Stones of Poynton Manor – Thomas Stone

When we think of the men who gathered that hot July day in 1776 to put their signature on the foundational document of the Declaration of Independence, many notable men come to mind. But each of the fifty-six men who signed were equally putting their lives on the line, whether they were notable or not….

Faces Lost to Time…almost

As an historian and genealogist, one of the saddest things for me is to find a box of old photos in an antique store with no name written on the backs of the photographs to identify the person or persons pictured.  The photos were possibly left in a drawer or an album at a time…

“I am the only Primitive Naive Acadian Artist.”

“I am the only Primitive Naive Acadian Artist,” she would always tell me.  Mrs. Mary Anne Pecot De Boisblanc was indeed the only known Primitive Naive Acadian Artist designated as such. Her art is classified as “primitive” because of its simplistic ethnic content. It is noted as “naive” due to the style in which this simple…

Veteran Voices Project

The Veteran Voices Project is something that has been in my heart for many years now, but has finally come to fruition.  This project consists of interviewing veterans about their service and making a public space where these stories can be told.  So I have created a new blog called Veteran Voices. (www.vetvoices.wordpress.com)  I hope…

The Guice Box

I have been in possession of the Guice Box for several years now. It is a well-built, sturdy, varnished box emblazoned with the Guice family crest on top and trimmed out with brass handles and latch. I came to acquire it in a roundabout way. In 2008 my mother and I traveled with other members…

Always Remember…

As I write this post on the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, we in the United States are celebrating our annual stream of patriotic holidays — Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veteran’s Day. Ceremonies are conducted.  Flags are flown. I am more than glad to take part in ceremonies that help remind us…

A Picture is Worth More Than a Thousand Words (Pt. 2)

I am blowing the dust off of these old images of the Broome family and allied family members to reveal the identities and likenesses of those individuals who may never have been seen by their descendants.  I hope that by posting these images and names that some of their descendents will have the joy of…

A Picture is Worth More Than a Thousand Words

Images of our ancestors are the golden nuggets of family history.  Often we are not able to find an image of an ancestor, but when we do, even when the image is small and faded, it gives life to their name and dates.  When you look into the eyes of people who lived so long…

Our Family Bible That Was Not Our Family’s Bible

It was found in a drawer of an antique dresser that was given to my grandmother by her friend.  The lady had bought the dresser from an antique dealer in coastal Mississippi who told her it had come from a New Orleans home that was slated to be torn down.  My grandmother eventually gave the…

My “History” Mom

My mother would get excited about history — especially Louisiana History — and her excitement was contagious.  She often said that she was glad to be from Louisiana because its history was so fascinating. She was also an excellent teacher.  Many of her students considered her their favorite even if she was a stern educator…