Our Somers Family Heritage

Photo of my parents, Jess and Marsha (Lawson) Somers, with brothers Terry, Kenny and me (Taken in approximately 1958 or 1959). I don't remember ever seeing this family photo before, but after receiving it in the mail from my cousin yesterday, many fond memories have been going through my mind... I remember as a child thinking my father was the most handsome man in the world and my mother the kindest woman on earth. I also remember crawling over pillows my mother had placed around me (as a barricade?) to get to my brothers who were playing with toy army men. Sadly, they didn't appreciate my company as I remember knocking over their battle scene. :) I love my parents - mom went to be with the Lord in 1995 and Dad is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. A few months ago he told me I worried about him too much and that he has lived a good life. He then assured me he is in the Lord's care... I truly hope so. Thank You, dear Lord, for the family I was born into. Pleas

Since I learned of my father's Alzheimer's Disease in 2014, I've been blogging his memories/stories about his family and finding more information about our NA and Scottish roots. I remember researching our family with my cousin Sheri years ago (early to mid 1990's) and we couldn't get past Grandfather; he was part Native American and had hidden his family background... Or so he thought, because through the internet I've traced our line back to Scotland. It really is a noble heritage and one I hope to pass on to my sons. As it is believed that our Somers family roots originated in Scotland, I think it might be helpful for us to learn more of its forgotten Christian history. Here is a link to two brief videos that will eventually become a series of Scotland's Forgotten History. I hope you'll enjoy them and develop a love and connection to our Scottish heritage. It's one of bravery and heroism of a people who lived and died for the glory of

David Brainerd on horseback. He travelled over 3000 miles on horseback as a missionary. Wikipedia The title of this blog is "Tracing My Christian Heritage" and I love to read about the early Christian missionaries in America who shared the gospel with the natives. I often wonder if David Brainerd or perhaps a lesser known missionary shared the gospel with one of my ancestors; and if the good Lord will reveal how His grace was woven throughout the tapestry of the Somers family with all of it's branches and offshoots when I am with Him in Glory. Here are some links to articles regarding the evangelism of Native Americans I recently found at Baptist Press that I think you will be blessed to read: Pocahontas - Wikipedia 400 years: Pocahontas conversion discussed JAMESTOWN, Va. (BP) -- Four hundred years after the death of one of the most well-known Native Americans in history, scholars say Pocahontas' profession of faith in Christ is among the few fact

Smoky Mountain View I've been researching my father's family for years and when I find a new piece of information regarding an ancestor, I count it as a gem in our family treasure ( my father came from a humble background and his family stories were my treasure as a child growing up.). Sometimes I find myself going down a dead end path and get discouraged because the lead didn't work out... But, the good Lord is faithful to renew my resolve and offer encouragement in my quest to share our family story. This excerpt from a sermon by the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon , posted at Tried By Fire , comes at just the right time! Please be encouraged that you aren't a creature haphazardly placed in your family - but know that the very hairs of your head are numbered by a loving heavenly father who placed you right where He wants you to be. THE HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE NUMBERED “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30.  Ho

Editor's Note: While I cannot definitively state our Native American Heritage as Cherokee, I am certain we are from an Eastern Tribe that experienced injustice due to racial discrimination and persecution. Our ancestors hid their NA heritage; family stories were told to me by my father that we had ancestors on the Trail of Tears and that a set of twin boys were orphaned and adopted by a white family. I have no reason to doubt this as being true. So, while our tribe may be  a mystery, let's never forget this tragic history in order to honor those who suffered and to do all we can to resist such future evil. - AW -------------------------------------------------------------- Map of United States Indian Removal , 1830-1835. Oklahoma is depicted in light yellow-green. ( Wikipedia ) U.S. Army Rounds Up Cherokees, 1838 Posted at NC - Natural and Cultural Resources : On June 12, 1838, Gen. Winfield Scott ordered troops to begin rounding up Cherokee Indians for internment at

  "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."   Ephesians 6:2,3 (AKJV) The following caption appears under the original image: Above is shown the last photograph ever taken of the remaining members of the famous Thomas Legion, composed of Cherokee Indians in the Confederate Army. The photograph was made in New Orleans at the time of the New Orleans Reunion of Confederate Veterans. The inscription on the banner, displayed in the photograph, is as follows: "Cherokee Veteran Indians of Thomas Legion. 69 N. C. Regiment. Suo-Noo-Kee Camp U. C. V. 4th Brigade, N. C. Division." Reading from left to right, those in the picture are: front row, 1 Young Deer; 2 unidentified; 3 Pheasant; 4 Chief David Reed; 5 Sevier Skitty; back row, 1 the Rev. Bird Saloneta; 2 Dickey Driver; 3 Lieut. Col. W. W. Stringfield of Waynesville; 4 Lieutenant Suatie Owl; 5 Jim Keg; 6 Wes

Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers Indications are I'm Scottish through my mother's family line (the Lawson's) and the oral family history from my father's side handed down from my Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers to his son, my Grandfather, William Henry Somers, and to my father, Jesse Cecil Somers, is that we are descended from both the Scots and the Cherokee.  So, I'm sharing these informative excerpts and resources for the Somers family researchers. The Cherokee Indian Nation (Scottish Tartans Authority) : It may seem strange to link tartan with some of the great tribes of north American Indians and you could be forgiven for querying the link. It is however, part and parcel of the legendary global spread of the early Scots adventurers who permeated all walks of life and all cultures. The modern appeal of tartan as a unique identifier with those adventurers - whether the links are by nature or nurture - is a fascinating phenomeno