Preserving Brice's Crossroads

LINK - Preservationists visited the historic Civil War site.

Update

Just a quick note. I haven't forgotten this blog. I've just not had a lot of time to blog because of preparations for speaking engagements. I've also not seen a lot of history and family history items relating to Mississippi in the news the last couple of weeks in the major state papers. I've not had time to really explore beyond that.

I did note the other day that Ship Island and many of the islands of the Gulf Islands National Seashore are now open again following Katrina. The Beau Rivage is planning to reopen on the one year anniversary of Katrina.

Congratulations to the Sun Herald (Gulfport) on its share of the Pulitzer for their Katrina coverage with the Times Picayune (New Orleans).

In other Mississippi news today:
LINK - Col. Steven Gerber of Maxwell AFB will take command of Columbus AFB in June.

LINK - Gulfport's harbor won't be open in time for shrimp season. There are quite a few obstructions there that have yet to be removed.

LINK - Biloxi's Blessing of the Fleet will take place in June, although no prizes will be given.

LINK - The Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Bottling Plant is celebrating 100 years.

LINK - Petal's Class of 1941 gets together every 3 months to reminisce. There were originally 33 class members; now there are about 18. 13 of the 14 boys went on to serve in World War II, and one of the girls also joined. One member spent 35 years serving as a missionary to Nigeria.

and finally

LINK - The first home owned by Mississippi native Elvis Pressley is for sale on eBay.

Tupelo's 1936 Tornado

LINK - The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal is featuring a series on Tupelo's 1936 tornado in recognition of the event's 70th anniversary.

Treasures in the Attic

LINK - The Gilliam family was an influential African-American family in the Mississippi Delta. Some momentoes and original documents pertaining to the family have been found in a Clarksdale attic.

Thomas Reunion

A Thomas Family Reunion is planned Saturday June 03, 2006, at the new Lamar County High School Cafeteria, Highway 18 west, Vernon, Alabama , for the descendants of John Tapley Thomas and Sarah Key/Thomas, who moved from Georgia to Lamar County, Alabama sometime in the 1860’s. Our first documentation of that date is when he donated land for the Emmaus Church on July 21, 1868. His parents are believed to be Beasley/Bradley Thomas and Martha a/k/a Patty Key.

Children of John Tapley and Sarah Thomas are; Virginia “Jennie” married to Sherwood Reddrick Holley; Simeon Brantley married to Nancy Copelin/Copeland and Margaret J. Graves ; George Key Married to Rebecca Copelin/Copeland, William H. married Unknown, John Christopher Columbus “Lum” married Martha E. Jackson and Georgia Baker; Mary Jane married James Benjamin Chandler; Elizabeth “Lethia”married Thomas Harvey “Tom“ Finch; Franklin Pierce married to Molly Riley.

Any one interested in these family lines is welcome. For additional information contact Nelda Thomas Northington at 2223 Mountain Lake Drive, Kingwood, TX 77345 or phone 281-360-6043 or email nnorth@kingwoodcable.net; contact Jim Thomas at 7431 Old Springville Road, Trussville, AL 35173, or phone 205-680-6899 or email jthomhd@charter.net ; contact Kawatha Chandler Koonce at 423 9th St. South, Columbus, MS 39701. Telephone 662-329-4722 email kaykoon@bellsouth.net.

Please bring information from Family Bibles, or other information on your family and a copy of any photos that you are willing to share.

A Luncheon is planned for 12:00 noon. at Lamar County High School Cafeteria, Vernon, Lamar County, Alabama. Please bring a covered dish/beverage. Eating utensils and ice will be furnished.

Please join us at 10:00AM to visit and share information before lunch.