Gtownma's Genealogy

The Taylor’s Civil War Review

gtownma — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:36:20 +0000

The Taylor’s Civil War was written by Lowell F. Volk. It is a great book that has the Civil Was as its background, but there is much more to the story line than the war. It is a story told by the point of view of members of the Taylor family and those individuals they interact with. The main character is Luke, the oldest son, who we see mature from a young farm boy to a young man shaped by the war and the responsibilities of caring for his family.

I found it hard to put this book down. I wanted to find out what happened next and it kept me captivated throughout the story lines. There was much more to this movie, it had suspense, war and sprinkled with a little romance. It had several touching moments and the characters and their lives could easily have been written about a true life family during the Civil War era. When someone died, I found myself either sad (it was a character I had grown to care about) or relieved (the enemy was shot).

I feel this book is a great read for anyone, especially if they like the Civil War era.

Dorrance Publishing Company, Inc. is the online bookstore where you can purchase this book.

I received a complimentary copy of The Taylor’s Civil War as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Tina Sansone
Bellaonline.com Genealogy Editor & Ebook Manager

Thoughts of my day July 28, 2011

gtownma — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:57:45 +0000

Barb and I went a few weeks ago to host a table at the Millington YMCA’s health fair. We had our family history flyers out and had a great time talking genealogy to those who stopped by. While other booths I have been too had a small gathering, the Millington YMCA had quite a crowd. I was pleasantly surprised. We had those who visited us sign up for a door prize. The door prize was a FREE Family History package. A sweet lady won and we are finally getting her information to work on her family.

While I will not discuss the family information due to privacy, I have learned a lot doing this family. I was really excited that this family was from my county, so I am familiar with available records. But, as I get further back, I research in the Colbert and Cherokee, Alabama areas, so I am learning what records are available for them there. One reason I love to research new families is learning the records for their family’s locations. I currently have about 3 generations on all lines and 4 generations on a couple others. This is an African American family and it so frustrates me that I can not get beyond that 1870 brick wall. But, I will try.

At the beginning of the month, I had a job interview. While I was not as qualified for the job as he wanted, we ended up spending most of the interview time discussing, what else, genealogy. He has worked on his lines and emailed me his brick wall. While I have made some headway, this one is a brick wall made of thick cement! Need my steel boots for kicking this one down.

One of my best friends here in town got her some chickens today. I am excited to go to her house tomorrow to see them. She said she might name one after me. Never had a chicken named after me. My grandmother, Sarah Bonnie Murphy Smith, from Booneville, Prentiss County, MS had chickens. When I would spend the summers with her, I remember her calling them, “here chick chick chick” as she threw the corn about the yard. I also remember me and my brothers getting in trouble for chasing them around the yard. She said we would stress them to death. As far as I know we never were the cause of one to die.

I talked to a genealogy publisher today about doing more book reviews. Very excited to get to read all these great books, some written by researchers I know. It is also a chance for me to read some books that will make me go outside my comfort zone. I am not really familiar with military and war. But, after taking Craig Scott’s Military course at IGHR Samford this past June, I feel ready to read these books on wars and military and maybe understand what I am reading and do an honest review…..

I also learned about a great new website this week, Historical Truth101. I love the goals of this website – to interview and write articles about historical men, women and events both of the living and those who have passed. I look forward to reading their articles and watching the videos. Angela Broyles and her team have a winning website on their hands. I did do a website review for BellaOnline on Historical Truth 101 HERE.

This week my son in law, Nathaniel Cox, graduated from his Boot Camp in South Carolina. He was a part of the Foxtrot Company 1-34. My daughter and granddaughter went there to see him. It has been great having them stay with us while he is there. It will be sad when they have to go, but I know she will be glad to finally have a home with her husband back with them. I am very proud of Nathan and everyone that had served their country.

Well, I am considering going to bed, but I usually get my best research done when everyone else is in the bed. I still have quite a bit of reading to catch up on. I received my copy of NGSQ yesterday and purchased at Border’s liquidation a copy of Family Tree Magazine (looking forward to reading Michael Hait’s article). Tami did a great job explaining what Second Life was all about, gradually I will get the hang of it. Glad I had my clothes on tonite when visiting this virtual world of the Family History Center. Something about walking around naked at the Family History Center just does not sit well with me, virtual or not.

Just realize I have not answered a BellaOnline email about an Ebook issue. I am so excited to be doing this, need to remember to follow up better. Off to go take care of it. Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow might bring hanging out with Barb and the chickens!

Heritage Pie Chart for Saturday Night Fun

gtownma — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 06:17:27 +0000

Randy has another great challenge. Your mission tonight, should you decide to accept it, is to:

1) List your 16 great-great-grandparents with their birth, death and marriage data (dates and places). [Hint - you might use an Ancestral Name List from your software for this.]

2) Determine the countries (or states) that these ancestors lived in at their birth and at their death.

3) For extra credit, go make a “Heritage Pie” chart for the country of origin (birth place) for these 16 ancestors. I used the US States since all mine were still born and died in the United States.

1. Frederick Paige SMITH 4 was born on 2 Jan 1845 in Pike County, Ga. He died5 on 10 Feb 1920 in Prentisss County, Ms. The cause of death was Paralysis after illness of one year. He married Mollie FRALICK on 2 Dec 1868 in Escambia, Fl.

2. Mollie FRALICK was born on 2 Dec 1847 in Al. She died on 8 Apr 1919 in Booneville, Ms. She was buried on 9 Apr 1919 in Hodges Chapel in Booneville, MS.

3. Joseph S. HESTER was born on 27 Jan 1832 in Georgia. He died on 28 Feb 1879 in Prentiss County, Ms. He was buried in Fairview Baptist Cemetery, Booneville, Ms. He married Mary L. “Martha” KINNINGHAM on 25 Oct 1855 in Ms.

4. Mary L. “Martha” KINNINGHAM was born on 29 Oct 1833 in Franklin, TN. She died on 29 Mar 1915 in Prentiss County, Ms.

5. William Vasco Degama MURPHY was born in Jul 1849/1850 in Ms. He died after 1920/0070 in Prentiss Co., Ms. He married Susan Virginia LUTTRELL on 19 Jan 1873 in Hardeman Co., TN.
6. Susan Virginia LUTTRELL was born6 in Dec 1853 in Tn. She died on 8 Jan 1886 in Hardeman Co., Tn. She was buried Luttrell Cemetery in Luttrell Cem, Luttrell, Union, Tennessee.

7. John DeCabb COX was born on 10 Jan 1859 in Franklin County, AL. He died on 22 Jan 1925 in Booneville, Ms. He was buried on 23 Jan 1925 in Booneville, Ms at Hodges Chapel Cemetery. He married Sarah Adline SHOOK before 1878 in Russelville, AL.

8. Sarah Adline SHOOK was born on 24 Jan 1863 in Franklin County, AL. She died on 8 Aug 1947 in Winborn, , Mississippi. She was buried on 10 Aug 1947 in Booneville, Ms at Hodges Chapel Cemetery.

9. William Marlin ROATEN was born on 3 Apr 1871 in Ark. He died on 16 May 1917 in Theo, Mississippi. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Alcorn Co., Ms. He married Eliza Jane CRUM on 3 Apr 1890.

10. Eliza Jane CRUM was born on 12 Mar 1870 in Kossuth, Ms. She died on 12 Jun 1947 in Corinth, Ms. She was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Alcorn Co., Ms.

11. James Robert BUMPASS was born on 2 Jan 1854 in Waterloo, Alabama. He died on 11 Nov 1936 in Kossuth, Ms. The cause of death was Influenza. He married Cleopatra (Cozy) WHITTLE about 1875 in Al?.

12. Cleopatra (Cozy) WHITTLE was born on 7 Jan 1854 in Rienzi, Alcorn,Mississippi. She died on 19 Feb 1936 in Kossuth, Ms. The cause of death was Influenza.

13. Mack Henry COLEMAN was born7 on 9 Dec 1877 in Alcorn County, Ms. He died on 28 May 1958 in Alcorn County, Ms. He was buried in Lone Oak Cemetery. He married Mary Magaline “Maggie” BROCK on 10 Dec 1898 in Alcorn Co., MS.

14. Mary Magaline “Maggie” BROCK was born in Jan 1883 in Alcorn, MS. She died in Nov 1958 in Alcorn County, Ms.

15. John Wesley SULEPHEN (Harris) was born8,9,10 in 1864 in IL . He died on 8 Aug 1925 in Alcorn County, Ms or Chiwalla, Tx. He married Rellie Lane CASTEEL (Raelee) on 24/27 Dec 1893 in Hardin, Tn.

16. Rellie Lane CASTEEL (Raelee) was born on 23 Oct 1879 in Tn. She died on 15 Apr 1961 in Russelville, Ar.

Pie Chart of Grands

July 10, 2011 Thoughts for the Day

gtownma — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 22:49:48 +0000

It is hard to believe that July is almost half way thru. Where has the beginning of Summer gone? I sort of wish IGHR was in July so that would give me something to look forward to. I was hoping to visit my Aunt and cousins in Booneville, MS on Tuesday for an overniter, but time will tell, My son, Mitchell, 18, has come down with some bug. Sore throat running 102.2 fever. What is up with that! Marcy and Kenzie are returning from a week of house sitting at my sisters, and the last thing they need is to get sick. I guess I’ll keep in quarantine in his bedroom. So sad. Glad we are stocked up on the soup and juices.

I have been busy since being made Ebook Manager at BellaOnline. Very exciting to do this! Although it is off the Genealogy Path, I love going outside my box. It gives me opportunities to use what I was taught in college in English, Computer Classes and yes, that Basic HTML class I took JUST FOR ME. Best decision I made. It was not part of my major, but I wanted to be able to understand the principals behind the bold, italic, bullets, etc. I am still learning, but at least now I have a basic understanding of it. Who knows, maybe I will take another class one day!

I also have been doing some reading to do Book Reviews on for my BellaOnline Genealogy site. I enjoy reading, so I might need to go to bed early to get some reading done. I even hit some yard sales around 6 am Saturday am and found a great non-genealogy book I plan on reading. But, you know if I can I’ll put some kind of family history twist to it and review it too.

I am on Facebook way too much. How do I know this? I’ll be on other websites, like in a BellaOnline forum, like what someone says, and there I am, searching for that “LIKE” button. Drives me nuts.

A good friend, Michael Hait, just announced his getting the BCG certification. I need a good kick as to why I just don’t get mine finished. I start and life just gets in the way. What does Elissa call that, “life interuptus” or something like that??? I would like to get it done while I still have my memory of the dates and places, etc!

My sister just called and they are going to the Zoo tomorrow. I can’t recall the last time I went. But, not sure if I will go. Got to work and it is oh, so hot. It is almost 6 pm and the temps is 93 degrees, that does not count the index factor, probably close to 100! I was in the pool last weekend with friend from High School, Susan McKinna Strong, and stupid me, did not wear sunscreen. I also forgot a med for Blood Pressure I just got on a few months ago says “stay out of sunlight”. So, now I am peeling and scarring. Will the itching ever end. I should’ve used that vinegar I was told to use. The Gold Bond lotion has really helped at this stage though.

Well, enough for now. I was quite proud of myself as on Friday night I made me a “to do” list and I pretty much wiped it out. I guess the plan is to do a “to do” list for the weekends! Top of the list, not counting family things of course, they will always come first, is Research and Writing!

Saturday Night Fun: Two Truths and a Lie!

gtownma — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 21:59:58 +0000

Randy Seaver is at Jamboree in California, but found time to post Saturday Night Fun. Here is the challenge:

Play “two truths and a lie.” Tell us three facts about your family history — two have to be true and one has to be a lie.

Here are mine, let me know which one you think is truths and which is the lie.

1. I presently have over 12,000 names in my PAF database.
2. My 8th great grandfather is named Chubby Bluebucket.
3. A majority of my direct lines ancestors were Indentured Servants.

The Face of Genealogy Roaten Style

gtownma — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:40:14 +0000

Recently an article was published by LA Weekly about the upcoming Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree being held in Burbank, California from June 10-12, 2011. A very distasteful picture was posted along with the article. It was offensive to me as it does NOT reflect the true faces of our Ancestors that lived, worked, fought in wars and made it possible for me to be who I am today.

I want to share with you just one photo that represents my side of “The Face of Genealogy”. This picture is of my grandfather (James Bonnie Roaten), my grandmother (Lee Arlon Coleman) and my mom (Betty Helen Roaten) as a young girl.

What a Day!

gtownma — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:45:02 +0000

Woke up this morning to take my husband for some tests. He has had Ulcerative Colitis since his teens. We arrived at the Dr. figuring we would have a long wait, but they took him back pretty quickly. I had taken my laptop to work on organizing my desktop, but to my surprise the Dr. office had wireless. So, I played on Facebook a while. Then I met a couple from Ripley, TN that was there. The man, Sam, and I started discussing, what else, Genealogy. His wife was called back on tests, and soon I had him sitting next to me looking up his ancestors. He had done a little bit of research in the past. Of course, just went we were really having fun (I had almost forgotten why I was there), they called me to go back to be with my husband. I gave Sam my business card and had his email from where I was emailing him some of the lookups we had previously found. Best time I’ve had in a waiting room!

John’s Dr. came in and gave him a Great report. While the biopsies are not in for a couple weeks, he felt pretty sure he was cancer free and great shape. In fact, he may even come OFF his meds, could be in remission.. Whoohooo.

We decided to take the boys and go get breakfast at IHOPS. It was alot of fun and I ate WAY too much.

The Pool Man was at the house, so we should have the pool open today, with all new equipment, etc. I did not swim much last year, but might just use the pool this year. Next house we buy will probably not have a pool, as the kids are grown, and it is alot of work to keep it up. We are in the process of updating our home, so if we ever do get to the point to move, we will be ready. If not, we will have a nice updated home to live in.

We also bought Mitchell a beautiful red sports car for Graduation, a Hyundai Tiburon. I am telling him often to drive slow and safe. I am so use to driving my big Windstar minivan, it scares me to drive in these little two door cars. But, he loves it and as long as he is smart and safe, he should be fine. Here is a picture of it:

Well, it is not even noon yet and I have had quite a day. I am looking forward to tonight’s Blog Talk Radio session that will be hosted by DearMYRTLE. I enjoy the chatting with fellow GeneaBloggers. After a hard week, helps to start the weekend off and unwind some. Plus, I have met some great friends on this chat as well as the FGS chat on Blog Talk Radio. But, that is another blog.

Saturday Night Fun – Genea-Wishes

gtownma — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 21:43:40 +0000

Randy Seaver at has come up with a great challenge today. It is one that I wish we could make come true. Here is the challenge and my submission.


Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:
Think of the genealogy related wishes you have - what education, database, or information would make your genealogy research dreams come true?  Be specific - as many wishes as you want to list!

To attend all the major Genealogy Conferences - FGS, NGS, RootsTech, Jamboree and BYU Conference
Take a Genealogy Cruise
To be able to purchase research books & materials when I need them
To attend all Genealogy related Webinars.. I also wish to present a Webinar one day
To have one on one time with some of my Genealogy Idols
To have a plane 24/7, preferably John Travolta as my personal pilot, to see all the places my ancestor's lived
To get the energy and rededication it will take to finally submit my BCG portfolio

And the best Genealogy Wish I could ask for is to have access to talk and visit across the veil to all my ancestors!  Wouldn't that be an AWESOME WISH!



Saturday Night Genealogy Fun – Genealogy Books
gtownma — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 19:58:31 +0000
“Hey genea-bodies – it’s Saturday Night – time for more Genealogy Fun!!!”,  says Randy Seaver over at Genea-Musings!  Here is his challenge for this Saturday:
Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:  Find the last genealogy book that you read cover-to-cover.  Write a complete source citation, and transcribe the first paragraph of the Introduction.  Here is my submission:
Melvin J. Collier, Mississippi to Africa (Westminster, MD:  Heritage Books, Inc., 2010), http://www.mississippitoafrica.com.
This was a library book I have returned, but he has a great website that included an excerpt from the Intro I will use:
INTRODUCTION Excerpt
“If we stand tall, it is because we stand on the shoulders of many ancestors.”

African (Yoruba) proverb
     “He was a slave.” Those words uttered from Grandma’s lips and into the ears of her curious grandson. My paternal grandmother, the late Mrs. Willie Ealy Collier, had just gotten off the telephone with her first cousin. Like many of my childhood days, that day I was spending time with my grandparents, and I quietly eavesdropped on her telephone conversation with “Cut’n Dunk” Ealy. They were conversing about their paternal grandfather, Robert “Big Bob” Ealy of Leake County, Mississippi. I overheard statements like, “Grandpa Bob was something else!,” “Grandpa had over thirty children,” and “Grandma Jane was this . . . and Grandma Jane was that . . .” Never before had I heard my grandmother talk about her grandparents. After anxiously waiting for her telephone conversation to end, I bombarded her with questions. I wanted to know about the subject of her conversation.

I learned so much from reading this book and found several surnames of friends I had been working on that had ancestors that lived in Melvin’s ancestor’s community. Very exciting to see how his mind worked as he discovered new documents and went forward. I highly recommend this book. Even if you do not have African American ancestry, the tips he give and way he research makes this book a worthwhile read!
To learn more about this book and where you can purchase it, visit Melvin J. Collier’s website, Mississippi to Africa!

         


Hepsey Beanna Thorn Cox & Mary Martha Hallmark Shook
gtownma — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:54:59 +0000

This picture is of Mary Martha Hallmark married Charles Noah Shook (who died in the Civil War) on Febuary 7, 1860 in Jay Center, MS. Mary Martha was born November 1842, Tishomingo, MS and died after 1910, MS.  She was the mother of Sarah Adline Shook who married John Decabb Cox. 
The other lady was John Decabb Cox’s grandmother, Hepsey Beanna Thorn who married Pleasant G. Aflred Cox. Hepsey was born March 20, 1820 in Franklin County, AL and died February 27, 1960 in Booneville, MS. Hepsey raised her grandson, John Decabb Cox, and lived the last years of her life with him in Booneville, MS. 
Mary Martha Hallmark is my 3rd great grandmother and Hepsey is my 4th great grandmother. It makes me happy to think these ladies were friends as their husbands were not in their life at a young age: Noah died in the Civil War and Pleasant left to Arkanasas with his older sons for reasons not to be proven yet.
Tina Sansone

gtownma@yahoo.com