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John P. Rankin's
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These are the Madison pioneer family research papers of John Rankin organized by family in a series of computer directories that are now accessable on the internet. These materials were originally published by John in 2005 as the Madison Memories Collection, Pioneer Families CD-ROM which was part of a series published for the benefit the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society. Much more complete versions of these materials are available on computers in the Heritage Room and the Madison County Records Center at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.
The following is the Introduction to Contents on the original CD-ROM.
With the advent of home computing technology, there is no reason that public records of pioneers of the area should be unavailable to those who may be interested. Research regarding the pioneer families of the area in and around the town of Madison may be facilitated by the numerous old census, land, and probate records plus miscellaneous data that has been collected and stored in this series of computer disks. Please keep in mind that the contents of this CD series represent material acquired from various sources during personal research of the history of the area. The data stored herein is intended exclusively for non-profit, non-commercial use and educational purposes only.
It has been my objective in undertaking this effort that the records of the lives of the pioneer families should be preserved in a format that will enable future generations to appreciate their time on this earth. Not all pioneers were "prominent" people, and there was no intent to limit representation herein to the affluent pioneers. Even the most common or least privileged of the area's early settlers had an influence toward the clearing of the land and the definite progression of the region toward the superb living conditions offered by the area today.
Since this is an on-going work, it is expected that future editions of the CD-ROM series will present even more families and subjects, as they become the objects of research by the undersigned - and as descendants offer to share data and photos of their ancestors who lived in this area. This collection of data and photographs is dedicated to the memory of all of the early settlers, with thanks for the lives that they lived through various hardships and joys, which ultimately benefit those who reside here today.
John P. Rankin
103 Madison Avenue, Madison, AL 35758
jprankin@knology.net
April 20, 2005
The following is a list of links to specific family folders: