A Christmas Card from Pop

This post was written using this week's blog prompt "Nice" from Amy Johnson Crow's series 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  

 I loved finding this Christmas card from my grandfather Benjamin Allen Hudson
 (1918-1976) who we called "Pop" to my grandmother Mary (Baker) Hudson. 
It was in a trunk in her bedroom where she kept her treasures. 

Nice he gave it.
Nice she kept it.
Nice I found and can share it.

Merry Christmas Mimi and Pop! Wish we could share another together!


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Helping you climb your family tree,

Mimi's Yearbook~Photos, Friends and a Prophecy!

This week's blog prompt from the series 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks by Amy Johnson Crow is "Back to School".

 So many records, photos and other items that can help us learn more about our ancestors are being digitized and placed online every day.

Have you looked to see if there are yearbooks available to help you in your research?
Many have been placed on the site Edmunds High School for Edmunds/Sumter High Schools in Sumter, South Carolina.

I have my maternal grandmother's original book from her senior year but had never seen my paternal grandmother's.
Mary (Baker) Hudson (1920-2010), whom I lovingly called Mimi graduated in 1937.
I took a look to see if the book from her year is included in the collection.

And it is!

Cover of Sumter High School 1937
Image courtesy of EdmundsHighSchool, com

 Looking through the pages was so much fun! What did I learn about Mimi?

Mary Baker Hudson on Bottom Left
1937 Sumter High School Yearbook
Image courtesy of EdmundsHighSchool.com

Although I had seen her graduation photo before, I had not seen it on the page of the yearbook.
I learned the quote used to describe her and the clubs and activities she was involved in.

Enlarged quote and clubs and activities for Mary Baker
Image cropped from 1937 Sumter High School Yearbook
 Original image courtesy of EdmundsHighSchool.com

The yearbook included a page called "Baby Brawl" where there are baby and childhood photos for the graduating seniors.
There was one for Mimi! One I not seen before.

Image cropped from 1937 Sumter High School Yearbook
Original image courtesy of EdmundsHighSchool.com

Another photo new to me is this photo of Mary Hudson with some friends.

Mary (Baker) Hudson - in the middle with High School Friends
Image cropped from 1937 Sumter High Yearbook
Original image courtesy of EdmundsHighSchool.com

There is the class prophecy mentioning Mary Baker:

1937 Class Prophecy
Image cropped from 1937 Sumter High School Yearbook
 Original image courtesy of EdmundsHighSchool.com

And in the class will:

1937 Class Will
Image cropped from 1937 Sumter High School Yearbook
 Original image courtesy of EdmundsHighSchool.com

The signatures of friends who signed this particular book included Mary Baker at the bottom!!

Signature Page
Image courtesy of EdmundsHighSchool, com

Thanks so much, EdmundsHighSchool.com for those who have worked hard digitizing and putting the yearbooks and other information about Sumter County, South Carolina online.
Because of your efforts, I have learned more about my Mimi!

Have you looked for yearbooks or other school information about your ancestors? What have you discovered?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Family Legends-Do You Have These?

This post was written for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks a series of blog prompts by Amy Johnson Crow

Photo Credit: Pixsbay.com CC0 Licensed

Most families have a legend. A story that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Many a family tale has been proven untrue, while some are lucky to be based on a particle of truth.

Such is the tale of Indian princesses, links to royalty, famous people, and war heroes, and the popular theme of three brothers coming to America-one stayed in the area of arrival, one went south and the other to the west.



Do you have these stories in your family tree? I do!

George and Hattie Brazell Roberts Family
Hattie's Brazell line is said to include a Native American
Copy owned by Cheri Hudson Passey-original whereabouts unknown

First is the Indian Princess.
My mom's paternal grandfather. William Treadford Roberts ( 1894-1958) used to tell her he had a grandmother who was a full blood Cherokee, No documentation has been found to prove any in his paternal Roberts line or maternal Brazell line. There are questions about and narratives written mentioning a native American somewhere in the line that appear in some research done by other Brazell family members. No one seems to know who or what generation this was supposed to have occurred. If it is the case, it was most likely several generations further then my great grandfather believed.
Testing shows a small amount of Native American DNA in my mom's admixture from more than one testing companies. Is this "white noise" meaning a fluke in the results, or was there indeed someone of Native American heritage in my family tree?

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Public Domain 

Second, the famous relative.
When I first began researching, I was told I was a descendant of Francis Marion "The Swamp Fox" Being a South Carolina girl, this sounded so exciting! There was only one problem, a very big problem - Francis Marion had no children. Turns out, I am related to the Swamp Fox but because my ancestor and his were brothers.

In addition to one of the biggest heroes of the Revolutionary War, I recently ran across an interesting claim from someone researching one of my paternal lines. The assertion is that an ancestor was the biological father of Abraham Lincoln! According to this researcher, the biological father is in question, and our ancestor was known to have had a "relationship" with Abe's mother,  Hmmmm,,,, now that is an interesting story. Is it true? I have no idea, No documentation other than them living in the same area at the same time as conception is offered. Maybe DNA could answer the question!

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com CC0-licensed

Third, the three brothers story-
Several of my lines have a version. Many others I have researched for clients do too. Perhaps it was the deal before three brothers could enter the county, Yes, you may come but one of you can stay near the area you arrive, but one has to go South and one West. And? The one that goes West will most likely never be heard from again. Ha! Who knows why this story is so prevalent in genealogy research and maybe it did happen, but in my family, it has not been proven the case. I have found those 'brothers" who went other places usually were either from a different line or generation or not related at all!

Family stories and legends should be recorded and passed down through the generations, but we need to be careful with our claims,
Are our legends fact or fiction?
Or are they myths to enjoy and share with the understanding they can not be proven?


I may not have an Indian Princess, a famous person, or be able to confirm the story of the three brothers in my tree, but I can use these stories as a way to entertain, create interest and explain the problem with each legend to my family,

What legends do you have in your family tree? Have you been able to prove their authenticity?
We'd love to hear about it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Mother-Photos Through the Generations

moth·er

ˈməT͟Hər

bring up (a child) with care and affection.

"the art of mothering"

1. • 
     

     
     

     
     
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. 
   
6. 
   
7. 
   
8. .

                                                                             a woman in relation to her child or children.

This post was written for week 19 of Amy Johnson Crows blog prompts for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing woman in my life who have show examples of mothering.


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Helping you climb your family tree,

Looking to 2016

 This is the last week of Amy Johnson Crowe's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  As we come to week 52, it's fitting that the topic is Resolutions.

 This has been a challenging year. One filled with joy and sorrow. Being a part of this weekly series has helped me to get outside of my trials and focus for a little while on my ancestors and the happiness it gives me to search for and write about them.
  Most of my goals for last year had to be modified or shelved. To say it was the hardest year of my life is an understatement, but it also taught me much about love. Love from God, family, friends and complete strangers. 
  Looking forward to next year, there are some great weekly challenges and checklists in which to participate. 

 Dear Myrtle has announced her Finally Get Organized weekly checklists.  Each week a new list will help focus on an area to organize. There will be support from the Dear Myrtle Communities on social media as well as contests to help keep participants motivated. 
 A must do program for me to get involved with over the next year!

 Another great weekly challenge is Thomas McEntee's Genealogy Do-Over.  His updated 12-week program is intended to help us look at what we have done and either completely start again or go over what we have already done. The intent is to improve our genealogy skills and help us be the best researchers we can be. He has just announced The Genealogy Do-Over Workbook to help with our progress. 
   Getting through one cycle at the beginning of last year was fun and showed me areas where improvement was needed. The workbook has been downloaded and tackling the Do-Over again is on my To-Do list for 2016.

 Along with these programs, my other goals for the year include finishing the NGS Homestudy class (that I had to put on hold) in June and Progen 25 in August. Business ideas that were put aside last year hopefully will be able to move forward.
 As for those elusive ancestors......I will be hunting you down! 

Thanks to all who have read my posts and supported me in so many ways throughout 2015.  I am grateful to be a part of the genealogy community and hope to be a support to all of you in some way during the coming year. 

Happy 2016!


Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Three Generation Christmas

Christmas about 1954 

   
             This three generation picture taken in about 1954 is of my  Great Grandmother, Emma Ruth (Baker) Early (1901-1993), my Grandmother Mary (Baker) Hudson (1920-2010), and my father John Allen Hudson,Sr.  They were enjoying Christmas with sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins.  A nice remembrance of times past.

Christmas is about love and family. It is about hope and joy as we celebrate the gift of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

  May you feel the love and joy of this Christmas season. 

This post was written for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition by Amy Johnson Crow  Week 51 ~Nice

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

     

    

       

From Naughty to Nice

   Going through some old pictures at my Great Grandparents house I had to laugh when I saw this picture.

Gilbert "Gil" Ernest Roberts, Jr. (1944-1999)
Christmas 1955

 During the celebration of Christmas 1955 at the home of William Treadford Roberts (1894-1959) and Beulah Mae (Price) Roberts (1897-1980), someone took this unflattering picture of my maternal Great Grandmother. 
  It may not be something Beulah wanted to save, but take a look at the young boy facing the camera. 
 That is my Uncle Gil. He would have been 11 in this picture. The sweet look on his face as he enjoys Christmas with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins is priceless. Well worth keeping. 
 The picture may appear "naughty" at first glance , but a closer look reveals the reality of the joy that comes from family.

 May you feel the love and joy of family during this special time of year.

This post was written for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition by Amy Johnson Crow Week 50~Naughty.

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!



  

Food, Family and Love

         Christmas 1971 was spent at my maternal Grandparents home. My father was in Vietnam so my mother, brother and I were staying with them during his one-year tour of duty.
      Christmas at Grandmom and Frank's was always filled with food, family and love. 

Christmas 1971
Sullivan Home
Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina
Gilbert Ernest Roberts, Jr. (1944-1999)
Frank Emerson Sullivan,Jr.(1923-2004)
Azile Juanita (Daughrity) Roberts Sullivan (1920-2009)

  The house is now owned by someone else and my grandparents and uncle have passed on, but the memories remain. 
  Holidays are still filled with food, family, and love. Generations move on as time passes. Old memories are stirred while new ones are made. 
  May this holiday season be filled with memories. Old and new. 

This post was written for week 49 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition by Amy Johnson Crow -Holidays.

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
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Thankful, Grateful and Blessed

Week 48 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition by Amy Johnson Crow suggests Thankful as our topic.

   This week marks the return of me to blogging for the 52 Ancestors weekly themes. The last month was spent saying goodbye to a precious son and trying to deal with his loss.
    There are so many things to be thankful for even in times of trial.
I am thankful for good friends and family who helped and will continue to help us through this hardest of life events. 
 I am grateful for the genealogy community for their love and support. Family history and all it entails is not just a hobby or a fun thing to do. It's a passion, a calling for me. Being able to blog, write, research and engage in activities with those in this wonderful extended family has helped me immeasurably. 
  I am blessed to have a heritage of ancestors who lived, loved and passed on their strength to me. So many had to deal with hardships in their lives, including the deaths of children. That they picked up and carried on and in many cases became stronger through their experiences encourages me to follow in their footsteps. 
  
Because of each of you, I am thankful, grateful and blessed.

Oops,They Did it Again!

  There are many times in the research process  you to wish that your ancestors had been genealogists or had the forethought to do things that would make your searching easier.
 One of the biggest Oops that frustrates me is having pictures with no label on them. The discovery of a box of photos is a joy until you realize that you don't know who those people from long ago are.
   
   Here are two that I have been wondering about. Because of who had them and the time period of each , these may be  pictures of my paternal Great Grandfather John McSwain Hudson (1880-1961). There is no one  that I know of at this time that would be able to recognize him nor have I ever seen another picture of him.

My father remembers his Grandfather as an old man and isn't sure about who these younger men may be. 

Unknown Young Man
©Cheri Hudson Passey

     

Unknown Man
©Cheri Hudson Passey

  Are they of the same man? Is this my Great Grandfather John? 
Perhaps.  
 Oops, they did it again, played with my heart and forgot to label a picture!

This post was written for Week 43 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition by Amy Johnson Crow. 

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
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Grandmother Bessie~Wish I Had Known Her!

  My maternal Great Great Grandmother, Bessie Mae (Eargle) Price (1878-1943) was said by some to be a colorful character. 

Bessie Mae (Eargle) Price
1878-1943

                                            One of Bessie's Granddaughters described her personality in a letter written in 1997:

 "Bessie Price had a great sense of humor, she would tell them never take a trip without an umbrella, raincoat and winter coat because you never know what the weather was going to do. Bessie never came for a visit without her umbrella, raincoat and overcoat. No matter how hot it was. I don't remember Grandma Roberts going anywhere without those things. She also took food along. They enjoyed Bessie's visits because she would always make them laugh. Bessie would put cans in her windows at night to make sure she would wake up if someone broke in."

  I would have loved to have known her!

Do you have colorful characters in your tree? 

This post was written for week 41-Colorful - 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition by Amy Johnson Crow.

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October Celebrations~Happy 218th Emily!

  Many October birthdays and anniversaries are on my Family History Calendar. The prompt for week 40 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition is about those events.

   The oldest birthday found in October is for my 4th Great Grandmother, Emily Elizabeth Vaughn Dargan (1797-1863).  Emily was born 218 years ago in Sumter District, South Carolina to William Vaughn (1764-1857) and Alice Cook Vaughn (1774-1759).
    Emily married John Milton Dargan (1799-1847) in about 1820 most likely in Sumter District. They raised their 9 children on several acres of land where John was a planter.  Widowed in 1847 at the age of 50, Emily Dargan is listed in both the 1850 and 1860 Sumter District, South Carolina Federal Census. She lived a good life for the time period as her personal property was worth $8,000 and land over $2,000. 

  

Will of Emily Elizabeth Vaughn Dargan
May 1853
Sumter County, SC Will Book D1-E2, 1823-1868, pg. 256

   Her will, probated in 1863, shows a woman of means as she bequeaths several tracks of land to her children along with her carriage and several "servants".   
      
      It is thought that Emily Elizabeth Vaughn Dargan was buried in Dargan Cemetery in Sumter, South Carolina. The cemetery is now part of privately owned land in Sumter.  Many of the graves have been moved throughout the years as the property has changed hands. The headstones of her parents are still visible in  what was once known as Dargan Cemetery.

  Happy 218th Birthday, Emily!


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An Unusual Visit

 In May of 1910, my paternal 3rd Great Grandfather, Alpheus J. Baker (1824-1917) and his son Lucius (1868-1928) went to visit a friend. The newspaper reports an unusual and sad find.

Sumter Watchman and Southron
Sumter, South Carolina
15 May 1901 pg. 3

                                                   

                           
 Upon arrival at Mr. Elias Allen's home, they discovered that he had passed away in his barn. The coroner report stated that it was due to natural causes due to heart problems that had been treated in the past by his Doctor.

                 Elias was buried in Hephzibah Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Manville, Lee, South Carolina.  The same cemetery where friend Alpheus J. Baker was buried after his death in 1917.

  They set out that day to visit a friend. Unusual and sad  circumstances met them instead.

 This post was written for the prompt Unusual, week 39 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition by Amy Johnson Crow.

Do you have any unusual things to share about your ancestors or their experiences? I would love to hear about them.

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!