Email from Laura Chrylser O., April 8, 2003:  Re: William Robert Givens and his wife, Delaney (Lanie) Barfield Givens.  

Delaney's grandfather, Renson Rabun was Laura's 3rd great grandfather.  Laura was inquiring about I obtained the birth date that I had, (1879); She had found the 1880 Emanuel County, Georgia Census, when Delaney's age was 6 years old (Birth Date would have been about 1874, in that case).  In the 1920 Bay County, FL Census, her age is 45 years (birth date would be about 1875).  

Various other questions were broached and I confess that I don't have any memory of how this all came down.  I see that I still don't have the mother of Delaney Barfield listed.  I guess I'd better get busy!

Thanks to the BCGS for indexing so many of the Bay County Records!

I am trying to pick up the bits and pieces of my genealogy journey with the Givens Family.  Bear with me, as these are not organized, but are randomly put together from past e-mails and conversations.

• Email from Mary Lou C., 14 May 2001: She is getting ready to take a trip to Germany to pursue the Kolmetz ancestry.  She asks me if I have any pictures of William Sherman Givens or his family.  [I don't think I had those at that point].  She also mentions that there is a Kolmetz reunion on the second Saturday of August, for which she will send more details later.

• August 1, 2001: E-mail from Sandi M.--She reminds me that "Diamond G" is the brand that "Old Bob" aka Robert or James Robert Givens used for his timber as they floated them down the river.  Her mother, Joyce, will send me a book about the Givens, for $25.  In the book is a list of all the places where the Givens lived, including Laurel Hill, Florida.  There is a page on the Octoberfest, also.

• Email from Suzanne R.: Suzanne states her relationship to the Givens and at that time her grandmother is still living, (23 Jun 2003).  Suzanne's maternal grandmother is Eva Dell Cutts, whose mother is Mary Louise Givens.  Mary Louise was the daughter of William Sherman Givens, son of John Witherspoon.

• From Claudia Brown, via email, 8 August, 2003:  Claudia Taylor Brown is the daughter of Angelyn Givens Taylor and Robert Perkins Taylor.  Angelyn was the 4th child born to Rose Emma Givens and Alexander (Alex) Givens.  Alex was the 2nd son of John Witherspoon Givens.  John, known as Bud, was the first son.  These two left home early to form their own business of naval store products and timber.  Alex and Rose (nee' Henley) Givens had 9 children, (6 girls and 3 boys).  None of the 9 are still living but many of Rose's grandchildren and great-grandchildren are still alive and kicking!  Claudia is 73 years old at this writing and has been married to husband Reese Brown (age 74) for 52 years.  Both went to Auburn, 1/2 century ago!  Claudia wrote the book "Patriarch of the Diamond G" about her uncle, Robert Givens, the 7th child of Rose Givens.  This book can be found at the Baker Block Museum and includes many family stories plus family photographs and a genealogy table.

 William E. Givens, son of William Sherman Givens

William E. Givens born 1891 and died 1950, is buried with his wife Bertha Mae Leonard

Red Oaks Cemetery, Covington County, Alabama.

See World War I Draft Registration

The pieces of the puzzle are really starting to come together as we get closer and closer to planning the reunion.  I've done a little research in the Panama City (Bay County's Millville, actually) Givens and now my cousin Patti has found a real flesh and blood relative from that group! 

Can you find the "Givens" surname in this newspaper?

Let me know if you find it!

County Commissioners Minutes forming Okaloosa County, Fla.

County Commissioners Minutes forming Okaloosa County, Fla. 

Dull reading unless you are interested in Okaloosa County history, OR have ancestors in Okaloosa County--even ancestors named "GIVENS".

Note: Unfortunately,  this information has been migrated to some other location (without my permission, I might add).  Try the link at the top if you are up to searching a bit!

Another year has passed

About a year has passed since I posted on this web site.  Now, I am happy to "announce" that a date and a place have have been chosen for the 2014 Givens Reunion.  In addition, Sandi M. says that when her husband retires in three years, they will be settling in Baldwin County and she will host another get together!  Some of may be able to meet with her for a cousins' lunch, this Fall of 2013 and discuss the upcoming reunion and our common connection with the Givens Family.  Excitement is in the air!

The 2014 Givens Reunion will happen on March 15th in Crestview, Florida.  

A tentative meeting was held recently to get the ball rolling.  Margaret (me) and Foye G. and Foye's husband met informally, (thanks for the yummy cupcakes, Foye), a couple of weeks ago and talked of "the olden days" and our family members.  We chose Crestview as the spot because it is convenient to the I-10 highway, the cemetery where John Witherspoon and others are buried,

Laurel Hill, and also a pretty straight shot to the Beaches of the Emerald Coast, plenty of shopping, etc.

In addition, features in our area that should interest family members include the Baker Block Museum, the Heritage Museum in Valparaiso, the Air Force Armament Museum, and other sites that I will try to post for you as the weeks go by.

A GivensCousins group has been formed at Facebook and if you're connected to this family we welcome your participation.  

Revisions and Reunions Coming

It's time to revise, organize, or edit some of my posts.  I'd like to attract a higher volume of Givens researchers.  Talk of a reunion is lighting my fires and getting me in the mode for clarity and communication.  Reunions are a feast for collaborator and family, alike.  The opportunity to share photos, tell stories, and get everyone's line of descent straight is just too good to pass up.

However, mini-reunions can easily substitute if time is short or the season is busy.  This can be a luncheon, or meeting at someone's house for light refreshments and plenty of chatting.  A simple meet and greet can be utilized to form committees for a larger reunion down the road. 

The last Givens Reunion that I attended was in 2003, I believe--that might also be the only one I attended.  My "cousin", Foye G. was my partner in crime and we did a pretty good job of getting folks there and arranging for lunch to be catered.  I don't think either one of us could have done it by ourselves.  And, to be honest, it was a great success because we had folks who were excited to add their support by attending, bringing old photos, contributing items for an auction (the money was used for cemetery upkeep), and one couple even brought their computer and scanner along. 

We "advertised" on the radio, at the Rootsweb Message Board, in the newspaper, and via telephone and snail mail.  Now, of course, we have Facebook!  So getting the word out is probably at least a third of the preparation for a successful get together.

There are books and articles about organizing family reunions.  Local libraries haven't completely lost their value; if you can't afford to go out to a bookstore and buy or order via the Internet, you should be able to find sources to give you ideas and remind you of essentials.  Fortunately, there are plenty of free resources via the World Wide Web, too.  Here are a few to check out:

• Temple University operates a Family Reunion Institute in their School of Social administration; see their web page and check out their suggestions.
• Planning a Perfect Family Reunion is broached by the Genealogy Section of About.com, and I have to say that you can make a perfect plan but don't expect to always have a perfect outcome.  There are too many variables involved and you want to be flexible according to what people feel like doing.  Most reunions need a period where the attendees (and children) can get a little "down time" in.  Keep the schedule open for just visiting and maybe a family auction, games for the kids--whatever.
• Finally, use your search engine to find articles on this topic and utilize one of the best genealogy portals available on the Internet: Cyndi's List

Re this post: Posting information on a Givens Will

Will of Maggie Chance Givens: Notes


Please find this information (posted in 2011, originally) at this alternate web site:   https://pegmarie.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/will-of-maggie-chance-givens-notes/

 Who was Maggie Chance?
She was married in about 1890 to John Hezekiah "Bud" Givens.  John Hezekiah was the son of John Witherspoon Givens, and the grandson of Robert Givens and Sarah "Sally" Stewart.
Maggie was, to the best of my knowledge the mother of Lila Mae Givens, Daisy Givens, Val Wright Givens, Gladys Givens, Johnie Givens and Jamems Monroe Givens.  This family lived in Laurel Hill in what is now Okaloosa County.
Some of Maggie's grandchildren includes: the Weatherly kids, Frances and Florence Givens, George Williamson, and maybe some more children that I haven't found yet!
Her siblings were Charles and Annie Chance.  Her father was James M. Chance who died in 1919 in Florala, Alabama.  Her mother, Mary Elizabeth Barrow, is buried in Okaloosa County.

Robert F Givens: biography, pictures and information - Footnote.com

Robert F Givens: biography, pictures and information - Footnote.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Footnote folks have created a page for this individual, using the Social Security Death Index.  Don't know who or where this particular individual fits in, but since he's from Foley, someone out there knows him and the likelihood of him fitting in with our family is pretty good, (Baldwin County Lines).

Update: Footnote.com is now called Fold3.com and access is free throughout this month (June) in keeping with the spirit of the War of 1812 Bi-Centennial celebration.

1910 Census Walton County, the widow Givens with children

Summary of 1910 Census for Lud Givens, my grandfather.
Recorded from image at Ancestry.com

Data:

District 115, page 7A
Laurel Hill and DeFuniak Springs
Walton County, Florida

Family No. 100:

Mother: Malissa Givens; age 42, widowed, had ten children, five of whom are living; born in Florida; Malissa's father born in Germany, her mother born in Alabama.  She is farming for a living.
Dau: Mandy (Amanda); age 20; born in Florida, father born in Alabama, mother born in Florida. Son: Edward; age 19; born in Alabama, father born in Alabama, mother born in Florida (Washigton County).
Son: Ludd.; age 16; born in Alabama, father born in Alabama, mother born in Florida.
Dau: Minnie; age 15; born in Alabama; father born in Alabama, mother born in Florida.

Neighbors on either side:
Eliza Merritt, female widow, living with daughter, Willie and her husband, Felix Eclson.
Decatur Cutts and wife Mary.

Genealogy Essays: Estimating Dates

Genealogy Essays: Estimating Dates: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Untangling the Web

I have wondered, many times, how I could connect my Givens ancestors with the folks who contact me and tell me of their Givens' connections.  Ancestry's Family Trees certainly is helpful in finding the links, but I suppose that a graphic representation would also be helpful.  I have only dabbled in that area, producing some preliminary charts. 

I haven't seen or yet conceptualized a chart that includes both the different family branches and the different researchers working on those family lines.

If I had such a chart at my disposal, I'd connect Mary Alice B. to Sarah Elizabeth Givens, the daughter of Joseph Harvel/Harvey Givens.  Sarah married Henry Merit/Merritt Cooper.  One of their sons is Mary's grandfather.  I'd imagine that she is also working on the Cooper line.  By the way, Mary connected with me through MyHeritage, one of many websites that I've put my genealogy on.

Does anyone have pictures of this line?  I'll have to look into finding some on the Internet or at Ancestry!

World War I Civilian Draft Registration

In 1917 and 1918, approximately 24 million men registered for the draft in the United.States.  The men that were required to register were born between Sept 11, 1872 to Sept 12, 1900.  Read more about the registration cards that were generated at during this time period (Genealogy Branches.com).

There are a few places where you might look for these records:

• Travel to Salt Lake City and visit the Family History Library.  The records have been microfilmed and you can view them there at the library, or you can order the microfilm at your nearby Family History Center for about $5.50 (cheaper than traveling to Utah, for those of us living in the south).
• Access the information at the National Archives or at a regional center of NARA.
• Visit a public library that has a subscription to Ancestry.com.  The registration cards have been digitized and are available at Ancestry through a subscription to its database.  You can also subscribe to this resource online if you have access to the Internet.  The images can be printed, saved to your hard drive, or you can extract the information from them using a blank form (download at Ancestry).  

Because the local draft boards in various locations were utilized for this selective service project, you may discover if the information gathered, even though they were basically just filling in the blanks of the form/card.  The type of information you can expect to find may include:

1. A given name, along with the middle name and a surname.
2. Permanent home address.
3. Age by years.
4. Date of birth.
5. White? (Race/ethnicity)
6. Negro?
7. Oriental?
8. Indian, Citizen?
9. Indian, Non-Citizen?
10. Native Born?
11. Naturalized?
12. Citizen by Father's Naturalization before Registrant's Majority?
13. Alien-Declarant?
14. Alien- Non -declarant?
15. If not citizen of the U.S., of what nation are you a citizen or subject?_____________________
16. Present Occupation
17. Employer's Name
18. Place of Employment or Business (Address)

Nearest relative, name and address.
Registrant's signature and affirmation.


All of this information is on the front side of the card.  On the back side of the card, the Registrar's Report is given.  First, is a description of Registrant, including Height, Build, Color of Eyes, and Color of Hair.  The registrar states whether the registrant is physically disqualified.  Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, etc.


The registrar verifies and affirms that this information is true and that the registrant did read or had read to him all of the questions and has signed or made his mark.


So some of the Givens names that I found at Ancestry.com in the database for WWI Civilian Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 were:

• Henry Thomas Givens, born 29 Sep 1874, is White, and registered in Okaloosa County, Florida.
• John Homer Givens, born 31 Mar 1884, White, registered in Okaloosa County, Florida.
• Richard Lud Givens, born 14 Feb 1894, White, born in Alabama, registered in Okaloosa County, Florida
• William Edward Givens, born 3 Feb 1891, White, born in Florida, registered in Okaloosa County, Florida.

I also ordered the microfilm for Okaloosa registrations so I could browse through and pick out other names that I was interested in.  This is a gem of a resource and reading the description of the registrant's appearance is almost as good as having a photo!

Mish Mash Research

I found Nancy Emma Jane Givens, (b. 13 Sep 1864) as "Emmer J." in the 1880 U.S. Census of Baldwin County, Alabama, living with her family, Joseph Givens and Mary S., her mother.  In my notes for her, I have:
"Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery, Escambia, Fl is burial place."
Possible death date: 13 Mar 1917.
Of Atmore, AL at the time of her father's death in 1914."
----------------------------
This Emma was age 15 in the 1880 census.  Another Emma, was born in 1856, instead of 1865 (or 1864 in this case).  My Emma is surely the one who married Aden A. Fleming, because my dad did an interview with Minnie Crabtree of Pensacola, back in 1964.  Now, who Minnie Crabtree is to the family, I have no idea!  I think, perhaps, she is Minnie Lee Givens, who first married James Wm. Steele?
-----------------------------
Who is Eliza Barker that married Alexander Givens 17 May 1847 in Mobile County, I wonder?
---------------------------------------------
Also found John Starling m. Martha Givens in Henry Co. Alabama in 1870. Mmmmmm....

Rose Givens' House

When Alex Givens (James Alexander Givens) passed away in Bradley, Alabama, on June 21, 1921, he left behind, his widow and nine children. I'm not sure of the exact circumstances of his death (I'm lagging behind in my research and documentation), but at some point, Mrs. Givens and her family settled in this large home in the city of Andalusia, Alabama. Mrs. Carl Palmer and her husband are the current owners of this house; they have completed many of the renovation projects in their efforts toward historical restoration. Most interesting though, is their hard work in documenting the family during the period of their residence in this home. They have completed much, if not all of the historical restoration, by now, I'm sure. A shout-out to them for their efforts, "Thank You".

Question: Where is Alex Givens buried?
Answer: Almarante Cemetery, Laurel Hill, Okaloosa Co., Florida

Question: How did he die?

Question: How did Rose Givens come to live in this house with her family?

Givens Family Bible

 

Torn Bible page scan 2
Content:
McGill were_________Jan 13th 1859.
Manda McGill was born July 24th, 1839.

Givens Bible

 

Scan 1: Torn page from Family Bible.

Upper right corner:
Date: 1859
Content below:
John H. Givens was born March 17th, 1862
James Alexander (sp. alescander?), was born January 20, 1867
William Sherman Givens was born August 25th, 1869

The Funeral Directory - Writing an Obituary

The Funeral Directory - Writing an Obituary

Revolutionary Pension

Samuel Givens is listed as a Revolutionary pensioner in North Carolina newspaper, May 1, 1846.

Samuel Givens, Revolutionary Soldier

: "GIVEN"