A to Z Challenge: Permelia

Hello and Welcome to P Day!

Name:

Permelia Clark

Vital Information:

Permelia was born on 10 January 1815 in Missouri and died on 29 April 1870, also in Missouri, at only 55 years of age.

Relation to Me:

Permelia is my maternal 3 x great grandma.

Tidbits/Characteristics/Commonalities:

Permelia married Joseph Perry Russell on 11 February 1830 and gave birth to their first child nine days before her 16th birthday. Over the next 28 years, Permelia would bring 13 more lives into the world, including one set of twins. Nancy Jane was their 12th child.

While I simply cannot imagine the challenges she faced as a woman, wife, and mother throughout her life, it seems that she was deeply loved and deeply tied to her faith.

The above photo of Permelia is the only one I have seen and, I have to admit, I find it a bit haunting.

I know that early photography was a challenge for so many reasons and one had to hold their pose for exceptionally long times, but there is something in her eyes and the downturn of her mouth that just feels so very tired. I imagine she was, in fact, so very tired…

And still, I wonder.

It is my deepest hope that she felt great love, vast joy, true satisfaction, and quiet comfort during her relatively short life.

In Your Research…

I believe the above photo is the oldest photo I have of a verified ancestor and I am in awe of it. What is the oldest photo you have of kin?

Housekeeping

My theme for the 2025 A to Z Challenge is Kin! The first names of direct lineage kin, to be more specific.

I’m spending the majority of the month focusing on the first names of many of my direct lineage kin. I’ll include their full names, any vital information I’ve found in my research, their relation to me, any fun tidbits/characteristics/experiences, and any commonalities I may have gleaned between myself and them.

In a couple of cases, where I have not identified an ancestor whose first name starts with a particular letter, I will choose a unique middle name, a direct line surname, and/or ancestral lands/places of significance.

Pop over here to read my full theme reveal: A to Z 2025 Challenge Theme Reveal: Kin

Pop over here to visit our host and see what they’re up to throughout this year’s challenge: A to Z Challenge

If you’re visiting from the A to Z Challenge please leave a comment so I can visit you, too! If your comment bio doesn’t link back to your site, please feel free to add the link to your most recent post to the comment field so I can be sure to find you.

Thanks for being here! See you again soon!

Onward,

Melissa