Family Connections: In Remembrance: February

Welcome to February!
I hope you find some family connections.
Keep searching. You may stumble across some clues.
God bless you on your journey during the month of February.

Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley
Here are Family Connections: In Remembrance: February.

Some time in February of 1886 ~ Obenatta "Benetta" (CRAIG) PEARL was born in Salisbury, MO She was the daughter of Spencer WHITE and Dora (CASON) WHITE CRAIG. Benetta was the wife of Vernon V. PEARL.

On Feb 1, 2008 ~ Sgt Faris Chilton LYLE passed in Jamaica, Queens New York. He was the son of Chilton LYLE and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE.

On Feb 3, 1975 ~ Tony WHITE passed in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the son of Richard "Dick" WHITE and Jane (FERGUSON) WHITE.

On Feb 3, 2016 ~ Edna Pearline (HAYES) MOTLEY passed in MO. She was the daughter of Otis HAYES Sr. and Jane (WHITE) HAYES. She was the wife of Robert "Bob" HAYES.

PEARLINE MOTLEY's Obituary on Kansas City Star www.legacy.com Read the Obituary and view the Guest Book, leave condolences or send flowers. | Pearline Motley, 83,...

Happy Groundhog Day!

On Feb 4, 1974 ~ Anna (LANKFORD) BLAKLEY passed in St. Paul, MN. She was the daughter of Leo LANKFORD Sr. and Mary (ALLEN) LANKFORD. Anna was the wife of Isaac BLAKLEY.

On February 6, 1949 ~ Rickey / Ricky Elwood JACKSON was born in CA. He was the son of Edward "Clem" JACKSON and Fleda (SLADE) JACKSON.

On Feb 6, 1988 ~ Clarence Ollie BLAKEY passed in Sacramento County, California. He was the son of Jordan BLAKEY and Flora Elizabeth (LAWRENCE) BLAKEY

On February 6, 2014 ~ Marion D. "Pud" MINOR passed in St. Joseph, MO. He was the husband of Etta (MOORE) MINOR.

On February 7, 1887 ~ Money / Mone DADE was born in Canton, Missouri. He was the son of Louis N DADE and Mary Ann (VENOY) DADE.

On February 7, 1928 ~ Betty Marie (LANKFORD) WESTON was born in St. Joseph, MO. She was the daughter of Leo and Mary (ALLEN) LANKFORD / LANKFARD. Betty was the wife of James WESTON Jr.

On Feb 7, 1980 ~ Isaac BLAKLEY passed in St. Paul, MN. He was the son of John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE. Isaac was the husband of Anna (LANKFORD) BLAKLEY

On February 8, 1889 ~ Perry James AMBERS was born in Shelby County, Missouri. He was the husband of Florence (HENDRED) COBY AMBERS.

On February 8, 1905 ~ Elder John BLAKLEY was born in St. Joseph, MO. He was the son of John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY Sr. and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE.

On February 9, 1888 ~ Florence (HENDREDS) COBY AMBERS was born in MO. She was the daughter of George HENDRED and Ellen (LOVE/ WASHINGTON) HENDRED.

On Feb 10, 1896  ~ Lottie Viola (SUGGS) NELSON BLAKLEY was born in Hiawatha Brown, Kansas . She was the wife of John BLAKLEY Jr.

On Feb 10, 1910 ~ Louis P. "Louie" DADE was born in Canton, Mo. ...
He was the son of Den and Etta (ROBINSON) DADE

On Feb 10, 1974 ~ Inez E. BLAKEY passed in CA. She was married to Lawhorn BLAKEY

On Feb 10, 2014 ~ Gary Anthony FRANKLIN passed in CA. He was the son of Robert FRANKLIN and Velma (CARR) FRANKLIN.

On Feb 11, 1947 ~ Anna Laura (WASHINGTON) ALLEN WALTERS passed on in St Joseph, Missouri. Laura was the daughter of William / John Washington and Susan (LEACH) Washington.

On Feb 11, 1915 ~ Emerson Thomas JACKSON Sr. was born in Yankton, South Dakota. He was the son of Dab/ Dabney JACKSON and Edna Mae (BLAKEY) JACKSON BENTLEY.
Emerson was the husband of Minnie Lotha (HOLLIDAY) JACKSON.

On February 12, 1915 ~ Haddie Lu (MANLEY) WILLIAMS was born in Knox County, Missouri. She was the daughter of William MANLEY and Luettia (HENDRED) MANLEY.

On February 12, 1863 ~ Dora (CASON) WHITE CRAIG was born in Howard County, Missouri. She was the wife of Spencer WHITE and Preston Richard CRAIG.

On February 12, 1922 ~ Ellen (LOVE / WASHINGTON) HENDRED passed in La Belle, Missouri. She was the daughter of Louisa Jane (DADE) WASHINGTON. Ellen's father's

On Feb 12, 2011 ~ Corp. Kevin Arthur PRICE passed in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. He was the son of Robert and Wanda (BLAKEY) PRICE.

On Feb 13, 1917 ~ Etta Mae (GUY) WHITE born in Dalton., MO.
She was the daughter of Festus and Clara (SHEPARD) GUY.
She was the wife of Moses WHITE....

On Feb 13, 1944 ~ Leroy E. BLAKEY Jr. was born in Yankton, South, Dakota. He was the son of Leroy Everett BLAKEY Sr. and Thelma Jane (TRUDELL) BLAKEY.

Happy Valentine's Day!

On Feb 14, 1920 ~ Goldie DADE passed in Canton, Missouri.
He was the son of Louis Newton DADE and Mary (VENOY) DADE....

On February 14, 1951 ~ Anthony Raydell WHITE was born in Brookfield, Missouri. He was the son of Raydell Roosevelt WHITE and Hattie Joyce (HARRIS) WHITE. ~ On The Branch of The Rev. T.A. WHITE and Mary Lee (TOOLEY) WHITE Family Connections ~ Richard and Jane (FERGUSON) WHITE.

On Feb 14, 2011 ~ Daniel BLAKEY passed in MN.
He was the son of Isaac and Maggie (WILLIAMS) BLAKEY.

On Feb 15, 1919 ~ Jane (FERGUSON) WHITE passed in Chariton County, Missouri. She was the daughter of Thomas "Tom" and Rena (HEREFORD) FERGUSON. Jane was the wife of Richard "Dick" WHITE.

On Feb 15, 1928 ~ James Edward COBY. He was born the son of William Henry COBY and Florence (HENDREDS) COBY AMBERS.

On Feb 16, 1855 or 1857 ~ Rachel Ann (LEPHRIDGE) BLAKEY was born in MS. She was the daughter of Andrew and Charity LEFEW / LEPHRIDGE. Rachel was the wife of Isaac BLAKEY.

On Feb 16, 1925 ~ William Edgar KING was born in Canton Lewis, Missouri . He was the son of Barney Dewey KING and Hazel C. (DADE) KING.

On Feb 16, 1998 Clarence Oliver DUKE passed in  Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. He was married to Uldene F. (YOUNGER) DUKE.

On Feb 17, 1930 ~ Frederick William LANKFORD was born in St. Joseph, MO. He was the son of Leo and Mary (ALLEN) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.
 
On Feb 17, 1949 ~ Mary (BLAKEY) WHITE GREEN passed in South Dakota. She was the daughter of Isaac and Rachel (LEPHRIDGE) BLAKEY. Mary was the wife of Rev. Ollie GREEN.

On Feb 18, 1937 ~ Louis Newton DADE passed in Canton, Missouri. He was the son of Isaac DADE and Frances (OVINGTON) DADE.

On Feb 18, 1897 ~ Virginia F. WASHINGTON passed in St. Joseph, MO. She was the daughter of John / William WASHINGTON and Susan (LEACH) WASHINGTON.

On Feb 19, 1898 ~ Amelia / Emily ? LEVELS, Mrs. Anson / Thomas LEVELS passed in St. Joseph, Missouri. Amelia was believed to have been the mother of William / John WASHINGTON.

On Feb 19, 1912 ~ Otto Smith Toad" CLAY was born in La Belle, Missouri. He was the husband of Ruby Dee (MANLEY) CLAY.

On Feb 20, 1915 ~ Marjorie M. RICHARDS DADE was born. She was the wife of Clarence N. DADE.

On Feb 20, 2012 ~ Marjorie J. (GREGG) JACKSON passed in Kansas City MO . She was the wife of William JACKSON who was the son of James JACKSON and Hattie (WHITE) JACKSON.


On Feb 21, 1969 ~ Milton Vernon THOMAS passed in St. Joseph, MO. He was the husband of Mary Virginia (LANKFORD) THOMAS.

On Feb 22, 1852 ~ Robert Louis / Lewis LANKFORD / LANKFARD was born in KY. He was the husband of Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.

On Feb 23. 1915 ~ Nathaniel BLAKEY was born in Yankton, South Dakota. He was the son of Henry and Mary Elizabeth (FRISTOE) BLAKEY.

On Feb 23, 1967 ~ Serena FARMER was born in St. Joseph, MO. She was the daughter of Robert L. FARMER Sr and Joyce WALLANCE FARMER.

On Feb 24, 1949 ~ Michael Archie BLAKEY was born in Sacramento, California. He was the son of Clarence Ollie BLAKEY and Zenolia (HAVARD) BLAKEY.


On Feb 24, 2001 ~ May / Mae H. (CRUMB)  HENDRED passed in Iowa. She was the wife of Manferd E. HENDRED.

On Feb 25, 1925 ~ James Zell LIGHTNER was born in KY.
He was the son of Richard LIGHTNER and Loraine (MORRIS) LIGHTNER. He was the husband of Mary Jane (BLAKEY) LIGHTNER.

On Feb 25, 2007 ~ Nathan Welcome NICKERSON passed in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon . He was the son of Ezekiel W. NICKERSON and Isabella V. (LANKFORD) NICKERSON.

On Feb 26, 1934 ~ Theodore WHITE was born in MO. He was the son of Tony WHITE and Georgia (LEE) WHITE.

On Feb 27, 1923 ~ Philip MANLEY was born in Lewis County Missouri. He was the son of William O. MANLEY and Luttia Luella (HENDRED) MANLEY.

On Feb 27, 1974 ~ Rubenia H. "Ruby" BLAKLEY passed in Pittsfield, Washtenaw, Michigan. She was the wife of Jordan BLAKEY

On Feb 27, 2014 ~ Melvin Sylester Manson CROUTHER Jr. passed. He was the husband of Betty Lou (MADISON) CROUTHER.
 

On Feb 28, 1929 ~ May / Mae H. (CRUMB) HENDRED was born in Opelika, Alabama. She was the wife of Manferd E. HENDRED.

On Feb 28, 1940 ~ Joshua Randolph MADISON passed in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was the son of William MADISON and Lula May (LANKFORD) MADISON.
...

On Feb 28, 1993 ~ Corean (JONES) WHITE passed in Glasgow, Missouri. She was the wife of Eugene WHITE Sr., son of Richard and Jane (FERGUSON) WHITE.

On Feb 28, 2003 ~ Irene (BURBRIDGE) BLAKEY passed in St. Paul MN. She was the wife of Henry BLAKEY Jr.
 

LEAP DAY ~ On Feb 29, 1896 ~ Nymadula LANKFORD / LANKFARD was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was the son of Robert Louis LANKFORD and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD/ LANKFARD. Nym was married to Hattie McDaniel, the actress.

On Feb 29, 1948 ~ Quitman D. FLUDD III was born in Tennessee. He was the son of Quitman D. FLUDD Jr. and Thomas Sarah PEYTON FLUDD ANDERSON.

A Family History Moment: On January 25, 1873. The two became ONE; Mr. And Mrs. Lewis Lankford

Mr. Lewis LANKFORD and Miss Charlotta "Lottie" DADE 

On January 25, 1873, the two became one.

 Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Lankford.
Also Known As

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Louis Lankford.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewis Lankford
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Louis Lankfard

       Charlotta's parents, Isaac and Frances
(Ovington) Dade were witnesses to the marriage.
 To this union came 10 or 11 children.
James Andrew Lankfard,

Jennie Lankford,

Lula Mae Lankfard Madison,

Frederick A. Lankfard,

Louis Adward Lankford,

Leo Lankford,

Anna Alice Lankford Smith,

Charles Edward Lankfard,

 Stillborn (daughter) Lankford,

Nymadula Lankfard 

 Isabelle V. Lankford Nickerson and
An Unknown child born about 1900.

 

There are two mysteries  Lankford children.

Isaac Lankford Jr.
Jennie Lankford
The Unknown child born about 1900.

 The couple resided in Lewis County in Missouri.
Cities of Canton, Monticello, MO.

They later moved to Kansas City, Missouri and

then to St. Joseph, Missouri about 1889/ 1890. 

They lived in Denver Colorado about 1818 / 1919.
     Charlotta lived in New York 8 months before her passing.
Both Robert and Charlotta were buried in Ashland Cemetery,
 in St. Joseph, Missouri

Remembering Yankton October 31, 1981

I've been thinking about my journey to Yankton, South Dakota.  I can't forget it. I've learned more about my family connections over the years.

It's been 34 years since I met my Great Auntie Mary "Lovie" (KINNEY) BLAKEY. She was my Grandpa John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY's sister in law. Great Auntie Mary was my only Great Auntie that I remember meeting in person. That was the only time we've met.

On Saturday, October 31, 1981, I met some other relatives in Yankton. Some of Mary's grandchildren, Mary Jane and her husband James LIGHTNER and Mary Jane's sister Doris and some of their children.

It was a long journey getting there. I was glad, I made it. It was on this day that discovered who my Great Grandpa was. I thought his name was John Blakey. But his name was Isaac Blakey. Mary Jane had a photo of our Great Grandpa Isaac with his wife Rachel. I was amazed to see that photo. I wished I took a picture of it. Below is a photo of my Great Grandpa Isaac.

Private Isaac Blakey
(1845- 1917)

I was fascinated by all the things Great Aunt Mary and cousin, Mary Jane had been sharing with me through our corresponds over the years. As I look back, I'm thankful that I kept the letters that Mary Jane wrote me. I've been re reading them. There are some things I forgot about.

I've been searching more of the clues that Mary Jane spoke of in her letters. At that time, I didn't know what cousin Mary was speaking about. But, as I'm coming across more information, there are some things that are making some sense.

I thank God for all that I've encountered on my journey quest to know more about my family connections. I have come across a lot of relatives in the process. I hope to connect with more. If not in person, by internet. That's how I have been finding family connections.

Thanks for reading.
S. A. Blakley

Don't Be Too Busy

Notes from Friday, 01 December 2006


Don't Be Too Busy

Brother #1 called today. Some of us call him "Davy". He goes by his real name, David which he was named after our father. Yeah, we are from the seed of David. More like a tribe of David.


My brother "Davy" ask if I was busy and if I had "a minute". He called to see how all of us were doing. Some how the conversation got to what one of our uncles said to "Davy". This uncle was our mother's brother, "Ad".


Yeah, coming from a large family, nicknames are a must. A lot of same names. I always remember calling this uncle just "Ad". "Ad" was "Ad". "Davy" said he was in town one day and "Ad" saw him outside by our house.

Back in those days, our block was mostly kin folks. Grandma, uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters and even In laws living within seeing distant. Our mother was one of eleven children.


Back to "Ad", "Ad" saw "Davy" with a cooler. So when "Ad" saw the cooler he spoke this words to "Davy". "Do you have any cool ones in there".

When my brother told me this I had to write this down in my Family Famous Quote Book. I listen to how my siblings talk. Some of the things they say catch my ears. I have been writing some of the funny sayings down in my journal quote book.

"Do you have any cool ones in there" "Ad" said. He was talking about something to drink drink. Not water or soda pop that was in "Davy's" cooler. "Davy" said he will never forget the look on Uncle "Ad" face. He was not to pleased with what he saw in that cooler.


You know what, I was busy when my brother called me. But I decided to make the time to talk to him. Seizing the time at that very moment. I would not have come across this saying to ADD to my family's famous quote book.

I even found out that "Davy" and his wife got another cat. Their son "Ed", short for Edward cat ran off. So "Ed" got them another cat for them to watch.

We come from a family that love DOGS. Well, there is a few cat lovers. By the way the phone call lasted about twenty minutes. We are doing good!

Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley

A Piece Of History: My Family Connections

One Hundred years ago, Isaac Blakey's children was recorded on a list.
Below is the twins he had with Martha Scott Blakey.
Isaac's other children will be posted on the next blog.

Photo was taken by Bernice Bennett in June of 2015.
Used with permission.
Thanks, cousin!

 

I was amazed when I saw this page.

The seal was in color.
John Blakey was my Grandfather.
It was an honor to see his name on this page.
I didn't know he was a twin until I read this paper in the early 1980s
The copy that I have is in black and white.

Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley

In Remembrance Of Isaac Blakey (1845 - 1917 )

 Isaac Blakey (1845 - 1917 )
 a.ka. Private Isaac Blaker ~
MS Union Soldier ~ (1863 - 1866 ) 

 The day of Isaac Blakey's birth was unknown. The established date and year Isaac Blakey was June 30, 1847 in Fayette Missouri. According to Isaac's death record he was 72 years old. The year of his birth would have been 1845.



From Isaac Blakey's Pension Records

2015 marks the 170th year of Isaac Blakey birth in 1845. Isaac was a former slave from Missouri. He was the son of Andrew White and Julia Finney White from VA. Isaac was the only one in his family to carried the Blakey surname. His parents and siblings took the White surname.

The story has it, Isaac took the name BLAKEY surname from a billboard or a barber shop sign. Isaac was making his way down south to MS to join the Civil War on November 1, 1863. He served until May 13, 1866.

I'm not for sure were the BLAKER surname came from. Isaac stated that his name was Isaac Blakey on the pension records. That reminds a mystery.

Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley

In Remembrance of John Blakey / Blakley

John Blakey was born on June 21, 1871 in Woodville, Mississippi. John was the husband of  Jennie (Bartlett) Blakley Lyle.  John and Jennie changed their surname sometime after they married in 1902.

John passed on July 10, 1918 in a covered wagon in Yankton, South Dakota. He was the son of Isaac Blakey and Martha Scott Blakey. John was the twin of Andrew Blakey.

I was wondering; what my grandfather John Blakey / Blakley could have looked like? I wish that there was a photo of him.  I was told that John looked like his brother, Spencer.

I believe that a child can looked just like one of  their parents. I wonder which one of  the Blakley children did.  I see the resemblance in the siblings. Here are some photos of John's children by his wife, my grandmother Jennie.

Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley



John's and Jennie's son Pastor / Elder John Jr.



John's and Jennie's son Isaac

 .








John's and Jennie's daughter, Mary.



John's and Jennie's son Rev. O. Pierson 



John's and Jennie's daughter, Hazel.



John's and Jennie's son, Paul

John's and Jennie's son, Rev O. Pierson

 

John's and Jennie's, son David



My father and his Grandfather, Private Isaac Blakey who was John Blakey / Blakley's father.

Clues From The Past: Part 6 ~ Mrs. Anna Laura Walters : In Remembrance

From Mrs. Anna Laura Walter's obituary booklet

Clues From The Past: Part 5 ~ Mrs. Anna Laura Walters : ? In Photo

Unknown Relatives

This photo is still a mystery. I can only image who these people were in this photo.

Some how they were connected to my Grandmother Mary (ALLEN) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.

 

 WASHINGTON - ALLEN  Family Connection

DADE - LANKFORD / LANKFARD Family Connections

Here's who I think they could have been. Click on blog:
 Unknown Relatives: Who Could They Have Been?

 

Remembering The Past: Honoring Memories:Leo Lankford Sr.

In Remembrance Of Leo Lankford Sr.

Leo Lankford Sr. about the age of 8 in 1892.

Leo Lankford / Lankfard was born in Canton, Missouri on May 30, 1884.
He was the son of Robert Louis / Lewis and Charlotta (DADE) Lankford / Lankfard.
Leo was the husband of Mary F. (ALLEN) Lankford / Lankfard. 

 

Mr. Leo Lankford Sr.
a.k.a Mr. Leo Lankfard
(1884 - 1954)

Mr. Leo Lankford Sr. in his home in St. Joseph Missouri.

 

In Remembrance

Happy Remembrance Day!

Many will visit the places where their loved ones have been laid to rest. Many will place flowers on their graves. It's time for remembrance. We should remember those who passed on. They were a part of our family.

Yet, there are many people who have passed on; some will never be thought of. There are or perhaps no record of their existence. Those miscarriages or unmarked graves are long forgotten.  Some were recorded as stillborn and young infants who passed on way to early in life. There are many who have no names or remembrance of their births.

That's sad to say but, many are not recognized in family history. There are family members who were lost and forgotten. It's because there was no remembrance of them through the years.  The family stopped speaking of them. The information had been lost through the generations. Until someone brings their remembrance back to life.

As I began searching for my family connections, I have discovered a lot of my ancestors and relatives have no remembrance of them. Most of them had no obituaries listed in the newspapers. There were  some relatives who had some acknowledgment of their passing.


I hope people will honor remembrance day. It was first called Decoration Day. People  decorated their loved ones grave markers. Now, it's called Memorial Day. Either way, it's Remembrance Day.

When I come across a relative or ancestor on my family connections, I take note and write them into my family connections. They were connected some how. Their life counted. They should be remembered.

We all want to be remembered. We should be. When it's our time to pass on may there be others who are left behind, remember those who have passed. And may we keep our loved ones in remembrance for those who are to come.

May the Lord help us keep our family connections alive and well. And may we pass on what we know about those before us to the future generations. Amen!


Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley

Memorial Day: Remembrance Day

Happy Remembrance Day!

Remembering loved ones who have passed on...
and those who served in the U.S.A Military.
They are missed but not forgotten.

I have come a lot of relatives who have served in the U.S.A. military.
Some of them are buried in National Cemeteries along with their spouse and or children.

Here's a list of some Family Connections:
Find A Grave Memorials Military Links

Precious Memories

As clear as a loving word or touch

of a hand so warm and clear

Are the memories of our loved ones that

we treasure and hold near.

A favorite song or picture often causes

us to recall, the many special times

that were the dearest ones of all.

And although time will heal the loss

we will never be far apart

Because God's gift of memory will always

 

be a treasure in our hearts.

May there be special memories of all the deceased members

on the Family Connections Families. The ones we remember will always live in our hearts.
And for those who we shall reunite again.
Here are some surnames on Family Connections

The Bartlett - Blakley Family Connection

The Allen - Lankford/ Lankfard  Family Connections

.The Hooper - Bartlett  Family Connections

 The Blakley - Lyle  Family Connections

 The Allen Washington/Walters  Family Connections

 The Dade - Lankford/ Lankfard Family :

 The Ovington - Dade  Family Connections

 The Dade - (Love) Washington  Family Connections

 The Brown Hendred  Family Connections

 The Scott - Blakey  Family Connections

 The Lephridge - Blakey  Family Connections:

 The White Family  Connections:


Hope to find out what others heard on the family history.
 Perhaps find out where others fit on the family tree or perhaps can add more names.

With Honor

Happy Veterans' Day!

To those who served and are serving...
Thanks for your service and sacrifice.
May God bless you.

As I've been searching the family history, I found more relatives who served in the U.S. Military. It's an honor to have and have had relatives to service for our country.

Here are some who have passed. Some are buried next to their spouse. 
My Find A Grave Project

Leo Lankford Sr: Son Of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD

Leo Lankford Sr.
1884 - 1954

Leo Lankford was born on May 30, 1884, to a Charlotta Dade Lankford and Robert Louis Lankford in Canton, MO. He was one of 10 or 11 children. James Andrew, Jennie, Lula May, Fredrick A. Louis A,  Alice Anna, Charles Edward, Sillborn female, Nymadula, and Isabelle V. Lankford.

I don't know why the Lankfords. Leo would have been less then 10 when the arrived in St. Joseph before 1890.  Leo was a laborer, trucker and hauler. He had a business of hauling trash.

Leo married Mary Allen a.k.a. Mary Walters on April 16, 1909 in Andrew County MO. To this union there came 11 children: The daughter with their married names: Anna C.  Robert, Leola, Mary V., Lula M., Sarah B., Addison, Leo Jr., Betty M., Frederick W. and Josephine L. Lankford.

Leo's and Mary's Lankford surname was spelled at least two other ways. On some census records, it was Langford. Other spellings Lankford and Lankfard. Lankfard is the one on their tombstones.

I've seen photo's of Leo. He would be standing with a cane. I don't know the story about why he had to use a cane. Perhaps he was born with some thing that effected him when he grow older.

Leo passed away on Sept 1954. A Morton family member attended his funeral. Leo was buried at Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

I was searching for Grandpa Leo's World War Draft Reg Card. I see that his name was spelled LANKFARD. Also there was something about Grandpa that I didn't see before.



Grandpa Leo was paralyzed in his left hand and leg since the age of four. I had seen photos of Grandpa.
I thought that he hurt himself and had a bad leg.

According to one of my aunts, Grandpa may have had polo. They did not know back in those days. Grandpa had to live with what he had.

Staying On The Family History Journey,
Hope to find more info on Leo Lankford Sr and his family.

In Memory Of Mary Allen Lankford

I read this as a question: What do you like the most about your grand parents? I approach this question in another way. What I remember and discovered about my Grandma Mary.

For those who know me, I'm on a journey. I am searching information about my ancestors. I thought to share this on this day. I came across that question about a month ago.

(This blog was in 2009. I made some update.) I'm keeping warm the best way that I know how. Try to KEEP Warm. God Bless you.

Photo: Grandma Mary with her husband, Leo Lankford Sr. with their son Robert Louis Lankford.

My grandparent on my father's side. My father's father, John Blakley. passed on July 10, 1918. My father's mother, Jennie Bartlett passed on December 27, 1926. That's well before I was born.

My grandparents on my mother's side.
My mother's father, Leo Lankford. passed on in September of 1954. That's well before my time too. However, I got the honor to meet my mother's mother, Mary Allen Lankford.

Grandma Mary was born on December 21, 1889 in St. Joseph, Missouri. A matter of fact, Grandma Mary lived just about four houses away. I didn't have far to go to Grandma's house.

Here was what I remember and discovered about Grandma Mary. She stayed at our home for a short while. She fell in her house and some of her children were taking turns taking care of her.

I recall when Grandma Mary was in our house. We were in the front room. Grandma was cleaning out her purse. She handed my mother something. Grandma told my mother to give it to me. It was a tumble. I still have the tumble today.

I also remember that someone took a picture of Grandma Mary, with two of her daughters. One my mother and her sister, my Aunt Betty. I have a photo of my Grandma Mary, My mother, Lula and Aunt Betty.

There are some things that I did not think about back then. Grandma was about 85 years, 11 months and 14 days when she passed on on November 7, 1975. She was buried next to her husband at Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

My mother wanted me to I stayed home from school that day of her mother's funeral. I didn't go to the funeral. But, I did get to see her body. Her body was the very first died person I saw in a coffin. It was weird. It was like Grandma was just sleeping.

Over the years of my family history research, I discovered some things about my Grandma Mary. She was the only child born from my Great Grandma Anna Laura Washington.

There wasn't much known about Grandma Mary's father, William Robert Allen. He was born in Georgetown, Missouri about 1861. He worked on a farm. I assume that he died not to long after Grandma Mary was born. I have not found much information on him.

Grandma Mary's mother, Anna Laura WASHINGTON was listed as mulatto. She was half black and another race. She was born in St. Joseph, on June 13, 1867 to a William / John and Susan (LEACH) Washington. I found more on Anna's through her death records.

Grandma Mary was said to have been half American Indian. Her birth record stated that she was mulatto. My Grandma Mary stated that she was black even though she was less than half black.

My Grandma Mary was fair skinned with freckles. In her early days, she had long coal black hair. 

At times I heard that Grandma Mary was a Walters. Her mother, Laura remarried to a Thornton Walters. She had a son named Joseph Walter and daughter named Mary "Bonita" Walters. Grandma Mary married my Grandpa Leo. They had 11 children.

I thank God that I got the honor to have met one of my grandparents. I believe there will come a day when I will get to met the others ones who called upon the Lord. What a reunion that will be!

What I like most about my grandparents?
They called upon the name of Jesus to be saved.
They birth my parents.

Most of my Great Grandparents on my parents sides were born in slavery.
That makes me the third generation born after slavery.
I am thankful for my family lineage.

I was born for a purpose.
I was not born by accident.
Thank You, Jesus.

May all have a Good Day!

Staying On The Family History Journey,
Susan

The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. NKJV Psalm 12:6

Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your nearest kin, NKJV Proverbs 7:4

Memories Of The Past

This was from my Xanga site posted on Friday, 22 August 2008
I added photos in this blog. (There were some update added too.)
There is a place where I can go stand and see a part of my family history. I can look around and think-- Memories Of The Past. I can see  the land and houses in our neighborhood. As I do this, I would think about some things. Things I've discovered through my family search.

I can see the place where my mother was born. Then I can turn my head to the house where she passed away. I can see the places where my Grandparents lived. (The photo what the car in it. The home of Leo and Mary Lankford in May of 1965.)

 The area where at least 5 generation grew up.

I was standing on the block where history took place. There was much history here. I recall old photos that came back into my thinking. It brought life as I was looking at the vacant lots.

The areas where Grandma Mary, Grandpa Leo, and their children , my Uncle "Sam", Aunt Leola, Aunt Sarah Bell and Aunt "Jennie" used to live. This was less than a block away. They were neighbors with my parents too.

My mother's parents, Leo and Mary were born in the early and late 1880's. My parents, David and Lula were born in the teens and 1920. I came along in the early - mid 1960's. I could imagine how the difference in our up bringing could have been.

Three of the houses are torn down. Still I can see the imagines in my mind of what the outside of the houses looked like. I recall that time when the houses were torn down. (The photo on the right was the home of William and Leola Farmer.)

I am discovering new things about my ancestors. I am glad that the past generations recorded some things. I am so glad that I have been coming across new information.

I even thought about our neighbors. There was one neighbor who has been went us as long as I can remember in the 70's. Mr. Mier passed away Jan of 2010. He was in an accident.in

What a journey in time to see and been apart in our neighborhood. How wonderful it is to be in the place where some of my ancestor lived. I can see that some of the same trees are still here when my ancestors were here.

I am so thankful that I grew up in the area where my parents grew up. I am so thankful that I can share memories of the past. I am thankful that I can use my imagination to take a look at memories of the past.

While On The Journey
Memories Of The Past

Blessings,
Susan

From LSF
His Gift Of Prayers Blessing For Wisdom And Guidance!

"May Your presence be with me as I walk the path of life, Lord. Help me to be wise in my choices...and if I have doubts encourage me to stop and ask myself what You would have me to do. Let my faith in Your loving care grow stronger every day, for that is the only foundation of happiness!

May Your Gift of Prayer bring blessings of Wisdom and Guidance to me and all of my Fellow Members near and far! ~ Amen."

Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. NKJV Psalm 85:12

Looking Back At 2009

As I look back over this year, I feel as I have accomplished a lot through my research on the family tree. It took some time to do. It was nice to find out more things.

I came across three relatives on the Internet. Two of them are searching on ancestry.com. I added more of relatives by using ancestry.com.

It's fun to find out more on the family lineage. I brings some accomplishment on the journey. I have been compiling things as I am on this journey.

I hope that this year was OK for you. Hope that you will have a Wonderful 2010. 2010 is a census year.

May we be counted. Our future generation will be looking back on the records. May they find wonderful finding.

While On The Journey
Looking Back At 2009

Now may we look forward.
There are many good things out there.
May we find them.

Blessings for the New Year.
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

Longevity On The Family Lineage

I was noticing some of the lives of my ancestors.
I mean their ages and how long they lived.
Some had long lives.
While many had lives too short.

My father, David lived to be 76 in 1989.
My mother, Lula lived to be almost 80 in 2000.

My father's father, John lived to be about 47 in 1918.
My father's mother, Jennie lived to be about 42 in 1926.
My mother's father, Leo lived to be about 70 in 1954.
My mother's mother, Mary lived to be about 86 in 1975.

My mother's mother's mother, Anna Laura lived to be about 80 in 1947.

These Ancestors Were Former Slaves:
My father's father's father, Isaac lived to be about 72 in 1917.
My father's father's mother, Martha lived to be about 24 in 1871.
My mother's father's father, Robert lived to be about 67 in 1919
My mother's father's mother, Charlotta lived to be about 72 in 1924.

My father's mother's mother, Harriette lived to be about 60 in 1909.

There were a wide range of ages.
My ancestors had longevity in their blood.
The following ones were former slaves:

I came across my 2nd Great Grandma Juila at 60, my 3rd Great Grandma Lillie at 93, and my 4th Great Grandma Hannah at 115 on 1880 Census. Than there was my 2nd Great Grandma Frances at 100 on the 1900 census. I don't know how long these women lived.

Thank God for good health and longevity.
May the LORD bless each generation.
May we live long and healthy.

On The Journey: Longevity On The Family Lineage

Julia was my father's father's father's mother.
Lillie was my mother's mother's mother's mother's Grandma.
Hannah was my father's mother's Grandma.
Frances was my mother's father's mother's mother.

In The Beginning...

I thought to start a blog on my family history. I have been searching for over 30years. But where do I go from here in sharing what I have discovered? What will I share?

When I first started out I knew very little about my ancestors. I only knew my father, David, mother, Lula and my mother's mother, Mary. There was little data that I knew of them too.

It wasn't until a little after my Grandma Mary Allen Lankford passing when I became interested in my family tree. I thought when my Grandma Mary died all the information about the family was gone too.

I was so wrong on that. Through the process of time, I came across data and records. I am so thankful to God for the lead. I discovered so much over the years.

Where do I go from here in sharing what I have discovered.
What will I share?

Family History for the Month of JUNE:

Anna Laura WASHINGTON was born on 13 June 1867 to Susan LEACH and William WASHINGTON in St. Joseph, MO. Anna Laura was the mother of Mary ALLEN LANKFORD.

John BLAKEY BLAKLEY was born on 21 June 1871 to Martha SCOTT and Isaac BLAKEY in Woodville MS on Hew Davis Plantation. John had a twin brother named Andrew BLAKEY. Andrew passed along with their mother Martha.

Isaac BLAKEY was stated to be born on 30 June 1847 or 1845 to Julia and Andrew WHITE in Roanoak, MO.

1st Entry:
S.A.B