Tangipahoa Parish Earlier Black Schools

Westside Marching Band

The historical context of education for Black children in the United States is rooted in systemic exclusion and resilience. During slavery, education was denied to Black children, and those who sought to learn often faced severe punishment. In the southern states, laws and social customs actively barred Black children from formal education, whether enslaved or freed. Despite these barriers, many Black churches became crucial spaces for education, serving as makeshift classrooms and providing a safe haven for learning. This period also saw the establishment of a segregated education system, which persisted until the push for integration. During my research on Black churches in Tangipahoa Parish, I discovered the names of several churches and schools. Reconstructing lost records is a complex task, hindered by the absence of primary sources and firsthand accounts. This lack of documentation makes it difficult to verify historical details and develop a comprehensive understanding of past events. While some older individuals possess records, their willingness to share and preserve them for future study remains crucial to this effort. If you know of others schools, please contact me at nurturingourroots@gmail.com.

Ponchatoula Color School
Photo Courtesy: Ella Mae Badon

1897 Lea's High School, Amite, Louisiana, Kind of Instrument D, Book 29,  Page 8

1903 Oak Grove School,  Book D1, Page 204

1908, Blades Reid School,  D1, Page 338

1911, School, Independence, Kind of Instrument D, Book 63, Page 478

1911, Tangipahoa Parish Negro Training School

1942, Amite Color School, Amite, Louisiana

1917, Color Citizens, Kind of Instrument D, Book 81, Page 470

1920, Tangipahoa Color School,  Kind of Instrument D, Book 88, Page 608

Gordon Chapel Church of God in Christ School, Amite, Louisiana 

Tasker AME Zion Church School, Ponchatoula, Louisiana 

Perrin High School, Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Ponchatoula Color School, Ponchatoula, Louisiana 

Greenville Park High School, Hammond, Louisiana 

1915, Hammond Color School, Hammond, Louisiana, Kind of Instrument D, Book 75, 187

1912,  Big Zion School, Roseland, Louisiana, Kind of Instrument, D, Book 64, Page 227, 350

1958, Westside High School, Amite, Louisiana 

1920, Tangipahoa Colored School, Instrument D, Book 88, 607

1896,  St. James African Methodist Episcopal, Kind of Instrument D, Book D1, Page 136

1926, St. James Mission, Kind of Instrument D, Book 109, Page 27

The murders of their grandfathers link Herbert Lee and Louis Allen's grandsons

Louis Allen and Toriano Lee
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

My research at the National Archives led me to find an Associated Press article about a family of five kidnapped and sold to a family in Fluker, Louisiana for twenty dollars after they were kidnapped from Amite County, Mississippi. "You read that right, a family of five sold for twenty dollars. The family of Crawford Allen, his wife, and three children. One of the three children was Louis Allen a Civil Rights Leader who was murdered in 1964 for speaking out about the murder of Herbert Lee who was shot and killed by E. H. Hurst at the cotton gin in Liberty, Mississippi.  Hurst was a member of the Mississippi state legislature. 

The murder of Herbert Lee in 1961 occurred during a time of intense racial tensions and civil rights activism in the United States. Lee's death, as well as the subsequent murder of Louis Allen for speaking out about it, shed light on the systemic racism and violence that African Americans faced in the segregated South. These tragic events served as catalysts for the civil rights movement, further fueling the fight for equality and justice.

A few years back, I received a call from Louis Allen's grandson, Louis. My heart swelled when I received the phone call from Louis Allen's grandson Louis, his namesake.  Finally, I identified the people who were illegally sold. Slavery was supposed to be abolished in 1863. The illegal sale of Crawford Allen and his family for a mere twenty dollars is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted systemic racism that persisted long after the abolition of slavery. The system of peonage and involuntary servitude was the new name for slavery. Under peonage, individuals were typically bound to their employers through debt or labor contracts, 

Herbert Lee

Fast forward sixty years. Earl Richardson, Jr., informed me about his brother Toriano Lee's family history. I immediately wanted to discuss his family history with him. From that day forward I kept his story on my desk and in my heart.  I received an email from Dr. Marcia Chatelain, an author and historian at the University of Pennsylvania, regarding an article I wrote and published about Toriano's grandmother Prince Melson Lee.  Chatelain was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History for her book Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America, for which she also won the James Beard Award for Writing in 2022.  During the 1963 March on Washington, D.C., Prince was recognized with Rosa Parks, Diane Nash, Gloria Richardson, Myrlie Evers-Williams, and Daisy Bates. Prince was the wife of NAACP activist Herbert Lee. 

During a conversation with Toriano I asked him if I could arrange for him to meet with Louis Allen. They both agreed and I made arrangements for the grandsons of Louis and Herbert to meet each other for the first time. The meeting between the grandsons of Louis and Herbert is a powerful symbol of reconciliation and healing. It brings together two families that have been deeply affected by racial violence and injustice, bridging the gap between past and present, and fostering understanding and unity. This meeting not only honors the legacies of Louis and Herbert but also serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of those who continue to fight for equality and justice. It was emotional for me to sit and listen to Louis share information Toriano heard for the very first time. 

Louis Allen

As I observed their faces, I saw expressions of pain, hurt, and loss resulting from their grandfathers' murders. The weight of their grief seemed unbearable to say the least. It was a haunting reminder of the profound emotional scars left by such unimaginable acts of violence, forever shaping their lives and their understanding of what it means to be Black in America. The two emphasize the importance of educating their sons about racial injustice in the United States. Moreover, Toriano expressed his gratitude to Louis for the courage his grandfather Louis showed when others who witnessed the murder remained silent.

Amite County, Mississippi, has a long history of racial tension and violence, particularly during the Civil Rights era. This context adds even more significance to the brotherhood formed by Louis and Toriano, as their shared tragedy represents a powerful bond in the face of a troubled past. I walked away feeling emotionally exhausted and drained after listening to their stories.  Listening to personal stories is emotionally taxing as it requires me to empathize with the experiences and emotions of others. It can also bring up unresolved emotions or trigger traumatic memories, leading to feelings of exhaustion and depletion. Nevertheless, most of the time it can't be avoided. 

Ebony and Jet magazine art director Herbert Temple, Jr., roots traces back to Tangipahoa Parish

Herbert Temple, Jr.
Photo Credit: Chornes/Ancestry

"It is impossible to predict what you may uncover when conducting genealogy and local history research. As I was researching newspaper articles on newspapers.com, I came across a very interesting article about a man named Herbert Temple. Jr. I had some knowledge of Herbert's 2 great-grandfathers, Jim Temple, whose family history is rooted deeply in Tangipahoa Parish to this day.  Among the children of Jim Temple was a son named John Temple. John married Ida Butler, they both was residents of Tangipahoa Parish. His wife Ida taught school with schools were held in local churches. 

They were the parents of Herbert Temple, Sr. (1898-1959, Margaret Temple (1900-1964) John Temple (1902-?) Edna Temple (1908-1961), Fulton Temple (1908-1997). I am primarily interested in Herbert Temple,  Sr. and his Carey Britt family history. The couple lived in Cook County, Illinois, where they raised their family. They were the parents of Herbert Temple, Jr., Florence O. Temple, and Velma Temple. 

The Temple's genealogy is traceable back to Tangipahoa Parish for Herbert Temple, Jr. "Now, who was Herbert Temple, Jr., and why am I interested in his history?" I came across an article published in the Chicago Tribune on April 27, 2011, about Herbert.  Hebert was the executive director at Johnson Publishing Co., Herbert Temple was involved in some of the nation's most prominent African American publications, such as Ebony and Jet.

 Herbert Temple, Jr.
Photo Credit: Noael Alford/Ancestry

In his youth, Temple enjoyed drawing and reading comic books. Upon graduation from Evanson Town-

ship High School, he enlisted in the United States Army. When he returned home, he decided to pursue a career in the arts. Upon enrolling at the School of Arts in Chicago, he pursued a degree in art. In the 1950s, there were no employment opportunities for African Americans in the arts.  Many African Americans had to turn to other jobs and  professions to provide for their families. This lack of opportunity created a significant barrier to career advancement and wealth accumulation, making it more difficult for future generations to succeed. Art was Herbert's passion and he was determined to pursue it.  His dedication and work paid off and he soon made a name for himself as a professional artist. He inspired others and his legacy lives on. 

In 1953 he was hired by John H. Johnson, publisher of Ebony and Jet magazine. Temple. He was not only an artist. He also founded JanTemp Greetings, a card company specializing in black themes. He designed many album covers, and children's books illustrations and produced a series of drawings of Black leaders according to his daughter Janel Temple.

"My father's career as an artist presented him with the opportunity to meet many notable individuals and dignitaries. Among these notable individuals are President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lennon, Michael Jackson, and others," said Janel.

Herbert Temple's cousin Collis Temple, Jr., was the first African American to play varsity basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU). Many of Jim Temple's descendants have succeeded in their fields. There is a high standard of excellence in the Temple family, from educators to business owners.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to researching our local history. Tangipahoa Parish has produced many accomplished African Americans. Herbert had no interest in working in a slaughterhouse or seed mill. He had a vision for himself and what he wanted to become, and the foundation that his parents gave him supported that vision. His dedication and work paid off and he soon made a name for himself as a professional artist. He inspired others and his legacy lives on. 

The late Dr. Percy, L. Walker was legend in his community

Dr. Percy L. Walker
Photo Credit: Louisiana Weekly

Amite, LA- My memory of Dr. Percy L. Walker dates back to when I was a child. He was Tangipahoa Parish first black vegetarian. He came out to assist my Cousin Henry Wheat deliver a calf.  Dr. Walker legacy revealed so more more. My research revealed that he was a reporter for Louisiana Weekly Newspaper in New Orleans at early as the 1950s. Black people's achievements and events in Amite, Louisiana were the subject of Dr. Walker's writings.

There is a great deal of information about the local AME church events that he wrote about. I found this information to be extremely valuable since most church histories are sketchy unless the church secretary or members keep good records as well as church programs.

"Dr. Walker was also appointed  to serve as the chairman of the Red Cross for black people. Educating black people on the importance of emergency preparedness was also one of his major contributions. He held the first annual colored membership meeting at West High School on January 12, 1960. Dr. Walker stated that he consider it a privilege to serve in this capacity."

Through the many articles he wrote, I learned who were the community leaders at the time. Several garden clubs and civic organizations were active in improving the quality of life for black people. These organizations provided social services, such as education and healthcare, to those in need. His articles kept me up until the early hours of the morning reading it. I am interested in learning more about the work of black people in the local community. I am inspired to find out more about their experiences, the challenges they face, and their accomplishments. I want to use this information to motivate others to act, and to create a more equitable and equitable society in our Tangipahoa Parish communities. There is a blueprint for us to follow that was left by the community icons.  The majority of those  he wrote about have long since passed away. My objective is to continue to research and promote their works to empower our communities through their work. 

As a legend within his community, Dr. Percy L. Walker would be an excellent subject for a documentary or book. Dr. Walker was a prominent figure in the fight for civil rights in Tangipahoa, Louisiana, and his life story is unknown. He was a strong advocate for African Americans' education and a pioneer of the civil rights movement in the region. His legacy deserves to be remembered and honored. His article as reporter for the Louisiana Weekly has shed new light on the area's past. Tuskegee University is where he obtained his degree.

Source: " Named Chairman of Red Cross Membership Dr." The Louisiana Weekly (New Orleans, Louisiana) Saturday, January 2, 1960,  p 3.

Alberta Irving and Ralph "Kid" Irving owned a grocery store and gas station in the 1950s.

Kid and Alberta Irving Grocery Store and Gas Station
Roseland, LA
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Taking photographs of farm animals grazing in pastures or in picturesque meadows with colorful flowers and greenery on back roads in the early morning or midday is one of my favorite activities in the spring or summer. Photographs of those breathtaking landscapes would make excellent greeting cards and postcards. On a beautiful evening, I decided to take a back road in Roseland, Louisiana, instead of taking the interstate.  As I rode along a beautiful back road, I noticed a tiny wooden building with a single gas pump. I observed a gas pump that looked like it was from the early 1950s.

Since I did not have my camera with me, I used my phone to take the photograph. What is the history of the building?  My intention was to post the image on Facebook to see if anyone was familiar with the building's history. A couple of people who saw the picture started talking about the picture and sharing memories of the place. One of those people was a woman named Lorraine Deamer Lizana who shared her memories. "This is the store owned by my Aunt Alberta and Uncle Ralph "Kid" Irving on Washington Avenue," said Lorraine. 

"This store was built at least in the 50s because I remember it as a child. I lived down the gravel road about 1/8 mile fromthem. Uncle Kid drove the school bus. They were also farmers. Me and my cousin picked green beans and strawberries for them. Aunt Alberta would go to Amite to sell fruits and vegetables from the back of her pickup truck. She operated the grocery store in the picture selling dry goods, candy, dill pickles, pop, lunch meat, canned goods, Stage Planks, and other items. I remember my Mother Lena driving up to the gas pump and asking for a "dollar's worth" of gas for their old Ford Car."

Mayor Wanda McCoy of Roseland commented on the image. She confirmed that it was Aunt Alberta's and Uncle "Kid" Irving's grocery store. According to her, she had no idea it was still standing. I was intrigued to see that the post was shared thirty-three times, which generated fifty-six comments, as well as one hundred and sixty-five likes. The Irving family was entrepreneurs and owned lots of land. 

Others who shared memories were Adoncia Blevins Dyson. She said her grandmother Clara Irving walked them by the building and told them stories about the good old days. Russel Madre said he photographed that old gas station a few times. Matter of fact, someone said that a picture of the old store and gas station can be found hanging up at North Oak Hospital in Hammond, LA.

A tireless effort led by Dr. Antoinette Harrell to establish African American collections at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies

Left to right: Alex Richardson, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, 
Earl Richardson, Jr., Dr. Valarie Richardson
Photo Credit: Eddie Ponds

Dr. Antoinette Harrell's leadership and expertise has played a crucial role in establishing five African American Collections at the Center for Southeast University Studies. Her commitment to preserving and promoting African American history and culture has been invaluable to the institution. Currently, she is assisting the Vernon School Committee of Washington Parish in preserving the school's history before integration. The collection would include photographs of the school's alumni, faculty, staff, and school reunion booklets, letters, etc.

Under Dr. Harrell's guidance, the University has made significant strides in collecting and curating artifacts, documents, and artworks that highlight the rich contributions of African Americans made to Tangipahoa, St. Helena, East Feliciana, and Washington Parishes. These collections serve as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and perseverance of the African American community.

Through her leadership, Dr. Harrell has ensured that these collections are accessible to students, researchers, and the general public. She has implemented innovative strategies to digitize and catalog the materials for anyone to explore and learn from. This has not only expanded the reach of the collections but has also encouraged further research and scholarship in the field of African American studies in the four  Louisiana Florida Parishes.

Eddie Ponds and his daughter Sharon Ponds
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

In addition to her work in establishing the collections, Dr. Harrell has also been instrumental in organizing exhibitions, lectures, and events that celebrate African American history and culture. These initiatives have not only provided a platform for dialogue and education but have also fostered a sense of inclusivity and diversity on campus.

Dr. Harrell's leadership has not only transformed the University's African American Collections but has also had a broader impact on the academic community. Her dedication and passion for promoting African American history and culture have inspired other institutions and individuals to follow suit, ensuring that this important aspect of our collective heritage is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.

In conclusion, Dr. Antoinette Harrell's leadership in establishing the African American Collections at the University has been exemplary. Her tireless efforts to preserve, promote, and educate about African American history and culture have made a lasting impact on the institution and the wider academic community. Through her vision and dedication, Dr. Harrell has created a legacy that will continue to inspire and educate future generations. 

The link to the five collection can be found below.

Antoinette Harrell Collection

https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/h_k/harrell_collection.html

Richardson Funeral Home Collection

https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/r_s/richardson_funeral_home/

Bernice Alexander Bennett Collection

https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/a_b/bernice_alexander_bennett.html

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison Collection

https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/e_g/garrisonkingsleyb.html

Eddie and Carrie Wells Pond Collection

In process of being archived

Genetic testing is used by enslaved descendants on Richardson plantation to determine their family relationships

Carl Richardson Descendants

My maternal grandmother's surname name is Richardson. Throughout my childhood, I was acquainted with my grandmother's siblings. My mother frequently shared stories about her mother's relatives and their history. Josephine Richardson, along with her siblings, was born and raised in Montpelier, Louisiana, which is an unincorporated community located in St. Helena Parish. My research delved into the ancestry of my Richardson family, with a focus on my great-grandparents Thomas and Emma Vining Richardson. Through the United States Census, I uncovered valuable information about their lives. Specifically, I discovered that Thomas and his siblings resided in a household with their parents, Thomas and Amanda Breland Richardson.

As I was going through the inventory of the Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson Plantation, I found out that my ancestor Carrie and her son Thomas were among the twenty-three enslaved individuals listed. It got me thinking if any of the other enslaved people were related to Carrie. Could one of the women have been her mother, or perhaps her brother or sister? I know of another Richardson family in Tangipahoa Parish, and their ancestral origins are in St. Helena Parish. According to some, we may be related based on oral history, while others dispute this claim. The only sure way to settle this is to undergo a DNA test. Supt. Jimmy Richardson took the Ancestry DNA to get answers.

  Carl Richardson and Joseph Richardson
Descendants

Thomas, son of Carrie, is my maternal 3rd great-grandfather. It was discovered during the inventory
following Benjamin's death in 1855 that Carrie was only twenty years old at the time. The plantation inventory also listed a young man named Nathan, who was fifteen years old then. Nathan later fathered a son named Andrew Richardson. Supt. Jimmy Richardson descends from Nathan Richardson. Recently, my friend Lorraine Lizana informed me that her lineage connects to Thomas and Rebecca Richardson. Through Lorraine, I discovered that her ancestors Thomas and Rebecca are buried in the same cemetery as my 2nd great-grandparents Thomas and Amanda. All of them have been laid to rest in Rocky Hill A.M.E. Church Cemetery. Lorraine descends from Alfred Richardson lineage. Alfred was on the same plantation with Carrie, and Nathan.

Last year, we had individuals whose ancestors were Richardson from Tangipahoa Parish travel to Louisiana to establish a Richardson connection. Their ancestors Carl Richardson's ancestors descends from Louisiana. Their ancestors had to leave the south and they never returned to call Louisiana home again.  

Continuing with the genealogy investigation of Thomas Richardson's lineage, we have discovered another Thomas Richardson, Melbourne McNealty's father Joseph often shared stories about his Richardson relatives. After conducting additional genealogical research, it was discovered that Melbourne's ancestor Thomas arrived in New Orleans aboard a vessel called the State. He was sold to a plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana.  

I had a conversation with a young named Fagan Davis who shared with me that his family linage traces back to a Richardson family in St. Helena Parish. I asked him about the possibility of taking the Ancestry DNA test to establish and familial connection between us. He suggested that I test his mother who is the daughter of Willie Richardson instead of him. His mother agreed and took the test and now we are presently waiting for the results to come back. After receiving the DNA results, it is important to thoroughly compare and analyze them. To facilitate this process, I plan to schedule a Zoom meeting for everyone to share their DNA matches. This is especially necessary due to the historical separation of families caused by slavery, which often leads to roadblocks in our search for answers.

Earl Richardson, Sr., Dr. Antoinete Harrell, and Supt. Jimmy Richardson, Sr. 
Taking the Ancestry DNA test

The Drum Newspaper established a collection at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies

Eddie Ponds
Preparing to donate his 
newspaper collection
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

The Drum Newspaper has donated 235 papers to the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies through the Nurturing Our Roots and Untold History Foundation, LLC. Dedicated to Eddie and Carrie Well Ponds and their families, the collection is named after them. This is the fifth African American collection to be established under the direction of Dr. Antoinette Harrell, a local historian, and genealogist committed to African American history preservation in the Florida Parishes. 

These papers date back to 1992.  The Ponds family began publishing their own newspaper in 1986. Eddie and his wife Carol attended a lecture by Julian Bonds at Southeastern University. Eddie noticed that there were no news media covering the event. That was the day and event that helped the Ponds family establish The Drum Newspaper.The collection was well received by Keith Finley, assistant director of Southeastern Louisiana University's Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. Historically, there has been a piece of history missing from the collections. 

You can take pride in knowing that Dr. Harrell is changing the narrative and working tirelessly to ensure that the history of African Americans in Florida Parishes is included in these collections at the center. There were several Louisiana Florida Parishes covered in the paper. Sharon, his daughter, joined us and talked about how she photographed for the newspaper. The newspaper was a family business that she witnessed her parents working hard to maintain for decades. 

Dr. Harrell was happy to see that he finally took the step to preserve the events, history, and stories of the people who wrote about for decades. His paper will help to fill in the missing pieces of history for African American people in the Florida Parishes. Dr. Harrell was pleased to see he took the step to preserve the events, history, and stories of the people he had written about for decades. In the Florida Parishes, his paper will help to fill in the missing pieces of history related to African Americans. 

The legacy of black history is preserved by a local man

Walter Wren III
African American Funeral Collection

A local genealogist and historian, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, recently saw some of Walter Wren III,  extensive collections of African American funeral programs, church programs, and other historic items. He guards and protects the large container in which the collection is stored. Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes can greatly benefit from Wren's collection of African American materials. Harrell spent two hours browsing through the treasure box containing a piece of history. Each program in his collection was carefully examined by her during the evaluation process. 

Harrell received a copy of the duplicate from Wren for preservation at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies.  Nurturing Our Roots appreciates Wren's generosity in sharing his collection. Sadly, African American history would have been lost if not for Wren's and other contributions. Wren's willingness to share his collection with Nurturing Our Roots.

A funeral program for a woman born in 1886 caught the attention of Harrell's trained eye. In his collection, that individual was the oldest born. It was followed by a few in the early 1900s.  He worked at Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. in Amite for many years and some programs were from services he attended and others from his family and friends' funeral services.. 

Harrell received a copy of the duplicate from Wren for preservation at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies.  Nurturing Our Roots is grateful to Wren for sharing his collection with us. Unfortunately, without Wren's and other contributions, African American history would have been forgotten and lost to time. We are grateful for Wren's willingness to share his collection with Nurturing Our Roots and for Harrell's dedication to preserving it for future generations

There is a long history of African American contributions to Louisiana's Southeast Parishes that has been long forgotten and ignored. Wren  understands the importance of researching, preserving, and documenting these contributions.

Whose shoulders do you stand on?

Dr. Valarie Richardson and Earl S. Richardson 
 

We have all heard people say that we stand on strong shoulders. On whose shoulders do you stand? The book of Genesis is the first source of genealogy. Adam and Eve's descendants are recorded in the book of Genesis. Abraham's lineal male descent is enumerated in chapters 4, 5, and ll. Therefore, Adam's family tree was recorded. Genealogy wouldn't have been recorded if it wasn't of importance.

Throughout history, people all over the world have preserved their family history through oral and written traditions. Now let's look at why knowing your family history is so significant. The importance of genealogy can be attributed to so many factors. Knowing your family history gives you a sense of who you are. By doing so, you can gain a great deal of insight into yourself and your family.  Some want to know and to others it may not be important. Both Dr. Richardson and Earl were curious to learn more about their Wheat family. The history of their families is significant to both of them. As a result, they felt compelled to learn more about their family history to commemorate Black History Month.   

Their curiosity led Dr. Valarie Richardson and Earl Scott Richardson, Jr. to seek out information. My grandmother and their paternal grandfather Thomas Alexander Richardson were siblings. Our understanding of their family history is very clear on that front. Inquiring about their grandmother Melissa Wheat Richardson, their paternal grandmother, was important to them. 

Dr. Valarie Richardson, Earl S. Richardson, Sr. 
Dr. Antoinette Harrell, local historian 

Oral histories are passed down, but where do you begin searching for records as a beginner genealogist?  It was my request that they meet me at Tangipahoa Parish Clerk's Office in Amite, Louisiana. The first thing we did when they arrived was to look the marriage index books.  Some of their great uncles and aunts were recognized in the (W) for the Wheat family. This was the first time they conducted genealogy research in the Parish Clerk's office.  A staff member pulled the original marriage records after writing down some of the wedding date information. 

The grandparents of Earl and Dr. Richardson had ten children. Eight of the ten children are deceased, and each death is a piece of history that has just passed away. Their father Earl Lee Richardson, Sr., and his siblings often spoke about their great uncles and aunts on their grandmother's side of the family. Saul Wheat and Corrine Wheat were the parents of Melissa Wheat.  Saul Wheat was born in St. Helena, Louisiana in 1875 and died in Tangipahoa Parish in 1954.

Their eyes were filled with delight at seeing their ancestors' handwriting and for some, their (x) mark. This was a sign that the person was unable to write. They are the third generation of business owners their grandparents started.  Family history is incredibly vital to them. They value the shoulders on which they stand.  Often, Earl speaks of passing down the history to his children and grandchildren. "I want my children and grandchildren to know about their history," said Earl.  We are the older folk now he said.  It is one of the greatest gifts one can give to their children and grandchildren. Self-knowledge is a gift.