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| Lizzie Williams Taylor (Courtesy of Sonja Cyrus) |
On November 30, 2012, I posted what I described as the “second of two known photos” of my Great-Great Grandmother, Lizzie Taylor. This past Saturday, my cousin, Sonja Cyrus, text me ANOTHER picture. Floored again. THANK YOU SONJA!!!!!!!!!
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| 1988 Benton Family Reunion Program |
In 1988, I traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana with my father’s side of the family to attend our 1st family reunion. This reunion focused on my grandfather’s maternal side of the family. My grandfather’s name was Sanders Willis, Sr. and his mother, Artimease (Benton) Willis Jackson, was still living at the time at the age of 86. My first visit was in 1984 to attend my cousin, the late Jerome Vernell, Sr.’s wedding, but this was to be my first exposure to my family on a much larger scale.
The family tree program (shown to the left) stated the root began with Ed & Artimease Benton (Artimease Jackson’s paternal grandparents). It also stated 7 children were born to this union:
Twenty one years later, I decided to verify these facts on Ancestry.com. One day, I came across something a little puzzling. In the 1880 U.S. States Federal Census for East Baton Rouge Parish, page 28 (image 28 of 83), Artimease Benton is listed as “Tomese;” Mulatto, female, age 25 with the first 5 of her 7 children: Edward, Charles, Thomas, Nellie & Ernest.
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| 1880 U.S. Federal Census for Artimease Benton & Children |
This makes sense given the last two children are not born for at least another decade. It also states their father, who is not listed, was born in Missouri. However, the 1900 U.S. States Federal Census for East Baton Rouge Parish, S.D. #6, E.D. #28, sheet 10 (images 20 & 21) illustrates a discrepancy from the reunion program. Artimease is listed as Head of Household and a 45 year old widow of seven children. She also stated she was born in October of 1854. The following individuals and their relationship to her are as follows:
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| 1900 U.S. Federal Census for Artimease Benton & Children |
My initial thought was Katie & Maude were the children of Alfred & Nellie Jackson, but that means Nellie bore her first child at 15. The census record say she was married at the age of 21. Also, the relationship column pertains to Head of Household, implying these young girls are the daughters of Artimease, but the family Reunion program says their last name was “Benton.”
Now I’m confused!
In July of 2009, I asked my Aunt Marguerite, daughter of Artimease Jackson, why Katie & Maude’s last names were “Jackson” instead of Benton if they were Ed & Artimease Benton’s children. She was not sure, but she did remember that Maude Jackson (who married Joseph Davis, Sr.) was the last living child of Artimease Benton and the oldest living family member (95 years old) during the time of the reunion in 1988. She recalled that when her sister, Ruth Castle, invited the entire Davis Family to the reunion, Maude’s daughter, also named Maude Davis, replied “…but it’s the ‘BENTON’ family reunion. We are not Bentons.” Aunt Marguerite, interpreted this as some missunderstanding–that since their surname is now “Davis” instead of “Benton,” they didn’t feel it included them. As a result, Aunt Marguerite did not pursue it any further, but my suspicions were confirmed. The family tree was incorrect—Katie and Maude had a different father, but anyone that new the real story was deceased and the living family members were not aware. They just assumed they were Bentons.
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| Artimease Wederstrandt Benton |
On December 14, 2010, James completely stunned me with an email of this INCREDIBLE picture of my 3rd great grandmother, Artimease (Wederstrandt) Benton. He said this picture sat on the mantle of his grandmother’s house as long as he can remember. I sent this to Aunt Marguerite and all of my family in Baton Rouge. No one ever saw this picture before…truly amazing!
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| From (L-R): Doris Davis Fields, Artimease Wederstrandt Benton & Artimease Benton Willis Jackson |
Some time after that, James emailed a current picture of his grandmother, Doris, his mother and her sisters. Using PhotoShop, I combined her picture with other pictures of Artimease (Wederstrandt) Benton & my great-grandmother, Artimease (Benton) Willis Jackson (shown above).
* – “Eddie” Benton is my 2nd great grandfather
** – On March 29, 2013, I acquired the marriage record (below). Unfortunately, it did not indicate the parents of Thomas Benton & Artimease Wederstrandt.
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| Marriage Certificate for Thomas Benton & Artimease Wedserstrandt |
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| Marriage License & Bond for Thomas & Artimease Benton |
After reuniting with my family, we continued to explore our relationship by comparing stories and research. The connection with the Sterlings never appeared to be more than that of in-laws (i.e., Jeff’s father, Virgil and his relationship with my great-great grandmother, Lizzie Williams), but this fascinating document seemed to paint a slightly different picture.
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| 1880 U.S. Federal Census |
I must preface my commentary about this 1880 Census Record with the fact that I studied this document for 5 years and never noticed what I’m about to tell you. Remember, when I first interviewed my great-grandmother, Essie, she spoke of her father George Taylor and his parents, Nelson, Jr. & Martha Taylor. Since finding the Sterlings was such a long shot, I focused on the Taylors. I found this record showing Nelson, Jr.’s parents, Nelson, Sr. & “Lytha (aka “Lifie,” Lilly” & “Lettie”) on lines 19 & 20. Notice Cecille Bryant and four of her children (Carey, Voltaire, Linda & Chris on lines 3-7.
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Shortly after this, I found the marriage records for both father and son and discovered Lytha’s maiden name was “Bryant” & Martha’s was “Morgan.” At the time, I suspected there was a connection between Lytha & Cecille Bryant, but I wasn’t sure so I focused on what I knew–the Taylors. As my cousin, Shawn, can attest to, the Morgans completely overwhelmed me so I left that up to her.
After finding the Sterlings in August of 2011, this 1880 U.S. Federal Census record took on a whole new meaning.
On lines 4-6, Carey, Voltaire & Linda are listed as “Bryants” by mistake—they are actually “Stirlings” listed under their mother, Cecille’s, maiden name due to the fact that they were fathered by Lewis Stirling, Jr., son of the Wakefield Plantation’s owner and his wife, Lewis Stirling and Sarah Turnbull, as illustrated on Virgil Stirling’s death record (below).
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| Virgil Sterling’s Death Record |
In addition, all subsequent census records list them as “Stirlings,” yet, their mother maintains her maiden name until the time of her death on Dec 15, 1920. In a recent conversation with my cousin, Kirk, great grandson of Virgil, he disclosed that his research suggests that Lewis Stirling was “never married.” Could this be because the nature of her relationship with Lewis was more than slave & owner? One can only speculate…
Third, lines 13-18 show Sarah Ann Lee, sister of Nelson Taylor, Jr and daughter of Nelson Taylor, Sr. & Lytha, along with her children–Rosa, Washington, Louisa, Kitty & Letty.
Lastly, next door to Sarah, are her parents, Nelson, Sr., & Lytha Taylor.
Martha is my 3rd great grandmother, thus, Virgil Stirling and his brothers & sisters would be Martha’s nieces & nephews. My great grandmother Essie Taylor and her half-brother Jeff were also 2nd cousins!!!
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| Descendant Chart of Linda Weathers Morgan |
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| Genomic comparisons between Voltaire & the Taylors |
The contract was approved and signed at the bottom of the page by Lewis Stirling.
One last tidbit of information: In Part I of this blog I wrote about meeting Vernadette Taylor, great-granddaughter of Virgil Sterling She introduced me to Iantha Hutchinson, great-granddaughter of Virgil’s brother, Voltaire. His son, Voltaire, Jr., migrated from Louisiana to Oakland, California. He lived in a house next door to Sacred Heart Elementary School’s kindergarten playground and he passed away in 1978. I attended Sacred Heart from K-8. I was in kindergarten from 1977-1978. Small World.
Update: On July 4, 2013, my dad, Shawn Taylor and I were physically reunited with the Sterlings for the first time in 53 years. It was one of the most emotional days of my life!
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| Michael Willis (Left), Sanders Willis (Top), Voltaire Sterling (Center) & Kirk Young (Left). |
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| From L-R: Vanessa Young London, Vickie Young-Walker, Sanders Willis, Maxine Sterling Young and Michael Willis |
She also told me Lizzie had 3 more children prior to her marriage to George:
She mentioned that Susie married George’s brother, Harris Taylor and they had 15 children. These children were her nieces and nephews AND her first cousins.
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| Jeff Sterling’s Louisiana State Death Record |
In 2005, I found out why.
I discovered Jeff’s death record on Ancestry.com and ordered it from the Louisiana State Archives. I took it to my grandmother’s house to discuss its contents (Essie passed away in 1992). The document showed that Jeff died in an “accidental” fire, on January 30, 1948. He is listed as the son of “Vergin Stirling” and Lizzie Taylor and divorced from Ouslea Cage. The informant for this information was his younger sister, Laura (Taylor) Hammond. My grandmother, Ruby (Mckinley) Jenkins, confirmed these facts except for one: the accident. She said to me “Baby, that wasn’t no accident.” When I inquired for more detail, she said that a friend of the family witnessed his murder by white men and for that reason alone, she could not report it to authorities. She went on to tell me that after Ouslea divorced Jeff, she moved to Mississippi (the place of her birth) and took the children, but she did not know where or how many children were born to Jeff & Ouslea.
However, a year later, something very special happened. My cousin, who I met on Ancestry.com in February of 2011, Shawn Taylor, great-granddaughter of Harris Taylor & Susie Picket and great-great granddaughter of Nelson Taylor, Jr. & Martha Morgan, called me one day and said “Michael, there is another tree on Ancestry.com that I think you ought to take a look at. Jeff Sterling’s name, his wife and kids are present on the tree.”
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| Ouslea Cage (Sterling) Brackens (Picture Courtesy of Vickie Young-Walker) |
I immediately logged in and was astonished to see Jeff, his wife Ouslea (and her picture), and a list of children: Margie, Jeff, Jr., Mary, Maxine & Oscar. I contacted the owner of this tree, a woman by the name of Cassie Wilson, who is a descendant of Ouslea’s sister. She explained that she met, Jeff & Ouslea’s granddaughter, Vickie Young-Walker, daughter of Maxine Sterling and George Young, on another social network. Vickie confirmed their relationship through a mutual relative, Jeannette Wilson Evans, niece of Ouslea Cage.
I said to Cassie: “I won’t ask you for Vickie’s number, since she did not give you permission to share it, so I will give you mine. Will you please tell her that I am her cousin and I have been looking for her and the rest of the Sterling Family for the past 20 years?” Cassie agreed and after speaking with Vickie, she gave me her email address. Cassie’s kindness and willingness to honor my request, blessed more people and changed more lives than she will ever realize!
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| Jeff Sterling (Picture Courtesy of Vickie Young-Walker) |
Vickie’s email also came attached with this picture of Jeff Sterling.
Vickie asked me if I had a picture of “Mama Lizzie” so I sent her these pictures of Lizzie and Essie B. that I found in a cardboard box in my grandmother’s closet:
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| Essie Beatrice Taylor (Picture Courtesy of Sanders E. Willis) |
This was Vickie’s response:
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| Jeff Sterling in his early 20’s (Picture Courtesy of Kirk Young) |
On August 31, 2011, Maxine’s 79th birthday, Kirk and Vickie presented the picture of her grandmother and to my knowledge, she was overcome by emotion.
Two days later, Kirk emailed me about the event with photos attached:
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| Jeanette Sterling-Emery (L) & Maxine Sterling-Young (Picture Courtesy of Vickie Young-Walker) |
Michael,
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| Virgil Stirling (Center) with his children: Front: Wilson Stirling & Jeanette Sterling-Emery Rear: Roosevelt Stirling (and wife Anna Mae) (Picture Courtesy of Kirk Young) |
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| Sons of Virgil Stirling – (From L-R): Wilson, Roosevelt (rear), Jeff (seated) & John (Picture Courtesy of Kirk Young) |
The young lady holding the floral arrangement in the family picture with Virgil Sterling is her. To everyone’s amazement when I showed her the photo and asked who the young lady was, she smiled and said “it’s me”. There’s another old photo of all men, not sure if you’ve seen it so I attached it. The young man sitting in the middle is Jeff Sterling. When I showed it to her, she immediately said “that’s Jeff”. Many of them had seen that picture for years and never knew that he was their uncle until Saturday. Man what an awesome day!
On February 2, 2013, I was so excited to find this newspaper obituary online regarding the death of my 3rd Great Grandmother’s sister, Delia Washington, affectionately known as “Aunt Dutsey.” I’d been searching for this information for 10 years! Now I know when she died so I can get her death certificate…in 3 years! LOL! The reason for the wait is Louisiana state privacy laws. Her death record has to be over 51 years old for it to be available as public information. That means it will not be available until May of 2016! When that time comes, I will order it from the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
There is plenty of information on this little piece of paper that is PRICELESS!!!!!! The names BERTHA MOORE AND NANCY LAVIZZO are Aunt Dutsey’s nieces. Based on previous research, I know these two women are the daughters of Nancy Shields Moore, Delia’s sister, but I did not know Nancy LAVIZZO’s last name until finding this document! Nancy Shields Moore was the oldest of 5 children and Delia was the youngest. In order of birth, the children were:
Delia lived to be 91 years old.
Secondly, according to this record, Aunt Dutsey died in New Orleans and her funeral was held there, but it also states she was buried at “Waterproof Cemetery” in “WATERPROOF, LA.” Initially, I assumed this “Waterproof, La.” was located in TENSAS Parish, 3.5 hours away from New Orleans and just 30 miles north of Natchez, Mississippi (Natchez is where I’ve always believed the Shields Line came from). However, this didn’t seem logical due to the fact that my years of research on the Shields girls seemed to locate them in TERREBONNE Parish, Louisiana just after the civil war through the mid 1890’s. After that period, all of them moved to New Orleans except Martha Shields England and her husband, Frank. I decided to reference Martha Shields England’s death record (which I acquired in 2004), and her son’s record, Rev. George Monroe England. I noticed they were buried in the same cemetery, St. Luke Cemetery in Terrebonne Parish. I Google the cemetery and discovered the following website that listed Louisiana cemeteries by parishes:
http://www.la-cemeteries.com/
St. Luke Baptist Church & Cemetery is listed under Terrebonne Parish Cemeteries with the nearest town known to be a place called “Waterproof!”
Given the fact that the 1870 & 1880 censuses locate the Englands, Moores and the Pages in Terrebonne Parish, the marriage records of all 3 girls in Terrebonne, that my maternal grandmother mentioned “Houma” (located in Terrebonne) as a place of family origin and now discovering that Aunt Dutsey’s burial site is in Houma–one hour and 15 minutes away from New Orleans, I’m quite certain Houma was “home” and St. Luke Cemetery was a family burial ground of sorts.
Third, Delia’s father is listed as “Gabrial Washington.” I always thought his name was George, but now I know it’s Gabriel, the same as his son.
I’ve been telling my family for years that Aunt Dutsey was the key to my research and now they will understand why! She has always been my link to where I wanted to go in the past. I’m so excited now, I can’t contain myself!!!! My ultimate goal is to find the mother and grandmother of these children known as Nellie Shields Washington & Binky Shields, respectively. According to my maternal grandmother, “Binky” is where it all starts for our family. It was said she came from Africa. She is the reason why I became a genealogist. Most of my generation has known of her existence since we were old enough to walk and I will not rest until I find her.
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| Rev. George Monroe England |
In July of 2013, I had the pleasure of going to the Benton Family Reunion (on my father’s side) in Baton Rouge, La. On July 11, 2013, I drove to Houma to continue my research and I found St. Luke Cemetery. I found George England’s marker, but I could not find Martha’s, Nellie’s or Aunt Dutsey’s. I went to the parish courthouse to research the plantation owners (namely William Bayard Shields & his two sons: Gabriel Benoist Shields & Thomas Rodney Shields) in the area, but found this effort to be extremely difficult. I will have to make several trips back there.
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| Nellie Butler |
Later, I went to the Terrebonne Parish Library and was introduced to a fellow genealogist who volunteered on a project over 25 years ago to transcribe headstones in Terrebonne parish cemeteries. He told me the Terrebonne Genealogical Society published a book on these cemeteries. He lead me to the book which contained a documented record of Aunt Dutsey’s marker! I copied all the records listed in St. Luke Cemetery, drove back to the cemetery and used it as my guide. Unfortunately, I could not find it, but at least I know she is there. I did find something else of interest: Martha’s younger son, Benjamin England married Dora Gautreaux. Several of her family members are buried in that cemetery as well. I also discovered a “Nellie Butler” in the cemetery. I don’t know who she is, but I recognized the name from a 1900 census with Fanny Shields, her husband Jack Page, all seven children and two boarders: Thomas Flowers and Nellie Butler–all living in New Orleans. The birth year of the”Nellie” in the census matched the “Nellie” in the cemetery.
This was a huge milestone for me, but my search for Binky continues…
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| Less than a mile down the road… |
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| Terrebonne Parish Library |
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| Terrebonne Parish Courthouse |
I just acquired the second of two known photos of my great-great grandmother, Lizzie Taylor. I’m dancing out of my shoes right now! My father just got back from the Bayou Classic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and came back with this wonderful photo. He stopped by our cousin’s house, Susie and she took him to see her sister, Irma Lee, who had the photo.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, DADDY!
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| The Original Photo of Lizzie Taylor |
On August 22, 2012, something amazing happened…
This story actually begins with an email I received from a co-worker named Ruth, on July 18, 2012. The email had an attached link to this NY Times Blog chronicling the photographic journalism of Gordon Parks during the Civil Rights Movement. Gordon Parks’ photographs, famously printed in Life Magazine in the 1950’s, moved me deeply and reminded me of why I’m so passionate about genealogical research.
On August 22nd, I was telling my co-worker, Ondria, about my experiences with genealogical research–utilizing such web sites as Ancestry.com & 23andme.com and she was really fascinated. I logged onto Ancestry.com and showed her how I research relatives. I asked her about her relatives and found census records with her family listed. She got really excited and told me that she would have something to show me in the morning.
The next day, she brought in an original LIFE magazine dated September 24, 1956. Inside were all of the pictures (and more) posted in the NY Times Blog.
ALL OF THOSE PICTURES ARE HER AS A LITTLE GIRL WITH HER FAMILY MEMBERS!!!!!!!
She said her aunt, a school teacher, knew Gordon Parks and that she gave him access to the family to document their life in the deep south. As a result, she was ostracized and subsequently banned from the state and had to move to Ohio, but when I asked if she was aware of the implications of her actions she said “yes”—what a woman of courage!!!!!!!!
I explained to her that I had seen these pictures before. To her astonishment, she replied, “How could you have seen these pictures? These are my family members and we checked into this. This article is out of print so it’s impossible to get copies.” I explained to her that our mutual friend, Ruth, sent an email the month before. The look on her face was PRICELESS!
I ran back to my desk and forwarded the email to her and she became emotional. Another co-worker immediately contacted Ruth and asked her to come to Ondria’s desk. Ruth’s expression was just as priceless. That morning there were several people at Ondria’s desk all morning. My boss called her “a celebrity,” pulled out a camera and started taking pictures of her holding the magazine and we were dying laughing.
This was truly an amazing experience!
The wonders of genealogy…
