Search for My Ancestors Leads to Hidden Graves, Abandoned Houses, and Epic Rural Georgia Road Trip
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- Our adventure starts on dirt roads in Marion County, where we document old abandoned houses and an abandoned farm store that holds special meaning to me.
We then travel to the historic city cemetery in Ellaville, Georgia, where my 3rd great-grandparents, James Riley Greene and his wife Ida Jordan Greene, are buried. After a brief tour of the charming small town of Ellaville, we head back onto dirt roads in search of more ancestral graves.
Our next significant stop is the grave of my 2nd great-grandmother, Carry Davis Greene, who tragically passed away when my great-grandfather was very young. In the same cemetery, we make a poignant discovery of graves hidden in the woods, despite most of the cemetery being well-maintained. We take some time to explore these forgotten resting places.
Nearby, we find the grave of my 4th great-grandfather, John Greene, in an intriguing old Lutheran graveyard filled with many ancient headstones. As we leave the Lutheran cemetery, we navigate a rough dirt road and make an unexpected discovery: two non-venomous black snakes.
Continuing our journey, we explore Macon County and Sumter County. We attempt to reach another cemetery but find the GPS coordinates are incorrect, leading us instead to the small town of Smithville, Georgia. Here, we briefly explore before concluding our epic rural Georgia road trip.
This video is a blend of genealogy, history, and adventure, showcasing the hidden gems and forgotten stories of rural Georgia. - Zábava
An epic adventure down into south Georgia, searching for the graves of my ancestors - and whatever else we find!
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Hello Robert. You have stirred up memories again . My sister and I were born in 1945 and 1947 in Atlanta Georgia. She divorced my father in 1951. She bought a new 1952 Chevrolet. She loved filling the car up on Sunday afternoons and making a picnic lunch. Off we would go, down any dirt road She could find in Fulton, DeKalb or Newton counties. Still quite a lot of them in the fifties. We would find old abandoned houses, old churches with grave yards, abandoned stores,etc. We would find a shady place to eat our lunch and talk about when she was a little girl. I adored doing this and my sister hated it. We never got lost and never ran out of gas. Thank you so much for resurrecting these memories. You do such a great job with these videos.
How cool - thank you for sharing!
How interesting 😊thank you for sharing a great memory😊
Those wonderful plums and blackberries take me back to my childhood!! Barefoot all summer, running in the dirt, eating all the plums and blackberry my tummy could hold, and not a care in the world!! Thank you for taking me back to that amazing world!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I live in England born in England but l love watching your videos of old America😘. Last year I did a road trip with my daughter and her family to Austin Texas then a stop in Galveston ( I fell in love with Galveston and the beach). Then a stop in New Orleans,Pensacola Florida, Georgia Atlanta then finally to Nashville. We love your country. Next year it’s Salem Massachusetts 😘. Driving through each state and seeing how lovely it all is. Didn’t go where tourist go.
Hello UK Scotland Ireland long ago Cousins
My Scottish family Mc Curdy settled the Pan Handle of Fla Also the Morris ,
Next time go though the Gulf Coast to Lake Shore Ms, out of the way to Fla, & Bay st Louis Ms, old graves from settlers .It's all in the Gulf Coast
Do you know any Williams from Wales , my ancestor married a Mc Caffery then their daughter married a O Brien & hete I am,!!!
I am an American Williams, so far I have found family in Virginia but I’m still searching and haven’t reached the pond yet.
When you go to Salem head north to Maine as well. We went as far northeast as we could go. We started in Boston. Stayed at an old coast guard station now retired from its service. Nearby was a lighthouse we went to. Proceeded south to Acadia and back to Boston and home. Next year we are cruising and we end our cruise in Dover. We plan to go to London and then over to Paris to fly home. Safe Travels in America.
My 5th great grandfather Willis Little was postmaster and owned a general store in Ellaville. He was a member of the Methodist church and died in 1883. Thanks so much for the tour I have never been to Ellaville.
My cousin was a Little, they lived in Ms
Love them ol country roads. So many are disappearing. Thanks for documenting these historic relics
The worst case of chiggers I ever got was out picking wild plums with my mother. Thank you for the memory as that was about 50 yrs ago. Despite all the miserable itching and whelps, there was nothing but smiles when we had wild plum jelly on hot homemade biscuits!
People worry about ticks. I tell them they have never been covered in chiggers. Why is it they seem to love being where blackberries, wild plums and your favorite fishing spots are? LOL I miss my grandmothers' plum and blackberry jelly. Was sooo good.
That was fun! Thanks for taking us along. Beautiful countryside, gorgeous cemeteries, and The Host With The Most! You're always great to hang out with.
Take care!☺️
I Love the roads less traveled, old homes, old cemeteries, old cars, anything old! Love your videos Robert!
Love it! 😊 You know you’re in South Georgia when you hear Jordan pronounced as Jerden. Makes me a little homesick.
A lot of Jordans (“Jerdans”) in central Georgia around Macon and Monticello!
I am like you I am totally fascinated and in love with all these older homes most of them abandoned. Every old house has a story to tell. They have a history. Somebody lived there somebody’s lives there. I’m so glad you have the same interest and share and create these videos for us thank you.
I'm showing my age. That store was just like on Petticoat Junction Sam Drucker store.
All aboard 😊
@@Cliffyzjiffy Thanks Floyd. LOL
My ex MIL and I were riding around in the country one day. We came upon an old cemetery. Although the cemetery was kept up there was a small area that was overgrown. I could not understand why someone couldn't run their mower over the graves right next to their loved ones. It would only take 3 or 4 minutes and cost a few cents. It really says something about people
This was a fun episode. Very enjoyable history lesson. Thanks Robert!
This was a wonderful adventure! I love going down back roads and those that are off the beaten path. They all hold treasures of all kinds. It was great to see your ancestors and people you have connections to. I know I wish I had written down family stories my grandpa had told me, and now there's no one left to ask. Thank you for taking us along with you, Robert. Just like a being on a country ride that Grandpa used to take us on on Sunday afternoons.
Those things you call wild plums look like what my grandma called ground cherries. So good! Enjoy watching you on those back roads. Thank you!
I am so happy to hear your family history and see you visit and film your family graves. It is so good of you to share it. This was a such a beautiful drive and tour. The sad fate of the country store is why all that you do is so important. Enjoyed seeing the snack find too. This is so peaceful and your calm voice so soothing. Wonderful. Thank you, Robert. ❣️❣️👍👍
When we were kids daddy would take us out to pick wild plums in South Georgia. They were the best . Georgia dirt always remind me of my daddy
so sad seeing the country store goes away,so much history is gone,thansk to you ,we still can see it..thank you!
Thanks for taking us out for a Sunday drive. Just beautiful backroads.
Thank you Robert for taking us along these old hidden cemeteries, I appreciate for all you do, brambles and all, stay safe out there❤
Nothing better than wild fruit. I'm so glad you took us on this tour. Yeah, it's crazy how much unknown history there is.
My husband and I are the same way. We have driven down many back roads just to see what was "down there". He is from Savannah Georgia so seeing areas in Georgia are even more interesting. Thanks for a great adventure.
My Grandfather loved plums. Back in the day plums used to be as tart as they were sweet. Also I can't find canned plums any more. Anyway, thanks for reminding me.
Its always fascinating to me to see those old gravestones, oldest person I knew personally was my great grandfather and he was BORN on 1909. It's wild to watch names, dates and epitaphs of people who lived before. And those small quiet town you drive trough are magical, like stepping into some past times, like a time machine.
Its so sad to see the older parts of cemetaries not being taken care of!😣
I have Greens in my family but they were up in Rhode Island and Canada. I use to go with my dad and we would drive around to my grandparents graves and visit.
When my son was 5 y/o, he told me "Mudpuddles are God's gift to me. It would be rude to ignore them." I'm beginning to think Robert has that same philosophy.
What a Sweet Share!!!
What a Sweet Share !!!
✨
It looks like Rhoda Ann died while giving birth to twins. One lived only 11 days and one 2 months. Very interesting and sad. Thank you for the wonderful adventure.
This was an awesome adventure. We used to have lots of gravel roads, including mine, but they are slowly all getting paved. I'm in NE MS. There's still a half gravel, half paved road that cuts over to AL about a mile from me. The cemetery just up the road from me and where a lot of my family is buried at has been here since before the civil war. The oldest marked grave is a child's that died in 1845. There's supposedly some unmarked civil war soldiers buried there but not sure about that. There was a small skirmish here so it's quite possible. People find uniform buttons and musket balls there sometimes and my ex found a CSA belt buckle here on my family's land. The cemetery is well kept and is still used. Love the racers. Probably a breeding pair. Love how they shake their tails trying to warn you like a rattlesnake does. Kingsnakes do that too. So proud to hear you say venomous instead of poisonous. Those are game (fighting) roosters. Thanks for taking us along. I often wish I was riding with you. So many beautiful and interesting places I'd love to photograph.
Sarah Jordan Greene was born 13 Sep 1860 and died 11 Jan 1914 and is buried at the Liberty Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Sumter, Sumter County, Georgia. Yes, the other Jordan couple is Ida's parents. On that mural there was a Greene's Dairy. The name looked like Howard Greene. Head connection: Archie Green's sister Lillie Sue Green married David L Head. She was buried in Red Hill Cemetery. Appears name change with Archie from Greene to Green.
My ex sister in law is kin to some Heads from Ms
With you showing old homes and such, you need to go to court house records and to the historical society to see if you could find pictures and history of these places and show them to your viewers. Love your videos.
This was a fascinating video. I brought back a lot of memories for me. As a kid my parents drove back to Alabama n we always took the back roads to get there. Of course 75 wasn’t built yet. Then as adults my husband n I would take the back roads to get Alabama. I loved going through the small little towns seeing all the old barns or house. I need to look up my Mama’s side of the family. I would love to go n check it out. You are so fortunate n blessed that your descendants are close by. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself. ♥️♥️♥️😊👍👍👍🌟🐾🐾🐾🐾
I haven't had that type of plum in years...more than 50 years...loved them as a child!!!.
Hi Robert I enjoy your videos. The way you appreciate nature brings back a lot of memories. Stay safe and God Bless
I grew up in SE Arkansas in the 1950s and remember blackberries, plums, muscadine grapes, persimmons, and chewing sweet gum sap with Clove gum. My grandmother took us on nature walks. My grandfather died in 1941 so I never met him, but learned about family history from his youngest brother, my great uncle Archie. My great grandfather fought in the Civil War and also married two sisters. Both wives died before him and he died in Feb.1901 with several of his siblings who all got pneumonia nursing his older brother through an influenza epidemic. They survived so much in his generation. Three of his brothers died in 1864. Two died of smallpox as POWs in Rock Island and Camp Douglas and the other was shot when he was visiting his family in TN. Others died in 1878 of the yellow fever epidemic, in cluding my great great grandmother and other relatives.
This was really fun driving down the dirt roads and exploring. My late husband and I did this alot,usually with no specific destination. Thanks for taking us along.
Robert, You have the Jordan eyes. They would be very proud of what you have done with your life xx
Beautiful scenery and great history. Love when you take us for these trips. Thanks so much.👍❤️
I lived on a Game farm for 16 years, and this is what you were inquiring about, with the roosters. The roosters must be tethered, on tie cords, because if one gets away from his cord, he will fight with the first rooster he sees, and we will say no more. So, I hope I have answered your question, about those handsome birds. Also, these fowl are well cared for, with reverence and respect. They have sunshine, and fresh air and shelter. Plus, they are loved, as you can see how well the yard was groomed and maintained. Game farms are a place of much care and love, for this particular type of chicken. These people definitely love their flock!
Back before the internet, taking a Sunday drive was something I looked forward too as a child as many other families did. I have loved old cemeteries since I was a child. The first office job I applied for, right out of high school, was at a large cemetary. Didn't get it though 😂
Robert this was so wonderful and heart warming to see where your precious family is resting. I see you are very proud and I am proud of you to❣️
I enjoy listening to your family history. Such a pretty drive-Georgia is beautiful. And I LOVE the Jeep!
totally enjoyed the trip to see where you ancestors are laid to rest..Love little towns and when i visit a cemetery I am looking for the oldest part of it. Look forward to more of your trip.
I enjoyed the road trip, especially the birdsong choirs, and the snakes!
Demolition through neglect is so sad. The stories that store could tell… Thanks for sharing.
I love you keeping you’re family history alive. I gave up on my Indian side looking for the grave or even year of death.
I found my paternal grandmother wasn’t in find a grave but my paternal grandfather was; and find a grave is wrong with his military service records and 1 sibling who died from cancer is listed death wrong year and state but linked with my grandfather find a grave profile.
So far I have paternal grandfather history back to around 1880 and I have fact checked with my oldest uncle to confirm.
Now it’s maternal grandmother history which I know family member has the whole tree from England but waiting on find a grave to add my request for my grandmother addition.
You can send edits to whoever maintains the person’s listing OR request that they transfer the listing to you. If they refuse, you can appeal to FindAGrace.
Thanks for the ride Robert it was fu n wish I could have had a black berry! Love and Light God Bless!
So fascinating. I am mesmerized by these videos. Thanks…
super cool video robert really enjoyed it miss dan the man on your adventures 😀
One of the best you've ever done.
Away from everything, is exactly how life was lived back in those days. My mom grew up in a place that is still 2 miles back in the woods , on a road that goes behind a cemetery that is back. Off the main road. Very few of those areas still exist.
I am from Boston Massachusetts and I love this!
Wow powerful thankyou for taking us on this trip so amazing Robert how many people can say and know we're there 2 , 3 and 4 generation are buried and can visit such rich history very touching not to mention the towns building murals and those old dirt roads down memory lane the beautiful resting places our history is so important to know who we are and where we came from and don't forget the snakes Robert and his wildlife love it Robert that jeep fits you perfect takes you on history adventures and we get to see you cruising along you take my breath away not many like you any more so in tune with life we love all you do and are take care ❤
51:16 - The 17th Georgia Infantry was a unit that was engaged in several major battles. They were part of the fight for Devil's Den at Gettysburg, and present at the Battle of Chickamauga, the Wilderness Campaign, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Fredericksburg, and was also present at Appomattox for the AoNV's surrender.
Francis Mott's Civil War looks a liitle wild. They're using his highest rank on the headstone, but he actually ended the war as a Private. He was court-martialed and reduced in rank for going AWOL sometime in 1863. He was wounded in the left leg sometime before July 1864, and was in and out of the hospital until finally returned to his regiment in early 1865. It appears he was present at the time of AoNV's surrender at Appomattox. (All info obtained from Fold3)
This has been very interesting and I have enjoyed this very much with you. God bless you 🙏❤️
very interesting walk so Thanks for sharing the country roads adventures ❤️👍❤️👍- Looks like your family headstones sure need a good cleaning- just saying-🤲🤔 perhaps you could make that a project and post✊
Awesome road trip Robert.
Thanks Robert, fun trip
What a great day!!! Thanks for the ride!!
So enjoy your ventures.
Some sure reminds me of home here in OK.
Blackberries and Sand plums. Yum!
Thanks ! Mr. Robert.
Those sand plums are the best
While in Ohio visiting my Army buddy, I saw my first field stone headstone. There were actually a couple in this one cemetery. Very cool.
While traveling around southern pines, NC I saw my first wooden marker.
It's really cool your family has lived in that area for so many generations. If I were to visit my second great grandfather's grave or before him, I'd have to travel clear across the country.
Wild Georgia plums!! Such good memories. Granny and me used to pick the scuppernongs too to make jelly. I could almost taste those p!ums. Thanks for taking us along Robert.
One of my all time favorite things to do--drive down country roads with interesting names to settlements with interesting names.
Looking up on my family tree, Mrs. Lucinda K Jordan is Ida Jordan's mother , H.T. Jordan, (Henry Thomas Jordan) is Ida's Father.
I live in Arkansas and our county roads are paved. So interesting
Mr. Robert Green. I always watch your videos. Sometimes I comment. I don’t know why I am addicted to your videos. I love you. Your appearance,personality, and character attract me. Your voice, physical stature and beard make my day. I’m in love with you. Until next time. My love please, take care and stay safe. 🍺🌹🌞🕊🇺🇸🌈🙏😇👍❤️
Hello Robert, where is the other Robert we all miss seeing you and him exploring together.
Thank you so much for sharing your information about your Family Robert, and the history of Georgia, I just love History Adventures,,so glad you have an awesome Jeep
As always an interesting adventure on back roads you seem to be familiar and comfortable on. Thanks for taking us along. Wild plums, blackberries and black snakes never a dull moment! I enjoy genealogy and searching and finding ancestor’s graves also.
Found Carlton J. McKenzie in Soldiers and Sailors database..listed in 62nd Regiment, GA Calvary
Googled March 25, 1864, and found that the Battle of Paducah was fought on this day. So C.J. probably died in the Battle of Paducah.
This general store in the beginning is like two minutes from where I live! I believe the area was called Putnam after Putnam Stevens who owned a peach orchard in the area
Oh man - wild blackberries
You brought memories back to me when you ate blackberrys and plums. Wow! I have relatives buried there too.
BEST VIDEO YOU’VE EVER DONE! Awesome! Love longer videos… went by too fast. Your Awesome.. just Awesome! ❤❤️❤️❤️
Robert thank you for all your contributions the historical details Dan, Cecil and you dig up are fantastic.
Loved seeing the old buildings. Would love to see you go to heard County!
Hello Robert. I've been an avid viewer of your Old Byrd Farm channel for about 3 1/2 - 4 years and have always wanted to have a look at the Sidestep Adventures channel, but haven't had the time to have a look till now when recuperating from a recent surgery. I have watched a couple of the family history / headstone cleaning vids and find them very interesting. It's really wonderful that your able to follow your passions so actively. I look forward to your future endeavors and wish you continued success, especially in your battle against the ills of the creeping crawling wisteria. I have always wondered how satisfying a small wood chipper might be in your efforts as the useful wood chips might also prove a suitable revenge, as well.
Your awesome and awesome video be safe out there
Love watching your videos. I’m not to far from you here in Newnan Ga. I’d love to see you and Mr Dan go and visit Historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. It’s right down the road from my grandmothers house. People go there and picnic, walk their dogs and make a day of it. It’s also the graves of confederate soldiers and Margaret Mitchell. Thanks so much!
We’ll definitely get up there one day
Go back to country store and dig up one of those plum trees. Very cool for "The Old Byrd Farm"
Great video! Very interesting video. Thank you 👍
This was such a nice Sunday drive. I loved every minute of it. A long time ago I used to do this on Sunday and something my dad used to do when we were kids. You remind me very much of him. It is sad that it is not something done much anymore. People would rather have their face in the computer or phone or watching TV. I guess it depends on where you live and where you are in your life as to whether you go for a Sunday drive. I appreciate the trip!
I grew up just off Bumphead Road in Schley County.
Amazing watching you find your relatives , love watching thanks
That's how the roads down in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, where my Dad grew up, were like back in the 60's. Mostly dirt or gravel.
A beautiful country road in GA. driven on a late spring day by the handsome Robert Wright.
I use to live in a town where there was a finely manicured cemetery with an unkept part next to it. In this case it was a different cemetery, not part of the kept one. Eventually the Boy Scouts went and cleaned it up.
I think of old abandoned house, etc as empty stages. All the players or actors are gone, but you'd sure like to know what went on there.
Thank you for your wonderful channel. That little country store must have so very special. I don't like forgotten things. God Bless your continuous journey. I'm happy for you!
Seattle kin 🙏🏽❤️
P.S. I just painted the lettering on my great grandparents old stones in Arlington Wa. Country folk. I'm interested in why the cemetery has large stone slabs over their resting places.
Great video Robert...
I work for the Arkansas Highway Department and often come across blackberries and the occasional persimmon tree!
Those are fighting roosters
Oh dear, should they be reported, that’s an awful practice?!
Greetings from Poteet Texas and thanks for the video
Enjoyed sharing your past!
Love your videos 😊. I also love searching cemeteries for ancestry. I live in Ontario Canada and my ancestors were from Nova Scotia Canada. Great memories!
I really enjoy your videos, not just for the content, but also the love and respect that you have. It really shines throgh
great video. where's MR. Dan?
Oh, how I miss my Granny's wild plum jelly. I remember going to the Levy and picking bags of those sweet plums.
Nice post Robert. Very glad you r documenting ur Greene fam. Isn't it strange how back then, families would spell surnames differently? I even noticed on one of ur family markers, the "e" on the end was dropped. I'm gonna run these Greene names by my Aunt who has done extensive ancestry research on our Green family side. Who knows, somewhere along the line there could be ties. Of course Green/e is definitely a common surname.
Man how appropriate the other end of Mine Rd named Bump Head Rd! I was thinking Tail Bone Rd.😁 Anywho when u stopped so quickly .. I said he's found a snake! 👏🏼 Was wondering when u were gonna see one but u saw 2, even better. Black racers definitely as fast as that 1st one took off. Was hoping u were gonna grab that 2nd more brave one. It wouldn't have bit too hard .. like a briar scratch. U definitely know what that feels like, u get them all the time.😉 Oh the plums & blackberries, u won't go hungry too long romping in the woods this time of year. Dang those were some hellacious saw briars, worse than the black racer actually 😱 Look forward to ur next post for more Greene family graves & bump head road cruising 😁 B safe & well.
BTW: Did a search on Payne Bottom. Couldnt find one thing. Tried under various ways, still nothing. Wonder if that's a sign to a new subdivision name or in that line of something like that?? And maybe hasn't actually been "documented" yet. I tried .. sorry
Love hearing the stories!
Perfect adventure to take to North Georgia….Keith Plantation located in Cherokee County, GA.
Locals are trying to protect this plantation and the land recently had been put up for sale. The current owners are refusing to preserve it. I would love to see what you can find that we haven’t found yet. My husbands 2nd great grandmother was once there on these plantation.
That’s sad!