Boy, do I have a lot to tell you!
Week before last I went on a research trip.
First, I went to Fordyce, Arkansas and spent a whole day in the court-house taking photos of documents pertaining to Sanford Higginbotham and his estate. Sanford is my 3rd great-grandfather. I’ll be doing separate posts about that, as his estate was in four “will” books, five “probate” books, and one “deed” book. It’s going to take me a bit to process all the pictures and get them ready for your viewing, you won’t be disappointed though.
This is the Fordyce Courthouse that held all of the glorious documentation about Sanford Higginbotham and his family.
Courthouse Sign - Fordyce Arkansas
Dallas County Courthouse, Fordyce Arkansas - Front of Building
Dallas County Courthouse - Fordyce, Arkansas - side of building
I also went to the Fordyce library, and browsed their genealogy section, but found nothing on Sanford Higginbotham.
Then I went to the Dallas County Museum and visited there with Sagan Childs. She has tried to help me before with other ancestors on my mother’s side of the family, and she is always helpful. They had nothing on Sanford Higginbotham there either, but it was nice to visit with her anyway, and check out any new items in the museum.
Dallas County Museum - downtown Fordyce, Arkansas
Then, I left and went to Texarkana. I went to Nedra’s house.
Nedra, always the gracious host! I can’t tell you what a blessing she has been in my life. So much of what I have found out about our family, has been through her efforts.
I wouldn’t trade Nedra for love nor money.
What?? I think I just channeled my grandmother Poo, she used to say that all time. It’s true though, I wouldn’t trade Nedra for anything!!
We (I mean Nedra) went and fixed the pretty flowers that my Uncle Charlie put on Aunt Jane’s grave.
I just watched and snapped photos with my iPhone.
This was before:
Aunt Jane's headstone
Nedra fixing flowers
And guess what? I forgot the after picture! Oh, well! Nedra just shaved off half of the styrofoam and then the flowers fit down in there flush with the top of the vase. They looked good, the flowers Uncle Charlie put out there, were very pretty.
Then I checked out Mom and Dad’s headstone.
Yes, Mom and Dad’s.
Don’t panic, they are still here on Earth. I do have to tell you though, seeing their headstone down on the ground definitely set me back a bit. It’s so final, and yet inevitable. We will all be there one day. My problem is I want to keep them here forever and I know that’s not going to happen. But anyway, here is their headstone, and it looks really good. Mom picked it out, and she did a good job. I’m glad it has their marriage date on it, that is great for future descendants to find!
Mom and Dad's Headstone
I spent a day at the library and found a few random things on a variety of ancestors, some on my mother’s side and some on my fathers. I’ll share more of this in additional posts. Also, Nedra gave me several things on her brother Erby, and I’ll be doing a post about that.
Then, one of the highlights of the whole trip was, on a whim, I called the Highland Park Baptist Church of Texarkana, and inquired about my 2nd great-grandfather, the Rev. Francis Hereford Williams, as being the founding pastor. HE WAS!! The current pastor Kevin Meyers had all kinds of information and asked me to come by the church. So Gary, Bessie and I went, and well, you will have to wait for a post about it! It’s too good to summarize here!! But as a teaser, here is a picture of Gary, Bessie and I in the sanctuary. We got quite the tour!
Gary, Bessie and Me, in the Highland Park Baptist Church sanctuary
Then, another highlight was, my precious Uncle Charlie graciously gave me all of the following: my Grandmother’s clock, a clock that belonged to my Aunt Jane, another photo album, and a binder with letters in it spanning from 1890 to 1927, and an old photo of my 2nd great-grandfather, Major Harris, his brother Uncle Doc, and his sister, Aunt Birdie, all when they were children.
Clock that belonged to my grandparents, Earl and Edna Higginbotham. Thank you Uncle Charlie!
Aunt Jane's clock - Uncle Charlie thinks Maudie Cowan gave it to her.
Photo Album from Uncle Charlie
Binder of Letters from Uncle Charlie
And that precious binder will also get a post of its own because of the countless treasures that were in it.
Uncle Doc Harris, Major Harris, and Aunt Birdie Harris Williams
Then, I headed to Shreveport, and spent time with Kookie and Cheri. We were going to research, but instead, we settled for visiting, reading the binder of letters and trying to decipher a very interesting find, which you’ll find out about later, and then I got to meet Kookie’s daughter, Kelly and her family and I just loved them all! Kookie is blessed with a great family.
Here is a picture of Kookie and me, I don’t know why I didn’t take a picture with Cheri or any of Kookie’s family, maybe because I didn’t feel good, but I’m very disappointed that I didn’t. I think I just got caught up enjoying the moment, and forgot to document it. Sometimes, you just want to have fun, know what I mean?
Kookie and Me
And why haven’t I taken a picture of me and Nedra like this before?? I’m adding that to my to-do list. Or should I say bucket list cause sometimes I think I might die before I get all of this dang to-do list done.
Anyway, this trip was a great break from the responsibilities of home, and I so needed the time I spent with my cousins. I love them all, and had a great time with them. I only wish I was closer and could spend more time with them.
~SHR~
