*BlogTalkRadio for AAGSAR*!

                                        

Hello Family and Friends! and Most of all my Delightful Readers!

Just wanted to share "My True Roots!" with you again to reintroduce myself to the Genealogy Community and why I started!

This was my 1st Post which you can click on the Link to see my 1st start and Tribute.

 Threshold of Blogging! after much hesitation.

 I started it on November 7, 2012 and posted what was the time of Daddy's Death of 2:32.  My Father James Edward Lewis,  passed Saturday Morning in my childhood home in Oberlin Pennsylvania. Dauphin County. November 7, 2009.  With all his Children surrounding him.

Me and Daddy age 9, 1977.

I wanted to keep my Family History and Oral History alive.

Inspiration came from my "Ol'Slave Ike Ivery"!

 This is where you can learn all about my Sankofa for Granddaddy, in my Documentary to Granddaddy "Ike Ivery" all the way to Me!

I was encouraged by many people along the way on other Facebook Groups I had joined.

 Countless Friends and Family. Too many to mention who have been encouraging and cheering me on this Journey. So I'd like to take this time for "Thanking" everyone who has been so positive and uplifting. 

Later I joined AAGSAR!  This is my new HOME now. Please take a look at the work done by Luckie Daniels and all the "New Bloggers" who are pretty much seasoned and I proudly and Boastfully say this was a long time coming and much needed. 

"The Village"

With Luckie Daniels of Our Georgia Roots  supervision no words can express what she started for the African American Genealogy Community 14 years ago and took on the role and challenge of nurturing and getting us started. We can pass this on and take Charge now. "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child"......She has guided us by hand daily on showing us what our Work and Challenges are? Why we need to be a part of the Genealogy Community?

Now she is taking AAGSAR to another Level.....BlogTalkRadio! our 3rd Home and Why We Got Roots Too!

                    
This is where my development and integration of technology for my Work began. Daddy would be Proud of me for being with these Folks on the level we are taking our Work to Honor Our Ancestors Lives in the RadioSphere.

It has been way to long and much anticipated. I hope other's will join in not letting our Slave History get behind any longer.

 That is my Life Work as well.

 To keep reminding EVERYONE that we! My Ancestors! have a place in Ancestry and Beyond! with all the complexities of different nationalities and ethnicity's told within our DNA as well. 

This is part of mine: 23andMe making me U5b1c Maternally.

True's! DNA.

In this Work we call Genealogy and to Continually Tell Their Life Stories for the World so as not to be forgotten integrated with Technology.  My Unborn Readers and my Descendant's Hopefully will carry this body of work I have only begun to touch on.

I expect nothing less from all the GREAT New & Seasoned Genning Friends of  the Genealogy Community to support Me and my People as they become known to you, on my behalf and help them! Receive them! Support them as they come along, long after I have gone. 

So to Celebrate another milestone in my Ancestors lives and my Fellow Bloggers. New and Old. Come Support your Extended Genealogy Family. 



 I EXTEND my Hand and INVITE! and ask that you join us LIVE on Sunday March 2nd, 2014 6pm EST, as we Debut our Live BlogTalkRadio Show! @ BlogTalkRadio for AAGSAR!  And don't forget to CALL IN!  @ 347-838-8307

                                          Upcoming Events!

We have some great line-ups! You'll get to meet AAGSAR Members and Luckie Daniels and Myself and Fellow Bloggers and Experts in Technology, Family Research and Genning from the Larger Community?

Why We Have Roots Too!

AAGSAR African American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research

Visit AAGSAR You Got Roots? Yes we Do!



Post: Questions or Comments at the above link and get familiarized with our BlogTalkRadio page leading up to SUNDAY MARCH 2ND, 2014. 6 pm EST!  Pass the WORD around! Google+ "Twitter" Facebook and all the other Technology Engines you use and Groups too! We are so Excited! and We want YOU to be a PART of IT!

Bring your Coffee! and in my case my English Tea! A few snacks. Come TALK and Chat with us, or just Plain out HANG OUT! Join in the Experience and Celebrate with US on what we all so love in Genealogy and Technology. Keeping our Ancestral Work alive. 

                      See you on SUNDAY, MARCH   2ND, @ 6pm                                       Eastern Time in the US!  
                                       Call In: 347-838-8307
                                  for AAGSAR! You Got Roots!? Live Talk Show!
                                                    @ 
                            "BlogTalkRadio Channel"                                                   

See Ya Sunday, and My Best Regards!
True!

Lillian Mary Johnson Sweigard

Hello All!    it's FEBRUARY!  Time for 2# Post for WorldWide ~ A Genealogical Collaboration

It's me; True! again.

I'm going to make this Short and Sweet. I will be traveling to my "Ancestral Home" of Alabama to bury my Mother's Sister. My African American side. So please bear with me. I will add to this later.

It's very challenging when you are grieving and have to keep up your daily responsibilities. I haven't been much in the mood to write as of late. After I get past a few things in the next couple days. My tears will turn to joy and I will get up to task of writing again. I'm just in a lull right now.

I wanted to introduce you all to my Maternal Grandmother!

                                                      "LILLIAN MARY JOHNSON SWEIGARD" 

 Lillian Mary Johnson was born on Tuesday, October 3, 1905, in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Her  Father was, Joshua William Sharpe Johnson, he was 26. Her Mother, Cora Agnes Rebecca Watson, was 22. 

She was 1 out of 6 children. Her brother William Levi 1904, "Grandma Lillian" 1905, Russell Luther 1907, Dorothy "Aunt Dot" 1910, Rosanna Jane 1914, Viola Catherine 1917. 

She had one child with a man with the last name of  Carpenter in 1925. Geraldine. 

 She then married Harry Clayton Sweigard in 1932. My "Grandpa Harry". They had one child together in 1948.  My "Mother" Sharon. 

Grandma Lillian passed away on November 27, 1971, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the age of 66.  I was 3 years old.

Lillian Mary Johnson Sweigard

In 1910, Lillie Johnson was 4 years old and lived in Newville, Pennsylvania with her father, mother, and 2 brothers. They are on LINE 22-26. Grandpa Sharpe was working on the railroad.

1910 Census of Lillian in Newville with Parents and Sibs

Newville is the kind of sleepy town full of Mom and Pop's stores. Where people know people. Mostly a Generational family type of town. Like the Walton's if you please. Grandma Lillian's line goes all the way back to William Watson from what I have researched. Watson's have been there since the Revolutionary War. This is my Irish Line. Her Mother Cora's family has been there as well. 

That line goes back to "My Patriot" Johann Nicholaus Barrick born August 2, 1761 in Cumberland County and died July 20th, 1844 in Cumberland County, Pa. He is my 5th Great Grandfather. 

 I only have his Father's name of Henry Berg/Berk. No Mother's name. He married Anna Maria Lambert/Lambertie.

I've only been told stories about Grandma Lillian. I still have to interview my Mother more while she is still in good health and good memory.

My African American Grandparents would tell me because the 60's were so rocky even in Pennsylvania. They would have to sneak and let Grandma Lillian see me. Grandpa Harry was still leary. My Paternal GrandParents would tell me how they would call her and let her know they were gonna be at Sears that day and what time. Sears was by Grandma Lillian's house. She would go and act as she would normally as to shopping. Then she would slowly come up to my Dad who would be holding me then. Strike a conversation about how Pretty of a baby you have Sir. Daddy said she would hold my little hand and gaze and coo at me and I would just look between her and him. 

I wish I could see her in my big eyes. I wish I could smell Grandma Lillian. No one knew I would only have 3 little years with her off and on. 

Mom would tell me also how she would sneak to call late at night or during the day when she could and ask Mrs. Lewis is there anything TrueAnn needs? No Ms. Sweigard she is doing fine. Don't worry and begin to tell her little things I might of been doing through the week. 

Mom said once she called about about  a white fur coat she wanted me to have and Mom talked her out of it saying I would get so many things on that. Your spoiling the child. They would laugh. I know Grandma Lillian wanted me to have the best. I still have the white lace dress with a pink bow after my Grandparents passed. They still kept dress for me to have as Woman now. Every time I would go home I would ask my Parents. Mom where is the dress Grandma Lillian gave me? "She'd say in the back closet", Go! Look at it. I'm still saving it for you! and her and Daddy did.

White Lace Dress

She was a tough lady with her Irish bit in her, she was sentimental. These are the accounts about her that I wish to talk to my Mom about. 

My other gift is her China punch bowl set in it's original box from Anchor Landing. I'm about to put it in a hutch now that I have a Home of my own now. That was saved for me as well. I love it. 

Also I have my most cherish gift which is my baby Rocking Chair.......Grandma Lillian bought that for my Grandma Lewis to rock me in. I have kept that chair in my baby room and then when I moved from my nursery that was through my Parents room and graduated to my Tween room it went with me down the hall. Well...I have that rocking chair in my Grandbaby's room at my House now. Mom always told me you take care of that chair, it was my job every Saturday to dust it down. Make sure nothing got on it or to break it. 

My baby Rocking Chair

This Spring I plan to meet my DNA cousins who are Grandchildren of Grandma Lillian's siblings. I hope my Mom will show me new pictures and I hope there is one of me and her together. My Aunt is suppose to give me her Bible and I wonder what treasures I'll find in there?

I'm so grateful My Grandparents saved those things for me.

 Grandma Lillian is part of who I am. My Grandparents kept her memory and presence near me. It's those little things that they did that they knew would make a world of a difference to me later in life.... So it has.

They say you can never miss something you never had. Well... I do miss my Grandma Lillian. I love my Grandma Lillian. 

See ya Soon!

Best Regards, 

True!

In Honor of Dr.King's Birthday 2014 ~ #DreamForward

Dedicated to Sandra Taliaferro and L.t. Lanier of the Family Griot who just passed yesterday. I Will continue to Dream Forward with our Ancestor Work.  

San encouraged me and read my Blog when I first started. I'll remember all the fiery conversations me and L.t. had. Such a lost to the Genealogy Community in whole. You will be Missed. 
Reblogged from the Taliaferro Project!

Click Link Below to read Sandra's STory! 

Ms. Sandra Taliaferro

Friend of Friends Lesson


The King Center for Observance Events

Wanted: "Mr. James Edward Lewis"

My Brick Wall Challenge!


Dear Granddaddy Lewis,

I've been looking for you, for quite some time, I have taken a DNA test thru FTDNA, 23andMe and Ancestry.com, a SNP test through DNA Tribes.
Just to get close to you. Where are you? Where are the rest of my PEOPLE?

Let me just start by saying I miss my Daddy. I wonder how many times Daddy missed his Daddy?

I'm on that road, kicking dirt and rocks to find where the MAN who gave us LIFE and passed the last name of LEWIS which we have carried since 1905 PROUDLY!

His name is James Edward Lewis. 

He married Eddie Lee Rosanna Louisiana Savannah Ivery on June 24th, 1905 according to the Bible, doesn't say where. I assumed Georgia.

Mrs. Eddie Lee Rosanna Savannah Louisiana Ivery Lewis 

Possibly Alabama from whence they both came according to some documents. I added some things up and this is where it has left me, BLOGGING to find Granddaddy LEWIS.

His first known Legal Document. I find him on 1910 Census for Georgia in Houston County. Line 87.  

He is living on Hawkinsville Road, Militia District 771. He is 28 years old. He says he is born in Georgia. Enumerator says him and his Wife Eddie are Mulatto (mu), the children are Black (B). His 1st Marriage, and he has 6 children already.

Next door to him is his Brother in Law, Prophet Ivery his wife's Brother. I've also looked to the neighbors for clues also.

1910 Georgia Census

I'm glad you signed your WW1 Draft Card. 

WW1 Draft Registration Card 1918

1920 Alabama Census

After 10 years I find you in 1920 Census in Alabama, Midway, Bullock County. He's enumerated on the road that runs through 2 Plantations one being J.G Hitchcock's.  His Wife's family is from Midway, Alabama. She is the daughter of Ike Ivery. He says he can read and write. He is 44 years old. My grandfather is 2 years old at this time He was born in 1918. Three more Daughters will eventually be born from this Union. A total of 11 children. Three are living today. All of them in their 90's. My Aunt's Sallie Bea, Aunt Essie Bea, and Aunt Sarah.


All 11 of James Edward Lewis children were named Mary Cooper, Rev. Obie L. Lewis, Mitchell Ben Lewis, Minnie, Leila Belle Davis, Frances Tarver, Sarah Miles, James E. Lewis,Jr. Sallie Bea Robbins, Essie Bishop, Johnnie Mae Lewis Matthews Woods. 

The Lewis's, (left) Aunt Essie, Aunt Sallie Bea, James E Jr, and Aunt Sarah

There are "Notes to Myself"......Your children have told me through oral history about Granddaddy Lewis, he "ran-off" when the children were small. All these Documents are what I have left of you to find you.  I wasn't around or old enough to ask the Elder children that are gone now as many questions as I like. Daddy and his 3 sisters told me all they can. All 3 are in their 90's now and all they want to talk about now is not of the past as much only what their minds can handle for a short time.  I obliged them now. They have done all they can for me in research and oral history. From time to time I will try to coax them. Those days of calling back and forth even if it's just for a quick minute to get some idea or answer I had conjured all up in my mind and had to get asked, is gone now. They have done their work.......

He had a brother named Quincey who laid his clothes upon the River in Georgia we were once told. We don't know if he jumped in the River or ran off too.

 I was told a 1-eyed woman girlfriend tried to burn Grandma Eddie and some of the kids down in her house in Midway, Alabama after running away from him in Macon, Georgia. Luckily it didn't spread. Everyone was okay, and it was put out. 

I have to Thank your Son, your Namesake. He kept the Lewis name going with stride. He took it, wore it with Pride. He let no one shun your Name anywhere. 

Everywhere he went he made sure no SHAME came to our name. It was what he lived by and stood for. His NAME and his WORD.

From you Leaving us. Daddy knew what to do and what not to do as a Father and Husband. He forgave you a long time ago. Every time I mentioned you to him, he was always quiet and only said what he knew, he never said a bad word about you. I knew in his heart what he meant without him saying it. He loved you so...

A lot of times the "Unspoken" words "Speaks" volume.

He wanted to be at your funeral but the girls were still hurt. When he got Older he couldn't remember what year it was? I made a time frame from 1955-1963. Based upon when Corky was born and we moved to Harrisburg to settle down. A lead of questions made me come to conclusion for a time frame.

He Loved us hard. Daddy opened up every opportunity in Life for us to succeed. We were the 1st in so many things. He doted on us. Disciplined us. He was like the folklore John Henry to us everyday how he got up to go to work everyday. He set an example not only in words, but how he Walked in Life.

Just like in the Bible with Job! Daddy rose early and gave his offerings for the sanctification of his children! He stood like Job, continually, always concerned over his family. 

Job 1:5 

 He gave us all you couldn't. 

You have a Wonderful Loving Spirited Legacy of a Family. From my Granddaughter Jai, to Eddie, and Me, my Dad, J.E.jr, J.E. who became Sr. to YOU. 5 Generations.


 Oh, What a Legacy!

We want you found, keep leading us towards the way. All is Forgiven. Let your Family find you so we can embrace and keep our circle unbroken.

In the words of my favorite Author Pearl Cleage: "I speak Your Name"! I speak your Name!~ I speak your Name!~

James E. Lewis

High and Low....All I know is I will keep looking for you Granddaddy!

With all my Heart ♥︎....
your Great Granddaughter 


Wanted: "James E. Lewis"!