Family Secrets

Researching my family history is really a big deal for me. I not only want to know the sequence of events, or the names of parents and siblings, but also what was going on during the time of their lives and how they possibly dealt with these circumstances. This could show the strength of my ancestors and in turn show the strength that is within me. I have been working on this family history for a number of years and I know that it will take quite a few more. This information is something that I want my family to enjoy for generations to come. I would love to see the story in book- form with dvd, and possibly a trivia game. I am going to work hard over the next few years to make this happen. I am often surprised at the reactions I get from some family members as this history unfolds. Most are excited, but not going to help do any of the research, even if it only takes making a couple of phone calls. Then there are the secrets that were kept and have gone to the grave with those who were privy to them. Often times it is the secrets that make this research difficult. The stories are changed or not told at all. I believe that there is something secretive surrounding the parents of my grandfather Nathaniel Keitt. In my research, I am not able to find anything on Willie and Viola Keitt. It is as if they have just vanished. Maybe that is not their names at all, or they were not married. My Aunt Ilee was given Viola as her middle name after her father’s mother, so that is probably correct, but she is still a mystery.

Martha Clark McMillian 1870-1922, Telfair County, McRae, Georgia

Martha Clark was born on March 30, 1870 in Telfair County, McRae, Georgia to Wesley and Kissy Clark. Martha married William McMillian in 1885 and they had fourteen children, Adam, Oscar, Kizzie(Kissy), John, Henry, Alice, Margie, Earnest, Alberta,Lois, (Susie) Esker, Theodore, Wesley, and an infant that died.
You can view the census under the census data to the right of this post. In the 1880 census, Martha is listed as mulatto.

Emma McRae, born 1870-1 in Montgomery County, Ga.

Emma was born in Montgomery County, Georgia. Her mother was Matilda McAllister McRae. Emma was Emma McAllister, before her mother married Moses McRae, and from that point on in any census starting with 1880 her name is Emma McRae. In the 1870 census she was one month old and her name was Emma McAllister. So she may show her father as Moses McRae. There were several siblings and you can download and save a pdf copy of the 1880 census that list some of these siblings.

Betsy McRae born about 1857 in Montgomery County, Georgia

Betsy McRae was born about 1857 in Montgomery County, Georgia, possibly Lumber City, Georgia. Her mother's name was Mary, but her father is unknown. She lived with her brother Moses, and two sisters, Mary J. and Ann. The census states her race as black, but it is possible that she is of mixed breed, possibly Native American.

Ann McRae, born about 1855 in Montgomery County, Georgia

Ann was born about 1855 in Montgomery County, Ga., possibly Lumber City, Georgia. She had a brother Moses and two sisters, Mary J. and Betsey. Her mother's name was Mary. The census states her race as black, but it is possible that she was of mixed breed, possibly Native American. Her father is unknown.

Mary J. McRae born abt 1853, Montgomery County, Ga

Mary J. Mcrae was born about 1853 in Montgomery County, Ga., possibly Lumber City, Georgia.
Her mother's name is also Mary, and she lived with her brother Moses, and two sisters Ann and Betsey. The 1880 census states her race as black, but it is possible that she is of mixed breed, possibly Native American. The father is unknown.

Viola Keitt, b. in South Carolina in the 1880's

Viola was the mother of Nathaniel H. Keitt and Romeo Keitt, born in the Orangeburg, SC area. Her sons were raised by their grandparents Joshua and Elizabeth Keitt and were listed in their household in the 1910 Census.
At this point it is not known what happened to her for her children to move in with their grandparents. If Joshua and Elizabeth were her parents or the children's father's parents. It is not known if Viola and Willie were married it is only known that these are the names of the parents of Nathaniel and Romeo Keitt.

Nothing is known of Viola Keitt.