In Memory of the Tyree C. Green

Today, I attended the funeral services of my cousin, Tyree Green. The last time I spoke with him in depth, he told me that he was working on getting his health right. Well, I learned today that he was not only working on his outer self but his inner spirit and relationship with God. I was very happy to know that he had recently re-committed himself and had a relationship with God.

I was sad to hear the news of his passing but elated to hear of the "Good News" that he has a chance at eternal life since the scriptures tell us that:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Hallelujah and praise the Lord that he called upon the name of the Lord!

Important Election 2008 information

PLEASE ALERT EVERYONE YOU KNOW ESPECIALLY YOUTHS THAT MIGHT NOT BE AWARE, THAT CAMPAIGN CLOTHING, BUTTONS, PINS, HATS, ETC ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE POLLS.



THEY ARE BANNED BY LAW WITHIN 40 FEET OF THE POLLING PLACES SINCE THEY ARE CONSIDERED BY LAW TO BE CAMPAIGNING AND YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY AT THE POLLS AND NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE.



PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. IT IS AN IMPORTANT ELECTION YEAR AND WHETHER YOU ARE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, WE NEED ALL THE VOTES TO COUNT!

A Salute to Private JKB

This week was filled with mixed emotions for me. On Monday, October 13, 2008, my nephew, Private J.K.B. was deployed to Iraq. My heart was heavy but at the same time I felt proud because of his obvious dedication and invaluable contribution to this country.

Part of my sadness was due to the realization that the little boy that was once the "apple of my eye" has suddenly become a man.

I talked with my nephew a couple of days before he was to embark on his mission and related to him just how proud I was of him. I also reminded him that he joins the ranks of the many ancestors and other relatives who have served this country. He was surprised to know that we have had ancestors and/or relatvies who have fought for this country since the Revolutionary War but it is true. Heres is just a few:

Joshua Braveboy - American Revolution (Revolutionary War)
Great-GG Grandpa Henry Johnson - Civil War
G-Uncle Johnnie Johnson- World War I
Uncle Huey Lee-World War II 8 Mar 1943
Jewel and Herbert Burney-Korean War
Clyde Lee-Vietnam War
D.Burney and T. Carter-Desert Storm
JKB-Iraqi War


Again, these are just a few. There were so many others. I plan to do a special tribute in another blog to salute ALL those who served this country so valiantly.

I encouraged my nephew to keep his faith and to be prayerful and to remember that he is not going alone, that God will be there every step of the way.

You would have to know my nephew and the journey he took to get where he is today. Even as a tot, you could see that God created someone very SPECIAL. He is one of the most spiritually beautiful people you would ever want to know. He is a man full of
eloquence, grace and honor. He is the type of person that finds friends where ever he goes.


I know that God will accompany him on his journey and ensure his safe arrival back home to his family that loves him.

Please keep him in your prayers

Miracle at St. Anna

For those of you who have not already gone to see it, Spike Lee's "Miracle at St.Anna" is a must see. It is based on the screenplay and novel written by James McBride.

The movie is set in Italy in 1944 and highlights the contributions and sacrifices of Colored Troops during World War II. It demonstrates the bravery of these colored men who put their very lives on the line to defend the United States even though racism still thrived even in the military.

The cast was awesome. They did a wonderful job of connecting with the characters, era, the mood of the 1940's and the war. The cast included Derek Luke, Aubrey Stamps, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso, Omar Benson Miller and Matteo Sciabordi.

According to military records, there were an estimated 922,965 blacks who served in various capacities during World War II.

These men should be forever remembered for their valiant service and contribution.

Again, for a glimpse into that time in history, I encourage you to go see, "Miracle at St. Anna."

Joel 2:13

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:13

Louisiana Death Records Available Online

The Louisiana Death Records index is now available online from 1911-1957. The index lists death certificates more than 50 years old. Unfortunately, the entire image of the death certificate is not available for viewing or printing.

However, you can search the index for a family member and then order the certificate by mail for $5.49 or you can go to the Research Library in Baton Rouge and print the a microfilm copy of the death certificate for 50 cents.

Below is an example of a search I did on my Brittentine line.

Results
Year Age Month Day Name Parish
1932 17 11 18 BRITTENTINE , BEATRICE Caddo
Order Page: 12159 Volume: 31
1946 56 5 23 BRITTENTINE , ERNEST Caddo
Order Page: 401 Volume: 5
1920 19 8 6 BRITTENTINE , JUDY Caddo
Order Page: 8428 Volume: 18
1927 28 9 3 BRITTENTINE , LILLIAN Bossier
Order Page: 10404 Volume: 23
1926 7 MO 4 1 BRITTENTINE , NORA LEE Bossier
Order Page: 10655 Volume: 25
1943 45 6 13 BRITTENTINE , SALLIE Bossier
Order Page: 699 Volume: 508

You can assess the new site at http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/640/Default.aspx. or click the link on the bottom right of this page labeled "Louisiana Death Certificate (Orders).

Be forewarned that there are a few glitches on the new site. The PDF order form will not come up if your pop-up blocker is on. If this happens, I would recommend that you just print screen the index page your subject appears on, highlight it and send your request with your fee to:

STATE OF LOUISIANA
SECRETARY OF STATE
P.O. BOX 94125
BATON ROUGE, LA 70804-9125
(225) 922-1000
www.sos.louisiana.gov


Ancestry.com also has a Louisiana Death Index for the same period. Once you find the name, you can print the page and send with your $5.00 fee. However, Ancestry.com is a paid site but you can use it for free at your Public Library. I have ordered certificates from Louisiana before and they are fairly prompt.

Because Louisiana is a "closed record" state, meaning birth and death certificates less than 50 years old are not public records, all these requests must include proper identification. In addition, you can only obtain a certified copy of a death certificate if you are the surviving spouse of the person named on the document, parent of the person named on the document, adult child of the person named on the document, sibling of the person named on the document, grandparent of the person named on the document, adult grandchild of the person named on the document, or the beneficiary of an insurance policy of the person named on the document. You can order these at:

Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160; Phone (504)568-5152 or visit their web site at www.dhh.state.la.us for more information.

Good luck with your Louisiana Death cerificate research.

The Black Loyalists

Black Loyalists were former slaves or free negroes who in exchange for the promise of freedom by the British Government during the American Revolutionary War, promised to fight against the American Colonies. Although, some were slaves of white Loyalists. In an effort to fortify the British forces, some of the Generals issued proclamations that slaves who joined the British Armies would be freed despite threats from outraged Virginia slave owners who decreed that runaway slaves would be executed.

Slavery in England had been abolished in 1772 after a decision from Lord Mansfield, Chief Justice of the King's Bench, but this decision did not apply in the colonies.

The Black recruits formed regiments such as the Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment, Sir Clinton's Black Pioneers, Jersey Shore Volunteers, the King's American Dragoons, the Jamaica Rangers, and the Mosquito Shore Volunteers. Many of these regiments won key battles.

However, as history records it, the British lost the War to the Americans and unfortunately many former British Black Loyalists were returned to their former Masters or sold back into slavery. In addition, the approximate 2500 slaves of White Loyalists, remained slaves until 1834 when slavery ended in the entire British Empire. Hence, the British did not hold up to their end of the bargain that they made to these former slaves.

However, some generals were insistent that the former Black British soldiers be rewarded for their service. There were over 3,000 free African Americans who migrated to Nova Scotia primarily and are listed in the Book of Negroes, a book that documents the Black Loyalists. In 1793, these Blacks were taken to Florida, Nova Scotia and England as free men and women. Their names were recorded in the "Book of Negroes" by General Carleton. The group of refugees who arrived in Nova Scotia were the largest group of people of African descent to arrive there at any one time. Included in the "Book of Negroes" was a Mary Braveboy. Please recall that is one of my ancestral paternal names. Mary was aged 44 at the time of her relocation and she traveled on the ship,"Thames Abraham Ingram," to St. Johns River which in New Brunswick. I must say I was surprised because I have an acquaintance who traced her family back to the Black Loyalists and never knew that there might be a connection in my family as well.

From many of these free and enslaved Africans descended the Black Canadian culture which exists today. They have made a significant impact on the Canadian culture. There is documented evidence, that game of Hockey was created by descendants of these Africans. The story is documented in George and Darril Fosty's book,"Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes." They populated towns such as Halifax, Annapolis, Birchtown, Shelburne and New Brunswich.

However, after the war many Black Loyalists were evacuated to London and were included in the population of the Black Poor. About 4,000 of these former Black Loyalists migrated to Sierra Leone in 1787 and about 1100 more migrated there directly from Canada and are known as the Nova Scotian settlers. Today, their descendants are known as the Sierra Leone Creole people of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

These Black Warriors had a very proud history. They demonstrated tremendous bravery in their quest for freedom although for many, it never came.