tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134861752024-03-13T09:45:45.567-07:00Those Who Went BeforePhotos, stories and history of the ancestors of Jo Lee Archer Arnspiger.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-32652669381359107262013-02-13T18:07:00.002-08:002013-02-13T18:08:21.979-08:00The Beginning of the Story for James Edward Wise<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Iowa’s beautiful days of summer were a perfect backdrop to
the wedding of James Edward Wise and Sarah Loranz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wedding which took place on Thursday, August 8, 1878, may well
have been in the Presbyterian church of Clarinda, Iowa, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a church built through the
sponsorship of the bride’s father, Anthony Loranz in 1860.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church tower bell, freighted overland
from Fulton county, Illinois in 1860 also and through the efforts of Mr. Loranz, would have rung in joyous
celebration of this marriage of his youngest daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the weather accommodated a wedding dinner
held outside under the trees on the Loranz family's property in Clarinda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the prominent citizens of Clarinda would
have been in attendance as well as a large family contingent for both the bride
and groom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Loranz family were early
pioneers of Page county, arriving in 1858.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The groom’s family were newcomers to the county, arriving in September
of 1875 from Monroe county, Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
patriarch of the Wise family, Jacob Wise and his wife Mary Dunn, surely
contributed to the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wedding picnic or dinner,
perhaps supplying the mountainous platters of delicious chicken,
turkey and beef, and overflowing kettles of Iowa corn, famous as the best in all of Iowa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is safe to assume these</span> items were provided from the produce of the Wise farm, tended by their own hard work and
prepared with their loving hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
wedding cake was most certainly baked by one of the numerous female relations,
as well as pies and treats of all varieties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The splendor of the harvest of fruits and vegetables would have provided
a hearty banquet for all guests.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although born and raised in rural America, these young
people were not country bumpkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photos
of what is presumed to be wedding portraits, show James dressed in a formal
black suit with a sparkling white collared and button down shirt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah wore a stylish fitted silk dress with dark
lace and darker velvet at the v-neckline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
A high collar of w</span>hite lace and ribbon provided a beautiful contrast to the dark velvet. Sarah’s dark, abundant curls were secured in
a fashionable french twist or braid, with only her bangs giving away her
natural curl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful dangling
earrings and a matching choker completed her exquisite ensemble. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>twenty-two years
before, on a Friday, the 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>February, in 1855, James came into this world
welcomed by a cold Ohio winter day and two loving parents, Jacob and Mary Dunn
Wise of Franklin township in Monroe county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was their fourth child and second son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James
spent his youth as most young men who were farmers’ sons did; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>working on his father’s farm, learning the
skills he would later depend on to earn his living as an adult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He attended school when able, usually during
the winter months, perhaps walking or riding the mile or so to the icon of
rural American education, the Swazey one room schoolhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This small but mighty institution provided
scholarly education to James, his eight siblings and numerous cousins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James surely spent his <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sundays in fellowship with family and
neighbors in the adjacent M.E. church and the cold days of winter learning the
three “R’s” … “reading, riting and rithmatic.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-35689238412099920262013-02-11T21:22:00.000-08:002013-02-11T21:22:46.222-08:00Day 11 - Family History Writing ChallengeMy family has a saying, "everything depends on everything else." That couldn't be more true than when it comes to my writing my ancestor's story.<br />
<br />
Of course I have to have all my information about this individual before I can start writing. Opps, I don't have it all in the software, at least not the version I am currently using. Ok, so I will input the information because I really want that Timeline, right? And my "old" software doesn't do that. There is the first "everything depends on everything else" moment.<br />
<br />
Ok, now I'm ready to start writing ... oh, wait, what about all that "other stuff" I have found but have not entered into my software ... yet. Yeah, I really need those details because that is what will provide the "meat on the bones" of my story. So I go hunting in my digital filing cabinet. Really? I have got to get organized. I can't find what I know I have. Those newspaper articles have to be here somewhere! Maybe on my desktop computer, or maybe the laptop, or maybe one of the five or six flash drives, no wait maybe on the sd card. There is the second "everything depends on everything else" moment.<br />
<br />
Ok, so I'll get all these pieces organized. This would be a great time to utilize Evernote. I have heard great things about the organizational advantages of Evernote. I have had Evernote downloaded and on my computer for a couple years but ... well I never really bothered to read any articles about how to use it. Just jumped in and made another mess. So this time I read about it, watch a few youtube videos and decide yes, this is something that is EXACTLY what I want and need now. There is the third "everything depends on everything else" moment.<br />
<br />
So, I have located all the pieces of information I have gathered. I have put them in Evernote with tags so I can find them easily. I have entered all the facts in my current software of choice with correct source citations. Yeah!!! I have printed my timeline. I am now ready to start writing my great grandfather's story.<br />
<br />
There are research holes of course. I am a researcher at heart. That is what I love to do and what I always tend to fall back on, but, I want to become a family history writer, so I will take what I have, dates and facts, and I will weave a story of a man's life using the skills I am learning through the <a href="http://familyhistorywritingchallenge.blogspot.ca/p/challenge.html#!/p/challenge.html" target="_blank">February Family History Writing Challenge</a> sponsored by <a href="http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/" target="_blank">The Armchair Genealogist</a> and I will continue to modify and revise the story until I have it just the way I want it. <br />
<br />
There is the fourth "everything depends on everything else" moment.<br />
<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-42840241617371710212013-02-07T18:33:00.001-08:002013-02-07T18:34:25.873-08:00Day 7 - James E. Wise and the Civil War<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">James E. Wise and the Civil War </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
James would have been only 6 years old at the
outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
evidence has been found yet to support the hypothesis that his father, Jacob
Wise, born 1825, joined the forces on either side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An analysis of the children of this family
however might suggest just such an event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Starting with the first child born in November of 1848 just eleven
months after their marriage, a child was born about every eighteen to
twenty-four months until 1861.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then a
son Charles was born in March of 1861 with the next child, a daughter Evaline not
born until November of 1865.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems possible that Jacob Wise may have
been a soldier in the Union army, just as several of his uncles served on the
side of the Union from Ohio and West Virginia. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan Wise Jr. was in Co. D, 27<sup>th</sup>
Ohio Infantry and received a pension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thomas Wesley Wise received a Civil War headstone and probably enlisted
from the new state of West Virginia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
search of the 1863 Civil War Draft Books found Jacob Wise, age 37, in Franklin
township as registered so it appears he did not enlist, at least as of 1 July 1863.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did the war affect James and his
family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From a military perspective, there
was only one battle in Ohio at Buffington Island on 19 July 1863.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buffington Island is about 100 miles south of
James’ home in Monroe county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> James</span> probably would not have been aware of the
battle but likely his parents were acutely aware of the military activities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Being only eight years old, the war may not have had a huge impact on James except for possibly having added responsibilities around the farm and perhaps a lack of some of the more frivolous foodstuffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>The impact of the war on his life was probably
quite low and more emotional because of close family members who were in
many of the battles.</div>
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-55701455218824075612013-02-05T14:00:00.000-08:002013-02-05T14:00:01.076-08:00Day 5 - James Edward WiseI missed a couple days in the challenge, but I'm back and now able to post to my blog. I plan on posting my first couple of writing exercises later on this blog but I want to get back into "just writing" what I know about my great grandfather, James Edward Wise.<br />
<br />
Just a note - I watched the Storyboard video suggested in the newsletter and thought it was very good. Definitely something to watch. Thank you Lynn.<br />
<br />
Here is my post for today for the <a href="http://familyhistorywritingchallenge.blogspot.com/?view=classic#!/p/welcome.html" target="_blank">Family History Writing Challenge</a><br />
<br />
Education – <br />
<br />
By 1881 with a population of 1200, Franklin township supported seven
different school districts each with a one-room school house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
1840 population of Franklin township was listed as 1100 so in the 20 years elapsed the population changed
very little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The school districts in
existence during James’ school years would be very similar to those of 1881. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the landowner plat map for Monroe county
it can be determined that James lived very close to the 3<sup>rd</sup> district
school, named the Swazey School and located on land owned by Richard Gibson which was only a mile or so from the
Wise farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The school was listed as
being six miles north of Stafford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also a M.E. (Methodist Episcopal)
church adjacent to the school and it is probable James spent many a Sunday
morning in attendance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His great
grandfather, Jacob Wise Sr. was known to have established a M.E. Church in
Summit township in 1815.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
grandfather, Jonathan Wise also held M.E. church services in his home during the
1830’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Education was a precious gift to
these rural families and was supported by the residents with many donating land for
the schools and the churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a
letter written in 1901 by James to his family, it can be seen that he was a
literate and educated individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
spelling was accurate and his sentence structure appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The content of the letter is about prices he
can get for poultry, cheese, eggs, etc. and displays an understanding of
mathematics as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although his
handwriting is not extremely clear, it is definitely readable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
It is probable that he only attended school perhaps through 8<sup>th</sup>
grade and probably only during the winter months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The standard curriculum would include
reading, writing and arithmetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
apparent he was able to master these tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<br />
A study of the 1880 census shows James as well as other members of the
family as able to read, except his mother, Mary Dunn appears to have not been
able to read.<br />
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-78629449212920621002013-02-05T10:46:00.000-08:002013-02-05T10:46:29.325-08:00Back In the SaddleI have been absent from my blog for over a year but am back in the saddle with this post. The past year has been extremely busy for me genealogically speaking, hence, no time for blogging. <br />
<br />
I am poised for 2013 to be the year of huge things happening with me personally and with my genealogy research. <br />
<br />
On August 20, 2012 I submitted my portfolio for certification to the BCG. I am on pins and needles waiting to hear from them. The timeframes stated are 4-6 months and this is the 6th month. The old adage of a "watched pot never boils" couldn't be more accurate in this instance.<br />
<br />
I am also submitting an ancestor, Paul Ernstberger, to the DAR for approval as a NEW Revolutionary War veteran with my daughters as the applicants. We have a preliminary and unofficial approval based on Supply Tax lists from Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The whole application will need to be submitted with all the documentation but we, my husband and I, are confident this will also be a success.<br />
<br />
My project for February is to participate in the <a href="http://familyhistorywritingchallenge.blogspot.com/?view=classic#!/p/welcome.html" target="_blank">Family History Writing Challenge</a> sponsored by <a href="http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/" target="_blank">The Armchair Genealogist.</a> My posts for that project will be here as well.<br />
<br />
Hope I get some of my old subscribers back reading my blog. It was so fun to get comments of different posts.<br />
<br />
To all of those also participating in the Writing Challenge, keep up the great work.<br />
<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-59245533422684677192011-12-14T18:53:00.000-08:002011-12-14T18:53:49.594-08:00Blog Caroling with FootNoteMavenIt is so hard to pick a favorite carol but I will go with the first one to come to mind which is Carol of the Bells. Some versions are better than others. I recently discovered pianist George Winston. Here is a video accompanied by the music on YouTube. Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JYrOMK1aDA" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
Here are the lyrics copied from <a href="http://www.stlyrics.com/">http://www.stlyrics.com</a><br />
<br />
Hark how the bells, <br />
sweet silver bells, <br />
all seem to say, <br />
throw cares away <br />
<br />
Christmas is here,<br />
bringing good cheer, <br />
to young and old,<br />
meek and the bold, <br />
<br />
Oh how they pound, <br />
raising the sound, <br />
o'er hill and dale, <br />
telling their tale, <br />
<br />
Gaily they ring <br />
while people sing <br />
songs of good cheer, <br />
Christmas is here, <br />
<br />
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas, <br />
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas, <br />
On on they send , <br />
on without end, <br />
their joyful tone to every home <br />
Dong Ding dong ding, dong BongJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-80812040461582095302011-10-09T23:19:00.000-07:002011-10-09T23:19:28.954-07:00Testing My SkillsAs part of my journey to certification, I like to pit my research skills against unknown individuals. I am always looking for opportunities to research and this past summer while in a Loveland, Colorado antique store I found some interesting pictures. There were three pictures that appeared to be from the same family based on the names on the backs.<br />
<br />
I thought it would be fun to blog about this research project. My goal is to try to put the family group together and then see if I can find any descendents who would be interested in the pictures. <br />
<br />
Floyd Gilman is the first subject and in the picture he looks to be about 8 to 10 years old. Alta V. Gilman is the next picture and she looks to be older possibly a sister or mother of Floyd. The last picture is Emma Gilman Harwood who looks younger than Alta but is apparently married to a Harwood.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEsvxDJoYBSq9u1mRyagyRZAVBSzlG3elEWW5tjJFVlPICmIAmJnuBgQYquxUbkikZKE7F2UBXu4xXBoms3jv-wq1_7fceC93vi3trUqzxN9oad-oKMoJ4dxQkgySslddlz_V/s1600/Floyd+Gilman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEsvxDJoYBSq9u1mRyagyRZAVBSzlG3elEWW5tjJFVlPICmIAmJnuBgQYquxUbkikZKE7F2UBXu4xXBoms3jv-wq1_7fceC93vi3trUqzxN9oad-oKMoJ4dxQkgySslddlz_V/s200/Floyd+Gilman.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floyd Gilman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHWkAo_T71JphQUOp5_RkUDTS3aftw8612Hihi4uS8sjHWypz8cHuK-IONmLYLXoqJPivlUp7-hQ930Yz9UjSUE96UeLuuUG8MdsPb61_aOZn125kqbMLjC1EnLoBWLEb2l71/s1600/Alta+V.+Gilman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHWkAo_T71JphQUOp5_RkUDTS3aftw8612Hihi4uS8sjHWypz8cHuK-IONmLYLXoqJPivlUp7-hQ930Yz9UjSUE96UeLuuUG8MdsPb61_aOZn125kqbMLjC1EnLoBWLEb2l71/s200/Alta+V.+Gilman.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alta V. Gilman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzgwz0UIChtjXhkchibTGPHeOIl_QCirA0Hv2USqk502ydZYPdO5Y9o32cCpURpwxiC2HWaamPt2mHgDxejeLWFFL_PmVCeaRdInlS-sCkZsOnyoyNwt1SURREbK8E05jbMru/s1600/Emma+Gilman+Harwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzgwz0UIChtjXhkchibTGPHeOIl_QCirA0Hv2USqk502ydZYPdO5Y9o32cCpURpwxiC2HWaamPt2mHgDxejeLWFFL_PmVCeaRdInlS-sCkZsOnyoyNwt1SURREbK8E05jbMru/s200/Emma+Gilman+Harwood.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Gilman Harwood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It is not clear on these digital images but the location of the photographer was Freeport, Illinois. A quick query was done on Google to determine Stephenson county Illinois as the location for Freeport. Based on the subjects in the pictures I thought the time period would be sometime between 1870 and 1900. Using Ancestry to start the search I choose the 1880 US Federal Census and I choose Floyd Gilman as my first search subject. I choose Floyd because of his name. Floyd is a unique name and unique names narrow the search. Also the fact that he is male makes searching for him easier as he will not have a surname change.<br />
<br />
I was successful on my first query: Floyd A. Gilman age 6 is found in the family of Valentine Gilman age 50 and his wife Elmira Gilman age 45. The family is living in Erin, Stephenson, Illinois. Unfortunately the other two photograph subjects are not listed as living with this family in the 1880 census, so further research was necessary to be certain I had the correct Floyd Gilman. <br />
<br />
The next step was to check the 1870 US Federal census for Stephenson county, Illinois to see if the same family could be located. Initially I searched for Valentine Gilman age 40 living in Stephenson county, Illinois. Surprisingly no candidates came up on the search. I then tried to search for Elmira Gilman in Illinois and happily found the family in the 1870 census, although Valentine is listed as Valson and Gilman is Gillman. However, the children from the 1880 census are in the 1870 census as well as the two other subjects of this project, Alta and Emma Gilman.<br />
<br />
Stayed tuned for the next episode. Additional census records as well as marriage records are explored.<br />
<br />
Sources: <br />
1880 US Federal Census, Illinois, Stephenson County, Erin Post Office, pop. sch., digital image (<em>Ancestry.com; <a href="http://ancestry.com/">http://ancestry.com</a>:</em> accessed: 16 Jul 2011), ED 171, p. 8, dwelling 72, family 72.<br />
1870 US Federal Census, Illinois, Stephenson County, Erin Post Office, pop. sch., digital image <em>(Ancestry.com; </em><a href="http://ancestry.com/"><em>http://ancestry.com</em></a><em>: </em>accessed: 8 Oct 2011), p. 20, dwelling 147, family 143.<br />
<br />
<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-48740348365503408962011-10-03T22:45:00.000-07:002011-10-03T22:45:19.440-07:00Month One of My Certification TrackWay back in February of 2011 I wanted to participate in a Family History Writing Challenge. Unfortunately, life got in the way of that but now in October of 2011 I am starting my Certification Process. I sent my Preliminary Application in the first part of September 2011. I have had a month to think about which of my research projects I want to use in my portfolio, which document I will be using for the transcription portion and I have contacted an individual to be my client guinea pig. On a pro bono basis I will undertake a research project for her with a specific goal and time limit. This will be on a subject I have done no previous research on. I am really looking forward to that challenge.<br />
<br />
A special maillist is set up for those of us embarking on this journey, to ask questions and provide whatever support may be needed. Additionally, a six month plan is provided with a suggested timeline. Even though candidates are given a full year to complete the process, many seem to have much of the work done before the preliminary application is tendered. This is true in my case. I have been researching for over thirty years and have been thinking about Certification for three years or more. So here I go....and I want to chronicle my journey and share my thoughts, insights, crisis and setbacks for myself and maybe for others thinking about taking this huge step.<br />
<br />
Now in the first actual active month of this process, Month One, I will reread the first two chapters of <em>Evidence Explained,</em> review Requirement 1 of the BCG Application which includes the Genealogist's Code and what is suggested for my resume. I have already taken the "Are You Ready?" test from the BCG website and passed with flying colors. There are additional articles available in the BCG Skillbuilding area which I will also read. The last task for this month will be to write the resume and add it as the first piece of my portfolio.<br />
<br />
I am happy to be back to my blog; excited to be actually STARTING the certification process and curious to see where I will be in eight months.<br />
<br />
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-25058129945303855702011-02-01T20:23:00.000-08:002011-02-01T20:23:52.616-08:00Day 1 of My 28 Days of Family History Writing ChallengeI am joining the party just a little late. I just read about the writing challenge issued by the Armchair Genealogist and thought it was a great way for me to get back into my blog writing. So I am in and back. <br />
<br />
My first day will be simply to create the point form outline recommended by the Armchair Genealogist for my ancestor Joshua Atwood Tilton.<br />
<ul><li>Gt. gt. grandfather Joshua Atwood Tilton was born in Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts in 1835</li>
<li>His parents soon moved the family to Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts where he is found in the 1850 census</li>
<li>In the 1860 census Joshua is found in Selma, Alabama</li>
<li>Joshua joined the Confederate army in May 1861 at Selma, Alabama</li>
<li>He was discharged in Oct 1862 as disabled.</li>
<li>Joshua married Lydia Marie Graham sometime around 1864-66 in either Selma, Alabama or perhaps Orleans, Louisiana.</li>
<li>Joshua was employed as an engineer on the railroad.</li>
<li>In the 1870 census Joshua is found in Orleans, Louisiana with two children</li>
<li>In the 1880 census Joshua and family are in Woodville, Wilkinson, Mississippi where he remains through the 1900 and 1910 census.</li>
<li>Joshua died in 1911 in Woodville, Wilkinson, Mississippi</li>
</ul>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-38907706521930390692010-06-19T21:42:00.000-07:002010-06-19T21:42:31.757-07:00SNGF with Randy Seaver at Genea-MusingsI always seems to miss participating in Randy Seaver's SNGF but this week, thanks to some early posts by other bloggers, I was reminded and will participate. <br />
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As you may know Randy poses a meme each week for bloggers to blog or comment about. Tonight the meme is:<br />
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<em><span style="color: yellow;">1) Determine who is one of the most prolific fathers in your genealogy database or in your ancestry. By prolific, I mean the one who fathered the most children.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: yellow;">2) Tell us about him in your own blog post, in comments to this blogpost, or in comments on Facebook.</span></em><br />
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Most times, when I read various memes posted by genealogy bloggers, several ancestors come to mind who could fit the critera and I can choose which one to write about, but with this meme, there was no doubt in my mind about who I would write about. My maternal gt gt gt grandfather, Jonathan Wise has any other ancestor beat hands down. <br />
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Jonathan Wise was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania on the 28th of February, 1799. He was the oldest son of a family of nine children. As a young man he moved with his family to Monroe county, Ohio. There he met his wife, Jennie or Virginia Young, a young Irish lass and they married about 1822. His first child was born in 1823 and regular as clock work, every two years another child was born. In February 1839, Jennie died, probably in childbirth or shortly after, as a son Jonathan Wise Jr was born 12 February 1839. <br />
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So in seventeen years Jonathan and Jennie had eight children. <br />
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Within a year, Jonathan married again to Martha Antill, a young woman eighteen years his junior. By March of 1841, their first child was born and he continued to father children for the next seventeen years with his last child born in 1858. Chances are Jonathan would have continued to have more children, but he died in March of 1859 at the age of 60. <br />
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So in another seventeen years, Jonathan and Martha had ten children.<br />
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In total, between his two wives, Jonathan had <strong>EIGHTEEN</strong> children; <strong>SEVEN</strong> girls and<strong> ELEVEN</strong> boys. All of the children lived to adulthood except one son who apparently died as a young child. Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-57184693368830651572010-06-11T13:29:00.000-07:002010-06-11T13:29:26.356-07:00My First Day at SCGS JamboreeSo far my time at Jamboree has been perfect. I got my timeslot for the Ancestry scanning when I wanted it. WhooRahhhhh. Then I got to the Library and back again with lunch in there. Then the scanning was completed quite easily with not too much of a delay. Gene was able to take the pictures back to our temporary quarters and now I'm sitting in the mini class for Google Earth.<br />
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I have connected to the WiFi, got the photos ready and now I'm good to go.<br />
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More later.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-46546429474670795872010-06-03T19:35:00.000-07:002010-06-03T19:35:49.400-07:00Getting Ready for Jamboree<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Only a week away.... I'm getting very excited about my trip to the SCGS annual <a href="http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/2010jam-home.htm">Jamboree</a> in Burbank, CA which starts next Friday, June 11. I will be going a day early and staying a day longer to get some research time in at their library. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I just want to say how much I <em>love</em> the Internet. I have been able to check out the online library catalog, find the books I want to search, copy and paste those titles into a document, and print the document. Time is always of the essence when I get research opportunities and knowing what books are available before hand saves so much time. </span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am also going to try a new approach in my note taking. After reading numerous mail lists, APG and Transitional Genealogist especially, as well as the many knowledgeable geneabloggers, I realize I don't do a very good job of documenting my sources when I research. I do "ok" if I find something interesting, but I completely drop the ball if I find nothing. I mean, seriously, why should I go to all that trouble if I don't even find anything? Well, duh, so I don't keep looking in the same sources and finding nothing. So I have taken the basic book source from the Quick Check Model from EE, modified it some to include the fields from the QCM of chapter, multi-volumned, edited, reprint, etc and created a template in Word with four cards per regular size page. Oh, I also included a place for a source # and a place for a brief description of what is found. If I find nothing or just one or two lines I can record it right there with all the other information about the source. If I find a lot I will record it in my notebook and reference the source number on the "source card". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Since I have the list of the books I want to search, I sorted my list in alpha order by book title, then copy/pasted the title and author into the individual "source cards". I went a step further and highlighted the books that are the most interesting so I can check them first as time allows. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here is a sample.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7qK-wLxHjP6lSY9xe4KQlI6UvPV7MbOBlzVxOW4ePuC6FdIle25hXHBTKcZJBQouLn2J6Rvsh-7dpDq_kg3a62IMy3ytkp_F5z9C_gv_-uVwD4PBTg7Fjc2UQGcvPdivSAI5/s1600/Source+Note+Cards_example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7qK-wLxHjP6lSY9xe4KQlI6UvPV7MbOBlzVxOW4ePuC6FdIle25hXHBTKcZJBQouLn2J6Rvsh-7dpDq_kg3a62IMy3ytkp_F5z9C_gv_-uVwD4PBTg7Fjc2UQGcvPdivSAI5/s320/Source+Note+Cards_example.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, when I'm at the library checking book by book (I have a very specific and narrow search parameter so will be checking the indexes for a specific surname) I won't have to write each of those book titles and authors. I will only have to jot down the other information, hopefully including the page number when I find something interesting....and I won't forget any piece of information for my source citation creation once I get home because it's all right there to remind me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This will be the first time I use this method so I'm sure it will have some glitches but it certainly can't be any worse than what I have done in the past. I can also note on these cards whether I get a copy of the information and then on that copy I can put the source number to keep everything cross indexed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have included a couple pages of blank source cards in case I find a source not on my list. I am pretty optimistic about this method and hope to report back with my <em>wonderful, fabulous and amazing</em> results. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After its trial run and any modifications I need to make I will be making the word document available for download to be used by my readers if you would like. Also if this works as I hope, I will be creating some additional source cards for different types of sources genealogist would find while searching in a library or archives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'll be talking about the breakout sessions I'm excited about at Jamboree in my next post. If any of my readers will be attending Jamboree, let me know, maybe we can meet at Geneablogger Central.</span><br />
</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-24468103061547667412010-06-02T16:10:00.000-07:002010-06-02T16:10:03.133-07:00OMG -- I finally found it<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In a previous post about <a href="http://arnspiger.blogspot.com/2010/02/minerva-louise-favorite-1-april-1830-2.html">Minerva Favorite</a> I wrote about the mystery of Minerva and her family. Yesterday at the Family History Center here in Prescott I found, at last, a huge piece in the puzzle. Of course, as with all genealogy, the more we know, the more questions we have, but for now I'm not going to think about those other questions. I am going to celebrate this find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Just a little background for you, I have been searching for the bits and pieces of the life of Joseph Favorite and his wife Sarah, parents of Minerva for five to six years. About three years ago I discovered a Creditors Notice publication in the Frederick Town Hearld newspaper (online) dated 27 Aug 1831 naming George Kuhn as administrator of Joseph Favorite's estate. Now just a note to others researching, I searched for Favorite and found nothing relevant, only things like "favorite game" or "favorite son"... but since I knew Sarah's maiden name was Kuhn I thought well why not search that and see what comes up. What came up was George Kuhn which lead to Joseph Favorite. Favorite might have come up normally but in the article, Favorite was hyphenated: Favor-ite. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway, now I had a date to start checking probate records so off I went to the FHL catalog to find the film numbers II would need. The next step was ordering the first two films (only two at a time for various reasons) and then the waiting. You know that feeling, right? It should take maybe a week to get the film, those always seem to be the longest weeks. The call finally came from the FHC and off I went, certain of success. And success I had, initially finding the Administrator Bonds in the first film, but no luck in the second film which was the actual Administration Accountings 1828-1831, just a little too early. Next step, order the next two films and wait... again....finally the call came and off I went to the FHC, very hopeful. This time I got really lucky and found the Inventory to Joseph Favorite's estate. Three pages listing everything this young family owned, all with a dollar value placed on it. For me as a family historian, the value of seeing these belongings was priceless but it's hard to imagine something like "2 old scythes" being valued at 50 cents. So many of the articles were valued at a dollar or less There were some things I needed to search for on Google to figure out what they were; most ended up being different types of farming implements. It was apparent Joseph was a farmer but he apparently rented land as no real estate was listed in the inventory. Again the second film did not provide any additional information but I figured if I continued to bat 500 I would be happy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It was time for two more films so I ordered the next two on the list, knowing for sure one of them would be the one, it would have that Final Accounting I was looking for, it </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">would <em><strong>list the heirs,</strong></em> if there were any of Joseph, it would list Minerva. That was what I really wanted, to see Minerva's name listed there in the official document as his daughter, the final overriding proof. Another week went by and no word from the FHC, then another. Finally the call came, the films are in. By now the dates I was looking at were 1834-1836 and 1836-1840. The Inventory was dated August 1831 so even with a reasonable time delay, the final accounting should occur by 1836 right? Wrong, as I checked out the index in the first film, nothing, no reference to Joseph Favorite or any other Favorite. "That's ok", thought the second film will have it for sure. As I wound the film on the microfilm reader I was sending up silent prayers to the genealogy angels, "please let it be there". I always check the other letters in the index for other names I,m interested in and found nothing but as I approached the "F" page I was holding my breath....[whoose, <em>air out</em>] not one Favorite listed. The list is short so it's was over quick, but not painlessly. As a small consolation, I did find a reference to "the estate of Rebecca Flack" who I knew was a sister of Sarah Kuhn so at least I was rewarded with a little tidbit, not what I wanted but we take what we can get right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So it was back to the order form and two more films By this time was looking at 1839-1848 and 1840-1845. I know, strange numbering sequence but I was just taking them in order. I couldn't figure out why his estate wouldn't be there, what was I missing? It had been almost 8 years since his death and still no estate settlement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">You know the drill as well as I by now, and the waiting game. Again after about 10 days, the call came from the FHC but this time only one of the films had come in, the other was on back order. The older of the two, the 1839-1848 had arrived. I wan't really very excited about these two films, this one in particular; it was too late. My theory was somehow I had missed Joseph in the previous films; most likely the indexing wasn't accurate and he had simply been overlooked. I put the visit to the FHC off a couple days just out of spite really, I didn't want that disappointment, again, but finally I had a couple minutes, and knowing it wasn't going to take long to just read the index, so I stopped by and sure enough it only took about 5 minutes and I was done. Nothing there, no Favorites listed and certainly not Joseph. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Since I was still waiting on one more film I didn't want to order any more, so back I went to the waiting game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Last week, on Friday, I came home and notice a message on the answering machine; my last film had come in. "Whoppee" I thought sarcastically, "no hurry here, it's the Memorial Day weekend, the library will be closed and there won't be anything on this film either." Finally yesterday I decided to just go ahead, go to the library, get it over with and check out the film. There wasn't any excitement (well maybe just a little), just put the film on and be done with it. As I got to the "F' page in the index, the second name from the top is "Sarah Favorite, 1st accounting p. 11". WHAT, OMG could it possibly be? chills all over, "I think I've found it, not Joseph, but Sarah his wife"... further down the page there she is again "Sarah Favorite 2nd and Final Accounting, page 470". A Final Accounting, could it possibly be? Quickly I forwarded to page 11 and started reading. Again, as with Joseph's estate, George Kuhn is acting as Administrator in the estate (he is her brother). She died before 17 April 1839, the date of this 1st Accounting. The accounting indicates how much the personal property in her estate sold for, a payment made by a "George Favorite", (nice clue here, perhaps a brother-in-law?) and interest received on the sum. Secondly the administrator prays for an allowance to pay for some things including to "Christian Beahcy for making coffin". Total value of the estate was $507.84 1/2. Can't wait now, I have to get to that final accounting so I zoom through the microfilm to page 470 and find that final, wonderful clue, the final accounting of Sarah Favorite dated 25 Jan 1842 where at the bottom of the page it reads, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>Amount for distribution brought forward, $808.69</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>Distribution according to law as follows To Wit</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>To Minerva Favorite a daughter of the Intestate $404.34 1/2</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To Casandra Favorite a daughter of the Intestate</span> $404.34 1/2</em><br />
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I DID IT.... I FOUND THAT LONG HIDDEN ELUSIVE CLUE. <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wish I had better words but I think other genealogists will understand the feelings I was experiencing; we have all had these moments. They are what make all the disappointments worthwhile. So apparently what happened is before Joseph's estate could be finalized with the proceeds going to his wife, Sarah, she died which must have complicated things even more. The one major question I have is why would the court distribute to two minor females. These girls were only 12 and 10 years old. There is no mention anywhere of a guardian, however, I realized while writing this that I checked guardianship records up to 1839. Perhaps I just didn't go far enough. I will be ordering those films immediately.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So the lesson to all of you who take the time to read this LONG post, is NEVER, NEVER give up. The term Exhaustive Search as stated in the GPS means exactly that. I am still so excited about this find, I had to share and my geneablogging buddies are the ones I wanted to share with. Thanks for being there. </span>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-62854162631543289582010-05-31T09:51:00.000-07:002010-05-31T09:51:16.170-07:00Thank You For Your Service<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On this Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, I want to thank all the men and women of my family, both living and dead, who stepped up and served our country in times of both war and peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I will start with the present generation, my two son-in-laws, Earl Ray Garner and Michael Ward Ryan. Ray, as we call him, served in the Navy and Mike remains in the Air Force.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the 2nd generation, my husband Gene William Arnspiger served in the Army during the Vietnam War and his brother, Gordon Steves Arnspiger served in the Navy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the 3rd generation, my mother Dorothy Marie Wise enlisted in the Army in the WACs and served for the duration of World War II. My father, Harry Stephen Archer served in the Army and was stationed in the Phillipines</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the 4th generation, my grandfather, Albert Vernon Wise served in the Army in World War I in the 168th Infantry, 42 Division, Rainbow Division, Company G. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the 5th generation none of my ancestors were of an age to participate in the Civil War.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the 6th generation however, several of my ancestors fought in the </span><a href="http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Civil War</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> including my gt gt grandfather, </span><a href="http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Henry Stephen Archer</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Sr who served in the Confederate Army from Mississippi. Another gt gt grandfather, </span><a href="http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joshua Atwood Tilton</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> served in the Confederate Army from Alabama. Another gt gt grandfather, Anthony Loranz tried to enlist but was told he was too old and thus became a recruiter for the Union army. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the 8th and 9th generations, William Anderson served in the Revolutionary War from South Carolina, Stephen Bolender served in the Revolutionary War from Pennsylvania, as did Han Phillip Shinkle. Paul Pratt Sr and his father Lemuel Pratt served from Massachusetts, Jesse Peck Jr and his father Jesse Peck Sr served from Connecticut. Jesse Peck Sr died of his wounds and disease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are probably others to be included in this list and I thank them also, as well as all the wives of these men who sacrificed, survived and raised their families while the men were defending our country.</span>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-45199097154027796422010-05-30T13:39:00.000-07:002010-05-30T22:26:01.750-07:00SNGF Challenge - Using the Relationship Calculator in Your Genealogy Software<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even though it is Sunday afternoon, I wanted to step up to the challenge issued over at <a href="http://www.geneamusings.com/">Genea-Musings</a> by </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Randy Seaver and his <a href="http://www.geneamusings.com/2010/05/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-your.html">Saturday Night Genealogy Fun</a>, SNGF for short. His challenge is:</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Your mission, should you decide to accept it (come on, don't be a party pooper...) is:</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1) Open up the genealogy software program of your choice.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2) Think about two special people in your family tree (your parents? your spouse? a famous person? a distant cousin? yourself?).</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3) Use the Relationship Calculator in the software to determine the relationship between the two special people. If you don't know where to find the Relationship Calculator, go to the Help button and find out. Follow the directions!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4) Tell us about it in a blog post on your own blog, in a comment to this post on my blog, or in a Note or comment on Facebook.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Like Randy, I used RootsMagic4 for this exercise. I don't have too many people in my family tree who are "famous", however I did discover I am related the Bill Gates of Microsoft fame so I thought that would be a fun relationship to document. Unfortunately, like John Newmark over at <a href="http://transylvaniandutch.blogspot.com/">TransylvaniaDutch</a>, I didn't have all the information in my database. But what a great opportunity to do that so off I went to gather the online resources and put the pieces together. I found a digital version on Google books of "</span><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=k6fDl9gE45IC&printsec=frontcover&dq=genealogies+of+connecticut&ei=8b0CTNX2IqbAzgSQt_TKDA&cd=1#v=snippet&q=simon%20gates&f=false"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Genealogies of Connecticut Families</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">" that has been extracted from The New England Historical and Genealogical Register by Genealogical Publishing in 1998. I wasn't able to download the book but by using </span><a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote/ha101686341033.aspx"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">OneNote</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I was able to take snapshots of the pages I wanted relevent to the Gates family (my line and Bill's line) and then paste them into a word document. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I then found a site showing </span><a href="http://www.wargs.com/other/gates.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bill Gates' ancestry</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> compiled by William Addams Reitwiesner and others with the caveat that "the following material on the immediate ancestry of Bill Gates should not be considered either exhaustive or authoritative, but rather as a first draft." I was able to verify the older generations listed on this website by using the "Genealogies of Connecticut Families".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As it turns out Bill and I are related as 8th cousins 2 times removed. Our MCRAs (most common recent ancestor) are Stephen Gates born ca 1600 in Hingham, England and his wife Ann Veare, born 1603 in England also. They married 5 May 1628 in Hingham, England. (<em>The American Genealogist</em>, vol. 10, p. 199, April 1934) Stephen Gates was the immigrant ancestor and arrived in 1638 on the ship <em>Diligent </em>of Ipswich, John Martin, master. The family settled in Hingham, MA</span>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-35144759581556454662010-05-11T13:19:00.000-07:002010-05-11T13:19:38.449-07:00ISFHWE Excellence in Writing Winner coming to Prescott Arizona - Colleen FitzpatrickColleen Fitzpatrick will be the guest speaker at the NAGS May 22, 2010 monthly meeting in Prescott, Arizona. Ms. Fitzpatrick will be speaking to us about DNA and its use in our personal genealogy as well as her many success stories using DNA techniques. This will be an all day seminar and is open to anyone interested. The cost is $35.00 until May 15th, then increases to $40.00. <br />
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Imagine my pleasant surprise when I read Ms. Fitzpatrick was the 1st place winner of the ISFHWE Excellence in Writing Contest for 2010 in category II, Published Articles. The ISFHWE is the <a href="http://www.isfhwe.org/">International Society of Family History Writers and Editors. </a> The beginnings of this organization began on May 13, 1987 when the Council of Genealogy Columnists was formed at a meeting held in conjunction with the 1987 NGS conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. As the organization grew and embraced a more global role, the name was changed to International Society of Family History Writers and Editors in May of 2000.<br />
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This should be a wonderful day spent learning a great deal about DNA and how to use it in my genealogical research.<br />
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If there's anyone out there who wants to attend this seminar check out the <a href="http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~aznags/Colleen%20Fitzpatrick.htm">NAGS</a> website for the registration form. Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-67440620000625413602010-04-28T13:07:00.000-07:002010-04-28T13:08:29.127-07:00Wordless Wednesday - George Willam Arnspiger attends Century of ProgressGeorge William Arnspiger at age 84 attended this Exposition. His wife, Laura Childs Steeves Arnspiger accompanied him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHaaBaxdHCNapUX5GdAFyLeuND_j83EC5YCRxFDXa83_aIaior4m3pyf8ql22H7nIKiFc7XsipkIgRusQsGTWRWN-Hi1kU0Q1UttJ1_fej60hGVN5SnvULuA1bO22nkJdhyId/s1600/Arnspiger+1930+Fair+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHaaBaxdHCNapUX5GdAFyLeuND_j83EC5YCRxFDXa83_aIaior4m3pyf8ql22H7nIKiFc7XsipkIgRusQsGTWRWN-Hi1kU0Q1UttJ1_fej60hGVN5SnvULuA1bO22nkJdhyId/s400/Arnspiger+1930+Fair+001.jpg" tt="true" width="290" /></a></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-77933073245495988862010-04-26T14:31:00.000-07:002010-04-26T14:38:30.583-07:00Amanuensis MondayJohn Newmark at <a href="http://transylvaniandutch.blogspot.com/">TranslyvaniaDutch</a> has started this Monday prompt. For those of you new to this the definition of Amanuensis is: <i>one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscripts.</i> <br />
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My transcription this Monday is a letter written by my gtgrand father James E. Wise (1854-1904). The "voice" I hear in this letter is one of love and affection from James for his family. Also interesting was the glimpse into James' occupation. He was apparently a procurer of cheese and eggs, at least on this particular trip. (There is no punctuation or appropriate capitalization in the letter so I am inserting periods where I think appropriate)<br />
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<em>Riverton, Iowa, 7-11 1901</em><br />
<em>Folks at Home. I have just got to this place, got my chees from Depot. got Supper and have afew minutes to get this letter off. I have finished up about 2000# I find this lot melted down in bad shape don't think I can do much here but probale will clean up what Frank will send me by Sat eve. I find that I made no bad deals the other trip. I have been watching the egg market. find white giving less than 6¢ for them and Six at some places I am afraid you will go low on them. Break them down to six ¢. I never seen such weather. crops are all going to burn up in this county. all gone in Kansas. I think I will get in Sat eve. Hay is not keeping up this trip. got a fill on new hay and to much water . Wind is all right think she will be all right in the morning. Well I will close. Hope you are ok on every thing.</em><br />
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<em>Your Father, J.E.</em><br />
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<em>Tell Albert and my girl I will bring 5¢ each when I get home and probale will get enough out of this trip to give my wife a penny.</em>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-5541840869496097442010-04-18T21:01:00.000-07:002010-04-18T21:01:44.760-07:00Amanuensis Monday - April 1918 World War I letter homeJohn Newmark at <a href="http://transylvaniandutch.blogspot.com/">TranslyvaniaDutch</a> has started this Monday prompt. For those of you new to this the definition of Amanuensis is: <i>one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscripts.</i> So I will be participating in this and using it to transcribe letters and documents I have accumulated during my years of research. This particular document is a letter from my grandfather, Albert Wise, while he was a soldier in WWI. He was 26 years old and had enlisted in 1917. I have about ten letters and will be posting them periodically.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;">April 10th 1918</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;">Still in France</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dear Fred & Edna,</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Will try and write you a few lines today. We just got out of the trenches again with good luck didn’t loose a man, and only two slight wounds so I think we are lucky. Our Capt was wounded the first time we were in the trenches and is still in the hospital but is getting alright from all reports. And we hope he will soon be with us again for we think he is the best in the regiment. We were in the same place this last time as we were the first. When we first when in to the[m] we were somewhat scared of the big shells that would come over and burst close to us. But now we are use to all of this and it don’t bother us a bit. And we are not as much afraid of the gas as we were. For I don’t believe the germans have the gas that they had at first. I mean it isn’t as strong and they don’t have as much of it as they did. We are on the Lorraine Front you can look that up and see about where we are located. The germans haven’t a thing on us, and I think we have on them, and will have lots more in time. But most every one thinks the war will end some time this summer and I sure hope so for this is no place for a white man. Sure am glad I was born in America where they do things. Will have lots of funny things to tell you all when I return. But don’t believe that will be until fall. But some of the boys think the war will end this month. It sure would tickle us to death if it would end, but we all hope for the quick close of the war. But we want the germans licked first, and put where they can’t cause any trouble for awhile. We are back of the trenches about 4 or 5 miles I guess so are not in very much danger. The weather has been very bad for the last two weeks has been cold and rainy. But surely will clear up soon. Well I guess I have wrote about all I can for this time so will close. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">With lots of love</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Your brother</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Albert</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">O.K.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Q.W. Mills</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lieut. 168th Inf.</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-80038753954755709592010-04-18T17:19:00.000-07:002010-04-18T17:19:02.151-07:00Genea-Musings Saturday Night Challenge - Make A TimelineRandy Seaver at <a href="http://www.geneamusings.com/2010/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-family.html">Genea-Musings</a> challenged us to make a timeline using our genealogy software. We were to select an ancestral couple, include their parents and children and post it to our blog. Randy used RM4 and since that is one of the software programs I use I decided to participate. Here is my timeline chart for Joshua Atwood Tilton. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniPJAxSZjXCx3upP_oBjh22EiihR2ZnZxt7hyphenhyphenpIF602Nb4YLFrr99iUK0AH2eL6mfFo9SdUlp8v1B-AvO4XCwNUV6KDavXvFikkwMsGVIMzpvUzJqAlGOO98I5nCD5101gpLG/s1600/TiltonJoshuaAtwoodTimeline.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 269px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 384px;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniPJAxSZjXCx3upP_oBjh22EiihR2ZnZxt7hyphenhyphenpIF602Nb4YLFrr99iUK0AH2eL6mfFo9SdUlp8v1B-AvO4XCwNUV6KDavXvFikkwMsGVIMzpvUzJqAlGOO98I5nCD5101gpLG/s400/TiltonJoshuaAtwoodTimeline.png" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The more I see of RootsMagic 4 the more I like it. I believe I will have to make it my first choice genealogy software</div><br />
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</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-4747803476375424532010-04-16T12:23:00.000-07:002010-04-16T15:35:09.677-07:00From Boston, Massachusetts to Selma, Alabama and the Confederate Army<em>The <a href="http://thefamilycurator.com/">Family Curator</a> continues to provide some interesting blogging prompts in her Blogger's April 2010 Almanac. Prompts for the third week, April 11 through the 17th, are related to the Civil War and how it affected our ancestors.</em> <br />
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Now right from the start I want to make clear I don't really do alot of research into the military activities of my ancestors. It's not something that holds alot of interest for me. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of all my veteran ancestors but the military details... not so much. But Joshua Atwood Tilton, the subject of this post is a puzzle to me. He was indeed a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting less than thirty days after the shots fired at Ft. Sumter. What has me so puzzled is why he enlisted in the Confederate Army. <br />
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Joshua Atwood Tilton was born Feb 1, 1835 in Suffolk county, Massachusettes. He comes from a long line of New Englanders, both on his father's side, the Tiltons, and his mother's side, the Atwoods. These two families were some of the early founders of Massachusetts. Even as late as 1850 we find Joshua living with his parents and siblings in Boston. So why was he in Selma, Alabama in 1860? I don't find other family in the area so my guess: because of his occupation. He worked for the railroad. I surmise he had an employment opportunity and being a young, single man he took it. But that still doesn't explain why he would enlist in the Confederacy. I don't imagine I will ever know the answer to that question.<br />
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Joshua enlisted on May 10, 1862 in Selma, Alabama in Co. D, 8th Reg't of the Alabama Infantry. I have found part of his medical service record listing him as a private. It describes the gunshot wound and his subsequent medical discharge. Just two days after the battle of Antietam he was admitted to the hospital in Richmond, Virginia, Sept 19, 1862 to be treated for a gunshot wound to the right arm. Although I do not have his full service record I am making the assumption he participated in that battle and was one of the thousands of casualties.<br />
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Joshua was discharged on Oct 23, 1862 with the physician stating he was incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of "the effects of a gunshot wound in the lower third of the right arm. The flexor and extensor muscles are so much injured that it will be a long time before he will recover the use of it. I further declare my belief that said soldier is unfit for duty..". So thankfully, Joshua escaped the further ravages of the Civil War but whether or not he ever recovered the use of his right arm is unknown.<br />
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I do know he remained in the South. He married, probably in New Orleans, about 1865 to Lydia Marie Graham and his first child was born in 1867. By 1880 he and his family were living in Wilkinson county, Mississippi. Again I believe his choice of residence was influenced by his occupation; he continued to be a railroad engineer on the line from Centreville, Mississippi to New Orleans, until his retirement sometime in the late 1890's.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-16848802640088538702010-04-12T09:38:00.000-07:002010-04-12T09:38:12.779-07:00Amanuensis Monday - Letter from a FriendWhile reading Joan's blog <a href="http://rootsnleaves.blogspot.com/">Roots'n'Leaves</a> I noticed her Monday posts called Amanuensis Monday which were transcriptions of family diaries or other material. I wondered what this word meant so I went googling. I found the definition: <em>one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscripts. </em>Further research into the origins of this prompt idea lead me to John Newmark at <a href="http://transylvaniandutch.blogspot.com/">TransylvaniaDutch</a>. Since I am of that certain age (retired), and no longer "employed" I will "volunteer" and join in the fun of Amanuensis Monday.<br />
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So here is my first Amanuensis post. This is a letter in my possession, dated July 8, 1860 from Mary Eliz. Heliner of Emmitsburg, Frederick county, Maryland to her "friend", Minerva Louise Favorite Douglass of Ottumwa, Iowa. Minerva is my gt gt grandmother. The letter is quite difficult to read in some places and impossible in others.<br />
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<em>Dear Friend,</em><br />
<em>I received your very welcome letter and you can hardly imagine what joy it gave me for when I wrote I had the wrong direction. I had to guess the place. I was sorry to hear of your ???? affliction. I hope brighter days are in store for you. When you move east perhaps you will regain your nice happy ??? ????. …I am glad one of your children is a ???? ahead of mine although the name is not pretty yet I like to have some of my friends call there children that name. There was a gentleman in town yesterday from Mercer, a Mr. Fleming. Sis ??? requested him to call to see Laura Smith, I did not see him so told Laura that Sis was to be married soon perhaps it is ??? . we have very cold and unpleasant weather. Cold enough to wear shawls in evening and morning, it certainly is very unhealthy. On the fourth I was at a fishing party, Danners girls, Brooks girls, myself and Maria were the girls. Pierce Danner and James Helman were the boys. We had a great deal of fun. We rode out and back. I was at very large picnic last week but did not enjoy myself very much. There were too many at it for any pleasure. Ellen Weltz is married. She married a man in Baltimore. You remember her, she always lived next door to you. I will now answer the questions you asked. Mary E. Eichelbarger is not married nor any of the family. Your Guthrie is living in Davenport Iowa. She has been there nearly three years. She is not married but Jane is married to George Beam, they are living near town. Mr. Guthrie is dead nearly two years. Mrs. Shiles and William are both dead. The rest of the family are living in St. Joseph Missouri, moved out this spring. Charlie Bow is married to a Mis Maxwell. He is living in the country. Sarah Troxel sends her best love. She says she would like to see you. She is living with her father ever since Charles is married, she is the same lighthearted creature she ever was. Josh and Eli are still single. Isaiah Bow is married to Miss Bushman. Cal Zimmerman is very delicate. She does not go out much since she had her child which is a little girl. Joseph Weltz has been living in Virginia five years, they are very much pleased. Jeminas mother is out with them now. She will be home this week. All the girls send their love to you. Every person appeared glad to hear of you. I told a great many persons that I had a letter from you. They would all like to see you. Philomena Pittinger and Victoria are coming home. Phil is not well, she thinks the country will do her good. Your Aunt Marg. Jones lives in Iowa City you are not far from her, they are doing well. Fishers are in the same place. I would like to see all of them. I wrote to Jim that he was coming in but he has not made his appearance yet. Smalee was in but did not come to see us. I think it very hard he might have called if only for a few moments. There has no doubt been a great many changes since you left, a great many have died, some have married and moved off. Frank Eysler is living in St. Joseph. She has two children. She does not like it out there, but she is one of these discontented creatures. If nothing happens I expect to go to Virginia in a few weeks. I hope I will enjoy myself. Pearsons are living in Westminster. Mary is to be married soon. Aunt Molter is dead this two years. Sam bought her house and is married and has two children. He married a lady from Pittsburgh. Rev. Mr. Senham is also married again. He is living near Philadelphia. Annie Diven is married to Harry McDivim. He is living in Kansas. Julia Shark has grown to be a very fine lady, very sociable and pleasant. Kate Geets is still single. She is keeping house for George since his wife died. Susan is married and is living in Hanover. What I have not told you please remind me when you write again. All the family join with me in love to you and your family, remember me to your husband, answer very soon and believe me ever your true friend. Good bye hope you are all well, Mary Eliz Heliner </em><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI_oD3rZZGESyhGVaNb1Klyl_Yyx6WwMpMYBaUysn7gm4fSPsh-dOZlfrbJUF83L50nvB3DsvvnEZtl4Z_CqNUpWLP5EiCewzzNchvopCSXEkCeXkOfeMe8L-1pJCrnvFPXF3/s1600/MaryElizHelmanLetter1860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI_oD3rZZGESyhGVaNb1Klyl_Yyx6WwMpMYBaUysn7gm4fSPsh-dOZlfrbJUF83L50nvB3DsvvnEZtl4Z_CqNUpWLP5EiCewzzNchvopCSXEkCeXkOfeMe8L-1pJCrnvFPXF3/s200/MaryElizHelmanLetter1860.jpg" width="161" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Poem at the end of letter </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><em></em> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><em>Oft in tender recollection</em> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><em>Call to mind thy absent friend</em> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><em>Cherish for her that affection</em> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><em>Which shall never ever end </em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-28333456362379482152010-04-10T19:22:00.000-07:002010-04-10T19:22:17.850-07:00SNGF with Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings<em>My mission should I choose to take it: </em><br />
<em>1) Tell us: Which ancestor or relative do you readily identify with? Which one do you admire? Which one are you most like, or wish that you were most like? Which one would you really like to sit down and have a heart-to-heart conversation with?</em><br />
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I would really like to have a heart-to-heart conversation with my 4th gtgrandfather, Jacob Wise (1771-1845). Here are some of the questions I would ask; "Did he come from Maryland or Virginia? Was his wife Mary Wise? Were they cousins? What did he do while living in Greene co, PA? I have found no land records for him; only the sale of one house lot. Did he rent land to farm? Did he have another occupation? A cooper or a blacksmith? Was Greene county just a stepping stone to his ultimate goal: Ohio? But the biggest question of all would be "Who was your father?" For genealogists I guess that is always the question but I have been looking for his father for 35 years and I still don't feel any closer to the answer.<br />
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Once the conversation got started, more and more questions would beg for answers. What were his dreams? Was he a kind man? Did he believe in equality; for woman, for all men? Did he believe in fun or was there only work. I know he was a founding member of a Methodist Episcopol church in Monroe county, Ohio where he moved with his large family in 1814. Did his religion bring him joy or was it a burden? Was he proud of his large family. He had 9 children, 4 girls and 5 boys. Did he like to sing? What was his favorite food? Oh, the list would go on and on.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-23212292239084886522010-04-09T23:25:00.000-07:002010-04-09T23:25:02.436-07:00My Mother, Baseball and My GrandfatherDenise Levenick at <a href="http://www.thefamilycurator.com/">The Family Curator</a> has provided free for download a Blogger's April 2010 Almanac with some very interesting blogging prompts, as well as the chance to win a free copy of Roots Magic 4. Her prompts for April 5 through April 10 were all dealing with baseball and how it may have impacted our ancestors. My first thought was of my mother and grandfather so here is a little piece of their lives through baseball.<br />
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If someone were to ask me "What was your mother's favorite pastime?" the first thing that comes to mind is Baseball. She was an avid fan of most sports, but she really loved baseball. This love of baseball was passed to her from her father and was one of her happy memories she shared with me.<br />
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My family loved the Los Angeles Dodger's; they were our hometown team and the baseball stadium was close enough for a day trip. It was a great family adventure to go to a game at Dodger Stadium; the popcorn and the hotdogs (pickles, onions, mustard and ketuchp please), the announcers and the crowd; I can still remember the rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Cheering when Maury Wills stole another base and when Sandy Koufax threw another strikeout and groaning when Frank Howard struck out, again!<br />
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My mom shared with me her memories of her father, Albert Wise and his love of baseball. The stories weren't detailed, just that she had happy memories of the two of them going to ball games when she was growing up. I image the games were smaller, country affairs between minor league teams; with the smell of popcorn and cotton candy and the sound of good natured heckling from the fans. But sometimes, on a special occasion; a birthday maybe, they might have gone to Chicago to see the big leagues. What a thrill that would have been for both of them.<br />
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My grandfather also played baseball. I don't know what position but because of his height I imagine he might have played first base. He would have had a great reach!!!! <br />
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This first picture is in Riverton, Iowa. Both my grandfather, Albert and his brother Fred are on this team. I think this is about 1908 or 1909. Albert would have been about 17 years old<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">This is a team from Nodaway, Iowa, Albert's hometown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEMqsA-kfJLI7YruKQnNjqACHvSpS24tkZqRwruhOynwtHP3j2I3CWhi1VkOYDNpx1gCv632veFDxdHU3TZXr4wVvt3WvTMsxmzDNw8-SrrhBLijMHbMrd1hjH52dAQbpeq7M/s1600/albert_wise_bb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEMqsA-kfJLI7YruKQnNjqACHvSpS24tkZqRwruhOynwtHP3j2I3CWhi1VkOYDNpx1gCv632veFDxdHU3TZXr4wVvt3WvTMsxmzDNw8-SrrhBLijMHbMrd1hjH52dAQbpeq7M/s320/albert_wise_bb4.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Albert tagging someone out. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a Baseball minor league known as the Three-I's, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois League, and this league had a team called the Davenport Blue Sox. These next two pictures show Albert with a team known as the Blue Sox. See it on the uniforms? I don't know if they are in fact from this minor league, but I suppose it is possible. Wouldn't that be wonderful?? These photos are not dated, but Albert looks older than the other photos. I would say maybe 1916, making him 24 years old; this would make it right before Albert's enlistment in the US Army in 1917.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaNIVOdWs8uZ62OzOw_Sj2Z6sdTizH9lnFkZASzUCKmzUbTwlwzzwZhIlSWo5vzBpantr6_8CskM8h9S82oqW1zNPeTAWd8uomwrCFziFDugQSiVXCHSRbi3QiQIiyV_ztZfw/s1600/albert_wise_bb3_arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaNIVOdWs8uZ62OzOw_Sj2Z6sdTizH9lnFkZASzUCKmzUbTwlwzzwZhIlSWo5vzBpantr6_8CskM8h9S82oqW1zNPeTAWd8uomwrCFziFDugQSiVXCHSRbi3QiQIiyV_ztZfw/s320/albert_wise_bb3_arrow.jpg" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55T2oeOKWfI4u6V6TIdmZxL9vbneDz8-V_WKvgqn2xmK7cLoNdg4_uzMencWXpDVLyTKVpZjYTJ6xxJMhVQ_xxVi0qDFCOgrFx9xpznfvZICDifE9LGnyU8NGqCUePgfLOA68/s1600/albert_wise_bb_bluesox_arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55T2oeOKWfI4u6V6TIdmZxL9vbneDz8-V_WKvgqn2xmK7cLoNdg4_uzMencWXpDVLyTKVpZjYTJ6xxJMhVQ_xxVi0qDFCOgrFx9xpznfvZICDifE9LGnyU8NGqCUePgfLOA68/s320/albert_wise_bb_bluesox_arrow.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> My grandfather was about 6'5" tall so it's easy to pick him out in pictures. He is always the tallest one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I like to think of my grandfather as a young man, not the invalid I remember. He suffered from Rhuematoid Arthritis from mid life and later from Parkinson's Disease. Sharing these pictures and imagining him doing something he loved helps make him more real for me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have taken a blowup of the gloves from one of the pictures. Even though I don't have it physically in my home, a picture is almost as good. Can you imagine playing with one of these? The big round one is the catcher's glove, the other to the right is a regular fielders glove. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtPkt2fxkuoldkaWrgdOepAv6K4WpZEBAhRwl1jZffPSLVrfYYG3U8Uz79Q-kn9amoY2iUwAcr30iEaudE4JMx4igKBllkjLWX_6Ch6fqSlDP9TGOSMQXQwR8a1V0Rg9VTt0l/s1600/wise_glove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtPkt2fxkuoldkaWrgdOepAv6K4WpZEBAhRwl1jZffPSLVrfYYG3U8Uz79Q-kn9amoY2iUwAcr30iEaudE4JMx4igKBllkjLWX_6Ch6fqSlDP9TGOSMQXQwR8a1V0Rg9VTt0l/s320/wise_glove.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Baseball has always been America's favorite pastime, especially in those early days when it was so much more personal. </div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13486175.post-50092611866487656192010-04-08T14:09:00.000-07:002010-04-08T14:09:14.831-07:00Originator of Ancestor Approved AwardI just wanted to thank Leslie Ann Ballou at <a href="http://ancestorslivehere.blogspot.com/search/label/Award">Ancestors Live Here</a> for her wonderful idea of this award. It is sweeping through the genealogy blog community with wonderful results. The best result for me was actually receiving the award, my first, but secondly in searching for 10 other bloggers to nominate I discovered numerous new blogs I will be following. It took me a bit to finally track Leslie Ann down, but now that I have I hope others who are receipants of the award will check out her blog. <br />
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Thanks again to all the participants. It was fun.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518797858366448475noreply@blogger.com2