Hi Amber,
WE came from the same line of Ganas's out of Lakeland, Ga. The first Ganas to arrive in South Georgia was Benjamin Connie Ganas. He arrived in this area in 1827 with his mother Elizabeth Davis Ganas Carter and his step dad Issac Carter. B.C. Ganas is found registered in the mustard rolls of some of the early militia of this district in Lowndes County, Ga. B.C. Ganas also served in the 2 Seminole Indian War of Florida. B.C. Ganas married and had a number of sons who fought in the Civil War. Jonathan Benjamin and William Cooper who fought with 50th regiment of Valdosta, Ga. Jonathan was taken POW about three days before Lee surrender to Grant. William was killed around Knoxville, Tn.
John Jasper and Newton Mack enlisted in Clinch's Light Artillery Battery. It is thought that John was killed during this time. I have no record to state if and when this happened. Newton Mack was taken POW at FT McAllister outside of Savannah, Ga during the burning of the South and the fall of Savannah.
I think that your direct line is Jonathan Benjamin and he is buried at Good Hope Cemetery outside of Naylor, Ga. B.C. Ganas is buried at Burnt Church near Lakeland along with Newton MAck and Issac Ganas another son of B.C. Ganas
IF you want to travel back futher in time while studing our surname you will discovery that our name was GurGanus(and there were many differnt ways that this was spelled).
Amber if you have any more questions please email me at
ganas5@alltel.net, but let your Mom and Dad know first. I have more info if you have other questions.