Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veterans Day November 11, 2014

Remembering Veteran Family Tree Members


On the 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th month in 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations during the Great War known as World War I was established.  This day has transformed to an official holiday to honor all members of the United States Armed forces.  I would like to honor ancestors on my trees who were in the armed forces. My research has not allowed me to identify all the veterans past or present.  They however are not forgotten.  Grateful for their service. God bless them all.    Let’s support our living veterans

Ernest B. Strickland Sr.
Ollie Brumfield World War II
 Isom Brumfield Jr. World War II
Hollis Caston Jr.  World War II  
Jessie Caston   World War II
Wiley Caston World War II
James Bearden World War II
Edward Elam Sr. Viet Nam





Wiley Caston
James Edwards Sr.
Bertha B. Bearden
Bertha B. Bearden
Wallace Caston
Cicero Caston




Monday, November 3, 2014

Six Degrees of Separation Caston & Brumfield Family Part 7

Thomas Brumfield Family

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”   Helen Keller



I looked for Thomas Brumfield in the 1880 census but was unsuccessful.  I was able to communicate with a fellow family historian Cousin Roger who gave me a missing bit of information.  Thomas Brumfield is listed in the Mississippi, Pike County census as Tom Black. I probably never would have made that association. This experience demonstrates the importance of collaboration in   genealogy research. 


He is listed with his wife Celia and child Mary.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Learning Curve

Instruction in Genealogy

Judy G. Russell JD, CG, CGL
When I began to research my family history, my methodology was erratic and somewhat ineffective.  I basically used only family stories and the “trial and error method”. Nowadays with the Internet genealogy websites a great deal of information is available online. Some of the family tree information on the popular websites has information errors. The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is not used. My personal investigative results improved when I began reading genealogy research books attend conferences and joined the local and national genealogy societies.  I learned that I did not have to recreate the wheel.  I could learn the skills of the professional and experienced researcher.   
 
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Tennessee Genealogy Society fall seminar on October 18, 2014. The guest speaker was Judy G. Russell JD, CG, CGL.  
Judy is a lawyer, certified genealogist and certified genealogy lecturer.  She was a dynamic speaker discussing  1) making the first trip to the courthouse 
2) laws and statues which affect records 3) records of widows and orphans 4) DNA analysis in genealogy.


I am fired up and ready to go the courthouse! I might even do mitochondrial DNA analysis sometime soon.  
                                                                                                      The Tree Gardener

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Six Degrees of Separation: Caston & Brumfield Families Part 6

The Thomas Brumfield Family




In genealogy research, it is often difficult to discern family  members who have a common name and the same name as unrelated persons.  The name Thomas or Tom is a very common name.  To find Thomas Brumfield son of  Louis Brumfield and Liddie  Brumfield Caston,  I looked at geographic location, timeframe and relationships. The major relationship is Liddie who lived Pike County, Mississippi which can be verified by the Federal Census.

I have relied heavily on census records which is not always accurate for information.

In the 1870 Federal Census for Pike County, Mississippi, Calvin and Lydia Caston are listed with Thomas Caston age 17 years old.  In the 1870 census family relationships are not identified. This Thomas Caston is probably Thomas Brumfield with a birth year of 1853.


Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 2 Range 9 East, Pike, Mississippi; Roll: M593_745; Page: 128B; Image: 262; Family History Library Film: 552244.