Willie Charles Barwick ~ my Maternal Grandfather
Most of you don’t know that I am in the process of purchasing 150 glass-plate negatives from the historic Rensler’s Photography Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Willie Charles Barwick
Rensler’s opened its doors in the early 1900’s and closed-up shop in 1989. With the closing of the family-owned studio, thousands of historic images and/or glass-plate negatives were sold.
Many named images with associated records, from the years 1950-1989, went to Cincinnati Historical Society. These images live in storage, uncatalogued and totally unavailable to the community.
Hannah Barwick
Thousands of unidentified images, pre-1950, were sold to Cincinnati locals and I am working with two of these gentlemen to identify and purchase 150 African-American Rensler images from the earliest years through 1950.
Elizabeth {Ella} Barwick
Why do I care? Aside from having a soft-spot for unnamed Ancestors, my Georgia and Alabama lines intersected in Cincinnati by way of my Maternal Grandparents, Fannie Louella JACKSON and William Charles BARWICK.
Lena Barwick
At the time, Rensler’s was one of the few studios willing to photograph African-American people, so over the years my family often turned to the studio to capture special moments. My cherished 1930 Catie WINGFIELD DORSEY Rensler image allowed me to see my 4th Grandmother for the first time and the BARWICK siblings original Rensler images {seen throughout this post} from the late 1930s are my prized possession!
Yes, I’m hoping my purchase of the unknown, will reveal more of my missing family to me. However, should I receive 150 Ancestors with no ancestral connection to me, I will be just as content.
James & Mary Barwick
I will believe whoever comes to me was intended to and I will honor them by sharing them with the genealogy community in the hope they can be identified and eventually returned to their loved one.
We shall see what happens… I’m uber-excited to say the least!:-)
Also expect future updates on the larger effort underway by me and a few Genea-Friends, to preserve the several thousand remaining glass-plate negatives.
A descendants work is never done…
Luckie.
[Note: Both Great Aunt Hannah and Lena are still living in Cincinnati. I hope to travel there to see them this month!:-]
All day I’ve been thinking of a way to pay homage to both the survivors & victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Hard to believe it’s been 4 yrs already! I remember the sting — the devastation, the suffering, the loss, the governmental neglect & fumbles. The children. My anger & cringing EVERY time I heard the word “refugee”!
When not in shock, I would just watch CNN & feel TOTALLY useless. I was so angry with my family for not donating to the displaced families brought to Georgia Tech. I just wanted to do something — anything to help.
But I have to wonder if we as a society have forgotten the suffering & injustice we witnessed? Has Katrina & her aftertaste been put on the social-conscious back-burner?
As I sat down to pen this post, I overheard a random news quote from a CNN reporter covering Katrina:
“If years from now, we don’t gather to discuss race relations, socio economic disadvantages & poverty in America, we the media, have failed to do our jobs.”
I’m still waiting for the conversation. Did I miss it? Will an honest, open, civil dialogue about racial injustice in America EVER take place?
To my Sister who believes “The train has already left the station” & that honest talk is well on its way, I certainly pray you’re right.
In truth, the best way to honor the suvivors & victims of Katrina is to REMEMBER. To take action & prevent the wrongs from ever, EVER happening again.
Lennon’s “Imagine” has been in my spirit the entire day – so I leave it with you now.
Seems appropriate for today… Imagine.
Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
Luckie.
Jake Glenn {1934-2004} & Mary Alice BENNETT BARWICK {1934-1995} are the parents of my loving Cousin, Glenza BARWICK GARY in Dothan, AL. Of all the family images she sent me, this is one of my favorites!
On the back of the image is the following information:
Jake and Mary Alice Bennett Barwick — Jake’s Parents are Cleveland and Caralee Galloway Barwick. Mary Alice Bennett’s Parents, Arch Bennett and Willie Mae Warren. Mamie Galloway raised Mary from a child. Willie Mae and Mamie were Sisters. Mae Warren gave up her rights to be Mary Alice’s Mother. Mamie Galloway became her Mother.
It’s a blessing to be able to learn about my BARWICK Family & I look forward to our upcoming 2010 Family Reunion in Cincinnati, OH.
Luckie.
Well my Friends it’s been a few [rough] days since I last said howdy & I just wanted to poke my head in to let you know, my Family & I are OK… we’re all, hanging on…
It’s been quite a year for me with the Recession kicking me smack dead in the tail but I must admit, the advancement of my Mom’s Alzheimer’s Disease has knocked me off my feet!
A sudden change in the symptoms we’d grown accustomed to, has created the need for both my Mom & our Family to make immediate lifestyle changes.
I will be honest, in my life to date, I have NEVER encountered anything as vicious & debilitating as Alzheimer’s. It steals the spirit of the person you know & love while leaving the body & then serves up a brand new being {complete with character traits} who hardly resembles your loved one.
I’ve committed to making this time with my Mom count. It’s normal for me to want to “fix it”, to make things better but in this instance, all I can do is rise to the challenge & be the rock she needs.
I’m also recommitting to my Genealogy research – to keep it going inspite of. My Mom has been the ONLY person in my Family to support the work wholeheartedly from the start. She would not want it to stop.
I am a different woman than I was just 2 weeks ago… Amazing what transitioning a Parent does to the heart.
Every time you think of me just say a prayer for my Mom, Geraldine Barwick, that her life will progress with ease.
Thanks for your support too Friends. You all have been my rock.
With love,
Luckie.
I am far too blessed today to be “wordless”! I am so proud of my Son, Jay & his fiancée, Hollie.
Amazing day!:-)
Luckie.
Our Alabama Roots ~ Barwick & Related