Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Fun and Games

 As I look back over my childhood, I recall some of the fun and games I had with some of my siblings, relatives and neighbor kids. The photo is the view pointing westward. We called that down the street. We had many games in this area such as Simon Says, Red Light, Green Light, Red Rover, and so on.


Other games we played was the an area that was once called the dirt road. It was up the road, southward. That was were we played baseball. The sewer in this photo was home base. There were two other sewers on either side of the road. First base was on the west side and the east side was third base. We had to make second base. .

There were generations before us. I can assume that what we did was passed down to our generation. I heard their was a generation that use to shot bows and arrow facing the eastward. I don’t recall doing this.

Then when the snow came, we would sled ride from up the top of the road to down to the bottom of the next block. The end of the block is in the photo, at the bottom of the hill. Some when over the hill which was Eastward. We had others looking out for cars. I don’t recall no one getting injured.

There were some of us who played basketball on the northward section. It was across the street. We had so much fun and games that we did. We climbed trees. and played Hide and Seek , played in the sand pile, swing played hopscotch on the side walk. Some had foot races in the street.

I can imagine the generations before us, what they did. Did they play in the streets? My mother and some of her siblings where born in at home on this block. My father was born not to far this here.

This was a place of fun and games.
We had family gathering and cook outs as well. Good memories



As we kids grow in years, the next generation came. We shared with them some of the things we did.
We didn’t teach them to ride slides in the street. The only thing that did was playing basketballs like the older generations. All them days are gone. But, the memories are still there.

May we share our fun and game stories to the future generations.

Thanks for reading.
Fun and Games #52 Ancestors Week 38
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Week 38: Fun & Games ~ Generations Café via facebook

Are there any fun traditions in your family? (My family has “Thanksgiving craft time” after the big meal is done.) Maybe you’ve made an especially fun discovery or found how your ancestors spent their precious free time. Feel free to post your links and stories in the comments below.

Week 39 (Sept. 27-Oct. 3): Steps

Monday, September 20, 2021

Work #52Ancestors Week 36

 What did our ancestors and relative do for a living?

This is a good question and something to search out.

I was thinking about some of my relatives.
I came across many professions. Here’s a short list.
farmers, musicians, athletes, porters, stone masons, chefs, cosmetologists, barbers,
medical field, military service, truckers, mechanics, janitors, teamsters, contractors, haulers, and the list goes on.

I was thinking about my Great Uncle “Add” Lankfard.
He was the brother of my Grandfather, Leo.

Louis Adward Lankford was born on Jan 22, 1882 in Canton, Missouri. He was the son of Robert and Charlotta Dade Lankford / Lankfard. He was one of 11 children.

Louis worked many jobs in his lifetime. He was a laborer, porter, attendant at R.R. Station. Porter at an apartment house. And a supernatant at an apartment house. Some time during Louis’ upbringing he enjoyed playing baseball. .

Louis loved the game so well he made it a career. His name wasn’t Louis Lankford during that time. He went by Add Langford in the negro league. He was an outfielder, and as a pitcher, his nickname was “Smoke”.

Negro league baseball debut
1912, for the Baltimore Elite Giants
Last appearance
1920, for the Pennsylvania Red Caps of New York
Teams
St. Louis Giants (1912)
Philadelphia Giants  (1913)
Lincoln Stars  (1914)
Lincoln Giants  (1915)
Lincoln Stars (1916)
Philadelphia Giants  (1917)
Brooklyn Royal Giants (1917
)Pennsylvania Red Caps of New York  (1917–1918)
Lincoln Giants (1918)
Pennsylvania Red Caps of New York (1920)
via Wikipedia


In 1911, Louis “Add” Langford was a professional boxer.
That was his only professional fight.

Thanks for reading,
Work #52Ancestors Week 36
God bless
S.A. Blakley

Week 36: Work ~ Generations Café via facebook

Yesterday was Labor Day in the US, so what better time to explore how our ancestors earned a living? Feel free to post your links and stories in the comments.

Week 37 (Sept. 13-19): On the Farm

Saturday, September 4, 2021

School

 What about school?

By law we all had to attend school either in public school,
private school or home school / virtual learning.
I attended and graduated from public school.

I was thinking about what my dad and what he shared me about his school years.
According to the 1940 census recorded, he completed his freshman year.
He had to work. His father passed in 1918 and his mother passed in 1926.

I have a journal.
When I spoke with my parents about their lives, I would enter a entry.
Below is an entry. This blog information was taken from my entry date July 5, 1982.
=========================================

My dad told me that he used to walk 5 miles to school.
He got up at about 5am. There were 5 blacks in school.
There was about 20 people in all.

The teacher eat a lot, made them work, read out loud.
My father mentioned that the teacher had a ball “of hair” on her head.

They had to bring their own lunch, if your didn’t, you wouldn’t to eat.
The school was from 8 am to 3 pm.
===========================================
Some thoughts:
I can’t recall which school my dad said he went too.
There were only 5 blacks in this class…
This was well before desegregation.

After thoughts: 2021
I don’t recall asking my dad where this school was.
My father was born in 1913.
I did say who were the other 15 students were.
Nor did he say where the 5 blacks seat.

I wish I would have asked more questions.
I was listening to what my dad was sharing.
He didn’t share a lot at once.

Photo: Envelope cover of my kindergarten progress report card; 53 years ago.
I was absence 16 times and half of that we during the second quarter.
I remember someone told me that I missed Santa Claus. He was in class.
I wasn’t much of a talker during discussion time. I played rough.
I had trouble following directions and had trouble tying my shoes.



I did graduate from the same high school as my 17 siblings.
Our parents believe to we need an education.
We shouldn’t stop learning after we finish our schooling years.

May we continue to learn something every day.

Thanks for reading.
Week 35 (Aug. 30-Sept. 5): School
God bless you.
S.A.Blakley

 Week 35: School ~ Generations Café via facebook

It’s back to school time—one of my favorite times of the year! Have you thought about your ancestor’s education? Any teachers or principals in the family? Have you ever visited your ancestor’s old school (or maybe you attended the same school)? Feel free to leave your links and stories in the comments below.

Week 36 (Sept. 6-12): Working

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

BARTLETT Family Connections: September

 Welcome to September:  Family Connections: Remembrance 


September  

In Loving Memory of  Harriett (BUFFINGTON / HOOPER) BARTLETT. She was believed to have been born in 1849. She was the 2nd wife of Elias W. BARTLETT Sr.

Sarah "Sallie" (BARTLETT) PEYTON

On September 15  ~ In Loving Memory of  William YOUNGER. He was born in 1882. He was the husband of Myrtle (PEYTON) YOUNGER MILLER.


Lucy E. (BARTLETT) HORAN
  On September 11 ~ In Loving Memory of  Jackson William HORAN. He was born in 1866. He was the husband of Lucy E. (BARTLETT) MOSSELL GROSS - HORAN

 On September 23 ~
In Loving Memory of  Lucy E. BARTLETT MOSSELL GROSS HORAN . She passed in 1940. She was the daughter of Elias W. BARTLETT SR

Juanita (BARTLETT) ARMSTRONG

On September 2 ~ In Loving Memory of  Shedrick BONNER. He passed in 1997. He was the husband of Georgia (ARMSTRONG) BONNER. Georgia, the daughter of George Thomas ARMSTRONG and Juanita (BARTLETT) ARMSTRONG.

Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKEY / BLAKLEY

In Loving Memory of  D. W. BLAKLEY Sr. was believed to have been born. According to the 1920 census record David was 4/12 years old...that would have made him born in Sept of 1913. David's brother, Isaac told him, David that he wasn't born in November. David celebrated his birthday in November. David was the son of John BLAKEY/ BLAKLEY and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE.

On September 2,  ~
In Loving Memory of Steven Edward ALLEN. He passed in 2017. He was the husband of Freda (BLAKLEY) DYCHE. ~ Branch of Isaac and Martha (SCOTT) BLAKEY

On September 16 ~
In  Loving Memory of  Hazel V. BLAKLEY She passed in 1933. She was the daughter of John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE.

On September 17 ~ 
In Loving Memory of  Rev O. P. BLAKLEY. He was born in 1912. He was the son of John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE.


Click to view The Blakey / Blakley WHITE Family Connections.


 Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKEY / LYLES

 On September 2 ~ 

In  Loving Memory of  Geniva (LYLE) JONES She was born in 1924.  She was the daughter of Chilton LYLE and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE

On September 6 ~ 
In Loving Memory of Faris C. LYLE. He was born in 1923. He was the son of Chilton LYLE and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE

September 9 ~  In Loving Memory of Catherine Marie (STRANGE) LYLE. She was born in 1933. She was the wife of Faris C. LYLE.

DADE Family Connections: September

 September: In Remembrance: The DADE Family Connections

The Louis Newton DADE and Mary Ann
(VENOY) DADE Family Connections


On September 21 ~  In Loving Memory of Lloyd Milton DADE He passed in 1917. He was the son of John Wesley DADE and Helen N. (HOLDER) DADE.

On September 26 ~  In Loving Memory of Mary Belle DADE She passed in 1949. She was the daughter of Louis Newtown DADE and Mary (VENOY) DADE.

On September 28 ~  In Loving Memory of Robert Lee "Bobby" DADE He passed in 2009. He was the son of Den and Louetta (ROBINSON) DADE.

The Robert  and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD Family Connections

  In Loving Memory of Isabella LANKFORD / NICKERSON. She was believed to have been born in Sept of 1899. She was the daughter of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD

In Loving Memory of D. W. BLAKLEY Sr. He was believed to have been born. According to the 1920 census record David was 4/12 years old...that would have made him born in Sept of 1913. David's brother, Isaac told him, David that he wasn't born in November. David celebrated his birthday in November. David was the son of John BLAKEY/ BLAKLEY and Jennie (BARTLETT) BLAKLEY LYLE.

On Sept 2, 2017 ~ In Loving Memory of Steven Edward ALLEN. He passed on Sept 2, 2017. He was the husband of Freda (BLAKLEY) DYCHE. ~ Branch of Isaac and Martha (SCOTT) BLAKEY


On September 3 ~  In Loving Memory of Mary Evelyn (THOMAS) TILLMAN She was born in 1939. She was the daughter of Milton Vernon THOMAS and Mary Virginia (LANKFORD) THOMAS.

On September 4, 1995  ~ In Loving Memory of Meldora Gwendalyn BRUCE / STROTHER. She  passed. She was the wife of Robert Leon FARMER Sr.

On September 12 ~  In Loving Memory of Leola (LANKFORD) FARMER She passed in 1994.  She was the daughter of Leo Sr. and Mary (ALLEN) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.

On September 13 ~  In Loving Memory of Charles Edward "Charley" LANKFORD / LANKFARD He passed in 1937. He was the son of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.

On September 14 ~  In Loving Memory of Leo LANKFORD He passed in 1954. He was the son of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD/ LANKFARD.

On September 15 ~  In Loving  Memory of Isabella V. (LANKFORD) NICKERSON She passed in 1938. She was the daughter of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.

On September 15 ~ In Loving Memory of Isabella V. (LANKFORD) NICKERSON She had a child born on Sept 15,1938 believed that child passed on that day. Isabella passed on that day also after giving birth to twins.

On September 15 ~  In Loving Memory of Freddie NICKERSON and another child were born in 1938. They were the children of E. W. and Isabella (LANKFORD) NICKERSON.

On September 16 ~  In Loving Memory of Gladys Louise (PEASON) LANKFORD  She was born in 1918.  She was the wife of Charles Addison "Puffy" LANKFORD.

On September 23 ~ In Loving Memory of Maureen Deetra (Jackson) Nave She passed in 2019. She was the daughter of Ambrose Jackson and Thelma Rowena Lankford.

On September 27 ~  In Loving Memory of Anna Charlotte  (LANKFORD) BLAKLEY She was born in 1909.  She was the daughter of Leo Sr. and Mary (ALLEN) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.

On September 30 ~ In Loving Memory of Lula Mae (LANKFORD) MADISON She passed in 1961. She was the daughter of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD

The David WASHINGTON Sr. and Louisa Jane "Janie"
(DADE) WASHINGTON Family Connections

Branch of George and Ellen LOVE HENDRED 


  In Loving Memory of William Henry COBY. He was believed to have been born in 1886. Perhaps on Sept 1st. He was the husband of Florance (HENDRED) COBY.

  In Loving Memory  Bernice H. ALLGOOD HENDRED.  She passed in Sept of 1987. She was the wife of Russell HENDRED.

On September 3 ~  In Loving Memory of Lola Lee (PITTS) HENDRED S 
She was born in 1910.  She was the wife of Marshall HENDRED.

On September 3  ~ In Loving Memory of  Isaac Lewis HENDRED He passed in 1955. He was the husband of Elise (MARSHALL) HENDRED.

On September 3 ~In Loving Memory Durwood Donald HENDRED He passed in 2000. He was the son of  L. Isaac HENDRED and Elsie Lee (MARSHALL) HENDRED.

On September 6 ~ In Loving Memory of  Ivan BIRDITT  He passed in 1971. He was the husband of Elizabeth J. (DADE) NICKERSON BIRDITT. Elizabeth was the daughter of Den and Louetta DADE. ~

On September 12 ~  In Loving Memory of Harry Lewis GARR Sr. He was born in 1899. He was the husband of Eva Lena (MANLEY) GARR.

On September 12 ~ In Loving Memory of  Archie MANLEY He passed in 1911. He was the son of William MANLEY and Luttie (HENDRICKS / HENDRED) MANLEY. Archie had a twin, Artie MANLEY. ~

On September 14 ~  In Loving Memory of Harry Frank CLAY Sr. He was born in 1936. He was the son of Robert Smith CLAY and Cora Ann (MANLEY) CLAY.

On September 17 ~  In Memory of Ardell Jack WILLIAMS. He was born in 1908. He was the husband of Haddie Lu (MANLEY) WILLIAMS

On September 17 ~  In Loving  Memory of Bernice (AKERS) HENDRED. She was born in 1926.  She was the wife of Raymond O. HENDRED.

On September 21 ~ In Loving Memory of  Roy William CLAY JR. He was born in 1964. He was the son of Roy CLAY Sr. and Circa Jean (PERKINS) CLAY

On September 22 ~  In Loving Memory of Ralph Cecil CLAY. He was born in 1920.  He was the husband of Doris Ivy (MANLEY) CLAY.

 On September 23 ~ In Loving Memory of  Sheliah Marie (WILLIAMS) MANLEY. He was born  in 1941. She was the wife of  Leonard Eugene MANLEY.

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Character

 

Character #52Ancestors Week 34


As I’m discovering people on my family connections, I am finding relatives who were actors, actresses, etc. How amazing! And I have discovered some who are currently in the entertainment world.

Character:
This famous actress married into the family. I heard of her. But, not as a relative. My Aunt Josie discovered the family connections while reading the JET Magazine. My aunt told me this story in July of 2010.

While my Aunt Josie was reading about this actress in the magazine, saw her Uncle Nymadula Lankford’s name. She said “WHAT, Uncle Nym?” She didn’t know this herself. I haven’t heard of this either until she told me. This must been a family secret or lost family connections.

Wondering. Who is this well know actress and the character she played? Her famous character name was “Manny” in “Gone With The Wind.” She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1940.

Her name is Hattie McDaniel. Her second husband was Nymadula Lankfard, my great uncle. Hattie’s surname was Lankfard at the time she won her Oscar on February 29, 1940. And it happened to be Nym’s birthday.

Hattie McDainel filed for divorce from Nym in 1937 and it was finalized in 1938.


The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California)15 Sep 1937, Wed Page 44

I heard that my Great Uncle Isaac Blakey loved going hunting. One of his hunting buddies was Clark Gable. Yes, the one in “Gone With The Wind.” What a small world.

Thanks for reading.
Character #52Ancestors ~Week 34
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

 Week 34: Character ~ ~ Generations Café via facebook

Characters — there’s at least one in every family. Who in your family could be described as a character, someone who marches to the beat of their own drum? Or maybe you have an actor or writer in the family? Share their story this week. Feel free to leave your links and stories in the comments below.

Week 35 (Aug. 30-Sept. 5): School

In The City: Where Some Of My Ancestors Lived

 

In The City: Where Some Of My Ancestors Lived #52Ancestors ~ Week 32

I can only imagine. Where did some of my early ancestors traveled in the cities they settled down? I wonder? Are there buildings or tress still standing during the days of my ancestors’ days? Did my ancestors leave a trace of their existence? Can I search where their homes were located?

Yes, I have visited some of the places where some of my ancestors lived. Just a thought. Some of us live or have lived in the same cities as our ancestor but, in a different space and time. We can walk in the foot steps of our ancestors and relatives.

I’m thinking about some of my ancestors who lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. Some of my relatives lived there back in the days of slavery and segregation. My relatives were the enslaved when the Pony Express began in St. Joseph, Missouri. I can only imagine that they heard of the news of the pony riders.

As I began searching for my relatives through old news papers, I wasn’t aware that I’ve been to places where they traveled. Yes, we shared the same places. And know I can see things in a new light as we travel in places where my ancestors resided.

There’s a block that I’ve traveled many times. I wasn’t aware that my Grandfather Leo was riding a horse and it broke its leg. The horse was shot and Leo was charged for reckless driving in 1901.

I’ve been to Lake Contrary. It has changed through time. I didn’t know that my my step Great Grandfather, Thornton Walters drowned there at the age of 43. I read the news articles of that day in Aug of 1903. He was there with family and friends for a picnic. He was fishing in a boat and reached over, losing his balance. (He was paralyzed on one side.) The person in the boat with him couldn’t swim.

I have viewed the 102 River. I didn’t know that my Great Uncle James Washington drowned there in 1889 at the age of 16. I read the article of his tragedy. He was swimming in the middle of the stream near the bridge where it was deep. He caught a cramp. His body discovered the next day.

Other places that were in the times of my early relatives and the buildings are still there . But through time the changed into museums. ,Patee House Hotel and Jesse James home. I can only imagine what my ancestors experienced in their time.



I have been to cemeteries where some of my relatives were buried. I’ve come across tombstones dating back to the birth of a relative born in 1852. Many tombstones are loss and or covered over into the ground. I can imagine other early family members standing by the grave sites just as I was in the present.

In the city where I live, the place where my roots run deep, I can experience the past in the present moments. The torch has been passed on to generations and generations to come. Will they know the stories of our past? Will they be interested in searching out the family connections?

May we imagine how we connect with the city we lived in.
May we explore where our ancestors settled down.
May we leave stories behind for generations to come.
Amen.

Thanks for reading.
In The City: Where Some Of My Ancestors Lived #52Ancestors ~ Week 32
God bless you.
S. A. Blakley

Photo is the place where some of my ancestors and relatives resided. Memories: Many funeral recessions passed these blocks, kids playing in the streets: Oh, the memories we created.


Week 32: In the City ~ Generations Café via facebook

“They went and built a skyscraper seven stories high / About as high as a building oughta grow!” (Sorry — it’s been awhile since I’ve thrown in a random song lyric.) Were any of your ancestors “city folk”? Did your farming ancestors leave any tales of trips to the big city? What was the “big” city they would have visited — and how is it different today? Feel free to leave your links and stories in the comments.

Week 33 (Aug. 16-22): Tragedy

Favorite Name(s) ~ That Make Me Smile

 Favorite Name(s) ~ That Make Me Smile #52Ancestors ~ Week 31

As I look over all the names on my direct family lineage, their names bring a smile to my heart. I think about what I’ve discovered about them. And how I stumbled across what I know now. I’m amazed. I’m thankful for the joy that came while in the moments of the new findings along my journey.



Here are a few names:

My Great Grandfather. Isaac Blakey: Civil War Private Blaker (1845- 1917)
He is the most documented person on my family tree.

My Grandmother Jennie Bartlett Lyles,(1883 – 1926)
She was the mother of 18 or 19 children and passed so young.
I came across more on her family.

My 3rd Great Grandmother, Delilah Lewis, (1773- 1887)
She was the least likely person I thought to have an obituary.
In her obituary, it traced back to her birth place to where she passed in 1887.

My Great Grandfather, Robert Louis Lankford / Lankfard, (1852 – 1919)
He is a breakthrough case on my family tree.
I can trace back more than to my 29th Great Grandfather, Nigel DeLongford.
The surnames changed from Lankford, Lankcford, Longford, DeLongford and other spellings.

As I’m journaling this week’s theme. I am sadden by the new terms and conditions on ancetry.com. All what I have put into what I have posted on that site was a challenge to do. My Family Connections page has changed. There are not many photos. I have left what I have discovered on my family connections.

From now on, I’m being careful in sharing photos online. It’s sad that people can use what we post for their gain. So, sad. The photo above is the flash reflection from taking a photo when I was in the dark. And so, I’m in the dark about what’s ahead how I’m going to share things.

I began sharing some of my family history to search for lost family members. I even done DNA tests to connect with long lost relatives. It was so exciting to discover new people and things about the family history. And now, what’s ahead? I have to step out and find out.

I will continue to search for my family history. It will be different in how I will share. I’m not out to get money on what I do or to make a profit from it. It cost money to get information on genealogy research. People have asked if I would write a book. I don’t know.

May we be wise in how we share our family history info from now on.
May we learn from other researchers.
May people discover more about their ancestors.
May God bless those who take advantage of our research on our family connections.

Thanks for reading.
Favorite Name(s) ~ That Makes Me Smile #52Ancestors ~ Week 31
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

 Week 31: Favorite Name: Generations Café via facebook

People sometime ridicule celebrities for the “unusual” names they choose for their children. Clearly, they haven’t looked at some ancestral names, like “Strange Powers” or “Preserved Fish.” Who’s name in your family tree makes you smile? (Of course, you can interpret this theme however you’d like!) Feel free to leave your links and stories in the comments. 

Week 32 (Aug. 9-15): In the City

Sunday, August 1, 2021

2021 Bartlett Family Connections

 In Memory of  Bettie CHAMBERLAN. She passed on August 27, 1927, She was the daughter of Wrennie CHAMBERLAIN and Gaynell (YOUNGER) CHAMBERLAIN CALIE


In Memory of  Gaynell (YOUNGER) CHAMBERLAIN CALIE. She passed on August 28, 1978. She was the daughter of William YOUNGER and Mytrle (PEYTON) YOUNGER MLLER.

 In Memory of  Katherine A. "Katie" (ROBINSON) PEYTON. She was born on August 29, 1902. She was the wife of Dr. Wade H. PEYTON Jr.


Son of Elias W. BARTLETT Sr.
 In Memory of   Charles BARTLETT, He was born on August 28,  1866.
He was the son of Elias W. BARTLETT Sr.