James Gainous Sr.

This is a closer look at James Gainous Sr., who lived part of his life in Robertson County, Tennessee. The Gainous family's surname was spelled various ways in records: Gainus, Gaines, Gainuss, Gainess, Gains, etc. Special thanks to Rick Tidwell for his extensive research on the Gainous family! Wife James' wife (or wives!) are unknown. …

Continue reading James Gainous Sr.

Nancy and John Bullard: North Carolina to Tennessee

In my search for John Bullard's parents, I came across Nancy and John Bullard who lived in Columbus and Robeson counties in North Carolina and later lived in Cannon and DeKalb counties in Tennessee. Using my grand uncle's Ancestry DNA test, I discovered we are closely related to this couple. I have created a records …

Continue reading Nancy and John Bullard: North Carolina to Tennessee

The Unsolved Mystery of John Isham Bullard

As an amateur genealogist, be prepared to sometimes get things wrong. Bruce Lee said, "Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them." In late 2019, I came to the startling realization that my third-great-grandfather, John Bullard, was not who I thought he was. I studied my grandmother's brother's Ancestry DNA test …

Continue reading The Unsolved Mystery of John Isham Bullard

The Bartholomew Family of Knox County, Tennessee

The Bartholomews were early settlers of Knox County, Tennessee. Joseph Bartholomew, the family patriarch, was a saddler. He had a much younger wife, named Ann. They are my fourth-great-grandparents and I would love to know more about them. They have always been surrounded by mystery to me, as my third-great-grandfather, Andrew Jack "A.J." Bartholomew, changed …

Continue reading The Bartholomew Family of Knox County, Tennessee