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Our Family
Genealogy Website |
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Psalm 45:17 I will make your name to be remembered in
all generations. |
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Deuteronomy 30:6 The LORD your God will change your heart and
the hearts of all your descendants so that you will love Him
with all your heart and soul and so you may live! |
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Proverbs 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men,
and the glory of children are their fathers. |
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The Latest
News |
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If you're a "regular" to our FAMILY GENEALOGY WEBSITE, be
sure to check out the 2017 NEWS page. Each month as I add new pages or
update information and photos on the various individual pages, I add a link to those
changes on the this particular NEWS page. I also include information on the
NEWS page about Deaths In The Family. Be sure to check it
out - as well as the previous years - here's
2016 NEWS . |
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Willie Goble
Loftin |
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Due to numerous falls, increased difficulty with her oxygen
level, problems with medication and short-term memory loss, we
had to move Mom (Willie
Goble Loftin) to Cardinal Healthcare in Lincolnton, NC. Mom
actually asked to go herself, realizing that living by herself
at her age was no longer an option. The transition was difficult
in the beginning but she has continued to improve. With doctors, nurses and other skilled health-care
providers, we know that she's safer. |
If you wish, you can drop her a card at the
following address:
Willie Loftin
Cardinal Healthcare, Room 108
931 N. Aspen St
Lincolnton, NC 28092 |
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New DNA Test |
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In the Fall of 2006, I (Curtis
Loftin) took my first DNA test with
Family Tree DNA and I upgraded the test on several
occasions. Male DNA passes down from Grandfather, to Father, to
Son, to Grandson, and so on, virtually unchanged from generation
to generation. Over the years, Family Tree DNA continues to send
me updated information and thus far I have matched male DNA from
all over the world. The most significant matches were the
"Loftins" that I connected to in other parts of the US -
which also showed that our Loftin male DNA has not changed over
the years. That was good to know because it showed that we were
indeed "Loftins" and not some illegitimate lineage we
knew nothing about. To find out more about this first DNA test,
CLICK HERE. |
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In January of 2016, I took my second DNA test - this time with
Ancestry.com. Unlike the Male-DNA-Test that I took with
Family Free DNA, this test used the Autosomal part of my DNA and
tests for "Ethnicity". Since the first Loftin to the US (Leonard
Loftin) sailed from Kent, England in before 1636, it has long
been believed that our ethnicity was English. When the results
of my DNA test came back, I was surprised to find out that less
than 1% of my DNA came from Great Britain (England). I was,
however, 79% Western European. To find out more about my results
as well as the other ethnicities that I carry,
CLICK HERE. This test is only partially valid for my cousins
since we don't share the same parents. It is, however, valid for
my children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their children. |
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In February of 2016, I decided to have Mom (Willie
Goble Loftin) tested at Ancestry.com, too. This test is
valid for everyone who descends from
Martin Luther Goble and
Beulah Vernesta Johnson since Mom carries their DNA. As it
turns out, Mom is 75% Western European. She is also 6% Irish.
The way that Ancestry.com groups their ethnicity groups, this
would also include Scotland. We know that there is a Scottish
connections since we have names in our lineage like
Douglas,
Hamilton,
Johnson,
Leslie and
Lewis. The most surprising part of her test revealed that
she was 2% Middle Eastern, with an even smaller ethnicity
connection to India. To find out more about Mom's Autosomal DNA
Test,
CLICK HERE, and scroll down the page until you find her
portion of information. |
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We also decided to have my wife,
Carolyn Weeks Loftin, tested at Ancestry.com. As it turns
out, Carolyn is 57% Western European with a 31% ethnicity from
Great Britain. To find the other parts of her ethnicity,
CLICK HERE. This test would be valid for anyone who descends
from
Albert Sidney Weeks and
Viola Eason Weeks - including our children, grandchildren,
Carolyn's brother, niece & nephew, and their children. |
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My Own
Personal Quest into Our Family Ancestry |
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I knew nothing about my family genealogy
beyond my grandparents names before I began this study in September
2006. Researching my family history became one of the most
exciting, interesting and consuming hobbies I've ever had.
Researching them gave me a deeper look into their lives
and a connection with previous generations of ancestors that I
would never have the privilege of meeting. I got to know them
and felt connected to them. |
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As time passed
I visited relatives, churches and cemeteries - spent hours in
the genealogy department at the Catawba County Library as well
as browsing through Ancestry.com and Roots Web - spent
additional hours researching marriage licenses at the Catawba
County Courthouse - connected with other family genealogy
researchers - and yet there is still so much more to do.
It just takes time. |
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As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months - and finally
months into years, I found myself remembering stories that my
parents and grandparents had told me when I was a child - many
of which I had forgotten. It was great to put additional
substance to the old stories. |
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This web site will look at the ancestry lines
of my grandparents,
Alonzo Lester Loftin,
Ida Lillian Setzer,
Martin Luther Goble and
Beulah Vernesta Johnson
- and their ancestors before them. Eventually, I also added
family lines, information and individual pages for my wife
Carolyn's family (Weeks
and
Eason), as well as the family lines for my son-in law Brad (Seese
and
Denniston) and my daughter-in-law Leslie (Robinson
and
Caldwell). |
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I've especially enjoyed finding photos of these distant
relatives - as well as closer relatives like grandparents, aunts
and uncles, and I'll share those through this web site as I
continue to add new pages. There are also family
trees pages with the names of our ancestors - such as
Loftin,
Setzer,
Goble and
Johnson - and you can connect to the other lines through
each of these pages if you just follow the links. |
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My paternal grandfather
Alonzo Lester Loftin died before I was born. When I
started my genealogy research in September 2006, I had never
seen a photo of him and had just assumed there were none.
I was wrong. Not only did I find several photos of Alonzo,
I also found photos of his parents and siblings. Those are all
posted on this website, too. |
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Alonzo Lester
Loftin, sitting, with some men at the old Gold Mine Store prior
to 1912 |
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Thanks to Boyd and Becky Goble for sharing
this photo with me |
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Check out Alonzo's webpage |
Alonzo Lester Loftin |
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Windows Media Player Movie about Alonzo
(4.51 minutes long, 4.20 MB) |
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Looking Back
at an Amazing Heritage |
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The
Loftin family has an amazing ancestral
heritage - going back almost as far as the Pilgrims who arrived
on the Mayflower.
Leonard "The Immigrant" Loftin/Laughton (b. Abt. 1610, Kent,
ENGLAND) arrived in the US before 1635 - less than 15 years
after the arrival of the Mayflower in Plymouth, Massachusetts,
in 1620. Leonard was transported to the Colony of Virginia
before 1636 by Mrs. Elizabeth Parker (Packer). He was indentured
to to Mrs. Parker/Packer to pay for his transportation to the
new world. |
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During the time in which
Leonard served as an indentured servant, his social status in
the colony was not much better than that of a slave. Poor
people in England who longed to improve their economical
situation entered into a written agreement with families with
money. The agreement assured free passage to the colonies
with a commitment to serve a period of from 5 to 7 years.
No pay was given for their services, however, they received
clothing, board and room. At the end of the indenture,
their employer was to provide them with two suits of clothing,
two hoes and an axe. With these meager items and a grant
of 50 acres of land from the Colonial government, they could
take part in the government as members of the colonial life.
Most of these indentured servants to Virginia were boys and
young men. Three out of four were between the ages of
fifteen and twenty-four. |
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By October 1638, Leonard had worked off his
indenture and acquired 200 acres of land in the Colony of
Virginia. This was an outstanding achievement -
accomplished by hard work and determination. |
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The
Goble family ancestral heritage is
similar to that of the Loftins.
Thomas "The Immigrant" Goble (b. 1590, Westergate, ENGLAND,
d. 29 Dec 1657, Concord, Massachusetts), along with his wife
Alice, and son John (who was about 3 or 4-years-old at the
time), paid for passage on one of the many ships (probably the
Abigail, Hopewell or Lion) headed for "the colonies" and
migrated to America (specifically Charleston, Massachusetts)
about 1633 or early 1634. This was less than 15 years
after the Pilgrims had arrived on the Mayflower in Plymouth,
Massachusetts.
Charleston (or Charlestown) was first settled by English
Colonists in 1628. The most famous conflict of the American
Revolutionary War, the Battle of Bunker Hill (fought on June 17,
1775), occurred in Charlestown. American Colonists lost the
battle but inflicted great damage to the British cause.
What else was happening in Charlestown, Massachusetts when
Thomas was living in the area? |
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Thomas and Alice Goble were
admitted to the first Church of Charleston, Massachusetts, on 30
Aug 1634. Thomas received his papers as a freeman on 03
Sep 1634 (at the General Court) and was granted four acres
"planting ground on Newton (New Towne) Line" the same year.
To become a freeman meant to be granted citizenship and freedom
to live in a city or borough. Thomas eventually become a
respected citizen of Charlestown. He was a very wealthy
man by the standards of the time and place, and consequently was
more than likely very active in local government. |
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The
Setzer family came to America about
100 years after the Loftins and the Gobles. Research
indicates that the earliest immigrant of the Setzer family to
the US was
Johannes Adam Setzer (b. Abt. 1710 in Heidelberg, GERMANY,
d. Abt. 1808) on the ship, "Patience" on 11 Aug 1750.
Johannes immigrated from Heidelberg, GERMANY, along with his six
brothers. |
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Johannes' son,
Jacob Setzer
I, was born in 1730 in Heidelberg, GERMANY. He settled in
Catawba County by 1765 (at that time part of Lincoln County).
He is believed to have come to America, along with his brother,
Michael, on Captain William Muir's ship "Brothers" from
Rotterdam, Holland. It is believed that Michael was also
born in 1730 but it is not known if they were twins or not.
The ship landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 26 Sep 1753.
Michael went west and Jacob came south almost immediately. |
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Jacob was a Physician and
brought his medical books with him when he came to America.
He settled on the farm of
Conrad Bovey
(Poovey) near Newton,
North Carolina. |
View of castle from
the Corn Market in Heidelberg, Germany |
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Christian Spannagel
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CC BY-SA 2.0 -
Link |
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The earliest
Johnson I have found to date is
Robert Johnson (b. 07 Jan 1778, Iredell Co., NC, d. 16 Mar
1864, Alexander Co, NC). There is currently no indication
who Robert's parents were or when the family emigrated to the
US. Robert married Mary Wilkinson and settled in Iredell
County, NC. |
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Alonzo
Lester Loftin (1876-1937) |
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Many of you, like me, are descendants of
Alonzo Lester Loftin. Alonzo was born on 05 Feb 1876 in
Catawba County, North Carolina. He was the oldest child of
William Alexander Loftin and Laura Rossie Cranford. Alonzo had
six siblings:
Frances Ivey Loftin (born 19 Sep 1878),
Zettie Wilson Loftin (born 25 May 1881),
Arthur Lee Loftin (born 20 June 1884),
W. Garland Loftin (born 23 May 1887),
Hattie Pearl Loftin (born 09 Jul 1890) and
Cordie Bland Loftin (born 26 Aug 1894). Alonzo met and
married Cornelia “Nelia” Estelle Lowrance on 23 Dec 1894 in
Catawba County, NC. Cornelia was the daughter of Henry Durant
Lowrance and Sarah Josephine Bost. Alonzo and Cornelia's
marriage produced five children. Tragedy struck
the young family in February 1904 when Cornelia died of
pneumonia at the age of 28. Cornelia’s mother, Sarah
Lowrance, also died in February 1904. Cornelia was buried
at First Methodist Church in Catawba, NC, next to her parents,
Henry and Sarah Lowrance. Alonzo was 27 at the time. After Cornelia’s
death on11 Feb 1904, Alonzo was left alone to
work and raise five small children all by himself. Since he could not
watch over them and work at the same time, it was suggested that
he send them away to an orphanage in the township of Marion in
McDowall County. With regret, Alonzo made the decision to send
his children to the orphanage temporarily. Alonzo's
parents, Alec & Laura Loftin, were not able to take in all 5 of
their grandchildren, but they made the decision to retrieve Alonzo's
baby girl, Verdie Lee, and bring her home with them. Alonzo
quickly started looking for a new mother for his children. Alonzo first met his
second wife,
Ida Lillian Setzer, at the Balls Creek Campground.
She was wearing a blue-tiered chiffon dress and when he saw her
he said, "There goes the woman I’m gonna marry.” Alonzo
got up, pursued her, and eventually wed her. Alonzo and
Ida were married just a few months later on 05 Nov 1904. He was
28 years old and she was 20. Alonzo and Ida's marriage
produced fourteen (or fifteen) children. |
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(Left to
Right) Alonzo & Cornelia Loftin wedding photo with his parents
and siblings; Alonzo with sisters Frances & Zettie; Alonzo; Ida |
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Children of Alonzo Lester Loftin and (1)
Cornelia “Nelia” Estelle Lowrance |
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Name |
Birth Date |
Death Date |
Spouse |
Nannie May Loftin |
08 Nov 1895 |
15 Jul 1982 |
Wade Vernon Martin
m. 1915 |
Lillie Stamey
Loftin |
06 Sep 1897 |
04 Aug 1988 |
[Never Married] |
Roy Henry Loftin |
27 Jul 1899 |
24 Jun 1972 |
Sarah Mae Morrow
m. 22 Jun 1925 |
Floye Hovis Loftin |
26 Jul 1901 |
06 Jan 1973 |
William Ellers |
Verdie Lee Loftin |
07 Sep 1903 |
06 Mar 1993 |
(1) Fitzhugh Boggs
(2) Ralph Copeny
(3) Harold Yount |
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Children of Alonzo Lester Loftin and (2)
Ida Lillian Setzer |
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Name |
Birth Date |
Death Date |
Spouse |
Charlie Roosevelt Loftin |
22 Oct 1905 |
30 Sep 1988 |
Edna Jones |
Theodore Roosevelt Loftin |
25 Dec 1906 |
20 Dec 1969 |
Fannie Marie Hoke |
"Infant Son" Loftin |
1908 |
1908 |
[Died in Infancy] |
Sadie Elizabeth Loftin |
08 Jun 1909 |
15 Dec 2007 |
(1) Paul Abraham
Murray
(2) Vernon Asbury Lee |
*Willie Thelma Loftin |
31 May 1911 |
28 Nov 1977 |
(1) Dewey D. Connor
(2) Dewey M Lanier |
*Callie Elma Loftin |
31 May 1911 |
28 June 1992 |
John Henry Huffman |
Sallie Allie Loftin |
12 Sep 1913 |
10 Feb 1986 |
Glenn Clustus Lee |
**Daisy Pearl Loftin |
06 Jun 1914 |
07 Jan 1994 |
Ruel Franklin
Herman |
**"Infant Son
2" Loftin |
06 Jun 1914 |
13 Jun 1914 |
[Died in Infancy] |
Mike Whitener Loftin |
18 Feb 1916 |
24 Feb 1949 |
Eleanor Carolyn
Ervin |
Sam William Loftin |
13 May 1918 |
18 Sep 1979 |
Willie Aleen Goble |
Oscar Sherrill Loftin |
22 Oct 1920 |
22 Jul 1986 |
Annie Ruth Travis |
***
"Infant Son 3" Loftin |
26 Oct 1922 |
27 Oct 1922 |
[Died in Infancy] |
Glennie Frances Loftin |
13 Jul 1926 |
17 Sep 2015 |
Robert Alvin Cook |
****
"Infant Son
4" Loftin |
1928 |
1928 |
[Died in Infancy] |
* Willie
Thelma Loftin and Callie Elma Loftin were twins - born
on 31 May 1911 in Catawba County, North Carolina. |
**Daisy
Pearl Loftin and "Infant Son 2" Were twins - born on 06
Jun 1914. "Infant Son 2" only lived a few days before
his death. |
***
The Catawba County Birth Index for this child, "Infant
Son 33, shows that
he was born 22 Oct 1922 (the same day and month as his
older brother Oscar). This child's Death
Certificate shows that he died 27 Oct 1922 and that he
lived for 1 day and 2 hours - so it's more likely that
the child was born on 26 Oct 1922 - instead of 22 Oct
1922 as the Birth Index shows. Cause of death was
"malformation of upper air passage". |
****
It's possible that this last "Infant Son" of Alonzo and
Ida was born in 1927. It is also possible that the
grave marker for this "Infant Son" born in 1928 was
incorrectly dated and should have been for the 1922
"Infant Son". |
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Loftin Family Reunion |
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What:
Loftin Family Reunion
When: 3rd Sunday in May each year
Where:
Catawba United Methodist Church, Family Life Center |
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Barry Brotherton greets the
Loftin Family and honors the oldest family members |
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(Left) The
Sam William Loftin family; (Right) The Daughters of
Arthur Lee Loftin,
Lois,
Helen,
Marie &
Bernice |
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CLICK HERE and then scroll to the bottom of the page for
the latest photos. |
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The Ancestor
Photo Quiz |
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How many of these family ancestors can you
identify? They come from many different branches of the
family including:
Loftin,
Setzer,
Goble,
Johnson,
Witherspoon,
Miller, Gilleland,
Cranford, Lowrance and
Aderholdt. |
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 |
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11
12
13
14
15
16
17 |
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Here are a few hints: |
1. Goble family - her maiden name was Douglas.
Click Here |
2. Setzer family - her maiden name was
Witherspoon.
Click Here |
3. Loftin family - her maiden name was Cranford.
Click Here |
4. Goble family - he was the father of Martin,
Otis & Rebecca.
Click Here |
5. Setzer family - he was a major land owner in
Catawba County in 1860.
Click Here |
6. Setzer family - he is buried at Bethlehem
Methodist Church Cemetery in Claremont.
Click Here |
7. Setzer family - her maiden name was Aderholdt.
Click Here |
8. Loftin family - he was the middle child and son
son of "Alec" - married twice.
Click Here |
9. Goble family - her maiden name was Miller.
Click Here |
10. Loftin family - had brothers named Lafayette &
Cromwell.
Click Here |
11. Loftin family - her maiden name was Gilleland.
Click Here |
12. Goble family - she's the mother of No. 4.
Click Here |
13. Loftin family - youngest brother to Alonzo Loftin
Click Here |
14. Setzer family - youngest daughter of Patrick &
Margaret Setzer.
Click Here |
15. Loftin family - Alonzo Loftin's 1st wife - she died
from pneumonia at age 28.
Click Here |
16. Loftin family - 3rd child of Wm. Alexander Loftin -
married Charles Beatty.
Click Here |
17. Loftin family - Oldest daughter of Alec & Laura
Loftin married Wesley Drum.
Click Here |
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Surname
Origins |
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I'm currently in the process of updating this Surname Origins
Chart. This will continue to change and grow over time. |
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SURNAME ORIGINS
with Earliest Ancestor |
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LOFTIN
Surnames |
SETZER
Surnames |
GOBLE
Surnames |
JOHNSON
Surnames |
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ENGLAND |
ENGLAND |
ENGLAND |
ENGLAND |
Cranford
James Cranford |
Bushart
?John Bushart
(1720-1795) |
Goble
William Goble
(1540-1593) |
Johnson
?Robert Johnson
(1778-1864) |
Fisher
?Stephen Fisher |
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Robinson
Elizabeth Robinson/Goble
(1775-1850) |
Sherrill
William Sherwill
(1585-1638) |
Harwell
?Samuel Harwell
(1637-1669) |
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Upright
Richard Upright |
Upright
Richard Upright |
Johnson
?Martin Johnson
(1620- ) |
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Lanier
Nicholas Laniere
(1542-1612) |
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Lomax
Adam Lomax
(1711- ) |
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Sherrill/Sherwill
William Sherwill
(1585-1638) |
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Upright
Richard Upright |
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Washington
Robert Washington
(14??-1483) |
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Work |
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FRANCE |
FRANCE |
FRANCE |
FRANCE |
Corzine
?Elizabeth Corzine/Sherrill
(1701-1769) |
Bovey
?Conrad Bovey
(1714-1766) |
Faber
Michael Faber
(1698-1778) |
Corzine
Elizabeth Corzine/Sherrill
(1701-17??) |
Lanier? |
Bushart
?John Bushart
(1720-1795) |
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Motz
Hans Diebolt Motz
(1590-16??) |
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GERMANY |
GERMANY |
GERMANY |
GERMANY |
Fisher
?Stephen Fisher |
Aderholdt
Jacob Aderhold
(1599-16??) |
Faber
Michael Faber
(1698-1778) |
Fink
Daniel David Fink
(1756-1???) |
Rudisill
Hans Heinrich Reutzel
(1612-1689) |
Barringer/Behringer
Wilhelm Behringer
(1700-1743) |
Fulbright
Hans Vollbrecht
(1597-1667) |
Kaiser
?Benedikt Kaiser
(1527-1???) |
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Bushart?
?John Bushart
(1720-1795) |
Hefner
Melchoir Hefner
(1714-1795) |
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Deal/Diehl
Johann Simon Diehl
(1700-17??) |
Meinhert
Emanuel Meinhert
(1675-17??) |
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Heavner
?Johann Dietrich Heavner
(1723-1787) |
Miller/Muller
George Muller |
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Herman
Hans Herrmann
(1610-1635)
Prussia |
Pabst/Babst/Bobst
Johann the Younger Bapst
(1585-1642) |
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Ikert?/Eckard
?Peter Ikert |
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Miller/Muller
George Muller |
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Setzer
Johannes Adam Setzer
(1710-1808) |
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IRELAND |
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IRELAND |
Givens
Robert Givens
(1641-1711) |
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Lewis
William Lewis
(1632-1658) |
SCOTLAND |
SCOTLAND |
SCOTLAND |
SCOTLAND |
Beatty
?John Beatty
(1701-1773) |
Ikert?/Eckard
?Peter Ikert |
Douglas
?Walter Douglas |
Hamilton
James Hamilton
(1575-1618) |
Givens |
Pettigrew
James Petigru
(1613-1??? ) |
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Leslie/Lasley
?James Q. Leslie
(1807-1???) |
McCorkle
Samuel Matthew McCorkle
(1697-1???) |
Rankin
?James Rankin |
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Wilkinson
Angus Harvey Wilkinson
(1734-1???) |
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Witherspoon
John Witherspoon
(1700-17??) |
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SWITZERLAND |
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SWITZERLAND |
Benedikt Kaiser
(1527-1??? ) |
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Kaiser
Benedikt Kaiser
(1527-1???) |
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Additional Information about Family
Origins |
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There
are some surnames that frequently show up in Jewish
ancestry, but I have yet to find a Jewish connection
with any of these names.
They are: Fink (J), Fisher (L),
Herman (L), Kaiser (L) and Miller (G) |
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Those
names with a Question Mark ? before them have questionable
ancestral origin yet those names are typically
identified with the country listed. |
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Long Life
Satisfied |
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In the process of working with family records, I realized just
how many of our ancestors lived to be 80 years old or even older
and thought it would be nice to create a webpage with that
information for the four main branches of our family - Loftin,
Setzer, Goble & Johnson. The page is called
Long Life Satisfied, based on the Scripture from Psalm 91.
If you know of family members who lived to be at least 80 and
are not listed on this page, please contact me and share the
information. |
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Psalm 91
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
WITH LONG LIFE
WILL I SATISFY HIM and shew him my salvation. |
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Gone Too
Soon |
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I created this web page to share interesting stories of
members of the family who have died from unusual circumstances.
The page is called
Gone
Too Soon and is divided into four sections for the four
mail branches of our family -
Loftin,
Setzer,
Goble and
Johnson.
There are stories of those who died from pneumonia, typhoid
fever, hanging, drowning, suicide, scalping, automobile
accidents, Civil War deaths, World War I deaths and much more.
Check it out. There are some interesting stories. |
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Ministers/Preachers/Clergy in the Family |
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I created a
CLERGY page back in November of 2013 that highlights
ancestors and relatives of the various family lines who have
been licensed, ordained or served as ministers. I also
included those who served in the mission field. I know
that there are many other ministers and missionaries in the
family whose names and information I do not have. This is
where I need your help. |
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What do I need? I need (1) the person/ancestor's name, (2)
who their parents & grandparents were, (3) when and where they
served - including dates & names of churches, etc., "if
possible". A photo
would also be great - if you have a scanned (or digital) photo. |
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You can see what I have thus far by checking out the
CLERGY page. |
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Psalm 37:18
The LORD knows the days of the upright and their inheritance
will be forever. |
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Murray's
Mill Harvest Folk Festival |
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Murray's Mill has played a part in the lives
of those who live in Catawba, NC, for over a hundred years. In
its earliest days, our ancestors brought their wheat and corn to
the mill to have it ground into flour and cornmeal. |
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In the Autumn of each year
Murray's Mill has an annual Harvest Festival in September (Saturday & Sunday). The
Harvest Folk Festival celebrates Catawba County’s agricultural
heritage with an array of exhibits and traditional food preparation
demonstrations. Additional activities frequently included: Molasses Making, Bee Keeping,
Animal Exhibits, Petting Zoo, Gold Panning,
Civil War Reenactment, Apple Cider Making, Quilting,
Blacksmith, Steam Engines, Farm Machinery, Corn Shucking & Corn
Shelling, Butter & Apple Butter Making and Storytelling.
There are usually Craftsmen
selling their wares, lots of food & drink, Pottery exhibits
and
Catawba Valley Woodcarvers. The John Murray House is open for tours
and the
Murray & Minges General Store is also open. The Mill itself
is in operation and open for you to tour during this time. Be sure to check out our
Murray's Mill page. |
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I especially enjoyed the Civil-War
re-enactors, the Antique Car Show and the Antique Tractor Show.
My wife, Carolyn, loved the crafts - quilt making and
old-fashioned lace making. |
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Balls Creek Campmeeting |
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Catawba County, NC, is steeped with lots of yearly opportunities
and traditions - none more exciting than spending some time at
the
Balls Creek Campground.
The campground was established in August 1853 and the Loftins
were there from the very beginning. The Loftin family (as well as
Setzer and Goble) has a long honored tradition of "tenting" at
the campground, attending worship services, and visiting with
family and friends while there. |
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To see the new webpage devoted to the Balls Creek Campground
and read about the family history associated with it -
CLICK HERE |
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The American
Revolutionary War,
World War I, World War II, Korean War, Viet Nam,
& Those Who Served |
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The Family Genealogy Website has a great
Civil War page, but
that's not the only war that we've had family members to fight
and die in. I've created several new pages to honor those
in our families who have served in the various branches of the
military. The military pages include
Revolutionary War,
Civil War,
World War
I,
World War
II, the
Korean War,
the
Vietnam
War, the
Gulf War
and the
War on
Terror. I've added photos and information about
family members and ancestors who have served in these wars - but
only the one that I know about. |
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I need your help to improve these various
pages.
If you know of family members who served in the military - let me
know. Email me using the email address at the bottom of
this page or call me at 828-241-2233. |
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SOME INFORMATION FROM THE CIVIL WAR PAGE |
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Thomas
Loftin had one son,
James Franklin Loftin, by his first marriage to Sally Lavinia Beatty. After Viney's death on 30 May 1829, Thomas
married Margaret Fisher about 1830 and had five more sons, William A. Loftin, David Loftin, Jackson Loftin, Eli Anderson
Loftin and William Pinkney Loftin. William A. Loftin (age
28), William Pinkney Loftin (age 19) and Eli Anderson
Loftin (age 16) enlisted in the Confederate army on o6 Jul
1861. William A. died four months later on 20 Oct 1861 from
disease. According to "The Catawba Soldier", William Pinkney
died exactly three months later on at Fairfax Station from
disease. Eli Anderson was shot in the knee at Gettysburg on 01
Jul 1863 and lost his left leg, which was cut off half-way
between the knee and hip. He lay on the battlefield
several days and nights, not being moved until after the battles
of Gettysburg were all over. The leg was removed by a
surgeon on the field. His was the only limb lost by
Company F. He was transferred to General Hospital,
Baltimore, Maryland, on 03 Nov 1863, then moved to the Point
Lookout Hospital in Maryland on 12 Jan 1864. He was
exchanged and admitted to Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, VA,
on 04 May 1864 and finally back in NC at the hospital in
Salisbury by November/December 1864. |
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With a wife and several small children at
home, James Franklin did not enter the war when his
half-brothers enlisted in 1861.
James Franklin Loftin enlisted and entered the Civil War as part of the
Confederacy on 03 Mar 1862 as a Private at the age of 35/36.
He served with the 49th Reg., Company I of NC troops and was
described in the Catawba Soldier, p. 306, as “a fine, cheerful
and kindly disposed soldier.” It has been said by the
family that when James Franklin went off to war, his son
William
Alexander was just tall enough to harness the horse to the plow.
James Franklin was listed as present with the group of troops
from May thru December 1863, as well as March thru June 1864.
According to his granddaughter, Cordie Loftin Wilson, as he was
preparing to leave home after his last visit, he remarked that
he would never return and did not want Elizabeth to remarry. James Franklin Loftin was killed
in action near Drewry’s Bluff, VA., on 16 May 1864. The
headstone of Franklin's wife, Elizabeth, at Center Methodist
Church in Catawba County, North Carolina, gives his death date as 16 May 1864.
Confederate Records list his death date as 16 Jul 1864 and
states that he was "killed in action" at Drewry's Bluff.
Since the actual date of the battle was 16 May 1864, it seems
more logical that his death date was indeed 16 May 1864. |
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William
Able Setzer,
Jacob Harvey Setzer,
John Wilburn Setzer and
Henry Theodore Setzer, Uriah Franklin Sherrill and David Newton
McCorkle |
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All seven sons of
Jacob Lanier Setzer and Delilah Deal Setzer served in
the Civil War. Marcus Elkanah (age 32), William Able (age 26),
Jacob Harvey (age 25), Noah Monroe (age 22),
John Wilburn (age 22),
Patrick Sylvanus (age 19), and Henry Theodore (age 16) enlisted
as part of the Confederate army, leaving Jacob with a large farm
and no sons to help run it. Noah Monroe "Joe" Setzer, age 22,
seems to have been the first of Jacob's son's to enlist in the Confederate army.
Noah joined Company A, 12th Regiment on 27 Apr 1861. The other
brothers joined in 1862.
Patrick Sylvanus Setzer was taken Prisoner of War at
Rappahannock Station on 07 November 1863, at the age of 20, and
was confined on 11 November 1863 at Point Lookout, MD, a prison
camp for Confederate prisoners of war.
William Able Setzer, age 28, was wounded during battle,
captured and carried to Point Lookout where he was retained for
sixteen months. His brother,
Henry Theodore Setzer, age 17, was
also a POW for 16 months at Point Lookout, as was
Marcus Elkanah
Setzer, age 33.
Jacob Harvey Setzer, age 26, was captured at
Rappahannock Station, VA and died in the hospital at Point
Lookout.
Marcus Elkanah Setzer
also died during the war on 21 Mar 1865 at the age of 34. |
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Uriah Franklin Sherrill, son of Henderson & Mahala Long
Sherrill, was born in 1835. His father, a prominent farmer, had represented
Catawba County in the legislature. Uriah Franklin Sherrill was a fine
looking young man; he was a splendid school teacher as recorded
by M. O. Sherrill. When the "Cry of War" went through the
land for volunteers, Uriah was among the first to respond; he
joined the Catawba Rifles, the first Company organized in old
Catawba in April 1861, before reaching his 27th year. He
was elected First Lieutenant and was with the Company at
Norfolk, VA. While at Norfolk he became sick and on the
3rd day of September 1861 he died. He was the first
confederate soldier from Catawba County who sacrificed his life
on the alter of his country. |
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David Newton McCorkle
(son of Francis Marion McCorkle, Jr. and Elizabeth Mariah
Abernathy) enlisted in the 23rd NC Infantry, Company F, during
the Civil War, and served as a Sergeant. David died at
Banner Hospital in Richmond, VA, on 09 Jan 1862 of Typhoid
Fever. His wife, Rhoda Smith, is reported to have traveled
to Virginia to retrieve his body and bring him back to North
Carolina. |
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To learn more about relatives and ancestors who have served in
the military, be sure to visit the various webpages:
Revolutionary War,
Civil War,
World War
I,
World War
II, the
Korean War,
the
Vietnam
War, the
Gulf War
and the
War on
Terror. |
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Callie Elma Loftin Huffman &
Willie Thelma Loftin Lanier |
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Barbara Turbyfill Huffman (Mrs. Hal Davis Huffman),
daughter-in-law of John Henry Huffman and
Callie
Elma Loftin shared this great photo of Elma and her
twin sister
Willie
Thelma Loftin with me. Be sure to
check out Elma and Thema's pages, as well as the page for
Twins in the Family. |
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Callie Elma Loftin and her twin sister Willie Thelma Loftin |
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Frances Ivy Loftin Drum |
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Several years ago, I had the opportunity to connect with 2nd cousin Dee Dee Drum
Jordan (our fathers, Garvin Loftin Drum and
Sam
William Loftin, were 1st cousins). Dee Dee is
the only granddaughter of
Frances
Ivey Loftin and John Wesley Drum. Frances was a
sister to
Alonzo
Lester Loftin,
Arthur Lee
Loftin,
W. Garland
Loftin,
Zettie
Wilson Loftin Beatty,
Hattie
Pearl Loftin and
Cordie
Bland Loftin Wilson and was the daughter of
William
Alexander Loftin and
Laura
Rossie Cranford. Dee Dee provided numerous
wonderful photos and information on her branch of the family.
There's even a new photo of Alonzo's daughter
Floye
Hovis Loftin Ellers. Thanks Dee Dee. |
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Check out all the photos and information on
the
Frances
Ivey Loftin Drum webpage |
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Oliver Cromwell Loftin |
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A while back, I had the opportunity to
connect with another cousin - Cecelia Burr - when she emailed
me. Cecelia is the Great Granddaughter of
Oliver
Cromwell Loftin. Oliver Cromwell Loftin,
nicknamed "Crum" according to my Dad (Sam
William Loftin), was a son to
James
Franklin Loftin and
Frances
Elizabeth Fisher and a brother to
William
Alexander Loftin. Cecelia shared a great photo
of Oliver and his second wife Zettie, as well as many of their
children. |
(Left) The Oliver Cromwell Family; (Right) Bidwell Loftin |
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Eva McAlister, Birdie
McAlister, Bidwell Loftin, Roy Loftin, Maude Loftin, Lucy
McAlister
Ervin McAlister, Oliver Cromwell Loftin holding Mabel Loftin,
Zettie holding Ada Loftin, Ada McAlister, Ruth Loftin |
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Trip to Israel |
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Curtis & Carolyn Loftin took their second
trip to ISRAEL in October 2011. Traveling with a small group of 20
friends, they toured from the Golan Heights & the Sea of Galilee
area in the north - to Jerusalem, Qumran and the Dead Sea in the
south.
Curtis took over 3000 photos and has uploaded the best of them
to the internet.
CLICK HERE to see photos and videos from the 12-day
trip. |
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Masada in the Southern Part of Israel |
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"We didn't visit Masada on our 2005 trip to Israel. This
particular excursion began when we took a cable car to the top
of the vista. Visiting the ancient ruins and walking down the
back side of the mountain was one of my favorite parts of this
particular trip." |
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(Left) Curtis & Carolyn atop the Mt. of Olives overlooking
the Old City of Jerusalem
(Righ) Curtis & Carolyn with friends Duke & Myrl Peeler and
Susan Miles in front of the Eastern Gate |
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Curtis with the men at the Western Wall in the Old City of
Jerusalem at Night |
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(Left to Right) Chuck Anthony, Duke Peeler,
Gideon Anthony, Jeff Boyle, Curtis Loftin, Danny, Doug Williams
and Paul Miles |
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If you love ISRAEL like we do - and the GOD of Israel -
you'll enjoy the photos and videos:
CLICK HERE |
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The Dodd
Family |
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I created several new webpages for the
Dodd family.
Dr. William Edward Dodd, Sr. (b.1869, d. 1940) was the first
US Ambassador to Germany during the 1930s when
Adolf Hitler's rose to power. Ambassador Dodd served in
Berlin and even spoke with Hitler on several occasions. This is
worth the read, even if you don't connect to the Dodd family.
This is for my wife's family, children and grandchildren. |
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I also created a webpage for Ambassador Dodd's daughter,
Martha Eccles Dodd (b. 1908, d. 1990). What makes Martha
especially interesting is her "colorful" lifestyle in Berlin
when her father was serving as ambassador. She also became a
Soviet Union spy, with several code-names like "Liza" and
"Juliet 2'. |
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(Left) Martha
Eccles Dodd, William Dodd, Jr., Ambassador William Edward Dodd,
Sr. and Mattie Dodd
(Right) Ambassador Dodd, center, with other prominent world
representatives in Germany at the time |
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Ambassador is sitting on the left side of the upper section
while Hitler sits front center |
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My
Granddaughters |
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I'm (Curtis Loftin) in the process of working on webpages to showcase photos of
my granddaughters through the years. |
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The
Savanna 2008,
Savanna 2009,
Savanna 2010,
Savanna 2011,
Savanna 2012,
Savanna 2013,
Savanna 2014 and
Savanna 2015 pages are also completed. The
Ali 2008,
Ali 2009,
Ali 2010,
Ali 2011,
Ali 2012,
Ali 2013,
Ali 2014, and
Ali 2015 pages are completed. Savanna and Alexandria
are the daughters of
Brad &
Beth Loftin Seese. Savanna & Alexandria were involved
in dance for about 10 years. Their dance photos from 2012
are also completed:
Savanna - 2012 Dance and
Alexandria - 2012 Dance. |
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I've updated the webpages for our youngest granddaughter, Kayli.
The following pages can be viewed:
Kayli - Year 2012,
Kayli - Year 2013,
Kayli - Year 2014,
Kayli - Year 2015. Kayli is the daughter of
Philip &
Leslie Robinson Loftin. |
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I finally got "most" of our old family videos for the past
40+ years converted and uploaded so they can be shared with family and friends.
Check them out on the new page
Videos - Curtis Loftin Family. I've also added pertinent
videos to the various pages for
Philip Daniel Loftin and
Elizabeth Ann Loftin Seese. These are really just for
the family, but you're welcome to take a look, too. |
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Kayli in 2015 and 2016 |
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Alexandria and Savanna in August 2015 |
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Webpages You Might Find
Interesting |
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For some of you, this might be your first time to visit our
family genealogy website. For others, you may have been here
many times before. Regardless, since this website has over 700
pages, and about 50 different family name, I'd like to make a
few recommendations for pages you might find interesting. Enjoy. |
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Deaths In The
Family |
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I try to post information when there is a
death in the family but sometimes it's days and even months
later before I find out about some deaths. If you'll let me know
about deaths in the family, I'll gladly post it on the website. |
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"Long Long
Ago" |
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Life has numerous joys as
you pass from childhood to adulthood and beyond. As you
get older you take great joy in remembering the simple things
from your childhood. June Bugs on a string, Lightening
Bugs in a jar, making hats from leaves attached to each other by
small sticks, collecting acorns and the dried shell-like
skins of cicadas, visiting Grandpa and Grandma, were all simple
forms of entertainment for me, as they would have been for my
ancestors when they were children. |
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Theme Music, "Long
Long Ago" by Thomas Haynes Bayly |
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Tell me the tales that to me were so dear,
Long, long ago, long, long ago,
Sing me the songs I delighted to hear,
Long, long ago, long ago,
Now you are come all my grief is removed,
Let me forget that so long you have roved.
Let me believe that you love as you loved,
Long, long ago, long ago. |
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This song was written in 1833 by English songwriter and
dramatist, Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797-1839). It was not published
until ten years later, after Bayly had died. It achieved
instant popularity and was the most popular song in America in
1843. |
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Website
Updates |
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The Family Genealogy Website has a very
useful page called
NEWS. It spans the years from 2009 to this current
year and month. This page was created to let you know the
current pages that I have been working on, as well as any new
pages. This link will take you there. The link can
also be found in the upper left corner of this page.
Thanks for your continued support. |
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From 2008 to 2013, I shared the same type of
information on a page that was called "Recent Updates".
This is the link if you want to check it out. |
RECENT
UPDATES (2008 - 2013) |
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Thanks to the Following ... |
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Thanks to all who have preceded me
in working on these genealogy connections.
You've made my task to produce this web site much easier. |
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A special thanks to...
Frances Loftin Cook - The Loftin Family
Peggy Loftin Brotherton - The Loftin Family
Willie Goble Loftin - The Goble Family
Boyd & Becky Goble - The Goble Family
John Smith - The Loftin Family
Daisy Lemyre Sigmon - The Setzer Family
Linda Seamon Dymon - The Fink Family
Richard Roberts - The Hamilton Family |
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Thanks to my cousins who have gone
through family photos and then shared them with me
so that everyone in the family can enjoy them. |
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If you have additional photos or information, please contact
me.
828-241-2233 |
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This web site was created April
2007 |
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Contact Me |
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Curtis Loftin |
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