Fenners: July 2008 Archives

Hand in hand with searching for information regarding one's ancestors, probably is the desire to "see" what people might look like or put a face to the name. The course of the research has come to that point now and I have already put out feelers about trying to obtain some photographs from the family to include and add into their family tree.

I have already received one pic that is recent but has some of the surviving Fenner family siblings and you can view it below:

This picture is fairly recent but its a start to hopefully being able to include photographs with the research that has already been done for the family.

One who is involved in genealogy research will appreciate the significance of the "Family bible". Oftentimes its the ONLY source of information on relatives especially for African Americans during the 1800's where the records for persons of color were often scarce or non-existent.

I had heard about the existence of a family bible for the Fenners but hadn't really had an opportunity to speak with the  family member who has it in her possession until recently.

Upon finally getting the chance to speak to her a world of information came to light. family members who did not make the census, Lamon Fenner b. 1921 parents Major Fenner and Mattie Rofe-Fenner.

Wtih this find though comes more questions, Where were Fred and Mary prior to the 1880 census?  What happened between the time their firstborn Major was born and the time Fred the next son was born  there is a large windown for that time as people tended to have kids fairly regularlly. What are the circumstances surrounding Fred Fenner's death?

Unfortunately some of these questions may never be answered.

Finally found dates of birth and date of death for Fred Fenner who prior to all this had been somewhat of a mystery but the bible lists his date of death as June 7, 1898 the year of the WIllmington Massace