Genealogy by Andre Chapman

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While researching the enormous family of Wiley Burton, I discovered a relative named Perry King. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1901, Perry eventually appeared in newspaper reports from Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1924, Perry was involved in a shooting that resulted in Clarence Parker’s death. Perry claimed self-defense, but ultimately entered a manslaughter plea and was sent to Sing Sing Prison. I started researching one possible ancestor and ended up uncovering an unexpected chapter of another relative’s life. You never know what the next record will reveal. 🌳 #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #HistoricalNewspapers #GenealogicalNuggets

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In 1938, The Greenville News reported that my great-grandfather James Chapman and a baby were missing. But this newspaper discovery opened the door to an even bigger family mystery. James had previously married Mary Thomas Reid. In 1936, he applied for a marriage license with Essie Simpkins Smith, although I haven’t found evidence that the second marriage was solemnized or that his first marriage had legally ended. Then came the missing-baby report. Both James and his son Jimmy survived, but questions remain about what happened. Sometimes genealogy uncovers more mysteries than answers. 🌳 #Genealogy #FamilyMystery #AfricanAmericanGenealogy #GenealogicalNuggets

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In 1941, my great-grandfather James Chapman was reportedly struck with rocks by two young men named Claude and Buster Jennings. But when I researched their identities, I discovered something surprising. They were the nephews of Essie Simpkins Smith, the woman with whom James had children! Family oral history also describes a troubled relationship between James and Essie. Were the nephews defending their aunt? Was something else happening? The newspaper doesn’t tell us. Sometimes a newspaper tells you what happened. Family history helps you ask why. 🌳 #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #AfricanAmericanGenealogy #GenealogicalNuggets