I am first hopeful to do more personal research on my direct lines. There are a few lines that I was stuck on. But, with FamilySearch uploading so many new things since my last search on these lines, I might just be able to solve the puzzle next go round. Some of the people I would love to discover more on are:

• Green W. Smith (my step mom’s grandfather) and his wife Willie Brookins, both from the Montgomery County, Georgia area. Also MS, Fl and GA states may have information I need. (See picture below)
• Pleasant G. Alfred Cox from Alabama who may have died in Arkansas right after the Civil War. Would like to know more about this Civil War veteran, one of my direct line ancestors. 
• Elizabeth Garris who married Adam Fralick, then Jacob Ruppenthall around 1850 when Adam died. I want to know Elizabeth’s ancestry. She resided in Autuaga County and Montgomery County, Alabama.
• William & Mary Ann Roten from McNairy County, Tennessee. Anything on these two would be exciting, especially Mary’s maiden name!  
• I would love to get back to researching my husband’s Sicilian lines in Termini-Imerese, Sicily. (Did I put the FHL microfilm numbers down years ago, when doing his lines in the early stages?  NO!  So, need to go back and add those citiations!)

One thing I have been reading alot about lately is the importance of putting our ancestor’s in historical context. I would like to go back to some of the families I have documented and add more historical facts for them. “Meat on the bones” I have heard it often referred to. 

And, of course, let’s not forget to cite our sources. Seems like most of us learn the beginning steps of genealogy on our own personal families. It is not til we are deep into our families or doing it for someone else that we realize, the “lightbulb” goes off, that we need to be citing our sources. I desperately need to revisit my families that I started genealogy with and add those missing citations and hope I can refind them. 

I also have many friends I have done family histories on that I would love to revisit, especially now, as I stated earlier, so much has been added to help us in our research. I also hope to be able to do more non-internet research this next year — court houses, library, cemeteries, archives, etc. That is where the excitement truly lies!

So, join me in 2013 in working more on our personal genealogical lines. Set a goal to do it weekly or monthly. I am hopeful to spend at least one weekend a month on my personal genealogy. 

Green W. Smith & Willie Brookins

On April 2, 2012 the 1940 Census was released!  It has been a very exciting time to both Index and also search out the families I research.  I would like to share with you the exciting things I have discovered:

My father in law was born in Memphis, 1923. I could not find his family  on the 1930 census as hard as I have tried. I was determined to find him on the 1940 and he was the first one I looked for. I knew his family lived most of their lives onVance street when locating  to Memphis. I used the tools on the National Archives  page to find an enumeration district (ED). I had no success and was very frustrated.  As I laid in bed that night, it hit me that I had the wrong address. I remembered that my father in law’s mother had moved to Elizabeth Street. So, the next day I used the tools to find the closest ED and went for my search. The exciting thing is that although I was looking for my father in law, I saw many cousins along the way.

Then on the Tennessee, Shelby, Memphis, ED 98-114, page 4 of 22 Census on Ancestry.com, there they were, the Sansone Family – Kate, Tony, Virginia, Fred and Angelo– my father in law when he was 16 years old.  Of course, the first thing I did was show my husband his dad. He was glad to see it, but not being the genealogy addict I am, was not quite as excited as I was. But, I was elated enough for the both of us!  Another mystery was the occupation of one of his brothers. There are two groups of Sansone’s in the Memphis area – vegetables (my husband’s family) and the liquor. But, on this census, Tony works in the wholesale liquor business. Surprising find for me.

I also did a search for a good friend who has been looking for his maternal grandfather. He left when he was young and never heard from much. While I won’t go into specifics on his family, I could not find him on the 1930 census, but located him on the 1940 census. He was not up north as my friend thought, but had moved west, remarried and has since passed away. At least now we can continue to research this missing line on his family.

One other client find was discovering a father on the census for her and learning who he was living with.  Those discoveries on the census are what brings so much excitement to a family and to me as a researcher!

So, now is the time you can go view the census and see what ancestors you can find. Here are some websites to make your searches:

National Archives

MyHeritage

FamilySearch

Findmypast

Steve Morse ED Locator

We really need YOUR help to Index the 1940 Census. At the present time two states are indexed –Nevada and Delaware. As the indexers get busy, more will be added. Here is where you can sign up to assist in this great endeavor:  Get Started in Indexing.

All information to keep updated on this great work can be found on the 1940 U.S. Census Blog. It also has some great articles from the 1940 Ambassadors.

“As part of the1940census.com ambassador program this blog post enters me into a drawing for an iPad”

We all like to have that “feel good feeling” for doing something worthwhile and helpful. Mothers get that feeling when they cook a wonderful meal for their family, help a child do a school project and take their daughter to buy that perfect prom dress. Fathers get that feeling as they pitch ball with their sons, go fishing with their kids and work hard at their job so their family can live comfortably. Employees get that feeling when they train a new person and share tips, bring snacks to share or get a promotion for a job well done.

During our life, we are given many moments where we can have that “feel good feeling”, and help others at the same time. Now is one of those times where YOU can participate in a great project that will make you feel good knowing you are helping others, and maybe even yourself. The 1940 Census will be released on April 2, 2012. There is a great need for volunteers to help index the 1940 census. But, you do not have to wait until April 2 to prepare.

There is a 1940 Census contest that you can join to practice your indexing skills!  All you need to do is download the FamilySearch Indexing software and complete a practice batch that will simulate what indexing the 1940 U.S. Census will be like. To make it more exciting, one entrant will be chosen at random to win a $100 Visa gift card and two entrants will be chosen to win $50 Visa gift cards. Talk about getting that “feel good feeling”!!!

Once the 1940 Census has been indexed, all those who have participated can look back at the finished project and take pride that they were a part of such a great endeavor. Genealogists are known for helping others, but this call to volunteer reaches beyond researchers. Please invite your friends and family; let them know about the contest and get them motivated! Share this “feel good feeling” with everyone you know at church, work and with your neighbors.

“As part of the1940census.com ambassador program this blog post enters me into a drawing for an Amazon Kindle Fire.”

The early microwave ovens were huge in size and cost compared to the small ones we can purchase today. They were about 5 ½ feet tall and weighed over 700 pounds. The average cost were about $5000.00 each. The magnetron tube used had to be water-cooled, so plumbing installations were required. With development, an air-cooled magnetron was developed, so plumbing was no longer an issue.

The first to use these microwaves were the restaurants. Microwaves meant they could keep food fresher longer, and heat when the customer ordered. But, soon households were purchasing them. Raytheon sold their first microwave oven in 1947; Radarange was the name chosen as a result of a contest given to Raytheon’s employees. These first microwaves sold to the public costs averaged about $2500.00. In 2012, we can now purchase a .9 cubic feet microwave as low as $50.00 at your local Walmart!

Percy LeBaron Spencer was born July 19, 1894 in Howland, Maine and died September 8, 1970 in Massachusetts. An aunt and uncle raised him; his father died when he was young and his mother abandoned him. What is amazing about his accomplishments was that he had very little in the way of an education. Percy was always interested in electricity. He was in the US Navy from 1912-1918 and this is where he gained a lot of his knowledge by attending radio school and his experiences while enlisted. For his work he was awarded the Distinguished Public Service Award by the US Navy. He was married to Louise Larsen and had three sons.

On a personal note, I use my microwave daily. In the busy world we live in, it is very nice to be able to put a TV dinner in the microwave, and within minutes have a meal ready to eat. I also use it to heat water for my hot chocolate and to make popcorn. It has been a great time saver and I am very thankful for Percy Spencer and his accomplishments.

Percy Spencer and his family will be in the 1940 census along with many other great scientists and technologists. Please help index the 1940 census so we can quickly discover them and our families! Please visit the 1940 Census webpage to learn how to volunteer and participate in this great endeavor!

“As part of the 1940census.com ambassador program, this blog posts enters me into a drawing for weekly prizes.”

Randy Seaver over at GeneaMusings has come up with another great Saturday Night Fun challenge. 

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

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!

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

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!