Changing families for the Do-Over

Thomas McEntee started the Genealogy Do-Over.  I was instantly in, planing to do the Yeakley side of the family until today. I know it needs work and it is missing sources. I was pretty excited.

Today while waiting for the Do-Over to start, I read through the posts on Facebook and the blog. I thought I'd do something proactive.

I pulled the 1920, 1930, and 1940 Census for my dad's family. My uncle recently passed away and there is a family gathering next week. I wanted to take something with me to share about my uncle. I printed the blank forms and started to fill in the data, translating the codes for employment. I found some things I didn't know or didn't take the time to understand. I was pretty happy until I realized that on two of the census reports, my great grandmother's birthplace was listed as Virginia. That can't be right since she was born in Tennessee. Or was she?

My mom did genealogy for 30 years, tramping through graveyards and traveling from courthouse to libraries. I never questioned her research, she has a lot of documentation. She did cite sources. However, I found nothing on the birthplace for my great grandmother. Is it wrong?

I need a do-over. If I can miss something so different in a census report, something I have looked at multiple times, how much more information have I missed assuming the answers were right. I can't wait to get started!

Sheldon Livesay - Someday an ancestor but right now, please help him feed the hungry in Eastern Tennessee

Someday Sheldon will be an ancestor. Our grandfathers were brothers. They lived in Sneedville, Tennessee where they eked out a living farming land along the Clinch River. The beauty of the area is breathtaking. Unfortunately, this portion of Appalachia is one of the most depressed areas in our country. While we support all the other causes around the world, this little area is overlooked. Children are hungry here. 

Along comes Sheldon Livesay, who says that God called him to involve himself in helping the poor where he lives. It has became much bigger and from there it became Of One Accord Ministry. With a small staff and wonderful volunteers, they are making a difference. 

My cousin Patty and I, traveled there in 2013 to see where our family came from and to meet Sheldon. It was a remarkable trip where we learned more about our family history but what we came away with was an appreciation for how fortunate we are. Sheldon and the people in the area run an outreach program that not only shares the message of God's love, they make a real difference in the lives of the people in their area. 

Patty at Amis Mill Eatery where Sheldon took us to eat. The mill was part of our family history. 

News report about "Of One Accord Ministry". This is the story Sheldon told us at lunch that day. 

Older "Of One Accord Ministry" video but does show all the ways they make a difference. 

At Christmas, when we fill red buckets for the Salvation Army and donate for the food drives in our area, please think about sharing a little with Sheldon and "Of One Accord Ministries".