Genealogy is my hobby. I have many hobbies, but this one has stood the test of time. (No pun intended) I have spent many years collecting information, books, maps, photos and any other tidbit I could find that would add another piece to my puzzle. Only now do I have enough information and materials to begin piecing together the remarkable stories of individuals I have come to know along the way.
I’ve always been more of an historian than a strict record-keeping genealogist. It’s because I love the stories. They make the records and facts put on flesh and bone to become real people, living real lives in real times, with real emotions, trials, joys, hardships and triumphs.
In my real life, I am a Christian, a wife of 28 years, a home-school mother of four, a children’s minister at my local church, and a graduate of Louisiana State University.
Melinda,
Gasp and wow! I am completely in awe of your stories about the “Strong Tree.”
I have always been facinated about the life of Jasper Strong. Several years ago, I traveled 4 1/2 hrs to Pensacola FL, to hear a talk sponsored by the Fl Park Service called ” Slaves for hire: Strong and Company and Pensacola Forts.”
It just made me thirst for more information about him. Then I found your blog.
I want you to know what a spectacular job you have done bringing his life story alive! What an honorable and respectful act! You are to be commended in a big way!
Now for the interesting part. Your Great Grandfather Dewy and my Great Grandfather Charles M Jr. were brothers. If I calculated things correctly from your article “Cousin Quandry”, we would be third cousins! I find this simply amazing! I am so glad to meet up with a long lost cousin!
I look forward to your stories. Maybe we could even email.
Your cousin,
Beth
That’s exciting! I have more information on the Strong’s that I’ll be writing on in the future. So according to my information your great-grandfather’s nickname was Jack and his birth date is 08 Mar 1876. Is that correct? Looking forward to getting to know you and sharing information! Email me at my church account and we’ll talk more: melinda@crossroadshammond.com
Melinda,
My name is Jeff Giambrone, and I am working on a book for Arcadia Press about Mississippi Confederate soldiers. I was wondering if I could obtain a copy of the photo of John Thomas Broome for use in my book. You can contact me directly at jeff@commarts.net
Thanks very much,
Jeff
Jeff & Melissa, have you read Southern Voices by Robert Williams Crook? His book recounts family tales and Confederate history of his MS family. It is available thru Amazon. He ties to Melissa’s Guice tree. Bob lived in Baton Rouge a long time and is now in TX.
Jewel Bragg
Mobile
Melinda,
You were more successful than I in finding the Guice Cemetery and house site. I also descend from Jacob and want to go back to McNair to try once more. Can you give me directions to the cemetery or tell me if Henry Bryant is still living? I enjoyed reading all of your posts.
Girault
Girault and Melissa,
I connect to the Guice line and have done a good bit of tree research in Franklin & Jefferson Co., MS. There are several sites known as “Guice Cemetery”. My cousin recently found one of them that is on the farm of the French family 2 mi. west of Hamburg in Franklin Co. MS. Only 9 markers are still visible. There were a number of sunken graves. I have photographs. This cem. was surveyed years ago by the MS Genealogical Society. My Christopher Columbus Campbell (physician and Methodist preacher) who d. in 1866 is bur. there. His second wife was Melinda Caroline Guice, b. 1826 dau. of Absalom Christopher Guice & Rosannah Elizabeth Magee.
Also, Dr. Nepoleon L. Guice who became a noted MS physician apprenticed under Dr. C. C. Campell, above. I want to learn more about where these early physicians of that area would go for their formal training and degree. Anything you can share will be appreciated.
Jewel Bragg
Mobile
Melinda……I am amazed & (almost even slightly jealous) in a way, of the legacy your parents (you mom in particular) left you with & how that has transpired into your kids! I grieve that loss (loss of legacy) in my life……..not much passed down thus far from my parents (even though they are loving & friendly people) regarding any kind of relationship legacy. So I really admire that when I learn of it in other families & even yearn for it in my own. Anyway, I’ve been following your blog posts recently & have absolutely enjoyed everything I’ve been reading! I love history…..family history ESPECIALLY! I couldn’t help but notice that you have a passionate hobby of geneology?? Do you or have you ever helped to teach other “beginner” geneologists how/where to get started in their efforts to learn more about their heritage?? Ever considered having a 1st potential geneology student to teach?? (wink wink) =)
Melissa, I LOVE genealogy and history. The personal connection of my ancestors with different eras of history make it come alive! I’d be glad to get you started, but the very best place is to interview your oldest relatives and video the interview if possible. Because once they are gone much valuable information and fascinating stories disappear with them. We can talk more soon!
Melissa, I am a Broome descendant. Thank you for posting this site. It’s wonderful.
Frederick Stump is my fifth great grandfather. I am related via Elizabeth Cox(1829-1908),dtr. of Samuel Cox(1790-1880). Samuel was son of Barbara Stump, daughter of Frederick Stump.
I am an RN, live in Lynnwood, WA.(native of Tulsa, OK.) Have been researching my family for past 7 yrs. and hope to join DAR by next yr. I am only child, so have been happy to find relatives.
Hope we can meet someday. Thank you for your blog and for your commitment to family research. I know we are cousins, but have not calculated how far removed.
I found and purchased book written by Julia Cook Guise of Biloxi, Mississippi. Book entitled Frederick Stump: The Rest of the Story. Would be interested in your opinion if you have read it. As an FYI, there is a group on FB composed of Stump descendants.
Will look forward to reading your blog. Take care, and God bless. Best wishes, Jo Ann
Hi, Just looked at your Branches, so obviously you are familiar with the book! Would like your opinion. Have a great day!! Jo Ann
Is this Jasper Dallas Strong, you are talking about? Jasper Dallas Strong is my great grandfather, my Grandmother was his daugther, Minnie Parks Strong.
I’ve never seen a middle name for my Jasper Strong on any documentation or his grave so I would say no. Also my Jasper Strong would be too old to be your great-grandfather since he died in 1865. Do you know any other information about Jasper Dallas Strong? His birth and death information? His parents’ names? Where he lived? Surely there is a connection somewhere.
His parents were Capt. Chase Strong and Mary Byrd Dallas Strong of Pensacola, FL. Jasper was born in 1860 died 1907, he was married to Mary Exum Day. They lived in Yazoo County Mississippi.
Oh yes! Major William Henry Chase Strong was the son of Jasper Strong in the story. He was named after Jasper’s friend William Chase who built many of the forts on the Gulf Coast. W.H.C. Strong was brother to my great-great grandfather Charles Matthew Strong who was also born in Pensacola, but lived most of his life in Bay St. Louis, MS as a Customs Official. I have some information on W.H.C.Strong in case you don’t have it:
– from Norwich University, 1819-1911; her history, her graduates, her roll of honor edited by William Arba Ellis
MAJ. WILLIAM HENRY CHASE STRONG, B. S.
William H. C. Strong, son of First Lieut. Jasper Strong, U. S. A., a native of Hartford, Vt., and Eliza Julia (Nixon) Strong, was born in Mississippi in 1834, and died in Yazoo City, Miss., in 1906. He prepared for college in the schools of Pensacola, Fla., and entered the University from that city in 1853, graduating B. S. in 1856.
He served as major in the staff of Gen. William H. Whiting, C. S. A. during the Civil War. After the war, he engaged in cotton planting at Yazoo City. He was a member of the Episcopal church and the Masonic Lodge.
He was married, February 20, 1860, to Mary Willis, daughter of Capt. Alexander James Dallas, U. S. N. Mrs. Strong resides in Washington, D. C. Four children were born to them: Jasper Dallas; Trivavion; Achille Murat; Conrad M., resides in Washington, D. C.
It’s nice to find a new 4th cousin!
Thank you for the info, it is nice to find a new cousin. This is my dad’s, mother’s side of the family, She had five children and my dad was the only one who had children (7), we have no cousins. So it is very exciting for me to find relatives. My Grandmother was Minnie Parks Strong, (m) Luther Curtis Miller, children Mary Ida, Luther Thomas, Cutis Lee, John David, and Cylde Strong. Do you know if she was born in Pensacola?
I don’t believe Minnie Parks Strong would be from Pensacola since most of the family members had moved elsewhere by the time she was probably born, but I don’t know that for sure.
The posts I have written on my blog so far about the Strong family that are also your ancestors are entitled:
The Fort Builder
How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways
The Find
Pilgrim Swept Overboard!
Cousin Quandry
Cora Agnes is my Great-aunt, her sister Lillian Veronica Luc is my grand mother. My mother was named Agnes Nathalie after two of her sisters. I have heard stories simular to Tales in the Trees, but never knew if they were true. My grand mother left the Bay at an early age so we never knew the family there. I enjoyed the story, although I’m not proud of it, but thats a part of genealogy. I would love to hear from you! Your cousin OLIN
So nice to hear from you Olin! I’m not proud of that story either, but many of my stories on this blog, I wish I could change. But as you say, our family stories are a mixture of the good and the bad. I will contact you privately to gather more specific family information because I have a photo of Cora Agnes on the “Blonde Hair and Bootleggers” post that is actually cropped out of a larger picture of her with another young woman. It might be your grandmother! Maybe you can help me identify her. Thanks for commenting!
Hello Melinda,
I am writing on behalf of my grandmother, Mary Anne Pecot deBoisblanc. She would be very interested in communicating with you (she has plenty to say!).
Thanks!
Jenna
Hi Melinda,
My name is Christen Thompson and I am the Mississippi and Louisiana Commissioning Editor for The History Press. I came across your site while doing research for a book, and I would love the opportunity to talk to you about possibly doing a book.
Please feel free to email me at Christen.Thompson@historypress.net