Oh Family Tree!

This is from 2016 but still appropriate.

Oh Family tree, Oh Family tree!

Thy leaves are so elusive

Oh Family tree, Oh Family tree,

Thy names are always changing

Not only in census reports,

But also in obituaries.

Oh Family tree, Oh Family tree,

Thy names are always changing!

Oh Family tree, Oh Family tree,

Such puzzles do you bring me!

Oh Family tree, Oh Family tree,

You confuse and bewilder me!

For every year this Family tree,

Brings to us such mystery.

Oh Family tree, Oh Family tree,

Such puzzles do you bring me!

Oh Family tree, Oh Family tree,

You'll be ever changing!

A story of our ancestors

You'll be ever changing

Each date and place

Each misspelled name

No one alive spreads tales so well

Oh Family tree, Oh Family tree,

You'll be ever changing.

Colleen G Brown Pasquale 

Friday's Faces from the Past: Cecil Clare Fortenberry

Cecil Clare Fortenberry

1914 MS - 1987

Son of Tate Edward Fortenberry & Lucy Viola Brown

Husband of Lovie Wilson

My 1st Cousin 1x removed

Friday's Faces from the Past was initiated by GenaBloggers Daily Prompts.

Related Posts:

• William Jackson Fortenberry
• The Terrible Hurricane in South Mississippi 1882

Thanksgiving is Family

Thanksgiving is spatulas & spices & the family china;

Tables pushed together, folding chairs & mismatched glassware.

Thanksgiving is answering the ringing doorbell; 

Children chasing and hiding;

Hugs & surprises; Jokes & smiles.

Thanksgiving is aprons & appetizers & the family recipes;

Multicolored paper turkeys, crayoned pilgrims & pinecone centerpieces.

Thanksgiving is squeezing around the table;

Passing the mashed potatoes;

Candles & napkins; Gravy & cranberries.

Thanksgiving is cameras & cousins & the family traditions;

Posing in front of the fireplace, smiling on cue & laughter all around.

Thanksgiving is playing favorite board games;

Telling tall tales of holidays past;

Uncles & babies; Memories & plans.

Thanksgiving is family.

Colleen G. (Brown) Pasquale

Related Posts:

• Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving
• Thankful Thursday: Thanks to Fellow Bloggers 

Sunday's Obituary: Mary Alford, 1902

Mary Luzina (Stafford) Alford

September 1850 – 9 July 1902 

Daughter of Abraham Stafford

Wife of Needham Edwin Alford

Needham was my 1st cousin, 3x removed

Mrs. M. L. Alford, Magnolia

Magnolia, Miss., July 10. – Mrs. M. L. Alford died yesterday at the home of her husband, Rev. N. E. Alford. She was fifty-two years and ten months old. She was the mother of Revs. J. M. Alford of Leesville, La., and L. F. Alford of New Orleans. Her remains were interred in the family cemetery to-day. The funeral was conducted by Revs. B. F. Lewis of Magnolia and  L.E. Alford of Holmesville.

Source: Mrs. M. L. Alford, Magnolia. (New Orleans, LA: The Times – Democrat, 11 July 1902) 5; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed July 2019. 

This clipping appears on Find A Grave. It tell us Mary died of typhoid fever. Unfortunately, the newspaper's name is not mentioned.

From Find A Grave Memorial #36541644.

Related Posts:

• 1906 Alford Family Reunion
• Alford: A Family of Ministers

Book: Pike County Mississippi, 1798 – 1876

Pike County Mississippi, 1798 – 1876: 
Pioneer Families and Confederate Soldiers

By Luke Ward Conerly

Nashville, TN: Brandon Printing Company, 1909

Reprint:  Madison, GA: Southern Lion Books, 2008

If your family made its home in Pike County, MS this book should be in your hands. Mr. Conerly gives a history of the county beginning with the Native Americans who lived there first. After a brief history of the State of Mississippi he writes in more detail about the formation of the county and the earliest settlers. 

Included are lists of Pike County civil officers and lists of representatives to the State Senate and House of Representatives. Chapter VI details the county’s role in the Civil War and includes the names of many men who served and those who were killed or wounded in battle. 

The book includes some colorful descriptions of the county, such as this piece portraying the Bogue Chitto, a river whose name was derived from the Choctaw language and means “big creek”.

This stream takes its rise from a multitude of springs and branches that come out north and west of Brookhaven, in Lincoln County, Bogue Chitto and Johnson stations, and flows in a southeasterly direction through Pike County and Washington Parish and empties into Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish, La. It is one of the most lovable and picturesque streams to be found anywhere in the South. Its waters, coming from pure limpid springs that supply its numerous tributaries, flow softly and sweetly over gravel beds from the northern boundary of the county till it passes its way in its meanderings into Louisiana, mirroring in its bright waters the grand scenery bordering either side of it for over a hundred miles. At intervals, and alternately, it is overlooked by high ridges covered with majestic pine, oak, beech, magnolia, and a multitude of other valuable growth, that moan eternally as they fanned by the ocean’s breezes. Its waters, like all other inland streams, were full of fish, and its forests inhabited by wild game in great abundance, and the trapper and the hunter had all he employment desired.

The book includes several illustrations of places and people associated with the county. A map of the county is not included.

For our family, we have several branches who were early settlers in the county: Alford, Brown, Brumfield, Dillon, Fortenberry, Smith & Ott. We also have extended family, who often married our direct lines: Ellzey, Magee, Simmons and more. This book has taught me many things about our various family members who struggled in the wilderness and became a part of the history of the county. 

We have many family members still living in the county. They are, most likely, familiar with the history of their county but, for the rest of us, this book is a wonderful learning tool.

This book is also available online. The online version has the advantage that it is searchable. The hardcover book that I own has no surname index. I have at times, used both, used the online search feature & then gone to the pages in my book to read the text.

Related Posts:

• Book: The Deeds of Bertie Co., NC, 1757-1772
• Book: Guide to Louisiana Confederate Military Units, 1861 – 1865

Friday's Faces from the Past: Thelma Lady Brown

Thelma Lady Brown

27 February 1908 MS - 15 November 1979 MS

Daughter of Jasper Pascal Brown & Rose Ella Brumfield 

Sister of my grandfather, Roy Jesse Brown

Friday's Faces from the Past was initiated by GenaBloggers Daily Prompts.

Related Posts:

• Roy Jesse Brown
• Jasper Pascal Brown

Sunday's Obituary: Sarah M. Prescott Brumfield, 1892 MS

Sarah M. Prescott Brumfield

10 December 1849 MS – 24 February 1892 MS

Daughter of Ephraim & Talitha Prescott

Wife of James Monroe Brumfield 

Photo from Find A Grave Memorial #83393284

This is to certify that Sister Sarah M. Brumfield was a member of Newhope (sic) Baptist church in good standing and in full fellowship with said church at her death. And as it has pleased God in his divine providence to take her away from us, we must submit, as we know that God’s will must be done. But we feel the loss of Sister Brumfield, as she was a faithful member and we believe a Christian, as she was always willing to give a helping hand to anything pertaining to the welfare of her church, or the building up of Christ’s kingdom. Sister Brumfield was born in Pike county, Mississippi, December 10, 1849, and died February  24^th, 1892, age 42 years, 2 months and 14 days. Sister Brumfield was the daughter of Ephraim and Talitha Prescott, of Pike county, Miss. After Sister Brumfield became grown she commenced thinking under the preaching of the Gospel about her future destiny, and after due consideration she became convinced that she was a sinner in the sight of God, and at length she joined Silver Creek Baptist church in August, 1867, and was baptized and received into the fellowship of said church by Elder B. H. Crawford, who was pastor of the church at that time. After several years Mr. J. M. Brumfield, Sister Sarah’s husband, moved to Amite county, Miss., on the east side of the Amite river, where he now resides, and Sister Brumfield being some distance from her church moved her letter to Newhope (sic) Baptist church in Amit4e county, near her residence, on the 5^thday of June, 1886, where she remained a faithful member and a Christian until her death.

We the members of Newhope (sic) church feel the loss of our departed sister and we further extend our sympathy in behalf of our worthy friend J. M. Brumfield and his dear children, as he has been bereaved of a kind and affectionate companion, and his children of a kind and lovely mother. Sister Brumfield was loved by her neighbors and all who knew her, was kind to the sick, and we believe is now resting with Jesus in that promised land, and hoping the help of our Heavenly Father that our bereaved friend J. M. Brumfield and children may become prepared to meet her there when they come to die are our prayers, amen.

Sister Brumfield left a husband, ten children, a mother and sisters, a brother and relatives to mourn her loss. May the Lord bless them and save them for Christ sake. Sister Brumfield’s funeral services were conducted at her home by Elder J. H. Lane, and she was buried at the family grave-yard on Mr. J. M. Brumfield’s place.

Committee appointed by the church: Elder W K Anderson, Peter A. Green, T. P. Honea

From Newspapers.com

The Southern Herald (Liberty, Mississippi) · 23 Sep 1892, Fri · Page 3 

Downloaded on Jun 20, 2019 



Related Posts:

• 1907 Brumfield Family Reunion
• Sarah Jane Smith Brumfield, Obituary

Friday's Faces from the Past: Lynn Holly Brown

Lynn Holly Brown

22 January 1932 MS - 20 February 2016 MS

Son of Hubert Allen Brown & Freddie Beatrice Smith 

Served in the US Navy, Korean War

Husband of Beverly J. Thames

Father of four children.

My 2nd Cousin 

Friday's Faces from the Past was initiated by GenaBloggers Daily Prompts.

Related Posts:

• Hubert Brown in MS School Census Reports
• Jasper Pascal Brown

Friday's Faces from the Past: Everett Earl Brown

Everett Earl Brown 

20 November 1919 LA - 15 September 2001 WV

Son of Junius Earl Brown & Armetha Blades

Husband of Maxine Bissell

Married 8 July 1945

My 1st cousin 1x removed

This photograph was given to me by Edith Rose Ball Hutchinson during a trip to Mississippi several years ago.

Friday's Faces from the Past was initiated by GenaBloggers Daily Prompts.

Related Posts:

• Rose Ella Brumfield Brown, Obituary
• Joseph Pershing Brown, Obituary