It was definitely in the air with players like Snuffy Jenkins. That particular part of North Carolina was full of banjo players and the three finger sound was “in the air” in many different ways at the time. It didn’t serve the Earl Is God hero worship of the time so it didn’t get talked about much in the 50s and 60s but it’s clear he didn’t pick up a banjo and invent everything he did. He perfected it yes, but did not invented it de novo.

That’s a great story about your great grandmother! What was her name? I’d love to help perpetuate the story.