I recently sent some old 8mm film reels to Just8mm.com for conversion to DVD. I have uploaded the series of three videos to YouTube.  The videos include footage from my early childhood in Orange, Texas and Clinton, Iowa approx. 1975-1981.  Also included, is an Easter trip to Petronila, Texas.

Brian Davis

This obituary is of my first cousin twice removed, Judith Ann Suarez (Williams), and was featured in the 12/28/1988 edition of the Jackson, Ohio Journal Herald:

Judith Suarez

Judith Ann Suarez, 58, of Portsmouth Street, Jackson died Thursday at her home.

Born October 16, 1930 in Jackson County, she was the daughter of Lorelle Fite Williams of Jackson and the late Roland [sic] Williams.

Besides her mother, she is survived by two sons, Peter of Jackson and Jon of Platsburg [sic], New York; a daughter, Rebecca Christanne of Syracuse, New York; and a brother, Dr. Robert Williams of Jackson.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the Jackson Christian Church with Rev. Clayton Garland officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mayhew Funeral Home.

Many thanks to Mike Deaterla, CG for his assistance in locating and mailing the obituary.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams) – Donald Edwin Williams (uncle of Judith Ann Suarez)

Christine Williams Toddler Portrait

My mother, Christine Williams. Photo taken approx. 1955, in Ashland, Kentucky. My mother and I recently came across a box of pictures and old 8mm film reels. This picture was in the box, along with many others, that I’ll be posting on here in the near future. I’m sending the 8mm film reels to Just8mm.com for conversion to DVD. Upon receipt, I’ll be posting the old home movies on YouTube.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams)

This obituary is of my 3rd great grandfather, George Milligan, and was featured in the 7/30/1907 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

DEATH OF OLR SOLDIER

Mr. George Milligan, aged about 60 years, a veteran of the Civil war, died today at his home in Oakland, after only a few days’ illness. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn. He was also a brother-in-law of Mrs. William Rogers of Lancaster. Mrs. Rogers will go to Oakland Wednesday morning.

The following appeared in the 8/1/1907 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

The following persons were called to attend the funeral of Mr. George Milligan, which was conducted this forenoon at 10 o’clock: Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Rodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cave, Mrs. Ned Wait, Mrs. Andrew Saum.

Many thanks to Charlotte Dittmar for her assistance in locating and mailing the final Lancaster, Ohio obituary. She has been an enormous help with my research.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Mellie Waits (Milligan) – George Milligan

It’s time for some recent family history… Using Apple iMovie ’09, I put together a video of my children’s first visit to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. We took the trip in May 2009. I hope you enjoy it!

Brian Davis

Nellie Ruth Williams Son-In-Service Navy Pin

Nellie Ruth Williams Navy Flag Picture

This pin belonged to my great grandmother, Nellie Ruth Williams.  The one blue star on the flag denoted that one son (or husband) was serving in the Armed Forces. A gold star was used to indicate that the family member was killed or had died during the war. Her son (my grandfather), Ralph Scott Williams Jr. served in the United States Navy (USN on the pin) during World War II.  In the second picture, you can see my great grandmother and the Son-In-Service United States Navy flag hanging in their window.

If you have any family treasures you’d like to contribute, please take a picture of the item and email it to me.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits)

These are video clips from my mother and aunt’s trip to Ohio in August 1992. Featured in the video: Jackson High School; Maple Hill Cemetery; the former home of my great grand uncle, Rowland Williams and great grand aunt, Lorelle Williams (Fite); the former home of my great grand aunt, Evalyn Gahm (Williams); my grand uncle, Don Williams; my grand aunt, Wanda Williams (Hall); and the marriage of Don and Wanda’s son, Timothy Williams.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams/sister of Donald Edward Williams) – Donald Edwin Williams (brother of Rowland A. Williams and Evalyn R. Williams)

My great grandmother, Nellie Ruth Waits, and her sister (my great grand aunt), May Waits. Photo taken approx. 12/1907, in Oakland, Ohio. This picture was retouched by 399Retouch. Many thanks to Jane Mason for contributing the original photograph.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits)

This is my first attempt at creating a video out of family photos and home movies. It took me about two days to complete the project and I’m very happy with how it turned out. I created the project using Apple iMovie ’09. The video centers around my maternal grandparents and an inscription on one of their photographs, “Remember.” I’m hoping to create several more videos in the near future.

A couple of tips when viewing the video:

• Depending on your download speed, you may need to do the following: After clicking on the play button in the center or bottom left-hand corner of the video screen, pause the video in the bottom left-hand corner and wait for the entire video to load (you can tell it’s completed when the entire status bar at the bottom is full.) After it is completely loaded, press play.  This will prevent the video from stopping to load while it is playing.
• Set the resolution of the video to 720p. You may not be able to tell a difference, but this will guarantee you are watching it in the highest resolution available.

I hope you enjoy the video. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.  If you’d like to subscribe to my YouTube channel, click here.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. and Madrith Jean Williams (Williams)

Mary Louise Waits (Morris) Obituary

This obituary is of my 3rd great grandmother, Mary Louise Waits (Morris), and was featured in the 7/14/1922 edition of the Lancaster Daily Gazette:

Mary Louise, daughter of Henry and Lydia Morris was born Dec. 20, 1851 at West Rushville Ohio. Died at Drinkle July 10, 1922, age 70 years, six months and 21 days. She was uinted (sic) in marriage to Eli Waits October 28, 1869. To this union were born four sons, Perry, Clint, and Clay of Lancaster, William of Columbus and one daughter, Mrs. May Hedges. Four sisters, one brother, thirteen grandchildren, one great grandchild and a host of friends mourn her loss.

During the pastorale of Rev. Montgomery, thirty-eight years ago, she united with the Zion United Brethren Church. Since that time she has been an earnest Christian and a faithful consistent member of the church. She was a good neighbor and a loving mother and her departure saddens many hearts.

The funeral was held from the home and was largely attended, showing the esteem in which she was held. Rev. Chester E. Tulga was in charge of the services. Resolutions of apreciation (sic) and sympathy from the Ladies’ Aid Society were read.

Her body was laid to rest in the Stoutsville cemetery, there to await the morning of the resurrection.

We desire to thank those who so kindly assisted through the illness and death of our dear wife and mother, Rev. Tulga for his words of comfort and Mr. Crite the funeral director for his good service and kindess.

Mr. Eli Waits and children 7-14

Many thanks to Charlotte Dittmar for all of her assistance in locating and mailing all of the Lancaster, Ohio obituaries. She has been an enormous help with my research.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Harmon Clay Waits – Mary Louise Waits (Morris)