East Texas Research Center, Stephen F. Austin State University: Archie Rison (Essay)

For some time now I have been interested in genealogy. This interest began with bits and pieces of information from a variety of sources. Each new piece of information increased my appetite for more knowledge of my ancestry. Recently I discovered that there is a wealth of information available at the East Texas Research Center at Stephen F. Austin Library. I became aware of this wonderful resource through a relative. I have made many visits to the library. With the help of some very gracious employees, I have found articles, memoirs, census and many online resources that have aided me in my search.

One of my most exciting finds was a write-up about Mrs. Emeline Fears Carpenter, an African American educator in Nacogdoches, Texas. Since her maiden name was Fears, I thought she might be related to me since my paternal grandmother’s name was Fears. I was able to trace the Fears name back to the 1870 census using the information from the write-up. Three of Mrs. Carpenter’s relatives were the slaves of Oliver and Sarah Fears. There were fourteen slaves that belong to the Fears family. I discovered that three of them were my relatives. Their names were Ceburn, Betsy, and Winnie. Betsy was the daughter of Winnie. Ceburn and Betsy married and had a child named Henry who was born in 1868. The 1870 census showed them living in a household with their child Henry. Henry Fears was my great grandfather.

Using the online resources, I found death certificates of my paternal great grandparents, Sam Rison, Sr. and Amanda Mallory Rison. This led to the discovery that they are buried at the Old North Church cemetery in Nacogdoches, Texas. I found a headstone that was barely readable with the names Mandy and Sam Rison scribbled on it. This was a very emotional discovery. I never knew the names of my great grandparents.

The information I have gathered about my ancestors has been a very thrilling and emotional journey. I did not realize how important the past is until I started this quest to find my roots. The information I have gathered is a legacy that I can leave to my family. I will continue to use the resources from the library. I am confident that I will have many more fascinating revelations on my family history.

Archie Rison