Episode Ten, Part One: New member Bernard Middleton shares the discovery of his Huguenot ancestry.
Elizabeth and Cheves sat down with new member Bernard Middleton to discuss his journey into genealogy and documenting his Huguenot ancestry. The genealogists at headquarters worked with Bernie for over a year as he discovered and documented his lineage.
One of Bernie’s great discoveries was made possible via a newspaper clipping from November 1955 which provided the death of his grandmother four generations back who lived to be 110 years old. This lead to Freedmen’s records and so much more. Through parts one and two of our discussion with Bernie fellow researchers will hear of his experiences in his research and what suggestions he has for those who are beginning their research journey. We also discuss a wonderful discovery he made over lunch at the South Carolina Historical Society which broke a brick wall for him.
Research Journal
Bernie shared with us his detailed and visually stunning handwritten genealogy journal. He discusses this work in the podcast.
The Value of Tangible Records
Cheves Leland and Bernie spent time together studying his lineage and research and shared the importance of having both digital records and tangible ones to enjoy with family members.
Thanks to Tenah… the research bloomed.
In the podcast Bernie discusses the importance of the oral history of “Tenah” and the value of finding a clipping from November 1955 recording her death at 110 years of age.
The Article That Helped Break the Brick Wall
This article brought so much to the story for Bernie opening up the study of “Tenah” and her ancestry.
Bernard Middleton
GUEST
Bernard “Bernie” Middleton and his wife Jenarie are both members of the Society and avid genealogists. They live in Florida with their five children and visit their relatives in Charleston as often as possible. Jenarie often participates in the Cooper Bridge Run.
Bernie began his genealogy research at the young age of 12 and has been documenting his lineage ever since. He attended the University of Florida where he also competed in Track and Field from 2004 to 2008.
Elizabeth F. Gay
HOST
Elizabeth F. Gay is a thirty-plus year member of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina and serves as its Executive Director. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, she descends from French Huguenot immigrants Benjamin Marion and Thomas de Guerin. After a career in corporate communications, she retuned to Charleston in 2018 and brings her enjoyment of education through conversations to this podcast series as she visits with historians, authors and more.