Not Just a Book

 Family Bible

At first glance, this might just appear as an old book sitting on a window seal. This was a book full of surprises, I wasn’t sure what I would find. A member of the local historical society had a book she thought I might find interesting. Interesting is exactly the word I would use after a close examination.

A Book Full of Information

Such a family treasure from Virginia, a family Bible that had some obvious wear and tear. At one point a family member hand-stitched a leather cover on the outside, I assume the original had been badly damaged. As you can imagine I was curious to see who the Bible belonged to and what family information was inside.

Hand-sewn Cover

In looking through the pages I came across the page below. Listing the names, dates of birth for some members of the “Coats Family.” The ink had come into contact with moisture but for the most part, it was pretty legible.

• Francis Ann Coats born December 26th, 1820

  

  Coats Family Births

• John Richard Coats born October 15th, 1823
• Mary Elisabeth Coats born June 27th, 1825
• James Coats born March 16th, 1827
• Robbert Coats born February 10th 1829
• Henry Stapleton Coats born December 1830

 

Many of you know family Bibles can hold so much information. What a treasure to have the names with their birth dates listed. Well, I should say that is just a small, and I do mean very small peek into this treasure. The following four pages caused my heart to pound and my eyes to water. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. Handwritten information that many who are searching for the ancestors, their enslaved ancestors would love to find. I saw the names of slaves, when some were purchased, and from whom they were purchased. The births of their children along with the names, the names of the mothers and their children. On a few, I notice they were sold, their names, and dates they were sold.  

Families of Slaves

The Story Continues

Another amazing side to the story, the lady who showed me the Bible purchased it at auction. She has no direct connection to those listed in this family Bible. When I asked what she plans on doing with the Bible, she wasn’t sure.  I offered a few suggestions but ultimately, she wanted to keep it. I even offered to purchase the Bible in hopes I could place it in a museum or archives of some kind. But again, she wanted to keep it and use it as an educational tool in some way. 

Luckily, she allowed me to take some photographs.  I’m going to begin sharing the names that I can decipher. So please share this post and the future post on the “Coats Family Bible.” Hopefully, those searching for their enslaved ancestors who were from Virginia on the Coats land will find answers.

RootsTech 2019

Largest Genealogy Conference

This past year was the first time I attended one of the largest genealogy conferences in the world, RootsTech 2018. While I was very, and I mean very busy working at one of the vendor booths I still had some opportunity to see and hear all the excitement. You can’t help but get that “WOW” feeling in the pit of your stomach as you walk through the front doors of the Salt Palace Convention Center.

Salt Palace Convention Center

Imagine my excitement when I received the notification that I was selected as one of the RootsTech 2019 Ambassadors. What a great opportunity to share with all of you the excitement building up to the event and the event itself. So yes, this will be the first of many blog posts, videos, and more to come.

Today I want to bring you up to date on a few details that I’m sure you don’t want to miss out on. So, let’s start at the beginning with what to say. Salt Lake City RootsTech 2019 will be taking place from February 27th thru the 2nd of March, of course in Salt Lake City, Utah. Don’t worry you haven’t missed registration, it opens on the 20th of September, that’s right TOMORROW. For a limited time, they will have exclusive early bird pricing for your passes so keep your eyes open.

Lodging

So, what’s next you might ask well booking those flights and hotel rooms. No worries I have you covered here in the hotel rooms. Below you will find direct links to some of the surrounding hotels along with their address and phone numbers. I urge you to call and reserve your rooms first because they do go quickly.

Hilton Salt Lake City Center

255 South West Temple Street

1-801-328-2000

Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek

75 S West Temple Street

1-801-531-0800 SOLD OUT

The Salt Lake Plaza Hotel

122 West South Temple Street

1-8000-366-3684

Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown

215 West South Temple Street

1-801-531-7500

You can also visit this link directly to the RootsTech webpage to learn more about the hotels and event itself.  

More…

Oh yes, I don’t want to end this post without mentioning the exciting announcement made on the 28th of August by Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International, and Jen Allen, director of the RootsTech event.  RootsTech is heading to…wait for it… London in October 2019, please click the link to learn more. Will you be making that trip?

Genealogy Rabbit Hole

Rabbit Hole Success

So you’ve started your family research only to find you’ve headed down a “rabbit hole”. You’re not the only one, many of us have taken that adventure, so don't sweat it. Even Randy Whited has taken that turn and shares his outcome with you.

Randy Whited

In my video interview with Randy below, you will hear his story. A family story that was validated with the results of a DNA test. The interview wasn’t all based on genealogy, we had some fun. I couldn’t resist finding out if his heart lies with Star Wars or Star Trek. How do you think he answered?

Proof in Research

Genealogical Proof

If you’ve ever attended any type of family history or genealogy conference, then I’m sure you’ve heard of Thomas W. Jones. He’s the author of “Mastering Genealogical Proof” and has been the keynote speaker at many events.

Thomas W. Jones

With this book, he helps to address many of the dilemmas researchers face in verifying facts from fiction. Through this nine-chapter, workbook, as I refer to it, helps to evaluate what you encounter while researching. It is published through the National Genealogical Society (NGS), if you are unable to purchase it through them then, of course, you always have Amazon, https://amzn.to/2znQOQT.

I know there are many societies that plan events around each chapter within this book. It’s a fun idea if you belong to a society and are looking for ideas.