52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: (Week 3) - Favorite Photo

Week 3 of the 2024 series, "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks," is dedicated to "Favorite Photo." Sifting through my large photo collection, each snapshot resonates with its unique charm. The vintages from the 1800s to early 1900s breathe life into ancestral names, while the more recent captures cherished moments with kin (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) or my own childhood.

This week's spotlight falls on a captivating photo from the 1940s, nestled within my great-grandmother, Nina Ada BALDRIDGE Dennis', album. The identity of the elegant lady pictured remains a mystery to our family. However, a strong intuition suggests her connection with Mama Dennis' youngest son. Regrettably, the writing on the back is partly obscured, leaving her story just out of reach.

I uploaded the photo to Steve Little’s Chatbot, Genealogy Eyes, and in the prompt asked it to describe the suit this woman was wearing circa 1940s. The description included the following: She was wearing a classic suit that was a staple of women's fashion around the era of the early 1940s. The jacket’s sharp, structured shoulders were popular due to the influence of military uniforms and popular during World Ward II. The blouse she wore (with a ruffled or lace collar) was another fashion element during the 1940s. The fullness of her hair, styled in soft curls, complements the overall look and reflects the hairstyles popularized by Hollywood actresses of the era. The accessories, while not overly prominent in the photo, were likely minimal, as the war years called for some austerity in fashion.

The writing on the back of the photo is not clear. It’s smudged in placed, and parts missing because of partially being glued down in the old photo album.

The following is from Genealogy Eyes analysis:

- The top line is still quite obscured, likely by a smudge or a blot of    ink. However, the word "affection" is partially visible, suggesting the message may be one of fondness or endearment.

- The phrase "Nouvel An" stands out more clearly now, confirming the New Year's connection.

- The date "1-1-1941" is unmistakable, serving as a temporal anchor for the message.

The rest, while still a tad cryptic, seems to include a name that could be followed by a signature or perhaps another short message. The handwriting style and the content suggest a personal note, typical of greetings exchanged during festive seasons like New Year's.

Ferrania's presence here as a watermark or a logo reaffirms the Italian origin of the photographic paper, which was indeed a popular medium of the era.

Can you read the back parts of the photo that are legible? Is it French? Let me know in the comment box. 

Did I say I love photos? 😊 I’ll be watching the blog posts of those that are participating in 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.

I hope you enjoy the photo of this beautiful woman - whoever she is! 

 This content was crafted for Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge, focusing on the theme "Favorite Photo" this week.

-Revis

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: (Week 2) Origins - Mistake(s) in Tree(s)

Attention fellow genealogy enthusiasts! There's been a mix-up in my family tree line that needs addressing. It's about Hannah JONES Stuart from Neshoba County, Mississippi and a certain Hannah Mariah DELBRIDGE.

Here's the deal: No marriage record has been found for Hannah Jones and William Davis Stuart in Alabama or Mississippi, but she is NOT the same person as Hannah Mariah Delbridge who married another William Stuart in Clark County, Missouri on 10 Mar 1850. This confusion has been floating around for at least three years, and it's high time we set the record straight.

The root of the mix-up? Well, it seems someone mistakenly linked these two Hannahs years ago, and the error has been replicating in our trees like wildfire. But let's not rely solely on others' trees. Our research should be deeper, digging into actual records to distinguish one Hannah from another.

On 3 May 1857, Mrs. Hannah M. Stewart marries Lewis Logan in Clark County, Missouri.

Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002, Mrs. Hannah M. Stewart, Ancestry.com

There are family trees at Ancestry that list the above Hannah's maiden name as HOUGHAM born 21 Jul 1817 in Highland County, Ohio, and died 16 Aug 1876 in Heyworth, McLean County, Illinois. Note: I have not proven this information so it should be researched further. There is a marriage record for Hannah Houghman to Joseph Delbridge on 1 Jan 1835 in McLean County, Illinois. Source: Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920, Ancestry.com.

Let's now focus on Neshoba County, Mississippi records for the other Hannah Stuart who married William Davis Stuart/Stewart. Below is a clip from the 1860 U.S. Federal Census for Neshoba County. W.D. Stewart and Hannah are listed on it with their children.

1860 U.S. Federal Census, Neshoba County, Mississippi, Township 12, Range 11, W.D. Stewart, Ancestry.com

One Hannah is in Clark County, Missouri. The other Hannah is in Neshoba County, Mississippi. There are other records that also support the lives of these "Hannah's" in different locations. These two women have been merged into one woman in many trees at Ancestry.

A confession – I'm not immune to errors myself, even after almost 30 years of genealogy research. But hey, we strive for accuracy, right? So, let's join forces, double-check those records, and ensure our family history is as precise as possible. Happy hunting!

This content was crafted for Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge, focusing on the theme "Origins" this week.

- Revis

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: (Week 1) Family Lore - Unraveling Family Myth of the Stuart Families of Mississippi and Texas

Welcome to 2024 and another engaging round of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge, initiated by Amy Johnson Crow. This year, we kick off with a theme close to many of our hearts: family lore. Let me share a personal anecdote that turns a family myth on its head.

Growing up in Texas, my family always proudly identified as the Stuarts. There was another clan in town, the Stewarts. Our family lore was firm: "We are not related to any Stewarts, only Stuarts." This was a line drawn in the sand, separating us from them.

Flash forward to 2004. Curiosity and a bit of genealogical mystery led my male Stuart cousins in Mississippi to take Family Tree DNA's Y-DNA test. Our aim? To trace the elusive father of William Davis Stuart (b. 22 February 1823 in Alabama - d. 20 July 1907 in Neshoba County, Mississippi) (pictured below with his wife, Hannah Jones, who is being incorrectly listed in trees now as "Hannah Mariah Delbridge" of Missouri. Hannah Delbridge married a different William Stuart in Clark County, Missouri).

The results were nothing short of a revelation. Our Y-DNA matched with descendants of the Cowpasture Stewarts from Augusta County, Virginia, originally hailing from Perthshire, Scotland. In a single test, the long-held belief of our unique Stuart lineage was debunked.

As an interesting footnote to this tale, my Stuarts lived near the families of William Stewart in Winston and Neshoba Counties, Mississippi. Despite the proximity, our family narrative was firm even after Y-DNA testing showed we were Stewarts: we were not related to those Mississippi Stewarts.

Intrigued and determined to uncover the truth, we found a descendant of William Stewart willing to undergo a Y-DNA test. The results were eye-opening: he matched with our Stuart men. Subsequent research unveiled that the William Stewart family is, in fact, closely related to our William Davis Stuart family.

This twist adds another layer to our family's rich tapestry, reminding us that sometimes, family lore and historical facts can converge in the most unexpected ways.

Yes, we are indeed connected to those who spell their name as Stewart. This discovery not only reshaped our family's story but also underlined the power of DNA in genealogy. It goes to show, sometimes the tales we grow up hearing might just be waiting for a twist in the tale.

This content was crafted for Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge, focusing on the theme "Family Lore" this week.

- Revis