UFO (Unidentified Family Origin)

Part of the lure of genealogy is getting caught up in the detective work, piecing together clues to create a story. I am greedy for information, old pictures, whatever I can get my hands on!

Last weekend I came across many old photos at Teeny's and took pictures of them with my phone. Some folks we were able to identify; but there were others, even whole families, that stumped us. Here are some of the mystery portraits:

This is an aunt Mollie (?) that Teeny used to believe was her claim to Native American blood.
It turned out that this relative never had children.

These are Lukhard great grandparents... I'm sure I have them on my tree, but don't know exactly which ancestors they are. Possibly Thomas and Mary Louise Bagby.

Unknown family

Very cool family but a total mystery.

I would have removed the cellophane but this portrait would have turned to dust.
No idea who this is, but believed to be a Lukhard.

I have no idea who looks at this blog but if by chance someone sees this who can help, please comment!

Aaron Burr, 1756-1836

The story goes that the Austin's are descendants of the family of Aaron Burr. I decided to try to confirm that today.

Michael David Austin's great grandmother was Lillian Burr. I have followed her direct line back to 1625 in Fairfield, Connecticut, to a man named Jehu Burr, with details as follow:

• Jehu is Michael David Austin's 8X great grandfather.
• Jehu was the father of Daniel Burr (Mike's 7X great grandfather). 
• Daniel was the father of Rev. Aaron Burr, whose son Aaron is the infamous man who killed Alexander Hamilton.

That makes Mike a 1st cousin 7X removed from Aaron Burr.

On the Austin Side: Samuel Williamson, Confederate (Mahone's Brigade)

Michael David Austin's 2x great grandfather (Grace Drumwright Austin's maternal grandfather)

The following copied from Findagrave.com:

Samuel Williamson Samuel Williamson, a well known and very highly esteemed citizen, passed away this morning at 4:15 o'clock at his home on Windsor Avenue, after several weeks of severe illness, in his 78th year. He had resided in Norfolk 30 years. Mr. Williamson was a Confederate veteran. In the war between the states he enlisted in Company F, 41st Virginia infantry, Mahone's brigade. He participated in a number of engagements,[...]and in an action at Burgess Mill on October 28, 1864, he was taken prisoner and carried to Point Lookout, where he was held until the Confederate forces surrendered in 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse. In 1868 Mr. Williamson was married to Miss Martha Wright[...]. Mr. Williamson has for a number of years been an active member of the Park Avenue Baptist Church[...]. —The Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch, (Thurs.) Oct. 16, 1919 _____________________________________________________ SAMUEL WILLIAMSON DIES AT HOME HERE Native of Princess Anne Was Veteran With Gallant Record Samuel Williamson, one of Norfolk's most widely known citizens, died at his home, 715 Windsor Avenue, yesterday morning at 4:15 o'clock. He was 78 years of age. Mr. Williamson met with a severe accident several months ago, which greatly impaired his health. During his last illness he was confined to his room. Mr. Williamson was born in Princess Anne County, May 14, 1842. He served through the Civil War as a Confederate soldier, having enlisted in the Fourth Virginia infantry. He served in the following battles during that war: second battle of Manassas, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Petersburg, Hatcher's Run, Crater, Gettysburg. He was taken prisoner at Burgess Mill on October 28, 1864, and held until the Confederate army surrendered in 1865. He is survived by his wife, who before their marriage was Miss Martha Wright, of Princess Anne County; six children, S. B. Williamson, George Williamson, Mrs. Annie L. Shipp, Mrs. C. E. Drumwright, and Miss Florence Williamson, of Norfolk, and Mrs. D. L. Watson, of Washington, D.C.; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, John T. Williamson and H. J. Williamson, and one sister, Miss Mary E. Williamson, all of Norfolk. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the residence, 715 Windsor Avenue, Rev. J. T. Riddick officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood. —The Virginian-Pilot & Norfolk Landmark, (Fri.) Oct. 17, 1919 _____________________________________________________ Funeral of Mr. Williamson The funeral of Samuel Williamson took place this afternoon at his late residence, 715 Windsor Avenue, and was largely attended. The service was conducted by Rev. J. T. Riddick, of the Park Avenue Baptist Church. There were many floral offerings. The burial was in Elmwood, the pallbearers being: W. T. Owens and J. T. Hargraves, Confederate veterans, and W. L. Jackson, L. B. Acree, E. S. Philhower, N. C. Taylor. —The Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch, (Fri.) Oct. 17, 1919 _____________________________________________________ (Obits supplied by C. E. Bailey) Family links:  Spouse:   Martha Francis Wright Williamson (1845 - 1928)*  Children:   Annie L Shipp (1870 - 1936)*   Mamie Susan Williamson Drumwright (1878 - 1951)*   Florence V Williamson (1881 - 1971)* *Calculated relationship

Burial: Elmwood Cemetery Norfolk Norfolk City Virginia, USA Plot: Section ELM EXT, Block 22, Lot 1, Space 1W

Created by: C. E. Bailey Record added: Sep 16, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 97226812

Counting the Generations

Top ten math facts from my family tree:

1. My children were born just before 2000 (GenY/Millennials).
2. My grandparents were born around 1900 (the Greatest Generation). 
3. My 3X great-grandparents were born around 1800 (Westward Migration).
4. My 6X great-grandparents were born around 1700 (the Colonial period).
5. My 10X great grandparents were born around 1600 (the 1st generation to America).
6. I have 4 grandparents, 8 great-grandparents, etc., continue the math...
7. Only 3 of my great-grandparents were alive in my lifetime (all on paternal side).
8. Continuing the math... I have 4,096 10X great-grandparents! 
9. To date, I have discovered all 16 of my 3X great-grandparents, and only 34 (< 1%) of my 10X great-grandparents.
10. I have traced 5/16 of my 3X great-parents' ancestries back to at least 1600.

Generation Names:
My 2X great-grandparents fought in the Civil War.

My great-grandparents lived during the post-Civil War era and the Great Migration.

My grandparents experienced the Great Depression & WWII in adulthood.

My parents are the Silent Generation - they experienced WWII in childhood and the Civil Rights Movement as adults. They were patriotic traditionalists. They worked hard and kept quiet. Children should be seen and not heard. (study.com: The Silent Generation: Definition, Characteristics & Facts).

I am a Babyboomer/Hippie - the modern "counter-culture" generation. I experienced the end of the Cold War, space exploration, the rise of technology and mass media, and the beginning of the Information Age.

My children live in the age of  Digital Globalization and the War on Terror.  It is incredible how the world has changed so much in just a few generations.