Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 1936 Photoalbum - Cabin

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 1936 Photo album - Cabin

This is a scan of page of Mom's old photo album. 1936 was her Senior Year in high school. This may have been that summer, with some of her friends, celebrating graduation!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tombstone Tuesday - Franklin Pierce RECTOR

Tombstone Tuesday - Franklin Pierce RECTOR

Franklin Pierce RECTOR was born 11 Mar 1855 in South Bend, St. Joseph Co, Indiana, the son of Jacob and Frances (LITTLE) RECTOR. In the 1870 U.S. Census, he was 15 years of age on his parents farm near Neosho Rapids, Jasckson Twp, Lyon Co, KS. He married Carrie Chipmand SHAVER on 26 Aug 1883 in Neosho Rapids.

The 1900 U.S. Census finds Franklin P. RECTOR listed as a Teamster in Jackson Twp, with his wife, Carrie, with five children and his brother, Jacob A. 

Franklin died 26 Jan 1924 in Emporia, Lyon Co, KS, and is buried there.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

My Hometown on Monday - Week 13 - The Pingrey Sisters

My Hometown on Monday - Week 13

The Pingrey Sisters - 1910

This picture of the Pingrey Sisters in 1910 in the Coon Rapids Centennial 1863-1963 Book is very important to the town of Coon Rapids, Iowa,  over the following 100 years, in my humble opinion.

Along with their brothers, these siblings, their spouses and their descendants, have continued to make major contributions to the business and social fabric of the community of Coon Rapids... to this day, and beyond. Perhaps we can go into more details, as the weeks go by.

In the 1910 U.S. Census, the W. H. (Wilson H.) Pingrey family is listed - actually in Orange Township, Guthrie County, Iowa, near Coon Rapids:

W.H. Pingrey, 44, Aug 1855, parents born in Vermont, married Lucretia in 1879
Lucretia Pingrey, 37
Grace O. Pingrey, 19 (Grace)
Jessie B. Pingrey, 18 (Jessie)
Mary G. Pingrey, 16 (Gertrude)
Frederick W. Pingrey, 15
Franklin A. Pingrey, 12
Jennie  M. Pingrey, 10 (Maud)
Ada L. Pingrey, 7 (Adah)
Bertha L. Pingrey, 5 (Bertha)
plus two others.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Civil War Series on Sunday - Exploring Cyndi's List

This post has a duo purpose: 1) to  participate in 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Challenge #13 - Hosted by GeneaBloggers and created by Amy Coffin at We Tree.
2) as a part of my Civil War Series on Sunday.

Exploring Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet

Subtitle: 1996-2010: Your genealogy starting point online for more than a decade!

There are now said to be over 270,000 links for family history on her site. I became quite active in genealogy on the Internet at about the same time as Cyndi - and, I will admit, I wondered at the time, "why would she want to do this?" She certainly has made it one of the, if not THE, most useful genealogy site on the Internet.

Actually, the biggest challenge for a user, especially a first-time user, is not to be totally overwhelmed by the site. Today, I am doing research on the Civil War, about my ancestors...

First, I noticed the Browse Cyndi's List box on the left with five indexes: Main, Topical, Alphabetical, "No Frill" and Text-Only. on the Main Category Index, Civil War does not appear, but when I got to United States Index there was a sub-category of U.S. - Civil War ~ War for Southern Independence. Clicking on this brings us another Category Index and a Related Categories list. [At this point, I should mention that I also put "Civil War" in the Google Search box, upper right corner, for CyndiList.com - and it brought me to this same page.] [Another personal  note... at a search box, I almost always enter my mother's surname, on which I have done so much research, KINNICK. Doing so took me to Cyndi's entry for The KINNICK Project - showing a dead link: "The original link is broken. This link points to an archived copy on the Wayback Machine." This reminded me to send a "new link" to Cyndi on the form provided for my new blog, The KINNICK Project, that replaced the old site dumped by GeoCities at Yahoo.com!]

Since most of my ancestors fought for the Union, I went to the Regimental Rosters & Histories - The Union, first. There are many units represented by some really neat pages, but none of the first 6 or 8 I checked, were mine. In looking around, however, I came across this story, that really caught my attention: http://www.cyndislist.com/cyndi/knox/xerxes.htm
A "next door neighbor" to my home town!  ;-)

If your interest is to see the contributions of African-Americans in the War, there is a category list. The list of Battles, Battlefields & Cemeteries is also impressive.
I found the People & Families especially interesting because there are Civil War diaries in our family that are yet to be published. There are some fine examples.

Since I grew up in Iowa, Letters from an Iowa Soldier in the Civil War caught my attention, but there are many, many others.  ;-)

Well, you get the idea. There is a lot out there, if you but have a plan, and follow through!

[Check the label, Civil War, at the lower left, to see other entries in my Civil War on Sunday series, and label, 52 weeks, to see my other entries in that challenge.]

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Civil War Service - Three KINNICK Men

 

Civil War Service - Three Kinnick Men

Among the 13 persons of Kinnick surname who are listed by Ancestry.com as serving as soldiers in the Civil War are my great-great-grandfather, Walter Watson and his two brothers, Joseph and Jacob.


Name: Joseph Kinnick
Residence: Wyanet, Illinois
Enlistment Date: 18 Aug 1861
Side Served: Union
State Served: Kansas
Service Record: Enlisted as a Sergeant on 18 August 1861.
Enlisted in Company D, 7th Cavalry Regiment Kansas on 3 Sep 1861.
Promoted to Full Privateate (Reduced to ranks) on 12 Aug 1862.
Mustered Out Company D, 7th Cavalry Regiment Kansas on 10 Mar 1865 at St Louis, MO.
Sources: 72

Name: Walter Kinnick
Residence: Wyanette, Illinois
Enlistment Date: 10 Aug 1862
Side Served: Union
State Served: Kansas
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 10 August 1862.
Enlisted in Company D, 7th Cavalry Regiment Kansas on 25 Jan 1863.
Mustered Out Company D, 7th Cavalry Regiment Kansas on 2 Dec 1864.
Sources: 72,330

Name: Jacob Kinnick
Residence: Concord, Illinois
Enlistment Date: 8 Sep 1864
Side Served: Union
State Served: Illinois
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 8 September 1864.
Enlisted in Company H, 146th Infantry Regiment Illinois on 8 Sep 1864.
Mustered Out Company H, 146th Infantry Regiment Illinois on 8 Jul 1865.
Sources: 7

Here is the family listed in the 1850 U.S. Census in Dover Twp, Bureau Co, IL:

Walter Kinnick 41
Susan Kinnick 41
Mary E Kinnick 15
Sarah A Kinnick 14
John S Kinnick 13
Joseph Kinnick 12
Walter Kinnick 10
Catharine Kinnick 8
Jacob Kinnick 4
Margaret Kinnick 0

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Surname Saturday - LEE

Surname Saturday - LEE

On previous Saturdays, we have reported all of the known ancestor lineage surnames through  the great-great grandparent surnames (see earlier Saturday Surname posts in the left column, scroll down - back into 2009) and we have started on the next batch.

Looking ahead, from the "round of thirty-two" ( scroll down a bit...) - 3rd great-grandparents - We know and will have reported on 9 of the sixteen Male lines (four are from Denmark) we know and will be reporting on nine new female surname lines of the possible sixteen: VESTERSTROM, SPRANG, LORD, KIMMERLING, FIRESTONE, SCHWYHART, LEE, JONES, and KIRK.

Today, we will look briefly at LEE. My second great-grandparents were Walter Watson (1840-1919) and Mary Estella SIMMONS (1843-1909) KINNICK. Mary's mother was Mary Elizabeth LEE (1825-?), the daughter of William LEE (b. in Ireland) and Elizabeth SCOTT. The 1850 Census shows that Elizabeth was born in 1825 in Kentucky. I have not located her death information, at this time.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Follow Friday - 26 Mar 2010

Follow Friday - 26 Mar 2010

My recommendations this week. As usual, these are not in any particular order, I normally pick a good post 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:

There is just something about this truly Wordless Wednesday that captivates my mind. The setting, the smile, the outfit with gloves, hat and shoes... it is so timeless. Thanks to Dave, at Tree Rings: Sharing our History for a special moment.


BLOG:

Emily Doolin Aulicino both gives presentations on using DNA for genealogy and on writing childhood memories and family stories. Great combination!
This is her genealogy blog and here is her Speakers Bureau location.

INTERNET RESOURCE:

This is a new site, but since it is from Thomas I know it will grow rapidly in usefulness and must read content - with a clever name, and great graphics - High Definition Genealogy: Family History in Focus. Be sure to check it out!.




Families are Forever!  ;-)

Treasure Chest Thursday - 1956 news clipping

Treasure Chest Thursday - 1956 news clipping

Since it is over 50 years old, I assume this clipping is a Treasure Chest item - it certainly is, to me. My wife and I were high school classmates and we did a lot of singing - solos, duets, quartets and larger groups, at church but mostly at school.
We started "going steady" in the spring of our junior year in high school. This clipping is in the fall of that year, when we were seniors. We had a pretty decent duet worked up - singing, with a little bitty soft shoe dance routine to go with it, when appropriate. This was from a contest we were in. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last summer, and Nancy just got a new ukulele (from the UPS man) today. So, I guess not a whole lot has changed. The love of music, and each other, has stayed pretty stable!  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Country School Step

One room school, Willow #3, Willow Township, Greene Co, Iowa,  perhaps 1946... That is my little brother, beside me... so this is fall of 1946, he'd be two and half, I'd be seven.

That's me in the suspenders, on the right. Really dressed up that day - must have been first day of new school year, perhaps.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tombstone Tuesday - Joseph LeRoy SCHWYHART

 

Tombstone Tuesday - Joseph LeRoy SCHWYHART

Joseph Leroy SCHWYHART was born 11 Sep 1931 in Stone Co, MO and died 11 Aug 1987 in St. John's Regional Health Center, MO. He was buried on 14 Aug 1987 at Philbert Cemetery, Kimberling City, Stone Co, MO. He was the son of Joseph Lincoln (1897-1985) and Irene (HARGROVE) SCHWYHART.

He served in the Korean Conflict in the U. S. Navy as a BMG3.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

My Hometown on Monday - 1952 Club Presidents

My Hometown on  Monday - 22 March 2010 - Week 12
March 1952 Club Presidents

This photo and caption is from 1998, as you can see. I was planning to post this, already, this week, when what should appear in the same spot in The Coon Rapids Enterprise for March 11, 2010!! Small world, huh?!?

[Personal Note: Mrs. Leverne Smith is my mother; Mrs. Glenn Bolger became my mother-in-law; the rest were friends and neighbors, of course. I was just finishing seventh grade in one-room country school, this spring - to "town - consolidated" school for eighth grade in the fall!]

Some additional caption, in 2010, reads:

"This is surely a telling photo of how the social fabric of life was like in Coon Rapids almost 60 years ago. This photo shows the Presidents of clubs and fraternal church groups in and near Coon Rapids who were beginning another club year in March 1952. By today's standard, this number of women's groups would be amazing for a community the size of Coon Rapids. Back then, most of these women did not work outside the home so they relished the opportunity to socialize at these clubs and fraternal groups. No doubt, some of these women were members of several groups and fraternal organizations." They also added: "There were even more club representatives who could not make the photo. They included Mrs. Orrin Oliver, Faith chapter O.E.S.; Mrs. Wayne Cooney, Rebekahs; Mrs. Jack Bowman, Star W.S.C.S. and Mrs. Pete Vonnehme, Catholic Ladies Aid."

Families are Forever!  ;-)

SCHWYHART men in the Civil War

SCHWYHART men in the Civil War

Ancestry.com database lists 11 cases of service in the Civil War by SCHWYHART men. My research suggests that 2 of them are cases of dual enlistments, so there were 9 men in the family of this surname to serve between 1861 and 1865.

Six of these nine men were of the first generation of SCHWYHART men - see Surname Saturday - SCHWYHART, posted yesterday. The other three were each sons of that first generation, William Z., son of Jacob; these were Landon (two enlistments) and Marion (twins born in 1845) and Henry (b. 1847) - they each served as privates.

The other three sons of Jacob to serve, each at the rank of private, were John Z. (b. 1817), James M. (b. 1827), and Isaac (1829-1862). Isaac died at Shiloh, leaving a young wife and six young daughters.

Three sons of Joseph who served were Joseph Z. (b. 1822), Jacob (b. 1826) (served two enlistments), and William (b. 1829). William entered service as a Sergeant and left as a First Sergeant, the others served as privates.

The information in this post is based on the best I have available at this time; it may not be complete. If readers of this post have additional useful information, I would be happy to discuss it. I do have pension records on Jacob and Joseph, but have not yet fully digested it. Ancestry listed their service units, for example, also, which I have not listed here. Much of this information will be included in future posts.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Surname Saturday - SCHWYHART

Surname Saturday - SCHWYHART

On previous Saturdays, we have reported all of the known ancestor lineage surnames through  the great-great grandparent surnames (see earlier Saturday Surname posts in the left column, scroll down - back into 2009) and we have started on the next batch.

Looking ahead, from the "round of thirty-two" (scroll down a bit...) - 3rd great-grandparents - We know and will have reported on 9 of the sixteen Male lines (four are from Denmark) we know and will be reporting on nine new female surname lines of the possible sixteen: VESTERSTROM, SPRANG, LORD, KIMMERLING, FIRESTONE, SCHWYHART, LEE, JONES, and KIRK.

Today, we will look briefly at SCHWYHART, a very distinctive name. As mentioned earlier, actually my very first Surname Saturday post, back on 25 Oct 2009; here is a quote:
"Jacob Swineheart and Joseph Swineheart were brothers who married sisters Sarah and Elizabeth Zimmerman. It is the fifteen children of these two marriages that adopted the surname Schwyhart as young adults." ... then: "One of the fifteen children was my 3rd great-grandmother."

To the best of our knowledge, and some considerable research has been done on the surname, anyone with this surname descends from these fifteen children. Actually, it is only the descendants of the males in this group, nine of them - and only seven had male descendants to carry on the surname!

It has been a pleasure to do this research.

Susan (Susanna) SCHWYHART (1809-1884) married Walter W. KINNICK (1810-1853) in about 1835 in Belmont County, OH. Details of marriage still sought. Susan was the oldest child of Joseph SWINEHEART (1786-1871) and Elizabeth ZIMMERMAN (1787-1876).


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Follow Friday - 19 Mar 2010

Follow Friday - 19 Mar 2010

My recommendations this week. As usual, these are not in any particular order, I normally pick a good post 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:

This post has an extensive list of questions to ask when seeking basic genealogy information:

http://www.searchforancestors.com/scrapbook/interview.html

BLOG:

Today I'm suggesting that you check out The Armchair Genealogist by Lynn. Whatever your genealogy interests, I'll guess you'll find something of interest at this site.


INTERNET RESOURCE:

We are all pleased that RootsTelevision is going to continue to be available online. Whether you are a regular or have never been there before, please take a few minutes and stop by, today.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Treasure Chest Thursday - compass

 

Compass

Cleaning and sorting in my little office in the cabin in preparation of the arrival of grandkids for a week this weekend... (ok, this was last week, I'm writing this a week ahead!) boxing up loose stuff not needed right now, that came out of earlier boxes opened for the other stuff in them... we just moved in full time in June 2009... cannot hurry these things... many boxes yet to go.

I find this compass in a neat little plastic case... sort of a velveteen plastic inner casing, with a compass in it. I got it when I took an army correspondence course  in basic architectural drawing (University of Wyoming, while I was in Biloxi, MS, as I recall) when I was in the Air Force (1961-1964) as an electronics officer. I can still visualize my drawings of studs and cornices and different facial views of houses, done for the course - though I never took another course nor ever worked in the field.

What do you suppose I did with it, this time, after taking a picture? Throw it in the trash where it probably belongs? Of course not. I had another box of important stuff, sitting there - old VHS player, several favorite tapes, a rewinder, a boxed set of Roy Rogers movies on VHS - so I dropped it there before I taped up the box to go back to storage. Of course I did. Really valuable stuff, right?!?!?!  ;-)

Families are forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Mom and Dad

It is St. Patrick's Day - this would have been my Mom and Dad's 72nd Wedding Anniversary.

Dad only lived long enough for them to celebrate 39 years in 1977. This is how I like to remember them - she had sheet music in her hand - likely off to our rural Star Methodist Church, to play the piano for services!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tombstone Tuesday - Joseph Lincoln SCHWYHART

Tombstone Tuesday - Joseph Lincoln SCHWYHART

Joseph Lincoln SCHWYHART was born 8 Mar 1897 in Baxter, Stone Co, MO and died 24 Mar 1985 in Springfield, MO. He is buried in Philbert Cemetery, Kimberling City, Stone Co, MO. He was the son of George Mitchell (1853-1937) and Margaret Elizabeth (1869-1947) (YOCUM) SCHWYHART.

He married Irene HARGROVE and they had two children. At his death, he had six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

A Festival of Postcards - Check it out!

Be sure to visit the Festival of Postcards!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

My Hometown on Monday - Week 11 - 1946 Girls BB Champs

My Hometown on  Monday - Week 11 - 1946 Girls BB Champs

In the year 1946, the Coon Rapids  High School Girl's Basketball Team won the Iowa State Championship. The photo tells it all. Related to family history, Colleen Davis (KINNICK), my Aunt, Buzzy's wife, is #24 on the right!

Source: This image is a scan from the Coon Rapids Centennial 1863-1963 Book.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Civil War Service - The Three Lowery sons

Today I present the first of a number of posts for this Civil War series of my ancestors in the U.S. Census data where some of the young men later served in the Civil War. The Lowery family is a great one to start, because they had at least three young men serve in the Union army. Actually, two of the three have been featured in prior Tombstone Tuesday postings, with their gravestones showing they led long lives after their service. The 1850 U. S. Census image is from ancestry.com, and the following is copied from their transcriptions:

Frederick Lowery Age: 61 Estimated birth year: abt 1789 Birth Place: Virginia Color: White Gender: Male Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Harrison, Henry, Indiana
[fifth row down from the top]:
Frederick Lowery 61, Ann Lowery 38, Henry Lowery 19, Isaac Lowery 16, Walter Lowery 14*, Ann E Lowery 13, Francis M Lowery 5**, Philander Lowery 2**, Catharine M Lowery 0, John Conner 31, Harriet Conner 22, Lucinda E Conner 10

* Walter Lowery, 14: (1835-1914) Private/Sergeant, Co. I, 69th Indiana Infantry Volunteers

**Francis M. Lowery, 5:  (1844-19320 Private, Co. I, 69th Indiana Infantry Volunteers. Frances and his wife, Harriet DRAPER, had two children.

***Philander Lowery, 2: (1847-1914) Private/Sergeant, Co F, 57th Indiana Infantry)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Surname Saturday - FIRESTONE

Surname Saturday - FIRESTONE

On previous Saturdays, we have reported all of the known ancestor lineage surnames through  the great-great grandparent surnames (see earlier Saturday Surname posts in the left column, scroll down - back into 2009) and we have started on the next batch.

Looking ahead, from the "round of thirty-two" (scroll down a bit...) - 3rd great-grandparents - We know and will have reported on 9 of the sixteen Male lines (four are from Denmark) we know and will be reporting on nine new female surname lines of the possible sixteen: VESTERSTROM, SPRANG, LORD, KIMMERLING, FIRESTONE, SCHWYHART, LEE, JONES, and KIRK.

Today, we will look briefly at FIRESTONE. You will recall that Ellen Rebecca MILLER married James P. PRESTON. Ellen's parents were John MILLER (1806-1888) and Rebecca FIRESTONE CARLE  (1808-1892) . Rebecca FIRESTONE CARLE's parents were Richard L. CARLE and Mary FIRESTONE (1789-1869). Mary FIRESTONE's parents were Mathias and Mary Ann (BIEBER) FIRESTONE.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Follow Friday - 12 Mar 2010

Follow Friday - 12 Mar 2010

My recommendations this week. As usual, these are not in any particular order, I normally pick a good post 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:

I like this list by Marian at "Climbing My Family Tree" - Five Genealogy Things to Do Before I Become an Ancestor - hope you like it as well!

BLOG:

Just consistently good, and named one of the Top 40 Genealogy Blogs by Family Tree Magazine: The Family Curator.

INTERNET RESOURCE:

ProGenealogists get the shout out today both for being Top 40 and because of their contributions behind the scenes to WDYTYA on NBC. Just a terrific resource.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Our new look

Hope you like the new look of our blog. Thanks to Blogger for making more options available. I think if is easier to read and has a "cleaner" feeling. Happy to hear your comments.  Bill  ;-)

Treasure Chest Thursday - Plaster of Paris car molds

Plaster of Paris car molds

Dad has been gone since 1977, Mom since 1999, I thought I took all "my stuff" when I got married, over 50 years ago. Yet, from time to time, one of my brothers (four younger ones - spread over 16 years) will hand me a box or envelope or sack and say: "I think this may be yours!"

Plaster of Paris car molds. Such is the case with these two rubber molds from the late 1940s or early 1950s (I was going to say "old" - but that goes without saying!).

One is a pickup, and one is a sedan - Fords, as I recall. Dad always drove Chevys, but my toys that I made were Fords... that was ok!  I made a few... but, you needed to have the "axel" - a special thick little wire with knobs on each end, that fit in the mold, and, of course, the little rubber wheels that fit on the axels, after you extracted the plaster of paris car/truck out of the mold, with the "axel" imbedded in the plaster. I know I still have a little car somewhere, in a box. Had a "pickup" for a long time... but think it "got left somewhere!"

Perhaps it will show up in a sack, one day, as well.  ;-)

It was a craft. Didn't know that name for many years, but it was a neat one! I built a lot of block farms, cities and towns around those cars/trucks!  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Special Report: How far do you read into a blog post?

I was just reading a neat story by that old reliable reporter, Dan Rather, on Huffington Post, when I realized that after reading, perhaps, six or seven short paragraphs... I moved on to something else. And, I hadn't even gotten to the part of the post I had clicked on to read.

How much patience do you have, these days?

I realize I keep most of my posts fairly short, in hopes that followers really will read them - THEN move on to the next. Perhaps, as some of you do, you will even have time to leave a comment. Thank you, by the way.

Just one observation. I'd love to hear your comments!

Families are Forever - but blog posts shouldn't be!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 1948 Smith Family

Dad and Mom, Pete and Eileen, with Jimmie, Tommie and Billie - two to follow in the years ahead.

In a couple of months, all three of we boys will be on Social Security! Mom and Dad long gone.
Guess we are ancestors to talk about and share, ok?

Families are forever!  ;-)

Tombstone Tuesday - Isaac LOWERY

Tombstone Tuesday - Isaac LOWERY

This is the third brother, sons of Frederick and Ann (KINNICK) LOWERY, that I have reported here (earlier were Walter Kinnick LOWERY and Philander LOWERY). [Ann KINNICK was a sister of my 3rd Great-Grandfather, Walter KINNICK]

I visited the tombstone at the Sugar Grove Methodist Cemetery in Henry Twp, Henry Co, Indiana.

Isaac was born 10 Nov 1833 in Belmont Co, OH. He married Martha A. Modlin on 28 Sep 1838 in Indiana. They had five children, all born in Indiana. In the 1870 and 1880 U. S. Census, he was listed as a Carpenter. Isaac died on 12 Jan 1904.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

National Women's History Month - March 8

National Women's History Month - March 8

For National Women's History Month Lisa Alzo at The Accidental Genealogist has provided 31 blogging prompts that may interest you. They are also being promoted by GeneaBlogger on Facebook.

March 8 — Did one of your female ancestors leave a diary, journal, or collection of letters?  Share an entry or excerpt.

My mother, Mary Eileen Kinnick Smith Olson, kept a daily diary from about age 12 until she died. As a tribute to her, a couple of years ago, I transcribed her 1936 diary, day by day, week by week, and posted it, along with photos and other relevant links to her movie, book, and other interests. This was the year she not only graduated from high school, but 'lost' her first boy friend, got her first job, and began dating the man she would first marry, my Dad. Take a peek. I'd love to hear your comments... on content, form, style, whatever:
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~earlyyrs/eileen/1936web/


[ Disclaimer: Some of you have seen this link, before ]

Families are Forever!  ;-)

My Hometown on Monday - A Poem - Week 10

Coon Rapids, Iowa

On the main line of the Milwaukee Railroad
Midway between Des Moines and Sioux City
Its skirts, lapped by the placid waters of the Middle Raccoon River,
Lies the the beautiful little city of Coon Rapids, Iowa.

Nestled in the hills, it is beautifully situated
And native trees abound
While round about on all sides fertile farmlands stretch on and on
Until they fade into the skies.

It is a model, as small cities go!
Paved walks lead to all parts of the place
And modern residences loom up at every turn.
The city hall, the Masonic Temple and Oddfellows Hall
Vie with one another for architectural supremacy.

Five churches greet the eyes of those religiously inclined
And through the blood of our citizens
There runs a feeling of comradery that is wholesouled and complete.


Written by Ralph C. Bowman for a Chautauqua advertisement in 1916; from the Coon Rapids Centennial Book 1863-1963.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Special Report - New Opportunities Ahead

7 March 2010 Special Report - New Opportunities Ahead

I hope you watched the new NBC TV Series Who Do You Think You Are? The Premier Episode was Friday, March 5, on NBC, at 8 p.m./7 p.m. central time. It will run weekly. See the website link for more details on the 7 celebrities being featured and future schedules.

A major sponsor of the program is Ancestry.com, a website most genealogy/family history folks depend on for at least a part of their research. We join with them in hoping and believing that perhaps millions of new people will begin a serious search for their own family history - their family tree, as most people still call it. My thought when I see the commercials and hear the discussions is:

"Discovering your family tree/ancestor stories may be FREE but it is not CHEAP."

I have even seen family history blogs speaking of "how easy it is to find your family tree, online, FREE!" Well, I suppose that is ok, but, it is not entirely true. I think we each will now have a special duty and responsibility as we help new searchers to understand the real facts. And, yes, I have seen this mentioned in a number of other blogs already; Thank you! And, yes, new folks, you will easily find elements of your family tree, online, at little or not cost - of course, it costs you something to get on the Internet!

More important, however, is the need for the reminder that just because something familiar is online, it is not necessarily complete or accurate. Also, we know that the search for your family heritage, our ancestors, is never "done." We each need to talk quietly and regularly about the research that is required to confirm and authenticate the "family tradition" type information "hints" we initially get from that first (and perhaps many others) search online - or from talking to the elders in our family, for that matter. I do know (at least I hope I do) that on this blog post I am "preaching to the choir." But, this reminder needs to repeated and repeated and repeated... especially in the months ahead. 

Finally, along with others, I want to reiterate what a great opportunity we each/all have, whether through our library, Family History Center, local genealogical or historical society, or our blogs to bring these many new people into our community of those dedicated to recognizing, documenting and sharing family history/genealogical information for all. These should be good times ahead for our interests and our programs.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - 6 Mar 2010

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - 6 Mar 2010

Tonight's mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:

1) Pretend that you are one of the subjects on the Who Do You Think You Are? show on NBC TV.

2) Which of your ancestors (maximum of two) would be featured on your hour-long show? What stories would be told, and what places would you visit?

3) Tell us about it on your own blog, in comments to this blog post, or in a Note or Comment on Facebook.

My two (since I must do only two) would be my great-grandfather Preston who owned a piece of the the Blue Gravel gold mine in California, according to his own 1880s bio in a county history in Montana. He left home at 15 to be on a wagon train west in 1852, based on the info we have to date.

The second would be his maternal grandfather, John Butler, who appears to have spend the winter of 1776-77 with his seven cousins, and General George Washington, at Valley Forge, a few miles from their home in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

If I could have a third, it would be fifth great-grandfather William Kinnick, a Sergeant Major in the Maryland line in the Revolutionary War. He served 3 years to the day, as a man in his mid-fifties.

Thanks, Randy, for the opportunity to do this exercise!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Flashback Friday - Brideson Wedding Photo

 Flashback Friday - on Saturday 6 Mar 2010 - Thanks to Roots and Branches:

 

Also, pretty close to an entry :
For National Women's History Month Lisa Alzo at The Accidental Genealogist has provided 31 blogging prompts that may interest you. They are also being promoted by GeneaBlogger on Facebook.

I've been looking for an excuse to post this wedding photo of my great-aunt, Gertrude KINNICK and her husband, Everett BRIDESON; from 20 Dec 1921, at her parents (Alonzo and Nettie  KINNICK) farm near Coon Rapids, Carroll Co, Iowa. Her dress,  the bouquet, his outfit, the look in their eyes. What must they have been thinking?!?!  ;-)

 

P.S. Gertrude is third from the left in this Kinnick-Williams Picnic photo - as I knew her.  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Surname Saturday - KIMMERLING

Surname Saturday - KIMMERLING

On previous Saturdays, we have reported all of the known ancestor lineage surnames through  the great-great grandparent surnames (see earlier Saturday Surname posts in the left column, scroll down - back into 2009) and we have started on the next batch.

Looking ahead, from the "round of thirty-two" (scroll down a bit...) - 3rd great-grandparents - We know and will have reported on 9 of the sixteen Male lines (four are from Denmark) we know and will be reporting on nine new female surname lines of the possible sixteen: VESTERSTROM, SPRANG, LORD, KIMMERLING, FIRESTONE, SCHWYHART, LEE, JONES, and KIRK.

Today, we will look briefly at KIMMERLING. Rosanna KIMMERLING (1781-1813) was the mother of John MILLER (1806-1888) and husband of Peter MILLER (1779-1845). Her parents were Ludwig and Anna Christina (BONEWITZ) KIMMERLING. Rosanna was born in Berks Co, PA, where she married Peter MILLER in 1779. They had seven children. It appears that they were all born in Berks Co. Later, they moved to Ohio. Rosanna died in Columbiana Co, OH.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday night - 98 Followers

Just two followers short of 100 - WOW!
Thanks!
Lots to live up to!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Friday

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Friday - Final

Suggested by Amy Coffin at WeTree and hosted by Genabloggers

Here we go, for Friday, the last day of an interesting week's project!

Gen Journey
Sarah Cummings the Genealogist (Feb 22 )

A January 1880 letter with family history questions provides the basis for a good blog post!

Finding Josephine
Who Do I Think I Am? (Mar 5)

A wonderful story about "An unlikely Daughter of the Confederacy." How lucky I have been to be following this blog this week! THANK YOU!  ;-)

Reconnected Roots
First Post (2/14) - no new posts, yet.

Such familiar comments - welcome aboard!  ;-)

Southwest Arkie
"Keep This" ~ Family Treasures, Sold a Auction (Mar 5)

Just read it! Very nicely done. My Mom wrote "Keep This" on newspaper clippings... I'm still finding them, ten years later, going through different boxes of her stuff!  ;-)

Clue Wagon
This Might Actually be Better Than Ice Cream (Mar 5)

Nice promo for WDYTYA!

Families are Forever! ;-)

Follow Friday - 5 Mar 2010

 

Follow Friday - 5 Mar 2010

My recommendations this week. As usual, these are not in any particular order, I normally pick a good post 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:
WDYTYA TV Guest Appearances & Tips at Genealogy Gems News will be my pick for this Friday, as a handy reminder to watch tonight... as if I needed another reminder. Several posts have similar information... my favorite from my iGoogle Genealogy Blog page! Thanks!  ;-)

BLOG:

This week I'm recommending: Them Medfords & other mountain folk: a genealogy blog by Jonathan Medford.

The title caught my eye, first - just cannot put it down without checking it out! Then, the Logan Project, a box of 170 documents passed down 6 generations! Fascinating! AND, he provides background on the folks involved in the documents - every day! I read every one... even though I don't always comment... I am just so impressed. And, further, the presentation is always neat and excellent! Enough said. If you are not a follower of this blog, I hope you will be. You have been missing some very interesting history.

INTERNET RESOURCE:
Maureen Taylor, THE PHOTO DETECTIVE. Just go visit the site. If you love photographs, as I do, that is all I need to say. Pick any blog post, and you will learn something you did not know about understanding photographs. Enjoy!
Thanks, Maureen, for being there!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Thursday

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Thursday

Suggested by Amy Coffin at WeTree and hosted by Genabloggers

Here we go, for Tuesday...

Gen Journey
David Holden and Bridget Atwell (Mar 4 )

A copy of an 1880 letter is the basis for this post. This leads to an interesting discussion I highly recommend.

Finding Josephine
Handy Hint (Mar 4)

An interesting update on her Handy research.

Reconnected Roots
First Post (2/14) - no new posts, yet.

Such familiar comments - welcome aboard!  ;-)

Southwest Arkie
Mystery Buttons (Mar 4)

A great grandmother photo - check out the two buttons on the dress - do you know what they are?

Clue Wagon:
Organizing Your Family Photos - Part 3 (Mar 3)

Kerry shares insights into some photo organizing tools.

Families are Forever! ;-)

National Women's History Month - March 4

National Women's History Month - March 4

For National Women's History Month Lisa Alzo at The Accidental Genealogist has provided 31 blogging prompts that may interest you. They are also being promoted by GeneaBlogger on Facebook.

March 4 - a marriage certificate of my great-grandfather's first marriage. Michael Smith (1829-1902) married Lena Harbrecht (1838-1864) on 3 Aug 1855 in Rock Island, IL.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Treasure Chest Thursday - Like an older brother

Treasure Chest Thursday - Like an older brother

This is a post on "one of my favorite things!" Today it is Uncle Buzzy! Since I am a first-born, he was the closest thing to an older brother to me, growing up! Yes, I can remember a little from that far back...

This was the photo I came across this week that brought these memories back - 1946, Coon Rapids (IA) High School grad!

A year or two earlier... on the farm...Mom, her younger brother, Buzzy (ok, Edward, really!) and me...

He went off to the Army as part of the occupation troops in Japan... he drove a Jeep, and brought back a model for us (my brothers and I) to play with... wish I still had it!
Here he is, on the left, in Japan, with a friend from high school (actually, a cousin of my wife!).

 

Buzzy came back from Japan in eighteen months and married his high school sweetheart (and state champion basketball player). They used to take me to ball games, and stuff... neat memories (little brother stuff?!).  Here they are, a little later...

 

 

Got to love the hair! 

They now have a great family including many grandchildren. Here they are with a few of them, in the 70s!

 

 And finally, with my youngest daughter, Arrion, perhaps ten years ago.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Wednesday

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Wednesday

Suggested by Amy Coffin at WeTree and hosted by Genabloggers

Here we go, for Tuesday...
Gen Journey
Westward Ho! (Feb 27)

Josiah Holden tells of going west!

Finding Josephine
Mardi Gras: Solace in a Celebration (Feb 21)

An interesting perspective on this special celebration.

Reconnected Roots
First Post (2/14) - no new posts, yet.

Such familiar comments - welcome aboard!  ;-)

Southwest Arkie
Wordless Wednesday (Mar 3)

A very old photo - check it out!

Clue Wagon:
Long-Lost Relatives: Good or Bad? (Feb 19)

First, a beautiful photo heads this post. Kerry provides an insightful perspective on our family history research.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Mom and Arion

My mother, Mom, Eileen (on left) and her neighbor, Arion (in the 1970s) - my wife and I took her name, added an r, to become Arrion - our youngest daughter.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Tuesday

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Tuesday

Suggested by Amy Coffin at WeTree and hosted by Genabloggers

Here we go, for Tuesday...

Gen Journey
William Wallace Holden (Mar 2)
http://genjourney.blogspot.com/2010/03/william-wallace-holden.html
A scan of Josiah’s letter to his niece, Sarah Cummings, dated 22 June 1880 - answers some prior questions, then moves to his son, William Wallace Holden. Includes 1870 census with children listed. Interesting presentation. Check it out1

Finding Josephine
African-American History Month (Feb 25)

Neat video clip; check her learning during the month. Well worth the visit!  ;-)

Reconnected Roots
First Post (2/14)

Such familiar comments - welcome aboard!  ;-)

Southwest Arkie
Un-Tombstone Tuesday (Mar 2)

Fascinating entry. Starts with a poem to them, then lists 32 ancestors whose grave she cannot find along with their last know location. What a great list! Best wishes in the search!

Clue Wagon:
Organizing Your Family Photos - Part 2 (Mar 2)

Nice set of photos with good family analysis for each. You'll enjoy reading this post.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Tombstone Tuesday - Jacob J. KINNICK

 

Tombstone Tuesday - Jacob J. KINNICK

Jacob was born 4 Jan 1846 in Bureau Co, IL, to Walter and Susannah (Schwyhart) KINNICK (my third great-grandparents) and died 6 Mar 1923 in Wyanet Twp, Bureau Co, IL. Jacob spent his life as a successful farmer in Bureau Co, IL. He was married twice but had no children.

He is buried with his 2nd wife, Fannie (FLETCHER) KINNICK, born in 1832 in Fauquier Co, Virginia, and died 24 Mar 1920, in Gold Twp, Bureau Co, IL.

[Jacob left a very interesting will that named all of his heirs, that was very helpful in doing the Kinnick genealogy - to be left for another day on the blog]

Families are Forever!  ;-)

National Women's History Month - Day 1

National Women's History Month - Day 1

For National Women's History Month Lisa Alzo at The Accidental Genealogist has provided 31 blogging prompts that may interest you. They are also being promoted by GeneaBlogger on Facebook.


I'll try to do a few. However, in the meantime, here is a neat blog post to get us in the mood.

http://chipeta.wordpress.com/2010/03/01/writing-women-back-into-history-2/


And, I'll simply start with some of my favorite women - I get in trouble naming just one...

My wife, my mother, my grandmother and my three daughters - a few years ago!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

My Hometown on Monday - Week 9 - 1963 Business List

1963 Coon Rapids Business List from Coon Rapids Centenniel Book 100 Years Proud (1863-1963)

Sponsors list, Coon Rapids based businesses only:

Garst & Thomas Hybrid Corn Company
Miller-McCarty Chick Co, Inc.
The Garst Company
Coon Rapids Municipal Utilities
Iowa Savings Bank
Keister Lumber Co
Headlee Ford Co
Linn's Feed Service
Malcom & Thompson John Deere Sales & Service
Smouse Jewelry
South Side Pool Hall
Grettenberg Implement Co
Johnson's Station and Tank Wagon
Coon Rapids Plumbing and Heating
Frohlich's Super Valu
Carpenter & Brannan Insurance-Real Estate
Robison Garage
Powers Chevrolet Co
Hagaman Plumbing & Heating
Dr. J. S. Weber, Dentist
Mike's Radio and TV
Keeley Shoe Shop
Community Grain Co
Jack J. Bowman, Auctioneer
Star Beauty Shop, Velma Bowman, Operator
Textors A-G Foods
Garst Store
Iowa-Illinois Telephone Co
Berger Bros. Plumbing & Heating
Bill's Studio
Coon Rapids Enterprise
Coon Rapids Lanes
Shirbroun's Veterinary Clinic
C.A. Johnson, M.D.
Harper's Bakery
Modern Beauty Shop, Jane Crisman, Prop.
G. R. Whisler, D.D.S.
Earl Clark Used Furniture
Frank Cabalka Garage
Coon Rapids Cleaners and Launderers
Cretsinger Service
Jennie's Beauty Shop
North Side Recreation Parlour
Coast-to-Coast Stores
A. H. & H. A. Dorpinghaus, Chiropractors
Don Anderson, Insurance - Farm Loans
Gambles Store
Arnold Brauckman
Vic's Sinclair Service
Roberts Oil Co, Sinclair Distributor
Wallace Service Station, Sinclair
Hague Hatchery
Thorp Farm & Home Supply
South Side Cafe
Buenneke Insurance Agency
Coon Rapids Locker

Families are Forever!  ;-)

52 Weeks - Week 9 Monday

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9 Monday

Suggested by Amy Coffin at WeTree and hosted by Thomas at Genabloggers


Here we go, for Monday...

Gen Journey
Black Hawk and 1832 (Feb 28)

I've always found the Black Hawk War fascinating; growing up in Iowa and most of family coming from Illinois in the first half of nineteenth century... keep running into it! Thanks for the reminder. Check it out!

Finding Josephine
Calling All Handys (Feb 28)

Great call for assistance, and some interesting suggestions on breaking down the "brick walls" of research. Again, don't skip the comments.

Reconnected Roots
Madness Monday (Feb 22)

Great photo to share for assistance. Comments provide great insight and suggestions Check it out!

Southwest Arkie
A Festival of Postcards - Theme of "Light" (Feb 28)

Haunting postcard image. Don't miss it. Nice Carnival entry!

Clue Wagon:
Organizing Your Family Photos - Part 1 (Feb 26)

Some great ideas on how to hand a large number of photos to scan and record... we all face this problem, I think. Be sure to look at the interesting comments on this post, as well. I look forward to Part 2!

Families are Forever! ;-)