The picture above is my mother with her father (she called him Papa), James Franklin Ballard. James Franklin Ballard (my grandfather) was born on Aug. 30, 1861 in Lynchburg, VA, and died on Jan. 8, 1936 in Bristol, VA. (I never knew him--or any of my grandparents. Isn't that sad?) His parents were William Alexander Ballard (born 11/21/1831 and died 1/19/1903) and Adeline Frances Doss (Not sure of the dates of her birth and death). William and Adeline were married 12/9/1857.
My grandfather, James Ballard, had three brothers (Bland E., Edgar H., and John C.). Above is a picture of the four brothers---and they were all very handsome men. From left to right: Jim--my grandfather, Eddie the youngest, Bland, and John. I haven't done much research on them yet, but did read that Edgar (Eddie) died at age 31. Bland was born Dec. 31, 1873, and was well-known in the Bristol area all of his life.
Bland is the only brother (my great uncle) that I remember. He was married to Myrtle Larmer in 1901 and they had three children (Vivian--Mrs. Guy Simmons, B.E. Ballard Jr--called Gene, and Margaret Ballard). They lived in Bristol at 715 Fairmount Avenue--and I remember that house well.
Grandfather James also had at least four sisters (four that I know of). These are the 'other' set of great aunts who helped raise my mother after her mother died. These four sisters (Lura, Eunice, Nancy/Nanny, and Aileen) were my great aunts---and I remember them as much as I remember the Bruce sisters/aunts. Lura and Eunice never married, but Nanny married Fred Pate, and Aileen married J..G. Cross. From left to right in the picture above: Nanny, Eunice, Aileen, and Lura. Lura was my favorite Great Aunt --and I had a dolly named Lulu after Aunt Lura.
The sisters lived in Bristol at 500 Lindsay Avenue. I remember that big two-story white house with a porch that wrapped around the house (pictured above). As a little girl, I visited the Ballards with my parents, and loved being in their home. It had an unusual smell (not a bad smell)--but maybe a smell of antiques....???? I also remember hearing clocks ticking in several different rooms. Isn't it funny (crazy) what one remembers as a little girl???? Pretty house though, don't you think? I'd love to see if it is still there.
Since I love Family History, I have enjoyed finding information on ALL sides of my family.. I have the most on the Bruce side (Mom's mother's side), and alot less on the Ballard side (Mom's father's side). And then comes my Daddy's side of the family (Banks and Witt)... I have VERY little information on them so far. Genealogy is fun--but like blogging, it takes alot of time. Maybe one of these years, I'll find more time!!!! ha
Hope you have a good Monday.
Hugs,
I always admire your great family history archives. wonderful job, Betsy! Have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteMorning Betsy, I woke early and could not sleep. I put on my detective hat and have found 500 Lindsey Street, Bristol on a google map and it looks very much like the house in the photo above - corner lot. I love reading about your family and seeing the photographs. Hope you and George have an enjoyable day.
ReplyDeleteI agree that is a beautiful house, what fun it must have been to go there as a child.You are lucky to have the pictures and history.
ReplyDeleteYour old pictures are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI think family history is very interesting and important to be understood.
My mother researched a lot of genealogy records and laid out our family tree years ago. Now, with her recent passing, I find those records even more valuable.
Keep at it!
Betsy: What great photos from your history.
ReplyDeleteThat is a shame that you din't know your grandparents. That is a special thing in a childs life.
I really love looking at your family photos, Betsy. You are fortunate to have so many. I have very few, but do treasure the ones I have. And, yes, those Ballard brothers were very good-looking men! And that house is gorgeous---I've always dreamed of a wrap-around porch.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous collection of pictures, memories and history!!
ReplyDeleteYes those Ballard men are good looking. The youngest was a heartbreaker. Not fair that the aunts got shown much later in life when the bloom is gone. Really neat looking house.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with genealogy.
Betsy, stop by my blog and pick up your award you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteYou are presenting this in a very interesting way!
ReplyDeleteThe things that you remember as a little girl......I stayed over night often with my Aunt Joyce. Before we went to bed we would get a drink of water out of the refrigerator. Years later I was at a cousins (from a different aunt) house. She opened her refrigerator. I said I know that refrigerator, that was Aunt Joyce's. She said yes it was.
ReplyDeleteI love your history stories and pics. Keep them coming.
Pj
It is interesting what we remember as children. I remember at my grandparents house the loud "gurgling" noise their hot water heater made.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! It's nice that you have so much family history. Beautiful old house!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to have all these family photos! It's so fun to look back in time, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI love old family pictures. It always makes me want to know more!
ReplyDeleteAgain, this is amazing to me......
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for inviting us in to view your family history. I hope you do go and see the old house--if it is still there--and see if it looks like you remember. MB
ReplyDeleteCool old photos, wow, that house was beautiful wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteThose photos are a looking glass back into time. You can see yourself through that prism, and the same faces in the mirror when you look. (If only we could time travel!)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post...as usual when you write about your ancestors it is very interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteBetsy-I just wanted you to know this is all very interesting.I'm really looking forward to reading more.Thank you for sharing your family with us.
ReplyDeleteIt's very nice to see these photos - I love looking at old time photos - but that 2nd shot is in really good shape for as old as it is.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers below are very pretty too!
Betsy, you've done a fabulous job organizing your family photos and information. It is too bad you never knew any of your grandparents. The smell of pineapple upside down cake baking always reminds me of my grandma. Have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see photos of our ancestors and try to learn about them. I've done some geneology, but I've got a lot more to discover. When I find the time...
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic pictures. I have done a lot of family history. It is like a treasure hunt. You are so lucky to have those pictures and especially the one of that fabulous house!
ReplyDeleteWhoa! What a fancy house!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I keep saying, "maybe when I have more time." I was on Ancestry for a year but only managed to research my mom's family (her mother died when she was 2). Well, maybe next winter. Excellent workup on your family, Betsy.
ReplyDeleteBetsy I am so astonished at HOW much family history you have found.....and the pictures are just amazing. Your Grandpa and his brothers were handsome indeed. I love the name Bland. I have not ever heard that one.
ReplyDeleteYour Aunts house is goregous and Of course I like the street name: Lindsay!!!!
I have funny memories of when I was a kid too...smells and emotions attatched to homes....very weird.
What a wonderful post about your family, Betsy. I just love seeing old photos, they hold so much history and memories...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and kind comment...:D
Betsy, Such cool photos. I never knew either of my grandfathers either. Both had died b4 I was a gleam in the parents eyes. When I get back to Phx (Dec??) I'll have to scan sosme old photos too. No scanner up here...I'm SO deprived! X-C
ReplyDeleteI think it's so awesome that you have these photos and memories! you should put together a family history book! Lol on remembering a ticking clock - that's all I remember about one of my great grandmothers - she had a clock that had a girl on a swing that would go back and forth and make this ticking sound.
ReplyDeleteWonderful family pictures! Something about those black and whites that I just adore.
ReplyDeleteI must agree your grandfather and his brothers, very handsome. ;-)
Isn't it fun looking back at old pics? I love the history of families too. That house looks impressive! I'll bet you have lots of good memories from that time.
ReplyDeleteSince you mentioned clocks ticking, I also remember visiting with my mother. This friend had a cucoo clock in her sitting room. I remember hearing the loud ticking of that clock and being afraid when the cucoo jumped out of the clock!
...I love family history and stories. Great post! (My grandparent's names were William and Adelaide...pretty close!)
ReplyDeleteHey, Betsy!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading all about your family. I have a Great Aunt on my mother's side that does all the genealogy for our family. So far she has it going back to about the 1600's and will have to go to Scotland or Ireland to find out anything else, lol. I have a feeling that is going to be up to the next generation, though!
We haven't received our travel approval as of yet to go get Ciara. We probably won't see that until sometime end of July and hopefully we'll travel end of Aug, beginning of Sept. I can hardly stand it!!!
Jackie
Hi- I found your blog while researching my Ballard family history. I found the old blog first and then I found this more current one. You have done a wonderful job. I wanted to share the excitement I felt when I opened your blog and saw the Ballard Brothers with my Great Grandpa, Bland, 3rd from left. My mother is Jean L. Ballard Ripple. Her father was Bland E. Ballard, Jr. She may know who you are.
ReplyDeleteSue, Please email me at betsyadams@mac.com. I'd love to talk to you further about the Ballard history. I've been trying to find more information.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
NOTE to some cousin of mine named BOGGS --who sent me an email... Somehow I lost the email ---so please email me again... So sorry!!! I do want to talk to you --if I can catch up with you!
ReplyDeleteBetsy