Mountain Genealogists

Tombstone Tuesday - Charles and Tabitha Faudree

2012-01-31T01:00:00.001-05:00

FAUDREE

CHARLES JOSEPH TABITHA ANN

SEPT 17, 1870 AUG 30, 1880

MAY 15, 1927 JUNE 24, 1959

Charles Joseph Faudree was born 17 Sept 1870 to Richard Bollen Faudree and his wife, Virginia Wright. He was one of five known children to this couple.

Charles married Tabitha Ann Duke [I have no information on her family]. She was born 30 Aug 1880. At present I have no further information on this couple, but hope to do some research on this line soon.

Charles died 15 May 1927. And Tabitha lived until 24 June 1959.

The couple is buried here, Westview Cemetery, Atoka, Atoka County, Oklahoma.

Amaneunsis Monday - Richard Faudree Marries Mary Wickline

2012-01-30T01:00:00.001-05:00

To the Clerk of the County Court of

Monroe - in the State of Virginia.

I HEREBY CERTIFY, That the following is a correct Statement of a
Marriage solemnized by me in the County aforesaid:

Date of Marriage, Octboer 28th 1856
Place of Marriage, At Elijah Wickline's Esq - Monroe Co. Va.
Full Names of Parties Married, Richard C. Faudree & Mary Margaret Wickline
Age of Husband, 23-years
Age of Wife,       25   "
Condition of Husband, (widowed or single,) Single
Condition of Wife, (widowed or single,)          Ditto
Place of Husband's Birth, Halifax, County Virginia,
Place of Wife's Birth,        Monroe      "           "
Place of Husband's Residence, Monroe Co., Va
Place of Wife's Residence,             "        "      "
Name of Husband's Parents, Lewis Faudree & Mahala Hall
Name of Wife's Parents, Elijah Wickline & Elizabeth Lewis
Occupation of Husband, Farmer

Given under my hand as a Minister of the Gospel -
(legally authorized to solemnize Marriages,) this 28th
day of October ~    A.D. 1856

                                                     Lorenzo D. Nixon

Sentimental Sunday - All Those Orphan Photos

2012-01-29T01:00:00.001-05:00

I am sure I am not alone when I say I collect the photographs of my family. I have, literally, thousands. And, of course, along the way, there have been those photographs which were unidentifiable. Oh, they came from numerous sources. They were, perhaps, found in a box of grandmother's old photographs; or Uncle's tobacco box after he passed away; or tucked in some distant cousins Bible.

I cannot bear to part with any of them, thinking that perhaps one day I will find the identity of these individuals. And so, for the next few weeks, I will be posting some of this collection on Sentimental Sunday's. I can't think of a more appropriate title!

SNGF - Your Maternal Grandfather's Paternal Line

2012-01-28T15:43:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Randy over at GeneaMusings for yet another great challenge!

It's Saturday Night, so it's time for some Genealogy Fun.

Many of us have traced our patrilineal line and had a Y-DNA test done for the line. I thought that some of you might be interested in tracing another Y-DNA line - that of your maternal grandfather.

The challenge is this:

Find a living male person in your database from your maternal grandfather's patrilineal line who could take a Y-DNA test. Answer these questions:

1) What was your mother's father's name?

2) What is your mother's father's patrilineal line? That is, his father's father's father's ... back to the most distant male ancestor in that line?

3) Can you identify male sibling(s) of your mother's father, and any living male descendants from those male sibling(s)? If so, you have a candidate to do a Y-DNA test on that patrilineal line. If not, you may have to find male siblings, and their descendants, of the next generation back, or even further.

4) Tell us about it in your own blog post, or in a comment on this post, or in a Facebook or Google Plus post.

1) My mother's father's name was Henry Condar Dreher, Jr.

2) My mother's father's patrilineal line:
Henry Condar Dreher, Jr. > Henry Condar Dreher Sr. > Gottlieb Dreher

3) Male siblings of my mother's father, and their male descendants:
    A) Frank Henry Dreher - no male children
    B) Henry Edward Dreher - died 1918, no children
    C) Walter Louis Dreher - sons James Walter and Robert Royce Dreher
    D) Joseph Benzel Dreher - no sons

It would appear that James Walter and Robert Royce Dreher would be the only candidates for this study. However, in looking for these individuals today, I find that James Walter Dreher [b. 14 Jun 1933] passed away on 05 May 2008. I could find no record for Robert Royce Dreher passing, and assume at this point he is still alive. And there is, in fact, an active telephone listing for him. This would mean that he would be our most likely candidate for this study.

This is an avenue I am interested in pursuing, but at present lack the funds for the study. Perhaps this is something I can save for!

Would you like to do a Y-DNA study on your maternal patrilineal line? If so, can you answer the above questions regarding your ancestors and their descendants?

If funds were unavailable for this study, what creative ways can you think of to raise the cost of the study?

Surname Saturday - Riffe

2012-01-28T01:00:00.001-05:00

Generation 1

Cynthia Ann Beane was born in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN. She was the daughter of 2. Walter Maxwell BEANE and 3. Lois Velleda DREHER. She married Johnnie Lee HENRY in Covington, Alleghany Co., VA, son of Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge. He was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX.

Generation 2

Walter Maxwell Beane was born in Waiteville, Monroe County, WV. He was the

son of 4. John Monroe BEAN and 5. Mary Elizabeth FAUDREE. He married Lois Velleda DREHER in Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.

Lois Velleda Dreher was born in Georgetown, FLoyd Co., IN. She was the daughter of 6. Henry Condar DREHER Jr. and 7. Irene Caroline BANET.

Generation 3

John Monroe Bean was born on 15 Dec 1866 in Cincinatti, Ohio. He died on 10 Apr 1954 in Waiteville, Monroe Co., WV. He was the son of 8. William McHarvey BEAN and 9. Margaret Smith PERKINS. He married Mary Elizabeth Faudree on 01 Dec 1935 in Covington, Alleghany, Virginia.

Mary Elizabeth Faudree was born 03 Jun 1897 in Centennial, Monroe County, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Stephen Ledford Faudree and Elizabeth Carnifix.

Generation 4

William McHarvey Bean was born on 26 Aug 1832 in Dropping Lick, Near Zenith, Monroe Co, VA. He died on 14 May 1890 in Gap Mills, Monroe Co, WV. He was the son of 16. William M. BEAN and17. Rachel WISEMAN. He married Margaret Smith PERKINS on 26 Aug 1852 in Monroe County, Virginia.

Margaret Smith Perkins was born 03 Mar 1826 in Greenbrier County, Virginia. She died 11 Jun 1891 in Monroe County, West Virginia. She was the daughter of 18. Samuel PERKINS and 19.Elizabeth TUCKWILLER.

Generation 5

Elizabeth Tuckwiller was born 08 Nov 1779 in Greenbrier County, Virginia. She died 28 Jul 1867 in Greenbrier County, Virginia. She was the daughter of 38. John TUCKWILLER and 39. Catherine RIFFE.

Reverend Samuel Perkins was born on 21 Apr 1778 in Virginia. He died on 19 Jan 1854 in Fort Springs,

Greenbrier, Virginia. He was the son of 36. James PERKINS and 37. Elizabeth BONDERANT. He married Elizabeth TUCKWILLER on 15 Sep 1812 in Greenbrier County, Virginia.

Generation 6

Catherine Riffe was born 1762 in Pennsylvania. She died 01 Sep 1823 in Rich Hollow, Greenbrier County, Virginia. She was the daughter of 78. Jacob RIFFE and 79. Catherine UNKNOWN.

John Tuckwiller was born in 1752 in Virginia. He died on 18 Feb 1832 in Rich Hollow, Greenbrier County, Virginia. He was the son of 76. Thomas TUCKWILLER and 77. Sabina UNKNOWN. He married Catherine RIFFE about 1777.

Generation 7

Jacob Riffe was born in 1722. He died in 1790 in Greenbrier County, Virginia. He was the son of 156. John Jacob RIFFE and 157. Unknown. He married Catherine UNKNOWN.

Catherine Unknown.

Generation 8

John Jacob Riffe He died about 1756 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He married Unknown.

Native American Lineages Linked to Siberia

2012-01-27T12:26:00.002-05:00

Altai in southern Siberia sits right at the centre of Russia. But the tiny, mountainous republic has a claim to fame unknown until now - Native Americans can trace their origins to the remote region.

DNA research revealed that genetic markers linking people living in the Russian republic of Altai, southern Siberia, with indigenous populations in North America.

A study of the mutations indicated a lineage shift between 13,000 and 14,000 years ago - when people are thought to have walked across the ice from Russia to America.

Altai in Siberia: A study of genetic markers in DNA showed that the lineage of Native Americans changed around 13-14,000 years ago - when people are thought to have walked across the Bering Strait

This roughly coincides with the period when humans from Siberia are thought to have crossed what is now the Bering strait and entered America.

'Altai is a key area because it's a place where people have been coming and going for thousands and thousands of years,' said Dr Theodore Schurr, from the University of Pennsylvania in the US.

Among the people who may have emerged from the Altai region are the predecessors of the first Native Americans.

Roughly 20-25,000 years ago, these prehistoric humans carried their Asian genetic lineages up into the far reaches of Siberia and eventually across the then-exposed Bering land mass into the Americas.

'Our goal in working in this area was to better define what those founding lineages or sister lineages are to Native American populations,' Schurr said.

**Read this article via here.

Family Recipe Friday - Mama and The Pinto Bean Sandiwches

2012-01-27T01:00:00.001-05:00

Mama cooked a lot of pinto beans while I was growing up. We ate them at least once a week. And sometimes twice a week. They were cheap. Wholesome. And nutritious.

We never complained! We had them most often simply with cornbread. But more often than not, she'd add a big skillet full of fried potatoes and onions for the side dish.

Sometimes Mama would add a chunk of ham, or bone, to flavor the beans. And sometimes, when money was tight, it was simply a bouillion cube! But pinto beans were always a tasty dinner in our home, that was completely welcomed.

What most folks never knew, was that when the beans were dished up and placed in a big bowl on our dining table, a goodly portion had already been removed from the pot before hand and consumed. The culprit?

My Mama.

Mama simply could never get through a pot of beans cooking without "stealing a few". You've got to understand... these weren't beans that were opened from a can and simply heated up! No sirree! These were beans that had been bought in a bag, dry. They were culled over for bad beans and stones. They were rinsed. Soaked overnight. Drained and rinsed again. And finally set on the stove on a low setting and watched closely, from about 4 a.m. [Mama's early morning work!], until dinner time around 6 in the evening! The scent of these beans cooking all day wafted into every nook and cranny of the house! There wasn't a corner you could run to that the scent had not permeated.

Finally, about 3 in the afternoon, Mama would sneak into the kitchen, as though she didn't want anyone to know what she was about, and she would scoop out a goodly portion of the beans with a slotted spoon, plunk them onto two slices of bread, and devour them in a matter of seconds. Then she would go on about her regular business until time to set the table for dinner. Once I asked her why she sneaked into the kitchen to do this... she said she didn't want anyone to know she didn't have any self-control when it came to beans! [You'd have to know my Mama's self-control to understand that statement's oddity! Mama was the original female "Stonewall"!]

I don't have any pictures of Mama and her sneaking bean sandwiches... but I managed to find a picture of a bean sandwich on the Internet...

...[via here ]

In 1995 Mama suffered a brain aneurysm, and no longer is able to cook for herself. So, I thought I'd never get to see anyone stealing bean sandwiches again. But in 1998, I married a "good ol' boy" from south-Texas, and guess what he does when I'm cooking pinto beans???

You got it! He likes to sneak in, about mid-afternoon, open up my crock-pot and using a slotted spoon, he makes himself a bean sandwich. Funny how things seem to come full circle, isn't it?

Even more funny? I most often join him in making a pinto bean sandwich!

Have you ever eaten a pinto bean sandwich? If not, would you try one?

Former President John Tyler (1790-1862) Grandchildren Still Alive

2012-01-26T15:47:00.000-05:00

The following article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. Information about the newsletter is available at http://www.eogn.com.

by Dick Eastman

How many people born in 1790 have living grandchildren today? Not great-grandchildren, but second generation descendants?

John Tyler was born in 1790. He became the 10th president of the United States in 1841 after William Henry Harrison died in office. Tyler fathered Lyon Gardiner Tyler in 1853, at age 63. Then, at the age of 71, Lyon Gardiner Tyler fathered Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. in 1924 and four years later at age 75, Harrison Ruffin Tyler. Both men are still alive today.

You can read the details in an article by Eric Pfeiffer in Yahoo News at http://goo.gl/uJdsr.

My thanks to Michael Murphy for telling me about the article

Treasure Chest Thursday - Grandma's Jade Ring

2012-01-26T01:00:00.001-05:00

Many, many years, when I was a little girl of only 5, my Grandma Bean removed a ring from her pinky finger, and placed it on my ring finger. She told me she wanted me to have the ring.

The ring is a tiny [size 4 I think!] pinky ring with silver band and scrolled setting. The stone, jade.

Grandma Beane was born on 03 Jun 1897 in Monroe County, West Virginia. The tiny hamlet of Centennial, which is no longer present, but lies between Gap Mills and Sweet Springs, on US Route 3, was her home. She was born to Stephen Ledford Faudree and his wife, Elizabeth Carnifix. She was the eighth born of ten children to the couple.

For years Mary sat with the elderly, performed housekeeping for pay, and even worked with the deaf and mute. Her education was limited, but she was taught much within the home, and could read and write quite well.

In 1935, she met John Monroe Bean, Sr. He was a widower, twice over. And he was the father of 12 children. The eldest was a year older than Mary, and the youngest had been living with an Aunt since his birth, six years earlier. On 01 Dec 1935 at the M.E. Church in Covington, Alleghany County, Virginia, John and Mary were wed. They set up a home in Waiteville of Monroe County, where John had resided most of his life.

By now, Mary was 38. And John was quite a bit her elder, at 69.

In 1937, Mary, now 40, had her first child, my father, Walter. 20 months later, shortly before her 42nd birthday, she had another son, Edsel. And four years later, her youngest son, Roy Edwin. By the time of the last child's birth, Mary was 46, and John was 77 years old.

In 1946 Roy Edwin died from a ruptured appendix at the tender age of 3. And in 1954, John died. He was a little over 87 years of age.

In 1964, Mary moved from her home in West Virginia, to join our family in Norfolk, Virginia. It was then that she gave me this ring.

For the next 10-1/2 years she was there for the laughter, tears, and joys of a young girl's growing up. She was even there for the growing pains of the loss of first love. She left us to join her ancestors on 01 January 1975.

The little ring is worn completely through in the back of the band. I wore it continuously until I gained weight as an adult and could wear it no longer. It now resides in a favorite old jewelry box, where my mementos hide until I can bear to look at them on occasion. [I don't know about others, but I become so melancholy when I look over these treasures of mine!] Each time I pull it out, I am reminded of the scent of vanilla as Grandma baked custard, or the crispy bite of chicken she had me "help" her fry. The baby powder she used on the canvas of her sneakers to keep them clean. The "White Shoulders" 'parfum' she dabbed behind her ears. The tissue she kept inside the hem of her sleeve. The dainty fringe of hair she had, all curled tightly. Her oddly gray eyes. And her smile.

Grandma never spoke an unkind or harsh word in my presence. As a matter of fact, she told me more than once... "If you can't say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all." And I loved her, "It's better to be thought a fool, than open your mouth and be proven to be one!"

And she gave the absolute best hugs in the whole wide world.

When Grandma passed away, I was fifteen years old. I can remember the day she was buried was so cold, and the ground frozen so hard that they had to dynamite the grave open in order to bury her. As we stood on the hillside, and the minister said the final words at her graveside, I totally lost control. I collapsed in the arms of a dear old family friend, Albert Wiseman. Mr. Wiseman was a wonderful, grandfatherly man, and attended church with us. As a matter of fact, he was our Sunday School Superintendent. He and his wife, Elsie, wrapped their arms, and their coats about me. The three of us, literally tucked inside one another's coats on that windy day. Mr. Wiseman reached out a gnarled hand and wiped away the tears running down my cheeks with his handkerchief. "Cyndi, Grandmother wouldn't want you to cry, you know. She's having the best reunion she's ever had right now!"

Recently, when another genealogy researcher lost her mother, she posted on Facebook that her mother had joined her ancestors that morning. It was then I was reminded of Mr. Wiseman's words back in January of 1975.

While I plan to live for many, many years yet, I am so looking forward to that day, when I can step through the garden gates, and be met by my own ancestors for a family reunion!

Until then, I will occasionally pull out the little mementos and gather up the memories and call those dear family members near.

Do you have a family item that calls to mind your ancestors? If so, did you personally know that ancestor? What special memories do you have of them?

Wordless Wednesday - Lois Beane & Her Daughters

2012-01-25T01:00:00.000-05:00

Lois Brown Beane surrounded by daughters, Argylee Maleta, Duffie June, Sharon Lynn, Loretta Gayle, and the youngest, Billie Jacqueline.

Tombstone Tuesday - Lois Brown Beane

2012-01-24T01:00:00.001-05:00

LOIS M. BEANE

APR. 11, 1911

AUG. 11, 2006

Lois Maleta Brown was born to Charles Andrew Brown and his wife Virgie Blanche Thompson in Princeton, Mercer County, West Virginia.

She married Lama Wellington Beane [1899-1957] on 09 Oct 1927 in Wyoming County, West Virginia.

The couple had six children:

Argylee Maleta

Duffie June [1931-1984]

Sharon Lynn [1932-1992]

Loretta Gayle

Billie Jacqueline [1937-2003]

John Monroe Beane II

Lois died in Marion, NC. She is buried at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.

Fellowes Twist and Bind All-In-One Machineless Binding Kit - A Review

2012-01-23T14:59:00.000-05:00

Fellowes Twist and Bind All-In-One Machineless Binding Kit

I was excited to receive this packet of 4 Twist and Bind report covers and binding kits. And I was not disappointed.

Each report kit can handle up to about 40 pages. However, 40-sheets of the pre-punched paper is all that is included in the kit. I'd like to see enough paper enclosed to allow four 40-page reports! However, the kit will allow for four 10-page reports.

The really fantastic part of these report kits is that it allows you to attach a spiral binding without use of a complicated, or expensive, spiral binding machine! A few minutes and your report is spiral bound!

Simply insert the special, pre-punched paper into your favorite printer, and prepare your report. Place a front and back report cover over your paper, and then slowly twist the binder into place.

Anyone can do this! [My 6 year old grandson made his own "first book" using this! He was so proud!]

While not for large, or bulky, prints, this is a perfect report cover for smaller print jobs.

I give this....

...Five Stars and....

...my Thumbs Up!

****DISCLOSURE: This product was provided by Amazon Vine for an independent and non-biased review.

Amaneunsis Monday - Lama Beane Death Certificate

2012-01-23T01:00:00.001-05:00

This shows Lama Wellington Beane died on 29 Dec 1957 in Oceana, Wyoming County, West Virginia.

A Male, white, and married, he was born on 28 Apr 1899, and was 58 years of age at the time of his death.

His father is listed as John Bean and his mother as Blanch Crozier, with his birthplace listed as Waiteville, WV.

The cause of death is listed as Carcinoma of lungs with disseminated metastases [lung cancer that has spread throughout the body].

Lama was buried on 01 Jan 1958 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Beckley, WV.

Lama was my Uncle. His wife, Lois, is also buried at Sunset Memorial Park.

The couple had six children.

Sentimental Sunday - All Those Orphan Photos

2012-01-22T01:00:00.001-05:00

Three Unknown Men

Showing Off Some Hillbilly Love!

2012-01-21T16:55:00.002-05:00

"Daisy" sung by Joe Purdy

SNGF - Do Some Random Research

2012-01-21T16:51:00.000-05:00

Hey genealogy buffs - it's Saturday Night and time for more Genealogy Fun! Play along with us and tell us about it.

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to follow Chris Staats' rules (from Freaky Friday: Random Research Reports) for picking a random person's name and then doing some online research about that person. Here are Chris's rules:

1. Go to The Random Name Generator and click the red “Generate Name” button at the top of the screen (more than once if you want). Pick one of the names you see.

2. Go to Ancestry.com and enter your generated name in the search box on the main search page. [Randy's add: If you don't have Ancestry.com, go to https://www.familysearch.org/ and do it there - it's free.]

3. From the results, your research target will be the first census result for your generated name.

4. Using whatever online resources are at your disposal, see what else you can discover about your random person and write about it. It can be a formal report complete with footnotes, or just a “research story” about what you tried, problems you overcame, or success you had. Maybe you want to create a research plan for practice?

5. Post about it on your own blog, or as a comment here, or a comment on Facebook, Google Plus or Twitter.

I always love these random searches, Randy!

So, I went to the site and got my random name: Denis Hopper

Yeah, that was it! Denis Hopper!

Heading on over to Ancestry.com, I went with the first Denis Hopper found on a random census. It was the 1900 Census for Grayson County, Texas.

Here I found [Roll: T623_1640, line 97, p 22B/ ED 103] little Denis. He was listed as being born in Jun 1895 , and was 4 years old at the time. His father was listed as William [a Farmer] and his mother as Ellen. His father is listed as being born in Missouri, with his parents both born in Tennessee. His mother as being born in Tennessee and her father born in Missouri and mother in Tennessee.

The next time I found Denis, he is now listed as Dennis Martin Hopper, he is listed on the WWI Draft Records. This gave us his complete birthdate as 23 Jan 1895, and he is listed as being born in Tom Bean, Grayson County, Texas. He is currently living in Sherman, Grayson, Texas, and is employed as a carpenter; married with 2 children. This does give us somewhat of a physical description: Tall, Slender, Blue Eyes and Blond Hair.

By 1920 he is still in Sherman, Grayson, TX and is found living at 904 Maxey Street. His wife's name is found here, Ruth E. She is listed as 24 years of age [the same as he is listed] and was born in Texas. However in the 1920 Census Denis' parents are listed as being born in Kentucky. And Ruth's father in KY and her mother in MO. By now the couple have a pair twin girls. In this Census they are listed as Florene and Lorene, both 5 years of age and born Texas.

By the 1930 Census, the family is now living at 926 Washington, in Sherman, Grayson, TX. They have graduated from renters to home owners. Denis is now listed as a cabinet maker in the local planing mill. His wife, Ruth is a seamstress. The twins full names are now revealed: Velma Florene and Zelma Lorene. At this time they are 15 years of age. And both Dennis' and Ruth's parents birthplaces are listed simply as US. [Looking over this page, it seems the Census Taker listed anyone not born in TX but in the US simply as being US born, and not by state.]

Remaining on Ancestry.com we find that Denis and his family can be tracked as to their residence through the City Directories. From 1914 - 1935 they lived in Sherman. And from 1946 until 1955 in Denison, Grayson, Texas.

In 1942, Denis listed in the WWII Draft Cards found on Family Search. He is listed as 47 years of age and married. He is employed by Joe Smith, also in Sherman.

Heading back over to Ancestry.com we note that Denis is listed one last time on the Texas Death Index, 1903-2000. Denis died on 15 October 1963 in Grayson County.

I then checked on FindAGrave for a record of his burial. But I came up empty on this site [one of my favorites! I've had a ton of success here!] So then I headed to my old standard, Google. Here I typed in Dennis Hopper died 1963 Grayson Co., TX. Needless to say, I had to weed through about twenty Dennis Hopper entries for the movie star [who died just a couple of years ago]. But eventually, I had a positive hit on the TX GENWEB site for Grayson County. I was rewarded with finding out that Denis was layed to rest at the Cedarlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grayson County. The short Bio listed on him there reads as follows:

"HOPPER SR DENNIS M      Jan 23, 1895    Jun 1963
    Born Tom Bean, Grayson County, Texas. S/O Mr & Mrs. William H. Hopper
    Wed Ruth E. Pennington, Sept 20, 1912 Sherman, Grayson County, Texas"

With this info in hand, I then headed back to FindAGrave and although I did not find Dennis listed here, I did find his wife, Ruth Elizabeth Pennington Hopper, [Find A Grave Memorial# 53620115]. However, it listed her spouse as George A. Hopper.

From the cradle to the grave, Dennis Martin Hopper lived to the ripe old age of 68 years. He was a carpenter/ cabinet maker by trade, and lived his entire life in Grayson County, Texas.

Thanks Randy, for another great challenge!

Surname Saturday - Lambrecht

2012-01-21T01:00:00.001-05:00

Generation 1

Cynthia Ann BEANE was born in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN. She was the daughter of 2. Walter Maxwell BEANE and 3. Lois Velleda DREHER. She married Johnnie Lee HENRY in Covington, Alleghany Co., VA, son of Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge. He was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX.

Generation 2

Walter Maxwell BEANE was born in Waiteville, Monroe County, WV. He was the son of 4. John Monroe BEAN and 5. Mary Elizabeth FAUDREE. He married Lois Velleda DREHER in Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.

Lois Velleda DREHER was born in Georgetown, FLoyd Co., IN. She was the daughter of 6. Henry Condar DREHER Jr. and 7. Irene Caroline BANET.

Generation 3

Henry Condar DREHER Jr. was born on 31 Dec 1902 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. He died on

17 May 1977 in Indiana. He was the son of 12. Henry Condar DREHER and 13. Josephine Sophie

Benzel. He married Irene Caroline BANET on 12 Dec 1923 in Indiana.

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.

Generation 4

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.

Gneration 5

26.

John Benzel was born on 11 Jan 1835 in Prussia. He died on 18 Jan 1899 in Bedford, Lawrence,

Indiana. He married Wilhelmina Lambrecht.

27.

Wilhelmina Lambrecht was born 25 May 1835. She died 07 Mar 1924 in Bedford, Lawrence,

Indiana.

Family Recipe Friday - Cowboy Biscuits

2012-01-20T01:00:00.001-05:00

Cowboy Biscuits

I got this recipe from a real cowboy, many years ago while living in Texas. By the time I met the old gentleman, he was broken down and getting rather long in the tooth from so many years out on the range. But a nicer, more gentlemanly man I have never met. He taught me all about reading "cowboy books". Yep, he introduced me to Louis L'Amour, Zane Gray, among just a few. And I, as an 18-year old, introduced him to romance novels. A more unlikely pair there never was. But he was kind to me, at a time when I needed it.

I made the batch of cowboy biscuits you see above just this morning, and didn't think till I had them out of the pan to take a picture of them for you. But I did find a picture of them in a pan on another site,

[via here]

Cowboy cooks used to mix these up and put them in cast iron Dutch ovens over the hot coals of a campfire.

To make these I use the following ingredients:

3 - cups self-rising flour

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1-teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2-cup melted vegetable shortening

1-1/2 cups whole milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F.

Melt shortening in 10-inch cast iron skillet over low heat.

Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients.

Mix in milk and stir together [I use a fork for this].

When shortening is completely melted, carefully swirl around interior of skillet to be sure bottom and sides are thoroughly coated. Pour melted shortening into dough, and stir to incorporate. Once the shortening is stirred in, use your hand and gently knead dough in the bowl to mix wel. Only knead a few times, kneading very much will make this dense and rubbery.

Place dough in skillet and pat down and spread over entire bottom of skillet.

Use a glass to cut the enter into a round biscuit. Use a butter/table knife to cut the outer edges into triangular pieces. Cut into the dough, but not completely through. [TIP: Dip glass and knife into flour to keep from sticking.]

Place pan in oven and bake approximately 10-12 minutes.

Serve hot. Make 9 biscuits in 10-inch skillet. [These are BIG biscuits!]

Enjoy!

Treasure Chest Thursday

2012-01-19T01:00:00.001-05:00

Arthur "Art" Dreher

Son of Henry Condar Dreher, Jr. and Irene Caroline [Banet] Dreher

About 1943

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-18T01:00:00.001-05:00

Arthur "Art" Dreher

Son of Henry C. Dreher, Jr. and Irene Caroline [Banet] Dreher

Tombstone Tuesday....Amos & Mary Banet

2012-01-17T01:00:00.001-05:00

BANET

AMOS MARY J.

JUL 26-1836 FEB-8-1845

MAR-2-1884 SEPT-26-1924

Amos Banet was born 26 Jul 1836 to Ettiene Banet and Francois Bidaine Banet, in Floyds Knobs, Floyd County, Indiana. He was the 8th-born of 12 children. Ettiene and Francois and their first 7 children having been born in France, Amos was the first born in the United States. Birth records list him as "Aimee Appolinaire".

He married Mary Jane Knable, born 8 Feb 1845, on 26 May 1863.

The couple went on to have two known children, Frances and Adolph.

Amos [Aimee] died 02 Mar 1884, and is buried at St. Mary of the Knobs, Floyds Knobs, Floyd County, Indiana. Mary lived until 26 Sep 1924. She is buried beside him.

St. Mary of the Knobs

Amos is my 2nd great-grand-uncle.

Amaneunsis Monday - Margaret's Death Certificate

2012-01-16T01:00:00.002-05:00

State of W.VA.

County of Monroe

Name: Margaret S. Bean Sex: Female Color: White Age: 65 years 2 months 28 days

Occupation: Housewife Date of Death: June 11, 1891 P.M. Widow

Nationality & Place of Birth: American, Greenbrier Co., W.VA. How long resident in this state? All her life

Place of Death: Waitville, W.VA. [sic] Cause of Death: Heart Failure

Toxfied Liver [sic] Paralysis

Duration of Complication: 15 days Duration of disease: 12 years

Place of Burial: Waitville, W.VA. [sic] Date of Burial: June 13, 1891

Name of Undertaker: P.N. Doss Residence of Undertaker: Waitville, W.Va. [sic]

D.C. Pharr, M.D.

Date: June12, 1891

Residence: Gap Mills, W.Va.

Sentimental Sunday - All Those Orphan Photos

2012-01-15T01:00:00.002-05:00

This unidentified man and woman are balancing on the very narrow ends of a stack of lumber. A stack this high, one considers the possibilities that the photograph might have been taken in a lumber yard.

Because of their dress, it is hard to say the date this was taken. I am going to make a guess at between 1930-1940.

The photo is from a collection my Uncle had. He passed away in 1972. He lived in West Virginia his entire life. The photo may have been taken there. And the young man pictured may actually b my uncle, but no one is willing to say for sure as "Well, it kinda looks like him, but then I'm not sure, so don't say it is him!".

Do you have any orphan photographs from your family?

SNGF

2012-01-14T17:33:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday Night - is everyone ready for some Genealogy Fun?

Your mission, should you decide to accept it (and I hope that you do... because this one is really cool!), is to:

1) Go to the www.ImageChef.com website and explore their FREE offerings. Click on the "Create" button, or choose to make a slideshow or posters from their main page (there are more than one screen of poster backgrounds).

2) Make one or more posters or other creation - perhaps they relate to genealogy or your own family history. Save them to your computer (right click, Save as Picture for Windows users).

3) Show your creations to us... in your own blog post, on a Facebook post, or on Google Plus etc.

Thanks Randy, for another great challenge!

I decided to highlight my great-grandfather, Henry C. Dreher, Sr. He was a cigar roller in Louisville, Kentucky at the turn of the 20th century. I fictionalized the company, giving it his name, but love it!

The sign reads:

"Dreher Cigars - Kentucky's Best"

[By the way, the program ages everything so you can't quite make it out... but he's actually smoking a cigar in this pic.]

Henry C. Dreher, Sr. was a first-generation American born German-American. His parents were born "in the old country". He was born 1863 and died 1925, and lived his whole life in Louisville, KY.

Surname Saturday - Rotge

2012-01-14T01:00:00.001-05:00

This line pursues my husband's matrilineal ancestry.

Generation 1

Johnnie Lee HENRY was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX. He was the son of 2. Joseph Wright HENRY and 3. Betty Louise Rotge. He married Cynthia Ann BEANE in Covington, Alleghany Co., VA, daughter of Walter Maxwell BEANE and Lois Velleda DREHER. She was born in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN.

Generation 2

Joseph Wright HENRY was born on 20 Sep 1927 in Fulton County, KY. He died on 16 Nov 1993 in Batesville, Panola, Mississippi. He was the son of 4. William Lee HENRY and 5. Emma Louise PETTIE. He married Betty Louise Rotge on 30 Jul 1947.

Betty Louise Rotge was born 30 Aug 1930 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas. She died 05 Jul 2003 in Jourdanton, Atascosa, Texas. She was the daughter of 6. John Cornelius ROTGE and 7. Ora Lee Sparks.

Generation 3

John Cornelius ROTGE was born on 16 Jan 1910. He died on 09 Jun 1983 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas. He was the son of 12. Peter ROTGE and 13. Lillie Mae Surber. He married Ora Lee Sparks in 1930.

Ora Lee Sparks was born 26 Oct 1914 in Bandera, Edwards, Texas. She died Aug 1982 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas. She was the daughter of 14. William Jacob Sparks and 15. Laura May Clements.

Generation 4

12.

Peter ROTGE was born on 25 Jun 1872 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He died on 15 Jul 1956 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas. He was the son of 24. Jean Rotge and 25. Anna Annette Martin. He married Lillie Mae Surber on 15 Nov 1902.

13.

Lillie Mae Surber was born 29 Jan 1881 in Texas. She died 26 Sep 1932. She was the daughter of 26. John W. SURBER and 27. Visa Ann SURBER.

Generation 5

24.

Jean Rotge was born on 24 Dec 1829 in Paris, France. He died on 06 Jul 1887 in Goliad, Texas. He married Anna Annette Martin.

25.

Anna Annette Martin was born 15 Sep 1839 in Paris, France. She died 25 Sep 1917 in Goliad, Texas. She was the daughter of 50. Antoine MARTIN and 51. Louise GUEDON.

Civil War Submarine Unveiled

2012-01-13T11:07:00.000-05:00

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Confederate Civil War vessel H.L. Hunley, the world's first successful combat submarine, was unveiled in full and unobstructed for the first time on Thursday, capping a decade of careful preservation.

"No one alive has ever seen the Hunley complete. We're going to see it today," engineer John King said as a crane at a Charleston conservation laboratory slowly lifted a massive steel truss covering the top of the submarine.

About 20 engineers and scientists applauded as they caught the first glimpse of the intact 42-foot-long (13-meter-long) narrow iron cylinder, which was raised from the ocean floor near Charleston more than a decade ago. The public will see the same view, but in a water tank to keep it from rusting.

You can read the rest of the story here.

***This story holds a spark of interest for me, in that author Clive Cussler, and his team, are the ones who discovered the final resting place of the Hunley. You can read more about this on Cussler's Bio page on his website, here. I've been a huge fan of Cussler and his myriad writings for years.

Family Recipe Friday - Fried Poke

2012-01-13T01:00:00.001-05:00

This is probably considered a "poor man's dish", since it is obtained from the wild fauna about us here in the mountains.

As a teenager, we moved to the mountains, and Mama introduced us to some "good eats"! One of them being the lowly poke plant.

Around these parts, poke plants grow on the edge of forested areas. They have a long slender, fibrous stalk, and broad flat, green leaves. The entire plant, stalk and leaves, is edible.

Take the leaves for instance. They can be eaten in a salad, or stirred into scrambled eggs while cooking them. Either way is delicious!

To make poke salad, simply wash and dry the leaves as you would for lettuce. If the leaves are large, tear into smaller pieces.

Fry 6 pieces of bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove bacon from skillet and place on paper towel to drain. Keep bacon grease. Add 1/4 cup cider vinegar and 2-tbsp. cane sugar to bacon grease. Heat thoroughly. Pour over poke leaves and toss. Add crumbled bacon, diced onion and diced boiled egg. Toss. Add salt & pepper to taste. Serve.

Or you can take the stem of the plant and fry it, much as you would okra.

Wash poke stems and blot dry with tea towel. Cut stems into 2 to 3-inch lengths.

Dip stems in egg, then roll in cornmeal and fry over medium-high heat until slightly crispy.

This is really good with fish, or eaten in combination with poke salad!

The lowly poke plant provides alot of nutrients for the "poor man's diet".

Treasure Chest Thursday - A Blue Transferware Plate

2012-01-12T01:00:00.005-05:00

I have many things in my house which I treasure, and while not all of them have been passed down to me, they are things that have been given to me. And these are things that I hope one day my grandchildren, or my great-grandchildren can say, "This belonged to my grandmother/ great-grandmother, and I treasure it simply because it was special to her."

So, for the next few weeks, we'll be taking a stroll through my house on Thursday's, giving you a peak at all of my "treasures".

This is a large [14"] serving plate. Blue transferware. Probably from around 1910-1920.

This was a gift from my sister, who collects antiques. She literally took this from her collection and gave to me, simply because I admired it.

Isn't it a treasure?

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T01:00:00.001-05:00

Tombstone Tuesday - William M. & Margaret S. Bean

2012-01-10T01:00:00.003-05:00

TOP: W.M. Bean

Died May

14, 1890

Aged 58 Yrs

8 mos 1 day

BOTTOM: Margaret S.

Wife of

Wm. M. Bean

Did

June 11, 1891

Aged 65 years

2 mos 28 days

William and Margaret are buried at New Zion Union Church Cemetery, in Waiteville, Monroe County, West Virginia. They share a single stone. William's inscription is on the west face of the stone, and Margaret's on the east.

Amaneunsis Monday - William's Death Certificate

2012-01-09T01:00:00.001-05:00

County of Monroe

Name: Wm M Bean Sex: Male Color: White Age: 58 yrs 1 mo 5 dys

Occupation: U.S.A. Marshall Date of Death: May 15th 1890 P.M. Married

Natonality & Place of Birth:American, Zenith, WV How long resident in this state? All his life

Place of Death: Gap Mills, WV Cause of Death: Pistol shot through brain

shock from which he died in 2-1/2 hours

Place of Burial: Waiteville, WV Date of Burial: May 17th 1890

Name of Undertaker: McGleason Residence of Undertaker: Union, WV

D.C. Pharr, M.D.

Date: May 26, 1890

Residence: Gap Mills, WV

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy - Week 2

2012-01-08T01:00:00.003-05:00

Week #2 – Paid Online Genealogy Tools

Week 2 – Paid Online Genealogy Tools: Which paid genealogy tool do you appreciate the most? What special features put it at the top of your list? How can it help others with their genealogy research?

Hands down, if I had to pick one online source that I pay for to assist me in genealogy, it is Ancestry.com. While certainly not the cheapest, it is by far the best online genealogy assistance you can purchase. With records from around the globe, and of every imaginable style [census, birth, death, social security, tax, estate, military, newspaper, and even other's family trees for comparisons,etc.] your money works out to the best bargain you can find.

Of course, that's not my entire list of genealogy help online. But it is the one which I appreciate the most.

To round out my paid subscriptions, I have two others that fall relatively close to my favorite: NewspaperArchive.com and Footnote. Both of these have given up records and articles that I could not find on Ancestry, and I highly recommend them as well.

Sentimental Sunday - My Best Friend

2012-01-08T01:00:00.001-05:00

Lynda - 2010

I met Lynda in the fall of 1979. Our husband's were stationed together at the American Army post in Herzogenaurach, Germany. We both had little boys. Her son was 2 years older than mine.

From the first moment we met, it was as if our hearts became sisters. I have been heard saying more than once that Lynda is my "sister from another mister".

We've been through alot through the years. Joy over the birth of a baby. Tears over the loss of one. Heartache, anger and even grief over an unfaithful spouse, and the ultimate divorce[s].

In 1981 we were separated by space as my husband got orders to go somewhere else. We have seen each other twice since then.

Durng the absences, we both went to nursing school at the same time. She continues to be a nurse today, though her health, much as mine, has been precarious at times.

And still, as time marches on, and we are now both grandmothers, Lynda is still the first person I run to when there's a worry or a fear. She's still the first one I tell my secrets to. We continue to share heartaches, laughter, and tears. We both try to lift the other up.

There is a love between us that cannot be explained.

And so, today, I honor this treasured person in my life. She is a part of me. A big part of my heart, and of my soul.

My best friend. Sister of my heart.

I love ya girl!

Surname Saturday - Eve

2012-01-07T01:00:00.001-05:00

Generation 1

1. Cynthia Ann BEANE was born in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN. She was the daughter of 2. Walter Maxwell BEANE and 3. Lois Velleda DREHER. She married Johnnie Lee HENRY in Covington, Alleghany Co., VA, son of Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge. He was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX

Generation 2

Lois Velleda DREHER was born in Georgetown, FLoyd Co., IN. She was the daughter of 6. Henry Condar DREHER Jr. and 7. Irene Caroline BANET.

Generation 3

Henry Condar DREHER Jr. was born on 31 Dec 1902 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. He died on 17 May 1977 in Indiana. He was the son of 12. Henry Condar DREHER and 13. Josephine Sophie Benzel. He married Irene Caroline BANET on 12 Dec 1923 in Indiana.

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.

Generation 4

14.

Francis Isidore Banet was born on 15 Aug 1863 in Indiana. He died in Apr 1945 in Indiana. He was the son of 28. Isadore Banet and 29. Rosalie SPRIGLER. He married Adeline Josephine EVE on 31 Oct 1893 in Floyd County, Indiana.

15.

Adeline Josephine EVE was born 11 Feb 1867 in Indiana. She died 05 Nov 1958 in Indiana. She was the daughter of 30. Joseph EVE and 31. Annette.

Generation 5

30.

Joseph EVE was born on 11 Jan 1829 in France. He died on 08 Jan 1892 in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN. He was the son of 60. Unknown Eve and 61. Unknown. He married Annette before 1858.

31. Annette was born 12 Feb 1840 in Indiana. She died 01 May 1870 in Indiana.

Family Keepsake Friday - The Death Watch

2012-01-06T01:00:00.001-05:00

****WARNING: The portrait in this post is that of an infant in death. Please use caution if viewing with a child, or skip this post if you cannot view such material!

Charles Edward Banet

Stillborn Sep 1901

Today we view taking portraits, especially ones so formal as this, as a bit on the macabre. However, at a time when ultrasounds and sonograms weren't even heard of, and photographs were at a premium, families took portraits of the dead. In this manner they could immortalize, and memorialize, the individual. Especially that of infants and children.

In my Mother's family [the Dreher's and Banet's] this has been especially true. Even today we take photographs. While we look back upon them on occasion, it is with an abiding love and respect for the individual. And they are associated with the comfort one received from the eulogies and funeral for the deceased. I personally have photographs of my Grandpa and Grandma Dreher, as well as my Grandma Bean, as they lay in the funeral parlor.

Charles Edward Banet was the first born son of Edward Stephen Banet and Cora Francis Mitchell.

It is presumed that since his birth was in New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, that he is buried there as well.

Charles' father, Edward, was my first cousin, three times removed. We shared my great-great-grandparents Banet.

Treasure Chest Thursday - The Banet Farm

2012-01-05T01:00:00.001-05:00

The Banet Farm located on Lawrence Banet Road on Floyd's Knobs, Floyd County, Indiana, was built over 150 years ago, and was still standing and in use in 2011.

Almost Wordless Wednesday - The Banet Sisters

2012-01-04T01:00:00.003-05:00

[L] Carrie and [R] Agnes Banet

Carrie [b.1887] and Agnes [b.1880] were the daughters of Adolph J. And Josephine Werner Banet.

Born on Floyd Knobs, Floyd, Indiana, the ladies are shown with their prize hogs.

Tombtone Tuesday- William Thomas Eakin

2012-01-03T01:00:00.004-05:00

WILLIAM T. EAKIN

1850 - 1934

William Thomas Eakin was the second of four children born to Alexander Eakin[1817-1880] and his wife, Margaret Jane Bean [b. 1825].

Born November 1851 [although his stone says 1850, Craig County birth records indicate he was born in 1851] on John's Creek.

He married Nancy "Nannie" Susan Caldwell [1849-1942] on 22 Dec 1870 in Craig County. The couple went on to have eleven known children:

Charles S. Montgomery Eakin [1871-1942]

Frank C. Eakin [1874-1888]

Akie Kelley C. Eakin [1876-1894]

Emma Highlela Clementine Eakin [1878-1966]

Walter Howard Eakin [1880-1960]

William Pharr Eakin [1882-1890]

John Albert W. Eakin [b. 1883]

Canby Hansen Ekin [b. 1885]

James Charlton Eakin [1889-1901]

Mary Effie Elizabeth Eakin [1891-1965]

Annie Sue Eakin [1893-1969]

William Thomas Eakin was a farmer his entire life.

He died 18 April 1934 at Buchanan, Botetourt County, Virginia.

He is buried at...

...Fairview Cemetery, Buchanan, Botetourt, Virginia.

Amaneunsis Monday - The Marriage of Margaret Bean

2012-01-02T01:00:00.001-05:00

Know all men by these presents, That we

Alexander W. Eaken and John J. Bean

are held and firmly bound unto

the Commonwealth of Virginia,

in the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars, to which payment well and

truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heir, &c. [sic] jointly and severally, firmly,

by these presents Sealed with our seals, and dated this 11th day of

March 1848.

The conditions of the above obligation is such, That whereas the above

bound Alexander Eaken hath this day obtained

from the Clerk of the County Court of Monroe, a License

for his marriage with Margaret Bean daughter

of William Bean of said county If therefore

there be no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage then the above obligation

to be void.

TESTE

John Hutchinson Alexander W. Eaken [Seal]

John J. Bean [Seal]

Happy New Year - 2012!

2012-01-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

Here's wishing you and yours a Happy New!

May it be prosperous and healthy.

This morning we are having our traditional New Year's breakfast:

bagels and cream cheese with Mimosa's.

Mimosa-el-Texicanwife

1 part Brut champagne

1 part orange juice

1 splash Cholula hot sauce

So good!!!

We will be having our traditional New Year's dinner:

bratwurst [pork] with sauerkraut and potatoes

black-eye peas

and another homemade fruitcake for dessert

So, what is so traditional about this meal? Well, actually, the meal itself isn't traditional, even for my family, but the ingredients are.

My Grandpa Dreher was second generation German-American, and his family retained many of the old country's ways. One which was the traditional New Year's dinner.

It consisted of pork [any cut of pork was okay, but it had to be pork. Some countries observe with fish. The thought was that the food one ate on New Year's Day would lend it's characteristics to your coming year. A pig "roots forward" as a fish "swims forward". Deer, or beef, or poultry, all scratch backward to get to their food. Thus we want to be among the ones who move forward in the year, so we eat pork or fish!]

Cabbage was traditional in the meal. Cabbage represented money. First, it has a green color. Second, in the old days when cash was scarce, many paid with their produce for services rendered. Cabbage was a proficient crop in the Old World, and so the more cabbage you had, the more well off you were considered to be! Back in the old country, a gold coin was cooked in the cabbage, and the lucky recipient whose cabbage had a gold coin, was considered to be someone who would have prosperity in the new year. We use sauerkraut today, as it serves for the cabbage, and also something that is savory, as then you were to have a new year full of spice!

Black eye peas is another traditional part of the meal. The "eyes" were to give you clear vision for the new year, that you would face challenges with clear vision and thought. Of course, the potatoes provide the same thing, as they have "eyes" on them by this time of year. Since they are the root of the eyes they grow, they, too, provide vision for the New Year.

And one must have something "sweet". The fruitcake. Sweetness is to provide you with enough sweetness in your life that you will always remain, humble, loving and loyal.

So.... while my meal isn't quite what my German ancestors had on New Year, it still retains the essence of it. And still contains all fo the ingredients of the meal!

Do you have a tradition that you follow on New Year's Day?

Do you make resolutions for the New Year?

I usually don't. But this year I am making two resolutions.

The first is my resolve to lose weight. This past year has found me suffering from extreme pain, especially in my spine and hips. Weight loss can only help!

The second, is to budget my time wisely.

I resolve to allow myself three full days a week for genealogy. And three days for crafting. Getting online only for a quick check in the morning and another in the evening!

[You wouldn't believe how much time I lose at the computer!]

It promises to be a wonderful New Year in our home! And I hope for yours as well!

Happy New Year!

Texicanwife

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy - Week 1

2011-12-31T18:44:00.000-05:00

Week #1 – Blogs

Week 1 – Blogs: Blogging is a great way for genealogists to share information with family members, potential cousins and each other. For which blog are you most thankful? Is it one of the earliest blogs you read, or a current one? What is special about the blog and why should others read it?

Which blog am I MOST thankful for? Hands down it is Dick Eastman's Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter. If you can't find it on EOGN , then chances are it hasn't even been written about yet!

EOGN is up-to-date and informative about not only genealogy, but technology as well. It was one of the very first genealogy blogs/ newsletters I read, and it's still my go to. Several times a day I open my reader [you can get one here] and catch the latest updates from Dick. And what is so amazing is that Dick encourages you to share his articles in your own newsletters and blogs! He's just that kind of sharing guy!

I encourage everyone, new to genealogy, or an old hand at it, to be reading Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, it's the best there is.

Happy Hogmanay!

2011-12-31T09:08:00.003-05:00

The Origins of Auld Lang Syne

2011-12-31T01:00:00.001-05:00

The Origins of Auld Lang Syne

The song that millions of people sing on New Years Eve is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. However, Burns never claimed that he was the original author. Instead, he once wrote, "I took it down from an old man." In fact, the ballad "Old Long Syne" printed in 1711 by James Watson shows considerable similarity in the first verse and the chorus to Burns' later poem and it is assumed that even Watson's version was not the original.

The song's Scots title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago", "days gone by" or "old times". "For auld lang syne", as it appears in the first line of the chorus, is loosely translated as "for (the sake of) old times".

Singing the song on Hogmanay or New Year's Eve very quickly became a Scots custom that soon spread to other parts of the British Isles. As Scots (not to mention English, Welsh and Irish people) emigrated around the world, they took the song with them.

****The above article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. Information about the newsletter is available at http://www.eogn.com. .

Family Recipe Friday - Variation on Mama's Cranberry Salad

2011-12-29T01:00:00.003-05:00

Mama used to make a very interesting cranberry salad for the holidays. While it tasted okay, I won't even try to describe it to you! At least not what it looked like. A few years after I was on my own, I began to make a variation on Mama's cranberry salad. Whereas Mama put all of her ingredients into a blender, literally pulverizing the contents into a liquid mush, I took the time to chop and dice everything into a much more visually appealing dish.

One winter I came up with an even more interesting idea... how about if I added a little whipped topping and some sour cream? It turned out so good, that the next year I added cream cheese as well!

Today, my family slobbers all over themselves to get a bite of my cranberry salad. And it all began with Mama's version!

So, while I won't give you Mama's... here's my family's cranberry salad:

Cranberry Delight

Ingredients:

1-lb. fresh or frozen whole cranberries, chopped

1 orange, peel and chop, save the rind, remove pith and chop rind into tiny pieces

1- tangerine, peel and chop, save the rind, remove the pith and chop rind into tiny pieces

1 Rome apple, leave peel on and chop into small pieces

1 - cup chopped pecans

2-pkg Jello Strawberry Flavored Gelatin Dessert

1-small tub whipped topping, thawed

1 pkg. [8-oz.] cream cheese, softened

2-Tbsp. sour cream

Mix chopped cranberries, orange and peel, tangerine and peel, apple and pecans together in a large bowl.

Dissolve Jello in 2-cups hot water in a small bowl. Add 1-cup ice-cubes and stir until ice cubes have melted. Pour this liquid over fruit and nut mixture. Stir to make sure everything is covered by the jello.

Refrigerate. After 1-hour stir again. Chill one more hour and stir.

Return to refrigerator and chill until Jello is firm [about an hour].

Remove from refrigerator.

Use a large spoon to break up Jello. Now added thawed whipped topping, cream cheese and sour cream. Mix well.

This can be served immediately, or may be refrigerated up to 24-hours.

The kids absolutely love this!!!

We serve this dish on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. We have made it for Easter as well. If fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries can't be found, we have even used whole berry canned cranberry sauce as a substitute. Just use a little less water in your Jello to help it bind more firmly.

Yum! Yum!

Treasure Chest Thursday -

2011-12-29T01:00:00.001-05:00

Mileage Ration Card WWII

Issued to

John Beane, Jr. [my Dad's brother]

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-28T01:00:00.001-05:00

12 December 1975

Cynthia Ann Beane

Andy Lewis Adwell

Gap Mill Church of the Nazarene

Gap Mills, Monroe, West Virginia

Tombstone Tuesday - Adell A. Clements

2011-12-27T18:10:00.000-05:00

Adell A. Clements

May 24, July 28,

1919 1998

Adell Allen Clements was born May 24, 1919 to Hames Thomas Clements and Dollie Ethel Pritchard. He was the 4th born of 7 children to the couple.

Born in Texas, he died July 28, 1998 in San Angelo, Tom Green, Texas.

He is buried in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo.

Madness Monday - Or Why Do We Do It?

2011-12-26T14:58:00.000-05:00

Every year it seems we procrastinate and are working right up to the last minute getting gifts ready for Christmas! This year was no exception. Due to some health problems, I simply wasn't up to getting things prepared as early as I like to. But I have made myself a firm promise that this is the last year for this!

Yep... I've already started on the crafts that will get me through the year's birthday and anniversary gift gifting, as well as into the Christmas of 2012!

And in so preparing, I began to wonder just difficult it was for our ancestors to do the very same crafts [knitting and crocheting] which I do today. After all, in the mountains of West Virginia, it wasn't until well into the 20th Century that electricity made it's way into homes. And even when I was a child, the wiring was of such that homes had to use only low wattage light bulbs, or risk fire hazard!

So... let's just break a little bit of this down, and begin to understand just how my ancestors must have provided, even the most basic of clothing for their families.

Purchasing ready made garments in the Appalachian Mountain communities during the 18th century and even until after the Civil War was just about unheard of. Families were generally lower income farmers, and had to provide for themselves.

Young girls were taught at an early age the intricacies of sewing. This was usually in learning basic and advanced embroidery, taught at Mother's knee, with a sampler. Not a thing like the sampler's today, the young girl was given a piece of cloth, and she used this to hold her delicate sampler, which flowed from her imagination, and not from a pattern, nor from an iron-on-transfer!

If the young girl owned a doll, she would be allowed to take scraps of fabric and learn the details of designing and sewing her own clothing in making clothing for her dolly. If she wasn't lucky enough for a dolly, she might be taught with helping Mother make clothing for a baby sister or brother. Eventually she would graduate to household items [quilts, toweling, etc.] and into her own clothing.

If the family had a little extra money, fabric might be purchased locally at the mercantile or general store. If they had no money, it was likely they raised a few goats or sheep for wool, which they sheared

...this shearing was done by hand with thick, stiff shearer's scissors as seen above.

Then it was carded and combed...

... this removed any tangles, knots or impurities in the wool. It also allowed the wool to release some of its natural oils, and made it more pliable for...

...spinning into yarn or thread. An experienced spinner could make fine sewing thread, or thick bulky yarn!

For fabric, the threads had to be placed on a loom and woven into cloth.

If the family had a little money, they might own a large handsome loom like this one. Wide widths of fabric could be woven on a loom like this, and in whatever length the weaver wanted to make it!

The less economically fortunate might own a loom similar to the one below, which is most commonly called a Navajo loom.

While this loom is now named after the Native American Indian tribe who utilized the loom for their fabrics, it is in fact, an ancient design going back thousands of years and used throughout the world by varying nationalities, but is most prevalent among the poor or less advanced peoples prior to the 19th century.

Once the individual made either yarn, thread, or fabric, they could then commence to fashion clothing for themselves and their family! And we consider ourselves crafty simply by going to the market, picking up some ready-made yarn and kitting a pair of gloves as a gift for someone!

On top of that, we have our well lit home to work in. And the chores practically do themselves when compared to our ancestors!

Did any of your ancestors make their own threads or yarns? Make their own "crafts"?

If so, do you have any items made by your ancestor?

Tribute To Our Military At Christmas

2011-12-26T12:10:00.002-05:00

Even if you've seen this before... it's worth another look!

100 - Year Old Dear Santa Letter

2011-12-24T15:41:00.000-05:00

Dublin, Ireland homeowner, John Byrne, was doing a bit of remodeling in 1992, updating his heating source, when he discovered a letter tucked away into the chimney of the front bedroom's fireplace.

The letter was penned in 1911 by two of the Howard children who once lived in the home. There were three, but the eldest was 13 at the time, so it is presumed that Alfred ["Fred"] 7, and Hannah, 10, wrote the request, which included a "Good Luck" message for the jolly elf.

The requests were warm and considerate and in part read, "I want a baby doll and a waterproof with a hood and a pair of gloves and a toffee apple and a gold penny and a silver sixpence and a long toffee."

Byrne said that in the old days there was a sort of shelf on the inside of fireplaces and the letter was found tucked into one of these when discovered. It is only slightly scorched.

Although Byrne discovered the letter in 1992, he has kept it as a souvenir from a previous owner of his home, and of a much simpler and purer time.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 24

2011-12-24T06:56:00.000-05:00

December 24 - Christmas Eve
How did you, your family or your ancestor spend Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve has always been a special time for us. Even as a child, Mother would serve up egg nog and fruitcake, and we would sit about and sing Christmas carols until we were hoarse! Then we would watch old Christmas movies on the television, until thoughts of Saint Nick passing our house by because we weren't in bed asleep, drove us to our bedrooms. Many Christmas Eve's my sister [who is 22 months younger than I], would crawl into bed with each other, even though we had our own beds, and our own bedrooms! I had a double bed in my room, and she only a twin, so it was always in my bed we would climb. There we would giggle and contemplate on the great amount of gifts Santa was certain to leave under the tree for the two of us!

More than one Christmas Eve we attempted to stay awake until midnight, just so that we could see if the pets would kneel down and speak in human voices, like our Grandpa said they would! [Later he told us only those in the stable or barn would do that... not domesticated dogs or hamsters or guinea pigs!]

As we got older and into our teens, we continued having egg nog and singing carols on Christmas Eve.

Once I had children of my own, I continued the egg nog and desserts of nutmeg logs, cookies and fruitcake. We continue to sing carols as well. And just before we turn out the lights before heading to bed, we read from the Scriptures, Luke chapter 2. The story of the nativity.

These simple traditions I hope we can continue always. And I hope that my grandchildren, and even my great-grandchildren, will know these simple traditions as well.

Have yourself a Merry Christmas!

Texicanwife

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 23

2011-12-23T13:59:00.000-05:00

December 23 - Christmas Sweetheart Memories
Do you have a special memory of a first Christmas present from a sweetheart?
My very first Christmas with my husband, Texican, was in 1997. Both of us had given up on any kind of romance. I was in my late 30's and he ten years older than I. Both of us had been married before [both of us more than once before!]. But in October of that year, fate brought us together.

Love did, indeed, bloom. And it was as if it was our very first romance!

I was battling oat cell cancer when we met. And was given only a six-month prognosis. I was also the single mother of five [yes five!] teens. What began as something to offer me hope, grew to so much more!

On December 15th he asked me to marry him! But because of my illness, I said no.

He asked three times over the next few weeks. Each time I refused, reminding him that I didn't want to get married, simply to leave and have him deal with a burial and my children!

Finally, on Christmas Eve, he asked again. And I will never forget his words this time. He said that he'd rather have a single moment with me, than a lifetime without me! [How sweet is that?]

And I said yes.

The next day was Christmas, and he handed me a big box with a red bow. Inside the big box was a lot of tissue paper! And down among the tissue paper was a much smaller box. And inside... a one carat diamond engagement ring!!!

How did you spend your first Christmas together?

Our first Christmas was spent the first half with my sister and my parents. Then we came home and the seven of us spent the remainder celebrating together. It was our very last Christmas with all of us together. By the next... three of my children had flown from the nest! So... it was a treasured, doubly-treasured!, Christmas!

Any Christmas engagements or weddings among your ancestors?

I haven't found any evidence of any Christmas engagements or weddings among my ancestors. Although my maternal grandparents and my parents were married on December 12th, which meant we celebrated all month long in our house!

As a child, our Christmas tree was put up on my parents anniversary! So, I relished the time!

Were there any Christmas engagements or anniversaries in your ancestors?

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 21

2011-12-21T17:41:00.000-05:00

December 21st - Christmas Music

What songs did your family listen to during Christmas?
My family listened to an eclectic collection of Christmas songs. Mostly the traditionals and those with religious significance. As well as the children's favorites, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman"!

Did you ever go caroling?
I went caroling for the first time when I was 12. I went to a private school, and our homeroom teacher took us caroling on the streets of her neighborhood, and then back to her teeny tiny apartment for hot chocolate. [Imagine 24 rather rambunctios 12 year olds in a 400-square foot apartment!] After we moved to the mountains and I was a teen, I went caroling every year. A bunch of us would gather on the spur of the moment and walk our country lanes, stopping at each little farm house and sing. Sometimes we were offered hot cocoa or cakes or cookies as we stopped at a farm. I haven't been caroling since I was 17. But oh, how I loved it!

Did you have a favorite song?
As a young girl, [less than 10], I think my favorite was "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". But as I got a little oolder, it became a real treat to hear Grandpa Dreher sing "Stille Nacht", and it replaced the old as my favorite. Today? I still hold "Stille Nacht" as a dear, dear favorite. But I cannot call Christmas complete until I hear Celine Dion sing "Oh, Holy Night". Something about the way she sings it, brings chills and such warmth and reverence to the song! It transports you to the Christ Child's birth! Love it!

Did your family listen to Christmas music? Did you have a favorite song? Did you ever go caroling?

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 20

2011-12-20T12:26:00.000-05:00

December 20th - Religious Services
Did your family attend religious services during the Christmas season? What were the customs and traditions involved?

I was raised in a Southern Baptist home, until my teen years where we were for a time members of the Church of the Nazarene [known as Nazarene's]. Christmas pageants were prevalent each year. Sometimes communion was held. Other times not. Sometimes the advent was observed, and at others not.

A few years ago, my family reverted back to their Southern Baptist roots. While I became a minister with a non-denominational church. Today, I do not attend a church, but rather commune daily in private.

Often a Christmas contata was held. And these, being somewhat musical, I enjoyed much more than pageants. Even as a child!

Did your family attend Christmas services at church? If so, what customs and traditions were observed?

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 19

2011-12-19T13:57:00.000-05:00

December 19th - Christmas Shopping
How did your family handle Christmas Shopping? Did anyone finish early or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?

Oh, Christmas was that wonderful time of year when we got to dream big for our wish lists!

Growing up in a Navy seaport, we got to see shops with items from around the globe! And Christmas was so much fun!

Mother would take us Christmas shopping downtown. Those of you who are younger may not understand the significance of shopping downtown! In those days, we did not have big shopping centers and malls where one could visit a hundred or more shops all within one central building! No... in those days, one parked in the downtown public parking lots and walked from store to store along the cold, and hopefully snowy! streets!

Oh, the scenes we encountered! The sidewalks bustled with busy shoppers after Thanksgiving! Back then, Christmas displays and items weren't ever seen in the stores until AFTER Thanksgiving! Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade heralded in the new season! And so for me, it still does!

The bigger stores had animated window displays, while the smaller ones had lush gift boxes with ornaments and lights! And on every block we crossed on to there stood a Santa, ringing his bell, with his red bucket, collecting for the needy!

Mother always gave us a full day downtown during the Christmas season! We would arrive before 9 a.m. Most stores didn't open until 10 back then. So we would go into a cafe and have hot cocoa and crullers or doughnuts. Now, you have no idea how delightful this was for us! In those days, we had a few root beer stands, but one simply did not run out for hamburgers to avoid cooking dinner at home! And a stop into a doughnut shop or cafe for hot cocoa and crullers was considered something very special!

After this morning treat, we would bundle up to face the cold, and begin our full day!

We always visited Woolworth's. It was here that our little allowance money would go a long way in purchasing Christmas gifts for one another! Mother would pretend to look in another direction when we picked out something especially for her. And she would artfully steer my sister and I apart when we purchased something for each other! [NEVER, however, have I ever met someone who was so good at artfully spending their allowance on others as my sister! Mother used to laugh that she could give my sister a dollar bill, and she would come home with a gift for everyone in the house, plus a little something for herself! No... I didn't get that knack! LOL]

Many of the old department stores were in tall buildings and you had to ride an elevator to go from floor to floor. Now, this wasn't like the elevators of today! No sir! These elevators were manned! An attendant would call out the floors and what was on each fllor, "ladies wear second floor, men's wear third floor, children's attire fourth floor, toys fifth...", etc. Of course, no downtown shopping trip was complete without visiting the toy floor and a visit with old Saint Nick himself!

When lunch time rolled around, Mother would either steer us to Woolworth's counter for lunch, or into a cafeteria. Let me tell you, you haven't lived if you haven't eaten a grilled cheese sandwich at a Woolworth's! [You young people have no idea what you have missed!] And follow that with a malted milk! [Makes my mouth water just remembering it!]

Usually we had to make several trips to the parking garage to load our many packages into the trunk of the car. Then we'd head back out.

After a full day of shopping, we would head home, exhausted but so happy! Our next big event would be in Santa arriving on Christmas Eve! And we were now excited and waiting upon the jolly old man!

Mother always had everything purchased well in advance of Christmas! She started buying for Christmas immediately after the big day! Yes... she was a big one to frequent the after holiday sales. Sometimes having everything bought and wrapped before Easter rolled around!

I never had anyone in my family who waited until Christmas Eve to purchase gifts... that is until 1997, and my husband entered the scene. Every single year he is within one or two days of Christmas in purchasing gifts. But somehow, he manages to get me the nicest things! So... for him it works! As for me, this is probably the worst year of my procrastinating. But I finished up in plenty of time!

How about you?

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 18

2011-12-18T20:13:00.000-05:00

December 18 - Christmas Stockings

Did you have one?
I had a lovely stocking that Mother purchased for me as a baby. It had my name embroidered on it. I've looked for a photo of it, but can't seem to locate one. Unfortunately, that stocking was lost in a box of Christmas decorations during a military move. I was heart broken at the time, and felt I'd never have another. Since then, I've only ever used simple cheap ones. [But that may change next year, as I hope to hand make new ones for dh and dd and myself!]

Where did you hang it?
In the very early years, Mother hung our stockings on the back of chairs, or taped them to the wall. When filled, Santa would leave them under the tree, or propped up on a chair or the sofa. Later, Mother bought a terribly gaudy faux [cardboard] fireplace, and they were pinned to that. When I was a teenager we moved to the country where we had an actual mantle to hang our stockings! Mother purchased lovely stocking hangers, and they hung there. Today I have an electric fireplace [which I dearly love!] and our stockings hang from that.

What did you get in it?
We got nuts and fruits and a few little gifts from Santa. There were charm bracelets, earrings, a necklace, and a compact as I grew older. Sometimes there were socks, or unmentionables. Cologne was a favorite as well. Pencils and pens. Usually our stockings overflowed with goodies! I'm afraid they still do! Santa fills them, or rather overflows them all kinds of goodies!!!

Do you have any Christmas stockings used by your ancestors?
Unfortunately, no. Of the three grandparents I knew, all three told me that they hung their regular socks from the mantle on Christmas Eve. They all told me they'd get an orange or an apple and single piece of candy. Oftentimes, this was the only Christmas they received. But they were never disappointed. Later, as they became adults, they no longer hung stockings. But when Grandma Bean came to live with us when I was five, she had a stocking hanging with ours until her death, ten-years later.
Both of my parents hung regular stockings as children. And both received candy and fruit in theirs. However, Mother also received little gifts as well: earrings, a bracelet, other jewelry; cosmetics; and pencils.

Did you hang stockings as a child? What did you get in them? Do you still have your childhood stocking? Do you have an ancestors stocking?

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 17

2011-12-17T12:00:00.000-05:00

December 17 - Grab Bag

Author's choice. Please post from a topic that helps you remember Christmases past!

Today I'd like to reflect on those Christmases Past that have held special meaning for me.

Most of these Christmases are so special, because they were so spartan! Yep... we didn't have two wooden nickels to rub together, but the occasion was made doubly special because of that.

The first came the winter that I turned 14. My Dad was away in the Navy. There was an Israeli crisis and we didn't know when we would next get to see him. Somehow, his allotment for Mother and the two of us girls had got messed up and we were receiving NO income! Mother had quit her long standing job with the Fleet Post Office in August, and we had moved to the mountains of West Virginia. Dad would be eligible for retirement in just 2-1/2 more years, and Mother had settled us near Dad's native home. We loved the old house that Mother and Dad intended to update and remodel themselves. But, as we settled down, Dad's pay was lost.

We literally ate Jello every night for dinner. Mother asked if we could glean over the neighbor's potato field after they had dug their potatoes. We recalled Ruth in the Bible, as she gleaned the wheat from Boaz's fields. And low and behold, we gleaned over 3 bushels of small potatoes! We also picked wild poke leaves from the plants that grew in the field behind our house. Mother said everyone around us said the stalks were poisonous, but the Foxfire books, which we'd recently discovered, said we could cut up the stalks and fry them. And so we did. They reminded us of okra! The greens we'd make into salad, or boil and eat as you would spinach or dandelion greens. An old family friend worked in the railroad. He was at an advanced age and was given the unlikely job of sweeping out boxcars after they delivered raw peanuts. As he swept them out, he'd separate the dirt from raw peanuts left in the corners of the cars. The peanuts he would bag up and bring to us. These we would boil in salt water to eat by themselves; shell them and put them in the blender and make homemade peanut butter; crush them - add a little oil to make a paste - then add cornmeal and an egg and fry this up for a good source of protein; and we made candy as well [roast the shelled peanuts with a little sugar to glaze them and oila! instant candy!].

Our neighbor used to pick up outdated produce for just pennies and bring to us. Although we never told him we were having it so rough, he instantly figured it out and his kindness fed us many nights!

On that particular Christmas, Mother told us that Santa would only be able to bring us one gift that year. And that she and Dad could only give us one gift as well. Money was simply almost nil! [We were getting by solely on what little savings Mother had put up before the move!] She told us to write down ten gifts we would like [there was only my younger sister and I back then], and she would pick the two gifts between those ten items we listed. That way we wouldn't be able to tell which gifts we were getting, and yet they would be something we truly wanted.

I can't remember what my sister chose. But I remember what I got that year: a plaid wool shirt-jacket [this was the country and all the girls wore them in my school! Mother said they made them look like boys... but Santa brought me one all the same!]; and an Andy Williams Christmas album [a 33 LP - yep...even 8-tracks weren't popular yet!].

Mother managed to buy a big roasting hen, and sweet potatoes and cranberries and a pumpkin pie. We had a BIG dinner for us! And then we sat around and played charades and other games that afternoon!
I had to really hunt to find this old picture....

...yep that's me on the right, and my little sister on the left reading. Our very first Christmas in the house in Gap Mills. It was fabulous! We loved it! Two very small gifts, but we felt like we had it all!

That was the only economically challenged Christmas we had as we were growing up. Since then, I've faced many such Christmases.

When married to my first husband, one year he drew me a pencil drawing of a bouquet of flowers [he was not an artist!] for my Christmas gift. I kept that little drawing for many years and treasured it, because it was something he gave from himself. From the heart. Nothing could have ever meant more to me!

These are two of the Christmases that stand out in my memory because of the tough times. But they are treasured memories!

Did you ever have a Christmas when purchasing gifts was impossible? Did you substitute something instead?

Do you tend to give elaborately at Christmas today? Or do you try to keep it simple and from the heart?

Grandma and Santa Claus

2011-12-16T12:55:00.002-05:00

I don't know who the author of this piece is, but it is so lovely, and reminds me so of some of the members of my own sweet family, that I had to share:

"

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid.

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, >From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share,

HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!"

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 16

2011-12-16T11:48:00.000-05:00

December 16th - Christmas at School

What did you or your ancestors do to celebrate Christmas at school? Were you ever in a Christmas pageant?

As I was growing up, it was common for the schools to hold Christmas pageant. Each grade would do something special to contribute. The younger grades might sing some simple carols [ie: Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, etc.], while the older ones might tell and act out the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus. Everyone had a part to play. The band, or orchestra [depending upon the school] might play music for the entire performance, or they might play as a group or individually [I was a violinist and often played for school performances].

I know that my mother performed in Christmas pageants at school. Dad says that he helped out, but did not perform. My Grandma Dreher told me once that they "didn't have time for such nonsense back then", as there was too much work to be done at home. [I think she simply didn't want to talk about it! LOL]

Grandpa Dreher once told me that he sang in school, and I can surely imagine that! He was a wonderful baritone singer as an older man! I can close my eyes and relax and still hear his wonderful voice as he sang "Stille Nacht" to me! [I miss you still Grandpa!]

Do you continue to participate in Christmas pageants? Did you as a child? Did your ancestors?

Be Sure to Watch CSI on CBS Tonight!

2011-12-14T14:43:00.000-05:00

The Las Vegas crime lab is called in to process a victim where you would least expect.

When a man is found mysteriously murdered in the home of one of their own, the Las Vegas crime lab scrambles to solve the case. When the victim turns out to be a genealogist, the case will reveal a dark family secret.

Meanwhile, Greg Sanders’ (Eric Szmanda) interest in his own family history is renewed when he interviews a renowned geneaologist, Donna Hope (Pamela Reed), accurately tracks Greg’s family name to some well known historical figures.

The episode where crime hits home!

***The above was taken from the Ancestry.com blog.

A Visit From Ol' Saint Nick

2011-12-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I received this wonderful poem from Kim Melchior, of Scandinavian Genealogical Research Center, and I was asked to pass it on to others who might enjoy it as well!

So, without further ado, I give you...

Genealogist's Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.

Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.

And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.

He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."

"Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family history is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 14

2011-12-14T12:36:00.000-05:00

Fruitcake - Friend or Foe?

Did you like fruitcake? Did your family receive fruitcakes? Have you ever re-gifted fruitcake? Have you ever devised creative uses for fruitcakes?

My Favorite Fruitcake

Did I like fruitcake? Well, count me among those who are slightly odd, because I am one of those rare individuals who loves fruitcake! I especially love it with a cup of steaming Earl Grey tea. [I think the slight floral taste of Earl Grey totally compliments the rich flavor of homemade fruitcake!]

I do not particularly care for the supermarket kind of fruitcake, which is nothing at all like the old English version, nor the homemade version that I make. But, instead, I love the rum soaked, spicier version. Which I make and serve year round. Allowing the fruit to actually ferment before the baking process for at least a month. Sometimes longer!

My family may have received a few of those supermarket fruitcakes when I was growing up [I really can't recall]. I know that for years my parents special ordered an old English fruitcake. It was cut into very thin slices, and we savored it throughout the holiday season. When I became a teen, my mother then began trading that off for her 30-Day Friendship Cake. Which wasn't bad, but which lacked the real fruitcake flavor. After I married, my mother began to send me a special ordered fruitcake since I was seldom able to get home for the holidays, being married to a man in the military. It always made me feel a little closer to home somehow!

Later, as my own children became teens, I discovered a wonderful old recipe for fruitcake, in a cookbook that was out-of-print more than 200 years ago! I slightly adapted it, tweaked it for a more modern version, and found that it was my absolute favorite of all time! So, now, for months before Christmas I am baking and spicing, and then freezing the cakes until time for Christmas gift-giving. And yes, I am asked to bake these! [As well as the English plum pudding! Which is such a chore, I seldom make it except for my own family!]

Have I ever re-gifted fruitcake? Sad to admit this, but yes I have. A couple of times when a well-meaning neighbor has given me one, and someone showed up unexpected, I have re-gifted them. But I have always felt ashamed for doing so! [I also laugh that I didn't just throw them away when I received them!]

Did I ever devise a creatve use for a fruitcake? Well, yes, I did. A couple of years ago, I helped to design a shop window for Christmas. I had a fruitcake, and we shellacked it and set it at a child's table for a dolly tea-party theme at Christmas. Everyone loved it!

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 13

2011-12-13T01:00:00.003-05:00

Holiday Travel -
Did you or your ancestors travel anwhere for Christmas?
I do not know if any of my ancestors traveled for Christmas, but suspect that they did not, as they all lived within short distances of the rest of their families.

To the best of my knowledge, we traveled twice during my growing years at Christmas. Once, when I was about 4 spending Christmas with my Grandma Bean in West Virginia. And another time, when I was about 10, spending Christmas with my Grandma and Grandpa Dreher, in Indiana/

How did you travel and who traveled with you? Do you remember any special trips?
We traveled by car for both of the above trips. Which was no small feat in those days, and the Interstate system did not extend all the way in either of those directions! It was a full days trip to get to West Virginia back then from Norfolk, Virginia. And it took two days of hard driving to get to Indiana!

Those are the only Christmas trips that I can recall. Most years, Daddy was gone, board a ship at sea [he was a career US Navy sailor]. Usually it was simply Mom, my sister and I at home. So travel was not a real option for us. [Back then, young ladies did not travel alone so much, and especially long distances with two small children in tow!]

Tennessee-an Uses Dousing Rods For Cemetery Hunt

2011-12-13T01:00:00.001-05:00

John Lodl often heard Rutherford County’s old-timers talk of the divining rods, swearing by their eerie movements as proof positive of bodies buried below.

No headstone, no matter, they said. In the hands of the right person, the wavering of the rods could say more about a cemetery than the aged records that Lodl, bearded and bespectacled but youthful at 37, oversees in the local archives.

One day last winter, Lodl went from skeptical to startled.

In a secluded cemetery in Eagleville, he watched a woman balance a pair of plain old coat hangers on her fingers and walk the field.

“Sure enough, when you cross over a grave, those things cross,” Lodl said. “I can’t explain it. But it works.”

This area has always fascinated me. Why? Because I have been an eye-witness to dousing that worked! My Dad douses with flexible tree branches [willow or peach tree work best], or with welding rods [metal]. So, yes, this has been something I follow frequently.

You can read more about John Lodl and his hunt here.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 12

2011-12-12T01:00:00.002-05:00

Charitable/ Volunteer Work

Did your family ever volunteer with a charity such as a soup kitchen, homeless or battered women's shelter during the holidays? Or perhaps were your ancestors involved with church groups that assisted others during the holiday?

I grew up in a Naval town, and while there were the YMCA for the homeless, I don't ever recall any other organization for the needy at that time.

However, we later moved to the mountains of West Virginia, and here my family became very active in the church. Each Christmas a food and toy drive were held for the needy and my parents were always right in the middle of it. We would help to deliver the many boxes of goodies for the needy on Christmas Eve.

While my parents did this, I do not ever recall my Grandparents speaking of doing this. Although I know that they were quick to assist anyone in need at any time of the year!

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 11

2011-12-11T15:46:00.000-05:00

Other Traditions

Did your famly or friends also celebrate other traditions during the holidays such as Hanukkah or Kwanzaa?
No. I friends were all Protestants like us, and the community celebrated Christmas only.

Did your immigrant ancestors have holiday traditions from their native country which they retained or perhaps abandoned?
Most of my family immigrated during the 1850's and 1860's, therefore if they brought over any traditions for Christmas, they have long since been abandoned. [We do still honor the German Ne Year traditional feast - pork to move forward in the year; sauerkraut to add flavor to our lives; and black-eye peas so that we will see clearly in the New Year; and something sweet that we may retain a sweet savor in our lives.] My Bean ancestors arrived before 1800, and also lost any traditions they may have carried over, adopting the mountain ways of western Virginia and West Virginia.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun...Blog Caroling

2011-12-10T16:13:00.000-05:00

Randy has given us another fun challenge!

So it's Saturday Night again, so let's have some Genealogy Fun!!

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:

1) Identify your absolute favorite Christmas Carol or Holiday song.

2) Share your favorite carol or song in a blog post, in a comment to this post, or in a Facebook post or google Plus stream post.

3) For extra credit, post an audio or video of the carol or song (almost all are on www.YouTube.com) and the words to the song. Add the background of the song, and the artists if you can find them.

4) Enjoy the memories and feelings that the carol or song brings to your heart and mind, and share them too!
This was so simple for me! Some people have several Christmas carol favorites. But none touch me more than Silent Night. Or rather, Stille Nacht as sung by my grandpa Dreher. I would get him to sing it to me all seasons, not just at Christmas.

Wikipedia has this to say about the song:
"The original lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" were written in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, by the priest Father Joseph Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber. In 1859, John Freeman Young (second Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Florida) published the English translation that is most frequently sung today. The version of the melody that is generally sung today differs slightly (particularly in the final strain) from Gruber's original, which was a sprightly, dance-like tune in 6/8 time, as opposed to the slow, meditative lullaby version generally sung today. Today, the lyrics and melody are in the public domain.

A version recorded by Bing Crosby is one of the fewer than thirty all-time singles to have sold 10 million (or more) copies worldwide."

In German [Deutsch] the words are:
DEUTSCH

Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818
Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund
, Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816
Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818

English

Silent night, holy night
All is calm all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

I searched for just the perfect sung version, and this is one that reminds me so much of the gentle voice that my Grandpa had, except he was a baritone! Enjoy!

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 10

2011-12-10T12:50:00.000-05:00

Christmas Gifts

What were your favorite gifts, both to receive and to give? Are there specific gift-giving traditions among your family or ancestors?

Well, this wasn't a difficult task for me! As a child I only wanted two items more than anything else: Barbie and a bike.

I actually had one of the original Barbie dolls [as well as an original Ken! Barbie's rather handsome boyfriend!]

Barbie from 1959

Ken 1961

I also got one of the very first spider bikes for girls!

[Yes... that's a gear shift on a ridculously small bike! LOL]

Before this, I'd had a huge English Racer.

I do remember one Christmas when I was about 6, asking Santa for PF Flyers, because I wanted to run fast!

As I recall, Santa informed me those were for little boys, and NOT for little girls!

Of course, Mama set me straight. That was simply a department store Santa and I should write the real Santa a letter and ask him for a pair of PF Flyers. Which, of course, he kindly obliged and left under the tree for me to find on Christmas morning! After which, I am certain I ran twice as fast as before!

My family has always been big on giving gifts that were hand crafted. We still are! This year every gift I am giving is hand made! When you consider the time, and love, injected into whatever you make, the gift becomes priceless. My grandma Dreher crocheted and quilted. I have many wonderful pieces that she gave me! Mama crocheted and sewed! [She is unable to do so now, and has made Visa pre-paid cards her gift of choice.] My grandpa Dreher was a master carpenter and he made wonderful gifts of wood. As did my Dad for many years.

My favorite gifts to give are also handmade.

Here's a few I am giving this year...

hand knit cabled wrist warmers

hand crocheted slippers...

hand knit lace wrist warmers....

hand crocheted Irish Rose lace scarf....

...and even the gift bags are hand crafted!

Of all the gifts that I could receive today, something hand crafted by the person giving it to me is more treasured than anything else!

What about you? Do you ever hand craft a gift? Or if not, do you have any gift-giving traditions in your family?

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 8

2011-12-08T13:21:00.000-05:00

Christmas Cookies

Did your family or ancestors make Christmas cookies? How did you help? Did you have a favorite cookie?

I can't recall either of my grandmother's ever baking cookies for me. On a rare occasion, Mother did. As long as it was something that didn't require her to roll out the dough! LOL Mother simply didn't do that!

She did, however, always make sure that we had Christmas cookies...

...usually bought in a bag at the super market, although on occasion bought from a local bakery.

I loved the gay colors and how exciting it was to have them with a cup of egg nog on Christmas Eve!

But my absolute favorite of all time was the simple...

...gingerbread man!

When making them myself, I grated my own ginger so that the cookies had a zesty spice, almost like a ginger snap cookie! Yummy! Pair them with egg nog, or hot cocoa, and you have a treat you will certainly savor on Christmas Eve!!!

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 3

2011-12-03T01:00:00.003-05:00

December 3 - Christmas Tree Ornaments
Did your family have heirloom or cherished ornaments? Did you ever string popcorn o cranberries? Did your family or ancestors make Christmas ornaments?

Mama had the most amazing German mercury glass ornaments when I was a child. I am sure they are still at my sister's; packed away in tissue paper in one of the cardboard boxes that Mama kept them.

I used to love to carefully remove the many ornaments from their packing and help to hang them on the tree! There were bells, like the ones above; miniature Santa's, and long cone shaped icicles. And when the lights from the tree reflected from these treasures, they were absolutely beautiful to me!

As the years wore on, Mama often crocheted simple ornaments for the tree. And I have continued to do this. I have made icicles, snowflakes, garland, angels and many more items.

My Grandma Dreher also crocheted and in her later years helped to make some crocheted ornaments. My Grandma Bean made corn husk ornaments an simple wheat sheaf wreaths.

I still string popcorn for the tree every year! Although when I have made a designer tree I sometimes hang the popcorn from the mantle rather than the tree!

Did your ancestors make homemade ornaments? Did or do you now? Do you ever string popcorn?

These are traditions that we can pass onto our children and our grandchildren.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 2

2011-12-02T14:01:00.000-05:00

Holiday Foods
Did your family or ancestors serve traditional dishes for the holidays? Was there one dish that was unusual?

This wasn't a hard one to come up with! Grandpa Dreher's favorite dish was sauerkraut with pork and potatoes.

Cooked slowly together all day in a Dutch oven on the stove top, or baked in a slow oven, this was a treat!

I still make this dish, especially for New Year's dinner, throwing in a little black eyed peas on the side, and a little cranberries for sweetness.

Grandpa once told me that Grandma Dreher made this to his liking, but no one could make it to compare to his Grandmother, who immigrated to this country from Germany's Rhineland region.

On my Dad's side of the family, Christmas dinner was usually the time when the prize ham was cooked. Sometimes with a rich gravy, and others baked sweet with brown sugar glazes and wild cherries. And I usually have a ham for Christmas as well.

What did your ancestors serve for Christmas? Do you still follow in their traditions?

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 1

2011-12-01T14:12:00.000-05:00

December 1 - The Christmas Tree

Today we begin our annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories, thanks to the prompts of Thomas MacEntee over at GeneaBloggers.

I absolutely LOVE this time of year! And this blogging prompt! A couple of years ago, I even took the calendar as posted to this blog, and had it printed into a book for my parents. Now, they are able to look at it and see what Christmas has become to me, thanks to their wonderful upbringing!

So, we begin with the very first day of our journey. Let's look at Christmas trees!

Did you have a real tree or was it artificial? How big was the tree? Who decorated the tree? What types of Christmas trees did your ancestors have?

As a youngster, growing up in the naval port of Norfolk, Virginia, where my Dad was stationed for nearly twenty years, I can remember having a live tree for the earliest years. Dad was gone at sea most of the time, and Mom would pick one out in a lot. She'd look for the fullest tree she could find! I can remember when I was about 5 holding the tree upright so that Mom could stand back and see if it had any "holes" [bare patches].

Oh, how I loved the wonderful scent of pine! [Still do!] Most of the trees that I can recall were soft, southern pines, with those long needles. I still like those, but my absolute favorites are the short needle versions of firs. A more beautiful site than a Douglas Fir simply does not exist!

As I got a little older, and we progressed up the financial rungs, and Mom and Dad bought a new home in a very nice neighborhood, Mama went from a live tree to an artificial one. Because there was no need for watering it, and there were no shed needles to have to vacuum up from the carpet!

I learned to "like" an artificial tree. And many today are so realistic looking, you almost wonder! However, the scent and feel are lost. So my absolute favorites are still live trees. Even though the expense overwhelms me! [This year we will drag out our artifical tree yet once more, and hope for enough cash stashed away next year to get a live tree again!]

Most of my personal photographs are in storage, yet to be brough back in our home [I really should go get them!]. But I found a few...

This was my second Christmas. When I was 13 months old. We had just moved to Norfolk, Virginia. This would be the last Christmas I was an only child! LOL You can see our tiny [almost Charlie Brown-esque] Christmas tree on the table above me.

This was Christmas I was two years old. My baby sister had been born in August. You can see here that Mama had improved with a full-sized tree!

Although a little fuzzy [can you say "Brownie Instamatic?], this was when I was in the 3rd grade.

[Remember wool jumpers?] Again, a live tree. About 5-foot tall, but very full!

By 1977, I was married, and we were living in a tiny two-room flat in Killeen, Texas. Downtown [think red-light district!], and I loved my neighbors! We lived in an end unit, and to our right was a male prostitute, who watched out for me when he knew I was alone. [Our walls were paper thin. He could hear our conversations, and I could easily hear his! What an eye opener that was! Ha ha] Third door down from us was a retired cowboy. Yes, a real cowboy. He cooked me the best cornbread I've ever eaten over an open fire in a pit in our back lot! And I loaned him books. Which he reciprocated with cowboy novels. I introduced him to romance, and he introduced me Louis L'amour, Zane Grey, and a multitude of westerns! [And I love those to this day!]

Our tree was only 18-inches tall. And our ornaments were tiny little things I found at the dime store. The little nativity set was one made from plaster of paris that Mom sent to me unpainted. I bought a multi-pack of model paints and painted them. I used that set for years!!!

In 1979 we didn't have a tree. We were living in a small one-bedroom apartment in Germany. The day we were able to take the bus to the country to pick out a tree, I was sick with the flu!

We made due with a poster of Santa, hung on the wall.

I hung garland around it. And placed our gifts on the floor in front of it. And this was my oldest son's first "Christmas Tree". We loved it!

In November of 1981 I gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. That's me with them in front of our "stolen" Christmas tree. By now we lived outside the small village of Freihung, Germany. And we literally stopped while taking a long drive through country lanes and cut a small tree for this Christmas! The star on top was carfted by my ex-husband from cardboard and aluminum foil. We bought a single 12-pack of silver foil bulbs, no lights, silver tinsel and garland, and we strung popcorn.

Wasn't it beautiful? We thought so!!! But with those precious babies in front of it, you really can't see the tree for the way they are shining! 5-lbs 6-oz and 6-lbs 4-oz at birth!

In 1981, in our little home in Ludowici, Georgia. [Note the Smurf stroller my daughter got!]

This was an artificial tree. And it was a re-gifted tree. It wasn't even new. But I used it for several years!!!

That's me in 1987. This is another artificial tree, with my crocheted angel tree-topper. By now I had five children, and was a student in a nursing program. [On this Christmas, my three boys found switches bundled and tied with a ribbon under the tree, and the girls found sacks of coal in their stockings! All but one laughed and thought it funny. The one who didn't cried and cried! I would never do that to a child ever again!!! [He thought he got the switches because Santa had put him on the naughty list, even though he had a ton of other gifts under the tree!!!] Broke my heart.

Jump forward to 1991. I didn't find one of my house, but we spent the day with my sister. And she had a lovely small artifical tree there in the corner. That's me playing the piano, and her kneeling beside me. Every year we sing carol's together after we open gifts. It's my favorite part of Christmas!

Dad joins in as well! We may not be professional, but it's pure love!

In 1998 I married Texican. He and I have had two real trees in our 14 years of Christmas together, beginning in 1997. One in 2002, and again in 2004. I can't find pictures of either right now. But the last one [2004] was so extravagant! It was done all in crystal and white. Beautiful crystal bulbs and snow white snowflakes that I had hand crocheted. It was a beautiful 7-foot fir. And the scent was heavenly! [That tree set us back $75!!!] But was worth every single penny!!!

In 2007 I was living in a 1959 8 x 40 - foot travel trailer! Here's the tiny little tree I had then. All in silver and white! Loved it!

Then in 2008 we moved into the home we are in now.

Here is our tree from 2009. Again all silver, gold and white. Compact but it was fun!

Then in 2010 I decided to do an ancestry tree!

Over 45 small acrylic holders hold images of mine and Texican's ancestors!

Here's a closeup of the pictures on the tree.

And here it is lit at night.

Loved it!

And this year's isn't up yet. [Tomorrow or Saturday!]

My ancestors had 6 or 7 foot pines that they cut from their own property. My Grandma Dreher remembered having a tree with only ornaments and no lights. While my Grandma Bean could tell me about a tree with paper chains, handmade fabric bows and popcorn strung. She said they also strung acorns. Sometimes gathered feathers and sewed them into a bundle with fabric ribbons and hung upon the tree. Both couldn't remember a topper on the tree.

Grandpa Dreher remembered candles on his tree. [He was second generation German-American. And his family carried over the old country ways, including speaking in German while at home.]

I think I would like to have a tree that had only handmade ornaments. And that might be something to aspire to for next year!

What kind of trees have you had? What kind did your ancestors have?

What kind will you have this year?

Treasure Chest Thursday

2011-12-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

Remember the three little girls in yesterday's post? Here they are again!

That's my little sister Eydie on the left. Me in the middle. And our longtime family friend [call us "blood brothers" cuz we cut our thumbs and mixed our blood as children!], Regina. Regina's mother introduced my Mom and Dad to one another! And her parents are just like second parents to us. It's like a family reunion when we are able to get together!

Aren't they little cutie pies?

I won't begin to tell you the year. But it was a long time ago! LOL

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T01:00:00.001-05:00

[Yes... that was me with the "Not another picture!" face.]

Tombstone Tesday - Earl Mason Beane

2011-11-29T01:00:00.001-05:00

EARL M. SON OF

AF & HS BEANE

BORN JULY 27,1894

DIED FEB 25, 1901

The son of Alonzo F. and Helen Suart [Webb] Beane, Earl was born in Kanawha County, one of six children to the couple.

He is buried at Teays Hill Cemetery, St. Albans, Kanawha County, West Virginia.

Ancestry.com's New Santa Ads

2011-11-28T19:24:00.002-05:00

Gotta love Ancestry.com for these new ads! Here's one:

Mystery Monday - What Is It?

2011-11-28T01:00:00.001-05:00

Can you guess what this is?

No... it isn't a biology project [autopsy of a frog?] gone awry!

Take a guess and leave your answer in the comments. Be sure to check back tomorrow when we identify this item for you!

Sentimental Sunday - My Uncle Emmette

2011-11-27T01:00:00.001-05:00

Growing up Uncle Emmette and his wife, Aunt Betty, came to visit occasionally. Not often, but on occasion.

Uncle Emmette was Dad's older brother. He was so unlike my Dad, but I knew that Dad had a great deal of respect for him and Aunt Betty. As an older brother, Uncle Emmette tried to help my grandparents raise Dad and get him started out in life on the right foot. Both Grandpa and Grandpa were up in years when Dad was born [Grandma was 40 and Grandpa was 71.] They must've done something right, 'cause my Dad's a pretty special fellow!

Emmette Lorimer Beane was born 12 July 1910 in West Virginia.

This is a one year old Uncle Emmette!

He married Elizabeth [aka: Betty] Miller in 1940. Unfortunately they could not have children.

I can still remember the last time I saw Uncle Emmette. It was just a year before he died. How I wish I had taken the time to sit down and really talk with him and Aunt Betty.

All too soon Uncle Emmette was gone.Cancer had wasted his body, and we all know the duress that puts someone under, as well as their family.

When he got the call, it was one of the very few times in my life I saw my Dad cry.

Not the clearest, but here is a phot of Uncle Emmette taken in August 1984.

Emmette Lorimer Beane died 20 May 1988.

We miss him still.