Pebaleader Kellum Found

No words can express the joy I feel today. I found my cousin who was able to give me additional information on my great grandmother Pebaleader Kellum. I conducted a google search and found an address for my cousin. I wrote her a letter introducing myself and informing her of my search for family. The letter was mailed last Friday and I received a response 3 days later. She was just as eager to speak to me and share information. The icing on the cake is that she remembered my father. What an icing on the cake. It was as if I was receiving a hug from daddy!

Ancestors Smiling Down

This summer has been full of genealogy gems that has pushed my research forward. On top of all of the new information I have obtained, I had the pleasure to meet other family members and begin to establish a relationship with them. I am sure that Aunt Willie Mae was looking at the family gathering in MD smiling because she was part of the glue that once held the family together. This is only the beginning.

Virtual Family Reunion

It is such a blessing to be able to utilize the Internet to bring the family together. Never did I imagine that from one hint from Ancestry could open the door to getting acquainted with my family. I have heard so many wonderful stories about Aunt Willie Mae Cotton and I think what we are doing would bring a smile on her face. Just thinking about how many family members I have met over a short amount of time brings me chills. Though I still am apprehensive about using the Internet, I am convinced that the Internet can move brick walls within one's genealogy research. Can't wait to spend time with my family in the coming weeks!

A Family Reunion via the Internet

I have known for quite some time that I have some half siblings, but was unsuccessful in locating them. An unexpected unsolicited response referencing my siblings' family was made on a Facebook post I made. To my surprise I was able to confirm that this was their family. I know that it is nothing but God and the ancestors that is orchestrating things, because I got nowhere when I was actively looking for them.

This morning something told me to check my other message folder on Facebook. There I found another message of a young man asking if we were related. I am not sure if there is a family connection, but am hopeful that I will be able to make some headway on the branch of my tree that has been most difficult. These two incidents have knocked down my guard about using social media and the Internet frequently. I am really ready to embrace all that world wide web has to offer in my quest to reconnect, connect, and stay connected to my family. What a beautiful surprise and place the Internet can be.

Connecting The Dots

Taking a step back to review the information I have been able to collect allowed me to be able to look at things from a different perspective. During this time we made another family connection with Aunt Willie Mae Gregory Cotton's great great granddaughter. I am excited to be able meet up and share information while we tighten the family bond. It is so true what they say about allowing the ancestor guide your path.

Brick Wall Help Needed

Discovering additional information about my paternal great grandmother Pebaleader is close. I have found information on her granddaughter who was her name sake. I am hoping that providing information on the granddaughter that someone who has information will reach out to me.

The granddaughter's information is as follows:

Pebaleader A. Goosby, also known as Pebaleda White, Pebalender White, and Pebaleader A. White.

Lived in Portsmouth, Virginia

Born in 1942 not sure where

Passed away January 13, 2014

Possible Relatives: Adell S. Stitt White, George E. Goosby Sr., George Kenneth Goosby Jr., Rose Goosby, Samuel White, and Tevaleadear Stitt White

One Step Closer To Finding Pebaleader

I have been searching for more information on my great grandmother Pebaleader from North Carolina only to be faced with a road block. Frustration continues to build because I can feel that I am close, but may be over looking something that I have not been able to put my finger on. After speaking to my "genealogy guides", I went online to Google and typed in her first name only. To my surprise I get a few hits that I know have to be her or her granddaughter. I felt a little excited with hopes of being able to move my research forward only to discover that my great grandmother's granddaughter had passed away this past January. I am grateful to have obtained this information, but saddened that she is no longer living and I have yet another conundrum to solve. I am one step closer to breaking down the wall to finding my great grandmother Pebaleader Kellum Stitt Martin.

RIP Pebaleader A White....