Itawamba Connections in Texas

We Itawambians have many, many relatives - some distant, some not - who left God's Country and moved to Texas. After the Civil War, there was a large exodus of folks to Texas, causing the famous 'Gone to Texas' signs to appear all over the Deep South. This wave of migration to Texas probably peaked some time before 1900, but kinfolk continued to move west well after that (hi, Uncle Frank!). Hill County, Texas appears to have been a popular destination for the citizens who lived along the Mississippi-Alabama stateline in Itawamba, Marion and surrounding counties. I've been really amazed at just how many of my own family lines moved to Hill County. From there, they dispersed to other parts of Texas.

The photo above includes a young Romie Wilemon, left, holding an unknown child (either a little girl or a very pretty little boy!). On the right is Don Wallace holding Roger and Patsy Wallace. Don was married to Henri Ellen Wilemon, a first cousin of Romie. Henri Ellen's parents were George Earl Wilemon and Ovalene Robinson while Romie's parents were Leonard Wilemon and Effie Mae Gann. Earl and Leonard were brothers, sons of Jerome Wilemon and Erah Charlotte Beasley.

The Wallaces moved to Lubbock, Texas before 1960 but still maintain their Itawamba connections. Roger and Laura Wallace, now of Midland, provided the photo. Thanks for sharing!