Using social media to share family photographs with family members

Antoinette Harrell Photograph Collection

This time of year, I spend considerable time reviewing files. My focus this time was on the family photographs. I share my family photographs on social media to keep them safe for others. It is simply a matter of downloading the image. It can be printed or stored in the iCloud. Not only do I have my collection, but I also have my mother's collection after she died. Thanks to my brother Micheal, I can now preserve her collection and share it with my family. As far as he was concerned, he knew exactly who should receive them.

Furthermore, giving photographs to family members while I am still able to do so is extremely important to me. It is not uncommon for photographs to be disposed of after a person has passed away. This is because the person browsing through the items may not recognize the person or people in the picture and discard them. I want to ensure that my family members will have these memories to cherish long before I die.  It is for this reason that I have decided to share my photos with my family and give them to them. My goal is to preserve our family legacy for future generations.

When I share photographs online.  Knowing that the photograph will be preserved gives me a sense of release. I regularly hear people say that the family photographs were thrown away or that the person who has them does not wish to share them with other family members. This makes me sad, as these photos are often the only tangible reminders of our ancestors. We should all strive to make a conscious effort to treasure and pass on these precious memories for future generations.

Henry Wheat of Amite, Louisiana

Henry Wheat
Photo Courtesy of 
Gordon Richardson Deliverance C.O.G.I. C

He was born in Tangipahoa Parish, in 1919 to Saul and Corrine Harrison  Wheat.  His siblings were: Booker S. Wheat, Rosa Wheat, Beatrice Wheat, Melissa Wheat, Bennie Wheat, Bertha Wheat, Mattie Wheat, and Roy Wheat.  According to the U. S. World War II Draft Card, he was employed by the W.P.A. and his wife Doris Harrell Wheat was his next of kin. He was about 5'6 and dark skin.  He and wife was the parents of Henry Wheat, Jr, Ernest Wheat, Earl C. Wheat, Bobby Ray Wheat and Bruce Wheat.  In 1950 he was working on his own account farming and owned his own business. He died in 1992 in Amite, Louisiana. 

In Search of Their Louisiana Florida Parish Family Roots

Researching in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Three years ago Carla Butler and Karma M Ede contacted Dr. Antoinette Harrell concerning researching their Richardson, Gordon,  and Johnson family history in Louisiana. The next day,  Harrell met with the group and shared information concerning the places she would like to take the group to  conduct research. The group of seven traveled from Milwaukee, Georgia, Ohio, and Missouri to meet new family members and research their southern roots for the first time. "The Ties That Bind Louisiana Roots" Gordon, Johnson, Steptoe,  Washington's Descendants Reunion is the message their purple and gold tee shirts said.

Harrell set up a meeting with some of her Richardson relatives to meet with the group. Dr. Valarie Richardson and Earl Scott Richardson, Jr.,  owners of Richardson Funeral Home, Inc, Amite, welcome their extended family with opened arms. The following day, Harrell took the group to Rocky Hill AME Church and the church cemetery to visit the gravesite of their 4th and 5th great grandparents Thomas Richardson and Amanda Breland Richardson in St Helena Parish, Louisiana.  After a discussion about the cemetery and church they learned about Rocky Hill AME Church which was founded in 1874.

Zuri  Amuleru-Marshall, Carol Richardson Carter
Karma M Ede, Stacy Rene
Photo Credit:  Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Following the cemetery visit, Dr. Harrell took the group to the St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office to  conduct genealogical research. Among the research sources, "Harrell recommended researching marriage records,  Land Deeds,  and slavery inventory also known as chattel property." Everyone was so happy to find records on their ancestors. Zuri Amuleru-Marshall stated. "We always has a desire to meet our family down south she said." This has been an amazing journey in search of our ancestral roots in the South, said Marshall." Meanwhile, Carol Richardson Carter continues to search the files of the records in order to find a marriage license of her ancestors that was filed in St. Helena Parish. Her eyes lit up with such gleam when  she found their marriage licenses. It was time to leave and visit the St. Helena Genealogy Department at the library. The librarian brought a rolling shelf of genealogy material for the group to review. They looked at books and discuss their findings. I enjoyed looking at the excitement on their faces and the smiles that revealed the joy of finding their ancestors. 

After the group left St. Helena Parish Clerk of Court,  several of the group members traveled to Amite to research at the clerk's office. Before going to the Amite Clerk's Office, Harrell had them to stop a Gordon Richardson Temple of Deliverance C,O,G.I.C in Amite to visit the church cemetery. They found Richardson, Harrell, and Gordon family members gravesites. 

Once they arrived at the Amite Clerk of Court,  they started researching and finding marriage records of their ancestors. Karma met Dedria Brown, and employee who work at the clerk office. Harrell introduce the group to  Dedria Brown who descends from the Dillon family in Mississippi and Tangipahoa. As it turns out they were distantly related. Once again another family connection for the researchers. 

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. 

Celebration of Life for Ora Lee Finn

Oral Lee Garman Finn

Oral Lee Garman was born sixth of seven siblings to Jake Bunion and Lubertha Bell German on January 28, 1940, in Independence, Louisiana. On Sunday, January 11, 2003, her beautiful soul departed for rest. Her family and friends feels tremendous loss for someone who was so special  to them, however, they are all grateful for being a part of the life of such a remarkable spirit. 

Her early educational training began at Burger Elementary in Independence, La. She graduated Class Valedictorian from West Side High School in 1957. Mrs. Finn continued her education throughout the years at Southern University, Louisiana State University, and Southeaster Louisiana University, earning her Bachelor, Master, Master +30, and Educational Specialist Degrees.

As prominent educator, Mrs. Finn, devoted over 33 years to the students, the parents, and the communities of Tangipahoa Parish. She began her career as a teacher in 1965 at O.W. Dillon High School in Kentwood, LA., and briefly taught at West Side School until integration in 1969.

After integration, she transferred to Amite High School where the invested over 30 professional years influencing and affecting numerous lives. Mrs. Finn taught Biology and Math for eleven years. In 1980, she became Assistant Principal; and in 1990 she was named principal, the first Black woman principal ever at Amite High School. Even well after retirement in 1998, he loved for teaching children and her love for working with people continued at various schools in the parish. 

In 1957, she married her only love, Melvin Finn, former Amite Assistant Chief of Police. From their union Melvin and Ora was blessed with three devoted children: Samara Bonita, Schrirra Montrell, and Tigia Motice Finn.

Butler A.M. E. Zion Church in where the Finn family has worshipped for over forty years. Mrs. Finn served as Adult Sunday school Teacher and Sunday school Treasurer. She implemented many programs and activities for the youths of the church during those years. As a faithful members, Mrs. Finn became a "Living Testimony" to those who witnessed her God-like spirit in action.

She leaves to cherish her wonderful memories: her having husband, Melvin Finn of Amite: oldest daughter, Samara (husband Larry) Joseph fDecatur, GA: only son, Schirra (wife Gina) Finn, Sr.; youngest daughter, Tigia M. Finn both of Amite; three grandchildren: Sean and Syrus Finn of Amite, Kahilla Finn of New Orleans; two sisters: Elousie Steptoe of Independence; Lizzie Collins of New Orleans; two brother: Dan German, Millton German of Peoria, II.: and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins godchildren, other relatives, and close friends.

Mrs. Finn was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lubertha German of Independence;  one brother, Hilton German, Sr.; one sister, Love Thompson both of Peoria, II.; three brothers-in-law: Nelson Finn, Alfred Finn bought of CA, Wallace Collins of New Orleans; three nieces: Sharon Edwards of Seattle, Wa., Betty Seiber of Peoria, II., Gwendolyn Tanner of Independence, La.; one nephew, Gregory Collins of New Orleans, LA.

Reprint for the Funeral Program of Oral Lee Finn

Source: Richardson Funeral Home, Inc, Amite

Lizzie Davis of Amite, Louisiana

Mrs. Lizzie Davis
Courtesy of: Mrs. Vernia McCoy

Mrs. Davis was born around 1908 in Louisiana and dies in 1979. She is buried in Butler Cemetery. According to the 1940 United States Federal Census, she was a roomer living on Stretch Road Quarters in Amite, Louisiana. She and her fourteen years old son Nathaniel Davis was living as roomer's in the home of Leslie and Lucille Ward.

She was the daughter of Jim and Gracie Davis. Her siblings were: Martha Davis, Johnie Davis, George Davis, and Robert Davis. 

Richardson Funeral Home, Amite Donated Funeral Programs to Nurturing Our...

DNA Test Results Revealed Our Grandmothers Were Sisters

DNA Test Connected Cousins

A couple days ago a lady named Georgia Marie Strickland message me about a DNA result. She said that our grandmothers' were sisters. I know my maternal grandmother's sisters. So I immediately thought that this had to a connection on my father 's side of the family. I didn't know anything about my paternal grandparents or great-grandparents. Only what I found on the United States Census. I started researching my maternal grandmother Mary McKay Boykins and found a lot about her family. She was from Pike County, Mississippi. He parents were Charlie and Florence Williams McKay.

My great-grandmother Florence parents were; Alex and Rebecca Williams. Her sibling were; Jerry, Ada, Amanda, and Rosa L. Williams. Georgia Marie Strickland is the granddaughter of Rosa. Rosa was the youngest of Alex and Rebecca children. She was born in 1898 in Amite County, Mississippi and died in McComb, Mississippi in 1986. 

Florence was born in 1884 and died in 1966. I was very happy to see that we connected through DNA.

Finding My Priscilla

Randall and Priscilla "Silla" Blackburn Harrell
Marriage License: December 26, 1867
Source: Union Parish Courthouse

Whenever any genealogist or family historian finds an ancestor in their research is exciting. For over twenty-five years, I have been researching my Harrell side of the family. My mother's side of the family is my Harrell lineage. Most of my family didn't have any knowledge past my grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., parents, and siblings before my research.

Jasper was two years old when his father Alexander passed away in 1914. My mother told me that her father couldn't tell the family anything about the generation before him except that they came from Clinton, Louisiana. I went to the Main Library in New Orleans and certain the United States Federal Census starting at 1930 at that time. The 1940s census wasn't available when I started researching my family history. I started researching the Harrell's in Tangipahoa Parish and found grandfather Alexander and his wife Emma Mead Harrell and all their children. 

Alexander Harrell
Randall and Pricilla Blackburn grandson
Son of Robert and Dinah Harrell

When I got to the 1920 United States Federal Census, I found that Emma was now the head of the household since her husband Alexander had passed away. Living in the house with her were her children; Alexander, Palmer, Theodore, Margareta, Jasper, and her father-in-law Robert Harrell.

A level of excitement took over me when I found Alexander's father, Robert. Robert's wife Dinah or Darska had died sometime back. In the 1910 census, Robert was living along and he was widowed. Robert was born in 1821 in Mississippi and died in 1921 in Amite, Louisiana. He and his Dinah had six children.

That was just about as far as I could go back twenty years ago. A couple of months ago, I found that Priscilla " Silla" Blackburn married a man named Randall Harrell in 1867 in Union Parish, Louisiana. Randall was seventy years old and Priscilla was sixty five when they got married. In the 1870 census Randall and Priscilla were living in Ward 3, Union Parish, Louisiana. Randall was born around 1800 and was seventy years old. Priscilla was born around 1805 in South Carolina or Virginia.  Now, I know who Robert's father was Randall Harrell.  I can't wait to travel to Union Parish to conduct more research at the courthouse and visit the local genealogy library. I hope that I can make a connection with Randall's brother Thomas descendants that could take me to the local cemetery. I met several of Thomas Harrell's descendants on Ancestry. Here are the questions I need answers too:

1. Who owned Randall Harrell?
2. Why did they leave East Feliciana Parish?
3. Where is his brother Thomas descendants?
4. Did Randall and Silla have other children?
5. Why did they return to East Feliciana Parish?
6. Who were her parents?
7. What part of South Carolina?
8. Does the Blackburn name trace back to South Carolina?

I contacted the Clerk Office and Union Parish to purchase Randall and Priscilla Blackburn Harrell's marriage license. When I went to the mailbox and found the marriage license at arrive, I was so excited. There is nothing like travel there personally to research the records in the courthouse. Any information I can locate on my Harrell ancestors is just one more missing piece of the puzzle that is important to the bigger picture.

The great-granchildren of
Randall and Priscilla Blackburn Harrell

Annie's Picture Found on Ancestry Public Tree

Annie Richardson Vining and her daugher Laura
Photo Courtesy: Sharone Hall Frisco.

Annie was the daughter of Thomas and Amanda Breland Richardson. Annie was born in 1882  in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. She is one of the five children born to Thomas and Amand. Her siblings were: Golene, Sophia, John, Thomas.  Annie was married to Benjamin " Pete" Vining. According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, Annie was a widow. She was the mother of Carrie, Laura, John, Leon,  and Luella. Annie husband was the son of Caleb and Ann Vining. His siblings were: Wesley, Louis, Sarah, Cale, William, and Ike Vining. Ben was born around 1875 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana.

Annie photograph is the only one I have come across of my  2nd great grandfather's siblings. If others have pictures of family members, I hope they would consider sharing with other family members.  I learned that Annie was the oldest child born to Thomas and Amanda. It was her daughter Luella Vining Franklin that told me about Annie. Out of all the stories my mother shared with me about her maternal grandfather Thomas, she never talked about Annie. She only talked about his siblings; Golene, Sophia, and John. Is it because she didn't know about Annie? Why didn't she know about Annie? What happened to Annie?

Amanda Breland Richardson
Courtesy of the late Luella Vining Franklin

On was of my genealogy road trips, I learned of Luella Vining Franklin. She was such a sweetheart; I remember her sitting in her wheelchair or the comfort of her bed crocheting. Luella lived with her daughter Betty off Earhart Street in New Orleans, LA. One Sunday afternoon, I went by to visit her, and she welcomes me with a big smile and a loving heart. After going through the oral family history, I soon learned that she was my maternal grandmother Josephine Richardson Harrell's first cousin. Josephine's father Thomas and Luella's mother Annie were brother and sister. 

That mystery question in my mind couldn't contain any longer. Why didn't anyone ever talk about Annie? Well after talking with cousin Luella, I found out that her brother John had accidentally shot Annie and she died of lockjaw. Luella, remembered her grandmother Amanda because lived with them when her father Ben died of smallpox in the wood. He had no other choice but to be quarantined from the rest of the family according to Luella. She remembered they would walk in the woods near the old shack and put food down on the ground for him. Once they left and was safely away, Ben would leave the cabin to get the food.  A sad look came across Luella's face when she talked about her father and what he went through. I could only imagine the loneliness and illness he felt. I'm thankful to my cousin and family historian Sharonne Frisco Hall for shaing this picture of Annie with the Richardson and Vining Families. 

The Wheat's Where Our Neighbors

Antoinette Harrell researching at the
Louisiana State Archives

Growing up in Amite, Louisiana at Rte Box 306, the Wheat's lived at Rte Box 303. Henry Wheat married my great uncle's Palmer Harrell's daughter Doris Harrell. Henry Wheat was a farmer, I remember him mostly in the field planting vegetables or picking and pulling them. He was a very quite man and enjoyed working on his farm. He was very kind and nice to our family. I remember him sharing vegetables from his garden with my family. Sometimes he would let the cows out in the pasture for grazing. I guess you can say we had a live lawn mower.

Henry was one of many children born to Saul and his wife Corrine;  Booker, Rosa, Beatrice, Melisa, Bernice, Mytrle, Bertha, Monore, Hattie, Mattie, Roy and Bertha. Saul was born in 1875 and died on Sept 5, 1954,  his wife Corrine was born in 1880 and died in on Sept 19, 1944. My mother use to say that cousin Henry was a good neighbor to have. He lived next door to his brother Roy Wheat and his son Bobby Ray Wheat and his family.

 My brothers and I spent long hot summer days playing with his youngest son Bruce. One of my childhood memories playing with Bruce is the time he, my brother and I busted watermelons in the field to see which one were the sweeties. When cousin Henry came out to the field and saw what we had done. He never raised his voice nor did we get a good whipping. I can't say my mother didn't want to give us a good whipping. Cousin Henry told her not to whip us because we were just being children. Not only having the Wheat's as neighbors but they were kind relatives as well.

His sister Melissa Wheat married my maternal grandmother's brother Alexander Richardson. My great uncle Theodore Harrell married Carrie Wheat. If you wasn't related directly, "perhaps one of your family members married into the many families in Amite." The Wheat still live in the same community up until this day. One of my cousin Ernest Wheat, Sr., still plant and grow food just like his father Henry Wheat and grandfather Palmer Harrell.

His wife Doris Harrell Wheat passed away before him. Henry was born on June 9, 1919 and died in April of 1992 in Tangipahoa Parish at the age of seventy-three.

Registration Card
Saul Wheat

Note: Saul Wheat couldn't read and he made his mark

The Genealogy of Ernest and Mary McKay Boykin of Fluker, Louisiana

Antoinette Harrell and her father
Walter Boykin

I woke up this morning thinking about my paternal ancestry and called my dad to get some information from him about his side of the family. Talking to my dad is like talking to a living history book. My dad can recall events that took place when he was just a child. Most of my genealogy research has focused on my mother side of the family.

The time has come for me to focus on my dad side of the family. In my last blog I said that I didn't know much about my paternal grandmother Mary McKay Boykins. My dad changed all that this morning in our conversation. He told me that his mother was born in Mississippi.

Jake and Martha Boykin

I went to the census on Family Search and found my grandmother Mary and her parents Charlie and Florence McKay. Charlie was born in 1884 and he was a mulatto, his birthplace was Mississippi. Florence was born in 1884. After Florence and Charlie were divorced, Florence moved to Tangipahoa Parish and later married a man named John Allen. According to the U. S. 1940 Census, John and Florence had two children living in the household at the time--a daughter named Jessie May who was twenty-year old and a son named Lonnie who was eighteen years old at the time this census of taken. In 1910 they lived in Beat 5, in Pike County, Mississippi, I have yet to trace the migration between 1910 and 1940.

My great grandmother Florence was born April 29, 1884 and passed away on June 1966 at age of eighty-two years old  in Tangipahoa, Louisiana.  My paternal grandparents Ernest and Mary Boykins had six children; Ernest, Jr., Florence, Francis, Walter, Lonnie, Jerry, and Ellis Boykins.  Grandmother Mary was born in 1913 in Pike County, Mississippi and she passed away in 1996.

I'm grateful to my dad for sharing our family genealogy with me. He's a true treasure besides being funny and most importantly motivating me to keep moving forward. I know he had so much more to share with all the Boykins offsprings.

The Registration Card
of Ernest Boykins, Sr.

Click on the link to hear the oral history of my father Walter Boykins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f4evPVINl8

Slaves of Williams Boykin of St. Helena Parish

Williams Boykin,  1829   File B-3

July 30, 1829- Petition of late wife of Williams Boykin decd. He left property and the following heirs; Susan Boykin, wife of Simpson Hutchinson; with two minors James 19, Frank 17. She requests that here son John Boykin be appointed curator with petitioners, that and inventory be made.
July 10, 1851-In a suit Daniel Weston VS John Boykin et el: by s writ of geri facies issued, the sheriff J.J. Gormon has seized and will sell at the courthouse door at Greensburg on the first Saturday in Sept. 1851, all the title of John Boykin in the following: 540 acres bounded W. by Joiner Greek, N. by Mrs. Rachel Boykin, C. by Pearson Celis, S. by Leonard tract; also the interest of John Boykin in the succession of his decd father William Boykin, viz; the undivided interest in the following: 340.2. acres, being S.5. T 2, S 4, also slaves. (No further papers found.

Souces: St. Helena Conveyance Book