A Thanksgiving Reunion

   For the first time in many years the Westmoreland  clan had a family reunion.  No fusses or fights. Only hugs and kisses.  It was a wonderful time for the family.

To Die in Chicago

   Today at work a discussion arose about what books people were reading.  When I mentioned I was reading "To Die in Chicago," and it wasn't a popular mystery novel, I received several confused looks. 

   To be honest only history buffs would be interested in this book or someone like me who has a personal interest.  "To Die in Chicago" details life for Confederate prisoners at Camp Douglas from 1862 to 1865, and my ggg grandfather was one of them.

A group of 48th Tennessee Soldiers Camp Douglas 1862

                                                        

  I came across this photo while doing an online research.  I doubt my ggg grandfather was one of the men pictured, but who knows. 

And Then There Were Nine

  My grandmother reportedly stated after a string of four grandchildren within one year that something had to stop.  Well, it almost did.  Two more grandbabies arrived several years later for a total of eleven grandchildren in all.
    In 2009 we lost cousin #10, Susan. Thoughts of her always bring about a smile.  She was quick-witted, very outspoken and opinionated, a champion of the weak and was a wonderful resource when you couldn't think of someone's name, a family connection or a car part. Susan left a gaping  hole that will never close completely.

Susan

   Today we held a memorial service for cousin #5, Tony.  As a child he was adventurous and curious about the world around him. Unfortunately, Tony's zeal for life led him down many ill-fated paths. He, too, will be sorely missed by the family.

Tony

 

 

  
   You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them-Desmond Tutu

Happy Father's Day

I Spy!

     Remember the old game of "I Spy." I spy something red. I spy something round. In April my cousin,Windie and I went scouting for three old family cemeteries in the Santa Fe area of Maury County.  Even with directions for two of the three and a general direction for the other one, we struggled to locate the sites among the hills and hollows...and bushes!. Our enthusiasm  upon finding them quickly faded when we discovered the deteriorating conditions of each cemetery. All of the graveyards were neglected, and two were badly overgrown. At that point I recalled the child's game of  "I Spy"  because in two of the cemeteries "spying" a headstone was challenging.

Pigg Cemetery

    The Pigg Cemetery consisted of a fairly large tree filled, thickly bushed plot of land surrounded by a fence, but it appeared only to contain a few headstones in the back portion of the plot. At the base of one of the tombstones was a huge groundhog hole.  Fearful a critter might pop up from the hole, I quickly snapped my photos.

Johnson cemetery

  By sheer luck we located the Johnson Cemetery.  We had already stopped at two houses and no one had ever heard of the Johnson Cemetery. When we saw a man mowing on our route, we decided to give it one last try.  Bingo. The cemetery was located directly across the road in a thicket of trees and low undergrowth. Can you locate the one visible tombstone? I spy...

Dockery Cemetery

     The Dockery Cemetery received our "Best Cemetery of the Day" award. The only hindrances in this cemetery were the monkey vines, fallen tree limbs and an occasional cow pattie.We couldn't locate one of the documented tombstones in the cemetery, but  we were certain it was still there just covered by aging debris from years past.

     How long will these old neglected cemeteries survive? I can only speculate, but I do know the game of "I Spy" will be even harder to play in the very near future.

 

Back in the Swing!

It's been awhile since the last post. I am knee deep in research at the moment trying to yield answers to my many genealogical questions. I hate dead ends but who knows maybe I will get a break!