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The Geneva Project

Part One; Memories Lost

A warm weekend & $20 has opened my eyes to a topic we don't take seriously enough, "What will happen to your genealogy after you pass away?"

By Kelly ©. Miller, Family Historian

"What happens to the genealogical belongings of individuals after passing away?" This is a question that should be on all of our minds. The quick response is, "I will tell my children what to do with it. They will know." Think twice. Here is a true story for you...

One weekend in the Spring of 2004 we ventured to a local flea market. We were looking through some things at an outside table when I heard a woman inquiring about a round, black purse. The seller informed the woman that there was a note inside the purse. The note read, "Hand crocheted by Geneva. Do don't get rid of!" Yet, here it was, on a crappy table among items not worthy of a dollar store. A destination Geneva clearly tried to avoid.

The saleswoman explained that the same woman's scrapbook was "over there." Being sentimental fool, off I went to see what was "over there."

I had to have it. It was amazing to me & useless to my husband (non-genealogist). I paid the woman $20. My husband thought it was a stupid move. I just felt this woman's hard work & life memories shouldn't be left to chance at a flea market. I didn't buy the purse, though afterwards I wish I had to keep them together.

Miss Geneva Allison- that is the name of the owner of the scrapbook. She went to a boarding school in Cool Spring, had relatives in Statesville, a Grandmother who lived in Concord. Her mother was philosophical, she spoke of "Bubbie Allison" & "Chunk". She played basketball (scoring 22 points in a game). She made B's in Biology and graduated in 1938. She loved Shirley Temple, Myrna Loy, Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. This is what I learned from a scrapbook left for dead. I needed more.

I contacted a local history teacher who put me in touch with his father, highly respected historian, O. C. Stonestreet, III. Lucky for me Mr. Stonestreet had previously researched Geneva's school, Cool Spring High School (dormitory). He made a few calls and learned that Geneva was still alive. He forwarded to me her current hometown and married name.

I called the telephone number listed in the book for Geneva's husband, Porter Epperson. The lady who answered said this was her son's house and gave me Geneva's home number. I called and a younger man answered. He was rude. He said she was sleeping and pretty much hung up on me. I was very concerned. I wondered of this grumpy guy was the one who sent away Geneva's memories? I needed clarification so I called Geneva's daughter-in-law back. I explained my situation. As it turns out the man who answered Geneva's phone was her youngest son. She explained he works2nd shift & to try calling Geneva back after lunch.

I inquired further. I wanted to make sure I wasn't stepping into a situation that may cause anguish for me or Geneva. Maybe they got rid of her things on purpose, without Geneva's consent. I was told a few years ago the state took over Geneva's house in order to widen the road. In turn they built her a new, smaller house behind the old house. The family held a sale in the house to sell unneeded items. It was said that the family did not know this scrapbook existed and that it may have been sold in the house sale. They even went further to say Geneva's daughter loves anything old and would not have wanted it sold.

I learned that Geneva was born in 1920. She was an avid basketball player in high school. She went on to marry H. Porter Epperson about 50 years ago. She moved into the larger house in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC about the time of her marriage. Geneva had four children (2 girls & 2 boys). She is now 84 years old. She once crocheted, but is too shaky to do so these days. She has emphysema which makes getting around difficult, but her mind is clear and still with her. She is said to be a very nice woman. I don't know who Chunk was, but Bubbie was her brother who currently lives in the Appalachian Mountains.

[Click here to learn about my journey into finding a place to donate items related to our history.]

The story rages on, with a sad twist.

In March 2005 I received an email from Geneva's nephew's wife, Sarah. A sad twist of fate gave me new direction. Sarah informed me that Geneva had just passed away. She was on the Internet searching for her obituary. She wasn't having a lot of luck so she did an Internet search using Geneva's name. Low & behold, our web site appeared.

After Sarah read our story she immediately contacted Geneva's daughter, SeLana. It turns out SHE is the daughter who loves old things. SeLana then contacted me via email within a few hours. When I received SeLana's email the next morning I didn't get through all of it before I skipped to the end to search for a telephone number. I called her right away.

SeLana informed me how the scrapbook landed at the flea market; a careless relative sold it off in a yard sale before moving Geneva into a smaller home. The story was quite touching really. In the same turn, I was angry. How could someone be so thoughtless? SeLana said she was supposed to have the album, when her mother was ready. Before this could happen fate took it away.

It was wonderful to get explanations to the little things that left me wondering such as "Bubbie" was her brother (now called "Bub"), C.J. Allison Jr. and Chunk was her sister, Kathryn Allison Bumgarner.

The conversation with SeLana immediately made me a connection to SeLana, similar to how I felt with Geneva. My decision wasn't difficult. I knew what was right. The next day I finished restoring the scrapbook. I called SeLana and asked her when she could come to pick it up. Later that day she arrived at my door. Here was a woman I barely knew... yet when I saw her I felt as if she were a relative I hadn't seen since I was a child. I think SeLana felt similar.

SeLana lit up when she saw the book. She understandably alternated from pure joy to pure sadness. Her heart was still in great pain from the loss of her Mother, yet the memories in this book were joyous.

Two days later SeLana's son, Brent, called me from Texas. He thanked me for what I had done with the book & for giving it to his mother. It meant a lot that he would take the time to call me.

Geneva's scrapbook now has a new home, a place where it belongs. I am sure it will be safe now. Even after SeLana, I am sure her children will cherish the book, as they know & appreciate the long road it has had to travel.

It surely is amazing the journey this scrapbook has made. It is now over 70 years old and has lived quite an existence! This journey is part of the journey SeLana & I had to make. It is also part of your journey now too.

Thank you Geneva. You have taught us all valuable lessons. Good intentions are not enough to safe guard personal treasures. Also, I have learned that goodwill can all make a difference in someone’s life. In the end I am out a considerable amount of money without a scrapbook to show. Moreover, I have learned a great deal about others & how one good deed can make a difference. It was all worth it!

Click to see whole image.

Salisbury Post, 19 Feb 2005

Esther Geneva Allison Epperson, 85, 165 Epperson Road, died Thursday (17 Feb 2005) at Autumn Care. Born 2 Sep 1919, in Statesville, Mrs. Epperson, daughter of the late Clarence Johnson & Mary Susan Allison Allison, was a graduate of Cool Springs High School, Troutman. She retired from Markey Fabrics. A homemaker, she was a member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Statesville. Survivors include husband of 64 years Henry Porter Epperson; sons Porter G. and Henry Terry Epperson, both of Salisbury; daughters SeLana Epperson Scism and Elaine Epperson Coulter, both of Salisbury; brother C.J. Allison Jr., Blowing Rock; sisters Sarah Mae Orren, Statesville, and Electa Phifer, Dalton, Ga.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Summersett Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. David Hockett, pastor, Milford Hills United Methodist Church. Burial, Rowan Memorial Park. Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials: Rowan Regional Home Health and Hospice, 130 Mocksville Ave., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Part Two; Destinations

By Kelly ©. Miller, Family Historian

Geneva's situation brings to mind the question- Can we trust our family to respect what we have worked so hard on? I too have an office filled with books, documents, pictures, etc. Some of which are rare and old. What assurance do I have that these items will be here for future generations? Is there an organization that accepts these materials to preserve and share them?

I decided to contact the Mormon Church. Since they are known for their family history they are a likely start. I was told that the Mormon Family History Library will accept pedigree charts and like items that are positively not copyrighted. Then I was transferred to the Church Archive Dept. They will accept materials (books, letters, etc.) that have reference to the Mormon religion. Since I am not Mormon (with ancestors predominantly Baptist) and only have some items that mention Mormons, what do I do? I assume other researchers may be the same situation so onward I go.

I had been meaning to inquire about the National Archives (NARA) and the Mormon Historians suggest I do so as well. NARA [866-272-6272] informed me that they do not accept these items. In the past they have referred people to The Library of Congress. I was told I could locate them via the Federal Information Center [800-333-4636]. From there I was sent to the Rare Books & Special Collections Department [202-707-5434]. This gentleman suggested that I contact the Anglo-American Acquisitions Department [202-707-5361]. I researched the internet on this department and found this statement*: "It is the policy of the Library of Congress to foster the enrichment of its collections through gifts of materials within the terms of the Library’s acquisitions policies. In implementing this policy, division chiefs and other authorized officers of the Library may undertake, as representatives of the Library, preliminary negotiations for gifts to the Library. However, responsibility for formal acceptance of gifts of material and for approval of conditions of such gifts rests with The Librarian of Congress or his designee."

*Located online at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/julqtr/pdf/36cfr701.31.pdf

What does this mean? This means that they do accept materials, but someone in the Library of Congress will have a meeting and discuss weather or not they will take your items. Back to square one. By the way- it's a good thing I have a flat rate for my long distance calls!

It is in my opinion that researchers are better off to donate their materials to the historical/genealogical society- AFTER researching who would best benefit from the material as well as take care of it. Of course, you should clear it with them first. I would also find out their policies. Ask them what they do with items they feel are not pertinent to their collection and see if your descendants will have access to your items. Some of these places also sell off items when they cannot be stored!

Don't wait until it is too late. If you are not actively using items donate them yourself to the places you feel would best benefit. Please, don't leave things to chance. I have heard many people say that their children know what to do with their things. Geneva Allison Epperson may have thought so too. She's still living and her things wound up on a dumpy flea market table. Is your hard work worth the risk?

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