Welcome to These Are My Kinfolk virtual museum of family history featuring the Taylors, Jordans, Johnsons, Benders, and more, including the Byrds and Boldens. This website is dedicated to the descendants of Morgan Taylor, Willie Lee Byrd Taylor, Mary Bender, Willis Johnson, John Jack Johnson, Kizzie Jordan, Roxy Jordan, and other ancestors. Explore and be blessed.
Dr. Eric J. Chambers, Museum Curator/Founder
According to my African Ancestry DNA test, my grandmother Lucille's side of the family came to America during the slave trade from Cameroon, West Africa.
Explaining the mission.
The Why
This website's purpose is to link our descendants' lives to the ancestors of the past. And to connect our current family members with new ones we've yet to meet. It is of utmost importance that we connect with other kinfolks to ensure the seeds the ancestors planted will continue to harvest positively and lovingly.
It is our wish that the family loves, appreciates, and supports the efforts put forth in preserving our history in this virtual museum dedicated to those who came before us.
What To Expect
When visiting this website, expect to get the latest family information including births, deaths, accomplishments, and more. You will be able to see pictures of kin and watch current and past videos.
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COMING SOON!
The How
This is where you come in. To make sure this website runs with optimum efficiency, we will rely on family members to donate financially to keep it afloat, up-to-date, and more. I pray that you take pride in what we are doing as we will be the envy of many families if you support us.
Some videos on the site will be pay-per-view to ensure that at least the minimum cost is met. And we will earn income from merchandise in the website's store.
Be more than an admirer of
this site, but a financial supporter.
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Watch Eric J's Book Trailer featuring an appearance by his mother, Hester "GoGo" Jordan Ducre.
Taylor • Jordan Family Reunion 20
The Logger's Son: Evie Lee Taylor Tribute
The Patriarch & Matriarch
Morgan Taylor, affectionately known as "The Hawk," and Willie Lee Byrd Taylor, his wife, were the modern-day patriarch and matriarchs of the Taylor-Jordan Family.
To their union, 18 children (11 boys and 7 girls) were born: Eliza Jane Bolden, Willis "Sonny Boy," Lucille Taylor Goodman (my grandmother), Abraham, John D., twins Lester Nathan & Charlie Gathern, Lee "Monkey Jack" William, James Edward, Edward "Evie Lee," Mary Alice "Berat" Frazier, Bettie Lou Sanders, Rosetta Draine, Helen Graham, Mattie Lou "Hoosie" Thigpen and John Henry Taylor of New Orleans, the last surviving child.
"Big Mama" Willie delivered babies all over Mississippi as a midwife. She was born on May 10, 1900, and died on May 4, 1982. "The Hawk" was a farmer and owned a timber logging business. He was born on July 16, 1890, and died on December 8, 1979. Click the box to read his obituary.
Willie Lee Byrd (third from right, wearing a white hat) with daughters, granddaughters, and cousin Myrt, wearing the white hat at the far left. This picture was taken in Rose Hill, Mississippi.
Willie Lee Byrd is surrounded by loved ones including her baby boy, John Henry, on the phone, John D., behind her, grandson Johnny Rushing and his wife Jewel, and one other relative.
“In every conceivable manner, the family is a link to our past,
and a bridge to our future.”
― Alex Haley,
Author of "Roots"
Mary Byrd Bender was Willie Byrd's younger sister. She is the person who identified everyone in the vintage picture above featuring her grandfather, Willis Johnson.
She and her siblings called Willie, "Sistah." She told me they respected her as if she was their mother because she raised them after the death of their mom, Calla Johnson Byrd, at a young age.
Mary Bender, aka "Bankie," shares smiles with her grand nieces, Dorthy Jean and Hester.
The people in the vintage photo.
