Ancestor Round Up: Everett Franklin Combs

Everett Franklin Combs, c1924.
Image from my personal collection.

Everett Franklin Combs, Sr., was born 29 March 1886 in Martin County, Indiana to Willis Franklin Combs and Mary Margaret Hall. He was the fifth of eight ­­children and his siblings were, Ira (1877-1956), Jennie (1880-1948), Homer (1882-1971), Ada (1884-1901), John (1888-1959), Margaret (1891-?), George (1893-1923), and Eliza (1897-1987).

His family lived as farmers in Lost River Township, Martin County, Indiana. According to his sister Eliza’s journals, they were happy there living off the land, playing in the streams, hunting, and fishing. Unfortunately, his time there was short-lived. Everett’s mother Margaret and older sister Ada died in 1901 during a typhoid fever outbreak. His youngest sister Eliza wrote that the women spent weeks nursing the family back to health only to succumb to the illness themselves. The fever hit the local area hard, and his father Willis Franklin remarried a widow with two daughters within a few years.

After this marriage Willis moved the newly merged family to just outside of Vincennes in Knox County. Here they worked as tenant farmers for Brevoort Farms, but moved home to Lost River before the 1920 census.

Fort Casey Lighthouse.
From Washington State Parks.

On 10 March 1906 Everett joined the US Army. According to his enlistment papers he was 5’6” tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light brown hair. My father states his grandfather told him he was a medic while in the service and nicknamed “Doc.” Discharge papers state his last duty station was Fort Casey in Washington State. He was discharged 9 March 1909. Unfortunately, after his death, many of Everett's papers were burned. My father described his discharge papers as an excellent example of Edwardian script, a work of art by itself. He never saw it again after his grandfather died and assumes it was burned.

While he was away Everett corresponded with his future wife Sylvia Ann Freeman. They married a few months after his return on 13 November 1909 in Martin County, Indiana. However, many decades later during a marital argument a long-held secret came out to the family. My father, who was there, told me the story. Everett was in love with another girl, who he wrote to faithfully, but she never wrote to him. Likewise, this girl wrote to him for over a year with no reply. She gave up on Everett and was married to another man by the time he returned home. What neither of them knew was Sylvia had intercepted the letters in the mailboxes. The letters to and from Sylvia were the only ones getting through. My father said Everett was furious, and while angry for several days, there was nothing he could do about it 40 years later.

In the 1910 Census Everett and Sylvia are living as newlyweds in Lost River Township again. He lists himself as a farmer and is renting his land. Shortly their family begins to grow and by 1920 they have four children. According to his WWI draft card the family lived in West Baden, Orange County, Indiana just a few miles from Lost River.

The saddest part of genealogical research was the discovery of the many children they lost during their marriage. My grandfather did not know about them until later in life when he found the stones for his siblings. In total they lost seven babies due to disease, still birth, or prematurity.

Sometime between 1917 and 1920 the family moved to Washington, Daviess County, Indiana. My grandfather told a story about the move. He was not in school yet, only four or five years old, and the second youngest in the family at that time. They loaded a buckboard wagon with all their belongings and a cow in tow. The children took turns walking with the cow and sitting in the wagon almost 50 miles.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Once in Washington Everett began working as a laborer for the B&O railroad yard. Washington was a huge railroad hub for many decades which made it a bustling city within the corn fields. While the 1920 census did not state their address the 1927 directory showed they rented a home at 107 NW 6^th Street and Everett still worked for the B&O railroad. However, they did move frequently and never owned a home until later in life according to my father.

By 1930 they lived at 379 NW 10^th Street in Washington and Everett was then a station supervisor for the B&O Railroad. Two years after that they lived at 816 Robinson Street, the home they eventually bought. The 1940 census asked for the highest level of education and Everett stated he completed to 4^th grade and Sylvia to 7^th grade. Everett left the B&O sometime prior to this census and was now listed as a truckdriver for the City Street Department.

Everett and his son Paul c1965.
Image from my personal collection.

However, within two years Everett was working for the city police department according to his WWII draft card. During WWII my father and his parents lived with Everett, Sylvia, and their youngest children. My grandmother helped cook, clean, take care of the kids, and assisted in keeping the extended family in town well.

My father remembers him as a cop growing up and did not know about his other jobs until I showed him these documents. According to his memories, Everett carried a nightstick, but no gun, and wielded a lot of respect from the local community. Dad stated he was quick with that stick and loved to twirl it when he walked.

They lived on Robinson St until Sylvia died in 1964. Everett was able to live a few more years on his own until being taken in by his daughter Zelma and her family. Everett died at 6:30 am on 7 November 1970 at the Prairie Village Nursing Home in Washington. He had suffered for an extended period from cardiac and renal failure. The services were held at Gill Funeral Home in Washington and he was buried with his family at the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Family Group:
Everett Franklin Combs, son of Willis Franklin and Mary Margaret Hall, married Sylvia Ann Freeman, daughter of John Ulysses S Grant Freeman and Alta Eldora Davison. They had the following children:

Albert Keralla Combs (17 October 1910 – 16 February 1980) who married Pauline Christine Casper

James Franklin Combs (31 May 1913 – 16 July 1987) who married Mayme Jones and Harriett Bobb

Paul Edward Combs (5 October 1915 – 13 Nov 1978) who married Ruth Eleanor Brennan

Zelma Mae Combs (24 February 1918 – 26 December 2005) who married Delbert Orris Horton

Ruth Emily Combs (7 Jun 1920 – 20 June 1920) died from pneumonia

Gladdis Marie Combs (11 April 1921 – 5 May 1921) died from pneumonia

Everett Franklin Combs Jr. (5 May 1922 – 10 May 2010) who married Anna Louise Catt

Mary Louise Combs (17 November 1924 – 8 June 2003) who married Charles Heaton King

Infant (24 March 1927) stillborn

Kenneth Eugene Combs (13 Oct 1928 – 13 Oct 1928) died from prematurity

Infant (12 Jun 1929) stillborn

Mildred Pauline Combs (13 August 1930 – 18 Aug 1930) died from a heart defect

Robert Earl Combs (30 September 1933 – 16 October 1933) died from indigestion

Writing Challenges and Prompts

Are you still looking for ways to write your family history?  If so, maybe you should check out the blog No Story Too Small by Amy Johnson Crow and her challenge 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks.  Amy also writes for Ancestry.com blogs and made a post about this challenge over there too.  It may be the way you can break your family history into bite size writable chunks.

The premise is you write about one ancestor each week for the entire year (or hey, maybe multiple years).  Think about what this could do for your writing, your research, and that family stories book you keep putting off.  Plus, the annual Family History Writing Challenge by Lynne Palermo starts in a couple days.  I think the stars may just be aligning for all the people out there who want to tell the world (or may perhaps just the family) about their amazing heritage!

Yes, I may need to cut back on the caffeine.

So, check out the blog. Amy has some great guides to get you started too.  If you choose to do this as a blog (and there is nothing that says you have to, paper books are A-Okay too) you can be included in her blog recap.  Just follow the directions on her site to get squared away. 

It is 4 weeks into the challenge, and I have been putting it off.  Yes, at times my brain goes to mush and I just have to step back from the computer for a while.  However, I think it is time to tell a few stories.  Yes-sir-ee, it is time to blow the dust off of some records and do some writing on my family.  In addition to all the other things I have to get done in the week of course. 

I would love to hear if you take this challenge!  Drop me a line or leave a message below.  

Week 52 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 52: Personal Genealogy Website. For which private genealogy website are you most grateful? Who runs the site? How has it helped your family history research? Share the link to the site as well as its highlights as a way to say thanks to those behind the scenes.

The end of this writing prompt series has once again asked a question on a really thought provoking topic.  There are so many good personal websites out there, some that I use on a daily basis; it is like trying to choose a favorite flavor of chocolate cake!  For the purpose of this prompt I would like to highlight Lynn Palmero’s site, The Armchair Genealogist. 

Her main goal is to help people find their family history on the internet by giving you the tools you need to research and then write about them.  Last spring I participated in her family history writing challenge and even though I didn’t complete what I set out to write, I learned so much about my own writing style.  She opened the door a bit more for me to really begin to investigate my future as a “real” writer. 

Lynn has many tabs on her page to help you find your way and broaden yourself in your family history journey.  If you are a beginner, there is a beginner tab to get your started.  Looking for fellow writers to talk to?  Check out her forum for family history writers.  Her blog is always informative, up to date, educational, and at times good fun to read. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Week 51 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 51: States and Provinces. What is your favorite state or province for genealogical research? Who is most generous with their records? How has this helped your family history research? Share with others your tips and tricks for researching in this location.

I have to admit my family’s move to Virginia put us in an excellent place to do research for family history.  Living in here within driving distance to The National Archives, The Library of Congress, The National Genealogical Society, The Daughters of the American Revolution Headquarters, and so many other historical and genealogical significant places means that there is never an excuse not to do research.  You can read about my discoveries in past posts on this blog.

Once you are in town you can spend every waking moment in research endeavors.  I have found the archivists, volunteers, librarians, and staff at these locations very helpful and friendly.  There isn’t a problem they won’t tackle and you can ask questions of them until you are blue in the face.  However, coming with a research plan and a goal in mind will make your visits more productive and worthwhile.  But, I am sure you all know that!  

My advice to you is that you need to think about what and how you pack.  Most of these institutions will not allow bags of any type into the research rooms.  This means you will need to store your belongings in lockers and carry your equipment into the research rooms and this can effect what you take. A little thought will need to be put into it to keep you happy and sane.  For instance loose papers are discouraged in the reading room at NARA.  In this case having your notes on a laptop or tablet would be most beneficial. 

Here’s to happy ancestor hunting in the Nation’s Capital!
 

photo credit: Klara Kim via photopin cc

Week 50 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 50: Genealogy Database. Which individual database has been most helpful in your genealogy research and why? Is this database available for free or is it behind a subscription wall? What does this database include and how can it benefit other genealogy researchers?

There are so many databases bookmarked on my computer.  General Websites, lineage society records, archives, and various other places people may not think to look for their ancestors.  To be honest, there are hundreds of amazing databases out there.  I decided to pick one of the more obscure sites I like that maybe you don’t know about.

The Index to Early Bible Records is run by Debbie Duay, Ph.D, and is an ongoing project that provides an index to tens of thousands of pre-1800 family bible records.  It is part of an online lesson that teaches you how to research ancestors who may have been involved with the American Revolution.  Researching Your Patriot Ancestor teaches the basic research skills a person would need to help them with this quest, as well pointed you to places that you may not have looked for more information.

When you enter the index you will find information listed alphabetically by the husband’s last name.  Using the find function on your computer will be helpful at this point as there is not a search function embedded in the site.  The next columns list the husband’s first name, year range for the bible, wife’s maiden name, wife’s first name, where you can find the bible, and a title for the collection it is in.   Most of these bible records can be found online through the archives that hold them or Ancestry.com. 

Happy searching!  Maybe you will get lucky and find one of you ancestor in this index.  So far, I am still looking.
 

photo credit: mrmanc via photopin cc

Week 49 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 49: Research Location. Which genealogy research location or city brings a smile to your face? What makes this place special to you? What family history treasures does it hold for you? Why should others visit this place?

Hands down, so far, my favorite place to research is Washington, D.C.  Yes, I know, I don’t live that far from it, but there are so many places to have a genealogical adventure there.  You could go to The National Archives, Library of Congress, DAR Library, NGS, plus many other places of interest to genealogists and historians.  If you have never had an opportunity to visit or research at these places you should make the time.

I never knew what family treasurers NARA held for me until I saw the pension files I requested last spring.  Among my family discoveries were War of 1812 discharge papers, letters written home from the Civil War, a picture, and amazing genealogical information.  It was the most amazing experience.

Next up I have plans to visit the other places on the list above.  Just have to carve out the time and find a sitter...

*Image from Wikimedia Commons

Week 48 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 48: Genealogy Society Member. Genealogy society members are a vital part of the family history community. We’ve made many acquaintances this way and we all benefit from their friendship, support and expertise. Share with us a genealogy society member that has left a memorable impression on you.

I have not met a person at a meeting, yet, who has not left a favorable impression on me.  Everyone has been friendly, warm, welcoming, and genuinely happy to see someone new.  In my experience, not all organizations are like this.  Too often in the past I have been left in the cold and made to feel like an outsider at a groups meeting.  Thankfully, like I said, not at a genealogy meeting.

To pick one person would be so hard.  Everyone I have become friends with has helped, guided, and encouraged me in my endeavors.  I have learned a lot from them, and I hope that I have possibly taught them something in exchange.  The level of enthusiasm from these women and men is contagious and I always leave meetings feeling re-energized and rearing to go again.

Lesson for the day:  If you haven’t joined a local society then run, don’t walk, to your nearest one and sign the membership form.  You won’t be disappointed! 

photo credit: rickz via photopin cc

Week 46 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 46: Large Genealogy Vendors. Which big genealogy vendor is your favorite one to see at conferences? What does this vendor offer the genealogy community? Why do you like visiting this vendor in the exhibit hall?

Once again, my lack of attendance at large conferences will be seen in this post.  That being said, I would like to comment on a couple of companies I saw at the NARA Genealogy Fair this past spring.  The only booth there selling items was the NARA shop, but I still learned a lot from the other groups, institutions, and organizations that were in attendance.  It was wonderful to interact with people from varied backgrounds; they made the day more fun and exciting. 

FamilySearch and Ancestry both had large booths.  They also had terminals set-up walking people through online searches at their sites and giving guidance on how to use them.  Ancestry also had a table set-up to discuss their DNA testing that was getting ready to go to BETA.  I, of course, talked their ear off with questions on that one.

Maybe if my plans to attend a conference next year pan out I will be able to tell you more about what vendors out there are really cool.

Let me know who you think is a good vendor so I can go and check them out too!

Week 45 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 45: Genealogy Speakers. Which genealogy speaker has left the biggest impression on you? What is it about that speaker that you like the most? What is his or her general focus? Does this person speak at regional or national conferences? Share why other genealogists should attend this speaker’s sessions.

 

You all know by now that I don’t get out much so I have limited scope on this subject.  However, I have seen one person speak twice in person, Claire Bettag.  Last spring I heard her give a presentation on Federal Land Records at the NARA Genealogy Fair then a few weeks ago at the Fairfax County Genealogy Society Fall Fair I heard her speak again.  She is an amazing speaker, very knowledgeable, and very fun.  This time I learned a lot about the Land Bounty Records, the manuscript collection at the Library of Congress, and the Congressional Serial Set.   She speaks on a reagional as well as a national basis, and will be an instructor at Samford this coming year

 

If you have a chance to see her I highly suggest you do.  You will come away with a lot of information, leads to follow up on, and insight into things you may not have known about.  I came home from the fall fair and found several ancestors in the Congressional Serial Set.  Most amazing was the information I found about my husband’s ancestor Salathiel Nickerson.  Particularly, the private claim for a Revolutionary War Bounty on a schooner named "Nine Sisters".  Now, to learn more about that vessel and how someone could get a bounty for a ship.

 

Wonder what else I will be able to find?
 

photo credit: WilliamMarlow via photopin cc

Week 44 of abundant genealogy

Week 44: Genealogy Conferences. What was your bestgenealogy conference experience? Why is it so memorable in your mind? Whohosted the event? What did you learn from this experience? How does it impactyour genealogy research today?

I have yet to attend a full blown national genealogyconvention.  To date I have attended the FamilyTree University Virtual Conference, the NARA Genealogy Fair and this pastweekend the Fairfax Genealogical Society Fall Fair.  Not sure how those would compare to anational level conference, but here is what I think.

Out of the three I would say that I loved going to theNARA Fair most.  Biggest reason:  it was at the National Archives!  How could you not love that?  I attended with 2 friends and it was a great experienceto a novice genealogist.  The booths wereamazing and very informative.  There werelectures by staff and guests who really gave you insights into what you couldget out of the archives. 

My research has only improved by what I learned and experiencedthere.  I am not afraid of the archivesand love to explore the databases, stacks, microfilm, and other materials.  In between sessions that day we explored theirresearch library and I was amazed at what I could find there.  I could spend days in there!

Yep, I am looking forward to the next one.  Fingers crossed that I can make it! 

Week 43 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 43: Memorable Genealogy Moment. Think back to when you first started researching your family history. Is there a memorable early genealogy moment that stands out in your mind? Describe this event or discovery and how it impacted your research going forward.

Seeing is it wasn’t all that long ago, this should be easy huh?  Thing is, it has been such a whirlwind of experiences that, to be honest, it is all really blurring together.  I feel your heart breaking for my dilemma.  So I thought, and thought, and then the one lasting lesson hit me.  The one I learned in my first few weeks.

The biggest discovery, that impacted all future research, was when I realized that not all trees online we were well researched.  To be honest, I was really naive enough to figure that if someone published it they actually went through the effort of verifying it.  Even if they had to go back and admit they were wrong, there was some sort of logical chain of events that brought them to the conclusions they published. 

This is one of the reasons that I made my Ancestry tree private.  Really, I use it more as a sounding board and put all my leads, ideas, clues, etc. there.  Yeah, I know, I could have multiple trees on my computer; a working tree and a published tree.  However, I know myself well enough to know that right now there was no way I could keep 2 trees going.  Even if it meant I wouldn’t be fed to a tank of piranhas it would be one of those things that would drive me crazy.  Still learning here folks, learning quickly, but still behind the curve on a few things.  Adding one more to-do on my list would make my mind explode.

That is why I love that people contact me when they want to know stuff from Ancestry.  Those who are interested will take the time to ask.  If you find an ancestor on it and want to correspond I am more than happy to do so.  I didn’t want people to just blindly copy and paste (like I had seen on so many repeating misinformation and errors) without talking to me.  Tell me which ancestor you want to know about and I will give it to you, with all my caveats laid out for you to peruse as well.

photo credit: Auntie P via photopin cc

Week 42 of Abundant Genealogy

Harry Coad:  picture from his Civil War
Pension file located at NARA

Week 42: Biggest Genealogy Accomplishment. What do you feel is your biggest genealogy accomplishment? What were the steps you took to get there, and what was the end result?

My biggest accomplishment was figuring out the true story of my husband’s 3^rd great grandfather, Harry Coad aka Henry Thompson.  This mystery had nagged at me since I heard it and once I saw the opportunity to track it down I jumped on it. 

My husband had told me the story several times over the years, as he remembered it from his grandmother.  After I started delving into our family histories I cornered my father-in-law and asked him what he remembered of the story.  Tracking down the hints, clues, and leads on-line lead me to the National Archives in D.C. and to the amazing story of this man.

You can read about my discoveries here on this blog as well as on the Family Tree Firsts blog at Family Tree University.  Just click on “Coad” or “Family Tree Firsts” under the tags section to see what I have to say.



Week 41 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 41: Past Genealogy Resources. Nothing good lasts forever and that is definitely true in family history. Think of all the genealogy tools, magazines or websites that no longer exist. Which one stands out in your mind and why? Are there still archives of this tool that can be accessed by the public? Share any information you may have.

Well, this post is where you all realize that I have not done this obsession very long. Nothing I have used in the last 2 years has gone by the wayside. Okay, I will take that back. I really loved, LOVED, the Geneabloggers Radio. It is no longer published but the information in it is still relevant. I particularly recommend the episode on Land Bounty Records.

To be honest, I will be reading the other posts more closely on this thread so that I can learn what these old tools were. Of course, you should feel free to comment here as well. I would love to hear about magazines and tools that were of great use that are no longer published. Maybe I can find an archive of them online and read the back copies too!
 
photo credit: yewenyi via photopin cc

Week 40 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 40: Wild Card. Is there something for which you are thankful that has not been discussed yet? Share your genealogical abundance on a personal level. How does this person/item/group/memory or other entity impact your family history?

Oh, wow.  Yeah, I say that a lot, but now I have a reason to ponder and think about a large amount of stuff.  It only took me until today to figure out.  Not bad, not bad at all.

I have to be thankful for museums and historical sites.  Without these I would not be able to see and experience aspects of my ancestor’s lives.  Being able to experience history with all your senses is a wonderful thing.  Walking in the places your ancestors were and imagining what it was like to stand there when there were there are experiences that I treasure. 

As a visual learner, who also needs to do things to engrain them, I need more than just books and computer images to really learn.  Having the opportunity to travel to places my family visited, battlefields they fought on, or stand in the fields they worked means more to me than almost anything.  They bring the person to life.
 

photo credit: Sanctu via photopin cc

Week 39 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 39: Society Journal or Quarterly. Share with us your favorite genealogy society journal or quarterly publication. How long have you been reading it? Which group publishes it? Why is this publication one of your favorites? How has is helped you research your family history?

I have really enjoyed receiving my issues of American Ancestors from NEHGS.  They are interesting, insightful, and an all-around good read.  When I get it in the mail I just can’t stop reading it until I am through from the beginning to the end.  I became a member last year, and since they are quarterly I have only received 5 issues. 

In that amount of time it has helped me in several ways, and I am sure that I will discover that it is a publication I won’t want to do without.  I have discovered new ways to research, places to look, and most importantly I can study the ways that others write and research.

Week 38 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 38: Funny Ancestor Stories. Tell us a funny ancestor story that stands out in your mind. When did you first hear the story? Do other family members tell different versions? Does this tale play a large part in your family tree?

Wow... so much  material to draw from.  I have very colorful family members who love to spin a good yarn.  My dad has always told great tales about growing up and all the trouble that he, his siblings, and his cousins got into. 

One of my favorites, one that had my grandmother fuming until the day she died, was about stealing watermelons from a roadside stand.  Now I know that is not exactly a good story to be laughing about, it is about theft after all, but it always makes me giggle.

My father and his brothers were notorious for doing things... well... lets just say not always on the up-and-up.  They never got caught, and always seemed to be just ahead of those that could get them in trouble.  So no harm no foul, right?  My grandfather had just been elected to the Indiana State Legislature and needless to say my grandmother wanted to make sure they were more respectable in their behaviour.  There were quite a few lectures to the kids on this subject.

In the late 1950's the drive from their home in Daviess County to the state capital was very long.  Heck, when I last lived in Indiana it was 3 hours with better and larger roads.  Grandma and the three boys, I don't know where my aunt was, were driving home from dropping grandpa off for a session.  It was getting dark and they were only a few miles from their home town.  Grandma was driving with the new license plates that showed this car belonged to a member of the House. 

All of the sudden dad yells "Mom!  Stop the car!"

She slams on the breaks thinking that something is horribly wrong when all three boys pile out of the car, run across the 2 lane highway, each one grabbing a watermelon under both arms from the roadside watermelon stand, and start running back.  As soon as dad gets back to the car the farmer come out from inside the house with a shotgun.

Dad and his brothers start yelling "Go MOM go!  Floor it!!!"

Grandma not knowing what else to do, confused by what just happened floors it as the farmer begins to shoot at the car.  A few minutes later, once she composes herself, she lays into them.  saying things like "Your father is a member of the legislature!",  "What were you thinking!", "What if he had shot you!", "What if he saw the plates?!", "Wait til your father hears!!" and so on and so forth.

Yeah... she still turned red 30 years later.  One day she confesed that she speed off becasue 1) she didn't want him to shoot her, and 2) if she drove fast enough he might not be able to tell they were government plates.

photo credit: carrie227 via photo pin cc

Week 37 of Abundant Genealogy

Week #37 – State Archives Week 37: State Archives. Which state archives repository is your favorite? Have you been there in person? What does their website offer to visitors? Share any advice you can to potential visitors who may visit the archives in the future.

Alas, I have not made it in person to any state archive.  On  my list is the Virginia and Maryland ones as they are only a day trip for both.  However, I have to tell you to go check out the Missouri State Archive online.  It is awesome! 

At it they have the Missouri Digital Heritage site. If you have Missouri ancestors this is worth the visit.  I have found several birth and death certificates online as well as images and documents pertaining to various historical events.  There is a lot there, take some time to get familiar with the site and look through it.

Image from the Library of Congress

Week 36 of Abundant Genealogy

Week #36 – Ancestor Photos Week 36: Ancestor Photos. For which ancestral photograph are you most grateful? Who is in the photo and how did you acquire it? Why does the photo hold a special place in your heart?

Again, this one was hard.  I thought all week.  Which one of the few photos that I have am I most grateful for?  Still, on Friday, here I sit unable to make a decision.  Why?  Well, because I am thankful for anything and everything I get.  There have been too many family heirlooms lost to fire, destruction, and time not to be happy that I have the few (even if they are copies) in my possession.

Not only because they are family, in most cases people I never met, but because as a visual person I am now able to put a face with a name. I can imagine and dream what they may have looked like, but lets be honest, probate and census records don't lend a hand in the description department. 

Image from the Library of Congress

Week 35 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 35: Genealogy Friends. Genealogy friends are wonderful people. Don’t you agree? Tell us about a genealogy friend in your life. How did you meet? Do you share any common ancestors or research interests?

I feel like a school kid writing this.  You know BFF's and all that.  However, those feelings aside, I have a very close and dear friend who lives just an hour from here that I call and email with all my genealogy stuff.  Besides, it is all her fault I am into this like I am.  She has set the example to me, got me started, talk through problems, loaned me books, and so much more.

She was one of the very first people I met when we moved to this area.  We have kids about the same ages, who seem to get along with one another.  That and we share a lot of the same hobbies and interests.  Our friendship just kept blooming!

As of right now, she and I don't have any ancestors in common.  However, she and my husband do have some colonial New England links.  This I find highly entertaining.  We are both very intrigued by genetic genealogy and have talked for many hours over the phone about the findings we have each had through testing. 

Thanks Elizabeth!

Image from the Library of Congress

Week 34 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 34: Genealogy Challenges. Which genealogy challenge has given you the best sense of accomplishment? What was the research problem you had to hurdle? What steps did you take that led to success? Do you have any words of encouragement for others who are facing their own genealogy challenges?

Many of my posts here, and at Family Tree, have chronicled my research problems and how I found answers (if any) to them.  Feel free to peruse and read those posts that sound most intriguing to you.

My favorite ones are the ones where I have to do heavy duty research, over multiple platforms, to really gain the answers and insight into the problem that I have to solve.  For instance, finding a name and basic information is great.  Finding their home, reading up on what it was like at that time, researching the local area, looking at other places to find information that are not in the mainstream, and filling in the holes with details about their lives is what is very satisfying for me.

The only advise I can give is, as they say in Galaxy Quest, "never give up, never surrender."  Something new is made available every day in this community.  You may find your answer, tomorrow, next month, next year, or ten years from now, just don't stop looking.  There are plenty of people in your tree, if you get frustrated with one switch gears to another and come back later.  You may be surprised what a break can do for you.

photo credit: M.Angel Herrero via photo pin cc