Abstract History of the Fortinberry Family. Privately printed, by Fortinberry, G. K., 1942.
Are you doing Faulkenberry/Fortinberry/Fortenberry research? Start with this book. Years ago a family member gave me a few photocopied pages of this book. I was new at genealogy and was thrilled with the long list of family members included in the pages. I went to my local Family History Center and ordered microfilm #1036152 that has photographs of the pages. I was able to print out sections of the book.
At the beginning of the first chapter G. K. [George Kellie] Fortinberry’s words echo the thoughts of many genealogists who desire to write a comprehensive book on their surname.
“Acquiring information that bears upon our forebears and that would lead to a clear, intelligent and efficient knowledge of their name, relation and ideals seems to be unusually long and far between and almost past our finding out.”
However, G. K. preserved. In 1900 he decided to compile information on his family. He talked to scattered family members, recorded their dates and their stories and, in 1942, he typed up his findings.
He mentions four Von-Faulkenberg brothers from German, Scotch-Irish descent. Specifically he gives William Fortinberry and Violette Kennington as the “first pair” whose union yields 10 children, 60 grandchildren and 465 great grandchildren in the pages of this book. Interwoven with Bible quotes and life lessons G. K. shares information on his Uncles Gazie, Calvin, William, Alfred, Hollis, Willis; the Aunts and related family branches.
The book includes no bibliography or footnotes. My research has shown that some of his dates are incorrect. But I am very glad I began my research with this delightful book. Others have as well. I found a copy in the Washington Parish Library in Franklinton, MS. And, in the McComb branch of the Pike - Amite – Walthall Library I pulled open a drawer in a tall filing cabinet, slipped out a folder and found a copy that is typed on tissue thin paper. Finding it was like finding an old friend. If you see it in a library, take it down and step into the past.
“The future will be developed in the light of past experiences.”
– G. K. Fortinberry
At the top of this blog, click on My Library for many more books that I have found useful for genealogical & historical research.
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What a great resource. You are lucky to have found the entire book on microfilm.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! My Dad has an original of this book. My Grandfather, William A. Cade, gave our Blackwell (Bertie) history to the author G. K. Fortenberry.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I do not normally publish unsigned comments. However, it sound slick you have a connection to the area. If you connect to the family I would like to 'talk' to you. Contact me
ReplyDeletecgbp@nycap.rr.com
I recognize that this is an old post. I’d love to speak with you. My mother’s maiden name is Fortenberry. Her father Carl is from Pike County. We live in the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana. She often spoke of this “little green book” that she loaned to another relative. After a small house fire, they claimed to have never recovered it.
ReplyDeleteYou are posting your comment as Anonymous & you are not giving me a method to contact you.
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