Memory Tree Genealogy Journal

IMAGE SOURCE There's just something about finding a marriage license application on file from a relative that just speaks to my heart.  I imagine the excitement...the butterflies...the feeling of "are we really doing this?!?!" that must have accompanied the happy couple.  While working on a little genealogical detour of my own, I came across this license application and subsequent marriage certificate for my paternal great-grandparents William Ray SMITH and Catherine Margaretha MILLER.  A few months back, I featured Catherine Miller's family IN THIS ARTICLE pertaining to her father's trade in the steel industry.  William and Catherine are the parents of my paternal grandfather (Papa).  Most significant for me in this record is the listing of William's parents' names - E. A. Smith (Edward A. Smith - 1852-1918) and Cora B. Mead (1863-1919).  Feeling the love in the air!

Today's "Wedding Wednesday" picture is definitely not "old" by antique standards!  But - it's a great starting place for this blog celebrating family. (6 March 2004, Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, Georgia.  Photo held by Sarah Melvey.) On March 6, 2004, my husband Paul and I celebrating our wedding in Athens, Georgia.  After a short ceremony in a packed military chapel on base (complete with blazing temperatures due to an early Spring heatwave), we commemorated the event at a casual dinner at the Officer's Club.  Chaplain Uhall officiated the service.  Family and friends numbered about 120.  How wonderful that our extended family and friends from Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, Washington, D.C., California, Georgia, and Florida could travel to Athens for our simple (and quickly-planned) wedding. After two years of courtship, Paul proposed on New Year's Eve at the now-defunct Harry Bissett's restaurant in Athens...site of our first...