Ronald R. Holliman - A Major Family Historian of Alabama Hollimans

by Glenn N. Holliman


In the early 1990s, after years of study in Alabama and Georgia libraries and numerous interviews with aging distant cousins, Ronald Robert Holliman, a descendant of Christopher Hollyman, 1618-1691, penned a 200-plus page magnificent volume of research.  His well-organized work tells the story of his Alabama and North Carolina ancestors. Masterfully detailed with priceless stories and lineages, he produced a ground-breaking work in the pre-Internet age.

Left, Ron and a copy of his research.

A native of Pell City, Alabama, Ron and I share as great grand parents John Thomas, 1844-1930, and Martha Jane Walker Holliman, 1846-1931, of Fayette County, Alabama.

Whereas I am descended from Ulyss S, Holliman, 1884-1965, Ron is the grandson of Silas Green Holliman, 1876-1943, and Carrie Bell Geer, 1876-1965. His parents are Robert S. Holliman, 1916-2007, and Winnie Helen Wilson, 1917-1989.

Right, Confederate Civil War veteran John Thomas Holliman ca 1900. His father and two of his brothers died in the War.  He was a veteran of seven major battles and later raised a family on a small, struggling farm.



Above, Silas Green and Carrie Holliman with four of their eventual eight children, ca 1907. 

Below in 1935, left to right the five surviving sons of John Thomas Holliman - Bill, Silas Green, James Monroe, Leland, missing is Eck (d 1928) and finally Ulyss.  Picture made at Caine's Ridge Baptist Church in Fayette County, Alabama.

For the past quarter century, Ron has had to lay aside his genealogical research to raise a family and direct the Southeast Alabama Regional Development and Planning Commission.  He took retirement from managing this large private-public enterprise late last year.  

With his permission, I have placed his work on the virtual archives web site - www.bholliman.com . Go to Research page, find the - Search bar and type in 'Ron Holliman' and one will be directed to his multi-chapter work.

Below, Rebecca Anne Kirkley, Ron and Anne Holliman Phillips. Becky and Ron have been married since 1967 and have numerous grandchildren.  Anne is a daughter of Euhal and Edna Westbrook Holliman, and this writer's first cousin.  Anne, a long time resident of Dothan, Alabama, joined me in visiting Ron and Becky in February 2017.

For additional information on Holliman families (Hollyman spelled numerous ways), these platforms are available.

Hollyman Ancestry.com - managed by Jeanette Holiman Stewart at htreekeeper@outlook.com 

Hollyman Facebook - managed by Tina Peddie at desabla1@yahoo.com

www.bholliman.com - a virtual archives of Hollyman and allied families managed by Glenn N. Holliman

http://ulyssholliman.blogspot.com - managed by Glenn N. Holliman