Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Great-great-grandparents lifespans

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun

Great-great-grandparents lifespans

The Randy Seaver challenge this week:

We each have 16 great-great grandparents.  How did their birth and death years vary?  How long were their lifespans? 

My 16 great-great-grandparents are, by ahnentafel number:

16 Joseph Schmitt. (1802 - 1874) he was 72.

17 Beatrix (Elsie) Fad. (1805 - 1886); she was 81.

18 Per Andersson (Pehr)(Peter) Soderstrom. (1819  - 1901) he was 82.

19 Johanna Margreta Rolin.  (1817 - ?).

20 William Charles IV Preston. (1780 - 1837) he was 56.

21 Asenath Butler. (1803  - 1888) she was 85.

22 John Miller.  (1806  - 1888) he was 81.

23 Rebecca Firestone Carle.  (1808  - 1892) she was 84.

24 Walter Watson Kinnick. (1840  - 1919) he was 78.

25 Mary Estelle Simmons.  (1843  - 1909) she was 65.

26 Elias Williams.  (1838 - 1920) he was 82.

27 Ann Eliza Duncan.  (1842  - 1879) she was 37.

28 Anders Christian Sorensen. (1807 - 1886) he was 79.

29 Dorthea Krag. (1808 - ?).

30 Niels Christensen (Kudsk).  (1817 - 1867) he was 49.

31 Maren Kristine Mortensdatter.  (1823 - 1915) she was 92.

The birth years range from 1780 to 1843.

The death years range from 1837 to 1919.

The lifespan range is 37 to 92, with 2 unknown, but likely within that span.

What fun!

Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1947 - August 18 - At the Coon Rapids Pool

From Mom’s Diary… 1947

August 18 - At the Coon Rapids Pool

Karen, Jim, Kay, Kathleen, Bill, Wilson

On August 3rd, Leo’s left off Karen and Kathleen to stay a few weeks while they traveled to Wyoming to see Ira and Delta Kinnick… several reference to two girls and two boys in the house…

Monday, August 18:

Did a big washing. Went in swimming in P.M. Kay, Patty, Wilson went too. At night came home & chored & ate & went to “Ramrod” Veronica Lake, Gary Cooper. Ate at ice cr. parlor & came home.

My comments:

The photo likely from this day, but certainly from the time. Leo’s arrived back the next day at 6:30.


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1947 - April 25 - Helping Hands

From Mom’s Diary… 1947

April 25 - Helping Hands

Dennis, Wayne, Wilson, Bill, ?

Charlotte, Kay, Nancy, Donna, ?

Curious coincidence than I'm standing behind Nancy in photo... ;-)

Friday, April 25:

Went to Jefferson with Pete to get two 14 foot maple trees for side front of yard. Got Jim’s hair cut, ate dinner there. Picked up Ramona Magee & Cretsinger girl. Left Pete at home & I went in town to see Jimmie’s proofs. One was pretty good. Home & Pat, Wilson here. Billy rode around square with them. Had lunch here. Bill & I went to Helping H at nite after I set out tomato, cabbage, flower plants & cleaned pantry. At Nancy Bol.


My comments:

Since late December had been very cold, snowy and blizzards. Roads closed many days. At one stretch, Mom said it had been three weeks between seeing her mother!! At one point, she said “that said” worst winter and snows in four years. I January had been subzero for days on end… she had daily temperatures.

I had this photo Helping Hands children’s group from Church. First mentioned last December. This is first mention when seemed to be decent weather. Was apparently a monthly gathering. Many days missing in diary, so I latched on this meeting to share the photo. Meeting was at Nancy Bolger house.

AND, On Wednesday, May 28:

Had snow. Imagine. An awful night for club. Only 4 here. Arlene, Edith, Elaine, Orville.

This was an event I did recall all my life… the May 28th Snow, in Iowa, and Mom hosted club meeting. Was she upset! Nice to see the year confirmed, again.

AND, one more, on my 8th birthday, Tuesday, July 1: 

Had a birthday party for Billy. 21 kids here. They really had a time. ...

Don't remember that, at all. Not aware of any photos. Nice, tho' !!! ;-)


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1946 - Nov 28 - Thanksgiving and Buzzy

From Mom’s Diary… 1946

Nov 28 - Thanksgiving and Buzzy

Buzz in Army uniform, on furlough for holiday

Sat, Nov 23: “Buzzy called at 5:00 from home. Surely good to hear him again.”
Sun, Nov 24: “Made 3 cherry pies & went to Leo’s for duck dinner. Really good. Bussy telling us all about the Army. Doing steps etc.”

Thursday, November 28:

Really a nice day. Ironed couch cover, roasted chickens, dressing, cleaned up, made salad - celery pickles, olives, cranberries - set table. Mom bro’t spuds, Lil - chicken. Gertrude - scalloped oysters. Colleen got to come late last nite. She was here for dinner. 17 of us. Took pictures. Had a nice time. All of em stayed for supper. Paul did chores & then came back & ate. To bed at 9:00. Ger’s were last to leave.

Sun, Dec 1: “Buzz & Colleen came & took Billy & me to church. Then they went to Davis’ to dinner.”
Mon, Dec 2: “Cleaned up & Pete & I took Buzzy to Omaha. Nice trip. 1 flat tire just outside Co. Bluffs. … Saw Buzz off at airport at 1:00.”


My comments:


Colleen had gone to college at the University of Iowa, so she was home from school, as well.

Cousin Paul Nielsen was essentially a hired man, with Buzzy off to the Army. Paul had returned from his Army Service in the Pacific, during the war.

Pretty exciting time.

AND, on Dec 1, went to Dennis' 8th Birthday Party... here is photo:

 Donna, Nancy, Kay, ?, ?, Bill, Dennis, Wayne, David; I think! ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1946 - Nov 11 - New School Teacher

From Mom’s Diary… 1946

Nov 11 - New School Teacher

Jessie Shirbroun was new teacher at Willow #3, for my second grade year.

Monday, November 11:

Kinda cloudy in A.M. Did dishes, sep. cleaned up. Pete picked load of corn & then we went to Ger. & Ev. for dinner. Ira, Delda, Uncle Will, Roberts, Lucille, Lil’s, folks & us there. Had such a nice time. Men went to Bayard (26), Coon (0) F. B. game at Coon. Had nice visit. Home at 4:30. Bill had been at Petersons all P.M. Miss Shirbroun sick & let them out. Made pies, put Jim to be at 6:00.


My comments:

First mention of Miss Shirbroun. Busy day. Ira and Delda were Grandpa Paul Kinnick’s uncle and aunt who lived in Cheyenne, Wyo. Uncle Will was from Illinois (brother-in-law of Ira. Robert was Paul’s brother, Lucille his sister, along with Lillian and Gertrude. That was all five siblings!

I had walked a little over half a mile from school to Petersons who lived just north of our farm. They would feed my an apple and a piece of bread with peanut butter on it, for a snack. Memories. They rarely left the farm, for any reason, so were a pretty safe haven for me! ;-)

P.S. on Wednesday, Nov 6: "Bought the Book of Knowledge." I sure remember that. Lots of good reading. I especially like each year when we got the Annual. Practically read it front to back... ;-)

AND, came across this photo of Ira and Delta... same visit, I'm pretty sure... [Actually this may be earlier, but that is them on the left...]

Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1946 - September 15 - Buzz leaves for Army

From Mom’s Diary… 1946

September 15 - Buzz leaves for Army

 

Edward (Buzz) Kinnick - Coon Rapids High Grad, 1946

 
Wednesday, Sept 15:

Cleaned the house. Over to the folks awhile. Pete there putting up hay. At nite Buss came over & took a bath. Told him goodbye. He leaves for Army tonite at 11:00. …


My comments:

In previous days, he said goodbye at Leo’s. “Buss had a nice farewell letter for Leo.”

Also, of note, prior day: “Toots & Mary came to say goodbye to Buzz. They just got hame from big trip out west, south & North to Canada.”

[Note: Mom used Buzz there, instead of Buss.]

Buzz went through Military Intelligence training for several months, then served in Osaka, Japan. He was in the Army for eighteen months as part of occupation forces.



Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1946 - July 1 - 7th Birthday

From Mom’s Diary… 1946

July 1 - 7th Birthday

Diary was blank for June 28 through July 23, so it missed my birthday. I think this may be a birthday photo, with a tent and angel food cake. We’ll say it is, anyway, until proven otherwise!! ;-)

My comments:

Ego requires me to record my annual birthday.

Few weeks later there is a reference: "Billy playing with bow & arrow." Must have been a Indian themed birthday, perhaps!! ;-)

P.S. Just realized this posted on April 20, with is brother Jim's 72nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Jim! ;-)


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1946 - June 21 - Bible School Photos

From Mom’s Diary… 1946

June 21 - Bible School Photos

 

Group Bible School Photo - Star Methodist Church

Nancy and Bill - first side by side photo

Friday, June 21:

Warm & sunny. Made a malted milk cake, noodles, did dishes, separator, went to church to Bible School Picnic. Jimmy fussy. Took pictures. Put food away. Home & gave Jim a nap. Did dishes, swept, Took Jim to Mom’s & went to church. Swept & dusted it. Got Jim. Home & cleaned up & went up to Bible S. program. Billy was a Toad in a play. Nice music & all. Home at 10:00.

My comments:

This was first Bible School, following first grade. Went all week. This was on Friday, a picnic concluding... a program was later at night.

In the upper photo, I believe that is brother Jim, sitting on someone's shoulders, above all others!


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1946 - April 8 - Basketball Banquet

From Mom’s Diary… 1946

April 8 - Basketball Banquet

High School Madrigal Group - Spring of 1946

Buzz, upper left - Bruce Annear, upper right

One of several graduation related activities for Buzz and his class:

Monday, April 8:

Sunny but windy and chilly. Patched o’alls for Billy & Pete. Did sep. Harold here after cream & eggs. Pete took 4 sows to town in pickup. Cut out 4 o’alls - Jim, 1 jacket for Bill. Pete home at 3:00. When Billy came I took him & Jim to Mom’s. … Home & bathed & went to Girl’s & Boy’s Basketball Banquet. Mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, fresh salad, ham, ice cream, cake. Nice program. Bill Creighton, Gene Summate, Chisholm. Talked to Buzz & Colleen. They had car. We had pick-up. Out after boys. Did Jennings & all ever razz Colleen & Buzz. He blushed. Sang in Quartet.


My comments:

So much to say, so little space. Buzz and Colleen had just started really going together. He was star on Boy’s BB team, too… but they weren’t that good. Colleen star on Championship team, of course. Each so tall and good looking (photo of them together, to come, later on). Made quite a couple. Noted that Buzz had Mom & Dad’s car a lot, lately, leaving them with the pickup, when Buzz had dates!! What fun!

Chose the photo of the singers for here. Madrigal actually performed at graduation, I think. Buzz and Bruce were in the quartet with two of the girls from this group.

Personal note: Last summer, at a funeral, it was fun to see both Buzz and Bruce, together again after a number of years, both now in their mid-eighties. Bruce had been living in Arizona for quite a while.


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1946 - April 6 - Nice day

From Mom’s Diary… 1946

April 6 - Nice day

Saturday, April 6:

Nice day. Cleaning upstairs. Did sep then to Hazel Bow. to congrats Joan but she wasn’t there. She got a first on her song. Surely fine. Home & fixed dinner. Boys & I went to Carroll. Got Billy new shoes. Home & at folks at 6:00. Got pickup again. Buzz came over to get the car. Did up work. Fixed supper & went to bed.

My comments:

This was a cute photo of the two of us, I just came across… had to find a place for it. ;-)

Noted that at about this point in the diary, she started using 'Jim' and 'Bill' more... interesting...  ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1946 - March - Girls BB State Championship

From Mom’s Diary… 1946

March - Girls BB State Championship

The Coon Rapids High School Girl’s Basketball Team, in March of 1946, won the State Championship. Mom and Dad went to most of the home games during the season.

Small town Iowa went crazy for their BB, as everyone knows. Here are some of the entries for the days of the State Tournament Games they were able to attend. I can ‘feel’ the anxiety in Mom as she recorded these entries. While in Des Moines, they visited relatives, briefly each day, before and after going to the “Field House” on the Drake University campus for the games. See my additional comments, below, as well.

Wednesday, March 13:

Nice day. Got Billy to school. Mildred stopped & said she’d like to go to Des M. with us. Washed & set my hair. Mom & Buss came at 11:00. Ate dinner. Mildred try school out early & we left at 3:45. Parked across from grocery store & Pete went in & got some lunch for us. Went to field house. Had a long wait. Coon beat Callender by a big score. Drove down town. Ate at Mal’s lunch. Fried chicken, shoe strings, salad. Pete got lunch at Perry. Home at 2:00


On Thursday, March 14, her entry started with: “Really tired.” Duh! ;-)

Friday, March 15:

Got up at 8:00 & got Billy off to school. Did up work. Mom & Bussy came for dinner. Did dishes & cleaned up. Mildred let school out at 2:30. Pete had Dan come & milk. Left at 3:00. Stopped at Francis’. Had orange juice. Mrs. Buenneke, Rippey, Ethel Brutsche there, too. Took them to field house. Saw New Prov. beat Guthrie Center & we beat Steamboat Rock. Really good games. Stopped at Perry & had lunch. Home at 2:00. When we got home folks said no more tickets available so we told Dad to call Roger 1st thing in the morning. To Pearl’s for lunch cake & cocoa.

Saturday, March 16:

Really rainy. Did up work. Pete went to town at ten to see Irene about tickets. Bussy & Mom sick. Mrs. Pevestorf came to watch the boys. Jack Bow. came to see if Joan could go too. In town to get Irene. Left at 1:30. Stopped at Frances & Rogers & got the hard to get tickets. Mildred, Kay, Boise there. Frances played for us. Over to Kates. Had cake & coffee then got Barbara & went to Field House. Saw Steamboat beat Guthrie & our girls beat New Providence. Gave Colleen Bussy’s letter. To Pearl’s for lunch. Barbara played for us. Home at 2:00.


My comments:

I’ve written about this a few times, before, of course. See, with links in it to other stories:
http://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/2011/10/sports-center-saturday-buzz-and-coleen.html

The March 10th, 2016, edition of the Coon Rapids Enterprise had a story for the 70th Anniversary, including this quote, among much more detail:

“…the Coon girls reached the state tournament, and then, as the Coon Rapids Enterprise reported, “they mowed ‘em down! One, two, three, four in order.” Callender, Yarmouth, Steamboat Rock, New Providence. It was a glorious finish to a wonderful season for Coach Jennings’ girls, 28 victories in a row with the concluding one giving them the state title. Colleen Davis was named first team all state
forward and Patsy Williams was a first team all state guard.”


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1945 - Late November - Made bathroom

From Mom’s Diary… 1945

Late November - Made bathroom

Old front porch before being enclosed for bathroom

Bathroom addition, where porch was, over rear tire... (unpainted yet)
[This photo taken on January 29, 1946... per diary... snowed real hard the next day!]

Saturday, November 24:

Nice day. Henry J. & 2 boys came & started work on bathroom. Are we ever glad. …

Thursday, November 29:

… Johnson’s finished about 3:00. …

Saturday, December 1:

… Pete laying block in basement. …


My comments:

These entries are to record several events of the time - that I’ve wondered when they actually occurred. Before I get to the bathroom… Grandpa and Grandma Kinnick and Buzzy apparently had moved out to the Harvey Place on the Glidden Road in about late August. No big announcement, but one reference to ‘Harvey’s’ and then it was ‘over to Mom’s’ rather ‘in to Mom’s… and other things.

What had been a front porch on the farmhouse, southwest corner, west of the kitchen, became the bathroom, and ‘front entrance hall’ (that we never used) by way of Henry Johnson and his boys at this time. Mister came a few days later to put in the bathtub, toilet, and other plumbing. At the same time, it appears, Dad was finishing the south half of the basement, putting in the cement block walls. Again, I have vague memories of this happening, but nothing to tie it to a date. I’m a bit surprised it was this early, but really enjoying seeing how quickly Dad was improving the farm and house, now that it was theirs. Earlier in the fall, they also had workers in installing ‘insulation’ that must have been very nice. The word ‘remodeling’ was used a time or two, but nothing more specific. It was an ongoing set of tasks, obviously. Outdoors, during this year, there was much reference to tiling. One day: “Billy helped Pete unload tile,” for example. Other references to ‘digging ditches’ and one to ‘the septic tank.’


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1945 - August 14 - V. J. Day

From Mom’s Diary… 1945

August 14 - V. J. Day

On Tuesday, May 8, Mom had written: “Got Billy ready for school but it was V. E. Day & he didn’t have to go.” She had underlined and circled ‘V. E. Day.’ But the day went on with no other mention.

Tuesday, August 14: [Curly circled… an important day!]

V. J Day finally came at 6:00 P.M. I was ironing when the news came from Truman. Seems to good to be true. Won’t this be a wonderful Christmas. I wonder what Paul N. is doing. Boys started threshing here using the buck. Canned 3 1/2 quarts br. & butter pickles in A. M. Got all my ironing done. Cooked some peaches for pies.

My comments:

The big news of the day was very important… but life went on, in its day by day activities.


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1945 - July 15 - Louise's

From Mom’s Diary… 1945

July 15 - Louise's

Sunday, July 15:

Kelton Kent Kinnick born at 3:00 A.M. Fried chickens, made potato salad, ice cream & took it to Louise’s. Bussy Luce went with us. Had a nice time. Took a lot of pictures. Home at 6:00. Chores, shelled peas, & cooked them. Went to bed early.

My comments:

Found the day this photo was taken. Darrell, Marie, and Annie, behind me, Judy in front, with Jimmy! ;-)

Kelton born this day, as well!! ;-) Son of Leo and Ida, of course.

Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1945 - July 1 - 6th Birthday

From Mom’s Diary… 1945

July 1 - 6th Birthday

Angel Food Cake at 6 Years Old with Dennis, at his house

Sunday, July 1: [Billy - 6 yrs.]

Nice day. Got up at 8:00. Cleaned the downstairs before Jimmy got up. Scrubbed kitchen & porch. Lil’s stopped after church, left present for Billy, asked up to bring our chicken over for dinner. Folks went too. Made ice cream in P.M. Had a nice time. Jimmy had a nice nap. Had Billy’s cake there. He & Dennis played with the trike, new tractor, caterpillar, etc. Home at 5:30. Did sep, etc. LVene, Irene came & left gifts. Miss Pev. left gift while we were gone. Cleaned upstairs. Folks came & we made more ice cream. Boys to bed. Pete discing with lights.


My comments:

Pretty typical birthday. I was a very lucky boy. What a life!! ;-)


Families are Forever! ;-)

From Mom’s Diary… 1945 - A day in June

From Mom’s Diary… 1945 - A day in June

 

 

Jimmy, Billy, and Whitey

Monday, June 4:

Swell day so I washed. Had a lot of it. Went over my whole garden with plow in P.M. and planted onions. Billy & Jimmy & I went in town to use up blue stamps. Home at 7:00. Jimmy in store with me till Dad came. He didn’t want to stay with Mom but Billy did.
Clouded up and rained again.


My comments:

Picked a day, sort of at random, to share the photo I found. Also, this day mentioned the ‘blue stamps’ whatever they were…


Also, this is first appearance of "Whitey" the dog! ;-)


Families are Forever! ;-)