On April 28, 1993, twenty-two years ago, I drove from Oklahoma City to Tulsa, Oklahoma to meet my fiancé. He worked half a day and then we met at his house before driving to A Chapel by the Courthouse to get married. Yes, we were eloping and only the minister would be present for the tying of our knot. After performing the wedding ceremony, we handed the minister our camera and he took four photos. Each photo was dark, blurry, or both, but those are the only images we have of that precious day. And, where have those photos been...
For months, I’ve basically been a “stay at home mom.” I’ve had plenty of time to do genealogy. In fact, I spent as much time on genealogy as a full time job! A few weeks ago, my life changed drastically. As a result, I won’t have much time for genealogy for the next few months. In fact, last night was the first time I’d done any genealogy in about 2 weeks! I miss genealogy and interacting with my blogging friends… and discovering new blogs! But, I’ll be back as soon as I can! I know it will all be waiting...
My great, great grandparents, Josiah Randolph Coppenbarger & Elizabeth (Bennett) Coppenbarger, lived in the small community of Ashton, Kansas near the Oklahoma border. In 1899, four of their children, including my great grandmother Myrtle Mae, were still living at home. I’m not sure where one son, Alva, was living, but their oldest daughter, Mary Ellen or “Ella,” was married and living nearby with her husband, D. V. Waggoner, and their 10-month-old baby, Floyd. Living in Tornado Alley, the family must have been accustomed to the fear of twisters. But, on the night of May 31st, those fears became reality as...
As a child, I loved to watch Grizzly Adams on television along with his pet bear, Ben. I had no idea that my own ancestor, Robert Stewart, also had a pet bear! His bear’s name was “Bruin” (which means “bear”) and they lived in Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s. While doing research, I uncovered an article titled “Mike Swartz and the Black Bear” in History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania which was published in 1883. The “black bear” in this story was Bruin, and I’m assuming things must have turned out alright. Robert died about 30 years before this book...
Lisa Alzo has used the month of March for her “Fearless Females” blogging prompts for the past 6 years. She has posted her daily prompts and has also included free access to her “Tips and Tricks for Tracing Female Ancestors” Webinar for the month. March 3rd prompt: Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother. or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree. Origins of My Name My sister was not...
Lisa Alzo has used the month of March for her “Fearless Females” blogging prompts for the past 6 years. She has posted her daily prompts and has also included free access to her “Tips and Tricks for Tracing Female Ancestors” Webinar for the month. March 2nd prompt: Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo? Lillian (Ward) Evans, my grandmother Evelyn (Dickson) Kaechle sitting, my great, great grandmother Sallie (Ward) Dickson, age 92 sitting, my mom, her oldest brother Sherman, and baby Ronnie (photo...
Lisa Alzo has used the month of March for her “Fearless Females” blogging prompts for the past 6 years. She has posted her daily prompts and has also included free access to her “Tips and Tricks for Tracing Female Ancestors” Webinar for the month. March 1st prompt: Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check. Sisters Mary, Julia & Sallie Dickson in Perry...
My 4th great grandfather, Adam Close, wrote his will on February 1st, 1865. He stated he wanted his debts and “funded expenses” to be taken care of, and then he proceeded to give money to his heirs. He bequeathed five dollars to each of his daughters: Catharine intermarried with M P Crosthwaite, Julia Ann intermarried with John W. McClintock, Jane relict of David W. McKay, and Harriet intermarried with Doctor John W. Riddle. And then he gives five dollars to his “son, James M Close (if living).” From Adam Close’s Will in Mercer County, Pennsylvania 1865 When I first came...
For centuries children have worked to help their families. They have helped their parents farm, run stores, and do other businesses. But, during the American Industrial Revolution, many children went to work in the mills and mines. They would often work up to twelve hours a day, seven days a week, at dangerous and even deadly jobs. In Pennsylvania, in the later 1800s, both mindsets and laws were changing to protect children. Work hours were decreased and children were required to attend school for a certain number of months a year. Minimum ages were set in place for certain types...
My great, great grandfather, Augustus L Merrill (or A. L. Merrill), was a census taker in 1900. In 1910, he was a census supervisor overseeing 4 counties and 180 enumerators in north central Pennsylvania. 1900 Census for Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania Augustus L. Merrill, Enumerator (image from Ancestry.com) What did it take to be an enumerator? A. L. Merrill Opens Office, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 16 Nov 1909, page 4, column 6, digital image newspapers.com, (http://newspapers.com), accessed 12 Feb 2015 I found a fairly lengthy article that describes the application process. These applications would be wonderful genealogy finds… if...
