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.
Interesting that as I began to pen my memories of Fannie Louella JACKSON BARWICK {1920 – 1992}, my beloved Maternal Grandmother, Stevie Wonder’s rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water began to play.
My Lord, without a doubt there is no single person who had a greater impact on my life than Anbownes. There is no person’s absence, that I miss more.
She was a firm, honest, no-nonsense straight-shooter. She was everything you dislike as a child and everything you come to respect and admire as an adult.
She was the personification of honor. People spoke [and speak] of her with reverence.
My Grandmother was regal in appearance, always impeccably dressed, with the most beautiful, pecan hued hands and fingernails I’ve ever seen. There are moments when I seem to catch a hint of her gardenia scent. There are MANY days when I miss the sound of her deep, husky voice singed from many years of smoking.
Her love and loyalty were the rock we all –especially my Mom– held on to and truth be told, Mom started leaving us the day Anbownes transitioned.
I know now, what I didn’t quite understand then… watching a good Mother leave you is the hardest life challenge any child will face. It is impossible to sustain this kind of separation (not loss) and not be permanently changed.
By example, Anbownes and Mom taught a scared (and clueless) child how to Mother her Son. And though hurt by my circumstance, she never faltered in support. Because she stood by me, I am the woman I am today.
Once during her daily bath, she told me that if she were a millionaire, she could not have had better care. Those words comfort me now. I know without a doubt, she knew that I loved her.
I was with Anbownes to the very end, standing beside her when she transitioned. And when she “went home”, I began a new journey — across a bridge — to become a me that I could be proud of; a me that was more like her.
When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
In honor of Fannie Louella Jackson Barwick, Anbownes, my bridge over troubled water — both then and now.
I love you.
Luckie.
P.S. Bownes, how am I doin’?!:-)
[Image source: Fannie Jackson Barwick age 18 yrs old ~ 1938; Wife of William C. Barwick]
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.
To this day, My Great Grandmother, Lena Mae McKENZIE BARWICK is the gentlest, sweetest woman I’ve ever known.
Born 9 March 1902 in Lewisville, Alabama to Ella Mae MARTIN and Joseph James McKENZIE, I remember most her deep faith in God and her ability to quote biblical scripture at will.
I still chuckle at the thought of returning to Cincinnati in 1995 with a severe Caesar cut (yes — I’d shaved all the curls down to a barely visible shadow), and being informed by my Grandma that there was no shame in a wig — God would respect my crown anyway he could get it!:-)
I still marvel at the strength both of my Great Grandmothers possessed. Both survived poverty and less than easy Husbands, yet remained steadfast in God and Family. Never appearing to waiver.
Like most of the Barwick/McKenzie women, Grandma was blessed with long-life, transitioning on 11 March 2002, at the age of 100 years old.
The poem below, was written by my older Brother, William, for her 100th Birthday and was read at her Home Going Service.
How timely that it would be presented here today on this Sentimental Easter Sunday 2010, as my Barwick timestamp for Grandma’s Hand…
I think about my Grandma
and I think of loving hands,
Two hands that do their best
to carry out the Lord’s commands…
Two hands that clap in joy fullness
while she joins in a song,
Two hands that hug and comfort,
as she passes love along…
Two hands that are my Grandma’s
that have always done their part
To spread the love of Jesus,
so abiding in her heart.
I think about you. Grandma,
and I see a gentle model of the kind
of life that everyone should live…
You’ve built a strong foundation on the
solid ground of faith in God by always giving
all that you can give.
I thank you for the joy you are to all the
family members and for being just what
you were meant to be,
A person full of dignity,
of love and laughter for the Lord —
a Grandma who means everything to me.
Happy Birthday, With Love
Written by Great Grandson, William Marshall
With all my heart, I love and miss you Grandma.
Luckie.
[Note: Image of Grandma, Lena Mae Barwick McKenzie, with my Cousin, Ralph Byrd. Although the year is unknown, knowing my Grandma, she was dressed for church!:-]
Flavious and Great Aunt Hannah BARWICK SLAUGHTER on their Wedding Day!
I am so excited to be preparing for a visit this weekend with Aunt Hannah (age 90 years old)! This will be the first time she’s seen baby Jaiya Devi and I know that she is VERY anxious to spend time with Mom.
Don’t worry, I go equipped with portable scanner and can’t wait to get my hands on her coveted picture stash! Who knows what I’ll return with!:-)
Wish us safe travel…
Luckie.
Our Alabama Roots ~ Barwick & Related