Name Index — 52 Ancestors in 31 Days

Last updated: January 2, 2026 (Day 31: Phase I Completed)

About This Project:
Phase I Completed: Wed 31 Dec 2025

Finding Aid Notice: This index is a navigation tool for the 52 Ancestors sprint, not a compiled genealogy. Entries are indexed as published; some claims remain under review. For methodology and proof standards, see Vibe Genealogy: Here Comes the Sun.

On New Year’s Day 2025, Steve Little announced an AI Genealogy Do-Over—a commitment to document 52 ancestors using the Genealogical Proof Standard, with AI assistance. The project waited. Life intervened. And then, in December, it came roaring back.

52 Ancestors in 31 Days is a December 2025 sprint to complete what January promised. Steve and his AI research partner, AI-Jane, are working through his family tree one ancestor at a time—processing original records, creating diplomatic transcriptions, and writing narrative profiles grounded in documentary evidence.

A note on the name: The project follows the popular “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” format, but our actual goal is more ambitious—63 ancestors, covering all six generations of Steve’s direct lineage, by December 31, 2025. We’re keeping the familiar name while expanding the scope.

The families in this project are rooted in Ashe County, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Tennessee border. The surnames repeat across generations: Little, Lawrence, Bare, Bower, Houck, Goodman, Witherspoon, Wagoner. In a small mountain county, everyone eventually becomes kin. The 1897 marriage register that joined Joseph Little and Loula Bare also recorded—on the same page—two Lawrence-Goodman unions. The draft registrar who processed Warren Dean Lawrence’s 1942 card was almost certainly his cousin.

This index tracks every named individual appearing in the series. Primary subjects (Ahnentafel ancestors) are shown in bold with links to their dedicated posts. Secondary mentions—siblings, in-laws, officials, witnesses—appear in regular text with links to the posts where they’re named. Variant spellings are cross-referenced, because in 19th-century Appalachia, Lawrence could be Lawrance, Laurance, Lawerance, or Lorance depending on who held the pen.

Updated weekly during the December 2025 sprint.

Ahnentafel Chart

The Ahnentafel (“ancestor table”) is a numbered genealogical system where #1 is the subject, #2–3 are parents, #4–7 are grandparents, and so on—each generation doubling the previous. Linked names have published profiles; unlinked names are research targets.

Generation 1

Generation 2

Generation 3

Generation 4

Generation 5

Generation 6

Name Index

Bold entries = Ahnentafel ancestors with dedicated profiles. Regular entries = individuals mentioned in posts.

A

Adams, Elizabeth (dates unknown) — Ahnentafel #57

Ahnentafel #1 → see Little, Joe Stephen “Steve” Jr.

B

Bare, Fannie → see Wagoner, Fannie

Bare, Hattie Almedia (1895–1975) — Ahnentafel #11

Bare, Lula Ellen “Lou” (1878–1960) — Ahnentafel #9

Bare, Reid Alexander (1862–1899) — Ahnentafel #22

Bare, Rudolph “Rudy” (1837–1919) — Ahnentafel #18

Bare, Wiley (1829–1915) — Ahnentafel #44

Bare, Anna Waggoner (1836–1925) — Ahnentafel #45

Bare, Elias (1809–1880) — Ahnentafel #42

Bare, Hugh A. (1808–1870) — Ahnentafel #36

Baldwin, W. H. (minister) — mentioned in Day 15 (officiated David & Malinda Lawrence marriage, 1870)

Blevins, Manley (physician) — mentioned in Day 15 (attending physician, David Lawrence death)

Bower, Emma Jane Bare (1863–1940) — Ahnentafel #21

Bower, George Cecil (1893–1987) — Ahnentafel #10

Bower, James Eli “Bawly” (c. 1863–1960) — Ahnentafel #20

Bower, Margaret R. (1840–1915) — Ahnentafel #41

Bower, Ben William — mentioned in Day 12 (son of Bawly & Emma)

Bower, Dewey Lee — mentioned in Day 12 (son of Bawly & Emma)

Bower, Leavie H. — mentioned in Day 12 (son of Bawly & Emma)

Bower, Leland L. — mentioned in Day 12 (son of Bawly & Emma)

Bower, Mack John — mentioned in Day 12 (son of Bawly & Emma)

Bower, Paul — mentioned in Day 6 (son of George & Hattie, 1920 census)

Bower, Pell — mentioned in Day 6 (son of George & Hattie, 1920 census)

Bower, Riley — mentioned in Day 12 (mother of Bawly, 1910 census)

Bower, Ruby Helen → see Little, Ruby Helen Bower

Burkett, Rebecca — see Lawrence, Rebecca Burkett

C

Curtis, Nancy (c. 1807–1902) — Ahnentafel #35

F

Fox, Minerva Ellen “Ella” (1862–1957) — Ahnentafel #29

  • Primary: Day 17: The Name on the Line
  • Mentioned: Day 8 (as “Julia” or “Ellen” Houck)
  • Variant names: Ella (death cert), Julia Ellen (marriage register), Ellen (1900 census)

Fox, Noah (c. 1840–bef. 1880) — Ahnentafel #58

G

Gentry, W. E. (Justice of the Peace) — mentioned in Day 8 (officiated Conley & Pearl Houck marriage, 1908)

Goodman, Melvina → see Osborn, Melvina

Goodman, Hayden — mentioned in Day 3, Day 7 (draft registrar, 1942; probable Goodman relative)

Goodman, John (b. c. 1797) — Ahnentafel #52

Goodman, Lou E. — mentioned in Day 16 (daughter of William & Melvina, 1880 census)

Goodman, Mary E. — mentioned in Day 16 (daughter of William & Melvina, 1880 census)

Goodman, Richard E. — mentioned in Day 16 (son of William & Melvina, 1880 census)

Goodman, Sarah E. — mentioned in Day 16 (daughter of William & Melvina, 1880 census)

Goodman, Sessie Mae (1878–1948) — Ahnentafel #13

Goodman, William H. (1835–1881) — Ahnentafel #26

Goodman, Wiley W. — mentioned in Day 3, Day 7, Day 16 (brother of Sessie Mae Goodman)

Grogan, Louisa E. (b. c. 1847) — Ahnentafel #59

Greene, Nancy Calista (c. 1812–1902) — Ahnentafel #51

Gabey, Susan (dates unknown) — Ahnentafel #63

H

Hale, Kansas Missouri “Ori” (1871–1947) — Ahnentafel #23

  • Primary: Day 14: Named for Two States
  • Variant names: Missouri, Ori, “Bare Missouri” (1900 census) Hale, John M. — mentioned in Day 14 (father of Kansas Missouri)

Hale, Lendema — mentioned in Day 14 (mother of Kansas Missouri)

Halsey, Benjamin F. (1851–1937) — Ahnentafel #46

Halsey, Ludema “Demie” (1850–1943) — Ahnentafel #47

Houck, Benjamin (b. c. 1833) — Ahnentafel #56

Houck, James S. (1858–1927) — Ahnentafel #28

Houck, Joseph C. “Conley” (1888–1983) — Ahnentafel #14

Houck, Pearl Ethel (1891–1992) — Ahnentafel #15

Houck, Thomas Monroe “Monroe” (1859–1924) — Ahnentafel #30

Houck, Joseph F. (b. c. 1827) — Ahnentafel #60

J

Johnston, Sarah “Sallie” (c. 1810–1880) — Ahnentafel #53

K

Kilby, J. W. (Justice of the Peace) — mentioned in Day 1 (officiated Joe & Dianne Little marriage, 1966)

Koonce, Jacob (officiant) — mentioned in Day 9 (officiated Ambrose & Thedocia Little marriage, 1871)

Koontz, Mary “Polly” (c. 1808–1880) — Ahnentafel #37

L

Laurance → see Lawrence (variant spelling)

Lawerance → see Lawrence (variant spelling)

Lawrence, Brenda — mentioned in Day 3 (daughter of Dean & Thelma)

Lawrence, David — mentioned in Day 3 (son of Dean & Thelma; Steve’s uncle)

Lawrence, David S. (c. 1847–1916) — Ahnentafel #24

Lawrence, Fred E. — mentioned in Day 7 (son of Henry & Sessie)

Lawrence, Hardin (1807–1865) — Ahnentafel #48

Lawrence, Henry Alexander “Alex” (1870–1955) — Ahnentafel #12

Lawrence, J. B. — mentioned in Day 15 (informant on David Lawrence death certificate; probably son)

Lawrence, James E. — mentioned in Day 7 (son of Henry & Sessie)

Lawrence, Margaret Malinda (c. 1840–?) — Ahnentafel #25

Lawrence, Paul G. — mentioned in Day 3, Day 7 (son of Henry & Sessie)

Lawrence, Rebecca Burkett (1808–1896) — Ahnentafel #49

Lawrence, Samuel (1810–1893) — Ahnentafel #50

Lawrence, Thomas G. — mentioned in Day 7 (son of Henry & Sessie)

Lawrence, Virginia Blanche “Blanch” (later Martin) — mentioned in Day 3, Day 7 (daughter of Henry & Sessie)

Lawrence, Warren Dean (1921–2003) — Ahnentafel #6

Lawrence, Zella Elizabeth “Zilla” (later Davis) — mentioned in Day 3, Day 7 (daughter of Henry & Sessie)

Little, Dianne Wanda Lawrence (1946– ) — Ahnentafel #3

Little, Jethro Wilson “Joe” (1874–1951) — Ahnentafel #8

  • Primary: Day 4: Hey Joe!
  • Mentioned: Day 5
  • Variant names: Joseph (1880 census, 1897 marriage), Jethro, J. W., Joe

Little, Joe Stephen “Steve” Jr. (1967– ) — Ahnentafel #1

Little, Joe Stephen Sr. (1943–2023) — Ahnentafel #2

Little, Clayton — mentioned in Day 10 (informant on Lou’s death certificate)

Little, Linda — mentioned in Day 2, Day 4 (daughter of Mont & Ruby; living)

Little, Monte Ann — mentioned in Day 2, Day 4 (daughter of Mont & Ruby; living)

Little, Mont Warden (1910–1985) — Ahnentafel #4

Little, Ned — mentioned in Day 2, Day 4 (son of Mont & Ruby; deceased)

Little, Ruby Helen Bower (1913–2013) — Ahnentafel #5

Little, Ambrose Parks (1850–1906) — Ahnentafel #16

  • Primary: Day 9: Dotia and Dick
  • Mentioned: Day 4
  • Variant names: Ambros (marriage cert), A. P. (gravestone), Richard P. (1900 census error)

Little, Alonzo — mentioned in Day 9 (son of Ambrose & Thedocia)

Little, Ewart W. — mentioned in Day 4 (son of Ambrose & Thedocia)

Little, Hariet — mentioned in Day 4 (daughter of Ambrose & Thedocia)

Little, Montgomery E. — mentioned in Day 9 (son of Ambrose & Thedocia)

Little, Sarah J. — mentioned in Day 4 (daughter of Ambrose & Thedocia)

Little, William I. — mentioned in Day 9 (son of Ambrose & Thedocia)

Little, Isaac (c. 1804–c. 1892) — Ahnentafel #32

Lorance → see Lawrence (variant spelling)

Lorance, Samuel — mentioned in Day 15 (possible father of Margaret Malinda Lawrence)

Lorance, Nancy — mentioned in Day 15 (possible mother of Margaret Malinda Lawrence)

M

McMillian, William (1830–1865) — Ahnentafel #40

O

Osborn, Melvina (1837–1900) — Ahnentafel #27

Osborn, Enoch (c. 1807–1893) — Ahnentafel #54

P

Parker, Jacob (dates unknown) — Ahnentafel #62

Perkins, Ruth (1812–1886) — Ahnentafel #55

Poe, Elizabeth (c. 1808–1897) — Ahnentafel #33

Parker, Delia Tennessee (1866–1936) — Ahnentafel #31

  • Primary: Day 18: Pearl’s Parents
  • Mentioned: Day 8 (mother of Pearl Houck)
  • Variant names: D. L. Parker (1883 marriage register), Delia (1900 census)

R

Reeves, J. A. (Justice of the Peace) — mentioned in Day 2, Day 6 (officiated Mont & Ruby Little marriage, 1936; registered George Bower draft card, 1917)

S

Sheets, Lucinda (1826–1878) — Ahnentafel #43

Shepherd, Eric — mentioned in Day 3 (Steve’s first cousin)

Shepherd, Robbie — mentioned in Day 3 (Steve’s first cousin)

Strunk, Martha C. (1829–1887) — Ahnentafel #61

T

Taylor, Ellen “Nelly” (c. 1811–1904) — Ahnentafel #39

Lawrence, Thelma Francis Houck (1921–2017) — Ahnentafel #7

W

Waggoner, Henry (c. 1793–1885) — Ahnentafel #38

Wagoner, Fannie (1848–1929) — Ahnentafel #19

Witherspoon, Theodocia (1852–1915) — Ahnentafel #17

  • Primary: Day 9: Dotia and Dick
  • Variant names: Dotia, Dotea (marriage records), Theodosia (1900 census), Le Dotia (1880 census)

Witherspoon, Col. William Pettigrew (c. 1799–1888) — Ahnentafel #34

Witherspoon, Nancy (b. May 1812) — see Curtis, Nancy (Ahnentafel #35)

Witherspoon, W.H. Harrison — mentioned in Day 21 (brother of Theodocia; his 1921 death certificate proved Nancy Curtis as mother)

Variant Spelling Cross-References

The following surname variants appear across the records and all refer to the same families:

Lawrence variants:

  • Lawrence (standard)
  • Lawrance (1870 marriage return)
  • Laurance (1880 census)
  • Lawerance (1955 death certificate)
  • Lorance (1850 census, Watauga County)

Little variants:

  • Little (standard)
  • Littel (occasional)

Bare variants:

  • Bare (standard)
  • Bear (occasional index entries)

Index Statistics

  • Primary profiles (Ahnentafel ancestors): 63 individuals
  • Collateral relatives mentioned: ~50 individuals
  • Officials/witnesses mentioned: ~12 individuals
  • Variant spelling cross-references: ~12 entries
  • Total index entries: ~140

Posts Indexed

DayDateTitlePrimary Subjects
1Dec 1Beginning with the End#1 Steve, #2 Joe Sr., #3 Dianne
2Dec 2Together Forever#4 Mont, #5 Ruby
3Dec 3Orange Pop and Salted Peanuts#6 Dean, #7 Thelma
4Dec 4Hey Joe!#8 Joe Little
5Dec 5The Woman Who Stayed#9 Lou Bare
6Dec 6The Ones Who Stayed Next Door#10 George, #11 Hattie
7Dec 8Alex and Sessie#12 Henry, #13 Sessie
8Dec 9Six Houcks in One Line#14 Conley, #15 Pearl
9Dec 10Dotia and Dick#16 Ambrose, #17 Thedocia
10Dec 11A Record With Two Dates#18 Rudolph, #19 Fannie
12Dec 12Mother in the House#20 Bawly, #21 Emma
14Dec 14Named for Two States#22 Reid, #23 Kansas Missouri
15Dec 15A Lawrence Married a Lawrence#24 David S., #25 Margaret
16Dec 16We Stopped#26 William H., #27 Melvina
17Dec 17The Name on the Line#28 James S., #29 Ella
18Dec 18Pearl’s Parents#30 Thomas Monroe, #31 Delia
19Dec 19A Man’s Last Words#32 Isaac, #33 Elizabeth
—Dec 20(Day off)—
21Dec 21The Name That Proved the Line#34 Col. Wm. P., #35 Nancy
22Dec 22The Families Behind the Families#36 Hugh, #37 Polly, #38 Henry, #39 Nelly
23Dec 23Single, Keeping House#40 William, #41 Margaret, #42 Elias, #43 Lucinda
24Dec 28The Simple Word “Son”#44 Wiley, #45 Anna
25Dec 29The Night of Nine#48 Hardin, #49 Rebecca, #50 Samuel, #51 Nancy C., #56 Benjamin H., #57 Elizabeth
26Dec 30What a Death Certificate Knows#52 John, #53 Sallie, #54 Enoch, #55 Ruth, #58 Noah, #59 Louisa, #60 Joseph, #61 Martha, #62 Jacob, #63 Susan
27Dec 31The Name Was Always Halsey#46 Benjamin F., #47 Ludema