Kreativ Blogger – 2nd Go ‘Round!

Thank you for the award, Karen!

Earlier this year, this award went around the genea-blogger (and “normal” blogger) community.   I was fortunate to receive this award from Sheri of Grandma’s Stitches.  Just recently I was given this award again – from Karen at Twigs to Roots. Karen has recently begun her foray into the blogging world and has jumped in with both feet! Please travel to her blog and give her a big geneablogger welcome!

As part of receiving this award, I am to list seven things about myself:

1. I am back in college again!
2. My new grandson will be 2 months old on Saturday!
3. I love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte!
4. I get to take the day “off” for Thanksgiving this year as one of my daughter’s is having it at her house for the first time!
5. All of my grandsons have blue eyes.
6. I’m almost at the tail end of the “baby boomer” generation!
7. I am secretary for the PTA at my grandson’s elementary school!

Next, I’m to Award this to other blogs that I enjoy.  I’d like to try to highlight some that are new to me – since this award has already been around to several.

A Tale of Two Ancestors by Amanda Acquard. Amanda must be the sister I didn’t know I had because we share the same interests – history, genealogy, and travel (though I haven’t been able to do that!). She is currently in graduate school and working toward becoming a genealogy reference librarian. Although I am currently only working toward my associates degree, I had decided I would very much like a career as a historical archivist – whether for a library or a museum – but that is a very long way off! Stop by and say hi to Amanda!

Ancestor Hunting by Cheryl Rothwell. Her story A Family Way is very touching. Please go read her blog if you don’t have it bookmarked already!

Diggin Up Dirt by Cat. She posts interesting articles about her own genealogy research and the information she’s been able to obtain. I find it useful to see what she and other’s have found – especially when I need a slight nudge in the right direction.  Stop by and read some of her interesting posts.

And I’m sure there are many more I could honor with this award – however, I want to make sure others have the opportunity to award it!

Thanks, Karen, for the award!  And congratulations to all who receive it!

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Boats! Planes! Autos!

When my dad got orders for Japan in the early ’50s, he went ahead of the rest of the family.  Mom had to get from Ohio to the Pacific Coast in order to sail to Japan. 

The photo at left was taken when my mom, brother and sister were leaving my Uncle’s home in Michigan headed west.  They drove 450 miles in one day and got to Fargo, North Dakota about 6:15 p.m.  In a postcard to her folks, Mom said they stayed at a cabin for the night – the cost: $4.  They traveled through Montana and went to Oregon in order to visit my great-grandmother for a short time.  Then north to Seattle to Fort Lawton where they had to wait a few days before sailing to Japan on June 9, 1953. 

The trip, aboard the USNS General Hugh J. Gaffey, would take 12 days – although by crossing the international date line, they lost a day.  While on board, my sister tap danced in a Variety show and my brother – when not seasick – made friends.  The ship carried 2400 troops – all on their way to Yokohama. 

My parents were in Japan for two tours and while there, they drove the Nash that had been transported via ship with them.  Sometimes they rode a train like the one pictured (left) and my siblings rode a bus (right) back and forth to school or on field trips.

While on their 2nd tour in Japan, my parents and brother all learned to fly courtesy of the Tachikawa Aero Club.  They even “starred” in a short film promoting the Aero Club Family Plan.  Back in the States and after I came along, my parents still flew every once in awhile.  Here’s a picture of my Dad in ’72 getting ready to fly.

My parents had some very interesting adventures in the air and on land.  I feel very blessed that not only do I have stories and pictures, but memories of when I accompanied them on some of their adventures!

Written for the 18th Edition of Smile for the Camera – Travel.

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Loving the Carnival!

Extra! Extra!   Read all about how the case of Chase began at the town on the river spending days of childhood on the water and wandering through a haunted graveyard.  Though independent from birth, there was still time for the furry and feathered family members or calling on dear St. Nicholas.  Often taking time to share, show and explain traditions or statistics on age in the books for genealogy.  When friends would meet Mom, they understood her senior moments talking about the great Texas snow. Often explanations would be given about the American political road map with exclamations of “What a bunch of hooey!”  However, when we get together for the Carnival, I resolve to only say, “Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah!” and we are not just horsin’ around.

Carnival:

• Cruise?
• Rides and Games?
• Rio?
• Parades?
• Mardi Gras?

If you chose none of the above, you are correct!!!  In the blogosphere, the word carnival takes on a whole new meaning – well sort of!  Generally a blog carnival is a repository for many contributors’ blog posts centered around a chosen theme.  In the genealogy blog world, there are several types of “carnivals” in which to participate – Cabinet of Curiosities”, Carnival of Central and Eastern European Genealogy, Irish Heritage and Culture, and several others.

Three years ago, Jasia who authors Creative Gene wrote Carnival of Genealogy, Edition 1. This Carnival is now in its 84th Edition. The topic for this edition is “What has the Carnival of Genealogy Meant to You?”

Creative Gene was one of the first Genealogy Blogs I bookmarked and read each day.  Soon, I was clicking on the links to others’ blogs and soon bookmarked several of them.  I read with interest the CoG’s and soon realized that not only were others submitting articles that more people would read but sometimes connections were being made.  I knew that if I were to get more than just a few readers (and possibly some connections, too), I should participate in the CoG’s.  I enjoy writing and knew that should I undertake a project writing biographies of my ancestors, I should start writing and reading others’ articles.

My first submission to the CoG was for the 47th Edition, published on May 3, 2008 with the theme “A Place Called Home”.  My entry was The Town on the River. Wow! After some research and writing and re-writing, I had an article of which I could be proud! Jasia even extended a warm welcome to me and encouraged everyone to welcome this “newbie” to the Carnival!

Since that first entry, I’ve participated in numbers 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 78, and 79 (see top paragraph – all my titles are incorporated into the opening!).  There have been a wide variety of topics and several others besides Jasia have hosted.  I have not hosted a CoG – that is something I would have to look into and make sure that if I do volunteer to host that I have the time to make sure it is done properly. 

I’ve had several favorite topics.  Lately I haven’t been able to find the time to put in research in order to write an indepth post for some of them.  My favorites have been: The Case of Chase written for the 53rd Edition. The theme was “Carousel” – any genealogy topic was fair game. I had spent quite a bit of time on my article and included pictures and documented evidence information. This article brought four comments from others – two of them descendents of the man I wrote about – people I didn’t think existed! Another favorite entry was Independent from Birth for the 51st Edition.

I’ve read articles in the CoG that have touched my heart, sparked an interest, and given me new research techniques to think about and investigate.  Unfortunately, I’m unable to think of just one that would be the all time stand-out – there are so many talented writers and enthusiastic genealogists for me to pick just one!

I generally encourage my readers to check out or submit articles to the CoG.  The more the merrier!  And it’s always wonderful when someone new begins submitting articles.

The Carnival of Genealogy has enabled me to go above and beyond just gathering names, dates and places.  I have delved into the lives of those that I’ve written about – trying to capture their emotions, joys, and hardships.  Reading others’ articles has given me new avenues to investigate and research when hunting for that “brick wall” ancestor.

The impact on my life has been two-fold.  One – I’ve been able to meet new friends and some distant cousins.  By reading some of the articles and seeing a common surname, I’ve made connections.  The second aspect has been aiding me in becoming a more thorough researcher and writer.

I’d like to extend my thanks to all of the genea-bloggers who have commented on my articles; who have pointed me in other directions for information; to those who capture my interest with their thought provoking, informative and heart-touching stories; and to Jasia who first introduced me to the Carnival of Genealogy!  You folks are great!

And for all of you who think you can’t write an article for the CoG – just try it once!  You may learn something new about yourself!

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Reference Number Fun

Most genealogy programs include reference numbers – either pre-programmed or entered manually. Today I decided to look up all those in my family file with reference #’s that include numbers that correspond to today’s date.

Dorcas Elizabeth Stropel – born Unknown (around 1800-1813) and died Unknown.  Wife of David Bushong, Jr.  Mother of Jacob, George Emmanuel, (twins) David III & Joseph, John and three daughters.  Dorcas is the wife of my 2nd cousin 6 times removed.  Reference #: 1105

Oliver P. Bookless – born Jan. 15, 1820 in Coshocton County, Ohio and died Oct. 30, 1897 in Sheldon, Iroquois County, Illinois.  Husband to Emily Lister and father of Rebecca Ann, Emily J., Leonard, James and William. Oliver is my 3rd great-grand-uncle.  Reference #: 11050

Alexander Bookless – born about 1824 and died Mar. 9, 1902 in Iroquois County, Illinois.  Husband of Sarah (Unknown) and father of Sedora, Mattie C., William, Mary E., and Emily M.  He is my 3rd great-grand-uncle.  Reference #: 11051

Emily Lister – born about 1830 in Indiana and died Dec. 3, 1896 in Sheldon, Iroquois County, Illinois.  Wife of Oliver P. Bookless (see above). She is the wife of my 3rd great-grand-uncle.  Reference #: 11052

Rebecca Ann Bookless – born about 1850 and died Unknown. Daughter of Oliver P. Bookless and Emily Lister.  Wife of Mr. Edwards.  She is my 1st cousin 4 times removed.  Reference #: 11053

Leonard Bookless – born July 9, 1859 in Sheldon, Iroquois County, Illinois and died Apr. 14, 1924 in Sheldon, Iroquois County, Illinois.  Son of Oliver P. Bookless and Emily Lister. Husband of Dicie Fry. Father of Virgil, Loretta, Vernie & Cleota.  He is my 1st cousin 4 times removed.  Reference #: 11058

James Bookless – born Oct. 15, 1866 in Sheldon, Iroquois County, Illinois and died Apr. 10, 1921 in St. Charles, Illinois. Son of Oliver P. Bookless and Emily Lister and husband of Emma Gillfillan.  Father of Earl, Ernest and Bernice.  He is my 1st cousin 4 times removed.  Reference #: 11059

Emily J. Bookless – born about 1854 and died Unknown. Daughter of Oliver P. Bookless and Emily Lister. Wife of Mr. Edwards.  Emily is my 1st cousin 4 times removed.  Reference #: 11056

Bessie Connor – born in 1889 and died Unknown. Wife of James Scott Bookless and mother of Keith and Ruth.  She is the wife of my 1st cousin 3 times removed.  Reference #: 11105

Elivina Blazer – born and died Unknown. Daughter of Samuel Blazer and Prudence Collins.  She is my 1st cousin 4 times removed.  Reference: 11054

Elvira Blazer – born and died Unknown.  Daughter of Samuel Blazer and Prudence Collins. Wife of James McFadden.  She is my 1st cousin 4 times removed.  Reference #: 11057

Jesse W. Walker – born about 1842 in Rush County, Indiana and died Unknown.  Son of Hiram Walker and Nancy Mullis.  He is my 1st cousin 3 times removed.  Reference #: 11055

The date: 11/05 is in each of the reference numbers – perhaps with an added number before or after.  How many can you find in your family tree with the date?

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