The Full Story

Well...the full story "About Us" is a work in progress as far as the past goes and one that we may never full know.  True also is the fact that there are many, many branches of our tree. In addition to the Smith and Bryant branches, we have branches of the tree that connect us to the Goines, Jones, Terrell and so many other branches.  As our families grow , so do new branches grow, ever expanding who we are.

The reunion and this webpage will focus on the Smith-Bryant families....one of many branches.  The family tree, however, will attempt to piece together what we know of a number of branches that comprise this rather large tree based on genealogical research, DNA test results, and storytelling passed down through the generations from both the all branches of the tree.  About  Us is really an opportunity or space to share what we know about where we came from and who we are.  We are all genuinely interested in learning more about who we are, so please don't hesitate to share personal anecdotes following this section and adding photos after you login as a member that might lead to filling in some of the gaps in the Smith-Bryant connection as well as gaps in other branches of the family tree. 

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The planning committee chose to start with the Smith-Bryant Family History for the focus of the upcoming August 2022 Reunion, but all branches of the larger family tree are welcome.

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MyHeritage.Com

During the family reunion, cousin Ruby Bryant Smith, chair of the Genealogy Committee, will share information from the Smith-Bryant Family Tree in MyHeritage.com. After the reunion, the Committee plans to provide you with an opportunity to purchase a custom family history book, family tree charts, timelines, family photos and historical records. For this reunion, the planning committee has chosen to develop and relay on Ruby's treen in MyHeritage.com but acknowledge that several family members also have conducted family research over the years and their trees are available on MyHeritage.com, Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.com or on other platforms all of which are helpful resources for those of you who are interested in family genealogy.

Written Documentation from David E. Smith
David E. Smith wrote, "In attempting to write the history of the Smith family, I became aware of several things.  I quickly realized that I had to assemble many facts and get more information before I could begin to write. Where to start and how to assemble the information was given much consideration. I now see that I don’t have the information or the time to write a complete family history between 1800’s and July 5, 1983.  I shall attempt to write a brief history of the Smith family. This history is written to honor and in the memory of Henry and Queenie Smith, our father and mother. They were determined to raise a family of 11 children and made sure that all of them got an education."  David Smith connects the Terrell and Bryant family through his grandmother Emma Bryant.

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Written Documentation submitted by Janis Smith Wilson

First and foremost, the following individual family members contributed to this document with facts about their respective families. The contributing family members included:  Janis Smith Wilson, Virginia Smith Perry, Patricia Young Suggs, Delores “Sibby” Smith Todd, Williner Mae Pleasant Crawford, Horace Smith, Veronical Smith Flood, Mercedes Smith Morrison, Ruby Bryant Smith, Diane Hatchett Cohen and Cynthia Sonceria Bryant. 

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This document is by no means complete.  It is an attempt to record as much family history that could possibly be gathered.  The idea for this document was developed as a result of the  August 6-7, 2005 family reunion.  Each family was charged with submitting as much family history as possible to  compile the information in this document.  If anyone has any additions, updates, or corrections please submit them so that we can record changes and keep this history going for our families.

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A Family Legacy Book

With God's Blessing: The Family Legacy of Irving and Jane Smith

by Irving Russell Smith, Sr. and Jane Rosetta Goines Smith with Patricia Lynn Henley

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"The Smith Family's tradition on Sundays was to sit around the dining room table after dinner and hear Daddy and Momma talk about old times. You see, they were African Americans born in Staunton, VA in 1916 and 1918 during difficult times. But they expected that God would make a way! They had so many stories. Sometimes we had a good laugh, many times we would cry and yet other times it was almost unbelievable what they went through in an unfair and unjust society. We were mesmerized and amazed how our parents maneuvered and thrived the 20th Century. We were in awe of how they maintained their dignity and achieved so much in the face of so many obstacles and challenges. But "With God's Blessing" (this is the name they gave to the collection of stories that made up their life experiences), the impossible happened over and over. These life lessons we want our children's children to read and learn. We are also sure that each reader can appreciate and learn something from their life stories. Though there are many celebrated books and articles about the lifestyle of African Americans during the 20th Century, the story of Irving and Jane Smith is interesting and compelling. " Jane Evangeline Brown Mercedes Decethia Morrison.

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1980 Smith Family Reunion in Staunton

Thanks to cousins Kevin and wife Cindy Crawford for sharing videos clips from the 1980 Smith Family Reunion which will be posted shortly. Unfortunately, a number of family members who appear in these videos are not physically with us today but they are certainly with us in spirit and memory, and are forever in our hearts.