Talk to the DiaristsGo to bottom Postings 139 through 153 out of a total of 141
139. Family Name Hi. I really enjoyed your film, which aired last night on the PBS station in Columbia, SC. I have been doing genealogy for many years now, and it was fascinating to follow in your footsteps as you traced your Alstons. I especially enjoyed your skating with your newly found cousin in New York at the end of the film. My father's people were all New Englanders and Maritime Canadians, but my mother's people come from Upstate South Carolina, and several of her ancestors were slave owners--mostly small-scale. I have also wondered about those relationships and about my black cousins, though I haven't actively sought out these relatives as you have. At the end of the film there was a note, which I couldn't read because our reception was poor last night. It said something about an ancestor of yours having been illegitimate, and I think a conclusion was drawn. What was that note exactly? Thank you for your hard work and your persistence. I admire what you have accomplished both in the making of the film and in bringing together so many people. Please write. -- (Dick Norwood) 140. We are Alstons, also.
Dear Macky Alson, Last fall I watch "Family Name" on PBS in Philadelphia. Immediately afterwards, I called my friend Charlotte Blake Alston to learn more of her meeting with you, and I began to realize that my maternal grandmother, Addie Alston Williams Hicks is a decendant of the Alstons of "Family Name." Addie is 98 years old. Her mother was Lizzy Davis Alston, and her grandmother was Lucy Davis, a slave and a midwife. I wanted to contact you right then, but Charlotte was unable to give me your address, and she was thinking about dropping the Alston name because she only acquired it through marriage. Her son Jeffry Alston is a former student of mine. I have often thought of contacting you, but it wasn't until I saw a rerun of the "Sally Show" that I put myself into gear to act on my intentions. I would like to hear from you to share information about the family. -- (Gaynelle Lewis-Fleming) 141. Alston Family Dear Matty, My family has seen your film and has enjoyed it very much. My mother is Dollie Mae Alston. Her father was Henry Russell Alston, his father Thomas Aslton, some say Seth Thomas Alston. I just attended a family reunion in Arizona for the Alston side of our family. One of my sister's would like to know where the N.C. reunion takes place and on what dates. Can you tell us please. Also I would like to have your e-mail to delve deeper into the Alston family. Regards -- (Robert Duvall) 142. Race Relations My name is Corrie Higley and I watched your film last night on KUED in Salt Lake City. I have one son, age three, who is adopted and African American. As I watched your show I began to think about how my mother told me of the black servant she had when she was little and living in Florida and it struck me that my own family had gone from having black servants to having black family members in the space of only one generation. It seemed similar to the idea that your family had gone from owning blacks to becoming civil rights activists in the space of only a few generations. It seems that we have come a long way, even though we have some way to go still for equality. -- (Corrie Higley) 143. Fox Family Channel - new
teenage discussion group program for boys Dear Mr Allston, we have heard of your film and would like to interview you. Are you interested and if so would you be available on the week of August 30 to September 3. If so, please contact me at the address below, or feel free to call me on 818-955-7306 (office hours) or 310-918-5758 (anytime). We are based in LA. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you, Faithfully Andrew Yaxley -Fox Family Channel -- (Andrew Yaxley) 144. Wonderful Film Macky-- I just watched "Family Name", well most of it anyway. I was channel surfing and tuned in just as the camera panned on my great uncle, David Ryder, of Littleton, NC. My great grandmother was Lucy Alston. It was fascinating to see your journey and discoveries. I have just begun to research my ancestors this summer, starting with the Alstons & Ryders. I'm very encouraged by your film. Thank you. -- (Hank Osmundson) 145. Thank you I just watched your program last night - I missed the beginning and hope to watch it the next time it is aired. I was flipping through the channels, became engrossed in the program and stopped doing the work I should have been doing. I'm glad I did! Today my co-workers and I were discussing how little of value is included in the new fall schedule of TV programs. One in particular is said to be especially vulgar, and I mentioned your program to my co-workers. I raved about the quality and the content of your program and we agreed we would much rather watch something thought-provoking and informative like "Family Name" than a tacky, hurtful, or crude program like some of the new ones being offered this fall. Thanks for making this film. Not only did I enjoy watching it, I learned something. I'll recommend it to my dad, who completed a book on my family history a couple years ago. -- (Mary Seng) 146. Im an Alston too
dear macky, thank you for the film. i was surprised to see my family name in a documentary. My father was Hansom Alston, of Warenton NC he was a member of Snow hill Bap. Church son of Molly and Isaac Alston. My father had several brothers and one sister. John, Bill, Edward Solomon and Marie who died early. My maternal grandmother Marie Perry Jones lived on the Inez road down from Coley Springs church. I spent many summers there. never heard of a plantation until your film. My cousins are Kearnys of that and as youth didn't walk past the bridge that was at the actual spring(coley) . are there sites to connect to other alstons. -- (R Marie Alston) 147. correction to previoue
message The Inez road, I was speaking of leads to Shooco Springs. There is a ruin of an old hotel on that road, is anyone familiar with this area. -- (R Marie Alston) 148. Family Name Hello My name is Christopher Dean. I am a student at the University of Georgia. I met Mr. Alston about 2 weeks ago at the Georgia Center in Athens where he was giving a talk about his documentary. I am interested in finding out if it is possible have a copy of the documentary donated to a small group of students so that we could educate them about diversity during Black History Month. I think that it would be excellent in educating a small group of students in understanding and respecting history, just like Mr. Alston and I spoke about. We would be willing to return the copy after our use if needed. If you have any questions please let me know.I thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely Christopher A. Dean -- (Christopher A. Dean) 149. Family Name Hello My name is Christopher Dean. I am a student at the University of Georgia. I met Mr. Alston about 2 weeks ago at the Georgia Center in Athens where he was giving a talk about his documentary. I am interested in finding out if it is possible have a copy of the documentary donated to a small group of students so that we could educate them about diversity during Black History Month. I think that it would be excellent in educating a small group of students in understanding and respecting history, just like Mr. Alston and I spoke about. We would be willing to return the copy after our use if needed. If you have any questions please let me know.I thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely Christopher A. Dean -- (Christopher A. Dean) 150. Family Name Hello My name is Christopher Dean. I am a student at the University of Georgia. I met Mr. Alston about 2 weeks ago at the Georgia Center in Athens where he was giving a talk about his documentary. I am interested in finding out if it is possible have a copy of the documentary donated to a small group of students so that we could educate them about diversity during Black History Month. I think that it would be excellent in educating a small group of students in understanding and respecting history, just like Mr. Alston and I spoke about. We would be willing to return the copy after our use if needed. If you have any questions please let me know.I thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely Christopher A. Dean -- (Christopher A. Dean) 151. Re: Alston Family Research
(Great Job!!!) My name is Pamela Chambliss and I am the great-granddaughter of Gertrude Alston (born to Martha and John Alston, former slaves). They are originally from North Carolina and eventually settled in Petersburg, Virginia in the 1890s. I was pleased to see the depth of your research and your efforts to bring both sides of the Alston family together. I would be pleased to know when the next family reunion will occur. Thank you. -- (Pamela Chambliss) 152. family name please tell me where i can purchase the film for use at our high school -- (susan connley) 153. Researching American Families
Dear Mr. Alston and all, I am not in the U.S., though it is my home, and I have not yet seen your film. But I have told other family researchers about it. I think we are entering the most exciting (and honest) era in American genealogy. I'd like to invite Macky and all to visit my new genealogy research website, called American Cross Race Gen. Best wishes to all, and thanks to Macky and others like him! M. Douglas http://www.rootsweb.com/~genrace/genrace.index.htm -- (M. Douglas)
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