Grandmom's Search

My grandmother Blanche was never quite sure of her parentage, in spite of having a birth certificate with names of both mother and father. James & Almeda Meadley were the names on the certificate, however she considered her father Victor Vinson and felt that her mother was Nan (Howell) Vinson. What happened there is speculation on my part, and it's one of our notable "skeletons." With her having been raised by "Mommie Fairchild" (Minnie Fairchild), an older woman with no obvious connections to the Vinsons, only deepens the mystery.

In going through that box of recently received family papers, I found a stash of paperwork that was obviously assembled by my grandmother: her official birth records and letters written in the 50's to various people inquiring about the Meadley's, if they existed at all (in my research I've yet to find any trace of them). She was obviously trying to uncover the truth, unfortunately without much success.

I often think of how much my grandmother would enjoy this time, having access to technology and on-line records that would have made her search so much easier...well maybe not easier if the records don't exist, but at least a whole heck of a lot faster! I'm sure she'd be glued to the computer just as I am, reading, researching, and getting that adrenaline rush when stumbling upon the smallest fragment of information that leads to the next discovery. I'd like to think she's looking over my shoulder while I'm researching, pleased to know that I've taken on the mantle.

So I'll continue my grandmother's research in hopes of finding that elusive truth. It feels like I'm getting closer. I hope I'm successful. It would be my gift to her almost 40 years after her death.