30 July 2013

Tombstone Tuesday: William G. Dyer

Photo Credit:  David Clark

WM G. DYER
1814-1875

My third great grandfather, William G. Dyer is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Adrian, Michigan. 

William was born on 8 February 1814 in New York City, New York, to yet to be identified parents.  He married Mary Ann Swallow about 1837.  They were the parents of five children:  Adaline, George, Sarah, Mary and William B.  William G. died 8 May 1875 in Adrian, Lenawee, Michigan.

I would love to connect with Dyer family members.  Please leave a comment if you are related to this family.

26 July 2013

Harold Clifton Fredricks Would Have Been 100 Years Old Today

My mother's brother, Harold Clifton Fredricks, was born 26 July 1913, in Manistee County, Michigan-100 years ago today.  He was the son of Daisy Ellen Graf.  He lived to be 71 years old, dying in San Diego, California.

Uncle Harold was a very nice and kind uncle.  Although, I didn't see him much, I do remember the times he visited us in Harbor Beach or came to the family reunion.  He shared stories of growing up.  I wished I had asked a few more questions.

In honor of what would have been his 100th birthday, a photo tribute is below.
 Brethren High School Basketball Team-Harold is in the front row, third from left.

 Harold on his Grandpa's, Valentine Graf, farm with a baby deer and unknown farm worker.

 Harold Fredricks and Margaret Forror on their wedding day, 24 November 1938

L-R:  Margaret Forror Fredricks, Harold Fredricks, Ray Fredricks, Marie Fredricks Kurth with Nancy Fredricks in front.  Ray and Marie were Harold's brother and sister.  Nancy is Harold and Margaret's daughter.  Photo taken in California.

 L-R:  Nancy Fredricks, Wally Kurth, Ray Fredricks, Larry Fredricks, Margaret Fredricks, and Harold Fredricks

Front Row:  Margaret Fredricks, Nancy Fredricks
Back Row:  Harold Fredricks and Larry Fredricks 

L-R:  Larry, Margaret, Harold, and Nancy Fredricks 

Harold and Margaret Fredricks

24 July 2013

Glover Twins Born in 1873

My second great grandparents, Samuel Stillman Glover, Jr. and Adaline L. Glover, nee Dyer became the parents of twins on 24 July 1873, 140 years ago today.

Source:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [LDS], "FamilySearch," database, Michigan Births 1867-1902 (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11882-40941-68?cc=1459684&wc=10520008 : accessed 10 July 2013), Manistee County Birth for Emma Glover and ____ Glover; date 24 July 1873; record number 1307.  

Emma Dora and Emerson Glover were born in Manistee, Michigan.  It was news of the day in the Manistee newspapers.  The Manistee Standard for 26 July 1873 reported, "Mrs. S. S. Glover has recently presented the "Squire" with a pair of twins."  The meaning of the word "squire" for this article is a judge or other local dignitary.  Samuel S. Glover was the Manistee City Justice or Justice of the Peace at the time of the twins birth.  

The record above states Adaline's maiden name, Dyer, which is accurate.  I found it odd that no first name was recorded for the male twin, who was named Emerson. Emma and Emerson were the eighth and ninth children of ten, who were born to Samuel and Adaline.

Unfortunately, Emma and Emerson both died at a young age.  Emerson died three months later in October, 1874 of inflammation of bowels and Emma died at the age of six and a half months in February, 1874 of cholera. 

22 July 2013

Military Monday: William Dyer Affidavit for Samuel S. Glover Jr.'s Civil War Pension File

 Glover, Samuel Stillman; Pension File No. 28715, Civil War Pension File, (Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration), p17 .

Glover, Samuel Stillman; Pension File No. 28715, Civil War Pension File, (Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration), p18 .

My second great grandfather, Samuel Stillman Glover, Jr.'s civil war pension file has been a treasure trove of information.  In addition to chronicling his service and injury, there are affidavits from friends, neighbors, and family members.

The two page affidavit above was given by William B. Dyer.  William B. Dyer is the brother of Samuel's wife, Adda or Adaline L. Glover.  William personally appeared before the notary public and stated that "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 know 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 signed it 4th of June 1904 and gives his address as R.D. No. 3, Adrian, Michigan.

How does this information help me in my research?   The affidavit at first glance may not seem like much, but when it is put together with other information in the pension file and other research I have done, it corroborates a few things. It tells me that Samuel Stillman Glover Jr. only married one woman, so I don't have to look for other marriages.  It tells me that as of 1904, Adda Glover had not remarried.  Although, the affidavit doesn't state a relationship between Adda and William B., I know from other research that Adda had a brother, William B.  William B. Dyer was 14 years younger than Adda.  I am guessing the he chose knowing her since she was 15 years old, because he wouldn't really have known her as an infant.  He has known Samuel S. Glover since Samuel was 21, since about 1857, which other research showed that was the year Samuel and Adda were married.  It puts William B. Dyer in Adrian, Michigan on 4th of June, 1904.  It gives me a place to look for further Dyer research.  

William B. and Adda L. Dyer's parents, William G. and Mary Ann Dyer need further research and Adrian is one place to start looking.

18 July 2013

My Independent Study of Mastering Genealogical Proof

Two months ago, I bought Thomas W. Jones book, Mastering Genealogical Proof and decided to do an independent study of it. I wanted to join one of the groups that was studying it, but I couldn't commit to attending every session due to other commitments.

I completed the first six of eight chapters the first two weeks I had the book.  I committed myself to studying it.  I didn't blog or research.  Then, life got in the way.  Summer came and the gardens beckoned, house projects needed to be done, and then family vacation time came.

I miss not studying it.  I am enjoying the study of this book.  I even graded my assignments.  My lowest score was 88% and my highest was 96%.  (It is the teacher in me).  What I like best about the book is the challenge it has presented me.  There were a couple of times I had to lay the book aside and come back to it later because I needed a break.  It is an intense study of the Genealogical Proof Standard.

The concepts taught in Dr. Jones' book will enable me to become a better genealogist.  I look at my research with a new eye now.  I find I analyze records and sources more deeply.  I cite my sources better.  I enjoyed Chapter 4, the one on sources citations.  Even though I use Roots Magic software and don't have to create my own sources unless I want to, it helped to write my own and learn the parts that are relevant to an accurate and complete citation.  I plan to go back through my software and take a second look at my sources.

I have two more chapters to go and then I plan to re-read the whole book.  I would like to complete this by the end of July.  If you haven't read this, I highly recommend it.  It is one of the best genealogy resources I have found to date.  Have you read Mastering Genealogical Proof?  What do you think?  Are you as impressed as I am?

16 July 2013

I Will Haunt You! Tombstone Tuesday

Photo credit:  Yolli, a Find A Grave Volunteer

I was so excited when I received notification that my picture request for my grandmother, Sarah L. Bell, had been fulfilled.  I never thought I would see her gravestone as it is in Queen's Park Cemetery, Calgary, Canada.  The first thing I said to my husband when I saw the picture was, "I will haunt you, if you ever bury me in the same cemetery plot with another wife!"   So far, I am his only wife and he thought I was weird to even bring something like that up!  But, he is getting use to my genealogical ways-I think. 

My grandmother married her second husband, Ray Bell, about four years after my grandfather's death.  They moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Grandma Bell died in Calgary on 31 March 1965.  She is buried in the same plot and has her name on the same gravestone as Ray Bell's first wife, Edna.

My grandmother had wished to be buried in Park Cemetery, Marquette, Michigan with her first husband, Harry Glover.  A couple of years ago, my parents and I visited Park Cemetery and three plots had been purchased, only one was used-Harry Glover's. 

I imagine the paper work to transfer a body across country borders and the cost involved factored into the decision.  But, still I am serious that I will haunt Kirk, if he does this to me.  I guess I don't share well.  I want my own headstone and plot.  I want one with a QR code, too!  One that has my genealogy on it.  

13 July 2013

A Genealogy White Elephant Gift at the Family Reunion

My 'white elephant' contribution

Today, is the Fredricks' Family Reunion at Brethren Park in Brethren, Michigan.  I don't even know how many years the reunion has been held at the park.  It has to be over 25 years now.  We had a number of reunions at the family farm, in Brethren, before being moved to the park.


One of the activities during the reunion is to have a white elephant sale.  Each family is asked to bring a wrapped gift that is auctioned off.  The proceeds help pay for the meat, paper products, postage, etc. for the next year.  In addition, memory bricks are purchased for family members who are no longer with us.  The memory bricks are laid at the Brethren Historical Museum.

One year, I made a blog2print book of all the posts I had written about the Fredricks' family.  I didn't wrap it as I wanted people to see it before they bid on it.  It went for over $100.  I was a little embarrassed it went for that much.

This year, I have decided to do another genealogy related gift.  I am framing pictures of my Fredricks grandparents, Otto and Daisy (Graf) Fredricks, and my great grandparents, J. August and Louise (Zastrow) Fredricks and Valentine and Nancy (Mast) Graf.  I was planning on wrapping it, but my husband thinks I should set it out for all to see.  I just don't want the bidding to go overboard.

I have my dish to pass planned, camera packed, questions for Aunt Lola prepared, pictures to be identified, family group sheets prepared, and my white elephant gift ready.  I am looking forward to this year's reunion.  It should be fun.

11 July 2013

Zion Lutheran Church, Petoskey, Michigan-Those Places Thursday

Zion Lutheran Church
Petoskey, Michigan

I knew I couldn't go on vacation and have a genealogy-free one, but I tried.  It just happened that we were driving from Mackinaw City, Michigan to Traverse City, Michigan and went through Petoskey.  I had to stop and take a picture of Zion Lutheran Church.  We were driving right by it!

Zion Lutheran Church is where my son, Travis, was baptized in 1987.  We were living in Harbor Springs at the time and were members of Zion Lutheran Church. My brother, Neil and my sister, Nancy, are his godparents.

What made this stop special was that Travis and his girlfriend were in the car with us.  I didn't make him get out and stand in front of the church and have his picture taken, but he did have to listen to a few things about being born and baptized in Petoskey.

I think I did pretty good with only one genealogy related stop on this vacation.  I doubt it will happen very often, but this was a pretty good place to stop at.


10 July 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Plaque on Mackinac Island


Mackinac Island, Michigan is a very historic place.  One of the first things I saw when I got off the ferry was this sign.  I had to take a picture, it was too funny not to. It was attached to a window sill of a shop just off Main Street.