Jessica Horne Collins

Mapping My Ancestors’ Census Locations

I love maps. On a genealogy Facebook group I follow, a researcher shared a map of his ancestors’ counties of residence by U.S. census year — and I immediately knew I wanted to make a map of my own.

Check mine out — I definitely have deep Southern roots with a few “strays” in the northeast:

Direct-Ancestors-Counties-of-Residence-1790-1940

County boundaries change over time, so using this modern map to chart historical counties is not completely accurate. But it’s a cool picture of the mostly westward migration of my family.

It also closely aligns with my AncestryDNA ethnicity estimates and migration communities:

Elizabeth Loving Smith: Love for 16 Children and Her Church

This entry is part of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks series. This week’s prompt is LOVE. To see other posts in this series, view my 52 Ancestors in 2019 index.

I mostly research my father’s side of the family. But with this week’s prompt being LOVE, it’s time to show my maternal side some love and feature an ancestor with a name that perfectly fits the theme: Elizabeth Loving Smith.

My 3x great-grandmother Elizabeth Loving was born February 28, 1804,¹ to parents Bailey Loving and Nancy Cook,² likely in Georgia.³ She married Lot Smith on June 15, 1820, in Lawrence County, Mississippi.⁴

Researching female ancestors of this time period can be challenging, as their names appear on few records. Unless they are a head of household (typically indicating they are widowed), women aren’t even listed by name on federal censuses until 1850. I only have three records naming Elizabeth: her marriage certificate, obituary, and gravestone. Therefore, the best way to fill in details about her life is through records generated by her father and husband.

Even I Make Rookie DNA Mistakes

I’ve been pursuing genetic genealogy for over 4 years, but even I am not immune to a rookie mistake.

The rule I broke? Screenshot everything.

James Monroe McKaskle: Surprise at the Masonic Lodge

This entry is part of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks series. This week’s prompt is SURPRISE. To see other posts in this series, view my 52 Ancestors in 2019 index.

Have you ever been inside a masonic lodge? As a child, I often went with my parents to vote at New Hope Masonic Lodge in Liddieville, Louisiana. The lobby was occupied by the familiar faces of community members, nice ladies from church manning the polls, and those huge, aqua voting machines that made a satisfying “cha-ching” when my mom let me pull the lever. But anything beyond the lobby and behind the big wooden door was off limits — part of the building’s secret purpose.

I’d been away from the community many years when a current Mason told my dad about an old photograph he saw on the wall. It was hanging in their inner room, and he thought the man could be an ancestor of ours. During my Christmas 2017 visit home, the Mason met me and my father at the lodge and allowed us beyond that secretive door. Inside that room awaited one of my best genealogy surprises: a photo of James Monroe McKaskle, my 2x great-grandfather.

Photo of James Monroe “Jim” McKaskle, hanging at New Hope Masonic Lodge, Liddieville, Louisiana; dates stipulate years he served as Worshipful Master

John Fowler: Connecting to His Revolutionary War Service at the Library

This entry is part of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks series. This week’s prompt is AT THE LIBRARY. To see other posts in this series, view my 52 Ancestors in 2019 index.

As both a genealogist and mom of two young boys, I’m always looking for ways to integrate genealogy into our everyday lives. I want my children to have personal connections to history and identify with our ancestors in concrete ways. Clayton Library, my local genealogy center here in Houston, provided an excellent opportunity this past Saturday with DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Day. Representatives from Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) also attended and wore replica soldiers’ uniforms — a great photo op for the kids!

Jeffrey and Jonathan Collins with Texas SAR Representatives – Clayton Library, Houston, Texas, 26 Jan 2019
Jeffrey and Jonathan Collins with Texas SAR Representatives – Clayton Library, Houston, Texas, 26 Jan 2019

SAR members shared how their ancestors’ Revolutionary War service inspire the types of uniforms they wear. One member even told my four year old the story of Paul Revere’s dog retrieving his forgotten spurs before his famous midnight ride. I wish my boys would have listened more intently, but — well, they’re young boys. We’re working on it.

Seeing the uniforms led to a lunchtime discussion about the eight Patriots we have on my side of the family — four who served as soldiers and four who are recognized for civil and patriotic service. John Fowler, my 5x-great-grandfather, is one of these ancestors. Vital records are lacking for this time period, but his detailed pension records tell much about his life.