Life of Riley

Digital State Archives

2012-01-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Bobbi Harrison and Descendants of Nicholas Saum for this information!

Many states now hold a Digital Archives online. Here is a link that can help you find out if the state you are looking for holds such a collection; I am also going to post the links below.

http://www.digitalstatearchives.com/

It looks like there are only 14 states who currently do not.

These states have an online collection available for searching:

Alabama http://www.archives.state.al.us/

Alaska http://www.archives.state.ak.us/

Arizona http://azmemory.lib.az.us/index.php

Arkansas http://www.ark-ives.com/

California http://www.oac.cdlib.org/

Colorado http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/

Connecticut http://www.cslib.org/archives/

Delaware http://archives.delaware.gov/

Florida http://www.floridamemory.com/

Georgia http://cdm.sos.state.ga.us/index.php

Hawaii http://archives1.dags.hawaii.gov/gsdl/cgi-bin/library

Idaho http://www.digitalarchives.idaho.gov/default.aspx

Illinois http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/archi
ves.html

Indiana http://www.indianadigitalarchives.org/

Iowa http://www.iowahistory.org/libraries/index.html

Kansas http://www.kansasmemory.org/

Kentucky http://kdla.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Louisiana http://www.sos.la.gov/tabid/53/Default.aspx

Maine http://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/

Maryland http://aomol.net/html/index.html

Massachusetts http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcidx.htm

Michigan http://www.digitalstatearchives.com/michigan

Minnesota http://www.mnhs.org/index.htm

Mississippi http://mdah.state.ms.us/

Missouri http://www.sos.mo.gov/mdh/

Montana http://mtmemory.org/cdm/

Nebraska http://www.nebraskahistory.org/lib-arch/index.shtml

Nevada http://nevadadigitalarchives.org/

New Hampshire http://www.sos.nh.gov/archives/default.html

New Jersey http://www.state.nj.us/state/darm/links/archives.html

New Mexico http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/

New York http://www.archives.nysed.gov/aindex.shtml

North Carolina http://genealogy.about.com/od/north_carolina/tp/nc_online.ht
m
(About.com provdes several good databases for North Carolina)

North Dakota http://history.nd.gov/archives/genealogy.html (few items available online; most must be done in-person); also http://dlsd.sdln.net/ and http://library.ndsu.edu/archives/digital-collections

Ohio http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/archlib/index.html

Oklahoma http://www.odl.state.ok.us/oar/

Oregon http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/vital.html

Pennsylvania http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/

Rhode Island None

South Carolina http://archives.sc.gov/onlineresearch/Pages/default.aspx

South Dakota None

Tennessee http://www.tn.gov/tsla/resources/index.htm

Texas https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/

Utah http://www.archives.state.ut.us/

Vermont http://vermont-archives.org/

Virginia (by the Library of Virginia) http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/collections_a_to_z

Washington http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/

West Virginia http://www.wvculture.org/history/archivesindex.aspx

Wisconsin (Wisconsin Historical Society) http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/genealogy/

Wyoming None

Create you own legacy

2011-10-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

I loved listening to all the stories of my family and the ancestors -- I wish I would have written more of it down when I was younger. Future generations will want to know about you and your ancestors, you can give them some help by doing one of these things.

Video Biography - there are so many ways to record lasting memories that include advice, anecdotes and life stories. Pull out your Flip, your telephone, video camera or hire a professional to record the details.
Take Notes - ask your parents and other relatives questions and let them tell the stories. This is a great way to create a memoir with a personal touch.
Photos - create a photo album -- or if you are really crafty, a scrapbook -- in tribute to your parents and relatives. This is a great gift to the future generations too when they wonder how we all looked in the "olden times."
Ethical Wills - this is a way to share your values, blessings, life's lessons, hopes and dreams for the future, love, and forgiveness with your family, friends, and community.

Email me anytime and tell me your story! Please subscribe to my columns for great tips and information.

Stain remover - carpet

2011-10-24T05:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this is a magic flying carpet and that isn't quite what we are talking about here, but I liked the image and it is a carpet. Besides all my photos of the various alcoholic carpets that I have had over the years are all in the PODS container...

In my mother's notes was a old yellowed piece of paper with this information on it:

This mixture helps remove stains from carpeting, use detergent-water-vinegar solution. Mix 1-teaspoon liquid dish or fine fabric detergent, 1-quart warm water and 1-teaspoon white vinegar.

From the look of it, we are to be intuitive enough on cleaning to know we should put this one the stain and then blot it off. I would use a white towel just in case so you don't transfer colored towel onto the carpet making matters worse.

Email me anytime and tell me your story! Please subscribe to my columns for great tips and information.

Polishing the family silver

2011-09-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

Winter is approaching and yet I still have no desire to polish silver... weird isn't it? In my quest to always find things that work well and are simple, today I'm sharing a silver polishing recipe from Aggie's kitchen.

1 quart water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Small piece of aluminum foil

Place the water in a glass container. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Add the small piece of aluminum foil. Soak your silver in the mixture until the silver is clean. Soaking time will depend on how tarnished the silver is. After soaking, wash the silver with soap and water and dry well.

Do you have tips for cleaning silver? Share them in the comments.

Welcome to the World - Ellen Marie

2011-08-19T04:26:00.000-07:00

Sorting through my all the things in my parent's house and I found this ditty my father wrote on the night my sister was born.

On August 19 at a quarter to three
Agatha drove off in Corsa with me

Kathy and Beast were all bedded down
Cause our purpose was not a night on the town

To Marymont hospital we drove that wet night
With thunder and lightning to hinder our flight

Up to the emergency door our Corsa it flew
But the guard said "No parking and I do mean you!"

The full moon was covered with clouds that morn
But a new Riley heir was soon to be born

Would it be Michael Donavan or Ellen Marie?
Either one would ease poor Ag's misery

Ag was on the table at three fifty six
And seven pounds 10 came at four twenty six

Big Dad shook hands with old Doctor Wise
And looked at the baby with tears in his eyes

She's a perfect little tyke its easy to see
Our new little daughter - Ellen Marie

Sharing Memories (Week 30 of 52): Summer Heat Waves

2011-07-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

What did we do in the extreme heat when we were little? Did it ever feel as HOT and MUGGY as it did this year in Minnesota? When I was growing up, we lived in a number of states and I also got to spend big chunks of time in Indiana on various family farms and there were some steamy days.

What did we do as children when it was really hot? I do recall open windows at night, and there were occasionally fans involved -- but how many and when are unclear. I do recall one large fan that was a 1960s blue and felt like sitting in front of an airplane propeller. It was -- and still is -- on wheels and is about 3-feet tall and still feels a lot like sitting in front of a small plane. There were other more dangerous looking fans that had two thin pieces of wire that would not protect fingers from getting caught up in the cooling process. Come to think of it, those thin pieces of wire wouldn't have held the blade if it had shaken loose either. I recall one of the neighborhood boys sticking his tongue into that fan -- only once though...

One summer we had a vacation rental place in Sea Girt, New Jersey. My father was working in New York City and we stayed where we could get to the beach. That did make the heat much more tolerable. There was plenty of really fresh seafood, lots of playing in the sand, swimming in the Atlantic, trips to the library that smelled of old wood and books -- love that! Lots of visitors came that summer to see us and take in some salty sea air, still a favorite smell. We would walk to the beach at night when it was cooler and our Poodle, Hobo, got swept out into the ocean one night. In an amazing moment as a child, he came back no worse for wear. Now there is a moment of thinking about the Gaines Burgers that one of the house guests brought for the dog. I wonder what he ate the rest of the time, I don't have any recall on that, but it may have been table scraps. My paternal grandmother stayed with us the entire summer and painted seascapes and boats.

One theme that seems to run through all my tropical heat wave summers is being around some type of water. Many of my great summer memories include sail boats and various bodies of water like the Atlantic Ocean, Crooked Creek, swimming pool in the backyard at the Tulsa house, Lake Minnetonka, Lake Keystone, Mianus River, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, Lake Tahoe and those are just some that I can recall. Guess we are water people.

Do you remember extreme summer heat when you were a child? Please share them in the comments.

My inspiration for this entry: It's Week 30 of our Sharing Memories - A Genealogy
Journey<http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com/2009/12/sharing-memories-genealogy-journey.html>Please join us each Sunday as we share our memories of childhood. Your
descendants will be thankful that you did! Write here as a comment, or on
your own blog, or in a private journal, but please write!

Sharing Memories (Week 22 of 52): Memorial Day Thank You to Military Ancestors

2011-05-31T15:29:00.000-07:00

I am working on sharing memories like my inspiration over at Olive Tree Genealogy. This week is about military ancestors -- of which I have many. I want to thank all military personnel -- past and present for your service, I for one greatly appreciate it.

My father was a United States Marine Corps Sergeant in Korea and prior to his tour of duty there spent time as a Drill Instructor at Camp Pendleton in California.

Neither of my grandfathers served in any wars or the military, although one worked in a factory as a foreman where they made military supplies and the other farmed and was registered for both WWI and WWII.

I do have other military ancestors including the Civil War and the Revolutionary War. I enjoy looking through the files to see where they were and was particularly interested in my 2nd great grandfather who was held as a prisoner of war by the Confederate States Army.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all they sacrificed to keep us free.

Olive Tree Inspirations are here.

Dog Bite Prevention PSA

2011-05-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

FREE Online Genealogy Research Courses

2011-04-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

Research Courses from FamilySearch.org

140 Free Online Genealogy Research Courses Growing Course Catalog Makes It Easier to Expand Family History Skills

From FamilySearch:

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH—Ever found yourself researching your family tree and discovering a new branch that extended to another country—and you are not familiar with that country’s records or language? Or perhaps you are a fan of the popular reality show Who Do You Think You Are? and wonder, “How do the producers know what public records to search to find all of those cool stories about that celebrity’s ancestors?” Maybe you’d like to learn more about how to do your family history research but don’t think you can afford to take a class. Thousands of individuals are now satisfying many of those needs through FamilySearch’s growing collection of free online genealogy courses.

In just one year, the number of free FamilySearch courses has grown to over 140—and new courses are added monthly. Most recently, over 25 courses were added for Australia, England, Germany, and the U.S. Additional courses were added that focus on basic tools and techniques for anyone just getting started in family history research, as well as courses for intermediate and advanced researchers.

“The goal of the initiative is to educate more people worldwide about how to find their ancestors. We do it by filming the experts teaching a particular class of interest and then offering free access to that presentation online—complete with the PowerPoint used and any electronic handouts that the user can download or print for future reference,” said Candace Turpan, FamilySearch instructional designer.

Turpan’s team films presentations made by its staff from the FamilySearch Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as special guests (the library is frequented by accredited researchers from all over the world). They also travel to industry conferences or other venues where record and research specialists gather. There they film specialists’ presentations and make them available online.

Of course, you don’t have to be into genealogy to find presentations of interest. Fans of The Da Vinci Code or National Treasure might find the Cemetery Art course by Ellen Miller of the Mid-Continent Public Library System in Independence, Missouri, very intriguing and enlightening. Miller’s course teaches about funerary traditions and cemetery iconography. “[Tombstone] practices differ from country to country, culture to culture, and religion to religion. As funeral ceremonies differ, so do the burial practices,” said Miller. Those elements often influence the types of funeral markers and symbols used on headstones, footstones, and tablet stones and can therefore tell important facts about the person they help identify. The key is in understanding the messages behind the symbolism.

FamilySearch uses viewing software that splits the viewing screen (sort of like the picture-in-picture features on some televisions) so the user can watch the video of the presenter while also seeing the PowerPoint presentation. Most courses are 30 minutes in length. You can also fast forward through the presentation or presentation slides or stop and pick up later where you left off—a luxury you don’t get in the live presentation.

“Maybe you enjoy the thrill of deciphering or reading old records in other languages. FamilySearch also has free courses to help genealogy students understand key words and terms of older foreign alphabets and handwriting, including Gothic,” added Turpin. The intent behind all of these courses is to give people the keys they need to successfully find their elusive ancestors in historic records. “Sometimes they just need a new sleuthing skill or resource. These genealogy courses are perfect for those personal development needs,” concluded Turpin.

Whatever your motivation or objective, bookmark and make regular visits to the growing catalog of free courses at FamilySearch.org.

And if you or someone you know currently teaches a class that would be of value to the genealogy community and wants to share it, find out how online at FamilySearch’s genealogy classes online.

Latest Course Additions:

Australia
· Australia BDM Civil Registration Index
· New South Wales Early Church Records 1788–1886
· Using the New South Wales Birth, Death, Marriage Index
England
· Getting the Most from the National Archives Website
· Researching in the British Isles
· What Is Britain?
Germany
· My Experiences in German Family Research
Research Principles and Tools
· Cemetery Art
· Finding Your Way: Locating and Using Maps in Your Research
· How to Find More at a Genealogy Library
· If I’d Only Known: Beginner Genealogy Mistakes
· Managing Your Family Records on the Internet
United States of America
· Basic U.S. Military Records with Tiff
· Beginning Census Research and Record Keeping
· Colonial Immigration
· Colonial Land
· County Histories and Your Family
· Finding the Slave Generation
· Locating Ancestors on the Final Rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes
· See You on Sunday! Church Records in Genealogy
· Some Underused Online Resources
· U.S. Courthouse Research
· Welcome to the World of Periodicals
ICAPGen The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists
· Mentoring Class: Introduction to ICAPGen
· Mentoring Class: Research Binder
· Mentoring Class: Evidence Analysis Part II
· Mentoring Class: Written Exam and Oral Review

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer–driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in SaltLake City, Utah.

Minnesota Historical Society Sites

2011-04-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

This list is to assist you in finding information at Minnesota History. If you have links that you would like to see added, let me know.

Historical Society Sites

Aitkin County Historical Society

Anoka County Historical Society

Deephaven Historical Society

Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society

Hennepin History Museum

The Minnesota Historical Society

Great Northern Railway Historical Society

Goodhue County Historical Society

The Living Historical Society of Minnesota, Inc.

Minnesota Historical Society

Minnetonka Historical Society

Olmsted County Historical Society

Ramsey County Historical Society

Richfield Historical Society

Rockford Area Historical Society

Sibley County Historical Society

Waseca County Historical Society

Washington County Historical Society

West Hennepin Pioneer Association

Westonka Historical Society

Please share other Minnesota links in the comments.

Chicken Pot Pie - Gluten Free

2011-04-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

Comfort food is welcome most places this time of year. This is one of my favorites with an update to gluten free. It is fairly healthy for the salt, fat and carbohydrate conscious too. If you try this, let me know what you think!

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/recipex/msg0719213910042.html

Ingredients

Crust

* 1-3/4 cups Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour

* 2 tsp. Baking Powder
* 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
* 1/2 tsp. Salt

* 1/4 cup butter (room temp)
* 1/2 cup Milk(I used organic 2%)
* 2 large Eggs (beaten)
* 1/2 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

Filling

* 1 lb skinless cooked Chicken, cubed
* 1 cup Green Peas
* 1 cup chopped Carrots
* 2 chopped Celery Stalks
* 4 cloves minced garlic (Reduce or increase amount based on taste.)
* 2-1/2 cups low sodium Gluten Free Chicken Broth (List of brands here)
* 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 2 Tbsp. Tapioca Flour
* 3 Tbsp. Water
* 1/2 cup fresh sliced Mushroom
* 1/2 tsp. Celery Salt
* 1/2 cup Dry White Wine (You can use water here too.)
* 1 tsp. dried Thyme
* Mrs Dash Garlic to taste.

Directions
Filling:
1. Combine cubed chicken, peas, and corn and set aside. Place carrots, onion, celery, and garlic in skillet and cook in cooking oil until onion is transparent. Add cubed chicken, green peas, corn, and chicken broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture is reduced one-third, about 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients,

2. Mix tapioca flour with 3 tablespoons water until paste forms, then stir into skillet slowly. Simmer until thickened. Place in greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Set aside.

Crust:
1. Preheat oven to 400�. Combine dry ingredients (flour to thyme) in large bowl. Add butter, milk, egg, and vinegar and mix together thoroughly.

2. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared filling.

3. Bake 25-35 minutes or filling is bubbling and topping is nicely browned. Serve immediately.

Makes 12 Servings.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Servings Size: 1 serving (188g)

Calories 220, Calories from Fat 70, Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 60mg, Sodium 440mg, Total Carbohydrate 21g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 4g and Protein 16g.

Sharing Memories (Week 17 of 52): Easter

2011-04-24T05:13:00.000-07:00

First Communion - Indianapolis

How did you celebrate Easter as a child? How do you celebrate it now? Do you carry on traditions from your parents or grandparents? What is your favorite Easter memory?

My favorite childhood Easter outfit was a light blue and white hounds-tooth coat with a beautiful robin's egg blue dress and white patent leather shoes. There was a snappy little matching clutch and a hat with a light blue ribbon hugging the hat at the meeting point of the brim and the crown. My sister had a little bonnet with eyelet lace, white shoes and a little white dress with pink and lilac flowers.

We hunted for Easter eggs, but our parents preferred the basket brimming with goodies to the hunting of eggs. We had all kinds of foil wrapped chocolates and bunnies over the years. Even as adults, we received a tasty chocolate treat for Easter -- it was still fun and I miss that now that my parents are gone.

Now I celebrate by having the orphans and misfits dinner with all the trimmings. If you want to come and enjoy the meal, you are still welcome even if you still have family and parents living. There is usually lively discourse at the table and that is partially what makes it a wonderful gathering.

Most years the meal is centered around a ham -- is this a family tradition? I'm not really certain, I just know that there were many requests for it this year so ham must be the tradition is some households. The communal meals have always been my favorite part of Easter -- and other holidays too. I loved helping prepare food and the kitchen brings back so many fond memories of my family.

What is your Easter tradition?

http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com/2011/04/sharing-memories-week-17-of-52-easter.html

10 Reasons Why The Internet Is No Substitute For A Library

2011-04-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

From Boing-Boing - here's the link to the image. If you click on it the size increases. http://www.boingboing.net/2011/04/14/librarysign.jpg

Sweet German Bunnies

2011-04-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Animal Planet had a fun piece this morning about the Easter Bunny. Here is a "sweet" story about Germans coming to Pennsylvania.

Sweet German Bunnies

In other Easter folklore, the fabled white bunny we've come to know originated in Germany in the 1500s, where it was originally a white hare. It was believed that if a young child was especially good, the Easter Bunny would leave a nest full of colorful eggs. At the beginning, the children would use their caps or bonnets as nests for the eggs, but these were later replaced by the now familiar baskets.

In the eighteenth century, German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought the Easter Bunny tradition to the United States where it became quite popular. Germany is also where the first edible Easter Bunnies originated in the 1800s. They were first made of pastry and sugar.

Image

Moses Brown - Maine to Minnesota

2011-04-19T19:42:00.001-07:00

This has been a fun person to start looking at. I love being able to find information on someone in old historical books.

Lineage Societies

2011-04-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

Lineage Societies

I have had some luck finding family information in these. There are so many options out there and you can find a great list at Cyndi's List too. Cyndi's List - Societies & Groups - Lineage

(National Society of the) Children of American Colonists

(National Society of the) Children of the American Revolution

Colonial Dames of America

Colonial Dames of America

Colonial Dames XVII Century

General Society of Colonial Wars

Daughters of 1812

Daughters of the American Colonists

Daughters of the American Revolution

Daughter of Founders and Patriots of America

Society of Daughters of Holland Dames

Daughters of the Union

Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Descendants of Early Quakers (National Society):

Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

First Families of Connecticut (1633 - 1662):

First Families of Ohio

First Families of Maine

First Families of Maryland

First Families of Pennsylvania

Pioneer Families of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Flagon and Trencher Society (descendents of colonial tavern keepers)

Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607 - 1783

Holland Society of New York

Mayflower Society

Descendants of Founders of New Jersey

Descendants of Mexican War Veterans

Order of Founders and Patriots of America (includes a list of state societies):

Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution

Saint Andrew's Society of Philadelphia

Saint Edward's Society of Welsh Organizations

Society of the Cincinnati

Sons of American Colonists

Sons of the American Revolution (National Society) (SAR):

Sons of the Revolution National Society

Sons of Spanish-American War Veterans

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Swedish Colonial Society

General Society of the War of 1812:

Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge

Welcome Society of Pennsylvania

The Welsh Society of Philadelphia

Please add your favorite links in the comments. Thanks!

Looking for assistance in finding your family history and genealogy? Let me know I would love to help you!

Sharing Memories (Week 16 of 52): First Kiss!

2011-04-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

At Olive Tree, It's Week 16 of our Sharing Memories - A Genealogy Journey. I'm following along and encourage you to do the same each Sunday as we write and share our memories of childhood. Your descendants will be thankful that you did! Write here as a comment, or on your own blog, or in a private journal, but please write!

Do you remember your first kiss? How old were you? Who did you kiss? Where were you and was it sweet, romantic, passionate or .... unremarkable!

You would hope the first kiss would be something out of the movies. Music, highly choreographed, fireworks in the background. Yes, that is exactly how it was when Johnny Callahan and I kissed in the playhouse in the yard in Stamford, Connecticut.

After we kissed, we talked about marriage -- and even as a five-year-old, I knew that commitment would be too long! My mother always loved sharing the story of how any bad behavior from me was attributed to a little Irish brogue saying, "The devil reached up from hell and..." Even then I knew that women could be in control.

What about you? What are your memories of that special moment?

This great idea comes from: Olive Tree Genealogy Blog: Sharing Memories (Week 16 of 52): First Kiss! http://bit.ly/dTmAds

Riley - Mingo Ohio - 1784

2011-04-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

Looking for proof of my Riley ancestors and came across this tidbit on Google Books. The books on Google Books have been great for looking up information.

From the Ohio archaeological and historical quarterly, Volume 6 - By Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society

Would you like me to find something for you? I'm an information specialist!

Library of Congress - Great for Genealogists

2011-04-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

The trip to Washington, D.C. is well worth it for the opportunity to see the collections in the Library of Congress.There are extensive local histories, genealogies and more. National and international collections too.

There are lots of things available for on-line viewing, but even more -- and personalized assistance -- available with a trip.

Library of Congress Home http://1.usa.gov/i66IYl

Image

Sharing Memories (Week 15 of 52): The Milkman Cometh

2011-04-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

It's Week 15 of our Sharing Memories - A Genealogy Journey Follow along each Sunday as we write and share our memories of childhood. Your descendants will be so thankful that you did! Write here as a comment, or on your own blog, or in a private journal, but please write!

I found myself thinking about the milkman last week. Did you have milk delivery as a child?

Thinking back, I tried to see if I could figure out when I first saw a milk man delivering to our homes. There is no point where I recall a milk delivery starting point. My parents still had milk delivered as recently as the early 1990s -- although no longer in glass bottles.

That wonderful clinking sounds of bottles jostling together is one of my favorite sounds, and I can see the milkman carrying his wire basket up the stairs. Some days we were there to collect the dairy products right away and some days he would leave them in a tin colored cooler that sat on the steps. That ice cold milk that came out of those bottles was such a treat and there is not much better than that.

The dog in the image above was an unfortunate victim of the milk truck. As the milk truck drove up the long, winding driveway he passed a stone wall fence and didn't see the dog as he darted out from behind the wall and was killed. I imagine the milkman recalled that day forever since he was a huge dog lover. I remember him being extremely distraught as he carried the lifeless body to the house to break the news.

Do you remember milk delivery?

Family History / Genealogical Libraries

2011-04-02T05:13:00.000-07:00

I love libraries! Here are some that might be helpful to your research.

The Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) The collection includes over 2.4 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records; 727,000 microfiche; 356,000 books, serials, and other formats; over 4,500 periodicals and 3,725 electronic resources. Records available are from the United States, Canada, the British Isles, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. A majority of the records contain information about persons who lived before 1930.
Allen County Public Library located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. So much great information here. This is the second largest genealogy library in the United States. The ACPL Genealogy Center is a unique and valuable resource for the Northeastern Indiana community and the entire genealogical community at large. They have one of the largest research collections available, incorporating records from around the world, and their staff specializes in genealogy and is always available to help.
The New York Public Library Milstein Division of U.S. History, Local History & Genealogy. The Milstein Division collects materials documenting American History on the national, state and local level, Genealogy, Heraldry, Personal and Family Names, and Flags. The Milstein Division bears the responsibility for maintaining the excellence of a body of materials that has traditionally been one of the strengths of The Research Libraries. Learn about our world-class history and genealogy collections, and follow the activities of the Milstein Division through their blog, flickr twitter and facebook pages.
Los Angeles Public Library | Central Library | The History & Genealogy Department. There are over 200,000 volumes in the history book collection with especially strong collections in biography, travel, wars involving the United States, the West, Native Americans, and Los Angeles area history.
National Library of Canada - Genealogy and Family History - Discover the Collection - Library and Archives Canada. Library and Archives Canada houses a wealth of resources and databases that can help Canadians trace their family history, including census, immigration, land and military records. Published sources include family histories, and indexes to church records, cemeteries and newspapers. You will also find tips for beginners, information about where to find records not held at LAC, and links to societies, archives and other genealogy websites in Canada and other countries.
American Antiquarian Society Collections document America from colonial times through the Civil War & Reconstruction. A nice link from there to Teach US History http://bit.ly/goTcV5 too.
DAR | Daughters of the American Revolution DAR Library Record Copies are now available for purchase online.

How To -- Coming to America

2011-04-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

Image

One of my cousins asked if I knew why our ancestors came to the United States, and while I have a pretty fair idea, I really don't have proof. That being said, there are some things I do know about people coming to this country and some of it might help you in your research.

Europeans departed from a limited number of ports and faced great uncertainty. Picture these people crammed into tiny little cabins with a high probability of being exposed to all kinds of illness. In addition, there was a very real threat of pirates -- and not like the Disney characters -- and horrific storms that relentlessly pounded into the side of the ship. It was certainly a hardship for most of these brave souls, and they may have been in these conditions as long as four months.

Once your ancestors arrived in America, they may have had $25 to their name. If you are lucky, your ancestors may have passed through Ellis Island which opened in 1892 -- as you may have guessed, I was not that lucky. If they are pre-Ellis Island, you may find them being processed at Castle Garden which is located at the edge of Manhattan and you can find out more at The Battery Conservancy which is a park and worth a visit if you are in New York City. For those with Asian immigrants, you'll want to look at the Pacific Mail Steamship Company warehouse in San Francisco if they arrived before 1910. After that you'll want to look at Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay.

Good luck in your search! If you want help let me know: Association of Professional Genealogists - Kathleen Riley-Daniels

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 and 1828

2011-03-31T05:13:00.000-07:00

This information is from the MyFamily.com Saum family site. What a great tip!

Categories: Genealogy help

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 and 1828
http://machaut.uchicago.edu/

So you just learned your ancestor was a hostler from the census. What’s a "hostler?" Looking it up in a dictionary from around the time your ancestor was engaged in that occupation can sometimes give you a more accurate definition. In the 1828 edition of Webster’s Dictionary a hostler is defined as “The person who has the care of horses at an inn.” The 1913 definition also includes “an innkeeper” and this later edition also includes a railroad reference as “The person who takes charge of a locomotive when it is left by the engineer after a trip.”

Other uses for the dictionary would include medical and legal terms, and even terms you might find in family correspondence. For example, the 1913 definition of the word “shine” includes this one:

4. Caper; antic; row. [Slang] To cut up shines, to play pranks. [Slang, U.S.] So if you find yourself confused by the cryptic lingo in Aunt Marge’s correspondence, pay this site a visit for a clarification.

Taken from: http://learn.ancestry.com/LearnMore/Article.aspx?id=16010&o_
iid=23560&o_lid=23560

Daniels Surname

2011-03-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

Having some fun looking up my husband's family. Some name information I found.

Daniel/Daniell/Daniels : English, French, Portuguese, German, Polish and Jewish Patronymic name, from the Hebrew given name Daniel (meaning God is my judge ). Variations are too numerous to list, but will be added as queries concern them.

Danehl is a German variation of the English, French, Portuguese, German, Polish, and Jewish surname Daniel, derived from the Hebrew given name Daniel, which means "God is my judge." It was an extremely popular name during medieval times and as a result has numerous variations as a surname. English variants include Daniell, Danniel, Danniell, Danell, Dannel, Dennell, Denial ; French versions are Deniel, Daniau, Deniau, Deniaud ; German versions include Denigel, Dangel, Dangl, Dannöhl, Denehl, Dennehl, Danneil ; Jewish variations are Danielli, Danieli, Daniely, Danielski, Danielsky . Cognates include Danis, Dany (Provencal); Ianieli, Danielli, Daniele, Daniello, Danello, Danielli (Italian); Danihel, Danhel .

Online Genealogy Newsletter Subscription Links

2011-03-26T05:33:00.000-07:00

I visited the MyFamily Saum and related families site and these were posted there. You may find some great help in these. I left Bobbi's ratings on them too so you know what she likes too.

Take any of the links below to subscribe to the various online genealogy newsletters available on the Internet. You'll find many of them very helpful in your research.

1. Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter ****excellent
2. Genea-Musings *****excellent
3. Genealogy Gems *****had some really good things
4. Ancestry Insider
5. Genealogy Insider e-newsletter (Family Tree Magazine)
6. Roots Television: The Og Blog Newsletter
7. Family Roots Publishing
8. FamilyTreeDNA Facts & Genes
9. National Geographic Genographic Newsletter
10. Ancestry.com Monthly Newsletter
11. Ancestry Weekly Discovery
12. Ancestry World Archives Project Newsletter (quarterly)
13. MyCanvas Monthly Newsletter (Ancestry)
14. Living History e-newsletter
15. Rootsweb Review
16. Ancestry Weekly Journal
17. UK Genealogy News
18. Gen Weekly
19. Genealogy Today
20. Genealogy Roots Blog
21. ProQuest Genealogy Newsletter
22. GenealogyInTime Newsletter
23. GlobalGenealogy.com Newsletter (The Global Gazette)
24. Family Newsletters (Rootsweb Mailing List)
25. Your Family Legacy Newsletter
26. Facts & Genes (FamilyTreeDNA)
27. The Genographic Project
28. Family Tree University Newsletter
29. Rampant Scotland Newsletter

30. Scottish Genes

Have additional links to share? Please post them in the comments.

The Chicago American Newspaper

2011-03-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

Image

Patrick J. Dunne
Dunne got a job at the Chicago American, where he befriended a tough Chicago-born Irishman who’d sold newspapers since he was a kid: Arthur “Mickey” McBride. In 1911, during a strike against the American, McBride was named the paper’s circulation manager. Two years later, the Cleveland News hired McBride away. Dunne followed McBride to Cleveland and joined his streetwise army of newsstanders, who waged a circulation war against the Cleveland Press.

Nore Riley 1880 / 1980 100 yrs old

2011-03-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

Looking for information on this woman. Her photo -- ripped down in size before I got it -- is all I know with the information written on the back: 1880 / 1980 Nore Riley 100 yrs old.

Was she a Riley by birth or by marriage? Am boldly guessing she is from Indiana or Ohio based on where my Riley family hails from.

Any help is greatly welcomed and appreciated!

The oldest village in northern Indiana

2011-03-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

Image

Site of Tassinong Marker The oldest village in northern Indiana. My Hannon ancestors got their mail here in 1860.

Location: 41° 20.981′ N, 87° 1.674′ W. Marker is in Kouts, Porter, Indiana. Marker is on Baums Bridge Road near Indiana Route 49, on the left when traveling north. Located under the trees along the road, in the front yard of a house. Marker is in this post office area: Kouts IN 46347, United States of America

Additional Information:
Indiana Magazine of History
Marker Information and Photos Including the Above Image

George Washington Riley (1844-1887) Civil War Service

2011-02-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

Thought this was an interesting piece of American history as it applies to my family. I found out that George Washington Riley had been a prisoner of war -- that was new news when I went through records at a local library in Decatur, Adams, Indiana. History is so interesting!

His muster papers show when he mustered out that he was owed $8.20 for pay. He had received $25 of bounty money for joining and was owed an additional $75.00. From 3 Aug 1864 through 28 July 1865 he was paid $46.78.

Here is some interesting information about where this group went in their tour of duty.

Company K, 89th Regiment Infantry

Organized at Indianapolis, In., and mustered in August 28, 1862.
Left State for Louisville, Ky., thence moved to Munfordsville, Ky.,
September 2. Siege of Munfordsville September 14-17.
Regiment captured September 17 and paroled. March to Brandenburg, thence to Jeffersonville, Ind.
Duty at Indianapolis, Ind., saw June 27.
Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie December 5-8.
Attached to District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to March, 1863.
1st Brigade, District of Memphis, Tenn., 5th Division, 16th Army Corps, to January, 1864.
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division (Detachment), Army of the Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865.
1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1865.

SERVICE --
Guard and fatigue duty at Fort Pickering, Memphis, Tenn., December 21, 1862, to October 18, 1863.
Expedition to Hernando, Miss., August 16-20, 1863. Garrison and picket duty at Memphis, Tenn., until January 26, 1864. Expedition after Forest December 24-31, 1863.
Lafayette and Grierson's Bridge December 27 (Detachment). Moscow December 27 (Detachment). Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., January 26-31, 1864.
Big Black River February 2. Meridian Campaign February 3-March 2.
Queen Hill February 4. Meridian February 14-15. Decatur February 22.
Red River Campaign March 10-May 22. Fort DeRussy March 14.
Occupation of Alexandria March 16.
Henderson's Hill March 21.
Battle of Pleasant Hill April 9.
Fort Bisland April 12.
Natchitoches April 20-21.
At Alexandria April 26 May 13.
Bayou LaMouri May 7.
Retreat to Morganza May 13-20.
Mansura May 16.
Yellow Bayou May 18.
Moved to Vicksburg May 20-24, and to Memphis, Tenn., June 4-9.
Old River Lake or Lake Chicot, Ark., June 6.
Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21.
Harrisburg, near Tupelo, July 14-15.
Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30.
Moved to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., September 8-19.
Expedition to DeSoto September 20-October 1.
March through Missour
Moved to Nashville, Tenn., November 25-December 1.
Battle of Nashville December 15-16.
Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28.
Moved to Eastport, Miss., January 1, 1865, and duty there until February 9. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., thence to New Orleans, La.,
February 9-21. Campaign against Mobile and its defenses March 17-April 12.
Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 9.
Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9.
Occupation of Mobile April 12.
March to Montgomery April 13-27, and duty there until June 1.
Moved to Mobile June 1 and duty there until July 19.
Mustered out July 19, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 55 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 188 Enlisted men by disease. Total 252.

Regiment information from: http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unininf7.htm

If you have information to add, please comment and share. Thanks!

17 Ways to Find a Maiden Name

2011-02-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

Mary Hannon on her wedding day.

I saw this on the Descendants of Nicholas Saum & Related Families site on MyFamily.com and thought the information would be helpful to lots of folks.

•If within the past 100 years - death certificates.
•If more than 100 years - all her children's death certificates.
•Newspaper obituaries.
•Her children's marriage certificates. (the application is probably a more likely source)
•Public Church Libraries.
•Unpublished records microfilmed at branch LDS libraries.
•International Genealogical Index (IGI) on microfiche at LDS libraries.
•Divorce papers from county courthouse where filed.
•Newspaper indices by Anita Cheek Milner for records from burned-out courthouses and churches no longer in existence, bibliographies in book form, such as N.Y. Genealogy and Biographical (at Sutro).
•Survey of American Genealogical Periodicals indices by Skip Perry; also state and local historical society quarterlies.
•Look for wills. Write local historical societies and ask for an index check.
•Send out queries to periodicals and quarterlies in the areas where your ancestors were.
•Deeds and other land records.
•Sometimes a census will mention a mother-in-law.
Naming Patterns in England, 1700-1875
•1st son -- father's father
•2nd son -- mother's father
•3rd son -- father
•4th son -- father's eldest brother
•1st daughter -- mother's mother
•2nd daughter -- father's mother
•3rd daughter -- mother
•4th daughter -- mother's eldest sister
Younger children would be named after earlier ancestors, but the pattern in their case was more varied.

One variation from the above was for the eldest son to be named after the mother's father and the eldest daughter after the father's mother. In this case the second son would be named after the father's father and the second daughter after the mother's mother. Occasionally the second son and daughter would be named after the father and mother instead of the third son and daughter. Another variation was to name the third daughter after one of the great-grandmothers instead of after the mother. In such a case, the fourth daughter would usually be named after the mother.

Seventeen Ways to Find a Maiden Name

German Names
In German society there was a first name and a calling name, so John Jacob would have that name on church records, deeds, etc., but for anything else, he would be known as Jacob.

There was a naming order for families. This was observed especially with the Mennonites. The first two sons were named after the child's Grandfathers. It was usually the father's side first honored unless the Mother's father had died before the Father's father and the Father's father was still living. The females were named in like order. They believed in honoring their fathers and mothers. This naming order started to go out in the 1840's.

Nicknames can also cause trouble. These are some among the Pennsylvania Germans. Anton (Anthony) was nicknamed Tunis. Barbara was Bevvy. Dietrich became Dieter. Elizabeth could be Eliz, Eliza, or Lis. Johannans was Hans or Hannes. Magdalena became Matti, Matta, Lena, or Molly. Maria was changed to Mary with the nickname of Polly or Molly. Nicholas (Nicholaus) was Nickel or Claus. Anna or Ann had the nickname of Nancy or Nan. Catharina was kate or Katie. Christoph (Christopher) was Stoffell and was confused with Christian whose nickname was Christ or Christli. Gottfried (Godfrey, Geofrey, English) was confused with Frederick with the nickname of Fritz. margretha was nicknamed peggy or Maggie. Valentin (Valentine) became Felty. Fronika became Fanny. Ludwig can be Luwick or Lewis. Bernhare, Bernd, and Barnet became Bernard.

White Christmas Cartoon Song

2010-12-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

Sautéed Cabbage and Apples - Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-20T11:23:00.000-08:00

Flickr/Rick Heath

As usual, totally looking forward to making Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends. I LOVE to cook and sharing food is such a gratifying way to honor relationships and be thankful -- whether it is at Thanksgiving or just a regular meal.

This morning I saw this recipe on CBS and thought, pretty color, lots of folks like cabbage and apples, this will go well with the rest of the meal.

Sautéed Cabbage and Apples

INGREDIENTS:
1 head red cabbage
2 Granny Smith apple
4 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup red wine
Splash apple cider vinegar

METHOD:
Core and slice the cabbage into thin slices. Slice the cheeks off the apples and cut into thin wedges.

In a large sauté pan, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Add the cabbage, apples, fennel seeds, and salt and pepper (to taste), and sauté until the cabbage softens and wilts, about 20 minutes. Deglaze the pan with red wine, and stir in a splash of cider vinegar.

Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

Thank you so much Melissa d"Arabian, host of the Food Network's "Ten Dollar Dinners."

Brussels sprouts

2010-11-17T21:02:00.000-08:00

Even though I can't seem to tolerate these anymore, I still enjoy making them for Mr. Meat and Potatoes.

First, it is important to select the right sprouts or your house will have that telltale smell that on the best day would reek like a barnyard that has never been cleaned. Pick sprouts that are smaller and look fresh, and don't fall prey to the frozen variety!

This dish offers a balancing of ingredients that softens the sometimes overpowering taste of the sprouts and includes some goodies like garlic, red pepper and Parmesan and nutmeg.

Brussels sprouts in the colander awaiting washing. You can see that leaves that will need to be pulled off -- they look a little junky to me.

Here are the simple ingredients. Yes, I still like Mrs. Dash. The Olive Oil is extra virgin.

Cut off the tops and bottoms and pull the junky leaves. The remnants can go to compost, neighbors chickens or outdoor critters if they are a long way from the house.

Spray your pan with non-stick spray, fill with water and then add salt. Yes, almost anyone can boil water!

More fun with big knives! Cut smaller sprouts in half and larger sprouts in fourths. You can see the garlic hovering around the edge in anticipation.

Here we are at the boiling water point. Once it does -- and it will whether you watch the pot or not -- put the sprouts in for about five-minutes.

Knowing that cheese is coming shortly, I resprayed the pan after removing the sprouts. You can see the garlic, some Mrs. Dash garlic and Mrs. Dash Hot and Spicy warming up in olive oil.

Here they are, draining and full of desire to hop into the pan with the seasoning. You can see that they are still offering a "bite" and have not been boiled into oblivion.

Steam rising off them as the sprouts hit the pan with the spices. Toss the nutmeg on and then the cheese and in moments, they are ready for the table.

Ingredients:

1 pound Brussels sprouts
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, or to taste, preferably freshly grated
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Trim the ends off the Brussels sprouts and remove and discard any discolored outer leaves. If sprouts are large (more than 1 inch in diameter), cut them in quarters lengthwise through the stem end. If smaller, cut them in half.

Bring 2 quarts of water to boil, add salt and the sprouts. Boil the sprouts uncovered until they are just crunchy-tender, about 5 minutes. Do not overcook them. Drain the sprouts well.

Wipe and dry the pot and heat the olive oil in it. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the sprouts and nutmeg and sauté for another minute. Mix in the Parmesan cheese and toss the sprouts until the cheese melts.

The original recipe is here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Brussels-Sprouts-for-People-Who-Think-They-Hate-Brussels-Sprouts-358275#ixzz15bbagyYV

Cemetery - Grace Methodist Episcopal

2010-10-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

This cemetery in Annadale, Wright, Minnesota contains some of the early pioneers of the area, and relatives of my husbands family.

I took photos of the markers in the cemetery and have posted them for your research. Some people in the group I may be able to assist you with, some I have no idea on. Drop a note or comment if you would like more information.

All images were taken by me, on Wednesday 13 October 2010. If you would like to use them for your personal use, go ahead. You can also see them on Flickr.

Happy Birthday Walter Breuning

2010-09-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

An Irishman's Philosophy

2010-09-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

An Irishman's Philosophy

In life, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you are well or you are sick.
If you are well, there is nothing to worry about,

But if you are sick, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you will get well or you will die.
If you get well, there is nothing to worry about,

But if you die, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you will go to heaven or hell.
If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.

And if you go to hell, you’ll be so busy shaking hands with all your friends
You won’t have time to worry!

Minnesota Video Vault |

2010-09-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

Minnesota Video Vault |

Helen Lorraine Daniels - Born in Minnesota 26 Aug 1922 - Mystery

2010-09-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have been unable to find death records for Helen Lorraine Daniels and am hoping someone will see this and have some information about Helen and if she is still living or if not, when she died.

Notes for Helen Lorraine Daniels: General Notes:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1930 Census

Name: Helen L Daniels Age: 9

Estimated birth year: abt 1921 Relation to head-of-house: Daughter Father's Name: Ralph O Daniels Mother's Name: Fannie L Daniels

Home in 1930: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota

Image source: Year: 1930; Census Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota; Roll: 1097; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 328; Image: 359.0.

Have information in Daniels notes to the following: Helen Daniels children:

Karen (Stayed with Rachel Daniels) Sharon Marie Daniels Harmon (1941) Lloyd Samuel Greer (1945)

Great Depression Cooking - Pizza

2010-09-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

Remster

2010-09-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

The memories and stories that photos help stimulate make for a fun part of family history.

Dancing Merengue Dog

2010-09-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

Piotr Wisniak and Anna Marajda Marriage Certificate

2010-08-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

Tricker Cemetery

2010-08-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Additional information on Tricker Cemetery, Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, United States and other places is available on Histopolis.com

Tricker Cemetery, Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, United States

Details | Resources | Grave Index | Link to Us

Details for Tricker Cemetery

Name

Tricker Cemetery

Place Type

Cemetery

Located in

Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

Latitude	40.7086581	40° 42' 31" N
Longitude	-84.8394085	84° 50' 21" W

Nearby Cities

Willshire (Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio) 3.7 mi. NE
Monroe (Monroe Township) 5.7 mi. NW
Berne (Wabash Township) 6.9 mi. SW
Wren (Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio) 7.2 mi. NE
Decatur (Washington Township) 9.6 mi. NW
Geneva (Wabash Township) 10.2 mi. SW

Nearby Cemeteries

Duck Creek (Black Creek Township, Mercer County, Ohio) 3.2 mi. SE
Willshire (Willshire, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio) 3.7 mi. NE
Coats (Black Creek Township, Mercer County, Ohio) 5 mi. E
Crawford (Wabash Township) 5.2 mi. SW
Pleasant Grove (Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio) 5.3 mi. E
Smith (Monroe Township) 5.4 mi. W
Zion (Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio) 6 mi. SE
Graber (Monroe Township) 6 mi. W
Fletcher (Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio) 6.2 mi. NE
Smith (Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio) 6.3 mi. E
Mount Tabor (Saint Marys Township) 6.4 mi. N
East Bethel (Black Creek Township, Mercer County, Ohio) 6.5 mi. SE

Elevation

249 m

USGS GNIS FeatureID

444883

Histopolis Place ID

658374133

Last modified on

11 May 2010 00:10 UTC

Chicago - The New Land

2010-08-08T20:37:00.000-07:00

Frank Thomas Gannon and his sister, Bridget Adeline Gannon arrived in the United States from Ireland in 1885. I have been trying to imagine how their lives would be in Chicago. What I am presenting here is a brief sampling for your enjoyment.

Law enforcement ignored the abundant vices and I picture my ancestors strolling past bars (okay, perhaps they went in these), gambling houses, and bordellos.

The city was dirty and dark with acrid smoke stinging their nostrils. In the winter, coal smoke was so thick that it made visibility drop to a distance of about one block.

The city was -- and still is -- a bustling place. When Frank and Bridget arrived, the noise in the city would have been deafening. Up to 1,000 trains came and went in Chicago on a daily basis. All variety of horse drawn and human powered vehicles were clattering through the city on their metal clad wheels. Looking out today, it is over 90-degrees and the humidity is high. Imagine all that noise and having no way to close it out of your life.

Harm Huizenga, a Dutch immigrant who arrived in Chicago during the World's Fair of 1893 and began hauling garbage the following year at $1.25 a wagon-load. Even knowing there was garbage collection, there would still have been trash in the streets. I've seen historical photos of horses left dead in the streets, and they would have remained there through the next seasons.

In my Master Naturalist class, we talked about how garbage, dead animals and fecal waste were dumped into rivers and lakes. On the BFI web site, they have this tidbit in their garbage time line.

1896 Chicago's City Council records its concern for the death rate in the 19th Ward, which has eight miles of unpaved roads that can't be swept, roads "polluted to the last degree with trampled garbage, excreta and other vegetables and animal refuse of the vilest description."

To learn more, read Garbage Wars which is about the politics of garbage in Chicago. The book shows how garbage affects residents in vulnerable communities and poses health risks to those who dispose of it. David Naguib Pellow follows the trash, the pollution, the hazards, and the people who encountered them in the period 1880-2000. What unfolds is a tug of war among social movements, government, and industry over how we manage our waste, who benefits, and who pays the costs.

1885: First Skyscraper
When Frank and his sister Bridget arrived in 1885, the first sky scraper was being constructed. Though small by today’s standards at only nine stories, the Home Insurance Building (demolished) was the tallest of its time. William LeBarron Jenney achieved this architectural feat by designing the first weight-bearing steel frame. From that point forward, up was the only way to build city buildings.

Hail Storm Oklahoma City

2010-05-21T04:46:00.000-07:00

Ireland Map Circa 650 AD

2010-04-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.irelandstory.com/

Labeling Cemetery Photos

2010-04-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

Here's a great tip for cemetery photographs from Ancestry so you know what you have.

Labeling Cemetery Photographs

Venturing out in the nice weather to do a little cemetery sleuthing? Bring a small white board and dry erase markers and write the name of the cemetery and grave location on it. Put it in front of the headstone and photograph it with the stone. Voila! All your pictures will be labeled with the location. No muss, no fuss!

Here are some additional links to help you get the most bang for your cemetery photo buck:

Taking Cemetery Photos http://www.ovs-genealogy.com/help/cemeditor/cemetery-photo-taking-photos--cemeteries.shtml

Cemetery Photos Map http://www.ovs-genealogy.com/help/cemeditor/images/cemetery-photos-map.jpg

Digital Cameras as Notepads http://wetree.blogspot.com/2010/03/digital-cameras-as-notepads-extended.html

Do you have tips to share? Please do in the comments.

This Day in History - 20 April

2010-04-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
1770 - Captain Cook discovers Australia.
1841 - Edgar Allen Poe's first detective story is published.
1916 - Wrigley Field opens in Chicago.
1951 - General MacArthur addresses a joint session of Congress after being relieved by President Truman.
1999 - Two students enter Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado and open fire with multiple firearms, killing 13 students and teachers, wounding 25 and eventually shooting themselves.

For more, please visit http://bit.ly/d6sqvK

Image:
Photo Properties
NP! ID: 1321415Title: Wrigley Field, Chicago CubsFile Size: 1280 × 960 – 501.36 KB
Created: Thu, 07/17/2008 - 7:53amModified: Thu, 07/17/2008 - 7:53am
File Type: image (jpeg)Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution
http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/wrigley-field-chicago-cubs-1

Hannon - O'Hannon and Related Names

2010-04-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

I am working on a Hannon line and am looking for any assistance on this that is available.

For a brief history of the name, here is some information from RootsWeb Irish Surnames. Please feel free to let me know about additions, corrections, leads or connections. I am happy to share information and check through to see if there are matches from ours to yours.

(O)Hannon, (Hanneen)

Although there are many substantial families of Hannon in Munster and Connacht, the Annals and other sources of information regarding the septs of mediaeval Ireland seldom mention the name O'Hannon. The death of Maelisa O'Hannen (O hAnain), prior of Roscommon, in 1266 is one of the few such. According to the census of 1659 the name was then numerous in the barony of Athlone, Co. Roscommon; while Haneens were found in considerable numbers in the barony of Bunratty, Co. Clare. The prefix O, dropped in the submergence of Gaelic Ireland, has not been resumed. Strictly speaking Hannon is the anglicized form of the Gaelic O hAnnain. This name is chiefly associated with Co. Limerick. Another Gaelic surname, O hAinchin, that of a family of Siol Anmchadha belonging to south east Galway, nominally anglicized Hanneen, has, by attraction, become Hannon in most cases, though Hanneens are also found in western counties. It is of interest to note that older people in Clare and Galway call this name Hanheen thus keeping close to the Irish pronunciation O hAinchin. Further there is O hAnnachain which is called Hannon rather than Hannahan in Co. Limerick. The name Hannon to-day is principally found in Co. Limerick and in Counties Galway and Roscommon. Patrick Hannan (1842-1925), who was born in Co. Clare, discovered the Kalgoorlie goldfield in Western Australia which contains "the richest square mile of gold in the world". The supply of water to this goldfield, which entailed on engineering undertaking of great magnitude, was conceived and carried out by Charles Yelverton O'Connor (1843-1902), who also built Freemantle Harbour. He was born in Co. Meath.

Here are some of the folks I am seeking more information on.

Outline Descendant Report for Matthew Hannon

..... 1 Matthew Hannon b: Abt. 1780 in

..... + Mary Meehan b: Abt. 1780 in Ireland, m: Abt. 1800 in Ireland

........... 2 Michael Hannon b: May 1810 in Roscommon, Ireland, d: 14 Nov 1900 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA

........... + Eleanor Milligan b: Abt. 1810 in Ireland, m: 1842 in Ireland, d: 02 Mar 1896 in Porter, Indiana, USA

................. 3 Mathew Hannon b: 1842 in Indiana or Ireland, d: Bef. 07 Jan 1920 in

................. + Julia Callahan b: 1850 in Ireland, m: 13 Apr 1868 in Laporte, Indiana, d: 21 Jan 1920 in Illinois, USA

....................... 4 Michael Hannon b: Abt. 1870 in Indiana, USA, d: 15 Apr 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA

....................... 4 John Hannon b: Abt. 1871 in Indiana, USA, d: Aft. 1960

....................... 4 David W. Hannon b: 1872 in Indiana, USA, d: 11 Mar 1950 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA

....................... 4 Anna Hannon b: Abt. 1876 in Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Julia Hannon b: Abt. 1877 in Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Ellen Hannon b: Abt. 1880 in Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Thomas J. Hannon b: Abt. 1882 in Indiana, USA, d: 26 Nov 1941 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA

....................... 4 Margaret Elizabeth Hannon b: 25 Nov 1883 in Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 31 Aug 1953 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA

....................... + Thomas J. Minoughan b: Abt. 1878 in Belmullet, Mayo, Ireland, m: Bef. 1912, d: 13 Jun 1956 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA

....................... 4 Mary A. Hannon b: Abt. 1884 in Indiana, USA, d: 27 Sep 1959 in Crystal Lake, McHenry, Illinois, USA

....................... + ? Hunt

....................... + Herman Studtman d: Bef. 27 Sep 1959

................. 3 Mary A. Hannon b: 1849 in Indiana, USA, d: 1889 in Indiana, USA

................. + Thomas Forrester b: 1833, m: 30 Apr 1866 in Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 1913

....................... 4 Edward Forrester b: 1869, d: 1871

....................... 4 John A. Forrester b: 29 Aug 1873, d: 02 Jan 1916 in

....................... + Mary Cole b: 27 Nov 1875, m: 1896, d: Aug 1966 in Evansville, Vanderburgh, Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Ella Forrester b: 23 Jan 1875, d: 06 Oct 1934

....................... + William Sullivan b: 07 Jan 1871, m: 1905, d: 12 Dec 1944

....................... 4 Margaret Forrester b: 1876, d: 1948

....................... 4 Genevieve Forrester b: Aft. 1876, d: 1962

....................... 4 James Forrester b: Aft. 1877, d: 1954

....................... 4 Blanche Forrester b: Aft. 1878, d: 1904

....................... 4 Bertha Forrester b: 26 Jan 1885, d: 03 Nov 1962

....................... + Joseph Krueger b: 14 Dec 1886, m: 16 Aug 1920, d: 27 Oct 1948

....................... 4 Matthew Floyd Forrester b: 05 Sep 1887 in La Porte, Indiana, USA, d: 1957

....................... 4 Annie M. Forrester b: 1860 in Indiana

....................... 4 Mary E. Forrester b: 1872 in Indiana

................. 3 David Garland Hannon b: 31 Oct 1851 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 16 Jan 1925 in LaPorte, LaPorte, Indiana

................. + Jane Conlon b: 24 Mar 1850 in Ireland, m: 28 Mar 1875 in Laporte, Indiana, d: 10 Mar 1911

....................... 4 Mary Roberta Hannon b: 19 Mar 1876 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 24 Jul 1956

....................... + Royal L. Jessup b: 07 Mar 1872 in Indiana, USA, m: 27 May 1899 in LaPorte County, Indiana, d: 15 May 1951

Page 1 of 3 Saturday, April 17, 2010 11:03:29 PM

Outline Descendant Report for Matthew Hannon

....................... 4 Thomas James Hannon b: 22 Dec 1877 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 19 Aug 1963 in La Porte, Indiana, USA

....................... + Mary Murray b: 30 May 1879 in Ireland, m: Abt. 1897, d: 19 Apr 1943

....................... 4 Bernard Aloysius Hannon b: 27 Nov 1880 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 28 Feb 1937

....................... + Katheryn Conry b: 23 Dec 1884, m: 1922, d: 12 Jan 1968 in LaPorte, LaPorte, Indiana

....................... 4 Eleanor Teresa Hannon b: 30 Mar 1882 in New Durham Township, LaPorte, Indiana, d: 01 Dec 1944 in LaPorte, LaPorte, Indiana

....................... 4 Edward Lawrence Hannon b: 24 Apr 1883 in New Durham Township, LaPorte, Indiana, d: 04 Apr 1981 in Westville, LaPorte, Indiana

....................... + Ethel A. Dodd b: 07 Feb 1888, m: 17 Feb 1909, d: 10 Jul 1977 in LaPorte, LaPorte, Indiana

....................... 4 Katherine Devota Hannon b: 10 Jun 1887 in New Durham Township, LaPorte, Indiana, d: 11 May 1969 in LaPorte, LaPorte, Indiana

....................... 4 David Paul Hannon b: 11 Sep 1889 in New Durham Township, LaPorte, Indiana, d: 26 Jul 1957

....................... + Florence Ann Warnke b: 31 Mar 1899, m: 21 Jun 1921, d: 16 Jan 2001 in La Porte, La Porte, Indiana, USA

................. 3 John Henry Hannon b: 27 Jan 1852 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 13 Mar 1926 in Hammond, Lake, Indiana, USA

................. + Johanna Hartnette b: 11 Jul 1857 in Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana, USA, m: 18 Feb 1879 in Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 05 Mar 1923 in Hammond, Lake, Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Mary "Mayme" F. Hannon b: Sep 1879 in Indiana, USA, d: 14 Dec 1959

....................... + Frank F. O'Brien b: Sep 1875 in Indiana, USA, m: 30 Jun 1902

....................... 4 James Thomas Hannon b: 22 Apr 1881 in Indiana, USA, d: 10 Aug 1947

....................... + Elizabeth English b: 19 Feb 1891 in Indiana, USA, m: Abt. 1901, d: 23 Mar 1986 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Michael Hannon b: May 1883 in Indiana, USA, d: 1942

....................... + Elizabeth Schraff b: 28 Oct 1884, m: Abt. 1903

....................... 4 Edward Richard Hannon b: 06 Aug 1885 in Indiana, USA, d: 16 Sep 1918 in Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Claire Hannon b: 27 Apr 1888 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 29 Oct 1954 in Hammond, Lake, Indiana, USA

....................... + Dr. Wallace O'Keefe b: 15 Jul 1881, m: Abt. Jan 1909, d: 26 Nov 1972

....................... 4 Nellie Hannon b: Jun 1890 in Indiana, USA, d: 24 Nov 1959 in Hammond, Lake, Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Frances "Fanny" Hannon b: Jun 1893 in Indiana, USA, d: 06 Jan 1975 in Indiana, USA

....................... + Marten Dwyer m: Abt. 1927

....................... 4 John Henry II Hannon b: 02 Aug 1894 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 22 May 1963 in Crown Point, Lake, Indiana, USA

....................... + Claire Sullivan b: 14 Dec 1898 in Morocco, Newton, Indiana, USA, m: 17 Jun 1918 in Monterey, Pulaski, Indiana, USA, d: 04 May 1970 in Joliet, Will, Illinois, USA

....................... 4 Genevieve Hannon b: 18 May 1899 in Indiana, USA, d: 01 Nov 1952 in Indiana, USA

....................... + Clarence Brown b: 1894 in Indiana, USA, m: Abt. 1919, d: 1958 in Indiana, USA

................. 3 Thomas J. Hannon b: 15 Jun 1855 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 09 Apr 1929 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA

................. + Ellen O'Donahue b: 28 Nov 1858 in Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana, USA, m: 15 Jun 1886 in Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 08 Jan 1930 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA

....................... 4 John Florence Hannon b: 09 Jun 1887 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 13 Nov 1949 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA

Page 2 of 3 Saturday, April 17, 2010 11:03:29 PM

Outline Descendant Report for Matthew Hannon

....................... + Julia Bernadette Gannon b: 30 Dec 1894 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA, m: 14 Feb 1917 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA, d: 14 Apr 1958 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA

....................... 4 Mary Cecelia Hannon b: 28 Sep 1891 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana, USA, d: 12 Feb 1945 in LaPorte, LaPorte, Indiana

....................... + James Thomas Kelly b: 06 Jun 1886 in Wilmington, Will, Illinois, USA, m: 15 Jun 1920, d: 31 Dec 1966 in LaPorte, LaPorte, Indiana

........... 2 b: 03 Jul 1866 in Gurteen District, Sligo, Ireland

Lou’s Top 300 Genealogy Sources

2010-04-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

Have you searched through the treasures in your own home? You might be pleasantly surprised at what you locate. Here's a link to Lou's Top 300 to help you progress.

Lou’s Top 300 Genealogy Sources http://www.ancestrymagazine.com/lous-300/

Alexander Hamilton Wortman 1845-1913

2010-03-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

Image http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/veterans_affairs/photos/Essays/WardMemorialHall_1894.jpg

Image: http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/veterans_affairs/photos/places/nationalave_entrance.jpg

So interesting to find he had been in Milwaukee at the Soldier's Home. Every day you find new items.

Descendants of Alexander Hamilton Wortman

Generation 1

1. Alexander Hamilton Wortman-1[1, 2] was born on 03 Mar 1845 in Logan County, Ohio[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. He died in May 1913 in Avalon, Catalina Island, Los Angeles Cty, California[6].

Notes for Alexander Hamilton Wortman:
General Notes:
Have also seen 13 Mar 1845 as birth date.
In the 1860 Census of McArthur Township, Logan County, Ohio 55A:29. Alex is a 13 year old living with the David Patterson family. As noted for his brother John E. Wortman, 11 years old, also living with
another family at the 1860 Census. It is possible that Melinda McDaniel (Campbell) Wortman was financially unable to care for all her children and these arrangements helped ease the financial burdens.

Service Record:
Enlisted as a Private on 21 December 1863 at the age of 18
Enlisted in Company H, 128th Infantry Regiment Ohio on 10 January 1864.
Mustered out Company H, 128th Infantry Regiment Ohio on 13 July 1865 in Camp Chase, OH

Civil War Service Records
Viewing record 11 of 11 Matches
Rank - Discharge Notes Allegiance
Wortman Alexander H. H 128 Ohio Infantry. Private Private
Union
Name: Alexander H. Wortman
Company: H
Unit: 128 Ohio Infantry.
Rank - Induction: Private
Rank - Discharge: Private
Allegiance: Union
Name: Alexander H Wortman ,
Enlistment Date: 21 December 1863
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Union
State Served: Ohio
Unit Numbers: 1754 1754
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 21 December 1863 at the age of 18
Enlisted in Company H, 128th Infantry Regiment Ohio on 10 January 1864.
Mustered out Company H, 128th Infantry Regiment Ohio on 13 July 1865 in Camp Chase, OH

Source Information:
Historical Data Systems, comp. Military Records of Individual Civil War Soldiers. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1999-. Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA from the following list of works. Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 - Historical Data Systems Inc.P.O. Box 196 Kingston, MA 02364

The Civil War Service Records is a database listing of over 5.3 million men who served in the war. The records have been taken from microfilm stored at the National Archives.

Each soldier has one Compiled Military Service Record (CMSR) for each regiment in which he served. Use the details from this record in conjunction with other Civil War research to record details, compare notes, and confirm data you have already collected. Keep in mind that a CMSR is only as complete as the surviving records of an individual solider or his unit.

Regiment Information
Regiment: 128th Infantry Regiment OH Date Mustered: 13 July 1865 Regiment Type: Infantry
OHIO ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infantry. - Col., Charles W. Hill; Lieut.-Cols., William S. Pierson, Edward A. Scovill, Thomas H. Linnell; Maj., Junius R. Sanford. This regiment was organized at Columbus Johnson's island, and Camp Cleveland from Dec. 7, 1861, to Jan. 8, 1864, to serve for three years. Cos. A, B, C and D were originally known as Hoffman's battalion and were transferred to this regiment Jan. 5, 1864. The regiment was principally engaged in guarding Confederate prisoners at Johnson's island, but had frequently furnished detachments for service elsewhere, including a short but active campaign in pursuit of Confederate troops in West Virginia in 1862. The original members of Cos. A and B were mustered out on Jan. 20, and Feb. 28, 1865, by reason of expiration of term of service, and the remainder of the regiment was mustered out on July 13, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 2 Battles Fought. Fought on 15 December 1863.

Wortman, Alexander View Image Online Birthplace: Ohio State: Illinois
Age: 22 County: Adams
Gender: Male Township: Camp Point
Race: White Post Office: Camp Point Year: 1870 Roll: M593_186

Comments:
16 Nov 1908 from Avalon, California. Letter signed "Uncle Alex" was mailed to Irma May (Wortman) Leech congratulating her on the birth of her first child, William Leech, born 31 Oct 1908. Alex mentions he has done nothing for a year -- not well. He writes "Sister [probably Lavina (Wortman) Saum] has been in Los Angeles for last 5 weeks, don't know when she'll be home. Opal will graduate in February. She & Willie visited a couple of weeks in summer. [Opal and Willie are children of Isa May (Saum) , Lavina's daughter. You inquire about Isa [Lavina's daughter] and baby. I thought I had written you of its death -- only lived a few weeks.

There is a reference to the "Wireless" newspaper of May 31, 1913, but the museum does not have a copy of the newspaper. Here is the information: Birth: March 14, 1844 (Cherokee, OH) Death: May 1913 (Avalon, Catalina Island, CA) Arrived in Avalon in 1903 Lived with his sister Served in the Civil War

Dortha Stewart daughter of Nicholas Hutchins Stewart and Catherine Ridenour was born in 1851 in Ohio[4, 7]. She died in Apr 1878 in Allen County, Ohio[8].

Alexander Hamilton Wortman and Dortha Stewart were married on 21 Nov 1874 in Van Wert County, Ohio. They had the following children:

Relationship Notes:
Van Wert County Marriages. Vol 4, P 285, #563
Alex H. Wortman and Dortha Stewart.
Issued 20 Nov 1874
Married 21 Nov 1874 by I.D. Clark, JP

i. Gertrude Geraldine Wortman[9] was born on 26 Oct 1875 in Van Wert County, Ohio[4, 5, 9,10]. She died on 21 Sep 1949 in Lima, Allen, Ohio, USA[5].
Notes for Gertrude Geraldine Wortman:
General Notes:
Woodlawn Cemetery. 1751 Spencer Road, Lima, Ohio 45805. #13670
Gertrude Geraldine Wortman
Born: Lima, Ohio
Late Residence: 812 N Charles St. Lima, Ohio
Born: 26 Oct 1875
Died: 21 Sep 1949
Buried: 24 Sep 1949
Fractured Left Hip.
Parents: Alexander and Adortha (Stewart) Wortman
Lot Owner: William H. Wortman
Section 7, Lot 19
Place of Death: Saint Rita's
Single
Occupation: Practical Nurse
Lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

ii. Yerlinda Wortman was born about 1876 in Ohio[7].
iii. C. N. Wortman was born on 18 Sep 1877 in Marion, Allen, Ohio, USA[11].
Notes for C. N. Wortman: General Notes:
Book I, Page 571
Wortman, C.N. 18 Sep 1877. Marion Township, Allen, Ohio. Father Alf. A. [sic] Wortman, Mother Dortha Stewart.

Lydia Mariah Danner

2010-03-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

This is a pedigree chart for Lydia Mariah Danner. As with all things family history, if you have additions, corrections or would like more information, please let me know.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

http://www.outlawchinooks.com/ for additionl family history.

Aladdin Riley - The Child That Nobody Wanted

2010-03-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

In keeping with my goal to share information on people I have researched, here is some information on Aladdin Riley aka Aladdin Hedington. I would love a photo of him and if you know when he died, that would be great too.

Individual Summary: Aladdin Riley

Sex: Male
Father: Lemuel Hedington
Mother: Lydia Mariah Danner

Individual Facts:

Birth: Mar 1867 in Indiana, USA
Residence: 1870 in Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana
Census 1870: 1870 in Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana, USA
Census 1880: 21 Jun 1880 in Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana, USA
Residence: 1900 in Harrison, Wells, Indiana
Residence: 1900 in Harrison, Wells, Indiana
Residence: 1900 in Harrison, Wells, Indiana, USA
Residence: 1920 in Winchester Ward 1, Randolph, Indiana
Residence: 1920 in Winchester Ward 1, Randolph, Indiana
Residence: 1920 in Winchester Ward 1, Randolph, Indiana
Census 1920: 09 Jan 1920 in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana, USA
Residence: 1930 in Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, USA
Census 1930: 1930 in Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, USA
Residence: 1930 in Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, USA
Death: Aft. 1942 in Indiana, USA
Also Known As: Alladin Headington
Reference ID: 2618

Shared Facts: Flora J. Majors

Marriage: 17 Sep 1891 in Adams, Indiana
Children: Opal Arrilla Riley

Notes:

Person Notes: Living in Muncie, Indiana as of January 1942 when Anis Victoria Riley died.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
1870 Census 3 years old, living with George Washington Riley and Lydia (Danner) Riley.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

1880 Census 13 years old, living with Ruth (Neptune) Danner. Name: Aladdin HEADINGTON

Age: 13
Estimated birth year: <1867> Birthplace: Indiana Relation: GSon

Home in 1880: Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana Occupation: Works On Farm

Marital status: Single Race: White Gender: Male

Head of household: Ruth DANNER Father's birthplace: IN

Mother's birthplace: IN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1920 Census
This Census was taken in White River Township, Winchester, Randolph, Indiana.

Page 1 of 2 Friday, March 26, 2010 10:14:10 PM

Individual Report for Aladdin Riley

Individual Summary: Aladdin Riley
Sex: Male
Father: Lemuel Hedington
Mother: Lydia Mariah Danner

Notes:

He was listed as an Agent and the business was Sewing Machines.
Name: Aladdin Riley
Age: 52 years
Estimated birth year: 1867
Birthplace: Indiana
Race: White
Home in 1920: Winchester, Randolph, Indiana
Roll: T625_464
Page: 13B
ED: 171
Image: 1094
Worked in a Barber Shop as a Barber.
Name: Aladdin Riley
Age: 63
Estimated birth year: 1866
Birthplace: Indiana
Relation to Head-of-house: Lodger
Race: White
Home in 1930: Muncie, Delaware, Indiana
Image Source: Year: 1930; Census Place: Muncie, Delaware, Indiana;
Roll: 583; Page: ; Enumeration District: 2; Image: 48.0
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ruth (Neptune) Danner Will

Named in Ruth (Neptune) Danner's will probated 28 May 1883. (Adams County Will Book B, pages 420-422, No. 310.)

Changed his name from Aladdin Headington to Aladdin Riley sometime between 1892 and 1900.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1979 History of Adams County.

"Alladin was truly a child that nobody wanted."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bluffton Chronicle 22 May 1912

Aladdin Riley Adjudged Insane

Former Bluffton Barber and Clerk to be sent to Richmond
An insanity inquest was held Sunday by Drs. Parrish and Rayl, of Monroe, Dr. Roller of Willshire, Ohio and Squire A.S. Keller of Monroe to inquire into the mental condition of Blue Creek township. The inquest resulted in a finding that Riley is of unsound mind and his admission to the insane asylum at Richmond recommended. This morning Sheriff Durkin went out to the Riley home and brought him to the city where he was placed in the county jail for safe keeping until an order to take him to Richmond has been received. --Decatur Herald

Mr. Riley formerly employed as a barber in this city, later as a clerk in the Peoples Store. He and his wife lived on Eaton Avenue in this city until last summer, when it was decided to locate in the country, in Adams County, in the hope that he would be benefited by the change.
~~~~~

Kouts, Porter, Indiana - Schools

2010-03-11T20:11:00.000-08:00

Image: Steve Shook.

Grand Canyon 1959

2010-03-09T19:36:00.000-08:00

Found this and the "Mule Skinner" certificates while sorting through books today. It is interesting to see all the trips that were taken with my parents, my father's mother and his sister. Life was good.

Hot Sauces - Enjoy

2010-01-25T09:40:00.000-08:00

Tabasco 1947

· 36 Tabasco peppers -- or other long hot red peppers
· 1 clove garlic
· 1 tablespoon sugar
· ½ teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon horseradish
· 1 cup hot vinegar
· 1 cup water

Add water to the peppers and garlic. Cook in a medium pan until tender, then press through fine sieve. Add all other ingredients and simmer until blended. Pour into hot ball jars; seal at once. The sauce may be thinned - as used - with either vinegar or salad oil.

Courtesy of The Ball Blue Book Vol. X, 1947 from http://www.mexican-barbecue-recipes.com/

Hot Sauce from Emeril

· 20 Tabasco or serrano chiles, stemmed and cut crosswise into 1/8-inch slices, or 12 very ripe red jalapenos (about 10 ounces)

· 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
· 3/4 cup thinly sliced onions
· 3/4 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
· 2 cups water
· 1 cup distilled white vinegar

Combine the peppers, garlic, onions, salt and oil in a non-reactive saucepan over high heat. Saute for 3 minutes. Add the water and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until peppers are very soft and almost all of the liquid has evaporated. (Note: this should be done in a very well-ventilated area!) Remove from the heat and allow to steep until mixture comes to room temperature. In a food processor, puree the mixture for 15 seconds, or until smooth. With the food processor running, add the vinegar through the feed tube in a steady stream.

Taste and season with more salt, if necessary. (This will depend on the heat level of the peppers you use as well as the brand of vinegar used.) Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and then transfer to a sterilized pint jar or bottle and secure with an airtight lid. Refrigerate. Let age at least 2 weeks before using. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Courtesy of Emeril Lagasse for the http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Image http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/4458/slide_4458_62467_large.jpg

2010-01-01T16:22:00.001-08:00

Small Business Owners - Help for you here http://ping.fm/nctJW

2010-01-01T16:20:00.001-08:00

Job Seekers, here's a decent place for you. http://acinet.org/

Heirs: Steps to Take After a Death

2010-01-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

What do you do after a loved one has died? As an heir, there are some steps to take in the days, weeks and months after the funeral.

The Home

Did your family member live alone? If so, you'll want to take steps to protect the home. If there are lots of keys in circulation, you may want to change all the locks on the house. If there is no burglar alarm installed at the house, this may be the time to get that accomplished too. The key is to make sure no one is getting in and that nothing is leaving the property.

Is there jewelry or other valuable items? Are you part of the immediate family? You may want to move valuable personal property and jewelry to a secure location like a safe-deposit box or other secure place.

As a general guideline, you should keep the household contents intact. There are grief guidelines for how long to wait before dismantling the property in a loved one's home. If you are like most people, you'll feel an additional wave of sadness and loss when this next step is performed.

Remember to refer to the will before dispensing items to people. There may be provisions in there that direct specific items to specific people.

Paper Trail

Next thing you should do after the funeral arrangements and securing the house is to locate the important papers. As a general rule, those include a will, stock certificates, investment account information and insurance policies. Ideally there is some plan in place for these items and you know where to find them. If you don't know where these items are, you may be able to locate information on some assets and investments from a recent tax return.

Was your family member still working? There may be work-related benefits too like life-insurance, 401(k) plans and sometimes retirement funds.

Ask your funeral director for certified death certificates. I found with my parents that 10 death certificates covered everything we needed. You should have at least 6 certified copies available to transfer assets and filing life insurance claims.

Take Your Time

After the death of a family member, realize that stress is a normal feeling. It is usually best to avoid making any important decisions about moving or selling a home or business. The recommended guideline is at least one-year. The reason for the waiting period is to acclimate to the emotional impact of the death.

Help Your Heirs Out

While going through this process, it dawned on me that having everything in some semblance of order would help someone else down the line. The KISS principle -- Keep it simple stupid -- certainly applies to this part of your life.

If you have tried to piece things together for someone and plan a funeral, you will certainly see the benefit of planning ahead. Communicate with your family and let them know your wishes. Believe me, more detail is better, and your family will appreciate your efforts. Some things can even be arranged in advance to simplify the process.

Know what you want -- or more importantly, don't want -- for your funeral? Take care of that documentation now! Don't leave it until the will is read because that will likely be too late. Let your spouse, adult children, and any friends that may be helping you know, preferably in writing, what your specific requests are.

Also let your spouse and an adult child know where your will is located, information about insurance and investments. Also keep an updated list of telephone numbers for your attorney, accountant and executor if there is no family member to handle that duty.

Image

Peggy McDowell's New Generation German Chocolate Cake

2010-01-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

This information is from an email from Ancestry. Enjoy.

This recipe is an updated version of my grandfather's famous "German Chocolate Cake." He used to make it for the family at the holiday time. His recipes from the Palmer House and CBQ railroad required “50 gallons of this,” “200 pounds of that,” “12 dozen eggs,” etc. so I took what I thought was his basic recipe and gave it a new twist. This is a fun cake. Play around with it. Change the filling/frosting or use it on other types of cakes.

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

Love
2 3/4 cups unbleached flour
3 tablespoons coconut flour (high in fiber)
1 3/4 cups sugar
2/3 cups baking cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups coconut water
1 cup canola oil
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar (may use cider vinegar)
1 tablespoon flavoring (may use combination of vanilla, rum or brandy flavoring)

Coconut-Nut Filling & Frosting

2 cups coconut milk (not cream of coconut)
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter (may also use ghee)
6 extra large egg yolks (slightly beaten)
3 teaspoons flavoring (may use combination of vanilla, rum or brandy flavoring)
3 cups flaked coconut (lightly toasted)
2 cups chopped nuts (lightly toasted; may use pecans or a combination of pecans, walnuts, etc.)

Directions

Start with a feeling of love. Sift together into a large mixing bowl unbleached flour, coconut flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix well with a wire whisk.

In another bowl mix together coconut water, canola oil, balsamic vinegar and flavoring. Gradually add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients, beating with mixer until smooth.

Pour into two, 8" greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pans and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool in pans about 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack. Prepare filling and frosting.

Mix coconut milk, sugar, lightly beaten egg yolks and butter together in a medium-sized saucepan. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thick, about 15 minutes. Add flavoring, coconut and nuts. Mix well. Cool.

Assemble Cake

Put first layer of cake on cake plate. Spread about 2 cups coconut filling on top, coming all the way to the edge of the cake. Place second layer on top of filling. Spread about 2 cups of frosting on top of cake. Refrigerate remaining frosting/filling for later use (maybe on cupcakes). Decorate cake—be creative, or not. This cake is decorated with chocolate leaves. Enjoy!

2009-12-02T14:05:00.001-08:00

3 Genes Dictate Dog Coats http://ping.fm/EhrNG

2009-12-01T07:25:00.001-08:00

Canine Influenza H3N8 http://ping.fm/xB4pL

2009-12-01T06:12:00.001-08:00

FDA Launches Searchable Pet Food Recall Site. http://ping.fm/A0xOC

Cemetery Markers

2009-10-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

How important is a cemetery marker, gravestone, headstone, foot stone or any other descriptor of the information we seek in family history?

I have always been drawn to cemeteries and enjoy looking in the old ones whether they contain people I am seeking or not. Over the years, I have found tremendously valuable information and have stumbled across a final resting place in the process too. Sometimes being lucky is better than being good.

Generally, research for me starts with trying to locate a death record which will hopefully give the name of the cemetery where the seekee is residing. This also can be offered up from an obituary and those often have other colorful information too. In larger cities, obituaries can be cost prohibitive so you may not garner as much from the modern versions as you might from older records.

When looking for people, start with the cemeteries near their homes. Remember that there can be religious cemeteries too. Some are located one right after another with separate entrances, but specif to a faith, like Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish. If there is a faith connected to your family, the local house of worship can also provide information about cemeteries.

Think you have all the information you need and then you show up at what should be a cemetery and there is a house there instead? This is not as unusual as you might imagine. As cities expanded, cemeteries were often moved so there was more room for houses and businesses.

Once you find the cemetery, there is usually excellent information available on the stones themselves. My research was aided by names and dates that were hand chiseled onto markers and I greatly appreciate the assistance from those that went before me. As I see newer stones, I also am seeing photographs, etched images on the stones and often additional information provided -- ah, the laser age. Or how about a digital storage device that holds data and is attached to the stone? So many options to record information about an individual on a gravestone.

Memorial inscriptions have been part of genealogical research resources for centuries, but is it still an important and viable option? Maybe the best alternative is to provide for preservation of information for genealogists in a publicly-accessible depository.

Additional Questions:
Do you have a tip for locating ancestral graves?

What are your thoughts on grave markers?

If there are no markers, what would be an alternative?

Please share it with us in the comment section below.

Links:
Ancestry Tips

Memory Medallion

Eternal Reefs

Life Gem

Donald G. Hill - Grave Marker

2009-08-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Can you help locate this WWII veteran's family? Someone surely want this stone.

From Craigslist: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/laf/1339280600.html

FOUND: Grave Stone (Maple Grove)

Date: 2009-08-24, 8:54AM CDT
Reply to: comm-hs99e-1339280600@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

While moving into a new home, my wife and I found a grave stone from World War 2. It is for a Donald G. Hill, a Private out of the Minnesota 105th Infantry Division. Born January 15, 1922; Died April 22, 1945. It measures 2 ft. x 1 ft. x 5 inches and is quite heavy. The previous owners have no idea where it came from.

I'm looking to see if we can find a family or group that wants to claim the stone. If you have any information or even some advice as to where to go with this, please email me.

Location: Maple Grove
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

45 Lessons Life Has Taught Me

2009-05-31T12:40:00.000-07:00

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17.. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Regina Brett, author of 50 Life Lessons, is indeed not 90 years old (don't feel bad - that misinformation is ALL over the internet !!!), and she is indeed wise. She is actually 53 years old; she is the senior metro columnist at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland (Ohio's largest weekly newspaper); she was a finalist in both 2008 and 2009 for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary; and she has a book based on her 50 Life Lessons coming out in April of 2010. You can check out her website by going to http://www.reginabrett.com where you will see that all I've written here is true !! You can also read all of her past columns, including the columns nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, at http://www.cleveland.com/brett

Revolutionary War Pensions

2009-04-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent article explaining the history of the Revolutionary War Pensions. It explains the different acts, who handled the pensions and the land bounties. It is a simple and easy read and a "keeper" for my files.

The information was taken verbatim from the American Revolution message board for genealogy.com. It was written and posted as message #3250 by Ed, a historian on the American Revolution.

"Pensions Enacted by Congress for American Revolutionary War Veterans

For more than a century before the beginning of the Revolutionary War, British colonies in North America provided pensions for disabled soldiers and sailors. During and after the Revolutionary War three principal types of pensions were provided by the U. S. Government for servicemen and their dependents: "Disability" or "invalid pensions" were awarded to servicemen for physical disabilities incurred in the line of duty; "service pensions," to veterans who served for specified periods of time; and "widows' pensions," to women whose husbands had been killed in the war or were veterans who had served for specified periods of time.

On August 26, 1776, the first pension legislation for the American colonies as a group was enacted. A resolution of the Continental Congress provided half pay for officers and enlisted men, including those on warships and armed vessels, who were disabled in the service of the United States and who were incapable of earning a living. The half pay was to continue for the duration of the disability.

On May 15, 1778, another resolution provided half pay for 7 years after the conclusion of the war to all military officers who remained in the Continental service to the end of the war. Enlisted men who continued to serve for the duration of the conflict were each to receive a gratuity of $80 after the war under the terms of the same enactment. The first national pension legislation for widows was a Continental Congress resolution of August 24, 1780, which offered the prospect of half pay for 7 years to widows and orphans of officers who met the requirements included in the terms of the resolution of May 15, 1778. On October 21, 1780, the Continental Congress resolution of May 15, 1778, was amended to provide half pay for life to officers after the war; but on March 22, 1783, the half-pay-for-life provision was changed to 5 years' full pay.

Pension legislation during the Revolutionary War was designed to encourage enlistment and acceptance of commissions and to prevent desertion and resignation.

After the war, pensions became a form of reward for services rendered. Both during and after the Revolution, the States as well as the U. S. Government awarded pensions based on participation in the conflict. The records reproduced in this microfilm publication pertain only to pensions granted or paid pursuant to public and private acts of the US Government. Public acts, under which the majority of such pensions were authorized, encompassed large classes of veterans or their dependents who met common eligibility requirements. Private acts concerned specific individuals whose special services or circumstances merited consideration, but who could not be awarded pensions under existing public acts.

On September 29, 1789 (1 Stat. 95), the First Congress of the United States passed an act which provided that invalid pensions previously paid by the States, pursuant to resolutions of the Continental Congress, should be continued and paid for 1 year by the newly established Federal Government. Subsequent legislation often extended the time limit. An act of Congress approved March 23, 1792 (1 Stat. 243), permitted veterans not already receiving invalid pensions under resolutions of the Continental Congress to apply for them directly to the Federal Government. On April 10, 1806 (2 Stat. 376), the scope of earlier invalid-pension laws pertaining to Revolutionary War servicemen was extended to make veterans of State troops and militia service eligible for Federal pensions. The act superseded all previous Revolutionary War invalid-pension legislation.

Before 1818 national pension laws concerning veterans of the Revolution (with the exception of the Continental Congress resolution of May 15, 1778, granting half pay to officers for service alone) specified disability or death of a serviceman as the basis for a pension award. Not until March 18, 1818 (3 Stat. 410), did the U. S. Congress grant pensions to Revolutionary War veterans for service from which no disabilities resulted. Officers and enlisted men in need of assistance were eligible under the terms of the 1818 act if they had served in a Continental military organization or in the U. S. naval service (including the Marines) for 9 months or until the end of the war. Pensions granted under this act were to continue for life.

The service-pension act of 1818 resulted in a great number of applications, many of which were approved. Congress had to appropriate greater sums than ever before for Revolutionary War pension payments. Financial difficulties and charges that applicants were feigning poverty to obtain benefits under the terms of the act caused Congress to enact remedial legislation on May 1, 1820 (3 Stat. 569). The new law required every pensioner receiving payments under the 1818 act, and every would-be pensioner, to submit a certified schedule of his estate and Income to the Secretary of War. The Secretary was authorized to remove from the pension list the names of those persons who, in his opinion, were not in need of assistance. Within a few years the total of Revolutionary War service pensioners was reduced by several thousand. An act of Congress approved March 1, 1823 (3 Stat. 782), resulted in the restoration of pensions to many whose names had been removed under the terms of the 1820 legislation, but who subsequently proved their need for aid.

Congress passed another service-pension act on May 15, 1823 (4 Stat. 269), which granted full pay for life to surviving officers and enlisted men of the Revolutionary War who were eligible for benefits under the terms of the Continental Congress resolution of May 15, 1778, as amended.

The last and most liberal of the service-pension acts benefiting Revolutionary War veterans was passed on June 7, 1832 (4 Stat. 529), and extended to more persons the provisions of the law of May 15, 1828. The act provided that every officer or enlisted man who had served at least 2 years in the Continental Line or State troops, volunteers or militia, was eligible for a pension of full pay for life. Naval and marine officers and enlisted men were also included. Veterans who had served less than 2 years, but not less than 6 months, were eligible for pensions of less than full pay. Neither the act of 1832 nor the one of 1828 required applicants to demonstrate need. Under the act of 1832 money due from the last payment until the date of death of a pensioner could be collected by his widow or by his children.

The time limit for making claims under the Continental Congress resolution of August 24, 1780, which promised half-pay pensions to widows and orphans of some officers, expired in 1794. For many years thereafter, unless a private act of Congress was introduced on her behalf, a widow of a veteran was limited to receiving only that part of a pension that remained unpaid at the time of her husband's death. By an act of Congress approved July 4, 1836 (5 Stat. 128), some widows of Revolutionary War veterans were again permitted, as a class under public law, to apply for pensions. The act provided that the widow of any veteran who had performed service as specified in the pension act of June 7, 1832, was eligible to receive the pension that might have been allowed the veteran under the terms of that act, if the widow had married the veteran before the expiration of his last period of service. An act of July 7, 1838 (5 Stat. 303), granted 5-year pensions to widows whose marriages had taken place before January 1. 1794. These pensions were continued by acts of March 3, 1843 (5 Stat. 647): June 17, 1844 (5 Star. 680); and February 2, 1848 (9 Stat. 210).

On July 29, 1848 (9 Slat. 265), Congress provided life pensions for widows of veterans who were married before January 2, 1800. All restrictions pertaining to the date of marriage were removed by acts of February 3, 1853 (10 Stat. 154), and February 28, 1855 (10 Stat. 616). On March 9, 1878 ( 20 Stat. 29), widows of Revolutionary War soldiers who had served for as few as 14 days, or were in any engagement, were declared eligible for life pensions.

During the Revolution and in the period between the conclusion of the war and the establishment of the Federal Government, administration of the pension laws enacted by the Continental Congress was left largely to the individual States. The act of Congress approved September 29, 1789 (1 Stat. 95), which provided for the continuance of such pensions by the newly established Federal Government, stipulated only that they should be paid "under such regulations as the President. . . may direct." The act of Congress approved March 23, 1792(1 Stat. 244), which permitted the addition of new names to the existing list of Revolutionary War pensioners, specified that the Secretary of War was to administer its provisions. For most of the period between 1793 and 1819, Congress reserved to itself the power of final decision with respect to the allowance of claims. Thus an act of February 28, 1793 (1 Stat. 325), required the Secretary of War to send lists of claims to the Congress for action. The service-pension act of March 18, 1818 (3 Stat. 410), gave the Secretary of War the authority to approve applications submitted under that law, and by an act of March 3, 1819 (3 Stat. 528), he was similarly empowered to place invalids on the pension list without prior Congressional approval.

Within the Office of the Secretary of War, pension matters were handled as early as 1810 by a unit called the Office of Military Bounty Lands and Pensions. Between 1810 and 1815 the unit was also referred to as the Section (or Branch) of Military Bounty Lands and Pensions. In 1815 the Branch was divided into two units; a Pension Bureau and a Land Warrant Bureau; after 1816 the Pension Bureau was generally referred to as the Pension Office. Not until March 2, 1833 (4 Stat. 622), did Congress formally provide for the appointment of a Commissioner of Pensions to execute pension laws under the general direction of the Secretary of War. When an act of Congress provided for the establishment of the Department of the Interior on March 3, 1849 (9 Stat. 395), the Pension Office was transferred to it. On July 21, 1930, by Executive Order 5398, the Bureau of Pensions (formerly called the Pension Office) was consolidated with other agencies also serving veterans, and the Veterans Administration, an independent executive agency, was established.

Two pension acts pertaining to Revolutionary War servicemen were not initially administered by the Pension Office. Responsibility for executing the provisions of the act of May 15. 1828 (4 Stat. 270), was vested in the Secretary of the Treasury until authority was transferred to the War Department on March 3, 1835 (4 Stat. 779). The Secretary of the Treasury was also named to administer the act of June 7, 1832 (4 Stat. 530), but a Congressional resolution on June 28, 1832 (4 Stat. 605), relieved him of that function and transferred it to the Secretary of War.

Application procedures followed by would-be pensioners varied according to the acts under which benefits were sought. Generally the process required an applicant to appear before a court of record in the State of his or her residence t o describe under oath the service for which a pension was claimed. A widow of a veteran was required to provide information concerning the date and place of her marriage. The application statement or "declaration," as it was usually called, with such supporting papers as property schedules, marriage records, and affidavits of witnesses, was certified by the court and forwarded to the official, usually the Secretary of War or the Commissioner of Pensions, responsible for administering the specific act under which the claim was being made. An applicant was subsequently notified that his application had been approved, rejected, or put aside pending the submission of additional proof of eligibility. If an applicant was eligible, his name was placed on the pension list. Payments were usually made semiannually through pension agents of the Federal Government in the States. An applicant rejected under the terms of an earlier pension act often reapplied for benefits under later, more liberal laws. "

Genealogy and Old Documents - Understanding Symbols

2009-02-24T00:13:00.000-08:00

John and Bertha Olive (Saum) Demler

I got this from the Saum family site and found them to be really beneficial for researching. There is a link at the bottom to the source.

Genealogy and Old Documents - Have you ever seen a symbol or abbreviation on a document and not know what it meant? This helpful list will help you decipher them!

Genealogy and Old Documents - Understanding Symbols

Initials:
a.a.s. - died in the year of his/her age (56 years died in 1856)
d.s.p. - died without issue
d.s.p.l. - died without legitimate issue
d.s.p.m.s. - died without surviving male issue
d.s.p.s - died without surviving issue
d.unm - died unmarried
d.v.p. - died in the lifetime of his father
d.v.m. - died in the lifetime of his mother
Et al - and others
F.L.T. - friendship, love and truth
Inst - present month
Liber - book or volume
Nepos - grandson
Nunc Nun - an oral will, written by a witness
Ob - he/she died
Rel. or Relict - widow or widower
Res. or Residue - widow or widower
Sic - exact copy as written
Testes - witnesses
Ult - late
Ux or vs - wife
Viz - namely

Trade Symbols

Barber - Bowl (for bleeding) & Razor
Butcher - an axe, steel knife and cleaver
Farmer - Coulter (type of hoe), flail (threshing implement), swingletree (rod for beating flax), stalk of corn
Gardener - rake & spade
Mason - wedge & level
Mariner - anchor, sextant
Merchant - scales, sign
Minister - Bible
Shoemaker - awl, knife, nippers
Smith - crown, hammer & anvil
Teacher - open book
Weaver - loom, shuttle & stretchers
Wood Wright - wooden objects they made

Misc. Symbols:

3 Books - Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants
3 Rings - the Oddfellows, friendship, love and truth
Angel - guardian, spirituality
Bible - Christian
Chalice - Sacraments
Cherub - innocence
Crescent - Goddess, Muslim religion
Cross - Christian, resurrection
Crown - glory of life after death
Flame / Light - to be immortal
Garland / Wreath - glory, Saintliness
Harp - Praise to the God
Heart - Catholic, love, suffering of Christ
Hearts (2) - marriage
Horns - wisdom, rebirth
Menorah - Judaism
Ring (broken) - family circle has been severed
Rod / Staff - comfort
Star - spirit that shines
Star of David - Judaism
Sun - renewed life
Swords Crossed - high Military rank
Trumpeters - Harbingers of the Resurrection
Urn - immortality, remembrance

Animals:

Birds - eternal life or resurrection
Butterfly - short life
Dog - good master
Dove - peace & eternal life
Lamb - innocence
Lion - courage
Rooster - awakening, resurrection.

Plants:

Fruits - plenty, fruits of life
Ivy - friendship, immortality
Laurel - accomplishment, heroism
Lily - innocence, purity
Morning Glory - beginning of life
Oak, Leaves and Acorn - power, victory
Palm Branch - victory, rejoicing
Poppy - eternal sleep
Roses - completion and the brevity of earthly existence
Rose (full bloom) - prime of life
Rosemary - remembrance
Thistles - remembrance, Scottish descent
Tree - life
Tree Trunk - short life
Tree Sapling - life everlasting
Tree Stump stone in Cemetery - Woodmen of the World
Wheat - divine harvest
Weeping Willow - grief

Links:
http://www.jelleyjar.com/ancestor/symbol.html

Adams County Indiana - Riley

2009-02-23T00:13:00.000-08:00

George Washington Riley (1844-1887) and Lydia Mariah Danner (1842-1923)

George Washington Riley was born in Ohio 1844. There have been census documents that say he may have been born in Canada, but the Ohio information seems the most reliable at this time. His parents are still unknown, but on the 1880 Census, it says his father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother was born in Maryland. There is also a Jacob Riley (Born 1846) listed nearby whose parents are also from Pennsylvania and Maryland. These two may be siblings.

George Washington Riley married Lydia Mariah Danner in Pleasant Hills, Adams County, Indiana, 30 Sep 1869. They were married by Judge S.B.Merris. Marriage Book C, Page 255, Adams County, Indiana. The Civil War Pension records for George show they were married at Pleasant Hills, Indiana. Have also seen a wedding date of 21 Nov 1869.

George died 24 Jan 1887 Adams County, Indiana, at 42 years of age.
EVENT TEXT: J.C. Calderwood of Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio has known the soldier for 25 years and that he was the family physician of George W. Riley, deceased, for twelve or fifteen years and treated him during last sickness and knew him intimately prior to his enlistment as a soldier and knew him to be a healthy, rugged fellow in every respect and free from any hereditary diathesis whatever and his parents were healthy constituted profile. I treated him for Epilepsy and saw him in several hard convulsions and finally saw him die in a fit January 24th 1887.

In verbal lore of George Washington Riley, it has been said that his death site was reported to be a hayfield.

George Washington Riley is interred in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, Tricker Cemetery. (See information from 1860 Census regarding the Tricker family.)

Any notes from Medical Files found in the Civil War Pension records are entered verbatim with terms and spellings used by doctors and witnesses.

* Aladdin Hedington was the illegitimate son of Lydia Mariah Danner and Lemuel Hedington. Named in Ruth (Neptune) Danner's Will probated 28 May 1883. (Adams County Will Book B, pages 420-422, No. 310.) Changed his name from Aladdin Hedington to Aladdin Riley sometime between 1892 and 1900. 1979 History of Adams County. "Aladdin was truly a child that nobody wanted." 1870 Census 3 years old, living with George and Lydia. 1880 Census 13 years old, living with Ruth (Neptune) Danner. He is mentioned as residing in Muncie, Indiana in the obituary notice for Victoria Anis Riley Merriman March 1942.

Employment 1860
Although his occupation was unknown, George worked for Kelita Jacobs in Adams County, Indiana.
EVENT TEXT: 10 July 1885

Kelita Jacobs swears that he has personally been acquainted with George W. Riley, the applicant, who was a private of Company K, 89th Indiana Volunteer Infantry for more than 25 years. The the said George W. Riley was working for me at the time he enlisted in the service of the U.S. in August 1862 and had been for most of the time for two years before his enlistment. That I never knew of the applicant having fits or epilepsy before his enlistment. That I have known him continuously ever since his return from the service, that he has had a number of fits or attacks of epilepsy each year since his return, and that his health is now so bad and has been for more than five years last past, that he has been unable to do any manual labor of any kind whatsoever. That I have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. All of which is true so I truly believe Kelita Jacobs

Census 1860 - free 08/01/1860
George was listed as the head of a family on the 1860 Census in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana.
EVENT TEXT: George was living with James Tricker, born England, age 72 and his wife Mrs. Sarah Tricker, born Illinois, age 70. He was listed as farm labor.

Head Age/Sex: 72/Male. Details: Farmer. Individuals linked to this event include: James /Tricker/ (Head of Family); George Washington /Riley/ (household member); Sarah /Ward/ (household member).

James Tricker, farmer, born England
Sarah (Ward) Tricker, housewife, born Illinois
George Riley, farm labor, born Canada

Census 1870
George was listed as the head of a family on the 1870 Census Blue Creek Township. Adams County, Indiana.

Census 1880
George was listed as the head of a family on the 1880 Census St. Mary's Township.
Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Head of Family); Anis (Annice) Victoria /Riley/ (daughter); Albert Brenton /Riley/ (son); William Curtis /Riley/ (son); Lydia Mariah /Danner/ (wife).

EVENT TEXT: Also shown on the 1880 Census is Jacob Riley (Born 1836) residing in Blue Creek Township. Both George and Jacob list father born in Pennsylvania and mother born in Maryland. Probably a safe bet they are brothers.

Military service 08/15/1862
George served in the military in Decatur, Adams, Indiana, 15 Aug 1862.
Branch: 89th Ind Volun Infantry, Co. K.
Rank: Private.
Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Military personnel); Capt. Edwin S. /Metzgers/ (Officer).

Military Muster Roll 08/18/1862
George was listed in a muster roll in Decatur, Adams, Indiana, 18 Aug 1862.
Rank: Private.

Military Active Duty 06/30/1863
George reported for active duty in Vicksburg, Mississippi, 30 Jun 1863.
EVENT TEXT: Accompanied the Paymaster to Vicksburg from 30 Jun 1863 through August 1863.

Military Active Duty 07/05/1864
George reported for active duty in LaGrange, Tennessee, 5 Jul 1864.
EVENT TEXT: On or about 5 Jul 1864, while in the line of duty and without fault or improper conduct on his part, at or near LaGrange, State of Tennessee, said soldier incurred a severe sunstroke while on a severe march and after that while in the service and up to when he mustered out July 19, 1865 at Mobile, Alabama, he George W. Riley was subject to epilepsy.

Sunstroke occurred on march between LaGrange, Tennessee and Tupelo, Mississippi.

On or about 5 July 1864 while on a march from LaGrange, Tennessee to Tupelo, Mississippi was sunstruck and fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, Surgeon Porter was attending him, two enlisted men were also with him. He was not sent to Hospital, but about every week thereafter he had something like a fit in night times. He has been troubled with fits (epilepsy) ever since, which has grown so serious that he is not allowed to go away alone.

Military Release 07/19/1865
He was released from active duty in Mobile, Alabama, 19 Jul 1865.
Branch: 89th Ind. Vol. Inf., Co. K.
Rank: Private.

Military Pension 02/16/1880
George applied for a military pension 16 Feb 1880.
EVENT TEXT: Invalid pension filed.

Military Pension 02/08/1886
George applied for a military pension 8 Feb 1886.
EVENT TEXT: Declared an Invalid. Sunstroke that lead to Seizures.

Illness 08/20/1881
George was ill Van Wert County, Ohio, 20 Aug 1881.
Cause: Sun Stroke.

Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Patient); William /Smith, MD/ (doctor).

EVENT TEXT: Applicant Information
Height: 5 feet, 6 Inches. Weight: 150 pounds. Complexion: Light. Age: 37 years. Pulse: 78. Respiration: 24.

General health reasonably good. Sun stroke resulting in epileptic or falling fits which attacks applicant every one, two, three or four weeks without any warning or premonitory symptoms. Applicant falling down, turning purple or blue in the face, feet and extremities becoming cold, frothing at the mouth with severe convulsions or spasms of whole system. Which symptoms continue from ten to twenty minutes. Then in thirty to sixty minutes an other paroscism sandometimes as high as seven paroscism before subsiding leaving applicant disabled for several days at a time. Applicant is obliged to have some person with him when out from home all the time.

William Smith, M.D.
Examining Surgeon

Illness 11/22/1882
George was ill in Van Wert, Ohio, 22 Nov 1882.
Cause: Sun Stroke.

Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Patient); William /Smith/ (doctor).

EVENT TEXT: Sun stroke resulting in falling fits. Patient age: 38. 125 pounds. 5-foot-6-inches in heights. Pulse 92. Respiration 32. Temperature 98.

General health not good. Applicant is and has been for about or near one year suffering from a species of nervous rheumatism affecting more particularly small of back and spine extending to left side in region of heart and under left shoulder blade, also to right hip joint and leg right hip and joint badly swollen and painful. Very difficult for applicant to use the right leg in walking. Falls frequent and spasms adic. or irregular. Applicant is very nervous and trembly, especially when attempting to move or exert himself in any way. His physical condition is decidedly worse than it was the 20th day of August 1881 when I examined him before. I have not seen him during any of his fits of epilepsy or falling fits.

William Smith, M.D.

Illness 07/15/1886
George was ill in Lima, Allen, Ohio, 15 Jul 1886.
Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Patient); /Bacera/ (doctor).

EVENT TEXT: Patient Information. Pulse: 120. Respiration: 28. Temperature: 100-2/5. Height: 5 feet. Weight: 123. Age 42 years.

That he was sun struck on July 1863 and this same night has a spasm and has had spasms every month since, hour spells of time, do not know how many coming a spell. Are generally in bed a week. I feel as if I have been pinched. Every muscle is sore. Have a bad night. Hip caused by the jerking in the fits. Last winter had some bed boils or right hips along with shin. My right ankle has been stiff since then. My head is all out-of-fix. I have no memory. Have a dull headache all the time and have had ever since I was sun struck in July 1863. My spells are very nervous. I have not been able to work at anything for this last five or six years or so.

Body poorly ... (possibly "nomiabea") and distorted by infirmity of his right side, muscles small and soft. Skin clear, but blotches. The thoracic and abdominal organs are of a normal healthy condition. Tongue slightly evutide. Pulse and temperature not normal. Claimant is at present laboring under a mild malarial attack. Claimant is nervous and has the imbicile look of an Epileptic and is mentally weak. The spinal column is bent forwards in the whole dorsal region causing the head and body to stoop. The muscles of back are atrophia to a degree. The right hip joint is prominent from atrophy of muscles and there is a small Limphoma aurlopea near muscle of gluteus maximus. The muscles of right thigh and leg are atrophia. There are some cicatries of variable sizes from 3/4 of inch to 2-1/2 inches in length on the anterior-lateral aspect of right leg. All of them occupy area and adherent to muscle and bone beneath. The right ankle is (word looks like "mania") stiff by the muscular adhesions. Claimant right lower extremity is of little or no use to him.

Medical Statistics:

George weighed 125 pounds was 5-feet 4-inches tall had Light hair, Fair skin and Blue eyes.

Aladdin (Hedington) Riley and Flora J. Majors

Aladdin (Hedington) Riley was born in Indiana in 1867. Aladdin Hedington was the illegitimate son of Lydia Mariah Danner and Lemuel Hedington. Named in Ruth (Neptune) Danner's Will probated 28 May 1883. (Adams County Will Book B, pages 420-422, No. 310.) Changed his name from Aladdin Hedington to Aladdin Riley sometime between 1892 and 1900. 1979 History of Adams County. "Aladdin was truly a child that nobody wanted." 1870 Census 3 years old, living with George and Lydia. 1880 Census 13 years old, living with Ruth (Neptune) Danner.

His birth parents are identified as: Lemuel Hedington and Lydia Mariah Danner. Aladdin married (17 September 1891, Adams County Indiana, Book F. Page 329) one time to Flora J. Majors, (1869-1949) the daughter of Thomas Majors and Nancy M. Williams. Aladdin and Flora J. (Majors) Riley had one child, Opal Riley, born 4 June 1892. Have found information that she died in 1894 in Indiana, not enough good information to confirm that information.

Aladdin and Flora J. (Majors) Riley were divorced between the 1920 Census and 1930 Census. His census information shows divorced and hers shows widowed. An interesting social stigma of the time.

CENSUS INFORMATION:

Census 1920 01/09/1920

Aladdin Riley was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana. Head Age/Sex: 52/Male. Individuals linked to this event include: Aladdin /(Hedington) Riley/ (Head of Family); Flora J. /Majors/ (wife). EVENT TEXT: This Census was taken in White River Township, Winchester, Randolph, Indiana. He was listed as an Agent and the business was Sewing Machines.

Census 1930 1930

1930 Census listed Aladdin Riley as head of household in Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, 1930. Census year: 1930. Census type: Federal. EVENT TEXT: Worked in a Barber Shop as a Barber.

Flora J. (Majors) Riley is listed in the 1930 Census living in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana. Living on Stone Street. Listed as a Seamstress and Dressmaker.

John E. Riley
Civil War Pension records indicate that he died in November 1878. No other information available on him at this time.

Albert Brenton Riley and Clara Anna Belle Davis
Albert Brenton Riley was born in Salem, Blue Creek, Indiana 20 Apr 1872. He is the son of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner. Albert Brenton Riley married on 21 November 1896 to Clara Anna Belle Davis (1872-1934) the daughter of Civil War Veteran Robert Alexander Davis and Frances Elizabeth Bryan. Albert and Clara Anna Belle (Davis) Riley were married by: J.W. Merriman, Justice of the Peace. Book G, Page 246, Adams County Marriages.

BIOGRAPHICAL TEXT: Albert Brenton Riley and Clara Anna Belle Davis married on 21 November 1896. They reared their large family of twelve children in Blue Creek Township. One child died in infancy.

Albert Brenton Riley retired in 1940. He died in Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana 15 Nov 1955 at 83 years old. Clara Anna Belle Davis died 26 June 1934 in Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana at 62 years old.

CENSUS INFORMATION

Census 1900 07/01/1900
Albert was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana. Head Age/Sex: 28/Male.
Individuals linked to this event include: Albert Brenton /Riley/ (Head of Family); Nolan Dee /Riley/ (son); Vernon Lee /Riley/ (son); Clara Anna Belle /Davis/ (wife).

Census 1920 01/20/1920
Albert was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census in Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana. Head Age/Sex: 47/Male. Details: Teamster.

Individuals linked to this event include: Albert Brenton /Riley/ (Head of Family); Vernon Lee /Riley/ (son); Nolan Dee /Riley/ (son); Robert Reed /Riley/ (son); True Burtus /Riley/ (son); Clara Anna Belle /Davis/ (wife); Olive Ruth /Riley/ (daughter); Dale Raymond /Riley/ (son); Wilda Pauline /Riley/ (daughter); Alton Jewel /Riley/ (son); Ivan Wilmer /Riley/ (son); Norris Ray /Riley/ (daughter).

Census 1930 04/22/1930
Albert was listed as head of household in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, 22 Apr 1930. Shows father born Ohio, mother born Indiana.

Individuals linked to this event include: Albert Brenton /Riley/ (Head of Household); Clara Anna Belle /Davis/ (resident); Merle William /Riley/ (resident); Alton Jewel /Riley/ (resident); Ivan Wilmer /Riley/ (resident); Wilda Pauline /Riley/ (resident); Norris Ray /Riley/ (resident).

EVENT TEXT: He did Odd Jobs as his occupation.

FROM 1979 HISTORY of ADAMS COUNTY
Volume II. Page 220.1979 History of Adams County Indiana, Volume I, Various pages.
Written by Norris Riley

In the year of 1872 in a log house, one mile north and one mile west of Salem in Blue Creek Township lived a family by the name of Riley, George and Lydia (Danner) Riley. They were the parents of four boys and two girls. One of the boys, Albert Brenton Riley, grew up to be a carpenter by trade. Liking his work, he enlarged his business and added barn raising and house moving, traveling many miles until his retirement in 1940. It is thought he raised nearly four hundred barns.

On November 21, 1896 he married Clara B. Davis and to this union was born 12 children. One child died at infancy and they reared nine boys and two girls.

Vernon Lee Riley became a minister of the Friends Church. He married Aldine Stauffer and they had five children.

Nolan Lee Riley worked at the Dudlo factory in Fort Wayne and General Electric. He married Nellie Richey and they had two children.

Robert Reed Riley worked at Inca in Fort Wayne and also farmed. He married Esther Mauhler and they had five children.

Dale Raymond Riley worked at Essex Wire in Fort Wayne, farmed and ran a grocery store. He married Alma Andrews.

True Burtus Riley worked for Sears Roebuck and spent some time in Canada. He married Fay Demler and they had three children.

Olive Ruth Riley worked at General Electric, was a housewife and married William Brown.

William Merle Riley worked with his father and was later employed at General Electric. He married Ida Girod and they had three children.

Alton Jewel Riley worked at Dudlo and the Inca in Fort Wayne. He married Veronia Carrier.

Ivan Wilmer Riley worked with his father moving buildings. He was called to the Army Service for three years after which he worked at General Electric. He married Juanita Evans.

Wilda Pauline Riley is a housewife, married to Glen Rupert and they were the parents of six children.

Norris Ray Riley worked with his father and at the Decatur Casting Company. He also farmed and he worked at Monroe Grain and Supply for 30 years. He married Ruth Thatcher and they had one child.

As of this writing, three boys: Alton, Merle and Norris, and two girls, Ruth and Wilda are living.

James P. Riley and Sarah E. Durbin and Dora Hupp
James P. Riley was born 5 Jul 1873. He is the son of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner. He married two times. First on 29 March 1897 in Adams County, Indiana to Sarah E. Durbin, and second marriage to Dora Hupp.

William Curtis Riley
William Curtis Riley was born in Indiana 5 May 1874. George Washington Riley's Civil War Pension file shows he died 18 Aug 1887.

Anis Victoria Riley and William Pinckney Merriman

Anis (Annice) Victoria Riley was born Adams County, Indiana 21 Aug 1877. She is the daughter of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner. She married one time to William Pinckney Merriman on 6 March 1898 in Adams County, Indiana. Anis died 10 March 1942 at 64 years old.

CENSUS INFORMATION
1930 Census 04/19/1930

Anis is listed as head of household Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana, 19 Apr 1930.

Individuals linked to this event include: Anis (Annice) Victoria /Riley/ (Head of Household); Omer H. /Merriman/ (resident); Mrs. Mary B. /Merriman/ (resident); Austin R. /Merriman/ (resident).

EVENT TEXT: Owned her home. Son, Omer H. Merriman shown as a renter. Shows her as a Widow, but a man with the same name as her husband is listed in Missouri.

OBITUARY CLIPPING

Mrs. Anis Merriman Dies This Morning

Blue Creek Township Resident Dies Today

Mrs. Anis Victoria Merriman 64, pioneer resident of Blue Creek township, died this morning at 2:45 o'clock at her home. Death was caused by bronchial pneumonia, following an illness of about two weeks.

The deceased was born in Blue Creek township August 21, 1877, the daughter of George and Lydia Danner-Riley. March 6, 1898 she was married to William P. Merriman, who preceeded her in death in 1917. Mrs. Merriman was a member of the Salem Methodist church. She had resided in Blue Creek township her entire life.

Surviving are the following children: Russell of Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Lowell Smith of Decatur; Elisha, Austin, and Omer, all of Blue Creek township; 17 grandchildren;three brothers, Addin Riley of Muncie; A. R. Riley of Celina, Ohio and James of Willshire, Ohio. a sister, Mrs. Joseph Krick of Decatur, one son is deseased.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Salem Methodist church, with Rev. R. J. Johnson officiation. Burial will ! be in the Tricker cemetery.

The body will be taken from the Craig and Dean funeral home to the residence late this afternoon and may be viewed there after 7 pm until time for the service.

Hilinda A. Riley
The only information on Hilinda Riley comes from George Washington Riley's Civil War Pension file. Shows she was born 22 September 1881. There is a high likelihood that Hilinda A. Riley and Arilla "Rilla" Riley are one in the same. If she is the same individual, she also likely married Jospeh Krick after being widowed in 1920.

Rilla Riley and Howard Parker
Rilla Riley was born in Indiana Circa 1882. She is the daughter of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner. She married one time to Howard Parker on 12 November 1905 in Adams County, Indiana.

Always looking for information on these folks. Especially want to know who George Washington Riley's parents were.

The Family Farm

2009-02-21T21:08:00.000-08:00

The first picture is Dave Hannon and some of the horses on the Hannon family farm in 1944. The bottom picture is my Grandfather, his sister and parents in front of the house on the farm in Kouts, Porter, Indiana.

The Hannon family has lived on this property since 1842 when the Irish immigrants settled in northwestern Indiana. When they came to this particular piece of land, this area of the world was quite different from what it is like today.

The horse photo was included to help us understand that even with modern farming and farm equipment available, my ancestors will still farming with horses within the past 60 years. Thinking about that today and realizing how few people have even been to a farm compelled me to share these thoughts.

When the Hannon family was farming, there were a variety of animals and plants on the farmstead. Horses were the primary species because every farm needed animals to work the land. Cattle, chickens and hogs were also critical to the success of the family farm. In addition to the livestock, corn, apples, hay, oats, potatoes and cherries were available on the land. You can see the markings for the fruit tree grove marked on the various plat maps. My mother recalls some other crops and thinks there was wheat and some possibilities of additional fruits like grapes, plums and pears. This arrangement allowed the farm to care for the family -- and extended family -- the livestock and the land too.

As I look through old photos of the farmstead, I see lots of grass and fences which would be used by the various animals for grazing. Also seen with regularity were wild animals that shared the grazing spaces with the farm animals. In many of the old pictures, there are any number of farm animals in the background -- and strangely enough, one monkey that apparently visited for a weekend of photos.

As the 1950's approached, the photos start to show more and more mechanical farm equipment and less and less horses. This likely changed some of the crops being planted too as there was less need for oats to feed farm horses and less need for pasture to keep them in. In the pictures from the local newspaper showing modern farming on the Hannon farm, corn seems to be the dominant crop. Is this really the case or was that the crop that happened to be in the fields when the newspaper came? I'll probably never know that with certainty.

When we visited last summer, corn was certainly king in the Porter County countryside. There is less evidence of livestock, and there are ribbons of asphalt woven through the corn in the Indiana farmland.

Links:

http://www.kouts.org/ Kouts, Porter, Indiana

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kouts,_Indiana Kouts, Porter, Indiana

Ohio, Indiana and Johnny Appleseed

2009-02-21T05:43:00.000-08:00

I am currently reading several books by Michael Pollan and in Botany of Desire, he mentions John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed and his impact on Ohio. Thought some of the information was worth sharing. Hope you enjoy it.

Johnny Appleseed is a real person, John Chapman. Chapman, was a real historical figure who played a very important role in the frontier in the Northwest territory. In addition to learning that he was a real individual, he also turns out to be quite a character.

In learning more about Chapman, I learned an interesting botanical fact about apples, which is, if you plant the seeds of an apple, like a red delicious or a golden delicious, the offspring will look nothing like the parent, will be a completely different variety and will be inedible. You cannot eat apples planted from seeds. Apples apparently must be grafted, cloned.

Apples, although thought of in a representative way as a product of the United Sates are really from Kazakhstan and has made its way here and changed a lot along the way. Johnny Appleseed insisted on planting lots of apples from seed (he felt grafting was wicked) and those planted seeds meant the trees produced inedible apples. The upside of this is these apples were meant to become hard cider. Apparently you can use any kind of apple for making cider. Johnny Appleseed was bringing alcohol to the frontiers of Ohio and Indiana.

Apples were an excellent source of sweetness and an essential staple of the diets of those forging into unsettled, remote territory, and in some cases, the law required an orchard as a prerequisite for land ownership. Apples were also used for bartering in a time when cash was limited -- perhaps this will happen again. Using apple seeds from the cider mills of Pennsylvania, Chapman would move ahead of the homesteaders, on routes along which he guessed they were likely to settle, planting saplings from which they could start their orchards.

Chapman, aka “Johnny Appleseed” by the frontiersmen who experienced his "benevolence", continued planting spiritual seeds and apple seeds until his death on 18 March 1845. He died at the home of a friend, William Worth, in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. The site traditionally believed to be his grave is north of that city in Archer Cemetery, part of Johnny Appleseed Memorial Park is most likely a memorial spot. It is believed that Chapman's grave is located along the St. Joseph River in Fort Wayne in the middle of "Johnny Appleseed Park", where a giant festival is held every year in his honor. To this day the actual site has never been found.

Additional Links:

http://www.lostindiana.net/html/johnny_appleseed.html Lost Indiana

Google Books

http://www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Chapman__John.html

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/heritage/ Johnny Appleseed — A Pioneer Hero

http://appleseed.org/johnny.html

http://www.anb.org/articles/20/20-00166-print.html

http://www.swedenborg.com/

What's In A Name

2009-02-21T05:23:00.000-08:00

Here are my results to a fun quiz you can play with your name.

Top 5 Facts for this Name:

38% of the letters are vowels. Of one million first and last names we looked at, 38.4% have a higher vowel make-up. This means you are well envoweled.
In ASCII binary it is... 01001011 01100001 01110100 01101000 01101100 01100101 01100101 01101110 00100000 01010010 01101001 01101100 01100101 01111001
Backwards, it is Neelhtak Yelir... nice ring to it, huh?
In Pig Latin, it is Athleenkay Ileyray.

Name Origin and Meaning:
Forename:
Origin: Greek (Root: Katharine)
Meaning: Pure, Virginal

3 Things You Didn't Know:

Your personal power animal is the Black Piranha
Your 'Numerology' number is 1. If it wasn't bulls**t, it would mean that you are ambitious, independent, and self-sufficient. Although you are generally happy, loving, dynamic and charismatic, you can sometimes be egotistical, selfish and melodramatic.
According to the US Census Bureau°, 0.424% of US residents have the first name 'Kathleen' and 0.0528% have the surname 'Riley'. The US has around 300 million residents, so we guesstimate there are 672 Americans who go by the name 'Kathleen Riley'.

Want to take the quiz? Go here: http://www.isthisyour.name/

Hannon Family Reunion

2009-02-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

Here's a crew of Irish folks form 1935 at the Hannon farm in Kouts, Porter, Indiana.

A smaller gathering of some descendants of the 1935 crew in 2005 in Kouts, Porter, Indiana.

Porter County Indiana

2009-02-16T00:13:00.000-08:00

In my family history search, I am particularly interested in the Hannon, O'Donahue and related families of this area. As good Irish folks, these names will have spelling variations -- which makes them a little more effort to locate.

Porter County was created on February 1, 1836. The County was named for Capt. David Porter, naval officer during the War of 1812.

The County Seat is Valparaiso. The first plat for the city dated July 7, 1836, bears the name of Portersville, however, the name of the County Seat was changed to Valparaiso during the first year and is seems to have been done by the local authorities. See also County History for more historical details.

Counties adjacent to Porter County are LaPorte County (east), Starke County (southeast), Jasper County (south), Lake County (west).

Porter County is divided into 12 Civil Townships as follows: Boone, Center, Jackson, Liberty, Morgan, Pine, Pleasant, Portage, Porter, Union, Washington and Westchester. Cities, Towns and Communities include Boone, Burdick, Chesterton, Clanricards, Coburg, Grove, Hebron, Hurlburt, Kouts, Malden, Morris, Nickel, Porter, Sedley, Suman, Valparaiso and Woodville.

The Porter County Official Government Website
Porter County Township Map
Indiana Newspaper Holdings for Porter County: The county newspaper holdings are under regular revision, as new microfilm holdings are added. These files are not up to date; there are continuous updates and corrections.
Official County Historians
Porter County, Indiana History Books at Amazon.com
Family History Library - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.

1849 Adams County Retrospect - Based on "Indiana Gazetteer," published by E. Chamberlain

Porter County, organized in 1836, was named in honor of Commodore David Porter, of the United States Navy. It is bounded north by Lake Michigan, east by LaPorte, south by the Kankakee, which separates it from Jasper, and west by Lake County. Its average length is 35 miles, and the breadth 15 miles. The names of the several townships are Winchester, Jackson, Liberty and Portage, in the north; Washington, Center, Union and Porter, in the center; and Pleasant, Morgan and Boone, in the south. The population in 1840 was 2,162; at this time [1849] it is about 5,000. The surface of the country is gently undulating. About one-fourth of the county is timbered in oak, walnut, poplar, pine, maple, butternut and beech, one-third barrens, and the remainder prairie and bottomland. Except near Lake Michigan and the marshes of the Kankakee, the general character of the soil is good, and best adapted to wheat, oats, corn and grazing.

There are in the county three gristmills, eight sawmills, one carding and one fulling mill, a printing office, four lawyers, ten physicians, nine preachers, and the usual proportion of carpenters, blacksmiths, wagon-makers, tailors, shoemakers, etc. There are several small lakes in the county, among which are Flint, Spectacle and Eliza Lakes. The taxable land amounts to 155,380 acres.

1938 Adams County Retrospect - Based on "Indiana Review," published by the State Legislature

Porter County is compromised of three distinct sections. In the north is the lake and beach section; in the center, the Morainic Hills, and in the south the Kankakee Marsh region. This Marsh, formerly considered worthless, was drained and some parts have become rich farming land while others have reverted to marsh. Porter County contains some of Indiana's most outstanding natural features. Among these is the magnificent range of sand hills near Lake Michigan known as "The Dunes" and the group of morainic basin and kettle-hole lakes near Valparaiso, although originally it was called Portersville.

It is a northwestern border being Lake Michigan. It has an area of 415 square miles, divided into twelve townships. The incorporated city is Valparaiso, 8,079; towns: Chesterton, 2,213; Porter, 805; Hebron, 693; Kouts, 583; Ogden Dunes, 55, and Dune Acres, 12. Total county population 1890, 18,052; 1900, 19,175; 1910, 20,540; 1920, 20,256; 1930, 22,821.

Valparaiso is forty-four miles southeast of Chicago and is served by three railroads. It is a manufacturing city and its industries include steel, mica, school desks, Bakelite, paint, and electrical specialties.

Among the Valparaiso's features are the Public Library, Memorial Opera House, and the Fair Grounds. On the grounds of the library at the place the Old Sac Trail crossed the city, the Porter County Historical Society has erected a marker. The opera house is a memorial to the soldiers and sailors of the Civil War and is used as local headquarters of the G. A. R. and W. R. C. This latter organization has erected a marker at the grave of Mary C. McCarthy, a Civil War nurse who is buried in the Old City Cemetery. In the Maplewood Cemetery they have also placed a monument to the unknown dead of Porter County. The Fair Grounds here was used as an encampment for the Ninth Indiana Regiment during the Civil War.

The city is best known for Valparaiso University, founded by Henry B. Brown September 16, 1873. Two years after the university was started, Oliver P. Kinsey became associated with Mr. Brown, and together they applied to their problem all of their knowledge on the subject. Valparaiso University has an enrollment of more than 5,000 students, 22 departments, 11 school buildings, including three in Chicago for medical and dental work and a library containing over 12,000 works of reference. The classes are in session the entire year. Its largest department is the normal college, which gives instruction to more than 1,100 students annually, and a large percentage of the students earn all or part of their expenses at Valparaiso. The university has no secret societies, nor does it compete with other institutions in the fields of athletics. It is one of the largest universities in the United States in point of attendance and its students come form all over the United States and foreign countries.

Porter County supplies much of the truck garden produce used by Chicago. This specialized type of farming is very extensive and, with dairying, forms an important phase of activity.

A number of types of clay that produce several kinds of bricks are found in this county.

Porter County had twenty-six manufacturing establishments, according to figures of the 1935 federal census. A total of 592 wage earners were employed on payrolls of $555,630. The value of the products was $2,773,030.

The Pavilion and Arcade Hotel at Indiana Dunes State Park are nationally known summer resorts.

The county had 1,845 farms averaging 118.2 acres each. The value was $12,709,753. A total of 38,743 head of livestock was reported. The county's tax valuation, according to 1936 appraisal, was $44,615,280.

Links:
http://www.myindianagenealogy.com/in_county/por.htm Porter County Map and Information
http://www.in.gov/history/7909.htm Northern Indiana Historical Markers Interactive Map
http://www.in.gov/history/index.htm Indiana History Web Site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Porter_(naval_officer) Captain David Porter

Staying Grounded

2009-02-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

I saw this from a link on an equine site and found it interestng. Reflective and related to so many parts of our lives. To see more of the daily thoughts, visit the DailyOM.

February 13, 2009
Staying Conscious
Staying Grounded in a Big City or Busy World

1. Live simply and live deliberately. By choosing not to get caught up in the details of this fast-paced world, you are doing your part to slow down the . You will also discover that you have more time to enjoy being alive.

2. Stay in touch with yourself. Soul searching, meditation, and journaling are just a few of the many activities you can take part in to stay aware and learn as much as you can about your emotions, reactions, likes, dislikes, dreams, and fears. Having a solid sense of self gives you a firm foundation for living in this world.

3. Support or teach others as often as you can. This can help you form connections with people while also giving you an opportunity to make the world a better place.

4. Consciously choose what you will allow into your being. The media bombards us with visions of hate, war, and pain. Be judicious about what you read, watch, and listen to.

5. Acknowledge the beauty that resides around you. Whether you live in a sprawling metropolis or a stereotypical suburb, there are natural and man-made wonders just waiting to be discovered by you.

6. Nurture your ties to your tribe. If you don’t have one, create a community that you can belong to. Modern life can be isolating. When you have a tribe, you have a circle that you are a part of. Its members – loved ones, friends, or neighbors - can be a source of support, caring, guidance, and companionship.

7. See the larger picture. Remember that the way that you choose to live is not the only way to live. Widen your perspective by exploring other modes of being through research, travel, and discussion.

8. Embrace the challenges that life presents to you, and challenge yourself often. After a time, even the most exciting jobs or lifestyles can seem routine. Never stop assimilating new knowledge about whatever you are doing, and your life will never seem dull.

9. Move your body. In this busy world, it can be easy to live a sedentary life. Movement reacquaints us with our bodies and connects us to the earth in a visceral way. It also restores our vitality.

10. Make time for stillness, silence, and solitude. The world can be noisy, and we are subject to all kinds of noises nearly every waking hour. We are also often "on the go" and unable to relax. Being alone in a peaceful place and making time for quiet can help you stay in touch with yourself.

Happy Anniversary

2009-02-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

The Happy Couple