Some Of My Father's Siblings

Entry Dated: Dec 27, 1983 ( I added the photos and info) On my father's side: Brothers / Sister



(Elder / Pastor John Blakley Jr.)
"Junior" John Jr. was a talker.



(Rev. Olbrey Pierson Blakley )
Pierson was  1 1/2 years older than my father, David.



(Mrs. Mary Jane (Blakley) Richardson)
Mary Jane was 1 1/2 years older than Pierson

 

(Mr. D.W. Blakley Sr. )
My father

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Some of my thoughts: Research

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I don't remember meeting my Uncle Junior.

He became a  Pastor/ Elder after his first wife, Lottie passed in 1961.

 

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Uncle Pierson passed on 20 years before I was born.
He was ordain as a reverend in 1939.

 

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I remember Aunt Mary.

She was a small woman. 

She was baked a lot.
We loved her cookies.

Aunt Mary sung in the church choir .

 There are so much that we don't know about our relatives.

I hope to make more discoveries.

Thanks for reading.

S.A. Blakley

At Arrowhead In K.C. MO

3 nephews and one niece.
The one facing the photo is nephew, Double D.
One nephew in the jersey,
On nephew in red shirt,
A niece with half red  hat.
I took this photo in Oct of 2004. 

My nephew, Double D. was on the Atlanta Falcons that season. Kansas City Chiefs beat the Falcons this game. However the Falcons last game for the 2003 - 2004 season ended just one game away from the Super Bowl

In Memory Of Paul And Cora (Hinch) Blakley



Paul and Cora in church choir.




Paul Blakley

Paul was the son of John (BLAKEY) Blakley and Jennie (Bartlett) Blakley- LYLE.
Paul was born on June 24, 1907 in St. Joseph, Missouri
He passed away on Oct 4, 1946 in St. Joseph, Missouri
Paul was a crane operator.



Cora Hinch
Cora was a widow when she married Paul.
She was born on  March 25, 1980 in Missouri. Cora's maiden name was William.
There is a record of a Cora Hinch who  passed away on Sept 1, 1972.



The year of  Paul's and Cora's marriage is unknown.
According to Paul's death record he was divorced from Cora.
Story has it that Paul and Cora adopted two children.
James Green and Mary Alice Green were their name

A Mini Family Reunion: 2008

This is some what of a re post  from my old Journaling_Susan xanga.com site
Dated on Monday, 21 July 2008

It was a hot day, today. But is was a special day. A brother, his wife and son came for a visit on their way back to Texas. They were going to stay for about 5 hours.

I made the calls to others that our brother and family was here. I manage to get as many as I could to come by. The last time that my brother and family were here was 3 years ago.

I showed my second oldest brothers a family album that one of our brother made for me. I had a family pedigree to show them as well. We got to know our family history.

We all could not meet at once. Some came in and out within the 5.5 hours. The official count for today: 10 brothers, 5 in laws, 3 nephews, a niece and a sister. A brother and a sister made a phone call. I think that is pretty good for a Monday afternoon.

I even took pictures. I couldn't miss out on this historical moment. I noticed some things as we were together. The first 5 brothers were here under the same roof. I had to get them to pose for a photo. They did.

It is hard to get every one together. Some of the brothers live out of town. The elder ones are getting up in years.

I see this week a very special week for our family. We had some what of a mini reunion. It was plain and simple. I served some lemonade and cookies.

I hope that you had a good day.
Blessings to you.

Staying On the Family History Journey,
Susan

Father's Appreciation Day: Happy Father's Day

May we Honor our FATHERs.

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I thought about what I appreciated about my father of 26 years as he was my father. (His lifespan 1913 -1989.)

While I was growing up, I was a Daddy's girl. I loved my dad. I can say that I am from the seed of David. Here is some of what I appreciated about my father.
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1. My father married my mother.

2. My father was faithful to my mother..

3. My father was kindhearted .

4. My father supported and took care of his family.

5. My father worked and was a hard worker.

6. My father owned and operated his own business.

7. My father (and mother) owned a home and property.

8. My father was my father.

9. My father made provision for his family.

10. My father fathered 19 children with the same woman.

( I'm #19.)

11. My father loved children.

12. My father called upon the Lord to be saved.

13. My father was the father that God, the Father blessed me with.

14. My father taught me some things about life.

15. My father left a legacy.

16. My father had a caring heart to help people.

17. My father honored his Step father and Father in law.

18. My father prayed for me 12 hours before his passing.

19. My father's blessings.
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Happy Father's Day to all!
Happy Father's Day, Father God!
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I am thankful for all my forefathers. I am thankful for the blood line that God blessed me to come from. I am thankful to be on the lineage of Father God.

76th Year Since March 28, 1937

David and Lula in the 1960's

That day came David and Lula decided to elope on March 28, 1937. My mother said that my father made the arrangement for the wedding. My father's Step father Chilton Lyle was a witness to the wedding.

They were married in Rev Bell's home in Troy Kansas. I check out what day that was. It was on a Sunday. I can assume that my parents went to church on that day.

Through the years of my research I was trying to locate my parents marriage record. Just like most of my relatives who were married in homes, I can't locate their marriage records.

This doesn't say that they were not married. The marriage wasn't recorded at the county house. I check the county where my parents where married. Perhaps my parents got their licences somewhere else.

Maybe some day, I will come across the marriage records of relatives. I believe that my parents and other relatives were married. Even though I haven't located their record.

It's nice to see the records. It see how our relatives signed their names. It's apart of our family history.

May we continue to search for our family history.

What About Aunts and Uncles By Marriage? Part: 7 ~ Cora (Williams) Hinch Blakley

I've been searching for Cora Hinch.
I heard that she was married to Paul Blakley.
The year of their marriage is not known.  

Paul Blakley and Cora (Williams) Hinch Blakley

What Have I Discovered About Cora?

As I continue to search, I came up with some more information

Some, I didn't expect to find.

After I locating Paul and Cora on the 1940 Census,

I began to search for Cora more.

On that 1940 Census Paul and Cora was listed as husband and wife.

There was a 15 year old youth in their household.

His name was James Green.

The record listed James as Paul's step son.

As the story goes, Paul and Cora had two adopted children;

There names were James Green and Mary Green

 The question arose on the 1940 census.

Was James, Cora's son?

And Was Cora married before she married Paul Blakley?

As I continue to search for Cora, I came across a Cora Williams who married a Henry "Hank" Hinch in Chillicothe, Missouri in 1918.  Cora was listed from Fayette, MO. Henry was listed from St. Joseph. They lived in St. Joseph, MO at 1815 Angelique St.

I checked the Missouri Death record for Henry Hinch.

He passed away on July 28, 1933 in St. Joseph.

I located Henry and Cora on the 1930 census in St. Joseph.
James wasn't listed on the 1930 census withHenry and Cora.

Cora was listed as a maid on the City directories.

She was listed as the widow on H. Henry in 1935.

Then as I search other directories, Cora was listed as Mrs. Cora Blakley and
Cora H Hinch. Widow of Paul or H. Hinch.

On Paul Blakley's death record, he was listed as divorce at the time of his death in 1946. As I search the city directories in the 1940's Cora was listed by herself in 1942; Mrs Cora Blakley.

In 1953 - 1960 Cora was listed as Cora Hinch widow of H. or Paul Hinch. Perhaps Cora went back using her Hinch surame. I couldn't find her death record as Blakley.

Cora Williams was born in 1890 in Missouri.

She passed away in 1972.

Her name was Cora Hinch.

I assume that Cora was buried in St. Joseph, Missouri.

What About Aunts And Uncles By Marriage Part 5 : Alma (Suggs) Nelson Blakley And Alma Lottie (Cave) Smith- Blakley - Jackman

As I began to search for my Uncle John's wife Lottie, I made some discoveries that I'm still trying to figure out. Was Uncle John married to two Lotties.

Lottie (Suggs) Nelson - Blakley
Alma Lottie (Cave) Smith Blakley - Jackman
I've been trying to figure out the mystery.
From what I have discovered, there appears to be two Lotties.
One went by her middle name.
Her name was Alma.
I have found her name to have been Alma Lottie or Lottie Alma.
Then later on I came across that Lottie was older than John.
I found out that this Lottie was from KS.

I found a letter written to my mother from Lottie Suggs.
Her name was spelled Lottie Sugg Nelson Blakley.
After farther research I located an Alma "Lottie"  born on Dec 18, 1912 and passed away on Nov 26, 2007 in Des Moines Iowa. The dates matches up with the death record. This Alma appears to have been  the second wife of John Blakley.

According to the 1930 Census record in St. Joseph, Missouri,
John was married to a Lottie.
They married about 1928.
This Lottie was born about Feb 1896 KS.
I came across Lottie's parents  and siblings in KS.
William A. Suggs
Elizabeth (Arkers) Suggs (1870 - 1927).

Lottie's Siblings:
Charles, William H. and Ella Suggs
Lottie (Suggs) Nelson was the informant on her mother, Elizabeth's death record in St. Joseph, Missouri. I can't located when Lottie Suggs Nelson Blakley passed away. I think she may have passed away in Des Moines Iowa between 1961 - 1965. I don't think she divorced John.
When John passed away in July of 1975, he had 3 step children. They carried the Smith surname. Lottie's children by her first marrage were Elizabeth, Marie and Garnett Sterling Smith Jr.

According to someone on ancestry.com John married Lottie in 1965 in Iowa. On this Lottie's name on death information on both Alma Blakley and Alma Jackman. Both were born in  Dec 18, 1912. Alma's third husband was name Olber Jackman.

There is a photo of Alma Cave Jackman on ancestry.com.
However, I can't see it. That site is private.
That's one sad thing about priviate sites.
I haven't located John Blakley Jr, Lottie Suggs Blakley or Alma Lottie Cave Smith on the 1940 Census. I hope I came across them. I'm glad that I have found out what I have.

I hope some day that I can find out more.
Perhaps some one will come across this site and add more to the family history.
I hope so.
Thanks for reading.
God bless you.

75th Wedding Anniversary Of David And Lula

75 Years ago on Sunday, March 28, 1937 in Troy, Kansas:

David and Lula tied the knot.
To this union 15 sons and 4 daughters.

Being Born Last In My Family

I have been pondering about my up bringing. I cannot recall when I was told how many brothers and sisters I had. I just recall that we had a house full.

There were times in my life, friends would ask me, How does it feel being born the last in my family? I have heard "the old saying" of the world that the first and the last child was born by accident. Those children were most likely not planned.

As I have an a Christian, I don't see the as the truth. By no means any child is born by accident. God has a purpose for all children born in which ever way they come into this world; Those births by married women and singled women.

All births are in God's plan. God knew about my birth long before my parents were conceived. Even so, God knew how many children my parents would have. My parents only wanted 2 boys and 2 girls

My parents David and Lula with their 18 on the Last Day of 1976
I'm sitting on the floor on the right.

I remember my Mother talking to someone about her children. She said that her doctor told her the she was a "breeder". And that she could have had as many children as she wanted. My parents love children.

My Mother and my father decided to have more child after the birth of my brother who is 16 months older than me. Yes, I was my parents' last bundle of joy. When I was born, I became blessed. Here is a photo of my parents.

My mother was almost 43. My Father was about 49 1/2. They were Grandparents as well. They did not have a name for me. My mother said that my father came into the hospital room and said let's call her Susan.

I was a daddy's girl. Yes, I was spoiled. I was my parents' 4th daughter. The oldest girl died about 30 days old. My parents had only 15 sons.

There are some advantages of being the youngest. I don't recall my parents ever spanking me. There voices were good enough for me to stay out of trouble.

There was always someone to play games with and help me out with my homework. When I was in school some of the teachers already knew who I was. Some taught some of my siblings. Us kids looked some what alike.

There were some of my siblings who were teaching in the Public Schools. When I was in Middle School and High School, I had a sibling teacher there where I attended. I saw that as an advantage. None of my siblings were my teachers.

Then there were questions...Here is one. How did you eat? My reply. When it came time to eat we ate. We had a lot of food to eat too.

On My Journey Of Transformation
There are times when I am out and about, there would be people who knows my last name just by looking at me. I never met most of this people I come across. I wondered how they knew my name.

I ask some of the people...How did they know my last name? They say that they can tell the resembles from some of my siblings. It is our eyes, the people say.

People continue to ask me which one are you? Some things I would say my name. Then there are times when I say "I am the baby or I am the last one".

Would it be something if people could look a Christians and see some characteristic of God and know who Christian are. Being known by our Father's image. Reflecting from the light that is of God.

May your light of God shine for into the world around you. May your spirit that is of God be seen in others in your world. May God bless you on your journey of life.

While On The Journey,
Being Born Last In The Family

Thanks for reading.
Blessings to all,
Susan

From my Book of Thanks and Blessings
Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am one of Your beloved daughters. I thank You that I was born for a purpose. I thank You that You birth me into a godly family.

Mary Jane Blakley Richardson

 ‎100 years ago on July 31, 1911, Mary Jane Blakley was born to John (Blakey) Blakley and Jennie (Bartlett) Blakley. Aunt Mary married Eugene Richardson.

Six Of My Brothers

July 3, 2011

The Blakley Family Photo 1976

The Blakley Family
35 years ago December 31, 1976

Family History 2010 Journey: Part 1 New Information

It's been a great year searching on the family history. I came across a lot of information. There were names that I've added to the family tree. There were some people and relatives I've met for the first time.

Here are just a few things I came across.

I came across another connection on Frances Ovington Dade. This branch is on my mother's father's mother Charlotta Dade Lankford. Charlotta had a sister named Louisa Jane Dade Washington. Louisa has a lot of offspring. I came across about 3 or 4 searchers searching the Louisa Dade Washington lineage.

I came across something on my mother's father's father, Robert Louis Lankford. On the 1870 census Robert / Lewis Langford lived on the same block as his future sister in law, Mary Dade Madison. I think Robert went by Louis at times.

I came across something about my mother's father, Leo Lankford. According to Leo's World War II draft registration, he was paralyzed in the left hand and leg since he was four years old. I noticed in some photos Grandpa Leo held his hand a certain way. There are some photos with him with a cane.

I came across something on my mother's mother's mother, Anna Laura Washington Allen Walters. Anna was the mother of three children. I thought that the Walter children were Anna's step children. Anna went by Laura at times. But, I think her first name was Anna.

I came across John Nelson who was Anna Laura Walters grandson by her another daughter, "Bonita"/ Mary who was a Walters. John died in Atchison, Kansas in 1976. I don't know happened to John's parents. John's mother was listed as a widow on the 1910 census.

I came across something on my father's mother, Jennie Bartlett Blakley Lyle. She remarried some time in 1920 to a CHILTON Lyle. I thought her 2nd husband's first name was CHELTON.

Jennie knew Chilton about July of 1919. They had a child named Dorothy born April of 1920. The child later died July of 1920. Not for sure if Dorothy and a twin?

There were two death records. One with Dorothy's name on it. The other with Davis name on it. One died on July 3, 1920. The other on July 5, 1920.

I came across some information that I'm not for sure on my father's father John Blakley. Or  aka John Blakey. There was a black, John Blakey listed in the Kansas City, Missouri area around 1900.

I don't know if it was my Grandpa John. John married Jennie Bartlett in Excelsior Springs, Clay County, Missouri. John married with the BLAKEY surname.

However, John's surname was spelled BLAKYE on the marriage record. Also John was listed from Carrollton, Missouri while Jennie BARTEL was from St. Joseph, Missouri.

I came across some things I've overlooked on the Blakey White family. My father's father's father's mother, Julia White had a granddaughter named, Rebecca White.

On the 1880, Rebecca was listed as mulatto born in Missouri. Her parents were born in Virginia. I don't know if Rebecca carried the White surname. I can assume that Rebecca's parents passed away and Julia took care of her.

I've been searching for Mattie White and her daughter Ella Bentley Carr. I'm still looking into that. I came across an Ella White listed with Mattie who had 5 children...

I can't locate where Mattie and Ella passed away. Mattie died about 1947. Ella died about 1923.  This information was from family reunion booklets.

I found out about Richard "Dick" White's 2nd wife, Belle Stapleton. Her name was Mary Belle Brooks. She was the widow of David Stapleton. David and Belle had three children.

I'm still coming across information. I believe that there is more out there. I believe through time, I may stumble across some more clues. I don't have all the living descendants on the family tree.

Through the years I've been adding names to the family tree. Maybe some day, I'll come across more of the relatives that I don't know about. I'll add them to the list too. The family tree keeps growing.

My Quest Continues...
Staying On The Journey,Susan

In Remembrance Of A Sister

On this day back on May 7, 1947, my mother gave birth to her first daughter. The baby's name was Lula. She was my parents 7th child. She was with the family for 29 days.

I don't remember when I heard that I had another sister. I come from a large family. There were 19 of us in all. But the first sister had a short life.

Here is the story I heard from my mother:
My mother was holding her daughter in her arms.
My mother didn't know that baby girl was sick.
Baby girl had a big cough and breathe her last.
She died in my mother's arms on June 6, 1947.

There is only one photo of her.
It was taken when she was laying in her coffin.
She appeared to have had a lot of hair.

She died of whooping cough.
That was what was going again.
She was buried at Ashland Cemetery.
I heard the strange thing about that.

My mother said that her daughter's grave site was on the edge near the road. There is a marker with someone Else's name. Baby girl and another child died with days apart.

King David Mays was his name. This tombstone is where my sister was buried.
That's what I heard.

In all I believe that I will get to see my eldest sister. The moment she passed she was present with the LORD. She has been with the LORD for 63 years.

I don't know how we will look when we get to heaven. Those who fall asleep in the LORD will receive a glorified body after the resurrection. That's something.

Staying On The Journey,
Susan

73 Years Ago

From my notes: October 19, 1980
[My] mother and father married, when others didn't want them to. They arranged to marry in Troy, KS in Reverend Bell's home. [ It was ] ( Just like a church) on March 28, 1937. Others wanted [ my ] mother to marry O. Thomas, [ my] Uncle Vernon's brother.

Here is another story: Entry October 19, 1980
[There was ] a boy? who liked [my] mother. The boy was a friend of my father. He (the boy) paid [ my ] father to go out with [ my ] mother and put in some good words in for him.

My father took the money and got a date for himself. They, [ my ] mother and father went together for about 2 years and got married in Troy, KS.

Another Entry: March 1, 1986
[ My ] Father and mother [ were ] married in Troy Kansas, [ my] father made all the arrangements. Mr Lyle [ Old man Lyle was my father's step father ] couldn't read or write was a witness. They [ my mother and father ] were married on March 28, 1937.

My mother's parents didn't want them [ my parents ] to get married. My mother's maiden name was spelled wrong on the wedding certificate.

Some of my thoughts on the 73rd Anniversary Day:
I can assume on that day that my parents went to church on that Sunday. They eloped. Besides, my parents were married in the preacher's house. My father's step father was a witness to the wedding.

As I recall my mother saying that she and my father were childhood sweet hearts. My mother's mother was friends with my father's mother before my parents were married. My parents lived in the same neighborhood at same time.

I recall my father speaking of what this guy who ask him, my father about my mother. This guy would ask my father.. are you reeling in my mother" I mean was my father speaking good words in for this boy. Those words that my father were speaking were for his own sake not that boy's.

I talked with my Aunt Josie. She remember this guy. She said this guy want to date my mother so bad that he ask my father to speak some good words in for him. Yeah, those words were for himself. He got paid to do it to.

My parents had 19 children together. I don't recall my parents ever having an argument. They were married 52 1/2 years before my fathers passing. My mother passed away 4 days after what would have been their 63rd wedding anniversary. That was 10 years ago.

I thank God for blessing my with parents. I am thankful that my parent had one more child born during their 26th anniversary year. That child is me.

I am thankful that I had 25 1/2 years with my father. And 36 years and 357 days with my mother. I thank God I will reunite with them again.

Discoveries While On The Journey:
My Parents: 73 Years Ago

Blessings,
Susan

Awareness Of Some Things

In October of 2009, I was searching for my family history. I was aware of something for the first time. It was like something new to me. But it's been there all along.

I was doing some research on my father's mother's side. A thought come to me. Here's what I came up with.

My Grandma Jennie BARTLETT ( 1883 -1926) had about 6 half siblings born into slavery. Her father, Elais W. BARTLETT Sr. He was born about 1822. He remarried to his second wife, Harriet HOOPER ( 1849 -1909).

They were married for about 25 year and had about 6 children. Elais had other children with his first wife Rachel. All but one was born into slavery.

I was thinking about my great aunts and great uncles. In 1981, I met my Great Aunt Mary. She was my Grandpa John's sister in law. Great Aunt Mary was born in 1894. She was about 89 when we met.

When we think of Grandparents and Great Aunts and Great Uncles, we can get the thought of them being up in age. I mean the type of mind set of an elderly person. How old is old to be an aunt, an uncle, a parent or a grandparent ?

I know of some people who become grandparents in their 40's and some in their 30's. As for being a great aunt, I've been one since I was about 23.

It's in how we look that things. I didn't know how I didn't see that some of my Grandma Jennie's sibling were slaves. Oh, well. I'm glad that it came to my awareness. What more will I come across?

Staying On The Journey
Awareness Of Some Things

It's good to know.
Have A Good Day!

Blessings,
Susan

Thanksgivng Day Memories

Happy Thanksgiving! Remember, Thanksgiving is not just one day out of a year. Let's have the attitude that thanksgiving is everyday. Amen!

I am thankful that I can gather together with some of my siblings and a few of their children. I believe that this Thanksgiving will be very very special. Be Thankful. God Bless.

Shalom,
Journaling_Susan

P.S.
Praying for the nation of India...
Indians,Westerners, and Israelites.
God protection...

On My Journey Of Transformation: Thanksgiving Day Memories
I've been thinking about some of our family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day. I remember during mid 1970's -1980s when would gather at our family home. I call it "the house that my father built."

We girls would go to the store to buy the food. We had to find the biggest 2 turkeys we could find. It think they were about 25- 30 pound turkeys. We had a lot to family members. The oldest sister did most of the cooking. I can't remember when she started. I always remember her cooking.

We would have a lot to eat. Turkey was not the only meat there. There's ham. (Through the years, chicken, smoked turkey with tasted like ham were served along with other foods.) Here is what I can recall on the list.

There was the usual, stuffing, real mash potatoes and some times gravy, sweet potatoes, yams, macaroni and cheese casserole, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, salad, corn, green beans, peas, spinach with mustard greens, celery sticks, cornbread, dinner rolls, a lot of pumpkin pies, apple pies, other kinds of pies, jelled cranberries, whip cream, cookies, candy canes, misc sweets, a lot of soda pop, water and some egg nog.

We would all gather together to pray, give thanks and bless the meal.
I remember one day a friend ask me this question. How did we eat? It may sound like a silly question. But I did respond with an answer. Just like everyone else, with a fork. When it came time to eat, I ate.

I knew where my friend was coming from. I came from a large family. We all couldn't sat at the table together. When we ate we had to eat in different rooms. We would get our plates. Then found some where to eat.

Some of us would stay at the dinning room table. Others would plant themselves around the T.V. to watch the games in the front room or family room. Some of us would start to gather around 2 PM or 3 PM and some would leave around 5 PM or 6 PM. There the years we would watch a the news when we gather together.

By the 1980's - 1990's we started to have our Thanksgiving Day gatherings at one of our brothers. He lived just down the street from the family home. Our brother's place was much better for us to gather.

There were games to play. I tried to play pool. There's a music to listen to. There was even a dance floor. We had fun. There were even people who would stopped by. Yes, we had a lot of food. There were people taking some food home with them.

I have fond memories of Thanksgiving Day as well as other family gatherings. Now days those who can gather come together. This gatherings are special too.

Some of many siblings have their own families or go to their in laws. Some live out of town. But for those who gather together have kept the tradition. The ones who can't make it call.

We are blessed to have a place to gather each year. There's still a lot of foods. But at times there are a lot less people. I try to record our little gatherings. Each year is different but we have a lot of fun.

Thanksgiving Day Memories:
I hope that this Thanksgiving you will have lots of memories.
May all the trimming be there for you.
Give thanks to God always.

Words From A Psalms:
You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah NKJV Psalm 32:7

Words From Wisdom:
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks. And attend to your herds; NKJV Proverbs 27:23

P.S.
The Gathering... Thanksgiving Dinner
I had a wonderful time. We had a lot of food. It was a special gathering. It has been about 5 years since one of my nephews was here with us on Thanksgiving. There was a lot of laughing going on. We watched football.

This is the Year of New Beginnings. There's about 32 more days left in this year. The door of Hope is still open.

With a thankful heart,
Journaling_Susan

Making Connections When Things Appear Lost

I had this idea come to me on August 6, 2009. I was thinking how certain things are know by people. How some seem to know things lost by others.

I continue to search for my family history. I remember that article about "Slavery Descendants To Have First Reunion." That article and reunion was in 1970 in Iowa.

It was then someone came to the reunion and added some things that those there don't know. There were some of us that spelled the surname another way. Most of the relatives didn't know about "the missing link."

My Grandpa John spelled the family name different than his cousins. I can assume that Grandpa John made the change after he married Jennie, my grandpa Bartlett. So that was between or around 1902 - 1910.

John kept in touch with his sibling while he was in Missouri and when he moved to South Dakota. I heard that John would come over to his siblings homes. The younger cousins called John, Uncle even though he was their cousin. It was a custom to call older members Uncle or Aunt...

Also I wonder how in the family reunions no one knew the name of the slave mother or slave father. It was lost in the years. I thought some one could have known.

It wasn't until 1980's. I came across my Great Grandpa Isaac's pension, military, death and other records that I made some discoveries about the family tree. The father's and mother's names where Andrew and Julia WHITE.

No one knew who the slave parents where. I thought that was odd. Many had the opportunity to hear from those who were alive. The early ones who lived when the ex slaves where around.

Perhaps ancestors didn't talk about who there parents were. Or perhaps they may not have known. But many people tend to name their children after their parents.

Any how, have you ever thought that some one may have to link to some one else's family history. This information may have been handed down and lost. But some one knows things the others have lost and are seeking.

May we keep in touch with what we know. May we connect with the correct link. May God bless us on the search for clues.

On The Journey
Making Connections When Things Appear Lost

Some one has the clues.
The connections are there.
I hope.

Blessings,
Susan

What Month Was My Father Born?

Was it in November or September 1913? I came across some solution to that question. Some time during the 1980's my father, David told me that he wasn't born in November. I can't recall how we got on this subject. He just shared that with me.

Than I came across this discovery in the 1990's. Some one sent me a copy of the 1920 census record. According to that census my father was 6 years and 4 months old. The census was dated January 11, 1920.

So that's September not November. So Uncle Ike was right. Uncle Ike was my father's brother, Isaac. Uncle Ike was the one who told my father he wasn't born in November of 1913. It wasn't cold and there wasn't any snow on the ground.

My father was told that his birthday was on November 13, 1913. His father John passed away when my father was about 5. My father's mother Jennie passed when my father was about 13. My father was raised by his brothers and sisters. My father did have a step father.

However, my father celebrated his birthday on November 13. We did too. My father passed on October 7, 1989. That would have made him 76. Not 75 at his passing.

It's nice to come across information that others share with us. It's something to see what they share turns out to be the truth in some cases. So may we remember those small things that others share with us. Each little clue helps out when we are searching for things.

On The Journey ....
What Month Was My Father Born?

I believe that it was in September not November.

Peace,
Susan