The working line

My family tree, as I know it today.

A public view of the Meason line—showing what is established, what remains a family hypothesis, and the two places where the records stop supporting another relationship.

Evidence checkpoint · September 17, 2026

Documented

Supported by personal knowledge or original records.

Under review

A working relationship or detail that remains plausible but unproved.

Unknown

An open question—not a relationship presented as fact.

Reading the tree

Relationships first. Certainty made visible.

The larger cards form one continuous Meason spine. Smaller connected cards show the spouses who join that direct line. Solid connections represent relationships I can support. One dashed connection marks the still-unproved relationship between George M. Meason and Benjamin; the second marks the unknown identities of Benjamin's parents.

This is the direct line as I currently understand it, not every person in the family database. Only spouses needed to explain the working ancestral path appear here. Dates and relationships will gain citations as the publication review continues.

I was born Shannon Jeremiah Meason and grew up as Andy Cohen after being adopted. This tree follows my biological Meason lineage; it does not replace the Cohen family that raised me.

Working family portraits now accompany me, Cindee, Jimmy, James and Mary, and Franklin; the historical portraits link to their provenance notes. Jimmy's complete senior-year entry remains below his cleaner studio portrait, alongside a family wedding photograph of Jimmy and Julie. Full-frame family photographs add context for Franklin, James, Mary, and Cindee, while the Franklin–Nancy marker records their shared burial evidence. Initialed circles still mark people for whom a suitable likeness is not available. George's marker and Benjamin's signed record remain clearly labeled as evidence rather than portraits.

Review the evidence and detailed references →

A visual pedigree showing the working Meason family line from Benjamin Meason to Shannon Jeremiah Meason, with spouses shown as secondary connections, the relationship between Benjamin and George marked as unproved, and Benjamin's parents marked as unknown.

Generation 8 · Benjamin's parents · unresolved

?Photo pending

Open question

Unknown father

No candidate is proved.

?Photo pending

Open question

Unknown mother

No identity is established.

Generation 7 · claimed fourth great-grandfather

BMPhoto pending

Life documented · relationship unproved

Benjamin Meason

Born about 1776 · living in Monroe County in 1850

Facing pages of the Nelson County bond book; Benjamin Meason’s signature appears on the left-page guardian bond
Open the full-size evidence image.
Original record · 1802Benjamin signed this Nelson County guardian bond “Benjn Meason.” It documents his presence and handwriting—not his parents.Reference 5
HDPhoto pending

Spouse · claimed direct ancestor

Hannah Doom

Married Benjamin in Kentucky in 1801

claimed relationship · not yet proved

Generation 6 · third great-grandfather

GMPhoto pending

Meason line · parentage under review

George M. Meason

Censuses and family note: about 1810 · marker: 1818 · died 1887

Broken grave marker for George M. Meason at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dallas
Open the full-size evidence image.
Marker photograph · DallasGeorge’s marker gives 10 May 1818–11 November 1887. Census and family evidence instead point to birth about 1810, so both traditions remain visible.Reference 26
MRPhoto pending

Spouse · direct ancestor

Martha Reed

Married George in Clark County in 1840

Generation 5 · second great-grandfather

Portrait attributed to Franklin Meason

Meason line

Franklin Meason

1850–1933

Portrait: reference 42

Full seated portrait attributed to Franklin Meason outside a family home
Open the full-size evidence image.
Family photograph · RichardsonThe family-tree title identifies Franklin seated at his home in Richardson. The photograph’s exact date and original photographer are still being documented.Reference 42
NHPhoto pending

Spouse · direct ancestor

Nancy Ann Huffhines

1852–1930

Shared grave marker for Frank Meason and Nancy A. Meason
Open the full-size evidence image.
Shared grave markerThe marker identifies Frank Meason and his wife, Nancy A. Meason. Nancy’s 1852–1930 dates remain legible; Franklin’s final year is weathered in this photograph.Reference 47

Generation 4 · great-grandfather

Portrait attributed to James Lawrence Meason, born 1892

Meason line

James Lawrence Meason

1892–1949

Portrait: reference 40

Full porch photograph attributed to James Lawrence Meason, born 1892
Open the full-size evidence image.
Family photograph · porch portraitThis full frame is the source of James’s portrait circle and carries a handwritten identification. The writing is a caption, not a verified autograph; the photograph’s date and place remain unknown.Reference 40
Portrait attributed to Mary Estelle Sledge Meason

Spouse · direct ancestor

Mary Estelle Sledge

1896–1952

Portrait: reference 41

Full standing portrait attributed to Mary Estelle Sledge Meason outside a house
Open the full-size evidence image.
Family photographThis is the full frame behind Mary’s portrait circle. The family-tree attribution identifies her as Mary Estelle Sledge Meason; the date and place remain unknown.Reference 41

Generation 3 · grandfather

Studio portrait of James Lawrence “Jimmy” Meason

Meason line

James Lawrence Meason

1934–1973

Portrait: reference 39

Yearbook page with a senior portrait of Jimmy Meason and a list of his school activities
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Family-held yearbook scanJimmy’s senior entry records four years of football, three years of basketball, a year as class president, and work as the annual staff’s sports editor.Reference 37
JLPhoto pending

Spouse · direct ancestor

Julie Ann Lipke

Family lineage

Wedding portrait attributed to James Lawrence “Jimmy” Meason and Julie Ann Lipke
Open the full-size evidence image.
Family wedding portraitThis family-held photograph is identified as Jimmy Meason and Julie Ann Lipke on their wedding day. The date, place, and original photographer are still being documented.Reference 46

Generation 2 · mother

Formal school portrait of Cynthia June “Cindee” Meason

Meason line

Cynthia June Meason

1958–1991

Portrait: reference 38

Full formal school portrait of Cynthia June “Cindee” Meason
Open the full-size evidence image.
Family photograph · school portraitThis full frame is the source of Cindee’s portrait circle. The family identification is established, while the school, studio, and exact date are still being documented.Reference 38

Generation 1 · present

Andy Cohen

Me · birth identity

Shannon Jeremiah Meason

Birth name · grew up as Andy Cohen · this tree follows my biological Meason ancestry

The frontier

Benjamin's life is documented. His place in my direct line is still being tested.

Before adding a parent above Benjamin, I first need the estate or deed evidence that can prove his claimed relationship to George. Beyond that edge, any future parent must also be distinguished from the other Thomas, William, Joseph, Mason, and Meason identities found in the same records.

See the Benjamin investigation