Our family Cars

1965 Chrysler New Yorker like the one my parents owned except they owned a brown one and later a burgundy one



1958 Dodge like ours except ours was PINK

I recently encountered a piece written by my cousin, Craig Manson on his blogsite, GeneaBlogie regarding the vehicles his parents owned while he was growing up. It inspired me to do a piece as well on the same subject. Afterall, we as families spend a great deal of time in our vehicles creating memories inside them or on our way to memorable events.

Among the vehicles that my parents owned was a 1958 Dodge and we took many cross country trips in the early 60's to Louisiana in it. They later upgraded to a brown Chrysler New Yorker and later a 1965 Burgundy Chrysler New Yorker with matching leather interior with cruise control and all the other "Bells and Whistles" of that era. We kids referred to the rear of the 1958 Dodge as having "Bat Wings" because it resembled the rear of the "Batmobile" on the then hit show, "Batman." We didn't realize we were riding in luxury.

As mentioned above, for most people, those vehicles hold a lot of nostalgia and creates another "vehicular" aspect or angle of family history.

My father, Jewel Burney loved to drive, whether it was a leisurely Sunday afternoon drive or a long-distance trek across the country, it seemed to relax him and bring on a level of peace.

Some of our more local destinations included many Saturday trips up to Roseville, California to the Denio's Farmers' Market and Auction which has been around since 1946. For those of you not familiar with it, it is a mecca for fruits and vegetables, leather goods, clothing and just about anything you could possibly think of at bargain prices.

We were a family of 9 including my parents when all the children were at home and in addition, my parents regularly entertained brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, friends and anyone else my father seen fit to invite home to partake of his wife's good cooking. Hence, those 20 mile car trips to Roseville not only provided leisurely quality family time but was well worth the trip for the fresh bargain fruits and vegetables and other food goods for their massive dinner menus, school clothing and supplies, car parts, ice cream cones and my favorite, pony rides.

My dad also drove us to the Zoo a lot. Again, the car drive on the way to Zoo was just as memorable as the Zoo itself. I can remember conversations we had, songs we sang and the many funny things we did.

One game we would play is "Pee-Wee Punch". The object of the game was for each child to identify as many Volkswagon Beetles (VW's) as possible on the way to our destination. We used our fingers to keep track. The winner was determined by whomever had pointed out the most "VW's by yelling, "Pee Wee Punch" by the time we reached our destination. The person was simultaneously "punched" usually in the arm. This was especially fun on long distance trips.

Another game that we played was whenever we crossed railroad tracks, each child was required to cross some bodyparts, i.e. their fingers, toes, legs, arms, lips, eyes,etc. If you were caught by another not crossing something when you crossed over the railroad tracks, someone identified it, and you were pinched. However, if you were actually crossing something like your lips, eyes or some other bodypart and they pinched you, you could pinch them back twice. We bruised each other up a lot playing this game and gave our parents a lot of headaches in the process.

Another trip, we would take a lot in the car was to the Bay Area home of my father's sister Gladys who was a WONDERFUL cook. Again, the drive down was one of the best parts of the experience. The drive from Sacramento to Richmond, CA is very scenic. We just loved to take in the beautiful mountain ranges, pastures, houses atop hills, waterways, bridges as well as the roadway as our car lapped the miles. As a family, we would point out to one another a breathtaking view, a sunset or even a cow. They seem simple but they were memorable.

A more long distance trip that we took several times in the 1960's were our road trips to Louisiana where both my parents grew up. Now, I got to be honest with you, here. The only real memories that I have of these is the packing up of the vehicle, climbing in and hitting the freeway because once we got about 20 miles down the road, all the children in the car were fast asleep. Mind you that it is at least a 36hour trip making good time since I drove it many times since as an adult. However, as a kid, the only thing I remember was getting in the car and waking up there. But again, as mentioned earlier, the car got us to that destination that brought us many memories. Those memories included spending time with my grandmother, Johnnie Pearl and her mother, Anne Bell Green whom we called "Big Mama and all the family dinners and conversations that went along with the trip.

I know you are probably wondering how on earth all 9 of us fit into that 5 person 1958 Dodge. Well, in case you didn't know it, there were no seatbelt or carseat laws back then. Hence, the going rule was "you get in where you fit in." That meant, everybody squeezed together to in order to accommodate each other. The usual and customary order and sitting arrangement was: My dad and mom in the front seat with 2 small children in between and my mom holding a baby, 4-5 children sitted in back with another child sitting on their lap if need be, and up to 2 children sitting on rear floor board. As I mentioned earlier, there were nine of us and often cousins and friends tagged along.

So as you can see, cars are one common and important place where family memories are made. I hope this article inspires you to reflect back on the family memories you had in your family vehicle!

The Tortoise and the Hare-Crockpot vs. Microwave

Here is a tip I would like to share with you regarding cooking for the busy modern family.

I have an ongoing debate with some of my family and acquaintances regarding the best cooking method for working and multi-tasked chefs.

THE HARE: A lot of people prefer the speed of a microwave for preparing quick dishes. I guess this is a great way to go if you have had a busy day and just want something right away. However, in most instances, you compromise quickness for taste.

THE TORTOISE: I prefer a crockpot. Why? You can just load it full of your favorite ingredients at night or before you leave for work and return to a delicious savory meal that tastes like Grandma cooked it. In addition, in the end, it is faster than waiting for seemingly quicker microwave. How? It cooks your food all day but when you get home, it is done, hot and waiting for you because most crockpots have a warming mechanism. Hence, the "Tortoise" analogy because you do not have to even zap your food in a microwave, because it is already hot and ready.

Try it and you be the judge and see what works best for your family.

Household Staples and Remedies

Growing up, I remember that in our household there were 3 staples that my parents always kept on hand. They were vaseline, peroxide and baking soda. These 3 items proved to be invaluable items to have around the house because of they could be used in a variety of ways. Here are some of the multipurpose uses that I remember.

Vaseline:
1. An ointment for scrapes, burns, and cuts
2. An everyday skin mosturizer
3. A medicinal solution for chapped hands or lips, toenail fungus, nosebleeds, diaper rash, chest colds.
4. Makeup remover
5. Furniture stain remover
6. Hair pomade
7. Shoe shine
8. Personal lubricant

Baking Soda
1. As a powdered toothpaste or added to water, mouth wash
2. Refrigerator deordorizer
3. General deordorizer such as sink, pet box, tub
4. Cleaning agent-can be substituted for comet or ajax
5. Medicine to reduce or eliminate acid indigestion, reflux or upset stomach
6. Shoe deordorizer
7. For baking
8. Stain remover for grease and oil on clothing
9. Underarm deordorant
10. A baking soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox or other minor skin irritations or itching
11. Carpet deordorizer

Peroxide
1. Anti-septic for cuts
2. Mouthwash for cuts in mouth-don't swallow
3. Personal hygiene
4. Gargle for a toothache
5. Foot fungus-50/50 water mix
6. Kills germs on countertops and tabletops
7. For blemishes/blackheads
8. Hair dye-bleacher/lightner
9. To clean exterior of electronic parts
10.A nasal spray when 1 tablespoon added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water

Anyway, I still have these items around my own house at all times. For me, they are a necessity. I think it is the same for many other families and these uses have been utilized throughout the generations since their introduction.

Mother Wit

Mother Wit. What is it? The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as n.Innate intelligence or common sense.

This is a term that my southern-born and reared mother and a lot of other mothers like her used to describe common sense ways of doing things. This is differentiated from formal institutional training that takes years to acquire. It requires that you basically use the sense your mama taught you and that God gave you to get the job done. Be it cooking, cleaning, trying to obtain a job or whatever the case may be, you just got to go for what you know and use your "Mother Wit."

People have been using it since the beginning of time. African Americans and especially those that were former slaves used their "Mother Wit" to get ahead because more often than not, that is all they had since they had no formal education or training.

I recently read an article about a former slave named John Claybrook who was born on an Alabama cotton patch who over many years slowly became one of the most affluent members of his race in the South. He owned a large tenant farm, a bank and general store in his Negro settlement of 300, a fortune estimated at $100,000 and a colored baseball team. He lived in Memphis in the height of comfort. Claybrook who never went to school credited all this worldly success, to his "mother wit."

Now, that is not to say that education does not play a valuable role in furthering our careers and knowledge in general but good old common sense or "mother wit" is also crucial.

This is a term that my own mother, Lottie often used. She offered it up as advice and a solution to dealing with and overcoming everyday problems and obstacles. It was the same advice given to her by her mother, Johnnie Pearl Lee and her grandmother, Anne Bell Johnson Green which probably came down from her mother. It has stood the test of time and been handed down through the generations.

So, when it doubt, use your "Mother Wit!"

Familial Terms of Endearment

In every family, besides their given name, we all have different kinship titles that we refer to our relatives as. It varies in every family and often times from person to person within an individual family.

Here are some of the ones that appear in my family and more than likely some of yours.

Father-Dad, Daddy, Father, Pa, Papa, Paw-Paw, Big Daddy, Papere, sir

Mother-Mama, Mother, Ma, Mommy, Madear, Mammie, Mom, Mamere, Big Mama, mum, mame, moms, mummy, Mimi

Sister-Sis, Sister, Sissy, Sistah

Brother-Bro, Brother, Bubba, Bruh

Aunt-Auntie, Aunt, Ant, Ain't, Tia

Uncle-Unc, Uncle, Theo

Grandmother-Grandma, Grandmother, Grandmama, Granny, Big Mama, Grandmom, Grandmommie, Nana, Nanna, Uma, Mimi, grammy

Grandfather-Grandpa, Gramps, Grandfather, Grandpa, Big Daddy, Big Papa, Grandpapa, Granddad, Grand-daddy

If you have some others, let me know.

My mama used to say.....

These of some of the words of wisdom, some biblical, that my mother, Lottie used to spill on her kids growing up. Which ones did your mother say?

1. A hard head makes a soft behind.
Translation: If you don't listen and learn your rear end will be hurting all the time from the many spankings.

2. Children obey your parents so your days will be lengthened on the earth.
Translation: If you follow the advice of your parents, God will grant you a long life. (True)

3. Root, hog or die po (poor)
Translation: Work hard or you die an impoverished man or woman.

4. You reap what you sow.
Translation: How you treat people is how people will treat you.

5. Its enough you don't know to make another world
Translation: You amount of knowledge in the universe that you are not aware is enough to create another universe

6. You would argue with and think you know more than a sign board.
Translation: If a billboard on the side of the road said, TAKE THE NEXT LEFT, you would go right since you think you are more knowledgeable than whoever wrote the sign.

7. You are slower than "Little Beck's Watch"
Translation: Your pace is slower than than the unknown Little Beck's watch which must not keep good time.

8. Wait, I'll be there direcla!
Translation: Give me a minute, I will be there "directly"

9. You're scared of every little "Hee Hant"
Translation: You afraid of every little sound that may resemble a ghost?

10. You're gonna heed my words but you gotta learn things the hard way.
Translation: Someday, you're gonna remember the things I've tried to teach you and follow my advice but right now you are determined to rebel against what I say so you will suffer before you follow my advice.

11. Charity starts at home and spreads abroad.
Translation: You have to love and show good will to those closest to you first, i.e. those in your own home and it will eventually extend to others outside your home, your community, town and the world.

12. Bought sense is better than told.
Translation: Wisdom gained through your own personal experiences is more valuable and meaningful than that gained from the advice of others.

My mothers words turned out to be true and I stand corrected and humbled for not listening to her sooner.

The Name Game

In the process of researching my family history, I have discovered a definite pattern in the naming of children.

The first is a tendency to name children after parents, grandparents or some other close relative. Although, this is now more a disappearing trend, long ago people used to believe in honoring their fathers, mothers and other special relatives by naming their offspring after them. As a result in researching my geneaological lines and viewing others, I have seen the same names repeated over and over. For instance, the names, Mary, Lucy, John, and so on are replicated throughout our family tree.

Another pattern is the use of a surname as a given name. This has also occurred in my own family tree as well as others. The most common pattern is to assign a mother's surname as the child's given or first name. For example, we have a Boykin Harris, Chestnut Harris and Chestnut Jefferson in the family. The names Boykin and Chestnut are both originally surnames from their mothers' and in this case, fathers' lines. These children were actually the offspring of slaves and their given and surnames came from the slaveowners. However, this naming pattern was not only practice among the slave families but the slave master's families as well. For instance, the slave owner was Boykin Witherspoon. Well, the name Boykin was his mothers' maiden name. He was a cousin of the famed Mary Miller Boykin Chestnut who wrote the book, "Diary from Dixie and as you might have noticed, her name follows the same pattern. Boykin was Mary's mothers' maiden name and her married name, Chestnut by the way is the same family line from which my slave ancestors acquired their name from. This trend can actually be valuable in genealogy because a woman's maiden name can often be revealed by the given (first) name of her children.

Yet, another pattern, mostly noticed during the late 19th to mid-20th centuries is the use of initials as first names. For instance, my gg-grandfather was named Richard Clyde Lee but he mostly used R.C. Lee. His aunt was Mollie Burdite Banks Curry but she was known primarily as M.B. Banks Curry. This naming practice either by the parents or the individuals themselves may have come about as a representation of social status. Many thought that by utilizing initials only, they would be viewed as successful, important or rich since many successful and wealthy icons of the period including J.P. Morgan and J.D. Rockefeller were so named. As a result, many people duplicated this pattern because they thought by naming their children in a similar manner, it would almost guarantee their child becoming as successful as the affluent people of that era.

In German society, there was a first name and a calling name, so John Jacob would have that name on church records, deeds, etc., but for anything else, he would be known as Jacob.
There was also a naming order for families. This was observed especially with the Mennonites. The first two sons were named after the child's Grandfathers. It was usually the father's side first honored unless the Mother's father had died before the Father's father and the Father's father was still living. The females were named in like order. They believed in honoring their fathers and mothers. This naming order started to go out in the 1840's.

In genealogy we usually concentrate on surnames since they are the most important way of identifying people who are related. However, a surname is usually inherited and, while it may be changed, some form of it is usually retained. Given names are important too because they represent a voluntary choice by the parents or, sometimes, by an individual to either honor a relative or capture the essence of the child. A name is usually not given lightly. It represents thought and feelings and can be significant to the researcher.

I myself was named by father, Jewel Alphonso Burney, a variation of my great-grandmother's name, Caroline Knox Burney. Her name was Caroline, mine is Karen.

While certain names are popular in different areas in different times in history, the repetition could represent a pattern. Many cultures believe in honoring their elders and do so by naming children after them.