This Week On My Family History Calendar

March 23-March 29

   

March 25-
  My Maternal 3rd Great Grandmother, Eliza Atiza Brazell Roberts (1836-1890), would be celebrating her 178th birthday. Eliza was born in Richland County, S.C. to John Brazell (1794- __) and Martha Parnold Brazell (1795-1876).   

©Cheri Hudson Passey

Family Friends Friday-Well Maybe....

 A few weeks ago I found this picture on Ebay. It is not anyone in my family, but it interested me because the woman was said to be from Clarendon, County,SC. The picture has the name Lenora Ridgill written on it.

 Several of my lines that are from the same county, so the picture was purchased and the searching began.

Lenora Ridgill
©Cheri Hudson Passey

  A Lenora Ridgill was found in both the 1860 and 1870 Clarendon County,SC Census.  

1860 Manning, Clarendon, SC Census
Lenora Ridgill, Family 109, Line 9
Source::Ancestry.com

 While looking at this census page, I scrolled forward and back to get a sense of the community and to see if there were other Ridgill families in the area. To my surprise just three pages ahead of Lenora and her family,were the Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) family! Benjamin and his wife Margaret Cantey Walker Gibson (1830-1900) were my Paternal 3rd Great Grandparents. They were about the same ages of Lenora and her husband, C.W. Ridgell, and their children were similar in age as well. Both men were listed as farmers.
 Is the Lenora in the 1860 Clarendon County,SC Census the same Lenora in the picture? Only time will tell. A few leads have been found on Ridgell descendants in Clarendon County. Perhaps one of those will bring answers.
 If it is the same Lenora, perhaps that is why I felt such a strong urge to purchase the photo and return it to the family. She was a family friend....maybe.

 ©Cheri Hudson Passey

Have You Registered ?

 If you have thought about registering for the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference that will be held in Richmond,Virginia in May of this year and have just not gotten it done yet, or haven't made up you mind to go, do so now!  You will receive $35 off the registration price if you register before March 24.
   There are so many wonderful classes being taught this year. They offer something for everyone whether you are a beginner or professional genealogist. You can learn different methods to find your family, information on specific areas and time periods, and how to use various websites and software along with so much more!
 In addition to the lectures and classes there are many social events too, including tours, and luncheons.
If you have already registered, it is not too late to add things to your calendar. I am still trying to decide which events to go to! They all look so interesting!
 The conference is a wonderful resource for learning and growth in your genealogical persuits. You will come away wishing it wasn't over and planning on again in the future. On top of all that,you will meet some of the best people in the world! Genealogists like you who have a love for family history, squeal at the sight of old pictures and hunt endlessly for those elusive documents. Many will become lifetime friends. If you're really lucky, you may meet a cousin or two!
  For more information about the conference and how to register go to Upfront With NGS, the official blog for the National Genealogical Society.

 Hope to see you there!

©Cheri