Can you believe that Anna Kate will be SEVEN YEARS old in two weeks?! We surely can't!!!
She celebrated her first birthday with a party fit for a Princess.
Oh, but she's still a Princess, you can be sure of that!
But every Princess has a Queen (or two).
Anna Kate's babysitter and 'hero', Kaitlyn, won Teen Miss Eufaula last night.
And her very best friend, Anslee, won Little Miss Eufaula. We were all very excited!!!
Congratulations to Anna Kate's personal Queens!!! :)
In honor of all our ancestors who came from Ireland/Scotland, we wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day! :)
Because it's in my blood - literally! :c)
This is our family history on my maternal grandmother's side.
So as you can see, the Sampsons immigrated from Bedfordshire, England around 1700.
In addition to London, we will travel to Bedfordshire (or what's now called Beds) before going to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Here is what the area looks like now.
(For the men)
I love the ancient ruins!!!
This project has been an enormous one, that's for sure. But, I think it's totally worth it, and I know Anna Kate will treasure it long after we're gone.
Next up, Jeff's family :)
Have you ever seen that TV show called “So Who Do You Think You Are?”. It comes on Sunday nights on NBC. I LOVE it! After watching a few episodes I decided it was time I get serious about finding my ancestors and their life stories. It has taken me nearly eight full days to complete what I have up to this point, and I found some very interesting things!
This is my mom’s dad and his ancestors. They immigrated to the US from England and Scotland.
(Click on the image to enlarge it)
The stories are so fascinating!!!
Here is what Sussex, England looks like today. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful!
And here is Halifax, England. Just stunning!
Our Scottish ancestry is very interesting. They were part of the MacGregor Clan of Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland from the early-mid 1700’s. James King, II specifically, had a very poignant life story and was forced to immigrate to the US in 1747. The following is an excerpt taken from a Convict Transportation document titled, “1747, Scotland to the American Colonies”: "At the surrender of the Scottish Loyalists under Charles Edward, the Young Pretender, at the disastrous battle of Culloden Moor, Inverness, on April 16, any future attempt of the Jacobites to place the Stuarts on the throne. Cumberland slaughtered the Highlanders with unrelenting cruelty and gained for himself the name of "Butcher". The captives were dispatched by Cumberland to various destinations such as Preston, Garstang, Wigon, Manchester,and Liverpool to suffer the indignities of the gallows. About 600 submitted to the King's Mercy and "were offered indentures to sign for seven years service in the Plantations". And here is another excerpt: "28 July 1747. A number of rebels imported in the ship Johnson, into Oxford, (Md.) are brought over here and are now upon sale *Note: The prisoners of the Johnson may have been transported from Port Oxford to Annapolis for auction due to lack of buyers in Oxford.” …………………………… WOW!!!
The castle James King was held prisoner until the date of trial and transportation.
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Breathtaking!!
Highlanders, which were slaughtered by King Charles Edward in 1745
I researched for hours and found the MacGregor Clan Tartan and Coat of Arms. So cool!
Do you see why I’ve been so obsessed with finding my ancestory?! My brother Jay, and I have decided to take a trip to Europe in a few years to visit these locations. I wish it were tomorrow! :)
My next post will be my mother’s mom and ancestors. Can’t wait for you to see that too!
~ Mar sin leat!
(Scottish Gaelic for ‘Goodbye’)
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ~ Dr. Seuss
Anna Kate's First Grade Class
They made these hats...looks like a wad of paper on their heads if you ask me ;-)
Seriously? Adjectives and nouns in the first grade? I KNOW I was in the third grade before learning any of that!!!
And because Jeff can't take an ounce of credit for Anna Kate's natural ability to excel in reading, grammar and dictation, I'll graciously give him MATH!
Great work AK!!! We're proud of you :)
