Tombstone Tuesday - M. Wigant

M. Wigant

[unk]                                                1978

Okay, so this another of those photos that marks me as the "odd one" in my family!

The stone above is of no one who is of any relation to me, It simply seemed to "call to me". When the hubby and I were driving through Colorado in 2005 we stopped and walked through the Walk's Camp ME Cemetery, in Genoa, Lincoln County.

This "stone" just stood out to me as so sad! One can only imagine the story that must be behind it. But it is simply a funeral home marker that has been embedded in concrete.

Family Finder Announced!

Family Tree DNA Launches Family Finder DNA Test Using Affymetrix Microarray Technology

Advanced Genealogical Test Uses Axiom Technology from Affymetrix to Match Family Members Across All Ancestral Lines

 
Family Tree DNA, the first and largest genealogical DNA testing company, today announced the launch of the Family Finder DNA test for connecting family members across all ancestral lines. The test utilizes Affymetrix' /quotes/comstock/15*!affx/quotes/nls/affx (AFFX 6.94, -0.22, -3.07%) recently launched Axiom(TM) genotyping technology and the GeneTitan(R) System to confidently match a wide range of family relationships within five generations.
 
Family Finder represents a major advancement over earlier genealogical tests, which revealed only connections along specific paternal lines (for males) or maternal lines (males or females). Family Finder enables anyone, regardless of gender, to look for connections such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, half siblings, and first, second, third, and fourth cousins.

"This is the most exciting genetic genealogy breakthrough since 2000, when Family Tree DNA launched its Y-DNA test to uncover relatives in the direct paternal line," said Bennett Greenspan, founder and CEO of Family Tree DNA. "The comprehensive, genome-wide coverage of Axiom Arrays enables us to offer consumers the most advanced genealogical test available at a price that is attractive to our customers. In addition, the automated GeneTitan System allows us to process hundreds of samples at a time with minimal hands-on time for maximum efficiency."

The Family Finder test analyzes the DNA of two individuals using Axiom Array Plates containing nearly 570,000 genetic markers, including many that are relevant to genealogy. Family Tree DNA then analyzes the resulting data with internally developed algorithms to determine the closeness of the relationship. The complete Axiom Genotyping Solution includes array plates, complete reagent kits, and an automated workflow that enables scientists to process more than 760 samples per week.

For more information about the Family Finder test, please visit http://www.familytreedna.com/.
 
The above information was taken from Market Watch on the Wall Street Journal.

Madness Monday - The Pedigree

So there I was, standing in a long line at the grocery market yesterday, and after what seemed an eternity the woman in front of me struck up a conversation. She was a bit older than I am [or so I thought], and she turned and began to ask me what I did for a living. So I told her that I assisted people in finding out about their family's history.

"Oh, you're one of them genealogists", she said. [She pronounced it like 'jean-ee-ah-ologists'.] 'Well, I guess so," I answered.

"Well, I ain't never had time fer that sorta thing. Just keepin' the dog's pedigree's straight is 'bout all I kin do!" she exclaimed.

"Well, it's really quite similar to keeping a dog's pedigree, " I told her. "Simply keeping the sires and bitches in correct order."

"Yeah, well," she said, "it's those damn sires and bitches that is the reason I don't keer to check into my genealogy none!"

And at that point the conversation just kind of ended as we moved forward in the line and she began putting her groceries on the conveyor to check out.

I was a little taken aback at this woman's response, but then I realized it's just the same with so many people I've talked to! Life is more important than learning about the past.

At least to them!

Ahhhh, give me a census record, a church register, a taxation roll, or a diary of any kind, and I am sublimely in my literal seventh heaven!

Call it ancestry, genealogy, or pedigree, it's all that same passion that drives me, day in and day out, to forever keep up the search!

Happy Hunting!!!

Sentimental Sunday

Laura Marion Dreher Grose

Laura Marion "Marion" Dreher was born 24 Mar 1931 in Floyd County, Indiana to Henry C. Dreher Jr. [1902-1977] and Irene Caroline Banet [1906-1988].

Marion married [1] Charles William Grose [1920-1974] on 04 Jul 1948. They had two children: Lavina and Charles Jr. Marion married [2] Gordon Ray Crain [1952-1991] on 10 Mar 1975 in Pearisburg, Giles, VA.

Marion was a lifelong hospitality employee, working most of her life as a waitress. She was a fun-loving individual who loved to laugh, make others laugh, and enjoyed teasing! I remember well my fear of "Granddaddy long-legs" as a child. [any spider really!], and how she would pick the Granddaddy's up and chase me with them! She enjoyed hearing my shrieks of fear, and also of laughter, as I knew she would never let one touch me!

Marion, you see, was my Mother's sister. And the only one of the five children who has died. She passed away on 28 Dec 2006 in Lawton, Cochise Co., OK.

Aunt Marion is dearly missed! But we think of her all of the time! How she would have loved to have seen our children all grown up, and our grandbabies! Somehow, I think she does see them. And I am certain at times, if I sit very still, I can hear her still as she says, "I'm going to get you!", as she chases me with yet another Granddaddy long legs!

Surname Saturday

I have promised that "one day" I will perform a "Surname Saturday" for my hubby's "Henry" family line. It's a rather lengthy line, however, and since today I haven't the time for doing that one, I will choose instead to introduce you to my hubby's "Rotge" family line.

1. Johnnie Lee HENRY was born TX. He was the son of 2.Joseph Wright HENRY and 3. Betty Louise Rotge.



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.

3. 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.

Children of Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge are:

+ 1. i. Johnnie Lee HENRY
ii. Allan Ray HENRY was born 22 Sep 1950 in Bexar County, Texas, died 29 Jan 2001 in Pleasanton, TX.



6. 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.

7. 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.

Child of John Cornelius ROTGE and Ora Lee Sparks is:

+ 3. i. Betty Louise Rotge was born 30 Aug 1930 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas, died 05 Jul 2003 in
Jourdanton, Atascosa, Texas, married Joseph Wright HENRY 30 Jul 1947; married Edwin
Darl CUSTER 16 Jun 1972 in San Antonio, Bexar County, TX; married Harold W. MILLARD 16 Jan 1982.



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.

Children of Peter ROTGE and Lillie Mae Surber are:
i. Julius Otto ROTGE was born 19 Nov 1903 in Texas, died 12 Jul 1982, married Minnie Bowie Tupin 03 Jan 1925.

ii. Annie Mae Irena ROTGE was born 10 Feb 1906 in Texas.

+ 6. iii. John Cornelius ROTGE was born 16 Jan 1910, died 09 Jun 1983 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas,
married Ora Lee Sparks 1930; married Eva Clara HUBBLE 15 Oct 1936.

iv. Joseph Jessie ROTGE was born 21 Sep 1912 in Texas, died 24 Dec 1987.

v. Ruby Martha Ann ROTGE was born 21 Jul 1915 in Kerr County, Texas.

vi. Stillborn ROTGE was born 21 Jul 1915 in Kerr County, Texas.

vii. Robert Roy ROTGE was born 17 Jan 1922, married Edna Lenora Hubble 16 May 1942.

viii. Stillborn ROTGE was born 17 Jan 1922.
 
 
 
 
 
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.

Children of Jean Rotge and Anna Annette Martin are:

i. Hippolite Rotge was born 30 Oct 1856 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died 05 Dec 1933.

ii. Louise Maria Rotge was born 27 Dec 1858 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died 07 Feb 1945.

iii. Anna Rotge was born 1861 in Treas Haute, France.

iv. John Joseph Rotge was born 07 Sep 1864 in Treas Haute, France, died 06 Jan 1945 in Goliad, Texas.

v. Joseph Ernest Rotge was born 07 Nov 1868 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died 09 May 1957 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas, married Esther Emiline SURBER 29 Nov 1900.

vi. Elizabeth ROTGE was born 15 Sep 1871 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died Houston, Texas, married E.N. HARRIS 27 Oct 1900.

+ 12. vii. Peter ROTGE was born 25 Jun 1872 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died 15 Jul 1956 in San
Antonio, Bexar, Texas, married Lillie Mae Surber 15 Nov 1902.

viii. Adelaide Rotge was born 1878 in Goliad, Texas, died Houston, Texas, married William R. HOWARD 04 Oct 1889.

Who Do You Think You Are - Finale

I've watched every single episode of NBC's Who Do You Think You Are?,  absolutely enamored with each and every single one!

 Famed Film Producer, Spike Lee

I suppose that tonight's finale, with producer Spike Lee was somewhat of an anticlimactic event. I was in fact, a bit disappointed.

The entire episode was devoid of the research process. It was almost as if the viewer would now take the research process entirely for granted! I was so disappointed for anyone who saw this event for the very first time! To them it must have appeared that searching records on Ancestry.com or at repositories was a breeze!

It also left the ending of the episode on a question mark, rather than listing possible solutions!

Famed film producer Spike Lee was lead on journey to Georgia where he discovered who his great-great-great grandparents, Mars and Matilda Griswold, were, and where they once walked.

During the journey Lee discovered that the couple had been born into slavery, a fate nearly every African-American will discover if their familial roots run past the American Civil War in this country. This sad truth was, in fact, handled with great dignity on this finale episode.

However, Lee wondered if Matilda Griswold was the daughter of James Griswold, her 'Master', at Griswoldville. Lee was lead to a descendant of Griswold's. But the question remained unanswered, with no plausible way of ever determining who Matilda's parents were. Matilda was listed as a Mulatto on the 1870 Census.

Lee also discovered that his gr-gr-gr-grandfather, Mars, was considered a skilled slave, and worked in the gin that Griswold owned. In February 1865, General WIlliam T. Sherman and his troops marched through Griswoldville, and burned all of Griswold's holdings to the ground; including his gin, which had been transformed to a Colt pistol factory supplying the Confederacy with small arms. Sherman took 5 of the skilled slaves with him. Lee was actually handed a pistol which was made in the foundry there, that undoubtedly, his gr-gr-gr grandfather Mars had a hand in producing. It was a touching moment as he realized the irony of his ancestor producing a firearm to fight against the very troops that were attempting to liberate him!

Lee walked on the grounds of what once was the property Mars and Matilda once owned. They were actually considered quite wealthy for the time, owning 80 acres of tilled land, 75 of wooded, and 50 of land that was eligible for development or as pasture. There he dug in the rich Georgia clay and gathered some of the clay earth to take to his children, and he vowed to tell them this is from whence they came.

Lee also vows that he will in fact produce a film on the hardships of the African-American during the time of his gr-gr-gr grandparents, Mars and Matilda. We look forward to that film being produced!

Follow Friday - Apple's Tree

Today I'd like to introduce you to Apple and her blog Apple's Tree.

Apple

Apple's Tree is a pleasant look at how another researcher is pursuing her family's ancestry.

Apple writes pleasingly, and is witty and charming in her approach. She offers a unique insight into the research process that you will find entertaining as well as informative!

Apple's bio reads: "I'm just a gal writing about my day to day adventures with my family, school bus, garden and genealogy."

She also writes, or co-author's the following blogs:

My Sister's Garden

Gardening Friends

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Be sure to visit Apple's Tree for an enjoyable time!