Find-a-Grave Virtual Cemeteries

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Roots Tech - 2024 Online

 


Don't forget - Rootsweb 2024 is LIVE! RootsTech begins Thursday, February 29, and goes through Saturday, March 2, 2024. 

Register and view events at https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/ There will certainly be something you will want to see/learn. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday choices begin at 10 am EST. and it's FREE !! 

Monday, February 19, 2024

A look back during the Texas Revolution

 


Special thanks to Traces of Texas for permission to post this interesting article on the Texas Revoluton

Being that we are now in the high holy days of the Texas Revolution, the Texas Quote of the Day is in regards to the infamous Runaway Scrape: "We had been several days without any news from the army, and did not know but that our men had been massacred [at the Alamo]. News was carried at that time by a man or boy going from one neighborhood to another. We had heard that the Convention had passed a declaration of independence, and elected David G. Burnet president, and Sam Houston commander-in-chief of the army. On the 12th of March came the news of the fall of the Alamo. 

A courier brought a dispatch from General Houston for the people to leave. Colonel Travis and the men under his command had been slaughtered, the Texas army was retreating, and President Burnet’s cabinet had gone to Harrisburg. Then began the horrors of the “Runaway Scrape.” We left home at sunset, hauling clothes, bedding and provisions on the sleigh with one yoke of oxen. Mother and I were walking, she with an infant in her arms. Brother drove the oxen, and my two little sisters rode in the sleigh. 

We were going ten miles to where we could be transferred to Mr. Bundick’s cart. Father was helping with the cattle, but he joined us after dark and brought a horse and saddle for brother. He sent him to help Mr. Stafford with the cattle. He was to go a different road with them and ford the San Jacinto. Mother and I then rode father’s horse. We met Mrs. M — . She was driving her oxen home. We had sent her word in the morning. She begged mother to go back and help her, but father said not. He told the lady to drive the oxen home, put them in the cow pen, turn out the cows and calves, and get her children ready, and he would send assistance. We went on to Mrs. Roark’s, and met five families ready to leave. Two of Mr. Shipman’s sons arrived that night. They were mere boys, and had come to help their parents. 

They didn’t go on home; father knew that Mr. Shipman’s family had gone that morning, so he sent them back for Mrs. M — ‘s. It was ten o’clock at night when we got to Mrs. Roark’s. We shifted our things into the cart of Mr. Bundick, who was waiting for us, and tried to rest till morning. Sister and I had been weeping all day about Colonel Travis. When we started from home we got the little books he had given us and would have taken them with us, but mother said it was best to leave them. Early the next morning we were on the move, mother with her four children in the cart, and Mr. Bundick and his wife and negro woman on horseback. He had been in bad health for some time and had just got home from visiting his mother, who lived in Louisiana. He brought with him two slaves, the woman already mentioned and a man who was driving the cart; and, as Mr. Bundick had no children, we were as comfortable as could have been expected. 

We had to leave the sleigh. Sister and I had grieved all the day before about Colonel Travis, and had a big cry when our brother left us. We were afraid Mrs. M — would be left at home. We had a fresh outburst of grief when the sleigh was abandoned, but had the satisfaction of seeing Mrs. M — and her children. Mr. Cotie would not go to the army. He hauled five families in the big blue wagon with his six yoke of oxen, besides negroes, provisions, bedding, and all the plunder the others could not carry." ----- Dilue Rose Harris 

“The Reminiscences of Mrs. Dilue Harris," in The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, January 1901. Shown here: Dilue Rose Harris, courtesy the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic site.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

The Family Album

 


The Family Album In May of 2007, I discovered the following Thought of the Day and shared it with my husband Larry Van Horn. I discovered it this afternoon; he had written in it in one of his genealogical journals. This amazing description of a family album is as relevant today as it was in 2007. I know Larry would want me to share it with all our blog readers, and genealogy groups. . I hope you enjoy it. Gayle Van Horn The Family Album Pull out that old family album and scan the faces. These people on these pages brought you to this point. Their lives are the cornerstones of your life. Their sacrifices are your mandate to continue building … invest in yourself … and in all that comes next. Just as they formed your foundation – your work lays a foundation for lives after you. Your family album is a picture of the tenacity and strength in your DNA. It is a study of perseverance. Secrets of survival that carry through your veins. To settle for less than you are capable of is to squander not just your life – but their lives – and your legacy to future generations. One generation’s position is the next generation's reposition. Picture that! (Thought of the Day by T.D. Jakes) 27 May 2007)

Friday, March 17, 2023

Honoring My Irish Heritage

 

Thank you on this special St. Patrick's Day, to my many Irish ancestors, who left their homes in Ireland to begin a new path in America. The Delay family, James, Robert, and John Mc Quiston. Col. William Gilbert - all who all fought valiantly in the American Revolution. Maurice Fitzgerald of County Wexford, as well as the families of Eakin, McMillian, O'Dear, O'Quinn, St. Legar, Funsten, Irving, Hood, de Audley, Carisle, Le Longespee, Bates, Coots and many more through the ages. Go raibh maith agat !

Need a few links to assist your Irish quest? Try the following:

Tracing Your Irish Ancestors. Fifth Edition 

The Family Tree Irish Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Ancestors in Ireland

Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians - Second Edition (Tracing Your Ancestors 

A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland, Second Edition 

Tracing Your Irish Roots by Kinealy

Monday, March 13, 2023

Identifying 'Aunt Somebody'

 


I've had this picture for several years, given to me by a dear late cousin. She called her Aunt Somebody - and like her, I still don't know who she is.

I am hoping someone will know who this lovely lady is. Does she look familiar to you? This Gibson Girl style was listed as from 1900-1910, so it narrows it down considerably. If you have a clue, please let me know. Thanks

When and Where did William Sidney Slay die ?

For some time, there has been a great deal of speculation about my second great-grandfather, William Sidney Slay. Some researchers say he died in 1881 "somewhere in Louisiana," while others are certain it was 1882. Just as confusing is his place of death and final resting place. All of us agree he was in Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana on the 1880 census, with his second wife Laura Ann Hargrove and their children by this marriage. Researchers have indicated he died in 1881 or 1882 in Pineville...but where did this date come from ? A family bible or 'passed-down' ? Unfortunately, no one has information on where he is buried. Logic would suggest he is buried in the Holloway Methodist-Slay Cemetery in Rapides Parish, or perhaps the Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in the same parish. Both cemeteries contain graves of some of his children from Laura. If we are to assume he died in 1881 or 1882 in Louisiana, there should be probate records and guardianship papers for his minor children, of which he had four of age fifteen and under at that time. No records have been found from requests for Court Orders, Guardianship Papers, Executor Bonds or Probate Case Files in Rapides or neighboring parishes. I would welcome any comments, direction or information, to the above email address in the masthead. Are you a descendent of William Sidney Slay ? Do you know when and where he died in Louisiana ? This is an ongoing project and has been for some time. I am actively working on a few leads I hope will answer questions for all of us. The first Family Group Sheet list his children with Honor Pelton Futch. Many mistakes have been circulated among researchers regarding the children from this marriage. The majority of websites and researchers, list one daughter as Caroline Cornelia ... when actually these are two names mixed up. Their actual names are: Carolina C. (married John Heidelberg Terrel) and Catherine Cornelia who married William Garrison Hennington. Another error are places of birth for these children. All were born in Choctaw County, Alabama, where the Slay's lived until 1854 when he purchased land in Jasper County, Mississippi. Family Group Record for William Sidney Slay Husband: William Sidney Slay Born: 17 Mar 1808 - Chesterfield County, South Carolina Died: Between 1881 and 1882 - Poss. Pineville Rapides Parish, Louisiana Buried: Father: Nathan (Sr.) Slay (1765-1843) Mother: Martha Ann Sumrall (1765-1825) Marriage: Abt 1831 Place: Poss. Alabama (or) Mississippi Other Spouse: Laura Ann Hargrove (1844-Between 1911/1920) Date: 1856 - Jasper County, Mississippi Wife: Honor Pelton Futch Born: 1814 - Bulloch County, Georgia Died: Between 1851 and 1855 - Poss. Choctaw County, Alabama Buried: Father: John Futch (Between 1788/1791- ) Mother: Children: 1 M John Linton Slay Born: 1 Apr 1833 - Sumter County, Alabama Died: 3 Jul 1902 - Clarke County, Mississippi Buried: Elim Baptist Church Cemetery, Quitman, Clarke County, Mississippi Spouse: Permelia Agnes Puckett (1839-1914) Marr. Date: 9 Aug 1854 - Choctaw, Alabama 2 F Martha E. (Mattie) Slay Born: 1834 - Sumter County, Alabama Died: 15 Apr 1915 Buried: Spouse: Joshua Sanford (Abt 1830- ) Marr. Date: Hinds County, Mississippi 3 F Caroline C. Slay Born: 1837 - Sumter County, Alabama Died: 1858 - Jasper County, Mississippi Buried: - Heildelburg, Jasper County, Mississippi Spouse: John Heildeberg Terral Marr. Date: 29 Dec 1853 - Mississippi 4 M Lawrence James Slay Born: 1839 - Sumter County, Alabama Died: Bef. 1900 - Jefferson County, Mississippi Buried: Spouse: Georgia (Georgeann) P. Farley (1846- ) Marr. Date: 27 Mar 1866 - Jefferson County, Mississippi 5 F Eleanor V. Slay Born: 1841 - Sumter County, Alabama Died: Buried: Spouse: R.D. Hendrix Marr. Date: 12 May 1856 - Lawrence County, Mississippi 6 F Catherine Cornelia (Kate) Slay Born: 18 Sep 1845 - Sumter County, Alabama Died: 18 Jan 1921 - Siloam Springs, Benton County, Arkansas Buried: 20 Jan 1921 - Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs, Benton County, Arkansas Spouse: William Garrison Hennington (1837-1919) Marr. Date: 10 Aug 1860 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi 7 M George W. Slay Born: 1848 - Choctaw, Sumter County, Alabama Died: 1920 - Poss. Hot Springs County, Arkansas Buried: Spouse: Barbesy Unknown (1853- ) Family Group Records of Children with Laura Ann Hargrove Wife: Laura Ann Hargrove AKA: Laura Hargrave Born: Jan 1844 - Jasper County, Mississippi Died: Between 1911 and 1920 - Poss. Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Buried: Father: William Hargrove Mother: Katherine (Kitty) Ross (1815- ) Other Spouse: John Y. Hathorn (1843-1923) Date: 16 Apr 1888 - Rapides Parish, Louisiana Children 1 M James Buchanan Slay Born: 24 Aug 1857 - Jasper County, Mississippi Died: 9 Feb 1927 - Rapides Parish, Louisiana Buried: - Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Cheneyville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Spouse: Mary Cornelia (Lena) Tanner (1872-1914) Marr. Date: Abt 1892 - Louisiana 2 F Althea May Slay Born: 1862 - Lawrence County, Mississippi Died: 1933 Buried: Spouse: Riley Eugene Barron (1856-1936) Marr. Date: 27 Jul 1886 - Rapides Parish, Louisiana 3 M Richmond (Dick) Oliver Slay Born: 9 Oct 1865 - Lawrence County, Mississippi Died: 17 Apr 1933 - Holloway, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Buried: - Holloway Methodist-Slay Cemetery, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Spouse: Lillie Ann (Sis) Emma Barron (1869-1943) Marr. Date: 11 Nov 1890 - Jonesville, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana 4 M William M. Slay Born: 1867 - Lawrence County, Mississippi Spouse: R.E. Hannah Marr. Date: 28 Dec 1891 - Sabine Parish, Louisiana 5 M Benjamin Hilborn (Bennie) Slay Born: 1870 - Lawrence County, Mississippi 6 F Frances Alice Slay Born: 6 Feb 1874 - Rapides Parish, Louisiana Spouse: Nathaniel Madison Hathorn (1873- ) Marr. Date: 2 Feb 1897 - Rapides Parish, Louisiana