Friday, April 29, 2016

Sanford Hoffman (Huffman) and wife Rachel Plants (Plantz)

Huffman and Plantz,,,,, Hoffman and Plants of today.

Ironic as it seems the name was Hoffman in Germanic region of Europe. It appears that as the British heard the name they thought it was HUFFMAN, HOOFMAN, and other variants. Spoken with a brogue it would sound like above also. But the spelling was HOFFMAN.

Now PLANTZ is on a castle in Germany of today. A distant relative went after WW11 and was going to meet his kin and got cold feet and came home with out lifting the knocker. He served in WW11 in that area.

So a brief synopsis of these two trees.

Sanford Hoffman and Rachel Plants were neighbors in Greene Co. PA,  they married, had children and lost first born and later moved to IOWA near his brother Dr Hague Hoffman.  Their first born child is in Windy Gap Cemetery, Aleppo, PA., high up on a ridge where you can see for miles.
Much of the family in this cemetery.

When I first saw this cemetery my mind said I wanted buried there or ashes scattered there. They would cover all four corners of the earth the way the wind blows.

Back to family story.

Sanford was born 24 Nov 1834  Married 20 May 1858.  Shows on the Currier and Ives document previously posted. Sanford wrote that document and shared the pictures. You may want to go back to that blog page to see it.

Served in CW under WVa with brother
Soldier Name       Sanford Huffman  Sanford Hoffman / Huffman WV 6th Inf. Co N
Side                      Union
Function              Infantry
Regiment Name  6th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry







1880 CENSUS
NameAge
S. Hoffman46
Rachell Hoffman44
Frank M. Hoffman20
Jervas L. Hoffman18
Oliena Hoffman15
Elizabeth Hoffman13
Mary H. Hoffman11
Harvy H. Hoffman8
Taylor, Appanoose, IA  Harvey was born in Iowa. others in Greene Co. PA.
Priscilla died as infant (have Picture) and did not go west with the family buried next to her Grandparents Henry and Elizabeth Hoffman.

After Sanford fought in the CW he came home and prepared to move west to Iowa.  His one brother was there as a trained Dr (after he finished Medical School). His sister also moved to Iowa also with her ill husband from the war injuries also. So Hague would be able to treat the wounded.

Great Grandad Frank, told the story of how he herded the cattle and sheep with a dog following behind the covered wagon they used. Jarvis helped also at times.  I suspect everyone helped that was able to. Mom had the story written I hope I find it in her papers.

His oldest born living, Franklin m Samantha Abigail DUVAL,  also from Greene Co. PA area.

Jarvis was b 1862 Greene Co.  PA m Melissa STOOPS and had children

Oliena Delilia  b 26 Aug 1864 Greene Co. PA m James HAMPTON

Elizabeth C  b 12 Aug 1866 Greene Co. PA  died single 1891 in Iowa 

Mary Hannah b 26 Mar 1869 Greene Co. PA m Andrew FABER

Harvey was born in IOWA.  1872? according to 1880 census died single


Now having communicated with some of the downlines of these lines would love to have you fill in the blanks I have.  I am also on Facebook

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Wind is Blowing. Victoria Mae Foulk (Ida)


Cheyenne, Wyoming what an awesome place to visit and recollect on days of old.  Having been there when so warm, thoughts were of melting.  Only to have the air change and the snow begin to fall three hours later.  O yes, this was August early.   It is normal to expect snow in the late spring.
Early August surprised  me but an Uncle said he had seen it once before.

Grandma Ida Foulk Jones was born in an area of Washburn, IA.  I suspect at her Mom's home, which is still standing and owned by the family. She was born in late fall on 6 November 1897.
She lived at home until she married her first husband.  Carl Fremont Jones. She was the oldest of  8 living children.  Her siblings were:  Arthur W. (Great Uncle Dick), Great Aunt Belve whom married Earnest Rice and lived most of her life in Greybull, Wyo, Great Uncle Claude (whom I loved very much and got to know him very well), Great Aunt Blanche whom died fairly young, Great Uncle Ira whom was elusive, Great Aunt Alvina lived in Wheatland and was loved by everyone, and Great Uncle Herbert, Uncle Herb as Dad called him. His wife is still alive. Herb and Dad were the same age.

All of Grandma's siblings were born in Iowa. When  Grand Mom married and had Dad b 19 May 1913, she  moved to Wheatland, Wyo in 1914.  Grand Dad had already gone to Wheatland, Wyo to work and get away from the turmoil in Iowa.  Grand Dad's Uncle, Charles Jones took them to Blue Mound, Minn to get married.
They both told me this story. I think I would have really liked Great Uncle Charles Jones.  He had a daughter Fanny Jones Drew, that had married and moved to Wheatland, Wyoming and that is where Grand Dad had gone to live.

Grandma and Dad rode the train to Wyoming.

After Grandma Ida moved to Wheatland, Wyo they had more children. She lost a few also. Etta M was born 9 October 1915 (Aunt), Gerald Oliver  b 7 October 1918, Slater, Wyoming, Muriel born April 1920, Wheatland/Slater, Wyo., Mary Jane , Wheatland, Wyo 1924, Bethel Lorraine b 27 June 1924 Casper, Natrona Co. WYO.

After much discouraging words, they moved to Casper, WYO.  Things did not get better and ultimately, Dad and Uncle Gerald ended up in Wheatland working for various ranchers. Later
Dad's brother went to a rancher's new ranch out of Wyoming.

Grandma moved to Cheyenne to work and had Muriel and Bethel with her for a short period of time.
Aunt Muriel married Uncle Joe Collins and later Bethel married Uncle Pete (Aubie D. Cooper).

Grandma cleaned homes, sewed clothing and did what she could.   Much later she met Senator Charles Norris and she married him.  She  traveled with him and brought him to California for us to meet.  After his death, she was alone again.  But a wee better off financially.

At the time of my Graduation she came to California to help us and share in the activities. After all she had Dad & Aunt Etta  both near Petaluma. She had Uncle Gerald in Lemon Grove, CA.  And if I remember right Aunt Bethel was at Fort Ord with Uncle Pete.   Only Aunt Muriel was in Colorado, with her family.  She moved between the families and shared some family stories.

She shared much of her early life with me and her time spent with her Grandmother.  I gather she really loved her Grandmother and learned many things.  Many Indian ways and herbs and plants to use and how to gather them.  She told me of the horrid fights she had with her Mom. Many times,
so she did not go home but when needed to.  Many times not even then.

One time she left the house in Iowa and did not get the children's shoes or coats and walked them
back to Wyoming. Thankfully they did not walk all the way.  That story I heard from each of the siblings of my Dad.  She had a very strong temper.  

When I first met her my Dad told me that no matter what I was to respect her as my Grandmother,
I did not have to love her or like her but she was his mother.

Sometimes I look back on some of the things that she demanded and chuckle and other times I could cry.

When I was graduating and she was staying with us, she asked me a question about a picture on the mantel. I told her, after deep thought and careful thought, what Dad had told me when I was to meet her.  I also told her I had learned to love her and her ways.  She sat and cried until Mom and Dad arrived at home and Dad thought I had offended her.  She jumped up and said," No Ray, she did not do anything wrong, I did long ago." Then started crying horridly again.
So Dad and I went out side and I told him of how she wouldn't let Bertie and Lucky use the vacum to clean upstairs. They were afraid he would be furious with them not doing their chores but he said not to worry.  We just had a Grandma day. I also told him about the picture on the mantel and that is when she lost it.

Ironic as it seems, from that day forward I never had a major squabble with Grand Mom.  She stayed with us many times when she would get my Uncle's wife to upset. Aunt ended up with heart attack.
I had Grandma here in this house for almost 6 months with a break ever couple weeks of Uncle keeping her for a day.  She mellowed over the years but I fortunately never had a major squabble after I told her what Dad had said to us.

I did tell her what Grandpa had told me and she said she had always loved him but they just blew up at each other all the time.

I suspect I know the reason, when you go from wealthy and waited on to poor and destitute over night and your only 16 and 23 or so.  WOW.  They had been disowned by the Mothers.

I feel I was very fortunate to get to know them both. It helped me to learn more than I probably would have otherwise.

When we would go to Wyoming we always seen her if she was home in Wyoming.  I saw her
in the fall just before she died.  Having Alan with me we visited her in a nursing home with Mom and Dad after we had completed the Nationals for Roller Skating in Nebraska.  So Alan got a glimpse of Wyoming and we stayed with Aunt Muriel's for a few days before flying home.  We also stopped in Wheatland for Uncle Dick's family and cousins.

 I have since been back and seen her tombstone with Mom and Dad.   Dad paid the extra but it has all her names on the stone. Victoria (IDA) Mae Foulk Jones Norris.   She died 9 Nov 1988. I had spoke to her about 2 weeks before but she was not well at that point at all.  The nurse stayed on the line to help the conversation which I cut very short, saying I loved her.

I should tell you how she got the name of IDA.  Uncle Claude told me he could not say Victoria or Victoria Mae it came out like Ida. He was of course younger than she.  So she became Ida at a young age due to Great Uncle Claude's way of saying her name.



Monday, April 25, 2016

Casper, Wyoming is having SNOW. Casey Jones my Grand Dad.



Carl Fremont JONES, was the father of our Dad,  Ray Dee Jones.  Casey as he was called by most of his friends was the son of Calvin Fay JONES and Hannah Young JONES.  Granddad Casey was from a very interesting family lineage. His lineage is as fascinating as his life was.

He had an awesome personality and his love shined through when he would stay with us and work with my younger siblings.  Example:  One day my brother Lucky was crying because something did not work right for him. He was about 7 years of age if I recall right.  Being very upset. The tears came down in torrents.  Granddad leapt out of his chair at the kitchen table, went quickly to the kitchen counter and grabbed a pint jar Mom had ready to use canning. He rushed to Lucky and said, " We got to catch them steers we can not let them get away."   My brother was so startled he instantly stopped crying and asked Grandpa what he said. Being repeated, he told Grandpa they were tears. End of subject. No more tears (steers).  I often wonder if my brother remembers this, he used to when we would be together and talk about our childhood.

Granddad had a great quick wit about him and a very compassionate heart if you let your self get to know him.

His early life was smooth but after he became a young adult his world went beserk.  Granddad was
23 or near that age at his fathers death.  (His father was a CW Veteran and lost his brother in same battle that nearly took him.)

We were told Carl had schooling abroad for being a Chef.  When he came home he met a person he loved until the day he died.  It created a horrible stir. { I have yet to learn how to prove his abroad schooling.} My Dad inherited his cooking knifes, no idea who took the knifes. I did not see them when we were separating items to share.

Due to having an Uncle(Charles JONES) take him with his sweetheart to Blue Mound, Min. for marriage in a horse and buggy. The fireworks began.  Great Granddad was gone and the parents left alive of the married couple fought over who married beneath whom.  They were disowned for a period of time which did not help them to succeed in life.  I have always felt had their families supported them, many things would have been different. I spent hours talking  to Granddad's children about what caused the break up and no make up.

I loved both my Grandparents and they both had unique personalities. Guess I will write about Grandma tomorrow.

Granddad Casey Jones worked on a cattle ranch when he came to Wheatland, Wyo, shortly after Dad was born in Iowa.  They had no support in Iowa and a cousin had offered to give them a hand to get started in life in Wyo. I have the name of the ranch written down somewhere.  Dad many years later worked for the same cattle ranch. It was a huge concern in Wyoming. As did my Dad's brother and other family members.
After Granddad and Grandmom split, things got very bad for the children and Casey would send clothes to the house for the children.  They never got to wear anything sent by their father.

Life moved forward and lots of horrid things happened.

My Dad met my Mom and they married and moved to Greybull, Wyo.. later we moved to CA.

From small I remember Dad talking about his father often, quietly and softly wondering if he was okay and where was he.  Dad was about 8 or 9 when the divorced happened and the neighbors helped the children to get to school, finally giving up on schooling Dad started working at the Swan Land and Cattle Co. Ranch. Granddad had been there also, then other things happened.

So by the time I was 10 we were on the road on weekends when time would permit or money for gas was available looking for Dad's Uncle Monte. He knew he had come to California, northern part.

Finally one day while at school Mother Superior came into class and asked for me. I had to pack up my books and we (Sis and I) were to meet Dad on the sidewalk as he came to pick us up and head home.   She had gotten homework for a week and we learned of this afterwards.

When we got in the truck Dad was excited, someone had called him from Wyoming and found his father. He had not seen him since he was about 10 or so. We were on our way home to go to Wyoming to meet our Grandfather.  My Dad was so excited and cried and laughed and we rushed through chores and the neighbors took over the ranch chores. Mom had that end under control.
(We went to school  30 minutes plus from home.)

We got to Wheatland and slept that night it was 18 hour run with Mom and Dad taking turns driving and a 5 hour stop in SLC to tell his Sis and get a few hours sleep. 23 hours total.

The next morning we were up early on the way to Casper, Wyoming.  Mom was excited because she had an Aunt and Uncle that lived there also she would be able to see. It was pretty intense and exciting.  We stated 3 days visiting with Mom's kin and Dad's  father.

I remember getting near Casper and the oil smell was so strong.  Dad drove down the street to the motel that my Granddad lived in.  We parked, Dad got out and we all stayed in the truck.  Granddad answered the door.  Dad said who he was, Granddad said, " I know who you are, I have always watched you grow up and start a family".  " Is your family with you?" Dad said," okay every body get out."   We leapt out of the truck and we went to give our new found Grandfather a hug and Dad was in such tears, Mom was crying. I remember it sometimes like it was yesterday.

We got to know him those last few years he lived. He came to visit us and shared his unique humor with us. Shared many tips with Mom on cooking. Mom was thrilled with those tips.  We got about ten years of sharing before he died after I had married and had children.

He worked as a ranch hand, horse trainer, sheepherder, chef, and other crafts that he could do to survive.  When older his health was bad and he had pneumonia often.

He visited us as often as we could afford to have him come or we went to Wyo to see family.

Some of the horrid things that happened in his life I have left out for everyone's sake.

Hurt can cause horrible things to happen when one does not understand the cause.

Dad did reunite all his siblings with their Father.  Being the oldest he remembered things that
they only partially recalled with slanted views. I spent many hours talking with my Uncle
who lived near me most my adult life about his parents and the family. I shared lots of conversations with my Aunt Bethel and Aunt Etta about family, and talked a small amount with Aunt Muriel

We lived and worked at Aunt Etta's early on in CA. Aunt Bethel's husband was military and we shared military life always since she was so close in age to me.  We even shared a birth date of my second born and her last born. We were stationed near each other at times also. Aunt Muriel lived away more and I was an adult before I really got to know this Aunt.  I cared for my Uncle (USN) through his cancer and death.  Dad died in 1995 the first one to go.

Somewhere in trunk I have a whole page of Granddad's witty comments.  Need to get the trunk unlocked.

The last thing Granddad said to me was; " I loved your Grandmother when I first met her and I will love her to my dying day,"   He was in bed with pneumonia July 1958.  He died 12 March 1962.
He was born 10 October 1887 in Ia.  Either in Blackhawk Co. or Chickasaw Co.  His Mom lived in Chickasaw Co. and Grandma's parents were in Blackhawk Co.



Sunday, April 24, 2016

Do You Follow These Leads?

Hatte Blejer on hiatus is Susi Pentico's 8th cousin once removed!

Susi Pentico 
You
 
 
Ray Dee Jones
your father
 
 
 
   
 
Lydia Eastman
her mother
 
   
Rufus Trowbridge
his father
 
   
 
Caleb Trowbridge
his father
 
 
Mary Trowbridge
his mother
 
 
Sarah Burt
her sister
 
 
Seaborn Burt
her son
 
Thankful Folliett
his daughter
 
   
 
Susan Burwell Stow
his daughter
 
 
Hattie Stowe
her daughter
 
   
 
Anne R. Dick
his daughter
 

Saturday, April 23, 2016

A Childs Memories and Understanding of Death,


I can so see why  growing up on a ranch or farm helps to prepare young people for adulthood.  

Having spent my life in the country until I married a sailor. I am triple grateful and he did not want to go back to farming in Iowa so he stayed military for 25 years. USN

Thus our children had a wee bit of exposure but not as much as I wished for my younger ones.
Nature teaches you about death and life moving on and replacing of the dead ( not quite the term I wanted to use) but best for now. I will explain)

You mentioned your son loosing a rabbit.  But did his class ever loose a classmate?  Did a neighbor loss a parent or grandparent?  It seems you lived in oblivion to life. (?)
I am sure along the way you had an ability to help your children grow but missed it.  If it helps I have learned guys tend to do this more than gals. ( at least with my exposure). 

You see, in the country death is next to birth and reawakening. You loose a baby chick you gain a rooster, you butcher rooster and then replace and it creates a cycle.
One year we had a 3 legged calf. Dad did not put it down.  One time we had a 2 headed calf and yes that one went to town within a short period of time.
What did it teach me?  That nothing is perfect.  Not in animal or human.  Dad said that to explain when I asked," why did this happen?"

We had young and older neighbors, many we called Grandpa an Grandma  Whomever, as a term of respect for their age.  Younger close friends of my parents, some times went by Mr and Mrs or Aunt and Uncle if that was their wish.  We created our own family out of the community.  Our true family was way back in Wyo. Iowa, etc.
We had 1 Aunt (Dad's sis) and her family near us. In fact Dad when we came west worked for her Ranch during the War.  More family came after and during Korean War.  She married an Air Force person, was Army Air Corp. 

My first close exposure to death was the loss of Aunt's GGrandfather in law died. I was about 5 and the next major event I remember was in 2nd grade.
A classmate of mine drowned over at Bodega Bay stepping in a hole, no one thought was many feet deep. Ironic I had been on that same beach the day before with my family hunting clams.  Of course the entire class went to the services at St. Vincent' s in Petaluma, Ca.  

Of course slowly Mom's Aunt's, Uncle's and other family members died  in Wyoming, Iowa,  Illinois, PA and Colorado and New Mexico. I lost a close friend and class mate in High School. I was 15. He was returning from milking cows to go to school and hit a milk truck head on in the fog on his motorcycle. It was the first open casket that I demanded I see.  Mom was most adment. I am glad I did. He was a much like a big brother and he still pops into my mind at random times. My comments were they did a great job of having him looking at peace more than he ever did in life.
 (Another story ).  I was relieved he was at peace. 

Those that were not near were sent a card or flowers if we could afford it and our parents always told us a bit about these people. Many I only know even today from family stories shared.  My Dad went without me to my Grandad's services Casper, Wyo and I am still upset he did not tell me so I could go with him. I hope my Grandfather knew how much I did want to attend. Mom was not able to travel at that time.  Mom went to her Mom's services and a year later went back to her Dad's services in Wheatland, Wyo.  It was very hard on my DAD to do this by himself(another story). He had 5 siblings. His brother did catchup to him but still.

The year before I graduated, my neighbors boys graduated, went to a party and were drinking.  I think there were five in the beautiful brand new car. They popped to the top of the hill went airborne and car went sideways into a telephone pole, making it a convertible and death vehicle.  One survived but never totally recovered.

That class lost to many for  me to remember, some by joining the Marines and being killed overseas shortly after graduation.  Their life was just beginning but ended. I had not yet graduated the next year.

I wish I  could help you to deal with this situation now but I know it hurts. 

 My younger children did not get the country exposure, as much,due to military duty stations and moving. So sometimes at the death of people that they are not even close to, it hits them hard.  Over all I am proud of how they handle the death of  our neighbors as we lost them.  We are now the old timers in our neighborhood of 45 + years.

I see how the older ones roll with the experiences of life a wee better than those not exposed to the learning of the rotation of life like one does in the country.
Each of our children lost at least one classmate. Some lost more than one.  Of course now they are loosing them again due to illness etc and age.

Somehow you need to talk about the family you forgot so your family has something to remember of who you are and where you have been.  Writing this as a query for help is a very good thing to help you to also heal.  Somewhere along the line things slipped into the cracks way back when you were a toddler I suspect. Maybe not but tis a possible.

Suggesting you write to any living kin and ask them to tell you about their families. So that can be shared so that your son knows there is and was a family out there.
Who knows one of those grandchildren may be just like an Aunt or Uncle of yours.

Having worked as an Omsbudsman during the Vietnam Conflict I have more than see my share of aches from this topic.

Thanks for letting me share some of my thoughts and I hope it helps others to rethink not talking about death, It happens we can not stop it and the better they are accepting this the easier for them to deal with death whether it is sudden or expected.

I have now buried my Parents and my husband's Parents, all my Aunt's and Uncles on both sides but a WW2 Paratrooper Uncle and his wife. I even lost my dear cousin whom was my play mate as a wee one.  Even loosing many of the generation under me and I am not even 75 years of age.  
I had family in Freeport. Ill at one time no idea if still there. Think the downline is.
 I did not make the Reunion 3 years ago due to sons' illness in Michigan. BTW, I grew up in Sonoma and Marin County, CA.



Letter written asking for thoughts on children and death.


On Apr 23, 2016, at 10:34 PM, 

Let’s see if I can start adiscussion on a subject of current interest to me: children’s memories andearly  understandings of death. I left SterlingIllinois after high school graduation forcollege in Chicago; then seven years in Denver before arriving in San Francisco in the late 1960’s.  After leaving home I pretty-much never lookedback.  I forgot about grandparents, auntsand uncles and all cousins.     About 12 years ago I was in NorthernIllinois (Freeport) for a genealogy trip, about 50miles north of Sterling,where my mom still lived.  It was my lasttrip day, Sunday, I would fly home Monday.     I called mom Sunday noon and she told memy cousin Barbara had died, and the graveside funeral was that day.     Barbara was my favorite cousin!  An absolutely beautiful girl, I hadn’t spokento her since I was about 14 and she 11. I had to go!  I rushed down to Sterling, found thecemetery, saw a group of people and so arrived at my cousin’s funeral.     That finished, one person told me therewould be a luncheon at the Milledgeville Community Center.  I arrived at the Community Center, walked in,and soon saw Barbara’s younger sister, Nancy. I gasped as I saw her and exclaimed to her, “My God, Nancy, you’re Kitty’s twin!”     She replied, “Who’s Kitty?”I was stunned and foreveraltered!  Nancy didn’t know who our mutual grandmotherwas!     Back home, I checked my family tree chartsand saw that Kitty Moore had died when I was fourteen and Nancy was seven.  Seven years old and she didn’t recognize thename of her grandmother?!     So, since that day, and particularly nowthat I have two granddaughters, one 2 ½ and the other almost 5, I live with thefear and horror that, if I died tonight, they would never remember me!      No one ever counseled me about death.  At age ten, I attended a family reunion in Freeport at a parkbordering a river, and some stranger drowned. I remember people standing along the shore and boats with grappling hooks,and then they found the person, brought him or her ashore and tried to savethem, but finally covered the body with a rubber sheet.  As for my grandmother’s death, I justremember being told that she had died, and that weekend riding with my parentsup to Beloit WI and going to some ‘churchy’ building(most likely a funeral home) and then seeing grandma lying there in acasket.  I don’t know what I comprehendedor thought.     I would like to hear about YOUR earlymemories: how old were you at your earliest memory of death?  What and when was your first confrontationwith death?      Recently I went to Mt. Tam Cemetery and bought a niche for myfuture ashes.  It’s in the Mausoleum, onthe lower level, in the free-standing cabinet. One weekend I asked our son, Niles,to go with me and see where I would end up. I suggested he bring the girls.  He arrived alone.  I asked aboutthe girls.  He said he and his wife hadmixed feelings about that, and weren’t ready to expose her to any discussion ofdeath.     I laughed and said to him, “This ishilarious!  I never had any sort ofsimilar discussion with you, and your first two exposures with death were thedeath of your pet rabbit when you were about eight, and, when your were two months shy of age twenty, thedeath of my mother back in Illinois.”     “I never prepared you for anyunderstanding of death, and now you’re unprepared to discuss it with yourdaughters!”      I would like to hear from any of you aboutyour child’s first exposures to death and about any discussions you might havehad on the subject with your children.This should be interesting.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Thriller Thursday -- Cousins comes to visit.

 A day to remember, still in shock that this transpired.  How can one not love their cousins?

 Wednesday evening was the night I do presentations at the Lemon Grove Library.  My cousins
 who knew of this, traveled down from Redondo Beach to attend the class.

 We walked into the Library and the Librarian said, " You have two  new people here for you class".
  I am always glad to hear when new faces come to learn about Genealogical Research and the things
  to do to make it easier for research.

  We walked to our area and two ladies were setting there, smiling as wide as can be and eyes were
  twinkling.   I was thinking maybe it was Mary's new found cousins here in San Diego.

  Instead the one lady speaks up and says: "we are Susi's cousins, now which one of you is she?"
  They really knew what I looked like but I was so thunderstruck I could not believe my eyes.

  One of the sisters and I had been commiserating and communicating for near on 40 years. Phone,
  calls, letters, later emails and more phone calls.  Here they were. No more waiting to go to meet
  them.  They were in front of me.  We kept trying to meet half way.

  We managed to hug and almost cry and then I had to get class going. Land Records is a lot of data
  to share and those that came needed the information.

  With Library help we got set up and I started the program.  Being it was an active topic, I asked    around the table if anyone had seen a Trust Deed?  As we covered the Deeds we talked about Quitclaim Deeds, and Sheriff's Deeds and a what a buyer and a seller was called.  A Grantor is the Seller and a Grantee is the buyer.

 Warrants, Patents and other titles of transfer were discussed. Some had used the different ones others had no clue.  Warrant maps were shown and a hand out was shared. Also mentioned that NGS is going to do a paid Livestream on Land Records at NGS in Florida.

 The evening went quick then we adjourned to Anna's for Pie and Coffee or Tea to share a wee more
 time.  Giving them directions to our home for the next day (today). They arrived shortly after Cousin Shirley arrived and we shared more information.

  We checked our fingers and toes and discussed other family traits, taking out photos and swapping
  them. Our lineages have strong genes because the family resemblance is there.

  Betty's sis looked much like my  Aunt Ruth and our Son Don reminded them of a cousin they knew   of in their line.  WOW those genetic genes are sure there.

  Needless to say the time flew and they needed to get back on the road before major traffic.
  I thank you for coming and sharing and we hope to see you soon. Burbank is next.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Ruth Howard Duvall -- Will

The will of Ruth Howard Duvall was dated August 10, 1779, but it was not proved in Prince George's County until August 27, 1783.  Her eldest daughter Ruth Duvall Welsh and son, Zachariah, were named as executors. Personalty was bequeathed to her daughter, AnnDuvall, and the unnamed children of her daughter Elizabeth Harris.  Five shillings each were left to the following children:  Mareen, Joseph, Sarah, Cornelius, Priscilla, Alexander, Margarey, Ephraim, Lewis and Enos.
The final account was rendered by Ruth Welsh and Zachariah Duvall on February 6, 1786.  After five shillings were distributed to Elizabeth Harris' heirs, Mareen Howard Duvall, Joseph Duvall, Corneilius Duvall, Alexander Duvall, Margarey Duvall, Ephraim Duvall, Lewis Duvall, and Enos Duvall--the remainder of cash assests was divided between Ruth Welsh and Zachariah Duvall.  Ann Duvall received a bedstead.
At this time Priscilla Duvall Walker was living on the Pennsylvania frontier and may not have received her share. Priscilla is alive at this time as she signs a deed of sale in 1793. 


Source: Mareen Duvall of the Middle Plantation by Harry Wright Newman p. 213

Monday, April 11, 2016

Currier and Ives Document Sanford Hoffman/Huffman Family

Sanford Hoffman Rachel Plants Hoffman Franklin, Jarvis, Oliena D, Elizabeth,  Mary, Harvey

 I hope my brother has these papers.  There is another one that was filled out by Sanford's father
 Henry Hoffman, Greene Co. PA including his wife Elizabeth HIggins and all their children w marriage dates etc.

 I took the picture but by accident left the box behind when things got moved that last day.

Sanford was born a Huffman but changed name after the CW to Hoffman which is what his father did while he was away. I have a letter describing why Henry changed it, written by Henry himself.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

What Used to Be My Tree


My Dad kept wanting to cut this tree down and I kept saying but it is my tree. It stands up against all those you took down.

What was eons before a shrub of Cypress for the yard as a wind buffer, for the lower yard sprouted out and gave us this tree.  All the other shrubs died about 15 Feet tall and never grew. Of course, the lack of care and lack of water for 20+ years did not help. Prior to my Dad buying this property for us to live on in 1948.

The barn was built in 1854, carved right into the barn wall on the inside by the outside ramp to load animals into barn and feed etc.   When I last saw this barn it needed roof repair badly and a gentle hand to bring it up to being a show piece.  Dad always wanted to make it a skating rink or a dance hall. Dad loved to dance.  My parents did 4-H and did dance a bit ever so often and taught lots of younger ones some great steps. Waltz, two step, and a German fast stepping dance.

But the tree I could see from school, I could see it from school bus in high school, walking down from town. I just became my tree.

This was the last time I seen it set so beautiful in front of such an awesome sunset.

I came home and went back 8 weeks later and Mom was gone.  I see the Blackwalnut tree off to the side in the back yard garden. Wonder if my tree is still there.


Did you have a favorite at your home?

Saturday, April 2, 2016

From Bischeim, Rhineland, Platz, Germany to Montgomery Co. PA



 Germany to Pennsylvania, USA

Yesterday my sister in law Mary Pentico Nelson learned that John Pentico/off was definitely Germanic.  DNA confirmed a link two years ago to the surname of Benighoff, Benninghoff surname.

It all made sense, because the Benninghoff family was only a short distance away from John and his young family in 1830.  Of course John married a Catherine Young daughter of Henry Young (JUNG).

Amazing how the story got so out of sorts with facts.  If you have the Pentico Family Book done in 1930's 40's by our dear cousin who attempted to piece this family together the story of arrival is fiction totally.  The thirty seven letters she did not use was probably the accurate ones. But against almost 200  letters with the silly story, I understand why she used it.
She told me it would have added 30 more pages to the book and she could not afford it.

I am just grateful she did the book and gathered the many lines of children into the book.
Yes, there are errors in the book but there is so much more to be learned.

John died in 1857 in Pleasant Valley, Scott Co. IA in 18 July 1857.  Mary and I have scoured the book and I talked to the writer prior to her death and attempted to help set the wrongs right.

So how does a story get so out of whack.  ??? Good question, I think. His Grandfather came to USA in some time prior to 1766 when he married in Upper Salford Township Montgomery Co. PA.

Her name was Elisabeth Margareth Schwarn born in Montgomery Co. PA 1 Sept 1752,  her death was pre 1845.

Phillip Jacob Benighoff b 30 Jan 1740, Bischeim, Rhineland, Pfatz, Germany and he died in New Tripoli, Lynn Township, Lehigh Co. PA.

I am sure there were several children because this time frame indicated that as normal.

His son  Johann Phillip Benighoff b 28 Oct 1770, Montgomery Co. PA. He married a Catherine Miller b 23 August 1772,  of Union Co. PA.  He died 26 Sept. 1839 in Union Co. PA. She died 1848 Buffalo Twp. Union Co. PA.

It will take census records to fill in the blanks and church records if they can be found. Maybe other Benighoff, Benninghoff, Penticuff, Penticoff, Pentico family members will come forward with what data they have.  Every one holds a piece of the great big jigsaw puzzle.

So Descendants of these surnames how about sharing what you know so we can complete the puzzle.

More interesting data will be coming.