In our clan tradition, my mother presented
me to my Great Granduncle Frank about 25 years ago. His hands were
crippled with arthritis, however he reached for my hand and cradled it
softly. Then he looked lovingly into my eyes and I'll never forget
when he said. "Child, you cannot know where you are going until
you know who you are."
He proceeded to tell me the most wonderous stories of his family...my
family...
His stories took me to the clans of Lindsay and McDonald in Scotland and
Ireland along with the Hatfield clan of America. I have discovered a
wealth of information in my search to prove Uncle Frank's stories.
While some people want to find their roots to claim they are decended from
famous people, my family tree is not for that purpose. As Uncle Frank told
me, I just needed to know who I am, and I want my children to know their
heritage. I only hope that I have done Uncle Frank justice in
putting together our family history for my children.
My biggest "roadblock" in my
family tree is my own father's line, Eddie Marvin Purdy. His father
worked in the Wv coalmines. Determined not to work in the mines, he
enlisted in the Navy right after high school. Eddie transferred to
the Air Force after 3 years of service in the Navy. He spent 20
years in the Air Force and retired as a Master Sargeant. He did four
tours of duty in Vietnam. Early in his Air Force career, Eddie's buddy had
pulled guard duty and asked Eddie if he would let his girlfriend Marcella
Boyer know that he could not keep their date that evening. Eddie was
glad to help out his friend. He appeared at Marcella's door with a
handful of flowers and a box of candy to console her. He promptly
announced that his buddy could not keep the date with her. However,
he was sent as a substitute. Sweeping her off her feet and winning
her heart they were married two weeks later.
I do not know where my grandfather Edward
Purdy b. 9-5-1907(no middle name) was born. He married Nanny Thelma
Parcell (date unknown) also of WV. I have almost nothing to go on to
research this line. If anyone has any information on this Purdy
family in Wv please contact me. Edward was not raised by his natural
parents and he had a borther or half-brother Henry. The Purdy and
Parcell names are supposed to go back to the Donald or McDonald Clan of
Ireland.
Thank you,
Linda
Bentley http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/e/n/Linda-Bentley/index.html
|
