Category Archives: James Family

Family History Friday (FHF): Heritage

Posted on by
Reply

“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage. To know who we are and where we’ve come from.” -Alex Haley

Of course, many people know Alex Haley as the one who wrote the book “Roots”. It became a television series that I watched as young child. What a powerful story. You and I can see why Alex felt so much love for his ancestors. They went through so much in their lives. I also have a love for my ancestors. In fact, as I learn more about my ancestors, I can see part of them in me. I really wonder, is it because the trait I see in me is in the DNA, or just a coincidence? Really, they were so much more than I am. I think of my Great Great Grandma, Charity James, who had 16 children. Five of them died before she came to America, but the other ten she brought with her. The year before she came, her husband Samson had come to find work and a place for them to live. She brought the children All by herself! What a woman!! I feel so overwhelmed with 4 kids, and I can’t imagine leaving my home and land of my birth for good, knowing I’ll never be back. I might not see some of my family ever again. Wow, I love her so much for coming to this beautiful land of America! Because of her, and others like her, my life is better. Hopefully, those who come after me will be able to see ways that I made life better for them. Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Family History Friday

Posted on by
1

I’ve decided to have every Friday be a Family History post. Those who know me, know that I love Family History. Some people don’t know what Family History is. Well, it’s like genealogy, learning about your roots, but more about the history of our ancestors. I love these people, because I know them. I know life is better because of them. I enjoy getting to know them by reading their histories, and learning about how life was in the places they lived. So what I plan to do is talk about one of my ancestors or a Family History topic every Friday. Have an open mind and you may be bit by the Family History bug, too!!
I thought I would tell you my favorite way to keep my Family History organized. I am a visual person. One of my objectives in organizing my Family History is, first, so I can find the information I’m looking for when I’m researching, but also, anyone can find the information. So, here it is- I color code my ancestors. I know it’s not a new thing, but it works for me! To start out with, I use only the primary colors, plus green. Green in not technically a primary color. So, I have four grand parents. Most of us do. Some may have more if they have blended families. Then I pick a color of out of the primary colors plus green that reminds me of my grandparent or of the place they are from. So, my paternal grandfather is blue, they came from Norway. It is a country surrounded by the ocean and is very cold. My paternal grandmother is green. They are Native American, and came from the Great Lakes area. They were Woodland Indians. My maternal grandfather is red. They came from Wales and England. They were miners and life was very hard. My maternal grandmother is yellow. They are also from England and the Channel Islands, in the English Channel. They were pioneers. They joined the LDS church and came across the American plains, sacrificing much, sometimes everything. In doing my organizing in this way, I know at a glance which family names belong together. If you’d like, pick a color for your grandparents. Use this color by putting it somewhere on each piece of paper or document that pertains to that family. Good luck! Happy Family History Friday!!!