Toni Morrison, Author of "Beloved", Dead at 88

Question

Born Chloe Ardelia Wofford, she was the first black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/toni-morrison-dead-dies-beloved_n_5d497f79e4b01ae816c8b08b

Answer 1

I did update with the Notables sticker and added several categories that looked appropriate. Also updated with some basic family information on her biography that can help in doing the initial sources research. Hope it helps.

Comments

Thank you, Scott. You're a gift!

Answer 2

I just saw on Facebook  that post laureate Toni Morrison died. I'm traveling and do not have computer access. I know that whoever does her profile will do it with the love, integrity and presence she expressed in her poetry. A loss for all of us!

Comments

I just did a basic bio that did not go into her lengthy professional works. You sound like a fan, so feel free to adjust.

Answer 3

OK - update on Toni's tree.

She now has all her grandparents and 6 of her 8 g-grandparents added to the tree.

From a g-grandparent down standpoint:

The Wofford line is started - still needs some work

The Barnwell line has not been started

The Morgan line is started - still needs some work

The Willis line has not been started

 The McTyre (McTyer/McTyeire) line is started and I'm actively working this one

The Smith line has not been started, but currently may not have enough information to pursue - if someone wants a challenge, this could be a good one.

At the moment, she does not have a connection, but there are many opportunities of avenues to pursue, so more than enough to share if someone wants to help. I feel like with enough perseverance we can get her connected, but any help would be appreciated. I'll keep plugging away at the McTyre line for now and see how far I can get. Thanks!

Comments

Finished the McTyer line as much as I can at the moment. Expanding to her cousins on the Parmer/Palmer side.

Answer 4

I started a bit on the Willis line, but I am confused now. In the 1900 Census John Willis' mother Kiziah says she is widowed. But on the 1910 Census, John Willis' father Isaac is still living, with one of his grandsons in North Carolina. 

Eventually I didn't create any profile... 

Comments

Maybe she was mad at him when the Census taker showed up and she claimed he was dead... maybe dead to her? I'm thinking meaner things have been done, but who knows?

But seriously, I understand - sometimes I reach conflicts and can't resolve. The whole McTyer LNAB was like that. There were about 8 variant names they used in that line and at some point I just gave up and they all got the first LNAB that I could find on them. If someone really wants to try to figure out that mess, they are more than welcome to it.

I also don't create profiles for living persons unless I really have to - like if the connection must run through that person. Otherwise, I'd prefer not to create a profile that I really don't want to manage like that.

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It was actually very common in census records to see divorced or abandoned women list themselves as widowed. There was a terrible stigma attached to leaving or being left by a spouse for a woman right up until the mid 20th century.