I am wondering if my g grandfather was a child of Frank and Atha Cooper. His name was Willis Charles Cooper, b. abt 1847. I believe it is very likely my g grandfather could have been a brother or other relative to Frank and Atha's children. My dad always said his people were in the Statesboro area. County lines around Screven changed several times during the 1800s and early 1900s and some individuals may have been in and outside Bulloch County.

Over the years, Nathaniel (son of Frank and Atha) and his family were in Burke (1880), Screven (1900), and Emanuel (1910 and 1920) counties. According to the census records, my g grandfather Willis was supposedly born in Georgia. He was in District 83 of Jefferson County (1870 and 1880). In 1900, like Nathaniel, Willis was also in Screven County. He continued residence in Screven, until sometime between 1910 and 1920. He later moved to Ocilla, Irwian County.

My experience with tracking early generations of Screven families (black and white) shows that family names were repeatedly passed down and around. Names in my Willis line, that are also in Nathaniel’s line include: Samuel, Nathaniel, Willis, William, Sarah, Ellen, James, John, Aletha (Atha), Viola (Viletta). My dad's name was Samuel Nathaniel Cooper. His brothers were: Willie Charles "WC", Albro, and Henry Cooper. My father's father was John Cooper, b. 1891 who married Florence Odom. John's father (my g grandfather)Willis had 3 wives and at least 23 children. His first wife was Katie; the second was Priscilla Lipsey. My g grandmother and 3rd wife of Willis was, Mary Byrd.

There is a 98+ year old among my father’s kin who is knowledgable about the Cooper lineage. I will ask her if she is aware of your known Coopers, and a link between us. She once told me that Willis and family moved around a lot. The family's itinerant status could be a reason for a disconnect from others.