Look for the Names of your Ancestors on Monuments
By Jeannette Holland Austin
The Egyptian past marks an intriguing civilization in our history, especially afer the hierglyphs are interpreted.
Throughout the ages, mankind has recorded history in a number of ways, viz: clay tablets, brass plates, papyrus, cement, etc. The practice of erecting monuments is universal and dates back to ancient times.
The cuneiform writing of the Sumerians, Egyption hierglyphs, Cretan hieroglyphs, Chinese hieroglyphs, Indus script and the Olmec script of Mesoamerica are but a few methods used in the preservation of historical events and populations. Not to mention monuments, gravestones, foot stones, markers, obelisks, plaques and cairns which were included in ancient cities, towns and kingdoms across the map. The old evidence of civilization, no matter how peculiar the writing, serves as historical evidence of people and events. And America came along and adopted that same practice. In the graveyards, we have the slate and granite tombstones. The slate stones tend to break and fall. Sometimes these are found buried in the dirt, so it is a good idea to scrape around in the surrounding terrain. Woodsy areas often sprout old tombstones, so don’t forget to check out the woods. I have found old slate stones propped up in old barns. Thus, past practices should be taken into consideration during the search.
Once, while visiting the Gwinnett County Court House, I noticed a monument in front which told about the militia driving out an Indians war party in 1834. The list of those who fought included the children of one of my ancestors! For years I had searched for the names of his children and here was the date and place of an event which recorded their deaths! The monuments are a great help to remembering historical events which occurred in other times.
That makes the vandalism and destruction of our historical monuments as one of the worst atrocities in all of the history of mankind on this earth!
New Additions to Southeastern Genealogy.com
Williamson County Wills 1801-1813; 1813-1818
Wayne County Wills 1848-1856;1856-1868