One Small Step

I have finally made my first small step in the search for evidence of my husband’s Revolutionary War roots. I believe that his maternal line descends from four Revolutionary War Patriots and my goal is to prove just that.

My search led me to California. Finding California death certificates and newspaper obituaries has stymied me for quite awhile. My motto, “Never say never,” finally paid off by finally cracking the California death record files. California lists death certificates on a database by name, date of death, age of death, county of death etc.

About two months ago after reviewing my choices, I took a “best guess” and ordered two non-certified death certificates. The death certificates just arrived and I discovered I did indeed choose the correct people. I know have my first evidence linking my mother-in-law to a Revolutionary War Patriot, Andrew Beatie (Beatty)!

This will be an interesting journey back in time to Virginia prior toward the Revolutionary War as Andrew Beatie was born in Virginia. Keep you posted!

A Diary Written A Hundred Years Ago Becomes A Blog

A diary by definition is a written record consisting of entries that report happenings for the course of a day, week or possibly years. As a child, I had a personal diary in which I recorded my experiences. A small lock and key kept my diary safe from the prying eyes of my younger siblings. Recording my simple life experiences in a diary was not very exciting and I quickly lost interest.

I say “Hooray!” to all those who have kept diaries. As a genealogist, diaries offer a glimpse into your ancestors’ lives. What did they do? What did they think? My curious mind wants to know. I sure wish I were in possession of a diary.

Let me introduce you to a special blog titled “A Hundred Years Ago.” Sheryl Lazerus shares her grandmother’s diary in a blog format. Her daily posts correspond and are written exactly as her Grandmother wrote them.  I don’t know Sheryl but I think she has done a very nice job.

If you are interested, you can read her blog at ahundredyearsago.com.

Wisdom Wednesday

My maternal grandmother offered these words of wisdom:

Kids and Fools Tell The Truth!

I know she meant every word.
Love you, Grandma!

Linda

A Piece of Dooley History

I am crazy about genealogy. I love exploring the past but sometimes it is important to stop and look at life today. My son, Jim, recently experienced two history-making events.

Chicago is home to two baseball teams: The Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. I am a Cubs Fan. I married a Cubs Fan and raised three Cubs Fans. However in the spirit of baseball, we have been known to appreciate White Sox games as well. Now for some baseball history. . .

On 14 September 2008, our son, Jim, attended a Chicago Cubs/Houston Astros game that was played at Miller Field in the City of Milwaukee. The Houston Astros were forced to play the series in Milwaukee due to  Hurricane Ike's untimely arrival in the City of Houston. The Astros faced a second hurricane that came in the form of Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs pitcher. Carlos Zambrano pitched a no-hitter and Jim saw his first no-hitter.

Jim recently relocated to Washington State. Missing his Chicago roots, he decided to attend the Seattle Mariners/Chicago White Sox game on 21 April 2012 and was witness to perfect baseball game. This time White Sox pitcher, Philip Humber, made history by pitching a no-hitter and a perfect game. There have only been 21 perfect games in the history of baseball!

Jim also made a kind of history. He may be one of a very select few Chicago baseball fans that were witness to two no-hitter Chicago baseball games . . . one no-hitter Cubs game and one perfect White Sox game!

Chicago White Sox Philip Humber pitches a perfect game - 21 April 2012.

Under the Beach Umbrella

 Captiva Island’s beach umbrella yielded yet another genealogical surprise! My smart phone did make more than one appearance on the beach. Tucked safely away in my beach bag, I heard that familiar tone . . . I had a message. This message came from my cousin, Sharon, reporting that she had found a family photograph and was sharing her discovery.

My family tree research leans toward my maternal side due to the simple fact, I knew very little about my mother’s side of the family. I remember finding her paternal grandmother, Anna Mae Dollen nee Paul, and wondering would I ever know what she looked like.  I also wondered about Mom’s paternal great grandmother, Emma Dollen nee Strong. What did she look like?  As luck would have it, I was able to locate photographs of both ladies and now I know their appearance.

On 12 June 1849 Emma Dollen nee Strong came to the United States with her widowed mother, Elizabeth, and two sisters: Fanny and Sarah Caroline Strong. The family settled in the Finger Lake regions of New York. I often wondered if I would ever get to see what Fanny or Sarah Caroline looked like. I thought my chances were slim to none until I phone beeped. There was Sarah Caroline’s photograph attached to Cousin Sharon’s email.  

Right before my eyes where John Dalton (husband to Sarah Caroline), Caroline Dalton and son, Henry Dalton. It takes my breath away each time I find one more piece of the puzzle especially when the prize comes through the generosity of others.

I am always in awe of Sharon for her Grandmother and Aunt had such vision to preserve the familial treasures for future generations. Sharon gladly shares the treasures she is blessed with and I am a lucky recipient. Building a family tree is truly a collaborative effort.

With Gratitude to my Cousin Sharon Small Mitchell, Eva Small and Evalyn Small Mikes.

Linda

I Am Published!

Last week my husband and I spent a leisurely week in Captiva Island, Florida. I settled in under a beach umbrella, enjoyed the beautiful ocean and read for six days. As the week went by, my thoughts slowly turned in home and all my responsibilities. I pondered my blog and wondered what to write.

The idea for today’s post miraculously appeared in the form of an email. Internet service on Captiva Island is spotty at best. In fact, the best place for Internet service happened to be on the beach. It was there that I received good news. Yes, I had my cell phone on the beach. I was taking pictures, of course!

I am a member of the North Suburban Genealogy Group. The organization serves the northeast suburbs of Chicago. They are a nice group of people. I was asked to submit my 5 March 2012 post (My Only Early Chicagoan) and my 6 April 2012 post (Indexing of the 1940 Census) for the May/June newsletter. The newsletter came out and I was able to read my very first published article online on Captiva Island’s beautiful beach.

A Computer Separation

My computer and I will be separated for a few days. What will I do without my computer? See you in a few days.

Linda