Beaufort District Collection Connections Blog

April, 2013

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes
Grace Cordial

Taxes are always on our minds: We're bemoaning them, paying them, collecting them, preparing how to get out of paying them, listening to politicians talk about minimizing or raising them, arguing about how to spend them, etc. It's enough to make one's head spin! Taxes, of course, are one of the two certain things in this life according to Benjamin Franklin: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." (From a letter he wrote to Jean-Baptiste Leroy in 1789, which was re-printed in The Works of Benjamin Franklin, 1817).

October, 2012

Civil War Underwater Archaeology - Wednesday
Grace Cordial

The Beaufort County Library system has been celebrating Archaeology Month since 2004 in conjunction with the Beaufort County's Historic Preservationist, Ian Hill. This year we are co-sponsoring a lecture on “Civil War Naval Operations and Shipwrecks” by State Underwater Archaeologist Jim Spirek. Spirek will discuss the various operations of the Union and Confederate navies and the archaeological remains associated with these activities, including the sinking of the stone fleets off Charleston, blockade running, and gunboats lost in the rivers.

Celebrate Archives Month!
Grace Cordial

Although the noun “archives” has several meanings, the definition most relevant to the management and daily operation of the BDC is “a facility in which records of permanent historical, cultural, or evidentiary importance are preserved, providing a means through which present and future generations may gain knowledge of and maintain continuity with the past.” Every day our staff of two manages archives of donated materials from individuals and organizations that demonstrate contributions of enduring local historical and cultural value to our area.

March, 2012

Hefter at Heritage Library Mar. 6th
Grace Cordial

Hilton Head Island: The Hunting and Timbering Years, 1866 - 1950

Natalie Hefter, Vice-president of Programs
Coastal Discovery Museum Tuesday,
March 6, 2012; 1:30 - 3:00 pm

The years between 1866 and 1950 were the "isolation years" on Hilton Head Island. The program will explore the history of the hunting club era on Hilton Head Island, and describe some of the northerners who used this island as their own hunting retreats.

February, 2012

Famous Beaufortonians: Joe Frazier
Grace Cordial

We mention the "Local History and Nature" pages regularly to highlight that aspect of our "Virtual BDC" services. In honor of Black History Month, we draw your attention to Beaufort's African American native sons and daughters who found prominence on a local, state, national, and international scene:

Can You Help Identify These Church Women?
Grace Cordial

To honor "Black Women in American Culture and History," we are asking for your help in identifying the people in this photograph from the Lucille Hasell Culp Collection.

Thompson to Speak Feb. 27th
Grace Cordial

“Old Fields, New Plough: The Preservation of Northern Beaufort County’s Rural Heritage” will be the topic of Historic Beaufort Foundation's February’s "Dinner and a Lecture" at the Verdier House, February 27th at 5:30 p.m.

Librarians: The Original Search Engine
Grace Cordial

Special collections and archives assist researchers on a daily basis, in a variety of ways, via a variety of means. We can share who has benefited from our resources once the research is presented in a public forum or published. Otherwise, we must stay mum regarding who is investigating what topic.

Famous Beaufortonians: J. I. Washington
Grace Cordial

We mention the "Local History and Nature" pages regularly to highlight that aspect of our "Virtual BDC"services. In honor of Black History Month, we draw your attention to another African American native son of Beaufort of especial note:

Julius I. Washington (1864-1938)

Transcription of his obituary published in the Beaufort Gazette on January 17, 1938:

Gullah History for Black History Month
Grace Cordial

As you well know by now, February is Black History Month.

Consider honoring the history of the Gullah people by listening to local attorney Scott Graber's preview and introduction to Black Yeomanry: Life on St. Helena Island by Thomas Jackson Woofter via the CityTrex podcast page. He reviewed the book as part of the 2011 Books-Sandwiched-In series. Scroll down to the bottom to find the his podcast.

Similar books that are about Gullah life in the Sea Islands that we recommend are:

Famous Beaufortonians: Thomas E. Miller
Grace Cordial

We mention the "Local History and Nature" pages regularly to highlight this aspect of our "Virtual BDC" services. In honor of Black History Month, we draw your attention to some African American native sons who found prominence on the state and national scene:

Thomas Ezekiel Miller (1849-1938):

ALE is a crowd-pleaser
Grace Cordial

The Librarians Best Database List of 2011 highlighted as Ancestry Library Edition as the "Patrons’ favorite." Just search on the term "Ancestry Library Edition" in the left column to find the other 22 entries I've written since April 2008 on this database. It is the most used database that the Beaufort County Library provides - and it has to be used inside our facilities, on our machines. In some ways, I find that an incredible statistic.

Civil War Topics at BCHS and Penn Center on Thursday
Grace Cordial

Beaufort County Historical Society presents Joseph McGill, a Civil War re-enactor with Company "I" of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, at Noon on Thursday, Feb 9th. All meetings are held at noon at the Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club, Meridian Rd., Beaufort, SC. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend at no charge. This event is in partnership with the SC Humanities Council.

Harriet Tubman
Grace Cordial

The theme of "Black History Month 2012" is "Black Women in American History and Culture."

BDC Sponsors the "Grand Finale" to New Harmonies
Grace Cordial

Aunt Pearlie Sue - Saturday, February 4th 2:00pm, Beaufort Branch 

The venue is rather small so space is limited. First come; first seated. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the scheduled show time. This may be the one time when you don't want to observe "lowcountry time!"

For images from some of the New Harmonies programs, click here.

Attend RootsTech from your home computer
Grace Cordial

The Ancestry Insider just posted how all you genealogists out there can gain free online access to some of the sessions at the RootsTech Family History and Technology Conference being held in Salt Lake City tomorrow through Saturday, Feb. 4th. Click here to learn more.

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