I think one of the interesting things of genealogy research is the potential of finding yourself related to a famous or infamous individual. I for one wonder if I'm a descendant of Captain Christopher Newport. For several years I have been told I was but to this date I have not found any evidence of this. Of course I have a major road block right now after Ezekiel Newport so it's still possible that I am Captain Christopher Newport's great, great, great,.... grand daughter. We shall see!

However I do have evidence that I am the great (x5) granddaughter of a Captain Henry Rhoads jr. a captain in the Revolutionary war under General John Muhlenberg.

Henry served two terms in the Kentucky Legislature, one before 1800 when he represented Ohio Co. and one after 1800 when he represented Muhlenburg Co.He probably moved his family (most of his children were now in their own homes) to Ohio County when he was a candidate. Since the Indian problem had now become less grave, his three brothers had probably brought their families to this region also.

From Rhoda L. Rhoads (great - great grandmother) to Henry Rhoads jr.

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Well today I made an interesting discovery. I think.  For years now I have been pondering a mysterious Nancy McAslin who I use to think was Andrew Harris's mother.   Now I wonder.  I went back to Nancy McAslin's record today to try and find more information and I noticed something.  There is nothing, I mean NOTHING which supports her as being Andrew's mother.

I have a 1850 census from District 8, Hardin, Tennessee which shows John Harris and Nancy Harris and a whole slew of children but no Andrew Harris.  Andrew at that time would have been around 19 years old  or 25 years old (birth date: 12 Jan 1831 or 1825) so it IS possible that he wasn't home or he was living away from home at that time but without any other information I'm not convinced that I have the right parents listed.

What I do know about Andrew Harris is this.

• Born in Tennessee (1880 and 1900 census)
• Mom was born in Tennessee (1880 census)
• Father was born in Virginia (1880 census)

What I don't know as facts

• Birth Date. I have 12 Jan 1831 but in both the 1880 and 1900 census it estimates his birth year to be 1825 which could be more reasons why he didn't show up on in the 1850 census with John Harris and Nancy Harris
  

So many mysterious unsolved!

Nancy Smith and Ezekiel Newport ... two of the bricks which is part of the wall I want to break through.   There are no census records from Tennesee for district 127 which is Robbins or Black Creek county from 1850, 1860 and 1870 which would help me determine who is Nancy's family and whether or not Calvin Newport (b. 1810 - d. 1858) is truly Ezekiel's father.

My tree's limbs are strong where Ezekiel (b. 1837 - d.1895) is concerned. I have visited Ezekiel's grave, my grandmother and grandfather both are buried in the same cemetery. I have verified each of Ezekiel's children, talked to some of his grandchildren and have received family photo's but how do I climb further?

I have today received Nancy's gravestone photo's from Vanderpool cemetery but according to the volunteer who took the photos for me there are no Smiths.   Ancestry.com has Nancy's father as William Smith and mother as Margaret (LNU) but how is this information obtained? I like facts. Facts which even as "facts" sometimes are still a mystery but is the closest I have.

It makes me wonder what has happened to these people's information. Why didn't Ezekiel pass over information to my great grandfather and that information be passed over to me? What has happend to family photos? What has happend to family heirloms?

I wish I had a time machine, I would take my digital camera with me and take pictures of Nancy Smith ask her who was her father and mother? How many sibling did she have? What has happend to them?

But here I am...  Not sure what my next move will be..

Family Tree starting from my Grandmother, Lillie Harris.

Generations: 3 - 6

Surnames: Harris, Smithson , Hartwick , Trotter , Rhoads , Holland , McAslin

The owner of a website called Smithson Family Exchange contacted me today regarding my Smithson Photos. I told him to go a head and take what he wanted.

His website is ....

http://www.smithsonfamilyexchange.org

Welcome

Hi, my name is Lisa Newport. I've been researching the Newport surname and related families for more than five years now.

My Newport Family tree can be found on www.ancestry.com. My user name is Lisa_Newport I welcome anyone who would like to contact me.

Family Tree

Click on the images to view screen shots of my family tree from Ancestry.com

From me to my great - grandparents....

Generation 1 - 3: Newport , Harris, Kester , Smithson , Smith , Price , Holland , Rhoads