I know the most genealogical information on my mother’s paternal side. That side of the family has been having family reunions since the 1970s. Because of these reunions the family has been able to compile 10 generations of Hatchett descendants dating back to 1796. This information includes the name of the family that owned our... Continue Reading →
Reflection is Good for the Journey
I have made New Year’s Resolutions for as long as I can remember. But about five or six years ago, I started making New Year’s goals. I no longer made resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier or save money. Those were good resolutions, but I never stuck with them past February. I wanted these new... Continue Reading →
A Family Name is a Special Name
What is a name? Webster’s dictionary defines the word name as a noun, a word or set of words by which a person is known, addressed, or referred to. My father told me when I was in elementary school that he named me Trisha Mays and that is what people should call me. He also... Continue Reading →
Walking Back in Time…My Visit to the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum
I have learned through my genealogy journey that sometimes you have research a city, a county, or an organization to learn more about a relative. This is definitely the case with my maternal great-grandfather, Oscar Wright. He was born in 1864 in Mississippi. I haven’t been able to find any records of him expect for... Continue Reading →
My Family’s Connection with Newspapers
Researching newspapers was one of my first genealogy experiences even before I knew just how essential newspapers could be. All I knew at the time was that my grandparent’s obituaries were published in our local newspaper, the Newport Daily Independent. Growing up I remember we got a newspaper everyday both our local newspaper and... Continue Reading →
Making New Memories While Rediscovering Old Ones
I have read many books on genealogy, and they all say the same thing. Start with yourself and work your way backwards and talk to your family, mainly your oldest living relative. Well, I didn't do that. When I started this journey over seven years ago, I didn't tell anyone. I didn't talk to my... Continue Reading →
Including the Family Historian’s Story to My Research
When I started this journey, I never thought I would be still researching seven years later. And I never thought I would have found so much information about my family. My focus has been trying to find any and all information I can about my relatives and ancestors. I have spent many hours in libraries... Continue Reading →
What’s In My Genealogy Bag?
The first time I went to the library to research I remember all I took with me was a copy of my family tree and a pencil that was it, no money, no paper, and no plan. That’s a far cry from what I take with me now. It doesn’t matter if I’m going to... Continue Reading →
History Makers Aren’t Always Famous
I have always loved history particularly American history and Black history. I read Alex Haley’s Roots with my grandmother for the first time when I was 12. I read the Autobiography of Malcolm X when I was in junior high school. I started reading slave narratives in high school. I have always read books and... Continue Reading →
My First Visit to the Arkansas State Archives…And the Preparation Before My Visit
After about two years of researching only online and at my local library, I decided that it was time that go to the Arkansas State Archives and do some research. Each state has an archive located in the capital city. This is what I like to call a one stop research spot for a particular... Continue Reading →
My First Hometown Visit….As a Family Historian
The first time I went to my hometown of Newport, Arkansas with the specific purpose of doing some genealogy research was in the spring of 2010. Newport is where most of my memories had been made. My father and his brother still lived there, so I went to Newport all the time. But this was the first time... Continue Reading →
Some People Collect Stamps….I Collect Funeral Programs
I have been researching my family’s ancestry for almost 5 years now. I have spent long hours in front of my laptop searching on the internet. I have also spent many hours in libraries and archives researching through books, newspapers, and historical society’s newsletters. I have looked through census reports, land papers, and tax records. ... Continue Reading →
Journey Through the Generations 