Wordless Wednesday: Jackson Square Edition

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Not a Wordless Wednesday: Through the Eyes of Babes

Long time readers of this blog know about my son's love and encyclopedic knowledge of railroad crossings and signals. Any family history trip we take together involves some train watching time as well.

We spent some time in New Orleans during our vacation last month. My son didn't have his camera, so I loaned him my phone when a train crossed our path.

These are some of the photos he took. It's fun to see these often ignored trains and signals through the eyes of someone who loves them so much.

My son has a couple of self-published train blogs and he welcomes new readers. Email me privately if you'd like to check them out.

He also has a birthday this month and he reads my blog.
Happy birthday, dude.
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Wordless Wednesday: I Married a Comedian Edition

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

WHO DAT in the 1920 Census?

Since this is Superbowl Sunday, I thought I'd point out ancestral connections I have to the two teams in the game. I struck out with Indianapolis, since I have zero family history in Indiana. I did find a connection to New Orleans, however. 

My great-grandparents, Noel Thibodeaux and Josephine Bourgaux were born in Acadia Parish, Louisiana. They moved around a lot, probably to find work, but Noel's penchant for gambling and the temptation of quick buck may have also played a part.

Here is part of the census page on which my great-grand parents were enumerated. They lived in the 9th ward of New Orleans:

 

In the household were my great-grandfather, Noel Thibodeaux, his wife Josephine, their son Elmo, and Noel's nephew Clarence McGee. They lived on Bartholomew Street. What this census doesn't show is that there was another baby on the way. They would eventually have seven kids.

Noel and his nephew worked in the ship yards in New Orleans. I imagine many men did at that time.

Noel would also work in the ship yards in San Pedro, California, during the World War II era.

In the 1930 census, Noel and family were living with his in-laws in Acadia Parish, Louisiana. After bouncing back and forth from California and Louisiana, they would eventually stay in California, where they raised their family and are buried today. But for a short time, they were in New Orleans and that's why their featured here on Superbowl Sunday.

[Items cropped from a page of the 1920 US Census Population Schedule. Enumeration district 161, page 19B, image 38 of the New Orleans Ward 9 set. You can see this page and the complete census at ancestry.com.]

Pieces of History: Wordless Wednesday

Cypress Grove Cemetery, New Orleans

Photo taken January 2009

Tombstone Tuesday: Mardi Gras Edition

In January 2009, we took a family trip to New Orleans. One day, we rode the Canal Street trolley. There are several cemeteries at the end of the line. We briefly toured one, but rain was hampering the experience.

Before boarding a return trolley, several members of our group wandered off to the little coffee/ice cream/"tobacco supply" shop next to the cemeteries. While waiting for the others, I turned the corner of the store and wandered in to another cemetery. I found this little fellow waiting for someone:


Something about this frog makes me sad. I can't put my finger on it, just a vibe.

However, I can't leave this post on such a depressing note, so I will tell you that this guy is sitting on the other side of the Yrle crypt:

Laissez les bon temps rouler, y'all!

Mardi Gras Edition: Wordless Wednesday

Photo taken January 2009 at the cemetery next to the "tobacco" / coffee shop at the end of Canal Street, New Orleans. I believe it's the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery, but not 100% sure.