Category: Maternal tree

Today’s poetry

Today’s poem appeared in a routine moment of the day. I placed two picture frames at my new desk, as each day passing confirms in this space I will thrive. I took another glance at my son’s uniformed image. Literally that moment being tested to extremes, proving his mettle, earning stripes – not unlike the days of basic training. As I pondered his image, like double rainbow magic – a cross appeared in shadow across his face. In perfect stereo, my grandmother’s handmade cross draped over the other side. The believer and the non-believer honoring the moment as being an Army Mom brings me to my knees. Praying for his safety, his strength and his return.

Overview

The scope of this current project (updated August 2022) is the result of 12 years active research and 3 years in earnest. Ancestry.com has been an invaluable tool both for discovery and organization. The scaffold is set. I am confident in the fourth- and fifth-generation connections and have acquired enough formal documentation to support the validity of research to all eight sets of great-great grandparents.

The next phase of research is to build the narratives to better understand the lives of these ancestors. And, to dig even deeper with confidence in reaching the far branches. Gratitude for the modern advances and tools.

Surnames

Paternal Surnames – Bonn, Bradshaw, Chowning, Cook, Corman/Kornmann, Dean, Mathews, McDowell, Moffett, Murphy, O’Neal, Porter, Rieglin, Ritter

Maternal Surnames – Blakeman, Brumfield, Bryant, Chrisman, Doggett, Easley, Fain/Fayne, Grant, Macquarrie/McQuerry, Scrivner, Simmons

basement studio for endless hours in rabbit holes of bliss