31 December 2010

11 for 11

2011
Happy New Year, Everyone
My 2011 genealogy goals are:
  1. Scan pictures!  (My darling hubby bought me a flip pal for Christmas)
  2. Work on my brickwall, Daniel Fenn.
  3. Make a concentrated effort to source every fact as I add it to my software program.
  4. Visit Miami County, Indiana to research Casper and Mary Graf further.
  5. Obtain my grandfather's, Otto August Fredrick, obituary.
  6. Attend a genealogical conference.
  7. Start researching my son-in-law's ancestry.
  8. Talk to my mother and find out about family heirlooms in her possession.
  9. Carve out a regular research time. 
  10. Make contact with newly discovered cousins and share information.
  11. Research myself!  Add my personal facts to my genealogical software.
I hope this list will help focus my research and keep me organized.  What would you like to accomplish in 2011?




24 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Christmas Eve

I started my Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories by asking my children to guest blog and decided it would be a good way to end it for this year.  Here are Kirsten and Travis' memories of Christmas Eve.

Kirsten
Keeping with the tradition of the Glover women loving to present elaborate spreads that would put any foodie in a food coma, comes Christmas Eve.  Always hosted by my Grandma Glover.  The number of family members and traditions changed slightly through the years starting with a buffet of appetizers, snacks, and desserts and then gradually shifting to a grown up dinner featuring steak and multiple kinds of potatoes and fruit salads.  The one constant?  Wrapped Christmas ornaments, candy canes, and that tiny Christmas china dish filled with red and green M&Ms...

Travis
Christmas eve was a great tradition of going over to my Grandma and Grandpa Glover's house.  We got to open our gifts from that side of the family.  Every year we made the drive over to Portage, Michigan and arrived to grandma making way more food than we needed.  My grandparents have given all the grandchildren a hallmark line ornaments every year.  Each year I would try to open that first so the surprise would not be ruined by my cousin opening the same gift before me.

19 December 2010

Kirsten's Birthday-My Memories of Her Birth

Happy Birthday, Kirsten
Less than 24 hours New

My daughter, Kirsten Rae, was born December 19th at 11:27 p.m.  in Deckerville, Michigan.  She was 19 1/2 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and look at all that black hair!  We named Kirsten after my husband and I.  Her first name has the first three letters of Kirk's and my middle name is Rae. 

I had a uneventful pregnancy.  Once my morning sickness subsided I felt great.  I had stopped working about a week before she was born.  The day before I went into labor I had made a refrigerated date cookie, planning to bake them in the morning.  I woke up about 4 a.m. with contractions.  I wasn't sure if it was the real thing or not.  I got up and decided if it was labor, I needed to get my cookies baked.  So, while have contractions, I baked cookies!  They talk about the nesting instinct and the week before she was born, I had a ton of energy and was cleaning, baking and sewing. 

I was in labor for 19 hours with Kirsten and delivered without any pain medication.  The hospital I was in, Deckerville Community Hospital, was pretty old-fashioned.  They had separate labor and delivery rooms.  The delivery room looked like an operating room.  I spent less than an hour in the delivery room before being moved to a hospital room.  Her delivery went smoothly.  This was in the days before you knew the sex of your baby.  So, I remember the excitement of finding out it was a girl.  Kirk was allowed to be in the delivery room with me, but for my support only.  No cutting the cord, weighing her or anything.

The first time I held Kirsten was in the delivery room.  I remember being overwhelmed with feelings.  I thought she was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.  She looked so tiny to me.  When she looked at me with those big brown eyes, I knew I was in love.  She was a very alert newborn.  Kirk and I were so excited that we called our parents around midnight.  This was in the days before email and texting.

Kirsten was soon brought to us and we enjoyed about 20 minutes with her before they whisked her off again.  She was born very healthy.  This hospital didn't encourage rooming in, even though I chose to breastfeed.  I spent three days total in the hospital.  Kirk's parents were the first to arrive to see Kirsten.  She was born on a Monday night and they came on Wednesday.  They were living across state from us at the time.  My mother flew from Texas on December 26th to help me with my new baby.

A daughter is a special blessing, and Kirsten is very special to me.  Happy Birthday, Honey.

18 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Christmas Stockings

Did you have one? Where did you hang it? What did you get in it? Do you have any Christmas stockings used by your ancestors?



I don't have any of my ancestors' stockings, but I hope that my homemade cross-stitched stockings will be an heirloom of the future.  Someday, a great grandchild of mine will see these and know they were made with love. 

My first child, Kirsten, was born days before Christmas and I knew I wanted to have Christmas stockings that I could keep for years.  I started making our stockings while I was pregnant for Kirsten.  I didn't finish them until after she was born.  I miscalculated the size of them and they turned out smaller than I thought they would.  More stocking stuffers were left out of the stockings than were put in them. 

After Santa filled the stockings, he would lay them in front of the tree on the floor.  Kirsten and Travis were always allowed to open their stocking stuffers while Mom and Dad got the sleep out of their eyes and grabbed a cup of coffee on Christmas morning.  When everyone was ready and sitting in the living room, we would open gifts.

Through the years Santa would be known to put life saver books, candy cane tube of peanut butter cups, baseball cards, little toys, lip gloss, etc.  More recently Santa has been known to put lottery tickets, Starbuck/fast food gift cards and movie ticket gift certificates.  An occasional pack of baseball cards still finds it way into my son's stocking.

I have a special surprise for the stockings this year.  Shhh!  don't tell anyone.

17 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Grab Bag-Let it Snow!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! 


Winter 1988
Travis and Kirsten sledding in our front yard in Battle Creek, Michigan. 
The darling sled was hand made by their Grandfather, Jim Leyndyke

Having lived my whole life in Michigan, if it doesn't snow at Christmas it just doesn't feel right.  I love snow as long as I don't have to drive long distance in it.  There is nothing like the first snow of the season. 

Snow brings the opportunity to go sledding.  As a child, my friends and I would drag our sleds to the golf course and go down the hills there.  If we weren't sledding we would be skating.  The city tennis courts would be flooded with water and frozen into a nice skating rink.  One half was for skaters and the other half was for hockey.  Sometimes we would skate on Lake Huron, after it froze over.  (Just don't tell my mother)  I remember my first time on a toboggan.  We were visiting friends and we went tobogganing on what I remember as one gigantic hill!  There were 4 of us on this toboggan and off we go.  We were in a wooded area and it seems the trees were really close.  I remember being scared, but thought it was great fun.  The worst part was getting back up the hill.

When my children were young, we would take them sledding also.  We started out around our yard, and progressed to the elementary school's small hill.  Sometimes we would take them to Riverside Country Club and when they were much older, the steep hill at Leila Arboretum, all in Battle Creek.  Travis remembers snow and Christmas like this:

"Having moved away from Michigan one thing I have realized that I took for granted was the change in seasons. As it's often joked about in my beloved home state of Michigan is that we only have 2 seasons, Construction and Winter, this is certainly not the case. As much as I dislike the cold and snow it certainly has a direct relationship with Christmas for me.
All of my Holiday memories involved snow or staying inside avoiding snow. Some of my favorite childhood activities involved playing outside. I always cherished our trips sledding with my sister and parents, whether it was walking up to our local elementary or on special occasions we would go to the big hills at the local country club. Even better than the sledding was coming inside and laying on the heat vents to warm up while mom made hot chocolate for us."

We have spent a couple of Christmas' in warmer climate without snow and it just doesn't feel like Christmas without snow.  The crunch of the snow under your feet as you walk over snow covered pathways and through glistening trees is truly magical.  So, Let it Snow!

15 December 2010

Advent Calendar: The Holiday Happenings!

I don't know what I was thinking to have both of my children close to Christmas!  (I guess March was a cold month!)  Both of my children have birthdays near Christmas.  My daughter, Kirsten, was born December 19th and my son, Travis, was born January 6th.  Travis' due date was actually December 25th.


Kirsten and Dad, 1st Birthday

Kirsten was born during a snow storm.  We lived in a small town, Deckerville, in the thumb of Michigan.  The hospital was a very short drive, 1 minute, from our apartment.  Kirsten was born at 11:27pm.  In the morning when I looked outside it was like a picture from a Christmas card.  Snow draped trees were glistening.  My husband bought me a gold snowflake pendant necklace and brought it to the hospital in remembrance of her birth.  Our first Christmas with a baby was wonderful.


Travis with his birthday paper wrapped gifts on his 1st birthday

We had moved the fall that I was pregnant for Travis.  We were living in Harbor Springs, Michigan which is in the Northwestern part of Michigan.  The nearest hospital was about 15 miles away.  I was thankful we had a mild winter that year.  Although, when my husband took the railroad tracks a little fast, I thought I would deliver him in the car.  When he was ready to be born, he wasn't going to wait!  This time I received a beautiful sapphire ring, which is my birthstone.

One of the things I made sure of was to make their birthdays special.  These are my tips for making December birthdays special:
  1. Use birthday wrapping paper, not Christmas paper. 
  2. Make their day as special as you would if it was held any other time of the year.
  3. Let them choose what kind of birthday cake they want.  One year my daughter wanted a reindeer cake, but most of the time she wanted a birthday cake.
  4. Decorate for their birthday.  Yes, the tree is up but make the table, their chair, the dining room birthday festive.  Put balloons up, let them know that their day is special.
  5. Relax and enjoy their birthday.  It doesn't matter what is left to do on your Christmas list.  It is their day.

13 December 2010

An Exciting Honor: 2011 Best Genealogy Blogs Nominees

It has been an unsually hectic day combined with disappointing news on my son's job front, so I decided to take some 'me' time and catch up on my blog reading.  I am two days behind and fear it will only get worse as the week progresses.  Imagine my surprise when I see on Geneabloggers that my blog has been nominated for the Family Tree Magazine 2011 Best Genealogy Blog in the new blog category.  I had to look at it twice to make sure I was actually seeing my blog listed!

I am extremely appreciative for the nomination.  Thank you to all my readers and supporters for the positive feedback that keeps me blogging.  Thanks also to those that nominated my blog for this honor.  I am still in shock, I think. 

Congratulations to all the nominees!  I am honored to be included in their category.  I recognized a lot of blogs, many are ones I read regularly.

Thanks to Tom at Geneabloggers for posting the nominees.  Check the list out and don't forget to vote for your favorite.  You have until 11:59 p.m., December 20th to vote.

12 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Charitable/Volunteer Work

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

I have always felt that the Christmas season was a special time to share our blessings with those less fortunate.  Kirsten and Travis were very young when my husband and I tried to instill the value of helping others.  We started out by taking them to the grocery store and buying groceries (peanut butter, tuna, mac and cheese, soup, etc.) for the baskets at our church.  Our church, St. Peter Lutheran, would set baskets out and ask church members to donate food for what we called our Christmas families.  Families in need were identified in the community and then organizations would be assigned families to provide a Christmas dinner and gifts for.  Our church would have a food collection for more than just Christmas dinner.  Our church was very generous with their giving.  I remember the church started with 7-8 families and expanded to about 40 in recent years.

Later, as the children got older, we would sign up to purchase a gift for a certain child from the above Christmas families in addition to giving food.  The kids would usually pick a child close to their age to buy for.  Sometimes it would be a toy, book, or clothes.  Some years there would be a hat and mitten tree that the kids would decorate and items were donated.

So, from their youth my children have been giving to others.  I have seen numerous examples of my kids generosity to those less fortunate and it continues today.  I am a very proud mom.

10 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Christmas Gifts-Larry the Lion

December 10 – Christmas Gifts:  What were your favorite gifts, both to receive and to give? Are there specific gift-giving traditions among your family or ancestors?


Some children had Zippy the Monkey, or Crackers the Parrot, but I had Larry the Lion.  I loved Larry the Lion.  I remember getting him for Christmas.  I must have been 5 at the time.  He talked by pulling a string and his mouth moved when he did.  The sayings I remember him saying are:   "Grrrrr, I'm Larry Lion"; "Grrrr, I scared myself" and "I'll protect you."  I remember his felt tongue, furry coat, and whiskers.  I also remember one of my teachers making fun of me because I brought him for show and tell. I never liked her after that.  (I'm over it-really I am)

When I was planning to write about Larry the Lion, I decided to do a little research on him.  He was made by Mattel and had 11 sayings.  You can find a vintage Larry the Lion on ebay for about $40.  The ones with the whiskers still intact are the desirable ones.

I don't know what happened to Larry the Lion, hopefully he went to a good home.  I do remember he was losing some of his fur and didn't sit up very well.  Ahh, what a nice childhood memory.

08 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Christmas Cookies-Grandma's Date Nut Balls

December 8 – Christmas Cookies:  Did your family or ancestors make Christmas Cookies? How did you help? Did you have a favorite cookie?


This is one of my all time favorite cookies to make at Christmas time.  They are quick and easy and add a different texture to the cookie platter.  

Date Nut Balls
(A Recipe from My Grandmother Sarah Lilla Watt Glover Bell)

1 c. dates
1 c. sugar
1 stick of oleo
Combine and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Cool. Stir in 2 ½ cups rice krispies and 1 t. vanilla and nuts. Cool about 8 minutes. Roll in balls then roll in coconut (long).

I wrote the recipe as it was given to me. I smile when I see the ingredient oleo in a recipe. I know that recipe is an old one. Oleo was a term used in the forties and fifties. It was short for oleomargarine; which we now know as margarine. I don’t have a lot of my grandmother’s recipes but this is one I enjoy making at Christmas time.

06 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Santa Claus

Did you ever send a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and “make a list?” Do you still believe in Santa Claus?


One of the best days of the year was when the Sears Christmas Catalog arrived in the mail.  I remember my sister, Linda, and I combing through it and oohing and aahing over the cool things.  The sparkly Barbie clothes, a Barbie Dream House and beautiful jewelry were always drooled over.  I would start my list to Santa from this catalog.


After my list was complete I would anxiously wait until Santa came to town and we could go visit him.  One year, I was 7, we went to the Village Hall to see Santa.  I was ready, I had my list in my head.  I sit on Santa's lap and notice his wedding ring.  Where had I seen that before?  I remember it looking familiar to me.  Next, I noticed his white eyebrows.  Weird, they look painted on.  I told Santa what I wanted and went on my way believing I would get at least one thing from my list.  Santa had been pretty good to me in the previous years.

Later that day I was playing at home and the doorbell rang.  I don't remember if I answered the door or not, but I do remember standing at the bottom of the stairs and coming to the realization that the man at the door was Santa!  He didn't have his Santa suit on, but there were those stupid painted eyebrows!  And now I knew why the wedding ring looked familiar.  The man at the door was a friend of my dad's.  My dad taught high school and this man was a teacher, too.  It was at that moment that I knew there wasn't a Santa Claus.  I remember asking my parents, later, if there really was a Santa.  They were reluctant to tell me, but being stubborn (yes, I admit it) I wouldn't give up and they finally admitted to it.

So, Mr. Wright next time you play Santa, please wash your eyebrows!

05 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Outdoor Decorations and The Festival of Lights

December 5 – Outdoor Decorations:  Did people in your neighborhood decorate with lights? Did some people really go “all out” when decorating? Any stories involving your ancestors and decorations?


Travis and Kirsten, Christmas 1992
Resting at Friendship Park

Christmastime in Battle Creek is a wonderful experience.  The city has what is known as, "The International Festival of Lights".  At the completion of the Christmas parade, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, a switch is flipped and the downtown area is bathed in glorious Christmas colors.  In past years, before the recession, the light displays were spectacular.  The last couple of years haven't been quite as phenomenal, but it still puts me in a Christmas mood when I see them. 


Battle Creek River looking east, Kellogg House is in the background-1992

Sometime during the holiday season we would bundle up the kids and drive downtown to walk along the river and see the light displays.  I always enjoyed going when there was a covering of snow on the ground.  The special displays I enjoy are the 12 Days of Christmas display near the Kellogg House and an international Christmas display near Friendship Park and the river.  The Kellogg World Headquarters is decorated all in red lights.  The top of the building and lines of trees sparkle.


Kellogg's World Headquarter
Christmas 2010
Clara's Restaurant at Christmas 1992

Clara's Restaurant is a favorite stopping place for a hot drink or dessert.  The restaurant is in the old train station and sits on the river.  You can get a window seat and enjoy the lights from indoors.

The street we live on does a nice job with outdoor decorations.  You will see everything from classic lights on the roof line, to icicle lights, to Santa on the roof and a blow up Snoopy Snow Globe.  I like to decorate with white lights only, my husband likes the multi-colored ones. (opposites attract!)  I, or I should say my husband, decorate the bushes in the front of the house and then the roof line.  Wreaths are placed with garland on the front windows.  The front door is draped in lighted garland and 2 topiary trees welcome holiday visitors.  When we had a light post out front, it was decorated with red ribbon to look like a candy cane.  The Christmas Tree in the center of the front window completes the look.  Oh and what color lights are we using this year?  White, of course.

02 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Holiday Foods

December 2 – Holiday Foods:  Did your family or ancestors serve traditional dishes for the holidays? Was there one dish that was unusual?

Food was always a big part of the Christmas holiday when I was growing up.  My mother is an excellent cook and made most things from scratch.  I acquired my love of cooking from her.  I don't remember any traditional dishes being made, but I remember the goodies my mom would bake.  Fudge, cookies, and fruit  breads were always around during the holidays. 

These two recipes are one's I use today, they are both from my mother.

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
1/2 cup oleo(margarine)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
3 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream margarine and sugar together.  Add egg.  Add sour cream and vanilla.  Mix flour, soda and salt together.  Stir into creamed mixture .  Chill for 30 minutes for easier rolling.  Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut out with cookie cutters.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Cool and decorate as desired.

Milk Chocolate Fudge Mix 1 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 3/4 cup evaporated milk, and 1-7 ounce jar marshmallow topping in heavy 2 quart pan.  Bring to boil, stirring constantly.  Reduce to medium when bubbles appear all over the top.  Stir 8 minutes.  Remove from heat and add 2 cups milk chocolate chips.  Stir until melted.  Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup chopped nuts.  Pour into greased 8 inch pan.  Cool thoroughly.

01 December 2010

Advent Calendar: Christmas Tree Trimming

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


Christmas 1991
Travis Puts the Angel on the Tree with help from Dad


For this first day of the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories I tapped my children and asked them to guest blog on their memory of our tree trimming activities.  Here are each of their memories:

Kirsten remembers:
The tree trimming party was arguably our biggest small event.  While every extended family get together involved massive amounts of food, the tree trimming was just for us, and still had lots of food.  Mom would make anything we wanted, from the culinary exquisite to the lowly and delicious...mozzarella sticks.  As I've grown up, I've always remembered our tree trimming parties fondly.  Although some of my favorite memories are the ones that weren't so funny at the time, the year Travis knocked over the lamp and broke it, or how we would fight over who got to put the angel on the top of the tree (you'll note that the photo for the story is of Travis putting the angel up).  Christmas at home will always have a place in my heart.  If I ever have a family someday, the tree trimming tradition is one I will definitely keep in the family.
~Kirsten

Travis remembers:
A great memory of the holidays was our tree trimming party. Well, it was filled with a big helping of mom's type A personality from time to time.   Even with her having the Christmas tree lights evenly spaced out it was always a fun evening. Putting on Christmas music and having a large spread of appetizer snacks and decorating the tree is something I will always remember. The biggest part of the evening happened at the end when it came time to put the angel on top of the tree. Every year my sister and I wanted to do it and would lie about who did it the year before (I still think she got to do it more times than I did). It got to the point that we had to write down each year on the box who put it up so we wouldn't have to go through the same process every year.  Christmas is always a special time of year and I absolutely love all the traditions my family has.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it home last year but cannot wait to make it back this year and be apart of the family traditions again.


Mom:
I loved reading my children's recollections of our tree trimming party.  They're pretty accurate and my type A personality would surface from time to time!  But, I have proof we shared the angel topping.  I guess it was for sentimental reasons that I kept this.  I use to write it on the box top of the angel box.  When I got rid of the box I tore this off and stored it with other Christmas decorations.  As you can see, they got equal time!  2001 was the last Christmas before Kirsten left for college.  Once they got into high school they weren't as enthused about it!  Recently, I have been putting the tree up myself.  It isn't the same, but the memories we made come back the minute I begin decorating.  I look forward to making new memories as I welcome new family members into our family.

(Just for the record, I do have pictures of Kirsten topping the tree, but I am in the middle of redoing all of the kids photo albums and couldn't put my hands on it in time for this post!)






29 November 2010

Mystery Monday: Who is Catherine Wheeler?


The first time I saw the name Catherine Wheeler was in the 1900 United States Federal Census for Crystal Lake Township, Benzie, Michigan.  She was living with Frank H. Glover and family.  Like a good genealogist, I was checking the census records for my great grandfather, Frank H. Glover.  Catherine Wheeler's relationship to head of household was listed as mother-in-law.  This was early in my research and at the time I did not know who the parents of Frank's wife, Hattie, were.  So, I thought I had found a clue.


I continued to search for census records for Frank and Hattie Glover.  The 1910 Census finds Frank and Hattie in Marquette, Marquette, Michigan with mother-in-law, Catherine Wheeler.  It must be so, it is in two census records, right?  Be careful what you assume.

Next, I decided to research Frank and Hattie's marriage.  I ordered the Jackson Michigan Marriage Records (1867-1883), Film Number 0941634 at my local family history center.  It is here, on record number 568, that I confirm that Hattie's maiden name is Fenn.  (My father told me he thought that was her name.)  So, who is Catherine Wheeler, had she remarried?  As I look at the marriage record, I read the witnesses names, one is Frederick Wheeler.  OK, now I am intrigued.  How do these Wheelers fit into my family?

I spent a little time searching census records for Frederick Wheeler and Catherine Wheeler.  The census record says Catherine Wheeler was born in February 1833 in New York.  I could never find any information about her.

In the mean time I continued my Glover and Fenn research establishing Hattie's parents as Daniel C. Fenn and Elizabeth Poor.  Now I really was confused.  Who the heck was Catherine Wheeler and why was she listed as mother-in-law in the census?


I eventually gave up on that puzzle until I received Hattie's Bible.  Here I find Catherine Wheeler again.  A newspaper article dated March 6, 1924 was stored in the Bible.  The article, "History of D.A.R Chapter is Told:  Organized 21 Years Ago" has a handwritten note stating "GrandMa Wheeler belonged". 


Halfway down the article is this, "Later a Real Granddaughter was added to the member list-Mrs. Catherine Wheeler."  This article discusses the history of the Marquette(Michigan) chapter of D.A.R.  Here we go again, who is Catherine Wheeler? 


Further on in Hattie's Bible I find a July 2 1918 newspaper article, "Chapter Loses Notable Member" "Mrs. Catherine Wheeler was Real Granddaughter of the Revolution"  The article says she is mourned by the local DAR chapter and had the distinction of being a real granddaughter .  She owed this distinction to her  grandfather, James Bishop, a hero of the battle of Saratoga.  Bishop?  Don't have any Bishops, that I know of, in the family.  It goes on to say she was born, 18 February 1828, in New York state.  Her father was a Methodist minister.  She was married twice.  First, to a Dr. Tyler who was a physician at one time in lower Michigan.  Second, to Stephen Wheeler.  The only mention of Frank and Hattie is "since the death of Mr. Wheeler she had made her home with the family of F.H. Glover, for several years residents of Marquette.  Catherine Wheeler passed away on June 9, 1918 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Branchflower of Jackson, where she had lived for the past year.

I find Catherine Wheeler a mystery.  I have never been able to find anything about the Wheelers.  The woman who gave me the bible doesn't know who she is.  I don't know what her connection was to my great grandparents, but I would love to know.  She sounds like a wonderful women.

25 November 2010

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

As I celebrate Thanksgiving today I find I am thinking about the 53 Pilgrims who celebrated a harvest festival in the autumn of 1621.  Wouldn't it be great to be a guest at that festival?

The following families were present at the first Thanksgiving.  My ancestors are in bold.

Alden, Allerton, Billington, Bradford, Brewster, Brown, Carver, Chilton, Cooke, Crackston, Eaton, Ely, Fuller, Gardiner, Goodman, Hopkins, Mullins, Rogers, Standish, Tilley, Trevor, Warren, Winslow

For more information on the First Thanksgiving, take a look at the Pilgrim Hall Museum.

22 November 2010

Happy Anniversary, Kirsten and Chase

My daughter, Kirsten, and son-in-law, Chase are
celebrating their second wedding anniversary today. 

Happy Anniversary, Kirsten and Chase. 

21 November 2010

Linda's Birthday

My older sister, Linda, is celebrating a birthday, today.  Happy Birthday, Linda!  Although we live several states away, I am thinking of her today.  If I lived closer, I would make her favorite German Chocolate cake and take it over.  I remember our mom making German Chocolate Cake from scratch for her birthday.  She would serve it on a beautiful Fostoria crystal cake pedestal.  This picture was taken in Ferndale, Michigan at our aunt and uncle's house, Hank and Mabel Glover.  I am guessing it to be around 1960-61.  I don't remember the dolls names.   One of my favorite memories from childhood with Linda include the time we put on a play in the garage and invited neighbors to watch.  When I was in college, Linda would come and visit.  I always appreciated those visits.  I hope your birthday is special, just like you are.
 

20 November 2010

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy: Week #47 Genealogy Gift List

This post should be able to write itself!  I have a wish list of genealogy ideas that I add to all the time.  I hope Santa is reading this.

My top three gift ideas are:





1.  Flip Pal Mobile Scanner-I saw a video on this and think it would be great to take to the family reunion.






2.  NEHGS Membership Renewal-I am already a member, but feel guilty spending the money on this.  Of course, each time they send me their book and gift catalog I will have a never ending list of wants.





3.  Archival Quality Boxes-I need these to store my photos, documents and heirlooms I am acquiring.








And Dear Genealogical Genie, I would give up my wish list for this one wish.  I would love to surprise my husband with a trip to The Netherlands.  I have traced his ancestry to the Netherlands in 1470.  There is a family church with a Luijendijk stained glass window in it, in Vierpolders, Netherlands.  I have pictures but would love to see it with my hubby.  I enjoyed researching his family as much as I have mine. 

19 November 2010

Family Recipe Friday: Broccoli and Rice Casserole

One of my family's favorite Thanksgiving recipes is Broccoli and Rice Casserole.  This easy to make dish is a delicious option for Thanksgiving dinner.  It has been known to make a repeat appearance at Christmas dinner too.  I copied this recipe from my mom before I got married, thirty years ago.  It has been around my family for awhile.  I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does.

Broccoli and Rice Casserole

1 package chopped broccoli
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup cooked rice
2T chopped onion
4T grated cheddar cheese
4T butter
Slivered almonds

Saute onions in butter until done.  Add broccoli and cook until it comes apart.  Add rice, soup and cheese.  Cover with almonds.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

15 November 2010

Monday Madness: Daniel Fenn Timeline

Those pesky brickwalls, where would genealogists be without them?  I have no idea who Daniel Fenn's parents are.  I recently attended a workshop and one of the suggestions was to create a timeline to help solve brickwalls.  You can use the timeline to see where there are gaps in your research and make a plan of what research is needed and where to go next.  Here is my timeline for Daniel Fenn.

Age     Date                  Event
0          1787                 Birth: Vermont, USA
21        28 Feb 1808      Marriage: Huldah Rowley; Shoreham, Addison, Vt
27        Apr-May 1814    Military: Vermont Militia
33        1820                 Census: Shoreham, Addison, Vermont
43        1830                 Census: Shoreham, Addison, Vermont
46        1833                 Residence: Washtenaw County, Michigan
48        14 Oct 1835       Property: Washtenaw County, Michigan
49        8 Mar 1836        Death: Chelsea, Washtenaw, Michigan

The biggest gap in my timeline is from his birth in 1787 to his marriage in 1808.  I need to find definitive proof of Daniel's birth.  One unsourced tree has his birth as Pittsford, Vermont.  So, I need to concentrate my research on Vermont.  I will keep you posted on what I find out.  If any Fenn researchers are reading this, please contact me.  We can compare notes. 

12 November 2010

Claude R. Glover Born 126 Years Ago Today

L-R:  Claude Glover, Edythe Glover, Harry Glover

My great uncle, Claude R. Glover, was born 12 November 1884 in Jackson, Jackson, Michigan.  He was the second son born to Frank H. Glover and Hattie Fenn Glover.  Claude spent part of his childhood in Frankfort, Michigan.  In 1905, he moved to Munising, Michigan and worked for the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad, retiring in 1957 with 52 years of service.

Claude married Elizabeth Bellinghausen on 7 October 1905.  Elizabeth died in 1937.  He married Edythe Booker in 1941. 

Claude lived in Munising, Alger, Michigan until his death on 9 April 1960.  He is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising, Michigan.

11 November 2010

Veteran's Day: My Father's Service


In honor of Veteran's Day, I decided to post about my father's World War II service.  Bruce David Glover turned 18 in February of 1943 and had to register for the draft.  He graduated from Hazel Park High School in June of that year.  The day after graduation he was bused to Detroit and sworn in as a private in the Infantry of the United States Army.  He had wanted to be in the Air Force but was denied for not having 20/20 vision.

He had a two week furlough before being sent to Fort Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan to begin his Army training.  At Fort Custer he went through a briefing and orientation and after a few days he was on a troop train to Fort Hood, Texas.  Dad spent 13 weeks at Fort Hood for basic training.  In his autobiography, that he is still working on, my dad talks about 25 mile hikes with 25 or more pound packs.  My dad entered basic training weighing 140 pounds and 13 weeks later, he weighed 173 pounds.  He attributes it to eating everything in sight.  I have a feeling a lot of it was muscle gain.

My dad was trained as a BAR man-Browning Automatic Rifle, which had a clip of 20 bullets and fired rapidly.  He and other soldiers wondered about where they would be deployed-Pacific theater or European one.  At the completion of his basic training he wasn't sent overseas, he was sent to Hendrix College for special army training.  He spent three months there.

Next, he was sent to Camp Maxey near Paris, Texas.  He was here into the summer of 1944, one year after enlisting.  In September of 1944, Dad was on a train and deployment to the European theater was eminent.  The train trip made stops at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas, then Fort Dix, near Boston.  From here, he was shipped to Southampton, England, on to Chester, England and eventually the front line in the Ardennes forest.

16 December 1944 finds my dad in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge.  He describes his experience of being in a fox hole with pieces of shrapnel landing beside him.  Thankfully, he wasn't injured.  A buddy of his, Bill Fisher, was captured and became a prisoner of war.

After this battle, the company regrouped.  During a medical exam my dad was found to have 'trench foot'.  He was sent to Liege, Belgium to a temporary hospital and then on to Paris, France and Birmingham, England.  He spent two months in the hospital.

My dad heard about officer's training school in Paris, France, while he was in the hospital.  He applied and was accepted.  He went for training upon release from the hospital.  He was housed in Fontainebleau, France which was once Napoleon's Castle.

He completed officer's training school shortly before the war in Europe was over.  He figured he would be sent to the Pacific front, but he was sent to Czechoslovakia with the 94th division.  He spent 2 months performing police officer like duties.  He was sent from Czechoslovakia to Marseilles, France.  It was during this train trip that he saw first hand the devastation created by war. 

In 1945, my dad arrived in New York.  He said he was never so happy to see and appreciate the sight of the Statue of Liberty.  He was given a two week furlough to see his parents and brother before being sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama.  At Fort McClellan, my dad was a physical training and bayonet instructor, at the age of 20.  He still thought he would be sent to the Pacific.  It was during this time that my dad believes led to his decision to be a teacher and coach.  He played and coached a recreational basketball team.  Throughout my dad's writing about his service time, he intersperses information about sports.

My dad was discharged at Camp McCoy in May of 1946, after almost 3 years of service.  While in the service he received the following badges and medals:  Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and World War II Victory Medal.

My dad never talks about his years in the service.  He sent me a copy of his autobiography when he was having computer trouble.  I kept the file and when preparing to write this post, I referred to it.  I am proud of the service my dad provided during the war.  He was one of the lucky ones.  He came home.  Thank you to all the servicemen and women who make it possible for us all to enjoy our life and freedom. 

Do you have a veteran in your family?  Be sure to thank and honor them on this Veteran's Day.


09 November 2010

Hattie's Bible: Deaths

Source:  Glover, Hattie L. "Fenn", family data. In The Holy Bible: with Revised New Testament. Chicago: GW Borland & Co., 1882. Original owned in June 2010 by Brenda Leyndyke, [address for private use].

The following deaths were recorded in Hattie Fenn Glover's family Bible: 

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Fenn Mother of Hattie Fenn Died Sept 20th 1894 Hersey

Mr. Daniel Fenn Father of Hattie Fenn Glover Died Feb 1873

Mr. Samuel Stillman Glover Father of Frank Glover Died Apr 12th 1904 Bear Lake

Addie L. Glover Mother of Frank Glover Died Dec 19th 1917 Waupacee, Wisc.

Emma Winkler Glover Mother Francis Henry Glover III Died Sept 27th, 1915 Detroit

Frank H. Glover Died Oct 7, 1925

Victor Tyson Died Aug 16, 1944

Mrs. Claude Glover Died March 21st, 1937

Mrs. Hattie Glover Died Dec 14, 1950

Francis Henry Glover, II Harry Died Sept 1, 1950

Claude R. Glover Died April 7, 1960
 
The above information is transcribed as found in the bible.  The relationship for some of the individuals was included on the page.  I have listed the other relationships to Hattie Fenn Glover below:
 
Frank H. Glover, Hattie's husband.
Victor Tyson, Hattie's daughter, Addie's first husband.
Mrs. Claude Glover, Hattie's son, Claude's first wife, Elizabeth Bellinghausen
Mrs. Hattie Glover, Hattie Fenn Glover
Francis Henry Glover, II (Harry), son of Hattie Fenn and Frank H. Glover
Claude R. Glover, son of Hattie Fenn and Frank H. Glover

08 November 2010

Military Monday: Who Signed Affidavits for Samuel S. Glover, Jr.?

The following people signed affidavits in Samuel S. Glover’s Civil War Pension File:

John W. Lumley-Supervisor of Pleasanton Township, Manistee County, Michigan:  States that no property was assessed to S.S. Glover or Adda L. Glover in the last six years.

Mary E. Potts-Jackson, Michigan (I believe this to be Addie Glover's sister)

States she knew Adda L. Glover from the age on nine years until she was married to Samuel S. Glover Jr. and knew Samuel S. Glover Jr. from the age of twenty years until he was married to Adda L. Glover and have known them both every since and know that neither of them was ever married until they married each other on Aug 1st 1857 and after that time they have lived together as man and wife until he died and that neither had ever been divorced and that she has not remarried since the death of her late husband. Deponent further says that she was present at the wedding of Adda L. Dyer to Samuel S. Glover, Jr at the date aforesaid.

William B. Dyer, age 51, Adrian, Michigan (This is Addie's brothers)

He has known Adda L. Glover since she was 15 years of age and Samuel S. Glover Junior since he was about 21 years of age and know that neither of them was ever married until they were married to each other and have known them ever since they were married and know that they have lived together as man and wife and now that they were never divorced from each other and that neither of them were ever married to any one else and that Adda L. Glover has not remarried since the Death of her late husband.

William B. Dyer, aged 54 and Mary E. Potts, aged 57

They were well acquainted with both the above named (Samuel S. Glover and Adda L. widow) parties prior to their marriage & since. Said Samuel S. Glovers full and correct name was Samuel Stillman Glover but by some reason unknown to affidavits the public record of his marriage to this claimant shows him married under the name of Stillman S. Glover. Affidavits further state that Samuel S. Glover and Stillman S. Glover was the one and same person who was married to the above named claimant as set forth in her declaration for pension.

C. A. Norconk, MD aged 48

He was the attending physician at the last illness and death of the above name Samuel S. Glover Jr. He died Apl 12, 1904

Thomas Simpson, aged 66 and Catharine C. Simpson, aged 59 years

They have known Samuel S. Glover Jr and Adda L Glover for the period of thirty seven years respectively and know that neither had any real estate and no personal property except two horses and one cow which was sold for one hundred and seventy five dollars which went to pay the doctor bill and funeral expenses of Samuel S. Glover Jr Deceased, above that Adda L Glover has no one legally bound to support her and that she has no income from any source aside from her own labor and that Samuel S Glover Jr and Adda L Glover has lived together as husband and wife all the years we have known and our acquaintance with them is such that we should of known if they had either of the been married or divorced before they were married to each other and that she has not remarried since the death of her late husband also that he left her no life insurance when he died.

Sadie Glover and Jas. Connolly attested they saw Adda L. Glover sign the declaration. (Sadie Glover is the daughter of Samuel and Addie)

H.K. Mosher, Adjutant of Wisconsin Veterans’ Home

Reported the death of Adda L. Glover in the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home

Thomas Simpson aged 56 years, a resident of Bear Lake and A.W. Van Alstine aged 50, a resident of Bear Lake.

They have known Samuel S. Glover for 30 years, and 25 years respectively and attested to his disability and his inability to do physical labor.

C.S. Linkletter and Lot Nevins

Attested they saw Samuel S. Glover sign the declaration.

Morton Eddy and Robert R. Bucher attested they saw Samuel S. Glover sign the declaration.

Geo. W. Hopkins and Thomas Simpson both of Bear Lake attested they saw Samuel S. Glover sign the declaration.

Fred J. Russell and Henry S. Seegles , attested they saw Samuel S. Glover sign the declaration for pension increase.

07 November 2010

Sunday's Obituary: Mary (Wrightweasner) Graf


Source:  Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, 15 June 1898

Mary Graf, widow of Casper Graf, is my maternal great-great grandmother.  She died 13 June 1898, at home near Waupecong.  Waupecong is in Miami County, Indiana.  Mary and Casper Graf were married about 1848 and had eight children.  Caspar Graf died in 1869.  Mary raised their eight children and never remarried.  I don't know which grandchild was with her when she died.  I found it interesting they mentioned her husband's brothers, but nothing about her origins. 

05 November 2010

Follow Friday: Researching Your Colonial New England Ancestors

 Hatcher, Patricia Law, Researching Your Colonial New England Ancestors.  Provo, UT:  Ancestry, 2006

I have found Patricia Law Hatcher's book, Researching Your Colonial New England Ancestors to be invaluable in furthering my genealogical research of my thirty seven colonial ancestors.  The first fifty pages are background in nature.  The author briefly covers the settlement of Plymouth Colony and expansions throughout New England.  Other background information includes:  English and Colonial Wars, Religion, Witchcraft, etc. 

Next, the author provides strategies and sources for finding your colonial ancestors.  Local histories, periodicals and on-site research are examples of the information found in this section.  There is even a few pages on hints for reading colonial documents.

Another section is on colonial records.  This section details the organization of records, access to records, and goes through various types of colonial records, ie. vital records, probate, cemeteries, maps, private records and more.

I found the chronology section to be helpful, too.  The author lists the years 1607-1773 and includes the various New England settlements and other important dates pertaining to Colonial America.

I don't have a very vast collection of genealogy books, preferring to take advantage of my local library.  I found this book at the library and started taking notes, and photocopying a few pages.  I found myself going back again and again to glean more strategies and resources from the book.  It was then I decided this book would be a good addition to my library.

At the end of each chapter the author gives the reader notes and references.  Plus, the last chapter of the book lists pages of resources relevant to researching colonial ancestors.  Some of these pages are general in nature, others are colony specific.  Periodicals and archives, libraries, and societies are included too.

This book has been a great addition to my genealogy collection, one that I go back to time and again.  This is a great resource if you have colonial ancestors or want to learn more about colonial times.

01 November 2010

Ancestor Biography: Otto August Fredrick

My grandfather, Otto August Fredrick, was born 132 years ago, today, 1 November 1878, in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.  He was the second of eight children born to Johann August Fredrick and Louise Fredricke Zastrow.  Otto's brothers and sisters were:
  • Emma A. (1876) married J.B. Chalmers
  • Mary H. (1884) married John Bruce
  • William L. (1890)
  • Alma (1893)
  • Leonard 'Sonny' (1897)
  • Leonia (1897-1899)
  • Augusta 'Gustie' (?) married Herman Breen
The first census that Otto can be found in is the 1880 U.S. Federal Census Record for Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.  The quality of this page is too poor to read.  Other census's I have found Otto in are the 1900, 1920, and 1930 ones.

Eventually, Otto's parents moved the family to a farm on Coates Highway in Brethren, Michigan.  Otto around 1918-1919 bought the farm from his father.  The farm is still in the family today. 


Otto August Fredrick and Daisy Ellen Graf were married 12 December 1917 in Brethren, Manistee, Michigan.  Their marriage record, certificate number 6318 1/2, can be found in Michigan Marriages 1868-1925 at pilot.familysearch.org. 

Daisy and Otto Fredrick had 11 children:


  1. Kathryn Louise (1918-)
  2. Lola Mae (1920-)
  3. Daisy Marie (1921-2004)
  4. Otto Robert (1923-1997)
  5. Richard Lewis (1925-)
  6. Leona Inez (1926-1996)
  7. John Leonard (1929-)
  8. Audrey Jane (1930-)
  9. Ray Edwin (1932-2001)
  10. Norman Eugene (1934-1995)
  11. Norma Jean (1934-)


Otto August Fredrick registered for the World War I draft on 12 September 1918 at the age of 39.  Otto listed his occupation as a farmer.  Other occupations held by Otto included a sawmill worker and a sailor on the Great Lakes, for 14 years. 

I looked for a picture of my grandfather and I and couldn't find one.  My grandfather was 79 years old when I was born.  I do remember thinking he was old when I was younger.  I remember him being a little grouchy.  He wasn't one for hugs or warm fuzzies.  At a Fredrick family reunion one year, they did a Fredricks Trivia.  One of the questions asked was "When remembering Otto, what single personality trait comes to your mind?
The answer was 'ornery'.  (Yikes!!)


Otto August Fredrick died of old age on 5 February 1968, at the age of 89.  He is buried at Brethren Cemetery, Brethren, Michigan. 

The 11 February 1968 Trinity Lutheran Church, Onekema, Michigan  Sunday Bulletin announced his death.

31 October 2010

Sentimental Sunday: Happy Halloween

When my children were younger I loved Halloween.  My favorite part of Halloween was creating, with their input, costumes for them to wear.  Here are a few of my favorites, handmade with love by me!


 My darling daughter, the clown
1987

 My sensational son, Dick Tracy
1990

Princess Daughter
1988 

 Where's Waldo?
1992

My All Time Favorite
'Hocus Pocus' Witch and Jafar from 'Aladdin'

28 October 2010

Treasure Chest Thursday: Hattie's Doilies

You may have read about Hattie's Bible and what a wonderful gift I have been entrusted with.  Now, the same generous woman gave me doilies handmade by my great grandmother, Hattie Fenn Glover.  Hattie's great great niece, CBR, sent them to me with this note:

"Brenda,
When my mother(MLFB-name withheld to protect privacy) was a little girl, her family drove up to Munising to visit Fenn family.  Aunt Hattie was crocheting every day as older women often did then.  She crocheted these 3 doilies out of string (all they had at the time) and gave them to my mother for her "hope box".  Mom had a small box with just a few special items in saved for her future.  From about the time when mom was on her own (18 yrs. old) until now (93 yrs. old), she has used these doilies without ever putting them away.  They always reminded her of her aunt and grandfather Tully, who she traveled with.  From her great-aunt Hattie, my mother passes these to a great-granddaughter.  As told to me by my mother, CBR-name withheld to protect privacy)"

I am emotional just writing this.  I look at these white doilies and envision my great grandmother's hands as she crocheted.  Was she left or right handed?  I crochet left handed.  I haven't decided the best way to display these wonderful hand made heirlooms.  They have been very well taken care of and are in excellent condition.  Based on the age of Hattie's great niece, I would say they were made in the early 1930's. 

27 October 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Apple Picking





Travis(I can do it myself)-October 1990
Hillcrest Orchards, Augusta, Michigan


Kirsten (with help from Dad), October 1990
Hillcrest Orchards, Augusta, Michigan



26 October 2010

Talented Tuesday: Kirsten Lendyke


I suppose technically I shouldn't use a living person for my 'Talented Tuesday' post as it is meant to share information about talented ancestors, but I am a proud mom.  My husband and I had the pleasure of seeing Kirsten perform in Carmen with the Lyric Opera of Chicago this past weekend.  What a joy it was to see her living her dream.


My husband and I started talking to our children about what they wanted to be when they grew up in 6th grade.  I remember Kirsten saying she wanted to sing and act.  This was a career I knew absolutely nothing about.  I can't even carry a tune!  I knew it would be a tough career to undertake, but supported her fully.  I knew Kirsten was dedicated to pursuing this career path by the time she was in eighth grade.  I had found a book, "Acting Professionally" and bought it.  I told Kirsten if this is what she wanted to do she needed to go into it with her eyes wide open.  I gave her the book to read.  I think one of the reasons Kirsten has a career in this field is that she is determined and dedicated to her craft, in addition to being talented.  She never wavered from this path throughout high school.  

We supported Kirsten with voice lessons, dance, sending her to a fine arts camp and other ways when we could.  Kirsten graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre.  She is currently a performing artist in Chicago.  Every time I attend a performance Kirsten is in, just as the lights go down, I get a little emotional and I am thankful for the opportunity of seeing Kirsten perform.  And Saturday night was no exception. 

(Note:  I didn't misspell my daughter's last name!  She has chosen the spelling Lendyke for her professional name to make it easy for people to pronounce. )