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.  

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.

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.

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.

Just Too Many Good Choices at FGS 2013-How I Decide

Even though the FGS Conference is in August, it is time to be thinking about what lectures I would like to attend.  The schedule is up at their website and attendees are asked to make their selection to aid the organizers in planning.

I enjoy this process of conference planning.  I look over the lectures and read speaker's biographies, marking ones that look interesting or would further my genealogical education and research.  Sometimes, I have more than one choice at the same time that looks good.  One session this year I have four that I would be happy to go to!  When that happens I look at the presenter and then at the lecture that I know the least about.  Usually, I put it aside and wait a few days to decide.  I look at it again and commit to a selection for the organizers. Your selection is not set in stone and I have changed my mind between the time of the selection and the actual conference.  I try to pick from a variety of  tracks.  I try to pick at least one lecture on a subject that is new to me.  I even schedule one session time to spend at the exhibit hall.  The exhibit hall is less crowded during the session time and I find it an enjoyable experience to explore what they have to offer.

Now that my selections are made, I open google calendar and lay out my schedule. I include special events and luncheons I am attending as well as the selected lectures.  I usually print a copy to keep in my hotel room, but I have access to my calendar on my phone for everyday use.  

Being organized and knowing where I am going, and when, helps me enjoy the conference experience even more.  Now, that my selections are made I can start working on my research plans.  After all, it is less than two months away.  The time is going fast.  Don't miss this great opportunity to immerse yourself in all things genealogy.

I am a Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Ambassador.  My role as an ambassador is to help promote the FGS 2013 conference through blogging and other social media platforms.  The publicity committee provided a few writing prompts which my response is posted above.

Another Twig on the Glover Family Tree

One of the great joys as a genealogist is being able to add a new 'live' family member to the family tree.  I was able to do this last week when my brother and his wife had their second child, who I will call Lord Stanley.  Lord Stanley's real name is one that when my brother told me I got excited as it is the same name as our fourth great grandfather.  Of course, my brother didn't know this at the time they named Lord Stanley, but I was excited anyway.

Lord Stanley's birth also allows the family name to continue.  I only have one brother and Lord Stanley is his only son.  He is the eighth grandchild of my parents.  I live near my parents and it was fun to see the excitement and joy that Lord Stanley brought to them.

Lord Stanley has a big sis, Cutie Pie.  Cutie Pie is pretty excited to have a little brother.  I am sure she will be an excellent big sister.  I can speak from experience having a little boy in the house is pretty special.

Welcome to the family, Lord Stanley!  I can't wait to meet you.

(Lord Stanley and Cutie Pie are nicknames I have chosen to use for my nephew and niece on this blog to protect their identity at such a young age.  Lord Stanley was chosen because both months and years that my brother had babies the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.  My son-in-law works as Director of Photography for the Chicago Blackhawks and we are big fans.)

Fredricks Genealogy Group Comes Through in a Big Way

Freighter crew that worked the Great Lakes

Otto August Fredricks is in the first row, last one on the right.

I started a Fredricks Genealogy Group on Facebook awhile ago.  I have been posting pictures and stories and my cousins share their memories.  Last week, we got talking about some of the trouble we got in and I laughed so hard I am sure my husband was wondering if I had gone off the deep end.  Recently, they have been scanning and adding their own pictures.  I love this part of the group.  I get to see pictures, many that I haven't seen before, that are in their collections.

One great picture that was shared by my cousin, Kathryn, is above.  My grandfather, Otto August Fredricks, worked for many years on the Great Lakes.  The picture above is the crew he worked with.  No one seems to know much more about the picture than that.  I tried to manipulate the picture to see the name of the freighter, which is above the windows, but I couldn't make it out.  I will be seeing my Aunt Lola, Otto's oldest living daughter, in a couple of weeks and that is one of the questions I plan to ask her.  Aunt Lola says it was the "Manitoba".  So, now I have more to work on.

The Fredricks Genealogy Group has been a great thing for me.  I didn't grow up around my family and it is fun to hear stories and see pictures of my family.  We talk about pictures, ask questions of each other, reminisce and laugh.  It is a wonderful thing.  I would never have seen this picture without it being posted on the group page.  Thank you, Kathryn.

What I Hope to Accomplish at FGS 2013

I am a Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Ambassador.  My role as an ambassador is to help promote the FGS 2013 conference through blogging and other social media platforms.  The publicity committee provided a few writing prompt questions to answer which you will find below.  This time the topic is on Conferences and Research.

How will you use your time at FGS 2013 to help your genealogical research?

Attending a national genealogy conference is a wonderful thing and I plan to take full advantage of my time in Fort Wayne.  My time at the conference can be divided into four categories:

1. Education-the educational opportunities offered at FGS 2013 are top notched.  I have been perusing the conference program and taking note of what sessions I would like to attend.  I try to attend a variety of sessions from the various tracts that are available.  I look for sessions that will help me further my research.  In addition, I look for topics that will help me understand the life and times that my ancestors lived in.  For example, I have several ancestors who worked in the railroad industry and I plan to take the Railroad Trilogy session.
2. Research-the Allen County Public Library is within walking distance of the convention center and I would like to try and fit in a visit to do a little research there.  Currently, I am prioritizing my research needs and will develop research plans before I go.  I used PERSI to create a periodical list to look for.
3. Exhibit Hall-I enjoy spending time in the Exhibit Hall.  Talking to the vendors, seeing what is new in the genealogy world, and looking at books are my favorite activities in the hall.  I have already started setting aside money for this part of the conference.  I look for books on subjects that will help me in the areas that my ancestors lived.
4. Meeting Others-I enjoy meeting and talking with others who share the same passion for genealogy as I do.  I try to attend some of the social events.  I introduce myself to those who are sitting next to me in sessions.  I have found genealogists to be very warm and friendly and you never know who might have that one piece of information that will help you.

Do you have a brick wall that you are hoping to break through at FGS 2013?

I don't plan on breaking through any brick walls at the conference, but I hope to learn a few new strategies and techniques that will help me when I get home and research.  When I was at FGS 2011, I attended a Mennonite Research session (which is being offered again; it is S-433) and the information I learned from that session enabled me to further my research immensely.

Do you have a research plan for The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library?

I haven't finalized my research plan for the library yet, but I will have one by the time I go.  It will be hard to find a lot of time to research as I don't want to miss any of the conference.  I would suggest planning a day before or after the conference for research if you haven't been to the Genealogy Center before.  You will be amazed at all that they have to offer.  I have used PERSI and created a list of periodicals that I plan to look up.  I have a list of resources that I didn't get to the last time I was at the Genealogy Center, so I will look that over before I go to see if I want to add those to my plan.  I plan to keep my list light and easy.  I do not plan any in depth research this time.  I am one of the lucky ones that can go to the library a couple of times a year and if I don't get everything done I won't worry about it too much.  

How will the lectures and exhibitors help your research?

The lectures will help me in my research by providing me with tips, techniques and strategies needed to further my research.  The tracts offered this year are those of interest to me and I imagine I will have a tough time narrowing down my choices.  I have many Midwestern ancestors so I plan to take advantage of the Midwest Tracts. I am always interested in Methodologies that will help in my research.  Plus, any ethnic tracts, especially European ones, are ones I am interested in.

The exhibitors are fun and educational.  I look for ideas that will help me organize my research, whether it be the latest software or tech gadget.  I enjoy looking at the books and seeing what is available in my area of research.  Plus, talking to the vendors and picking their brains helps.

Will you be making a stop on your way to or from the conference to research your ancestors?

You have probably read about how I am only 90 miles from Fort Wayne.  Even though I have Indiana ancestors I don't plan on stopping to or from the conference. I would have to go south to do that and I live North of Fort Wayne.  If I was stopping anywhere it would be at the Genealogy Center to do more research.

I hope you will join me in Fort Wayne as we journey though generations.  Don't forget the early bird registration price will be ending soon on July 1st.  If you haven't registered, do so today.  See you in Fort Wayne.