Sunday, February 20, 2011

Genealogy Records

Because the passing down of history through oral narration is not occurring as much anymore, genealogy records serve an even bigger importance in today’s society. Genealogy records provide insight into family history that people of this generation could not obtain otherwise.
My maternal grandparents Bryant Cameron was born (1895) in Franklin County Mississippi and Carrie Bell Cameron born (1900) in Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi.
I located my grandfather Bryant Cameron’s Draft Registration Card, dated June 5, 1917. He was 22 years old. My grandfather seemed to be very aware of who he was, he listed his race as African on the registration. The record also reflected he was employed with the Central Lumber Co. as a laborer. He later became a barber and owned his own shop.
Bryant Cameron's Draft Registration dated June 05, 1917
In the 1920 census my grandparents Bryant and Carrie Cameron are residing in Amite county Mississippi along with first child Enoch Cameron born in 1919. The census record also show that my grandmother Carrie could not read or write and my grandfather Bryant was able to read and write.
My mother the oral Historian, told the story of my grandfather Bryant father Alec working as a sharecropper on the property of Dr. D.P. Butler and as a child Bryant worked for the Butlers and was taught to read by one of Dr. Butler childrens. I located Dr. Butler and his wife Willena and children in the 1900 census living next door to the Cameron family.
I was very sadden that my grandmother never learned to read and write, the situation for African American were dire and some were not given the opportunity to learn to read and write. However, she  was a outstanding seamstress.
By the 1930 census they have moved to Franklin Parish, Winnsboro, Louisiana, this is where they raised all eight of their children and where they lived their remaining years.
Carrie Bell Cameron (Mama Cameron) born 1900 died 1991

Genealogy records provide a public service by allowing us to remain connected with our past and continue to learn about our ancestors.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Black History Month


Black history month commemorates the significant events and achievements of the African-American population of the United States. This tradition marked its beginning officially from 1976. It is celebrated in the month of February in the United States of America. It celebrates all the historic events from 1865, wherein the thirteenth amendment of the American constitution abolished slavery in the US.
A Tribute To Military Ancestors 

George Washington Thomas
George "Washington" Thomas born in 1837 and died in 1912 in Brookhaven  Mississippi.. George was my great-great-great-grandfather. He served in the 56th Regiment Infantry of the United States Colored Troops Infantry.
George Thomas was the father of Butler Thomas my great-great grandfather and the grandfather of my grandmother Sallie Mae Thomas Coleman.

Julius “Jack” Cameron”
Born 09/18/1922 Died 03/30/2010
My uncle Julius “Jack”Cameron enlisted in the United States Army and was honorable discharged in 1945. He received the following medals: World War II Medal, (1941-1945) Medal of Good Conduct, Japan's Army of Occupation Medal, Heroic Meritorious Achievement Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (1941-1945).
Uncle Julius is buried at Rest Haven Cemetery in Winnsboro Louisiana.
Edward L Coleman
Born 06/13/1951 Died 12/21/2001
My brother Edward L Coleman served in the US Amry as A PV2 from 1976 and was honorable discharge in 1977. He is buried at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.

Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship."
-- Frederick Douglass