A Surge of New and Old African American Bloggers has Arrived!


  • This was written and is credited by:
     My Tribe Member!   "Kristin Cleage"  at Finding Eliza please stop by and visit her Blog! 
    Recently there has been a huge surge of New African American Genealogy Blogs. We have the new group African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research to thank for encouraging and guiding their creation as part of their mission to move African American genealogy forward, to break down brick walls and to form a community of researchers encouraging and sharing with each other. Here are links to some of the new blogs, and a few older ones. If you can, visit. You might find something you were looking for! Appreciative to have my Blog added to the List and my Family Website.

     YES, you can CLAP! Give them a round of "Applause", Visit! and leave a "Note" or Comment!

  

    5 Comments
    Share >>

    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"!












    16 Comments
    Labels: , , , ,
    Share >>

    CLOVER

    The Color Purple


    As of this moment I'm reflecting on when I went back to "Sweet Home Alabama" on my Ancestral Journey shortly after my Parents passed to do my Documentary. I couldn't help but think of this PHOTO up above........

    It was around this time of year, actually in October I went on my Sankofa for Granddaddy Ike and anything else about my Family History I could find. 

    Over the few days I was there to film and research. I can remember in the evenings I would walk around Aunt Sallie Bea's driveway and walk to the end just so I could get a look up and down the road. 

     Can you close your eyes and imagine with me for a moment?

      Her white house that use to have a dirt road going up the drive which is now paved. Through her yard, I can see my Aunt Nettie's house from her backyard, but when I go out to the end of the drive I can see all this Purple CLOVER along the road which both of them live on. Just swaying in the wind. That photo is the view I saw all day long coming and going on that road.

    I remember when I walked back to the house and I asked "Aunt Sall" what's those purple flowers out there by the road called?" what flowers, True Ann!?  Those.....I went back out and walked across the road and grabbed a few. These Aunt Sall, "what are these flowers called"? Laughing enthusiastically, she said in her Southern voice, those Ain't nothing but weeds grown up out there.

     Ohhh!


    Well, to me they weren't weeds, they were the prettiest flowers I had seen in a long while. I've seen them at different points in my Life. Faint loving memories.   

    I felt like that CLOVER on the side of the road. It all swayed in one direction as the wind blew or a car went or came. It swayed from side to side. 

     CLOVER has always been with me as a baby, a child in the yard, or the time I was loved-lorned over a boy at 16. Clover was Constant.

     CLOVER has many meanings, the one of many that I found that spoke to my Life was: Living a life of ease, comfort and prosperity.

    http://bohemianwornest.tumblr.com/post/21790027698
    Clover 

    Just in a short time to me, that doesn't seem so long ago when I was there in Alabama and so much has changed. Aunt Sallie Bea and Aunt Nettie aren't there now. They are with their children. 

    CLOVER greeted me when I woke. It wrapped me up in the evenings. CLOVER was part of my winding down, a time of reflection. It was like a blanket of comfort. It rocked me. It soothed me. 



    Are my days gone when I could just sit by the way side on either one of my Auntie's land, and look out over the road for that CLOVER? 

    This is a memory that must stay with me.

    That is what CLOVER will always be for me. No matter where I am and when I see CLOVER. 

    That sweet looking CLOVER from Looking out on that old dusty road, it will always be COMFORT.

    Next time I'm Down Home. I'll save some of that Clover just for Me...

     What's the CLOVER in your Life?

     As for me.....

    That's what the "Color Purple of Clover" does for me.........

    Me with my "Clover" age 3.



    © Content is copyrighted and must have permission from the Author for further use.

    4 Comments
    Labels: , , ,
    Share >>

    UpFront with NGS: Everything is Everything -- A Personal Genealogy Perspective

    1 Comment
    Labels: , , , ,
    Share >>

    ||| Me and Pam |||

      

                                    


    Me and Pam's Journey for about a year now has come to a "Great Conclusion"! We can finally say we are COUSINS!

    We had the paper trail, now we wondered DNA wise?  Well finally this week, through Pam's sister, she's still awaiting her results we were confirmed. Pam's test came back and she is U5B8.

    My Great Grandma is Cora Agnes Rebecca Watson. That line goes all the way back to 1580.

    Pam’s Grandfather is Elmer W. Watson. Him and Cora are Siblings. Brother and Sister.

    Their Father: Levi Alexander Watson married Rosanna Harriet Barrick. 

    Grandpa Levi Alexander Watson and Grandma Rosanna Harriet Barrick
    Parents of Elmer and Cora Agnes
      


    The Mother of Elmer and Cora : Rosanna Harriet Barrick. Her PARENTS were:  Andrew Barrick and Rebecca Heckman.

    Andrew Barrick  and Rebecca Barrick (Heckman my 3rd Great Grandma)  are 1st COUSINS.

    Andrew and Rebecca (Heckman) Barrick 1st Cousins Married in 1837.


    Andrew’s Father and Rebecca’s Mother were SIBLINGS.  Andrew’s father was George Barrick and Rebecca’s Mother was Susannah Barrick (4th Great Grandma) who were the children of my PATRIOT: Johann Nicholaus Barrick.

    Andrew and Rebecca’s Parents Married SIBLINGS.   Meaning Susannah and George Barrick They married  HECKMAN siblings. Philip and Maria Magdelena Heckman.

    WATSON LINE GOES BACK TO 1580
    BARRICK LINE GOES BACK TO 1761 with my Patriot Nicholaus Barrick
    HECKMAN LINE GOES BACK TO 1728
    LAMBERT LINE GOES BACK TO 1745

    This is how I became a U5 HAPLOGROUP: Which what makes me a U5b1c exactly, ends with Dorothea Zimmerman born in 1745 which is my 6th Great Grandma. This is how far back I have researched the Mother to Mother to Mother line for my U5.
    Ancestry.com DNA Results


    She is the Mother of Anna Marie Lambert (5th Great Grandma) who married "My Patriot Johann Nicholaus Barrick". Which are the Parents of Susannah and George Barrick, there are other siblings to my Patriot and Grandma Anna. These two just stood out the most.

    Most of these lines are from Cumberland, Mifflin and Berks County,Pennsyvlvania. My Family didn't venture to far out from there. Doubling Gap, Newville are a few of the city names.




    ALL these lines me and Pam are intertwined with her Grandpa Elmer and my Great Grandma Cora.

    I finally got another 4th cousin successful DNA match on Ancestry.com!

    With Pam and her sister for all 4 of these lines which were done pretty much correctly through another cousin Linda Barrick Durham she researched our family and wrote a book called: The Descendants of Johann Nicholaus Barrick. Linda hasn’t done DNA yet. I hope she decides to do soon. 

     With the help of now gone Mildred Hurley who is passed away, she was a great researcher also of our Family. Pam has done more research than me. I’m just a little bit behind her but the DNA has proven our research on the paper trail side of Genealogy.

     It just goes to prove that if you do your research and document you will make it easier on yourself to get around all those hurdles on how to find your match. Some of it is challenging from me not having certain lines researched fully or some may be my brick walls like the Sweigard, Evan and Lewis lines.


    So I have had much success about 3 times with a 4th Cousin, all happen to be on my European side. I'm waiting for some of my 4th Cousins and beyond matches on my African American side to reveal themselves also. 

    I have tested with 23andMe, Ancestry.com, FTDNA, SNP marker with DNATribes. I have a Dr. McDonald report as well. I'm also on www.gedmatch.com .

    I belong to several groups of interest for me on Facebook for Genealogy and DNA as well Ancestry sites. 

    This is just some of my story, of SOME, of my People. 

    This story is to be continued..........

    I have so many stories on this line to tell of heartache and tragedy but most of all LOVE. So stay tuned on my "Momma's Side" of the Family!

    10 Comments
    Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Share >>

    "The Old Guard"

    "My Mentor" Mr. Dean Spratlan, 75, Historian, actually "Called Me" from Union Springs, Alabama. My Ancestral Home of most of my Family Research for years now.

    Bullock County Courthouse, Union Springs Alabama
    He wanted to let me know he had been getting my letters and phone messages and he was mailing me some "new findings" that I'll find of most interest.

     He called to tell me, "I had good reason to worry this time about him", and it was all warranted. He won't fault me this time in worrying and not getting back to me. 

     I usually scold him and tell him "Why you took so long" to get back to me? You know you had me worried kind of voice.

     Most of the time our method of communication is through "Snail Mail" or a few scattered calls here and there. No computers. He is so busy he rarely calls. I can count on my hand the times he has. I had been leaving messages and on one occasion I didn't, I just didn't want to bother him. 

     It meant a lot to me that he called Today. 
    His reason for all his delaying was,He had open heart surgery!

     My heart dropped. I knew something wasn't quite right. Our talks had gone to long and to far apart. He sounded well and strong, and was getting back to his routine and not to worry.

     Normally, I can take the absence of
    Mr. Spratlan not getting back to me on a timely fashion. That's just his way. He mostly responds to a message I might of left on his answering machine months before or a letter I wrote,with a letter. We juggle back forth with the tit for tat on research. He's who I wait by the mailbox for most of the time. 

    He's my Ol'Guy!I like to call him  "The Old Guard". He has been a steady guide in my life in what we call Genealogy and Family History.
    Me and Mr. Spratlan

     Me and Mr. Spratlan understand each other. We just have this Down Home mutual respect and admiration for one another. It's not like any other relationship I know of. We are of different races and both born in different era's. There's this dance we do in our conversations and music in our dialogue.  

     He keeps me in tune with my research. He gently sways me in directions I need to be going without missing a beat. I sometimes don't know how I got there, it's with his teachings I get the steps. He knows how to scold me when I do wrong in only his gentle way. 

     He gets tons of calls, letters and visits. He's needed everywhere for Conferences and Classes and even I hate to bother him with all my questions and nuance's about this and what about that? He keeps patience with me and "My Youth" as he would call it. 
    I ponder on a lot of things he says. I'm constantly learning from the "Old Guard". 

     Grateful he takes time to pass on a little fire without giving the torch up. I wish you could hear all our conversations and debates and scoldings: Now,TrueAnn remember what I told you about that time now!(in his southern drawl)......Mr.Spratlan embodies all that a Southern Alabama man is. Sitting side by side to do a little work, standing over him reading some document,just watching him and how he goes about doing research, the smell of his cigar. Him offering me a pop, walking the land and talking. Discussion after Discussion.
    Researching with Mr. Spratlan
     His voice is of authority, booming and quite to the point with a heavy southern drawl. It's a constant teachable voice. He doesn't speak without capturing an unforgettable thought that you have to go back and think on it. He constantly makes you wonder and think that you have to come back to him with a answer or another provoking question. He has kept me quite on my toes. 

    Either way, I know it's with much gratitude on my part that he has taken time over the years to Mentor and pass this "Genning" on to me. As he would say "Yeah,(this genealogy) It's something, but you just gotta stay at it"!

      I can never go wrong with all the knowledge, teachings and conversations to keep me going on this great Sankofa of keeping my Ancestors alive. I'm mostly self taught, but Mr. Spratlan has laid the ground work for me. He scooped me up and planted some good seeds. I hope in return I make him Proud, as I am of him.

     I think I'll write him a hand written "Thank You" note just to remind him of all that he means to me and how I appreciate everything. 

    Thanks for the Call Mr.Spratlan!

     Roll Tide!

     There's something to be said in keeping with the "Old Guard".   
    7 Comments
    Labels: , , , , , , , ,
    Share >>

    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!                                                         


    James Goodloe Personal Friend ArtistJames Goodloe's Personal Artist Friend
    2 Comments
    Labels: , , , ,
    Share >>

    ....Missing Mommie....


    Mother's Day is approaching. My thoughts every year around this time, I ponder and think on all the things I have been Blessed with having this "Mother of Mine".
    Mom was born August 29th, 1923 in Midway, Alabama and she passed on November 11, 2008 in Oberlin, Pennsylvania.
    Mother of Mine, Tinnie L. Miles Lewis

     That's not as important to me these days. What's important is all the memories Mom left behind for me to have on those days I miss her the most. She left me comfort. A wealth of knowledge. Every time I think back on our conversations, they weren't always filled with laughter or sorrow but she was always teaching me something in every conversation.
    How to do this or that. How to cook, husband advice, raising my children. It was always in a round about way she could weave advice into a life lesson.
    Collection of My Favorites of Mom's Things

     I can recall when I would be sitting in between her legs getting my hair done and my head snatched in all directions she would be on the phone gabbing with her girlfriend and watching "Young and Restless" all at the same time. She worked from 6-11 for AMP Inc. for 20 years. There for us during the day and Daddy for us at night. 

     I love shucking corn with her, or scratching her head in a good spot that was itchy. Calling her crying or whining about something. Or the times she held me close in her bosom in church. Mom was fun. She had a mile wide smile. Loved by so many. She was full of pride about all her children. She really felt they were a reflection of her. Everytime I walked in a room to see her or waking up in the morning as a child, she had that look on her face that made the world light up. She was so happy to see you. All the countless times she stood by you in everything. She use to say: "I want my Flowers now, Don't wait till I'm Dead. We made sure Mom got her Flowers all the time not just holidays. It was kisses. Extra change in the mail. Paying for a church breakfast. Those were her flowers.
    Who knew Mom would be Mother of the church. Something the "Black Church" has done for centuries with the Elders. I remember the Mother of the Church when I was young. In the end it would be mine. 
    Daddy Me and Mommie

     She was a foster mother awarded many times on her great work with children. Some we still keep in touch till this day. 
    Mom taught me how to be a Woman, I didn't need examples.  I had one everyday. She taught me how Beautiful I am. What my Worth was. How to hold my head up high and my chin pointed. I could do all Things. I was Potential and Possibility. I have all I need to live a Bountiful Life. Most of all I was LOVED.

    I'm the age my Mom was when she became a Grandma, with me. Forty-ish! and that prompted me to write this. At two days old she and Daddy had to make a decision about adopting their oldest child's, first child. He was in Vietnam and the Birth Mom was Caucasion and it was the 60's. Their children were grown and out the house. So they did. They kept me. Starting their lives all over again. I got the best of the best. My whole life is centered on keeping with all the traditions they have taught and passed onto to us to the next generation. My own Children were Blessed to see their Great Grandparents and learn from them also.

     I have those same feelings she did about her Grandchildren. All that she taught me, I can see I'm showing up as my Mom to my Granddaughter. I want to pass all the ways of storytelling and teaching a lesson in each of our conversations, things that Janellie can take with her to carry on to her's one day. That is my wish.

     Happy Mother's Day! to all The Mother's who gave birth, who are Motherless but Help to mold and teach other's children. I have those in my Life to, Pattykakes and Ollie Lifetime friends of mine who helped and reached out to me. A Stepmom since I was three years old. Norma or Momma as I call her who treated me like I was her own.I'm also one since she was three years old to Taya Girl. I hope she knows she has been loved by me since the day I saw her. And as a 18 year old woman she can take some of my knowledge with her also. I'm a Godmom for two boys, Elyjah and Trenton. I'm hoping the little I do, it will be a life lesson later, that I'm remembered for doing my best with them. 

                             
    Read more »
    16 Comments
    Labels: ,
    Share >>

    Where I'm From


             
     Where I'm From...                                                
    I'm from a old dusty red handled flour swifter, from fried okra, and sweet bread.

    Mom's red-handled swifter and Grandma Queen's skillet


    I’m from a remembered 4 story home, with a barn, ruled by my Mother’s voice and by my Father’s presence.

    I’m from home grown variety gardens full of Collard Greens, Peppers, and Tomatoes. Acorns and Leaves. Azalea bushes, fresh cut grass; along with Honeysuckle lamb in summer.


    my true roots
    Aunt Sarah, 100. Prepping Collard Greens. 

    I am from big hearted, big eyes, high cheeks, with smiles long as the Mississippi River, all from a Granddaddy we only heard about, thru his Son J.E. and his wife Tinnie.

    I’m from a lineage of Slaves, Sharecroppers, Civil Rights Advocates, Soldiers and Intellectual People of Wisdom.

    From, “When one life was taken, another was Given”,  now you better “Run with it”.

    I’m from a heritage of “We Baptist up in Here”, foot-stomping, hand clapping, singing Ol’ Time Religion songs, Chairman of the Deacon Board, Reverends,Doctors, Lawyers and Teachers all out of a small school called Merritt School for the Colored.




    I’m from a small town called Oberlin. With parts of  Midway, Alabama and Bonaire, Georgia with a touch of  South Carolina. From Ancestors who were West African, Yoruba, with deep European roots that stretch along from the eastern shores all the way down south to Florida.

    Africa in 1600's

    From mealtimes that included rice and something fried along with a piece of some 2- tiered cake Mom made of chocolate or coconut. 

     From, trips "Down Home" in the summer, were all my family gathered to have a good time, even in sorrow. We always had a feast spread out by the Elders. I come from barefoot walks to Ms. Mary Thomas’s candy store where 1$ could by you a small brown bag full of goodies.

    I’m from the Slave, Ike Ivery, and his unbeknownst slaveowner. From Lizzie Jordan a Slave woman who bore children from the Irishman and her born into slavery husband George Daniel. She was a Woman of her time. Rumored to be a BlackFoot Indian and African. I’m from a Patriot from Pa with the Barrick name. 

    I am from a crowd of beautiful faces of all shades of color from white to latte, honey to chocolate. From Love and Hate, from a place where you can’t put a price on our soul or our body. From a place were we are all counted and a place where we are Somebody to Everybody. That’s our Treasure of Worth.

     From my friend Lisa D. Cooper. She showed me who she was through writing her story.  I want to share and show you some of ME. Thank You Lisa!
    George Ella Lyon  Thank YOU! for this! 

     This is where this Originally comes from. George Ella Lyon Writer and Teacher.  

     I made my Version. 
    Where are you from?

    17 Comments
    Labels: , ,
    Share >>

    Printfriendly