GENTHREADS

Ever have a Eureka Woo-Hoo moment? 

Going over genealogy notes is a lot like reading the Bible. You look at something over and over and suddenly something new jumps out at you; suddenly the light bulb goes on!

I'd had decided to take another look at Sophia, the only daughter of Thomas Edward Cartwright's 10 children. While looking over the old notes I suddenly remembered that in May 2005 a newspaper article came out about the Virginia Beach Police Department researching their own history. (I actually did some research for them on the first Sheriff of Virginia Beach Town, Appolos Dozier). 

Sophia's father was Malachi J. Beasley who was killed just hours after being sworn in as a special officer to track down a man. In the police history article it mentioned that he had been survived by a wife and 3 children. Three children?! That was one more than the two I already knew about!

In less than 30 minutes I'd found Sophia, now a widow, living with her daughter, Eva Josephine and husband, Sydney Simmons 

His name started sounding familiar too so I headed off to look at the file of unidentified photos Big Mama had left me. You guessed it - I found a photo marked on the back with Sydney & Eva Simmons!

So now I know who these two folks are and how they ended up in my grandmother's box of pictures! Eva and Big Mama were cousins!

Eva & Sydney married in 1898, the same year that her father, Malachi was killed.

If you are a Simmons relative I also have a photo of Sydney's brother John. Let me know - I'd be glad to share!