Follow Friday and a Freebie

This week's featured blog in my sporadic Follow Friday series is The French Genealogy Blog, which just celebrated its first blog birthday. As a gift to readers, author Anne is providing a FREE five-page checklist for researching French ancestors. Just go to the special birthday blog post and follow the directions to get your own copy of this helpful document.

I find The French Genealogy Blog to be very helpful in my own research. I did not know I had French immigrant ancestors until I really started researching my family history. I knew I had Cajuns who got the boot from Canada, but that was just one side of my grandfather's history. The other side came to Louisiana from France and (French-speaking) Belgium. With 4 years of high school Spanish under my belt, I need all the help I can get on the French side. This blog helps with that.

Another favorite element of this blog is the list of "Books on Genealogy in France" in the right column. I also look carefully at the "Websites of the Departmental Archives" on the left.

Thank you to The French Genealogy Blog for being such a helpful tool and offering this great checklist to readers. For these reasons you are my pick for Follow Friday.

Another ProGen Update

Today I turned in my assignment for this month's ProGen topic. Can you believe I'm already on month 13? I think there are 18 months, so I'm almost done.

April's task had to do with writing research reports. Several examples were given in the Professional Genealogy book. I opted for a letter-style report. Mine wasn't an actual report, but a sample I produced for the assignment. It included a letter to an imaginary client, a description of the work performed, an attached document that met the client's need (with appropriate citation included) and an invoice.

The invoice wasn't part of the assignment, but the report samples indicated them as attachments, so I decided to make one. I'm glad I did because the document came out great and now I have a template I can use in the "real world."

The good thing about the ProGen experience is that each person brings something different to the table. The bad thing about ProGen is that I always feel weird for bringing something different to the table. I have no idea how my assignment will be received. I did my best, however, and I learned a lot. In the end, that's all that really counts.

Interested in the ProGen experience? Join the waiting list.

Wordless Wednesday: 70578 Edition

United States Post Office

Rayne, Louisiana, 70578

Frog Capital of the World

SS-5 Waiting Game

I ordered my great-grandfather's SS-5 this week. For those that don't know, an SS-5 is the form one fills out to get a Social Security Number. You can request these documents for deceased individuals through the Freedom of Information Act.

It's been a while since I ordered a SS-5. So long, in fact, that this is the first one I've ordered using the new-ish Social Security Administration online order form. This is also the first time I've ordered a SS-5 for someone who is not in the Social Security Death Index.

I am hoping this form lists the names of my great-grandfather's parents. I already know who they are, but their connection is made using lots of indirect evidence. For example, I have documents that say Noel (my great-grandfather) is brother of Elizabeth. I have documents that say Elizabeth's parents are Noel Sr. and Lizzie. I do not have documents that state Noel's parents. Hopefully with this SS-5 I can document that Noel's parents are Noel Sr. and Elizabeth.

Noel Sr. was the guy who got shot in 1889. The newspaper articles don't mention the family by name, so this is where it gets sketchy. Complicating matters is the lack of an 1890 census.

I'm also hoping this SS-5 tells me where Noel Jr. was living and working at the time of his SSN application. He moved around so much! Many documents, voter records, census entries and city directories have helped me map Noel Jr.'s multiple relocations in Louisiana and California.

SS-5 records are expensive ($27 and $29) so I don't order many. However, this I felt was too important not to have such a record. Now I play the waiting game for a present in my mailbox,

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 19

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within paint a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure with you a few pages at a time.

Page 35: Bill from the druggist re: items pertaining to the care of Amelia Baerecke

In part 18, there was a note from the commissioner saying that in order to be reimbursed for medical and death-related costs of her mother (Amelia Baerecke), Lena Smith would have to furnish bills attesting to the charges. This is one of those bills. Given the date, it's clear Lena went back to the druggist to get a copy of the bill specifically for the reimbursement request.

What I learned from this document:

The name of the druggist was Fred W. Kemp. A street address is provided. I could look up where he worked in relation to the Smith house. I could also research his business or look up Mr. Kemp in the 1910 census if I felt so inclined.

The date range in which these medical items were purchased: 28 Dec 1911 - 4 Jan 1912. These are the last days in the life of Amelia Baerecke. 

The medical items purchased included a syringe, medicine, a bottle of something and gauze. I think all of the numbers were medication and/or product codes.

It's both strange and fascinating to see the medical supplies provided to my great-great-great grandmother in the final days of here life.

Coming up, the doctor's bill. Stay tuned...

On to part 20.

The Ultimate Genealogy Purchase

Looky what I got:

It might look like a new car, but really it's an over-sized accessory for my genealogy toolbox.

It has giant tires, which is good because I may have to do a little off-roading to find the Jones Cemetery in Leo, Texas.

It has a step for the vertically challenged, which is good because I can't get in the dang car without it.

It has fancy directions, which is good because I'm pretty sure I'm going to get lost when I go hunt for Jones Cemetery in Leo, Texas. Now you know where I live. I expect the genealogy papparazzi to be outside my door any minute.

The backseat is big enough to handle hostile passengers and/or children who are not happy about being dragged on genealogy missions.

The back is huge and can store a gazillion book purchases. Next time I drive to a national conference, I'm in trouble.

There's even a PARTY button. What happens when it's pushed is a secret, but it might involve a disco ball.

So there you go, the latest professional tool in my genealogy box. I can totally write this one off as a business expense, right?

Wordless Wednesday: Historic Property Edition

Old Mervine Kahn Warehouse

Rayne, Louisiana

Tombstone Tuesday: Malina Thibodeaux Edition

This is the grave of my great-great aunt at St. Joseph cemetery in Iota, Acadia Parish, Louisiana. If you do the math, you can see she was 23 when she died. 

 * SISTER *

MALINA

THIBODEAUX

DEC. 18, 1882

SEPT. 8, 1906

AT REST

In the picture above, you can see a partial view of a stone for Lizzie Eldridge. She was Malina's mother and is my great-great grandmother.

Malina's brief obituary that appeared in the paper stated that she had been ill for six months, but wasn't more specific than that.

For my family playing along, Malina (sometimes called Melanie Thibodeaux) was the aunt of my grandfather. She was the sister of Noel Holly Thibodeaux. I definitely see a resemblance.

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 18

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within paint a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure with you a few pages at a time.

Page 34: A Note from the Commissioner

Finance Div

BFS MEB

March 19, 1912

Mrs. Lena Smith,

Milwaukee, Wis

Madam:-

In your claim for reimbursement in the case of Amalia Baerecke, certificate number 615.946, there should be furnished a bill for nursing showing by whom paid.

Your husband should sign the statement herewith.

Very respectfully,

J. L. Davenport

Commissioner

What I learned from this document:

I didn't learn much factually. I can imagine Mrs. Lena Smith (my third-great aunt) spent all this time compiling everything needed for her deceased mother's pension and sent it off in anticipation. Then a letter comes, she opens it and it's the government asking for more paperwork.

Also, I like how the letter is addressed to Mrs. Smith, but she is ordered to have her husband do the signing for her, lest she get the vapors and faint over such a complex task.

Coming up: bills, bills, bills. Stay tuned...

On to part 19

Fun With Search Terms

It's time for another great edition of "Fun with Search Terms." I employ a handful of different free services and search trackers that tell me how people find my blog. The details I receive don't tell me who you are, don't worry. Your privacy is protected. I do, however, get a list of the search terms people use when they click the search engine results that lead to my blog. Some are funny. Some I can provide with further information and I often do so. Here is a sample of searches for the recent past:

angelina genealogy conference
The Angelina College Genealogy Conference is in Lufkin, Texas, in July.

What's the plan Stan?
Beat's the heck out of me, Lee.

1900 Acadia Parish census
Go to FamilySearch Pilot, and click "Browse our record collections." Click North America on the map, then scroll down until you find the 1900 census. You should be able to search your people in Acadia Parish there.

war memorial calcasius pass
Do you mean the war memorial at Calcasieu Pass? I took some pictures of it.

oh yeah. I went there
Well? How was it? We're waiting...

librarything non-profits
LibraryThing is a great way to keep track of the books you have, or want to read, or however you want to organize books. They have free personal accounts, paid personal accounts and very affordable accounts for organizations. It's on this organizations page that you'll find the information you need to use LibraryThing for a non-profit group.

Why do parts of a whole have to be equal?
Because if they're not, then the kids start fighting over who gets the biggest piece and it all goes downhill from there.

Pride and Joy

The Chickasaw Times is a monthly publication sent out to Chickasaw Nation citizens on a monthly basis. One of the features is a "Pride and Joy" section where parents and grandparents can brag about their kids. There's a family in my neighborhood who gets in that section regularly. I joked with my dad that he needs to keep up with the other grandparents when it comes to getting the grandkids in the paper.

Imagine my surprise this week when I see some familiar faces in the Pride and Joy section: my son and nieces. My dad did a great job with his bragging. He talked about his grandchildren and their ancestral connections. Their second- and third-great grandmothers are original Chickasaw enrollees.

If my grandmother was still here, she would be very proud to see some of her great-grandchildren in the Chickasaw paper. But I think she'd be even more thrilled to see her mother and grandmother in the paper, mentioned by name as original enrollees.

My grandmother, Doris

I inherited her shortness and wide feet.

My great-grandmother, Frankie Jones 

(original Chickasaw enrollee #3702)

My great-great grandmother, Carrie Colbert

(original Chickasaw enrollee #3701)

Thanks for getting my kid in the paper, dad! I think these ladies would be proud of their descendants.

Wordless Wednesday: Backyard Invasion Edition

Beware Falling Outhouses

I went to my local Family History Center today to see if film #1013654 contained the death record for my great-great grandfather Harry Baerecke. I am glad to say that it did! There were no surprises, as someone had already told me he had died of tuberculosis at his family's home in Milwaukee. He left a wife and 4 year-old daughter behind.

Since I was at the FHC anyway, I decided to look at the whole reel and see if there were any Baerecke, Schmidt or other names that may be of interest to me. And thus began the slow roll of the hand-cranked microfilm machine.

Milwaukee death records are fantastic. Depending on the person who died and others' knowledge, they might contain any or all of the following: name, parents' names, birthplace, birth date, death date, occupation, address of death, mortuary and cemetery.

As I was browsing the records, I started looking at the cause of death for everyone on the reel. I'm just morbidly curious that way. There were many stillborn/premature babies, young children falling ill, suicides and what not. There were way too many people getting hit by street cars, in my opinion. I did find one cause of death that's worth its own mention.

One poor man's death was "accidental by outhouse falling on him."

Man, what a way to die.

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 17

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within paint a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure with you a few pages at a time.

Page 33 - Letter regarding the death of Amalie Baerecke (Max's widow)

Jan. 10th, 1912

U.S. Pension Agent

Dear Sir:

My Mother, Mrs. Amalie Baerecke died the fourth day of January 1912, at one o'clock P.M. She was attended by Dr. Wm. Sickles, whose office is in the Majestic building. Enclosed please find her pension certificate & voucher.

Very Respectfully

Mrs. C. J. Smith

680 33 St.

What did I learn from this document?

I know that my great-great-great grandmother died in the afternoon of January 4th. I have other documentation that gives the date (some in this file, some elsewhere), but this is the only record that gives an exact time.

I know the name of Amalie's physician and could research him or his office building if I feel so inclined.

I know "Mrs. C. J. Smith" is close enough to Amalie to have the authority to write a letter to the U.S. Pension Agent and get Amalie's affairs settled. I also know the street address of Mrs. C. J. Smith. Based on the information provided in this file, I believe I know the city and state as well.

Through outside research and communication with other Baerecke descendants, I know that Mrs. C. J. Smith is probably Lena Baerecke, the youngest child of Max and Amalie. If I didn't know that, I would assume that Mrs. C. J. Smith was the married name of one of the daughters and do what I needed to find out which one.

Mrs. C. J. Smith is my third great aunt. When I peek at the coming pages of this file, it appears that she handled the correspondence regarding the pension after Amalie's death.

Coming up, a letter that shows government bureaucracy and red tape were alive and well 100 years ago.

Stay tuned....

On to part 18

Follow Friday: Starring Asheville and Buncombe County

This week's recommendation in my sporadic Follow Friday series is almost too good to be true: Asheville and Buncombe County. When I first saw the website, I did a double take: "The purpose of this website is to explore, analyze and preserve the history of Asheville and Buncombe County, North Carolina."

Why was I so excited? Because that's where my Jones ancestors are from! At first, I was skeptical that the blog would be maintained since so many are started only to be abandoned. However, it is regularly updated with really good information. They provide links to books, highlight local history and news, and so much more. It's like a trip to a research library.

But wait, there's more! The blog also offers a search box and several helpful links on the side. It's clear, this blog was designed by a researcher.

Asheville and Buncombe County has so much information that I need to just take some time and read it from beginning to end. If you know of anyone doing genealogical research in North Carolina, do pass this resource along. Their links alone are worth the price of admission.

Thank you to the forces behind this blog. I know how much work it is to maintain a blog and keep it fresh, so your efforts are greatly appreciated by the genealogy community (and one Jones ancestor).

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 16

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within paint a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure with you a few pages at a time.

Page 31: Surgeon's Certificate of Ordinary Disability

The document says:

I hereby certify, that Max Baerecke Private unattached 15th Infantry is incapable of performing the duties of a soldier, for the following reasons: He has asthma.

And I further certify, that during the last two months, the said Invalid has been under medical treatment by me Sixty days; and in the hospital, Sixty days; And therefore, in the opinion of the undersigned, the interest of the Service requires that he should be discharged from the Army.

Given at New Orleans, La. 29th day of April, 1848. Charles McCormick, Asst. Surgeon

The above named Max Baerrecke was enlisted by Lt. Wright of the ___ Regiment of ___ on the 15th day of August 1847, at Milwaukee. He is 5 feet 4 inches high, 20 years of age, and by profession a Farmer. During the last three months, the said Invalid Soldier, now recommended to be discharged, has been on the sick list 90 days, and has been reported fit for duty, during the same period 0 days.

Discharged this 30th day of April 1848, at New Orleans; in conformity with the XXXII Article, (revised) "General Regulations for the Army," and directions received from General Headquarters dated ___

(signed) Geo M Brooke

What did I learn from this document?

Well, it seems to me to be a pretty important piece of paper for Max in applying for a military pension because it shows that he has medical issues. 

He's 5'4". Is that short or normal for the time? I suspect it's normal, but what do I know? I'm vertically challenged as well. 

So now Max is a 20 year-old asthmatic discharged from the military. What does he do next? I know he went back to Milwaukee because he eventually married there. But how did he fill his life until then? Farming? Did he have his own farm? Did he have any family in the area? I haven't found any other Baerecke folk there yet. Just another avenue I have to research.

Coming up, a handwritten letter. Who wrote it any why is it in the file? Stay tuned...

[Note: page 32 is just a cover for page 31. There is no valuable information contained within, so I skipped it.]

On to part 17

Wordless Wednesday: Peeling Paint Edition

Alexander Thibodeaux (1860-1946)

Marie Olympe Arabie Thibodeaux (1858-1925)

St. Joseph Cemetery #1

Rayne, Louisiana

Tombstone Tuesday: Grave Notice Edition

St. Joseph Cemetery #1

Rayne, Louisiana

The Simple Things

This weekend was pretty low key for me. My family is in another state, so there was no big Easter celebration.

I worked on my RootsMagic database. This is the one that I started from scratch, where every fact has a source. How is it going? Slowly but surely.

I've been concentrating on the 16 great-great grandparents and their various offspring. This weekend I worked on census facts for these people. I also added some Arkansas marriage records thanks to FamilySearch.org.

The work doesn't provide immediate results, but I can see a really strong tree forming. When I play with the report features, I'm impressed. When I look at a person's profile and see the row of check marks telling me I have sources and citations for each fact, I am happy.

My database be a good product. It will never be complete, but it's on its way to being awesome.

Featured Expert at Archives.com

I am the featured expert at Archives.com for the next two weeks. Of what am I an expert? Finding genealogy information in the darndest places.


You'd think it would get me some clout around the house, but the cats still woke me up early demanding food before sunrise (a big no-no).


Please share the article with genealogists who may not be aware of the resources that can be found at local libraries.


Thank you to the staff at Archives.com for requesting my services and making the writing process smooth and easy.

Win RootsMagic 4 from The Family Curator

The Family Curator is having a contest and the prize is a good one: a copy of RootsMagic 4!

The details are here: Blogger's Almanac Contest.

Best Deal in Genealogy

You know those Louisiana death certificates I ordered last week? They arrived yesterday! I sent the forms on one Thursday and the certificates came on the next Thursday. And the records were only $5 each! I need to see if there are any other death certificates I need before the Secretary of State wises up and raises the price.

Below are the death certificates I requested and received. I know you won't care, but I want to list them here so others who may be searching online will land on my blog, contact me, exchange info and live happily ever after as cousins in Genealogyland.

Julia Bourgaux Menou d. 30 Jul 1949

George Paul Bourgaux d. 26 Dec 1931

Charles Matt / Matte d. 1 July 1938 (2nd husband of my great-great grandmother who was the widow of my great-great grandfather who suffered from wandering-eye disease)

Elizabeth Thibodeaux Scanlan d. 29 March 1952 (daughter of Mr. wandering-eye disease)

Frank Scanlan d. 22 April 1946 (husband of Elizabeth)

Earl Rufus Scanlan d. 18 Dec 1933 (Homicide! Shot in a restaurant! Son of Elizabeth and Frank)

ValJean Menou d. 20 Dec 1925 (age 6 of diptheria)

Victor Menou d. 16 Nov 1954 (age 3 of accidental hanging. So sad.)

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 15

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within paint a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure with you a few pages at a time.

Page 30: Statement of the Surgeon of the U.S. Army

The document featured in part 14 was a statement regarding Max Baerecke's Civil War service. This document is regarding Max's time in the Mexican War. It states the following:

Sir, I have the honor to return herewith the papers received from your office in pension claim "Mexican War" with such information as is furnished by records filed in this Office, viz that " Baerecke, Priv, Co 15th Inf. entered Post (?) Hospital Newport Barracks, Ky. Oct. 9, 1847, complaint given as [Ilorbille?], and returned to duty Oct. 10, 1847. Michael Baerecke, Pv. -- Co. 15th Inf. entered G H New Orleans, La, Oct. 25, 1847, with Asthma and was sent to New Orleans Barracks March 2, 1848. Max Baerecke Pv. Co. L(?) 15th Inf. was discharged from service at G A New Orleans, April 30, '48 by reason of asthma. No medical records of the regiment on file."

[Signed] B. F(?). Pope, Surgeon, U.S. Army

What did I learn from this document? It's best to make a timeline.

* Max enlisted for the Mexican War on August 15, 1847 (per page 13 of this file)

* Max went to the hospital on Oct. 9, 1847.

* Max was discharged on Oct. 10, 1847.

* Max went to the hospital on Oct. 25, 1847

* Max was sent to N.O. Barracks on March 2, 1848.

* Max was discharged April 30, 1848.

When it's spelled out that way, it's clear that Max spent the majority of this portion of his military service under medical treatment. So while he was technically in the Mexican War, he really was mostly in a hospital bed. 

What makes this so interesting is that--based on documents in this file--we know he later enlisted in the Civil War despite his asthma.

What's next in the file? Well, it looks like a pretty important document for those seeking a pension. Stay tuned....

On to Part 16