Blog 80 - New Griot is Designated for The Herron Family

Blog 80

New Griot is Designated for

The Herron Family

By

Vernon M. Herron

“In preparation for death, the aged family ‘griot’ (French: pronounced, gree-o) selected a younger person to learn the family history. After the family’s logs and stories were told and learned, that younger person became the new griot, thereby preserving many years of family history.” Such was the recording of the renowned Charles Blockson, retired professor of genealogy at Temple University.

I, Vernon M. Herron have served as family griot for 62 years. When my family had its first family reunion in 1949, I set out on my own, to make that occasion, “more than a picnic.” I insisted on learning the “origin and descent” of our family. That determination paid off.

Several attempts were made to find interested family members to take up the mantle but to no avail. In depth genealogical study has been made, (including conferences, workshops, classes, structured courses) much traveling at my expense, significant and powerful relatives found, books published, great reunions held but found no one willing nor interested in succeeding me as family griot. Then as last, the story broke, a great discovery was made. (See blog 76 for details.) Felicia Thornton Moseley agreed, with commitment, to become the new griot for the Herron family.

Felicia Moseley

Recently, once identification was made, relationship discovered and verified, and interest shown, Felicia Moseley, the great, great, great granddaughter of Richard and Minerva Herron has been designated the new griot of the Herron family.

Vernon and Felicia

Such person should have knowledge of the 201 years of family history, including the pre-Civil War, the enslaved and the antebellum periods. This historical coverage reviews a statistical summary of more than 10 generations and over 500 line- descendants. It also shows the birth, rise and growth of the Catawba Presbytery, USA., while family members run the gamut in Service Occupation and Professions, including Mel Watt, US Congress representing the NC 12^th Congressional district.

Felicia was born in Queens, NY in 1972 and grew up in the Bronx. She was reared by a single Mon, who is now a retired school teacher, with six children. She moved to Charlotte, NC (Mecklenburg County) in 1998, not realizing that her ancestors settled here and her possible relation to the city’s name sake. Felicia now lives in Concord (Cabarrus County). She is married to Brian Moseley. Zaniya is the daughter’s name.                                                         

                                

             Vernon and Felicia                                                Vernon and Felicia

               

Vernon and Felicia

 

As an act of transference of designation, Vernon Herron presents to Felecia many of his family reunion and genealogical related books and posters. Felicia has agreed to enroll with the National Genealogical Society’s study course in American Genealogy: A Basic Course as a way to serve her family more efficiently.