W.C. Frazier and Lizzie Coleman Marriage License

W. C. Frazier and Lizzie Coleman Marriage License. June 24, 1939.  They were married in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. 

Witnesses: 

Joseph Baker, Caretha Coleman, Mrs. Deola Mable. 

Traveling Down Memory Lane Through Pictures

Her 6th Grade  Class at O.W. Dillion
Photo Credit: Ian Brown

The journey of family research has allowed me to meet other families throughout the Louisiana Florida Parishes.  Whether it is oral history or a collection of photographs everyone had something they are proud to hold on too. I couldn't wait to visit with Mrs. Grace Sanders Walker to see her collections of family photographs. Years ago she donated the first African-American community album book to the Amite Genealogy Library. 

Mrs. Walker understands the importance of holding on to the family photographs and heirlooms. She comes from the Vernon Clan of Tangipahoa Parish.  When she started pulling out all her pictures and naming the people in the photographs. "I said to myself what a piece of history we would lose if we if it wasn't for people like her!"

I was walking back down memory lane with her. Each time I look at photographs with individuals who are willing to share the image and the story with me. I feel like I'm traveling back with them and learning something about the person in the image.

Mrs. Grace S. Walker and Glyniss Vernon Gordon
Photo Credit: Ian Brown

Old photographs are treasures that many people hold on too tightly. Pictures that make them smile and often time they reflected upon a loved one who has passed on. Learning how to label the photographs are important. Everyone has photographs in their collection and may not know some of the people in the photograph. 

Her pictures are in great condition and you can tell that she handles them with gentle care. Our family photograph tells stories about our family and ancestors. There is an old saying that says...a picture is worth a thousand words. In earlier times taking a picture was a big deal. Everyone put on their Sunday's best and pose for the pictures. Most of the time everybody looked so serious. The women dressed up in the fancy dress and some wore hats. The men put on their finest suit and shine their shoes to get their pictures taken.  I can't forget the children how nicely dressed they were.  

Sitting on her dresser was pictures of her parents and other family members. She made several trips to bring out more pictures. One of the pictures she brought out for display was of Robert "Free Bob" Vernon. She is a descendant of Robert. The Vernon family had deep roots in the Florida Parishes. Nurturing Our Roots really appreciate everyone who has preserved their family photograph.

What Are You Doing to Preserve Your Family Papers and Photographs?

Antoinette Harrell preserving original papers.
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

Any person who has experienced a natural disaster or other catastrophic situations where they lose their home suddenly will tell you how painful it is to lose family photographs, albums, documents and family papers. In most cases, those losses can never be replaced.  "What if there were one picture  of  your great grandparents and a flood took place at your relative's house and the one picture was lost?" 

Just recently hundreds of thousands of people were affected by the recent rising flood waters in nineteen parishes.  Lots of family photographs were floating in water that became molded. Mold can be very dangerous and a hazard to your health.  You may want to consult with a conservator to have your picture restored if possible. 

I found that simply sharing copies of the family rare photographs with other relatives is one way of making sure that there are additional copies if something should happen to the original.  I use blog and Facebook page is another great way I share my images.  Digitizing your family photographs and papers are another way to preserve the images. But keep in mind that there a risk should something happen with the device you're using to preserve the collection digitally. To learn more about how to preserve the priceless family keepsakes,  please click on the link below. 

Most people have an iCloud account where they can keep copies of their photographs, documents, family papers and video clipping. Most importantly, your files are accessible from your iPhone, IPads and other Android devices. I also use an external portable hard drive to store my files as well. In the event of a catastrophic event or natural disaster, I can just pick up my external portable hard drive and leave to say the least. Nevertheless packing the originals of my collection is vital as well. 

Ernest Lewis and Catherine Harrell Wedding.

The National Archives site on how to preserve family papers and photographs very helpful. Most of the time we become reactive rather than pro-active. If you live in a flood zone, please consider your family keepsake collection when you prepare to evacuate.

It never to early to start working to organize your family priceless photographs and papers before a natural disasters. When a natural disaster occur,  most people can't think about saving those items. 

Please click on the link below to learn more:

https://www.archives.gov/preservation/family-archives/

Mt. Canaan Elementary School Was the First School for African American Students in Arcola, Louisiana

Robert"Free Bob" Vernon donated the land for the first school for African American children in Arcola, Louisiana.,  The school closed it doors in the mid 60s according to Tony Stone. Free Bob didn't know how to read or write but he made sure that the African American children in the community had a school to attend.  He was born a slave and he purchased his own freedom. He also purchased 2300 acres of land. Giving each one of his children who married one hundred acres to help them get started. There is a community called "Vernon Town" in Arcola, Louisiana.

Photo Credit
Luther Tolliver

Singer Topsy Chapman of Kentwood, Louisiana

Topsy Chapman

Topsy grew up not far from New Orleans in Kentwood. She was surrounded by music, her parents believed in the cultural of music. Her father Norwood was a music teacher and her mother Roxie believed that the combination of chores, study and music was necessary for proper child development.  She is an admired singer around the world. She is joined by her two daughters, Yolanda "Peb" Windsay and Jolynda "Kike" Phillips.

In 2002, Chapman was nominated for Best Female Jazz Vocalist in the prestigious Best of New Orleans Awards given by Gambit magazine. She is one of sixteen children born to Norwood and Roxie. Norwood was first married to Myrtis.

She had toured all of Europe, Asia, and Australia and travelled the Americas performing gospel, traditional and Dixieland Jazz. Topsy's film credits include: No Cross, No Crown (2009); Tradition Is a Temple: The Modern Masters of New Orleans (2013): and 12 Years a Slave (2013). Her father Norwood was born April 4, 1898 to Henry and Laura Chapman in Liberty, Mississippi. Henry and Laura were the parents of William, Mamie, Lewis and Norwood Chapman. Henry was born in 1871 in Amite, Mississippi.

Henry parents were Joseph and Laura Chapman. They were the parents of Harris, Amelia, Celia, William, Henry, Susan, Jacob, John, Maria, Frank and Baby Chapman. According to 1880 U.S. Census Laura Chapman was born around 1835 in Maryland. The family was listed as mulatto. In 1870 the family was living in Ward 8, East Feliciana, Louisiana.


http://www.topsychapman.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDolZL7QBPM

She Remembered Like It Was Yesterday

Several weeks ago genealogist and television talk show Antoinette Harrell met with Mrs. Brumfield was a graduate of O.W. Dillon High School. She came with her kept 1950-1951 yearbook wrapped so neatly in a bag and ready to display it. 

"No matter when and where you see Mrs. Brumfield, she is neatly dress and her hair so neatly groomed!" She is just one of the women in her mid 80s who look so well and still has a very good memory in Kentwood.

She is such a graceful lady in every way. Soft spoken and she never raise her voice to speak above her soft tone. After looking her yearbook for 1950-1951, Harrell saw a beautiful young lady was the assistant editor for the school's yearbook. Several of Harrell's own family members photographs were in the yearbook. Her cousins Walter Richardson, Sr., and  Willie K. Gordon, Jr. , and her uncle Ernest Boykins.

One of the stories she shared with Harrell was her prom night story. She told her that she had purchased a new yellow dress and was all ready to go to the prom and Mr. Dillon wouldn't allow her class to attend because they put photograph of him in the yearbook.

She spoke about how firm Mr. Dillon was; and wasn't afraid to use his paddle to get the students in line. She recalled the morning lectures about life he would give to them before they were allowed to go to class each morning. Although she didn't integrate Kentwood High School, after graduating from college with a degree in education, she integrated Spring Creek School.

The Home Going Celebration for Mae Louise Miller

Mae Louise Miller
1943-2014

Mae Louise Miller was born August 24, 1943 to the late Cain Walls, Sr., and Lela Mae Holden Walls. She was married to Wallace Miller for twenty plus years. She accepted Christ early in her life and attended Orange Grove C.O.G.I.C., then she later joined Deliverance Temple C.O.G.I.C., She truly the Lord.

She was an inspiration to all she met and known for her big smile and caring spirit. Her most precious gift was her motherly love for all children. She also had an open door attitude for all who came to her home.

She traveled to several states on behalf of the Civil Rights Movement speaking and meeting notable people: Martin Luther King, III, Susan Taylor-editor of Essence magazine, the late Dr. Ron Walters, Dr. Ron Daniels, the late Min. Harold Muhammad, Dr. Leonard Dunston, and former Councilman Oliver Thomas.

She appeared in People's magazine (2007), Nightline News, and About Time magazine. She spoke on the Travis Smiley Radio Talk Show, Bev Smith Radio Talk Show, and FM 98 Radio Talk Show, Warren Ballentine Radio Show, and Nurturing Our Roots Television Talk Show with host and producer Antoinette Harrell.

She leaves to cherish her memories; 4 children-Terrine (Christopher) Steele, Burkhalter, Joe (Angela) Hill, Tausha' Steele; all of Kentwood, LA-Kerry (Tamika) Steele of Raleigh, NC; 5 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren, 2 sisters; Annie Miller and Idell Walls of Kentwood, LA; 2 brother; Arthur( Willie Mae) Walls of Varnado, LA and CW Walls of Kentwood, LA; a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved and help raise as her own children, other relatives and friends and a special cousin, Minnie Dillon.

She was preceded in death by her parents Cain Walls, Sr., and Lela Mae Walls, a sister; Ernestine Hills, and a brother Cain Walls, Jr.

The Late Leon McKnight, Sr.

Leon McKnight, Sr. was born in Tangipahoa, Louisiana. May 14, 1894, the son of John and Eliza McKnight. He came to Amite in 1928. He remained until his demise. He was a faithful member of Butler Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

The Angel of Death visited Bro. McKnight on Sunday, December 27, 1970, he was 76 years, 7 months and 13 days olds.

He leaves to mourn his passing, three daughters; Mrs. Viola Robertson of Hammond, Louisiana, Mrs. Edna Muse of Bogalusa, Louisiana, and Mrs. Katherine Burton of Kentwood, Louisiana; two sons; Wallace and Leon, Jr., Amite, Louisiana; four sisters, two brothers, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. Interment: Butler Cemetery.

Source:

The Collection of the Late Coltidle Aaron Zanders and the Late Deloris Levy.

Submitted to Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa &  St. Helena Parishes Blog and Nurturing Our Roots Educational Television Talk  Show by Rev. Raymond Foster, Sr.

In Loving Memories of Delores B. McCormick

Delores Bush McCormick, 31 of 5114 Brooklyn was born June 3, 1943 in Independence, Louisiana. She passed away March 30, 1975. She was united in marriage to Mr. Samuel McCormick on June 1, 1969.

She was employed by the Kansas City Public School District, where she worked at Pasco High School since 1969 as a Vocational Business Teacher.

She was a member of Leonard Chapel A.M.E. Church in Amite, Louisiana. She later joined the Bethel A.M.E. Church on February 22, 1970, where she was a member of the Voices of Bethel Choir. She was member of Celestial Chapter No. 102, Order of Eastern Star, where she held a the post of Past Secretary;

She is survived by her husband, Mr. Samuel McCormick: her mother, Mrs. Vallera Bush; six brothers, Mrs. Charlie Bush, Jr., Mrs. Ray Bush., Mr. Hollis Bush, Sr., Mr. Harold Bush, Mr. George Bush, and the Mr. Amos Bush; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Source:

The Collection of the Late Coltidle Aaron Zanders and the Late Deloris Levy.

Submitted to Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa &  St. Helena Parishes Blog and Nurturing Our Roots Educational Television Talk  Show by Rev. Raymond Foster, Sr.

The Theodore and Gladys Chapman Dunn Family Reunion

Theodore and Gladys Chapman Dunn

This years Dunn family reunion was organized by Paulette Gilmore Sims, the daughter of the late Charlie Gilmore and Ruby Lee Dunn Gilmore. Paulette and her committee organized a one day event that displayed family photographs, the Dunn History, a slideshow presentation and family fun. This years theme was " We Are Our Brother's Keeper".  The reunion was held as Jellystone Park in Robert, Louisiana. 

Theodore Dunn was born in 1906 in Amite County, Mississippi to Hezekiah and Gertrude Atkins Jackson Dunn. According to the oral history of his oldest son Leon Dunn, Sr.,  his father Theodore moved his family to Kentwood, Louisiana in the 1940s. 

Theodore was killed in a truck accident in 1957 in Easlyville, Louisiana. He was a farmer and logger by occupation. He worked hard to save money to purchase the land that is still in the Dunn family today.  To their union of Theodore and Gladys Dunn, eight children was born; Leon Dunn, Sr., Willie Mae Dunn Williams, Gertrude Dunn Perry,  Gena Mae Dunn Chapman, Will Henry Dunn, Charlie Dunn, Theodore Dunn, and Ruby Lee Dunn Gilmore.  Three of their offsprings has passed away: Gertrude Dunn Perry, Charlie Dunn, and Gena Mae Dunn Chapman.

Leon Dunn, Ruby Lee Dunn Gilmore, Theodore Dunn

Hezekiah Dunn and Gertrude was the parents of Bernice Dunn Hampton, Elouise Dunn Collins, Everlee Dunn Clark, Leon Dunn, Theodore Dunn and Otis Dunn.  Gertrude has children by her first husband. The children ware Rufus Jackson and Laura Jackson Banks according to the Dunn Family tree that was complied in 2009. Hezekiah was known by family members as Hizzie.  Leon said that his father Theodore passed down a lot of oral history to him about the Dunn family. He also said his father Theodore told him that that Hezekiah was of Indian descent. 

Hezekiah is the son of Andrew Dunn, no one knew the name of Hezekiah's mother. I checked U. S. census to see if I could locate her. Andrew was listed as a widower. Hezekiah's brother and sisters were listed as Maggie, Malinda, Mary, and Madison. 

Well over a hundred descendants of Theodore and Gladys attend this years family reunion. Lot of home cooked food, homemade ice cream and prizes was given out.  Everyone was so happy to see each other and to meet new family members. Two of Theodore's brother and sister offsprings also was present.

Elouise Dunn Collis and Odis Dunn offsprings express their desire to learn more about their family history. There were discussions of organizing an upcoming event of all eight branches of Hezekiah and Gertrude Dunn.

Looking at the younger generation work to make this years family reunion a success was beautiful.  Some of the family was reflecting on the days when the family reunions was held in grandma Gladys front yard under the two oak trees in Kentwood, La.

Now the younger generation are stepping up to the task and organizing the family reunions to keep the family together. It was so good to see family respecting and sharing love with each other.

Photo Credits
Walter C. Blacks, Sr.

Leo Collins, Sr. and Edwina Collins of Amite, Louisiana

Mr. Leo and Mrs. Edwina Collins

Source:

The Collection of the Late Coltidle Aaron Zanders and the Late Deloris Levy.

Submitted to Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa &  St. Helena Parishes Blog and Nurturing Our Roots Educational Television Talk  Show by Rev. Raymond Foster, Sr.

The Benton Family of Amite, Louisiana

Steve & Rosa Benton

Andre, Pamela, & Gary

Source:

The Collection of the Late Coltidle Aaron Zanders and the Late Deloris Levy.

Submitted to Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa &  St. Helena Parishes Blog and Nurturing Our Roots Educational Television Talk  Show by Rev. Raymond Foster, Sr.

Elder Frank Harrell, Sr." Daughter Keeping His Legacy Alive"

Terri Harrell Jackson and her grandson

Elder Frank Harrell, Sr., was a man who really love serving the All Mighty Heavenly Father. He and his lovely wife aunt Sadie are the proud parents of seven beautiful girls and one son to carry his name on. As a child I spent a week or two in the summer with my first cousins in New Orleans. One week with my aunt Catherine  and family and a week with uncle Frank and his family. I enjoyed spending time with all of my cousins. 

Spending time with my uncle Frank and aunt Sadie left me with fond memories of the good old days. Uncle Frank taught me so many value lessons that I apply to my life too this very day. In my home I only had brothers to play with, so being in a house full of girls was so exciting to me. I really enjoyed being around Terri, their third daughter,  because she laughed a lot just like me. She was kind of a daddy's girl I would say. "Wherever her daddy went she wanted to be there in his footsteps."

Terri is a person who really cares about family and she practice living the lessons her father taught her. She is not only beautiful on the outside, but she is also beautiful on the inside. Just recently she and her husband became the proud grandparents of a handsome grandson. I don't have to say anymore,  they are spoiling him with love.

It's the way she carry herself that makes me proud of her.  She is admired by so many people who know her.  She works hard to stand on the foundation that her father taught her in his teaching. Her dad and our grandparents would be very proud of her. Just recently she shared some family photographs of our grandmother's brother Alex Richardson and his family. She posted pictures of our grandmother's sister Rosabell Richardson Moore as well. Some of those photographs that she posted uncle Alex and aunt Rosa grandchildren and children had never seen before.

Terri lights up a room with her radiance of beauty and smile. Her love for her three children, grandson, mother, sister, brother, nieces and nephews is never-ending. 

Slaves on the Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson Plantation in St. Helena Parish

Hardy Richardson, Administrator of the will

Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson, 1852      

File R-4

Sept. 18, 1852. Inventory, Present were: Augustus W. Hart, James McCoy,  Robert W. Roberts, Alexander Courtney, Mrs. Celia Richardson, Stephen Richardson and major heirs Matthew, Stephen, and Francis E. Richardson. 640 acres on which the deceased last resided, bounded north by A. Courtney, east by bound Courtney, south by Davidson, west by Dennis including mills and gin--$4000; 23 slaves--$17,040; mill; horses; cattles; barouche--$100; 8 beds; etc. Total $24,178.

My great great grandfather Thomas Richardson, Jr., and his mother Carrie was part of this inventory. They appraised for $1100.00 dollars in 1853.  My maternal grandmother Josephine Richardson was the grand daughter of Thomas Richardson, Sr., and the great-granddaughter of Carrie. Often times, "I find my mind drifting off on this period in the lives of my ancestors, but yet moving on to educate others in the family about our history in St. Helena Parish."

Thomas Richardson, Sr.
Rocky Hill Cemetery, St. Helena Parish

I knew all of my grandmother's sisters and brothers born to Thomas Richardson, Jr. and Emma Vining Richardson. I only wish that I spent more time talking with them about our history. My maternal  great uncle Alexander Richardson share some of our history with his son Emmitt N. Richardson, Sr.,  My grandmother and her siblings were the grandchildren of slaves. They were the griots that had the family history--when they passed away so did part of our history.

The first time I walked inside the St. Helena Parish Clerk Office vault to conduct genealogy research, I couldn't stop looking at the the vaults. I knew that one of the vaults held information about my ancestors.  It was a day of joy and sadness at the same time. Happy and sad tears was streaming down my face as if someone turned on a water faucet. Here I am decades later looking for information on my family. Who owned them? What plantation did they work and live on? Where did they purchase them from? Who are the missing people in the family that we haven't  found. Most importantly, am I the only one who really cares? After locating their graves in Rocky Hill Church Cemetery and finding headstones on both Thomas Richardson, Sr., and his wife Amanda Breland Richardson, Thomas grave that clearly confirmed that Thomas Richardson, Sr., was born in slavery. I owe it to them to tell their story. It may not be important to anyone else, "it is important to me." I know that my ancestors would be rejoicing to know that I am telling their story to anyone who will listen.

From Right to Left
Alexander Richardson, Alma Richardson Gordon,
Josephine Richardson Harrell and Rosabell Richardson Moore