#52Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Resolution

This final week of 2020, genealogist Amy Johnson Crow is using her 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge to challenge her followers to think ahead. She asked, “Are you thinking about research goals for next year? Who or what are you wanting to find?”

I would like to find my third great-grandfather, the paramour of Frances Cook of Marian County, Alabama. The story passed down is that Frances’ eight children, born between 1857 and 1874, all have the same father.

My cousin Pat Lowe, who’s been researching the family for decades, was given a possible name. DNA matches to that family tend to go back to a female, so I’ve stopped looking for evidence to support that claim, and now I’m just looking for any cousins who don’t fit into what we know about the rest of the family.

The best tool I have is my great-aunt Bonnie Cook Holland’s DNA. The mystery man is her great-grandfather. I found a second cousin and was able to get just enough information from the account manager to begin my research. I’ve traced the family back to Georgia, and one branch is from an area close to where Frances lived. It’s tantalizing, but I have a lot more work to do.

I have other brick walls, too, more than I’ll list here. These are the ones I particularly would love to solve.

Frances’ parents, George Cook and Rebecca Jane Johnson – who were their parents.

Great-great grandfather on my maternal grandmother’s side William A. Stephens (or Stevens) – who were his parents?

Great-great grandfather on my dad’s side William Fredrich Hahn – who were his parents and was he really born in Berlin?

5x great grandfather Henry Stephens on my dad’s side – who was his son, who I believe was my 4x great grandfather, and who were his parents?

On my mom’s side, my 4x great grandmother was Theodosia P. something. First husband’s last name was Rickard or Rikard. Perhaps her maiden name starts with P. Perhaps her maiden name is Lawrence; records from another cousin show my 3x great grandmother’s name is Elizabeth Lawrence Rikard.

Beyond continuing my research, I resolve to do more to scan old photos and documents, label them in metadata, and share them on FamilySearch and elsewhere, including this blog, and I resolve to write about my family every week by continuing to take part in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge.