Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tuesday's Tip - 28 Sept 2010 - New Daily Blogging Themes

 
Tuesday's Tip - 28 Sept 2010
New Daily Blogging Themes

Entering the second week of my second year of this genealogy related blog, I was thinking about the Daily Blogging Themes. I had noticed some new ones popping up, and thought I'd go take a look at the GeneaBlogger site, and see what Thomas had to say on this, lately. Under the About section - not to my surprise, Thomas stays on top of these things - I discovered "Participate in Daily Blogging Themes," which was recently updated - which I encourage all new bloggers to do.

Here is what it said:

*****
One of the fastest ways to become part of the fold is to post about your ancestors via a variety of “prompts” to help feed you ideas on blogging topics. As of September 2010, we’re offering more than just one blogging theme per day – there are as many as five per day? Check the Genealogy Blogging Beat each day for the daily blogging themes which include:
    •    Sunday: Black Sheep Sunday, Church Record Sunday, Sentimental Sunday, Sunday Supper, Sunday’s Obituary.
    •    Monday: Amanuensis Monday, Madness Monday, Mappy Monday, Maritime Monday, Military Monday, Mobile Monday, Motivation Monday, Mystery Monday.
    •    Tuesday: Talented Tuesday, Tech Tuesday, Tombstone Tuesday, Tuesday’s Tip.
    •    Wednesday: Wedding Wednesday, Wednesday’s Child, Wisdom Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday.
    •    Thursday:  Thrifty Thursday, Thriller Thursday, Treasure Chest Thursday.
    •    Friday:  Family Recipe Friday, Follow Friday, Friend of Friends Friday, Funeral Card Friday.
    •    Saturday:  Sorting Saturday, Sports Center Saturday, Surname Saturday.
*****

So, there you have it. A whole set of themes - something for about everybody -  yeh, sure - there will be more to come, I'm sure - but, this will give us some new life as we move into the new year! I see a half dozen that I would like to adopt, a couple I already have, including this one. How about you?


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Monday, September 27, 2010

My Hometown on Monday - Hometown by LVene

Hometown by LVene
(with my comments and photos, as well)

This is the first of what will be several excerpts from a nine page "story of the early days" written by my Aunt LVene (Smith Thomas) and included in the back of the Smith Family History book she compiled for her siblings in the late 1980s-early 1990s. These are some of her memories of our hometown, Coon Rapids, on Saturday nights...

"Saturday is not what it used to be in the old hometown. Once it was the busiest day in the week for merchants, because in small rural communities farmers came to town on Saturdays to do their trading. Forty years ago country people did not go into town every day. They came once a week, perhaps more if repairs or some important item was needed. All week eggs were gathered and put in a 30 or 60 dozen egg case. (Remember them? They are collector's items now.) They were made of wood with cardboard fillers inside to hold eggs individually. Cows were milked, the milk separated, the cream poured into 5 or 10 gallon cans to bring to town. Cream and egg money bought the family's groceries, and now and then a little money saved to spend elsewhere. I remember how much fun it was to meet your friends in town on Saturday night and walk around the streets or sometimes to go to the show."

From Dr. Bill: My few actually images, "memories" I suppose, from the mid-to-late 1940s, as a youngster, relate to the Saturday nights in town, much as LVene describes, above. My wife and her family did the same, also, and Nancy often tells of how she spend the "dime" she was given - would it be candy OR a comic book, this week, etc. Never enough for both! My memories are going with Dad, with the Milk and Eggs, to the Creamery. The most vivid memory is, at least in my mind, the image of the men, standing around, each wearing their "town" hat, ready to head up to main street where everyone had their favorite parking places, to hear the gossip, and spread some, I assume.

Here is an example of the "town" hat - Walt Disney was a bit formal, but that is the image.



 And, here is an example of the "cream can" that LVene mentioned. Dad and a neighbor and his son, with brother Jim (just behind the can), and two dogs, getting ready to take them away.



 Families are Forever!  ;-)

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Celebration Saturday - a week late - First Blogiversary!

In congratulating Dionne Ford at Finding Josephine on her first Blogiversary - Congratulations! - I was reminded that I just "flew by" by own - last Saturday. September 19, 2009, was my first post on this Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories blog. How time flies!! 356 post across the year!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Follow Friday - 24 Sep 2010

Follow Friday - 24 Sep 2010


My recommendations this week. As usual, I normally pick one or two good posts from my week's readings, or left from the prior week! Hope they are useful or at least interesting to you, as well! If it is your first visit, even better!  ;-)


POST 1:

I've continued to be heavily involved in several projects, recently, but I did come across a very useful post if you are asked to give a presentation at a conference, or such. This is in the form of a personal testimony, by Jennifer Holik-Urban, Professional Genealogist, at her Family History Research blog.

http://familyhistorytips.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/praise-for-the-connected-genealogist/

I've enjoyed sharing Jennifer's stories of transitioning from hobby genealogy to professional genealogy. Her blog entries are always worth reading. This is another good one. I do enjoy knowing Thomas MacEntee, as well, a lot. I got to spend some time with him at the Kansas City Family History Expo. He can be a bit eccentric, but, he ALWAYS does really good work. That is the important thing. He has also taken on new professional challenges, including the items mentioned in this post. I want to be fully supportive and encouraging to his efforts as well. We will each, and all, benefit over time, I am confident!


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, September 17, 2010

Follow Friday - 17 Sep 2010

Follow Friday - 17 Sep 2010


My recommendations this week. As usual, I normally pick one or two good posts from my week's readings, or left from the prior week! Hope they are useful or at least interesting to you, as well! If it is your first visit, even better!  ;-)


POST 1:

I've been off in Texas all week with my grandkids, taking them to school every day and picking them up while daughter recovered from a sprained ankle - she's doing fine!

When I got back, I had received a great packet of information - military and pension files on my 2nd great grandfather, Michael Smith, a Civil War veteran - 65 some pages. So happy to get it, many hours of reading, writing translation/transcription actually, and story writing ahead!

So, a big shout out to the National Archives for their online "National Archives Order for Copies of Federal Pension or Bounty Land Warrant Applications at: eservices.archives.gov/orderonline for a fine job done for me, again! Hope you have good luck, as well!


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday - 14 Sep 2010 - Smith Grandparents Post 8

Tombstone Tuesday - 14 Sep 2010 - Smith Grandparents Post 8


On the 22 Jun 2020 for Tombstone Tuesday I reported on recording my Smith Grandparents on Find A Grave (William - Ellen). Last Tuesday, I shared the obituary of Grandpa William as recorded in my Aunt LVene's family history from the local Coon Rapids Enterprise. Today, I will share the obituary, same source, for Grandma Ellen.

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise (via LVene Thomas Smith family history book)

Mrs. Wm Smith Dies in Hospital
Devoted Wife and Mother Called by Death Last Week

Mrs. Ellen Preston Smith, wife of Mr. Wm. Smith, died last week in the hospital at Carroll soon after an operation for gallstones with which she had bee afflicted seemingly for years. She will be remembered by early settlers as the daughter ofd Mrs. Ella Preston, mother of Harry and other Preston boys, and a most exemplary young woman. She graduated from our public schools, as did also her eldest son, Grant Ballard, by her first husband, Mr. Ballard. She was the mother of ten children, two having preceded her, leaving eight, with husband and other near relatives, and many friends to mourn her death. She was an affectionate wife and mother and highly esteemed neighbor.  The following obituary was read by Rev. Koehler at the funeral services at the M.E. church Saturday afternoon, the services being largely attended for town and country.:

Ellen Rebecca Preston  was born April 12th 1880 in Deer Lodge, Montana. In 1898 she was united in marriage to Mont G. Ballard of Blair, Nebraska. To this union one son was born.

December 30, 1900 her husband passed to his eternal reward. May 11th 1904, she was united in marriage to her now sorrowing husband, Wm. Smith. To this union nine children were born, five girls and four boys. Two of the boy preceded the mother to the heavenly home.

Mrs. Smith was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She was a devoted mother and a kind and affectionate wife. For the past two years she has been in poor health. She passed out of this life in the hospital at Carroll Thursday evening June 28. to mourn her loss she leaves a sorrowing husband, eight children and two brothers, and many friends and acquaintances.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sentimental Sunday - Smith Grandparents Post 7 - The Children

Sentimental Sunday - Smith Grandparents Post 7 - The Children


Ellen Rebecca PRESTON first married Montgomery (Mont) BALLARD in 1898.

Grant BALLARD was born 2 Feb 1900.

Mont BALLARD died 30 Dec 1900

Ellen Rebecca PRESTON BALLARD second married William Emanuel SMITH on 11 May 1904

William Theodore (Theodore) SMITH, b. 11 Dec 1904; d. 2 Mar 1921
Willard Ward (Toots) SMITH, b. 11 Aug 1906
Lena Irene (Irene) SMITH, b. 15 Jan 1909
Naomi LVene (LVene) SMITH, b. 8 Sep 1910
Pauline Cecile (Pauline) SMITH, b. 21 Sep 1912
Baby Boy SMITH, b. 3 Jan 1914, d. 1914
Delbert Leverne (Pete) SMITH, b. 9 Aug 1915
Etha Maxine (Max) SMITH, b. 18 Oct 1917
Ellen Bethene (Betty) SMITH, b. 9 Aug 1919

Ellen Rebecca PRESTON BALLARD SMITH died 28 Jun 1923, leaving a husband and eight children and her husband, William, 54:

Grant, 23
Toots, 16
Irene, 14
LVene, 12
Pauline, 10
Pete, 7
Max, 5
Betty, 4

William did not remarry. The older children looked after the younger ones, and managed to be active in school and the community. More stories to follow.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Following William Emanuel Smith - Surname Saturday - Post 6 Smith Grandparents

Following William Emanuel Smith - Surname Saturday

This post is intended to follow William from his birth to his marriage with what is known, and perhaps mention research yet needed for this period, on the family.

We can start with the 1970 U.S. Census, since William was born 5 May 1869; he usually reported that he was born in Moline, Rock Island Co, Illinois. His family, in the 1870 census, is recorded in Hampton Township (with a Rapid City P.O.), Rock Island Co, which is just immediately east of Moline (the family was in the same Township in 1860, but with a Hampton Village P.O.). In 1870 census there were Michael Smith, 42, farmer, France, and Nellie, wife, 21, Sweden (all parents foreign born) along with three children from Michael's first marriage (wife died): Julia, 12, Mary, 10, Mich, 7 and their son, our William (listed as Willie), 1 (all children born in Illinois). It appears that Nellie's mother, Mary, 53, is also in the household at the time of the census.

The next census in which we can locate this family (nothing his yet been found in 1880... have searched and searched!) is the 1885 Iowa State Census, which has them in Coon Rapids (or Union Township), Carroll Co, Iowa. We do know, however, that they moved to Grand Mound, Clinton County, Iowa, for several years, in between. So, we have "to piece things together"  for some more details from various sources. The 1885 census is helpful, to start:

119 124 (from ancestry.com image)
Michel Smith, 55, Germany, Farmer; Alien who has taken out first papers (relates to naturalization)
Nella Smith, 36, Sweden
William Smith, 15, Illinois
Lena Smith, 14, Illinois
Eliseberh Smith, 10, Clinton Co, IA
Benjamine Smith, 8, Clinton Co, IA
Elsaana Smith, 5, Clinton Co, IA
Roberts Smith, 1, Green(e) Co, IA
Grant Smith, 0, Guthrie Co, IA

We can confirm from family records that Johannah Magdalina (Lena) was born 19 Dec 1870 in Moline, as well. Also from family records, we know that the next child in the family was John Joseph Smith, born 31 July 1872, in Grand Mound, Clinton County, Iowa - just across the Mississippi River from Moline, Illinois. I can speculate that since farm land was often rented from March 1 each year, they likely moved in either the spring of '71 or '72 to Iowa. [One other son, Peter Andrew, was born and died in Grand Mound, in 1878, only living a few months.]

Did you notice in the obituary in Post 3 the following: "At the age of 12 years he moved to Carroll County and made his home in this vicinity until the time of his death." William would have been 12 in 1881. From the 1885 census, Eliz, Ben, Elsa were born between 1875 and 1880. Both Greene and Guthrie Counties are adjacent to Carroll County, so that is not contradictory. Looks like we can assume they moved from eastern to western Iowa in 1881 or 1882. At that time, John Joseph would have been ten. When did he move to Nebraska (with whom, why) is a question for more research. Now, consider the three older children by Michael's first wife, Lena.

My notes, from LVene's book: "In early 20's of Black Smallpox on farm south of Grand Mound" regarding son, Michael's death - this would have been about 1882. Perhaps they moved shortly after he died. More research required. Julia married Charles Oehrlein in 1874 and they remained in Grand Mound area. Mary married Adam Mohr in 1878, and they remained in Grand Mound area, as well.

Neither William nor his sister, Lena, married until 1904. From Lena's obituary: "Early in her life she came with her family to Greene County, Iowa, where she has since resided, spending her early years near Old Carrolton before moving to a farm north of Scranton at the age of twenty." That would have been 1890. Ben married a Perry girl in 1900, and lived there. Elsie moved to Nebraska and married and stayed there. Grant, born in Dec 1884, died in May 1885. Robert was married, but his wife (born in 1890), died in 1919 and he apparently moved to California shortly there after and led a long life, dying in Bakersfield in 1953.

We reported, on Labor Day, that William next appeared in the records to date in 1900 US Census as a Well Driller in Coon Rapids. In 1904, he married Ella. We do know from the 1925 census that he completed the eighth grade, which would have likely been prior to 1885. He was probably farming in the area, to help support the family during most of those foggy 1885-1900 years. More information will be sought.

Finally, a few words on the parents, Michael and Nellie, during this latter period. LVene says:
"Michael went to Nebraska in 1886 where he lived for 8 years before he entered (on December 10, 1894, at age 65) Nebraska's Soldiers and Sailors Home at Grand Island, Nebraska because of old age, rheumatism, and general breaking down. Margaret evidently lived south of Carrollton until she moved to Nebraska, in 1898, when she asked for admission into Nebraska's Soldiers and Sailors Home... she had been a resident of Nebraska for only 5 months. A Dr. Hawk from Carroll, Iowa, on December, 1897, stated she had weak lungs, general weakness, her age and unable to learn a living." She died there March 27, 1900, at age 53. He died there April 16, 1902, age 73. Both are buried in the Home Cemetery.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, September 10, 2010

Follow Friday - 10 Sep 2010

Follow Friday - 10 Sep 2010

My recommendations this week. As usual, I normally pick one or two good posts from my week's readings, or left from the prior week! Hope they are useful or at least interesting to you, as well! If it is your first visit, even better!  ;-)


POST 1:

This is the Carnival of Genealogy, 97th Edition: Research From Scratch!
"The idea was to start fresh with someone we haven't researched before and see how far we could get using just online resources." I think you will enjoy the exercises, if you haven't seen them!

http://creativegene.blogspot.com/2010/09/carnival-of-genealogy-97th-edition.html

POST 2:

This was an interesting "discussion"  at Roots & Rambles - yes, there are actually "discussions" on our blogs - you just have to look hard to find them... the discussion continues over a number of comments. Enjoy this one!

http://rootsandrambles.blogspot.com/2010/08/where-do-genealogists-meet-on-internet.html

BONUS POST, this week.


If you have not yet seen this video from  the NGS, by Elizabeth Shown Mills, yet, it is time to take 5 minutes and watch/listen. She one the most respected genealogists in the field. Thanks!

 



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Treasure Chest Thursday - Smith Grandparents Post 5 - Miller Will

Treasure Chest Thursday 
Smith Grandparents Post 5
Miller Will

Aunt LVene's Smith Family History included a complete photocopy of the Will of John Miller, maternal grandfather of Ellen Preston Ballard Smith, my grandmother. Today, that Will is the Treasure, because it tells so much family history, spoken (written) and unspoken...

John Miller was a prosperous farmer in Williams County, in the NW corner of Ohio. To keep the story, here, short, in 1869, my Grandfather, James P. Preston, "came riding in on his horse out of the West" - as my parents told the story - from his homestead in Montana Territory (and years as a gold miner), and in a few weeks, married the young daughter of John Miller, Ellen Miller. [It could be noted that James' father had been the first Sheriff of the original (larger) Williams County in 1826, in Defiance. James had returned, at least partially, to participate in the court settlement of his father's estate; he had died under mysterious circumstances, and the estate took years to settle.] Further, a cynic could also suggest that James needed a wife, and family, to settle his "Homestead Act" claim on his Montana ranch, which he did shortly after returning from "the states" to Montana Territory with his new wife.

James and Ellen went off to Montana, which did not please her father. There, they had four children over the next ten years, Ellen born in 1880: the three "Preston boys," Ernest, Harry and John, and, my grandmother, Ellen Preston (named after her mother - how clever!). When Ellen became ill, and returned to Ohio to recover (without the children), her father would not let her return to Montana. When she had been gone a year, James filed for divorce. In the meantime, again, making the story short - really - John Miller had let his daughter move to Coon Rapids, Iowa, where her older brother was a local banker and respected citizen. In the divorce settlement, James allowed the children to go live in Iowa with their mother (all grade school age, at the time). They each attended and graduated from High School in Coon Rapids (which, of course, is also my home town!)

In his will, John decided to bypass his daughter, and her husband, by making bequests of land, farms, to each of his four grandchildren, directly, and having them pay a sum monthly ($5) to their mother, through her life... so she would be taken care of, but not have the responsibility of the land.

Here is how it worked. Have you seen this before? I'm a bit curious if any of my cousins have heard the story differently.

 On these images, I've clipped it a bit - so I'll comment on what is here. First, this is two pieces laid together, to set up the premise, and you can see that Ernest got the first farm. Each was 160 or 200 acres of prime farm land, in the area near Coon Rapids.


I've skipped the parts describing the rest of Ernest, his brother Harry and pick up at the end of John, just before the details of the bequest to Ellen, the youngest, the granddaughter, 160 acres. This was shared with you as "The Home Place" recently.

Further note, above, Item 8 and 9. Harmon L. Miller was the banker in Coon Rapids. In Item 10, then, partly above, continued, he is charged with administering the bequests. [This was not a clear and easy job, but I'm confident he was up to it. In the Oklahoma land rush, he came out with many, many oil well properties....] Note that in Item 11, he does allow each of the grandchildren to receive their land when they reach the age of majority. This will was dated 1888, but is was contested and not actually settled until 1909, five years after William and Ellen were married.

It was not until 1909 that they were able to move out from town to live on their farm, where the rest of their children, including my father, were born. 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Smith Grandparents Post 4


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday 
Smith Grandparents Post 4

These are photos of the farmhouse, and the the farm, known in our family as
"The Home Place!" - from whence came the name of my novel!
This is the farm where my Dad was born and raised - much more in coming posts!





[Photos scanned from LVene (Smith) Thomas Smith Family History]


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday - 7 Sep 2010 - Smith Grandparents Post 3

Tombstone Tuesday - 7 Sep 2010 - Smith Grandparents Post 3
 
 
On the 22 Jun 2010 for Tombstone Tuesday I reported on recording my Smith Grandparents on Find A Grave (William - Ellen). Today, I want to share the obituary of Grandfather William as recorded in my Aunt LVene's family history from the local Coon Rapids Enterprise. Next week I will share the obituary, same source, for Grandmother Ellen.

I feel it is worthy of note, again, that he died at age 70 four months after I was born (I'm one of the two grandchildren mentioned, below, along with my cousin, Gary, son of Maxine) and I have now passed my 71st birthday on July 1 of this year.

Dr. Bill beside grave marker of W. E. Smith, his grandfather, for whom he was named.

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise (via the LVene Thomas Smith family history book)

Star Farmer Dies - Funeral Services Here Wednesday
Heart Attack Fatal to Well Known Farmer Sunday


Under the direction of the Rev. W.F. Clayburg, pastor of the Methodist Church at Carroll, funeral services for William E. Smith, of the Star community, were conducted at Coder's funeral home at 2 p,m, Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Smith died Sunday at the age of 70.

Pallbearers were Bernice McLaughlin, Bois McLaughlin, Leo Moylan, Conrad Lawrence, Ed Williams, and Roscoe Bowman.  Special music was furnished by a Quartet composed of George Textor, Dale Textor, Doug Coder and Chas. W. Thomas. Mrs. Roswell Jordan accompanied them at the piano, Mrs. J. Thos. Rogers furnishing organ music.

Out of town relatives attending the funeral were Mrs. Lena Brown, of Scranton, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Ballard of Waterloo, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barlett of Perry.

William Emanuel Smith, son of Michael and Nellie Smith, was born in Moline, Illinois, May 22, 1869, and died at his country home north of Coon Rapids on October 8, 1939, at age 70 years, 4 months and 16 days.

When he was a small boy he moved with his parents to Grand Mound, Iowa. At the age of 12 years he moved to Carroll County and made his home in this vicinity until the time of his death.

On May 11, 1904, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Ellen Preston Ballard and to this union were born nine children. Mrs. Smith and two sons preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his passing Willard, Irene, LVene (Mrs. Verle Thomas), Pauline (Mrs. Merl Bower), LeVerne, Maxine (Mrs. Orrin Hilgenberg), Bethene, one step son, Grant Ballard and two grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Lena Brown of Scranton, Mrs. Elsie Grapes of Boone, Nebraska; two brothers, Joseph Smith of St. Edwards, Nebraska, Robert Smith of Bakersfield, California, and one half sister, Mrs. Mary Mohr of Grand Mound, Iowa, beside a host of friends and acquaintances.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Monday, September 6, 2010

Smith Grandparents - Post 2 - Labor Day Monday

Smith Grandparents - Post 2

Labor Day Monday

My Smith Grandfather, William Emanuel Smith, was a Well Driller, per the 1900 Census (reported on Sentimental Sunday, yesterday). He was apparently very successful at the job, for he continued to do it for many years after me married Ella in 1904 and became a Farmer on her 160 acre farm. His success as a well driller was mentioned from time to time in the local newspaper, from time to time (100 years Ago column!). He is said to have used a "divining rod" to locate the best place to drill.

When I think of my grandfather, based on stories of my parents, since he died when I was four months old, as a hard working "well driller," this is the photo I think of - not lovely, but real:


This dates between 1910 and 1920, I assume. Ella died at 43 in 1923, from complication of a gallstone operation, leaving a large family to raise. Here is a photo, about 1936-7, of the family (he cleaned up nicely...):


Dad always referred to his father as: "Pop" - Pop is in the center, of course. He is flanked by his two surviving sons: My dad, on our left, recently married in 1938 is my guess, based on other photos, and older brother, Willard, always known as "Toots" - on the right. Irene to far left, LVene to far right.
Seated in front, Pauline, Bethene ("Betty") and Maxine.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Smith Grandparents - Post 1 - Sentimental Sunday

Smith Grandparents - Post 1 - Sentimental Sunday

In the 1980s and early 1990s my Smith Aunt LVene (Dad's sister) published a handful of copies (for her siblings) that was essentially a family tree of her/their Smith grandparents, the Michael Smith family. It was full of vital records/genealogy detail as it was available to them during the 1980s through family correspondence and some library visits.

My recent research, with the intent to publish an updated Michael Smith family history book, has disclosed that whereas most of the births, deaths and marriages of this extended family were included in the earlier work, there are large gaps in what the family was actually doing and just where they were for large blocks of years, especially around that "family history black hole" 1885 to 1910 (many of the family are yet to be found in the 1895 & 1905 state census as well as the 1900 US census - not to mention the missing 1890).

My grandparents also met and were married during this period. It is my next research project to search for more details on this very important set of relationships. I will record and share what I find in this series of posts as the weeks and months unfold.

Here are some stats to get us started:

William Emanuel SMITH, b. 5 May 1869, Rock Island County, Illinois
Ellen Rebecca PRESTON, b. 1 Apr 1880, Deer Lodge, Powell County, Montana

William and Ellen were married 11 May 1904 in Coon Rapids, Carroll County, Iowa. He was 35, she was 24. It was the first marriage for William, it was the second for Ellen.

Ellen graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1987 and married Montgomery (Monty) BALLARD in 1898. A son, Grant BALLARD was born 2 Feb 1900, in Coon Rapids, Carroll County, Iowa.

As I use my WorldConnect information to write this, I click on the Ancestry.com "suggestion" on Monty BALLARD - there are Monty, Ella, and son, 'Martin' in the 1900 US Census.

Union Twp, Carroll County, Iowa - on the farm she had inherited from her Grandfather Miller (based on the neighbor information in the census) - where she lived out her life.

269 273 BALLARD, Monty G, Head, WM Sept 1873, 26 M2, NE, VA, OH, Farmer
BALLARD, Ella, Wife, WF Apr 1880, 20 M2 1 1, MT OH OH
BALLARD, Martin, son, WM Feb 1900, 3/12, S, IA, NE, NE

Note from Aunt LVene's book: "BALLARD... died December 30, 1900 from effects from a fall which occured before Christmas.

So, I decided to look at all 39 pages (images) of Union Township, including the town of Coon Rapids, to look for William Smith - on about the 30th page, there he was: 228 230 Smith William (looks like Urlliam) Head, WM Dec 1869, 32, S, IA OH OH, Well Driller! (Months not employed - 0)
228 231 was a Salesman
228 232 was a Laborer - a "triplex" we would call it, today.

Grandfather William Smith, whom I was named after - SURPRISE! - continued being a well driller after he married Ella, moved to the farm and was also a farmer, that is known history. He also had a "shop" - a large building full of tools, including blacksmithing tools - his father was a farrier - a blacksmith - in the Civil War. Willam died four months after I was born. The shop was still there, intact, when I was a youngster.

Progress. Enough for today. Thank you for your interest and attention.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Gen TV Show - 4 Sep 2010

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Gen TV Show - 4 Sep 2010


Randy Seaver regularly suggests a "Saturnday Night Genealogy Fun" project; for this week:
"Your mission, should you decide to accept it (and I hope that you do... because this one is really cool!), is to:

1) Create a Title and outline an episode of your own Genealogy television show. Be funny, crazy or serious, it doesn't matter!

My take:

To Tell the Truth


Each week the host (think Michael John Neill of Casefile Clues) will examine a popular Family Tree on line, dissecting 1) the sources cited, if any, 2) true sources - often from someone else's tree, and 3) grammar and sentence structure errors. Additional suggestions will be provided as to sources where "the truth" may be found about this tree, highlighting a different source in each episode.

Each week, guest genealogist will discuss their favorite stories of 1) errors in DAR file reports, 2) misinformation in the news about the heritage of popular figures, and 3) other popular misconceptions in genealogy and family history research.



Thanks for another fun project, Randy! ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

Friday, September 3, 2010

Follow Friday - 3 Sep 2010

Follow Friday - 3 Sep 2010

My recommendations this week. As usual, I normally pick one or two good posts from my week's readings, or left from the prior week! Hope they are useful or at least interesting to you, as well! If it is your first visit, even better!  ;-)

Two somewhat unusual recommendations this week:

POST 1:

Roots & Rambles  provided an interesting discussion on 28 Aug 2010, with 12 comments and counting; I recommend you read them all:
http://rootsandrambles.blogspot.com/2010/08/where-do-genealogists-meet-on-internet.html

POST 2:

Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings, on 31 Aug 2010, has an interesting post for those trying to follow what is going on with the FamilySearch website. Again, be sure to read the comments, and follow the links he recommends, if you are interested in this ongoing saga:
http://www.geneamusings.com/2010/08/keeping-up-with-familysearch.html


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Treasure Chest Thursday - Bill, Pete, Tom making concrete

Treasure Chest Thursday
Bill, Pete, Tom making concrete on farm


Old black and white photo from, I believe, 1951 - same place and work as photo last week here.

I am in the black and white coat - My Dad in the center, younger brother on gravel pile - I think Mom is in the pickup, on far right. Next younger brother must have been taking the photo. Old corn crib in the background. The south side of the barn is to the left. We were making concrete, manually - I'm dumping water from bucket in cement mixer, it appears. I think we put the dry cement in the box; shoveled dry cement and gravel, in correct proportions (I'm sure Dad did that!) along with water to make wet cement.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Nancy and Bill - earliest photo together

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 
Nancy and Bill - earliest photo together ?


From a church group photo - we were side-by-side - love it!
Were we 5 or 6, do you suppose?

Just celebrated 51st Wedding Anniversary!  ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)