2005 Coffey Cousins' Convention Report

My wife Nelda and I have just returned from spending a cold, wet week in Nashville, Tn. That's where the 23d Annual Coffey Cousins' Convention was held. It was hosted by Billie McKinnie and daughter, Patsy Burns. I don't have an exact count handy, but there were 50-plus registrants.

We arrived a couple of days early to visit the state archives, and I ended up walking a couple of miles in the rain on the day I chose to go. It's difficult enough to get around in Nashville under normal conditions. Add rain and road construction and it becomes extremely difficult. I also found out that not everyone in Nashville knows the difference between the "state archives and library" and the "public library."

Soon, other 'cousins' began to arrive, and I was drafted to drive some, and lead some from our hotel headquarters to the archives. Other drivers in the pool left ahead of me, or so I thought. I was racing to catch up with them on the interstate, and they were racing to catch up with me. They had not actually left the hotel parking lot, but had lagged behind waiting for me to lead.

But, we all got to the archives safely, and even had some time to do research. Once there we were greeted by the archives staff, given a brief summary of archives duties and holdings, then turned loose amongst the microfilm, stacks, and books.

Many of our 'cousins' chose to remain at the hotel, and sit around in the conference room set aside for us by the hotel. Bonnie Culley, editor of the Cousins' newsletter, always brings her outstanding collection of Coffee/y books. Those generally attracts a number of researchers, and keeps many busy reading and copying from them the entire three days of the convention.

Our hostesses in Nashville were Billie McKinney and her daughter, Patsy Burns. They "employed" their entire family - brothers, sisters, some in-laws, etc. - to put on a memorable convention. They are an especially talented family. Roger Burns, Patsy's husband, entertained us on the keyboard accompanied by guitarist Scott McKinney, Patsy's brother. Mindy Odum, a member of their church choir, sang two inspirational songs for us.

Saturday night is always set aside for our banquet, business meeting, and election of officers for the coming year. We also discuss plans for the next convention (e.g., where and when). We also hope there will be volunteers willing to host future convention.

There were no volunteers to host us in 2006, so Nelda and I will host the convention in Chadron, Nebraska! That's going to be a long distance affair since we live in Louisiana! But, I think we can do it. Darlene Clarke, a cousin from Iowa offered to host the group in 2007 at Dubuque. Readers can get a brief overview of Chadron at the following link:

http://www.chadron.com/history/tour10.php

I will write more on the Coffee families that settled in that area in a subsequent blog!

Officers for the coming year are:

Jack Coffee of Louisiana, President; Ed Coffee of Virginia, Vice President; Jo Langwell of Texas, Secretary; Darlene Clarke of Iowa, Treasurer. We continue to be supported by Reams Goodloe who has patiently indexed 24 and a half years of Coffey Cousins newsletters; Bonnie Culley, who edits those newsletters; and Bennie Coffey Loftin, past hostess of two conventions.

2005 Coffey Cousins' Convention Update

Be sure and check the latest information concerning the Coffey Cousins' Convention to be held in Nashville, Tennessee April 28-30, 2005.

All questions should be directed to the hostess whose e-mail address appears at the bottom of the Convention webpage.

Click on the above link to view details.

An Interesting Exchange

Within the last few days I had a slightly heated e-mail exchange with someone upset with me for not having all of their ancestors in the Edward and Ann Powell file on the Coffey Cousins' website. It seems that I had failed to make an internet search for, and had not used certain Bible records that are alleged to be on the internet pertaining to this person's family. The writer was also quite surprised to find that there were errors in some of the family information presented on my webpage.

I recalled, after some thought on the matter, that this same person had confronted me in a public forum some time ago about certain thoughts and ideas that I have concerning the John Coffey-Mary Joliffe (variously spelled) myth. This person attempted to dispel the myth of that couple being the parents of Edward Coffey, but failed to respond to my offer to publish any detailed research they might have completed to prove the opposite.

Not only was this person rudely confrontational, but to my knowledge has never presented any family data to the newsletter or to the website for others to share or critique. This person did claim to have been offended because Coffey Cousins' had failed to provide a source for some certain information, and had to search for the information elsewhere.

In this person's mind my credibility has somehow been affected by these failures!

For the record:

I do genealogy as a hobby.

All of the information presented on my website comes from others! I do not personally research each and every "fact" that someone else claims to have researched when they send the data to me. That's why users should only use the information as possible clues to further their own research. I think this is what a "clearinghouse" does; it collects and disseminates information. It's up to the user to prove the value of the information!

I try and help anyone asking for help.

I do not ask for money for my help.

If you need to complain about something I've done, or haven't done: Be nice! I respond better.

If you don't participate in the exchange of information on the website, don't complain to me about your family not being included!

New Template

I've changed templates for the Coffey Cousins' Blog. Readers might get several issues of previously read newsletters.

Albert Wallace Carhart (1928-2005)

Al Carhart was a good friend, and a member of Coffey Cousins'. I was personally saddened to hear of his passing, but cherish the times that we were able to visit and get to know each other!

Al descended from Weightstill Avery Coffey, born Aug. 28, 1837, died Jul. 20, 1898. W. A. Coffey was married to Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Harris. W. A. descended from Alexander Hamilton Coffey (Jan 29, 1803-Apr. 5, 1864) and Nancy E. Weatherly (Aug. 24, 1810-Oct. 29, 1841).

Alexander Hamilton was a son of Rice Coffey and Sarah "Sally" Bradford. Rice was a son of James Coffey and Elizabeth Cleveland. James was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves. John was a son of Edward Coffey and Ann Powell.

Most of these lines have been well researched, but please contact me if anyone needs additional information on them.

Al's obituary follows:


Obituary Published January 14, 2005

KERRVILLE ­ Albert Wallace Carhart, born May 29, 1928, passed away Jan. 12, 2005.

Al was preceded in death by his father Archie M. Carhart; mother Irene Howard Carhart; and sister Mary Helen Carhart Hans of San Antonio.

He is survived by his beloved wife Lennie Sue Boyd Carhart; son Michael W. Carhart and wife Eva; daughters Kathleen Carhart Edmonston and husband Douglas; Molly Carhart Broyal and husband Nelson; grandsons Johnny Griffin, Jesse Griffin, Benjamin Pigott and Micha Kibler; and step-grandson Alex Edmonston. He also is survived by granddaughters, Tracy Heckathorn Williams, Heather Pigott Johnson, Velvet Kibler Anderson, Amaris Griffin Pereira, Leah Griffin, Elissa Griffin Davis, Christina Carhart and Cayla Carhart; step-granddaughter Danielle Edmonton; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 909 Main St., Kerrville, Texas, with a reception following at the Church Social Center from 3:15 to 3:30 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ebensberger Funeral Home, 111 Rosewood, Boerne, Texas 78006, (830) 249-2321.


See the following link for information about Weightstill Avery Coffey:

Weightstill Avery Coffey

Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse Convention

The 22d annual Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse Convention will be will be held April 28 to April 30, 2005 at Nashville, Tennessee.

More details can be found at:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~coffeycousins/
Convention/conv2005.htm

(if URL does not wordwrap properly, highlight, copy and past into your browser)