Tuesday, July 30, 2024

AI Creates Falsehoods


ARTIFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
A Pause For Great Concern

 As a genealogist writing family history and more importantly a language arts teacher (teaching writing) for 30 years, I have great concern for the future of truthful information. Recently, I decided to let Ancestry create a story for one of my ancestors using AI, just so I could see what her story would be. 

I have always written a history sheet for each of my direct ancestors, but I have only used the information that was confirmed by sources that I have found. As a society, we are creating a situation where children will no longer have to think or use logic or be able to write using their own talents. I would never embellish what I would HOPE that person would be like. I was shocked by what I read after I hit the button to let AI create her story. Here is the product of such nonsense. I will highlight wording of which I regard as unconfirmed knowledge. There is no way that I could know this precious ancestor on that level. I have NO IDEA if this family lived in such harmony and bliss. 

 

In the small town of Pelham, Alabama, nestled in the year 1900, we find Mahala Thomas, a 56-year-old woman with a rich history. Born in August 1843, Mahala is a proud Alabamian, hailing from the heart of the United States. Her home, a place of comfort and love, is located in Pelham, Shelby, Alabama.

Mahala's life is centered around her family, as she is the devoted wife of Noal M Thomas. Their union began in 1860, and they have shared 40 years of marriage together. Despite the passing of time, their bond remains strong.

Mahala's roots trace back to South Carolina, where both her father and mother were born. She carries their legacy with her, embodying the strength and resilience of her ancestors. Mahala herself has experienced the joys and challenges of motherhood. She has given birth to seven children, six of whom are still living. The love and care she has poured into her family are evident in the close-knit household they have built.

While Mahala may not possess the ability to write, she is a literate woman who can read and speak English fluently. Her thirst for knowledge and understanding is evident, as she embraces the world around her.

In the Thomas household, Mahala is surrounded by her loved ones. Her husband, Noal M Thomas, leads the family with wisdom and guidance. At 57 years old, he stands as a pillar of strength for Mahala and their children.

Their son, Harmon Thomas, aged 30, brings a youthful energy to the household. Alongside him are their daughters, Lucy Thomas, aged 17, and Minerva M Thomas, aged 14. The Thomas family is a harmonious blend of different generations, each contributing their unique perspectives and experiences.

Within their community, the Thomas family is not alone. Their neighbors, whose lives intertwine with theirs, can be found on the same page. Together, they form a tapestry of relationships, support, and shared experiences.

As we glimpse into the life of Mahala Thomas, we witness a woman who embodies the strength of her Southern roots, the love of a devoted wife, and the nurturing spirit of a mother. Her story, woven with the threads of family and community, is a testament to the power of connection and the resilience of the human spirit.



Monday, July 29, 2024

History Sheet for Rebecca Lawson

 

Rebecca Lawson **

 

Rebecca Lawson ** was born in 1792 in Montgomery County, Virginia, USA as the third child of William Lawson Jr. ** and Nancy Mary Baker. She had eleven siblings, namely: Catherine, Elizabeth, Lavina, Jeremiah, William III, Rhoda, James H., Jane, Hiram, Henry, and Servina "Linna". She died in Jan 1861 in Copper Creek, Scott, Virginia (Thrown from a horse). When she was 22, she married John W. Quillin Sr. **,son of TEAGUE "Timothy" Quillin V and Margaret "Peggy" Nation**, in 1814.

 Rebecca Lawson ** lived in Scott, Virginia, USA in 1830. She lived in Western District, Scott, Virginia in 1850. She lived in Scott, Virginia, United States in 1860.

 John W. Quillin Sr. ** and Rebecca Lawson ** had the following children:

         1.    Anderson C. Quillin was born on 14 Nov 1816 in Scott County, Virginia, USA. He died on 20             Jul     1883 in Hancock County, Tennessee, USA. He married Mary "Polly" Addington on 23 Jan             1836 in     Scott, Virginia, United States.

2.    Martin Bird Quillin was born on 21 Jul 1818 in Scott County, Virginia, USA. He died on 28 Jun 1885 in Scott County, Virginia, USA. He married Anna Doty Addington on 16 Jun 1838 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA.

3.    Thomas M. Quillin was born on 20 Aug 1819 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA. He died on 16 Nov 1896 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA. He married Eleanor Spillson Spencer on 06 Apr 1842 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA. He married Rachel Louise Cleek on 03 Mar 1886 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA.

4.    Nancy Baker Quillin was born on 15 Sep 1824 in Scott County, Virginia, USA. She died on 20 Jul 1891 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA. She married William K Starnes on 09 Apr 1837 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA. She married Abraham Zachery Lane on 14 Feb 1882 in Scott, Virginia.

5.    Jackson Lawson Quillin was born in 1826 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA. He died in 1905 in Whitesburg, Hamblen, Tennessee, USA. He married Eliza B Housley in 1852.

6.    James Henry Quillin was born in 1828 in Scott County, Virginia, USA. He died on 21 Nov 1906 in Scott County, Virginia, United States of America. He married Sarah Greear on 17 Jan 1847 in Scott, Virginia.

7.    Henry S Quillin was born on 06 Feb 1830 in Copper Ridge, Scott Co. VA. He died on 06 Dec 1862 in Washington County, Virginia, USA (died in Civil War). He married Nancy Davidson on 15 Jun 1847 in Scott Co, Virginia, USA.

8.    IRA D. Quillin ** was born in 1831 in Scott, Virginia. He died between 1862–1863 in Near, Manassas, Virginia, USA. He married Edna Vineyard ** on 18 Oct 1849 in Scott, Virginia.

9.    Mary Ann 'Polly' Quillin was born on 07 Dec 1834 in Scott, Virginia, United States. She died on 26 Oct 1886 in Fort Blackmore, Scott, Virginia, United States. She married Johnson Starnes on 25 Mar 1851 in Virginia, United States.

 

Her death was stated on the Death Register as being thrown from a horse at the age of 69. She and John were living on Copper Creek in Scott County, Virginia at the time.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Sources for Rebecca Lawson

Personal Interviews: Barb and Pattti Lawson. They had an EXTENSIVE website of research. I lost touch with Patti when it was discovered that William Lawson was NOT the REBEL Lawson. Substantial Research was done by Nancy J Lawson in 2017 when she went and spent a long time in the archives.

 Nancy J Lawson’s Research Paper

 1830 United States Federal Census: Scott, Virginia; Series: M19; Roll: 200; Page: 25; Family History Library Film: 0029679

 1850 United States Federal Census: Western District, Scott, Virginia; Roll: M432_975; Page: 428B; Image: .

 1860 United States Federal Census Place: Scott, Virginia; Roll: ; Page: 381; Image: 393.

 Ancestry.com, Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917 (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.Original data - "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853–1912." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.), Ancestry.com, Birth date:  abt 1792  Birth place:    Death date:  Jan 1861  Death place:  Copper Creek, Virginia.

 Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940 (Provo UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2014)

 Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

 Virginia, U.S., Death Registers, 1853-1911. Library of Virginia, Richmond, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2022

 https://lawsondna.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FindingWilliam.pdf

https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/q/u/i/Ronnie-Quillin/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0802.html

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Rebecca Lawson Pedigree

My Lawson Line begins with John Quillin's first wife. They were the parents of my great-great grandfather Ira D Quillin. 
When Rebecca died, John married a second time to Martha Jewel to which he had 5 more children.



 

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Colorado and Yellowstone - 1953

 When we were little, Mother and Daddy loved to vacation in Colorado. In 1953, before I was born, they took Bryan and Paula to Colorado and then ventured on up into Wyoming to see Yellowstone. This was 3 years before I was born. 




Denver Zoo

Bryan and Carolita Quillin - Old Faithful

Paula and Carolita Quillin - Old Faithful

Bryan, Paula and Carolita Quillin





Proud to be a Texan

  Flag of Texas - Lone Star State Symbol of Pride and Heritage 73425415 Vector Art at Vecteezy PROUD TO BE A TEXAN Once upon a time… A love ...