The Vernon Family of Amite, Louisiana

 

From Left to Right
Glynis Vernon Gordon, her son Vernon Gordon, Rev. Willard Vernon and his  wife
   Mrs. Alma Harrison Vernon.

The Dudley Family of Amite, Louisiana

Seated from left to right: Ms. Gisele Ricard & Baby, Mrs. Maggie Lee Dudley, Mr. O.D. Dudley, Mrs. Mildred Ricard, and Natalie Ricard. Back Row: Mrs. Norma Jean Ricard, Mrs. Tonell Ricard, Mrs. Shirley Griffin, and Craig Ricard. 

Judge Perry of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Judge was born in 1895 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. to Grofton and Margaret Hunter Perry.  He was married to Dicie Perry. He worked on his own account as a farmer. He was living at Route 1 Box 133 in Amite, Louisiana.  Siblings were: Carrie, Judge, Martha, John, Ellis, Monroe, Luvenia, Howard, Lewis, James, Duncan, and Kelly Perry. 

Monroe Perry of Amite, Louisiana

 

Monroe Perry  was born in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to Grofton and Margaret Hunter Perry. He was married to Alice Brown Perry. I remember Mr. Monroe Perry. I can recall seeing him on Sunday's at church with his hat, suit, and white shirt. Mr. Monroe was a very tall man. He didn't say many words or at least I never heard him talk a lot. At that time the church was named Gordon Chapel Church of God in Christ. It is located in Amite, Louisiana off HWY 1045. He was a well respected man in the African American community.

Charlie Arthur and Elvia "Evie Magee Varnado

Both the Varnado and Magee families are known to reside in Pike and Wathall Counties in Mississippi. Others live in Washington and Tangipahoa, Louisiana Parishes. In counties and parishes where the Varnado and Magee surnames are known, everyone is familiar with them. Both of these families are quite large. 

Charles Arthur Varnado was born between 1861 in Magnolia, Mississippi. He died on July 30, 1936.  He was the son of Harry and Margaret  Varnado. He was married to Evie Magee in his hometown of Magnolia. He and his wife had 21 children.

Let me attempt to name some of  their children: Dewitt C, Willie M, Rachel, Richard, Lucius, Clara, Curtis,  John, Mary Margaret, Anna, Charlie Arthur, Martha, Menevie Minnie,  Minnie, Spellman, Turley, Tulny, Jesse Varnado.

Charles parents had eighteen children as well. One can only imagine how the family reunion would be for their family. One thing that is for sure, it would be a large family reunion.  Just between Charles and his father Harry there is a total of thirty-nine children. Could you imagine how many Varnado descendants there are from just these two Varnado men. Not to mention whether Charles and his father Harry had siblings or children with large families. It is possible for the Louisiana Florida Parish Varnado's to descended from this huge family tree or connected somehow. 

Were Your Ancestors Homesteaders in the Louisiana Florida Parishes?

Exploring African American History in Louisiana Florida Parishes.

I Cooked My First Thanksgiving Dinner At Our Home with Daja

My Grandson Carter Teaching His Grandmother Social Media Technology

Carter making short films
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

You are never too old to learn from anyone or anything. We can learn a lot about technology from our youth.  My grandson Carter has offered his services to manage my TikTok social media account. Carter has a passion for videoing and editing. He use his iPhone for most of his editing. Our time together is one of the things I cherish the most. All of the children are a great source of information. In particular Carter and Connor, they teach me so much about modern technology and how to use some apps. Both of them are eager to teach me something new about technology. It makes them feel good to know that their grandmother are their student.  

The most wonderful thing is we are learning together. Together we are bonding, learning, and exploring together. Of course, I had to give him the position as my manager in training.  I'm excited to see how well he does and what he can do. As I mentioned earlier in this blog, it is never to late and no one is too old or too young to learn. 

Bernard Speaks Out for the First Time About Researching With His Mother Antoinette Harrell

Bernard documentary interview
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

When Bernard was a very young child, he traveled with his mother to conduct genealogy and peonage research. They visited numerous courthouses and state archives around the United States.  Visiting museum and other historical sites were also included in their tour. At the time, "I was unaware of the importance of genealogy and peonage research,  I understand now" said Bernard. 

As part of the his interview for a documentary about his mother genealogy and peonage research, he described how much he learned from his mother, and how much he appreciate the lessons his mother taught him about family history and peonage. He   want to become involved to assist her. 

My mother used everything to teach a lesson, that's just the way she is. "Everything is a teaching moment and that is how it is in our family with her. I know that one day my mother will not be here, so I need to spend more time learning new things that she can share with me.  

Bernard traveled twenty-seven states with his mother researching. On their off time of research, he visited theme parks, local eateries, and other places for kids. His most memorable experience was going to Michael Jordan's restaurant and purchasing his first Michael Jordan basketball jersey. He was very enthusiastic about taking his African Ancestry DNA test on the Atlantic Ocean.  There are so many beautiful memories he have of his travels with his mother. 

Herbert Willie Vining

Herbert Willie Vining
Source: Ancestry

Herbert was born on March 5, 1903 in Montpelier, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to Butman and Eva Vining. . He farmer by occupation and worked on his own account. Herbert was married to  Easter Vining. His sibling were: Ivy, Hosy, Christina, Florence, Francis, Frankie  and Hazel Vining. According to the 1930 United States Federal Census. 

Frank Vining U.S. World War II Draft Card

Frank Vining 
Source: Ancestry 

Frank Vining was born on December 22, 1908 in St. Helena Parish to Butman and Eva Vining. His siblings were: Herbert, Christina, Francis, Hilda, and Creola Vining. There could possibly be more, I documented the names that were listed in the 1920 United States Census.  He was employed by Dave Strong in Amite, Louisiana. Frank died on May 5, 1994. Frank was a labored and he lived in Vernon's Quarters in Amite, Louisiana. According to the 1940 United States Federal Census the highest grade he  completed was 2nd grade. Frank's last residence was in Pontiac, Michigan. 

Cefalu and Company the Manufacturers of Macaroni and Spaghetti in Amite, Louisiana

Cefalu and Company 
Source: The Amite Genealogy Department

Each day I discover something new. This was the first time I heard that of Cefalu and Company of Amite, Louisiana manufacturing macaroni and spaghetti. My online search for information about the Cefalu Company was unsuccessful.  The receipt shows that B. Stern had an account with Celfau and Company.  I was happy to find this receipt in the B. Stern volume of books day May 8, 1917.  The shipping point was Gullett, Louisiana. 

C J. Johnson Blacksmith and Wheelwright in Amite, Louisiana

Source: Amite Genealogy Library
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Little or no information are available about the local blacksmith and wheelwright. Horseshoeing was his specialty. Every town had a blacksmith. While browsing through the volume of books from B. Stern Co., I stumbled across this receipt dated May 1, 1917.  On April 7, B. Stern Co. was indebted to C. J. Johnson Blacksmith and Wheelwright.

He charge the company fourteen dollars and fifteen cent for his labor and materials. He shoes one mules for fifty cent, three shoes on another mules for one dollar and fifty cent.  Mules was very important for farmers before tractors came were made. They depended on their mules for their livelihood and to put food on their tables. 

The mule that my grandfather Jasper had was named Frank. He was reddish in color and was known to be stubborn at times. Well, after all, the is the nature of a mule. I know my grandfather had to get Frank shoed as sometime or another. All the older people who knew of the blacksmiths in the community have long passed away.  

Native American Arrowheads Will Be Donated to the Amistad Research Center

Courtesy of Edwin Temple
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Dr. Antoinette Harrell, a local historian and genealogist in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana have been working tirelessly to document the untold histories of African Americans in the Louisiana Florida Parishes.  The preservation of photographs, church programs, and other documents of African American people are an integral parts of her preservations goals. While working in the field on his paternal grandfather Charles Temple, he found the arrowheads.

The arrowheads were used as flint to start a fire and also used to hunt wild game. "All arrowheads aren't made out of flint," said Temple.  Temple struck them hard enough to see the sparkle. He smelled the smoke coming from the flint. He found them as different time while plowing the field on the Charles Temple homestead. He held on to them over forty years. Now, it's time to preserve them for preservation. 

When Edwin Temple consulted with Harrell regarding his discovery of Indian Arrowhead, it is believed  the Indian Arrowhead are from the Choctaw Native Americans who resided in Tangipahoa Parish and surrounding area.  The prehistoric finding is very important to Temple. He felt that he was actually holding a piece of history in his hand.  Temple wanted to make sure that the findings was preserved for research. Following the consultation with Harrell, Temple decided to donate the collection of five Arrowheads to the Amistad Research Center in New Orleans, LA for preservation.  Harrell hopes that other individuals in Louisiana Florida Parishes, will contact her to inquire about preserving their collections of photographs, documents, and other items. 

Courtesy of Edwin Temple
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Sunny Hill, Louisiana

Among Patsy Zanders Johnson collection of African American funeral programs, there were some church programs. One of the programs were the 3rd Annual Usher Anniversary dated December 9, 1973.  Dr. Willard Vernon was the pastor of the church in Sunny Hill, La. 

Sunny Hill is a small community in Washington Parish. On the back of the programs was the name of Usher Roll.  The following names were listed: James Brumfield, Mable Brumfield, Ardeane Brumfield, Vernie Brumfield, Marie Brumfield, Dock Butler, Arthur Barnes, Darllie D. Barnes, Edward E. Brumfield, George Brumfield, Minnie Dunn, Wallace Clark, Johanna James, Oscar James, Romance James, Kathy Henry, Mercy D. Williams, Lola Ramsey, Verse Vernon, Juanita Ricks, Pauline Williams, Millie Tate, Inez Silby, T.C. Wilson, Ellis Watson, Mae Dell Lewis, Jessie Crawford. 

Source; Patsy Zanders Johnson Collection

Oliver and Helen Williams Wheeler

Oliver and Helen Williams Wheeler

 

Oliver and married on June 15, 1947 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.  Oliver was born  in 1922  to John and Leatha Washington Wheeler. He died in 2012 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.  His siblings were: Fred, Johnie,  Lucille, Cora, Theodore, Henry, Doretha and Jospeh Wheeler.  Oliver worked as a farm hand on general farms. He enlisted in the military in 1943.

 

Helen was born in 1928 to Charley and Doretha Ricks Williams.  She died on December 27, 1993, and she is buried in Big Zion Cemetery in Roseland, Louisiana.  Her siblings were listed as: Percy, Leo, Curtis, Robert, Joseph, Vernell, and Roy Williams. 

Horace and Helen Daniels Perry of Amite, Louisiana

                   

 

Horace Perry, Sr.  and Helen Daniels were married on August 25, 1948.  Seated from left to right: Lethaniel Stevenson, Jr., Mrs. Helen D. Perry, and Kevin Carter. Standing: Horace Perry, Sr., an Ms. Connie Sue Perry.

Esaw Daniels of Amite, Louisiana (1908-1961)

Esaw was born in 1908 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana to Joseph and Ida Lawson Daniels According to the 1910 United States Federal Census, he was living in the house with his parents and siblings. His siblings listed on the census were: Deveda, Katies, Roscoe, Ruby and Melinda Daniels. Esaw died on March 4, 1961 and is buried in Butler Cemetery in Amite, Louisiana. 

Listed in the 1940 United States census were his other siblings: Eddie, Emma, David, Ida, and South Daniels. They were living in Reeds Quarters in Amite, Louisiana. he completed the 6th grade and was a laborer. 

In Loving Memory of Mrs. Loyola "Lola" Melba Ramsey

On October 9, 2008, the sweet angel of mercy carried away the spirit of our beloved Loyola "Lola" Brumfield Ramsey. She left this temporal world and began her journey to her everlasting home in heaven. She was born on November 3, 1927 to the late Obie and Beulah Brumfield. She confessed her love for Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She served in many capacities in the church, including the Usher board, Missionary Board, and on the kitchen committee. She and her husband were among the first African Americans in Washington Parish to own and operate a dry cleaning business, cafe, and gas station. As part of her active community service, she assisted in transporting college students to catch the community bus to attend Southeastern Louisiana University.

Lola was united in holy matrimony to the late Charles Herbert Ramsey on June 18, 1943. To their union six children were born. She leave to cherish her memories tow sons, Charles Ramsey, Jr. of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana and Girard (Debra) Ramsey of Franklinton, Louisiana; and three daughters, Brenda Brumfield of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana, Francis (Albert) Magee of Franklinton, Louisiana. and Hilda (Kenneth) Martin of Bogalusa, Louisiana; two sisters Joe Lee Fox of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana, and Erma N. Hill of Kansas City, Missouri; four brothers, Kermit (Alene) Brumfield to Mt. Hermon, Louisiana, Otis (late Dorothy) Brumfield of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ocie (Ora) Brumfield of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and L. M. James of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana and a beloved sister-in-law, and prayer partner, Ora Dee Brumfield  of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana. Lola legacy of love continues through her 14 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. 

Reprint from Patsy Zanders Johnson African American Funeral Program Collection