Minnie and Willie Collins forged a life together in Kansas City, MO after traveling north from Mississippi in search of better employment opportunities. The couple gave birth to 7 sons, one of whom is our current MCJ Reunion President, Ernest Collins. In this rare footage, the entire family gathers to sing Happy Birthday to Willie’s mother Ida one final time before her passing that year. An aerial view captures the family on their 450-acre property in Charleston, MS.

HOW BELLAMY CONNECTS TO MCJ. DNA CONFIRMED.

Family history and DNA research have helped confirm even deeper connections.

Mary Hill Wright married Nathaniel Metcalf, who came from a larger family.

One of his siblings was Candace Metcalf, the third child of Joseph Metcalf and Bettie.

Candace married twice, first to Harry Quarles and then to Henry Bellamy. Between these two marriages, she had fifteen children, expanding the Metcalf family line even further.

— DIANA SMITH ROBINSON

THE ELDEST DAUGHTER OF ALMA METCALF