The Mizells & Mozells of Suffolk, VA & Gates County, NC

It is with great honor that I present this information about the descendents of Chatt and Rachel Mizell. The Mizell / Mozell Family Tree chart contains information about their five children Jimmie Vyletta, Hallie Mae, Janet Catherine, Bettie Elaine and Chatt Field, Jr. and their families.

As the story goes, Chatt and Rachel Mizell met and wed in Gates County, North Carolina circa 1916. When Chatt Jr. was just a boy, they traveled across the Great Dismal Swamp into Suffolk, Virginia to pursue better financial opportunities for their family of seven. At 82, Chatt Field Mizell, Jr. is the only living sibling and still resides in Suffolk.

Fast-forward ninety years to 2006. I began gathering information on the Mizell siblings and their descendants. That January, my cousin Yvette and I started planning the first Mizell Family Reunion, which took place August 16-18, 2008 in Suffolk, VA. Since that time, I have been working diligently to find out more information about their parents and siblings. To date, I know that Chatt's mother was Catherine Mizell and he had at least one brother George and a sister. I have also learned that Rachel was one of five Mozelle siblings including Thomas, Clensey, Tencey, and Catherine.

This past August 29-31, 2008, we had the pleasure of meeting the descendents of Thomas Benjamin Mozelle (Rachel's brother)at a reunion in Elizabeth City, NC and we hope that this new connection with Rachel’s family will continue and lead to more information about our ancestors.

It is my fervent hope that I will undercover the story of our beginnings in America. One day, I hope to trace our origins back to Africa. The launching of this website is a step toward that quest.

Presented with love by,

Stefani Lynn Zinerman
Daughter of Portland Mizell Zinerman
Granddaughter of Janet Catherine Mizell
Great Granddaughter of Rachel Mozelle Mizell

Family Photos

• Family Barbecue hosted by Tina Mozell Lister (752 KB)
  Mizell/Mozell Family Reunion - August 30, 2008