Our Winter in Alabama

We stayed the winter in Alabama and worked on Pope Genealogy. We completely finished the Union Grove Church Cemetery project. We took pictures of all the tombstones, which was about 1000.

'View of the oldest part of the cemetery. '

Then I extracted all the data and put it into a database. We mapped all the graves. We also did GPS readings on all the Pope graves. It was a wonderful learning experience and we had many miracles happen especially at the cemetery. I would have people show up with some bit of information we needed.
The Pope family migrated from Haralson County, Georgia. We found a wonderful old courthouse that had been saved from destruction by the Haralson Genealogical Society.

It is now a small library with a genealogy room. That's where we found all these old marriage application dating from 1929 to 1951. 150 books with about 8000 applications for marriage. We asked if there was a book of the information or CD or something. They just looked at us funny and smiled. Ah, no, that's it. I said, "Your kidding!" I told John, we had to get that information. What if they burn. These applications not only had the names of the bride and groom but also the parents names, birth dates and where they lived. It was like a goldmine. But we knew we had to finish the cemetery project first. So, right before we had to get ready to leave we photoed all the applications. It took us about 4 days with the help of the Brother Williams, the genealogy teacher,our friend. We presented a copy to the Haralson Library. They were so excited that someone would do this for them. We left Alabama with some sadness. We acquired some wonderful friends, and a love of the people. We were so blessed with rich experiences.

Alabama

We are still here in Alabama doing "Pope" genealogy. Miracle after miracle. The "Pope" line is connected to George Washington. His Grandma was a Pope. We have made connections but not a direct line. A little tidbit what used to be the "The Pope Plantation" and is now Mt. Vernon!!

We are waiting for the "coast to clear" before we leave Alabama. We are headed for Texas but with all the ice storms they are having in Texas we don't dare head that direction. So, we will hold up down here in the Cotton Fields!!

Cotton Fields

This is a picture of the side of a gas station! Notice the C.S.A. Confederate States of America. ON THE SIDE OF A GAS STATION!!

This is a picture of a storm shelter, we think. We had to drive by several times to get the shot because there was always someone outside. We had to wait for everybody to be gone so that we wouldn't get shot, Ha Ha Ha!

This is across the street from our campground. On the other side of this house is the lake. If you look close you can see some true Alabama home improvement going on. Look at he shop.....is that windows with no walls....lets take a closer look (go to the next picture)

Yep that is what we are looking at a shop with windows and no walls!!

This is a family we met doing genealogy. The Father is the wards genealogy teacher. They are very nice and really neat.

This is the sunset we saw when we were finishing up filming and photographing Union Grove Cemetery. It was like we were being told our work was really done at this cemetery.

We are planning on staying here for another month. Then hopefully we will be off to Texas.

Here some more of our favorite pictures from Alabama.

Our Niagara Falls Pic's

Dear all
I thought I should send the family pictures more often otherwise you miss all the cool pictures. We sure had fun at Niagara. I didn't realize how close you are to the falls.The the only thing that we can't send you is how loud the falls are. We are leaving tomorrow morning for the big apple on the train and subway. We are leaving our trailer in Stamford,Ct. at the church. Better go for now. love mom and dad

Round 2 Heading East

Sun 9/24/2006 8:39 PM

Dear loved ones & friends,
Seems as if we just left yesterday to continue our adventure--hard to believe that's it's been almost 3 months. Don't worry, we are both fine and all equipment is working just fine.
Much eternal work has continued to be completed in the Spokane,Bismarck,St.Paul,Winter Quarters,St Louis & Nauvoo Temples--32 to date. We have also took some side trips to Far West,Liberty Jail, Independence, and Lamar,Mo. Additionally, we visited family friends in western Iowa; stayed on their 900 acre corn & soy bean farm.
Troy & I know that the Lord is watching over us as we travel from one temple to the next. He has blessed us with so many family insights and finds--not only on our lives but those of our friends; the Foltz and Perkins families.
Ten days ago we arrived in Nauvoo--truly sacred ground, with the rebuilt Temple upon the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. One Tuesday evening we had the honor to help clean the Lords House-- we dusted the lower and main floor levels. As I was dusting the Recorders office I noticed on his wall a glass case which had enclosed a sword belonging to Joseph Smith. Made sure I did a good job dusting it. After our shift, we were allowed to climb the bell tower all the way up to the angel. After you get off the elevator on the fourth floor you climb another 5 floors in the tower on a metal spiral staircase. What a view.
Our next target temples are Chicago and points east. Attached are a few photos of our journey to date. Can you spot us going into an Iowa corn field and a shot of our new 1 bedroom/50 bathroom summer cottage on the banks of the Mississippi? Winners will be notified. Love and miss each of you.
Love, John & Troy