Posts

Filling Out the Life of Victoria S. Hutson Williams

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I was surprised that I hadn’t done any research for the sister of my maternal 2x-great-grandfather, Peter H. Hutson. My goal this year is to write more about the southern families of my mother. For this post, I will work with records beginning with her death certificate and work backward, posing questions as I research. These questions will be colored in red, making it easier for them to stand out in the text. Victoria lived most of her life in Hunt County, Texas. Hunt County is located in the northeast portion of Texas, just below Fannin County, which borders Oklahoma. The community where they lived, Wolfe City, is located in the northeastern portion of the county near the Fannin border. To the east are Delta and Hopkins Counties. Death Certificate in Hunt County, Texas According to her death certificate, Mrs. Victoria Williams was born on 7 January 1863 in Georgia. The informant for the personal information was Della Varden, who lived in Wolfe City. She named Victoria’s father Bob Hu...

The Division of the Enslaved from the William C. Thomas Estate of Rankin County, Mississippi

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In order to help the descendants of the enslaved, I try to transcribe and post the names of the enslaved when I find them. This division was posted to the inventories and appraisements in Rankin County by the assigned commissioners.  To John B. Thomas: Susan, William & Sam                          $950.00 To Isaiah Halcomb & Elizabeth his wife: Edmund & Silva      $1000.00 To Redwine Pierce & Mary his wife: Dangerfield                $300.00 To Stephen Thomas: Sally, Chimy, & Alfred                          $1175.00 To Eliza Cook, wife of Alvin Cook: Stepen, Polly & child Nancy      $950.00 To William Thomas: Dave                          ...

Was He Teensy, Looch, or Both? Nicknames for Wayne Lancaster

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Pansy’s youngest brother was born Elda Wayne Lancaster in 1927. By the time he was born, she was fourteen years old and got much practice taking care of him, as her mother was ill. Her mother had developed Parkinson's disease.  Wayne played football and basketball and ran track for Stephenville High School and Tarleton College. Yearbook photos and newspaper articles help answer this question. In the 1944 yearbook when he was a junior, Wayne signed someone's book as Looch on the page where he was listed as a Junior favorite. He was Junior class president and signed the book as Looch. On the juniors page, he signed his photo, "Lots of Love, Teensy." On the football team photo, he was Teensy. On another football photo, he's Looch. On the track team photo, he's Looch. In the 1945 edition, all the football players had nicknames listed in the text next to their photos. Wayne was Looch and captain of the team, as well as the quarterback. However, his senior class wri...

Happy 14th Blogiversary!

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Fourteen years ago, I attended a California Genealogical Society class on creating a blog which was taught by member, Craig Siulinski. Fellow blogger, Janice Sellers, was also in the class and we started our blogs on the same day. Since that time, I have written 249 blog posts (counting this one). I do not write as many for this blog as the topic is finely defined. Mam-ma is my grandmother and this bog is about her ancestors, though occasionally I’ll write about my grandfather’s ancestors.  Last year, I wrote 21 posts: 9 posts were for 52 Ancestors 4 posts were holiday greetings 6 posts for Saturday Night Genealogy Fun 2 posts about southern families The most viewed posts were: John Coor of Copiah County Made an Agreement with Joel Hoggatt Using the Attendees at Lela Ann (Loveless) Lancaster’s Funeral to Discover Residences This post was highlighted on 52 Ancestors' weekly blog, Linda Stufflebean’s Friday Finds, and the California Genealogical Society’s Blog: John Coor of Copiah Co...

Discovering the Death of John B. Thomas, husband of Mary Ann Haley of Mississippi

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This is the start of a new series on this blog. I have so many records of my grandparent’s southern ancestors and will highlight them as I answer genealogical research questions. Even though some of these records are not of people in my grandmother’s line (thus they are not all her southern ancestors), placing these small proofs or research reports here keeps them together in one place. Question: When did John Thomas, husband of Mary Ann Haley, of Rankin Co, Mississippi, die? Background. Mary Ann Haley married John B. Thomas on 23 October 1834 in Rankin County, Mississippi.[1]  She is the daughter of Thomas Haley and his wife, Elizabeth, though this has not yet been proven here. Thomas & Elizabeth Haley are my 4x-great-grandparents, my maternal grandfather’s 2x-great-grandparents.  John Thomas did not appear in the Simpson County household headed by Mary Ann Thomas in 1850. The children living with her were: Craft H, age 14,  Elizabeth A, age 11,  John B, age 8,...

Merry Christmas!

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Copyright © 2024 by Lisa S. Gorrell, Mam-ma's Southern Family, All rights reserved.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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I wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers. I I am very thankful for my family, our health, and the wonderful ancestors I get to research daily.  The card below was purchased from one of the wonderful postcard collectors. I wish I had cards sent to my ancestors and am envious of those who do have them. What wonderful treasures. Copyright © 2024 by Lisa S. Gorrell, Mam-ma's Southern Family, All rights reserved.