My biggest current brick wall is my paternal grandmother (my Dad’s mother). She died when my father was a child. My Dad didn’t talk much about either of his parent’s or his childhood. I didn’t think to ask questions about his childhood until after his passing. That is one of my biggest regrets.
I know her name Mary Elizabeth Connel Rhodes, she was the youngest of 8 children. Her parents were Hade & Mattie. She was born in Barren County, Ky, on October 26, 1918 @ 5 AM. Delivered by Midwife Nancy Richardson, address Glasgow RR #1.
For many years I searched for my Grandma Sissy (her brother Alonzo called her Sissy) birth certificate. I was looking at the KY Vital Records database thru Ancestry.com on September 19, 2006. I did a search for her name. Nothing popped up. I then zeroed in on the her mothers’ name. Mattie Emmerson. I saw a listing for a Garnel Rhood w/ Mattie Emmerson. I knew it had to be her. Her name is Connel Rhodes. It was obviously (I thought) a typo. I sent off the request to the Kentucky Registrar and waited impatiently for the record. I checked the mailbox everyday. Sometimes even twice a day. :0) Finally I did get her birth certificate.
I’ve found her in several census records. However, I can’t find her in anything other than my Dad’s birth certificate. I believe she died around the time my Dad was 12 years old. I believe she died of Consumption (TB). I’ve looked in Kentucky and Indiana. No luck in either state.
I have no pictures of Sissy. The picture I have of her in my mind looks a lot like her Dad and Aunt Orzie (her sister).
Ultimately, I’d like to learn the location of her final resting place and also a picture of her.
I think of Sissy often and I pray that her soul does rest in peace.
Nichelle
Anna Mae & Sissy’s Oldest Grandbaby
The Ties That Bind 
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