Saturday, June 30, 2012

Miss You, MOM

Mom would have been 92. The Lord wanted her. He said it was time to come home.
I am hoping she is happy and enjoying being with Dad again.  She looked forward to
going home to stay but did not want to go before her time.

So  MOM here is wishing you the best always. Tell Dad Hi also.
Dorothy Inez Hoffman JONES born Little Bear, Wyoming 1920.
daughter of Cecil Lee Hoffman and Inez Mae Scott both born Iowa and
moved to WYO for his health.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

It Seems Friends do become Family Do you find that true?

I received and email this morning from a friend of many years standing. Totally not ready for what I learned.  
You see, I have often wondered if the reason people become friends is because they are truly distantly related family kin. It seems bonds are formed and understanding is grasped with little stress and concern.
I keep saying if I was wealthy I would have the lines all checked to see how they fit into the master family tree.  Today again gave the impression more would than would not.
I read the email and the names that were mentioned in it and suddenly was staring at a massive four way potential kin ship with them.  Of course, that is not hard because those four lines married into each other.
Then a cousin on my Dad's side pops up and is laughing about my LEE situation.  She, her last name is Lee and I never even realized it for some crazy reason. It is like looking at it and not seeing it. OR tracking to many names over to many years. Even more intriguing her maiden name was WARD.

I did this on the train to Burbank with three people.  Three more at Burbank. No I am not a name collector, but a puzzle pieces collector to get a clean, concise answer.  I have met many interesting kin as I wander down this road. I have truly met many interesting people throughout this life journey.

To share a tidbit this is something that happened to my lineage line. My daughter had a child with her fiance' many years ago. He then fiance', was adopted but his adopted mother is my Scott lineage. We have no idea where or who his family was or is.  What are the odds of that happening?

 I could do this many times Nina S is my Huffman cousin yet she and her husband were dear friends of mine via their teaching profession.
Shirley Becker was friend before we found our common ancestor. I could list three more in our society that are linking distant kin.

DO OTHERS FIND CONNECTIONS within THEIR FRIENDS FAMILIES?

 I would sure love to know if you do.
.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Sorting Family Pictures Day JONES/HOFFMAN

The day started different than planned. Gee, what day goes as planned, is  more the statement to make.
The weather is great and the Fair is calling for the Rabbit Judging. It sounded like there were less rabbits there than down on the farm in Michigan.
 So to start on my days of digging and sorting and compiling information so the boxes go away,
 I sorted photo's that have been here since this time last year.
 Being blessed with brother going through them with me last year it helped to give to other members
 photos they may want in their collections.

  Having collected data and photos on some family names I will mention here in, if you want a copy
 contact me. Since the major players are from my parents families, the pictures reflect the same.

  Names in the photos will reflect: JONES, FOULK, HOFFMAN, FEIL, COLLINS, COOPER,
 MORELLI, PARRISH, SCRANTON, GORDON, PENTICO, WRIGHT, SCOTT & AUSTIN.


 If you are interested in what I find let me know and I will see what I can scan and send you.

 I am going to need a DuVall reunion again to label the DuVall's in Mom's pictures.

Monday, June 18, 2012

War of 1812, Did Your Ancestor Serve, Do You Know?


 Have you found Yours? I bet you have not looked tracking for the
 

 Revolutionary War  instead.  I found two, about four years ago.


 The War of 1812 came so soon after our Independence.  About the time some of the rifts could be breeched  we were in each others faces again.

Having many ancestors in the Rev War it must have chilled those living to the quick. Having two
descendants proven that I know of in the War of 1812 makes me feel lucky in some ways, proud in others.

For Henry HUFFMAN later changed to HOFFMAN it surely was tough. He was born in 1803, his father served in the REV WAR along with many other family members. His Dad  Henry HUFFMAN ( REV WAR) died winter of  1811-12 Will probated Jan 1812. Six month later we are at war again. Henry is 9 years of age, adjusting to no father but many Uncles and Aunts near. He had 4 male brothers ranging in age from 18  to 15, 11 and 6 for siblings. Did Philip go to War  I do not know for sure?  Several sisters to keep them company. Virginia and Sw PA, OH.

Joseph HIGGIN's dcd 1840,  was old enough to fight and leave them home. His Daughter Elizabeth was born 1809 so she was a toddler running around with her siblings.  Did he go to War? Greene Co., PA

What about Christian PLANTS (PLANTZ) wife Catherine HAINES whom had son George?
His father was Leonhardt PLANTZ wife Margaretta.
George was born 1803 died 1887, did his father go to War?  George married Catherine STOLLAR, she born 1801 to Andrew STOLLAR and Rosanna EALY/ELY.   Did Andrew go to War or help the cause?
Catherine HAINES was the daughter of Josiah HAINES and Abigail RIDGEWAY. How were they affected. Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.

Descendants of these people married into the DuVall/Duvall line. We know Alexander DUVALL 2nd served in the REV WAR, he is DAR approved. What of his wife's family. The POWELL's, 5 brothers came west to Washington - Fayette County area with Alexander Duvall and others.

David DUVALL being 20 did he serve? I have not found that Jacob served? John Duvall did he serve?
What about Lewis, Hiram and Eli?  Jacob and Eli are my direct ancestors. If they did not serve was it due to the stories there Father talked about from the Rev War, The Indian Wars and raids they endured?

What about the RICHEY Family in this area that married into the line, What of the PATTERSON line, Rev Joseph PATTERSON father of Jane Patterson who married Jacob DUVALL.  Eli married Elizabeth RICHEY, RITCHIE? Washington Co. PA area.

John SCOTT b VA died KY served in REV WAR, what of his children for War of 1812. What of his wife's siblings LEWIS's, MURRY, MURRAY, MAURY, MORROW and TUTTLE, LANGDON, BRAMMER related kin? Pittsylvania Co. Va to Cumberland KY, to Ill and IA.

I have a WARDEN that served from Ohio and died in IA/MO town. A Huffman that served in the War of 1812.  WARDEN was an GGGgrandfather. HUFFMAN a GGGUncle. Pennsylvania to Ohio to IOWA.

Have you looked at your ancestors and given credit where due? Did they serve in this War?

 I have a long way to go to fill out this answer on my charts. Our neglected WAR VETERANS, almost like a more current war we fought in.

Find the Answer did they serve?

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Jamboree Ramblings 2012

I did a technical report on my blog.,Ancestor Seekers by the Root Bound: Jamboree Tidbits to Share.

Now I will share  the events as they happened to me. Virginia's daughter took us to the train. We met SDGS other members and boarded train and headed north picked up Gwen and Marilyn in Oceanside area? somewhere up there. It may have been Carlsbad. Was busy chatting with new found cousin from over by Yuma, Ca.  She is a Duvall cousin.  Later met another lady who was related me also, via the SNOW line.  Time was short to pack in all the exchanged data. At least remembering to get emails and phone numbers for future contact.

Checked into hotel, ate lunch after doing volunteer work for SCGS. Met two other Bloggers and
shared more news.  Went to Janet Hovarka's first talk with son Adam. Hoping to learn more about getting youngsters involved in genealogy. It was interesting and would have loved to share with her what was learned on this end about teens. One comment was shared which brought a lot more interaction it was a interactive chat.

The rest of day went quick, I found Maureen Taylor and got data for her. Seen Lisa Cooke and shared a nice chat. Said Hi to the Meitzler's clan, and others I met along the way.  Went to the NEHGS booth for advise and replace my pin that was stolen. Talked to Fold 3, Geni-Wise, Roots Magic, met Bruce ' wife. Say Daniel H and chatted about the new way My Heritage is working.
We ate dinner in the hotel due to everyone's fatigue. It was like everyone else was there too we had a 30+ minute wait.  Then we watched the hotel personnel do what they said they did not do.  Hotel this time was a new experience. We had a awesome room, but with 4 people you would think the maids would leave four sets of towels, No only two, after complaining they left a set of 3, late in day, then I went to the desk and asked what was wrong with 4. 4 people four sets of towels. When dinner over we actually then had 7 sets of towels in room. Ironic ,we asked for refrigerator and by getting into our room around 9 pm we did not learn until the next morning we had a refrigerator. The room was nice, clean and maintained appropriately, the maid service regarding towels was very irritating. We left a hand written note, not sure they could read it because they sure did not leave four sets of towels which they should have when note was left before they serviced the room. O yes, only two cups to use for tea or coffee also.  That was reason I bought coffee down stairs. Alas that was an error.

I went down to sign in for Volunteer in Joshua's talk and found Mary very upset with her bag missing.
The desk missed her plight and I went back to share with them the dire need for finding it. Somehow they thought it was just a bag not her purse, etc.  Alas, as I was  talking to Louise I spilt my coffee all over the counter. I wore that smell all day a la Coffee', I helped clean up the mess and got them extra towels in case it may happen again by anyone. After locating Mary's purse, I got to the Tent for the Joshua's talk and took over passing out flyers.  After his talk I did door duty because next person was late and this upcoming talk was going to be more than sold out. I had to stop them from coming in before Joshua was done with his presentation.  15 minutes into getting them seated someone hands me a bag found near the door on the bushes.  I asked the Volunteer to ask the speaker to announce it was found, was anyone missing one.
As I got  water for those in wheel chairs and walkers, when the water was refilled. I had a man claim his bag. Wooot woot, two down and two found.  Yes we found Mary's bag and purse or I would not have been in the tent. We had to tell people to scoot over to not save seats and talk was late starting due to the large crowd whom attended and Joshua answering questions from his talk.  I basically heard about two thirds of the talk by the time I left.  It was easier to bring drinks to people than have them get up, water had run out during Joshua's talk. My old waitress skills still work.

So I was also able to meet John Bacus and at least know him by sight. Informative talk.

After a hotdog in the center pavilion, I attended the Blogger Summit. Sure missed Maven and Dear Myrtle and others.  Met new faces, but the interaction of times past was not there. Randy sat in the same session and was a participant in the previous session.  Most all of the questions were geared to the panel. I would have loved to see more geared to the guests and I heard that comment around me.
The comments were informative and helpful for us t o get to know those people.

Then attended Michael John Neill's  Virginia Case Study as a Volunteer.  phew or I would  probably not been able to get in. I was chatting with Jana B and no one in room suddenly, I was late. OOPS.
It was a great case study of so many families in Virginia.  Fortunately we were right out side the room.

I then went to the last of Joshua T's talk on printed genealogies that are not proven yet have been accepted for years. Case Study he used was the TROWBRIDGE data,  it seems we both have the same problem when sourcing out a line.

Then next door to Barry Ewell's talk on How to Find Genealogy Answers You want to Know.
I started following his blog about four months ago.  O yes I also follow some of  Michael John Neill's
blogs.

At the end of the day learned we had retrieved 3 sets of purses and returned them all. Genealogists are so great.

Sunday was check out, pick up the Roots Magic books, finish packing SDGS books, attend as Volunteer so I could hear Leland M talk on his prospective of Germanic Research as an Editor.
I love to hear different prospectives.  Volunteering pays off again it was a filled capacity event.
Leland it was a great talk.

So wanted to catch Jana's talk on Digging the Dirt, but will order it. We had a great chat. She lives only ten miles from my cousin in Ohio.  I went back and said goodbye's to  many acquaintances and friends.
Verified my data to Fold 3, renewed membership. Forgot to renew at World Vital Records, when I was hoping to get a picture with Matt Olson of same. We chatted about a Reunion for the Longest Hang Out crew. Other things happened and I forgot to do it.  Made sure Ken had my groups books and headed to the train.


Great train ride home, love riding the train.  Alas they said it would cost me  $ 441.00 to Michigan, one way.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Writing the History, Remove the Mystery.

As we  venture into writing our families stories  Having finally come up with a better plan to complete the message, it is being posted here.

Having written four stories and completed only one, suspect self needs to zero in on the way of the situation.

After much thought I went back to English 101.

 Random writing comes easy to  me but it does not always complete the task at hand. Also when does one stop and say enough?

 So having devised this new scheme I am going to venture out and and see if it is not the missing link I did not have.

1. Pick the topic, place or person
2. Pick the timeline
3. Make sure you have the knowledge of the event needed. Outline
4. For a person put the flesh on the bones, for a place do the same as giving the place flowers and trees, and community
5.  Choose how  many chapters you hope to achieve.
6.  Your knowledge should help you choose the length of topic to discuss. 7 chapters or 20.
7.  Timeline if long gives more chapters to do, hoping you have the information to do the fill in.
8.  Write it, set it aside, read it, adjust it if it does not say what you meant.
9.   Read it again, adjust if necessary.
10. Choose pictures to go with the words.
11.  Have someone proof read it for what you over looked.
12.  Do not be afraid for I suspect this will work.

Suggestions would be to try a ten year period in someone's life.
Preferably some one you have much information on.
It could be from Graduation to Second Child, or Jr High to College.
It could refer to marriage and your moves in early years.
Grandad and his loving walks around the Corn Fields, telling stories. That is truly one of my favorites.


I never liked Outlines very much because my brain kept telling more than what the Outline covered.
There by I have not finished but one booklet.

Have you done this and does it work?