BRIEF HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICS OF WEST FLORIDA AND CALIFORNIA
Brenda Kellow
July 24, 2011
Knowing the name of the physical location and the history of the area of where your ancestors lived is important. In last week’s column, I reminded researchers to be aware of censuses showing the initials “FR,” meaning Franklin, what we refer to as the lost state of Franklin. For those with ancestors in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and California, following is a brief history that just might relate to one of your ancestors from the lower Gulf States.
The British Colonial government first established West Florida in 1763. The Republic of West Florida, also known as the Lone Star Republic, was annexed on October 27, 1810. It covered the area previously claimed as part of the Louisiana Purchase, per President James Madison. The area consisted of the western portion of what was known then as Florida. That portion also incorporated the eastern part of Florida. It also included much of what we know as the Florida Panhandle, parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
California, fearing the threat of Mexican possession Americans seized the California administrative capital at Sonoma on June 14, 1846 before word arrived about the outbreak of hostilities between Mexico and the United States. Thus, the short-lived Republic of California, better known as the Bear Flag Republic, was born. The flag is easily identifiable by a star and grizzly bear. It was a Republic for less than a month when the U.S. Navy, under the command of John D. Sloat, overpowered it on July 10. The official California flag with the red star, the grizzly bear sporting the words California Republic was made official state flag in 1911.
Know your history as it is important when dealing with our ancestors.
COLLIN COUNTY HISTORICAL MAPS: This is a first for Texas. Collin County can brag to be the first county in the state to put their interactive maps online. Soon it will have all the historic sites marked on the map. Check it out at http://maps.collincountytx.gov/historical.html.
AUGUST LEARN-N AT HAGGARD LIBRARY: The August 27th Learn-N will feature Carol Hofer and Barbara Coakley. The topics will be Organization and Preparing for a Research Trip.
Searching for records about our ancestors is only a part of growing our family trees. Learn the importance of record keeping and hear some suggestions for organizing your records and personal reference materials.
The key to a successful research trip is the planning you do before you go. Join us to learn about research plans.
The Learn-N, sponsored by Genealogy Friends, will be at Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano from 10:30-12:30. A $10 donation is appreciated.
NEW RESEARCH IN THE STATES SERIES FOR GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA: The National Genealogy Society just released two new books in their research series for Georgia and South Carolina. These are available in published or digital format. The website, http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/, describes this series.
NGS ANNOUNCES CIVIL WAR RECORDS COURSE:The National Genealogical Society (NGS) announcedthe release of its newest American Genealogy Studies course, Introduction to Civil War Records, developed by renowned military expert and Certified Genealogist Craig Roberts Scott. The course is available on CD-ROM as a PDF file compatible for a PC- or MAC for $35.00 for members and $50.00 for non-members. For further information, or to purchase the course, visit the NGS website at www.ngsgenealogy.org and click on Educational Courses.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].
The British Colonial government first established West Florida in 1763. The Republic of West Florida, also known as the Lone Star Republic, was annexed on October 27, 1810. It covered the area previously claimed as part of the Louisiana Purchase, per President James Madison. The area consisted of the western portion of what was known then as Florida. That portion also incorporated the eastern part of Florida. It also included much of what we know as the Florida Panhandle, parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
California, fearing the threat of Mexican possession Americans seized the California administrative capital at Sonoma on June 14, 1846 before word arrived about the outbreak of hostilities between Mexico and the United States. Thus, the short-lived Republic of California, better known as the Bear Flag Republic, was born. The flag is easily identifiable by a star and grizzly bear. It was a Republic for less than a month when the U.S. Navy, under the command of John D. Sloat, overpowered it on July 10. The official California flag with the red star, the grizzly bear sporting the words California Republic was made official state flag in 1911.
Know your history as it is important when dealing with our ancestors.
COLLIN COUNTY HISTORICAL MAPS: This is a first for Texas. Collin County can brag to be the first county in the state to put their interactive maps online. Soon it will have all the historic sites marked on the map. Check it out at http://maps.collincountytx.gov/historical.html.
AUGUST LEARN-N AT HAGGARD LIBRARY: The August 27th Learn-N will feature Carol Hofer and Barbara Coakley. The topics will be Organization and Preparing for a Research Trip.
Searching for records about our ancestors is only a part of growing our family trees. Learn the importance of record keeping and hear some suggestions for organizing your records and personal reference materials.
The key to a successful research trip is the planning you do before you go. Join us to learn about research plans.
The Learn-N, sponsored by Genealogy Friends, will be at Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano from 10:30-12:30. A $10 donation is appreciated.
NEW RESEARCH IN THE STATES SERIES FOR GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA: The National Genealogy Society just released two new books in their research series for Georgia and South Carolina. These are available in published or digital format. The website, http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/, describes this series.
NGS ANNOUNCES CIVIL WAR RECORDS COURSE:The National Genealogical Society (NGS) announcedthe release of its newest American Genealogy Studies course, Introduction to Civil War Records, developed by renowned military expert and Certified Genealogist Craig Roberts Scott. The course is available on CD-ROM as a PDF file compatible for a PC- or MAC for $35.00 for members and $50.00 for non-members. For further information, or to purchase the course, visit the NGS website at www.ngsgenealogy.org and click on Educational Courses.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].