Wordless Wednesday

Ernest Henry Carr (on the far right)

Son of Winnie (Haley) and Silas Baker Carr

1920-1991

Who Is She?

For Christmas I received Maureen Taylor's Uncovering your Ancestry Through Family Photographs. I've been reading and studying it in hopes of learning the techniques I need to identify my own "unknown" photographs.

The woman above is one of those unknowns in my collection. When I first looked at her photograph, I had no clue as to her identity. But after working through Maureen Taylor's book, I realized that is not actually true. While as of this writing, I still do not know her identity, I know more than when I started.

Where I got her photograph may be an important clue. This photograph was originally in a red flocked photo album that belonged to my great grandmother Esther Lee Richardson Talbott. Esther Lee died at a young age and the album remained in the possession of her husband Bossy Talbott. Upon his death, the album went to their only living daughter, Elma Talbott Solomon. All three lived in Halifax County, VA. Upon Elma's death, the album and pictures went to her niece, and eventually to me as the family historian. At the time, I received the album, the photos had been removed from their places in the album (due to the deterioration of the album), but kept together. Unfortunately, any family groupings/associations were lost.

This photograph is actually a carte de visite measuring 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches. On the back is the photographer's imprint: Frayser and Co Photographers, Danville, VA. The imprint is quite elaborate. A Danville, VA photographer makes sense in the family history as Esther Lee's family was from Pittsylvania County, VA. No other photograph in my collection has this photographer's stamp.

I next turned my attention to her clothing. She is wearing a fitted dress with raised buttons and narrow sleeves. The dress appears to be black with a large white collar and black lacy decoration. I've wondered if she is perhaps dressed in extended mourning clothes. Her hair is pulled back and her ears are exposed. Determining her costume time period was the next step and I admit to being quite unsure of myself in this area. My best estimate so far would put her in between 1866-1868 or the time period 1878-1888.

I then turned my attention to the use of props or in this case, the lack of props. She is sitting in a chair that is only slightly visible on the right side of the photograph.

So, who is she? My guess so far (and this is a guess) would have her being a Richardson or an Elliott. Both families are from the Pittsylvania and Halifax County areas of south central Virginia. I also have correspondence showing that Esther Lee kept in close contact with both her Elliott and Richardson Cousins.

What next? More research, of course. I need to find more information on the photographer and the time period in which he operated. I also need to study more on women's fashions and hair styles to identify her costume time period. Once these questions are answered, I'll attempt to match her to someone in my family tree.

I just love a good mystery!

Advent Calendar My Heritage Tree

*This is another re-posting from last December. Hope you enjoy it! (Okay, I confess. I'm a little behind in my writing. I'll catch up this weekend!)

Since I started genealogy a few years ago, I always thought having having a small Christmas tree decorated with homemade ornaments depicting my ancestors would be a nice touch. After all, I have more than enough ancestors' photos to fill a tree. Somehow in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season this project never gets done.

Today, I'm taking a last look at this year's Christmas tree (also known as Homer) and realized that I do have my heritage tree. I've had it all along.



I inherited my grandmother's glass ornaments years ago when I had my first Christmas tree. You know the ones, the colored glass balls that are still popular today. These have a wonderful patina. Some even have the original hooks my grandmother used to hang them. In a pinch apparently, she fashioned ornament hooks out of bobby pins.


Also on our tree are ornaments representing events in our lives. We have an ornament with our wedding date engraved on it. There are ornaments given to our children as babies for their first Christmas. There are many paper and popsicle stick ornaments our children have made over the years. There are even styrofoam ornaments I made as a child. (No need to discuss how old those are!)








So yes....it is a heritage tree I've had all along.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Walter

Walter Britton Howard was born on 23 Dec 1917 in Cape Fear, Chatham, NC. He was the second child of Connie and Mattie (Maddox) Howard. He's pictured above with his older brother and my grandfather Lester Howard. My grandfather would entertain us grandkids with stories of childhood adventures that usually involved Uncle Walter, too. Sadly we lost Uncle Walter in Aug 1999.

Festival of Postcards

It's time for another Festival of Postcards event hosted by A Canadian Family (http://acanadianfamily.com/ ) . This month's theme is "white". Lots of ways to go with that, but as I am writing this, it is snowing outside. Well... snow mixed with sleet. Okay, more sleet than snow, but in the south, we take what we can get.

The above postcard is a Christmas postcard that was among my great-grandfather Boss Henry Talbott's things. There is no writing on the back, so I can only speculate who originally owned it and for whom it was intended. Perhaps it was bought by his wife Esther Lee Richardson (a prolific writer), but never sent. I doubt I'll ever know for sure.

This postcard caught my attention mostly because I did not immediately recognize it for a Christmas card. It does not use the more traditional themes of the season. I do like the colors, especially on the birds. The snow on the ground is likely more than I'll see this winter.

Here is a second "white" postcard I found in my collection. It is of the polar bear at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. The back of this one is also blank, but no mystery here. This is one of several my mother collected on a vacation with her family.

Dear Genea-Santa

Dear Genea-Santa,

Christmas is fast approaching and I thought I'd better get my wish list in now. Christmas cookies and milk will be waiting for you when you come on Christmas Eve. Don't worry, the things on my list are not heavy and are easy to carry.

I'd like proof of where William Harward (Howard/Harwood) come from prior to buying land in Wake County, NC in 1767. I'd settle for just a clue if that's all you can find.

I'd like a birth record stating the parents of William Henry Haley (of Halifax County, VA). Just a reminder, William was born in 1861. His marriage record states his parents were SC Haley and Margaret. If it's not too much trouble, could you throw in the identity and parents of SC Haley? Just as a stocking stuffer?

I'd like the identity of my stash of "unknowns" among my photographs. I believe they are all from Halifax and Pittsylvania Counties in Virginia. That should narrow it down a least a little.

Genea Santa, if this is too much, could I just have a time machine? I can save you the research (I know you are very busy this time of year!) and zip back through time and check with my ancestors directly.

Lisa

Christmas 1923

This is an excerpt of a letter from Esther Lee Richardson Talbott of Halifax Co, VA to her mother Hattie Richardson of Pittsylvania Co, Va dated "Xmas 1923". Esther Lee was a prolific writer and I have tried to stay as true to her actual writing as possible. Some words were difficult to decipher and punctuation was virtually non-existent. I have added the punctuation in the transcript below to aid the reader.

Xmas 1923

Esther Talbott

Dear Mama and all

I will write you a few lines while everything is quiet and Garnett [her youngest son] is working on a bottle of milk. As usual as mean as ever.

This house is making it very well lots better than expected at Xmas time, but it has been so pretty and warm the children stay out of doors in the warm sun and play a lot. Charlie [Talbott] and family came Sun and [are] here now. The[Their] children and mine play together real good. I don't do much cooking and that ain't but twice a day so I ain't hurting myself at work.

You aught to have been here Xmas morning to seen the kids. Santa Claus brought Elma and R [Ruth] a doll with hair on its head and C [Crafton--my grandfather] a cap pistol, candy, nuts, apples, sugar plums, oranges, bananas, chewing gum. They got up at 3 o'clock. They had some time. E and R [Elma and Ruth] have done pulled their dolls to pieces. First thing they wanted to do was to comb there hair. Boss carried them up to the school house last night to the Sun school Xmas tree. Each scholar got 2 presents. E and R got a little suit case, a picture book , a sack full of sugar plums and candy and a large apple a piece. C [Crafton] got 2 sacks of candy suit case and drawing book and large apple. They are some proud kids. I wish you could have been here and seen Elma tell how Santa Claus looked. She would make a monkey laugh. M got a picture in a little frame and sack of candy and apple.....

Love to all. Hope you all will have a nice Xmas

Esther

I remember my grandfather telling me about getting the candy and fruits for Christmas. He told me he was always so excited to get an orange at Christmas since that's the only time of year he got one.

Dear Old Santa Claus

As Christmas approaches, I remembered several letters among my great-grandmother's things from the Christmas season. Over the next few posts, I will share transcripts of all or part of the letters. I hope you enjoy a glimpse into Christmases past.

This is the transcript of a letter written in 1919 to Santa Claus by nine year old Flemming Terry of South Boston, VA. Flemming was the daughter of Nannie Talbott and Henry Cleveland Terry.

South Boston, VA
december 1919

Dear old Santa Clause
I will write to you as it is Christmas. Well Santa Clause I am a little girl 9 years old and I want you to bring me a ______ suit and a pretty little vase and some apples and some ____ ____ , and oranges and candy.
Best wishes to old Santa Clause

Fleming Terry

Don't Believe Everything You Read

I found this recently. It's my grandmother's marriage certificate. At first glance everything looked in order and matched what she had told me as far as dates and locations were concerned. Her maiden was spelled out including her middle name. However, the groom's name is WRONG! The groom listed is actually my great grandfather, my grandmother's father-in-law. Her husband's name (my grandfather) is not to be found on the document.

Human error strikes again!

WWII Ration Tickets

I found these among some old family papers. They are WWII gas ration tickets issued to my great-great grandfather Joseph M. Talbott of South Boston, VA. I have never seen actual ration coupons before. This particular set was valid on 23 Apr 1945 and marked as "Non Highway". I take that to mean these were most likely for his farming equipment.

What an interesting find and a good history lesson for my children.

Wordless Wednesday

I believe this to be Sumpter Adams of Pittsylvania County, VA. Given that the photo was among my great-grandmother Esther Lee (Richardson) Talbott's things, it most likely is from the early 1900's. If this is Sumpter, he would be one of my Richardson cousins. If any readers recognize him, I look forward to hearing from you.

Tombstone Tuesday - Connie and Mattie Howard

This is the tombstone of my great grandparents Mattie (Maddox) and Connie Howard. I was fortunate enough to know my great grandfather for many years. Unfortunately, I never knew my great-grandmother as she died in 1927. They are buried in the Moore Union Church cemetery in Lee County, NC.

Found - The Next Haley (Hailey) Generation

I recently began researching my Haley (Hailey) family line of Halifax County, VA. This is one family line that did not come easily at first. Starting out I did know who my great-grandmother (Winnie Haley) and my great-great grandfather (William) were. I had a birthdate, death date and marriage date for William from oral and written family history. Where they came from I had no idea. Were they accurate? Perhaps.

Two essential questions were upper most in my mind:

*Where was William Haley before 1900?

I lost him in the census prior to this time.

*Who were William Haley's parents?

Some researchers online list his parents as Albert and Martha Hailey. They did have a child named William, but he was not my William.

I utilized the interlibrary loan services of my local library to obtain birth and marriage microfilm records for Halifax County. The anticipation I felt when they arrived had me at the library at opening yesterday.

Two hours later, I found them. I found the marriage registration for William H Haley and Clara H Holt of Halifax County, VA married on 12 Dec 1883. William was 21 and Clara was 19. Both were listed as living in Halifax County. William was listed as a farmer. Parents were listed as SC (possibly J C) and Margaret Haley and B W [Branch W] and Caroline Holt.

I think I managed to contain my shriek of joy and triumph. Mostly.

Stay tuned for more of the story of William Haley. I'm still early in the process. I am compiling family stories, editing photos and searching for SC Haley.

In Honor of Our Veterans

Today is Veteran's Day 2009. It is a day to honor those who fought (and still fight) for our country's freedom. As I reviewed my tree I was struck by how many veterans are tucked into its branches. I've listed some below. I'm sure this is by no means a complete list and I mean no disrespect to any I have not included. (It's merely an indication I need to do more research.) All Civil War veterans in my list fought for the Confederacy. Those in bold type are my direct ancestors.


David Gwin Talbot (1761-1853)
American Revolution

John B Talbott (1836-1924)
Civil War
Received Civil War Pension

Alvin Thornton Talbott (Grandson of John B Talbott, son of John Robert Talbott)
WWII (Navy)
Died 1942

George Thomas Richardson (1824-1894)
Civil War (Confederate)
Received a Civil War Pension.
Injured by mini ball to thigh

James T Maddox (1844-1892)
Civil War
Musician in 50th North Carolina Infantry, Company F
Wife received Civil War pension

James Lamar Sheppard (1833-1913)
Civil War
Hospital Steward in 50th North Carolina Infantry, Companies F and S

James Harward (1760-1840)
American Revolution
Three tours of duty out of Wake County, NC
Wife received Rev. War pension

Allen Mays Harward (Howard) (Son of George Harward, Grandson of James Harward)
Civil War 48th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry out of Chatham County, NC
Died in Dec 1862 in Lynchburg, VA of disease

James Calvin Harward (Brother of Allen Mays Harward above)
Civil War 48th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry out of Chatham County, NC
Died in Jan 1863 in Richmond, VA of disease

Thank you to all!

Wordless Wednesday - Another Picture of Bossy Talbott

Bossy Talbott (Left) and Unknown

If you follow my blog, I'm sure it has become obvious I have a number of photos of Bossy (Boss Henry) Talbott, my great-grandfather. He was such a handsome man. I hope to one day discover the identity of the man on the right.

Tombstone Tuesday - Leola Maddox

Leola Maddox

25 Apr 1894

2 Jun 1900

This little tombstone is that of Leola Maddox, daughter of Wesley Calvin and Martha Maddox and niece of my great-grandmother Mattie Maddox Howard. It is located at Moore Union Christian Church in Lee County, NC. It is hard to read the words in the photo. The actual tombstone itself was difficult to read. This stone is also broken and lying on its back on top of the base. It was not until I edited the photo and consulted my family tree database, that I was able to determine who's stone this was. Sadly another tombstone of a young child.

A Little of This and a Little of That

I've been having trouble deciding what to post about recently. Genealogically speaking it has been an exciting week. Of course, as we all know, one answer leads to three more questions! So, here's what I've been up to lately....

*I placed an interlibrary loan order for birth and marriage microfilm records of my GG-grandfather William Haley of Halifax County, VA.

Then:

*I found pictures of my GGG-grandparents George Thomas Richardson and Sarah Jane Payne online at www.ancestry.com. I used the member connect feature for the first time and was immediately led to another researcher of the Richardson family of Pittsylvania County, VA. It was there I found the photos. I have since made contact with a new cousin.

*I worked on a different sort of puzzle concerning my Maddox family line. I recently was shown the land where my GG-grandparents' (James T Maddox and Martha Jane Lett)homeplace was located. It is private, gated land and I am wanting to find out who currently owns it. My cousins and I would like to see where the homeplace was and if the family cemetery is still marked.

*I made contact with another Talbott "cousin" through ancestry.com's member connect as well. I've actually talked with him a couple of years ago. At that time I was new to genealogy and still learning the process. (I still am!) What I discovered as we compared notes is that we most likely are not cousins, at least not through my great-great grandfather. There were so many Talbotts in the Halifax and Pittsylvania Counties of VA during my GG-grandfather's time, it would not surprise me if we have a common ancestor further back.

Whew! No wonder I've had trouble focusing on one family line. But what fun it has been! I wonder what the next week holds.

Fishing - Where a Family Legacy Began

Martha Jane Lett Maddox

b. 16 Jan 1851

d. 15 Feb 1935

Anyone who knew my grandfather James Lester Howard knew of his love of fishing. A fishing trip to local ponds (usually located in someone's cow pasture) was always highly coveted event. All the grandchildren (and great grandchildren) at one time or another got to go fishing. Keep in mind that this was cane pole fishing with live worms on the hooks. (And yes, I did bait my own hooks.)

My personal fishing story begins as a very young girl who was angry that her brother got to go fishing with Grandaddy and she did not. Well...when the fishermen got back, I put my hands on my hips, stamped my foot and in no uncertain terms stated "When I get to be a boy, I'll get to go fishing!" I was sitting on the banks of a pond with a fishing pole in my hands the next day. I enjoyed many fishing trips with my grandfather through the years.

It was not until I began researching the family history that I discovered how my grandfather started fishing. His maternal grandmother Martha Jane Lett Maddox would take him fishing on the banks of the Cape Fear River in Lee County, NC. In his journal, he related being a young boy of five or so and proudly carrying the fish they caught home. It was so big (or he was so small) that the fish's tail dragged the ground all the way. Obviously this was a special memory that stayed with him throughout his life.

So, what drew Grandaddy to fishing and made him share his love for it with future generations? Perhaps it was the time spent one on one with his grandmother. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of providing his family's food. Or perhaps it was the quiet time spent with his own thoughts. I suspect it was all three. Whatever the reason, fishing gave him much enjoyment throughout his life.

Thursday's Treasure

This is my great-grandmother Winnie Haley Carr's iron. It's amazing how heavy this thing is. What a chore ironing must have been for her. I'm thankful for my electric one! Winnie's iron now sits on my fireplace as "home decor". I enjoy thinking about her when I see it.

Wordless Wednesday

Boss Henry Talbott

~Age 18 years

(His given name was Johnny Hodias Talbott. As an adult he changed his name to Boss (Bossy) Henry Talbott for reasons unknown to the family.)

Tombstone Tuesday: Samantha Buchanon Maddox

Samantha Buchanon Maddox

1820-1892

Samantha Maddox was my great x 3 grandmother. She was the mother of James T Maddox, grandmother of Mattie Maddox, and great-grandmother of James Lester Howard. The above photo was taken at Moore Union Christian Church outside of Sanford, NC.

I have a particular fondness for Samantha, though for exactly what reason I'm not sure. Perhaps it's the mystery I found surrounding her. She was born in 1820 in Chatham County, NC and married Calvin Maddox 10 Feb 1842. Unfortunately, Calvin died before Nov 1848 leaving Samantha with three young children: Julia, James Tarleton, and Mary Frances. Calvin died without a will, thus generating a lot of estate papers including guardianship papers for the children and an inventory of the household. (More on this in a later post.)

I have found other researchers who attribute two other children to Samantha and Calvin. They were Flora Maddox (b.1853) and Sina Jane Maddox (b.1862 d. 1905). Comparing the dates of this family, neither Flora nor Sina Jane could be children of Calvin given he had died several years prior to their births. I have found no evidence that Samantha remarried after her husband's death or that she perhaps took in two nieces/orphans to raise. Indeed, the federal census records list the girls as daughters. So, Flora and Sina Jane were most likely half-sisters to my great x 2 grandfather James T Maddox. The question remains: Who was the father(s)?

The Spelling of Names

When I became interested in my family's genealogy, I learned quickly to be open minded with the spelling of the surnames I was searching. Some surnames were easy to identify even in their many variations. Others were less so, but I have had a lot fun keeping count of the different spellings. I've shared these spellings with cousins individually in the past, but thought other cousins who read my blog would find the name variations interesting as well. (Notice I am assuming someone does read my blog!)


I started initially researching the surname Talbott. Other spellings included:

Talbot

Talbert

Tolbert

All in all, I was able to keep track of the family back through the years.

Howard proved a trickier name to track back through the records. After "losing" the family only 3 generations back, I found the name was Harward. At this point, the family remembered that indeed the family name was Harward, but no one knew the reason for the change to Howard. Lesson learned: Ask for family name variations when interviewing older family members. Through the records other variations were found:

Harward

Harwood

Haward

Hawood

Harrard

Herrod

Harard

Harrod

The Haley family out of Halifax County, Virginia also has a number of variations including:

Hailey

Haly

Heley

Healey

I am early in the process of tracing this family, but keeping an eye out for other variations.

Wordless Wednesday

This is another one of my unidentified ancestors found among my great-grandmother's things. (Esther Lee Richardson Talbott was my great-grandmother). I believe she could be of the Richardson or Elliott family of Pittsylvania County, VA. I hope to one day be able to put a name with her picture and learn her story.

Tombstone Tuesday -- Sarah and Grisham Thomas

With only a few minutes to spare on a recent cemetery research trip, I found this marker for Sarah (1788-1856) and Grisham (1783-1858) Thomas in Broadway, NC. Sarah and Grisham are believed to be the great-grandparents of my great x2 grandmother Emma Thomas. I use the term "believed to be" because this relationship has yet to be confirmed.

On the back of the tombstone, are listed the "issue" of Sarah and Grisham. (Now I must confess that I had been told by another researcher that this marker was in this cemetery.) What I found interesting was the newness of this marker. Next to this marker are several very old, weather worn markers that are no longer readable. Perhaps they are the original markers for the family.At some point, Thomas ancestors erected this new marker so Sarah and Grisham would not be lost to future generations.

Wordless Wednesday

Elton (1912-2000) and Lawrence (1910-1985) Carr

Children of Winnie (Haley) and Silas Baker Carr

Halifax County, VA

About 1914

Three Cemeteries and a Piggly Wiggly

Three cemeteries and a stop at the Piggly Wiggly--my cousins and I know how to live large. I dare say this needs a little explanation.....

I spent the weekend with 5 cousins, 1 great-aunt, 1 aunt and my mom for their annual cousins weekend. Now this is a very exclusive group that gets together once a year and my generation is not on the invitation list. I'm the first cousin once removed. I may be the "removed" cousin, but I am the tallest! (At 5'4" that's not really saying much!) Why did I get the the honor this year? I was there to share our family history and genealogy. What a treat to have such a captive audience. (But don't think I didn't probe their memories for stories of the past.) I think I learned as much as they did.

After church on Sunday, we took off for the country churches where our ancestors are buried. I had been to two of these before, but was happy to return to seek out more ancestors that I had found through my research since my last visit. I found ancestors in unexpected places, took lots of pictures, introduced our ancestors to my cousins, and even got to tour one of our ancestors's churches. Unfortunately, I discovered the church's BMD records did not or no longer exist. Ouch, that hurt.

Oh, and I almost forgot. We drove as close as we could to the land where one family's old homeplace used to be. I very much would like to find it's exact location. I am told by older family members that a small family cemetery is there. The land is now a gated property with No Trespassing signs. To be so close.... I guess this means I have another project.

On the way back the modern day, we made a quick stop at the Piggly Wiggly. For those of you not from the south, that's a grocery store. All in all, I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Wordless Wednesday - Howard Brothers

Connie and Britton Howard

Good looks run in our family. Okay, I hear the groans, but I couldn't resist. The dapper gentlemen above are my great-grandfather Connie Howard and his brother Britton Howard.

Tombstone Tuesday - Viola Maddox

In loving

memory of

VIOLA R.

daughter of J. T. and M. J. Maddox

Born Feb 28, 1889

Died Jun 2 1890

Viola R. Maddox was the youngest sister of my great-grandmother Mattie V. Maddox (1881-1927). She is buried in the church cemetery of Moore Union Christian Church in Lee, County, NC. So few people are even aware of her existence anymore. Viola was born in 1889 and died at the young age of 15 months. Church records of that time period for this small church did not or no longer exist, and the 1890 federal census was lost to fire. That leaves only her weather worn tombstone marking her short life.

Festival of Postcards - Esther's Easter Card

Here is another addition to the Festival of Postcards hosted by A Canadian Family . This month's theme is Quadrapeds.

I went through my collection of postcards and was suprised by the number of postcards featuring four legged animals. I must say that my choice was easy. This is an Easter card sent to my great-grandmother Esther Lee Richardson of News Ferry, VA. Who actually sent her the card is not easily discerned. The card is signed "as ever a friend" with no name given. There does appear to be a name at the very top of the card. Possibly "Hallie" or "Hattie" with the t's uncrossed. (Of note, Esther's mother's name was Hattie.) I know of no other women in the family who's name might match.

What do I know about this card?

It is postmarked 19 Mar 1913 in Ringgold, VA. The Richardson family lived in Ringgold earlier and many cousins and relations were still there during this time period. This card is dated before her marriage in 1915. I doubt it is from her future husband Bossy Talbott as he usually signed his cards to her. (I am fortunate to have a number of these.) I also know that Esther and her Richardson cousins were prolific postcard and letter writers. Likely this is a postcard from one of her cousins. There is also a possibility that this was sent from a gentleman admirer. I have found several cards among my collection to Esther from "gentleman callers". Fortunately, as a keeper of family history, Esther saved much of her correspondence.

I hope you enjoy the card as much as I do. It gives a glimpse into the life of a young woman in southern Virginia. Esther died in 1923 leaving a husband and 4 small children. Her postcards and letters are her legacy through which I have get to know her.

Wordless Wednesday

Okay, so maybe not exactly wordless! This is an unidentified photo found among my great-grandmother Esther Lee (Richardson) Talbott's things. Of course, I'd love to get him identified. I suspect he was from the Halifax/Pittsylvania County, Va area, but don't know for sure.

Winifred Davis Haley Carr

In this post I introduce you to my great-grandmother Winifred (Winnie) Davis Haley Carr. She was born 9 Sep 19891 in Halifax County, VA to William and Clara (Holt) Haley. She was their third child and one of six girls! She married Silas Baker Carr 26 Sep 1909, 100 years ago today. They spent their married lives in Halifax County, VA raising their four children.

I am fortunate that I actually met Winnie as a small child. While I confess to no vivid memories I do have some vague images of her still in mind's eye. I remember visiting her at her eldest daughter's home at a time that must have been near the end of her life. She wore a dark cardigan sweater. I remember dropping a glass and it breaking on the kitchen floor. I also remember being very worried about what she would think! Strange what sticks in the memory of a young child.

I do know that Winnie loved music and was quite talented in that respect. She played the guitar as in the picture and she played the banjo as well. While her banjo is still in the family, unfortunately it has fallen into disrepair. Music was always a part of her household and a love she passed onto her children as well.

One of Winnie's secrets is that she dyed her hair! I hope she forgives me for sharing that with the blogging world! She took great pride in her appearance and would always be found with her hair "done" and her beads in place.

Winnie Haley Carr died 25 Jan 1970 in South Boston, VA.

Success

I am happy to report that I have had some success at the State Library of NC recently. I was researching my White family and trying to learn a little more about Surry County, NC. As I browsed the stacks where the Surry County books are kept, I came across a narrow volume with the title Records of Moody Funeral Services Mount Airy, NC 1903-1914 by Betty Camin and Ann Stewart. Not really expecting to find anything, I perused the index.

There she was--Jonah White, my great-great grandmother. (Her name was actually Joanna, but I have frequently found her listed as Jonah in records.) Her husband T. J. White was listed as next of kin. According to these funeral home records, Joanna died 6 Jun 1910 of heart failure.

You never know where you might find a piece of family history.

Wordless Wednesday

Elma and Crafton Talbott of Halifax Co, VA

Photo was taken about 1923 when Crafton was 7 years old.

Haley Portrait Indentified

Remember this portrait from my last post? I have now been able to identify the two women. (Thanks, Grandmom!) That is Winifred (Winnie) Davis Haley (1891-1970) on the left and her sister Ivy Haley (b. 1894) on the right. Winnie is my great grandmother. I look forward to learning more about her sister.

Remember the Jackpot

Remember that "jackpot" of genealogy information I received over the last month? I have had a great time sifting through all these treasures. Among the pictures were some priceless pictures of my great x 2 grandfather holding my father as a baby. I have also found a picture of my great grandfather getting in on the baby holding act. Wow! Really wonderful pictures.

I also obtained this picture:

This is a portrait of two of the Haley sisters, daughters of William Henry Haley and his wife Clara Holt Haley of the Halifax area of Virginia. I've been told by a family member that one of the women is Ivy Haley, probably the one on the right. The other woman's identity is not known but likely a sister: Carrie, Winnie, Daisy, Ruby, or Mary Madeline. My first thought is this is a picture of Ivy and her sister Daisy. Of the Haley girls, Ivy and Daisy are the closest in age with Ivy being born in 1894 and Daisy in 1896.

So....if any Haley researchers out in blogland can identify these women or have any information on this Haley family, please contact me.

Thomas Jefferson White

Today I introduce to you my great-great grandfather Thomas Jefferson White born 9 Apr 1851 in Surry County, NC. He married Joanna Wilmoth (b. 1852) 20 Sept 1874 in Bryan, Surry, NC. I have been fortunate to trace Thomas back through the federal censuses from 1920 to 1860. Fortunately for me, he did not move around much! In 1860 and 1870 he is listed in the household of his father, Joseph Pearson White. Interestly, Thomas is enumerated as J. J. White. In looking at the original document (online), he is indeed T. J White with all other known information about him being consistent. By 1880, Thomas is married and living in Bryan, Surry County, NC with their children Mary A and Byrd. His parents Joseph and Temperance White are also living with them.

Thomas and Joanna went on to have more children including Columbus, Martha, William Thomas, Nathan, James Abe and Lily.

Thomas spent his life farming in Surry County. In 1920, 2 years before his death, he was living as a widow next door to his youngest son James Abe White and his family. Thomas passed away on 8 Mar 1922 from a stroke.

Wordless Wednesday - My Grandmother

Cecile Clara White

1917-1983

I hold many wonderful memories in my heart of my grandmother.

If I Had the Tardis...

While genealogy is certainly a passion of mine, I do have other interests as well. I do not watch much television, but I do love watching British science fiction series Doctor Who. The Doctor is a Time Lord (the last of his species) who travels throughout space in his spaceship, the Tardis. Tardis stands for Time and Relative Dimension in Space. Not only does the Tardis travel in space, it travels through time. It's a time machine. Now wouldn't that make breaking through some brick walls easier..... I could travel back to the late 1700's and ask my great x5 grandfather James Haward exactly who his father was. Where was he before he came to North Carolina? Oh, the quesions I could get answered. Of course, the documentation format might be a little iffy.

Overwhelmed and Couldn't Be Happier

I am currently overwhelmed in all matters of genealogy and family history. In case you think this is a complaint, it most definitely is not! During the last couple of months, I have come into the possession of many old family photos, land deeds, wills, and family letters and memoribilia from my ancestors. What's more, these items come from four different family lines! It is like winning the genealogical jackpot. I'm looking forward to sorting things out, identifying photos and finding new clues to further my research. I'm giddy just thinking about it all.

Here's a sneak preview of just one of the things I found:

That's my grandfather Crafton Talbott holding me as an infant.

Wordless Wednesday My Great Grandparents

Winnie (Haley), Silas Baker Carr and Lawrence

Just One Big Logic Puzzle

At dinner the other night I related a genealogy puzzle I was working on that day. This particular puzzler involved my great x 3 grandmother Joanna Barrett Wilmoth from Surry County, NC. I am currently trying prove her maiden name by tracking down her marriage record and/or a record of her in the 1850 federal census. My son looked up and asked, "So, genealogy is just one big logic puzzle, huh?"

I could not have said it better.

On the Trail of My Irish Immigrant Ancestor

I'm hoping the luck of the Irish will be with me. As I stated in an earlier post, I have begun research on my White family line. I've gone back to my great x 3 grandparents and have now picked up the trail of my great x 3 grandmother Joanna Barrett Wilmoth. More on her in a bit....

I fortunately have found success in tracing my White ancestors through the federal census records so far. Everyone was where they should be in the right time period. My great grandparents were James Abe and Stella (Holyfield) White of Surry County, NC. I was fortunate as a child to have known my great grandmother. I was fascinated to watch her comb and braid her long hair. Funny, what stays in the memory of a young child.

James Abe White was the son of Thomas Jefferson White (1851-1922) and Joanna Wilmoth (Lyons) White (Abt 1852-1910). Thomas was the son of Joseph Pearson (?spelling) White (1802-1881) and Temperance Wilmoth (1802-~1881). My unproven theory is that John White, Sr. (1770-1852) and Elizabeth Callahan were the parents of Joseph White.

I confess I spent much of my research time today looking for Joanna Barrett Wilmoth. I have her traced back to 1860 in Surry County, NC with her husband William Richard Wilmoth and their daughter Joanna. In 1860 daughter Joanna is listed as age 7, thus setting her birthdate about 1852 or 1853. I cannot find Joanna Barrett prior to this time. In 1850 William Richard Wilmoth is enumerated as Richmond Wilmoth living with his six siblings in Surry County, NC. Thus, I would place his and Joanna's marriage sometime between 1850 and 1852. I have not found their marriage record as of yet, nor have I found where Joanna Barrett was living prior to marriage. Searching for these records will be the focus of my next research session.

Something to consider is what was Joanna Barrett's true surname. I only have her surname based on family stories and what other researchers have online. I confess, I won't feel comfortable with her surname until I find original records on her. According to oral family history, Joanna came to America as a young widow. She may have also come over with children from a previous marriage. So, if she came as a young widow, Barrett may have been a married name and not her maiden name at all. All things to consider as I continue with my research.

Wordless Wednesday

Mattie Maddox Howard

1881-1927

Calling All White Family Researchers

I am embarking in earnest on researching my White family genealogy. My White family is from Surry County, NC and appears to be there back into the early 1800's. Thomas Jefferson White (1851-1922) was my great-great grandfather and Joseph Pearson White (~1802- ~1881) was my great x3 grandfather. So, if anyone out there is also researching this White family (or just has some information), I'd love to hear from you.

As I've begun research on this family, I've discovered the Wilmoth family of Surry County figures into the White family lines as well. Joanna Wilmoth Lyons White (wife of Thomas J. White) and her mother Joanna Barrett (wife of William Richard Wilmoth) have both piqued my interest. Joanna Barrett is said to have been born in Ireland and immigrated to America probably as a young women. So, when did she actually immigrate? What port did she enter? How or why did she end up in Surry County, NC? All questions I hope to answer.

I'm excited to research the White family. I'm also a little intimidated. White was and still is a very common surname. Keeping the lines straight could prove challenging. Researching the women of the family will prove interesting as well. This will be my first experience researching immigration and naturalization records.

Wish me luck!

Wordless Wednesday

Lester and Walter Howard

Focus and Goals

Focus. I often find myself trying to focus on too many research projects at one time. Focusing on too many things at one time and not seeing anything clearly. Or focusing on a research question and being distracted by other interesting facts that I find along the way.

My research into the Howard/Harward family is a primary example. I often post on this family as they have been a focus of my research. There are still many questions on this family that I want to answer. Not all of the questions will lead back down the ancestral line, but will fill in the interesting pieces of their lives. A question from a cousin here, an unidentified picture there, an ancestor I can't quite place in the tree.... all lead me down a genealogy trail. But which trail first? And once started, how do I stay on the trail? The answer is : GOALS.

I have recently been writing goals for my genealogy research. I have found that this has kept me better focused. In the past I have relied on memory to pick back up where I left off on a area of research. I know...a classic mistake by a newbie! But no more (at least not as much!). I have goals written for a couple of the family lines I am researching. During the last few weeks, researching based on these goals has enabled me to make quite a bit of progress filling in missing information on my more recent ancestors.

Researching based on goals is not a new concept. In fact, my children learned that very concept early in their school years. Let's hope they remember their lessons better than their mother did! I'm off now to review my goals......

Too Many Williams

Too many William Harwards were living in Wake and Chatham Counties of NC in the late 1700's and early 1800's. Sorting them all out has been a recent research interest of mine. Little did I know that I was delving into an area of genealogy known as cluster genealogy. The concept of doing cluster genealogy is exciting, but overwhelming at the same time.

First there is William Howard (Harward) who is the first Howard/Harward to show up in Orange County, NC (now Wake County, NC) in 1767. He is found in the registration of deeds documents for Orange County, NC as buying land from Joseph Barbee. He is believed to have died sometime around 1804/1805. This is based on a deed in Wake County, NC in 1805 where James Haward buys the other heirs shares of William's land.

Next there is William Harward (II) who married Keziah Beasley. He may have been the first William's son. Estate records in the NC Archives have his death in 1819. Among his heirs was a minor child also named William.

Next is William Harward who was married to an Edy (Unknown). In the 1850 census, he was age 61 and living in Chatham County, NC with his wife and three of his children, one of whose name was William (of course). It's possible he was the son of James.

The given name William filters further down several collateral lines into the mid-1800's to later 1800's. These gentlemen fall outside my time frame of study, so I have made note of them, but not studied them.

I would like to say that in today's computer world I have stumbled on a high tech way to track these men named William. But I can't. I track and trace the Williams the old fashion way. I study the records and then with pen and paper put the data in paper chart form. Eventually, I do plan to put this information in a higher tech form.

Fortunately the Harward family was not hiding. The family members show up frequently in census records, land records, war records, and estate papers. They did live on the border of Chatham and Wake Counties, so checking both counties has provided much information. I have high hopes for success as I try to sort through all the Williams.

Wordless Wednesday

Lisa on Easter (about 1968)

Deltiology

Deltiology--The study and collection of postcards.



I learned today that I have a new hobby. ( I hear the groans in the background!) During the last few years as I have studied my family history and genealogy, I have come into the possession of a number of vintage postcards. Some are blank, but many are letters to and from my ancestors to each other as they shared their lives. I have a lot of fun looking through the postcards and thought it would be fun to share them from time to time with my readers. I am also participating in my first blog carnival hosted by A Canadian Family . The theme this month is Water.



Above is a postcard of the Bridal Veil Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a blank card on the back and one I believe my mother collected on one of her family vacations when growing up. I love the colors on this card. As I sit in the "dog days of summer" in NC, I imagine the coolness and quiet of the Smoky mountains. A mountain vacation sounds good.......



Enjoy!

A Modern Day Mystery

I have had the pleasure of using my genealogy skills to solve a modern day mystery. A friend of mine told me the story of a box of pictures that her brother found on the side of the road about 9 years ago. He picked the box up concerned that someone had lost family photos. Unfortunately, my friend's bother passed away before discovering the box's owner. My friend kept the box for about 7 years, always hoping to find the owner and to be able to reunite a family with their photos. Learning of my interest in genealogy, my friend asked me if I might be able to track the family down. I eagerly agreed to try.

I started by sorting the box of photos and photo albums. Immediately, I found the local address where the original family lived from the box lid as well as the original photos owner from a photo album. (I'll call her Elizabeth for sake of clarity and yet privacy of her family.) Turning to the Internet and more specifically to ancestry.com, I learned that the woman who belonged to the photos had died in the 1990's and her mother (who lived with her) was no longer in the area.

At this point, I returned to the box and again re-sorted its contents. This time, I found an envelope addressed to the Elizabeth's mother. Inside was a Christmas card signed from Elizabeth's sibling and family. I returned to the Internet and looked up the return address from the envelope. Success! The family still lived at the same address in New York state. I called the phone number with no success. I repeatedly got an answering machine, but was unsure how to leave the kind of message that would make sense.

Snail mail was my next step. I wrote a letter to the family detailing the box and how it came into my possession. I provided all my contact information. Weeks went by before one morning I received an e-mail from NY inquiring if I still had the box. A few e-mails back and forth were followed by a phone call one Friday evening. Elizabeth's brother called me and was astounded that anyone had actually picked up the box of photos much less saved them all these years. As we talked, he told me the story of Elizabeth and her love of photography. Elizabeth had been in the military and later worked in advertising. Her mother lived with her. She unfortunately died of cervical cancer at a young age. When her family cleaned out Elizabeth's home after her death, they took with them all the family photos and special mementos. The box of photos that my friend's brother picked up all those years ago, was indeed not wanted by the family. I learned that the photos were of people the family did not know and held no special meaning for Elizabeth's family.

While the photos were unwanted photos, Elizabeth's brother was amazed and grateful that someone would be concerned enough to rescue a box of unknown photos and track down the owner. I have enjoyed the opportunity to put my genealogy skills to the test and solve this modern day family history mystery.

With This Ring ...

This is the marriage certificate of Cecile Clara White and James Lester Howard. They were married on 10 Jun 1939. I found their certificate in a box of their pictures. Until I read this I did not know why they were married in Danville, VA instead of Greensboro where they lived. If anyone knows the reason, please let me know!

This second picture is actually a page attached to the marriage certificate folder. Interestingly, the advice in 1939 still rings true in 2009. Here are the highlights:

How to Perpetuate the Honeymoon

*Continue your courtship.

*Do not assume a right to neglect your companion.

*Have no secrets that you keep from your companion.

*Make the best of the inevitable.

*Keep a lively interest in the business of the firm.

*Start where your parents started.

*Avoid debt.

*Do not both get angry at the same time.

*Do not allow yourself to ever come to an open rupture.

*Study to understand your companion's disposition, in order to please and avoid friction.

*Gauge your expenses by your revenues.

Martha Jane Patsy Womack

Martha Jane Patsy Womack (1810-1872)

I have very exciting news in my world of genealogy this week. I discovered a "new cousin" on the Lett side of the family. She posted a picture of Martha Jane Patsy Womack online. Martha Jane Womack was the wife of Andrew J Lett. She was the grandmother of Mattie Maddox Howard and the mother of Martha Jane Lett.

William Harward -- Our Earliest Ancestor

Today I introduce you to William Harward, the earliest known ancestor in Howard/Harward/Harwood line. I must clarify that no evidence has been found that definitively proves William is our direct ancestor. Like many researchers who have studied this line, I long for that one piece of evidence that states "I, William, am the father of James." Alas, that would be too easy. In any event, I base my theory on the circumstantial evidence found in federal census and land records.

What do I know about William Harward? William is presumed to have been born about 1740. Whether in NC or VA, it is not known. He is believed to have married Mary Myrick. He first appears in Orange County, NC in August 1767 where he bought land from Joseph Barbee. The actual registration of the deed reads:

"A Deed of Sale from Joseph Barbee to William Howard for 700 acres of land was proved in open court by the acknowledgement of Joseph Barbee and was ordered to be registered."-- Orange Co, NC Court of Pleas and Quarters Session held at the Courthouse in Hillsborough on the second Tuesday of August 1767.

There are a couple of interesting points to bring out in this document. William's surname is spelled Howard. This is the earliest spelling for Howard that I have come across so far. Most often William's surname is documented as Harward or Harwood. Also of interest is the land he bought in Orange County, became Wake County in 1771. Today that land is the vicinity of Apex, NC.

William and Mary had seven children: William, Jr, Nancy, John, Elizabeth, James, Martin, and Mary. All married spouses of families in the Wake and Chatham County areas and stayed in the area as documented through the federal census records. One of the difficulties I have had in researching this line is that many of the same names appear in the different family lines. For example, I currently have five Williams that I am trying to separate from each other. In order to distinguish one from the other, I have been researching each Harward family line in that time period. Let's just say there were of lot of us back then.

William Harward died about 1804/1805. This is based on a Wake County, NC land deed where James Harward buys the land from the heirs of "William Harward, Snr, decd. This document comes as close to indicating parentage as possible so far.

So...where to go from here? Where did William come from? Is he part of the Harwood line out of Edgecombe County, NC? Or is he from VA? If so, where? And the big question---What was the original surname? Are we really who we think we are?!

Lye Soap

I found this recipe in a box of Aunt Elma (Talbott) Solomon's things. I'm not sure who the original recipe belonged to, but I would assume one of the women in Elma's life.

Lie [Lye] Soap

1 1/2 qt cold water

1 can Lye

Stir together until disolved.

Add 1 1/2 cup amonia [ammonia].

Add 1/2 cup Borax.

Pour 5 1/2 lb greese [grease] into mixture. Stir 40-45 mi [minutes].

Let set over night til firm, cut in squares.

Yikes! I don't think I will be trying that anytime soon. It makes me appreciate Ivory soap!

Ann Elizabeth (Betsy) Howard

Ann Elizabeth Howard was the 6th child of Caswell and Mary Adline Harward/Howard. Betsy (Aunt Betts as she was known on our side of the family) was born 26 Jan 1867 and first showed up in the 1870 federal census as Ann E, a 3 year old female. Her father died the following year. In 1880, Ann E. (along with her siblings Mary Henrietta, James Robert and Helen Caswell) was listed as living in Moore County in the home of Allen Suggs Harward and his wife Emma. Their mother Mary Adline was listed as living next door. It is possible they were not living in 2 separate homes, but were in one household.

Betsy married Marshall Simon Bradley (1864-1934). They had six sons: Julian Shakespeare, William Robert, Cary Pierce, Claude Marshall , John Wesley, and Nerlie David. The picture at the top of the post shows Besty with her husband and the five youngest sons.

Marshall and Betsy made their home off of Buckhorn Rd near Broadway, NC. Their road was eventually named Bradley Rd. The homeplace still stands today with Bradley descendents still occupying it.

Betsy passed away 13 Apr 1951. She is buried at Baptist Chapel Church on Buckhorn Rd. Her descendents still live in the area.

Betsy, Marshall, and Granddaughter Eugenia.