FRANKLINTON — The genealogy and family history of the Jacob Alford family will be the center of interest of the Washington Parish Genealogy and History Society exhibit at the Washington Parish Fair beginning October 15 in Franklinton.

Through this and other means, an effort is being made to contact each Alford family to update their history for a book to be published after the Fair.

Jacob Alfords' first marriage and the known children of this union will be included here. His second marriage, which produced the most descendants in this area, will be covered in the next article.

Advertisement

In about 1780, in North Carolina, Jacob Alford married first Elizabeth Bryant, born June 20, 1765. She died between 1789 and 1792 in Cumberland County, North Carolina. It is suspected that there were children other than those listed that are unknown to this family.

The children of Jacob and Elizabeth are, as follows:

1) Lucy Alford born about 1781 in North Carolina. She married William Maines about 1773 in North Carolina and died September 19, 1849 in Sabine Parish, LA. The Maines had twelve children most of them born in Washington Parish. They migrated west to Sabine Parish.

2) Needham Judge Alford was born July 12, 1789 in North Carolina. He spent his life as a Methodist Minister. On February 18, 1815, in Franklin Co., MS, he was married to Martha Waddell who was born Mary 15, 1798 in South Carolina. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Waddell. Martha died Nov 7, 1876 in Limestone Co., Texas. Needham died earlier on September 19, 1869 in Groesbeck, Limestone Co., Texas. Needham and Martha had eleven children.

On Saturday afternoon, October 18, at 2.p.m there will be a "Gathering of the Cousins" at the display in the Armory Building. All family members are invited to come fellowship and meet their cousins.

Gilbert K. Alford, Jr., family historian, was instrumental in forming the Alford American Family Association, P. O. Box 1586, Florissant, MO 630131-1586. He is presently updating records to publish a book in September. All Alford kin are urged to submit their information or update, if previously submitted. His e-mail address is Galford2@cs.com. The Alford website is http://www.alfordassociation.org. This group is searching for all Alford descendants to include in this book. Anyone who is an Alford or who has Alford kin in this area, are more than likely a member of this family.

Organizers need to make contact with these family members to see on which branch of the tree they belong.

Anyone desiring to participate in this project or who has questions, should call 985-732-2424 or 985-839-3946.