Oliver Norvell Hardy (18 January 1892 - 7 August 1957)
Born in Harlem, Georgia in the Deep South, the young Oliver was gifted with a beautiful singing voice and at an early age joined a minstrel troupe. Later in between his law studies, he worked in the small vaudeville theatres and sang in a male quartet. From here Oliver progressed to films where he first opened a movie theatre and later established himself as an actor specialising in playing the bad guy or 'heavy'. During this time, Oliver made an innumerable amount of films before eventually joining the Roach studios where he was cast generally against type and allowed to develop the character we all know and love today.
The Laurel and Hardy Museum of Harlem, Georgia, got some surprise visitors on Friday, September 7, 2007. Two brothers, who are distant cousins of Oliver Hardy, paid the museum a visit. They are 3rd cousins (with maybe a “once removed” or “twice removed” somewhere in there—if you understand geneology) on Ollie’s mother’s side. If you look at the attached photo, you’ll see on the left, Professor (Doctor) James Lister Skinner III, and on the right, his brother, Pastor William Wirt Skinner, who looks a little like Ollie, don’t you think? James lives in Clinton, South Carolina, and William lives in Canton, North Carolina. They said they have an 80+ years-old aunt who knew Ollie personally and who is currently living in Georgia; they are going to see if she might be interested in visiting the museum sometime in the future. James commented on his seeing the likeness of his grandmother to Ollie. The folks at the museum were very excited to have these guests and commented on how nice they were. We are excited that James did provide something in writing as to the family relationship. James is now a retired professor and was named to the 2004 alumnus Hall of Fame by The North Georgia College and State University.
The National Park Service and The Antietam National Battlefield Museum has included the family of Oliver Hardy in latest interpretation of the Civil War. Museum committee member, Linda Caldwell did assist the National Park Service in obtaining accurate information on the family history. This is very exciting to know that Harlem, Georgia will be included in such an historical event. 
