family history

8 Aug 2015 – Bahamas Cruise, Dec 2014

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This was our first cruise!  It was also about six months after my husband (2nd time) and I (first time) retired.  Our travel agent recommended a cruise because we had family members of various ages traveling – from 10 years to 79 years old!  A cruise has something for all ages, besides all the variety of food!

The cruise ship left from Cape Liberty, NY which is driving distance from our home.  The travel agent mentioned this as another benefit – no need to fly.  Unfortunately, it was a 6 hour one-way bus ride drive with numerous stops.  We are not doing the bus ride thing again.  Flying is definitely the way to go!

We cruised on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas (guest capacity at 4180).  We had balcony staterooms which really adds to the cruise experience!  It’s one of their newer ships (now traveling the Asian route) with the North Star, Seaplex (roller skating, bumper cars, basketball, table tennis), rock climbing, Flowrider, Dreamworks, and Ripcord (simulated ski diving).  This particular ship set the standard for all of our future cruises.  Entertainment (Momma Mia, night clubs, movies, etc.), food, cleanliness, etc – everything was of the highest quality!  Our itinerary is listed below:

Day 1 – Depart Cape Liberty, NY

Day 2 – At Sea

Day 3 – At Sea

Day 4 – Port Canaveral, FL

Day 5 – Nassau, Bahamas

Day 6 – CocoCay, Bahamas (private island)

Day 7 – At Sea

Day 8 – At Sea

Day 9 – Arrive Cape Liberty, NY

Some photos from our trip are below.   One thing I need to mention.  The voyage was so smooth.  You did not even realize the ship was moving.  We didn’t realize how important this was until we did our cruise in May 2015 on the Carnival Pride.  Regardless, we all had a fantastic time!

Royal Carribean Cruise, 9 Days and 8 Nights - 12-20 Dec 2014

Royal Caribbean Cruise, 9 Days and 8 Nights – 12-20 Dec 2014

CocoCay, Bahamas

CocoCay, Bahamas

Oldest Daughter Swimming with the Stingrays!

Our Daughter Swimming with the Stingrays!

8 Aug 2015 – Salmon Croquettes – This recipe is very easy, yet so delicious!

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Ingredients

– 2 (15 oz) cans of pink salmon

– 2 eggs (1 egg per can)

– 2 tsp of flour (1 per can)

– chopped onions to taste

– salt and pepper to taste

– 1 tsp of baking powder (add last and right before shaping into patties to cook)

 

Preparation (makes 8 servings or patties)

– Remove salmon from can and discard water.  Clean salmon by removing skin and bones.  Place in bowl large enough to hold salmon and all other ingredients.

– heat peanut oil in frying pan (just enough oil to cover bottom of pan about 1/4 inch)

– combine all ingredients and form patties (note:  it helps to periodically wet hands so that mixture does not stick to your hands)

– coat patty with seafood seasoning and gently place in skillet ensuring oil is hot enough to fry.  Turn periodically to obtain a golden brown crust on patty.  Remove from skillet and drain

– keep warm in oven (be careful not to over cook)

7 Aug 2015 – Introducing The Great-Grandparents – Mother’s Side Of The Family

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Dan and Amanda (Mandy) Jasper were my 2nd Great Grandparents on my Mother’s side of the family.  Dan Jasper was born in 1863 in Alabama to the parents of Robert (born 1806 in South Carolina) and Nancy Jasper (born 1827 in North Carolina).   By 1870, Robert and Nancy relocated to Quitman, MS.  


In 1880, at the age of 17 years old, Dan Jasper was a laborer and a single Black man.  In 1887, Dan Jasper married Mandy Portis also from Quitman, MS.    They had nine children together, of which Eva Jasper was my great-grandmother.  More on Eva below.

Let me pause and talk a little about Dan Jasper.  In my genealogy research, I was able to find that Dan Jasper secured 40 acres of land!  See the certificate of land registration below.

Dan Jasper Land Certification – 13 August 1895

Continue reading →

7 Aug 2015 – The Family Businesses

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Around 1945, Melzar (my grandfather) purchased and opened the Williams Seafood business on Virginia Street in Mobile, AL.  At the time, Melzar was working full-time at the post office delivering mail.  Ervin (Melzar’s father) and Uncle Luke convinced Melzar to open the seafood business stating that they would run it while he delivered mail.

Has anyone ever worked with a family member?  Well, if you have never experienced this first hand, it can be really trying!  Job descriptions are not well-defined, income can be fuzzy, and opportunities for advancement can be slim.  It’s just not the same as working with professionals.  I do not recommend it!  Ervin and Luke quickly found out that the seafood business was more time consuming than originally thought.  In fact, within a couple of months, Ervin and Luke quit the business and turned it over to Melzar so that they could do more fishing!  This created a problem with Melzar already working full-time! Continue reading →

7 Aug 2015 – The Island Of Cannibals…And Doughnuts!

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You’re probably thinking, “what do cannibals and doughnuts have in common?”  Hmmm…well, read on to find out!

At the age of 28 years old, Melzar (my grandfather) and his best friend, Julius Jackson, joined the Merchant Marines as cooks.  Melzar and Julius did not know how to cook, but they could read so that’s exactly what they did!  Who can’t follow a recipe?

This job provided much-needed income and gave them a different perspective of the world. They traveled on the Agwi Prince and the Booneborough vessels during World War II, and were able to go beyond Mobile to places like London, New York, California, and New Guinea.  Can you believe the manifest identified Melzar as 33 years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall, and 178 pounds.  I’m sure he had a striking appearance! Continue reading →