Tilling the land Adam Gordon’s farm story in Amite, Louisiana

Adam Gordon
Photo Courtesy of the 
Gordon Family Collection

His paternal grandmother, Mandy Wheat Jones, was a farmer and herbalist in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Despite this familial connection to agriculture, Adam did not view farming as a viable career path for himself. When an opportunity arose to distance himself from farm labor, he seized it without hesitation. In addition to his agricultural background, Adam was a dedicated community activist and organizer. He actively protested to promote the integration of businesses in Amite, Louisiana, and to secure employment opportunities for many African Americans in Tangipahoa Parish. Notably, he organized a demonstration in front of the Red and White Supermarket to pressure the store into hiring African-American cashiers.

Later, when employed as a supervisor at the Norco Refinery in Norco, Louisiana, Adam played a significant role in providing employment opportunities. He hired numerous individuals from Tangipahoa Parish and even established his own enterprise. This allowed him to create jobs and support workers in both Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. Furthermore, Adam was married to Glynis Vernon Gordon, and together they raised two sons and were grandparents to four grandchildren.

The paternal grandmother of Adam, Mandy Wheat Jones,  was a  farmer and herbalist who resided in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Despite this familial connection to agriculture, Adam did not view farming as a viable career path for himself. When an opportunity arose to distance himself from farm work, he seized it without hesitation. Adam was deeply involved in community activism and organizing, dedicating his efforts to advancing civil rights and economic opportunities for African Americans in Tangipahoa Parish. Among his notable actions, he organized a protest in front of the Red and White Supermarket to compel the store to employ African American cashiers. Later, while employed as a supervisor at the Norco Refinery in Norco, Louisiana, he utilized his position to hire numerous individuals from Tangipahoa Parish, further contributing to local employment. In addition to his supervisory role, he independently created job opportunities and supported the workforce in both Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. Adam was married to Glynis Vernon Gordon, and together they had two sons and four grandchildren.

Bernard Temple the First Child in Louisiana Takes the African Ancestry DNA Test

Bernard Temple 
Mailing his African Ancestry DNA Test 

Bernard was the first child to take the African Ancestry DNA to learn more about his paternal African Ancestry. It was an extraordinary occasion for him. We traveled to Virginia to have him take the test near the Atlantic Ocean. We stood on the beach looking out across the ocean, talking about the day we would travel to Africa.

That summer, we packed the car and drove to North Carolina to museums, antique shops, parks, and having fun as a family. My ex-husband and I shared the driving. While in Greensboro, North Carolina, we met with some Tuareg People Moussa Albaka introduced us to. Dennis and I were planning to travel to Niger, Africa, in a few months.  We wanted to make some connections with people in Niger before we made our trip.

During his forth grade year at Audubon Montessori school in New Orleans, his class was given an assignment to do a special project on his family origins and history. He was extremely excited because I had taken my maternal African Ancestry DNA and my test results revealed that our maternal ancestry could be traced to the Tuareg People of Niger, Africa. 

Moussa Albaka arranged to have a special outfit from Niger sent to New Orleans for Bernard to wear that day. He wore Tuareg handmade Tuareg jewelry made by the Moussa himself, the Tuareg Silversmith. Bernard also had to bring a dish from the native culture. We decided to bring goats cheese because the Tuareg people eat a lot of home made camel and goats cheese.

Audubon Montessori was a school of diversity and many of the students were from different ethnic groups and cultures in his class. That day the students took us around the world. We travel to India, Mexico, Italy,  Asia, Europe, and Africa. We were so proud of him for getting an "A" on his assignment. 

Amite No. 1 Church Of God In Christ

 

Annie Richardson Vining the Daughter of Thomas and Amanda Breland Richardson

Annie Richardson Vining
Photo Courtesy: Antoinette Harrell

Annie Richardson Vining was the daughter of Thomas Richardson and Amanda Breland Richardson. Annie was the oldest child of five children born to their union; Thomas, John, Golean, and Sophia. Annie was born in 1881 in St. Helena Parish, and she died on March 25, 1965.

Annie was married to Peter Ben Vining. They were the parents of; Carrie, Laura, John, Leon, and Luella Vining. Many years ago, I interviewed Cousin Louella in New Orleans, Louisiana, about her family tree. She told me that her mother Annie was accidentally shot his sister Annie and she died from what they called "lockjaw," which is basis tetanus infection.

Afterward, John moved to Philadelphia, and the family didn't travel down south. The accident was too much for him to handle. Cousin Louella lived with her grandparents Thomas and Amanda in St. Helena Parish. 

This is the branch Belinda Vining Trepagnier descend from. Annie's daughter Carrie married Melton Carter.  Her daughter Laura married George Rudison and her daughter Louella married George "Gainey" Franklin from St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. I enjoyed talking with Cousin Louella. She was a very sweet lady who found joy in crocheting. She was an amputee but didn't let that stop her from doing what she enjoyed. She as always surrounding by lots of family. Her daughter Betty Robins and her grandchildren took care of her until she passed away. She is buried in Rocky Hill Cemetery in Rocky Hill. Rocky Hill is located in St. Helena Parish. 

Thomas Willie Richardson: Son of Thomas and Emma Louise Gordon

Thomas Willie Richardson
and wife Mytle Johnson
Photo Courtesy: Karmaede1

My maternal great grandfather Thomas S. Richardson met and married my maternal great-grandmother Emma Vining Richardson. Prior to married Emma, he had a son with Emma Louise Gordon. I never heard the generation before me speak of Thomas Willie Richardson. He was born in 1900 in Amite or St. Helena  Parish. Thomas died in 1988 in Tuscarawas, Ohio at the age of eighty-eight. He was married to Myrtle Johnson and they had one son. 

His siblings were; Josephine Richardson Harrell, Rosabell Richardson Moore, Alexander Richardson, and Alma Richardson Gordon. 

I was happy to meet our cousin Karmede1 through Ancestry. She and her family lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Script from Lumber Mills Operating in the Louisiana Florida Parishes

Script from the Lumber Mills in the Louisiana Florida Parishes

Lumber town generally emerged in isolated locations far removed from the main routes of commerce. Taking advantage of the scarcity of local merchants, timber companies often paid their workers in company script, rather than in legal U.S. money, redeemable only at the company operated stores. Below are examples of script from lumber mills operating in the Louisiana Florida Parishes. 

The Bond That Keep Family Together

There isn't that many photographs of my maternal grandmother Josephine Richardson Harrell and her siblings. This photo was taken at her home in Amite, Louisiana. It appears that she, her sister Rosabell Richardson Moore, and her youngest daughter Delores was attending someone's funeral or a church service. They're all dressed in white that indicated it was first Sunday, when the women dress in white for communion service or like I said a funeral. 

Using Social Media to Identify Photographs

Photo Courtesy: Juanita Harrell Stewart Collection
Cheryl Lyn Clark, Carmen Clark, Vear Roscoe
Rudolph Clay, Roemary Dennis, Cassie Johnson, Delores Gaskins, 
Freddie Mae Jackson, Geraldine Manager

I'm working with my photo collection and organizing it for the repository at the Amistad Research Center in New Orleans. Several years ago, Juanita Harrell Stewart, my cousin 2x, removed lived with me in her elderly age for care. We moved all her photo albums and boxes into my home. Over the years, I went through every box and found a photograph of her family and her church family. She was a lifelong member of Petty AME  Zion Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

I post a picture of her collection on my personal Facebook page, hoping that someone could help identify the people in the photograph. To my surprise, two women said that they could identify everyone in the picture. I was so happy that this picture would not be labeled as unidentified people. Brenda Johnson and Juanita Cunningham, who were both members of the church, knew everyone. My cousin Juanita was a secretary at one time for the church. 

If you have a photograph and know who the people are in the picture. Take a chance and post it on your social media sites; you never know who can help you identify the people.

Tangipahoa Parish Proclaim October at Family History Month

Mason Foster, Former Mayor of Hammond, LA
Reginald Goldsby,  Former Mayor of Amite, LA
Antoinette Harrell, Local Historian and Genealogist

Dr. Antoinette Harrell, a local historian and genealogist asked Gordon Burgess, Tangipahoa Parish President to proclaim October as family history month. October nationally is recognized at family history month. It created a great opportunity to reflect on family history and discussions. Tangipahoa Parish genealogy library in Amite, Louisiana has a wealth of ancestry information that can help local people who are searching for their family history.

George Perkins
Tangipahoa African-American Heritage Museum & 
Black Veterans' Archives

 

Clifford Wheat of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Clifford Wheat
Photo Courtesy: Joyce Lafonta

Clifford was born on October 16, 1904, in Amite, Louisiana. He was born to John and Delia Wheat. His sibling was: John, Jr, Conley, Percy, Enna, Hebert, and Emma Wheat. Clifford was a man of some means. Several years back, I met with Joyce Lafonta and cousin of Clifford Wheat. She inherited all of Clifford's papers and photographs when she purchased his home. 

When I was a small child growing up in Amite, Louisiana, we sometimes visited his home. The house and yard were so clean, and the house had such a homely feeling. He was a farmer who hired people to work on his farm. He was a barber too. 

Clifford was the grandson of Saul and Julia Lawson Wheat. The United States Federal Census didn't say when Saul was born, but it stated that Julia was born about 1834 in Louisiana. Julia died at the age of eighty-five on September 10, 1919. 

Joyce had quite a few exciting documents and records from Clifford's collection. The description told a lot about Clifford's life, accomplishments, and business dealing in Tangipahoa Parish. 

Eric Williams and Jeremy Collins

Photograph of African-American Students in the Fajoni Lanier

I would like to know what school this photograph was taken at. There is no little information and pictures on the African-American schools before integration. It had been very complicated and hard to find any historical information and photographs of the schools in the Louisiana Florida Parishes. If anyone can tell me about this school, please email me at; nurtuingourroots@gmail.com

Children Photographs in the Lanier Fajoni Collection

This folder was labeled as "children" I didn't find a lot of images in that files. I shared the ones I did find. If anyone know any of the people in these images. Please email me at; nurturingourroots@gmail.com

 

African American Images of Men in the Lanier Fajoni Photograph Collection

 If anyone recognize any of the men in these photographs. Please contact me by email at; nurturingourroots@gmail. com 

African-American Women Pictures in the Lanier Fajoni Collection

 

Unidentified African-American Photographs Lanier Fajoni Collection

Two decades ago, I met a woman by the name of Phylis in Amite, Louisiana. Phylis was teacher at that time. She also wrote a column for the local newspaper about local people. She contacted me about identified photographs of African American people who used Lanier Fajoni photographer services. Here are some of the photographs she shared with me. If anyone recognized any of the people, please email me at; nurturingourroots@gmail.com.

 

 

Britten Family Unidentified Photograph Collection at the Louisiana State Archives

Britten Family Collection
Louisiana State Archives
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

There are many unidentified photographs in the Britten Family collection at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. If you are a Britten or have an older family member in the Britten family that can help identified the photographs. Please email Dr. Antoinette Harrell at nurturingourroots@gmail.com. 

Unidentified Photograph
Source: Louisiana State Archives
Britten Collection

Unidentified African-American Photographs at Louisiana State Archives in the Britten Collection

Unidentified
Source: Louisiana State Archives

Last week while conducting genealogy research at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, La., Bill Stafford, Louisiana State Archives Research Library Administrator, went into his office and came out with a box of unidentified photographs of African-Americans from the Britten Family Collection.

I was delighted to see the beautiful unidentified photographs. I did recognize an original postcard of the  Tangipahoa Parish Training School for the Colored in  Kentwood, Louisiana. I took photographs of some of the pictures to share on my social media sites. I decided to Live-Stream a special video on my Facebook page asking anyone who knows the Britten family to contact me concerning this collection. 

Bill said that someone dropped them off at the archives. At least the family didn't throw them away. That evening, Eric Williams and Ann Hurst reached out to the Britten family to see if the Britten's they know could help us identify anyone in the photographs. 

Unidentified
Source: Louisiana State Archives

Unidentified
Source: Louisiana State Archives

Louisiana State Archives Genealogy Research

Eric Williams 
Louisiana State Archives Research
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

One of the lessons I wanted to teach Eric Williams was how to use microfilms to research his ancestors' death records that could provide a lot of helpful information for him. Eric found information that answered some questions for him. Once, I instructed him how to fill in the research form that required the deceased person's name, date, certificate number, and the page number. 

Our trip to the Louisiana State Archives was very successful and rewarding for both Eric and me. We both were very pleased with our accomplishments that day. On the way home, we discuss how essential death records are to genealogy research. 

We didn't have enough time to do all that we wanted to do. We didn't have enough time to do all we wanted to do on this five-day research trip. Eric will return back to Louisiana to research at the St. Helena Parish Courthouse and Pike County Courthouse. He was researching the Walls, Tobias, Williams, Burton, Strickland, and Bated family surnames. 

Teaching Others to Find Their Ancestors Before 1870

Eric Williams
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Anyone researching their family lineage can tell you that it could be very challenging and time-consuming. But it's all worth it because you want to know more about your family history. There is one thing for sure, and that is your research will never end.

Mainly for African-Americans whose ancestors were enslaved in the United States.  Most who are researching their enslaved ancestors say they hit a brick wall before 1870. Eric Williams has genealogical ties to Amite County, Mississippi, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena Louisiana Parishes. 

I received a phone call from Eric Williams about our DNA connections. After we spent hours upon hours talking by phone, we decided to schedule a trip to the Amite Courthouse to research slavery inventory. It was Eric's first time researching in the Amite Courthouse for slavery records. We spent the day looking at Probate records, marriage records, wills, and other records in the courthouse. 

Eric found his ancestors who were enslaved in the inventory of the person who owned them. Eric's emotions were written all over his face. I know that feeling because I experienced it when I started researching my family history. Afterward, we went to the local library to finish our genealogy research for the day.