barnyarddog on Family Tree Circles

The families of LILLY/McCOY/ORSBORN/PRATER were some of first settlers in Union Twp., Effingham Co Illinois. Lillys and McCoy being of 1st 10 families here along with the BROCKETTS I am directly descented from these families and still live in same twp. Along with my lineage are PARKS LeCRONE SIDDENS WILSON
One of the family customs that I received from my maternal grandmother VadaBelle ORSBORN SIDDENS (daughter of Francis Marion ORSBORN(son of Levi ORSBORN and Minerva LILLY ) and Sarah Elizabeth (aunt Bette to most) PRATER is to me a homage to family practice. It was VadaBelles' custom to place sea shells (muscle shells) around the graves of Minerva, and her parents, as a child I practiced this custom with her not knowning why, later finding out that it was an American Indian custom meaning "smooth Sailing to the next Life" - how beautiful a custom, I practice the same custom today, on the graves of my grandmother, her mother and father, and their parents _ I take my own granddaughters to the cemetary to place the shells - hope this custom never ends