Violet Carr Moore (1939–2023) was deeply passionate about family genealogical research for many years. She traveled across several states, interviewing relatives and exploring cemeteries—sometimes alone, sometimes alongside her twin sister, Vi Parsons—before turning her focus to inspirational writing. In 2005, the sisters co-published their memoir, Double Take. The next year, Violet released In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments (Carr Twins & Co., 2006). The following year, she published Moments of Meditation: Morning and Evening Devotionals (Carr Twins & Co., 2007), a collection inspired by her popular online devotional contributions to More to Life women’s ministries.
Violet’s publications spanned memoirs, fiction, and creative nonfiction short stories. Her piece “Fatal” appeared in the California Writers Club anthology Survival: Tales of Pandemic (October 2020), and her work was featured in Voices of the Valley (First Press, December 2011), an anthology from the California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch. Earlier, her creative nonfiction stories “The Voice” and “Time to Smell the Roses” were published in Tapestries: An Anthology of Creative Writings by Seniors (October 2011).
Her story “A Real Mother” was included in Chicken Soup for the Soul Devotional Stories for Mothers (Simon & Schuster, October 2010), and “Miracle on a Train” appeared in Christmas Miracles, an anthology edited by Cecil Murphey (St. Martin’s Press, October 2009). Violet’s first short story, “Little White Lies,” debuted in the Las Positas College anthology in 2008, followed by consecutive successes with “The Search” (2009) and “Angels Unaware” (2010). Her haiku-themed poetry began appearing in Bay Area newspapers in 2009, earning her multiple wins and runner-up honors in various contests.
Violet served as webmaster for the California Writers Club, Tri-Valley Branch, and held leadership roles as vice president from 2008 to 2010 and president from 2010 to 2012. She was an avid reader, active member of a novelist critique group, a dedicated Friend of the Livermore Library, and a lifelong learner. Additionally, Violet often knitted hats to donate to hospitals for newborns, blending her creativity with community care.
Vi Carr Parsons discovered her passion for family history with the birth of her first grandchild — a spark that ignited a lifelong journey into genealogy. That enduring curiosity led her to earn certificates in Beginning Genealogy from Brigham Young University (BYU) and in American Genealogy from the National Genealogical Society (NGS).
Her public contributions to the field include serving as an instructor and lecturer for genealogical and historical groups throughout Northern California. She has held several leadership roles, including Newsletter Editor, First Vice President, and Education Director for the Roseville Genealogical Society. Additionally, she served as President, Editor, and Librarian for the Dragoo Family Association, which honored her with the Louise Sinclair Award in 2010.
Vi Carr Parsons is the author of several genealogical and inspirational works. Her publications include Dragoo Cemetery, Marion County, West Virginia (Carr Twins & Co., 2009) and The Legendary “Indian Billy” Dragoo (Carr Twins & Co., December 2012), a detailed account of one of her early ancestors. She also traced her maternal lineage back to the early 1600s in France and England, culminating in the publication of Jacob Dragoo and Our Susanna Bright Side (Carr Twins & Co., November 2016), a comprehensive family history focused on her ancestors in the United States. Vi is currently working on a beginner’s guide to genealogical research.
Her creative nonfiction appears in several anthologies. “Delivered by Angels” was featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Angels Among Us (2013), and “Miracle on the Mexico Border,” a story of faith and perseverance, was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins & More (2009). Her short story “The Red Envelope,” highlighting an act of kindness, appeared in Tapestries: An Anthology of Creative Writings by Seniors (October 2011).
In addition to her writing, Vi teaches genealogy classes for both beginner and advanced students. When she’s not teaching or researching, she enjoys quilting and crocheting for nonprofit organizations.
In 2005, the Carr Twins released their first family genealogy book, Double Take, marking the beginning of their collaborative publishing journey. Shortly after releasing their memoir, they founded Carr Twins & Co., an independent publishing company.
