It is just a old, blurry, slightly faded photo of the Perkinson family gathered on the front porch of the family home in Woodstock, Georgia ninety years ago. But this was the one, the picture that first drew me into wanting to learn more about my family history.
Looking at the picture. I see how much I have learned about many of these relatives. Some of my research has become the source of some of my posts over the years. I added numbers by some of these relatives so you can put a face with a name in my posts about ...
- Mary Louise Perkinson, the subject of this tribute
- Oscar Dean Perkinson, Jr, whose story lead me learn more about the Civilian Conservation Corps and gave me a chance to share some old photos
- Leila Perkinson Stevens and the story of her wedding
- Oscar Dean Perkinson, Sr, local politician, accidental participant in an Inaugural Parade, and warehouse manager as well as my grandfather
- Louie Dean Stevens whose college courtship days were interesting to follow
- Ernest Vaughn Perkinson whose World War I draft registration lead me to learn about an unexpected occupation
- Paul Perkinson and how he read of his death in the newspaper
- Jesse Dean Perkinson, a noted researcher into the uses of atomic energy
Finally, looking at this picture also reminds me there are still more stories to research further. Stories like that of the family matriarch, my Great Grandmother, Louela Dean Perkinson, seated in the middle of the photo. Widowed at 40 with at least five children still living at home, by necessity becoming involved in her late husband's business affairs. Definitely a story for another day.
Interesting how one old photograph continues to draw me closer to my ancestors and relatives.
