Most people know a Smith or two. Given the name's familiarity, most make no presumption of relationship when two people have the same last name of Smith as they might with say, Kyzer. The 2010, US Census reports Smith being the most common name in the US with almost 2.5 millions Americans identifying with the …
George and Ernie’s Excellent Adventure
Imagine setting off for 7 weeks, traveling 8600 miles through 11 states with no smart phone or gps enabled vehicle and nary a convenience store in sight. Ernie Schaller, my husband's maternal Uncle, and George Faber, both teetering on either side of 20, made this epic journey in 1934. They set off in an automobile …
A plethora of Williams
Too many Williams, and Marthas for that matter. My Halifax County, North Carolina, Carter line is full of them. The purpose of this post is really for my own sanity. Perhaps a relative will stumble upon it and fill in a blank or two. Read along to enjoy and understand why family historians and genealogists …
The Murder of Pattie Bird
On a Monday in September of 1857, Pattie Bird set out on her normal route from her home in Halifax County to the town of Weldon, North Carolina. She lived just a couple miles from town with her 17 year old son, Willis. Pattie shopped at Parker's store in Weldon that day. She purchased nine …
Save the written word…
Proof that preserving the written word is important…… Family cousin’s letters sent to my Mom tell a story possibly not recorded anywhere else. Before reading these letters, I never thought to question that my Great Grandmother Melvina and her Father, David H. Smith were buried anywhere other than in the Pinehurst City Cemetery in Pinehurst, …
The Letters
Anyone who has had a conversation with me in the past couple years most likely knows about the letters. The letters my sister and I found in my mom's attic. The letters my sister so graciously let me possess. The letters my grandparents wrote to each other almost daily just shy of 100 years ago. …
