Historical Researcher's Blog !

The first two images posted below were found, very dusty, in a consignment shop. The owner of the shop suggested if I placed these images into a frame and then hung them on my wall, they would become my "instant family photos."

While viewing the photographs below, ask yourself what type of life did these people have.

The third image, Elderly African American lady sitting in a chair, was given to me but, I lost all data about this lady because I misplaced my field notes. Lesson: file notes away in safe place for future reference.

Last image is of myself while researching, documenting and then caring for endangered cemeteries.

My endangered cemetery work is on-going. During 2010, I will be working on two new endangered cemeteries, one of which dates to ca.1790. In addition, I will continue my work of researching, stabilizing and maintaining fourteen other grave yards.

Monetary donations will not be demanded or even expected but, will be greatfully accepted.

Best wishes

Jack Robinson

GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, retired

P.O. Box 1501

Richlands, North Carolina 28574

Walter Green, PFC, U.S. Army, WWII, is only one of the military veterans who have been laid to rest within what is referred to locally as the "Diggs" cemetery.

This all African American cemetery was formed after 1943, when graves were removed from various locations,after the newly establishment of local Marine Corps Bases. The Diggs cemetery's last known burial was in the mid-1960s. Nearly all of the three hundred, or more, grave markers have disappeared.

Portion of Diggs cemetery during initial cleanup.

{Note: Notice row of piled leaves and debris which consists of only a three foot area, to form a temporary path. There is still over three more inches of compost that has formed over the "original" ground surface, yet to be removed from the path area.}

Some Elders of the community, many living adjacent to the Diggs cemetery, have confirmed the appearance of the cemetery, during the early years of existance, as being very well-kept. Today, the cemetery has been over-welmed with nearly fifty years of encrouching foliage.

If you have any material in regards to PFC Green or, the all African American Diggs Cemetery please contact me through this site. Monetary donations will not be demanded or, expected but, would be greatly appreciated. 100% of any donation goes to debts occurred through Resurrection Mission.

Best wishes,

Jack Robinson

GySgt. U.S. Marine Corps, Retired.

Edward Rhodes, PFC, U.S. Army

93rd Cal. Recon Trp

Edward Rhodes was born September 22, 1915. He passed away on May 12, 1968. Any information from viewers of this site, along with material dealing with ~~93 Cal. Recon Trp~~ would be extremely appreciated.

To mail copies of official documents or, photographs please, use the following mailing address:

Jack Robinson
Resurrection Mission
P.O. Box 1501
Richlands, North Carolina 28574

Keeping with the Genebloggers' daily postings, here is one of many of the surnames that I am currection researching.

The African American Petteway surname was, as family oral history states, started when the Grandfather of Dalton Odell Petteway was freed from Slavery in southeastern North Carolina, within Onslow County.

George Washington and Cecilia Ann White Petteway took their Plantation owner's surname out of respect of their owner and family.

I currently researching the African American Petteway family history and am the exclusive historian and caretaker of the all African American Petteway family cemetery, est. ca.1875.

I have gathered enough research material to confirm this old cemetery is the largest all African American family cemetery within Onslow county, North Carolina.

For more information on cemetery preservation projects being conducted by Resurrection Mission, visit -- http://www.resurrection-mission.com

All work, within fourteen cemeteries, are being completed by myself, at my own expense, time and labor. Doing this work is very rewarding on so many levels.

With an agreement with I.C.P.A, a Not-For-Profit organization, home-based in Florida, I can now accept finacial or in-kind donations for my work. Donations are not demanded or, expected but, will be warmly accepted.

Best wishes,

Jack Robinson,
GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, Ret.
Director of Operations/Resurrection Mission

During the shopping season for the holidays, purchasing on-line items has become an everyday event. Many stores are making donations from your on-line purchases.

To help protect endangered cemeteries that I am caretaker and historian, please take a moment to use the below link to raise money for my work in protecting these cemeteries.

I am associated with a Florida based non-profit group but, I do my primary work in southeastern north carolina.

Here is the link to use to help with my cause by purchasing items on-line:

Shop on-line fund raising



Here is a link to my primary Internet site:

Resurrection Mission

Thank you and have a fun Christmas season.

Jack
GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

One of my close friends ~~Lowcountry Africana~~, does African American genealogy, among many other tasks, posted a valuable link to a database that houses thousands of New York State newspaper articles.

I have personally located data from the N.Y. database pertaining to my home town and family with some articles dating as far back as mid-1800s.

Take a few minutes to use the search engine to the Old Fulton Post Card link. They have a photograph section also but, I have not explored that section.

Here are links that may interest you:

LCAfricana~~Twitter site:
http://twitter.com/LCAfricana

My Twitter site:
http://twitter.com/jackrobinson181

Old Fulton Postcards/New York Newspapers and photographs:
http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html