I began tracing our family trees years ago, before computers and the internet made it easier. I had a portable Royal typewriter, then a regular Royal typewriter that I once used at a temporary job with Turner Brothers Lumber Company. Next, I borrowed an IBM Selectric, it was later given to me, and finally conked out; it was getting hard to find ribbons for it, anyway. I need a new computer now, (2nd one I've had), but I still miss my typewriter.
I've gotten family tree info from many primary sources: family Bibles, scrapbooks with obituaries, diaries, letters, and interviews with older relatives. I've visited courthouses, Virginia State Archives, and local cemeteries.
In the 1970's I was working on my husband's family tree--especially his great grandfather Turner. James Tyler Turner was born July 26, 1853. He died December 17, 1933, age 80. I visited his grave in a cemetery on the hill behind the site of Central Academy School in Patrick County. It was October, 1972--we visited several cemeteries and old home-places that day--my-laws, Cecil and Gladys Turner, and my four-year-old daughter, Aleta. We had a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. My father-in-law who was a Primitive Baptist minister for 50 years remarked, "This is as much fun as a barrel of monkeys!" James Tyler Turner (who was Cecil's grandfather) married Eleanor Martha Plasters. Her parents were Creed William Plasters and Ruhamey Griffith. James Tyler's parents were William "Billy" Green Turner (born February 3, 1830, died January 14, 1904, almost 74) and Mary Jane Vaughan (born ca. 1832, died September 13, 1904, age 72). James and Eleanor had five children: Rufus Filmore married Emma Lawson; Creed William married Annie Malinda Light; Maybelle, single; Rozanna "Rose" married S. J. "Boss" Williams; and "Hamey".
Creed William Turner, born August 29, 1884, had a farm a mile or so from his father's gravesite. "Creed Will" died April 4, 1965, age 81. Annie Light's parents were Andrew Jackson Light and Iowa Catherine Vipperman. Annie was born January 30, 1884, died February 9, 1952, age 68. Creed Will and Annie had nine children: Cecil Elbert married Gladys Elizabeth Conner, Grenville Conway married Dovie Adeline Morrison, Arnold Jackson married Susie Vaughn, Alice Gwendolyn married Carl Lawson, Agnes Vivian married George Lee Thomas, Verona Ethel married Davis Stowe, Wanda Catherine married 1st Paul Conway, 2nd Sam Handy, Rupert William married Irene Roberson, Norman Puer married Virginia Frances
Conway.
It was a good day for tracing the tree and seeing old home-places and cemeteries. I was so pleased that my father-in-law enjoyed it. He was always serious when talking about the Bible and preaching in church, but he had a fun side, too.
A few weeks ago, my sister Edith, and our double-first cousin Peggy, rode out tracing--trying to find where our grandmother Hollandsworth had lived in Patrick County. We think we found the spot, nothing to see anymore; but we went on the Iron Mine Trail in Fairy Stone State Park. We enjoyed our trip; stopped at a little restaurant on the way home, and began planning for more trips. We'll take water to drink, maybe a picnic lunch, and plenty bug spray!
