived sometimes. Let's take that information you've gathered on your family, put it into a short sketch, and print it here in the paper. The people who receive the paper can clip it out, those who read the column in the Internet can print it out, punch it, put it all into a notebook and, voila! A Southside Atlanta Heritage Book.

The advantages? Well, a regular heritage/history book receives a printing of several hundred copies. Here in the paper and on the Internet, I would venture to say you would have an audience of several thousand. Just think how many family contacts that might mean. Also, making your own book will not cost you a cent. Well, you may have to pay for a notebook and paper. But it's certainly a lot less than the $50-$80 a bound book would cost.

Now, is that a great idea, or what? Let me know what you think.

Speaking of Campbell County, I know there are a lot of new folks to the southside out there who are reading this, scratching their heads and saying, "Campbell County? What the heck is she talking about? There ain't no Campbell County around here!"

Well, there used to be. From 1828 until 1932, the area we now call "South Fulton" was then called "Campbell." It was formed from land drawn from Fayette, DeKalb, Carroll and Coweta counties (Fulton County did not exist then) and ran, roughly, from just south of where Palmetto is now to within what is now the south Atlanta city limits, westward across the Chattahoochee River to Carroll County and eastward to Fayette County. (I said "roughly.") The county seat was a little town called Campbellton, out by the river.

Fulton County was formed in 1853 and later took part of Campbell and, in 1870, Douglas County took the part north and west of the Chattahoochee and the county seat was moved to Fairburn.

In January of 1832, Campbell was absorbed by Fulton County and ceased to exist. However, vestiges of Campbell County remained. Even in my day, the high school in Fairburn was called Campbell County High and I have spent many an hour sitting in its gym bleachers during choral competitions and running around its track during track and field competitions. The four high schools on the south side ... Campbell, College Park, Hapeville and Russell ... were fierce competitors.

There are great Web sites on Campbell, Fulton, Douglas, Carroll, Coweta and DeKalb counties and a more exact history may be found there. I am just trying to give the newcomers a rough idea. Today, as I drive through South Fulton, I call everything from Palmetto to Red Oak, and from the Chattahoochee to Fayette, "Old Campbell County."

So, now you know.

You know, our "heritage book" doesn't have to confine itself to just families. If you have a piece of interesting south side history you'd like to share, send it on. I'd love to have it. Churches, stores, family businesses, legends ... etc. would all make interesting topics. Try to keep your stories to about 250 words, give or take, and be sure and include as many details on the family or topic as you can. Also, you should include your sources if you have documented your information. General sources will do. You don't have to give page numbers. And your name, address, and e-mail address will be given so people can contact you. Others are looking for that one name ... that one marriage ... that one event ... that will open up new avenues of research for them. I remember getting a real thrill when I read just the mention of the "Fowler-Hart store" in Hightower, Alabama in the Cleburne County Heritage Book. It started breathing life into my great-grandfather, its owner, ... a man I had never even known.

Okay. Start writing those stories ... family or otherwise ... and send them to me. I know you don't want to hear more about mine ... do you?

Send stories to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; E-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com.

Until next week, happy hunting!

(Judy regrets that time does not permit her to do personal research for others. She will willingly share research information on her own family lines, including collateral and allied lines.)