Aisha & True & Harriet Tubman • Underground Railroad

.@MyTrueRoots #UndergroundWGN it's an honor to be taught the way to live, by her story pic.twitter.com/VuW7eD0g0f

— Aisha Hinds (@AishaHinds) April 12, 2017

Faces known to Daddy. - Family - Friends- Acquaintances - Neighbors and Babies

Me & Daddy, 1977. 

Thanks for coming by....I finally had some free time to go through Daddy's Army WW2 Footlocker and go through a few things today. 

Below are Photos from one of 5 wallets that Daddy saved over the years. In this one particular wallet he had these photos and they are unknown to me. I didn't see them while he was alive to ask. 

Daddy kept this trunk in the attic of our home that I was born and raised in, locked.

These are just thoughts and theories on what I think about them.

Daddy was from Midway, Bullock County, Alabama. I think these are during the WW2 years.  Most of the great photos that I care for from Daddy are like this in this era and are identified.  

Most of the places Daddy took pictures for himself and family were in Eufaula, or Union Springs, Alabama. 

I don't know if any of them are Cousins or Family of his. Friends or Neighbors? I assume some of the babies are family, but you can never be sure. The two bottom ones look like the same babe.  

I will pass this onto my family. Hopefully they will recognize some faces as well. I sure would love to know their Stories and how Daddy came upon these. 

He was very particular and disciplined on how he kept his wallet. I found a lot of meaning on what was there and what was not. Daddy's wallets and the way he kept them reflect his personality. 

People that intimately know Daddy know that about him. I'm sure this sentiment is about a lot of Southern Gentlemen from that time period. It was truly an intimate and private sacred space for him. 

The day he passed. I held onto his Final Wallet and keys.  Daddy had a special place for them every night on top of his metal file cabinet.  

After we calmed down later the next day. Me and Bettye assigned a specific time with all of our Siblings, his children.  We all sat at the kitchen table together and went through it piece by piece. 

Daddy left a lot of unsaid and direct messages.  He had 371.00 hidden in a part of his wallet he carved out to hide money instead of the usual billfold pocket. Photos. Memories. All of our phone numbers on a card. One day I'll share all of the contents. 



I am hoping you all can pass this blog piece around to your friends and see if anyone can recognize them or has the same photos.

You all can leave me a Comment or Note to let me know what you think or how you feel. I wanted this to be Open for the Public to be passed around for Societies or any Genealogy Circle you think is appropriate. 

Midway, Alabama was very close nit and there were many families there that married into other families. Midway is a mecca for Cluster/FAN Research works. 


Mom use to say to me every Summer. "Don't talk to any boys". They are ALL your Cousins. So they were, by blood or by marriage.  

So hopefully I'll find out one day. How these Women and babies are kin to me. 


It's worth a try. 

Beautiful Faces 

Guest Blogging at In Their Footsteps ✦

I had a Great Opportunity to be a Guest Blogger on September 20th, 2015 for Author Carolyn Schott 

It was about Traveling to your Ancestral Roots. I have blogged about this many times. So I wanted to contribute my Story when she asked for Guest Bloggers. 

It was a wonderful opportunity to be amongst other Researchers who went to their Ancestral Towns and got a feel for their Ancestors Roots. 

It's a Series she does called:


 In Their Footsteps

Footsteps...

Here is a LINK to my Work I submitted on behalf of myself and my Family about My Journey to Sweet Home Alabama! and others Journey's to their Ancestral Roots. 

A Genealogist's Hog Heaven

Stop Over!
Let me know what you Think!




Best Regards!

48 Slaves of Barna Ivey

48 Slaves....

My Blog Sister Schalene! of Tangled Roots & Trees decided to start a Slave Name Roll Project to Honor a Place for the Slaves. 

You can go here to add the Slaves you know of. So they will have a place. If you have Slaves or know someone who doesn't quite know where to put the information? Please take time and pass the word about the project. Schalene will be more than Thankful to add them for you. 

My True Roots is my Safe Haven for my Slaves and Ancestors to be remembered Collectively in One Place. This is what the Slave Name Roll Project will do as well.

The Slave Name Roll Project, is not just for Black History Month in February but a Continuation of Work.

This is what Collaboration is all about. 

Finding Slaves is Collaborative. Often times these records are in personal papers. That is why so many hit the infamous "Brickwall of 1870" they so often speak of. There is a way to knock it down and go around it. This is just one way. We have to work together to get the information out.

These are the 48 Slaves I want to Remember. Hopefully one day their Descendants will Find them.

With this Slave Blog Roll we are hoping many will find this as a way to put the Slaves they have Online to.

I think this is a great opportunity for all. Many times these records are hidden in private papers. 


These 48 Slaves are Owned by Barna Ivey born September 22, 1795 in North Carolina. Died November 21, 1856. Glenville, Alabama. His son Malachi Ivey was Executor of his Estate. 

In 1850 He was living in Barbour County, Alabama. Division 23. The Will & Appraisement Record was found in Macon County, Alabama. 
His Overseer was Richard Hill is located below on the 1850 census in the household of Barna Ivey. 
I've also seen Baron DeKalb Williams as a Overseer at one point as well. His history which I'll reveal later says he was a Overseer on Barna Ivey's plantation. 

I got these Records from Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery Alabama while looking for my Own Slaves. I'm a Blue Card Carrier. I ordered these in 2010. 

I'm a Member of Alabama Genealogical Society & Bullock County Historical Society. 

48 Slaves....

Here are the Sources I used to obtain the information on the Slaves and the Slave owner.

Click here for Extensive Research that I use:
Bob Baird His Work and Research is insurmountable. It has helped me extensively when I intertwine his research with my own. I hope he knows how much its appreciated? 

George Franks Ivey: The Ivey Family in the United States. Written in 1941 November 1st. Below is a Link to read. 

Ivey Descendant put on PDF

Ancestry:

1850 Census: Barbour County, Ala. It names Richard Hill as Overseer.

NoTe'S To MySelf:  I have researched this Family of the Ivey's for over 10 years. In hopes of finding my Slaves.

My Personal Ivey Research 

I'm still grieving over these 48 Slaves. Who do they belong to? I'm constantly searching for who their Descendants are......

When I received this Packet from ADAH. I was overwhelmed. As I quietly sat. I was hoping to see the Names of my Ancestors; it was not to be. 

I still don't have the answer if they could really be my Family? Could they be in my DNA? Could these Slaves have been around my own Slave Family and not DNA related but considered them Family? 
Are my Slaveowners of Granddaddy William and Minty Ivey recently found on the Genealogy Roadshow related to these Slaveowners in some capacity?
 Many thoughts have run through my mind since obtaining these documents. 

I have a whole file on the Ivey Family. I study them like I study my Own Slave Ivey / Ivery's.

I Cried, Whooped, Hollered and Grieved over them because they are Somebodies Slaves. Somebody's Family. 
I will be back to update and revisit the Ivey Slaves. To put more of the Probate information up. 
Thanks to Cathy my BlogSister of  Opening Doors in Brick Walls for all the Encouragement!

It was a Blessing & Honor for me to Add these Slaves to the Project. May their Names be set Free. 

For more Information; Please feel free to contact me.

Leave me a NoTe or Comment. 




48 Slaves...

My WomenFolk ・ Mary Haynes ・Mary Henry ・Berta Hatcher

 Womenfolk

Thank You! for stopping by again and wanting to read about the "Womenfolk"  in my Life married to Granddaddy Ike Ivery.

These Women are always on mind. 

Mary Haynes     
Mary Henry  
Berta Hatcher

We have such a hard time finding our WomenFolks maiden names.

 I was fortunate after slavery my family stayed intact in Midway, Alabama.    

    

Bullock County, Alabama 1895 Map

        

I'm also Mourning them at times as well as Celebrating their lives. 

 I think of the "Inner Sisterhood" of the 3 WomenFolk. 

Granddaddy Ike got married 3 times. I think on how my two other Grandmother's took on my Grandma Mary Haynes children.

 I try to imagine the complexities and the love it took for 2 Women to take on previous wives children's? They kept it going.

I think about how Grandma Berta Hatcher came in the family and was welcomed for sure! Her Descendants adored and had much reverence for her.

 She carried on the Legacy Granddaddy Ike was to leave behind. Had 13 children with him and cared for his 10 kids from previously being widowed twice before and managed to look after them long after Granddaddy Ike left this World. 

She was the Cornerstone for keeping us all together after Mary Haynes, Mary Henry and Granddaddy Ike passed on. From 1937 she had to do the raising alone.

There was no separating the children up. Everyone took up their part and helped Berta keep it going. None were treated any different from the others. The older ones helped with the younger ones. 
In fact I know some were off married, some were still living at home and Granddaddy Ike was having children when his children were having children! 

"Circle of Life" continues on...

8 Generations from Margaret, Mary's Mother to My Granddaughter. I'm 6th in line. Margaret Mary Eddie JE JEjr Me Eddie and Jai


Mary Haynes:   1st Wife History:   This is my LINE! The least I have on. I have not found any Descendants from her siblings or Parents yet. We do have DNA results from 3 of her 5 children. So we are ready for that! 
Grandma Mary Haynes! She was born in Alabama according to the 1870 census in 1855. Her father was John Haynes and her mother was Margaret. The year of 1875 when she was 20 she married my Granddaddy Ike, she would be the 1st of his 3 wives. 

She was 39 when she passed shortly after her youngest son Abe was born. She had 8 children with Ike Ivery. 2 of them are missing or passed away, but they are clearly reported as Bascom aged 4 and Isaiah aged 2. 
After 1880 they aren't mentioned anymore and Martha Tarver age 19 is also living with them.

1880 Census with Mary Haynes and Ike Ivery 

After 1880 sons Bascom and Isaiah of hers aren't listed. The following children are who are KNOWN as her children and to my Family are listed below.

Obie ~ John 1877 ~ Prophet 1878 ~ Lela B 1880, she is 6months old ~Ms. Eddie Lee: My GRANNY! 1886 ~ Abe 1887.

I'll do a whole blog on Grandma Eddie!

There was a 5-year gap between Lela B and Grandma Eddie possibly? I don't know what happened or what was going on?



Mary Henry:    2nd Wife History.    What I have researched on Mary Henry. She was the born in 1856 during Slavery. Her Parents were Dock Henry(1828-1905) dates were provided from his Estate File. Her Mother was Mariah Floyd (1826-1900). Mary's Mother passed away some time near her Daughter Mary's death.
 1900 census Dock says he is a Widow. Mariah Floyd's Parents were Ransome Floyd born 1800 and Phoebe, they were Mary Henry's Grandparents on her Mother's side.   Mary had 10 siblings! 

Her known 4 children to Ike Ivery were: Annie ・ Dock ・ Will 1890 ・ Charles 1892

Through this line is where I found MjIvory on Facebook he is kin through this line through Mary's brother Joseph. Bible names.

 Also I got information from my Mentor that Senator Caroline Moseley Braun,1st African American Woman from Illinois was related to this line also through Mary Henry's brother, Charles. I hope we can be introduced to  talk and compare notes one day.

Two branches of Mary Henry's line through her siblings. Joseph and Charles.
Hopefully she'll find me and we can share notes and DNA. Which is another whole "Blog Post" I'll have to start. I also wonder if both Mary's born around the same years knew each other in Midway? 

 I have obtained good gems on the Henry's from the Courthouse in Bullock County, Alabama. Union Springs. 

1880 Census for Mary Henry

                     

Berta Hatcher:    3rd Wife History.    Berta was the Daughter of Charles Hatcher and Margaret Lowery? /Collier born 1852. Her Parents were married November 21st, 1868. Colored Marriage Records Books, page 216. Judge W. H. Black. Her Mother passed and he married Estelle. Grandma Berta was born in 1877 in Alabama. After Freedom! She had 12 siblings. She passed away in 1952. She had 13 children with Granddaddy Ike. So many things she saw, things she did, things she didn't see that came to pass. She lived a long, fruitful life. 

Grandma Berta Hatcher Ivery

This is where I found my cousin Dot! She has much research on the Hatcher's. Cousin Dot falls under Grandma Berta's sister Lizzie. From November when Dot initially contacted me. It took me until March regretfully to contact Dot. 
I was so caught up in my Documentary. I hadn't even checked my messages. I prayed she would remember me and be willing to share.

Ever since we been chatting on the phone, emailing and encouraging one another and sharing research.

 My Cousin James who is son to Berta's Daughter Bessie. I was so excited to find a new branch that James went with his brother Alvin to meet Dot. I wish you all could feel the expressions of joy, I felt when they went to meet Dot and her Father. They enjoyed each other and had great stories of their Reunion to tell me. I cherish that......

They took pictures for me because I couldn't be there. I will always be indebted to James. Every time I put the "Call Out" for help. James has steadily been there for me. As many other's in the family.       


   

My Cousin's (Left) Alvin and James Goodloe and Dot with her Dad (meeting for the 1st time).

Cousin Bea in my Documentary she could talk about Grandma Berta good! Cousin Bea is Granddaughter through Berta's Daughter Caroline. She would tell us of the time Grandma Berta would say, If Ike was here he'd go get those peas for me. If you go and get those peas I can pick those peas while ya'll doing other's things. She had a lot of Spirit. Some of the Elder grandchildren can remember Grandma Berta. There is no one left to remember the Mary's.

 We let the documents speak for them now.

                        

Grandma Berta Resting at Mt. Coney Cemetery

These Womenfolk singing below always help take me to the Spirit of My Ancestors. They give me a solace and peace that's comforting. I love to listen to them while I'm thinking of my Ancestors.

   I will Dedicate this song to my Grandma's.
           All 3 of Them   called "Breaths".
                        Mary Haynes ~   Mary Henry ~ Berta Hatcher
                                  

                                                                        

I love how their lives unfolded. How the 3 Womenfolk combined had 23 children. Their raising of the children. All the values they passed on. The traditions. They lived on through all the children. We keep that bond that they shared through us today.

I know they are sitting around on some stools, laughing and exchanging stories. Thanking each other for raising and loving each other's kids. Thanking Grandma Berta for keeping them all under her fold and being that Mighty Fist!

You have Five Fingers and you can spread them out and look at them in all kinds of different directions, but when you Draw all your Fingers together into a ball and make a Mighty Fist! That Fist is Strong! all things are mighty Powerful as One!

 That's the Ivery's.......That's the Ivery's!

"Ike Ivery" Family Reunion Song - Whisper A Prayer

  

           







Whisper a Prayer in the Mornin'!

       Whisper a Prayer at Noon.....

       Whisper a Prayer in the Evening 

            Just to keep your heart in Tune....

Cuttin' Aaron Sellers January 8th,1918~November 2nd, 2008

My Cousin Aaron Sellers! Sang this song along with our Family a long time ago! Every since then we been singing this Song with him in the Lead at every Ike Ivery Family Reunion on Banquet Night. Even tho' Cousin Aaron is gone now, we still continue this Tradition on. He left a long and mighty Legacy for the Ivery's. He will be remembered the most from a lot of us for this Song. So we now Proudly boast this as our "Family Song!". 

Whenever my heart is full or I have to take my mind and spirit to another place to get through some of my research, Whisper a Prayer is there to soothe the Soul . It's a cloak, a quilt, a afghan to our Souls. It brings out the "Bent" in us and keeps us Safe. Singing a little bit of this Song will make your day and Soul go little bit better. 

We Ivery's are Grateful. We don't sing  quite like Cuttin' Aaron does , but it's close. I'll have to find a recording of the Ivery's singing. I hope to update later on that.

My Sankofa for Ike Ivery

This is what I've wanted to do for so long, I felt If I didn't do it, it wasn't gonna get done. I was always in a panic and worried I was so behind on family history research. 

So out of Love I had to get the ball rolling. Younger folks in my family they can take this start and run with! Back in 2007 I had rumblings in my Soul! I wanted to put a story together with all my family research, the documents and pictures over the years I collected. 

So I went on a internet search for someone who specializes in Documenting your Family History, That is were Ms. Susan Soble came in. She is the owner of Family Line Studios and she helped me make a Dream come True. 

This was done out of Love. With Blessings from my Elders. With A tribute to my Ancestors. Please take a look at my link to watch my Family History Documentary. 

Watch the History of Ike Ivery and his 23 Children.       


 Click the link below:

Ike Ivery and his 23 Children!