Genealogy Hints on where to Search for Settlers from Georgia to Alabama
The Settlers in Alabama
The Muscogee Indians (called Creeks) in Georgia and Alabama
Alabama became part of the migration trail in America after the Creeks and Cherokee Indians were removed from Georgia. My previous article details more about the early Indians in the region and includes a settlement map.
Georgia Border Counties to search for Alabama Ancestors: Carroll, Harris, Heard, Muscogee, Troup, Stewart, and Troup
Alabama became part of the migration trail in America after the Creeks and Cherokee Indians were removed from Georgia. My previous article details more about the early Indians in the region and includes a settlement map.
Where to Search for your Ancestors in Alabama and their Origins
You can pick up any old Indian Map for Alabama and find that various Indian tribes heavily occupied the region.jeannetteaustin.medium.com
Most families who went to Alabama came from the western Georgia counties. Yet some adventuresome families crossed into Indian Territory from 1785 to 1820, necessitating a Passport from the Governor of Georgia.
The familiar Creek War of 1813–1814 mostly involved the Upper Creek towns along the Coosa, Tallapoosa, and upper reaches of the Alabama rivers. Benjamin Hawkins, the Federal Indian agent located at his fort in Crawford County, Georgia, had empowered the Creek’s National Council and the Creeks who supported the National Council as the “Red Sticks.”
At the beginning of the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, Americans feared that the Indians would join the British, as they had chosen during the Revolutionary War. Thus, during the summer and fall of 1812, British warships hovered off the coast of Georgia, and a Naval expedition was sent to Sunbury, Georgia. Unfortunately, the expedition failed due to poor plans and supplies. Left the Georgia coast open for British attack. Note: The British occupied St. Marys and Cumberland Island from 1814 to 1815.
The War to Drive the Creek Indians from Georgia
Meanwhile, Georgia instigated a war against the formidable forces of Creek Indian warriors, persuading the Choctaw and Cherokees to join America. On August 30, 1813, the Creeks attacked and destroyed Fort Mims, an American post on the Alabama River north of Mobile.
In September 1813, American General Floyd mustered an Army of over 2,000 men at Fort Hawkins in present-day Crawford County (near Macon). He deemed his force ready to undertake the operation by November. Afterward, General Floyd established Fort Mitchell across the Chattahoochee River, and marched into Alabama, and engaged the Cherokees in November, forcing them to retreat. The following year, on March 27, 1814, General Andrew Jackson defeated the Creeks at Horseshoe Bend.
Georgia to Alabama: Early Migration Site
The first and most frequented stopover was in Chambers County, Alabama. Luckily, the marriage records survived, dating from 1812 to 1837. Yet the earliest Wills and Estates to survive were from 1833 to 1856.
Chambers County was mostly inhabited by the Creek Nation, and, interestingly, the county was not established until December 18, 1832.
Southeastern Genealogy.com provides a list of Alabama records available online, as follows:
Alabama Marriages, Wills, 40th AL Muster
Barbour, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Fayette, Jackson, Limestone, Macon, Madison, Marion, Mobile, Russell, Shelby…southeasterngenealogy.com
Where to Search for your Ancestors in Alabama and their Origins
You can pick up any old Indian Map for Alabama and find that various Indian tribes heavily occupied the region.jeannetteaustin.medium.com
Most families who went to Alabama came from the western Georgia counties. Yet some adventuresome families crossed into Indian Territory from 1785 to 1820, necessitating a Passport from the Governor of Georgia.
The familiar Creek War of 1813–1814 mostly involved the Upper Creek towns located along the Coosa, Tallapoosa, and upper reaches of the Alabama rivers. Benjamin Hawkins, the Federal Indian agent located at his fort in Crawford County, Georgia, had empowered the Creek’s National Council, and the Creeks who supported the National Council were known as the “Red Sticks.”
At the beginning of the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, Americans feared that the Indians would join the British, as they had chosen during the Revolutionary War. Thus, during the summer and fall of 1812, British warships hovered off the coast of Georgia, and a Naval expedition was sent to Sunbury, Georgia. Unfortunately, the expedition failed due to poor plans and supplies. Left the Georgia coast open for British attack. Note: The British occupied St. Marys and Cumberland Island from 1814 to 1815.
The War to Drive the Creek Indians from Georgia
Meanwhile, Georgia instigated a war against the formidable forces of Creek Indian warriors, persuading the Choctaw and Cherokees to join America. On August 30, 1813, the Creeks attacked and destroyed Fort Mims, an American post on the Alabama River north of Mobile.
In September 1813, American General Floyd mustered an Army of over 2,000 men at Fort Hawkins in present-day Crawford County (near Macon). He deemed his force ready to undertake the operation by November. Afterward, General Floyd established Fort Mitchell across the Chattahoochee River, marched into Alabama, and engaged the Cherokees in November, forcing them to retreat. The following year, on March 27, 1814, General Andrew Jackson defeated the Creeks at Horseshoe Bend.
Georgia to Alabama: Early Migration Site
The first and most frequented stopover was in Chambers County, Alabama. Luckily, the marriage records survived, dating from 1812 to 1837. Yet the earliest Wills and Estates to survive were from 1833 to 1856.
Chambers County was mostly inhabited by the Creek Nation, and, interestingly, the county was not established until December 18, 1832.
Southeastern Genealogy.com provides a list of Alabama records that are available online. Click on the link below to see available Alabama genealogy research records:
Alabama Marriages, Wills, 40th AL Muster
Barbour, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Fayette, Jackson, Limestone, Macon, Madison, Marion, Mobile, Russell, Shelby…southeasterngenealogy.com
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