My Ballard Family History

Some of you (if you have read my blogs for the past 3 yrs.) know that I LOVE working on Family History. I've always had an interest in details---so when I started seaching for family information, I just became addicted to it. First I worked on my mother's mother's side of the family (the Bruce's). I had much more information on that family. Then (in 2006-07) I started doing genealogy on my mother's father's side of the family, the Ballards.
I worked and worked and worked ----and could only find enough information that took me back to my Great Great Great Grandfather John Ballard (1772-1850). I ran into a brick wall trying to go any further... WELL---guess what???? I met a new cousin who found me due to some blogs I had written about the Ballards. Cousin Sue lives in Illinois ----and she and I are First Cousins Once Removed!!!! Our Grandfathers are brothers ---and we share the same Great Grandfather (William Alexander Ballard).
Isn't blogging just wonderful???? I would never have met Sue --except through the internet and my blogging. And here's the good news. Sue (through her research) helped me solve my mystery and crash my brick wall!!!!! Because of Sue, I now can take my Ballard Family history back to our 8 Great Grandfather, Thomas Ballard, who was born in 1630 in England. Is that not the neatest thing?????? I have been so excited.
The Ballards settled in and around Yorktown and Williamsburg, VA. I am learning more and more every single day about this neat family and its history. Above is a picture I featured in another blog when talking about the Ballards. I wanted you to see this picture again since the picture is of the Ballard Brothers. My grandfather (James Franklin Ballard) is the first one on the left. Sue's grandfather (Bland Eugene Ballard) is the 3rd one from the left. Below are more pictures with Ballard connections.




This is Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, VA. Our 8 Great Grandfather Thomas Ballard is buried there ---and there's a bronze tablet in the interior of the church with his name, and his name is on the name plate of a pew. Isn't that special? I was in W'burg in 2007---and I saw this church, but at the time I didn't know Thomas was my direct line relative. Now I need to go back!!!!




This was taken inside Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, an active parish since 1715. Note the high pulpit.




This bronze lectern was given in 1907 by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt.




Here is a close-up of part of this bronze lectern. The American eagle is on one side, and the British lion is on the other.




The inside of the church; the altar and communion rail are of black walnut.




I am standing in one of the ‘high box pews’--where President Thomas Jefferson sat. I didn't realize at the time that Thomas Ballard had a pew marked with his name... Darn!!!!




The pews--with doors--were designed to give warmth in the unheated church. My George is standing at George Washington's pew.




Here's one more picture of Bruton Parish Church. Today there are over 1400 members. Bruton Parish gets its name from an English parish on the River Brue in Somerset, England.




In Yorktown, we found a Ballard Street and this house, The Ballard House. This house belonged to my 6Great Grandfather, John Ballard. John was married to Elizabeth Bland, who was the daughter of Rev. William Bland. Captain John Ballard was a merchant in Yorktown and a Captain of the Militia.





This is the Ballard girl standing outside of her 6 Great Grandfather's home in Yorktown, VA. When I was there, I was only wondering if this could be a relative... And now---I know it is!!!!!! Do I feel special????? Yes-Sir-Ree- Bob!!!!
Sue, thanks so much for contacting me. I hope we will meet someday.. Right now though---here's to the Ballard cousins!!!!! Yeah Rah!
Hugs,

They FLEDGED

Oh what an adventure this has been for me!!!!! (Read the previous two blogs---if you haven't done so!) Yesterday morning, during some sprinkly rain about 9 a.m., the bluebirds left their nest. I actually saw one of them fledge (maybe two) ---but of course, I didn't get a picture. Everything was happening so fast.. They say that once one of them fledges, they all do... And that is true. After seeing one of them on our deck, I knew that they were leaving. SO---I started looking around for any of the others. I was also keeping one eye on the one (or ones) left in the nest.


All six Bluebirds (Mom and Dad and 4 juveniles) were flying around all over the place ---watching the little ones and protecting them. They were dive-bombing squirrels and chipmunks, and making all kinds of noise ---but didn't seem to mind any of the other birds which were around (except for the Bluejays --which luckily weren't around in the morning).


All four of the babies headed toward our woodpile and the empty lot next door. After leaving the deck, we sat in our bedroom --looking down at them for a LONG time on that side of the house ---and George was able to get some pictures through the screen, using the zoom. It was just amazing to watch how the family took such good care of the little ones.


Here are yesterday's pictures. The one above is one of the cute little ones we found on our deck during the rain yesterday morning. I'm sure he was scared to death. But--isn't he cute? Below are other photos. Excuse the quality of some of the pictures ---but I still think they are good enough to share.







Here is one of the last ones to fledge... The one I saw actually flew about 25-30 feet before landing on our woodpile.







Daddy would come by and feed the little one ---probably urging him to come on out into the big ole' world!!!!







I love the expression on his face.... I'm sure he doesn't want to leave that safe nest!









Daddy had to work hard (don't know where Mama was --unless she was with or near the ones who have already fledged)... Daddy kept coming back and having a little 'discussion' with the baby bird I'm sure.







"Okay-Okay---Darn it!!!! I'm coming out!!!" (And very soon he did!)







Here's another picture of the little one who was on our deck. As I said, it was raining ---and he was shaking... Poor little guy.. He finally jumped down into the Rhododendron bush--and then went toward the empty lot from there.









Here's one more of the baby on our deck. Oh how pitaful... This little guy hadn't ever felt rain before I'm sure. He just looked so sad ---and scared...









One of the babies ended up on this big tree near the woodpile. He stayed there for the longest time...







A close-up (although a little blurry) of the baby Bluebird hanging onto the side of the tree











Now Daddy Bluebird checks out one of the fledglings. I'm sure he's reassuring the baby that things will all be okay!!!!







Now--there are two fledglings hanging onto the tree.









Another fledgling is on the ground hopping around near the woodpile... You can only imagine all of the activity that is going on at this moment---with the bluebirds trying to keep up with the fledglings and getting them all together. They all ended up in the trees in our empty lot next door. I'm sure they are safe --and being well-taken care of. Some of the juveniles and adults did come to our feeders off and on most of the day.







I close with a picture of Daddy Bluebird watching those babies VERY closely. The Eastern Bluebirds are a fairly quiet, easy-going bird UNTIL something threatens their young .. (I guess that most all birds are like this!) BUT--when agitated, the Bluebirds do whatever is needed in order to protect the young ones. I was impressed ----and thoroughly enjoyed this entire process.


I did read that Bluebirds take the fledglings AWAY from the nest for awhile --so that they aren't tempted to go back!!!! SO---I assume they won't be around for a litle while.


Today, I feel a little sad though (guess I'm having a Pity Party) since I miss watching them so much. I feel like it's the day after Christmas!!!! ha ha .... BUT--maybe (just maybe) they will come back and do it all one more time. AND--if that happens, we should have about 10 Bluebirds all helping (8 Juveniles and 2 Adults). How 'bout that?????


Hope I haven't bored you to death with my Bluebirds. I have learned so much about them and have truly enjoyed watching their every move. (Now---it's back to cleaning the bathrooms!!! ha)


Hugs,