Questions arose:
Many of my friends and schoolmates had the same last names but weren't siblings. How were they related? And when last names were similar but spelled differently nonetheless, were they still related to each other?
Where did they all come from? No, not biologically, 'cause I had that figured out a long time ago. But what made them, or their parents, come to Clifton Forge in the first place?
And what has become of them? As I have learned from my genealogy hobby, it's a shame to die off and have no one remember you. Sure, your children (if you have them) will remember you; but what about the other people left behind when you move or die? Will they remember you? Yes, it would be a shame for you to pass on and not be remembered somehow. Of course, it's nice to be well-descended, but the honor goes to the ancestor. (Somebody else said that first, but I don't remember who).
The early "settlers" of Clifton Forge have left a legacy, even though we might not have been taught who they were or where they originated, or in many cases, what that legacy was/is. The name of the town hasn't always been Clifton Forge; the old forge in Rainbow Gorge was started by someone; some of the streets and areas in town had names and nicknames related to early people; many people served in the armed forces, some were killed in service; businesses were started, buildings were built, cemeteries expanded -- all because someone lived in Clifton Forge and did something with their lives.
What:
So, to try to put it in perspective from the city history point of view, I started collecting Family Group Sheets on all these people, which is a basic way to keep track of them and their relationships. The Family Group Project accumulates basic public information on a person and establishes the link between that person and others in time and place.
All of my work thus far is collected on a computer and can be printed on paper, which in turn can be kept in a library or society somewhere, as can the computer data. It's only good when it's accurate and complete. It serves as a starting point for people to remember their families when they haven't seen cousins or uncles for a very long time.
The information I collect is this:
Later, I'll deposit the information with the Alleghany Highlands Genealogical Society, and I'll share it with anyone who wants to see it. I'll not publish it, either now on the web, or later in a book; I'm not looking for notariety here. I'm just the catalyst for history.
One significant advantage to this project is that descendents from some of these "early people" will come to Clifton Forge (either in person, by a phone call, or by the internet), looking for information on their families because somebody else hasn't done it already!
So start a Group Sheet and share it with me!
Print off the Family Group Sheet, fill it in, and mail it! If you don't know all the info, ask someone close to you about it!
Email me and let's discuss this project! Do your part to help remember somebody else!
Bob Hunt