Posts
Edsel, Buster and Roy Bean
1946
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday
Jacob Honaker
Pvt 108 VA MILITIA
WAR 1812
1783 1838
Jacob Honaker was born 1783 to Frederick Honaker [1757-1824] and Rachel Elizabeth Wiseman [1769-1856]. He was one of at least 14 children born to the couple.
Jacob married[1] Catharine Groves, 20 Oct 1808 in Monroe County, [West] Virginia. The couple had at least four children: Samuel Sams, Ephraim, Henry, and Mary. After Catharine, Jacob married [2] Anna Sams 13 Jan 1829 in Monroe County [West] Virginia. They had one known child, Isaac.
Jacob served in the 108th Virginia Militia in the War of 1812.
He died in 1838 in Monroe County, and he is buried in the Old Rehobeth church yard in Keenan, Monroe County, West Virginia.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Madness Monday 3/29/10
Madness Monday
My maiden name is Beane. A pretty innocuous name. Common enough. Many known spellings: Bean [from which we are derived], Been, Bein, Beine, Beene, etc.
So, you would think surely that if we were to undergo a DNA test that we would match up with at least another line of Bean’s somewhere in the world. Right?
Wrong!
The Clan MacBean recognizes many branches of the Bean’s in North America. And I felt with all certainty that when I had my Dad perform a DNA test in 2007 that we would find a definitive match amongst those hallowed family lines.
Wrong I was!
Since that time, our DNA test has been posted with two of the major testing sites, and we have yet to make a definitive match with anyone!
Yes, it is maddening. However, hope springs eternal, and we continue to hope that one day, another individual with a matching DNA sequence, will arise amongst the legions and we will at long last be able to locate those missing ancestors!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sentimental Sunday
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On 07 August 1836, Ettiene Banet and his family, [wife Francois, and children: Louis, Alexandre, Francois, Josephine, Isidor and Ferol] arrived in New Orleans on the Brig. Criterion. They arrived from France.
Ettiene later Anglicized his name to "Stephen".
Ettiene and Francois were my great-great-great grandparents. They had a total of 12 children. Part born in France and part in this country. The children born here were nearly twenty years younger than the older ones. When Ettiene and Francois died, there was a great upheaval over their father's will that tore the family in two. The separation remains with many of the older generations still living to this day.
I was very excited to be able to locate this ship's passenger list on Ancestry.com a couple of years ago. It has been a real treasure to our family!
Fearless Females - 3/28/10
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 28 — Do you remember your mother’s best friend? Your grandmother’s? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?
I certainly remember my mother's best friend! She actually had two best friends, and while they were total opposites, Mom loved them each as much as any sister could be loved!
The first was Betty Jo [see my Sentimental Sunday post for 3/21/10]. Betty Jo actually introduced my parents, almost 52 years ago!
The second was Talma. While Mom grew up in Indiana, Talma grew up in West Virginia, and was a close friend and school mate of my Dad's when they were children. Talma and Mom were inseparable, while Betty Jo and Mom were only together for a couple of too short times, the rest of their friendship maintaining not only time, but great distance!
Both women were also very active in the Church where Mom was a member and active. Betty Jo was a choir member, and how well I remember watching her sing in the choir loft on Sunday's at the little brick Baptist Church on East Ocean View in Norfolk, Virginia when I was small.
The women were not the only part of the friendship! The husband's were very good friends as well. And they spent alot of time together as couples. Playing card games and parcheesi on a homemade board that Dad had made. They went to church events together. And shopping together. They went camping together.
Mom taught me what a good friend was in her very example. I also learned how blessed a person was to have such a friend in how these two women came to the rescue, not only for Mom, but for anyone in her family if the need arose! They shared in the joy of births, and in the sadness of deaths. Through financial hard times, and in times of plenty. They were, indeed, a very real part of our family!
March 28 — Do you remember your mother’s best friend? Your grandmother’s? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?
I certainly remember my mother's best friend! She actually had two best friends, and while they were total opposites, Mom loved them each as much as any sister could be loved!
The first was Betty Jo [see my Sentimental Sunday post for 3/21/10]. Betty Jo actually introduced my parents, almost 52 years ago!
The second was Talma. While Mom grew up in Indiana, Talma grew up in West Virginia, and was a close friend and school mate of my Dad's when they were children. Talma and Mom were inseparable, while Betty Jo and Mom were only together for a couple of too short times, the rest of their friendship maintaining not only time, but great distance!
Both women were also very active in the Church where Mom was a member and active. Betty Jo was a choir member, and how well I remember watching her sing in the choir loft on Sunday's at the little brick Baptist Church on East Ocean View in Norfolk, Virginia when I was small.
The women were not the only part of the friendship! The husband's were very good friends as well. And they spent alot of time together as couples. Playing card games and parcheesi on a homemade board that Dad had made. They went to church events together. And shopping together. They went camping together.
Mom taught me what a good friend was in her very example. I also learned how blessed a person was to have such a friend in how these two women came to the rescue, not only for Mom, but for anyone in her family if the need arose! They shared in the joy of births, and in the sadness of deaths. Through financial hard times, and in times of plenty. They were, indeed, a very real part of our family!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Surname Saturday - Pettie
Since I perform research jointly for my husband and for myself, today let's take a look at one of family tree lines. The Pettie's. [It's also one of our brick walls!]
1. Johnnie Lee HENRY - born San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.
2. Joseph Wright HENRY son of William Lee HENRY and Emma Louise PETTIE was born on 20 Sep
1927 in Fulton County, KY. He died on 16 Nov 1993 in Batesville, Panola, Mississippi.
3. Betty Louise Rotge daughter of John Cornelius ROTGE and Ora Lee Sparks was born on 30 Aug
1930 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas. She died on 05 Jul 2003 in Jourdanton, Atascosa, Texas.
Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge were married on 30 Jul 1947. They had the following
children:
+ 1. i. Johnnie Lee HENRY was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX.
ii. Allan Ray HENRY was born on 22 Sep 1950 in Bexar County, Texas. He married
Aramadina L. Castillo on 02 Jun 1979 in Bexar County, Texas. He died on 29 Jan 2001 in
Pleasanton, TX.
Bethel Frances TRAVATHAN daughter of Unknown TRAVATHAN.
Joseph Wright HENRY and Bethel Frances TRAVATHAN married. They had no children.
4. William Lee HENRY son of Sterling Price HENRY and Fannie UNKNOWN was born on 17 Jul 1892
in Cayce, Fulton, Kentucky. He died on 24 Jan 1965 in Fulton, Fulton, Kentucky.
5. Emma Louise PETTIE daughter of Timothy Martin PETTIE and Elizabeth Ann WILLIAMS was born
on 16 Jun 1895 in Columbus, Hickman, Kentucky. She died in Aug 1985 in Fulton, Fulton, Kentucky.
William Lee HENRY and Emma Louise PETTIE married. They had the following children:
i. Dan S. HENRY was born on 22 Feb 1919 in Tennessee. He died in May 1985 in Fulton,
Fulton, Kentucky.
ii. Betty Lee HENRY was born on 10 Jun 1920 in Kentucky.
iii. Frances V. HENRY was born on 15 Aug 1926 in Fulton County, Kentucky.
+ 2. iv. Joseph Wright HENRY was born on 20 Sep 1927 in Fulton County, KY. He married Betty
Louise Rotge on 30 Jul 1947. He died on 16 Nov 1993 in Batesville, Panola, Mississippi.
v. Hugh E. HENRY was born on 27 Aug 1930 in Fulton County, Kentucky. He died on 28 Sep
1995 in Fulton, Fulton, Kentucky.
vi. Don S. HENRY was born on 31 Oct 1931 in Fulton County, Kentucky.
vii. Lora D. HENRY was born on 31 Oct 1931 in Fulton County, Kentucky.
10. Timothy Martin PETTIE was born in Jul 1854 in Tennessee. He died between 1910-1920.
11. Elizabeth Ann WILLIAMS daughter of Jessie H. WILLIAMS and Rebecca wifeofJessieWilliams was
born in Feb 1854 in Kentucky. She died after 1930.
Timothy Martin PETTIE and Elizabeth Ann WILLIAMS were married in 1883. They had the following
children:
i. Lucy PETTIE was born in Jul 1884 in Kentucky.
ii. Lula PETTIE was born in Feb 1887 in Kentucky.
+ 5. iii. Emma Louise PETTIE was born on 16 Jun 1895 in Columbus, Hickman, Kentucky. She
died in Aug 1985 in Fulton, Fulton, Kentucky.
Malinda CAVITT daughter of Rufuson M. CAVITT and Delila Wife-of-Rufuson-Cavitt was born in
1858 in Kentucky.
Timothy Martin PETTIE and Malinda CAVITT were married on 15 Dec 1878 in Ballard, Kentucky.
They had the following children:
i. Lora A. PETTIE was born in Dec 1879 in Kentucky
Unfortunately, this is as far back as we have been able to travel on this journey.
1. Johnnie Lee HENRY - born San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.
2. Joseph Wright HENRY son of William Lee HENRY and Emma Louise PETTIE was born on 20 Sep
1927 in Fulton County, KY. He died on 16 Nov 1993 in Batesville, Panola, Mississippi.
3. Betty Louise Rotge daughter of John Cornelius ROTGE and Ora Lee Sparks was born on 30 Aug
1930 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas. She died on 05 Jul 2003 in Jourdanton, Atascosa, Texas.
Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge were married on 30 Jul 1947. They had the following
children:
+ 1. i. Johnnie Lee HENRY was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX.
ii. Allan Ray HENRY was born on 22 Sep 1950 in Bexar County, Texas. He married
Aramadina L. Castillo on 02 Jun 1979 in Bexar County, Texas. He died on 29 Jan 2001 in
Pleasanton, TX.
Bethel Frances TRAVATHAN daughter of Unknown TRAVATHAN.
Joseph Wright HENRY and Bethel Frances TRAVATHAN married. They had no children.
4. William Lee HENRY son of Sterling Price HENRY and Fannie UNKNOWN was born on 17 Jul 1892
in Cayce, Fulton, Kentucky. He died on 24 Jan 1965 in Fulton, Fulton, Kentucky.
5. Emma Louise PETTIE daughter of Timothy Martin PETTIE and Elizabeth Ann WILLIAMS was born
on 16 Jun 1895 in Columbus, Hickman, Kentucky. She died in Aug 1985 in Fulton, Fulton, Kentucky.
William Lee HENRY and Emma Louise PETTIE married. They had the following children:
i. Dan S. HENRY was born on 22 Feb 1919 in Tennessee. He died in May 1985 in Fulton,
Fulton, Kentucky.
ii. Betty Lee HENRY was born on 10 Jun 1920 in Kentucky.
iii. Frances V. HENRY was born on 15 Aug 1926 in Fulton County, Kentucky.
+ 2. iv. Joseph Wright HENRY was born on 20 Sep 1927 in Fulton County, KY. He married Betty
Louise Rotge on 30 Jul 1947. He died on 16 Nov 1993 in Batesville, Panola, Mississippi.
v. Hugh E. HENRY was born on 27 Aug 1930 in Fulton County, Kentucky. He died on 28 Sep
1995 in Fulton, Fulton, Kentucky.
vi. Don S. HENRY was born on 31 Oct 1931 in Fulton County, Kentucky.
vii. Lora D. HENRY was born on 31 Oct 1931 in Fulton County, Kentucky.
10. Timothy Martin PETTIE was born in Jul 1854 in Tennessee. He died between 1910-1920.
11. Elizabeth Ann WILLIAMS daughter of Jessie H. WILLIAMS and Rebecca wifeofJessieWilliams was
born in Feb 1854 in Kentucky. She died after 1930.
Timothy Martin PETTIE and Elizabeth Ann WILLIAMS were married in 1883. They had the following
children:
i. Lucy PETTIE was born in Jul 1884 in Kentucky.
ii. Lula PETTIE was born in Feb 1887 in Kentucky.
+ 5. iii. Emma Louise PETTIE was born on 16 Jun 1895 in Columbus, Hickman, Kentucky. She
died in Aug 1985 in Fulton, Fulton, Kentucky.
Malinda CAVITT daughter of Rufuson M. CAVITT and Delila Wife-of-Rufuson-Cavitt was born in
1858 in Kentucky.
Timothy Martin PETTIE and Malinda CAVITT were married on 15 Dec 1878 in Ballard, Kentucky.
They had the following children:
i. Lora A. PETTIE was born in Dec 1879 in Kentucky
Unfortunately, this is as far back as we have been able to travel on this journey.
Fearless Females - 3/27/10
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 27 — Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?
I have several female ancestors that I know a little about their immigration. But perhaps the one that is most interesting is that of Elizabeth Renberg Wiseman.
Elizabeth Renberg was born in 1675 in England. She married Thomas Wiseman, about 1699, while still in England.
In 1700 the couple sailed for America. And it was while sailing to the New World that Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, Isaac Wiseman, Sr.
Or so we always thought! A recent find was to locate Thomas and Liza Wiseman arriving in Germantown, Pennsylvania not in 1700, but in 1706!
And if that is the case, then Isaac would actually have been a young boy of about 6 years of age when his family arrived in Pennsylvania.
I am still attempting to locate further documentation to provide proof one way or the other regarding this change from our told heritage [for well over 200 years it has been told this way!]. It has even been documented as such in historical genealogies! And wouldn't that have been a fantastic story for Elizabeth Renberg?
But perhaps the story is in reality, just that. A story. I am hoping to put the story straight.
March 27 — Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?
I have several female ancestors that I know a little about their immigration. But perhaps the one that is most interesting is that of Elizabeth Renberg Wiseman.
Elizabeth Renberg was born in 1675 in England. She married Thomas Wiseman, about 1699, while still in England.
In 1700 the couple sailed for America. And it was while sailing to the New World that Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, Isaac Wiseman, Sr.
Or so we always thought! A recent find was to locate Thomas and Liza Wiseman arriving in Germantown, Pennsylvania not in 1700, but in 1706!
And if that is the case, then Isaac would actually have been a young boy of about 6 years of age when his family arrived in Pennsylvania.
I am still attempting to locate further documentation to provide proof one way or the other regarding this change from our told heritage [for well over 200 years it has been told this way!]. It has even been documented as such in historical genealogies! And wouldn't that have been a fantastic story for Elizabeth Renberg?
But perhaps the story is in reality, just that. A story. I am hoping to put the story straight.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Follow Friday - Olive Tree Genealogy
Today I'd like to introduce you to Genealogy Blogger at Olive Tree Genealogy.
According to the author's profile: "I'm an incurable genealogist as well as avid collector of antiques. I have a collection of over 3,000 cdvs (Cartes de Visite) from the Civil War era and am running out of room for all my antique photo albums." [Just the kind of person I can add to my friends list!]
Olive Tree Genealogy is bound to have an answer for just about any genealogy question you can think of!
The author also writes Antique Hunter; Ask Olive Tree Genealogy A Question; Past Voices: Letters Home [with GeneaGal]; Olive Tree Genealogy Blog; Ancestors at Rest [with Bryan]; Family Bibles [with GeneaGal]; and The Paper Trail [also with GeneaGal].
Looking for an answer, or just a way to spend a refreshing bit of time, then head on over to Olive Tree Genealogy Blog. You'll have a great time!
Fearless Females - 3/26/10
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 26 — What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.
My grandmothers neither one got more than a very elementary education. Both enjoyed reading, but neither had a formal education. As far as I know, my great-grandmothers did about the same.
My mother. however, not only graduated from high school, but went on to obtain a degree in theology and religious studies from Liberty University in the very early 1980's. She also took many short courses in areas of interest before that [H.R. Block income tax preparation being one that I can recall.]
My mother was always one to highly encourage advanced education, and of her four children, three of us have obtained collegic degrees.
March 26 — What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.
My grandmothers neither one got more than a very elementary education. Both enjoyed reading, but neither had a formal education. As far as I know, my great-grandmothers did about the same.
My mother. however, not only graduated from high school, but went on to obtain a degree in theology and religious studies from Liberty University in the very early 1980's. She also took many short courses in areas of interest before that [H.R. Block income tax preparation being one that I can recall.]
My mother was always one to highly encourage advanced education, and of her four children, three of us have obtained collegic degrees.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Treasure Chest Thursday
Grandpa's Dictionary
This is a 1910 Merriam Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. And it was one of my Grandpa Dreher's favorite possessions.
Grandpa was born in 1902 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. He had so wanted to attend a University, and was actually set to head to seminary, when he met my Grandmother, who talked him out of it.
Grandpa was a voracious reader. And he told me that I should strive to learn something new every single day of my life.
He was 75 years old when he passed away. And for nearly every day of his adult life, he took this dictionary and strove to learn 5 new words a day. Yes... 5 new words every single day!
He had started at the very beginning when he was a young man. He had just completed the F's when illness kept from going farther, and then he died.
This is one of my most treasured possessions! This and his Bible, which he read and studied from daily.
A self-taught man, he was a giant of intelligence! And how I so miss him!
Fearless Females - 3/25/10
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 25 — Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?
All I really know about is my two grandmothers when it comes to how they interacted with their children.
My Grandma Bean was a quiet woman. Dad says she used to be strict, but was always fair. She wasn't a woman to raise her voice, although he says he certainly got his hide tanned a few times while growing up!
My Grandma Dreher however, was another matter. While she was not loud, she pretty much attempted to rule the roost. And Grandpa pretty much let her, unless she just totally went against the grain. She was not one to lavish "I love you's", hugs, or praises on her children. However, she was quick to praise them to others! She had a fierce pride in all of her children.
My own parents were total opposite of their mothers. Both could raise their voices when they wanted! And while Mom was a strong disciplinarian, she was more likely to hug and kiss! So, she was really a bit of both!
March 25 — Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?
All I really know about is my two grandmothers when it comes to how they interacted with their children.
My Grandma Bean was a quiet woman. Dad says she used to be strict, but was always fair. She wasn't a woman to raise her voice, although he says he certainly got his hide tanned a few times while growing up!
My Grandma Dreher however, was another matter. While she was not loud, she pretty much attempted to rule the roost. And Grandpa pretty much let her, unless she just totally went against the grain. She was not one to lavish "I love you's", hugs, or praises on her children. However, she was quick to praise them to others! She had a fierce pride in all of her children.
My own parents were total opposite of their mothers. Both could raise their voices when they wanted! And while Mom was a strong disciplinarian, she was more likely to hug and kiss! So, she was really a bit of both!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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Fearless Females - 3/24/10
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 24 — Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?
I can’t say that I take after any one female ancestors. I suppose I am an amalgamation of several. I look at my Great-Great-Grandmother Benzel, and I see my eyes and chin. Looking at my Grandma Bean, I see my cheek bones [and my thinning hair!]. I see my Great-Grandmother Faudree and I see my complexion.
I physically resemble almost every single one of my female ancestors within the last hundred years or so, in one feature or more at least!
March 24 — Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?
I can’t say that I take after any one female ancestors. I suppose I am an amalgamation of several. I look at my Great-Great-Grandmother Benzel, and I see my eyes and chin. Looking at my Grandma Bean, I see my cheek bones [and my thinning hair!]. I see my Great-Grandmother Faudree and I see my complexion.
I physically resemble almost every single one of my female ancestors within the last hundred years or so, in one feature or more at least!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday
Reed owned and operated the mill at Second Creek for many, many years. [The mill is currently owned and operated by Larry Mustain, a former elementary and junior high school principal.]
How well I can recall Mr. Reed with his pot belly grabbing a pound of cornmeal that he had stuffed into a cotton bag and tied with a bit of string when I asked for it. And it was the best cornmeal I have ever tasted! He ground it both coarse and fine. I always chose the coarse, as it had little bits of the corn remaining and it flavored like no other!
I go back to the mill every now and then, just to get a bag of the cornmeal. But it isn't the same. You see, Aubrey was a REAL miller. He once took my hand and asked if I knew how you could tell a real miller from one who played at it.
"How is that?" I asked.
Taking my fingers, he traced them over the hard knots and bumps on the palm of his hand.
"Feel that? That's bit of the stone. Little pieces and bits of it get under a real miller's skin, and you can't take the time to pick it all out. So, it just becomes a part of you. You and that old mill stone, well, you just become the same being!"
No, it's not the same! Aubrey died in 1989. But he'll be missed for a LONG time to come!
He lies buried in the Carmel Cemetery in Gap Mills, Monroe, West Virginia.
Fearless Females - 3/23/10
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 23 — Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.
I tried to copy the image, or save it, but for some reason I'm just not that savvy! However, here's the link to my Great-Grandmother Margaret Perkins Bean's timeline over on OurTimelines.
http://www.ourtimelines.com/cgi-bin/makehist.pl
March 23 — Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.
I tried to copy the image, or save it, but for some reason I'm just not that savvy! However, here's the link to my Great-Grandmother Margaret Perkins Bean's timeline over on OurTimelines.
http://www.ourtimelines.com/cgi-bin/makehist.pl
Monday, March 22, 2010
Madness Monday - Needing the 36-Hour Day!
In the past few months I have been attempting to "expand" my horizons and stretch myself to include new projects and tasks. And while I have thoroughly enjoyed the extra projects I have taken on, I also note that I never have enough hours in the day to complete ALL of the tasks that I set out to perform!
I generally arise at 6:00 AM, shower, dress and take my medications and grab a quick breakfast, and head into my office. Here I make sure that the blog posts I have written over the weekend have posted themselves properly. I then make sure that they have been distributed to the various networking sites, and check for comments.
Next I set about to write my daily news blog, and commentary. As well as my health advocacy blog, which I add to throughout the day.
Following all of that, I set about to read emails. Now, due to the networking I have been doing, this can take any place from an hour to two hours. I weed through the ones that are obviously junk that the junk filter didn't seem to catch [I never have understood why it doesn't catch the obvious ones that can be so aggravating!] I set aside business emails that need to be answered but can wait until I finish up, and answer those that need to be addressed immediately right then.
Next I go through my news reader. Now this is one of my favorite times of the day. I make sure I grab a mug of hot tea, or cappuccino, and relax while I read not only the newspapers and news feeds, but also all of the genealogy and health blog posts from the last 12 hours. [Yep, I check it all twice daily!] This can take any where from an hour to sometimes 3-4!
Finally, I bring up the client information that I am researching, and I head to work. Never having to leave my comfy office chair, unless it is for field research [which seems to be happening at a more alarming rate lately!] If I am heading to the field, everything is generally put on hold, until I return, except for a quick check on the emails for ones that need to have response ASAP. Otherwise, research comes in about 11:30 to 12.
I work through until 1, when I break for lunch; and then I head back at 2. And from 2pm until 6:30 or 7 I am hard at work on the computer. I break for dinner, and then get back on the computer until bed time. [I live alone most of the time, except for weekends - hubby is a long distance truck driver, so I can spend all the time I want working!] Monday nights from 8-9 I watch Antique Roadshow. Tuesday night from 8-10 I watch Biggest Loser. And Friday night from 8-9 Who Do You Think You Are?
I am also attempting to write my first fiction novel. And read voraciously, always having 2 books going at once, and sometimes three. I also blog book reviews for one very well known book publisher, and blog reviews independently on just about anything I can get my hands on.
So... where's a girl supposed to find the time to do research on her own family tree?
My children are all grown, and I was told this would be the time of my life that I could finally take a deep breath and relax. Instead, I find myself running about maddeningly, and working at a more fevered pace than ever I did as a nurse! [I retired from nursing in 1999 after a 13-year career.]
But when I stand back and look at this hectic, fevered pace, and lifestyle I am living, while it can certainly be maddening....
....I wouldn't have it any other way!
Next I set about to write my daily news blog, and commentary. As well as my health advocacy blog, which I add to throughout the day.
Following all of that, I set about to read emails. Now, due to the networking I have been doing, this can take any place from an hour to two hours. I weed through the ones that are obviously junk that the junk filter didn't seem to catch [I never have understood why it doesn't catch the obvious ones that can be so aggravating!] I set aside business emails that need to be answered but can wait until I finish up, and answer those that need to be addressed immediately right then.
Next I go through my news reader. Now this is one of my favorite times of the day. I make sure I grab a mug of hot tea, or cappuccino, and relax while I read not only the newspapers and news feeds, but also all of the genealogy and health blog posts from the last 12 hours. [Yep, I check it all twice daily!] This can take any where from an hour to sometimes 3-4!
Finally, I bring up the client information that I am researching, and I head to work. Never having to leave my comfy office chair, unless it is for field research [which seems to be happening at a more alarming rate lately!] If I am heading to the field, everything is generally put on hold, until I return, except for a quick check on the emails for ones that need to have response ASAP. Otherwise, research comes in about 11:30 to 12.
I work through until 1, when I break for lunch; and then I head back at 2. And from 2pm until 6:30 or 7 I am hard at work on the computer. I break for dinner, and then get back on the computer until bed time. [I live alone most of the time, except for weekends - hubby is a long distance truck driver, so I can spend all the time I want working!] Monday nights from 8-9 I watch Antique Roadshow. Tuesday night from 8-10 I watch Biggest Loser. And Friday night from 8-9 Who Do You Think You Are?
I am also attempting to write my first fiction novel. And read voraciously, always having 2 books going at once, and sometimes three. I also blog book reviews for one very well known book publisher, and blog reviews independently on just about anything I can get my hands on.
So... where's a girl supposed to find the time to do research on her own family tree?
My children are all grown, and I was told this would be the time of my life that I could finally take a deep breath and relax. Instead, I find myself running about maddeningly, and working at a more fevered pace than ever I did as a nurse! [I retired from nursing in 1999 after a 13-year career.]
But when I stand back and look at this hectic, fevered pace, and lifestyle I am living, while it can certainly be maddening....
....I wouldn't have it any other way!
Fearless Females - 3/22/10
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 22 — If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?
If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of my female ancestors, it would probably be Margaret Smith Perkins Bean. Margaret was born in 1826 to Rev. Samuel Perkins and Elizabeth Tuckwiller in Greenbrier County, [West] Virginia.
She met and married William McHarvey Bean in 1852, in Monroe County.
Her first two children died in infancy.
When the Civil War broke out, families were split asunder, and her husband’s family was no exception. To make matters worse, her husband was a “double-agent”. Appearing to have enlisted in the Confederacy, he was actually spying for the Union forces.
In the middle of the War, Margaret took her three children, Billy, Sam and Betty, and travelled by oxen pulled covered wagon to Ohio, crossing enemy lines. There she lived with the children until after the War when she and her husband and children returned to West Virginia.
She went on to have a total of eight children, six of them reaching adulthood.
In 1890 her husband was murdered. She died one year later; the family insists she succumbed to a broken heart.
Who would play Margaret?
There are so many good actresses to whom I think portray the stamina Margaret must have possessed. The first who comes to mind is Meryl Streep. And if she would turn down the role? None other than Angelica Huston!
March 22 — If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?
If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of my female ancestors, it would probably be Margaret Smith Perkins Bean. Margaret was born in 1826 to Rev. Samuel Perkins and Elizabeth Tuckwiller in Greenbrier County, [West] Virginia.
She met and married William McHarvey Bean in 1852, in Monroe County.
Her first two children died in infancy.
When the Civil War broke out, families were split asunder, and her husband’s family was no exception. To make matters worse, her husband was a “double-agent”. Appearing to have enlisted in the Confederacy, he was actually spying for the Union forces.
In the middle of the War, Margaret took her three children, Billy, Sam and Betty, and travelled by oxen pulled covered wagon to Ohio, crossing enemy lines. There she lived with the children until after the War when she and her husband and children returned to West Virginia.
She went on to have a total of eight children, six of them reaching adulthood.
In 1890 her husband was murdered. She died one year later; the family insists she succumbed to a broken heart.
Who would play Margaret?
There are so many good actresses to whom I think portray the stamina Margaret must have possessed. The first who comes to mind is Meryl Streep. And if she would turn down the role? None other than Angelica Huston!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Fearless Females - March 21
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 21 — Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.
My paternal grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Faudree Bean, once shared a very sad, tender moment with me. It was a rare moment, as Grandma Bean didn’t speak a lot. She was a very quiet woman. And later she developed “hardening of the arteries”, which was then the layman’s term for Alzheimer’s, so moments of lucidity became few and, toward the end, far between.
In 1943 my grandparents had their last child. Little Roy Edwin Bean was a bright, blond haired, angelic baby.
Unfortunately, at the age of only 3 years and 2 months, Roy Edwin developed a tummy ache. Being good parents, they tried to comfort the little fellow. But after a while, he cried with his tummy ache. Thinking he was probably in need of a “physic” [mountain term for a laxative], they gave the boy cod liver oil.
When a terribly high fever developed, they took him to the doctor. The boy was in obvious distress and he was rushed to the hospital.
Unfortunately, he had a burst appendix. He lingered for a few days, in terrible pain. And then he died.
I have always been told that Grandpa mourned exceptionally hard for this sweet little boy, whom everyone adored. But, Grandma, who was always so quiet, spoke of that terrible loss that one time to me.
She mourned the loss. But even more, she blamed herself for not realizing that the boy was in distress sooner. Tears rolled over her wrinkled cheeks and dripped down onto her dress front as she talked about the event.
I can remember cuddling close to her and telling her that I loved her. [I was probably about 10 years old at the time.] I remember distinctly her hugging me and saying, “And you and you sister are what makes it all worthwhile.”
I can’t help but tear up as I recall that day.
Grandma has been gone since 1975. And sometimes, I feel as though I could reach out and touch her. That’s how close she feels.
Today is one of those days.
March 21 — Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.
Mary Elizabeth Faudree Bean
1897-1975
In 1943 my grandparents had their last child. Little Roy Edwin Bean was a bright, blond haired, angelic baby.
Roy Edwin Bean [1943-1946]
He was the youngest of fifteen children born to my grandpa, John Monroe Bean. And he was the child of his old age. [Grandpa was 77 when little Roy Edwin was born!] Of course, Grandma was 46! [He was her third baby.]Unfortunately, at the age of only 3 years and 2 months, Roy Edwin developed a tummy ache. Being good parents, they tried to comfort the little fellow. But after a while, he cried with his tummy ache. Thinking he was probably in need of a “physic” [mountain term for a laxative], they gave the boy cod liver oil.
When a terribly high fever developed, they took him to the doctor. The boy was in obvious distress and he was rushed to the hospital.
Unfortunately, he had a burst appendix. He lingered for a few days, in terrible pain. And then he died.
I have always been told that Grandpa mourned exceptionally hard for this sweet little boy, whom everyone adored. But, Grandma, who was always so quiet, spoke of that terrible loss that one time to me.
She mourned the loss. But even more, she blamed herself for not realizing that the boy was in distress sooner. Tears rolled over her wrinkled cheeks and dripped down onto her dress front as she talked about the event.
I can remember cuddling close to her and telling her that I loved her. [I was probably about 10 years old at the time.] I remember distinctly her hugging me and saying, “And you and you sister are what makes it all worthwhile.”
I can’t help but tear up as I recall that day.
Grandma has been gone since 1975. And sometimes, I feel as though I could reach out and touch her. That’s how close she feels.
Today is one of those days.
Sentimental Sunday
This photo was taken in the fall of 2007. On the left you will see my Dad standing behind my Mom [Walter and Lois Beane]. On the right are their best friends, of more than 50 years, Betty Jo and Bob Lobdell.
So often we forget to include our best friends in our genealogical and family stories. I hope I can always remember to include them! You see, they are so much an integral part of our lives! And this is the prime example of why these friends have to be included in the stories of my ancestry.
Why?
You see, in 1958, Betty Jo introduced a young WAC [Women’s Army Corps] soldier to a young US Navy sailor, in San Francisco, California, where they were both stationed at the time. And if not for the intervention of Betty Jo’s introduction, the two might never have met, and married.
Yep, if not for Betty Jo, I might very well never have been born!
And that is why this couple HAS a place of prominence in my family history when it is told.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Fearless Females - March 20
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 20 — Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.
Unfortunately, most female ancestors back about 4 or 5 generations, and I begin hitting brick walls. That is, the maternal female ancestors. That is because they are all located in Europe.
Without a large financial pool from which to fund the research, and ability to travel to these European cities, I am unable to continue past where I have gone, unless those records become public on the Internet. [I can always hope they will!]
March 20 — Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.
Unfortunately, most female ancestors back about 4 or 5 generations, and I begin hitting brick walls. That is, the maternal female ancestors. That is because they are all located in Europe.
Without a large financial pool from which to fund the research, and ability to travel to these European cities, I am unable to continue past where I have gone, unless those records become public on the Internet. [I can always hope they will!]
Surname Saturday
Today I’d like to introduce you to my Hunsinger ancestry.
1. Cynthia Ann BEANE – born in Indiana.
2. Walter Maxwell BEANE was born on 31 Aug 1937 in Waiteville, Monroe County, WV. He was the
son of 4. John Monroe BEAN and 5. Mary Elizabeth FAUDREE. He married Lois Velleda DREHER.
3. Lois Velleda DREHER was born 02 Aug 1938 in Georgetown, Floyd Co., IN.
6. Henry Condar DREHER Jr. was born on 31 Dec 1902 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. He died on
17 May 1977 in Indiana. He married Irene Caroline BANET on 12 Dec 1923 in Indiana.
7. Irene Caroline BANET was born 24 May 1906 in Indiana. She died 08 Aug 1989 in Gap Mills,
Monroe Co., WV. She was the daughter of 14. Francis Isidore Banet and 15. Adeline Josephine EVE.
Children of Henry Condar DREHER Jr. and Irene Caroline BANET are:
i. Ethel Marie DREHER
ii. Arthur Calvin DREHER
iii. Laura Marion DREHER was born 24 Mar 1931 in Floyd County, Indiana, died 28 Dec 2006 in Lawton, Cochise, Oklahoma, married Charles William GROSE 04 Jul 1948; married Gordon Ray Crain 10 Mar 1975 in Pearisburg, Giles Co., VA.
iv. Billy Leon DREHER
v. Lois Velleda DREHER
12. Henry Condar DREHER was born on 15 Jan 1863 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. He died on 29
Jan 1925 in Louisville, Jefferson Kentucky. He was the son of 24. Gottlieb DREHER and 25. Sarah
HUNSINGER. He married Josephine Sophie Benzel on 11 Aug 1884.
13. Josephine Sophie Benzel was born 21 Jul 1865 in Indiana. She died 12 Dec 1932 in Louisville,
Jefferson, KY. She was the daughter of 26. John Benzel and 27. Wilhelmina Lambrecht.
Children of Henry Condar DREHER and Josephine Sophie Benzel are:
i. Florence Sarah DREHER was born 01 Jul 1885 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 08
Jan 1946 in Jefferson Co., Kentucky.
ii. Frank Henry DREHER was born 06 Dec 1887 in Kentucky, died 18 May 1955 in Waco,
McLennan, Texas, married Bertha BUTLER 26 Oct 1911 in Madison County, Tennessee;
married Florence Lacy Allen 20 Jan 1932 in Waco, McLennan, Texas; married Lillian
Gertrude UNKNOWN Bet. 1912-1917.
iii. Henry Edward DREHER was born 26 Dec 1889 in Kentucky, died 02 Oct 1918 in Suresne,
France.
iv. Anna Matilda DREHER was born 27 Apr 1891 in Kentucky, died 21 May 1961, married
John F. PAUL 1917; married Ollie Lankin Aft. 1920.
v. Minnie Catherine DREHER was born 16 Aug 1894 in Kentucky, died 23 Nov 1963.
vi. George Haas DREHER was born 19 Dec 1897 in Kentucky, died 29 Dec 1966 in
Louisville, KY.
vii. Walter Louis DREHER was born 23 Jul 1900 in Kentucky, died 02 Mar 1970 in
Georgetown, Floyd, Indiana.
+ 6. viii. Henry Condar DREHER Jr. was born 31 Dec 1902 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 17 May 1977 in Indiana, married Irene Caroline BANET 12 Dec 1923 in Indiana.
ix. Joseph Benzel DREHER was born 22 Apr 1907 in Kentucky, died 31 Jul 1979 in Jefferson
Co., KY.
x. Mary Louise DREHER was born 28 Feb 1910 in Kentucky, died 14 May 1984 in Hardin,
Jefferson, Kentucky, married William R. DOWNS Bet. 1926-1927.
24. Gottlieb DREHER was born in 1827 in Baden, Germany. He died in Jan 1893 in Jefferson County,
Kentucky. He married Sarah HUNSINGER.
25. Sarah HUNSINGER was born 1829 in Alsace, Germany. She died 15 Sep 1900 in Louisville,
Jefferson, Kentucky.
Children of Gottlieb DREHER and Sarah HUNSINGER are:
i. Susan DREHER was born 18 Aug 1854 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky.
ii. August C. DREHER was born 25 Oct 1859 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 05 Jul
1936 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, married Katherine Abt. 1898.
+ 12. iii. Henry Condar DREHER was born 15 Jan 1863 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 29
Jan 1925 in Louisville, Jefferson Kentucky, married Josephine Sophie Benzel 11 Aug
1884.
iv. Gottlieb L. DREHER was born 14 Apr 1865 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 26 Feb
1930 in Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY, married Theresa UNKNOWN 1892.
v. Annie DREHER was born 24 Apr 1874 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 14 Mar 1950
in Jefferson Co., Kentucky, married Louis WOLF 1898.
**Unfortunately, I have been unable to trace back farther than Sarah.
1. Cynthia Ann BEANE – born in Indiana.
2. Walter Maxwell BEANE was born on 31 Aug 1937 in Waiteville, Monroe County, WV. He was the
son of 4. John Monroe BEAN and 5. Mary Elizabeth FAUDREE. He married Lois Velleda DREHER.
3. Lois Velleda DREHER was born 02 Aug 1938 in Georgetown, Floyd Co., IN.
6. Henry Condar DREHER Jr. was born on 31 Dec 1902 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. He died on
17 May 1977 in Indiana. He married Irene Caroline BANET on 12 Dec 1923 in Indiana.
7. Irene Caroline BANET was born 24 May 1906 in Indiana. She died 08 Aug 1989 in Gap Mills,
Monroe Co., WV. She was the daughter of 14. Francis Isidore Banet and 15. Adeline Josephine EVE.
Children of Henry Condar DREHER Jr. and Irene Caroline BANET are:
i. Ethel Marie DREHER
ii. Arthur Calvin DREHER
iii. Laura Marion DREHER was born 24 Mar 1931 in Floyd County, Indiana, died 28 Dec 2006 in Lawton, Cochise, Oklahoma, married Charles William GROSE 04 Jul 1948; married Gordon Ray Crain 10 Mar 1975 in Pearisburg, Giles Co., VA.
iv. Billy Leon DREHER
v. Lois Velleda DREHER
12. Henry Condar DREHER was born on 15 Jan 1863 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. He died on 29
Jan 1925 in Louisville, Jefferson Kentucky. He was the son of 24. Gottlieb DREHER and 25. Sarah
HUNSINGER. He married Josephine Sophie Benzel on 11 Aug 1884.
13. Josephine Sophie Benzel was born 21 Jul 1865 in Indiana. She died 12 Dec 1932 in Louisville,
Jefferson, KY. She was the daughter of 26. John Benzel and 27. Wilhelmina Lambrecht.
Children of Henry Condar DREHER and Josephine Sophie Benzel are:
i. Florence Sarah DREHER was born 01 Jul 1885 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 08
Jan 1946 in Jefferson Co., Kentucky.
ii. Frank Henry DREHER was born 06 Dec 1887 in Kentucky, died 18 May 1955 in Waco,
McLennan, Texas, married Bertha BUTLER 26 Oct 1911 in Madison County, Tennessee;
married Florence Lacy Allen 20 Jan 1932 in Waco, McLennan, Texas; married Lillian
Gertrude UNKNOWN Bet. 1912-1917.
iii. Henry Edward DREHER was born 26 Dec 1889 in Kentucky, died 02 Oct 1918 in Suresne,
France.
iv. Anna Matilda DREHER was born 27 Apr 1891 in Kentucky, died 21 May 1961, married
John F. PAUL 1917; married Ollie Lankin Aft. 1920.
v. Minnie Catherine DREHER was born 16 Aug 1894 in Kentucky, died 23 Nov 1963.
vi. George Haas DREHER was born 19 Dec 1897 in Kentucky, died 29 Dec 1966 in
Louisville, KY.
vii. Walter Louis DREHER was born 23 Jul 1900 in Kentucky, died 02 Mar 1970 in
Georgetown, Floyd, Indiana.
+ 6. viii. Henry Condar DREHER Jr. was born 31 Dec 1902 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 17 May 1977 in Indiana, married Irene Caroline BANET 12 Dec 1923 in Indiana.
ix. Joseph Benzel DREHER was born 22 Apr 1907 in Kentucky, died 31 Jul 1979 in Jefferson
Co., KY.
x. Mary Louise DREHER was born 28 Feb 1910 in Kentucky, died 14 May 1984 in Hardin,
Jefferson, Kentucky, married William R. DOWNS Bet. 1926-1927.
24. Gottlieb DREHER was born in 1827 in Baden, Germany. He died in Jan 1893 in Jefferson County,
Kentucky. He married Sarah HUNSINGER.
25. Sarah HUNSINGER was born 1829 in Alsace, Germany. She died 15 Sep 1900 in Louisville,
Jefferson, Kentucky.
Children of Gottlieb DREHER and Sarah HUNSINGER are:
i. Susan DREHER was born 18 Aug 1854 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky.
ii. August C. DREHER was born 25 Oct 1859 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 05 Jul
1936 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, married Katherine Abt. 1898.
+ 12. iii. Henry Condar DREHER was born 15 Jan 1863 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 29
Jan 1925 in Louisville, Jefferson Kentucky, married Josephine Sophie Benzel 11 Aug
1884.
iv. Gottlieb L. DREHER was born 14 Apr 1865 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 26 Feb
1930 in Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY, married Theresa UNKNOWN 1892.
v. Annie DREHER was born 24 Apr 1874 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, died 14 Mar 1950
in Jefferson Co., Kentucky, married Louis WOLF 1898.
**Unfortunately, I have been unable to trace back farther than Sarah.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Who Do You Think You Are - Better Yet!
Who would have thought it was possible?
First we saw Sarah Jessica Parker's story, as she found her ancestors were right smack dab in the middle of the Salem Witch Trials.
Next we saw Emmtt Smith, as they traced his lineage into slavery and beyond. Finding the cruelties of the slave owner/ slave relationship.
Could it have been any further heartwrenching a story?
Then tonight, Lisa Kudrow learns the story of her great-grandmother's death, and the burning of her body in 1942, in Poland. An entire village decimated, and the Jews eliminated. And just when you thought it couldn'tget any further heartwrenching, she finds a cousin, who survived!
NBC you did it again! Another great "Who Do You Think You Are?" !!! How wonderful!
I can't wait to see next week's WDYTYA with Matthew Broderick!
Yep, I am "officially" hooked!!!
First we saw Sarah Jessica Parker's story, as she found her ancestors were right smack dab in the middle of the Salem Witch Trials.
Next we saw Emmtt Smith, as they traced his lineage into slavery and beyond. Finding the cruelties of the slave owner/ slave relationship.
Could it have been any further heartwrenching a story?
Then tonight, Lisa Kudrow learns the story of her great-grandmother's death, and the burning of her body in 1942, in Poland. An entire village decimated, and the Jews eliminated. And just when you thought it couldn'tget any further heartwrenching, she finds a cousin, who survived!
NBC you did it again! Another great "Who Do You Think You Are?" !!! How wonderful!
I can't wait to see next week's WDYTYA with Matthew Broderick!
Yep, I am "officially" hooked!!!
Fearless Females - March 19
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?
Unfortunately, I haven’t discovered anything surprising about any of my female ancestors.
March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?
Unfortunately, I haven’t discovered anything surprising about any of my female ancestors.
Follow Friday
Today I’d like to introduce you to Kick-Ass Genealogy [www.kickassgenealogy.com].
This very straightforward and right to the point blog is written by Katrina McQuarrie.
In describing herself and her blog, Katrina writes: “My purpose with this site is twofold:
• I want to help you improve your genealogy skills beyond the usual beginner’s tips plastered all over the internet.
• I want to show young people and other non-nerds that genealogy is fascinating, not boring, and doesn’t require a degree in Ancient High Nerdery.
If I’ve accomplished either of the above when you visit this site, I’m happy….
“I grew up with the genealogy bug. Both my parents, especially my father, were always into genealogy. I remember nights spent at the Family History Centre with a roll of census microfilm and a list of names given to me by my parents when I was not more than 10 or 12. My task, of course, was to search for the names and call my parents over if I found anything.
This hobby only grew when my father presented me with a 9 generation fan chart of my direct ancestors, which promptly replaced my treasured Backstreet Boys poster on the back of my door. As time progressed, of course, I gained a teenager’s keen awareness of group belonging. Pretty soon I noticed I was the only person at the conferences who didn’t have grey hair. The youngest person in the archives who wasn’t working there (and the archivists were still old enough to be my mother).
And lo, I thought unto myself, the situation did suck. A few years later, having taken a couple years of medieval history in university, I knew that people and places long gone were, in fact, Very Very Cool. The only problem was making other people understand that. Even other genealogists often made their hobby sound dry and tedious, and my revelation of a shared interest often resulted only in the inquiry of “so how far back have you gone?”
So, the decision to take a break from university was a natural springboard to start working my husband’s genealogy. His mother’s side is already being covered by an uncle, so this gives me the luxury of focusing solely on his paternal line. It’s been an interesting two years, and some of the how-to articles I write stem directly from the triumphs, and difficulties, I’ve had with this branch of the tree.
As part of my attempt to fund my continued education, I started this site in late September 2009. The growth has been amazing and unexpected; the genealogy community has been nothing but welcoming and supportive. I love you guys. *wipes tears from eyes*”
Katrina writes exceptionally well. And her posts are quite informative. Her writing style is a pleasure to read!
I highly encourage everyone to visit Kick Ass Genealogy. You won’t walk away disappointed.
This very straightforward and right to the point blog is written by Katrina McQuarrie.
In describing herself and her blog, Katrina writes: “My purpose with this site is twofold:
• I want to help you improve your genealogy skills beyond the usual beginner’s tips plastered all over the internet.
• I want to show young people and other non-nerds that genealogy is fascinating, not boring, and doesn’t require a degree in Ancient High Nerdery.
If I’ve accomplished either of the above when you visit this site, I’m happy….
“I grew up with the genealogy bug. Both my parents, especially my father, were always into genealogy. I remember nights spent at the Family History Centre with a roll of census microfilm and a list of names given to me by my parents when I was not more than 10 or 12. My task, of course, was to search for the names and call my parents over if I found anything.
This hobby only grew when my father presented me with a 9 generation fan chart of my direct ancestors, which promptly replaced my treasured Backstreet Boys poster on the back of my door. As time progressed, of course, I gained a teenager’s keen awareness of group belonging. Pretty soon I noticed I was the only person at the conferences who didn’t have grey hair. The youngest person in the archives who wasn’t working there (and the archivists were still old enough to be my mother).
And lo, I thought unto myself, the situation did suck. A few years later, having taken a couple years of medieval history in university, I knew that people and places long gone were, in fact, Very Very Cool. The only problem was making other people understand that. Even other genealogists often made their hobby sound dry and tedious, and my revelation of a shared interest often resulted only in the inquiry of “so how far back have you gone?”
So, the decision to take a break from university was a natural springboard to start working my husband’s genealogy. His mother’s side is already being covered by an uncle, so this gives me the luxury of focusing solely on his paternal line. It’s been an interesting two years, and some of the how-to articles I write stem directly from the triumphs, and difficulties, I’ve had with this branch of the tree.
As part of my attempt to fund my continued education, I started this site in late September 2009. The growth has been amazing and unexpected; the genealogy community has been nothing but welcoming and supportive. I love you guys. *wipes tears from eyes*”
Katrina writes exceptionally well. And her posts are quite informative. Her writing style is a pleasure to read!
I highly encourage everyone to visit Kick Ass Genealogy. You won’t walk away disappointed.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Davy Crockett Is Gone
Fess Parker as Davy Crockett
Born Fess Elisha Parker, Jr. on 16 Aug 1924 in Fort Worth, Texas [he was quick to point out that real life Davy Crockett's birthday was August 17th], he played Davy Crockett for Walt Disney from 1954 to 1956. Later, from 1964 - 1970, he played Daniel Boone, another frontier hero.
Parker's huge idol status as "King of theWild Frontier" pretty much zipped up his career, stereotyping him forever.
How well I remember watching the Davy Cockett rerus on television. But it was as Kentucky frontersman Daniel Boone that he became my first hero!
Strange for a girl, you might say. Heck no! I was proud as peacock when my Mom got me a pair of buckskin, knee-high mocassins, just like Daniel Boone's! [Even today my favorite footwear are mocassins, and I attribute that to those early Daniel Boone days!]
I walked the forests of Kentucky with Daniel Boone and his sidekick Mingo [played by actor/singer Ed Ames]. I played in and outside of the fort with Boone's son Israel, and with his dauhter Jemima. I cooked over the fireplace with his wife, Rebecca. And I fell in love with the 18th century.
I was saddened to learn of Fess Parker's death this evening. Another legend has passed. But he will live on forever in hearts and our memories.
Fearless Females - March 18
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 18 — Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.
My maternal grandmother, Irene Caroline Banet Dreher [1906-1989], was exceptionally talented with a needle! She could create just about any dress, blouse or shirt without ever benefiting from use of a sewing pattern! If she could see it, she could make it!
She made the most beautiful quilts! All without ever using a sewing machine! I’ve seen her cut quilts out on her kitchen table. Then actually quilt them by hand by merely holding the material on her lap! Not many years before she died, my mother finally bought her a lap held quilting frame. “Granny” stitched every single stitch by hand. Most of her stitches, even in the quilts she made in her old age, were nearly invisible to the eye!
And she could crochet like no woman I’ve ever seen or known! She could make anything by crocheting it! And she could envisage it in her head! I have seen her make beautiful garments for fall and winter, simply by sitting down and crocheting. Never using a pattern, tape measure, or drawing it out. She could see it in her mind’s eye and make it!
She once told me that she had counted stitches so many times in her mind that she counted everything she did! When she was washing dishes she would count them in her mind [ie: one plate; one plate, one fork; one plate, one fork, one cup; one plate, one fork, two cups; etc]
While she never received any public accolades for her talent, she was still known far and wide for them. And she is remembered for them today.
March 18 — Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.
My maternal grandmother, Irene Caroline Banet Dreher [1906-1989], was exceptionally talented with a needle! She could create just about any dress, blouse or shirt without ever benefiting from use of a sewing pattern! If she could see it, she could make it!
She made the most beautiful quilts! All without ever using a sewing machine! I’ve seen her cut quilts out on her kitchen table. Then actually quilt them by hand by merely holding the material on her lap! Not many years before she died, my mother finally bought her a lap held quilting frame. “Granny” stitched every single stitch by hand. Most of her stitches, even in the quilts she made in her old age, were nearly invisible to the eye!
And she could crochet like no woman I’ve ever seen or known! She could make anything by crocheting it! And she could envisage it in her head! I have seen her make beautiful garments for fall and winter, simply by sitting down and crocheting. Never using a pattern, tape measure, or drawing it out. She could see it in her mind’s eye and make it!
She once told me that she had counted stitches so many times in her mind that she counted everything she did! When she was washing dishes she would count them in her mind [ie: one plate; one plate, one fork; one plate, one fork, one cup; one plate, one fork, two cups; etc]
While she never received any public accolades for her talent, she was still known far and wide for them. And she is remembered for them today.
Treasure Chest Thursday
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This is a two page document, written by hand in Spanish. Here is the translation of the above [first] page:
"THIRS STAMP: TWO REALIES
For the years of 1826 and 1827. '28, '29, '20 and '31
Williams
[Rubric]
Town of [San Felipe de] Austin
March 19, 1830.
The preceding petitio of George Tenell is admitted and the tract he requests is declared vacant and ordered surveyed by surveyor Horation Chriesman so that the corresponding title may be issued.
Austin
[Rubric]
Honorable Commissioner of the Coast Reserve:
[I,] George Tennell [Tennille], a native of the United States of the North, [appear] before you with the greatest respect and say: That I have bee in this colony with my family and property four years on a tract in the coast reserve, which is why I have still not received legal possession [of it], eve though I have been admitted by the Honorable Empressario Austin under the contract he made with the Supreme Government of this State for the settlement of three hundred families in the coast reserve of this jurisdiction, for which reason I apply to you so that you may be pleased to grant me one league of land at the place where I hae settled so as to include my improvements, the tract where I have settled being located back of the league grated to Martin Varner, with the uderstanding that I offer to comply with the provisions of the law on this matter and to satisfy the fees associated with its acquisition.
Therefore, I ask and pray that you may be pleased to do as I have set forth, wherein I shall receive justice.
Town of [San Felipe de] Austin, March 12, 1830
[s] George Tennille
**End Page One of Document
***************************************
This is for one of the very first land grants for Austin’s Colony in Texas.
This is a copy that belonged to the Texican’s maternal great-great-great-great-grandfather, George Tennille, Sr.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
From Me to You!
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!
Yes, this is the ol' Texicanwife! Hope your day is Happy!
Fearless Females - March 17
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 17 — Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.
Other than my mother, if any of my female ancestors belonged to any social organizations, I am not aware of them.
My mother, however, was quite active in the church. She was a member of the Women’s Prayer Group, The Missionary Society, and was treasurer of the church for many, many years. She always took a leadership role in the groups which she was active in. She was a deaconess of the Church of the Nazarene.
March 17 — Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.
Other than my mother, if any of my female ancestors belonged to any social organizations, I am not aware of them.
My mother, however, was quite active in the church. She was a member of the Women’s Prayer Group, The Missionary Society, and was treasurer of the church for many, many years. She always took a leadership role in the groups which she was active in. She was a deaconess of the Church of the Nazarene.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Fearless Females - March 16th
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 16 — If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?
If I could have lunch with any famous female, I think that I would like to have lunch with Dolly Payne Todd Madison, wife of President James Madison.
You might think that a rather odd choice. But, the reason I would choose her, is because she was a woman who chose to do everything in her power to keep this nation united at a time of great turmoil [Washington was burned, literally, to the ground while she was living there!]. At this time of unrest [read any news site and you’ll see the controversy over our President, financial situation, employment problems, and the list goes on and on!] I would like to get her ideas on ways to campaign to bring this country back together. To give us that united feeling once more! To help us to find that pride in our country, our family, and our heritage that once was so abundant in this nation!
Dolly Madison was an outspoken woman, and I can only imagine that she would have a very strong opinion on what is happening in this nation today!
Where would we go for our lunch?
The White House Lawn, for a picnic.
What would we have?
Southern fried chicken, deviled quail eggs, parker house rolls, and white wine. And for dessert? A thin slice of triple-layered chocolate mousse cake. Oh, heaven
March 16 — If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?
You might think that a rather odd choice. But, the reason I would choose her, is because she was a woman who chose to do everything in her power to keep this nation united at a time of great turmoil [Washington was burned, literally, to the ground while she was living there!]. At this time of unrest [read any news site and you’ll see the controversy over our President, financial situation, employment problems, and the list goes on and on!] I would like to get her ideas on ways to campaign to bring this country back together. To give us that united feeling once more! To help us to find that pride in our country, our family, and our heritage that once was so abundant in this nation!
Dolly Madison was an outspoken woman, and I can only imagine that she would have a very strong opinion on what is happening in this nation today!
Where would we go for our lunch?
The White House Lawn, for a picnic.
What would we have?
Southern fried chicken, deviled quail eggs, parker house rolls, and white wine. And for dessert? A thin slice of triple-layered chocolate mousse cake. Oh, heaven
Tombstone Tuesday - Laura May Clements Sparks
Laura May Clements was born 12 May 1890 in McCullough County, Texas. She was the youngest of 11 children born to old west bad boy James “Jim” Clements and Annie Caroline Tennille. [Jim was first cousin, and side-kick to gunslinger John Wesley Hardin.]
Laura married William Jacob Sparks [1883-1944] on 15 Apr 1906 in Bandera, Texas. The couple had four children: Beulah Bessie, Lela, Newton and Ora Lee.
After William’s death in 1944, Laura May married Jack Langford in 1930. It is uncertain the length of that marriage. And sometime later, Laura May married a man whose last named was “Clewis”.
Laura May died 6 Oct 1969 in Hilltop Convalescent Home, in San Antonio, Texas.
She is buried at Sunset Cemetery, Mountain Home, Kerrville, Kerr, Texas.
Laura May Clements Sparks was the Texican's maternal great-grandmother.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Fearless Female - 3-15-10
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Blogging Prompts for Fearless Females for March!
March 15 — Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.
So, with that, here is my tribute:
Irene Caroline Banet Dreher: diminutive; tough; crafty; crocheter; “The Boss”
March 15 — Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.
So, with that, here is my tribute:
Irene Caroline Banet Dreher: diminutive; tough; crafty; crocheter; “The Boss”
Madness Monday
Madness Monday
There have been several things that have driven me quite “mad” during the past couple of weeks. The greatest of which was when my computer crashed due to a virus! [Thankfully I learned a few years ago – from the great folks in this genealogy circle – to make multiple backup copies! So I was fully prepared for the event!] What I wasn’t prepared for, was being without a computer for two weeks while my laptop was being repaired, and while I was waiting shipment of my new desktop PC!
I had to make do with the occasional trip to the library [ugh!]. I live in a very rural area, and our tiny library has exactly ONE [yes, you read that right!], ONE community computer! I would sign in to use the computer, and don’t you know, I’d end up waiting for 2 hours to use it. Only to find out that I was limited to 30 minutes of use at a time! All I could do is skim over my emails, and pull what seemed the most important. Send my clients a quick note and let them know I hadn’t forgotten them, after an explanation as to why I was unable to communicate at the moment. And then an even quicker skim over Google Reader to catch what appeared to be the most important news from there.
It was a VERY LONG two weeks!
The good news is that I now have a brand new computer for my desk, and my old laptop is relegated to being a laptop alone! So, I have the portability I need for making quick trips to the library, FHL, and historical society or courthouse.
But it was, regardless of this now happy conclusion, quite the “maddening” event!
There have been several things that have driven me quite “mad” during the past couple of weeks. The greatest of which was when my computer crashed due to a virus! [Thankfully I learned a few years ago – from the great folks in this genealogy circle – to make multiple backup copies! So I was fully prepared for the event!] What I wasn’t prepared for, was being without a computer for two weeks while my laptop was being repaired, and while I was waiting shipment of my new desktop PC!
I had to make do with the occasional trip to the library [ugh!]. I live in a very rural area, and our tiny library has exactly ONE [yes, you read that right!], ONE community computer! I would sign in to use the computer, and don’t you know, I’d end up waiting for 2 hours to use it. Only to find out that I was limited to 30 minutes of use at a time! All I could do is skim over my emails, and pull what seemed the most important. Send my clients a quick note and let them know I hadn’t forgotten them, after an explanation as to why I was unable to communicate at the moment. And then an even quicker skim over Google Reader to catch what appeared to be the most important news from there.
It was a VERY LONG two weeks!
The good news is that I now have a brand new computer for my desk, and my old laptop is relegated to being a laptop alone! So, I have the portability I need for making quick trips to the library, FHL, and historical society or courthouse.
But it was, regardless of this now happy conclusion, quite the “maddening” event!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Geneartogy - A Review
Recently I was given the opportunity to review a very unique product from the good folks over at Geneartogy.
This company specializes in printing family trees on canvas.
So, I traveled on over to their website, http://www.geneartogy.com/ . It’s a nice looking web site, and I found the ease of navigation exceptional.
Here you can actually use a template and put your project together without ever committing to a contract for the product. I found that really nice, as who wants to buy a “pig in a poke”, as my grandpa used to say!
You will get a very clear, and precise, idea of what your finished project will look like. I found that so much nicer than so many charting companies that have you to send them a pdf file of your family tree, they insert the info, and you have no idea of what you are going to get until it arrives. And then you may, or many not, be satisfied with the finished project. With Geneartogy, you can keep working with the project until you see exactly what you want before you even decide to buy!
And just what do they offer?
Beautiful custom designed family trees [there are a variety of templates available – currently the website shows thirteen from which to choose!], on museum quality canvas. These projects range all the way from a small [12 x 15], to an extra large [30 x 36]. You can purchase your canvas unstretched, ready to frame, or custom framed and ready to hang.
The canvas’ are in beautiful, vibrant colors that can be customized to go with your family’s décor.
Once you have chosen the template for your particular project, you will then want to choose the photographs for your project. Yes, photographs! Unlike so many other companies, Geneartogy projects allow you to add photos of your ancestors to your unique family tree, thus enabling you to get an idea of what your ancestors looked like when viewing the tree! Or, if you don’t have photographs, they also have a wonderful silhouette that can be utilized instead of a photograph or portrait.
Beautiful wood frames are also available for your finished project, that can be coordinated with your home décor as well.
And so, I set out to begin my own project. I chose my family tree’s name: Henry-Beane Family Tree [that’s my husband’s and my ancestry]. It was as simple as “fill-in-the-blank” for filling out the information for our ancestors. You see, with Geneartogy, that’s the beauty of your project. YOU are in complete control of the project from start to finish!
After I had all of our family tree filled in [that’s FOUR GENERATIONS!], it was time to start adding the photographs. Unfortunately, my husband’s family is limited in photos and portraits, so we had to use a lot silhouettes for his side of the tree. I had photographs for my side of the family. But some were just nearly impossible to size correctly [pixel-wise] for the project! And that’s where the people at Geneartogy really shine! For a small fee they will step in and do all of the photo resizing and cropping that you need done! They can even add filters [sepia, etc.] to make your photos look beautiful with the template you have chosen for your project.
Once you have completely finished setting up your project, you can even go to their preview page and see exactly what your project will look like. You can even share it with family, if you aren’t certain you have all of the info correct, or if you want to place multiple orders, etc.
If you aren’t ready to purchase, your project can be saved on Geneartogy’s website, and you can retrieve it later.
From start to finish, it was a breeze to complete. And the assistance I received in getting my photos perfect for the project was exceptional! When my project arrived, it was packaged in a safe and secure manner. It arrived in fabulous condition!
Below you can see me with my beautiful canvas! This has become an heirloom for our children! We are displaying it proudly on our mantel at present, in our living room, so that everyone who enters our home can see our pride in our family tree!
I highly recommend Geneartogy’s service to anyone who wants to create a treasure of lasting beauty for their home, or as gift for other family members. These museum quality canvases would make excellent anniversary gifts, or to commemorate the birth of a grandchild!
Here you can see the beautiful sepia toned filters that were used on our plain, ordinary photographs to make them sit beautifully with the canvas we chose. You can also see how lovely the silhouettes are for those photos you don’t have for ancestors.
It’s simply, without a doubt, stunning!
**DISCLOSURE: Geneartogy supplied me with a free project, valued at $148 to review their site and product. However, all thoughts and experiences in this review are my own. – Cyndi Beane Henry – 3/14/10
This company specializes in printing family trees on canvas.
So, I traveled on over to their website, http://www.geneartogy.com/ . It’s a nice looking web site, and I found the ease of navigation exceptional.
Here you can actually use a template and put your project together without ever committing to a contract for the product. I found that really nice, as who wants to buy a “pig in a poke”, as my grandpa used to say!
You will get a very clear, and precise, idea of what your finished project will look like. I found that so much nicer than so many charting companies that have you to send them a pdf file of your family tree, they insert the info, and you have no idea of what you are going to get until it arrives. And then you may, or many not, be satisfied with the finished project. With Geneartogy, you can keep working with the project until you see exactly what you want before you even decide to buy!
And just what do they offer?
Beautiful custom designed family trees [there are a variety of templates available – currently the website shows thirteen from which to choose!], on museum quality canvas. These projects range all the way from a small [12 x 15], to an extra large [30 x 36]. You can purchase your canvas unstretched, ready to frame, or custom framed and ready to hang.
The canvas’ are in beautiful, vibrant colors that can be customized to go with your family’s décor.
Once you have chosen the template for your particular project, you will then want to choose the photographs for your project. Yes, photographs! Unlike so many other companies, Geneartogy projects allow you to add photos of your ancestors to your unique family tree, thus enabling you to get an idea of what your ancestors looked like when viewing the tree! Or, if you don’t have photographs, they also have a wonderful silhouette that can be utilized instead of a photograph or portrait.
Beautiful wood frames are also available for your finished project, that can be coordinated with your home décor as well.
And so, I set out to begin my own project. I chose my family tree’s name: Henry-Beane Family Tree [that’s my husband’s and my ancestry]. It was as simple as “fill-in-the-blank” for filling out the information for our ancestors. You see, with Geneartogy, that’s the beauty of your project. YOU are in complete control of the project from start to finish!
After I had all of our family tree filled in [that’s FOUR GENERATIONS!], it was time to start adding the photographs. Unfortunately, my husband’s family is limited in photos and portraits, so we had to use a lot silhouettes for his side of the tree. I had photographs for my side of the family. But some were just nearly impossible to size correctly [pixel-wise] for the project! And that’s where the people at Geneartogy really shine! For a small fee they will step in and do all of the photo resizing and cropping that you need done! They can even add filters [sepia, etc.] to make your photos look beautiful with the template you have chosen for your project.
Once you have completely finished setting up your project, you can even go to their preview page and see exactly what your project will look like. You can even share it with family, if you aren’t certain you have all of the info correct, or if you want to place multiple orders, etc.
If you aren’t ready to purchase, your project can be saved on Geneartogy’s website, and you can retrieve it later.
From start to finish, it was a breeze to complete. And the assistance I received in getting my photos perfect for the project was exceptional! When my project arrived, it was packaged in a safe and secure manner. It arrived in fabulous condition!
Below you can see me with my beautiful canvas! This has become an heirloom for our children! We are displaying it proudly on our mantel at present, in our living room, so that everyone who enters our home can see our pride in our family tree!
I highly recommend Geneartogy’s service to anyone who wants to create a treasure of lasting beauty for their home, or as gift for other family members. These museum quality canvases would make excellent anniversary gifts, or to commemorate the birth of a grandchild!
Here you can see the beautiful sepia toned filters that were used on our plain, ordinary photographs to make them sit beautifully with the canvas we chose. You can also see how lovely the silhouettes are for those photos you don’t have for ancestors.
It’s simply, without a doubt, stunning!
**DISCLOSURE: Geneartogy supplied me with a free project, valued at $148 to review their site and product. However, all thoughts and experiences in this review are my own. – Cyndi Beane Henry – 3/14/10
Fearless Females: March 14th
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Fearless Females prompts for March!
March 14 — Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?
To the best of my knowledge, except for their obituaries, none of my ancestors made the newspapers in their areas.
March 14 — Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?
To the best of my knowledge, except for their obituaries, none of my ancestors made the newspapers in their areas.
Sentimental Sunday - 3/14/10
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The good wife's guide
From Housekeeping Monthly - 13 May 1955
* Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
* Prepare yourself. Take 15-minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people!
* Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
* Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband returns.
* Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc., and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
* Over the cooler monts of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
* Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
* Be happy to see him.
* Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
* Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
* Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.
* Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
* Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
* Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
* Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
* Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
* Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgement or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
* A good wife knows her place!
*********
Hmmmm... certainly makes me one proud woman to say "We've come a long way baby!!!"
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Fearless Women: March 13th
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Fearless Women prompts for March!
March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.
The story is told that once my maternal parents caught on fire. Only my grandmother and my young aunt, who was 12 at the time, were home.
Fearing they would lose everything, my grandmother and my aunt began carrying the furniture out of the living room. This included a rather large upright piano. When they got everything out of the living room, the proceeded to remove the contents of the kitchen, which included a chest-type deep freeze, that was full.
By that time, my grandfather returned home, and determined the fire was only smoldering in the wall, and he tore out a wall panel and promptly got it put out.
Grandmother told me it took four men to carry the piano back into the house, and they had to empty the deep freeze before bringing it back in. Empty, it required four men to bring back in.
My grandmother stood only 5’2” tall and weighed only 110 pounds. My aunt 5’5” and weighed 125 pounds.
March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.
The story is told that once my maternal parents caught on fire. Only my grandmother and my young aunt, who was 12 at the time, were home.
Fearing they would lose everything, my grandmother and my aunt began carrying the furniture out of the living room. This included a rather large upright piano. When they got everything out of the living room, the proceeded to remove the contents of the kitchen, which included a chest-type deep freeze, that was full.
By that time, my grandfather returned home, and determined the fire was only smoldering in the wall, and he tore out a wall panel and promptly got it put out.
Grandmother told me it took four men to carry the piano back into the house, and they had to empty the deep freeze before bringing it back in. Empty, it required four men to bring back in.
My grandmother stood only 5’2” tall and weighed only 110 pounds. My aunt 5’5” and weighed 125 pounds.
Surname Saturday
Today I'd like to introduce you to my Lambrechti ancestor.
1. Cynthia Ann Beane
2. Walter Maxwell Beane married 3.Lois Velleda Dreher
6. Henry Condar Dreher, Jr. [1902-1977] married 7. Irene Caroline Banet [1906-1989].
12. Henry Condar Dreher, Sr. [1863-1925] married 13. Josephine Sophie Benzel [1865-1932].
27. Wilhelmina Lambrecht [1835-1924] married 26. John Benzel [1835-1899].
And here I hit my brick wall. Someday, I hope to break through that wall, and perhaps go beyond!
1. Cynthia Ann Beane
2. Walter Maxwell Beane married 3.Lois Velleda Dreher
6. Henry Condar Dreher, Jr. [1902-1977] married 7. Irene Caroline Banet [1906-1989].
12. Henry Condar Dreher, Sr. [1863-1925] married 13. Josephine Sophie Benzel [1865-1932].
27. Wilhelmina Lambrecht [1835-1924] married 26. John Benzel [1835-1899].
And here I hit my brick wall. Someday, I hope to break through that wall, and perhaps go beyond!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Who Do You Think You Are & Emmitt Smith
All I can say is WOW!!!
Who'd have thought WDYTYA could be any better than the premier was last week with Sarah Jessica Parker? But this week they far exceeded that show with tracing Emmitt Smith's ancestry!
What a beautifully told story, that took us on a journey through one of our nation's darkest moment's. That of slavery. And it was told with beauty and dignity.
Who didn't shed tears for the slave girl Mariah who was sent away from the only home she knew at the age of 11 years old?
When it appeared Emmitt would not get closure for ancestors beyond Mariah, who was born about 1815, along came Megan Smolenyak(2) with his DNA results. She was able to tell him what region of Africa his ancestors would have been from.
Was anyone else moved to tears when Emmitt stood on the Binan shores? Or when he came to the knowledge that slave trafficking is still taking place there?
Again, all I can say is WOW!!! WDYTYA just gets better and better!
Who'd have thought WDYTYA could be any better than the premier was last week with Sarah Jessica Parker? But this week they far exceeded that show with tracing Emmitt Smith's ancestry!
What a beautifully told story, that took us on a journey through one of our nation's darkest moment's. That of slavery. And it was told with beauty and dignity.
Who didn't shed tears for the slave girl Mariah who was sent away from the only home she knew at the age of 11 years old?
When it appeared Emmitt would not get closure for ancestors beyond Mariah, who was born about 1815, along came Megan Smolenyak(2) with his DNA results. She was able to tell him what region of Africa his ancestors would have been from.
Was anyone else moved to tears when Emmitt stood on the Binan shores? Or when he came to the knowledge that slave trafficking is still taking place there?
Again, all I can say is WOW!!! WDYTYA just gets better and better!
Fearless Females: March 12th
Thanks to the Accidental Genealogist for the Fearless Females prompts for March!
March 12 — Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.
My mother went to work when I was 5 years old, in 1964.
She went to work for the Fleet Post Office at the Naval Base where we lived. My Dad was in the Navy and gone most of the time, so she felt she could work to help support the family, and would not be neglecting her time with him.
She started off in the packing department for the Navy there. She packed parts that were sent to Vietnam. Parts for guns, planes, tanks, jeeps, etc.
Later she was able to pass entrance exams and went to work as a clerk typist in the post office itself.
She worked there until 1973, when we moved to West Virginia. Then in 1979 she went to work for the Monroe County Council on Aging. She started off as the bookkeeper there.
By 1995, when she fell ill due to a brain aneurysm, she had worked her way up to Director of the facility, and had over 150 employees in her charge. And she had helped more than 1500 individual seniors in the county during her time in service there. I have no doubt that if illness had prevented her from working, she would be there today at age 71!
March 12 — Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.
My mother went to work when I was 5 years old, in 1964.
She went to work for the Fleet Post Office at the Naval Base where we lived. My Dad was in the Navy and gone most of the time, so she felt she could work to help support the family, and would not be neglecting her time with him.
She started off in the packing department for the Navy there. She packed parts that were sent to Vietnam. Parts for guns, planes, tanks, jeeps, etc.
Later she was able to pass entrance exams and went to work as a clerk typist in the post office itself.
She worked there until 1973, when we moved to West Virginia. Then in 1979 she went to work for the Monroe County Council on Aging. She started off as the bookkeeper there.
By 1995, when she fell ill due to a brain aneurysm, she had worked her way up to Director of the facility, and had over 150 employees in her charge. And she had helped more than 1500 individual seniors in the county during her time in service there. I have no doubt that if illness had prevented her from working, she would be there today at age 71!
Follow Friday
This week I’d like to introduce you to Genealogy Tip of the Day.
This is one of my favorite blog sites on the web. Written by author, lecturer, and genealogist Michael John Neill, I never walk away from the site without having learned something of interest!
Check out Genealogy Tip of the Day; you’ll walk away a little more learned in genealogy when you do!
This is one of my favorite blog sites on the web. Written by author, lecturer, and genealogist Michael John Neill, I never walk away from the site without having learned something of interest!
Michael John Neill
Michael also writes “Casefile Clues”, a weekly genealogy newsletter focusing on research, methodology and interpretation. He has also written for Ancestry and Eastman’s Online Genealogical Newsletter.
Check out Genealogy Tip of the Day; you’ll walk away a little more learned in genealogy when you do!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Treasure Chest Thursday
Wilhelmina Lambrecht Benzel
Josephiine Sophie Benzel Dreher
Florence Sarah Dreher Kimball – holding Mildred Louise Kimball
Josephiine Sophie Benzel Dreher
Florence Sarah Dreher Kimball – holding Mildred Louise Kimball
Ca. 1913
This is one of my favorite photographs. It shows four generations of this family. One the left seated is my great-great-grandmother, Wilhelmina Lambrecht Benzel.
Wilhelmina Lambrecht was born 25 May 1835, we believe in Germany. Sometime before 1860 she married Johan [John] Benzel, and the couple came to the United States and settled in Indiana.
They went on to have at least eight children: Josephine, Amelia, Matilda, Minnie, Louie, John, August, and William.
Wilhelmina died 7 Mar 1924 in Bedford, Lawrence, Indiana.
Josephine Sophie Benzel [seated on the right], is my great-grandmother. Josephine was born 21 Jul 1865 in Indiana. She married Henry Condar Dreher, Sr. on 11 Aug 1884. The couple settled in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky.
Josephine and Henry [called “Heintz” at home] had ten children: Florence, Frank Henry, Henry Edward, Anna, Minnie, George, Walter, Henry Condar Jr., Joseph and Mary Louise.
Josephine died 12 Dec 1932. Her son, Henry Condar Dreher, Jr., was my grandfather [1902-1977].
Florence is shown above. She was my grand-aunt. Florence Sarah Dreher was born 01 Jul 1885 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. She married James Brentwood Kimball, about 1912. The couple had two daughters: Mildred [whom she is holding in the photograph above] and Doris. Florence died 08 Jan 1946, in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
AliMed Roll and Go Keyboard
Ever "fried" your keyboard by spilling your morning cup of coffee onto it? Or how about eating an afternoon snack, and dropped crumbs onto your keyboard? Ugh! The results can be costly [either time consuming when you can clean it, or in replacing the keyboard when you can't!]
But here's a likely solution!
This flexible computer companion, available in blue or black, can't be hurt by drips, drizzles or spills. Plus, with its completely enclosed keys, you won't have to worry about crumbs finding their way into hard-to-reach crevices. When you do need to clean the keyboard, use any disinfectant or simply soap and water.
But here's a likely solution!
This flexible computer companion, available in blue or black, can't be hurt by drips, drizzles or spills. Plus, with its completely enclosed keys, you won't have to worry about crumbs finding their way into hard-to-reach crevices. When you do need to clean the keyboard, use any disinfectant or simply soap and water.
Available at AliMed, the cost is a cool $40.
Wordless Wednesday - 3/10/10
Pauline, Emmette and John Bean
ca. 1911
This photograph was taken of Pauline Bean [daughter of Blanche Crosier and John Bean] and of Emmette Bean and John Bean Jr. [sons of Ada Burdette and John Bean]. By this time the oldest two children would have already left home [Rita and Lama]. Taken in either Second Creek, Gap Mills or Waiteville.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The 2010 Census
Last weekend a kindly looking older woman knocked on our front door. At the time, our living room and hallway to our guest rooms was a mess. But I heard my husband, who had answered the knock, usher the woman to the back guest room where I was working [we were in the process of moving my office from one guest room to another, and in so doing we were moving the guest room to the room where my office had been - that's a whole 'nother story!].
So, I was seated at my desk trying to organize the mess, when this woman walks in. She shows me her official US Census Bureau badge and ID. And explains that she is going to give me a packet to fill out for the 2010 Census. "Do you think you can handle filling it in alright?" she asked. [I was thinking I must have looked like a moron to her!] I smoothed my hand over my mussed hair, and donning my snootiest facial expression, and my holier than thou voice, I answered, "I shall endeavor to attempt to fill in the form with the very utmost of care, and shall promptly place it in the proper United States Postal receptacle for mail intended to be in the outgoing priority of that United States establishment."
"Uh, well, okey dokey!" she answered timidly. I noticed she scurried quite quickly past the piles of file boxes and assorted office equipment that was in the hall making its way to the office.
My hubby, the Texican, put his nose in the air, and said, "My, haven't we taken on airs with the commoners!" in his best Bond, that's James Bond for those of you who aren't in the know, interpretation.
We nearly giggled ourselves silly!
I sat the packet aside for a couple of days, and opened it and began filling it out.
Ten little questions. That's it.
It asked for the names of each individual in the household, their dates of birth. But beyond that, I am afraid our descendants will find the 2010 Census a bit boring and lacking when it comes to finding out anything about us! No question on education, occupation, or where our parents were born.
And above all, it was presumed throughout the entire record that I was living in this country legally.
I'm afraid I've found it a bit boring, and for our children, and their children, of not much use other than locating where we lived for this 10-year period.
And so, I've decided to increase my efforts at leaving behind a trail of my life for my descendants. My diary [which I've kept since I was 7 - and I am now - uh uh uh! - I almost told you! let's just say there are "volumes" of diary for my descendants to pore over after I am gone!] is getting a revamping. Nice leather volumes are all I've used for the past 4 years. I reckon I'd better stock up for the future ones! And I'm making a more concentrated effort to get more research done on my own family.
Nah! Who needs the Census when old Texicanwife here will leave enough juicy details behind to keep the kiddies reading for a few hours at least!
I wonder why none of my ancestors were as insightful? I could sure use their diaries about now!
So, I was seated at my desk trying to organize the mess, when this woman walks in. She shows me her official US Census Bureau badge and ID. And explains that she is going to give me a packet to fill out for the 2010 Census. "Do you think you can handle filling it in alright?" she asked. [I was thinking I must have looked like a moron to her!] I smoothed my hand over my mussed hair, and donning my snootiest facial expression, and my holier than thou voice, I answered, "I shall endeavor to attempt to fill in the form with the very utmost of care, and shall promptly place it in the proper United States Postal receptacle for mail intended to be in the outgoing priority of that United States establishment."
"Uh, well, okey dokey!" she answered timidly. I noticed she scurried quite quickly past the piles of file boxes and assorted office equipment that was in the hall making its way to the office.
My hubby, the Texican, put his nose in the air, and said, "My, haven't we taken on airs with the commoners!" in his best Bond, that's James Bond for those of you who aren't in the know, interpretation.
We nearly giggled ourselves silly!
I sat the packet aside for a couple of days, and opened it and began filling it out.
Ten little questions. That's it.
It asked for the names of each individual in the household, their dates of birth. But beyond that, I am afraid our descendants will find the 2010 Census a bit boring and lacking when it comes to finding out anything about us! No question on education, occupation, or where our parents were born.
And above all, it was presumed throughout the entire record that I was living in this country legally.
I'm afraid I've found it a bit boring, and for our children, and their children, of not much use other than locating where we lived for this 10-year period.
And so, I've decided to increase my efforts at leaving behind a trail of my life for my descendants. My diary [which I've kept since I was 7 - and I am now - uh uh uh! - I almost told you! let's just say there are "volumes" of diary for my descendants to pore over after I am gone!] is getting a revamping. Nice leather volumes are all I've used for the past 4 years. I reckon I'd better stock up for the future ones! And I'm making a more concentrated effort to get more research done on my own family.
Nah! Who needs the Census when old Texicanwife here will leave enough juicy details behind to keep the kiddies reading for a few hours at least!
I wonder why none of my ancestors were as insightful? I could sure use their diaries about now!
Tombstone Tuesday - 3/9/10
CROSIER
EARL E. (DON) ROSSIE M. WICKLINE
MAY 25, 1893 APRIL 13, 1894
SEPT. 27, 1976 JAN. 20, 1974
Earl "Don" Crosier was born 24 May 1893 to Randolph Crosier and Annie Smith in Gap Mills, Monroe, West Virginia. He married Rossie M. Wickline on 28 July 1920 in Monroe County. He died Sept. 27, 1976 at his home in Gap Mills.
Rossie M. Wickline was born 13 Apr 1894 in Gap Mills to Monroe Jackson Wickline and Lorenza Susan Workman. She died 20 Jan 1974 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
The couple had three children: Alma, Gaynelle and Jean [1928-1929].
While the Crosier's are not directly related to my line of the Bean family, they are nonetheless related to the Bean's through marriage [my grandfather's first wife was a Crosier, as was his brother's wife]. Don Crosier tied himself intricately to my immediate family when I was a teenager and my family moved from Norfolk, Virginia to Gap Mills. Don and Rossie lived two doors from our new home.
This was my sister and my first experience of country living. Don took it upon himself to become our official "unofficial" grandpa in residence. And yes, we came to affectionately call him "Pawpaw Crosier".
My Dad was in the Navy when we first moved, and he was away at sea. So, living on our own with just Mom, my Grandma Beane, and the two of us girls, we had to face many new obstacles. The greatest of which was lack of funds. During the move, Dad's military allotment did not get transferred to our new address and was lost for over six months. We didn't know from day to day what food we would have to eat for our meals. That year we picked poke greens, and cut poke stalks [they taste similar to okra when rolled in cornmeal and deep fried]. The greens we made into salad. We fished in the little creek that ran below our house and ate tiny sun trout pan fried. When our neighbors dug their potatoes that fall, Mom asked if we could glean what they missed. So like Ruth and Naomi we gleaned behind the harvesters. We ate small green boiled potatoes.
We didn't complain. We never went hungry. But Pawpaw Crosier must have guessed something was amiss, for nearly every single day he would arrive with something to eat. He always said he bought it from the grocery truck, that provided for the tiny general store in our very tiny town, CJ's was run by the Mann's, another dear old couple from Gap Mills.
Pawpaw Crosier would show up with a head of lettuce, the outer leaves beginning to wilt a bit; four tomatoes, some with tiny bruises or beginning to get a little soft; a small bag of onions, with little green sprouts beginning to form; a loaf of day old bread; a pound of margarine that had a stick that had partially begun to melt; a bag of coffee with tape over a small rip in the bag; and the items went on.
Pawpaw was a godsend to us.
When our little crisis was past, Mom told him and Rossie what a hard time we had gone through. With an exaggerated expression, Pawpaw exclaimed, "Well, I'll be! I'd of never guessed such a thing!"
When he died, the community turned out in force. It had only been a year and a half since we lost my Grandma Beane. I'll nver forget the feeling that overwhelmed me that day as I stood with the others at his graveside: "I will never feel as protected as I did with that dear old soul around me!"
Well, eventually, [twenty-two years later] I did find that same feeling of being protected, once more, when I married my dear Texican.
I'd like to think Pawpaw Crosier lives on in the many good deeds performed today by the lives of those he touched. You see, our family was only one of many in the community he reached out to assist.
Isn't that a legacy to be proud of!
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