First Families of Clayton County
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.
FAQ's
Who is eligible for membership?
What constitutes a qualifying ancestor?
What proofs of line of descent are required?
What happens to the documentation I submit to FFCC?
May I use the same documentation as another applicant?
What will I receive as a member and/or a Charter Member?
Who will be a Charter Member?
What is the cost of application?
What if I have multiple qualifying ancestors?
Where can I find more information?
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}.
APPLICATION (Please print and send with payment)
LINE OF DESCENT FORM (Please print and send with application)
Need a gift idea??
Membership in First Families of Clayton County makes an excellent gift for any person in your family!!
Copyright © 2005
Kemis Massey
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This page was last updated Monday, October 10, 2005