The Gift of an Autobiography-Hoover Elementary School

The first part of my dad's autobiography and his elementary years ended when he was in 2nd grade. I pick up the next part of his story starting with third and fourth grade. The words below are my father Bruce Glover's.

"...When in the 3^rd and 4^th grade I collected every baseball card I could get my hands on and read the sports page regularly on anything pertaining to baseball.  At one time I could name the starting lineup for every team in the American and National Leagues of which there were eight teams in each League. One of the men’s softball players, of which I attended their games, I believe made some money from my baseball knowledge as he would point to me sitting on the bleachers and say, “see that little kid over there I bet you can’t stump him on a starting player for any major league team.”  He might want to know who the starting centerfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies and without blinking an eyelash I would spit out Richie Ashburn.

Source: Peter Bond from Philadelphia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons accessed 2 April 2022

    I believe I was an above average student in grade school and never seemed to have any problems with classes, except for music. I can remember my teacher, Miss Morris, taking me aside in music class one day and telling me I couldn’t sing a lick, but because I tried so hard, she was going to give me a C. Every recess I was out on the softball field and in later elementary played every chance I got. A couple of memories stand out from those days. I was playing shortstop one day at recess and turned around to look at something on an adjoining field when I heard the crack of the bat and whirled around just in time to catch a line drive squarely in the face. I had the biggest and blackest shiner you ever saw. After getting first aid in the office, I returned to class and used my good eye the next couple of days. However, the next recess that same day, I was first out to get in the softball game much to the amazement of the other kids and my teacher.

     Another time on the softball field an opposing batter hit a foul among where a bunch of girls were playing. I went over to get the ball and Betty Crowell, a classmate, had the ball and I beckoned for it, she faked throwing it to me and after the third such time I blurted out “god dammit Betty” throw me the ball.”  That proved to be a boo-boo, as she reported me to the office, and Miss Long, our 250-pound principal, who scared me just to look at her, called me in, pulled out her favorite weapon, a three-foot piece of rubber hose, and whacked me a couple of times. I never came close to being called into that office for disciplinary reasons again. A sequel to that is when I got home that night and my dad found out about it, he took me out to the woodshed and took his razor strap to me. This was the only time my dad ever had to whip me and years later Mom told me Dad came into the house with tears in his eyes for having to spank his little boy."

Hoover Elementary School, 23720 Hoover Ave, Hazel Park, MI

Photographed by Brenda Leyndyke in 2012

My dad's love of sports shines throughout his autobiography starting as a young boy in Hazel Park, Michigan. The elementary school my dad attended was Hoover Elementary School, Hazel Park, MI.

Can you imagine the sports history my dad saw in his life? He saw Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and his favorite ball player of all time, Henry 'Hank' Greenberg play. He grew up in a great time.

Baseball Card source: Found on Etsy-https://www.etsy.com/listing/911185840/1934-hank-greenberg-62-rp-card-detroit?

My April Ancestors

The first of the month is a good time to share anniversaries of births and marriages from my family tree. Below is the list of people and their anniversaries. No living people are included in my list.

1 April 1635       Governor Thomas PRENCE and Mary COLLIER (387)

1 April 1827       Neeltje QUIST (195)

1 April 1862       Jane Wilson WATT (160)

1 April 1862       John W. WATT (160)

1 April 1905       John BRUCE and Mary H. FREDRICK (117)

2 April 1597       Reverend John MAYO (425)

2 April 1752       Lydia SALISBURY (270)

2 April 1791       Neeltje DE BRUIN (231)

2 April 1864       Cathrine MAST (158)

3 April 1786       Jacoba OVERWATER (236)

3 April 1811       Philippina GRAF (211)

3 April 1826       Abel FENN (196)

3 April 1862       Richard Mackey WAMSLEY and Sarah JACKSON (160)

3 April 1890       Henry Jerome GRAF (132)

4 April 1660       Walter POWERS and Trial SHEPARD (362)

4 April 1736       Hannah POOR (286)

5 April 1794       George Whitfield GLOVER (228)

5 April 1820       George Whitfield GLOVER and Mary KINGSLEY (202)

5 April 1869       Myrta FENN (153)

6 April 1706       Mehitabel FULLER (316)

6 April 1773       Johannes (Hans) (John) MAST and Anna STAEHLE (249)

7 April 1667       Sara OSGOOD (355)

8 April 1635       Samuel FULLER and Jane LOTHROP (387)

8 April 1894       Effie Belle WHITE (128)

9 April 1768       Pieter MAASDAM (254)

9 April 1856       Louise Fredrike ZASTROW (166)

10 April 1826     Amable-Seraphim DEGANNE and Adelaide Ducharme TETREAU (196)

10 April 1905     William B. DYER and Fredericka EPKE BARTHOLEMEW (117)

10 April 1907     Ambrose Welson MCARTHUR and Annie Eliza MCGEE (115)

10 April 1909     Henry Jerome GRAF and Effie Belle WHITE (113)

11 April 1596     Peninnah HOWSE (426)

12 April 1739     Jonas POWERS and Mary TRYON (283)

12 April 1770     Willempje ROOS (252)

12 April 1822     Paulus QUARTEL and Ariaantje VAN DER BURG (200)

12 April 1953     Richard Michael FREDRICK (69)

13 April 1777     Lijsbeth (Lijsje, Elisabeth MAASDAM (245)

13 April 1845     Mary Adelia DENNY (177)

13 April 1854     Kommer VAN DEN BOS (168)

13 April 1866     Francis A. DENNY (156)

14 April 1681     John MAYO and Hannah FREEMAN (341)

14 April 1881     John W. WATT and Annie SMITH (141)

14 April 1921     Roy Herbert JOHNSON (101)

14 April 1925     James Victor TYSON (97)

15 April 1661     Elizabeth POOR (361)

15 April 1716     Timothy POOR (306)

15 April 1767     Elizabeth BARBER (255)

15 April 1790     Maryann DOLLAWAY (232)

15 April 1835     Benjamin S. MAUST (187)

15 April 1849     Mary Magdalene SCHUMP (173)

15 April 1864     Christoph Reinhold RADKE (158)

16 April 1747     Rachel RIVERS (275)

16 April 1814     Philander GLOVER and Ruhamah HALL (208)

16 April 1856     Christena "Dinah" MAST (166)

16 April 1930     William Dean GRAF (92)

17 April 1708     William SALISBURY (314)

17 April 1712     Joseph HOPKINS and Mary MAYO (310)

17 April 1764     Marie Anne DEGANNE (258)

17 April 1860     Henry Pierce Strong GLOVER and Nancy Jane KISHLER (162)

18 April 1664     Debora POOR (358)

18 April 1777     Pieter MAASDAM and Judith VAN NOORWEGEN (245)

18 April 1863     Helen May BEGOLE (159)

19 April 1709     Bethiah WEST (313)

19 April 1874     Fredericka EPKE BARTHOLEMEW (148)

19 April 1894     Floyd Andrew DOLLAWAY (128)

19 April 1902     Erma ENGELHUBER (120)

20 April 1609     Jacob LEENDERTS and Aegken POUWELS (413)

20 April 1738     Johann Jacob SCHUMP (284)

20 April 1844     Jan KOSTEN and Maatje DE REIJGER (178)

20 April 1844     Pieter KLOOSTERMAN and Janna REIJNHOUT (178)

22 April 1642     Cornelis Arend LUIJENDIJK and Bastiaantje Corstiaansdr DE DEUGD (380)

22 April 1652     Moses ROWLEY and Elizabeth FULLER (370)

22 April 1795     Arij DE BRUIN (227)

22 April 1826     Lydia MAUST (196)

22 April 1839     Josiah Williams BEGOLE and Harriet Annette MILES (183)

22 April 1946     Robert Louis "Bobby" FREDRICK (76)

23 April 1688     Mercy MAYO (334)

23 April 1741     Izaak MAASDAM and Anna HOFMAN (281)

23 April 1749     Johannes (Hans) (John) MAST (273)

23 April 1787     Elizabeth GLOVER (235)

23 April 1817     Samuel Stillman GLOVER and Vinera Egleston POWERS (205)

23 April 1820     Pieter Johannis VANOEVEREN (202)

23 April 1827     Eldert NOORLANDER and Klaasje LUIJENDIJK (195)

23 April 1882     Christian E. YODER and Christena MAST (140)

23 April 1907     Janie Haviland KENNEDY (115)

24 April 1667     Elizabeth GLOVER (355)

24 April 1815     Bastiaan MAASDAM and Lijntje STROOBERGEN (207)

24 April 1823     Cornelia Jane BEGOLE (199)

24 April 1856     Lena Nellie QUIST (166)

24 April 1873     Josephine "Josie" CORCORAN (149)

24 April 1946     Leonard G. MCKIE and Adeline Elizabeth GLOVER (76)

25 April 1688     Daniel POOR and Mehitabel OSGOOD (334)

25 April 1736     Anne ROWLEY (286)

26 April 1681     Edward GLOVER (341)

26 April 1728     Joseph Francois GANE (294)

26 April 1803     Orpha Ann FENN (219)

26 April 1850     Cornelis VAN DEN BOS and Neeltje QUIST (172)

26 April 1882     Tully Daniel FENN and Ella Mary BLAKE (140)

26 April 1932     Robert Eugene PRANTLE (90)

27 April 1905     John GIBSON (117)

28 April 1694     James BROWNE and Mary EDWARDS (328)

28 April 1745     Abigail POOR (277)

29 April 1783     Jean Baptiste DEGANNE and Louise LUINEAU (239)

30 April 1766     Ignatius SCHUMP (256)

30 April 1788     Johann Caspar GRAF and Helena Fredericka KRAUTH (234)

30 April 1853     Quirin SCHMITT (169)

Have You Ever Conducted Research in Talbots? I Have

During my Great Big New England Genealogy Tour a few years ago, one of the places I wanted to go to was Hingham, Massachusetts. The Hingham Historical Society Archives at Old Derby Academy in Hingham has many records on my Fearing, Hobart, Beal, Hersey, and Mayo families. 

Unfortunately, renovations were being done at Old Derby and I had to go to an offsite building, the Talbots Headquarters on Beal Street, in Hingham. I had arranged an appointment ahead of time and was met by the society's archivist, Michael Achille. Kirk and I had to go through security and we were escorted through Talbot's. The walk to the records took us through the working area of Talbots. It looked like they may have been working on catalog or website layouts. Rows and rows of outfits were laid out. The outfits were being photographed. 

Once we arrived at the temporary archives research area, a large room with cage like security for the records and tables for researchers, I had to sign an agreement that I would not share any photocopies of what I found. You won't see any pictures of what I found in this post.

Archives of Hingham Historical Society

I was hesitant about finding resources that would further my research, but the temporary archives did not disappoint. The archivist, Michael, was extremely helpful. He had pulled a few items for me ahead of time. Once we talked, he was able to find more resources for me.

Loring Notebooks

The biggest and best record in the collection is the Loring Notebooks. There are 150 plus notebooks with a wealth of family information. Michael had pulled the ones relating to my surnames. The Loring Notebooks have handwritten genealogy transcriptions, tax records, real estate records, and newspaper gossip pages. Other primary sources include who lived in the historic homes, when they lived there, who were their neighbors, did they have servants, and how wealthy were they. I spent most of my time going through these notebooks. 

John Fearing, James Hobart, and Peter Hobart homes are still standing in Hingham. I recorded their addresses in order to drive by the residences. One thing about Hingham homes is if it is a historic home, it has a special marker on the house.

John Beal House, Built in 1877, Hingham, Massachusetts 

Source: From the Historic American Buildings Survey at Library of Congress. No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. Government

More from the Hingham Historical Society Archives

The next treasure was a Beal ledger book. The Beal family arrived in Hingham, Colonial America, in 1638, from Hingham, England. 

Photographed by Brenda Leyndyke

Other finds included wills, published histories, and online resources. A few online resources I found helpful included:

• The four-volume set of History of Hingham, 1893
• Hingham Cemetery You Tube Video
• Historic Assets Inventory

One book in their archives, Not All is Changed-A Life History of Hingham, by Lorena Laing Hart and Francis Russell Hart was recommended. Due to time constraints, I was only able to peruse it, but Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center has a copy and I have it on my list to look at next time I go to Fort Wayne.

One thing I learned on my New England genealogy tour was to search for unique archives. The Hingham Historical Society Archives at Old Derby Academy is a gem that should be included on any Hingham ancestors research list.

 

Gravestone of Nancy Jane Kishler Glover 1837-1920

Normally, I wouldn't research four times removed cousins, but on a trip to Highland Cemetery, Ypsilanti, Michigan there were numerous Glover's buried there and I took pictures of them all. Once I got home, I tried to place the names on the gravestones within my family tree.

One gravestone was for Nancy J. Glover. Nancy was the wife of Henry Pierce Strong Glover, my first cousin four times removed. Nancy was born Nancy Jane Kishler. Henry's grandfather was Alexander Glover, my fourth great grandfather.

Highland Cemetery is a beautiful cemetery, and their office staff is exceptional. I stopped at the office to ask where the Glover plot was. Not only did the office worker show me on the map, but she also copied sexton cards for me. This must be the most friendly, helpful, cemetery office I have ever been to.

 Highland Cemetery, Ypsilanti, Michigan Sexton Card

Source: Sexton Card, Highland Cemetery (943 N. River Street, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw, Michigan, United States) to Brenda Leyndyke, photocopies of sexton record cards and pictures, June 2014, Sexton cards for Amos C. Blodget (Author's note: Amos C. Blodgett married Sarah Salisbury Glover, Henry's sister.)

NANCY J.

GLOVER

1837-1920

Nancy Jane Kishler Glover is buried in Block 100, Lot 20, Grave 5. 

Obituary of Ronald Graf, Bear Lake, MIchigan

It is hard enough when one of the older generations in a family dies, but when it is someone in your own generation, it is tough. My first cousin, Ronald Ray Graf died at the age of 62, after a courageous fight with cancer. He was one year older than I.

Ron's obituary was found at the Terwilliger Funeral Home website: http://www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com/obituary/ronald-ron-graf

Ronald “Ron” Ray Graf, 62, of Bear Lake, died peacefully Monday, May 6, 2019, at home with his loving family by his side.  He was born August 1, 1956, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Raymond and Leona (Fredricks) Graf.

Ron worked for Martin Marietta Materials, in Manistee, retiring as Packhouse Production Supervisor after more than 40 years of employment.    

The most important things in Ron’s life were his faith and his family, both of which saw him through his long and valiant battle with cancer.  He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Onekama, and he cherished time spend with his family and friends.  He was an avid Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and University of Michigan Fan, and he loved old cars and his dogs.  He will be remembered for his warm personality, genuine smile, and his caring heart.  He will be missed.

On May 14, 1993, Ron married Lynn Bromley who survives him.  He is also survived by: his son, Cody Graf of Onekama; his daughter Marla (Derek Kolk) Picardat of Manistee; his grandson, Andrew Picardat of Manistee; his sisters, Nancy Miller of Kalona, Iowa, and Rose Marie (Ken) Slagle of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his in-laws, Bob and Marge Bromley of Manistee; his uncle, Carl Mikolajczak and family; his goddaughters, Daisy (Darien Ripple) Fredricks of Rockford and Amy Jo Weber of Mt. Pleasant; special friends, Paul Walerych, Tony and Kathie Vartyak, Jim Hilliard, and the Keillor Family; his work family at Martin Marietta; his church family at Trinity Lutheran Church of Onekama; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.      

Ron was preceded in death by: his father, Raymond Graf; his mother, Leona Fredricks Graf Wagoner; his stepfather, Robert “Bob” Wagoner; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM, Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Onekama, with Pastor Jacob Sherry officiating.  Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, Friday, May 10, 2019, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva.

 Memorial contributions may be made to Munson Hospice.

The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements. www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com

Leona Fredricks Graf, Raymond Graf, 

Ronald Graf

Ronald Graf High School Graduation Class of 1974

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Graf

Lynn and Ron

Mabel Louis Ruff Glover Birth Anniversary

Aunt Mabel, Moi, and my sister, Linda, 1958

My aunt, Mabel Louise Ruff Glover, would have been 101 years old today. Aunt Mabel was one of my favorite aunts. She was married to my dad's half-brother, Frances’s "Hank" Glover.

I have a lot of fond memories of my Aunt Mabel. We would visit Aunt Mabel and Uncle Hank when they lived in Ferndale, Michigan and later Troy, Michigan. My uncle worked for General Motors, and they lived in South Africa and Brazil for a while.

 

The picture to the left was taken on Easter, 1962, at Uncle Hank's and Aunt Mabel's home in Ferndale. Uncle Hank, Aunt Mabel, and their son, Stu, are behind my mom, and Grandma Bell. My sister Linda and my self are in front. I'm the short one.

 We would only see Uncle Hank and Aunt Mabel once or twice a year, but I remember their homes in Ferndale and Troy. I remember their big shepherd, Shep, who was fierce when we pulled in the driveway and as tender as could be once he knew we were friends not foe. 

 Through the years when they lived out of the country, we would only see them when they came back to the United States. It was always an exciting time going to see them or when they would come to see us. 

 My Aunt Mabel was a kind, generous woman. She was a great host and a great cook. I have many of her recipes. Once at a stopover in London on the way to South Africa she bought china. She needed it for when General Motors executives visited South Africa. She would have dinner parties for them. After my aunt's death, Uncle Hank gave the china to my mom. My mom gave it to me when she downsized and moved to a senior living facility. I think she did that because I was supposed to get my Grandma Bell's china after she died, but Grandma's second husband was too stingy to ship it. 

 Aunt Mabel was born March 26, 1921, and died 15 April 1986 at the age of 75.

Book Review: Roots for Kids by Susan Provost Beller

I was gifted two books from Genealogical Publishing Company to review. Both are by author Susan Provost Beller. One is Roots for Kids A Genealogy Guide for Young People, 3rd Edition and the other one is Roots for Kids Finding Your Family Stories.

Roots for Kids A Genealogy Guide for Young People is an introduction to genealogy and was updated in 2020. A lot has changed since the first publication of this book, in 1988. Beller says the material can be used in three ways: as a twelve-week enrichment class; as a four-to-five-week mini course; and as a self-taught genealogy course. The book is comprised of twelve chapters that covers family, local, state, and national records, analysis, evaluation, and ends with an ultimate field trip where Beller tells her own genealogy story.

Reading the book, I felt for it to be used as a self-study book, the student would have to be a very motivated, self-starter learner. There is a lot of reading in each chapter. It would work well with adult guidance, but I think it would work better as a teacher's guide for classes or mini lessons.

The book is filled with the author's experiences and stories, definitions, charts, and homework. The homework applies to information you will use in the following chapter. The information is presented in an orderly manner, the way genealogy research should be done. Each concept builds upon another.

The 102-page book is filled with all the information a beginning genealogist would need. For independent learners, I would recommend this book for motivated fourth graders, but it would be better for middle school age students and above. For classes and lessons, I would recommend it for fourth grade and above. Again, it is for beginning genealogists. Those who have already conducted family history research would find the book redundant.

Chapters Include:

1. An Introduction to Genealogy
2. You and Your Family
3. Your Parents' Family
4. Asking Questions: Genealogy as Oral History
5. Putting It All Together
6. Kinds of Records Found Locally
7. Finding Local Records on the Internet
8. Kinds of State and National Records
9. Finding State and National Records on the Internet
10. Evaluating Your Information
11. Research Around the World on Your Computer
12. The Ultimate Field

Appendices including Blank forms and Resources for Researching Your Family

No matter who uses the book, I am happy to see that there are resources available for children and teens who want to pursue their family history. It is an area where more is needed.

2. Roots for Kids Finding Your Family Stories is a companion piece to the Roots for Kids book above. It contains short easy to read chapters that can be used individually or a class writing prompts. The first eleven chapters includes a story, an explanation of what is of genealogical value in the story, definitions, and tips on how to get the information for a story. The last few chapters explain how to organize your stories, records that help, and information if you want to go further in your research.

This book could be used as a stand-alone if the person has some knowledge of conducting genealogy research. It could be used in a class setting, a group session, or for individuals. 

The stories told keeps the readers interest and will spark curiosity in the reader. It even sparked my curiosity to write family stories about heirlooms. Some children may enjoy the story aspect of genealogy rather than just the facts. Wherever one's interest lies let them start. The important thing is to keep their interest. 

Chapters Include

1. It all begins with one story
2. "Witch" people are my family?
3. Fact and Fiction
4. Where were you when?
5. Everyone's favorite topic-Food
6. Butch, Baker, Chandler understanding last names
7. First names can tell stories, too!
8. Home, sweet home!
9. Mapping your World
10. George Washington visits Disney World
11. You are one in a million!
12. Organizing your stories
13. Things that can help
14. Take a family field trip to your past
15. History is, after all, just lots of stories

Susan Provost Beller Roots for Kids books are needed when it comes to engaging young people in genealogy research. You can't go wrong with either of these books if you are interested in children and teens learning more about their family history. Do you need help engaging your youngsters in genealogy? This would be a good place to start.

If you are interested in purchasing either of these books, go to Genealogical.com

Disclaimer: I received review copies of each of books, but the opinions are mine alone.

 

WWII Family Soldiers in the News

Living in Battle Creek, Michigan afforded me the opportunity to search the Battle Creek Enquirer for historical news. I found many articles about my first cousins, once removed who grew up in Battle Creek. 

Jack and James Tyson, sons of my grand aunt, Adeline Glover Tyson McKie, were soldiers during World War II. Many articles were printed about them during the war. 

The Battle Creek Enquirer had a regular column, News of Our Men in the Service. One of the articles was about Jack Tyson. It told that he was to get sick leave. Here is the translation.

To Get Sick Leave-Pfc. Jack Tyson is expected here on a 10-day sick leave today from Camp Macall, N.C., where he was injured in a football game two weeks ago, shortly after his return to camp from a furlough spent in Battle Creek. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Tyson of 1835 West Goguac. Private Tyson is a paratrooper attached to a field artillery battalion. His wife, the former Miss Rosalene Richardson, who has been residing with him at Hamlet, N.C., will accompany him home. Private Tyson has been in the army nine months and is a former employe(sic) of United Steel & Wire Co.

Source: To Get Sick Leave, Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, United States, 29 November 1943, page twelve, column two, digitized images. Found online at Willard Library.org