In today’s post, I wanted to discuss some information about The Alabama Genealogical Society and a program they operate, called The First Families of Alabama, and the benefit of the program.
Alabama Genealogical Society
Introduction
According to their website, the purpose of the Alabama Genealogical Society is, “The Alabama Genealogical Society, Inc. (AGS) is a nonprofit organization chartered in 1958 to assist and support the research of its members by finding, safeguarding, preserving, and publishing records pertaining to Alabama families and their history. It is the only genealogical society in Alabama that serves all 67 counties.“
The Alabama Genealogical Society has a program called ” The First Families of Alabama”. To be a part of this program, you need to be a member of the A.G.S. (Alabama Genealogical Society) and submit an application with copies of documentation, proving descent from an ancestor/couple that resided in the State of Alabama prior to statehood on 14 December 1819.
Upon approval of the submitted application, you will receive a signed and numbered certificate that is suitable for framing and your application with lineage chart will be sent to the archives at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. This ensures that your research will be preserved for future generations. There is also a $20 non-refundable fee.
My First Families of Alabama application
I was approved under my 4th Great Grandfather, Dr. James Henry Ward. James was born 28 May 1786 in in Edgefield County, South Carolina and died 25 Nov 1868 in Hagler, Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the age of 82. James Henry Ward served in the War of 1812 while living in Georgia as a part of the Georgia Militia.
I’ll go into further detail about James Henry Ward’s military service in another post at a future date. Below you’ll see a transcription of an affidavit by James Henry Ward‘s brother, Daniel Merrill Ward, given on behalf of James’ wife, Margaret. She was applying for a widow’s pension for her husband’s military service in the War of 1812.
In the affidavit, I learned that James and his family moved from Burke County, Georgia to Bibb County, Alabama in January and February of 1819, well before statehood on 14 Dec 1819.
Transcription of Affidavit
James Henry Ward-War of 1812 Widow’s Pension
Affidavit of Daniel Ward (Brother of James Henry Ward)
The State of Alabama: Bibb County}
Personally came before me, Thomas J. Smitherman, Judge of the Probate Court in the County of Bibb, a Court of Record in and for the county and state aforesaid. Daniel Ward, who having sworn an oath, states that he lives in the County of Bibb in the said State of Alabama. That he moved from Burke County, Georgia to the State of Alabama in the year 1819. That he came to Alabama in the company with James Ward and his wife, Margaret T. Ward. That James Ward is his brother.
The present age of applicant is Seventy-Nine years. He was born in the State of South Carolina. He does remember the War of 1812 and that his brother James Ward was in that War. He was not present at the marriage of his brother, with Margaret T. Hanley (now Ward) but he knows that they were married after the War, while going home and that they were living together as Man and Wife in the year 1813. He remained there about three months after the war. James Ward and Margaret T. Ward (now married). They came to our Father’s home (John Ward) in South Carolina, and remained for some time, and recognized by all of us ever since as Man and Wife.
They had children born to them in Georgia. The oldest child was born in the year 1814 in the Month of November and was named Martha, and died when very young. Her burial is back down in the family land.
The next child born to them was John H. Ward. Who is now living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama and they have six other children now living. The youngest of which is thirty-five years of age.
John H. Ward was about 3 years old when his father James Ward moved to Alabama. The removal was in the months of January and February in the year 1819.
I am perfectly familiar with the facts-I have stated and know that James Ward and the applicant lived together as Man and Wife from the year 1813 to the time of James Ward’s death and that she is the widow of my brother who died about the year of 1868 and who obtained Bounty Land as a soldier in the War of 1812.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, Daniel Ward
This 18th Day of December 1876
Thomas J. Smitherman
Judge of Probate
The State of Alabama
Bibb County}
Personally appeared before me, Thomas J. Smitherman, Judge of Probate in and for the county and State aforesaid. Daniel Ward, who after being duly sworn, who is known to me acknowledges before me on this day that he signed the forgoing affidavit voluntarily after the facts stated within were made fully known to him and that said facts are true. Given under my hand and seal of office this 18th day of December 1876
Thomas J. Smitherman
Judge of Probate
Below is a partial lineage, starting with my 4th Great Grandparents and ending with my Great Grandparents.
4th Great Grandparents
Born-28 May 1786
Died-25 Nov 1868
Born-15 Oct 1798
Died-12 Feb 1880
3rd Great Grandparents
Born-25 Mar 1842
Died-13 Dec 1903
Born-10 Mar 1848
Died-5 Nov 1918
2nd Great Grandparents
Born-28 Jan 1879
Died-15 Jun 1961
Born-13 Feb 1881
Died-17 Feb 1964
Great Grandparents
Born-21 Oct 1913
Died-2 Aug 2003
Born-28 Jan 1913
Died-3 May 1971
Below you will see my First Families of Alabama certificate
In closing, I’m very happy that I was able to fully document my connection to my 4th Great Grandfather and ensure that his status as a member of a “First Family of Alabama” will be preserved for the long term. I’m glad to be a member of The Alabama Genealogical Society and plan to continue looking for any other ancestors who might qualify.
