Election Day! The Grandson of A Slave & Father Theodore Hesburgh - President of Notre Dame.

My Story of our Family's Connection to Father Hesburgh! 

President of Notre Dame

from 1952-1987 

Born & Died

 May 25th, 1917  - February 26th, 2015 

The Grandson of a Slave & a 
Catholic College President

 Our Connection to Father Theodore M. Hesburgh!

Father Hesburgh was Appointed a Charter Member by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower to be on the 

U. S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1957. He chaired from 1969-1972. 

He interviewed, met and knew my Cousin Aaron Sellers and said

"God Bless You"! 

Just like that Father Hesburgh went down in History with my Family Legacy. 

This is how American History intersected 

with Father Hesburgh and the Ivery's! 

For a long time now; I heard the oral history stories about Cousin Aaron from his Daughter, grandchildren and many family members along with Daddy that he was OUR Civil & Voting Rights Pioneer in our Family. Little details here and there. 
I just hadn't really seen it in black and white with the old typewriter print. 

I come from a fairly large family. Over time I have learned my Family's role in this Country. We might of been Slaves but we made it All the way to the White House. Time and time again! 

My Cousin Brad is a Mayor. He is the nephew of Cousin Aaron. Another Generation! So you see the Apple doesn't fall far from the Ivery Tree. 

Cousin Mayor Brad and Pres. Obama 

Granddaddy Ike died in 1937. Born a Slave but Died a FREE man. I just wonder what he thought of his Grandson Aaron
& Great Grandson Brad ?
I wish I could of asked Cousin Aaron in 2007 so many questions about Granddaddy. I was in such awe when I first met him in 2003. 
Cousin Aaron got to Vote for the 1st African American President. There were 3 Deaths in November. My Mom; age 85 on November 11th, 2008. President Obama's Grandma & Cousin Aaron. November 2nd,2008.

They all got to live to see and Vote! 

Today is Election Day where I live. This is a reminder of WHY I am suppose to VOTE. My family as many others of all Nationalities have DIED and Bleed for our Right to do so. My Cousin Aaron stood his ground after many threats in his small town of Midway where at any moment his Life could of been taken in the still of the night and nobody would of gave a damn.  I will not let what my Cousin Aaron and many in my Family and what Father Hesburgh did for ALL, be in Vain. 

We can look back and this blog post does no Justice on all that went on around the Country. I'm just giving you a glimpse from my perspective on my family and what their involvement in the Civil and Voting Rights Commission lead to. We need to Honor those TODAY and forever more on all that they sacrificed. 


That's ALL the reason I need to know to get up  early and VOTE.  


The Ivery's know what their Civic Duty is to this Country. 

Do you?

Cousin Aaron was a farmer. He owned 240 acres. 

He farmed all his Life. He taught his 2 Daughters Gladys and Annie Pearl. They could handle the farm and a hoe just like their Daddy.
 They are still with us today. I just saw them in Pittsburgh of July 2015 celebrating our 20 years of Remembering our Grandfather Ike Ivery. 
From whom we all descend from. That is our Common Thread. 

Cousin Aaron Sellers Mother
 was Lela B. Ivery Sellers 
she was the Daughter of Ike Ivery 

Mrs. Lela B. Ivery Sellers

She's my Grandma Eddie Lee Ivery Lewis's Sister. 
They have the same Mother Mary Haynes who was married to Ike Ivery in 1875. His 1st of 3 Wives.  Aunt Lela and Grandma Eddie are 2 of his 23 children. That is how we are kin. 

Cousin Aaron was 40 when he was summoned by Tuskegee Institute Professor Charles G. Gomillion out of his fields in 1954 to make a difference in the Lives of Black Folk. 

Professor Gomillion knew of every Negro that was denied the right to Vote in Alabama.  So he sought them out.


This LINK will take you to 
 Interviews of Dr. Charles G. Gomillion  
Housed at the University of Virginia. 

So you can see Dr. Gomillion in person and in voice. What his significance on Civil Rights means. 
They wanted Cousin Aaron Sellers to aid the Citizens of Bullock County, and the State of Alabama on the Right to Vote! 

Cousin Aaron established the 1st Chapter of the NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at Oak Grove #1 Baptist Church and became it's 1st President!

He was secretly taken to testify on the Voting Rights Commission. He had been threatened over his Land. He had made 6 attempts at trying to Vote and was denied.


Cousin Aaron was always trying to find a way to help OUR People over the decades. So you can imagine all the things living in the deep south all he had to experience in his Lifetime.

My Blog Sister Nicka Smith of Who is Nicka Smith?  Text and asked me; Did I look for my Cousins records yet? I said No....Nicka said; the records are in Public Domain! 
She has a family member over there as well. She had his testimony from the very same Commissioner Storey that Interviewed her family member the Atlas's in New Orleans. 

Random Act of Kindness from a Colleague and Friend! Just for the simple reason she kept up with my Stories & Remembered I had mentioned it to her.

The Ties that Bind Us. 

Hathitrust 

So of course! I was taken aback and astonished and didn't know what to do but Holler and send her way to many texts Thanking her. For some reason I thought they were classified or I would have to pay a gazillions bucks to get them. 

It was 322 pages of Testimony right in my lap for me to read!

Also there is a Transcript of Testimony on how the Committee Members was formed and commissioned to be on the Panel. These 22 pages housed at the University of Michigan are filled with their Nomination Testimony!

 This Link has a Excerpt of Testimony
 of Commission being Formed 

Father Hesburgh understood the racial disparities in the country. They were honored to be on the panel. Father Hesburgh also said after someone mentioned, this should be solved at the local level. He wanted it to be nationwide. Father also suggested they take these issues on as they come. 

Father Hesburgh was very diligent on his intent and his strong views. He never wavered no matter how many times or ways he was asked. He believed All Citizens where Created Equal! 

He said so over many conversations. 

The Men on this Panel I will do further research. It's the Genealogy way!

 I want to put them in perspective and see their Whole Lives. How it became that they had come to this Point in their Life and Career?  It deserves  research. They are part of our collective History and How we are here today with these RIGHTS. 

That's the backdrop of this Story

Now on to the Genealogy Goody Gem!

This photo was in Mary Frances Berry book called 
"And Justice for All"

The United States Commission On Civil Rights And The Continuing Struggle For Freedom In America

Cousin Aaron was on page 10 & 11
 

This was found at 11:45 pm on Sunday. Last minute on Google. Somebody in Heaven was looking out for me.
 I almost gave up. I was so tired. I searched one more time. The photo above is a result of burning the midnight oil just to find that perfect photo of what actually happened that day. The PHOTO brought us right into the Hearing!

Cousin Aaron Sellers 

Names of the Commissioner's

Future Governor of Alabama: Honorable George C. Wallace. 

Cousin Aaron's Testimony

LOOK WHAT HAPPENED

! 

PERMANENT LINK TO THIS BOOK


 322 Pages of Testimony

Genealogical Sketch for Aaron Sellers and True 

Caro, Robert A. The Years of Lyndon Johnson. Cousin Aaron Sellers was interviewed and was mentioned in Mr. Caro's book. 


Thank You for stopping Over....I hope you got out and went to VOTE today! 

Best Regards
November 3rd, 2015.

Daddy's Ties

December is here and it's going fast.

I haven't wrote a Blog Piece all Month. To busy decorating, buying gifts, purchasing plane tickets and getting ready to Celebrate Christmas.

I have a closet that I tend to "Hide" things in for later...

Today I was scrambling looking for wrapping paper and it hit me. 

Daddy's ties bonked me in the head. I have them on a hanger not quite ready to pack in a fancy box full of tissue paper to be a surprise one day for my Descendants. So I took and moved some of his things around and took a good long look and sat with my memories. This is where this Blog piece leads me to, today. 

Family Heirlooms.

I love the 1st Tie. When Daddy would ask me to pick a tie when I was young, that was the one I would always choose. It was from the 70's. The 2nd one, Daddy loved Peppermints. He always kept them in his suit jackets. That's why I kept that one. It reminded me of his favorite candy. Don't they look like peppermints?

Several of Daddy's Ties I kept, 2009. 

When Mommie passed November 11, 2008. Daddy followed her 361 days later November 7th, 2009. He was 91. Born in 1918. 64 years worth of Memories where in the House that Built me. It took us a few years to go through everything and save what we wanted. 

Daddy took Pride in his Suits and Ties. He was always a smart dresser. Very Sharp. We had to go through the tedious task of going through his personal clothing. Daddy had a hall closet that he kept his "Good" clothes in. Fancy suits, ties and shoes and all things for Church. This is one of 2 Suits I haven't let anyone look at. I kept them for my Sons. So they will have a little piece of Pop-Pop for later. 

Daddy's Suit and Ties

No one messed with Daddy's closet. It was for him only. No one else had their belongings in there. It was oddly shaped, very deep with a shelf. There was a slant in the wall. Behind the wall was the stairs to the attic from another bedroom. Which is why it was so narrow. It had a light bulb with a long string hanging from it with a hook on the back of the door. That is where every Saturday night, Daddy hung his "Sundays Best" ready for church on Sunday morning. It was his ritual to have it all laid out with his adornments and accessories like his tie, hankie, pens and change along with his church dues envelope. 

If you knew Daddy his favorite color was black and wine red. 

He had a 1976 Park Avenue Limited Edition Wine Red colored Buick. His pride and joy. That was his "Good Car" especially for Sundays. 

 When it went out of style, Daddy kept it parked in the barn till the day he died. Everyone loved that Buick. We all have our special memories. Later Bobbie would get special antique plates and tags from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after he cleaned it up. 


So as we took on the lovingly task of going through Daddy's personal clothing we picked out Suits for Nephews. Grandsons and Cousins so they could have something of Remembrance for Daddy. I even drove to Indiana to give a suit and tie to my Cousin Nate who was so fond of Daddy, his Nephew. 

Today all I could of think of was Daddy's Ties hanging on the back door. He had so many of all different colors, and era's. I quickly held them close and smelled them. I knew how Daddy cherished his ties and took care of them. 

For many reasons that day a few years ago, I had to kneel. I was having a moment...


Me and Bettye just stood there and looked at each other. 

We couldn't bear the thought of donating the rest. My Aunt was helping us. She does all the sewing, quilting, crocheting and knitting for this family. She knew we were in distress at the time. 

It's always good to have someone help you for these moments and hold space for you when you are going through this process. Decision making can be hard on what to let go and keep. Aunt Cherry was there for us. 

She suggested to let her keep the rest of Daddy's Ties for now and she would think of something to make as a keepsake for us later.

Well, true to her word. She kept it. She took all the ties we gathered and made something Wonderful. Thank You Aunt Cherry for making us something Special to keep Daddy near. 

She made us Purses out of Daddy's Ties!

My Personal Daddy Tie Purse

Now I know how my Daddy is! He would of got a Grand Kick out of that. Purses made out of his Ties. It tickles me that Daddy knows we didn't waste his Ties. We shared many. Kept many. Made something brand new out of his tie joy. 

I know people think it's silly to keep so much stuff around. My Parents aren't physically here but they are in Spirit. This is my way of comforting myself when I'm in need, longing for them. I can walk around my own home amongst my Parents belongings and touch, feel and be STILL in my memories. 

 Thank You Daddy for letting me show off your tie Goods. You and Mom are sadly missed this time of Year. We know it was your favorite. 

Mom and Daddy 

Daddy's Ties









My Blog Sisters and their Family Heirlooms Stories: 

 Cathy Meder-Dempsey at Opening Doors in Brick Walls
Vera Marie Badertscher at Ancestors in Aprons
Karen Biesfeld at Vorfahrensucher
Schalene Jennings Dagutis at Tangled Roots & Trees 
Jeanne Bryan Insalaco at Everyone has a Story to Tell
Jacqui Kirkman Leaves on my Family Tree
Kendra Schmidt of Trek Thru Time
Linda Stufflebean at Empty Branches on the Family Tree

✿ My True Roots is 3 ✿

Today is YOUR Day!

My faithful readers. New & Old and My Unborn Readers.

 I want to Thank Each and Everyone of you! For taking time to stop what your doing. 

Reading with Comments and Leaving me Notes through out the Year. From the bottom of my Heart.....It is so heartwarming.

Thank You!

I'm truly Blessed and Honored to be able to present to you my Ancestors as you take this Sankofa Journey patiently with me as I grow yearly into a Geneablogger.  

In this LINK you can reminisce with me on my 1st Blog Piece. 

Every Year on my Blogiversary

I'll bring My 1st Back

My 1st Blog Piece 11-7-2012

at 2:30 pm

Hugs & Kisses

HaPpY 3rd Blogiversary! 

❀ Moms Aprons ❀

Mom's Apron

We can go back until the end of time when there were Aprons. My 1st glance was in the Home. Then I saw them everywhere. On the Pilgrims. In Art. 

Aprons that resonate with me the most were during Slavery. 

Child birth. The big house. The fields.

Those aprons have many stories to tell.....


Just like my Mom and the Womenfolk before her and her and her. 

I mostly remember Mom had her "everyday" ones or her "good" ones she used for Church Socials. Doily fancy ones for Company. She had one place for them in a special drawer only for aprons and clean fresh brand new kitchen towels. 

Mom. Jan,1970.

This was taken in 1970. Mom was 47. She was dealing with a 2 year old, Me. This is The House that Built Me. 

She looks tired this day. I'm sure I had some part of it. I don't know how she did it? Day in, day out. 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week. She was suppose to be all alone with Daddy enjoying being a empty nester, with visiting Grandchildren. Not raising one.



I had my eyes, nose, hands and face wiped with those Aprons. Ive seen them take out hot sweet potato pies from the oven. I've seen them in the Garden helping to hold the bounties of fresh vegetables. Squash, Peppers, Beans and Peas and such.





Then there is my Grandma Lillian Mary Johnson Sweigard!

Even Grandma Lil had a Apron. I'm so glad Mom saved this for me. 

I noticed everything in the background. I cherish this photo. I was only 3 when Grandma Lillian died. So I have no memory. These few and rare photos I have of her are so precious to me.  

Grandma Lillian Mary Johnson Sweigard. July,1971.

My Army Apron

When I went in the Army, I earned my own Apron.  Since I'm a Granny now. Lovingly called "Nannie". I will pass this tradition on to her. I will let her see me in my Apron. Comfort her and wipe her tears or a smudge on her face. Just like my Mom did for me. 

I have Mom's Aprons saved for Pudding for when she starts a family in the far future. 

Moms saved Apron for Pudding

When Mom and Daddy passed away. We started in the kitchen. Going through the cabinets. I knew that drawer was filled with her most cherished items. 

Aprons were just one.....

Those Aprons were a source of comfort to me. With smells of fresh baked something or just the smell of all that good comes from Mother Earth.


Mom's Aprons

Just a NoTe To MyseLF.....

Jerusalem Baptist Church ✝

Photos from Research Trip to 

Houston County

Warner Robins, Georgia.

 October, 2014.

Jerusalem Baptist Church 

I hit the ground running after a 6 hour drive.

No time to waste. I had much to do. Thankfully my Son home from Korea at the time could take time to go with me and help me with these Photos and Drive his Momma around Georgia and Alabama for 5 days. It was a special bonding time as well. We got to eat what we wanted and where. Stayed up late. We laughed and had deep conversations. I just plain got to be a Momma with no interruptions or expectations.

Plus he got to see what his Momma does! Life after Military!
  
Usually I have to do these Research Trips alone and it's hard to get photos and such the way you want, when by yourself.

Cornerstone of the Church

Church Sign  

Church Grounds Keeper 

Deacon Curtis Turner

Google Map 

As you can see. Time and Time again, what the meaning of "The Church" has to me and my Family. 

This is our 2nd Family Church. Established in 1879. Named Jerusalem Baptist. Warner Robins, Georgia. 

Pastored by my Cousin Rev. Kelson Brooks. 

Granddaddy Ike Ivery's sons Abe, John and Prophet were settled over in these parts. This is where they started as men.

 The 1st one is Mt. Coney Missionary Baptist Church in Bullock County, Midway, Alabama, where Granddaddy Ike helped get built in 1865. 

It always amazes me when I take these trips, how so much has grown and been built around Warner Robins. Our family Church is still on it's holy ground since 1879. I wonder why the Church cemetery is a few miles off, inside of a subdivision? Why not on the Church grounds? 

I often think back on all those years how it use to be.......Don't you? 

Let me know if you any Suggestions on what to do next?

Things I need to get done: 

1:  Deed 

2: Get a update on the Church History from Lisa

3: Obtain older photos

4: Get information on Joppa's Temple #180

My True Roots. "A Quote". For Genealogy.

"Today we "Bask in Our Ancestor's Light".

For Tomorrow the REAL WORK begins"...

A ™Quote by:

True Lewis

™ To only be used from the expressed written/oral permission of the Author, True Lewis of 
     My True Roots

National Black Hymn: "Lift Every Voice & Sing".

Lift Every Voice

Lift Every Voice by the Wardlow Brothers on YouTube

      Lift every voice and sing

      Till Earth and Heaven ring,

   Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

      Let our rejoicing rise,

      High as the listening skies,

   Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,

   Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

   Let us march on till victory is won.

      Stony the road we trod,

      Bitter the chastening rod,

   Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;

      Yet with a steady beat,

      Have not our weary feet

   Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,

We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,

   Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last

   Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

      God of our weary years,

      God of our silent tears,

   Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;

      Thou who has by Thy might

      Led us into the light,

   Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,

Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, forget Thee,

   Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,

   True to our God, true to our native land.

Written: In 1899 as a Poem by James Weldon Johnson.

 His Brother John Rosamund Johnson penned it to music.  

On the occasion for Pres. Lincoln's birthday on February 12, 1900.

In 1919 the NAACP adopted it as it's Negro National Anthem for the plight and cry as affirmation and their liberation as a people. 

Daniel Mark Watson ● Ivy Mae's Brother Dies Tragically.

Daniel "Mark" Watson

Sweet little boy Daniel is known to the family as Mark. 

He was Born October 9th, 1905 

Cumberland County. Newville. Pa.

He Died on  June 23, 1908 

 West Pennsboro, Pa.

He was 2 years - 7 months - 14 Days.

Cause of Death: 

Drowned in Creek (Accidentally) 

Daniel "Mark" Watson 

June 25, 1908 The Valley Times Star Newville, Pa

Daniel Mark was Baby Ivy's Brother. 

Remember her fate with the Coffee Cup Steam?

Ivy Mae Watson

  Baby Ivy's Story  

Daniel Mark Watson - Death Certificate

I can't imagine the Pain of losing a child. Let alone 2 children, just merely babies in a short period of time. Cousin Elmer and Mary Elizabeth must of been thrown into the prongs of Grief for quite some time. It had to be heavy laden all of the burden they had to carry for the rest of their Lives. I just don't know or want to assume about their Grief. 

There's a old song. One Day, We'll be Together! comes to mind.

Daniel "Mark" missed being on a census so we will have to look other places for clues. For instance the Newspaper of the Day in Cumberland County, West Pennsboro, Pa. 

I would be reminisced if I didn't Thank my Cousin Pam . She contributes and makes sure we have the correct information. She provides support and research. I'm glad to have her as my 2nd pair of eyes on our Family History. 

She has been to Prospect Hill in 2012 when the Headstone wasn't there. We will look into why?She took so many photos, got us a map and  shared with all the Watson's. There are many of us on Ancestry. 

We all have a pretty good repertoire. 

~Genealogical Sketch~

Lillian is my Grandmother.

She was born October 30th, 1905. She was the same age as Daniel. I wonder did she play with her 1st cousin?

Her Mom; Cora Agnes is Sister to Elmer

Mark and Ivy Resting with their Parents



I'll be back with followups.

 Thanks for Stopping by!

Leave me a NoTe or Comment

 Sleep in Heavenly Peace,

 Cousin Daniel Mark.....