The study of the Civil War goes far beyond just the actual dates of the conflict with just one of the interesting areas being the Confederates who were actually &uot;pardoned&uot; after the war.

President Lincoln’s proclamation for pardons had exceptions regarding persons who could actually receive pardons and therefore amnesty from their &uot;crimes.&uot; After his death, President Andrew Johnson changed this with the proclamation of 1865 in which he &uot;intended they (the Confederates) should sue for pardon and so realize the enormity of their crime.&uot;

This Presidential pardon would restore a citizen to his former civil rights and also would provide immunity from prosecution for treason and from confiscation of his property. Not surprisingly, the President soon was besieged with thousands upon thousands of applications. Author Anne Webster has abstracted these pardons in her new book titled &uot;Mississippi Confederate Pardon Applications.&uot; These applications along with related papers were submitted to President Johnson from 1865 to 1867. There are even a few applications which were submitted to President Lincoln before his death.

The applications are listed in alphabetical order and a typical example reads: John M. Stewart, residence of Holmes County. Age 53. Stewart was born in Clarke County, Ga., and has resided in Holmes County for 26 years. He was opposed to secession and not engaged in the late war or in civil or military service. He believes he is worth more than $20,000.

The 148-page volume is available through Pioneer Publishing Company, PO Box 408, Carrollton, MS 38917, (662) 237-6010.

The price is $25 which includes tax and shipping.

DOES ANYONE KNOW…

… Bobbie M. Mortimer (604 Boatsmans Cove, Brandon, MS 39047) would like to locate the HIRAM FULTON family living in the Bond Community of Neshoba County near Philadelphia around 1915 to 1936 and possibly later. Hiram’s wife is believed to have been named SADE or SADIE. She may have been a half-breed Choctaw. They had a son named TOMMY and possibly a daughter as well. Any information on this family or a book or records that may locate them would be greatly appreciated. Can any reader help with the Fulton family?

… Bess Simmons (McComb, MS 601-684-5679, email:

pawpaw1@cableone.net

) recently wrote about the BALA CHITTO SIMMONS FAMILY BOOK of which she had available copies. A number of readers in Louisiana and Mississippi ordered copies and two batches were mailed out, one on April 3 and the second some 5-6 days later. Last week, Ms Simmons received a call from a Louisiana post office employee (near Covington, LA) who had received the book with no wrapping or address and he was trying to locate the intended receiver. Ms. Simmons has no way to identify who it was addressed to, but the post office is holding it in hopes the owner is somewhere nearby. If you ordered a book and have not received it, please contact Ms. Simmons so she can reunite you and your book!

… Barnett (

Joycetbarnett@aol.com

; 601-829-3078) is searching for families of adoptees who were adopted in the 1920s and early 1930s in the Forrest, Jones and Perry Counties areas. D.W. HOLMES, Attorney, and Mrs. D.B. HOLMES, who signed as the Defendant, did most of the adoptions and there is no identifying information for the birth parents included in the Adoption files. If you or someone you know was a part of one of these adoptions, please contact Ms. Barnett. She operates an adoption registry which helps reunite consenting birth parents and consenting adult children. You may have siblings or birth family members waiting to hear from you!

… John Wilson (

Wilson950@aol.com

) is looking for a NANCY ANN WALKER who married AUSTIN JONES. Nancy was born in 1849 in Mississippi but little else is known of her. Austin was born in 1839 and died in 1908. He served in the 6th MS Infantry, CO. G of the Confederate Army. Neither of their parents are known. They were living in Wilkinson County, MS, when Mr. Wilson picks up their story.

Supposedly Nancy died quite young. The couple had at least five children: JOHNNY, HOMAH, FANNY, ROXIE, and RENE. Can any reader help with this line?

Please send your announcements and queries to FAMILY TREES, 900 Main Street, Natchez, MS 39120 or email

Famtree316@aol.com

. All queries printed free of charge. We look forward to hearing from you!