Dropsy

While writing an article on my 2nd great grandfather, Aaron Edward Spence, for the family newsletter, I noticed something I didn't pay much attention to before.

While looking at his death certificate to determine the cause of death, it say 'dropsy'. I dismissed this before mostly due to amateur research and not being able to understand the chicken scratch written on the death certificate. Well, tonight I decided to do a google search for what I believed to be the word the doctor was trying to say.

I get a correction from Google saying "do you mean dropsy". Thinking..'uh..yeah'. The first link that pops up is a medical link for Dropsy.

Dropsy: An old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water.

In years gone by, a person might have been said to have dropsy. Today one would be more descriptive and specify the cause. Thus, the person might have edema due to congestive heart failure.

Edema is often more prominent in the lower legs and feet toward the end of the day as a result of pooling of fluid from the upright position usually maintained during the day. Upon awakening from sleeping, people can have swelling around the eyes referred to as periorbital edema.

What I thought was amazing is, I see this same medical condition in many of my family living today. Many of them suffer from the same swelling in their lower legs and feet that my 2nd great grandfather suffered from. Although I know genealogy can unlock doors about yourself, it's always amazing when you see the door open.

It makes me wonder what other medical conditions runs in the family....

Vote for my AUNT!!!

This is my aunt on my mom's side, Lidia Schaefer. She is actually my mother's best friend from Ethiopia. They grew up together, but I've always known her as my aunt. She has been nominated as a CNN Hero for her work in Ethiopia. She has built a school in Ethiopia for the children of her village. She is also working on building a secondary school.

I know voting isn't open yet...but I'm so excited and proud of my aunt!!!!!

If you wish to make a donation, please visit her site.

Check out the TV schedule for the next couple of days!! All times below are EST!

FRIDAY – June 12th

• CNN: 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm
• HLN (formerly known as Headline News): 7:30 am, 1:30 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
• CNN Int’l: 2 am , 7 am, 12 pm, 8 pm

SATURDAY – June 13th

• CNN: 10 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 11 pm
• HLN: 8 am
• CNN en Español – they will broadcast an entirely Spanish version of the original English story

Monday - June 15th:

• Premiere in Panorama Mundial 9pm EST

Tuesday June 16th:

• Al Dia 7 am
• Nuestro Mundo 2 pm
• Encuentro 6 pm
• Directo 7 pm

Thanks to Tara Copp Connolly for nominating Lidia Schaefer as a CNN Hero!!!

Wordless Wednesdays - Cousin Tree

(source)

Genealogy Muse

What inspires you to keep digging?? We all get frustrated and push the research to the side, but what brings you back. For me, it's those unanswered questions. For so many years, everyone has been my cousin. I was never one to have 'play' cousins. I always liked to know how people are family. That inspired me to start looking. The sheer aggrevation of people saying "They're your cousin, I don't know how".

The problem here is, when my Grandma Bessie was talking not many of her children were listening. She told stories of her people and how such-n-such were related. Only a few of her children can actually spread the tree out further. But, not many can help the tree go higher.

The city that my family 'originated' from (i use that term loosely because I don't know where origination is, but we've been there since 1866...so that's the best I have) is Elizabeth City, NC. Everyone knows everyone. So, if you talk to enough people, you'll find out that they know someone that married someone that is my cousin. While visiting the cemetery that my grand uncle is buried a couple of weeks ago, an older lady approached me. She was there with her family cleaning off the graves of their loved ones. Here I was, a woman wondering around a cemetery alone...with a camera. I guess I looked lost or suspicious. She asked me "Who are you looking for" and I told her I was looking for my great grandfather, Aaron Spence. She asked me who I was. I told her and her response was "Oh, you one of those Spence's". WTH??? Then she asked me again who I was looking for. Upon telling her....again. She said "Ed Spence? OOO I know Ed. O.k. nice to meet you". LOL. Thanks for the help!! Anywho..I was rambling..

I said all that to come back to, it's hard to feel grounded when you don't know where your roots lie. So what inspires you?

Wordless Wednesdays...

Researching Humans...

I just completed the newsletter interview with my 80 year old 1st cousin 2 times removed. She is the grandchild of my 2nd great grandparents, William and Harriet Lowry.

My cuz, Tina, is usually responsible for this, but she tried on several occasions get it done. However, this cousin was not available when she called. So I told her I’d try. BINGO – she was available.

She gave me some insight in to who my 2nd great grandparents were as people. She said that William was a fun man. He played with all his grandchildren and she remembers him having a garden that she would play in. He was short ‘about 5’ somethin’ and dark skinned. Harriet was a ‘big fat light skinned’ woman. She was also somewhat taller than her husband. She had long hair down her back. She enjoyed when this cousin would come over and cook for her. She also said that they both were very nice people.

Now, this cousin was only about 8 or 9 when her grandparents passed. So imagine…cooking at that age.

It was nice getting to hear what type of people they were and it helps put more humanity to the names. Hearing for the umpteenth time that Harriet had long hair down her back (from someone that actually saw here), is something. In African American genealogy research, it is often assumed that if an ancestor was noted having long hair or long dark/black hair, they must be Native American. Of course, this is just and assumption and we all know…you should never ass-u-me.

Wordless Wednesdays - Follow up

This is a picture of my mother showing me the Ethiopian Coffee ceremony. Why is she showing me this? Well, she’s Ethiopian..duh..lol For Mother’s Day, while I gave her a gift card to her favorite store, she gave me culture as a present. Although I focus most of my ancestry researching on my paternal line (mainly because it’s easy access), my maternal line is equally as important. You can read more on the details here.

I have always been proud of the fact that my mother is Ethiopian. I remember when I was younger, telling people that because I thought it was the coolest thing! But, growing up wasn’t much different than any other household. We didn’t speak any foreign languages. She didn’t teach us her language of Tigrinya because she was focused on learning English. In addition, Jacksonville doesn’t really have a strong Ethiopian presence to help people reinforce their culture on their children. I’m sure if we lived in Washington D.C. we would be fluent in Tigrinya.

As I’m going thru this journey, I realize there are a lot of things that I need to focus on. I want to take the time out to learn Tigrinya (I have Tigrinya the EZ-Way CD). I’m also going natural. I’ve had a relaxer for as long as I can remember and I want to see what my hair looks like without the chemicals. For so long, you think that you NEED to have a relaxer. But, I’m tired of that NEED and ready for this WANT…

*pictures will be updated later...having computer issues.*

Wordless Wednesday

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony on Mothers Day

Help I've fallen...

...and I can't get my genealogy butt up!!!!

Life has been so busy I hadn't had the time to focus on my research in a while. I don't 'feel' my ancestors pointing me in the directions they once were or they're pointing me in the direction I'm currently going. Hopefully, I'll get bit again and the urge will return.

Meanwhile, I was award with the One Lovely Blog Award by Kathryn Doyle at CGS. THANKS!!!!

Genea-bloggers use awards to support each other and to spread the word about new blogs with a family history focus. The honor comes with the stipulation that it be passed on to seven more "lovely" blogs.

Here are my picks....sorry if you're duplicated..I'm selecting the top 7 genea blogs that I stalk that have updated lately...

Heritage Happens

Find Your Folks

But Now I'm Found

All My Branches Genealogy

Roots Reading

Our Georgia Roots

BackTrack

In other news, I'm going to Elizabeth City on the 25th to spend more time with family and doing more research. I hope to take pictures of more cemeteries in the area as well as interviewing some of the older family members.

But, before I go, I have to scan the 2 photo albums I got from my grandma and pictures I received from my grand-aunt. I've been slacking on my scanning. But, since this is my daughter's birthday weekend and I'm torturing myself with allowing a slumber party, I figure I can lock myself in my room and get it done. My grandmother's only requirement was that she get a new photo album for her pictures. I got the new album, now I need to start scanning.

Just wanted to let anyone out there that reads this, I haven't disappeared, just busy.

Surnames I'm Researching

I know I'm late but I'm trying to catch up. But, a few weeks ago, other blogger began posting the surnames their researching. I believe Geneablogie was the first one (I got a Note from him on Facebook).

For those of you who don't know, the surnames that I'm researching are listed on the right side. I try and tag my blogs with the surnames I'm writing about.

Pasquotank County, North Carolina

• Spence
  
• Lowry/Laurie/Lowery/Laury/Lowrey
  
• Banks
  
• Williams
  
• Ferebee/Ferbee
  
• Howell
  
• McPherson
  

Camden County, North Carolina

• McCoy
• Spence (Want to see if the African-American Spence's of Camden are related to the Pasquotank Spence's)