C. C. Crittenden Travels to Cherokee Nation to do Research for a Book

September 14-19, 2016

This trip was a long time coming, but it has been on the back burner for a couple of years. I have been writing a historical fiction trilogy with my Cherokee ancestors being the main characters in these books. The first two books are loosely about my Great Great Grandfather Aaron Crittenden and my Great Great Grandmother, Linnie Ketcher Crittenden. The third book is about my Great Grandfather John Crittenden, the offspring of Aaron and Linnie. I definitely needed more information about John, as he was quite a character, but there seems to be very few tangible records about him.

During this trip I was able to meet with a young man, Mark Dreadfulwater, Multimedia Editor at the Cherokee Phoenix Newspaper. He gave me information to contact someone who is digitizing the newspaper archives where I might find out more about John Crittenden. I planned to call him on my return home, but life got in the way.

My hosts for this trip were my cousin Judy and her husband, Ernie Brazeal who live in Collinsville, Oklahoma. They were so kind to pick me up at the airport in Tulsa and drive me everywhere I needed to go for my research. There were a number of nieces and nephews I had never met so we had a mini family reunion as well.

Judy and I had fun visiting cemeteries and chasing down grave sites with the help of cemetery workers and the lovely ladies at Collinsville City Hall. However, all was not coming up roses. The second day I was there, Judy told me that my brother has throat cancer and had been undergoing chemo and radiation. At first it didn't seem that I would get to see him because of his immune deficiency, but he decided to put a mask on and we went to his home for a visit. He was in good spirits and has a positive attitude and we are all keeping him in our prayers.

Judy and Ernie's Himalayan cat, Topper

This is their shy 15 year-old one named Summer

Carla with younger brother, Dennis Crittenden

Our cousin, Judy with Dennis

Judy's fish pond in their backyard stocked with goldfish and Koi

This cabin harbors Ernie's workshop and Judy's sewing room and they built it

Topper, deep in thought

A couple of these mushrooms popped up in the yard after a rain. They are quite lacy on top and the stems are extremely twisted. I did research to determine the name, but so far no luck.

This is a moon flower plant in Judy's yard and it only blooms at night. Hummingbirds love them.

Couldn't resist this lovely yellow flower in their side yard

This is their well and they water the yard, plants and fill the fish pond from this well

This is their outdoor cat and she is very friendly and sweet

This is our maternal great grandmother, one of the few from the 1800's to have a stone

This squirrel decided to pose for me

Neighbors across the street from Judy and Ernie have rocked in the creek to keep the soil from eroding

Judy and Ernie's lovely home dead ends into the creek

My handsome Cherokee nephew, Clint Crittenden

Carla, Clint and his wife, Rachel

Logan, son of Clint and Rachel

Judy's kitchen with L to R: My brother, Danny Crittenden, Abigail and Addison (Clint's daughters), Wanda (Danny's wife) standing at the door, Jerry Hawkins and Judy who are brother and sister

L to R: Addison, Wanda, Clint, Abigail, Rachel, Danny, Logan, Judy and Ernie

L to R: Addison, Wanda, Clint, Abigail, Rachel, Danny, Logan, Carla and Judy

L to R: Logan, Rachel, Clint, Danny, Abigail, Addison and Wanda

Clint just had to have one cigarette before getting into the car to drive home

It had rained and this was the scene out the backdoor of Judy's home

Another shot of this full moon

This was taken at the Old Indian Cemetery and I thought it was an interesting shape.

This was such a wonderful trip and it was so much fun getting acquainted and reacquainted with all my relatives. As soon as I get my blog caught up, I plan to dedicate my attention to that third book of the trilogy and get it finished.

This is all I have to say for now.