Over the years, I have graciously been the beneficiary of many–small and large–genealogical Random Acts of Kindness.

But of ALL the gifts received, none stand-out like the family bible of my Paternal Grandmothers –Myrtle PERRY COBB (Great Grand) and Lovella COBB DANIELS (Grand)–returned to me by Debbie, a complete stranger.

Even more amazing, that lends to my belief that the Ancestors are masters at executing their well-laid plans, is that I discovered Debbie’s 5 year old RootsWeb message-board post (the medium that connected us) by way of Allum Spence Williams and a Google search!

It’s true — the span of time from the day Debbie posted on RootsWeb and I *Googled* my paternal surnames DANIELS/COBB and found her post, was 5 years!:-)

In celebration of my first Carnival of African-American Genealogy submission, I’d like to revisit and share this PHENOMENAL moment with you, my genea-family. I’ve re-posted three 2008 OGR posts that clearly reflect what a Random Act of Kindness can mean to a persons life.

How ironic too, I just realized while going through my bible, both my late Grandmother Lovella (3/18) and my Father, Don Ameche (3/20) will have a birthday just in time for CoAAG’s debut! So this post is timely ~ Happy Birthday! May peace and life’s ease flow for you, in both the here and the hereafter.

Enjoy my friends and thank you for supporting me through this journey. There are MANY more stories to tell and adventures to come!:-)

Luckie.

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1 Post Can Change Your Life!
6 August 2008

Why is the ability to research Genealogy online such a PHENOMENAL gift?

Earlier today I received a comment on OGR from A. Spence – a NC Genealogist whose post about having a GHD {Genealogy Haters Degree} struck a familiar cord with me about how frustrating this work, of connecting the ancestral dots, can be at times.

As I was exiting A. Spence’s blog, I realized that one of her Family surnames is DANIELS – my maiden name.

Knowing that genealogy “jewels” can appear at any time, I called my Mom to query her about the origin of my Father’s family roots. Did she know where the family of my Grandfather, William DANIELS was from originally? No. Did she remember my Father’s Mother’s maiden name? COBB. Did she ever know any of my paternal Grandparents? No, not really – just my Father’s Grandmother who she called “Grandma Cobb”.

So I made a comment about this information being long gone with the passing of my very, VERY distant Grandmother, Lovella Cobb DANIELS last year, and hung up the phone.

But Google was calling my name – I entered a query for “William Daniels Lovella Cobb”. That search produced this link as the FIRST result: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/COBB/2003-06/1056461415

This is MY Family folks! Can you believe it?

The people listed as appearing in this COBB Family Bible are my Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, my Brothers & Sisters – who I have never met, Aunts & Uncles – who I never knew existed. Heck it even names 4 {YES 4!} generations of my Paternal Grandmothers!

It appears that “Debbie” had the Bible in 2003 & posted this to RootsWeb in the hope of finding a Family member to give the Bible to. I have an email (or 2) out to Debbie in the hope she still has the family bible in her care.

Nevertheless, even if she no longer has the bible, this post has introduced me to a family I never knew I had.

OMG!!! 1 post can change your life!:-)

Cousin Mechie

OMG! My COBB Family Bible is Coming!
10 August 2008

Greetings Family!

A few days ago I posted about a series of events that led to my finding a 5 YEAR OLD forum post online re: a Family Bible belonging to my Father’s Maternal Grandmother {http://ourgeorgiaroots.com/?p=215}.

Well today the original poster, “Debbie” contacted me & is mailing me the COBB & DANIELS Family Bible! Can you believe this?!

This is the side of my Family that I never knew & had given up hope of knowing anything about.

Amazing! My [unknown] Brothers & Sisters have also been noted in the bible!

This is a God-given opportunity & I will NOT take it for granted. There are no words to sum up the feeling, so I will just say I am thankful!:-)

Cousin Mechie

My Father’s Daughter
19 August 2008

Friends & Family, I received my COBB Family Bible! Let me tell you who I am…

My Father is Don Ameche DANIELS. He is the only child born to William & Lovella {COBB} DANIELS {both deceased}.

Lovella was Daughter to Williard Leroy & Myrtle {PERRY} COBB. Myrtle was Daughter to Richard & Charlotte PERRY. Williard was Son to George & Mary {SMITH} COBB.

Checkout the Daniels & Cobb Image Gallery I’ve started!

From what I can tell all Families were originally from Kentucky & migrated across the bridge into Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cobbs were/are members of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in the Madisonville community.

My Daniels Sisters & Brothers listed in the Bible are – Harry {the oldest}, Newana, Marcia, Dante Ameche & Raegan Lenora.

Today, after I told him my story, the Pastor of Trinity Missionary gave me the phone number of my Sisters {Newana & Marcia}, Mother – Margaret. Although afraid of the response, I could not resist calling.

I spoke to my Sisters Aunt who, given the circumstances, was very gracious & patient with me. Without knowing me, I could hear compassion in her voice & that alone put me at ease. She explained some of the mysteries surrounding my Father & Family and provided a few names of others she thought could help explain more.

She told me of how my Sisters, like me, are Mothers. One even a Grandmother! She also agreed to give my number to my Sisters, in the event they wanted to be in touch.

This evening when I arrived home, I had a voicemail FROM MY SISTER MARCIA! My Sister! Her message said that she’d received my number from her Aunt & that it was beautiful that I wanted to meet them! I’ll be on the phone with her first thing tomorrow morning! Hope I can sleep tonight!:-)

Through the Creator’s grace & one Act of Kindness (http://ourgeorgiaroots.com/?p=215), I am healing a void that I had long since believed healed.

Thanks to everyone who has offered me encouragement & support since this “journey” began just over 2 weeks ago.

I don’t know by what miracle I arrived here & where the journey will travel next. I just know there is peace & I am blessed.

Cousin Mechie