Last week’s newsletter focused on the S.C. Artisan Database and the resources it offers for tying individual artisans to material culture and historic structures. Each county has a treasure of artisans of whom only descendants or local historians are aware. Eddie Killian, a Fairfield County, S.C., genealogist, shared information on his Killian ancestors who had moved to the S.C. Upcountry and became very successful businessman and builders. Another user who is working on building a railroad history began looking at the extensive brick business in York and Chester counties. So, R&R is pleased to know that many of us do have a keen interest in our historic homes and what went into their construction.
The database also was used by a friend from Charleston, who had limited information on one of her ancestors, who, she had been told, was an iron worker. She asked that I share information on iron workers via the database so she might connect the dots or eliminate individuals. It “appears” the man she was looking for was a painter who died at an early age from lead poisoning. Further research needs to be conducted to be sure the individual was indeed her forbear.
In any case, using the database as a tool to track construction patterns, artisans, ancestors, and industrial development has proven useful. Just as many of R&R’s pages are a collaboration of cousins and friends, so too is the database. This is the sheer beauty of the website; dozens of individual users may share an individual HOMEPLACE, each having important contributions to make toward revealing an accurate and whole history. So, be sure to continue sharing your comments and telling R&R all about artisans of whom you are aware.