Think Genealogy

The new year has begun and already we are on day 2. I shudder to think how quickly this year will fly by! Winter here in Chicagoland can be a long, torturous event and the perfect time to renew my genealogical research efforts. Despite the predication of an El Nino winter, we already have experienced ice storms and snow storms. Time to cuddle up to my computer and think genealogy.

I like Thomas MacEntee. He is a great guy who has a great genealogy philosophy of sharing. The first and only time I heard him lecture he spoke of sharing the love, the love of genealogy. I began blogging shortly thereafter.

Thomas has been "sharing the love" with his Genealogy Do-Over program. He has structured this Do-Over through the course of a year allowing for researchers to grow at their own rate in their own time frame. He is also offering up a Genealogy Go-Over for those who can't bear to start over from the beginning.

Though I consider myself a fairly good researcher, I do have one major fault that I know of. Though I am certain more are just waiting to surface. My known fault lies in tracking my research and source citation. I worked on source citation in 2015 and have made strides, but still need to improve my research discipline.

Did I tell you that Discipline is my key word for 2016? Rather than making a resolution, I chose a word; like a sound bite. I may be on to something with this discipline idea!

Participating in the Genealogy Do-Over or Go-Over (I haven't decided on my path) is perfect. I have packed up and moved twice in two years. My records have been boxed, unboxed and boxed up again. My treasured boxes of genealogy material are currently stored at my brother's home patiently waiting to be retrieved. They need to come home.

Thomas MacEntee asks us to create our workspace. Get organized. I do need to find my workspace in our newest residence. I lost my workspace two years ago and haven't really found "my place" due to all the moving around. I am eager to find my spot. So is my husband. I think we may have to arm wrestle for spots! My first Do-Over task has been determined. I will set up my workspace today!

Please join in the fun. You can learn more about The Genealogy Do-Over at Thomas MacEntee's website:  Geneabloggers.com

Happy New Year!

Linda

Merry Christmas One And All

Christmas Day is winding down and time for reflection. Family is a good thing. Family offers support and love. No strings attached; just pure unconditional love.

I presented my first genealogy book as a gift this Christmas. My family was kind. They were quiet and contemplative. I think they were surprised. I hope they enjoy reading my book as much as I enjoyed its creation. I know, for sure, it has been read by at least one person!

Dick Dollen: The Memoir of an Unknown Uncle.

My brother, Dick, reading about his namesake.

Merry Christmas!

Linda

A Christmas Guest

Christmas is a magical time. So why not wish for a special Christmas guest. If I could invite one ancestor to Christmas dinner, this year I would choose my 3^rd great grandmother, Elizabeth Paul, of Curry Mallet, England.

Elizabeth or Betsey was born in 1807 to John Paul and Sarah Mead in Curry Mallet. She married Henry Strong of Saint Decuman’s Parish on 9 May 1829 in Beercrocrombe.

Elizabeth and Henry Strong had three daughters: Sarah Caroline, Emma and Fanny. Following the 1840 death of her husband, Henry, Betsey supported her family by working as a rag sorter. 

At 45 years of age, Elizabeth led her three daughters and mother, Sarah Paul, age 76 to Bristol, England. Together the five women boarded the Shannon and set sail for New York along with 106 other passengers and 12 infants. Elizabeth, Sarah Caroline, Emma and Fanny were officially received into the United States on 12 June 1849. Elizabeth’s mother died aboard ship. What motivated such an adventuresome trip?

The women settled in Skaneateles, New York where Elizabeth married John Willmont.  She lived in Skaneateles for eleven years. Elizabeth Paul Strong Willmont died 23 April 1860. My cousin and I visited her grave at the Lakeview Cemetery in downtown Skaneateles.  I doubt Elizabeth ever considered the idea of great, great, great granddaughters searching for her or visiting her grave. Would she be pleased?

I would love to have Elizabeth sit at my dining table surrounded by seven of her great, great, great granddaughters and serve her Christmas dinner. Conversation would be peppered with unending questions from curious granddaughters. I would particularly watch her reaction when dessert was served. Would she recognize the plum pudding?

Keep on Looking!

My book, Dick Dollen: The Memoir of An Unknown Uncle,  has been sent to the printer and I expect to receive the published books within the next few weeks. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product; the fruit of my labors.

This sleepy Sunday morning began with a cup of coffee and a little computer fun. I quickly went to the Chicago Tribunes archive website and began entering ancestors names. I entered Dick Dollen.

Just when I thought I had found EVERYTHING about my uncle something new popped up and I ask myself, "Why didn't I visit the Tribune archives earlier?" Simply because I didn't know about the Chicago Tribune's free website.

This newest find blew my mind for two big reasons.
1. I just learned something new about my unknown uncle.
2. My book about him is at the printers. There is nothing more I can add to Dick's story.

It appears Dick was going to college! I never knew that bit of Dollen trivia. I sure wish Dick had followed "The Plan." What made Dick change his mind? I suspect Dick's sudden change of heart was due to the death of his father who died seven days after this article appeared in the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago Tribune Archives, archives.chicagotribune.com
"ON THE SIDELINES"
27 April 1950

Just goes to show you, genealogy research is never finished!

Linda

The Moments That Make A Life

I write from the heart. I write about what I love. My subject must have meaning otherwise why would I bother. Having never written a "genealogy book" I selected a subject that mattered. I chose to write about my mother's brother.

Mom's brother, Dick, died tragically causing immense sorrow for my Mom and Grandmother. Their grief was so strong that Mom and Grandma never spoke about Dick. All I knew was that Dick was in Navy, that he fell from his ship while in dry dock, and died. His death defined his life.

As I researched Dick's life, I began to get an idea of who my uncle was. I came to love him and with that love came grief. It was the first time I really understood my Mom's sorrow.

Mom was a faithful mourner. She mourned every anniversary. One day, years ago, as I spoke with her on the phone, I sensed a sadness. Something was bothering Mom, so I asked her to dinner. We were seated at one of her favorite local restaurants. It was late; about 7:30 when dinner arrived. Mom picked up her fork, about to take her first bite of dinner, when her arm dropped to the table. Her body slumped, she heaved a sigh and said, "My brother died just about now." Tears followed. I now know that the day was 2 October 2007. Mom had received the phone call informing her of her only brother's death. She earnestly mourned him for 57 years and missed him terribly.

Now that is an emotional story and that emotion is exactly what I was including in story! Over and over I wrote emotionally never really liking how the story progressed. I tore up my words countless times.

I finally realized that it was up to my reader to find his or her own emotion. The idea of just telling his story took hold. Nothing more was needed. I began to share, in word, what I had learned through years of study. I began to share the moments that made his life.

Happy Writing!

Linda