Do You Know Your Roots?
As we get older we realize our kids and grand kids need to know their roots! My nephew, Roger Prince, has documented hundreds of old family pictures and has visited cemeteries looking for the graves of our ancestors.
The Morgan family is a musical family.My grandfather, Thomas Huston Morgan, was a Santa Claus of a man with a long white beard. He played the violin left-handed. He held it in his right hand and bowed with his left. My Dad, Lewis Mc Minn Morgan could play any stringed instrument. He played violin, guitar, banjo, and mandolin. My mother, Zora Jane ,was taught music in the Methodist church. They had classes at church and she could sight-read any hymn with shaped notes.
Back in the early 20’s people had pound suppers and everyone brought a pound of something and then later would have music and square dancing. Since there was no TV and very few people had radios, it was a fun evening.
We also had cousins that were musical. My Aunt Hattie’s 2 daughters played the mandolin and their Dad, Uncle Horace, played a mean piano. As far back as I can remember we always had a piano and musical instruments. I learned to play on an old upright piano my grandfather bought. He bought if for my mother’s sister, Ella, who died at an early age. Her daughter, Ruth, also played the piano. Very few of the family had musical training, so it is and inborn talent.
My Dad being born in the Big Thicket in a log cabin—did not have access to music teachers etc. However, he knew all the chords and could play in any key.
He tells this on his Dad—Back in the days when ice cream first came on the scene they went to town and my grandfather bought Dad an ice cream cone. He always called my Dad “Babe” as he was the baby of eight children.My Dad was eating the ice cream and when he got to the cone part my grandpa said,”Babe, I don’t think you are supposed to eat the cardboard.”
If you are not sure about your roots( color them). Seriously, start documenting some of your family stories. Your children’s children will enjoy hearing about them.
