West Virginia Friends: There was a Christmas program every year at the Matheny Methodist Church where I went to church as a child and teen ager. The church was decorated with pine boughs and a big Christmas tree. Trinkets were sparsely hung around the tree. The favored decorations were colored chains, which were made from construction paper by the school children next door. A stage was prepared in the pulpit area in front of the altar. A wire was stretched all the way across the church above railings at the altar. The curtains were bed-sheets with special hems that held the wire. The curtains were opened and closed by sliding them along the wire. We started practicing and getting ready for the Christmas program about six weeks before the event. A typical program would include congregational singing of the favored old-time Christmas carols and specials by individuals, duets and quartets. Younger children recited Christmas poems and gave their rendition of “Away In A Manger.” There were usually a couple of plays, one of a secular nature and another retelling the original Christmas story. Teen-age girls donned homemade costumes and did pantomimes to the words and music of various Christmas carols. Everyone was given a chance to participate. One time, Elmer Arnold recited, “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” although he was not on the official program. Similarly, someone might sang a Christmas solo or tell of a Christmas experience. The church was always packed on the night of the Christmas program. Of course Santa was expected to arrive on time at the end of the program. He could be depended upon to deliver a small bag of candy, a peppermint cane, an apple and an orange to every child in the church building. It would be the only gifts that some of them would get, and they would not have been more excited if they had received a pony. I cringe as I write this knowing the attitudes toward gifts exhibited by most children in our modern society. STAN Homework Assignment: Memories of Church Pie Socials, my next memory topic.

West Virginia Friends: There was a Christmas program every year at the Matheny Methodist Church where I went to church as a child and teen ager. The church was decorated with pine boughs and a big Christmas tree. Trinkets were sparsely hung around the tree. The favored decorations were colored chains, which were made from construction paper by the school children next door. A stage was prepared in the pulpit area in front of the altar. A wire was stretched all the way across the church above railings at the altar. The curtains were bed-sheets with special hems that held the wire. The curtains were opened and closed by sliding them along the wire. We started practicing and getting ready for the Christmas program about six weeks before the event. A typical program would include congregational singing of the favored old-time Christmas carols and specials by individuals, duets and quartets. Younger children recited Christmas poems and gave their rendition of “Away In A Manger.” There were usually a couple of plays, one of a secular nature and another retelling the original Christmas story. Teen-age girls donned homemade costumes and did pantomimes to the words and music of various Christmas carols. Everyone was given a chance to participate. One time, Elmer Arnold recited, “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” although he was not on the official program. Similarly, someone might sang a Christmas solo or tell of a Christmas experience. The church was always packed on the night of the Christmas program. Of course Santa was expected to arrive on time at the end of the program. He could be depended upon to deliver a small bag of candy, a peppermint cane, an apple and an orange to every child in the church building. It would be the only gifts that some of them would get, and they would not have been more excited if they had received a pony. I cringe as I write this knowing the attitudes toward gifts exhibited by most children in our modern society. STAN Homework Assignment: Memories of Church Pie Socials, my next memory topic.

WV does recognize marriages from other states, if they went to VA to marry (where it is legal to marry a first cousin) there really isn't much they can do. Laura -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 7:56 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WVLOGAN] cousins I wonder what the penalty would be if two cousins did marry in WV, and got caught ? Shelby ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I guess it is a do not ask do not tell policy in West Virginia. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Hager, Joel G Mr CIV USA USAMC Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 7:44 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WVLOGAN] cousins Anita, I believe you can still marry your first cousin in West Virginia. Joel -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 10:03 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [WVLOGAN] cousins I have a question for the list and perhaps Shelby or Jim can answer it. Why and why did it become law that you could not marry your cousin? No, I don't have one in mind that I would like to marry (can't imagine that...) but it appears that there several inter marriages in my families so I am just curious as to when that took place and why. Anita </HTML> ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I wonder what the penalty would be if two cousins did marry in WV, and got caught ? Shelby ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

The penalty is YOU WOULD HAVE TO STAY MARRIED! Russ Turner ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 6:55 PM Subject: Re: [WVLOGAN] cousins >I wonder what the penalty would be if two cousins did marry in WV, and got > caught ? > > Shelby > > > ************************************** > See AOL's top rated recipes > (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

It is against the law in West Virginia, but not down here in Texas http://www.cousincouples.com/?page=states This shows you the states you can go to and get married to your cousin Legally Russ Turner in Texas ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hager, Joel G Mr CIV USA USAMC" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 6:43 PM Subject: Re: [WVLOGAN] cousins > Anita, > > I believe you can still marry your first cousin in West Virginia. > > Joel > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > On > Behalf Of [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 10:03 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [WVLOGAN] cousins > > I have a question for the list and perhaps Shelby or Jim can answer it. > > Why and why did it become law that you could not marry your cousin? No, I > don't have one in mind that I would like to marry (can't imagine that...) > but it > appears that there several inter marriages in my families so I am just > curious > as to when that took place and why. > > Anita > > </HTML> > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Nope, it is against the law. See http://www.cousincouples.com/?page=states Russ Turner ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hager, Joel G Mr CIV USA USAMC" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 6:43 PM Subject: Re: [WVLOGAN] cousins > Anita, > > I believe you can still marry your first cousin in West Virginia. > > Joel > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > On > Behalf Of [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 10:03 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [WVLOGAN] cousins > > I have a question for the list and perhaps Shelby or Jim can answer it. > > Why and why did it become law that you could not marry your cousin? No, I > don't have one in mind that I would like to marry (can't imagine that...) > but it > appears that there several inter marriages in my families so I am just > curious > as to when that took place and why. > > Anita > > </HTML> > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Anita, I believe you can still marry your first cousin in West Virginia. Joel -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 10:03 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [WVLOGAN] cousins I have a question for the list and perhaps Shelby or Jim can answer it. Why and why did it become law that you could not marry your cousin? No, I don't have one in mind that I would like to marry (can't imagine that...) but it appears that there several inter marriages in my families so I am just curious as to when that took place and why. Anita </HTML> ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Rick, Thanks, I wasn't thinking either. Email me. Anita </HTML>

Anita; Thanks for the update on marraige laws in WV. Sometimes, we old timers get so far behind, we think we are in front ! Shelby ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

/Rick, Kinda of sick if you think about. I have a whole bunch of McClung info, including those who lived in Hico. Which ones are you referring to? Anita </HTML>

Hello Anita - In large families uncles and aunts can be younger than their nephews and nieces. This was true in many of my lines. As to Hico, this is a family who lived there in our time. That wouldn't be appropriate for the list. I wasn't thinking. Rick On Dec 16, 2007 4:11 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > /Rick, > Kinda of sick if you think about. I have a whole bunch of McClung info, > including those who lived in Hico. Which ones are you referring to? > > Anita </HTML> > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Shelby, There is now a law in WV that prohibits cousins from marrying here in WV and I was looking for the state code on the matter but have not been able to find it yet. WV does not believe in common law marriages, either. As far as refusing to perform a ceremony for someone that is divorced, I believe it is up to the minister. I have heard that some of the "old timer" ministers will refuse. Anita </HTML>

Rick, I've got some friends from Pike Co., KY who were both Mullinses.... I have tried finding a connection between them, and have gone back 5 generations and nothing yet.... I thought for sure they would be related, but haven't found it yet. Laura -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Stewart Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 2:34 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WVLOGAN] cousins One of my brick walls is my gg grandmother Rebecca Jane Belcher who married Elias Stewart. It appears that her parents were Micajah and Malinda (Ball) Belcher - but no documentation. They were in Mercer Co., but it was Giles or Tazewell when they were born. Two of my Berry second cousins married recently. The Mullinses and Burgesses intermarried numerous times. Also, Mullinses married Mullinses, etc. I don't see a problem with it. Your McClung line did go a bit beyond the pale. She married her uncle? Do you have McClungs who lived in Hico, WVa? Rick On Dec 16, 2007 10:58 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: > Rick, > > In my McClung line (Greenbrier County) one of the daughters of my fifth > great > grandfather married her father's brother. That made the brother my 4th > great > grandfather. > > Perhaps it wasn't the Sturgells and Belchers that were not so bad after > all. > > Anita > > > > > > > > > > > > be </HTML> > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Thanks, Charles; As an ex miner, this was some of the best pictures I have ever seen. My dad worked at Consol #6 mine at Jenkins, Ky. He was required to take a straw broom with him to work, so no dirt would be loaded.They were real fussy about clean coal. I did 13 years underground mining, and can relate to many of the hardships you show.Mine were all in Logan Co. WV. Shelby B. ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

Hello Laura - There were many outfits of Mullinses that settled in E KY and WV and some went back and forth over the Tug. My Mullins are all descendents of Nathaniel Mullins. Rick On Dec 16, 2007 3:25 PM, Laura Loding <[email protected]> wrote: > Rick, > > I've got some friends from Pike Co., KY who were both Mullinses.... I have > tried finding a connection between them, and have gone back 5 generations > and nothing yet.... I thought for sure they would be related, but haven't > found it yet. > > Laura > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > On > Behalf Of Richard Stewart > Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 2:34 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [WVLOGAN] cousins > > One of my brick walls is my gg grandmother Rebecca Jane Belcher who > married > Elias Stewart. It appears that her parents were Micajah and Malinda > (Ball) > Belcher - but no documentation. They were in Mercer Co., but it was Giles > or Tazewell when they were born. > > Two of my Berry second cousins married recently. The Mullinses and > Burgesses intermarried numerous times. Also, Mullinses married Mullinses, > etc. I don't see a problem with it. > > Your McClung line did go a bit beyond the pale. She married her uncle? > Do > you have McClungs who lived in Hico, WVa? > > Rick > > On Dec 16, 2007 10:58 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Rick, > > > > In my McClung line (Greenbrier County) one of the daughters of my fifth > > great > > grandfather married her father's brother. That made the brother my 4th > > great > > grandfather. > > > > Perhaps it wasn't the Sturgells and Belchers that were not so bad after > > all. > > > > Anita > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > be </HTML> > > > > ------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Thank you for a wonderful website. I bookmarked that one. My grandfather, Henry Frank Wilson, worked at Aflex, Ky in the early 1900s and later came to Logan County as a miner. He died in 1933 of Black Lung. His boys (Frank, Henry Morris (my dad), and James all worked in various coal mines in Logan County. My dad told me that he went into the mines as a helper at age 8 and that a mule was more valued than the life of a human being. My dad died of Black Lung On December 17, 1995. Does anyone know how I would go about getting my family's records of having worked in the coal mines? Does the government have a record, or are records kept by individual coal companies? Ada Wilson Kent Researching Wilson, Ellis, Duty, Spence, Mullett, Sesco For about 20 years and I'm not making much progress -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 1:25 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [WVLOGAN] Fwd: Kentucky Coal Mines. This is something all of us 80 + remember well.? I was born in Loagn County.? Grew up in Pike County. Gone at an early age.?? http://kycoal.homestead.com/KYCoalMiningHistory.html The URL above is a classic.?? It is pictures of Kentucky and WV coal miners.? Mostly KY.? The towns are all familiar to most of us.?? My daddy worked for Armour & Company in the coal areas of Kentucky and WV for many years.??He talked ?about many of the mines particular Consolidation Coal Co and Inland Steel.? I have been in most of those Eastern Kentucky Coal camps collecting for Time Finance Company.? I use to go to Wheelwright? on pay day. I would go up to the mine shower house and find the ones I needed to collect from and then to the colored boarding house. ?Wheelwright had two "hollers".? Hall hollow and Branham hollow.? The blacks lived?along one hollow and the whites along the other.? ?I drove the company jeep. I had guns pulled on me on two occasions but was smart enough to smile and walk away with my mouth shut.? I remember my uncle Burley Chapman having big scars on his back from hitting the mine bolts that held up the mine roof.? Look at these when you have some time.? There is a lot of history here and a lot of misery and ?heart break. Charles R. More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail! ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

One of my brick walls is my gg grandmother Rebecca Jane Belcher who married Elias Stewart. It appears that her parents were Micajah and Malinda (Ball) Belcher - but no documentation. They were in Mercer Co., but it was Giles or Tazewell when they were born. Two of my Berry second cousins married recently. The Mullinses and Burgesses intermarried numerous times. Also, Mullinses married Mullinses, etc. I don't see a problem with it. Your McClung line did go a bit beyond the pale. She married her uncle? Do you have McClungs who lived in Hico, WVa? Rick On Dec 16, 2007 10:58 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: > Rick, > > In my McClung line (Greenbrier County) one of the daughters of my fifth > great > grandfather married her father's brother. That made the brother my 4th > great > grandfather. > > Perhaps it wasn't the Sturgells and Belchers that were not so bad after > all. > > Anita > > > > > > > > > > > > be </HTML> > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi just want to jump in here with what I have before me . On my inlaws marriage license application from 1945 in Logan County WV (I got a copy last time I was in Logan in the year 2000), it states in print "Related......................................" On this license it is written NO. I went to the older licenses- of my father-in-laws grandfather Jesse Damron who was married twice. He married Armeldy Mead in 1879 in Wayne county WV. Nowhere on this license is there the question of a relationship to either party. Jesse divorced and remarried in 1888 to Sallie Porter in Wayne co. WV. On their license it asks " Condition of Husband (Widowed or Single). After that is handwritten "Divorced (Single)" Condition of Wife (Widowed or Single). On her line is written, "Widow (Single). Nowhere on this license does it ask the relationship of this couple. If I had the marriage papers of the Wiley line, I could show where my mother-in-law was twice descended thru Thomas Wiley, husband of Jenny, thru 2 of her bloodlines. My mother-in-laws grandmother was named Sarah Ann Wiley Wiley. She was a Wiley who married a Wiley. Sarah descended from Thomas' son Thomas. Sarah's husband Spencer Wiley descended from Thomas' son Hezekiah. Gets complicated at times... but very interesting and fun to trace the roots. Just my 2 cents worth~ Wishing all a Blessed Christmas~ Gloria Damron in cold and snowy Ohio~