Friday's Photo: Josie Bryan Cook and William B. Trott Saved Our Family History

Josie Sarah Catherine Bryan Cook - 1856 to 1941
William Bryan Trott - 1905 to 1985

Josie Bryan Cook saved numerous family documents, letters, and photos related to my Bryan family in a scrapbook. William Bryan Trott, her grandson, took care of the scrapbook and shared as well. Newspaper clippings, photos, and especially family letters told the story of my family and others in Bienville Parish, Louisiana during the 1800s. 

William Trott passed away in 1985 and the location of the scrapbook is unknown. However, copies of scrapbook items are found in library vertical files, other researchers' collections, and in the Wimberly Family History compiled by Vera Meek Wimberly. 

Vera Wimberly only published 300 copies of the book and I was lucky to find one on eBay. Many bits of history, letters, and newspaper clippings from Josie's scrapbook are found in the book. The book is now available at FamilySearch.org. To view a digital version of this item click here.

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2016

Source

Family photographs and documents from the Frye Family collection. Accessed June 6, 2016. Used with permission.

Wimberly, Vera. Wimberly Family History: Ancestors, Relatives, and Descendants of William Wimberly, Pioneer from Georgia to Louisiana, 1837. Houston, Tex.: D. Armstrong, 1979. Print. 

Friday's Photo:1944 in the Pacific

Whit Criswell Bryan - Chief Pharmacist's Mate - December 1944

In December 1944, 24 year old, Whit Criswell Bryan, was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Adams in the Pacific. Here are some of his photos and information found in his service record about his time on board the ship. 

U.S.S. Adams - Destroyer Mine Layer

U.S.S. Adams - March 27, 1944 - Okinawa - Suicide Plane Damage

Commander D.N. Clay - Receiving the Bronze Star 1944

Sick Bay - U. S. S. Adams 1945

Wednesday, December 21st would have been Dad's 96th birthday. I would have loved to have known more and I know that he would have had some stories. 

I have one story about this ship that he would have been surprised to hear. In 2001, shortly after Dad's passing, I met his second cousin, Nadine Thompson Waugh, in Stephenville, Texas. She told me that her husband served on the U. S. S. Adams during WWII along with a Bryan who was related to some Stephenville Bryans. At the time, I knew little about his military service and even less about his family. It wasn't until a few years later that I realized Dad had probably talked to Nadine's husband while on the ship. However, although Dad knew that his Bryan family once lived in Stephenville, I am sure that he did not know he had Thompson cousins in Stephenville and did not know Nadine Thompson Waugh. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana
© 2016

Source

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn. 

Friday's Photos: Officers at Naval Mobile Hospital Number 2 - Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii 1941 - 1942

Written on the back - Officers - Mobile Hospital #2 - 1942 P.H.T.H.

Written on the back - Officers Mobile Hospital #2 PHTH
Dec. 7th   1941 - 1942

My father, Whit Criswell Bryan, had these photos. He was stationed at the Mobile Naval Hospital from December 1. 1941 until sometime in 1943. He isn't in the photos as he was not an officer. There are no names of the back of either photo. However, if you click here, you will see a few officer's names mentioned in an article about building the Mobile Hospital in 1941. 


If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2016

Source

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn.

75 Years Ago Today

Whit Criswell Bryan - Photo taken when stationed in the Territory of Hawaii. 

Whit Criswell Bryan witnessed the bombing of Pearl Harbor from the Naval Mobile Hospital #2. The below citation was found in his military records. 

The Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, takes pleasure in commending U.S. Naval Mobile Hospital Unit Number Two for service as set forth in the following citation: 

"For meritorious achievement and distinguished service subsequent to the Japanese air attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. At the time of the attack and afterwards, this unit displayed conspicuous devotion in the line of duty. Its ability to cope with this disaster was responsible for the successful care of all casualties and the saving of many lives. The professional skill displayed and distinguished service rendered by this Hospital Unit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service. 

                                                   /s/ C. W. Nimitz

                                                   Admiral, U. S. Navy

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana
© 2016 

Source

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn. 

Friday's Photo: Pearl Harbor Survivors, Whit Bryan and Bob Brunner - 1991

Bob Brunner and Whit Bryan at the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Norfolk, VA
December 7, 1991. 

This is a photo of my father, Whit Criswell Bryan and fellow Pearl Harbor

 Survivor, Bob Brunner, following a memorial service for the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Dad and Bob were both assigned to the Mobile Hospital #2 at Pearl Harbor only two weeks before the attack on December 7, 1941. 

Dad died in 2001 and Bob in 2013. There will be few survivors at next week's services to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. 

To read more about Dad and Bob in Pearl Harbor check out Pearl  HarborRemembrance Day 2011.

Dad's and Bob Brunner's names were
added to the monument pictured
below in 2001. 

Visit these links to learn more about Dad's time in Pearl Harbor. 

• Friday's Photo: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2012

• Thoughts of Dad on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2014

• Remembering Dad and Pearl Harbor: Naval Mobile Hospital # 2

•  Friday's Photo: Pearl Harbor 

• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Dad was stationed at the Mobile Naval Hospital #2 in Aiea Heights, Territory of Hawaii

• #52ancestors Post Fifty-One: The Second Anniversary of Mobile Hospital No. 2, Pearl Harbor - August 1943

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds.

Diana

© 2016

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn

"Pearl Harbor survivors to hold remembrance ceremony at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story" WTKR.com. 30 November 2016. Web. 2 Dec. 2016. <http://wtkr.com/2016/11/30/pearl-harbor-survivors-to-hold-remembrance-ceremony-at-jeb-little-creek-fort-story/>.