Happy Halloweeen!
From Amy Red Riding Hood
From Amy Red Riding Hood
October 31, 1973
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Politics of Genealogy (59th COG)
The 59th Carnival of Genealogy has an election theme, and we were given the task of discovering and discussing our family members’ involvement with the political process.
John Robert Williamson (1786-1861) is my gggg (4 greats) grandfather. He played a large role in the Arkansas State Legislature for many years and even had a brief stint as acting governor. These accomplishments have earned him a spot as the subject of my entry in the 59th Carnival of Genealogy.
Williamson and family were part of a group that came from Tennessee to Arkansas. Nobody disputes the trek, but claimed dates of their arrival range from 1828-1831. The family settled in an area that is now Russellville, Arkansas. The original location of Williamson’s farm now houses the campus of Arkansas Tech University.
According to a 1945 Arkansas Historical Quarterly article by Gladys Powell, John Williamson first took part in Arkansas politics in 1833 [1]. He soon represented Johnson and Pope counties in the State Senate. In the Fifth General Assembly, Williamson attained the honor of president of the Senate.
During this time, Williamson was honored for his service by his colleagues and given a silver-headed cane. Williamson’s great-granddaughter, May Russell, mentioned this cane as still being a “prized family possession,” in her 1955 paper about the Williamson family [2]. This same cane is mentioned in Powell’s piece as well. Unfortunately, the current location and condition of the cane are unknown.
After Senate adjournment in 1845, Williamson returned to his Pope County farm. In April of 1846, he was called back to the capital city to act as Governor of Arkansas during the nearly month-long absence of Thomas Stevenson Drew.
Williamson continued to be active in the Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church he helped to found. He passed away in 1861 leaving numerous descendants and an impressive record in Arkansas politics.
On April 1, 1987, descendants of John R. Williamson gathered at his gravesite to unveil a new headstone that commemorates his position as acting governor. The new stone sits in front of the old stone, next to the grave of his wife, Sarah/Sallie Tate. The former governor, and my great-great-great-great grandfather, is buried in Shiloh-Williamson Cemetery, in Russellville, Arkansas. [4]
Notes:
John Robert Williamson (1786-1861) is my gggg (4 greats) grandfather. He played a large role in the Arkansas State Legislature for many years and even had a brief stint as acting governor. These accomplishments have earned him a spot as the subject of my entry in the 59th Carnival of Genealogy.
Williamson and family were part of a group that came from Tennessee to Arkansas. Nobody disputes the trek, but claimed dates of their arrival range from 1828-1831. The family settled in an area that is now Russellville, Arkansas. The original location of Williamson’s farm now houses the campus of Arkansas Tech University.
According to a 1945 Arkansas Historical Quarterly article by Gladys Powell, John Williamson first took part in Arkansas politics in 1833 [1]. He soon represented Johnson and Pope counties in the State Senate. In the Fifth General Assembly, Williamson attained the honor of president of the Senate.
During this time, Williamson was honored for his service by his colleagues and given a silver-headed cane. Williamson’s great-granddaughter, May Russell, mentioned this cane as still being a “prized family possession,” in her 1955 paper about the Williamson family [2]. This same cane is mentioned in Powell’s piece as well. Unfortunately, the current location and condition of the cane are unknown.
After Senate adjournment in 1845, Williamson returned to his Pope County farm. In April of 1846, he was called back to the capital city to act as Governor of Arkansas during the nearly month-long absence of Thomas Stevenson Drew.
Williamson continued to be active in the Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church he helped to found. He passed away in 1861 leaving numerous descendants and an impressive record in Arkansas politics.
On April 1, 1987, descendants of John R. Williamson gathered at his gravesite to unveil a new headstone that commemorates his position as acting governor. The new stone sits in front of the old stone, next to the grave of his wife, Sarah/Sallie Tate. The former governor, and my great-great-great-great grandfather, is buried in Shiloh-Williamson Cemetery, in Russellville, Arkansas. [4]
JOHN R.
WILLIAMSON
APR. 14, 1876 TENN.
JUN 25, 1861 ARK.
ACTING GOVERNOR OF ARK. 1844
ACTING GOVERNOR OF ARK. 1844
PRESIDENT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1833, AND STATE SENATOR FOR
EIGHTEEN YEARS.
Notes:
[1] The Political Career of John L. Williamson by Gladys Powell was featured in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly, 1945, number 3. This document refers to the subject as John L. Williamson. All other documents in my collection refer to the subject as John R(obert) Williamson.
[2] The Williamson Family was written by May Russell. The paper was featured in the December 1955 issue of Arkansas Valley Historical Papers.
[3] The article titled Service to dedicate former governor’s new grave marker was published in the Courier-Democrat newspaper (Russellville, Arkansas) on March 29, 1987.
[4] John R. Williamson gravestone photo ©2008 by Amy Coffin.
[Update October 10, 2012. I had to disable comments on this blog post because it was being hit by several spam commenters a day. Please contact me through my email address (shown at the top right corner of my blog in the "About Me" section) with questions or comments on this subject. Sorry for the inconvenience. Comments are still enabled on the vast majority of this blog's posts. --A]
[2] The Williamson Family was written by May Russell. The paper was featured in the December 1955 issue of Arkansas Valley Historical Papers.
[3] The article titled Service to dedicate former governor’s new grave marker was published in the Courier-Democrat newspaper (Russellville, Arkansas) on March 29, 1987.
[4] John R. Williamson gravestone photo ©2008 by Amy Coffin.
[Update October 10, 2012. I had to disable comments on this blog post because it was being hit by several spam commenters a day. Please contact me through my email address (shown at the top right corner of my blog in the "About Me" section) with questions or comments on this subject. Sorry for the inconvenience. Comments are still enabled on the vast majority of this blog's posts. --A]
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, October 4, 1976
[Below is days 28 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
October 4 (Monday)
The Information Center at Colonial Williamsburg gave good indiciation of the popularity of the place. It was huge and really provided an excellent service. The movie at the Center gave a good idea of what to expect, and provided quite a bit of early American history. Colonial Williamsburg is a very impressive place. While standing in line to see a place, and then walk to another, to stand in line again, one is tempted to wonder if it is worth the trouble. But, after the day was over the foursome felt it really is a fantastic place and well worth the while. When consideration is given to the fact that so much important history occured here. We enjoyed Bruton Church, the oldest Episcopal Church in America and Imogene and Lynn offered prayers in a pew with John Marshall's name on it. He, of course, was the early day legal expert and considered by some to be the father of the U.S. Supreme Court. Lynn was not too happy to select this pew because he knew Marshall had given Thomas Jefferson some trouble during his presidency, but he then realized competition of this nature was what made America develop to strength from its infancy. (Lynn could not find a pew with Jefferson's name on it.)Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, October 3, 1976
[Below is days 27 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
October 3, (Sunday)
Left Washington enroute to the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Forest Park. The weather did not cooperate too well and there was fog for a good part of the trip. However we did see enough to realize the beauty of the area. The biggest event of the day, Jack found his favorite cheese popcorn in a roadside restaurant, he bought them out. Then on to Williamsburg, Va. where "That Seafood Place" took excellent care of us for dinner.
Apparently, "That Seafood Place" is still around, but they don't have a web site.
October 3, (Sunday)
Left Washington enroute to the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Forest Park. The weather did not cooperate too well and there was fog for a good part of the trip. However we did see enough to realize the beauty of the area. The biggest event of the day, Jack found his favorite cheese popcorn in a roadside restaurant, he bought them out. Then on to Williamsburg, Va. where "That Seafood Place" took excellent care of us for dinner.
Apparently, "That Seafood Place" is still around, but they don't have a web site.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Anybody LibraryThing?
I updated my LibraryThing account, mostly because I was starting to forget which books I had and which I still needed to buy or check out.
Feel free to add me as a friend if you also use LibraryThing to keep track of the things in your personal library.
Feel free to add me as a friend if you also use LibraryThing to keep track of the things in your personal library.
Adventures with Cordy, October 2, 1976
[Below is days 26 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
October 2, (Saturday)
This was a self conducted tour with Lynn the bus driver. It was raining a downpour and he started his usual patter of conversation and jokes to get the passengers minds from the weather. They did not cooperate in this but were strong in their back-seat driving instructions. We made it though, to a large parking garage with a couple of dozen cars in it, under the Smithsonian Air and Space Bldg. which is truly an impressive place. Doris and Imogene went to other bldgs. to see "First Ladies Gowns," the Hope Diamond, etc. Jack and Lynn toured other bldgs. including the original Smithsonian bldg. called Castle on the Mall. It was another great day even though the weather detracted quite a lot in going from building to building. When we got back to Cordy, the two dozen parked cars had grown to several thousand. Washington is a fabulous place that everyone should visit. However, two or three days is not enough, tow or three weeks would be more like it.
October 2, (Saturday)
This was a self conducted tour with Lynn the bus driver. It was raining a downpour and he started his usual patter of conversation and jokes to get the passengers minds from the weather. They did not cooperate in this but were strong in their back-seat driving instructions. We made it though, to a large parking garage with a couple of dozen cars in it, under the Smithsonian Air and Space Bldg. which is truly an impressive place. Doris and Imogene went to other bldgs. to see "First Ladies Gowns," the Hope Diamond, etc. Jack and Lynn toured other bldgs. including the original Smithsonian bldg. called Castle on the Mall. It was another great day even though the weather detracted quite a lot in going from building to building. When we got back to Cordy, the two dozen parked cars had grown to several thousand. Washington is a fabulous place that everyone should visit. However, two or three days is not enough, tow or three weeks would be more like it.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, October 1, 1976
[Below is days 25 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
October 1, (Friday)
Started a nine hour bus tour through the Washington area at 8:00 A.M. The high points of the tour were/:
1. The Capitol, where we were present for the opening of Congress, covering the last session for 1976. Doris hoped Carl Albert would not be there (because he beat Duda at a high school debate in 1928) but there he was, all five feet three inches of him. The Capitol Building is most impressive and delivers a thrill when you walk in, through, and out. We liked it!
2. The White House was equally impressive and after the tour Jack allowed as how he could see why President Ford did not want to move.
3. Lincoln Memorial is absolutely awe inspiring and has to be classed as one of the outstanding monuments of the World.
4. Washington Monument -- Terrific!
5. Jefferson Memorial -- Beautiful Setting!
6. Kennedy Art Center, A beautiful area with many wonderful exhibits, theaters, etc. Unfortunately, we arrived too late for a full tour and we were grouped with many others which prevented the leisurely showing that the place deserves. Among many other things the building housed one of the finest "Boehm" showings in the world. Time prevented the careful inspection that we would have liked. Doris drooled, and drooled and DROOLED! A minimum of two days and evenings could be spent here.
7. Arlington Cemetery, We considered this a wonderful tribute to all of those that gave their lives for the protection of our coutnry, even though only a small percentage are buried here. The "Changing of the Guards" at the Graves of the Unknown Soldiers is very impressive. There is a beautiful, reverent and fine spirit here that will not be found any other place.
Mount Vernon, By the time we journeyed down the beautiful Potomac and arrived heere we were all tired and thirsty so we visited a fine bar. The bartender put a triple shot of lemon juice in Jack's Vodka Sour (no Vodka) and he had a few dozen comments to make on this. Imogene got 7'up with her V.O. and she uttered a few words. Doris got a free 19-cent glass with a Bloody Mary so she just grinned. Lynn's $2.00 Beer was cold so he had no complaints. Anyway the little pot-bellied, pink-faced bartender was cute. Then to Mount Vernon, lovely setting and very interesting place. We realized as we went through that, again, we were short-timed. A full day could be spent here.
Then back down the Potomac on the highway (we could have returned by boat but elected not to because of cloudy weather, but on a clear day it is recommended) to the rendezvous with other buses for return trip to Motel. Our bus driver had a captive audience (5 people) so he continuously told jokes and he was really kind of cute. Nice looking young fellow, thinking "Look out Vegas, Here I Come." He may make it. Anyone that can herd a big bus through rush-hour Washington traffic and tell jokes at the same time has something going.
All in all it was a good trip and a great day.
The Duda named in the top of the entry is the brother of Lynn and Doris. Besides out debating Duda, Carl Albert was also Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He also has a bunch of stuff named after him.
October 1, (Friday)
Started a nine hour bus tour through the Washington area at 8:00 A.M. The high points of the tour were/:
1. The Capitol, where we were present for the opening of Congress, covering the last session for 1976. Doris hoped Carl Albert would not be there (because he beat Duda at a high school debate in 1928) but there he was, all five feet three inches of him. The Capitol Building is most impressive and delivers a thrill when you walk in, through, and out. We liked it!
2. The White House was equally impressive and after the tour Jack allowed as how he could see why President Ford did not want to move.
3. Lincoln Memorial is absolutely awe inspiring and has to be classed as one of the outstanding monuments of the World.
4. Washington Monument -- Terrific!
5. Jefferson Memorial -- Beautiful Setting!
6. Kennedy Art Center, A beautiful area with many wonderful exhibits, theaters, etc. Unfortunately, we arrived too late for a full tour and we were grouped with many others which prevented the leisurely showing that the place deserves. Among many other things the building housed one of the finest "Boehm" showings in the world. Time prevented the careful inspection that we would have liked. Doris drooled, and drooled and DROOLED! A minimum of two days and evenings could be spent here.
7. Arlington Cemetery, We considered this a wonderful tribute to all of those that gave their lives for the protection of our coutnry, even though only a small percentage are buried here. The "Changing of the Guards" at the Graves of the Unknown Soldiers is very impressive. There is a beautiful, reverent and fine spirit here that will not be found any other place.
Mount Vernon, By the time we journeyed down the beautiful Potomac and arrived heere we were all tired and thirsty so we visited a fine bar. The bartender put a triple shot of lemon juice in Jack's Vodka Sour (no Vodka) and he had a few dozen comments to make on this. Imogene got 7'up with her V.O. and she uttered a few words. Doris got a free 19-cent glass with a Bloody Mary so she just grinned. Lynn's $2.00 Beer was cold so he had no complaints. Anyway the little pot-bellied, pink-faced bartender was cute. Then to Mount Vernon, lovely setting and very interesting place. We realized as we went through that, again, we were short-timed. A full day could be spent here.
Then back down the Potomac on the highway (we could have returned by boat but elected not to because of cloudy weather, but on a clear day it is recommended) to the rendezvous with other buses for return trip to Motel. Our bus driver had a captive audience (5 people) so he continuously told jokes and he was really kind of cute. Nice looking young fellow, thinking "Look out Vegas, Here I Come." He may make it. Anyone that can herd a big bus through rush-hour Washington traffic and tell jokes at the same time has something going.
All in all it was a good trip and a great day.
The Duda named in the top of the entry is the brother of Lynn and Doris. Besides out debating Duda, Carl Albert was also Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He also has a bunch of stuff named after him.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My Calling Card
I made a few dozen business cards with my name and contact information on them. They're cute. They have little tree (as in family tree) pictures on the left side and my details on the right, including a shout out to the We Tree blog. It beats writing down all my information for everyone I meet.
On the back side of the card, I've listed the top 20 surnames I'm researching. I think it's a pretty good idea, if I do say so. Marketing skillz: I has them.
So if you're going to the MCGHS seminar on Saturday, come say hi so I can give you one of my fancy surname business cards.
On the back side of the card, I've listed the top 20 surnames I'm researching. I think it's a pretty good idea, if I do say so. Marketing skillz: I has them.
So if you're going to the MCGHS seminar on Saturday, come say hi so I can give you one of my fancy surname business cards.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 30, 1976
[Below is days 24 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 30, (Thursday)
Then headed for Washington D.C. through Conn., Pa., and Maryland with rain all the way. Finally arrived at the South Gate Motel after a circle around Washington.
Not much of an update for 3 states' worth of travel. Must have been a lot of driving and a lot of rain.
September 30, (Thursday)
Then headed for Washington D.C. through Conn., Pa., and Maryland with rain all the way. Finally arrived at the South Gate Motel after a circle around Washington.
Not much of an update for 3 states' worth of travel. Must have been a lot of driving and a lot of rain.
Adventures with Cordy, September 29, 1976
[Doris, Lynn and Jack][Below is days 23 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 29, (Wednesday)
Drove to Concord, Mass. where Doris had some friends she wanted to visit, Louisa May Alcott, Longfellow, Emerson, and others, but none of them were at home, all out to the cemetery. We went to Sleepy Hollow and Doris said "Hello" and when she left she said "Bye." Saw the famous bridge where the Minutemenn fired the shot "Heard around the World."
We continued through beautiful Mass. country and entered Rhode Island at Woonsocket and on to Conn. where we visited the small town of Mystic which is a gorgeous little area crammed with nice shops and a pretty Seaport. Spent the night in Danbury, Conn.
September 29, (Wednesday)
Drove to Concord, Mass. where Doris had some friends she wanted to visit, Louisa May Alcott, Longfellow, Emerson, and others, but none of them were at home, all out to the cemetery. We went to Sleepy Hollow and Doris said "Hello" and when she left she said "Bye." Saw the famous bridge where the Minutemenn fired the shot "Heard around the World."
We continued through beautiful Mass. country and entered Rhode Island at Woonsocket and on to Conn. where we visited the small town of Mystic which is a gorgeous little area crammed with nice shops and a pretty Seaport. Spent the night in Danbury, Conn.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 28, 1976
[Below is days 22 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 28, (Tuesday)
On to Thomaston, Maine for a visit through a State Prison retail store. They had many nice articles for sale made by prisoners. It was interesting. Lunch at Bath, Maine in a nice place. The stupid hostess was not too nice but the food was good. Spent the night at Bedford, Maine.
Hey, I've been to that store! It's not one of those things you make a point to visit in Maine. Rather, you just notice the sign as you're driving down the road and decide the prison store is a place you need to see. I bet that was also the case on this trip in 1976. It's an interesting place and they make nice stuff.
September 28, (Tuesday)
On to Thomaston, Maine for a visit through a State Prison retail store. They had many nice articles for sale made by prisoners. It was interesting. Lunch at Bath, Maine in a nice place. The stupid hostess was not too nice but the food was good. Spent the night at Bedford, Maine.
Hey, I've been to that store! It's not one of those things you make a point to visit in Maine. Rather, you just notice the sign as you're driving down the road and decide the prison store is a place you need to see. I bet that was also the case on this trip in 1976. It's an interesting place and they make nice stuff.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Note to Family and a Homework Assignment
If you're connected to my dad's side of the family, via his mother, then you have an ancestor that was killed in the "Battle of Calcasieu Pass" in the Civil War.
The person in question is Doris' great-grandfather. If you're in the advanced class, it's the father of Frank Wiley Jones.
The area of the battle and burial site are an easy drive for me just over the Louisiana state line and a right down to the Gulf. Unfortunately, Cameron Parish is pretty messed up from hurricane damage (again). There's supposedly a battle memorial at the courthouse, but the ferry to Monkey Island doesn't exist anymore. It may be a while before I'll be able to do an ancestral drive-by in Cameron.
I don't have time to research the Battle of Calcasieu Pass right now because I'm knee deep in Lenertz-related Minnesota public records. So family, if you're bored and want to dig around for information on this battle, send it to me. I will eventually share Richard Jones' military file here once I have the time to give it the attention it deserves.
Until then, if you want the 8-page military file of Richard Monson Jones (b. ? - d. 6 May 1864), email me and I'll send it along. My address is in the right column of this blog.
The person in question is Doris' great-grandfather. If you're in the advanced class, it's the father of Frank Wiley Jones.
The area of the battle and burial site are an easy drive for me just over the Louisiana state line and a right down to the Gulf. Unfortunately, Cameron Parish is pretty messed up from hurricane damage (again). There's supposedly a battle memorial at the courthouse, but the ferry to Monkey Island doesn't exist anymore. It may be a while before I'll be able to do an ancestral drive-by in Cameron.
I don't have time to research the Battle of Calcasieu Pass right now because I'm knee deep in Lenertz-related Minnesota public records. So family, if you're bored and want to dig around for information on this battle, send it to me. I will eventually share Richard Jones' military file here once I have the time to give it the attention it deserves.
Until then, if you want the 8-page military file of Richard Monson Jones (b. ? - d. 6 May 1864), email me and I'll send it along. My address is in the right column of this blog.
5 Things Meme
Memes are all the rage in genealogy blogs. Someone posts personal answers to questions, then "tags" a few others to do the same. At first, all the cool kids get tagged. Then the pool of untagged bloggers gets smaller until the little people finally get the call.
Thank you to Stephen Danko of Steve's Genealogy Blog and Judith Richards Shubert of Genealogy Traces for inviting me to The Show.
10 Years Ago I...
1. ...was 26 years old
2. ...had a 3-month old baby
3. ...had been married 2 years
4. ...did not have a master's degree, nor the desire to get one
5. ...had the same 2 cats, Petey and Bob, that I have today
5 Things on Today's To-Do List
1. Send Richard Jones' military file to a newly-discovered cousin
2. Add more Lenertz ancestors to the Tree
3. Do laundry
4. Return CDs to the library
5. Try to find someone to fix our Ike-damaged fence. Everyone's busy and nobody needs the business.
5 Snacks I Enjoy
1. Cheez-Its
2. Bluebell Moo Bars
3. Jujubes
4. Really crisp apples
5. Butter pretzels
5 Places I've Lived:
1. Riverside, California
2. Diamond Bar, California
3. Claremont, California
4. Tallahassee, Florida
5. Houston, Texas
5 Jobs I've Had:
The few jobs I've had are boring, so I'm changing the topic to...
5 Jobs I Want:
1. Librarian at NFL Films
2. Foley Artist
3. History Detectives Cast Member
4. Perpetual Jeopardy! Contestant
5. Princess
This is where I'm supposed to tag others to answer the questions. I haven't paid attention to who has been tagged and who has not. Therefore, I tag everyone and no one at all. Thanks for playing.
Thank you to Stephen Danko of Steve's Genealogy Blog and Judith Richards Shubert of Genealogy Traces for inviting me to The Show.
10 Years Ago I...
1. ...was 26 years old
2. ...had a 3-month old baby
3. ...had been married 2 years
4. ...did not have a master's degree, nor the desire to get one
5. ...had the same 2 cats, Petey and Bob, that I have today
5 Things on Today's To-Do List
1. Send Richard Jones' military file to a newly-discovered cousin
2. Add more Lenertz ancestors to the Tree
3. Do laundry
4. Return CDs to the library
5. Try to find someone to fix our Ike-damaged fence. Everyone's busy and nobody needs the business.
5 Snacks I Enjoy
1. Cheez-Its
2. Bluebell Moo Bars
3. Jujubes
4. Really crisp apples
5. Butter pretzels
5 Places I've Lived:
1. Riverside, California
2. Diamond Bar, California
3. Claremont, California
4. Tallahassee, Florida
5. Houston, Texas
5 Jobs I've Had:
The few jobs I've had are boring, so I'm changing the topic to...
5 Jobs I Want:
1. Librarian at NFL Films
2. Foley Artist
3. History Detectives Cast Member
4. Perpetual Jeopardy! Contestant
5. Princess
This is where I'm supposed to tag others to answer the questions. I haven't paid attention to who has been tagged and who has not. Therefore, I tag everyone and no one at all. Thanks for playing.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Clayton Library Update
The Clayton Library fared well during Hurricane Ike. Even better, the new construction continues to move along. The Carriage House is set to open in November, just in time for the Clayton Library Friends meeting. I can't wait to see how the restored building looks.
There is a Clayton Library Orientation this Saturday (Oct. 18) at 11:00 AM, and the third Saturday of each month. A list of events at the Clayton through 2008 is available here.
You can subscribe to the Clayton Library Town Crier e-newsletter, by going to the Houston Public Library NextReads newsletter page (you do not have to be a cardholder), checking the "Genealogy" box, and providing an email address and password.
There is a Clayton Library Orientation this Saturday (Oct. 18) at 11:00 AM, and the third Saturday of each month. A list of events at the Clayton through 2008 is available here.
You can subscribe to the Clayton Library Town Crier e-newsletter, by going to the Houston Public Library NextReads newsletter page (you do not have to be a cardholder), checking the "Genealogy" box, and providing an email address and password.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 27, 1976
[Lynn, complete with lobster bib, Rockland, Maine, Septemer 27, 1976][Below is days 21 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 27, (Monday)
Drove through Bangor, Maine on the way to Bar Harbour which is a beautiful place, then along the coast and back inland through the Cadillac Mountains and then back to the coast to Belfast and Camden. Saw many beautiful homes and a bunch of drunks and playing-around wives in Camden, which is Payton Place. On to Rockland to spend the night and eat lobster. Doris, Lynn, and Imogene each ate 3. Jack didn't like lobster so he had a hamburger. A map of Sable Island, Nova Scotia (hanging on the wall) was discussed and explained by Lynn who happens to be the only man [in the group] that ever owned the oil and gas rights in his own name. Of course, Mobil owned him, so that took care of that. We all liked the Rocky Coast of Maine and shall certainly rememeber it a long time. Smelly Lobster Canning Factories and all.
Lynn's worked for Mobil Oil, hence the reference to being owned by them.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 26, 1976
[Below is days 20 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 26, (Sunday)
Jack got up at 2:00 A.M. because he looked at the watch upside down or something. We all reviewed the basic element of time reading to him, "Big hand minutes, Little hand hours." He said, "Phooey."
Stopped at Maple Museum at St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Bought maple syrup, maple candy, etc. and on to a big maple syrup breakfast a few miles down the road. Next stop was a country antique show where Doris stole some cut glass for $140.00. While it was being packed, Lynn heard on of the ladies calling Sears, asking them to rush more cut glass, they were out, Western Auto had bought everything. Then to Skowhegan, Maine.
For the uninitiated: Jack and Doris owned a Western Auto at the time of this excursion, hence Lynn's joke about Sears vs. Western Auto.
September 26, (Sunday)
Jack got up at 2:00 A.M. because he looked at the watch upside down or something. We all reviewed the basic element of time reading to him, "Big hand minutes, Little hand hours." He said, "Phooey."
Stopped at Maple Museum at St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Bought maple syrup, maple candy, etc. and on to a big maple syrup breakfast a few miles down the road. Next stop was a country antique show where Doris stole some cut glass for $140.00. While it was being packed, Lynn heard on of the ladies calling Sears, asking them to rush more cut glass, they were out, Western Auto had bought everything. Then to Skowhegan, Maine.
For the uninitiated: Jack and Doris owned a Western Auto at the time of this excursion, hence Lynn's joke about Sears vs. Western Auto.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 25, 1976
[Below is days 19 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 25, (Saturday)
The Blue Spruce was cold, no heat or hot water in the early morning -- Jack went to the office at 6:30 to complain and the proprietor hung a sign on the door that said "office open at 8:00 A.M." Having been in business several years, and observing opening and closing hours he accepted this in a fine manner. To the Middleburg Inn for breakfast and to warm up, then mailed Harry's Happy Birthday check at a pretty little post office. Back to the Blue Spruce to load the car to leave, Jack happened to see the owner outside and went over to say "Good-by." We could not hear what was said but there was lots of arm waving and we think several remarks were said regarding each others ancestry. The discussion was a draw... [copy of the entry is cut off here, but the last words of the paragraph are "heart attack."]
On to Plymouth to the birthplace of Calvin Coolidge. This was a peaceful place and presented quite a contrast with other historical points we were to visit later, which were also connected with former presidents.
Then to one of the first and largest Granite Quarries in the country, and into Barre where we changed Cordy's right front shoe, it hurt! Had ice cream cones and buttermilk for dinner, but no water, waitress said it was poisoned.
I love this entry, because the Blue Spruce showdown is classic Jack. Lynn's description of the scene is really funny (at least to those who personally knew this group).
If Jack were still alive and you brought up this story today, he would definitely remember it. You would get an earful for the next 90 minutes about how NOT to run a business. 30+ years later, he'd still be mad. That's my grandpa.
September 25, (Saturday)
The Blue Spruce was cold, no heat or hot water in the early morning -- Jack went to the office at 6:30 to complain and the proprietor hung a sign on the door that said "office open at 8:00 A.M." Having been in business several years, and observing opening and closing hours he accepted this in a fine manner. To the Middleburg Inn for breakfast and to warm up, then mailed Harry's Happy Birthday check at a pretty little post office. Back to the Blue Spruce to load the car to leave, Jack happened to see the owner outside and went over to say "Good-by." We could not hear what was said but there was lots of arm waving and we think several remarks were said regarding each others ancestry. The discussion was a draw... [copy of the entry is cut off here, but the last words of the paragraph are "heart attack."]
On to Plymouth to the birthplace of Calvin Coolidge. This was a peaceful place and presented quite a contrast with other historical points we were to visit later, which were also connected with former presidents.
Then to one of the first and largest Granite Quarries in the country, and into Barre where we changed Cordy's right front shoe, it hurt! Had ice cream cones and buttermilk for dinner, but no water, waitress said it was poisoned.
I love this entry, because the Blue Spruce showdown is classic Jack. Lynn's description of the scene is really funny (at least to those who personally knew this group).
If Jack were still alive and you brought up this story today, he would definitely remember it. You would get an earful for the next 90 minutes about how NOT to run a business. 30+ years later, he'd still be mad. That's my grandpa.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 24, 1976
[Jack socializing on the ferry. New York, 1976][Below is days 18 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 24, (Friday)
North through the Adirondack Mountains through beautiful country. It was a nice peaceful drive with the co-pilot napping and the passengers talking as usual, until we crossed a bridge to see a waterfall cascading and the pilot screaming, "We have to see this!" The co-pilot sighed "oh shoot". It developed all we had to do was climb a trail for a mile then ride a boat out -SIMPLE! Doris led the foursome in her usual display of bravery, daring and spirit of adventure. It was, of course, a little disconcerting when the leader covered her head and eyes most of the time, but she said it was only to show that she could walk blindfold through a gorge of only a drop-off of 300 feet.
We finally got on that damn boat. The leader was drenched bouncing through that stupid canyon. Finally we lurched off this thing and boarded a bus that lurched us back to the card shop.
Cordy then took us to another boat, crossing Lake Champlain to Vermont. It was a nice and pretty trip. Jack stayed in the car throughout the one hour trip as he did not want to meet or visit with anyone. Lynn gets a little put out with him sometimes because he is so bashful.
After leaving the Ferry the object was to find a nice Motel. Lynn kept count and we passed 89 beautiful places to stay with all kinds of restaurants connected, but it developed we were going to a place called Middleburg Inn, 200 miles down the road. We finally got there and Cordy's gas tank was empty and Lynn's bladder was having problems. The Inn was not modern so we continued to the wonderful Blue Spruce Motel. Lynn's bladder was having more problems and he very discourteously grabbed the room key out of the proprietor's hand. The proprietor screamed at him but Lynn felt he should check the rooms before renting. Ha.
I think Doris was the driver this day, since she was also referred to as the leader. How funny that she made this spontaneous detour. Now I know where my dad gets it (well, it's true!).
The photo above is the best view we have of Cordy. Obviously, Jack isn't as bashful as Lynn indicates. He's chatting with some other passengers.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Minnesota: Land of 10,000 Relatives
Recently, I've been working on the pesky Lenertz side of my family tree. The Lenertz crew has always been a challenge because I've had to go and hunt down the information on my own. There aren't a bunch of cousins with stories, photographs and gossip like one might find with other family tree branches. If I don't find it regarding the Lenertz family, it won't be found.
For a while, I could not locate documentation of my great-great grandfather as a child. It was as if John Benjamin Lenertz (1862-1919) fell from the sky at age 38, in time to be recorded in the 1900 census. Then I noticed that in one census, John was living next to a Joseph J. Lenertz and family. Were they brothers? Ten years later, Joseph J. Lenertz was living next to Frank Lenertz and family.
So I did a little searching and found that the three were brothers. John Benjamin Lenertz did not fall from the sky as an adult. He had been a child with at least nine siblings. His parents were Alexander and Margaret.
I could not have learned any of this without the wonderful records available for the state of Minnesota. Along with the federal censuses every 10 years (minus 1890), there exists a Minnesota state census that runs every 10 years on the fives for 1849-1905.
Armed with the information I learned from the censuses, I've started looking at the individual descendants for each sibling of John Benjamin Lenertz. Though the last federal census available is 1930, the Minnesota Birth Index goes from 1935-2002. The Minnesota Marriage Collection runs from 1958-2001. The Minnesota Divorce Index covers 1970-1995. The dearly departed are recorded in the Minnesota Death Index from 1908-2002. (All of these files were accessed via Ancestry.com)
This is one case where it pays to search in Minnesota. Not all states have so many records available to the public. Though the last federal census released to the public is 1930, I can use these MN state records to continue to follow the trail.
That path has led me to become familiar with many smaller branches of my Lenertz-based tree. Through public records, I've traveled to the 1940's and 50's and watched children be born. I've found recordings of their marriages in the 1960's and the birth of their own children (my age) in the 1970's. I've now found those 70's children got married in the 1990's and now have children the age of my own.
What I have concluded thus far is that I am related to a lot of people in Minnesota. Most are not named Lenertz, but they are distant cousins all the same. It's very strange to have this information and know I am connected to living people, wondering if they would even care.
On a side note, John Benjamin Lenertz had a niece who moved from Minnesota to Orange County, California. She passed away in 1986. My grandfather, who was an only child, had been living a hour away from his dad's first cousin for decades. Family is everywhere.
For a while, I could not locate documentation of my great-great grandfather as a child. It was as if John Benjamin Lenertz (1862-1919) fell from the sky at age 38, in time to be recorded in the 1900 census. Then I noticed that in one census, John was living next to a Joseph J. Lenertz and family. Were they brothers? Ten years later, Joseph J. Lenertz was living next to Frank Lenertz and family.
So I did a little searching and found that the three were brothers. John Benjamin Lenertz did not fall from the sky as an adult. He had been a child with at least nine siblings. His parents were Alexander and Margaret.
I could not have learned any of this without the wonderful records available for the state of Minnesota. Along with the federal censuses every 10 years (minus 1890), there exists a Minnesota state census that runs every 10 years on the fives for 1849-1905.
Armed with the information I learned from the censuses, I've started looking at the individual descendants for each sibling of John Benjamin Lenertz. Though the last federal census available is 1930, the Minnesota Birth Index goes from 1935-2002. The Minnesota Marriage Collection runs from 1958-2001. The Minnesota Divorce Index covers 1970-1995. The dearly departed are recorded in the Minnesota Death Index from 1908-2002. (All of these files were accessed via Ancestry.com)
This is one case where it pays to search in Minnesota. Not all states have so many records available to the public. Though the last federal census released to the public is 1930, I can use these MN state records to continue to follow the trail.
That path has led me to become familiar with many smaller branches of my Lenertz-based tree. Through public records, I've traveled to the 1940's and 50's and watched children be born. I've found recordings of their marriages in the 1960's and the birth of their own children (my age) in the 1970's. I've now found those 70's children got married in the 1990's and now have children the age of my own.
What I have concluded thus far is that I am related to a lot of people in Minnesota. Most are not named Lenertz, but they are distant cousins all the same. It's very strange to have this information and know I am connected to living people, wondering if they would even care.
On a side note, John Benjamin Lenertz had a niece who moved from Minnesota to Orange County, California. She passed away in 1986. My grandfather, who was an only child, had been living a hour away from his dad's first cousin for decades. Family is everywhere.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 23, 1976
[Doris at the Baseball Hall of Fame,Cooperstown, NY, September 23, 1976]
[Below is days 17 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 23, (Thursday)
Cordy then headed us North as he wanted to park in front of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N. Y. while the foursome celebrated that past history of Baseball. Cooperstown is the home of Abner Doubleday who started baseball and also fired the first shot of the Civil War at Fort Sumpter. Doris accidentally, so she said, stumbled into Abner's statue and knocked it off its pedastal. After we got out of jail Lynn tried to exlpain to her that the Civil War was over and we lost. She said, "It may be over but we haven't lost, yet." So be it!
There are those "we" references to the South again. Lynn and Doris were born in Oklahoma.
Any family members know if this statue story is true? Anyone else and I'd think it was a joke, but Doris would be the most likely of that group to bump into a statue.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 22, 1976
[Lynn and Doris, brother and sister][Below is days 16 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 22, (Wednesday)
The Fat Four then guided or directed Cordy to Hershey, Pa., the City that chocolate made. We rode swirling chairs (Disneyland type) through this sweet smelling heaven of calories. Lynn gained 15 lbs. on this trip and didn't have any bite of candy, just looked.
At this point it was time for something other than sweets, so the fearsome foursome went to the Bologna factory at Palmyra, Pa. Quite a change. Then on to Binghampton, New York where Jack did abother one of his mads because of the cool attitude of the female clerk in Howard Johnson's Motel. However, since this was the only game (room) in town his mad didn't last long. Had Snail Toes for dinner.
The bologna factory might be Seltzer's Smokehouse Meats...or not. Lynn's reference to Disneyland-style tours likely refers to the Haunted House ride, where people are moved through the ride on a slow belt.
Most amusing about this diary entry is reference to "Jack's mads." Those who knew Jack understand this description of his customer-service related fits and will be amused by envisioning this scene at the only motel in town.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Adventures with Cordy, September 21, 1976
[Below is days 15 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 21, (Tuesday)
This was a peaceful and nice visit. Good Motel, delicious food and a birds eye view of what can be accomplished by faith, dedication and simple tastes and the willingness to work. Unfortunately commercialism is taking over and the true picture is being eliminated. We all realized that progress ? in the modern way has to continue, but are sorry to think the area will lose its charm and authenticity before many years are gone. We visited a large pretzel factory and the oldest public produce market in the United States. It was impressive and people came from Philadelphia and other large cities to purchase the good things offered. There were many historical points of interest mentioned by concrete and marble memorials just outside the market.
I wonder what they saw that was so cool that the thought of “progress” made them depressed? Were they still near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, or somewhere else? Was the pretzel factory part of this commercialism or not? Mmm….pretzels.
September 21, (Tuesday)
This was a peaceful and nice visit. Good Motel, delicious food and a birds eye view of what can be accomplished by faith, dedication and simple tastes and the willingness to work. Unfortunately commercialism is taking over and the true picture is being eliminated. We all realized that progress ? in the modern way has to continue, but are sorry to think the area will lose its charm and authenticity before many years are gone. We visited a large pretzel factory and the oldest public produce market in the United States. It was impressive and people came from Philadelphia and other large cities to purchase the good things offered. There were many historical points of interest mentioned by concrete and marble memorials just outside the market.
I wonder what they saw that was so cool that the thought of “progress” made them depressed? Were they still near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, or somewhere else? Was the pretzel factory part of this commercialism or not? Mmm….pretzels.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Get to Know More Genealogy Blogs
Terry Thorton of Hill Country of Monroe County Mississippi issued a "Getting to Know Me" challenge for genealogy bloggers. My submission is here.
Overall, 40 people entered 42 submissions. Terry divided the large number of entries into three parts. Read some if you get the time. There are a lot of wonderful stories out there.
Getting to Know Me, Act 1
Getting to Know Me, Act 2
Getting to Know Me, Act 3
I was lucky enough to land the top spot at the beginning of Act 3. Terry said some wonderful things about this blog and my writing. I truly appreciate and value his praise.
Overall, 40 people entered 42 submissions. Terry divided the large number of entries into three parts. Read some if you get the time. There are a lot of wonderful stories out there.
Getting to Know Me, Act 1
Getting to Know Me, Act 2
Getting to Know Me, Act 3
I was lucky enough to land the top spot at the beginning of Act 3. Terry said some wonderful things about this blog and my writing. I truly appreciate and value his praise.
Adventures with Cordy, September 20, 1976
[Lynn, Jack and Doris, September 20, 1976][Below is days 14 in a series of road trip diary installments. To get the full context, start with Adventures with Cordy: A Road Trip Diary and follow the trail from there. --Amy]
September 20, (Monday)
We were all saddened to learn of the death of Pat’s mother on September 19th. And our thoughts and prayers were of, and for, her family.
The visit to Gettysburg National Park was quite impressive. It began with a cyclorama showing the battle of Gettysburg and Doris spent a lot of time and thought trying to figure a way the South could have won this battle. We then obtained our “Golden Age” passes that entitles us to free entry to all Federal Parks for the remainder of our lives. Then a visit to the site of Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg address at the cemetery. It is an area that everyone should see and feel. Then on to the Pennsylvania Amish Country around Lancaster, Pa. Enjoyed a film of the area at the Visitor’s Center. They also had lists of Motels, Restaurants and things to see etc.
I believe the Pat referred to in this diary entry is the daughter-in-law of Jack and Doris. I was 4 at the time, but I vaguely remember this. Family can comment below if I am wrong.
It still amazes me how many Southern traits Doris had, even though she was raised in Oklahoma. Maybe a little of her father’s Arkansas roots rubbed off on her. Who knows.
Also, I don’t remember my grandparents visiting a lot of federal parks, so they didn’t use those “Golden Age” passes too often.
September 20, (Monday)
We were all saddened to learn of the death of Pat’s mother on September 19th. And our thoughts and prayers were of, and for, her family.
The visit to Gettysburg National Park was quite impressive. It began with a cyclorama showing the battle of Gettysburg and Doris spent a lot of time and thought trying to figure a way the South could have won this battle. We then obtained our “Golden Age” passes that entitles us to free entry to all Federal Parks for the remainder of our lives. Then a visit to the site of Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg address at the cemetery. It is an area that everyone should see and feel. Then on to the Pennsylvania Amish Country around Lancaster, Pa. Enjoyed a film of the area at the Visitor’s Center. They also had lists of Motels, Restaurants and things to see etc.
I believe the Pat referred to in this diary entry is the daughter-in-law of Jack and Doris. I was 4 at the time, but I vaguely remember this. Family can comment below if I am wrong.
It still amazes me how many Southern traits Doris had, even though she was raised in Oklahoma. Maybe a little of her father’s Arkansas roots rubbed off on her. Who knows.
Also, I don’t remember my grandparents visiting a lot of federal parks, so they didn’t use those “Golden Age” passes too often.
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