I have arrived in Alabama to meet distant cousins and learn more about my Lambert ancestors. I have a feeling this trip will be full of many little surprises and I am so glad I have taken this journey.
My flights were uneventful and the drive from Huntsville to Florence took about an hour. If I am being completely honest, I had certain expectations of what "the south" would look like. When in fact, my drive was no different than any other four lane "route" in New England. Okay, I saw some cotton fields and some restaurants we don't have in CT but other than that, this area is not so different at all.
I arrived to my hotel about 3:30 pm and by 4 pm I was at the Florence Lauderdale Library. The library has a wonderful genealogy department and a very nice man named Lee was incredibly helpful. I was able to make copies from microfiche of Abner's probate packet from 1852-1854 and land patent records and maps from 1850 and 1859. Lee told me that the circuit court records I am looking for are probably in storage across from the court house in "the old VA building". I will go there today with the hopes of discovering the mystery behind Abner's murder.
Last night, I met Cousin Randy for the first time and we drove to Cousin Carolyn's house across the river in Sheffield. Randy is a 5th generation descendant of Erasmus Lambert and Carolyn is 3rd generation descendant of Erasmus's (aka Raz) sister, Molly. I am a 5th generation descendant of their brother, Benjamin.
We arrived at Carolyn's about 7:15 pm and were greeted with warm hugs. Also at Carolyn's was a cousin of hers named Jane. Jane is related thru the Hitchcock side of the family. Carolyn served a "traditional" southern dinner which consisted of Roast Pork, stuffed squash, creamed corn, fried green toamtoes and rolls. For dessert we had butterscotch pie. And of course, ice tea!!
Dinner, and wonderful conversation, lasted for 2 1/2 hours. Carolyn grew up hearing stories from her Grandmother Molly and mother, Lizzie so she had many stories to share with us. She also had many old photos, news clippings and records. With her permission, I turned on the digital voice recorder I brought and so I now have a record of the stories she told us. There were so many, I would not have remembered them all!! All in all, it was a great night and I know that these next three days will be full of similar conversations.
So, today's plans include the court house and possibly a return trip to the library with Randy. Carolyn will join us around lunch time and give us a tour of Florence and the local cemeteries. Also a trip to Office Depot to make copies of some of Carolyn's photos and records.
We will also play tourist for a little while and visit Helen Keller's birthplace in nearby Tuscambia. It promises to be a great day!!
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