Primary Source Documents
D'Olive Family Bible Records
Handwritten entries preserved across generations — births, marriages, and deaths recorded in the family's own hand
The Family Bible as Historical Record
Before civil registration became standard practice in Alabama, the family Bible served as the official record of a family's vital events. Births were inscribed within days of delivery, marriages noted upon return from the church, and deaths recorded in the trembling hand of grief.
The D'Olive family maintained at least three known Bibles across the generations, each passed down through a different branch of the family. Together, they document over a century of vital records — from the early American period through the early twentieth century — filling gaps left by courthouse fires, flood, and the disruptions of war.
These records are among the most intimate primary sources available to D'Olive researchers. The handwriting itself carries history: the careful copperplate of an educated patriarch, the hurried pencil of a wartime entry, the faded ink of a record made long after the fact from memory.
Family Bible records — primary sources for D'Olive vital events
The Reuben H. Leobin D'Olive Family Bible
c. 1845–1895
A large King James Bible, likely acquired around the time of Reuben H. Leobin D'Olive's marriage. The records section spans five decades and includes entries in at least three distinct hands, suggesting the Bible passed through multiple family members before being preserved.
Current Location
Private family collection
Condition
Fair — spine repaired, pages intact, ink legible
Recorded Entries
| Type | Name | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | Reuben H. Leobin D'Olive | March 14, 1805 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
| Marriage | Reuben H. Leobin D'Olive & wife | c. 1845 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
| Birth | Joseph Morgan D'Olive | October 10, 1863 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
| Death | Reuben H. Leobin D'Olive | March 1861 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
The Joseph Morgan D'Olive Family Bible
c. 1870–1930
Passed down through the Joseph Morgan branch of the family, this Bible contains some of the most complete vital records available for the late nineteenth and early twentieth century D'Olive generations. The records section is written in a consistent, careful hand through approximately 1910, after which entries become more sporadic.
Current Location
Private family collection
Condition
Good — cover worn, interior well-preserved
Recorded Entries
| Type | Name | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | Joseph Morgan D'Olive | October 10, 1863 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
| Marriage | Joseph Morgan D'Olive & wife | c. 1870 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
| Birth | Edward Daniel D'Olive | March 15, 1892 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
| Birth | Chester Maurice D'Olive Sr. | September 2, 1915 | Huntsville, Texas |
| Death | Joseph Morgan D'Olive | November 4, 1957 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
The Chester M. D'Olive Sr. Family Bible
c. 1905–1960
The most recently documented of the three known family Bibles, this volume covers the early twentieth century D'Olive generations. It includes entries for Chester M. D'Olive Sr., his wife Mattie Kane, and their children — bridging the gap between the nineteenth century records and living family memory.
Current Location
Private family collection
Condition
Very good — well-maintained, entries clear and legible
Recorded Entries
| Type | Name | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | Chester Maurice D'Olive Sr. | September 2, 1915 | Huntsville, Texas |
| Marriage | Chester M. D'Olive Sr. & Mattie Kane | c. 1905 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
| Birth | Chester Maurice D'Olive Jr. | March 6, 1941 | Huntsville, Texas |
| Birth | Chester Maurice D'Olive III | February 26, 1973 | Brenham, Texas |
| Death | Mattie Kane D'Olive | c. 1955 | Baldwin County, Alabama |
Research Value & Limitations
Family Bible records carry significant weight in genealogical research because they were created close in time to the events they document. Courts and genealogical societies have long recognized them as primary sources, particularly for the pre-registration era.
However, researchers should note that Bible records are not without limitations. Entries made retrospectively may contain errors of memory. Dates recorded in years rather than full dates reflect the record-keeper's knowledge at the time. And the survival of any particular Bible depends entirely on the care of successive generations.
Cross-referencing Bible entries against census records, deed records, and church registers — all available in this archive — is the recommended approach for confirming dates and relationships.
For Researchers
Requesting Access
These Bibles remain in private family collections. Researchers wishing to examine the originals should contact the family through this site. High-resolution scans of the records pages are available upon request.
Transcription Notes
All transcriptions on this page have been made from direct examination of the originals or from high-resolution photographs. Uncertain readings are indicated with brackets. Illegible passages are noted.
Cross-Reference Sources
Bible entries should be cross-referenced with the Census Records, Land Records, and Wills & Probate pages in this archive for corroboration and additional detail.
Contributing Records
If your family branch holds a D'Olive Bible or other vital records not represented here, please contact us. Expanding this archive is an ongoing community effort.