Finding Your Roots! We Come from Ivery's!

Finding Your Roots!

"We Come from People"

Season 2 Premiere September 23, 2014 8pm PBS

Episode 6

 Henry Louis Gates

The Book of Life

Angela Bassett ~ Valerie Jarrett ~ Nas 

Don't ever say; "I can't find Nobody" in your research. I can't find who I belong to? This episode tells you We Came from Somebody......Me: I Come from the Lewis ~Ivery~Miles~Daniel and Sweigard's and many More!..
We have receipts for our People like Property. 
Why did they put a price on us? What made them think they could put a Value on our Lives? This episode rang True for some many Folks and it has to touch the Heart of every American. 
If it doesn't, you have no Respect for Yourself. For mankind. Angela, Nas and Ms. Valerie's story should hold reverence for you. It's about your Story as well. That is why there will Never Ever Ever be a day I won't stop  "Speaking about my Ancestors" or write. You Family Historians know what I mean. Grandma Eddie Ivery Lewis, born 1888, her Father Ike Ivery, born 1853. His Father William Ivey born 1812. My Daddy born 1918, James E. Lewis. Those Miles, Tinnie and Queen and her Mother Lizzie, 1843. As long as I can and Lord help me! I don't want my Family to forget. I hope we find more of the ones who are LOST. So we can keep Our Circle Unbroken.  I know my Family will see to it their Lives are not in Vain.
They are in my DNA. In 1 hour you can not tell all the information they find. This is where I take NoTe's and re watch. Look for clues that will help me in research regarding a name or piece of history I heard on the show, even location research. I always have to go over the show to get some of the details lost or not followed up. I'll help tell some of their finds from Dr. Gates along with some of my family history. 

Angela Bassett
Angela grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. Daily life was a challenge. That is where she got the acting bug. She always wanted to know about her family, but like most when you first start it does seem to be a daunting challenge. Overwhelming. I still feel that at times but the Ancestors are with you always there to Lead you on. Most times you don't know where to begin? Angela is ready to know how her Ancestors survived, even trying to place herself in their shoes. Asking; I wonder if I would survive their circumstances? Her Ancestors were George and Jinny Ingram. They  got a chance to "Jump the Broom", they lived like many Slaves in cohabitation with each other, after Slavery they can get a Courthouse marriage to make their families legal. That is how they found out with Angela's family the reasoning behind the Ingram-Bassett last name. They were owned by the one and same. That is how they gained and lost those surnames between them.  My 3rd Great Grandparents are George Miles and Ginnie Hooks. So I found that interesting.

 I don't much information beyond census records mostly on them with Oral History,their Son Sam Miles, my Great Grandfather. These Parents of his were listed on his Social Security Application. That's how I found their legal names. Through out the family they are Big Pa and Grandma Sissy.

Poppa Sam Miles with his Parents: George Miles & Ginnie Hooks 

That backed up my census record in 1870. Angela's DNA revealed she was 77% SSA. 

  Valerie Garrett

Robert Robinson Taylor

1st Black Graduate of MIT, he helped developed with the architect of one of the oldest African American Black College; Tuskegee University. Were I recently took a visit 2 weeks ago. Had I known? 

Me arriving at Tuskegee University

He was also born in Cumberland County, North Carolina in 1823! Angus Taylor is his Father, he gives a glimpse into what his father looks like in a letter from Booker T. Washington stating that he was yet a Slave, but; "Given liberty to do about as he pleased" yet he was not Free. He didn't Free him. So it begs the question why didn't he free him? Was it for his protection? and the complexities that goes with that?  He wasn't just Henry's owner he was his Father as well. Eventually she would find out her 6th Great Grandparents her Grandmother Marianne had 6 children by Mr. Pierre Rochon her Slaveowner in Alabama and he freed his children March 20, 1770. That was astonishing to me 6 children were Freed in 1770. That is a long time to have Free Persons of Color (FPOC) at that time in History. This is how all her Ancestors were Free. At one point Dr. Gates noted her Great Great Grandfather Victor Rochon was the 1st Black Legislator from Louisiana in 1872 and 1888. So Valerie has this in her DNA, her Blood. She is now serving with our 1st African American President, Pres. Obama. So she was made to to do this work. I to wondered how Marianne felt a year later Pierre Rochon passes away and all those thoughts of what she might of felt at the time when he told her as his Lover and mother of his children they are FREE! They made a new life in Louisiana from Alabama. Dr. Gates points out that he "Manned up" something President Thomas Jefferson was always conflicted about doing.
 Her DNA revealed she was 51% Euro and 46%SSA. 


Nas!
I come from the Melly Mel, Sugar Hill Gang, Dougie Fresh, LL Kool J, and Queen Latifah era of Rap. Yes!,quite so.  Even my kids laugh sometimes I can "Rock the Mic" in a Ol'Skool minute. I paid attention to Nas! when he wrote: Illmatic the album. Since that time I make sure I listen out for his albums. They are a source, a citation on our History. He prolifically announces unashamedly to the World. As he should. The young man is very knowledgeable about our History. We family historians write, when he writes, he put it's into Rapping. Same work, he just projects it differently. He was quoted by Toure' of MSNBC as being articulate and having detailed lyrics. He realized this at the age of 7. That is when everything Set if Off for him. He started seeing his Life outside of the Ghetto. Imagine.....7. My eyes were opened to Genealogy at 9. Nas is a "Beast" in the Rap World.   Nas's mother born Fannie Ann Little, 1941 in North Carolina. Richmond County. 
She always taught and wanted her sons to have a deep connection to their Roots. Just like my Grandparents there were yearly trips to Alabama so I could see hear and smell my Roots they would be ingrained in me till this day. I would say the same things Nas said about going Down Home, or the South. Like it is for me Down Home in Midway, Alabama.  Being born and raised up North in Pennsylvania. Everything in life moved slow and it was the country down there.  It did feel like we were on the Plantation down there in my small naive youthful way. Even my way of speaking was foreign.

Midway . Bullock County. Alabama

 Nas's family goes back 5 generations in that county. Mine goes back to at least 1869 as far as I have traced. That is one of my oldest documents; a marriage license. 

Nas's story focus's on his 3rd Great Grandmother. Pocahontas Little, aged 15. She was worth a 830$ bought by Benjamin Franklin Little, March 27, 1859. Makes me wonder what else was going on the day of her Sale? I will have to research what the climate of that town was like and what else was going on in History? These are the little things that keep me up at night worrying about what happened, what was going on? I try to go to that place in my Heart and Spirit just to imagine? The picture of BF Little made Nas come face to face with who owned his 3rd Great Grandparents. The part that got to me was he said he had 850$ in his pocket right now. He mentioned he is considering going back there and get the Land. I hope he does! 

Richmond County, North Carolina

 I have to say there was a bit of conversation and debate going on about BF Little from one of his Descendants a lady in the comments section of the video excerpt for Nas. It was very compelling and it brought up a lot of emotions for everyone reading in. She was quite upset over the portrayal of him. She didn't think it was fair for him to be seen in that light. I'm very opinionated on this subject. It was interesting seeing her views and feelings on him being a Slave owner. She got a lot of response which I'm sure she didn't agree with. In the end it had to open her eyes this was a man that had a choice. They all did. Many were against Slavery and choose to not build their fortunes on the backs of a Slaves life. They tend to romanticize their Ancestor under the illusion my Ancestor wasn't a bad Slave owner and other guises they tend to use to defend their actions.  Those chains of pain whereas today Nas wears gold chains around his neck. He felt like we changed those chains of pain into chains of Freedom. Nas's DNA revealed he was 82% SSA. He also did a Y dna test on him to reveal his Haplogroup. He was Viking. Which is haplogroup R. that tells of his Origins and his ancient lineage where his 1st Ancestor began.
WHO DO YOU COME FROM?

 Remember. We Come From People!
We are not Property, Chattel, or Animals. 
We came here in Chains. Today we are breaking them. Hold your head high. You came from a Mighty Strong People
I could write so much more. I just wouldn't do it Justice. 
When you have the time you can go to PBS Finding Your Roots  at this link to watch the full episode online. 
 DNA behind the Scenes! shows you how to learn how they do the work behind the scenes to get the Guests DNA results.

Until Next Time.
Best Regards, True!

Nas "I Can"......

I know I CAN!

Finding Your Roots!

Finding Your Roots

"The Melting Pot"

Season 2 Premiere September 23, 2014 8pm PBS

Episode 5

 Henry Louis Gates

The Book of Life

Tom Collichio * Aaron Sanchez * Ming Tsai

Dr. Gates researches these Celebrity Chefs 

1. They cook the food of their Ancestors.

2. Discover how it shaped their Lives and American Cuisine. 

Tom Collichio

His artistry is Italian cuisine! You've seen him on Top Chef, has several restaurants. Out of all the explanatory recipes he does it still always comes back to the simplicity of being centered around family and simple recipes he grew up eating and preparing.

 His Ancestor Francesco Collichio came to this country at 20 years old with 27.00 in his pocket through Ellis Island. What was good in Dr. Gates findings is that he kept going back and forth on that long trip to Italy in Vallata to make money in the United States, go back to provide for his family there and return back to the United States for work. He did this 4 times until he was 69. His final trip, that is how his family settled here. Historians call them the "Birds of Passage". A tender term meaning lonely and hard experience. He fought in World War 1, survived World War 2, had a family through all this History and made it back to the States for a final time. I like when Dr. Gates asked him what would you cook for this Ancestor? He said anything they were having on upper deck! He traveled by steerage. So, yes. I agree. He should be given a meal of Upper Class with fine dining after all he went through.  Tom is ready to visit Vallata so he can come back with the customs and traditions to bring even more flavor for his dishes.

 Ming Tsai

His cuisine is Chinese! His show is Simply Ming. Creating and preparing Chinese dishes with flair.

 His earliest Ancestor was Tsai Ying his 36th Great Grandfather they found what they call "Steles" with his whole family tree on it. Survival of the stele. I don't know how that happens? They had pictures. 891 AD is how far back they can go in time with the Stele. That was a WoW moment. Huang Di is a Emperor who he descends from. Very rare family history. The Chinese kept some impressive records. Tsai is already trying to imagine the foods they ate back then to do now. That would be Great!

Aaron Sanchez! 

His flavors are Mexican! He cooks out of Respect for his Ancestors. His story is centered around his Mother Zarela. 

 A ranch 2,000 miles away in a town called Sonoro in Mexico. 1910 his Great Great Grandfather Rafael Gabilondo had to flee the Country that was in a Revolution. He lost all his cattle. 4 years later, He made a plea to the U.S. Goverment Treasury Department to go back after all the turmoil in the country to reclaim his land and bring his cattle back. He was granted permission. His earlier roots didn't really start in Mexico, it was Spain! March 31, 1713 he was born. His 6th Great Grandfather. Martin Gabilondo.  He was escaping war as well as his earlier Grandfather that is how he got to Mexico to start the family roots.  Dr. Gates tells him he can do his "Roots" in Bilbao. 

Dr. Gates made me giggle when he said all the Guests combined foods were the "Holy Trinity" of Food.
I was also very surprised they lost their family history along the way. Just surprised! It always amazes me the LOOK on their faces when they find out where they come from.

Before I Introduce you to my Friend. 
I have to say "Soul Food" is in my Blood. I have all kinds of ethnicity's. At any given time they come out! ( My German & Irish)! Soul Food is at the heart of, Who I am. That is what I was fed on as Child in the lap of my Mom. Grits and eggs fed by fingers.
 Her Mother Queen born 1888. Her Mother Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jordan born 1843. Her unknown Mother from her Mother back to her Mother. All the way back to Africa. My Women have been in the kitchen cooking for someone else and our families. 
I Salute Them.

These are the Women I come from. The Women who shaped and passed it down for Generations. They are in my Kitchen and at my Table every week.
 I cook like them. I bend over my bowl, my counter, and my stove like them. I can feel them in every little sprinkle and dash. All the while I reminiscence on the Old Ways, remembering. Remembering what my Momma use to do. 
 Tradition lives on in ME. I'm charged with carrying these food traditions on to the next..........
Michael Twitty who I call my Friend.  I had the pleasure of interviewing with my Fellow Bloggers of AAGSAR on BlogTalkRadio! Interview with Michael Twitty. 

A Food Writer, & Independent Scholar! He's a Culinary Historian, a Historical Interpreter. He blends information with being a Antebellum Chef and what they call, Identity Cooking. He is Jewish as well. A Judaic studies Teacher. 
To preserve his work and save information for the future, he calls it "Culinary Justice". 

 His Spirit is Deep in my Soul. 
His Story and his knowledge about how Food for the Soul are a integral part of History.The way he blends History and Food and make them come together, is Magnificent! If you don't know him by now, you need to. 
He is an integral part of Genealogy. His Foods, his Travels and Life experiences along with his wealth of Knowledge on History are intertwined, they tell All Our Stories. Michael's display of the foods he creates tell a story as well. He makes our Ancestors relevant with their rich history on food. 

"Teacakes for Tosh"

 written by Kelly Starling Lyons is a Great book to teach young children the way of passing food traditions on. That is not lost in the African American family. We pass recipes on to the next generation with Oral History stories to remind them what came before, so it continues for future generations. My Mother passed her family history recipes on to me and my Sister Bettye, nothing was written down. Favorite foods were  always cooked out of Love from watching and practicing over the years. 

What is your favorite recipe or food that was passed on in your family? 

Michael Twitty of Afroculinaria!

Go to Michael's Website for All things Food and History

Also see Michael Twitty on Episodes of "Many Rivers to Cross""

His WEBSITE 
 http://afroculinaria.com/

Also on Twitter @KosherSoul for Tweets about his Foods and Journey's.
Listening & Learning from Michael's written word has brought True meaning and a Revival of sorts to All nationalities. He is Preserving History and not letting us Forget as we often do. The Ancestors are guiding him. I know they are Proud of him for not letting this get Lost. 

My Beloved, Michael. Thank You!, for allowing me to express my Gratitude and Love for your work and for all Communities!


See you Next Week. Don't forget to Follow on Tuesday's at Twitter, using #FindingYourRoots

Are you Hungry now?

Go grab a plate, a drink and enjoy the Episode.
Link below:

PBS Finding Your Roots ~ Melting Pot

See ya Next week!

Best Regards, True!

Finding Your Roots! Roots of Freedom

Finding Your Roots

"Roots of Freedom"

Season 2 Premiere September 23, 2014 8pm PBS

Episode 4

 Henry Louis Gates

The Book of Life

Ben Affleck ~ Kandi Alexander ~ Ben Jealous

Another Great week! "The Fight for Freedom"!

Dr. Gates shows how all  3 Guests Lives are defined by 2 Wars. 

1. The Revolutionary War & the Civil War.

2. How did their Ancestors stories get Lost in their Family?

Ben Jealous

Proud Member of the NAACP; I am. Dr. Gates shows how exactly how Ben's family's history got Lost? Why so much of his Ancestry, his Life work and as a Person why he is who  he is Today? It's all there in his Family History. In my opinion. Through DNA testing he found out he was 80% Euro & 18%SSA. His are way higher than mine. Im 51Euro and 47SSA.

Ben's Grandfather who was the Eldest got disinherited for marrying a Black Woman. So that side of his Father's family was out of their lives.

Peter G. Morgan was Ben's 3rd Great Grandfather that is who he knew about and mirrored his Life after. He was their Frederick Douglass for his Family. The Civil Rights Icon in my Family is My Cousin Aaron Sellers.  I found it so Amazing the resemblance of Mr. Morgan to Ben......

Mr. Morgan actually had "Manumission" Papers. He was a able to be deeded Free on July 7th, 1857 Those documents are hard to come by. He was a Shoemaker. He had saved enough money to BUY his Freedom! I was so overwhelmed when Ben and Dr. Gates discussed: for every "Pound" he pounded those nails whether it was 20 or 2,000 or how many shoes did he have to make? That was a moment in time when all Mr. Morgan could think, I'm that much Closer to Freedom! Even tho' he Paid his Freedom it could still be taking away from you at any time!

1860 census comes! Most Negroes are still enslaved. Mr. Morgan was a Slave owner! The Glorious moment was his 4 Slaves were FAMILY! a Wife and 3 Daughters! 

Can you IMAGINE!? 

You have to OWN your Family in order for their Safety in a ironic way it was out of LOVE as well. For them to be Safe in what way that means for the Time of Slavery?

Ben is imagining his own family, his own Children. Trying to view and put himself in his Ancestor, his Great Grandfather's shoes and Life.  and he begins to cry......We can only imagine? Can you Imagine in our mind right now to keep your Wife and children as Slaves to keep them from harm? What would we do? At what costs to save our family the best way we could, with what we had?

Dr. Gates says; he was caught between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.

The year of 1864 he signs a Letter of Emancipation for his Family. In which he wrote: 

"I, Peter G. Morgan, A Free Man of Color, for and in, consideration of the natural love and affection which I bear for my wife,Julia Anne Morgan and our children...I do here by manumit, emancipate and forever set them free from bondage to me or to anyone else, my said slaves, and I do furthermore endow with them all the privileges and amenities of free persons of color".

Dr. Gates and Ben commiserate about Would we have the Guts and Conviction to throw caution to the Wind or to Stand up and Do this for our Family who are Slaves?

I wonder too if I would be Strong enough to do this? I would only Hope and Pray I would. To be that Strong. These are the things my Ancestors, my Granddaddy Ike Ivery had to endure. There is Oral History told to his children. One Day the Slave owner wanted to hit Granddaddy Ike's Sister and he told that Man don't you ever hit her again or I'll kill you! They say that Slave owner never did hit her again or do anything foolish to Granddaddy Ike, and he was a boy child at the time. I've seen these instances in newspapers and documents, court transcripts were they could Stand Tall or Be Killed. 

I Honor my Ancestors for all they had to Endure. For all the humiliting and bent back obstacle they went through. I'm Overjoyed for all they Overcame. For my Freedom today......

Ben's Grandfather like so many other Persons of Color during Slavery have so much to be Proud of. We are a Strong People! Thank you to Ben's 3rd Great Granddaddy Peter G. Morgan!

Thank You Grandaddy Ike Ivery!

Kandi Alexander

 Her Grandfather, Joshua Pinckney Masters born in 1910 Georgia had a interesting event. He was in a position only considered available to white men only. He was a Distiller at a plant for Rosin. What my Dad would call turpentine. It was the removal of the sap from pine trees. I won't look at a Pine tree the same. 

They are all over Georgia and Alabama, I saw them on my recent trip down home.

He was killed in a explosion that was done on purpose out of jealousy. The white men didn't think a Black should be the boss of them. So they set the vent up for explosion. He was just 25 years old. Kandi reminisced on the what the potential for his life could of been had he lived. 

Florida Resin Distillery 

So her Grandmother moved on with her children. The story died never to be told until tonight by Dr. Gates on what really happened? 

I see this happen in my own personal research when tragic things happen, everyone is hush-hush about it. So we lose that part of our history. That branch is lost forever until someone in the family like me who has a love for genealogy, picks it up, starts putting history to the faces and names we know and find. 

I have a Uncle Aberdeen Walker Miles. He ran away from Union Springs, Alabama, being accused of murder, he was never to be found. His brother Roy Walker Miles was electrocuted in May of 1929 for the offense. I often wonder if they are relatives in my DNA that they don't know their Ancestor changed his name, started a new life and they are the product of that. We don't know why we are connected? They haven't been told the story on him or simply don't know. 

Kandi's DNA showed she was 73%SSA and 24%Euro. She was Nigerian with Igbo. She didn't consider herself African American. She always grew up with a sense of "I'm Black" a Black Woman! She was just that, and proud of it! Most of us or people try to categorize us. She never felt to be put in any box. She said, she didn't feel any connection with the Motherland. 

After DNA she said she felt the connection now of belonging to something other than her Self! That was commending to me.  She considered the research Dr. Gates did for her was Affirming and Grounding. I had a sense in the beginning she wasn't interested. Knowing her roots didn't seem to bother her. She didn't really know her family history. Afterwards; I was glad she showed appreciation for the facts and the work. Knowing where one comes from is a MUST. I don't know how you navigate in Life not knowing?

Ben Affleck

Ben had many stories on his Mother Christopher Ann Boldt. Dr. Gates found his Grandfather Almon Bruce French, who was a Spiritualist. I had to look that up. He was fond of his name and wish that he had a son he could grant that name to him. I giggled. He went around from town to town. Helping grieving Widows and children deal with the lost of their loved one during the Civil War. In today's world we would call that a psychic.

Ben Affleck is best friends with Matt Damon and I found it heartwarming they found out they were 10th Cousins, 1 once removed. 

I was more interested in his Revolutionary War Patriot Jesse Stanley!  

 Jesse Stanley was from Goshen, Connecticut. This made me want to know more personal things about my own Patriot, My 5th Great Grandfather Nicolaus Barrick (1761-1844),from Pa. 

 Use the Twitter #FindingYourRoots on Tuesdays!

Great Episode! I enjoyed immensely.

Please watch the Episode at your convenience. I left so many things out for you all not to get to bored with my "Storytelling". Ben Jealous's Ancestors had so many footprints here in this Country you will definitely have to watch to get the whole picture. I could go on and on about his Roots!

 See Ya Next Week, as we Talk Food! 

Best Regards, True!

Full Episode 4 Roots of Freedom

Finding Your Roots! Gifted Storytellers

Finding Your Roots

"Gifted Storytellers"

Season 2 Premiere September 23, 2014 8pm PBS

Episode 3

 Henry Louis Gates

The Book of Life

Anderson Cooper ~ Anna Deavere Smith ~ Ken Burns

What a Episode! Has to be my personal favorite so far! 
I'm tempted to do all 3 guests. 
I'll start with Anderson Cooper! What  a Story!   

We all know Anderson from CNN who is a Investigative reporter and Anchor. What a job to have when you actually do Genealogy work. They seem to go hand in hand. This would be perfect for him. I was quite surprised about him not knowing too much on  his family history more? He has been Globe trotting around the World and he didn't think to much about his own family history?
His Mother Gloria Vanderbilt. Well, we all have at one time or another had our Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in our life. My obsession starting with the jeans in the 80's. If you didn't have GV Jeans or a pair of Jordache something was wrong with you.

I was also quite shocked to learn that Anderson had 'Bama roots. I have always associated him with Mississippi.

So that is what sparked my interest in him, his 'Bama roots and Ms. Gloria.
It all started for Anderson is when he saw, and felt loss. Over his  father's heart attack, then his brother dying over suicide.
He wanted to go somewhere. He ended up going overseas. To be able to deal with loss and survival to understand it from where people were suffering which helped him understand his own grief.
Anderson's family was all over the south, Mississippi, Georgia and the one I found most interesting was in Alabama.
A Mr. Burwell Boykin.......
He had 12 slaves in Choctaw County, Alabama in 1850. 3 hours East of my Ancestral home of Bullock County, Alabama.  He owned 12 Slaves.

Upon Anderson learning, he says it's so depressing. It is a nightmare to me. 
Dr. Gates asks him what did he think his relation to his Slaves are like? 
Anderson: "I shudder to think" was his response. 
Dr. Gates tells Anderson his relative was killed by a Slave with a farm hoe!
I 'bout fell off my stool.
Anderson didn't want to offend his family. I'm glad he thought like most African Americans. He questioned what about the rebellious slave and his family? I'm more worried what happened to him he says.
Believe me, I think the Slave got his revenge for whatever reason. Wonder what the Courthouse Records say or the local newspaper at the time?
 The Song comes to mind for me... and Before I die a Slave, I'll be buried in my Grave!
 Sending you to trial without a hearing and numerous things that are unaccounted for in records that they did to us, to let us know their Property wasn't worth a lick every time they got a chance even for just no reason or rhyme. May his Soul rest.

Choctaw County Courthouse

I was also impressed that Anderson wanted to know the name of the Slave and the 11 other's with No Names. 
Dr. Gates asked him if there was anybody who could come and sit and talk with him who would it be?
Anderson said: His Dad. 
He wanted to ask him what he thought of himself (Anderson) and all that is going on now in the World? 

I'd be asking my Daddie too if he was here. We talked several times a day and nightly. It was a ritual to talk about history and the events of the day. I miss those calls dearly. 



Anna Deavere Smith!


Her story was Amazing! I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Gettysburg was in the backdrop of my Life.
It was always a wind a way. I have been there several times. It's funny how you live right by History and you don't "See" the impact and worthiness of it until it's highlighted and focused on like a program, Finding Your Roots.

Slaves burying the Dead at Gettysburg

Basil Biggs! My man! Who I consider the 1st Black Coroner of Gettysburg. The Colored Undertaker!

Basil Biggs Resting Place 

Sons of Good Will Cemetery / Lincoln Cemetery

Mr. Basil Biggs formed this cemetery due to the fact the Black Troops couldn't be buried at Gettysburg Cemetery because of segregation and also to buy him some farmland. 

Conductor of the Underground Railroad. Helping runaway slaves. 

During my many visits to Gettysburg, I never knew about Basil Biggs. He got paid 1.25 for each exhumed Union Soldier for re burial.  Now; when I think back on the tours I have taken by walk or by car with a cassette tape. I remember the most of the Park Ranger telling us why the "Hallowed Ground" dirt was "Red". It was from all the Blood that was shed. That stood out the most to me.

 One single man, Basil Biggs was responsible for all those lined manicured headstones. He deserves so much more than a footnote in History. My Heart and Thanks goes out to him. Anna Deverere Smith, you got some Granddaddy there! Thanks to Dr. Gates for sharing him with us all. One more reason to be Proud of our Service to this Country while being oppressed.

Go to the link below to find out more about Gettysburg!

Gettysburg National Park

Ken Burns!


WoW is all I can say. I'm telling you this Episode really was my favorite! We all are entertained about his love for History, the Documentaries he has displayed over the years at PBS. He was made to do this. 
I watched and it came from his Mother, Lyla Tucker. She died when he was 2. That is where he was shaped for "Storytelling".
He wanted to know the most about his last name of "Burns". I am too. Lewis is my brick wall. I'm always on the hunt for Granddaddy James E. Lewis from Houston County, Ga.
I do find it ironic as well. His career is based on, He "wakes" the Dead, just like us Genealogist / Family Historians Do! 
He had 2 Grandfather's on both sides of The Civil War. 
I loved the fact he had 2 Grandfather's named Abraham. His line: It still hurts, 2 Abraham's to Boot! at that; cracked me up. Which is understandable knowing his obsession with Abraham Lincoln. He does find out President Lincoln is his 5th Cousin 4 times removed! Laughable and pleased at the same time. I know that had meaning for him.

President Abraham Lincoln, 1863.

Another moment when he raised the fact. you have to ACCEPT your family. Its just not something you can't UNDO!
That is the way I think of my Ancestors no matter what walk in Life they took. I accept them. Over time one has to come to that conclusion. I accepted that when I first started doing Genealogy.
My favorite line from Ken Burns which summed the whole episode up was when they said:

"Genealogy "Giveth"! and Genealogy "Taketh" away!

It sure Does. So True! 
Use #FindingYourRoots on Twitter every Tuesday!

Until next time, Best Regards, True!


Full Episode of Finding Your Roots "Storytellers"

Finding Your Roots!

Finding Your Roots

"Born Champions"

Season 2 Premiere September 23, 2014 8pm PBS

Episode 2

 Henry Louis Gates

The Book of Life

Billie J. King ~ Derek Jeter ~ Rebecca Lobo

Derek Jeter:   He was a Pro Baseball Player in the MLB, for the New York Yankees something he wanted to do all his life, sitting at his Grandmother's knees since he was a little boy. He had no doubt what he was suppose to do with his Life. 

The question was raised by Dr. Gates, did all 3 Guests get all this from their Own achievements? Did it have something to do with their Ancestors who came before them? Or was it in the DNA?

Derek considered himself to be Black Irish. He told Dr. Gates sometimes that is unwanted attention brought unto a child back in those days. Much has changed since we were both born. Being of Half African American and German. I felt what he was saying being multi-racial. 

 Derek comes from his 3rd Great Grandfather  Rev. Green Jeter of  Coosa County, Alabama born May, 1844. Wetumpka is 1 hour and 45 minutes south from my Ancestral home of Bullock County, Alabama. Makes me wonder if the Jeter's were ever in any kind of contact with my Ivery's? I can Dream a little. 

Rev. Green Jeter

Rev. Green was the child of a Slave owner. His mother was named Charity.  His father was James W. Jeter from a noted census in 1870 that listed Rev. Green as a mulatto. Meaning he was of mixed race. Through DNA testing of James W. Jeter's descendants it was founded along with Derek testing they were related. James W. Jeter was his 3 Great Grandfather through his Slave and Derek's Grandmother Charity from whom Rev. Green was born to.


Derek's Grandfather Green Jeter was a Minister of the Gospel.
Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church there is a plaque or what we call the Cornerstone of the church is there with his name on it. Church was organized in 1872. Still there today. I couldn't find any photos of the church. I'm not sure if the County lines have changed since the church was built I looked on Google maps in Coosa County and for the Wetumpka area and didn't locate it. I will have to do further research on that. 




Rev. Green was able to Build the church on the Slave owner James W. Jeter's land, the Plantation! For a former Slave; even my former Slave Granddaddy Ike having 110.00 to buy land back then for church business so soon after Slavery is amazing! Derek's Grandfather Rev. Green had 200.00 which is about 4,000 in today's money.


That is where My Story intertwines somewhat with Derek's

Granddaddy Ike Ivery was born in 1853. He was about 10 when Freedom came. At age 17 he was married for the 1st time to Mary Haynes in 1875.  He eventually was married 2 times more.  In the meantime Mt. Coney Missionary Baptist Church was being built in 1875 by Former Slaves in Bullock County, Midway, Alabama, which included my 3rd Great Grandfather. He was a Deacon at the church at that time. This month in October Mt. Coney will be celebrating it's 139th Church Anniversary! My Cousin Dr. Alexander Robbins is the Chairman of the Deacon Board. Someone in my family is always attending our family church or holding office. Alex's Mother, my Aunt Sallie Bea who is 94, served as First Lady and her husband Pastored the church for 61 years, the Rev. I.H. Robbins. 

Mt. Coney Missionary Baptist, Founded 1875.

When Dr. Gates asked Derek what he thought about all the findings on his Family? He said:

 That’s unbelievable! That really is. I didn’t know what to expect when I came here? I really didn’t, but to know where the Jeter name came from, that’s Important, Important to know.


This is WHY it's Important to research, learn all you can about your family history!  Your story of Life will be forgotten if you don't learn and record these things. This is the only way our Descendants will remember us by. Start today by talking to the Elders in your family. Then try at your local library or a free trial at Ancestry.com.
The whole episode was GOOD! 
Billie Jean King and Rebecca Lobo had Great Stories as well.
See you Next Week!

Use #FindingYourRoots on Twitter! every Tuesday.


Best Regards, True!



   


Watch Full Episode Here

Finding Your Roots - In Search of our Fathers

Finding Your Roots

"In Search of Our Fathers"

Season 2  September 23, 2014 8pm PBS

Episode 1

Courtney B. Vance - Gloria Reuben -Stephen King

Courtney B. Vance:   Courtney's story rang True  with a lot of people. As a Retired Veteran I was so Honored to see his family member serve in United States Colored Troops. 
Now that is something in the words of Dr. Gates, only "most People of Color dream of"! 

Soldiers always had a Impact in our History. Especially for African American's. We have done this in every War, we have always proven we are battle ready.

My family is African American. 4 Generations of Firstborn Lewis's who served this Country. That is what held Meaning to me; for Courtney. 

4 Generations of Military all Firstborns 

I always wondered if I could go back, see where this strength comes from beyond myself?

 Was there something long ago that all 4 of us stepped up that we didn't know we got from our Ancestors?

Was that Ancestor a USCT Soldier?

I did wonder during the Program what Courtney's y-DNA test revealed about his Haplogroup?

 I have my Father tested through 23andMe

E1b1a7a 

We're most likely always left out of the narratives of History. Our Elders in our Community, we get most of our family lineage through Oral History. This is were we find someone has served long ago.
 My Grandfather proudly told of his World War 2 Service. Most from his generation are quiet about their life of service, he was to. It was when he got older did he begin to tell of his Life's Journey.

 That is a starting point for most African Americans, Oral History.

This is how I learned of our family's service to this Country. 
Thankfully my Grandfather left me his WW2 Army footlocker full of goodies. His Original enlistment papers, patches and pictures.
 Most of all! his Oral History of his travels and what happened. That was the beginning for my family on reconstructing our family members military service. These are items I had clues to go on to look for official records.

Collection of Daddy's Original WW2 Personal effects

My Father is a Retired CSM of the Marine Corps with 28 years of Service. I'm what they call the "Clinton Baby" I served during his time of Presidency. My Son. My 1st Born has been in the Army with 3 Tours of Duty.
Our experience being Military have allowed us to know where to look for the records on your Military Family Member. 

I try to show people where they can find records as well as put their information online so we aren't left out of History. So much sweat, tears and blood have been shed for us to have our own personal freedoms when this Country has denied us for so long for so many years in all kinds of way. This has been a history with our People in the Military to show we should be treated as equal to this Country.

My 1st stop would be NARA . National Archives Records Administration. 
US Army Heritage & Education Center in Carlisle Pa. & Fold3.

Courtney's Great Great Grandfather a Union Soldier named John Janey! who marched for President Lincoln's funeral procession! 
It allowed for everyone to know about the USCT United States Colored Troops. Records are plentiful in each State even at the local level of government, as well in Washington D.C. I've had the pleasure of going the USCT Museum to see how you can obtain records on your Ancestor. 
Most of these organizations take requests by mail, fax or email.

This part of Courtney's story about his Grandfather Union Soldier John Janey beautifully woven into telling what you can find and research on your Ancestor. It is possible. Take some time to research with patience.

I started with Oral History. Getting clues, asking direct questions. Then I went to the local level. Utilized online family history sites like Family Search and Ancestry.com. From there I collected what was needed for my Grandfather. I requested records from the following organizations. 
Now that we have my Grandfather's Military Records in order. Us next 3 Generations have ours in order to make it easier for the next generations to have all the information that is needed. 
The 1# thing you need to find is Name, Date of Birth, Enlistment date and Service Number, now a days it's the SS# and a DD214.

 Once you have those things you can start your Journey! Everyone should know and investigate their History.
 Knowing from "Whence thy Came" always makes Life a little easier.

You can Follow on Twitter!  using #FindingYourRoots

 Finding Your Roots Facebook Page

"My back is a little more Straighter" ...knowing. Words of Courtney B. Vance

In Remembrance of my Grandfather PFC James E. Lewis,Sr.

Daddy & Mom, 1944.

"HoOaH"!

We Salute You.

United States Colored Troops: 22 Regiment Colored Troop:  

John Janey!