Could Your Ancestors Read and Write?

By Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

I’ve spent the past twenty years or so doing family searches. My search began in libraries, courthouses, and cemeteries. When Ancestry came along, I joined and began using their compilation of records for many of my searches. It wasn’t the cheapest way, but it was definitely the easiest.

Ancestry had online records such as census, wills, deeds—most of the things one would expect to find in doing genealogical research. Today, ancestry is much more comprehensive, offering not only these records but access to European records, passenger lists, and many newspapers from all over the world.

Digging Up Dirt: My Top 5 Sites for the Beginning Genealogist

By Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know that part of its focus is on genealogy. As I’ve said, I’m not a professional genealogist. Like most of you, I began with a curiosity about where I came from . . . where my roots are. My journey began back in the 1990s when we moved to Florida and I met the regent of my local DAR chapter, a fellow-member of our church choir.

I had no clue where the road would lead me but believe me when I tell you, I’ve been on more pot-hole-filled, back-woods-country-roads than I ever thought possible. I’ve gotten lost more than once. I’ve driven over rain-slicked, red clay roads, over briar and bramble, and trudged through the thickest, insect-infested woods in south Alabama. All for the sake of finding the final resting place of a long-forgotten ancestor.

Scripture and Hymns, The Gospel in Song

By Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

I don’t know why I should be surprised, but in the past couple of weeks, I have been by the number of scripture verses posted that are anthems or solos I’ve sung at one time or another in my lifetime. Now, granted, when you get to be my age and you’ve been singing in church since you were three, you should know a verse or two and not just Jesus Loves Me.

This got me to thinking of the tradition in which I was raised. My Daddy’s family worshiped in the Presbyterian church, my Mama in the Methodist. During WWII when Daddy was fighting over in the Pacific and Mama was home with Bobbie, Mama went to the Methodist church close to her home because it was too far to walk to the Presbyterian church where Daddy and his family had worshiped. Then, when Daddy came home from the war, the people at the Methodist church came by to welcome him home. Sadly, his home church didn’t do the same. That is how we became the only Methodists in the DuPree family.

My Patriot, One of Many

By Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

Since we celebrate our great country’s birthday this week, I spent a bit of time today looking up my great-great-great-great-grandfather’s Revolutionary War service. As we celebrate our independence, I couldn’t help but think about Grandpa Jeremiah Dupree.

Grandpa Jeremiah was born November 16, 1754, in Brunswick County, Virginia, which became Greensville County in 1780.  He entered the service in Greensville County in 1777 as a Volunteer and was Ensign of the Company. His commanding officer was Captain William Peterson.

Apparently, Grandpa went in and out of service. When he left, he was replaced by his brother, Cordell Dupree. It seems that they swapped places with one another from time to time. Terms of service were only three months. I suppose they thought the war wouldn’t last long. I have no clue and I am no historian. In 1780, Grandpa volunteered once again and entered the service within the same county.