Now That's What I Call A Phone Call! -- Part one

So I don't know why, but I sometimes I just get so nervous to reach out by telephone to potential family members. Is it the fear of rejection, or the lack of possible interest of the person on the other end of the line? Shucks, I have to say I have had amazing things happen via telephone since I've been on this genealogy journey. I have connected with cousins who have found me via the internet. That's it, they found me. Now time to turn the tables around and start finding them.

Recently, I was able to get beyond my nervousness and did just this. In fact, it was the week before last week. I started reviewing through some of my Morehead City folks on my family tree and decided to do some random Google searches and came up with an obituary for a cousin of mine. Specifically, his name was Frank Lluellen Johnson. Here's his obituary.


 FRANK LUELLEN JOHNSON, 66, 2494 Ravanall Ave., Orlando, died Sunday, Jan. 3. Mr. Johnson was an industrial arts teacher for a junior high school in Norfolk, Va. Born in Philadelphia, he was visiting Central Florida. He was a member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Morehead City, N.C. He was an Army veteran. Survivors: wife, Margaret, Virginia Beach, Va.; son, Robert H., Morehead City; daughter, Frankie Jones, Orlando; brother, Jessie, Pittsburgh; sister, Jonas Barco, Chesapeake, Va.; three grandchildren. Mitchell's Funeral Home, Orlando.

Source:  Orlando Sentinel, January 6, 1993

Now Frank Luellen Johnson's relation to me was this, my 1st cousin 2x removed. He was the son of my great grandfather Frank Linwood Bryant's sister, Mamie Bryant Johnson. The name that my eyes narrowed in on from the obituary was the name Jonas Barco, his sister. I had already identified in my family tree who the children of Mamie Johnson were but for whatever reason the name Jonas was the name my eyes focused on that day. You see, my 2nd great grandmother's name was Jonas Bryant and I knew that Mamie Johnson, my great grandfather's sister had named her daughter after her mother. On a whim, I pulled up the White Pages on the computer and within a few keystrokes I was able to find a phone number.



Microsoft Office Downloaded Image


To be continued.....

Comments

  1. I am hesitant to call myself. I worry if they will think I am crazy, trying to uncover scandals or trying to ask them for money...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to see I am not alone in regards to this Claudia. I worry about the same things.

      Delete
  2. I can do just about anything via e-mail, or even snail mail, but picking up the phone and calling someone is much more difficult for me. I think it's the fear that you'll get a word or two out and they'll hang up. I can't wait to hear the end of your story!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andrea, I can certainly relate to how you feel. I have tried reaching out to a few potential kinfolk on Ancestry.com, but only one person was brave enough to respond back to me. So I will keep plugging along with my research because I know someone will eventually contact me and let me know we've made a family connection.

    I just love cliffhangers . . . so I'm looking forward to hearing more about your family connection!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have several cousins I need to call that I am delaying. Phone calls to new cousins usually goes well but I am overly concerned about disturbing them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda. I worry about the same thing, that I don't want to disturb them and that's why I sometimes delay calling.

      Delete
  5. Andrea where did the Luellen middle name come from my mother was a Lewellen. All the older Luellen's spelled their name like his middle name. Hope u can tell me?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know where the name came from, but I have to call my cousin and ask her about a couple of things. I'll ask if she knows.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's Been A Long Time

Amanuensis Monday: Charity Ambrose Deed to Mt. Olive Methodist Church

Pink Invitational 2020