Genealogy is MANY things, but for sure — it is rarely boring OR predictable!:-)
Today I received the coolest surprise — a blog comment to my Rensler’s 150 post from John STEWARD, who not only has Rensler images of his Ancestors, but also images of he and his brother captured at the historic Cincinnati photography studio!
The fact that like me, John’s Ancestors made the trek from Alabama (Hope Hull, Lowndes County) to Cincinnati AND that he too has family in Kentucky only adds to my curiosity! You just never know when a new cousin will appear, right?
So with permission, I share John’s Rensler Photography images and the family details he provided earlier.
John’s blog comments…
WOW!! I have been carrying a Rensler’s photo for more than 30 years. My mother was killed in 1944. My grandparent,William J. Harris & Lillie Bell Williams-Harris, whom I have only known through Rensler`s photos, resided at 831 w 5th street Cincinnati, Ohio.
They were from Hope Hull, Alabama and the Lowndes County area where my great grandfather Parson D. H. Harris was ordained to preach at Rock Creek Baptist Church about 1897. His daughter Chosie was a teacher in the area until her death in 1963.
Is there a way that I may view your photos?
John’s Mom
William J. Harris
Lillie Bell Williams-Harris
John Steward & Brother
Here’s praying that John finds family connections and that one day, he and I both have the opportunity to chase more of our Ancestors through the remaining 20K+ Rensler artifacts!:-)
Nothing like a good Ancestor mystery and Rensler inspiration to shake things up! I’ll keep y’all posted!:-)
Luckie.
I attended this BARWICK Family Reunion in Dothan, Alabama but failed to capture any Oral History to aid my family research today. I was too busy complaining about the summer heat and lack of things to do!
Amazing, the gift of being young and clueless — you miss treasured opportunities that may not come your way again!:-(
Pictured — Siblings, Elizabeth Ella and Willie C. BARWICK aka E (my Grandfather) with Mary WESTMORELAND BARWICK (wife of Cleveland and Grandmother of Cousin Glenza) in the middle.
E was always impeccably dressed in a suit, tie and hat! Handsome ain’t he?!:-)
Looking forward to meeting Cousin Glenza and family in Cincinnati this July!
Thank God for aging and wisdom!:-)
Luckie.
The Barwick Sisters, all five – Aunts Lena, Dorothy, Ella, Helen and Hannah.
Cousin Glenza, this is for you because I know how badly you wish to see the living Sisters {Lena, Hannah & Helen}.
Looking forward to July 2010.
Luckie.
The last two living BARWICK siblings, Aunts Hannah and Lena BARWICK.
Aunt Hannah will turn 90 yrs. old on Dec 28th!:-)
Luckie.
Color guard consisting of African Americans Corporal Gilbert Henderson, Staff Sergeant Edward W. Malone, and Sergeant John Pierce, Antiaircraft Artillery and Guided Missiles Center, Fort Bliss, Texas, July 25, 1946.
Honoring our Veterans of past and present, lest we forget…
Luckie.
[Image Source: NYPL, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture / Photographs and Prints Division]
Our Alabama Roots ~ Barwick & Related