Poll is Closed!

Results:
California - 8
Louisiana - 6
New Jersey - 3
Another Place(Cruise) - 2

So, the poll is closed. California has won. I hope that everyone will be happy with the outcome. I got the feeling from listening to some family members that the cruise was also a very popular idea even though it only received 2 votes. With this in mind and the fact that California won maybe we can start looking at the possibility of a reunion next year in Cali or a reunion next year on a cruise out of a Cali port. This is just me talking and I don't know how everyone will feel, but would love to have feedback.

So Here are some questions to consider:
1) Will everyone be willing to start now preparing for a reunion next year in Cali?
2) Should we have the reunion in northern or southern Cali?
3) Would a majority be interested in going on a cruise out of a Cali port next year or should that be done at another time?
4) What should the next poll question be? (I'd like to put it up by Sunday)

If you have other ideas, please pass them along. One good idea that came out of this is that we should rotate places to gather after next year. Thanks -Rikki

Nick's First 16!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

New Ideas For Bell Gram

Send me your ideas of things we can do to upgrade and enhance the BG. I asked Nick and he submitted this:
1) Send in songs that you think are cool and would like to share
2) Send in videos that you think are cool and would like to share.

3) Send new pics of: Margaret, Anika, Isaiah, Hank, Saenea, Phillip, Curtisha, Roderick, Kayla, Angel and Toya. Thanks

August Birthdays!

2nd----Margaret

5th ----Anika

9th --- Isaiah

13th ---Hank

14th---Seanea

16th---Phillip, Curtisha

17th -- Roderick

18th---Kayla

22nd --Rikki

31st---Angel, Toya

1930 United States Federal Census (Frank and Irene Meadows Brooks)

Name: Frank Brooks
Home in 1930:
Police Jury Ward 1, Claiborne, Louisiana
Age: 51
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1879
Birthplace: Louisiana
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Irene
Race: Negro (Black)
Household Members:
Name Age
Frank Brooks 51 (Las' grandfather)
Irene Brooks 46 (Las' grandmother)
Tom Brooks 14
Aggie L Brooks 12
Archie Brooks 9
Annie M Brooks 8
Leitha Brooks 7
Melvina Brooks 5

Rikki, (Earl, Billie, Vata, Otis), Aunt Lou

Quote

"Live your life so that you would not be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip" - Wil Rogers

Send me your quotes.

Newseum (Front Page News From 72 Countries)

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/

1920 United States Federal Census About Frank and Irene Brooks

Name: Frank Brooke[Frank Brooks]
Home in 1920: Haynesville, Claiborne, Louisiana
Age: 42 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878[abt 1873]
Birthplace: Louisiana
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Irene
Father's Birth Place: Virginia
Mother's Birth Place: Louisiana
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black[Colored (Black)]
Sex: Male
Home owned: Rent
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes

Household Members:
Name Age
Frank Brooke 42 (Las' grandfather)
Irene Brooke 37 (Las' grandmother)
Willie Carrol 14
Jenny Carrol 12
*Frank Carrol 8
*Bethany Carrol 6 (Las' mother)
*Hom Carrol 5
*Yole Carrol 2
*Pliney Dee Carrol 3/12

*Last name on these should have been Brooks. This was a Census Taker's mistate. Willie and Jenny were indeed Carrols. He was Irene's first husband.

Quote

"You can't stay mad at someone who makes you laugh" - Jay Leno

Quote

"The big secret in life is there is no secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work." - Oprah Winfrey

Family Reunion: Thoughts and Ideas

Now if we were to have the reunion in California we have two choices (southern and northern).
Cali Pros:
1)In northern we have lots and lots of relatives to see and visit while here.
2)We have a family church.
3)We've had reunions here before so coordinating might be easy.
4)After local houses fill up we have nice hotels nearby (Note: local homeowners will decide how full is full :-))
5)Close to Napa, San Francisco, Sacramento and all they offer
6)In southern: close to Disneyland and Hollywood
Cali Cons:
1)Some people would have to travel from east and or south

If the reunion is in Louisiana
LA Pros:
1)well that's where our roots are.
2)Lots of relatives to see and visit while there
3)We have a home church.
4)We've had reunions there before so coordinating might be easy.
5)one word "food" :-)
6)Seeing sites that bring warm memories
7)Visiting the graves of Mama, Daddy and other loved ones
8)Seeing the old house seat*
LA Cons:
1) Some people would have to travel from east and west
2)We would have to find, agree and decide on where to gather
3)We would have to find, agree and decide on where to stay.
4)Seeing the old house seat* :-)
If the reunion is in New Jersey
NJ Pros:
1)It's about time :-)
2)Some relatives to see and visit while there
3)For some it would be like going home
4)Seeing sites that bring warm memories
5)Local help to plan event
6)one word "bagels) :-)
7)close to Atlantic City and New York City
NJ Cons:
1) Some will have to travel from west and south

If the reunion is held on a cruise
Pros:
1)Most expenses inclusive
2)Quality time spent with each other with less distractions
3)New experience for some
Cons:
1)Location decision
2)Costs

Thanks Ursula and Glen for help with this post. Everyone, please put your comments below. Thanks

Old Pics(Vata,Jean,Wallace,Tony,Mattie,James), (Roni,Sharon,Rikki,Ursula,Belinda), (Mattie,Vata,Robert-Joe- Bell,Jr.,Billie)

Happy Birthday, Kimberly!

Happy Birthday, Tommie (TT)

Happy Birthday, Kamasi!

In this picture, Kamasi was receiving his certificate for student of the month. It is given to the student who does well academically, is a role model for citizenship and being on time and at school every day. Each teacher chooses one student in their class and then the whole student body gets together and choose one who outshines them all. He has won one each year he has been there.

In Memory of Ji.nnie B. H.ay

http://memorialfuneralhomes.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=177&Itemid=26#JOSC_TOP

Happy Birthday, Lasker, Jr.! (old pic Jr & Rik)

Happy Birthday, Candace!

Old Pics (Joyce, Sharon, Las, out front is Karissa & Toya) & (Rikki, Billie, Dad, Glen & Wallace)

Family Reunion Polls and Ideas

The poll asking what year we should have a family reunion closed with following results:

2010 9 votes

2011 2 votes

2012 1 vote

See next poll. Since 2010 won the next polls will not last as long as the first one. Please vote and send your thoughts and ideas.

1930 United States Federal Census about Maggie George

Name: Maggie George
Home in 1930
Police Jury Ward 1, Claiborne, Louisiana
Age: 23
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1907 (correct year is 1883)
Birthplace: Louisiana
Relation to Head of House: Head
Race: Negro (Black)
Parents' birthplace: Louisiana
Household Members:
Name Age
Maggie George 23 widow (Mama Shinet's mother, Mama's grandmother - She raised Mama. Of course her age is in error. She was born in about 1883 so she would have been 47 yo.

Roosevelt George 17 son (Mama Shinet called him Rose)
Elnora George 15 daughter
Woodrow W George 11 son (He was called Wilson and he was a Levingston)
Clotelia Levingston 6 daughter
Pearlina Hays 10 granddaughter (Mama :-)

Info in red taken from original census document.
Info in green added by Jean and me.

Louisiana Statewide Death Index, 1900-1949 about Allen George

Name: Allen George
Death Date: 16 Feb 1916
Estimated Birth Year: 1880
Age: 36 years

Parish: Claiborne
Certificate Number: 1593
Volume: 4
Title: Louisiana Statewide Death Indeces 1900-1929

Old Pictures (Urs&friends) (Urs) (Wallace)

1910 United States Federal Census, Home of Allen George and Maggie Williams George

Name: Allen George
Age in 1910: 30
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1880
Birthplace: Louisiana
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Louisiana
Mother's Birth Place: Louisiana
Spouse's Name: Maggie
Home in 1910: Police Jury Ward 7, Claiborne, Louisiana
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Household Members:
Name Age

Allen George 30 born abt 1880 in Louisiana, parents born in Louisiana (Mama Shinet's Daddy, Mama's grandfather)
Maggie George 27 born abt 1883 in Louisiana, parents born in Georgia* (Mama Shinet's Mother, Mama's grandmother) - She raised mama.
Shernet George 9 Shinet - born abt 1901 (Mama's Mama) - She raised me.
Edward George 6
Lore A George 4 Lou Amos - Lou Ree's mother, Twilla, Delma's grandmother
Roosevelt George 1 5/12

Items in purple added by me
Items in green taken from original document by me. *I don't believe Maggie's parents were born in Georgia because on the census for Jerry and Lucinda Williams 1900 it shows them being born in Louisiana. However, I will keep an open mind during my continued research.

Good Bye and God Bless!

(A tribute to Charlie Chaplin taken from the stage version of "Smile")Words Written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.Music Composed by Charles Chaplin.Produced by David Foster and Michael Jackson.
Smile, though your heart is achingSmile, even though it's breakingWhen there are clouds in the skyYou'll get by...If you smileWith your fear and sorrowSmile and maybe tomorrowYou'll find that life is still worthwhile if you'll just...Light up your face with gladnessHide every trace of sadnessAlthough a tear may be ever so nearThat's the time you must keep on tryingSmile, what's the use of cryingYou'll find that life is still worthwhileIf you'll just...Smile, though your heart is aching Smile, even though it's breakingWhen there are clouds in the skyYou'll get by...If you smileThrough your fear and sorrowSmile and maybe tomorrowYou'll find that life is still worthwhileIf you'll just Smile...That's the time you must keep on tryingSmile, what's the use of cryingYou'll find that life is still worthwhile If you'll just Smile

Old Pics (Vata Mae, Jean), (Uncle George, Tony, Daddy, Aunt Vata), (Mattie), (Reggie, Urs, Rodney, Roni, Danny)

1900 United States Federal Census about Allen George

Name: Allen George
Home in 1900: Police Jury Ward 8, Claiborne, Louisiana
Age: 20
Birth Date: Aug 1879
Birthplace: Louisiana
Race: Black
Ethnicity: American
Gender: Male
Relationship to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: Louisiana
Mother's Birthplace: Louisiana
Marital Status: Single
Residence: Ward 8 (North Half), Claiborne, Louisiana
Household Members:
Name Age
Allen George 20 born Aug 1879 in Louisiana, mother and father were born in Louisiana(Mama Shinet's father, Mama's grandfather)
Fillis Johnson 64 born July 1835, widow, born in Alabama, mother and father born in Georgia(Allen George's grandmother, Mama Shinet's great grandmother, Mama's great great grandmother)

Information in brown taken from original census document.
Information in green added by me.

1900 United States Federal Census (Jerry & Lucinda Williams)

Name: Jerry Williams (Mama Shinet's grandfather, Mama's great grandfather) He was born in Louisiana. His parents were born in Georgia.
Home in 1900: Police Jury Ward 8, Claiborne, Louisiana
Age: 38
Birth Date: May 1862
Birthplace: Louisiana
Race: Black
Ethnicity: American
Gender: Male
Relationship to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: Georgia
Mother's Birthplace: Georgia
Spouse's Name: Lucinda
Marriage Year: 1882
Marital Status: Married
Years Married: 18
Residence : Ward 8 (North Half), Claiborne, Louisiana
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Jerry Williams 38
Lucinda Williams 40 (Mama Shinet's grandmother, Mama's great grandmother)mother of 11 children, 8 alive. She was born in Louisiana in 1860. Her parents were born in Arkansas.
Mollie Williams 17
Maggie Williams 16 (Mama Shinet's mother, Mama's grandmother, She raised Mama)
Maude Williams 14 (Aunt Theo and Aunt Tessie Lee's mother)
Pinkey Williams 13 (Also called Aunt Sweet)
Joaner Williams 11
Vester Williams 6 (called Shank)
Willie Williams 5

Items in blue from original document
Items in red added by me and Jean

Happy 4th of July!

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.(military.com)

Michael

Favorites I couldn't get for the playlist.Michael Jackson - Heartbreak Hotel Live

Old Pics (Aunt Clotee) (Vata & Uncle Tom)