Re: Rutherford ......Roots
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In reply to:
Re: Rutherford ......Roots
chuck rutherford 12/29/04
Family history research for Alex Haley's book Roots was actually done by noted professional and widely published genealogist Edythe Rucker Whitley of Nashville, Tennessee.She began corresponding with Haley while he was still on active duty with the US Coast Guard.He secured her to perform family research beginning in Henning, Tenn.Over many years she documented his family back to entry in Maryland.I have personally seen his letters to her and her replies to him.She was very hurt that Haley gave her no credit in his book or the mini-series for her extensive work for him.She said the only consolation was that she was paid well.She was a very fine lady and one of the best Genealogists around.She is a legend at the Tenn. State Archives and had a personal parking place by the back entrance. She was handicapped in her later years and this was extended to her by several Governors as a courtesy and in honor of her contributions to documenting Tennessee History.A Google search on "Edythe Whitley" yeilds 10 pages of hits.In the late 1970's I was asked by a friend if I would stop by Mrs. Whitley's house occasionally and reshelve books for her and other odd chores.She helped me with my wife's family genealogy and DAR application.Each meeting was a learning experience.
When she could no longer live alone she sold her collections of family genealogies and some of her extensive research library to the Franklin, TN Library.Check them to see if they have a family in her folders that you are working on.Most of her family research was done for clients for DAR/Colonial Dames membership and were not published.She did however write many books.She moved to California to live with her daughter and died there in 1989.She never forgave Alex Haley taking credit for her extensive genealogical research and documentation of his family.
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Re: Rutherford ......Roots
Paulyne Rutherford Taylor 1/21/05
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Re: Rutherford ......Roots
Lois Johnson 1/20/05
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Re: Rutherford ......Roots
Ronald Couch 1/20/05
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Re: Rutherford ......Roots
chuck rutherford 1/20/05
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Re: Rutherford ......Roots