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Welcome to the Great Galveston Storm Website
(Note: Mic Barnette, the author of this site, writes a weekly genealogical column in the Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas. To read some of his back columns visit his website at: http://www.geocities.com/barnette_geo/)
On September 11, 2001 terrorists struck America and the World by hijacking four airliners and using them as loaded guided missles to
destroy the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. The days after the terrorist strikes were probably much like the days in September 1900 when one of the worst storms
covered Galveston Island with between 8 and 15 feet of water and killing between 7,000 and 10,000 people. This website is a precursor to an envisioned future publication dedicated to knowing
something of the people who died in the Great Galveston Storm. The people who died in the Great Galveston Storm were live, vibrant, breathing people. In many cases more than one person in a family perished. In other
cases, whole families died. The world has moved on, but, they should not be forgotten. The Great Galveston Storm of 1900 occurred prior to the time when hurricanes had names. It had winds clocked at over
100 miles per hour when the wind gauge broke. The whole Island of Galveston was covered by at least 6 to 8 feet of water from a storm surge and it is estimated that between 7,000 and 10,000 died. This storm remains the
highest death toll from a natural disaster in American history. Much has been written about the Galveston Storm. Most of what has been written, however, has been the stories of those who survived the
Storm. This website on the other hand is an attempt to identify as many as possible of those who died during the Storm. The newspapers published the names of about 5,000 persons. In many cases it says Mr. Jones, his
wife and three children died. A goal of the project is to identify which Mr. Jones and give names, ages and other information to his wife and his children. The website will be a work in progress.
Initially it will list the names listed in the newspaper. By perusing the city directory it is hoped some information can be obtained and place the family in their respective census enumeration district neighborhoods.
By using the 1900 census it is hoped even more information can be discovered. By having the information on a website it is hoped descendants or relatives of the deceased will visit the site and offer even more
information to help give life to those who died. When all the work has been completed a book may be in order. Anyone visiting the website is urged to contact Mic Barnette at [email protected] with information on
anyone who perished in the Storm. If you have photographs of people who died or places affected by the Storm they may be considered for inclusion on this website. You will be duly credited for the information you
provide.In addition to the names of those who died, the website has a list of the people, cities, churches, companies and other entities that contributed to relief funds
to help the survivors of Galveston try to recover from the Storm and begin a new life.Be sure to read the story of the Storm in the Before the Storm, The Approaching Storm, During the Storm and After the Storm segments. Links to other websites relating to the Storm and a listing of sources, books and the like will also be on the website. |
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