Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album page 68 - Carrie Snyder in Wilkes County, NC


Two photos of Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001) taken in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC, about 1950 or so.  The house is her parents' home, where she was born.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 67 - Snyders in Wilkes County, NC

(Top left)  I don't know who this man is.  He looks like a Snyder.  I guess this photo was taken about 1950  (since the edging on the photo is the same as the other photos on this page).  I assume this is in Wilkes County.

(Top right)  My mother, Carrie Snyder (1926-2001), pretending to play golf on her father's farm in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC.

(Lower left)  I don't know who these young people are.  The bicycle in front is really nice!  The house in the background is my grandparents' farm house in Millers Creek.

(Lower right)  I recognize all of these people!  They are my mother and her 4 siblings, left to right:
  • James Neil Snyder (1922-1993)
  • Carrie Snyder (1926-2001)
  • Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996)
  • Mozelle (living)
  • Bette (living)
This photo was probably taken on their parents' farm in Millers Creek.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 66 - Snyder Sisters-in-Law in Wilkes County, NC


Carrie and Kay modeling on the farm in Wilkes County, NC.  Kay was married to Carrie's brother.  They sure looked a lot alike!

In the photo at left, Kay (living) is in the strapless gown, and Carrie Snyder (1926-2001) is in the kimono.

I think this photo was taken about 1950.  I believe Carrie got the kimono when she worked in Washington, D.C., as a pediatric nurse in the late 1940's / early 1950's.  There was a female Dr. Snyder who worked with her, and the doctor got many invitations to embassy parties.  She would sometimes give the invitation to my mother (since she had the same last name).  The embassies had a souvenir area where the attendees could buy things.  My mother had an evening gown to wear to these events.  I played dress-up in them as a little girl!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Super news!! McGeachy family wins N.C. Genealogical Society awards!

I'm so excited!  I just have to share this great news with you.  My husband and I both won N.C. Genealogical Society awards!  The awards were announced today on their website, http://www.ncgenealogy.org/

The award for excellence in publishing for a book of family history relevant to North Carolina and published within eighteen months preceding the award - Wiley Thomas Snyder, Nora Bessie McNeil: Their Stories, compiled by Barbara McGeachy.

This is the book about my grandparents - the cover is their wedding photo, above (April 16, 1919).

My husband, Jack, has been transcribing court records for the Wilmington (New Hanover County) courts.  Here is his award:

The award for excellence in publishing for a book, or set of books, of abstracts or transcriptions of original North Carolina primary source material and published within eighteen months preceding the award - New Hanover County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 3 vols: 1814-1825, transcribed and indexed by John A. McGeachy

NCGS will present its 2014 Awards for outstanding contributions to the North Carolina genealogical community at its Fall Workshop and Annual Meeting on 15 November 2014.

Wow!!

Friday, October 17, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 64 - Mountains and Beach in N.C.


(Top left)  I believe this is my uncle Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996) with a girlfriend.  This photo was taken on his parents' farm.

(Top right) Carolina Beach, N.C., in the 1950s.  The house name was the Jane Carroll.  It's across the street from the ocean-front houses.  I don't know who the ladies are.

(Bottom left) Father and sons, pretending to play golf in Wilkes county, N.C.  Left to right:  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993), Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988), and Ralph.

(Bottom right) What an athletic group! Standing in the front yard of my grandparents' farm in Millers Creek, probably in the 1950s:

Left to right:  Red (living), Bette (living), Carrie Snyder (1926-2001), girl in back - possibly Clara, girl in front with head scarf is Martha (living), girl on bike - don't know, and Mozelle (living)

Sunday, October 5, 2014

The murder of my 7th great-grandmother Elizabeth Day (abt 1667-1699)

I just have to share this fantastic blog post with you.  It's at
http://dna-explained.com/2014/10/05/elizabeth-day-c-1667-1699-murdered-52-ancestors-40/

Roberta Estes, a distant cousin, writes a blog about DNA. Elizabeth Day was also her 7th great-grandmother.  The title of her blog post is: "Elizabeth Day (c 1667 – 1699), Murdered, 52 Ancestors #40"

Thomas and Elizabeth Day were my 7th great-grandparents.  Here's the lineage from my grandmother back to them:
  • Nora Bessie McNeil
  • George Thomas McNeil and Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis
  • John G. "Blind John" McNeil and Mary "Polly" Nichols
  • George McNeil and Susannah Vannoy
  • James McNiel and Mary “Polly” Shepherd
  • Robert Shepherd and Sarah Rash
  • George Shepherd and Elizabeth Mary Angelique Day(e)
  • Thomas Day (abt 1651-1706) and Elizabeth (murdered 1699), maiden name unknown



Elizabeth Day was beaten to death on February 9, 1699, in Essex County, Virginia.  Her husband, Thomas Day, had injuries to his face, but claimed to not know how Elizabeth died.  Thomas was tried but acquitted of her murder.  Another man was tried and found guilty.  See Roberta's blog post for more details.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 63 - Snyders and McNeils in Wilkes County, N.C.


(Top left) Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996) and Mozelle (living).

(Top center) My grandfather, Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988).

(Top right) Carried Snyder (1926-2001) and Ralph.

(Bottom, left) Grandmother's brother, Edward McNeil (1916-1962)

I don't recognize the other 3 photos.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 62 - Snyder Sisters in Wilkes County, NC and a house in Winston-Salem


(Top right) My mother, Carrie (1926-2001) in her Japanese kimono with fan.  I believe she got this in Washington, D.C. when she worked at Children's Hospital as a nurse.

(Bottom left) Mozelle and Bette (both living).

(Bottom center) Mozelle.

(Bottom right)  My grandparents' home in Winston-Salem, NC. On October 2, 1916, my grandfather Wiley Thomas "Tom" Snyder (1892-1988) bought a house at 721 Devonshire Street in the Broadbay section of the city, with a mortgage, for $1,415.[1]  He was single.  He worked two jobs to afford this house. Weekdays, he worked at R.J. Reynolds' Tobacco Company.  Saturdays, he worked as a payment collector for a furniture company.

While serving in the U.S. Army in World War I, Tom wrote his fiancĂ©e Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992) (my grandmother) that he had “a grand house, with a fine location, city water, and electric lights.” [2]  

They were married April 16, 1919, and lived in this house for several years.

This house is still standing!  They renumbered the street so now it's 833 E. Devonshire St.  You can see it here:  http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/833-E-Devonshire-St-Winston-Salem-NC-27107/5752357_zpid/
 


[1] Forsyth, North Carolina, deeds, 1849-1927, 148: 143, H. A. Pfohl et al to W. T. Snider, 2 Oct 1916; microfilm C.038.40067.
[2] Wiley Thomas Snyder. Letter to Nora McNeil. 30 May 1918. From Camp Sevier, SC.  Privately held by Barbara McGeachy, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2011.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 61 - Wilkes County Family


(Top left) My mother's first cousin, Cat Steelman (1928-2005).  She was born Mildred Catherine Vannoy in Wilkes County to William Raynor Vannoy (1898-1947) and my grandmother's sister Lacy Florence McNeil Vannoy (1902-1990).

Cat went to Appalachian State (back then, it was a teacher's college; now it's a university), then got a Master's degree in education from UNC-Chapel Hill.  She was my biology teacher at R.J. Reynolds' High School in Winston-Salem.  She was an excellent teacher.

(Top right)  I believe this is a 1950's birthday party for my great-grandmother, Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959). She is seated in the wheelchair at left.  Her birthday was April 6. 

I think the 2 little boys next to her are two of her great-grandsons, blond Larry Call (living) and the dark haired boy is Joe Church Jr. (1951-2003).

Larry's mother, Bette (living), is at the far right, standing behind her mother, Ila Margaret McNeil Vannoy (1898-1983).   So that's 4 generations - Eva, Ila, Bette, Larry.

My grandparents are at the back right; they both are wearing glasses that look frosted over due to the glare.  I don't see any of their children.

(Bottom left) Despite the Groucho Marx disguise, I'm pretty sure this is my uncle, Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996).   Ralph had a great sense of humor.  He was known as a "cut-up".

(Bottom right) My grandparents:  Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988) and Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992) in the front yard of their farm house on Pleasant Home Church Road in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.


Friday, September 5, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 60 - Wilkes County Relatives


Well, I guess Grandma and I got tired that day in 1981 when I took notes as she told me who was in every picture.  So I don't have any more notes from her.  I'm on my own now to identify who is in these photos!

Top row, left to right:
1) My grandmother's mother, Clara Eve Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959).  This is probably a photo for her church directory.
2) These four children are in the front yard of my grandparents' home in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC, but I don't know who they are.  The girl in front is possibly my mother, Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001). The boy at the far left may be her older brother, James Neil Snyder (1922-1993). 
3) The lady standing in the back is my grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992).  I think she is holding one of her children.  The little girl in front is the same as in the other picture (my mother?).  I don't know th lady who is kneeling.  She may be Myrtle Louisa Vannoy Whittington (1881-1958), my grandfather's first cousin (see Page 39).
4) This is my grandfather in World World I, training for trench warfare.  He was Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988).

Bottom row - I don't know any of these people!  I sure wish I had a time machine so I could go back to 1981 and have another chat with my grandmother.  She knew everyone in every photo!

Guessing:  The woman in the left and center photos may be the same person.  She may be Sallie Scott Snyder (1900-1970), with her husband, my grandfather's brother, Russell Jess Snyder (1896-1984).  His hair is rather distinctive.  But I'm not sure it's them. 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 59 - Double First Cousins


(Top left) Bette (living).  Great smile, and I love her braids!

(Top center) My great-grandmother:  Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959), on her birthday.  Apparently, at least four of her six daughters competed to see who could bake the best cake!

(Top right) Eva with a pretty corsage.  She was bedridden the last few years of her life.  I see a photo of her late husband (George Thomas McNeil (1870-1930) on the table, and a picture of Jesus on the wall.  Eva's granddaughter Dorothy told me that Eva stayed with one daughter for a while, then stayed with another.  She carried her pictures with her - Jesus and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  She was a staunch Democrat.  She hated Abe Lincoln, probably because her father served as a Confederate soldier, and was wounded twice.  She called Lincoln a "dirty old man."

(Lower left) A son of John McLean of Gloucester, Mass.  This would either be John Jr or Neil, I believe.

(Lower right) A bunch of Snyders in front of my grandparents house on Pleasant Home Church Road in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  These people are two McNeil sisters who married two Snyder brothers and their children. So the kids are all either siblings or double first cousins.

Front row, left to right:  Carrie Snyder (1926-2001) in the dark jacket and white slacks, Bette (living), Martha (living).

Middle row, left to right:  Mozelle (living), Mattie Lodemia "Demie" McNeil Snyder (1908-1997), Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992), and Clara Louise Snyder (1930-1998).

Back row, left to right: Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996) and Red (living).



Friday, August 8, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 58 - Snyders and McNeils in Wilkes County


(Top left)  My great-grandfather, Nicholas Grindstaff "Nick" Snyder (1863-1944) at the funeral of his wife Louise Jane Whittington Snyder (1863-1933). This photo was taken in the Reddies River Primitive Baptist Church graveyard.  Louise died August 23 and was buried August 25, 1933.  Nick and Louise were married 49 years and had 9 children.  They lived in Wilkes County, NC, all of their lives.

The cause of death on Louise's death certificate is “Fell dead while walking through house.”   Here's the family story my mother passed on to me:
Louise's granddaughter Carrie (who was 7 years old) vividly recalled that day.  Granny Lou was staying at her daughter Mary’s house, taking care of Mary’s family because she had phlebitis in her legs and couldn’t get out of bed.  Granny Lou had a squirrel cooking in a pot.  Lou suddenly fell down and started mumbling. Then she died.

(Top center) My uncle, James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) in front of his parents' home on Pleasant Home Church Road, Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  Uncle Jimmy left home in 1939 to join the Coast Guard and never lived again in North Carolina, only coming back for brief visits. In 1946, he was honorably discharged and worked in New York harbor as a tug boat engineer.  While in the Coast Guard, he met Kay (living) and married her in 1943.  She was close to her family in Gloucester, Mass., so that was their permanent residence.

Uncle Jimmy was only 17 when he enlisted.  I always wondered why a boy from the N.C. mountains would join the Coast Guard, but evidently, he liked the water!

(Top right) Edward McNeil (1916-1963) and his wife Dare Hayes McNeil (1918-1995).  Ed was my grandmother's youngest brother.  He died young - in his 47th year.  Their son Gary (1946-1993) had a premonition that he would also die at 47 - and he did!  Ed and Dare also had a daughter Pam (living).

Ed and Dare were married in 1938.  In 1943, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was a skilled mechanic.  He was known for his great sense of humor, and usually he is smiling in photos.  Ed and Dare lived in Millers Creek, next to Ed's mom Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959) and near many other relatives.


(Lower left) Another photo of Ed.

(Lower right)  Millers Creek School.  This is where my mother Carrie attended first through 11th grades.  She was born in 1926.  Back when she was in school, there was no kindergarten and there were only 11 grades.  Her younger siblings had to attend 12 years of school!

This brick building has been renovated and is now home to the Millers Creek Baptist Church and the Millers Creek Christian School.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Grandma's Album Page 57 - Snyders in Wilkes County, N.C. and Mrs. McLean in Gloucester, Mass.



(Top left):  Ralph Lewis Snyder (1934-1996), Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001), and Bette (living) in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.

(Top right):  Florence Ann "Flora" Gillis McLean (about 1891-1951) in Gloucester, Mass.

(Bottom left):  Mozelle (living)

Grandma's Album Page 56 - Snyders in Wilkes County, N.C.


All of these photos were taken in Wilkes County, N.C., on or near my grandparent's farm in the Millers Creek community.

(Top left) Left to right:
  Bette (living), Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001), and Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996) in the 1940's.  I don't know what hill they're on.  They must have gone for a drive.

(Top right) Left to right:  Ralph, Kay (living), Carrie in the 1940s.

(Bottom left) Left to right:  Carrie, Kay, Mozelle, Bette in the 1940s

(Bottom right) Left to right: Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992), Kay, Bette (her back is to the camera), James Neil Snyder (1922-1993), and Mozelle, about 1955.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 55 - Snyders in N.C. and Mass.


(Top left) Brothers James Neil Snyder and (right) Ralph Lewis Snyder in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C. at the homeplace of James' and Ralph's parents.  In the middle is Jim's wife Kay (living).  Jimmy (1922-1993) served in the Coast Guard from 18 Sep 1939 to 11 Oct 1946 and he married Kay in 1943, so this photo was taken between 1943 and 1946.  Ralph (1932-1996) looks like a teenager, so this all fits.

(Top center) Ralph, possibly in a yearbook photo from Appalachian State Teacher's College (now Appalachian State University) in Boone, N.C., about 30 miles from Millers Creek.  Ralph attended in the mid-1950s.  I'm not sure what year he graduated, but I know that after graduation, he taught school in Forsyth County.  Later he moved to Burlington, Alamance County, N.C., and became a social worker.

(Top right) Kay (living) in Massachusetts.

(Bottom right) Mozelle (living).

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 54 - Snyders and a McNeil in Wilkes County


Note: top left photo was missing in 1981.

(Top center) Mozelle (living)

(Top right) Uncle Jimmy.  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) was called "Neil" by his parents.  He is standing in their front yard in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  He left home at age 17 to join the Coast Guard and he only came back for brief visits after that.  After his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard, he worked in New York City on tugboats in the harbor.  He lived in Gloucester, Mass., with his wife Kay.

(Lower left) My mother, Carrie Snyder (1926-2001), in her nursing uniform.  She went to Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Morganton, N.C., about 1944-1946. 

(Lower center) Uncle Jimmy.

(Lower right) The grandmother of all the people on this page:  Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959), called Eva.  My mother knew her well, and adored her -- wonderful sense of humor, excellent rifle shot, red auburn curly hair.  Eva knitted and crocheted, and made the shawl she is wearing, which is two-sided, for extra warmth and to have 2 colors.  She made them for all 6 of her daughters as well.

Another granddaughter (Dorothy) knew her well:
  • Eva only had 2 photos on her wall:  Jesus and FDR.  
  • She was a staunch Democrat.  
  • She hated Abe Lincoln (possibly because her father was wounded in the Civil War). She called Abe a "dirty old man".
On her deathbed, she overheard her daughters planning who would stay with her.  Eva said that there was no need for anyone to stay with her all night. "If the Lord comes to get me, we will not need anyone.  If the devil comes, I don't want anyone to know about it."

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 53 - Snyders in Wilkes County


(Left) Jim and Kay.  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 18 Sep 1939 to 11 Oct 1946.  He married Kay (living) on 31 Dec 1943 in Mass.  This photo looks like it was taken in Jim's parents' yard, so that would be Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  I'm pretty sure he wouldn't drive from Mass. with a woman before they were married, so my guess is this photo was taken between 1944-1946.

(Middle) I don't recognize anyone in this photo.  I believe this is a photo of high-school graduates in front of the Millers Creek School, in Wilkes County, N.C.  There is another picture of my mother on the same steps in the exact same type of graduation gown.  I guess these are classmates of hers.  She graduated in 1942.

(Right) My mother, Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001).  I believe this photo was taken in Durham, where she worked as a nurse at Duke Hospital.

Friday, July 4, 2014

July 4, 1917 - McNeil sisters and their beaux in Wilkes County, N.C.



The young ladies are the 3 oldest children of George Thomas McNeil (1870-1930) and Clara Eva Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959).  They are almost certainly in Wilkes County since they all lived there in 1917.

I'm not certain this photo was taken on the 4th of July but there are American flags, so it was some patriotic event, possibly related to the U.S. entry into World War I.  They certainly are all dressed up!

(Left couple) Lacy Florence McNeil (1902-1990) and her future husband William Raynor Vannoy (1898-1947).  They were married 7 Jan 1923 in Wilkes County.  Bill had several businesses, including a cab company. He shot himself on 19 Aug 1947.  After that, Lacy moved to Winston-Salem and worked as a clerk at stores and a dry cleaning business.  She also rented out rooms in her home.  My mother, Carrie, rented a room from her in the early 1950's.

(Center) This is my grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992).  She was 16.  She doesn't look very happy, probably because she has no beau to pose with her!  My grandfather lived in Winston-Salem at the time.  He registered for the draft June 5 and reported for duty in September, so she may have known he was drafted.

(Right couple) Ila Margaret McNeil (1898-1983) and her future husband Isaac Ransom Vannoy (1894-1979).  They were married on 20 Nov 1918 in Wilkes County.  They ran a country store which was  next to their home.  I always enjoyed visiting them because they gave me a Coca-Cola and candy!


I believe Bill and Isaac were related but I can't figure out exactly how.  There are a lot of Vannoys in Wilkes County!  Bill and Isaac had to register for the draft on June 5, 1917, but I don't have any records that they were ever drafted.


Friday, June 20, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 52 - Snyders in N.C. and Mass.






All the photos on the left half of the page were taken in Wilkes County, N.C., on my grandparents' farm in Millers Creek.

(Top left) Mozelle (living) swinging a golf club in the field.

(Top center) Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001) modeling a fancy dress.

(Top right) James Neil "Jimmy" Snyder (1922-1993) in front of his trailer in Gloucester, Mass.

(Bottom left) Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996) and Carrie on the farm in Millers Creek.

(Bottom right) Jimmy's trailer in Gloucester, Mass.  After being disharged from the Coast Guard, Jimmy worked on tug boats in New York harbor - 7 days on, 7 days off.  He lived in Gloucester between jobs.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 51 - Snyder Siblings in Wilkes County, NC


(Left) Bette (living) and Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996).  I think this photo was taken around 1950 in Millers Creek, N.C.

(Right) Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001) in a fancy long dress.  I used to play dress-up with her old gowns, including this one!  This photo was taken around 1950 in Millers Creek, N.C.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Elder George McNeil - fantastic post on a relative's blog

I just have to share this fantastic blog post with you.  It's at http://dna-explained.com/2014/05/23/the-reverend-george-mcniel-c-1720-1805-frontier-baptist-preacher-52-ancestors-21/

Roberta Estes, whom I now know is a cousin, writes a blog about DNA. The title of the specific blog post about Elder George McNiel is

The Reverend George McNiel (c 1720 – 1805), Frontier Baptist Preacher – 52 Ancestors #21

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 51 - Carrie, Kay, and a trailer in Gloucester


(Top left) Carrie Snyder Disher (1926-2001) at school -- Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Morganton, N.C. She studied there from 1944 to 1947 for the World War II Cadet Nursing Corps.

(Top right) Kay (living).

(Bottom left) The trailer where Carrie's brother, James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) lived in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album - Page 49 - Snyders in Wilkes County and McLeans in Gloucester


(Top left)  Snyders in Wilkes County, NC.  Left to right:  Mozelle (living), Kay (living), my grandmother Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992), and Bette (living)

(Top right)  More Snyders in Wilkes County:  My grandparents and their 5 grown children.  Left to right:  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993), my grandfather Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988), my grandmother Nora, Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996), Bette (living), Carrie Mae Snyder Disher (1926-2001), and Mozelle (living).

(Bottom left)  Some members of the McLean (or MacLean) family in Gloucester, Mass.  Left to right:  Florence Ann "Flora" Gillis McLean (1891-1951) and two of her sons, Archibald Alex "Archie" McLean (1915-1997) and Stanley Brower McLean (Abt 1927 - before 2008).

(Bottom right)  Kay (living) and her brother Stanley (I think), in Gloucester.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 48 - McClures and Barbara in Millers Creek


This is a fun photo of me as a toddler with my uncle and aunt.  Uncle Horace Edward "Edd" or "Eddie" McClure (1931-2005) had a great sense of humor. He looks like he's about to say something funny!  Aunt Bette (living) looks very serious!

I recognize the yard as my grandparents in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.

(This was the only photo on this page in 1981 when I interviewed my grandmother and wrote down what she said.)

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 47 - McLeans in Gloucester and McNeils and Snyders in Wilkes County


(Upper left) My uncle Jim (James Neil Snyder) married a McLean girl.  Here are some of her family in a photo probably taken in Gloucester, Mass., in 1963, when my grandparents visited their son, whom they called Neil.  Left to right:
  • Flora Gillis McLean (~1891-1951)
  • Uncle Jim - James Neil Snyder (1922-1993)
  • Unknown woman (not Jim's wife)
  • Archie McLean (1915-1997)

(Lower left)
My grandparents:
  • Wiley Thomas "Tom" Snyder (1892-1988)
  • Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992)
I think this photo was taken on a Sunday because Tom is dressed in church clothes.  The other six days, he wore overalls to do farm chores.

(Right) My grandmother's mother, Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959).
She had red hair when she was young, but it turned white.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 46 - Snyders in Wilkes and in Gloucester with McLeans



(Left) The John Snyder family in Wilkes County, N.C.  John B. Snyder (1894-1969) was my grandfather's brother.  His wife, Toyce Etta McNeil Snyder (1905-1969) was my grandmother's sister.  So their daughter, Dorothy (living), is my mother's double first cousin!

(Right)  My grandparents visited their oldest son in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1963.

Standing, left to right:
  • My grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992)
  • My grandfather, Wiley Thomas "Tom" Snyder (1892-1988)
  • Ralph McLean
  • Caroline (living)

Seated, left to right: 
  • My uncle, James Neil Snyder (1922-1993)
  • Kay, his wife (living)
  • Shirley, Ralph's wife

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 45 - Genie McNeil Sebastian


This page only has one photo.  It's my grandmother's sister, Mary Lougenie "Genie" McNeil Sebastian (1908-1966).  Genie was the twin sister of Mattie Lodemia "Demie" McNeil Snyder (1908-1997).  Genie and Demie were married in 1928 in a double wedding.  Genie married Henry Paul Sebastian (1909-1987) and Demie married my grandfather's brother, Donald Vance Snyder (1903-1986).

I wonder if this photo was taken on her wedding day?

Genie and Paul had three children, two of whom are living.  Their daughter Chris died in 2006.


Saturday, April 12, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 44 - Snyder and Jarvis Families in Wilkes County


Four of these photos were taken in the front yard of my grandparent's home in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC, about 1955.

(Top left) Left to right:  Mozelle (living), Kay (living), James Neil "Jimmy" Snyder (1922-1993).

(Top center) Mozelle and Jimmy.  The building behind them is the old garage.  My grandfather had cars when he was younger, but he got rid of them before the mid-1950's.  He used the garage to store stuff.

(Top right) My great-grandmother, Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil, lying in her casket, either just before or just after her funeral.  I've transcribed her obituary (see below).

(Bottom left) Yours truly as an infant, with my dad.

(Bottom center) Left to right:  My grandmother (Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder, 1900-1992), Kay, Bette (living), Jimmy, Mozelle

(Bottom right) Jimmy

-----------------------
Obituary of Eva McNeil from the (North Wilkesboro) Journal-Patriot, 26 Jan 1959, p. 4, col. 6.  There are several errors in this obituary.  One of her daughters (Lacie Vannoy) is not listed, and Eva's birth year is wrong - it should be 1873 - so she was actually 85 when she died.


Mrs. G. T. McNeil Of Millers Creek Dies On Friday

Mrs. Clara Eva McNeil, 82, of Millers Creek, widow of George Thomas McNeil, died at 9 a.m. Saturday at her home.  She had been ill several years.

She was born April 6, 1876 in Wilkes County.  She was a member of Pleasant Home Baptist Church.

Surviving are two sons, Lawrence McNeil of San Francisco, Calif., and Edward McNeil of Millers Creek; six daughters, Mrs. Tom Snyder, Mrs. Don Snyder and  Mrs. Paul Sebastian of Millers Creek, Mrs. Isaac Vannoy of Winston-Salem, and Mrs. John Snyder of North Wilkesboro.

Funeral services were conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Pleasant Home Baptist Church by the Rev. Clate Brown. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Paul Snyder, Ralph Snyder, Rex Call, Atwell Sharpe, Melvin Sebastian, and Floyd Lankford.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 43 - Snyder Gathering in Millers Creek, N.C.


(Top left) Snyder sisters, left to right:  Bette (living), Carrie (1926-2001), and Mozelle (living).  Taken in 1955, probably by E.J. Disher, who is pictured in the previous photo with Bette and Mozelle.


The following five photos were all taken the same day (and more on the next page), probably in the mid-1950's, on my grandparents' farm in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.

(Top center)  Snyder sisters-in-law (left to right) Mozelle and Kay (living).

(Top right)  Left to right:  James Neil "Jimmy" Snyder (1922-1993), Carrie, Mozelle, and (with her back to the camera) Kay

(Bottom left)  Left to right:  My grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992), Kay, Jimmy.

(Bottom center) Left to right:  Bette, Kay, Nora.

(Bottom right)  More Snyders gathered in the shade of the big tree.  It must have been a hot day!  Left to right:  Nora, Kay, Bette, Jimmy, Mozelle.

Grandma’s Photo Album Page 42 - Snyders in Wilkes County and Winston-Salem, N.C.


(Top left) Snyder sisters with their brother-in-law.  Left to right:  Bette (living), E. J. Disher (1900-1965), and Mozelle (living).  They are all dressed up!  This photo was taken in 1955.  I recognize the mirror as belonging E.J. so I believe this photo was taken in Winston-Salem, N.C.

(Top center) Bette (left) and a friend, name not known. 

(Top right) Photo was missing in 1981 when my grandmother told me who was in all these photos.

(Below left) Sisters-in-law (left to right):  Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001) and Kay (living).

(Below center) Me!

(Below right) My grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992).  I recognize one of the buildings on my grandparents' farm in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Grandma’s Photo Album Page 41 - Paper House, Snyders and Broyhills in Wilkes County


(Top left) The paper piano at The Paper House in Rockport, Massachussets.  I believe my uncle Jim sent this postcard, since he lived in Gloucester and Rockport is nearby.  The Paper House is still a tourist attraction - see this web site:  http://www.paperhouserockport.com

(Top right) Uncle Jim (James Neil Snyder, 1922-1993) and his wife Kay (living).  I believe this photo was taking in the front yard of my grandparents' farm house on Pleasant Home church road, Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC.

(Bottom left) This woman was a friend of my Uncle Ralph (Ralph Lewis Snyder, 1932-1996).  He brought her to meet his parents, but we don't know her name.

(Bottom right)  The four oldest daughters of Wanda Barnett Broyhill (1920-2010) and Louis Elmer Broyhill (1918-1999). All these girls are living, so I'll just give their first names (left to right):  Myrtle, Mary Louise, Adrian, and Vicky. 

I remember playing with Vicky when I spent a week each summer at my grandparents, attending Vacation Bible School.  Bible school was only in the mornings, so I had lots of free time every afternoon.  I would sometimes go over to Vicky's family farm and we'd play for a while, but she had chores to do.  One time, we were walking along, and came upon an old neighbor lady on her front porch.  She was plucking a chicken, and asked me to hold it while she went to fetch more hot water.  As a city girl, I found that very yucky!

Monday, March 3, 2014

Grandma’s Photo Album Page 40 - Snyder Family in Gloucester and Wilkes County


This page has photos of my grandparents' children.  My grandparents were Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988) and Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992).  They were both born and died in Wilkes County, N.C.

(Top left) James Neil Snyder (1922-1993), my uncle, and two friends at the Gloucester monument..  I think Uncle Jimmy is the one on the right.  He joined the Coast Guard in 1939, when he was 17.  I always wondered how a boy from the mountains decided to join the Coast Guard.  He made a career of it, so I guess he didn't get sea sick! 

I think the other three photos were taken in Wilkes County, N.C., probably on my grandparent's farm in Millers Creek.

(Top right) Mozelle and Bette (both living). 

(Lower left)  Mozelle and my mother, Carrie Snyder (1926-2001).

(Lower right) Left to right:  Mozelle, Carrie, Jimmy, Jimmy's wife Kay (living), Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996), and Bette. 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Grandma’s Photo Album Page 39 - Snyders siblings and cousin Myrtle Vannoy Whittington




(Top left) Snyder siblings, left to right:  Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1993), Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001), and Bette (living).  

(Top right)  Myrtle Louisa Vannoy Whittington (1881-1958), my grandfather's first cousin.  

(Lower left) Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1993).  His overalls are very practical for a boy!

(Lower right) Bette (living).  Doesn’t she have a great smile?

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 38 -



(Left) Aunt Ila and Uncle Isaac.  Actually, they were my great-aunt (my grandmother's sister) and her husband.  Ila Margaret McNeil (1898-1983) married Isaac Ransom Vannoy (1894-1979) on November 20, 1918, in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  They ran a country store in Wilkes County.

(Center) Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988), my grandfather.  This picture must have been taken on a Sunday because he's dressed up.  He only dressed up on Sundays.  He taught Sunday School for several decades at Pleasant Home Baptist Church, near his home.  As a farmer, he wore overalls six days a week.

(Right) Aunt Alice, my grandmother's aunt.  Born Mary Alice McNeil (approx. 1871 - 1949), she married William A. "Boat" Bumgarner (1869-1943) in 1889.  Alice is wearing a shawl that I recognize as the type her sister-in-law (my great-grandmother Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil) made.  I don't know who made this shawl.  The ones Eva knitted were reversible, so you had two colors and they were nice and warm. 

Aunt Alice's obituary is interesting because it has conflicting information about her birth date.  Conflicting information is very common in genealogy research.  Her obituary was published in the Journal-Patriot on Independence Day 1949 in North Wilkesboro, N.C.  There's at least one other error in this obituary -- her mother was Polly, not Callie.  Also, she had at least one grandchild.


Mrs. Bumgarner Is Claimed By Death; Funeral Saturday
Funeral service was held Saturday afternoon at Charity Methodist Church for Mrs. Mary Alice McNeill Bumgarner, 75 who died at her home on Wilkesboro route one early Saturday. Rev. J. R. Short, pastor, conducted the funeral service.

Mrs. Bumgarner was born January 15, 1871, a daughter of the late John and Callie Nichols McNeill. She was married to W. A. Bumgarner, who died several years ago.

Surviving Mrs. Bumgarner are two sons and two daughters: Hoy Bumgarner, Wilkesboro route one; Sherman Bumgarner, North Wilkesboro; Misses Bessie and Dollie Bumgarner, Wilkesboro route one.

Reference:
"Mrs. Bumgarner Is Claimed By Death; Funeral Saturday," (North Wilkesboro) Journal-Patriot, 4 Jul 1949, p. 1, col. 5.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album - Page 37 - Snyder Double First Cousins in Wilkes County, NC


(Left) Brother and sister in the front yard of their parents' farmhouse in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC.  Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1993) and Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001).  It appears this photo was taken in the late 1940's or early 1950's.  Ralph and Carrie were children of Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988) and Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992).

(Center)  Mozelle (living) enjoying a nice day.

The three people above are double first cousins of the three children in the next photo. 

(Right) My grandmother's sister Demie and her three kids.  At left is Mattie Lodemia McNeil Snyder (1908-1997), with her son Paul (living) at the back.  At the right is Clara Louise Snyder Church (1930-1998) and in front is Martha (living).  This photo was taken in front of my grandparents' farmhouse on Pleasant Home Church Road in Millers Creek.

These are double first cousins because Wiley Thomas Snyder's brother (Donald Vance Snyder, 1903-1986) married Nora Bessie McNeil's sister, Mattie Lodemia McNeil.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album - Page 36 - Snyders and Broyhills in Wilkes County, NC


This page has photos of family and friends in the early 1950s.  All of the people pictured were born and lived in Wilkes County at least until the mid-1950's, so I think these photos were taken there.

(Top left)  My grandparents, Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988) and Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992).

(Top right) Bette (living)

(Bottom left) Bette (living), Eula Mae Vannoy Sharpe (1920-1993) who was my grandmother's niece, Mozelle (living)

(Bottom right) The Louis Broyhill family on a picnic.  Left to right:  Myrtle (living), Mary Louise (living), Wanda Barnett Broyhill (1920-2010) and Louis Elmer Broyhill (1918-1999).

Friday, January 17, 2014

Grandma wrote about her Grandfather - Nora McNeil Snyder on Rev. Richard Franklin Jarvis, Wilkes County, NC


[The following transcription by Barbara Disher McGeachy on 3 June 2011 is for a note in handwriting recognizable as my grandmother=s, Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder. I found this undated, unsigned note in the papers of her daughter (my mother), Carrie Snyder Disher. By comparing the handwriting to known letters signed by Nora, I confirmed that this note was written by Nora.  She lived from 1900 to 1992, so this note could have been written in a wide range of years.  This transcription has some corrections for grammar and spelling. This note is about Nora’s maternal grandparents, Rev. Richard Franklin Jarvis (1845-1943) and his wife, Martha Ann Pardue (1845-1934).]
 
 

 
Mr. & Mrs. R. F. Jarvis Home as I remember it as a child.
 
[There is a drawing of a house plan showing a porch as wide as the house. The center front door opens into a hall, with a room on each side of the hall, labeled “Front room” and “Bed Room.”  At the end of the hall is another porch, the width of the hall, with a well on one side and a kitchen on the other side.]
 
Grandmother’s Spice Cake:  Grandmother made a rich, spicy dough with sugar, butter, and eggs.  I don't remember how much of each but three or four nice layers which were tender, crumbly, and brown.  She put it together with whipped cream with plenty of cinnamon for flavor.  She put beautiful red apple jelly for decoration which was real firm.  It was a real treat to eat Grandmother's cake. 

She was real neat and clean always.  She always mentioned visiting as "going abroad". 

She took a bath and was very careful to bathe her feet and put on neat polished shoes. 

She was a fine Christian woman that always kept reminding us that all people should live pure clean lives and a woman's pure character was a great treasure to be desired above all things. 
 
[Upside down] 
Grandfather would ride or walk a long way to preach at his churches while he could get about.  Mother [Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil] used to walk 15 or 16 miles with him to his churches in Caldwell County and visit her brother and family.  He [Rev. R. F. Jarvis] retired several years before he died.  He was unable to walk for 12 or 14 years.  He was near 100 when he passed away. 

Grandmother was born on April 2, 1845.  Grandfather Nov. 17, 1845.  They had 9 children:
Lademie
Willie
Charlie
Eva
Lillie
Jim
Buman
Henry
Mack

Lillie and Charlie died with diphtheria when they were 5 and 9 years old.  Both died the same week.
 
 
 
 
Grandfather was a fine Christian man and also a good minister, always helping others & attended his church regular.  He performed lots of marriages & funerals.  They were respected and loved by all who knew them.  They would sit around in their living room each writing letters to their children when they were in their seventies and eighties.  Grandmother always wore her hair parted in center front & it was real black and wavy.  She fastened it in a ball real pretty.  She and Grandfather had nice heavy hair.  He parted his on the side and combed it back.  It was so heavy & soft & white in his last years.  He always wore a long beard or "whiskers" we called them.  He went into Lee's Army as a very young man.  He was wounded in his right shoulder, was sent home on a 3 month furlough, & was married while at home to Martha Ann Pardew, oldest daughter of Thomas Mickens Pardew & Prudence Paget Pardew. 

He went back in the service and was captured and was held a prisoner of war on an island across Chesapeake Bay. He said you just could discern his home land on a real clear day from the island.  He was there a year after the surrender. 

Grandmother had a hard time while he was gone.  She plowed and worked to make a living.  He had a picture of his painted on a glass.  I have looked at it many times but am not sure how it was made.  He was a fine looking young soldier.  She secreted the picture in her clothes and carried it until he returned.  It was about 4 by 6 inches.  There were so many robbers plundering home, nothing was safe.  Her father raised fine horses, and was in the field plowing, and two men came and unhitched a fine black four year old horse and carried it away with them, and of course, he wasn't allowed to say anything.

Grandmas's Photo Album - Page 35 - McNeils and snyders in Wilkes County, NC


(Left) Edward McNeil (1916-1963), my grandmother's youngest sibling.  Ed appears to be about 5 years old.  This photo was probably taken in Wilkes County, N.C., since that is where Ed was born and lived his whole life (except when he served in the U.S. Army).  I love photos of people in their everyday clothes.  Ed is ready for a hot day!

(Center) An uncle and niece, born only four years apart, playing.  Ed was the youngest child of George Thomas McNeil and his wife, Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis.  Eula Mae Vannoy (1920-1993) was their oldest grandchild, the daughter of their oldest child, Ila Margaret McNeil and her husband Isaac Ransom Vannoy.  Ila (1898-1983) is in the photo too, at the back right.  This photo was probably taken in Wilkes County, N.C., since that is where everyone in this photo lived.  I just love the overalls that Ed is wearing!  Eula Mae is clutching her doll, which is almost as big as she is!  Both children sport the typical bowl haircut.  So cute! 

(Right) My grandfather holding his older son:  Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988) and James Neil Snyder (1922-1993).  This photo could have been taken in either Winston-Salem or in Wilkes County.  Tom was born and raised in Wilkes County and moved to Winston-Salem about 1912.  In 1925, he and his wife bought their farm on Pleasant Home Church Road in Millers Creek, and moved back to Wilkes County to stay.  I believe this photo may have been taken the same day as the photos on page 34.

Grandmas's Photo Album - Page 34 - Tom Snyder Family in Wilkes County, NC


(Left) James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) as a toddler.  He has a typical bowl hair cut!

(Center) My grandfather, Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988), wearing a nice suit.

(Right) My grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992) with her son James Neil Snyder in the wicker carriage that was used for all of her children.

All three photos appear to have been taken at the same time.  Based on Jimmy's age (he was born in August 1922, and he appears to be about 2 years old), I'd guess the year to be 1924.  The weather appears to be fairly warm.  Everyone looks sad and my grandmother is clearly not pregnant, so this might have been taken soon after the 5 June 1924 death of their third child, Herman Thomas Snyder.  He only lived one day.1  His obituary was published in the Winston-Salem Journal:2

DEATH OF AN INFANT
 
Friends of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Snyder will regret to learn of the death of their infant son, Herman T. Snyder, which occurred at the home, 833 Devonshire street at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon.  The child is survived by his parents and one brother.
 
The funeral will be held at two o'clock this afternoon and the service will be in charge of Rev. V. M. Swaim.  Interment will take place in the Waughtown cemetery.
 

1 Forsyth, North Carolina, death certificate no. 227 (1924), Herman Thomas Snyder; digital image, ancestry.com, "North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975," Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 03 Jul 2011).
 
2 "DEATH OF AN INFANT," Winston-Salem Journal, 5 Jun 1924, p. FIVE, col. 5.
 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album - Page 33 - Tom Snyder family of Wilkes County, NC


This page has photos of Tom and Nora Snyder and four of their children.

(Top left) School photo of Mozelle (living)

(Top center) School photo of Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996), son of Tom and Nora Snyder.

(Top right)  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993), son of Tom and Nora Snyder, with his wife Kay (living), at Harris Bridge, near Boone, N.C.

(Bottom left) School photo of Bette (living)

(Bottom center)  My grandparents, Tom and Nora Snyder.  Tom was Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988).  His wife was Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992).  This photo was taken in their front yard, at their homeplace on Pleasant Home Church Road, Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.

(Bottom right) Another school photo of Bette (living)