It’s time for some recent family history… Using Apple iMovie ’09, I put together a video of my children’s first visit to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. We took the trip in May 2009. I hope you enjoy it!

Brian Davis

Mary Louise “Mollie Lou” Oliphant/Kirkpatrick (Tarrant), my 3rd great grandmother, was born 7/27/1856 in Bullard, Texas. She died of “natural causes”, but heart trouble was listed on her death record. Mollie Lou was 84 years-old at the time of her death, and had three children with her first husband, John Marion Kirkpatrick (died in 1886): Woodie, Jack, and Johnnie Mae. She had two children with her second husband, Valcour Little Oliphant: Valcour Leon and Louis. Her gravesite is located at Old Larissa Cemetery in Mount Selman, Texas.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Margie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick) – Woodie Tarrant Kirkpatrick – Mary Louise Oliphant/Kirkpatrick (Tarrant)

Lewis F. Kirkpatrick, my 3rd great grand uncle, was born 2/15/1863 in Cherokee County, Texas. He died in Jacksonville, Texas of leg gangrene on 12/29/1934 at the age of 71. “L.F.” is the son of my 2nd great grandparents, James Isaac Kirkpatrick and Martha Margaret Fulton. He was a farmer in Cherokee County and married Mary Gay around the year 1900. I’m always intrigued by headstones with a picture of the deceased on them. This is invaluable to a genealogist, as it may be the only photo we come across. L.F. is buried in Union Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville, Texas.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Margie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick) – Woodie Tarrant Kirkpatrick – John Marion Kirkpatrick (brother of Lewis F. Kirkpatrick)

I’ve made the decision to pursue a Certification in Genealogy.  While it may not seem like a difficult process on the surface, nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve been researching my own family tree for about ten years, but it will likely take me at least a few years to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified.

The first step I’m taking is to join the National Genealogical Society.  They provide a lot of educational materials and hold various conferences (2011 NGS Family History Conference in Charleston, South Carolina) and workshops to teach these skills.

Upon certification, I hope to either change careers or do part-time work on the side. I’ll post periodical updates about my progress.

John D. Backus, my first cousin, twice removed, was born 12/5/1940 in Corpus Christi, Texas.  He died of natural causes on 12/30/1940 at the age of 25 days.  John is the son of my great grand uncle, Arthur Burgoyne Backus, and his second wife, Anna Marie Flahie.  John is buried in the “Baby Land” section of Rose Hill Cemetery in Corpus Christi.  My wife and I visited the cemetery last August.  Most of the headstones around John’s were either missing or destroyed, but his is still standing.  We were struck by this and the headstone itself, with the inscription of “Gone to be an angel.”

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – Georgia Lou Davis (Barlow) – Katie Maybelle Barlow (Backus/aunt of John D. Backus)

Flickr Repository Collage

I have finally uploaded most of my family tree content to Flickr.  The content is divided into two collections: the family tree repository and the military collection. In each collection, you will find a lot of material, including pictures, records, letters, etc. You can access the collections using the above links or the links in the right-hand menu.  The number next to each link indicates the number of files in each set.

It has taken many years to collect all of these items.  I am still in the process of organizing and renaming most of the files.  I have not included any personal documents from living family members.  If you have any questions or would like to contribute to the repository, please send me an email to davis-brian@att.net.

My family and I recently returned from a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort outside of Orlando, Florida. Although the weather was a bit chilly, we had a great time. Among the highlights: visiting with 39 Disney characters, celebrating Jack’s birthday at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, and riding Soarin’ with Kaylyn. Click here to view the picture set.

Brian Davis

Christmas with Santa Claus 1978

This is a picture of me, Brian Davis, with Santa Claus in December 1978.  Photo taken in Clinton, Iowa.

Brian Davis

Remington Model 511 Scoremaster

This Remington .22 Caliber Model 511 Scoremaster Rifle was originally owned by my grandfather, James Nead Davis.  He later gave it to my father, James Michael Davis, when he was a boy.  This rifle was produced in 6/1939, the model’s first month of production.  According to Remington’s website, there were approximately 381,267 of these rifles made.  The rifle was discontinued in 1963.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis

Margie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick), my great grandmother, was born 10/29/1908  in Bridgeport, Texas (northwest of Dallas/Fort Worth).  She died of peritonitis (abdominal inflammation), which was caused by an infection from an appendectomy.  Margie was 25 years-old at the time of her death, and had three children: Woody, James, and Annell.  Her gravesite is located at Forest Glade Cemetery in Mexia, Texas.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Margie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick)