Michael A. Willis - Michael Willis' Blogs on genealogy, research milestones, historical findings and DNA Analysis

Matthew 7: 17-20 (New International Version)

“Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

Since I was 8 years old, my father would tell me about the property his maternal grandfather, Montgomery Mckinley, bought for his family back in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during the 1940’s. Montgomery died of a heart attack in 1944 at the age of 43. After he died, my grandmother, Ruby, planted the two trees, seen in these photos, on the property. My dad said the trees are being preserved by the city.

Ruby and her mother, Essie Taylor Mckinley continued to live on this property until 1967 when Ruby and her husband moved to Oakland, CA. Essie sold the property and moved to Oakland with her daughter in 1972 after I was born. My parents always said I was the reason she came to California. The church across the street, New Gideon Baptist Church, now owns the property.

Before we came back to California, I wanted to make sure I got a picture of my children next to those trees. When they get a little older, I will tell them a story about those trees…