Family and Research Trip

Today, I am in Morehead City, North Carolina. The purpose of my visit is to reconnect with family as well as do family research. Since my arrival, we welcomed a new member of the family, my grand-niece, baby girl, Sellars. She is very beautiful and cuddly and is charming everyone who graces her presence already. On today's agenda was the Carteret College Library. I love this place. You can literally look out the window at the Atlantic Ocean view. What better way to cuddle up with a good book while occasionally gazing up at the blue on blue ocean and sky! During my trip , I will be making my way down to Robeson and neighboring Counties of North Carolina and then Charleston and Darlington county SC where Brayboy, Pressley, Jefferson, Hines and other family migrated from. Also, ancestral home of the Witherspoons and Henry Marshall whom I spoke about frequently in this blog. Anyway, hopefully this trip will help unravel many mysteries and answer lingering genealogical questions that I have had about my ancestry.

No April Fooling...1940 census due April 1,2012

Just 436 days until the 1940 Census release date! On Sunday, April 1, 2012, the 1940 census will be released. There is a 72-year privacy mandate that will lapse at that time.

Heres what the form looks like. Click to view

In memory of Teena Marie-A True Silky, Silky Soul Singer

About a week ago, my heart broke. It was when I heard the news that one of my favorite singers of all times passed away. The legendary, Teena Marie, born Mary Christine Brockert passed away in her sleep on December 27, 201o. I was shocked and saddened but not all together. It is because 2 days before her actual passing, I learned of the earlier passing of Marvin Isley. Upon learning this, I thought back to the last time that I seen the Isleys and remembered that it was in a sold out concert in Concord, CA with Teena Marie. Upon remembering this, a wave of saddeness came across me but for some reason my sadness was for Teena even though she had not yet passed yet. Strange but true.

Anyway, the world has lost a wonderfully gifted yet understated talent and heaven has gained a new angel to join the choir of all choirs. This woman had one of the most amazing voices that I have beared witness to! If any of you had ever had the pleasure of seeing and hearing her live, then you know exactly what I am talking about. Her recorded voice on albums and CD's although awesome too did not compare to her live voice! This woman had some pipes on her that could rattle wall and her high soprano notes could break the finest crystal glass.

Known as "Lady T," "Vanilla Child," and the "Ivory Queen of Soul," she ranked amongst the great female singer and her voice transcended race. She became well known for her work with Rick James who was one of her early mentors and their duet, "Fire and Desire," one of my favorites.