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.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Esaw Daniels of Amite, Louisiana (1908-1961)
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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
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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
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Bernard Temple First Youth in Louisiana to Take the African Ancestry DNA Test
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| Bernard mailing his African Ancestry Test Photo Credit:Antoinette Harrell |
Bernard was the first youth in Louisiana who took an African Ancestry DNA test to determine his African heritage. He grew up traveling with his mother Antoinette Harrell, who is a well known genealogist and historian. The two of them would often visit libraries, museums, and historical sites together. Oftentimes traveling to different states to research their family history. There was no alternative for Bernard but to learn about his paternal and maternal family history.
Bernard's mother wanted to make Bernard's experience one that he would never forget. She decided to take him to the Atlantic Ocean. As they stood on the on the shores of the beautiful ocean in Virginia, looking beyond what the eyes could see.
Their imaginations travelled together to explore the homeland, history, culture, and the arts, of their ancestors. Their conversation focused on African travels and history. Their thoughts roamed deeply into the lives of their ancestors who endure voyages that sailed with human cargo for the shores of West Africa. His mother wanted him to be able to identify with his African heritage. "I'm giving my son one of the best gift parents can give a child, knowledge of self said his mother." The gifts of gifts that will last for generations, " said his mother confidently.
Monday, November 15, 2021
Patsy Z. Johnson African American Funeral Program Collection Soon Will Be Digitized at EBPL Genealogy and Special Collections
Last month Johnson was reading a news article about the preservation of African American funeral programs in the Louisiana Florida Parishes. According to the article, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, a genealogist and local historian formed a partnership with Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite, to preserved the the historical records.
Last year Dr. Harrell and Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite, established a collection at the Center for Louisiana Southeast Studies Department in Hammond, Louisiana.
Johnson contacted Harrell to talk with her about her collection. Harrell invited Johnson to her home office to look at the collection and to advise Johnson what to do to preserve the collection. After hearing what Harrell had to say, Johnson was committed to preserving tis collection for future generations in her family and family historian, genealogist and researchers.
Funeral programs serve as a memorial for the dearly departed. In the programs, information about the deceased can be found. Such as their date of birth and the death date, the names of their parents and siblings, children, and other family members. If a woman was married, there is a strong possibility that you will find her maiden name in the program, Genealogist and historian find treasures in these programs and they value such documents.
Following the completion of Dr. Harrell's database for the Patsy Zander Johnson funeral program collection, she confirmed that it contains one hundred and sixty programs. Harrell's database comprised of the following: surname, given name, year of birth, date of birth, place of burial and location of burial.
A number of the programs are from the funerals of the deceased who resided in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington Louisiana Florida Parishes. A few of the programs were from Tylertown, Progress, and Osyks, Mississippi. Some of Tyltertown, Mississippi is a part of this collection. The collection consist of a large number of Brumfield's and Briggs families.
Dr. Harrell the curators for Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite Funeral Programs, is promoting community awareness of the importance of preserving these rich historical collections. Among the noted burial grounds are: Union Chapel AME Church Cemetery, Kentwood, Louisiana. Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Hermon, Louisiana, Shady Grove Cemetery, Progress, Mississippi, Crystal Springs Cemetery, Rocky Hill, Tylertown, Mississippi, Butler AME Cemetery, Amite, Louisiana, Big Zion Cemetery, Roseland, Louisiana, and Rocky Hill Cemetery in St. Helena Parish.
The collection has been organized and compiled and is ready to be submitted to the East Baton Rouge Public Library Genealogy and Special Collections for digitization. All funeral programs are accessible to the public on the EBPL Genealogy and Special Collections website.
Links
The Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies
East Baton Rouge Public Library
https://ebrpl.libguides.com/c.php?g=44597&p=284123
Sunday, November 14, 2021
Deputy Ed Toefield Jr, and Deputy R.A. Kent Memorial Highways
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| Photos Courtesy: Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Facebook Page |
On November 12, 2021, a large crowd of Tangipahoa Parish Elected officials and family and friends of Deputies Ed Toefield, Jr., and Richard A. Kent III was honored as portions of Highway 51 in Amite and Highway 38 in Kentwood was dedicated in their memories. Former Sheriff Ed Layrisson gave a beautiful insight on the lives of Deputy Toefield and Deputy Kent. Members of both of their families spoke. Parish President Robbie Miller and Sheriff Daniel Edward spoke at this memorial event.
The Life of Edward Dyson of Tangipahoa, Louisiana
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| Edward Dyson |
Edward Dyson was born to Eloise Bringgs and Climmie Dyson on March 19, 1943 he was born and raised in Sunny Hill, LA and was a life-long resident of the Village of Tangipahoa. He married Sarah Myers and to that union reared three ambitious daughters and one devoted son. He was the first African American Chief of Police in Tangipahoa Parish and served with justice and truth for 20 years and honor. Ed serviced the Tangipahoa Parish School as a bus driver for the last 12 years of his employment. He was a member of the John T. Hilton Masonic Lodge # 44. He was baptized by Rev. Haywood Andrews and reverenced the Lord in his everyday walk in life and in some of this most infamous words. "Even and animal on the street is due a hello." He was preceded in death by his father Climmie Dyson.
His memories will be cherished by his mother, Eloise Dyson and his beloved wife, Sarah. Three daughters and a son. Margaret(Steven) of Kentwood, LA; Carla, Rhonda (Gregory), Michael Dyson (Vanessa) of Tangipahoa, LA. Nine grandchildren> Steven, LaToia, Brandon, Kevin, Jasmine, Michael, Alexis, Malik, and Adrien. Three Brothers, Woodrow (Merle). Nathan (Mary) of Indianapolis, Indiana; Joseph, and one sister, Betty both of Tangipahoa. Louisiana. Nine brothers-in-law, Teal Jr., Dallas (Nola), Eddie (Jacqueline), Alfred (Mildred). Willie Ray, Walter, Marvin, Archie, and Aaron Myers all of Tangipahoa, Louisiana; four sisters-in-laws, Lena Mae and Doretha of Tangipahoa, Louisiana, Mary of Hammond, Louisiana and Gloria of New Orleans. Special family friends, Richard Banks, Amber Allen, Mary Theresa Lewis, Abbey Gallien, Makitta Darbonne, Geil Jacobs and a host of family, friends, nieces, and nephews.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Handy Burton of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Handy died on May 6, 1984 in Kenner, Louisiana. His services were held at Community Chapel Methodist Church in Fluker, Louisiana. He was married to Carrie Boykin Burton. . His parents were Green and Elcy Taylor Holden. Handy and Carrie were the parents of: Lula Mae, Charles, Helen, Margaret Alice, Charles W, Eural, Lorena, Lela, Henry Lee, and Douglas. They had a total of 15 children. All are not listed here.
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| Handy Burton Military Draft Card Courtesy of Ancestry |
Corrine Burton Holloway (1905-1995)
Corrine Burton
Courtesy of blackwaltersr
Ancestry
Corrine was the daughter of Tom and Martha Thomas Burton. Her birthplace was Liverpool, Louisiana. She married John Holloway. According to the 1940 United States Census they ware the parents of: Oscar, Pearlie, Lizzie, Harriet Holloway. I found on the 1930 United States census she also had a daughter named Emma. In 1930, she and her family was living in McComb, Mississippi. She died in 1995 an was buried in Venable Chapel Cemetery in Liverpool, Louisiana, Her funeral services were held at Oak Grove AME Church in Kentwood, LA.
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Thomas Tucker of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
Tucker-Entered into rest on Saturday, June 23, 1962 at 10:00 o'clock a.m. at Clinton, Infirmary, Clinton, Louisiana, Dr. Thomas Tucker, beloved husband of Mrs. Ida Wright; father of Charlie Tucker and Mrs. Pearl T. Cook of Greensburg, La., Mrs. Marie Tanner, Rev. Robert H. Tucker, Joseph, Woodrow and Mrs. Rebecca Chaney of New Orleans, Mrs. Flora Frazier of Tuckegee, Alabama, Mrs. Shirley Hardesty of Baton Rouge, and the late Bernie J. Tucker; foster father of Mrs. Juanita A. Brealy; son of the late Thomas Tucker Sr., and Mrs. Flora Coleman; father-in-law of Mrs. Elsie Tucker and Sidney Cook of Greensburg, Edward Frazier, Tuskegee, Alabama, Francis Tanner, Mrs. Ruth Tucker, Mrs. R. H. Tucker, Mrs. Rosalee Tucker, John A. Chaney of New Orleans, and Robert Hardesty of Baton Rouge; also survived by 37 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren, and on great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Relatives and friends of the family, bishops, general officers, presiding elders, pastorsa and laymen of the African Methodist Episcopal Churchh, Pitkins' Chapel church, Turner's Chapel A.M .E. church and all others churches of the Greensburg area, St. Peter A.M.E. church and Union Bethel Church of New Orleans, and Usher Board No. 2, Washington Chyapel, Tuskegee, Alabama, Bethel No. 212, Eagle Chapter No. 113, Order of Eastern St
ar, Prince Hall Affiliates, Greensburg, Dorcas Chapter No. 53 Heroine of Jericho Radiant Court No. 12, New Orleans, Louisiana, Educational Association, Faculty of North Scotlandville Elementary school, East Baton Roughe Principals Association, St. Helena Parish Education Association; principal and facutly of Morgan Elementary, Louisiana State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, Ladies Auxilary of C.C.S.D.& E.M.B. Association, officers and employees of Purple Shield Insurance Co., Eureka Consistory No. &. Employees of Carver's Service Station, and Fraziers, Motor Sales and Services, and employees of V-8 Cab Co., are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Tuesday, June 26, 1962, at 2:00 o'clock p.m. Turner's Chapel A.M.E. church, Greensburg, La. with the Re. Rev, David H. Rims presiding prelate of the Eighth Episcopal District Officiating.
Wake services on Monday night, June 25, at the above named church. Interment in Pitkin's Chapel Cemetery.
Capital Funeral Home in charge, Baton Rouge.
Emmett Burton the Son of Nathaniel and Nora Lee Burton
Emmett was born in St, Helena Parish, Louisiana on January 1, 1897. After he left home, he made Colfax, Louisiana his home. He was married to Sarah Jones. According the 1940 United States Census, he was living in Grant Parish, Louisiana. He was a servant by occupation. Emmett and Sarah were the parents of: Elnora, James, Jennie, and Eliza Burton. Emmett died on October 24, 1966.
He served as PVT in the Army, Unit: Co. A, 350th Labor Battalion. He enlisted on August 22, 1918, and discharged on May 21, 1919. He is buried in Iserlite Cemetery in Boyce, Louisiana.
Frank Burton the Son of Gabe and Nora Lea Burton
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| Frank Burton Military Draft Card Courtesy of Ancestry |
Frank was born in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana in 1892. He left St. Helena and made New Orleans, Louisiana his home. He lived at 3309 Louisa St in New Orleans. He listed Paul Jennet as the person who would always know his address. Frank was employed by the WPA in New Orleans. Frank signed his name. In May of 1940 he married a woman named Rita Thompson. Frank died on January 18, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Elzie Burton the Son of Nathaniel and Julia Wilson Burton
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| Elzie Burton World War II Draft Card Courtesy of Ancestry |
Elize was born on May 5, 1922 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. He left St. Helena and made New Orleans, Louisiana his home, He was living at 3710 Thalia Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. He list Irene Burton as the person who always knew his address. He was employed by R.P. Farnsworth in Harrahan, Louisiana. He was 20 years old when he signed or wrote his named on the U.S., World War II Draft Card.
Elize died on February 20, 2012, he is buried at Venable Chapel Cemetery. The U.S. Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current only listed one child and that child was Ernest Lee Burton.
Nathaniel Burton of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
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| Nathaniel Burton Military Draft Card Courtesy of Ancestry |
Nathaniel lived in Liverpool, Louisiana. Liverpool is a community in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. He was born in 1903 in St. Helena and was a sharecropper by occupation. He couldn't write, therefore he made his (x). He listed his wife Julia Wilson Burton and the person who will always know his address. He died on January 15, 1972 in Greensburg, Louisiana and is buried at Venable Chapel Cemetery. His children were: Francis, Elzie, Celmar, Willie, Johnnie Burton, Lula, T.L, and James. His wife Julia died in November of 1984.
Absalom Burton and Edna Montgomery
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| Marriage License for Absalom and Edna Source: Ancestry/Jane Holiday |
Absalom Apps Burton was born around 1817 in Louisiana. He and Edna was the parents of 16 children; Green, Harriett, Alps Absalom, Hester, Martha, Gabriel, Moses, Jane, Polly, Violet, John, Minney, Agnes, Julia, Jackson, and Corriene Burton. Absalom also had one son with Dotia Wicker named Louis Burton. Louis Burton in 1842 St. Helena Parish, Louisiana.
Louis was married to Malinda Burton. They were the parents of 9 children: James, Dotia, Martha, Celia, Mary, Ellis, Louis, Edna, and John Burton. Louis and Malinda is my direct line. Their daughter Martha married Jacoh "Jake" Boykin. Martha and Jake are my father grandparents.
My paternal 2nd great grandmother Martha was born around 1868 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Martha died at the age of seventy-eight. in 1946 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Clarisa "Clara" Richardson of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
Clara Richardson
Courtesy of Wheeler411 (Ancestry)
Clara was born on April 7, 1884 to Andrew and Sarah Jane Foster Richardson in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. She died on June 15, 1987 in Baton Rouge, LA. She was one of nine children born the the union of Andrew and Sarah. Her siblings were; Gertrude, Clara, John Wesley, Margaret, Leonard, Alonzo, Monroe, Minard, and Lawerence Richardson. Clara was married to Johnson Foster, they had four daughters. Clara lived past a 100 years old.
Kelly Brock Brumfield of Washington Parish, Louisiana
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| Kelly Brock Brumfield Source: Patsy Johnson |
Kelly was born to Laborn and Elizabeth Brock in 1900. The Brock family was living in Washington Parish, Louisiana. In the 1920 United States Federal Census Cally was living in the house with her parents and her niece Adrine Brumfield. Her siblings were; Corene, Lula, Sylvia, Minnie, Julia, and Rachel Brock. Kelly is the grandmother of Patsy Johnson.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Louisiana Florida Parishes African American Collections and Preservation
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| Amite Genealogy Library Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr. |
The first time I began conducting genealogy research more than 25 years ago. In my research, I did not find much on the history of African Americans in the Louisiana Florida Parishes. I asked myself, "What are you willing do to do change it?" After carefully considering my options, I decided to pursue the task I wanted to accomplished. I specifically wrote down my plan of action and started implementing it. The Amite Genealogy Library in Amite, Louisiana was my first stop. As part of my strategic plan, my next steps were to organize folders on different families that have lived in the parish since 1870. Secondly, I contacted several key people who have live in the Florida Parishes all their lives. I informed them as to what I was doing and how much I needed their assistance to accomplish my goals. Some people started pulling out boxes of photographs and other documents. From Ponchatoula to Kentwood, I've seen and learned so much just from visiting peoples homes and looking at their private collections.
Several years later, I began blogging about the people and local history of the Florida Parishes. Currently the blog post has close to 400,000 readers globally. Periodically, I produced several short films about the some of the people and the local history. A number of highlighted articles have been published in the local newspapers, including the Daily Star, Tangi Digest, and the St. Helena Echo. My third objective was to establish African American collection at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. Four African American Collection have been established; Bernice Bennett Collection, Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison, Antoinette Harrell, and Richardson Funeral Home, Inc, Amite.
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| The Daily Star Newspaper. |
Additionally, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library Special Collections was added as a repository for the African American funeral programs. The programs will be scanned and made available on their library's websites for researchers. The Amistad Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana received an extensive collection as well. The book entitled " Images of America" African Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes was published approximately three years ago and now the book sit on the bookshelves in libraries, museums, and the Louisiana State Archives. One of the other major accomplishments were documenting nine African American cemeteries in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. My youngest son Bernard and my colleague Ilona Little helped me to document the cemeteries and made them available on the USGenWeb site for genealogy research for anyone researching their family history in the Florida. Parishes. There are others that needs to be recorded. Most of the churches do not have a record of who is buried in the cemetery. I would like to talk with the leaders and secretaries of the churches and ask them about keeping records of the deceased buried in their cemetery.
It has truly been a rewarding journey and I'm looking forward to the next chapter of this journey. In the near future, I would like to have interns who can train under me so that I can prepare myself to pass the torch to the next generation who are interested. Hopefully next summer, I will get interns and volunteers to help me to continue documenting the history of the Florida Parishes. In some cases I need to create databases of some of the finding.
The Florida Parishes had gained exposure as a result of my guest appearance on internet radio and zoom broadcasts about the history and people. Numerous of filmmakers, writers, magazine publishers and. other media outlets regarding my research. In the coming years, I intend to collect oral history from the elders in the community. As I ponder on the subjects, that will determine how I will find the people I want to interview.
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| Peonage Research Documentary Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr. |
Source:
The USGenweb Archives Part of the The USGenWeb Project (Tangipahoa Parish Index)
http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/tangipahoa/cemeterya.htm
Dr. Antoinette Harrell Collection
Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite Collection
Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison Collection
Bernice Alexander Bennett Collection
The Amistad Research Center
http://amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu/archon/index.php?p=accessions/accession&id=1248
The History of B. Stern Co., LTD
B. Stern Truck Driver
Photo Courtesy of Hancock Whitney Bank
Amite, Louisiana.
B. Stern located in Amite, Louisiana was incorporated in 1861. Levi Stern was one of the several Jewish families in Amite, Louisiana. Levi Stern was born in a small Gerrman Village in 1828. He was a young boy when he came to America with his family. He enlisted and fought in the Confederacy for his new homeland. After the war ended, he settled in Amite, Louisiana and opened a store. He opened the largest department store in Amite in 1870. He named the store "B Stern" Levi passed away in 1888 and was buried in Amite, La.
People from Amite and surrounding areas frequently shopped at the department store. People occasionally window shop, perusing all the goods displayed in the store windows. During the Christmas holiday, toys were displayed in the window that captivated the children's attention. My mother often talked about shopping at B.Stern. During the the 1950s and the 1960s, African Americans would dress up on a Saturday and head into town for shopping, a movie, and ice cream cones.
One the weekend, going into town was a great way to unwind after working hard all week. This was a easy to see their friends who didn't live in close proximity. Many of the younger people spent the long summer days working in the fields, picking beans and other produce. In the 1970s a hamper of beans went up to a $1.50 a hamper. So with that being said, it was far less in the 60s. They worked and saved their money. They enjoyed spending their hard earned money on items they wanted or needed. Nevertheless, some people still window shop because they had other obligations for their money.
Source
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