Posts Tagged ‘history’

Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Presented to Gateview Elementary School Students in Portland, Tennessee

Monday, November 30th, 2009
5th Grade Class at Gateview Elementary in Portland, TN

5th Grade Class at Gateview Elementary in Portland, TN

On November 20th I had the honor of delivering a presentation about my book The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation to the entire fifth grade class at Gateview Elementary School in Portland, Tennessee.  More than 100 students attended.  Prior to my visit the students had studied the Civil War, which tied into my program.  The students were very attentive and had many questions.  Following the presentation many of the students expressed an interest in tracing their genealogy.

Baker Presents Washingtons of Wessyngton to Greenbrier Historical Society

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

On April 21st, author John F. Baker Jr.  delivered a presentation on his new book The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Family’s Journey to Freedom to the Greenbrier Historical Society.    The program was well received and attended by nearly 40 historical society members and friends. 

Baker with friends at Greenbrier Historical Society

Baker with friends at Greenbrier Historical Society

Genealogy Tips #1

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

1.  Start with yourself

    

     The first step in tracing genealogy is to start with yourself and work backwards. 

      Start with what you know such as the names of parents, grandparents etc. then search

      for the unknown.

 

2.  Interview older relatives

    

     Older family members can give you personal information about your ancestors      

      not found in official records.  They may also give you information that will lead you          

      you to other genealogical resources such as the names of extended family members,

      locations where family members lived during a certain period, birth, marriage, and

      death dates of family members.  Always record the interviews if possible.

 

3.  Copy old photographs

    

     Copy all old family photographs and share them with family members.  Be sure to

      record the names of all persons featured in photographs on the back.  We have all

      seen old photographs of family members that no one can identify.

 

4. Share information with family members.

   

     Always share what you find with family members.  If you share information others

      will likely share with you. 

 

5.  Organize your work

    

     Always organize your research and cite sources so the information you find is

      useful to others.

Wessyngton Research-Video

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

I invite you to watch a short video in which I describe my research:

Wessyngton Plantation Research

Wessyngton DNA Project-Video

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

I invite you to watch a short video about the DNA research I conducted:

Wessyngton DNA Project