| First Families of Clayton
County
Membership Application - Line of Descent
Form
First Families of Clayton County Committee, in
conjunction with Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc., announces our
new pioneer heritage organization is in place and ready to accept
applications for membership! The purpose of this new organization is to
honor our pioneer ancestors who were the founding families of Clayton
County, to identify and recognize the descendants of these families, and
to promote and further research into the genealogical, cultural and social
history of the area.
Who is eligible for
membership?
Any person who can prove
descent from a qualifying ancestor may apply for membership in First
Families of Clayton County.
What constitutes a
qualifying ancestor?
Any person who can be
proven to have been in Clayton County at any time before 1858, the
formation of the county, through 31 December 1860, is a "qualifying
ancestor". This includes, but is not limited to:
. Any person
listed on the 1860 Federal Census in Clayton County.
. Any person listed
in Clayton County court records between 1858 - 31 December 1860.
Application is solicited
from any individual who can offer any proof that his/her ancestor was
present in Clayton County during the designated time period. The final
decision to accept any proof submitted will lie with the FFCC committee,
but in general, any public document will be accepted. Applicants should
provide all information known about the qualifying ancestor on membership
and certificate application and list the source of proof {i.e. 1860
census, etc.} on the first line of the proof document list.
What proofs of line of
descent are required?
Applicants must present
documented proof of each step of descent from the qualifying ancestor.
Primary sources are preferred, but secondary sources will be accepted.
Primary sources are defined as those documents which were created at the
time of the event, such as a marriage bond or will. Secondary sources are
defined as those created some time after the event, such as oral or local
histories. Some examples of each are:
Primary Sources
Vital, Court, & Tax
Records Bible Records
Census
Records Military Records
Maps &
Deeds Newspapers
Wills, Probate & Estate Records
Institutional Records
Birth
Records Business Records
Death
Records Employment Records
Church & Cemetery Records City Directories
Secondary Sources
Local
Histories Periodicals
Oral Histories
Archives
Societies Libraries
(See example sheets attached.)
A well-documented family
history or genealogy book will be accepted for one generation/step only.
Applicants are encouraged to submit more than one source for any step in
which any proof other than a primary source is submitted. NO ORIGINAL
DOCUMENTS are to be submitted, only photocopies or digital images.
{Please be sure the submitted copy is readable!} While copies of original
documents are preferred, transcripts and published abstracts are
acceptable if accompanied by a copy of the title page. In the case of
records which cannot be photocopied and for which no microfilm is
available {for example, a land record in a sewn-in volume}, a notarized
statement that the transcription is genuine is acceptable. Certified
copies are NOT required. The final decision regarding acceptance of any
proof will be made by the FFCC committee on an individual basis. Special
note: no information from the Internet or any County Heritage Book or the
LDS records will be accepted without accompanying documentation. Family
group sheets submitted without accompanying documentation of the
information on the sheet are not accepted as documentation.
What happens to the
documentation I submit to FFCC?
All documentation
submitted with any application becomes the property of FFCC and HJ/CCI;
and will not be returned. However, all non-private information is placed
in the office of HJ/CCI for the use of researchers. A separate file
containing copies of all documentation will be accessible in the office of
HJ/CCI. There will be a file for each proven ancestor containing the
documentation submitted by all applicants under that ancestor. These
files will be available for research. The applicant should indicate
his/her preference regarding the sharing of his/her contact information
with other researchers of the same surname/ancestor on the application.
May I use the same
documentation as another applicant?
Once any ancestor has
been proven, subsequent applications under that ancestor need provide
proof only to a common ancestor in the line of descent. This must be
indicated on the application. While each member will be listed with his
qualifying ancestor, a note will be made in the records of the first
applicant to prove any ancestor.
What will I receive as a
member and/or a Charter Member?
Upon acceptance for membership, applicants will
receive a certificate suitable for framing bearing the name of the member
and of the ancestor from whom he/she descends, and those names will appear
in the newsletter of HJ/CCI.
A plaque will be placed
in the Old Clayton County courthouse bearing the name of each Charter
Member of FFCC and the ancestor from whom the Charter Member descends. Charter
Members will be honored at a reception and plaque unveiling after the close of the
charter membership period.
Who will be a Charter
Member?
The FFCC committee will consider any person who
submits an application for membership accompanied by the proper
documentation on or prior to September 1, 2004 a charter member upon
acceptance of the application.
What is the cost of
application?
The application must be
accompanied by a check or money order {NO CASH} in the amount of $35.00 made payable to Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc.
What if I have multiple
qualifying ancestors?
A separate application including documentation and
application fee must be submitted for each ancestor. Each member will
receive a certificate for each ancestor under which he is accepted for
membership.
Where can I find more
information?
For further information
or to obtain applications, you may contact: Historical
Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc. {770-473-0197}; or Gwen Bryan, FFCC
Chairperson {770-961-2157}.
Need a gift idea??
Membership in
First Families of Clayton County makes an excellent gift for any person in
your family!
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