180? He doesn't look a day over 40!

It was on this date back in 1830 that this dapper fellow was born in rural Campbell County, Virginia.

My ancestor James Lorenzo Morgan went on to have some pretty interesting adventures.

If ye socks don't believe me, pick up a copy of the book I wrote about him:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Like-The-Cats-Of-Kilkenny/William-Morgan/e/9781425912017/?itm=2&USRI=like+the+cats+of+kilkenny

Remember Dad this Father's Day

Scanning old photos

While yours truly may not be completely helpless around a computer, he must admit a lack of ability when it comes to scanning old photos.

Over the years, several friends and family members have offered their encouragement in overcoming this deficit.

All to no avail, I'm afraid.

Fortunately, from time to time, one of them will offer to do it for me!

This go-round, it was a n0t-so-distant cousin who kindly volunteered to digitize a stack of photos from my personal collection--including this one of my great-great grandfather Paul Macy standing in fron of his old home on Joyce Street in Pine Castle, Florida.

Thanks, Lauren!

Wanted Poster

This picture of my nephew (taken by his VBS teacher) made my morning, thought I'd share it with ye socks!

1997 Morgan Family Reunion Picture

Yours truly was pleasantly surprised today to discover his cousin Michelle had scanned and uploaded this picture of a reunion held at Aunt Diane and Uncle BG's house in Orlando back in 1997.

Do ye socks recognize any of these folks?!

WDYTYA - WWI

"So, what's with all the jumble of letters?!?" ye socks may be asking after seeing the title of this post.

No, it wasn't a transcript of the Scrabble tiles I drew recently . . . they were worse!

Rather, they are the abbreviated way yours truly refers to the new series "Who do you think you are?" and "World War I."

Tonight's episode featured research on actor Matthew Broderick's family history.

He was surprised to discover his grandfather, a quiet postal worker who died before Matthew arrived on the scene, was a decorated veteran of the First World War.

He even got to visit a battlefield in France where his grandfather treated his comrades who were wounded in action.

All this got me thinking of my own great-grandfather, pictured here.

He was also a WWI veteran.

Also treated wounded soldiers in France while serving with an Army Hospital unit.

Also worked for the post office after coming back home.

Also died before yours truly arrived on the scene.

The similarities were almost uncanny.

Anyway, it got me thinking about the all-too-often-overlooked legacy the "war to end all wars" has in the annals of American family history.

Ye socks whose ancestor(s) may have been inducted in Florida to serve in the "Great War" will be interested in checking out this site:

http://www.floridamemory.com/Collections/WWI/

Happy hunting!

Happy Birthday, Morgan!

Apparently, every 7-year-old niece needs a mini-Me to help them celebrate an occasion like this!

Hopefully, it wasn't as rainy up there as it was in this little corner of heaven!

I knew I was forgetting something!

Just remembered that I am meeting with the folks from First Baptist Church of Pine Castle tomorrow, and they asked me to bring any old family photos that might be of interest for the history book they are working on.

So, here I am up past ye olde bedtime hunting thru my attic the night before when I could've gotten this little task scratched off the proverbial checklist days ago . . . and at a more decent hour.

Oh, well, at least I'm sure the effort will be appreciated, and it's for a good cause . . .

120 years ago today . . .

Taking a break from the soap box pontificating today to mark the wedding anniversary of my great-great grandaprents: William Swinney Morgan and Lola Estelle Blakesley.

Lola was quite literally the "girl next door" when William met her out in Kansas City.

They were married on this date in 1889, and had six children: Ed, Agnes, Lola, William, Isabel, and Laura.

Kinda glad they did, or yours truly wouldn't be around to rant in the blogosphere!

Happy Trails!

It's been so nice having my sister and her family come home to Orlando, even if only for one week.

Today, though, they hit the road on their way back up to South Carolina.

Safe journey, Simmons clan!

Come back soon and often, and try to avoid all the crazy holiday travelers on the interstate!

Spring has sprung!

I thought ye socks might get a kick out of this picture of my nephew, taken while walking around my neighborhood yesterday.

These lillies are sprouting up all over the place.

I think they're a sign that winter is finally drawing to a close, and that Easter is right around the corner.

Pretty soon, the little guy should be able to ditch the hoodie, no?!

The Magic Kingdom will never be the same

Not after these two mousketeers get a hold of it!

According to my spies, their parents are having a pretty good time, too.

Mom has ridden Space Mountain 7 times since the gates opened, and is back in line for another go-round.

And, Dad is riding the bumper cars at Test Track to hone his driving skills for the trip back up I-4.

Fun times in this little corner of heaven today . . .

A day at the Disney Studios

I thought ye socks might get a kick out of this picture my brother-in-law took of the niblings today, using his handy-dandy new Blackberry.

They were visiting the Disney Studios, in case the background befuddled you and the title of this post escaped your attention.

I believe that's the fountain in that mock-up version of New York City they have on property.

A pretty photogenic pair, no?

Happy Birthday, Uncle Bill!

I can think of no finer way to mark someone's birthday than to dig up embarassing old pictures.

So, today I post this doozy of my Uncle Bill, taken at Manston RAF Base back in the 1950s.

He's the little fellow on the left, in case ye socks couldn't figure that out on your own. Next to him is my mother, then my Aunt Roberta, the family pooch, my Grandma G, and my Aunt Mary.

OK, now I've done my part. Who's in charge of the cake and ice cream?!

A pair of old family portraits

My cousin Patricia was kind enough to scan and forward these two old family portraits over the weekend, and I post them here for the enjoyment of ye socks who are not yet completely bored with my genealogical pursuits.



The first (rather faded) portrait is of my great-great grandfather (and namesake) William S. Morgan, and his wife Lola Blakesley Morgan. It was probably taken shortly after they were married in Kansas City, in 1889.




The second portrait is of Lola's parents Mary and Edson Blakesley. We still can't quite figure when the Unicorn-do was popular. The date on the photo says 1892. But, I must say that Grandpa Blakesley's mustache is ALMOST as hip as the one gracing the upper lip of yours truly.

Shout out to my Bodo!

Well, I FINALLY got a hold of my baby sister on the phone today, after repeated failed efforts and much consternation.

Anyway, I had fun talking with her.

But, she did TRY to give me a hard time about my delinquent postings here in the dryer.

She should have known better.

I mean, after all, her little blog hasn't been updated since JUNE 19th!!

And, I have access to a virtual library of embarassing old photos of her teenage years.

The one posted here is fairly tame (NYC, 1989), but she should be forewarned that I've got some real doozies in my arsenal!

Latest photos of the niblings

Old photos of some Morgan sisters

I thought ye socks would get a kick out of these two old sepia-toned photos my cousin Patricia emailed me today.

These two ladies were sisters of my great-grandfather (and of Patricia's grandmother).

The first (in the pearl necklace) was the baby of the family, Laura Morgan Oliver.

The second is Lola Morgan Newell.

Pretty cool, huh?

Visiting in Tallahassee

I'm enjoying a quiet day up in Tallahassee today, visiting with Gaga Lois and her daughters Joanna and Patricia.

One of the things we're doing to occupy our time is going thru some old family photos.

I thought ye socks might enjoy this one in particular.

It was taken in front of the old family home at #1 East Princeton Street in Orlando, in early 1926.

Left to right are my great-aunt Agnes Morgan Newell, her newborn daughter Lois (Gaga) who was born 1/25, my great-grandmother Sarah Cox Morgan, and her newborn son Billy who was born 1/18. (The cousins were born just one week apart!)

Mrs. McGaughey's biology class

My high school classmate Lisa just forwarded this photo that I thought might make ye socks chuckle.

That's yours truly sitting in the front row.

I don't remember the name of the girl sitting next to me (typical, right?!) But, I remember everybody else.

1st row (l to r) me, ?, Blenda Thomas, and Jay House.

2nd row (l to r) Elizabeth Greer, Mrs. McGaughey, Sharla Swinson, Rene McCain, and Lon Hillis.

3rd row (l to r) Tommy Franklin, Angie Morris, Rosie Llanas, Trish Arredondo, Christie King, and Norma Rios.

Quit laughing so hard!! You were a goofy-lookin' teenager once!!