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Genealogy: Finding Your Folks

Seeking Wards, McLeans, Dents, Woods and Cooks

By JUDY FOWLER KILGORE
jkilgore@thecitizennews.com

I need to apologize to all those who have written me about their families in the past few months. While I was doing the Bethany series, I hated to break the thread of research and jump out of the Bethany families into an unrelated one. So, for all of you who have been so patient, I humbly thank you. Here are a few of the letters I’ve received from those who are seeking other families in our area.

Ruth Gray of Fayetteville wrote about her Ward and McLean ancestors: “Only recently have I begun to check out my ancestors. It is quite interesting. Perchance I went to Google and typed Jesse Ward (my great-grandfather) and discovered the article about First Baptist Church (in Fayetteville). I had no idea the church was built on land he had previously owned.

“I am quite interested in Miles Ward and Linea McLean, my great-great-grandparents. Linea seems to have moved to Fayetteville with her father, Oliver McLean, from North Carolina, along with her mother and siblings. The best info we have about Miles Ward is that he is from North Carolina and probably from Antrim, Ireland before arriving in North Carolina.

“I was born in Fayetteville in 1938 to Frederick Baxter Ward and Martha Elizabeth Callaway Ward. Daddy ran the mill at Bennett’s Mill, did some farming, and was a deputy sheriff as well. We moved away from Fayetteville when I was about three. My husband, Raymond Gray, and I moved back to Fayetteville in 1995.

“I am in the process of writing my first book — a collection of Christmas stories drawn from our family’s life. Hopefully it will be published this summer or fall.

“Ruth Ward Gray (Mrs. Raymond B.), Fayetteville.”

I appreciate Ruth’s letter and her patience. She is referencing the story we did March 12, 2004, about Fayetteville First Baptist Church’s 175th anniversary, which stated that Jesse Ward deeded land for the church in 1839. Those who are connected to (or have information about) Ruth’s ancestors may e-mail her at ruthwardgray@hotmail.com.

Robin Boltz wrote to us all the way from California after finding her ancestors in an old column online — one which was done back in April of 2004 on the Woods and Dents. Robin writes:

“I am still breathless. While playing around on the Internet, I decided to search for great-, and great-great-grandparents in Georgia, and — BINGO — I hit the lottery! My great-grandparents are Maria Louise Dent and Winston Bird Wood. My grandfather, whom I never knew, is Hinton Wood. Hinton married Rhetta Barnes, from Texas. They settled in McComb, Miss., where they raised their family.

“Hinton and Rhetta had seven children: Wyatt, Bee, Bonnibell, Louise, Wade, Dick and Robert Harry. I am the daughter of Hinton’s youngest son, Robert Harry (Bobbie) Wood.

“My first cousins are Dr. Thomas Purser Wood of Tallahassee, Fla.; Bee Wood of Rockport, Texas; Rhetta Lou Dodder of Hattiesburg, Miss., and R.C.(Bobbie) Cook of Lucedale, Miss. I would love to hear from anyone to begin dialogue with long lost relatives. You have truly made my day! By the way, my Aunt Louise adored her Aunts Lulie and Annie, and I have photographs and letters to share.

“Sincerely, Robyn Wood Boltz, 455 Mills Drive, Benicia, CA. 94510 (ronarirw@pacbell.net).”

Robin, I certainly hope you hear from some long lost relatives who may still be in our area.

Another letter came via the Internet from Wallace Earl Cook, who writes:

“Hello ! I'm Wallace Earl Cook, direct descendant of Jessie Cook and Elizabeth (Unknown). My Jessie, born ca. 1806-07 in Georgia, was in Fayette County from 1830 until (?), married (second) Narcissia Gossett. Children of Jessie Cook and Narcissia are Jessie A.L. Cook and Kitty W. Cook. Kitty W. Cook married John T. Creel. Family story is that Jessie or Elizabeth was Native American (Indian). I think my Cooks were in Jefferson County, Ga. prior to being in Fayette. That part of Fayette county became Campbell county later, and now is Fulton County. My Grandfather Cook was born in Campbell County in 1880, then moved to Haralson County, Ga. Please help if y’all know any thing about my family!

"Wallacearlcook@aol.com (Web site www.Wallaceearlcook.com).”

I wrote to Wallace and told him I think there were a bunch of Cooks up that way, around the area where Ga. Highway 74 today meets the Fulton County line. (That’s not far from Bethany, you know.)

Again, thanks to all who have been so patient. There are a few more letters which I will include later this month, but next week I’d like to do a little on Flat Rock A.M.E. Church, which is celebrating its 151st anniversary next week. Part of the advantage of being religion editor is that I find out about these nice little historical tidbits of church information. Flat Rock is having a big celebration and a revival next week. (See the religion section of last Wednesday’s paper.)

I have never done any African-American genealogy research but I will attempt to analyze the families buried in Flat Rock’s historic cemetery, give you a rundown of which family groups are buried there, and the earliest dates they were interred. Perhaps some of you out there who have families at Flat Rock will help me out.

I welcome all letters and e-mails about genealogy and info on south metro Atlanta families. Send them to The Citizen, P.O. Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com. Any letters and/or e-mails I receive are subject to being used in the column.

Until next week, happy hunting!