The Hineston Chronicles Volume 10 Number 2

The Hineston Chronicles 

Volume 10 Number 2

Photo added to

Historic Hineston

Facebook group

by

Donna Bonnette Hall‎

Carolyn's Corner

BEST GENEALOGY SITES FOR 2020                          

2020 IS BECOMING THE MOST UNUSUAL YEAR OF OUR LIVE TIMES.    It Has, however, given me some time to reflect on my research – among other things.   Because we can’t go to libraries, etc., I researched available websites that I will share.   Hopefully some of them will help with your research. 

The best genealogy sites will help you dig into your family tree, discover your past and map a picture of your ancestry. 

Is there any sweeter word in the English language than “free”?    Just because these sites are free, however, doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable.    You’ll find vital records, and census data, maps, and history lessons, high tech tools and expert advice --- all while keeping your credit card in your pocket.  

This is not an all-inclusive list – but – it will give some good researching resources.  

ACCESS GENEALOGY
www.accessgenealogy.com
This grab-bag of free genealogy records keeps growing.  Click the Databases tab to search data from Southern states, military records, small-town newspapers and the Guion Miller Roll index to Cherokee tribal members.   The latter supplements what was already a must-bookmark site if you have Native American roots. 

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
www.genealogycenter.info
Though based in Indiana, this library’s online reach extends much further-reflecting its status as the nations’ second-richest genealogy library.   Special collections focus on Native American, African American, military and family Bible records.  In addition – there are other states resources, Genealogy Center, Surname File and Microtext Catalogs. 

FAMILYSEARCH
www.familysearch.org
This is the largest home to FREE genealogy data.   You can share and record your finds in family trees and get research help from the Wiki.   Despite the lack of charge there are over five billion records, a free mobile app and physical genealogy centers to visit if you need help. This is because the service is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which believes sharing these records is part of its duties. There is no commitment to that though so you can enjoy the records without any pressure to get involved with that side of the service and unique profiles in the trees.  I will say – this is a WONDERFUL site!!!    Resources include the usual birth, marriage and death certificates as well as census data and military records but also features yearbooks, directories and other family trees, to name just a few. There isn't any DNA testing but at this price it's tough to complain.

HERITAGEQUEST ONLINE
www.heritagequestionline.com
Free to your home computer courtesy of your library card via participating institutions, Heritage Quest is now “powered by” (but not owned by) Ancestry.com.   This partnership has dramatically expanded its half-dozen collections to a sort of “Ancestry.com lite,” including the complete US Census, military, and immigration records, and city directories.   Click Search and scroll all the way to the bottom to unlock more US records as well as selected foreign databases.  

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
https://loc.gov/
Though not specifically focused on genealogy, the nation’s library has plenty to offer online, including the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections, the American Memory collection and its own comprehensive catalog. 

OLIVE TREE GENEALOGY
www.olivetreegenealogy.com
NOTE:    I started doing Genealogy in the bottom part of 1995.   It certainly was before there was very much on the internet!    I struggled!  But, I had a friend and a cousin who really helped me.    The FIRST genealogy site I found in 1996 was Olive Tree Genealogy!     It did start in 1996 – and the modest website grew into a useful collection of how to help and databases.   It’s strongest on passenger records, heritage groups such as Palatines and American Indians, and less-familiar records, such as those for residents of orphans and almshouses.    I still use this website occasionally.   It certainly holds a warm spot in my heart.    

FIND A GRAVE
www.findagrave.com
World’s largest gravesite collection.    Over 190 million memorials created by the community since 1995.    This, too, was and has been a great site for me!     

BILLIONGRAVES
www.billiongraves.com
BillionGraves is the world's largest resource for searchable GPS  cemetery data, and is growing bigger and better every day. You can help by collecting headstone images from local and other cemeteries, and then by transcribing the personal information found on the images

Now, for some paid sites!    

Paid site – ANCESTRY!!!!      The best paid site overall – thanks to the impressive data base and DNA testing!!!!   
www.ancestry.com
There are billions of records, trees, etc.      
One of the original genealogy sites, Ancestry.com started way back in 1996 and has been building since. As such it has one of the largest databases of records numbering over 20 billion and spanning court records, newspapers, voter records, birth, marriage and death certificates and more. Public member information makes finding links and building your tree super simple.

MYHERITAGE
www.myheritage.com
Paid Site
What's unique about MyHeritage is its ability to allow you to search locally. A nifty search options lets you "show neighbors" for local links you may have - ideal to see what that neighbor near you when growing up is doing now. But if your family spans the globe that's fine too as this site has access to over 10 billion records. This is all backed by a simple to use website and great smartphone app.

DNA testing is also an option for more depth of information about both your history and health with over 100 million people already on the database. You can start for free without using the more advanced features.

ARCHIVES
https://www.archives.com/
Paid Site
Archives, as the name suggests, is a huge database filled with information - over 11 billion records with photos, maps and architectural drawings to name a few more unique types. This is aimed at the ancestry buff who has already started building a family tree and has either reached a dead end of wants to dive deeper than the usual services can help with. This supports GEDCOM files so you can upload your tree and build on it from there.

FINDMYPAST
www.findmypast.com
Paid Site
Find My Past is the go to place for anyone that has ancestry in Ireland or Great Britain and Ireland thanks to very specific records in these areas numbering over two billion. Yes, that's not as many as some of the bigger boys in this field but it is in such a specific area, these records run deep. There are over 18 million people registered with records linked as far back as AD 850, making these some of the oldest records available.

MyTrees
https://www.mytrees.com/
Paid Site
MyTrees.com is a US and Canada focused ancestry genealogy site which has a relatively meagre one billion records. But when you consider these are in a focused area that's still plenty. The website could do with an update and you won't get any app or DNA support. But you do get access to professional genealogist help via forums, if you want to seek them out to help you dig deeper into your past. You can also use a GEDCOM file upload allowing you to work further on your current family tree.

Unlike other genealogy sites, MyTrees offers you minimal commitment options like a 10-day trial. This is perfect if you just want to dip into the records to build on your family tree before going elsewhere for more research. Equally it's a nice way for beginners to give it a go, especially with that professional help availability.

Conclusion -     There are a lot more sites available; but,  this gives you some that I use almost daily.   

REQUEST ---- If you have a favorite website you like, please post it on the Hineston site for the rest of us.   I’m always looking for some material.     

Happy Hunting for Ancestors!!!!

Carolyn Dyess Bales "Kaite" 

-Guild Of One Name Studies #5916 
-Regional Guild Representative for Delta Region 
-DYESS One Name Study 
-BONNETTE One Name Study 
-Hineston, Louisiana - One Place Study 
-DNA Administrator - Surnames: DYESS -- BONNETTE -- McILWAIN -- ROUGEOU

Rapides Parish Sheriffs Office

Mark Wood Sheriff

Mark Wood sworn in as Rapides Parish Sheriff


SCAMS

JURY DUTY SCAM - Local citizens are being targeted by phone calls threatening them with arrest and prosecution for failing to comply with jury service in federal or state courts.  In the calls, recipients are pressured to bring a "fine payment" for missing jury duty to the Federal Courthouse in Alexandria. Then the victim receives a phone call to "expedite the process" to put the money on a GREEN DOT VISA CARD.  REMEMBER, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office or any other law enforcement agency will NEVER attempt to collect ANY monies and instruct the person to get a GREEN DOT VISA CARD.  

Federal courts do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information in a telephone call or email. Most contact between a federal court and a prospective juror will be through the U.S. mail, and any phone contact by real court officials will not include requests for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or any other sensitive information.

 IRS SCAM – Usually occurs around tax time from January until June.  Scammers will call to demand immediate payment or face jail time.  The IRS will NEVER call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.  The IRS WILL NEVER demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.  The IRS WILL NEVER require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.  The criminal scammers will threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.  Remember, the IRS does not use email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue involving bills or refunds.   

SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM - Someone calls to verify someone is using your SSN and benefits may be interrupted if it not resolved.  They will attempt to obtain personal information.  They are the government-they have your information.   

DEA EXTORTION SCAM-We have received several complaints over the last few days in reference to the DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION SCAM CALLS.  Right now, there is a high concentration of calls being placed in our area.  More than likely, these criminals think citizens have access to tax refunds and are starting early.  These calls are from someone identifying himself as AGENT GONZALES from the SPOKANE FIELD OFFICE of the DEA.  The phone number he gives to call back is actually the phone number of the Spokane Field Office, 509-353-2946.  He goes on to say that the intended victim has warrants for their arrest for INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING over the internet.  This scammer even gets a “federal prosecutor” on the phone and they come to an agreement with the intended victim to “just pay the fine or we will send agents to arrest you.”  Please remember the following about ANYONE calling and identifying themselves as a member of a government organization: 

• Never give ANY personal information over the phone.  Banks, credit cards and the government have your information.  If they ask for verification, hang up.
• Law enforcement, local or federal, will never call you and threaten to arrest you and then give you a chance to pay a fine.
• Be very careful when purchasing pharmaceuticals on line.  Only purchase from a reputable company.  You can call your insurance provider and they can guide you on this.

MICROSOFT SCAM - A person using the name "George" calls you and tells you he is with Microsoft 35 Technical Support and they have been notified of a virus that has infected your computer.  He will want information on you and your computer and what he is actually doing is remotely accessing your computer, planting a virus which will disable your computer.  He will then want a fee, via debit card, to fix the problem.  Of course, this is a SCAM.  No one will call you to let you know your computer has a virus.  You should never pay anyone over the phone of which you don't already have some sort of financial relationship with.   

 FROM MICROSOFT - “Don’t be fooled, Microsoft is not cold calling consumers in regards to malfunctioning PCs, viruses or any other matter.”

FBI SCAM - You get a pop up on your computer that it has been locked by the FBI for “Questionable internet searches”.  They will not go into detail but they allude to the searches being pornographic in nature and you have been caught in a child pornography sting.  If you pay the fine they will unlock your computer and clear your record because they know it was a first offense.  

PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE SCAM - Same old story, you have won but you must pay a processing fee / taxes / transportation fee, etc. 

 1. If you’re required to wire or pay any amount of money in order to claim a prize, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam. PCH sweepstakes are ALWAYS FREE to enter, and there is never any fee associated with winning.

 2. If you’re asked to load up a Green Dot MoneyPak  or other money transfer card, in exchange for claiming your prize, it’s a Scam. Again, PCH will NEVER ask you to pay a cent to collect a prize.

  3. If someone tries to contact you in advance regarding a prize delivery, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam! After all, that would ruin the surprise! For decades, our Prize Patrol has captured the elated reactions of surprised winners and used them in our nationally-televised commercials. You’ll know you’re a big PCH winner if you see the Prize Patrol at your front door holding a “Big Check” with your name on it!

  4. If someone calls you on the telephone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House and says you have won, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam. Do NOT give them any personal information!  As stated above, the Prize Patrol awards all our Big Prizes in person and would never call you to update any personal information in our files.

  5. If someone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House tries to send you a friend request on Facebook, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam. Even if they are using the name and photo of a prominent PCH employee ― DO NOT believe them. Our PCH employees and official PCH Prize Patrol Fan pages will never private message you on Facebook.

 IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE OR YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE BEING INTIMIDATED WITH A KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT IS A SCAM.

 If you have been a victim of a scam, call your local law enforcement agency.  REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM and protect yourself against scammers.

Reunions

PERKINS Family Reunion - 11:am Saturday before Labor Day. Usually at the Calvary Baptist Church - I will update if location changes. Chris Perkins

IVEY FAMILY Reunion - every year on the second Saturday in September. This year it will be September 12th at Sieper Community Church in Sieper, LA. Debbie Chandler McDaniel

DESCENDANTS of EDMOND D. DYESS and MAGARET MATHIS DYESS Cousins Luncheon - Calvary Baptist Church - date will be set soon.. 10AM - Covered Dishes - Bring pictures / Stories! Linda Dyess Stewart or Carolyn Dyess Bales.

LEWIS Reunion - September 19th - the 3rd Saturday in September -Gardner Baptist Church - 10AM - 2PM. Covered dish. Bring family pictures and stories. Carolyn Dyess Bales

MORRISON Reunion - Sept 21, 2019. Big Hammock Baptist Church, Hwy 121, Leander, LA. For more information contact Alva Lee Morrison Lucy Darlene Morrison Long

BOB & ANNIE SERMONS BUNCH Reunion- October 10th (2nd Saturday of October each year) 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Belgian American Club, Hot Wells Rd Hwy 121, Boyce, LA.   Debra Sermons Cook

MEYLIAN Reunion - 3rd Saturday in October every year. Usually at the Fellowship Methodist Church Pavilion, Hineston, LA. - I will update if location changes.  Kathy Squyres Meylian.

SMITH Reunion - October 17th - the 3rd Saturday in October - Bentley UPC Church - 10am - 2pm. Covered Dish - bring family pictures and stories. Carolyn Dyess Bales

Leavines Reunion-October 24, 2020 Calvary Baptist Church, Gardner,LA. Betty Ford

Deaths

Marvin Franklin Carroll, 80, passed away on May 17, 2020. Burial was in Cotile Baptist Cemetery, Boyce, LA.

Gary Wayne Caillouet, 67, of Elmer, passed away on May 18, 2020. Burial was in Hemphill Star Cemetery, Boyce, LA.

Gerald Edward Burns, 80, of Leesville, passed away on May 23, 2020. Burial was in  Welcome Cemetery, Simpson, LA.

Melvin "Ray" Powell, 78, of Boyce, passed away on May 27, 2020. Burial was in  

Hemphill Star Cemetery, Boyce, LA.

Judy Corrine Holt, 64, of Sieper, passed away on June 2, 2020. Burial was in Holt Cemetery, Sieper, LA.

Clyde Eddie Slatten, Sr., 79, of Carriere, MS, passed away on June 6, 2020. Burial was in  Carriere First Baptist Church Cemetery, Carriere, MS.

Howard Herman Perkins Jr., 77, of Boyce, passed away on June 10, 2020. Burial was in  Dewil Cemetery, Boyce, LA.

Darlene Ursala Holt, 59, of Elmer, passed away on June 11, 2020. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery, Elmer, LA.

Norma Faye Paul Perry, 84, of Glenmora, passed away on June 14, 2020. Burial was in  Paul Cemetery, Forest Hill, LA.

Donna Kaye Rhame Crawford, 67, of Calcasieu,passed away on June 14, 2020. Burial was in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Melder, LA.

Norbert "Sonny" Nolen, Sr., 73, of Pitkin, passed away on June 14, 2020. Burial was in Buck Martin Cemetery, Pitkin, LA.

James Franklin Peden, 79, of Clifton, passed away on June 17, 2020. Burial was in  Pisgah Clifton Community Cemetery, Clifton, LA.

Calvin "Big O" Ouzts, Jr.,  62, of Hineston, passed away on June 17, 2020. Burial was in  Beechwood UPC Cemetery, Hineston, LA.

Timothy Karl White, 57, of Flatwoods, passed away on June 18, 2020.  Burial details  

unknown.

George Clinton Townley, 64, of Otis, passed away on June 20, 2020. Burial was in Hemphill Star Cemetery. Boyce, LA.

Geralean “Faye” Headrick, 80, of Boyce, passed away on June 21, 2020. Burial was in  Calvary Baptist Cemetery, Boyce, LA.

Devin Wesley Deters, infant, of Hineston, passed away on June 22, 2020. Burial was in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Hineston, LA.

Delores Tyler, 77, of Alexandria, passed away on June 23, 2020. Burial was in Neal Cemetery, Clifton, LA.

Colman Glen Owens, 90, of Slagle, passed away on June 23, 2020. Burial was in Welcome Cemetery, Simpson, LA.

Tina Bennett Giles, 82, of Forest Hill, passed away on June 23, 2020. Burial was in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Melder, LA.

Norman W. Gordon, Jr., 55, of Hineston, passed away on June 24, 2020. Burial was in  Fellowship Cemetery, Hineston, LA.

Connor James Lemoine, 16 of Gardner, passed away on June 24, 2020. Burial details  

unknown.

Roy “Hawk” William Terrell, Sr., 77, of Bundicks Lake, passed away on June 24, 2020. Burial was in Hill-Mathis Cemetery, Pitkin, LA.

Brother Wayne Dunn, 67, of Glenmora, passed away on June 25, 2020. Burial was in  Stanley Cemetery, Glenmora, LA.

Betty Monk Ingalls, 84, of Lacamp, passed away on June 28, 2020. Burial was in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Lacamp, LA.

Janell Marie Flores, 70, of Elmer, passed away on June 29, 2020. Burial was in Butters Cemetery, Forest Hill, LA.

Darrel Raymond “Ray” Causey, 64, of Glenmora, passed away on June 29, 2020. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, Glenmora, LA.