Burnett - Gilley Connection, Family History Book

Genealogical research can utilize many forms of evidence; some of these include census records, birth/marriage/death certificates, wills and probate documents.  One method that is sometimes overlooked is family histories penned by a family member.  There is mention of our family in one such family history book written by a descendant of Alfred and Julia Burnett.  The book is titled “History of the Gilley Family” and was written by Valma D. Fischer, a GG grandchild of Alfred and Julia through their daughter Sidnah.  This is a self published book dated January, 1981 and there are multiple copies in the hands of Gilley and Burnett descendants.  There is also a copy located at the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library in Lake Charles, LA.

What makes this book so intriguing is the Gilley and Burnett families are closely tied together by marriage.  Three of Alfred and Julia’s children and one grandchild married children of George and Pheriba Gilley.

Sherrod married Mary Gilley.
Sidnah married Isaac Gilley.
Elizabeth married Thomas Gilley.
Granddaughter Sophia married George Gilley.

Why so many marriages between these two families?  The answer is location, location, location.  It is believed the George Gilley homeplace was located near what is now today called Camp Pearl.  Camp Pearl is about 10 miles north of where Alfred Burnett operated a ferry across the Calcasieu River.  It stands to reason the families would be in contact, with the ferry being the means of transportation of the Gilley family to and from Lake Charles.

Below is an excerpt from the book.  The handwritten notes are updates which were made after publication by the author.

History of the Gilley Family, p. 95, by Valma Fischer, 1981, self published

DNA Matches to Kentucky Burnett Descendants

We now have autosomal DNA samples for at least 24 known descendants of Alfred Burnett and Julia Seaman.  Two of the DNA samples are from great grandchildren and 9 more are from my generation - GG grandchildren.  The remainder of the samples is further removed generations.

Many of these 24 know descendants match well to other Burnett families that trace their roots to Kentucky.  These Kentucky Burnett families are descendants of -

William Burnett
John Burnett
Dammie Burnett
Isaac Burnett
Matthew Burnett
Absalom Burnett

The above are believed children of John Burnett 1750-?, who was married to Mary Morgan.  The trouble is there is little recorded evidence to prove these are children of John Burnett, though many online family trees show this relationship.  In fact, I am in contact with a Kentucky Burnett descendant who has court records that seem to disprove these are John Burnett’s children. The Kentucky Burnett families were not good record keepers; even their trees with the same Burnett ancestors do not match. Nevertheless, our line of Burnett’s match well with the above Kentucky Burnett families.

Recently a court record concerning Matthew Burnett’s estate settlement was found and this document mentioned an Alfred Burnett. I contacted the Hancock County, Kentucky courthouse and they have sent me copies of Matthew Burnett’s estate settlement.  Unfortunately, this record does not list his children.  It does mention Elizabeth “wife of Matthew”.  Also, there is mention of “Note to Alfred Burnett Bal due – is 34.62”.  Actually, it mentions notes due to three others as well, but none of which have the surname Burnett.  I have examined the document there is no mention of any kinship except wife Elizabeth.  This mention of Alfred Burnett does not establish any relationship and sadly cannot be used to prove kinship.

From the DNA samples and the limited information that can be taken from Ancestry DNA, I have charted how our Burnett’s relate to these Kentucky Burnett lines. Below is a heat map chart that I am working on.  This is unpublished, but considered copyright material.  It cannot be copied, published, emailed in any form.

DNA Heat Map - Alfred Burnett and Kentucky Burnett Descendants

The cells in the chart are color coded from red to light green – red being the best match.  The top row (blue) lists the descendants of Alfred Burnett and their relation to Alfred Burnett. The left column (purple) lists the Kentucky Burnett family and their relationship to that family.  The number in the cells represents the amount of shared centimorgans of DNA. The higher the centimorgans, the better the match from the Kentucky Burnett family to our Alfred Burnett family. The GG refers to great grandchild and how many generations removed.

The chart suggests our best DNA matches are to the Matthew, Isaac and Absalom Burnett families.  Perhaps our Alfred is a sibling or son of these three Burnett males? Still, DNA evidence alone is not proof, we must have a paper trail to confirm kinship. 

I feel we are close to solving the ‘where are Alfred’s parents’ mystery, but need to find recorded evidence to go along with our DNA findings.  It is my feeling that there are records in the Grayson, Hancock or Washington County Kentucky courthouses that will confirm Alfred’s parents.  I am currently working with the Nelson County courthouse and will keep you posted to what I dig up.