The Slow Lane

At the National Genealogical Society conference at the Raleigh Convention Center, I met a staff member, R, who said his mother was a Glover. He gave me the name of his grandfather and I’ve checked the census records. It turns out that R and I are second cousins once removed.  Our common ancestor is Calvin Thomas Glover, my great grandfather and R’s great, great grandfather.  My grandfather, Calvin Onslow “Lonnie” Glover, is half brother to R’s great grandfather, Jesse Thomas Glover. My father, Elbert E Glover, is first cousin to R’s grandfather, James Wilson Glover.  I am second cousin to R’s mother and second cousin, once removed, to R.

I did not previously know any additional information about my grandfather’s half brother except his name. Now I know his wife’s name, names of at least some of his children and grandchildren.

In the process of checking the census, I also learned that “Jessie T.” Glover in 1910 lived in Selma Township, Johnston County, next door to Hughey F. Glover.  Hughey was brother (possibly adopted) of Jesse T. and half brother of Calvin Onslow Glover.  There was a third Glover, Willie , who lived next to Hughey, but at this time, I do not know what if any relation he is to me or to R.

Perhaps this information will lead to discovery of documentation to prove that my great, great grandfather, Thomas Glover of Cumberland County is the same Thomas Glover who “disappeared” from Nash County between 1800 and 1810. There was a Thomas Glover listed in Nash County in 1800, but not in 1810, who sold land in 1803 and appears to be the right age. Thomas Glover first appeared in the 1810 census in Cumberland County.  Are they the same?  Speculation is a valid genealogical tool for researching the facts, but you can’t say it’s so until it’s documented.

From the “slow lane” perspective, this is exciting. I look forward to the process of documenting more of my family history. I will enjoy the process.