Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Assumptions and Stereotypes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9eHp7JJgq8

Well, I guess one of the typical assumptions or stereotype of West Virginians is that we are coal miners, so I guess the Williams family fits one of the typical assumptions or stereotypes!  Many of my family members on my mother's side and my father's side were coal miners.  My mother grew up as a "coal miner's daugher", and I am a "coal miner's granddaughter"!  I could not help but attach the song by Loretta Lynn! I, however, am not a fan of country music! :)

My great grandfather and great grandmother's marriage license.

Education

Education is very important to the Williams family, however, it was common in the beginning for some of the Williams family to be unable to obtain a complete formal education. For example, my grandfather was allowed to finish the 6th grade, and then his father made him quit school. He was the oldest of what would be 11 children so he had to help the family financially. My grandmother finished 9th grade because her mother died when she was 12 and her father needed her at home to take care of two younger brothers and sisters. In those days it was typical for the older children to quit school to help with the family. Life circumstances dictated the formal education they were able to obtain. Of course, now many of the Williams grandchildren have had the opportunity to obtain college degrees.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Beliefs and Morals Continued!

This pictures sums up how I would like to think about the Williams family.

Work Ethic




The Williams family has a strong work ethic.  There are a long line of coal miners in the Williams family. The picture above includes my great-grandfather standing in the middle. This kind of work requires strength, determination, perseverance, courage, and responsibility.  My mother grew up in a coal mining community, and this life was not easy.  My grandmother worked also to help the family survive. There are still coal miners in the Williams family today.  

These are time books from the mines.  You can see my grandfather, Fred Williams, with his brothers Sam Williams and Dave Williams.







 This is a picture of my great-grandmother's garden in 1955.  She always had a garden and canned food. 

Beliefs, Values, and Morals




The Williams family has a strong sense of family, values, morals, and work ethic.

First of all, in the Williams family, it is important that each member of the family feel loved, that they belong and that they matter. Being in the Williams family means that you always have a safe place to come back to when things don’t quite work out. Coming together for special occasions and holidays and just spending time together as a family is what helps build that sense of belonging.

 
The Williams family feels that it is important to respect each other and to take feelings, thoughts, needs, and preferences in to account when making decisions. We want to acknowledge and value everyone’s thoughts, feelings and contributions to the family as a whole.

Striving for honesty is another important value for the Williams family.  This is the foundation of any relationships that are meant to last. Mother-daughter, husband-wife, sister-brother. Without honesty a deeper connection will not form and certainly won’t last. 

Forgiveness is another important value/belief in the Williams family.  Forgiving people who have wronged you is an important choice to make. It is not some feeling that randomly washes over you when you feel the other person has “suffered” enough. This can be tough because many of us tend to equate forgiveness with saying what you did was okay, but it is not the same thing. Many in the Williams family feel that holding a grudge is not conducive to a close family with mutual respect.  Everyone makes mistakes, and no one is perfect.  

The Williams family believes in generosity to others, giving without thinking “what’s in it for me”.  This can include time, love, and attention, not just possessions or money.  



http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/02/top-10-essential-family-values/

Traditions

The Williams family is deeply rooted in family traditions.  Family traditions are practices or beliefs that create positive feelings in families, are repeated at regular intervals, and are more than routines (ordinary, everyday activities that require no special behavior and involve little emotion). 

Many of the traditions in the Williams family are handed down from generation to generation.  Of course, there are traditions created within individual families, however, the Williams family has traditions that a large majority are involved in.  One of these is the annual family reunion.  The Williams family still engages in an annual reunion which grows every year.  Of course, not everyone can always attend the family reunion, but I think many of us have wonderful memories of them even if we cannot attend anymore.  I have not been able to attend since I was in my early twenties, but I love to see the pictures each year. Below is a picture from the 1984 family reunion. with my grandfather, Fred Williams, and his brothers and sisters. 


To the right is a picture of Cranberry Church 1945. Much of the Williams clan attended Cranberry Church.  Of course, I cannot speak for all of the Williams clan, but I know that traditions for many are based on religious beliefs, such as as praying before meals and attending church. 

I remember the tradition of going to my Paw Paw and Maw Maw Williams' house almost every holiday.  Almost all of the kids and grandchildren would visit on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  It was always a tradition that I now cherish.  I have wonderful memories of playing with my cousins and spending almost every Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day there with tons of extended family.

Another very common tradition celebrated by the Williams family is birthday celebrations!  This is even evident per the newspaper article about my grandfather's birthday party!

I think the traditions the Williams' have engaged in have cultivated a connection between immediate family members and between generations. By spending time together in a fun and special setting, the family has created feelings of warmth and closeness, and has promoted a sense of identify and feeling of belonging. They have promoted a feeling of safety and security within the family by providing predictable and familiar experiences. Family members have something to look forward to which gives them a sense of assurance in a hectic and ever-changing world.
http://realfamiliesrealanswers.org/?page_id=38

Ethnicity and Race

Per my first post, the first documented member in North America of the Williams family is Jeremiah Williams.  Some speculate that Jeremiah was born in England or Wales and immigrated to North America.  Immigration from those countries to Virginia was consistent with settlement patterns at the time Jeremiah and his family first appear in the records.  Jeremiah married Mary Garst, who was the daughter of German immigrants.  She was born during their voyage to America. According to the book "Giles county, VA, History--Families", most of the early white settlers in that area came from Pennsylvania where their parents had landed as immigrants.  

Although I have not posted information regarding my grandmother's side, the Loudermilks, she is also a descendant of German parents.  My grandmother's side of the family also married into Hungarian and Polish ethnicities. 

My Great Uncle Tracy Williams married Nobue Suzuki from Japan.

 

Easter 1954. My mother is the prissy girl with her hand on her hip. My grandmother is beside her, and she is pregnant.


Sisters Rebecca Jane (Woolwine) Williams and Laura (Woolwine) Arthur. Rebecca Jane married Charlie Williams.


My grandparents - Fred and Madge Williams


Tracy Williams and Nobue Suzuki Marriage


My grandparents', Fred and Madge Williams, on their 25th wedding anniversary on December 26.




Lonnie and Tellie Williams and children


Myrtle, Maxine, Rosalie.


Sam Williams 1951 and later!



My Great Uncle, Tracy Williams, married Nobue Suzuki from Japan. They had two children, Teresa and Jay


Children and Grandchildren of my grandparents - Fred Dallas Williams and Joyce Madeline (Loudermilk) Williams

Fred Dallas Williams and Joyce Madeline Williams (Loudermilk) 
Fred Dallas Williams was born on Jul. 14, 1919 in Willis Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Jan. 12, 1999 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV. He married Joyce Madeline Williams [Loudermilk]. Joyce Madeline was born on Sep. 16, 1923 in
Rainelle, Greenbrier Co., WV and died on Sep. 9, 2003 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.


Paulette (Williams) Young (formerly Thompson), married Ronald Thompson.  Their children are Tera Renee (Thompson) Roccapriore, Ronald Lewis Thompson, Jr., and Cheryl Joyce (Joy) (Thompson) Shore.

Tera (Thompson) Roccapriore married Anthony Roccapriore, and they have three children, Alessandra Michaela, Nathaniel Dallas (named after my grandfather), and Angelique Paulette.

I, Joy (Thompson) Shore married Richard Gray Shore, Jr.  We have three children, Cameron Napier, Kieran Broderick, and Caleigh McLain.

Fred Williams married Karen McRoberts Williams.
They had two children, Ryan and Chris.

Ted Williams married Treva ? Williams
They had three children, Leanna, Pamela, and Teddy Jane.

Wendy (Williams) McGee married Edward McGee.
They have three children, Lori, Bethany, and Holly.


Rebecca Jane (Williams) Rice married John Goodwin. 
They had two children, Tammy and Brandon.

Descendants of Wilson Williams

Descendants of  Wilson Williams
1st Generation 

Wilson Williams married Olivia C. Williams [Stover] .

Children of Uncle Wils) Wilson Williams and Olivia C. Williams [Stover]
Charles Williams was born About 1862 in Cirtsville, Fayette Co., WV and died About 1910 in Nicholas Co., WV.

2nd Generation (Children)
Charles Williams was born About 1862 in Cirtsville, Fayette Co., WV and died About 1910 in Nicholas Co., WV. He married Rebecca Jane Williams [Woolwine] on Aug. 14, 1885 in Fayette Co., WV. Rebecca Jane, daughter of Henry Woolwine and Elizabeth Ann Woolwine [Johnson], was born on Mar. 27, 1862 in Ingram Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Apr. 2, 1946 in Willis Branch, Fayette Co., WV.

Children of Charles Williams and Rebecca Jane Williams [Woolwine]
Lonnie Winton Williams was born on Jul. 17, 1896 in Willis Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Dec. 6, 1965 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Louving Rogers [Williams] died on an unknown date.
Rufus Edgar Williams.
Ida Bell Humphrey [Williams] died on an unknown date.
Henry W. Williams died on an unknown date.
Claudie S. Williams died on an unknown date.
Herbert Williams.

3rd Generation (Grandchildren)
Lonnie Winton Williams was born on Jul. 17, 1896 in Willis Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Dec. 6, 1965 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV. He married Tellie Williams [Miller] on Sep. 7, 1918 in Willis Branch, Fayette County, West Virginia Tellie, daughter of Mark) Demarius Cicero Miller and Ida Jane Miller [Wiseman], was born on Mar. 17, 1902 in Matsville, Fayette Co., WV and died on May 7, 1971 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.

Children of Lonnie Winton Williams and Tellie Williams [Miller]
Fred Dallas Williams was born on Jul. 14, 1919 in Willis Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Jan. 12, 1999 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Rosalie Buckland [Williams] was born on Feb. 28, 1921 in Cranberry, Raleigh County, West Virginia and died on Apr. 15, 2004 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.
June Maxine Bailey [Williams] was born on Dec. 25, 1922 in Harper, Raleigh County, West Virginia and died on Oct. 6, 1973 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Myrtle Alice Ross [Williams] was born on Aug. 28, 1924 in Ingram Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Oct. 1, 1989 in Staunton, Augusta Co., Virginia.
David Ray Williams was born on Oct. 24, 1926 and died on Nov. 27, 1988 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Grace Pearl Tolliver [Williams] was born on Sep. 30, 1928 in Cranberry, Raleigh Co., WV and died on Mar. 11, 1992 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Samuel Olen Williams, Sr. was born on Apr. 30, 1932.
Richard Paul Williams was born on Nov. 11, 1933 in Cranberry, Raleigh Co., WV and died on May 15, 2006 in University of VA Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA.
Billie Joyce Hatcher [Williams] was born on Apr. 20, 1943 and died on Nov. 1, 1998.
Tracy Williams.
Ruby Furrow [Williams].
 

4th Generation (Great-grandchildren)
Fred Dallas Williams was born on Jul. 14, 1919 in Willis Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Jan. 12, 1999 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV. He married Joyce Madeline Williams [Loudermilk]. Joyce Madeline was born on Sep. 16, 1923 in
Rainelle, Greenbrier Co., WV and died on Sep. 9, 2003 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Rosalie Buckland [Williams] was born on Feb. 28, 1921 in Cranberry, Raleigh County, West Virginia and died on Apr. 15, 2004 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. She married Randolph Lee (Rannie) Buckland.

Children of Fred Dallas Williams and Joyce Madeline (Clay) Williams
Paulette (Williams) Young
Fred Williams
Ted Williams
Rebecca Jane (Williams) Rice
Wendy (Williams) McGee



Children of Rosalie Buckland [Williams] and Randolph Lee (Rannie) Buckland
Sharon Ann Buckland was born on Jun. 7, 1939 in West Virginia, United States.
June Maxine Bailey [Williams] was born on Dec. 25, 1922 in Harper, Raleigh County, West Virginia and died on Oct. 6, 1973 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. She marriedJ ohn Earl Bailey. John Earl was born on Aug. 29, 1915 and died on Nov. 6, 1999.
Myrtle Alice Ross [Williams] was born on Aug. 28, 1924 in Ingram Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Oct. 1, 1989 in Staunton, Augusta Co., Virginia. She married Harry Ross.
David Ray Williams was born on Oct. 24, 1926 and died on Nov. 27, 1988 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV. He married Frances Jane Williams [Morris] . Frances Jane, daughter of Lon Thomas Morris and Vada Ethel Morris [Farrel], was born on May 6, 1924 in Long Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Aug. 20, 2010 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Grace Pearl Tolliver [Williams] was born on Sep. 30, 1928 in Cranberry, Raleigh Co., WV and died on Mar. 11, 1992 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. She married Robert Thurston Tolliver. Robert Thurston was born on Feb. 16, 1928 and died on Jul. 29, 1989 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Samuel Olen Williams, Sr. was born on Apr. 30, 1932. He married Kathleen Lucille Williams [Crouch] on Mar. 24, 1951 in Brooklyn, Fayette Co., WV. Kathleen Lucille, daughter of Earl Emery Crouch and Sarah Gladys Crouch [Foose], was born on Sep. 30, 1934 in Sanger, Fayette Co., WV.

Children of Samuel Olen Williams, Sr. and Kathleen Lucille Williams [Crouch]
Thomas A. Williams was born on Aug. 17, 1961 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV and died on May 1, 2011 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Richard Paul Williams was born on Nov. 11, 1933 in Cranberry, Raleigh Co., WV and died on May 15, 2006 in University of VA Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA. He married 1sLt ugene Virginia Williams [Robison] on Dec. 28, 1972. He married 2nd Ruth Williams [Frenger].

Children of Richard Paul Williams and Ruth Williams [Frenger]
Richard Paul Williams, Jr..
Dixie Lee Cromer [Williams].

Theresa Lynn Cooper [Williams].
Eric Matthew Williams.

Decendants of Bryan Miller - You will see my grandfather, Fred Dallas Williams, begin under 3rd Generation.

Descendants of: Bryan Miller
 

1st Generation
1. Bryan Miller. He married Marinda Miller. Marinda, daughter of Robert Anderson Miller and Isabella Miller [Canterbury], was born on Feb. 18, 1841 in Sandlick, West Virginia, United States and died on Feb. 10, 1922 in Raleigh, Raleigh, West Virginia, United States.
 

Children of Bryan Miller and Marinda Miller

Demarcus Cicero Miller was born on Mar. 30, 1866 in Harper, Raleigh, West Virginia, United States and died on Mar. 5, 1943 in Prosperity, Raleigh, West Virginia, USA. He married 1st Sarah Eliza Miller [Lester] on Dec. 20, 1888 in Raleigh, Raleigh, West Virginia, United States. Sarah E Liza was born in 1870. He married 2nd Ida Jane Miller [Wiseman] on Oct. 7, 1899 in Raleigh,
Raleigh, West Virginia, United States. Ida Jane was born on Mar. 2, 1871 in Summers, West Virginia, United States and died on Feb. 14, 1915 in Sandlick, West Virginia.


Children of Demarcus Cicero Miller and Sarah E Liza Miller [Lester] 

Effie Miller was born in Oct. 1889 in West Virginia, United States.

Children of Demarcus Cicero Miller and Ida Jane Miller [Wiseman]

Myrtle Miller was born on Mar. 24, 1900 in Raleigh, Raleigh, West Virginia, United States and died on Nov. 5, 2000 in Richwood, Nicholas, West Virginia, United States.
Tellie Williams [Miller] was born on Mar. 17, 1902 in Matsville, Fayette, West Virginia and died on May 7, 1971 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Carrie Miller was born in 1903.

Stollie Miller was born in 1906.
Delbert Miller was born in 1907.
Tracy Miller was born on Dec. 22, 1909 in Raleigh, Raleigh, West Virginia and died on Mar. 11, 1988 in Lyons, Cook, Illinois.
Basil Miller was born on Apr. 12, 1912 in Raleigh, Raleigh, West Virginia,  and died in 1928 in West Virginia.
 

3rd Generation (Grandchildren) 
Effie Miller was born in Oct. 1889 in West Virginia.
Myrtle Miller was born on Mar. 24, 1900 in Raleigh, Raleigh, West Virginia and died on Nov. 5, 2000 in Richwood, Nicholas, West Virginia.
Tellie Williams [Miller] was born on Mar. 17, 1902 in Matsville, Fayette, West Virginia and died on May 7, 1971 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. She married Lonnie Winton Williams on Sep. 7, 1918 in Willis Branch, Fayette County, West Virginia. Lonnie Winton was born on Jul. 17, 1896 in Willis Branch, Fayette, West Virginia and died on Dec. 6, 1965 in Beckley,
Raleigh, West Virginia.


Children of Tellie Williams [Miller] and Lonnie Winton Williams 

Fred Dallas Williams was born on Jul. 14, 1919 in Willis Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Jan. 12, 1999 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Rosalie Buckland [Williams] was born on Feb. 28, 1921 in Cranberry, Raleigh County, West Virginia and died on Apr. 15, 2004 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.
(Mackie) June Maxine Bailey [Williams] was born on Dec. 25, 1922 in Harper, Raleigh County, West Virginia and died on Oct. 6, 1973 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Myrtle Alice Ross [Williams] was born on Aug. 28, 1924 in Ingram Branch, Fayette Co., WV and died on Oct. 1, 1989 in Staunton, Augusta Co., Virginia.
David Ray Williams was born on Oct. 24, 1926 and died on Nov. 27, 1988 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.
Grace Pearl Tolliver [Williams] was born on Sep. 30, 1928 in Cranberry, Raleigh Co., WV and died on Mar. 11, 1992 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Samuel Olen Williams, Sr. was born on Apr. 30, 1932.
Richard Paul Williams was born on Nov. 11, 1933 in Cranberry, Raleigh Co., WV and died on May 15, 2006 in University of VA Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA.
Billie Joyce Hatcher [Williams] was born on Apr. 20, 1943 and died on Nov. 1, 1998.
Tracy Williams
Ruby Furrow [Williams]

More family documents




My grandparents marriage license - Fred Dallas Williams and Joyce Madeline (Clay-previously married) Williams. Great Grandparents - Lonnie and Tilly Williams, Clark and Lottie Loudermilk


Lonesome Dave Williams - Original Settler



Descendants of Jeremiah and Mary (Garst) Williams - Family History (Family Tree)

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvrcbiog/WilliamsJeremiahNyla.pdf

Thursday, October 3, 2013

The first member of the Williams family who can be documented in North America is Jeremiah Williams. Much of the information about Jeremiah’s early life, however, is disputed. Some researchers maintain that he was born in England; other sources identify him as the Jeremiah Williams born in Wales in 1750 to William Williams and Ann Jones. The 1750 birth date does seem consistent with our Jeremiah’s age, as indicated by the ages of his children. However, no definite proof regarding his birthplace or his parentage has been discovered.
One reason for believing that Jeremiah might have been born in England or Wales is that immigration from those countries to Virginia is consistent with settlement patterns at the time Jeremiah and his family first appear in the records for what became Giles County. (At the time, it was still part of Montgomery County.) According to the book "Giles County, VA, History--Families," most of the early white settlers in that area came there from Pennsylvania, where their parents had landed as immigrants. These settlers traveled along an Indian trail known as the Great Wagon Road, settling on land along the New River.
The first record of Jeremiah’s existence is a grant issued in 1783, giving him 100 acres on the north side of Doe Creek as an assignee of Michael Drake. He later received grants of 35 and 60 acres in the same area. These land grants indicate that Jeremiah was prospering, as do the Montgomery County Personal Property Tax Lists for 1788 and 1789. According to these lists, Jeremiah owned six horses and no slaves. By 1791, Montgomery County Survey Book D recorded 46 acres “on the west side of land he now lives on” for Jeremiah.
In addition to acquiring land, Jeremiah was acquiring a large family. His marriage to Mary Garst took place before 1770, although a precise date has not been located. Several Williams family researchers have recounted the story of Mary’s birth: She was the daughter of German immigrants and was born during their voyage to America. It is said that her parents made a cradle for her from the oven of the ship’s stove. No documentation regarding the truth of the story, or who Mary’s parents were, has been discovered.
Mary and Jeremiah had twelve children—eight boys and four girls. The eldest son, Hugh, was born in 1770. Daughter Patience was born in 1772. Abram and David were born in 1775 and 1776, respectively. Molly was born in 1779, followed by John Stafford in 1780. Alexander was born in 1782, and Joseph was born in 1784. The exact year of Andrew’s birth is unknown, although he is believed to have been born between 1787 and 1789. James A. Williams was born in 1792; there is no record of what the “A” stood for. Margaret was born in 1794, followed by Rebecca in 1796.
 http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Jeremiah_Williams_%2828%29
 http://www.wvgenweb.org/raleigh/BOOK/WilliamsJeremiahNyla.pdf