The Great Negro Migration North
The first great Negro migration was out Africa by force
during the slave trade of peoples living along the West African coast. Between
1440 until as late as 1900 over 12.5 million Africans were transported against
their will to North America, South America (Americas 10.5 million) the
Caribbean and other Islands (2 million). https://www.gilderlehrman.org/ If
anyone has done their DNA more than likely you will see a West Coast African
connection as part of your origins.
When the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863 less
than 8% of Black Americans lived in the Northeast. Between 1910 and 1970 about 6 million Blacks
migrated north. The population of Black Americans in the state of Georgia
during 1920 was 41.7% and in 1950 it was reduced to 38.9%. New York and Chicago were the top
destinations followed by Philadelphia, St. Louis, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
Many of our relatives made that trek. I would like to dedicate
this blog to Roslyn Yvonne McBrayer Wall who passed away on October 15, 2016.
Roslyn like many of our family members were first generation
‘northerners”. Roslyn was born in 1926
in Washington DC at 166 Bryant Street to Willie Bell McBrayer and Joseph
McBrayer.
166 Bryant Street
Today
Her mother Willie Rachel Bell was born in 1893 in
Milledgeville, Ga to Mary Louise “Mollie” Reid and Warren Charles Bell. When Warren passed away in 1901 Willie moved
to Eatonton, GA to live with her Grandmother Katherine “Kate” Rainey, daughters
Katie “Sissy” Reid, “Big Willie” Rainey, Anne Claudius Rainey, Jessie Rainey. Brother
Tommie Lee Rainey, and nephew Ambrose Reid. Willie’s sisters Leo, Annie Laura,
Ione, and Ella remained in Milledgeville while Mollie struggled to make a
living as a seamstress. Mollie eventually headed north to Boston (1901 – 1938)
to work as a seamstress for the Scarrett (not sure of the spelling) family.
Many of our relatives decided to leave the south behind and
head north in hopes of better living and working conditions. I am not quite
sure who was the first one to leave Milledgeville but as in many families, once
one family member got settled it gave the ability for others to make an easier
transition. I think the first stop for Willie was Philadelphia. Many
others passed through Willie's home while waiting to get settled including my father. Ambrose
Reid ended up settling Philadelphia after he finished playing baseball. We also
had several relative settle in the Washington, DC area, but that is another
story.
Other locations outside of Georgia where we find family
include Red Bank, NJ, Chicago, IL, Detroit, MI, Washington, DC, Silver Springs,
MD. New York City area, NY. Las Vegas,
NV, Cincinnati, OH, several locations in Florida and California.
This April I will be making the move to California. I will
never forget my southern roots. As you tell people where you are from don’t
forget that our roots run deep in Georgia.
As Warren Steele used to say “I got Georgia red clay in my blood.” We
are true Americans. Our ancestors worked hard, fought, stood the test of time,
we are still here!
The Reid/Rainey Family
Grandmother Kate Mollie Reid Bell Tommy Lee Rainey
Jessie Rainey Reid Big Willie Annie Claude
Does anyone have a photo of Katie “Sissy” Reid?
Other News
I would like to welcome Lydia Marshall to our family
blog. Lydia and I connected via
Ancestry. Lydia’s is a descendant of another Reid family
from Eatonton, GA. It appears that
Mollie Reid was related to a Reid family through the common ancestor of David
Henry Reid (Mollie and Katie’s (Sissy) father).
Through us talking we solved two mysteries. I had a photo from Big Mama (Annie Laura) who
told me (when I was 15) it was Fayette Reid.
I could never find Fayette’s name later in any family record. Reason
being, I spelled it wrong; it is Phette
Reid. She was Big Mama’s cousin and daughter of Sofia and Richard Reid.
Phette Reid
The second mystery is where Ambrose’s middle name came
from. Jessie Rainey (daughter of Kate
Broyle Rainey and William Suther, sister to Mollie) was mother to Ambrose. Ambrose’s father was Sidney Reid (Son of
Richard and Sofia Reid). Richard and Sofia also had a daughter named Volia.
Grandmother Kate had a son named Tommy Lee Rainey (Uncle Bubba). Ambrose’s middle name was LeeVoila. Voilà! I always thought that was such a
strange middle name now it all makes sense.
Ambrose Reid
This is where collective family historical research is so
important. Connecting and talking
through these stories are important so we can continue to write and share our
rich history.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season! Click on the video for a great holiday song written and performed by Trevor! Enjoy!
Happy Researching!
Please share your family stories and photos!
Looking forward to a great 2017!
