Roll Call! A Mother’s Day Tribute to My Female Ancestors

In celebration of Mother’s Day, this post honors and acknowledges my female lineage. Many genealogists know that finding one’s female ancestors can be challenging for a number of reasons. The ability to own property and enter into contracts has been restricted for certain women in various places and times, thereby limiting the number of resources documenting the names of women.  Also, many women have abandoned their maiden names and adopted their husbands’ surnames.  I have found this particularly frustrating as I review documents that only list my female ancestors in relation to the men – fathers and husbands - in their lives. Therefore, in celebration of these women’s lives, I have decided call the names of my female ancestors (first, maiden surname, surname)!

Here’s wishing a Happy Mother’s Day and lots of love to the women in my family! A very special thank you to the women from whom I’ve directly descended…

Wanda Bundy Jones – I LOVE YOU, Mom!

Mildred Theresa Justice Bundy – maternal grandmother

Eartha Lee Grant Hendrick – paternal grandmother

Margaret “Queen” Payton Justice - maternal great grandmother

Lucy M. Roye Bundy – maternal great grandmother

Elease Jenkins Grant – paternal great grandmother

Addie Bea Kidd Hendrick – paternal great grandmother

Theresa “Trecie” Smith Payton – maternal great, great grandmother

Mary L. Justice (maiden name unknown) - maternal great, great grandmother

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clary Jenkins - paternal great, great grandmother

Lillie Grant (maiden name unknown) - paternal great, great grandmother

Daisy Thomas Hendrick - paternal great, great grandmother

Lula M. Kidd (maiden name unknown) - paternal great, great grandmother

Mary Smith (maiden name unknown) – maternal great, great, great grandmother

Easter Kidd (maiden name unknown) – paternal great, great, great grandmother

Anna Valentine Thomas - paternal great, great, great grandmother

Rose Jiggetts Hendrick - paternal great, great, great grandmother