TIMES BEGINS FAMILY HISTORY SERIES

By Karen Jones Calhoun

     In Eastern Kentucky, a part of the state where family connections seem particularly important, genealogy, the study of family lineage, is a pursuit that is growing in popularity.  Interest in genealogy is growing nationwide each year, according to a recent Associated Press article. Nearly 2,000 genealogical societies with a collective membership of 700,000 promote interest in researching the past.
     Edythe Pridemore is one Knott Countian who picked up genealogy as a hobby about 15 years ago. "There are many others in the county, like Verna Mae Slone and Bob Young, who are experts in this -- I just work on it now and then, " Edythe explains.
     "When my great-grandmother died, I realized so much of our history was lost.  If someone didn't write things down, I knew it would all be lost. I wanted my child to have access to some of this rich history if he ever wanted."  Intrigued with all the memories of older relatives, Edythe decided to dig further into her family background.
     Edythe started out collecting old pictures of family members. She especially liked pictures, because instead of just a name on a genealogy form, having a photograph made the person seem more real. She began to do research for information on her ancestors through such sources as census records in libraries and courthouses, important dates could also be found in cemeteries. 
     Pridemore, Reynolds, Collins and Honeycutt are some of the names involved in Edythe's family tree. She has traced some of her family back to the 1700s.
     "Getting information is easy for about three generations back, because so many people remember things--what folks were like what they did, " Edythe says, "But for earlier generations, you have to start digging."
     Pridemore says a lot more people than she would have imagined are interested in genealogy. "Even those who aren't writing things down love to talk it. The older folks especially love to remember and relate tales of the past."
     Those involved in research, both in the area and in other states, often refer to each other for help. "Verna Mae is a wealth of information," Pridemore says, "She remember lots and her family connects to many." Edythe says some people have contacted her for information, especially those interested in pictures.
     Ancestors who lived a century ago are of particular interest in Eastern Kentucky because so many in the area can trace their families back to one person. John B. Smith is one ancestor who appears in the family tree of many different family names in Knott County.  Edythe's research has included the family of John B. Smith; most of her information comes from census records in Letcher County.
    John B. Smith was born November 9, 1823.  He was the son of William B. Smith. Smith was said to have served in the confederate army, though the location of his service is not known. He was know as "Squire John," Pridemore relates, and was said to have basically been the governor of his little area--"They said he could marry you, separate you, birth you and bury you," Edythe says.
     In 1842, he married Sally Adams (who was born in 1825). The couple had at least 11 children.  William B. Smith was born in 1842.  He married Susan Hamilton (Pigman), who was born January 6, 1847.  Susan died Feb 3, 1888 and is buried in Pridemore Cemetery at Mallie. 
     Nancy B. Smith was born in 1844.  She married Madison Pigman on Jan. 10, 1868.  Randolph (Rannel) B. Smith was born August 15, 1848.  He married Barbara Hylton (born July 18, 1842) on August 6, 1897.  Barbara died July 2, 1886, and Rannel remarried on January 2, 1888; his second wife was Susanne Amburgey (Taylor). Rannel December 20, 1908.
     Elizabeth B. Smith was born March 11, 1852.  She married Westley Reynolds (Born March 22, 1841) on June 1 1870.  Elizabeth died June 17, 1939, and is buried in the Reynolds Cemetery. Westley died January 18, 1906 and is also buried there,  (Elizabeth and Westley are one link of the B. Smith family to Edythe Pridemore; they were her great-grandparents on her mother's side.)
     John B. Smith, born in 1853.  His wife was named Elizabeth; she was born in 1862.  John B. died in service. 
     Stephen B. Smith was born in 1854.  He married Rosanna Reynolds (born 1850) on September 4, 1868.  Rosanna died in 1899, and Smith remarried; his second wife was Arminda Slone, born 1880.  They married January 11, 1899. 
     Andrew B. Smith was born in 1857.  He married Susanna Huff on May 22, 1875.  Mary B. Smith was born in 1855. She married Joseph Pigman, born in 1858.  Lydia Margaret B. Smith was born in 1861.  She married Westley Pigman, born 1851.

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The chart which accompanies this article will give you a structured format in which to submit your information.. We suggest that the family you choose to submit begin with a couple born before 1900.  Please include on a separate sheet of paper, any additional information you wish to include, such as occupation of the ancestor, or any interesting bits of history you may know about him or her. Be sure to also include your name, address, and telephone number so we can confirm your submission; the Times cannot publish anonymous material. Please note: records do not have to be complete to be submitted. Times readers may even be able to help you fill in unknown information once your genealogical information runs in our paper.  Anyone who has documented revisions, corrections, or further information on any family history published in the Times can contact Edythe at 785-3042.  Any questions on the Times genealogy column can be referred to Edythe or the Troublesome Creek Times, Box 700, Hindman, Ky.,  phone 785-5134