You’ve entered a sanctuary where family, memory, and meaning come together. This is a place to honor ancestors, preserve cherished stories, and uncover the threads that connect generations.
Genealogy here is more than research—it is the art of remembering and the gift of carrying forward the voices of those who came before. Together, we’ll help you weave your family’s legacy into something lasting, heartfelt, and true.
With heart and remembrance, Coni Dubois Creator of Heirloomie
I’m excited to share a first look at Heirloomie — my heirloom‑genealogy app is designed to preserve family trees, stories, and legacy for generations.
✨ Right now, Heirloomie is in demo mode only.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/Heirloomie-App 👉 Please do not create a sign‑in or sign‑up. 👉 Simply click “View Demo” to explore and see the progress. 👉 Tap the top left (3 lines) to view all features available. 👉 Most hubs have sidebars filled with amazing features — click around to explore. Everything is in sample view.
🔎 A few notes:
The map feature will be fully functional once the app goes live.
Some sidebars may appear shaded — this is part of ongoing fixes.
A few more refinements are still in progress, but we’re getting closer every day.
This is a ceremonial unveiling — a glimpse of what’s being built, not the full release. Your presence and feedback as viewers help shape the journey.
The full launch will come when the time is right. Until then, enjoy this preview and walk with me as Heirloomie grows. 🌌
I have decided to write a children’s book—because some stories are too important to wait until we’re grown to hear them. This one has lived in my heart for years, passed down through generations, whispered in family stories, and rooted in the soil of a forgotten village that shaped who I am.
Now FREE to Read Online—Because This History Belongs to All of Us.
Some stories are too important to keep behind closed doors.
Barkhamsted Light House Village: A True American Story is one of those stories—a legacy of resilience, erasure, and reclamation that shaped my family, and echoes through the roots of this country.
That’s why I’ve made the full book available to read online, free of charge. Because this isn’t just my history. It’s ours.
🌿 What Is the Barkhamsted Light House Village?
Hidden deep in the woods of Connecticut, the Barkhamsted Light House Village was home to a multiracial, multicultural community of Native, African, and European descent.
These families—Chagum (Chaugum/Chaugham), Barber, Freeman, Wilson, and others—lived together in defiance of the rigid racial and social boundaries of their time.
They were labeled “outcasts.” But they were builders, farmers, protectors, and storytellers. They were my ancestors.
📖 Why I Wrote This Book
As a genealogist and historical researcher, I’ve spent decades tracing the truth of my lineage. What I found in the Light House Village wasn’t just a forgotten settlement—it was a foundation. A place where dignity, identity, and community thrived despite systemic erasure. But their story had been distorted, dismissed, or buried.
So I wrote this book to set the record straight—not just for my family, but for every family whose truth has been silenced.This is a true American story. And it deserves to be known.
💻 Read It Now, Share It Freely
You can read the full book online, right now, for free:
Whether you’re a descendant, a history lover, or someone seeking deeper understanding of America’s hidden past, I invite you to explore this story—and share it. Because healing begins with truth. And truth belongs to everyone.
🔍 What You’ll Discover – Meticulous research drawn from land deeds, court records, oral traditions, and archaeology – Personal reflections on legacy, identity, and reclamation – Illustrations that bring the village to life – A call to action to honor erased histories and uplift living descendants.
💔 Why It Still Matters
In a time when history is contested and truth is politicized, this story reminds us: the past is not gone. It lives in us. And we have a responsibility to carry it forward with clarity, compassion, and courage.
The Barkhamsted Light House Village may have been erased from maps—but not from memory. And now, through this book, it stands again.
🌿 In honor of those who came before, and for those still finding their way— To my ancestors: I see you.
📌 A Note About Access
At this time, Barkhamsted Light House Village: A True American Story is available to read online only. I haven’t yet figured out how to make personal copies available for purchase—and truthfully, this isn’t about money for me. It’s about truth. Legacy. And love.
I wrote this book to honor my ancestors and share their story freely with anyone who needs it. When the time comes to offer printed copies, I’ll make sure they’re accessible to all. Until then, I invite you to read, reflect, and share the online version with anyone who might find healing or connection in its pages.
Thank you for walking this journey with me.
🪶 Coni Dubois
Descendant of the Light House Village – Keeper of Stories
Families seeking safety. Children hoping for a future. People escaping violence and persecution. This is the reality of immigration—it’s not just politics, it’s human lives.
Yet, in recent years, immigration policies have become more about division and punishment than compassion and solutions. Families have been torn apart, children placed in detention centers, and asylum seekers pushed back into danger rather than being given a fair chance.
Republican governors like Greg Abbott of Texas, Ron DeSantis of Florida, and Doug Ducey of Arizona have been busing migrants to Democratic-run cities like New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Martha’s Vineyard—a tactic designed to shift responsibility and score political points.
But let’s be clear: this crisis didn’t emerge from nowhere. It’s the direct result of Trump’s immigration policies, which undermined legal asylum, pushed inhumane border enforcement, and inflamed partisan divides rather than solving real problems.
Now, Republican governors are continuing this legacy, using vulnerable people as political pawns, shipping them to cities across the country in a cruel game of blame. They say it’s about “sharing the burden,” but where is the humanity in treating people like problems to be relocated?
Los Angeles has become a flashpoint in this crisis, with immigration enforcement actions sparking protests. Communities are standing up against policies that threaten the dignity and safety of those seeking refuge. Some leaders have called for humane approaches, while others have doubled down on fear-based tactics.
For many, faith is the guiding light in moments like this. The belief that we should welcome strangers, care for the vulnerable, and stand for justice has been at the heart of moral teachings across generations. In times of crisis, compassion should lead the way, not cruelty.
So, America stands at a crossroads: Will we continue a legacy of harsh and inhumane policies, or will we fight for a future built on humanity, dignity, and real solutions?
The choice is yours. We can either let fear, division, and political games dictate our future, or we can stand for justice, compassion, and a true commitment to humane immigration policies. This isn’t just a question for politicians—it’s a question for all of us. Will we demand better? Will we push for policies that reflect our values? Will we recognize that behind every headline, every statistic, and every political debate, there are real human beings searching for hope?
History isn’t just something that happens—it’s something we create every day with our choices, actions, and even the things we let slide. Future generations will look back and judge us not just by what we fought for, but by what we ignored.
So the real question becomes: What do we want our legacy to be? Will we be remembered as the ones who stood for justice, innovation, and compassion—or as the ones who watched passively & ignore what is really happening?
“I, for one, will stand up to injustice, complacency, and the erosion of our values.” We are the authors of history, and I refuse to let the pages be filled with silence when action is needed. Too often, we see problems and turn away, convincing ourselves that someone else will fix them. But the truth is, change begins with each of us.
I will stand up to those who seek to divide, manipulate, or silence voices that challenge the status quo. I will stand for fairness, for the dignity of every person, and for a future where courage outweighs convenience.
History will judge us not by our words, but by our actions. And I choose to act.
As I prepare for the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Gathering, which marks its 10th year since its inception, I am also revamping and modernizing my various social media channels. My goal is to streamline all of my content and make it easily accessible. Additionally, I am working on creating new research materials for the upcoming occasion.
With that said, I have tons to share and more stories to tell and looking forward to catching up with everyone.
Disclaimer: This research business provides consulting services to people who desire to obtain data about specific Ancestors/genealogy lines. The research consultant (Coni Dubois) gathers information from credible sources and provides an analysis of her findings & also interpret the information for clients.
Starting with the oldest Ancestor/male line – which starts with Chief Sachem Mechoswodt – working down to James Chagum of the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Village in Barkhamsted, CT.
I have 2 versions of my research books that are available below/online:
1st one is the old format and shows detailed facts and all my notes and markups. (Marked as detailed below) and the 2nd version is of my new formatting and is my new book format – shows photos/records and documents along with place and name indexing in the back of the below research book. (Marked as compressed)
1st is a Genealogy chart with their children that I have been able to prove
2nd are facts/records/info that I have been able to find on each individual
1. Children of Chief Sachem MechoswodtChief Sachem Mechoswodt Research by Coni Dubois2. Children of Mayawetinnemin/Tachapousha Mayawetinnemin/Tachapousha Research by Coni Dubois3. Children of Kukkineau/CockenoeKukkineau-Cockenoe Research by Coni Dubois4. Children of Checoamaug/ShakecumChecoamaug-Shoakecum Research by Coni Dubois5. Children of Great James ChagumGreat James Chagum Research by Coni DuboisJaney1 (Ninegret/Sachem) Chagum – Wife/Mate to Great James Chagum – Mother to Janey2 ChagumJaney1 (Ninegret/Sachem) – Wife/Mate to Great James Chagum Research by Coni Dubois6. Janey2 Chagum – Daughter of Great James and Janey1 (Ninegret/Sachem) Chagum – Who I believe is the MOTHER of James Chagum of Barkhamsted.7. Children of Chief James & Mary/Molly ChagumChief James Chagum of Barkhamsted Lighthouse Village – Part 2
My love for my family is my whole being – every ounce of me… loves every ounce of each of you~
I can’t believe I will be 55 this year. In short… my life has been a very hard one. Being a strong-wheeled woman I have had to fight my whole life and in turn, I have some family members to this day who can’t stand me. But that’s ok~ They truly never got to know me, or tried to understand me. We all have those people in our lives…If only they would see…family is everything to me~
THIS post though is for my family & friends that chose to love and care for me, truly…thank you from the bottom of my ❤️ know I love you and will always be here for you – as you have been for me~
In all the bad that happened throughout my life, you all have stepped in to be there to hold me up and to push me forward~
I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life.
You have been my rock…my solid ground…my saving grace~ You are deeply loved by me~
Families have their fights, their sadness & their pain. But it always has its joys, it’s happiness & it’s wonderful moments~ Family is tied by blood and love… and no matter what happens family should always surround those in need and protect those that need us~
I have spent my life searching for family… And have truly been blessed to find so many cousins and family in my life’s journey. You truly amaze me with all your support throughout my time on this earth. Your amazing love is shown to me daily – I am called, texted, emailed, messaged.. in some form, reminded daily at how many truly love me~
I am humbled by each of you~
PLEASE find forgiveness for those who are nillynallys in your life, move past the hatred and the fighting. We have lost so many family members…life is too short, and we need to find love for one another, and get pasted this separation of family. We truly need to bond together to face this unknown world we have ahead of us… I truly worry for our descendants at the world we are leaving them~
I have found my calling…I was meant to be my family Historian/Researcher/Genealogist. I feel I must record all I can on our ancestors….before it is lost~
This is my purpose in life~
It is my legacy… bound by my love for family~ I will be doing it till the day I die~
Been a hectic past couple of months – but things are starting to look up! Have a start date for repairs for my house & property on 11/11/21… so will be a few months before I will be back in my office.
I am at the moment going through my files and fixing missing photos from all my merges & updates I have done over the years. Not many – a 100 or so needing to be fixed.
I am also rearranging photos of individuals I am working on in their photo albums, trying to make them match on their timelines. Looks better and not so jumbled up in my research books. 😁
I am currently in 3 lines:
Allen’s, Gilberts and Barkhamsted Lighthouse.
Past few months have been cleaning up my files and rearranging them.
I will be coming out with newer versions in a few months 😉
Divorce of George Allen & Lyda Sutliff (1st wife) – Found by Cheryl Church – Filed by Lyda – Desertion – Less then 4 months later he married my Great Grandmother Ada Barber (Barkhamsted Lighthouse Descendant)
Michigan, Divorce Records, 1897-1952Name: George Allen Marriage Date: 29 Sep 1889 Marriage Place: Oakley, Michigan Decree Date: 28 Jun 1911 Decree Place: Chippewa, Michigan, USA Spouse Name: Lyda Allen State File Number: 1182 Number of Children: 2 Divorce Status: Granted
This site is dedicated to the ancestors of the Johnson, Booker and Petruff families of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania and thier connecting lines of lineage.