Without finding this tombstone we would not know about Clifford or Raymond.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday - Addie F Ferguson
Without finding this tombstone we would not know about Clifford or Raymond.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Madness Monday - Leo the Liar
It all began with a birth certificate. My husband's father, Harold Arthur Peterson, was born Oct 3, 1916 to Edwin Peterson and Mable Gibney, in Chicago, Illinois. I began trying to trace the family through the census, just like any other genealogist. Going backwards was fine. I found Mable's family back as far as 1860 and Edwin's Peterson line back to the 1880 census in Illinois, although his name varied from Edwin to Edward.
He was born Oct 23, 1883 in Chicago, Illinois to Caroline Neilson and Leopold Peterson. Edwin (according to Chicago birth records) was the fourth of four children. The 1900 census shows Edward Peterson living at home with his parents, Leopold and Caroline, in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. I know Edward/Edwin married Mable Gibney about 1906/07 and they had a son Raymond, born in Chicago in 1908. After the 1916 birth record of Harold Arthur, I could find no trace of Edward/Edwin and Mable and their family. I tried everything I would think of. What happened to them and where did they go? Harold had married in Chicago in 1938,and the grandparents, Leopold and Caroline, were still in Chicago in the 1920 census, so I didn't think they had left the area. After years of searching, on and off, I finally found the family in the 1920 census as Leo Peterson and wife Mabel! Further research reveals that the name change occurred between Oct 3, 1916 ( the birth of Harold Arthur) and Sept 12, 1917 ( Leo Edwin Peterson registers for the draft). Leo died in 1927 and his widow Mabel remarried which is why the family does not appear in the 1930 census.
Why did Edwin change his name to Leo? Was it his middle name? Was it an attempt to identify with his father Leopold? These are questions that will probably remain unanswered.
He was born Oct 23, 1883 in Chicago, Illinois to Caroline Neilson and Leopold Peterson. Edwin (according to Chicago birth records) was the fourth of four children. The 1900 census shows Edward Peterson living at home with his parents, Leopold and Caroline, in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. I know Edward/Edwin married Mable Gibney about 1906/07 and they had a son Raymond, born in Chicago in 1908. After the 1916 birth record of Harold Arthur, I could find no trace of Edward/Edwin and Mable and their family. I tried everything I would think of. What happened to them and where did they go? Harold had married in Chicago in 1938,and the grandparents, Leopold and Caroline, were still in Chicago in the 1920 census, so I didn't think they had left the area. After years of searching, on and off, I finally found the family in the 1920 census as Leo Peterson and wife Mabel! Further research reveals that the name change occurred between Oct 3, 1916 ( the birth of Harold Arthur) and Sept 12, 1917 ( Leo Edwin Peterson registers for the draft). Leo died in 1927 and his widow Mabel remarried which is why the family does not appear in the 1930 census.
Why did Edwin change his name to Leo? Was it his middle name? Was it an attempt to identify with his father Leopold? These are questions that will probably remain unanswered.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday - Agnes and Jacob Pabst
Cemetery of St Anthony Church, Oberselters, Nassau, Hesse, Germany. Some of their ancestors migrated to the United States. Most likely it was St Louis or Texas.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Surname Saturday - Where They Came From
I thought I would revisit the surnames I am researching, this time listing them by country of origin. It will be interesting to see where the majority my research is taking me. Because I have chosen to orient my family tree from my grandchildren's viewpoint, this list includes the surnames in both Dave's and my backgrounds as well as the surnames of my son-in-law's adoptive parents.
In no particular order, the list is:
Germany: Burbach, Caspari, Siglar/Ziglar, Sempstrott, Coan/Coon, Haas
Ireland: Connery, Fleming, Hennessy, Leahy, Mc Carthy, Ryan
Norway: Hansen
Sweden: Peterson, Hanson (2 different lines)
Hungary: Gulyban, Palinkas, Fendrik, Biro
Bohemia: Krbec
Scotland: Ferguson
As I suspected the preponderance of my research will be using German resources. Thank heavens they are abundant. One German line I have traced back to 1732 and another to 1604. The Ferguson line goes back to 1641 in Virginia. Haven't begun to check Scottish resources yet. I suspect this is a never ending project.
In no particular order, the list is:
Germany: Burbach, Caspari, Siglar/Ziglar, Sempstrott, Coan/Coon, Haas
Ireland: Connery, Fleming, Hennessy, Leahy, Mc Carthy, Ryan
Norway: Hansen
Sweden: Peterson, Hanson (2 different lines)
Hungary: Gulyban, Palinkas, Fendrik, Biro
Bohemia: Krbec
Scotland: Ferguson
As I suspected the preponderance of my research will be using German resources. Thank heavens they are abundant. One German line I have traced back to 1732 and another to 1604. The Ferguson line goes back to 1641 in Virginia. Haven't begun to check Scottish resources yet. I suspect this is a never ending project.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Sentimental Sunday - Genabloggers
Today is the actual holiday and I started thinking about the 4ths of July we had celebrated in the past. In my family it was a holiday but without a regular custom or plan. We went to the parade and probably had hot dogs but that was about it. In my husband's family it was a HOLIDAY with a specific timetable and ritual.
On the fourth we got to my in-laws by 10 AM or so to be able to park in the driveway. The chairs were already spread out along the curb since the parade went past the front of the house. There was also a step ladder so grandpa could get ariel shots of the passing floats. There were several rows of chairs and often a playpen or a stroller parked under a shade tree. The menu was a constant: Sloppy Joes, Potato Salad, Rice Salad, Chips, Baked Beans. Soda and beer was icy cold and in abundance thanks to Grandpa's basement refrigerator. Since the parade usually lasted about 2 hrs, food was an ongoing buffet. After the parade there were hot dogs and burgers on the grill.
About 7 PM everyone would begin the 3 block trek to the park for the fireworks. Armed with blankets, radios, coolers and kids we would set up on the park lawn at the edge of the lake and await the oohs and ahhs. When the fireworks ended the masses would leave the park moving down the streets carrying sleeping children. Back at the house the children went to sleep while the adults played cards until about midnight.
This holiday was observed in the same way every year until the mid 1980s when my in-laws sold their house and moved to Florida.
On the fourth we got to my in-laws by 10 AM or so to be able to park in the driveway. The chairs were already spread out along the curb since the parade went past the front of the house. There was also a step ladder so grandpa could get ariel shots of the passing floats. There were several rows of chairs and often a playpen or a stroller parked under a shade tree. The menu was a constant: Sloppy Joes, Potato Salad, Rice Salad, Chips, Baked Beans. Soda and beer was icy cold and in abundance thanks to Grandpa's basement refrigerator. Since the parade usually lasted about 2 hrs, food was an ongoing buffet. After the parade there were hot dogs and burgers on the grill.
About 7 PM everyone would begin the 3 block trek to the park for the fireworks. Armed with blankets, radios, coolers and kids we would set up on the park lawn at the edge of the lake and await the oohs and ahhs. When the fireworks ended the masses would leave the park moving down the streets carrying sleeping children. Back at the house the children went to sleep while the adults played cards until about midnight.
This holiday was observed in the same way every year until the mid 1980s when my in-laws sold their house and moved to Florida.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Follow Friday - Elyse's Genealogy Blog
For Follow Friday, I am selecting Elyse Doerflinger's blog at http://elysesgenealogyblog.com. Elyse writes with knowledge and enthusiasm. At Elyse's blog you will find research and organization tips, as well as ways to use technology in new ways.
I watched Elyse participate in the Blogger 1 seminar at Jamboree and was very impressed with her knowledge and willingness to share information. (But then I guess that's true of all genealogists isn't it?)
Elyse's blog has received several coveted genealogy blog awards. I will keep reading Elyse's blog to better educate myself and watch her grow. Won't you join me?
I watched Elyse participate in the Blogger 1 seminar at Jamboree and was very impressed with her knowledge and willingness to share information. (But then I guess that's true of all genealogists isn't it?)
Elyse's blog has received several coveted genealogy blog awards. I will keep reading Elyse's blog to better educate myself and watch her grow. Won't you join me?
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