The following article appeared in The Tomahawk Vol. 91-Issue 33 and on www.thetomahawk.com
Dated: 3-9-2005 and is used with permission of the author, Barbara Dunn. Thank you Barbara.
On that magical, mystical wonder of technology called the internet, there exist millions of websites containing information galore on any subject you choose to research. All you have to do is enter a key word into a search engine and you will find page after page to choose from. If you type in ‘genealogy’, you will surely come across one of the most entertaining, colorful and informative pages ever written – www.jctcuzins.com.
At the top of each page on this website is a beautiful logo designed by Pamela R. Cresswell, welcoming the reader to www.jctcuzins.com and the Johnson County TN Genealogy pages, “Where the Sun First Rises in Tennessee & Tennessee History Begins.”
The site was begun years ago by the late Mary Floy Katzman, Pam Cresswell (and possibly Jeff Weaver). Ruby Coleman and Basil McVey are coordinators for the pages.
“I have actually been involved in jctcuzins for about five years or so,” says Ruby Coleman, who lives in Nebraska. “My name is attached only because I have contributed a good deal of information and can help people.”
Coleman is a professional researcher with Johnson County roots.
“My love of genealogy and ancestry goes back to when I was about 15 years old,” she says. “I visited my grandparents and relatives, who lived up Sprucie, during the summers. I grew to love Johnson County and my ancestors and living relatives.
”It seems to me that people who have Johnson County roots have a kindred that extends beyond direct ancestors ... they become closely knit. I have researched and continue to research in every state in the U.S. plus foreign countries and have never found anything quite like it.
“It seems to me that jctcuzins just brings people together from all walks of life and places ... rather interesting that our ancestors had a part in all this.”
Hundreds of local residents have contributed information to the website, which has pages on:
• Ahnantafles Lineage Charts
• Bible and Notebook Transcriptions
• Biographies
• Books
• Cemeteries
• Census and Other Lists
• Churches and Religions
• Court and Trial Records
• Cuzins in Other Places
• Deeds and Land
• Descendant Charts
• Family and Friends
• History, Communities and Towns
• JCT Neighbors
• Johnson County Research Help
• Johnson County This and That Pages
• Journals and Diaries
• Letters
• Maps
• Marriages and Marriage Notices
• Military and Pensions
• Music
• Miscellaneous and Memories
• New River Notes
• Obituaries
• Photographs
• Recipes and Remedies
• Stories, Legends and Folktales
• Surnames
• Things to do in Johnson County
There are many other links that will help amateur and professional genealogists alike find the information they seek.
Different pages contain notes and journals that give accounts of life in the 1800s and early 1900s. An excerpt from “Mom’s Stories” By Ruby Estil Fitzpatrick (Daughter of Margaret Camoline Moody Fitzpatrick) reads:
“Friday was always a special day [at school], with a spelling match between two chosen sides. The girls would sweep the floor with branches used as brooms. Then they would comb their hair and tidy themselves for the occassion (sic). Those who did not have combs used seed pods from the teasel plant. After lunch they lined up on each side of the school room. The school master started at the beginning of the little blue back speller with easy words, going on to very difficult words. Every grade used the same book. It really was worn by the time it had been through all eight grades. Little Mardic did not own a book, so had to borrow a speller and write the words down to study. She was a marvelous speller and continued her interest until very late life, always learning new words. When a child missed a word, he had to sit down. Other times, if one missed a word, the child below him in line could spell it, he spelled that one down, and took the loser’s place in line. That kept every one spelling, with the champion “at the head of the class”. Nice prizes were given to the winners … Lessons were written on slates. Pictures were not permitted on them, and punishment was forth coming if any one was caught using them for such foolishness! … Social life centered around church activities. A big all day singing, with picnic dinners on the ground were about the most exciting thing they could attend. These were called “Associations”. Shady Grove was a favorite meeting place. People went by foot, horseback; by buggy and wagon.”
Another entry gives instructions on how to count your blessings on washing day:
“Here’s some household hints for washing clothes exactly as given many years ago to a young bride by her Kentucky mountain grandmother. Somehow it makes that washer and dryer look mighty good.
1. bild fire in back yard to heet kettle of rain water.
2. set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert.
3. shave one hole cake lie soap in biling water.
4. sort things, making three piles. 1 pile white, 1 pile cullored, 1 pile work
britches and rags.
5. stur flour in cold water to smooth then thein down with bilin water.
6. rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, then bile, rub cullored but don’t bile, just rench and starch.
8. spred tee towels on grass.
9. hang old rags on fence.
10. pore rench water in flower bed.
11. scrub porch with hot soapy water.
12. turn tubs upside down.
13. go put on cleen dress...smooth hair with side combs...brew cup of
tee...set and rest a spell and count blessins.
Author unknown. (Submitted by Linda Sue Manning to Johnson County, TN list 1998).”
Joe Wilson has provided entertainment to the pages. The music featured isn’t ordinary music, but recorded by musicians with strong ties to Johnson County and surrounding counties. There are 11 selections through the jctcuzins pages and some of them are original recordings.
Johnson County Historian Tom Gentry has also contributed generously to the information and photographs on this site.
Whether you are searching out information about your ancestors, or just looking for interesting reading, chances are you will be able to find it on www.jctcuzins.com.
Copyright © 2005 Barbara Dunn