As genealogists, we eagerly seek photographs of our ancestors. But photographs are more than mere snapshots; they are time capsules, capturing fleeting moments and preserving them for future generations. These visual records are more than faces and places, but stories, emotions, and a tangible link to those who came before us. A Cherished Photo: Frank & Anna’s 1895 Wedding Scanned copy of Frank Kaechle & Anna Adam’s 1895 wedding portrait in my collection with unknown origins Children of German immigrants, my great grandparents, Frank Kaechle (1868-1911) and Anna Adam (1867-1936), were united in matrimony on 17 July 1895 at St....
In November 2013, I experienced a milestone in my genealogical journey: my first leap “across the pond.” Now, a decade later, the thrill of that discovery still lingers vividly in my mind. Seeing a document that connected me to my family’s origins, in their own homeland, was not just incredible—it was a profound moment of revelation and connection. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Certificate of Death no. 113815 (1923), Sarah Jane Merrill; digital images, “Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1970,” Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 January 2024). Sarah (Eastwood) Merrill (1848-1923) was my 2nd great grandmother. Her death certificate...
My grandmother, Hazel, holding her baby sister Beulah, who got me interested in genealogy Do you have family lore or legends passed down through generations? My genealogical journey began with a fascinating tale: a link to Pocahontas. This story, proudly shared in newspapers for almost a century, sparked curiosity in my great aunt Beulah. Twenty-five years ago, she ignited my passion for genealogy. A 1927 Newspaper Clipping In 1998, Beulah introduced me to genealogy and shared her digital research files. Among these was a 1927 obituary transcript for James Madison Randolph, first cousin of Josiah Randolph Coppenbarger (1844–1934)—Beulah’s maternal grandfather...
As I continue to share family stories for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge, this week’s theme is “Favorite Photo.” Sadly, while looking for this photo I realized I have misplaced hundreds of scanned family photos! I am trying not to panic, but it’s a great reminder to share your photos while you can! Thankfully, I can rescan these photos from a relative, but it will take many hours of work. Grandmother Evelyn (Dickson) Kaechle This is the only photo we have of my grandmother as a little girl. When Evelyn was less than 8 months old, her mother...
Family history is about more than dates and places; it’s about the stories we remember or discover. And sharing these stories is a wonderful way to remember our ancestors. Amy Johnson Crow has started another year of challenges for each of us to tell the stories of “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.” Each week also has an optional theme, with the theme for this first week of 2020 being “fresh start.” A Fresh Start for the Peters Family Map of immigration route created by JRS Sr In 1859, my 3x great grandparents, Joachim and Henriette (Bünger) Peters, and their six...
This post is based on Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” challenge. This week’s theme is: VALENTINE. On Valentine’s Day 1896, Louisa (Heuszel) Werther gave birth to her 11th child, a son. She and her husband, Emil Werther, named their son Walter Valentine Werther. [Emil’s sister, Guntherine (Werther) Peters, was my great, great grandmother.] Here are three images from his life: Signature from WWII draft card at Ancestry.com. The “i” in Valentine appears to be dotted with a heart! Photo labeled “Children of Frederick August Emil and Louise Matilda (Heuszel) Werther, Date Unknown” from files of Beulah (Peters)...
This post is based on Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” challenge. This week’s theme is: FAVORITE NAME. Jesse Lank Griffin (1834-1903) and Sarah Holmes (1834-1928) had at least eight children. Most of them had “normal” names: William, Richard, John, Martha, Nancy, Sally, Stephen. But, they also had one daughter with a fairly unusual name: Tennessee, whose nickname was Tennie. Find a Grave, memorial 27031200, digital image of Tennie L wife of Dot Bratton gravestone (Marshall Cemetery, Marshall, Searcy County, Arkansas), photo posted 14 May 2010 by Kim REA Mays. Tennessee was born on 20 July 1869 in...
This post is based on Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” challenge. This week’s them is: CENSUS. UPDATE 30 Dec 2023: I am no longer sure this is my Sally Eastwood. More work needs to be done! I recently located my 3rd great grandmother and two of her children—including my 2nd great grandmother—on the 1851 England census. The document is difficult to read as it is faded and stained. It is also difficult to read because of the word written on the line with her: pauper. 1851 census of England, Lancashire, Ashton under Lyne, Leesfield parish, p. 31...
This post is based on Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.” This week’s theme is: INVITE TO DINNER. My great, great grandmother, Sallie (Dickson) Ward, was born 27 November 1860 in Perry County, Tennessee, with the Civil War just months from starting. She lived until 21 August 1960, about 3 months short of her 100th birthday. Over almost 100 years, she saw and experienced an incredible amount of change, both in the world and in her family. Sisters Mary (Dickson) Dickson Sutton, Julia (Dickson) Dickson, and Sallie (Dickson) Ward in Perry County, Tennessee. Photo was hanging on Perry...
This post is based on Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” challenge. This week’s theme is: FAVORITE PHOTO. My grandmother, Evelyn, the youngest of five children, was born 10 October 1915. Sadly, when she was only 8 1/2 months old, her mother died. Although Evelyn’s father raised the four eldest children, Evelyn was raised by her maternal grandmother, Sallie (Dickson) Ward. Evelyn grew up near family, including her father and siblings, in Perry County, Tennessee. Photo likely taken in Perry Co., Tenn. in ~1918 – Elsie Ward (~15), Sallie (Dickson) Ward (~58), Evelyn Dickson (~2), and Ethel (Ward)...
