From Axer to Ziegler

When our youngest grandson was quite a bit younger, our son snapped this picture of Ellis clowning around. He knew he was funny ~ you can see that in his eyes!

Funny Ellis!

He came to visit today!  and he came compliments of Terry Thornton as a thank you for participating in the “Getting to Know You” Challenge.” Ain’t he cute?

Genea-Blogger Gnome

As much as I like the little guy, I realize he’s only here for a visit and then he’s on to the next blog.  Well, I’ve signed his back, so he knows where he’s been and won’t forget his visit here.

Be sure to follow this little guy’s travels by visiting Terry’s Hill Country site. He’s going to meet some interesting Genea-Bloggers as he gets to know them all!

National Archives, Washington DC, April 2008

My father appointed me the job as Family Historian upon his death.  He didn’t know it, but he did.  I wrote about that in one of my blogs . I accepted the assignment willingly and have never looked back with regret!

The assignment gave me a new appreciation for my family, both living and formerly living, and has given me a legacy to leave to my children. It explains why we are who we are. Each one of my ancestors have a different story and the end result of each story is ME!

I’ve always enjoyed the stories.  Some stories are harder to find than others, but once you find them and compile them, the person comes to life.  I have copies of two different diaries, letters exchanged by my parents in WWII and by ancestors in the late 1800′s and pictures passed down generation to generation to generation.  I have been nominated and I accepted the nomination ~ with humbleness and honor.

I have three blogs, each one dealing with a different aspect of my life:

• From Axer to Ziegler chronicles my genealogy experiences and thoughts. This is the one that gets the most traffic and seems to be the one most people are interested in. It is the one I post to most often

• Obituaries and the Stories They Don’t Tell is my newest blog and will tell the story, as I have found it, of each person, hopefully filling in a few blanks in the obituary.

• and my oldest blog is Jim and Linda’s Duo-ings and Happenings. This blog covers trips, visits and experiences Jim and I have shared. It’s my electronic scrapbook and covers Philadelphia, New Castle, Delaware, Tehachapi, CA and points in between.

Listening to people tell their stories bring them to life.  Without the stories, my ancestors are simply names.  The primary reason I collect the names is so I can fit the names into the stories.  Now, when I collect the names, I make sure they are the right name.  If they’re not the right name ~ and I make sure by careful documentation ~ then the story is not theirs.  The goal of my blogs is to:

1. Chronicle my adventures in finding the names
2. Write the stories down
3. Have fun doing the first two and hopefully snare a reader or two. . . .

Now on to the assignment!

I think the best blog I’ve written is probably is I’m showing Susannah’s Bible, but I’m not telling on her Reason? It’s a story ~ the story of the travels of a simple Bible and how it affected my life.

I think the breeziest blog I’ve written is my frustration with trying to figure out just one person’s family! Sometimes I wish I descended from Christopher. When there seems to be no solution for something that perplexes me, I tend to be a bit sarcastic.

and finally I think the most beautiful blog would be the tribute to my father, Dad would have been 93 this month is my tribute to the man I still miss 18 years after his passing.

Family is my theme ~ those who have gone before me and those that follow me.  They are the reason I am writing this down.  I want my children and grandchildren to know the stories and repeat them to their children and grandchildren.  We are who we are because of what those who went before us did.  Their thoughts, prayers, tears and laughter make us who we are today.

I want my children to know this.

On my trip to California in June to visit family, I wanted a family group picture of each family (I have two children) and these were my favorites out of the group. I love the laughter and lightness in each picture, and I smile each time I see both of these pictures.

Blaine, Elaine and Ellis

I love this happy, laughing family!  and they’re mine, all mine!  This little guy’s laughter is so contagioius!

Dan, Paige, Michael and Hallie

While Dan and Michael were still posing for a serious picture, Paige and Hallie were goofballs!  I love the interaction of this family. . . . and they are also, mine all mine!

Thoughts of my California family can bring smiles to my face, but pictures of them can just make me giggle giddingly!

I’m a family kinda gal. . .

When I first saw this challenge, I thought it would be easy. Well, it’s not!

I walked up to the attic, my office, and looked around.  It’s a real mess up there because I don’t take the time to file!  I looked at the the filing basket in my bookcase ~ full!  I looked at the papers on top of the other bookcase from the von Breyman family reunion in August of 2007 and I looked at the papers on top of my book!  Boy could I used a challenge to clean this up!

Rat's Nest Desk area!

Then I remembered I had a basket full of filing, categorized under surnames.  Everytime I worked on a document, I filed it in this basket so I can file it in one of those black surname binders.  Double work?  Well, that’s Linda for you!

Full basket ready to be filed. . . . .

Boy I could use a challenge on that one!  But, then as I looked around the room, I saw what I wanted to find my treasures in!  My cheap lighthouse box, full of priceless pictures, documents, letters, and memorabilia that has been given to me over the years.  This will be where my treasure lies!  I know it!

Linda's Treasure Chest

This cheap box I bought because it was pretty, is full!  I have my great-grandfather’s gavel from his reign as high mucky muck in the Masonic Lodge in Washington DC, I have his yearbooks from Law School, and I have pictures of people I don’t know in this box.  It’s time to go through it again, categorize it and see exactly what I have.  It’s been years!

What mysteries lie within will soon be known. . . .

My plan for this box is to go through each envelope, folder and box that is in this chest, categorize it by family, make copies of the letters and pictures and make sure that those interested in having a copy will get a copy.  I don’t think there is anything in here to be eliminated because it is all in the handwriting of ancestors and I love to touch their signatures. . . . you know . .

The other mess in my office?  I guess it will just have to wait.

I know where everything is!!

Lancaster Daily Intelligencer,
Tuesday, July 12, 1882:
DEATHS:
COLE – In this city, July 11, Susannah, relict of the late Abraham Cole, in the 82nd year of her age.
Her relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of her son-in-law, T.A. Albright, No. 337 West King street, on Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

Susan, it appears, may have been a caregiver, both to the children and their father, as Jacob and Susan were married two years after Sarah’s death.  Jacob and Susan married on September 27, 1819.  Less than a month later, their first child, Sarah, was born.  Their young daughter, was named in honor of Jacob’s first wife and Susan’s sister.  Alas, this young daughter, did not live to see October end.  She, too, had a short life.

Susan had three children at home and was on her own.  Less than a year later, she married widower, Abraham Cole who was a Tanner in Lancaster.  It appears the couple did not own property.  No deeds have been found for them and in 1857, they boarded at the Keystone Tavern.  Three years later they lived with the Susan’s daughter, Sarah, and her family.

Fact: Newspaper obituary published 30 November 1864:

Lancaster Cemetery, Susannah Ward Axer Cole

Lancaster Cemetery, Abraham and Catharine Cole's headstone

Church records are probably my favorite documents.  Even though a lot of the information is not quite accurate, they are full of clues and fun to read!

I love Baptismal records that indicate “supposed father.”  I love marriage records that indicate one party (or both) were widowed and I love death records that give the cause of death.

On Saturday, I just found the database for a Church that no longer exists, and I found it 20 minutes before closing time!  Know what makes for a long weekend?  No access to those Church records!  Today, I was on a mission!

My mission was to spend as long as I can, with my computer next to me, searching for those I know were either married or buried in this town that I’ve not been able to find. I’d decided to head right to the source.  The Philip Schaff Library. At the Lancaster Theological Seminary. Second Floor is one of the best kept secrets for church records ~ The Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society. I love this place, and I’m usually the only person using the records when I’m there.

The day was beautiful and I walked the 8 blocks rather than drive.  it was a no brainer, even carrying my laptop!  Photo ops abounded! The cars happened to be gone from the front of this row of homes, giving me a good opportunity to take a great picture of some Lemon Street Homes, one block from my destination.

On the campus of the Seminary is probably one of the prettiest buildings, and of course the clouds and sky didn’t hurt the picture at all.  Any angle you photograph the Lark Building from would be the right one.  This building was built in 1894 and gets more beautiful every time I see it!

Now let’s get back to my purpose for the walk ~ Church Records!  I had been looking for the records of the St. Paul Reformed Church’s congregation, but thought I’d been overlooking the books.  Everytime I filed Church books (as part of my volunteer responsibilities) I’d look and never find anything!  There was a reason.

The records were on microfilm!  Who would have thought?  Well, I found them Saturday and they had a lot of names that I’ve been looking for in them and I didn’t have a chance to go through the microfilm with a fine tooth comb.

Since I’d rather look at books than microfilm, I decided to go to the source and look at the records there.  And the source didn’t let me down!  I got to look at the original records, page by page by page.  My idea of nirvana.

Death Records for the year 1851

Rather than print each page with one of “my names” on it, I photographed each page in it’s entireity, and then cut the photo enhanced, information I needed.  Works for me.  An example of that is below.  I can now paste it on a word document and add it to the file it belongs in.  Saves the printing cost and helps to save a tree.

Death Record for Abraham Cole, 1864

All in all,  three hours at the library was a good one.  I came home with over 60 images loaded on my camera, and a lot of loose ends tied up.  I also had a wonderful walk through the beautiful streets of Lancaster.

Ah!  The Perfect Life. . . . for three hours, anyway, and then I got the news about Katrinka.

See my preceding post and weep with us for our companion that is no longer with in our home.

It’s a checks and balance system ~ joy and grief, good and bad.  I experienced all of those emotions today.

Rest in Peace, Katrinka Dinka Do.  We will miss you.

Katrinka Dinka Do, March 1996 - September 2008

She was just a couple of months old when she joined these empty nesters.  We carried her home, with nary a sound from her in the hour’s journey.  She took to her new home and we took to her.  Her name had already been decided . . . except for the Dinka Do part.

She was a “registered cat.”  When we went to register her, there were all of these boxes left over after the Katrinka was filled in and it was tempting.  So we added the “Dinka Do” and didn’t think it would fly.  It did.  She was registered as Katrinka Dinka Do.  The name stuck.

It was the spring of 1996 and our home needed her.  She kept us on our toes, and she kept our toes warm at night.  Katrinka Dinka Do was a Russian Blue Kitten and never weighed more than seven pounds.

When we moved from California to Pennsylvania, she sat right by the window, watching the scenery change from desert into mountains back to desert.  When she was tired of watching, she crawled under the seat and slept for 4 hours.  She was a good traveler.  She was a good companion.

She played hide and seek with us when she was naughty and she tried to trip us as we went up and down the stairs.  We spoiled her and she spoiled us.

She had been having more and more accidents and we’ve changed her diet and changed our linens.  We finally decided to take her to a “Cat Doctor.”  We didn’t expect the diagnosis.

Failing weight, failing kidneys and a failing liver.  All were progressively getting worse.  It was time to bid adieu to one who had brought so much joy into our lives.  We knew, deep down, we knew.

Final rites will be held next week in our courtyard.  It will be a magnificent occasion with glasses raised to the life you led and how you lead us.  Katrinka Dinka Do, you’ve spoiled us.  There will never be another like you.

Rest in Peace, Dinka Do.  We will miss you.

My new Heart

Wow!  What an honor!  My new heart came from Becky Wiseman, and I really enjoy her blog!  Check out her blog Kinexxions, and I’m sure you will, too.

Of course, like things that always seem too good to be true,  my new heart doesn’t come without strings attached.

The strings, as I understand them are that the recipient:

can put the logo on his/her blog

must link to the person who gave the award

must nominate seven other blogs and link to them

must leave a comment on each of the nominated blogs

My seven nominations are as follows, and once you read them, you’ll see why, are:

• Elyse’s Genealogy Blog by Elyse Doerflinger. It’s great to see a young lady bitten by the genealogy bug! Wonderful stories shared by a sensitive young woman!
• Cemetery and Cemetery Symbols by Joe Beine. This site is very tastefully done, with great pictures of headstones, and as the title indicates, cemetery symbols. If you are addicted to cemeteries, as I am, you’ll love this site.
• I Dream of Gena(logy) by Amir Dekel. I love his post on the swimming medals from his wife’s grandfather!
• Genealogy, Middle Age and Life by Debbie Atchley. She writes a blog varied in subject and with great sensitivity. I’ve enjoyed her posts, and I’m sure you will too.
• Family Matters by Denise Olsen. Denise’s blog covers two of my passions, genealogy and technology!
• The Family Curator by Denise Levenick. Denise’s blog is full of wonderful stories. Check it out, you’ll enjoy them!
• Itawamba History Review: The Itawamba Historical Society by Bob Franks. He has some great photographs of his area on this blog.  He’s an excellent photographer and Itawamba area is lucky to have him.
  

It’s wonderful to be recognized for our work, isn’t it? Be sure to check out the blogs listed above, and let them know how much you appreciate the time they take doing what they do!

. . . after all, if we don’t support each other, who will?

and not a day goes by that I do not think about him.  He was so important in my life.

Dad’s life lives all around me.  Things that were Dad are in my home.  Things he possessed, things he created, things he collected; I have a lot of them and I see them daily.  I see Him daily, too.

I see him when I look in the mirror.  As I age I wish I had his full head of wavy hair.  I have a semi-full head of hair, it’s not as thick as his and it is definitely not wavy!  I have his features.  I look like his mother.  I am her therefore I am him.  I see him in the mirror.

I see him when I look at my son.  Blaine is a mirror image of my father.  The older he gets, the more he looks like him.  He has the same disposition my father had, seriousness but a sense of humor, too.  They are one.  I see Blaine and I think of my Dad.

I see him when I look at the wedding picture of him and Mother.  They were so young and had 50+ years ahead of them.  Did they ever think of where those 50 years would take them?  Did they ever dream of the continents they would see?  or the expanded family they would have? Mother was Michael’s age, after all, and Dad in his 20′s.  1939 seems like a century ago!

I see him when I walk down the hall into my bedroom.  I had a pencil drawing of a barn he had done tucked away for years until I had it framed.  This is hanging on the wall outside of my bedroom.  I see it and I think of him.

Dad's California Barn

I see him when I sit at my desk.  I have his Shaving mirror and an old passport photo of him is on one side of the mirror.  When I’m home, it sits on my desk.  When I travel, it slips in my laptop case.  I have always carried it.

I see him in my sitting room.  I have his picture in his Army Uniform on the top of my bookcase in my “Serviceman Row.”  Pictures of my family that have served in the military have a special place of honor there.  All the uniformed servicemen are there, Civil War soldiers, peace time soldiers, they are all the same.  They served our country.  Dad, Jim, Blaine, Scott, Tim, Michael, each has a place on my bookcase.  I’m proud of them all.

Dad in Uniform; Dad in Shaving Mirror

I see him when I look at things he collected.  I have a few pieces from his vast collections and I see him.  I display some and then”rotate my stock” so to speak!  Right now I have a few ivory pieces displayed (he got these many years ago, when it was legal to import it) a painting on petrified wood, some Santos and a DeGrazia pottery piece.  It’s an eclectic collection.  But it’s so Dad!

Painting on Petrified Wood ~ So Heavy!!

I have his blue terry cloth bathrobe.  I curl up in it in the wintertime and feel warm, secure and know that he once kept warm in it.  I think of him then.

Happy Birthday, Dad.  I was thinking about you all day.

I told you Happy Birthday several times on September 4th. Did you hear me?