WEDNESDAY WEDDINGS ~ GEORGE AND SELMA JOHNSON DAY 1892

Here is a picture of George and Selma Johnson Day that I think may be a wedding photo of them.

They were married in 1892 in Big Stone County, Minnesota. Together they had a total of eleven children with at least four of them passing away at an early age.
George is one of my great granduncles.
He passed away suddenly in a robbery in 1928 in Duluth Minnesota.  I have gone to the library and gotten copies of the news articles of the shooting.  While at the police department yesterday to dispute a parking ticket, I asked a police man behind the desk if they kept records that old. I got a strange look and the answer no.  I guess the only one interested in a 1928 shooting of a everyday guy would be a relative hooked on family history.  I will some day ask some one else at the police department to see if I get the same answer.
I am hooked on uncle George and want to know more about him.  I have the feeling life was not easy for him.  Losing at least four children at an early age.  Moving to Duluth for work and wife staying in another town with two of their children. And then dying at the age of 59 in a shooting and questions about his death by the police.  I need to get to the library to see if I find any more information on him or if he was just forgotten by everyone except for his family.

I am thinking of you uncle George rest in peace .. Grace

Who will you find in the 1940 census? Who do you want to remember?

Who will you find in the 1940 census? Who do you want to remember? Who do you want to find? Who will show up for the first time in the census reports and who will not show up?
When the 1940 U.S. Federal Census is opened to the public this April 2nd, we will have a peek into every one of 132 million who were living. We will see their names, where they lived, who lived with them in their house, and even where they were five years earlier.
I like this part, the part of where they were living five years before. Ten years is a long time if some moves about alot. They can become lost to us.
I plan to spend this next month working on those that were living in 1940.  Update what I have on them and note what I am missing in my family tree.
Check out the link above to see what the 1940 census form looked like. I was able to print it and how have a hard copy to look at. This link was found on ancestry and by updating my family tree I will start to get links as they become available.
So when the 1940 census becomes available it will be time to dive into it as soon as it is available. To do this I need to know where my family was living in the 1930 census. The 1930 census gave us their address in the first two columns of the census. Rural addresses were not always included, but we can find county, town, township, and other residence-identifying information.
All four of my grandparents were living as were my parents.
My father's siblings were alive, John, George, twin sister Alice and Joe.
My paternal great grandmother Rachel Millsap Zion was living as were her children, my grandpa Perry's siblings. That was Norton, Mary, Anna and Bessie.
My other paternal great grandma Mabel Coleman Hall was living as were her children, my grandma Alta's sibling. That would be Mae and Pearl.
On my maternal side my mother had 2 siblings alive my aunt Daisy and uncle Don. Two siblings died at birth.
My maternal grandfather William's mother Carrie was alive as was six of his seven siblings.  That would be Morris, Fairfax, Bernard, Gladys, Grace and Lester. Brother Dewey passed away in 1929
And my maternal grandmother Grace's mother Katherine was alive if the census was taken before her death the 19th of March 1940. I do not know about my grandma Grace's father Andrew Daly at this time.  Grandma had two half siblings Wayne and Merle who were living and her step sister Tillie and step brother Russel were living.
Interesting to note all three known great grandfathers had passed away before the 1940 census. I have no great great grandparents living. The last one Alta Cheuvront passing away in 1937.
plus there has to be many more distant relatives living my great grandparents had siblings that lived into the 1940's so lots to search for and hopefully some interesting stories to find.
Only 33 days until census comes out and I can not wait.  Are you counting down the days.
Thanks for stopping by..Grace

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ CUTE LITTLE GIRLS ~ FAMILY MEMORIES

Wordless Wednesday ( almost ) today's post is on cute little girls in my family.
These two pictures are of cousins of mine.
First one is of Naomi and sister Barb and family cat

One of my favorites is of Naomi on Dolly the horse. She is 2 years 5 months in this picture.

Thanks for stopping by for almost Wordless Wednesday.. I hope that you take a moment and check out some of my other Wordless Wednesday postings.

Family History Writing Challenge Day 14 to 26 Time Challenges

Family history writing challenge days 14 through 26 have not been very productive with writing my family story of Joseph Cheuvront and his family.
Working one weekend at a sports show and then life has caused me to delay getting back to writing.
Writing our family history has to be part of every day if we want to accomplish their and our story. Even if I had set just a few minutes a day I would of gotten further than I have.
No matter what, I am further along with my story than I was before the start of the month.

I have enjoyed what I have written and will continue with the Cheuvront story, because it is my families story.
I have started with Joseph's dying words, then gone into some of his life. There is much more to write there. I have researched some of the history at that time and how life was for the wife of the family.
 I then jumped to the last Cheuvront in my direct family line my great great grandmother Alta 1848 to 1937. I will write more on her life and than work backwards to Joseph's last days.

This picture is from the Schaffer Pioneer Cemetery history book. My Alta is back row on the right hand side. Sitting in front row is parents Lemuel and Mary Rouse Cheuvront. Back row on left is Sarah Ann Cheuvront Metheny and brother Thomas Jefferson Cheuvront. Sister Lourinda had passed away when picture was taken.
Are your writing your families story yet? If not why not start, even if it is a few words each week it will be the start of something to pass on to your family

Thanks for stopping by.. Grace

Sepia Saturday: Men and More Mystery Photo Searching To Identify

Sepia Saturday: Men and More this was a post a couple of weeks ago. I had to work that weekend and did not get out my picture. Tonight I want to show a picture of a man in our family.  It is an unknown man in my family.

This picture was found in my mother's family pictures but is unidentified.  He is a handsome man dressed in what I think is clothing of working at a train station. He has a great hat and on his pants is a badge hanging.
He has a great pose and resembles my great great uncle George but is not uncle George.  But who is this mystery man.  He resembles the Day family line so  I will search among the Day's to see if I can find some male that work at the Great Northern railroad some time in the mid 1990's.

I am also including a picture of George Day. Do you see a resemblance?

Thanks for stopping by Grace

Sepia Saturday: Made for Walking It Is All About The Shoes Vintage Family Photos

Sepia Saturday: Made for Walking is all about the shoes is this Saturday's challenge.

Here are a couple old pictures of cuties in shoes. The first one is of me and my cousin Bonnie taken in 1951 Boyton Texas. I would of been about 3 and Bonnie 2 years old. We seem to be wearing matching dresses and shoes.

The next picture is just to adorable.  This one was found in my mother's family's pile of photos. It is of Juanita Halvorson a cousin of my mother's. She is so sweet looking with the curly hair and smiling face. Look at how the socks bunch up at her ankles. I will have to share this at ancestry on my family tree so other family members can have it.

Juanita was the step daughter of my great grandmother Katherine. Juanita's mother was Tillie and I do remember her with fond thoughts and always thought of her as my grandmother's sister and knew nothing of this step relationship.

I hope that you enjoy some of my family photos of shoes. I will be sharing these over at Sepia Saturday.  Grace

Family History Writing Challenge Day 9 to 13 Life Gets In The Way

My family history writing challenge is not going as smoothly as I had hoped.  I am having writers block and life is getting in the way of sitting down and just working on Joseph's story.
Every day we are busy working at finding treasures to resell or working at reselling them.  I have not made it a priority to find a few minutes to just sit and work on my story.

Yesterday I did take a few minutes at McDonalds before going to the auction. I added more to Joseph's last day that I had found at ancestry.
Just keep plugging away as best I can is the way I have to go. Thanks for stopping by to read, if you think we may be related let me know.  Grace

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ~ GRANDPA SENDS LOVE NOTE TO GRANDMA 1909

Sometimes it is hard to think of your grandparents as sweethearts as lovers. They are your grandparents, but when you get a chance to own early postcards or letters they wrote before or even after married to get a peek into the romance part of their life.

Here is a post card that my grandpa Bill sent to grandma Grace before they married. The front may not be fancy and romantic but the back tells the story.

December 2nd 1909
My dear sweetheart
     I have waited all my life just for you.  Now  I know since I met you and looked into your beautiful eyes, and read there my answers.  It is the happiest moment of  a man's life when he meets the girl he loves and his love is returned.  Your devoted  W H Day

They married January 12th 1911 in Mora Minnesota and had five children between 1913 and 1922 with the youngest being my mama.
I wish I knew how they met, but I never asked.
Happy Valentines  Day to all of you.  Grace

AMANUENSIS MONDAY 09 JOSEPH CHEUVRONT'S LAST WORDS

Amanuensis Monday is a popular post on Mondays – An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.
Since I have been busy writing my story on Joseph Cheuvront one of my fifth great grandfathers I thought this was a perfect Monday to share what I had on my grandfather, which is also the start of my book on him.


On Saturday, 24, 1832 his speech failing, he motioned for a slate, and wrote on it, " I want a plain coffin, and to be buried in a winding sheet, and brother George Collins to preach at my funeral." As he handed it to one of his sons he said, " I want you to see to it. " On Sunday he wrote this memoir of his life;
" Since God is pleased to deprive me of the power of speech, I address this to you, my children, as a memoir, which I request each of you to transcribe and keep for future generations. I was born in the city of Strasbourg, February 2, 1757, and was raised in the city of Nancy, and was educated very young. In the year 1770, being my fifteenth year, I went to England, where I stayed till the year 1774, when I embarked for America, and landed in New York. In 1778, I was converted to God; and the year following I united myself to the despised Methodists, and by them have been employed as a class leader, an exhorter, a local preacher, a travelling preacher, as a deacon, as an elder, and as a recording steward. In all which places I have, I believe given satisfaction to my brethren. I have now been in the Church fifty-three years, and never has a charge been brought against me. I do not say this to boast, but to stimulate you to support and maintain a good character. In the year 1781, at the siege of York, God delivered me from all tormenting feats, and gave me two seals to my ministry. I have filled some important stations in the state; in all which I have endeavored to establish my character and yours. I have tried to be a father to you, and with great difficulty I have raised you to what you are. I have often counseled you, and set good examples before you; and yet some of you remain unconverted, and some of you who profess religion are very superficial and lukewarm. And now I must leave you in the hands of the wicked one? May the Lord hear and answer my prayers in your behalf. This is the last advice of your dying father, try to set the fear of God before your eyes. Do not grieve one another’ live in peace and love together’ be good to your mother, and do not lie anything in her way that might grieve her. I bid you all farewell. I am truly resigned to the sufferings I now experience. I have longed looked for, and desired the hour of my dissolution. I love God and all of mankind. I feel I am bound for the kingdom of glory. Glory be to God in the highest. Remember your father was a Methodist preacher. "
  As I sat in the National Archives reading these last words of my 5^th great grandfather Joseph I felt a sense of grief, a feeling of great sadness. Five generations may separate Joseph and me but I felt as if I was at this deathbed watching him write on the slate. I wanted to know more of him, more of his life.


These words found at the National Archives are a real treasure.  It gives me a peek into his life and thoughts.
Thanks for stopping by, if you think we may be related by any of the family members I write on I would love to hear from you . Take a moment if you like to read other postings on my family.  Grace

THE TREASURE OF OLD HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS Duluth Minnesota

Just this week I have come across 3 vintage/ antique highschool year books from schools in my hometown of Duluth, Minnesota

I found a copy of The Central Duluth the Zenith 1915, then a copy of Duluth Cathedral 1927
and then tonight at auction I was able to buy a copy of Duluth Central 1914.
What 3 wonderful pieces of history that would be a perfect addition to family history.
Sadly I do not have any family living in Duluth at this time. My grandparents did not move to Duluth until about 1943.
These great books not only offer pictures of some one ancestors but also can give us a glimpse into how life may have been.
If you have family members who were seniors during these years you may find a picture of them in these books.  I will be selling these on eBay and hope that family members find them.

Until I sell the year books,  I have them if you want me to look up a name. 

SEPIA SATURDAY BOOKS ARE THE WAY TO GO IS THE THEME

This week's photos involve people holding or reading books. I love books and have since a child. My sister and I would walk weekly to the library every Saturday.

A beautiful old building that wa a palace to me. The books I wanted were on the top floor and you got there by taking a set of stairs. The floor was glass so you could see the people below you.  I still love to think of that wonderful place of my childhood.

When I got home I would lay in the grass of a private club called the Kitchi Gammi Club. It was a block away from our home. No one ever chased this little girl away who could lay for hours on their property.
Other times I would walk a block away and sit on the steps of this apartment building. There was statues of lions at the end. Today the building is in terrible repair and I feel so sad when I see the building of my childhood memories.

And best of all when I grew up this little girl owned her own used bookstore with her dear hubby. We even had two bookstores at one time. Dreams can come true. Retirement came and we closed down both stores but I still love to go into used bookstores, to go to estate sales and head directly to the book shelves. 

I love the feel of books and the smell of books and I still love to go to our local library.

 This building is new and modern, but if you go to the second floor and wander into this one area you will once again be surrounded with beautiful bookshelves, books and funiture.  Of course this is the genealogy area and dreams happen there too while searching for family history.

So while I have no sepia pictures at this moment, I do have great memories of books. Will have to take a search through my family pictures for something in the color of sepia.

I will be sharing this over at Sepia Saturday, stop in for a moment and see what others are sharing.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing a little girl's memories of books. Grace

THRILLER THURSDAY THE STORY CONTINUES ON GEORGE DAY 1928

It has been almost a year since I wrote on my great grand uncle George Day and his death on the docks of Duluth, Minnesota.
I wrote this post on April 14th 2011
My great grand uncle George Day was shot while on duty as a watchman on the Duluth docks here in Minnesota. This took place October 26, 1928.

I knew about his tragic death from family history and a distant cousin of mine had found one article at the Minnesota History Center which she shared on ancestry. I have been spending some time at the library to find newspaper articles about the shooting.
The picture below is of George Day years earlier when he was working in Duluth as a police officer

Duluth Minn Friday October 26, 1928

Duluth Herald

Dock Watchman Slain Defending His Charge

George Day Murdered in Early Hours

On D., M. & N. Coal Dock

      George Day, aged 59, night watchman at the D. M. & N. coal dock, Twenty ninth avenue west and the bay front, was killed early this morning by bandits, who attempted to rob the tool house in the plant transformer building.

      Day was either shot in the left temple or clubbed to death with a large file in a desperate fight, which resulted in the apparent wounding of one of the bandits, who left blood trails over the dock. Two empty chambers in Day's gun gave evidence of his firing on the bandits in his attempt to drive them from the dock. Two empty chambers in Day's gun gave evidence of his firing on the bandits in his attempt to drive them from the dock.

You can read more of this article by clicking on the above link.

     This is the story I knew and read on the first trip to the library. I never shared the other newspaper articles until now because they were just more of the same story.  This last month I revisited the library and the newspaper articles and found more articles I had missed. 

     I have held off sharing these additional articles because the story will change as the articles are written.  What is written is not what I was told.  Did my mother, her sister and brother know the rest of the story or was this kept from them also?  Do George's direct family know what was written or was this kept from them also ?  Family secrets are an interesting fact, stories whispered behind closed doors to just certain family members.

Duluth Minn Saturday October 27 1928

Duluth Herald

Signs Indicate Victim Fought

Three Men Thought to Have Attempted Robbery

Police Have Clues.

     George Day 59, night watchman of the D. M. & N coal dock. twenty night ave west and the bay front, who was found dead on the dock early yesterday morning, was killed by a bullet from his own revolver which was either wretched from or discharged in his hand in a struggle with his assailants in  the belief of Dr. C. F. McComb, county coroner who preformed an autopsy on the body late Friday. No arrests were made up to late last night.

Resting against the inner wall of the right side of the skull was found a battered bullet believed to be of a 38 calibre, the same type found in the revolver carried by the watchman.  The bullet entered the left side of the head near the ear and passed through the brain.

 Evidence Points To Fight

     The autopsy revealed several bruises about the head and face which led Coroner McComb to suggest that Day engaged in a fight with with his assailants after they were discovered in the act of loading into a nearby boat a quanity of tools taken from the plant transformer building.  Day who was of stocky build, is believed to have engaged in combat with the robbers, but was over powered by superior force and killed by a bullet with his own gun.

At least three men are believd to have attempted the robbery one of who left several clues which police are investigating.  Robert E Donaldson, chief of detectives, reported a find of two caps, one brown and other gray, and a large file near the scene of the murder.

Robbery was the motive, according to investigators, who believe that there had been no intention of murder until the watchman disturbed the men in making their getaway.

Found by Roundsman

     The murder occured some time between 3:30 am and 4:30 am police point out.  Day, in fullfilling his duties as watchman, reported his duties as watchman, reported hourlyy to the Western Union up to and including the 3:30 report.  When no report was received at 4:30 am, Ray Murray, roundsman for the Western Union , went to the dock and found Day's body near the transformer house.

The murder and attempted robber is believed to be the work of the same gang that robbed the house of Elliot Packing company early Wednesday morning.  Day was competing his 10 th year of employ on the dock.

     Survivors include a wife and two daughters living in St. Paul and one son, Curtis N. Day, employed as a cransman at the plant of Minnesota Steel company in Morgan Park.  Day recently moved from the Western hotel and was due to check into the Rex hotel Thursday morning.  

This is the second article written in the local newspaper, I will share more articles soon. Thanks for stopping by.. Grace

WRITING CHALLENGE JOSEPH CHEUVRONT'S STORY VIRGINIA LATE 1770'S Day 6 7 and 8

I have been busy writing a story about my 5th great grandfather Joseph Cheuvront and his family. To add some depth I wanted to get an idea to what life was like in Virginia during the 1775 period to the early 1800's. I found a wonderful article on the Virginia Colony.  By the time my ancestors came to Virginia it was one of the first thirteen states but I am sure life had not changed much in the way life was lived. 
The following was copied from the site. I will incorporate the following into my story of Joseph and his family to add substance. Click on the link at the bottom to find more information if interested.

While life was difficult for everybody living in the Virginia Colony, this was especially true for women, who married young (16 was a popular age for marriage) and had an average of eight children. Childbirth was one of the main causes of death for women as well, as there were no drugs to stop bleeding and most births were attended by midwives or even family members rather than doctors. Once married, women usually spent their lives caring for their families and preparing or storing food for the winter.

Medical care in the Virginia Colony was a real problem. There were very few doctors there at the time and not only was the care expensive, but it was also mostly inadequate. Folk medicine was widespread at the time, and most doctors use leeches to treat a variety of problems, from cancer to common infections (antibiotics were not known at the time). As time went by, many doctors incorporated the use of certain indigenous herbs, like snakeroot, to treat conditions they had no other medication for. Calomel, a drug based on mercury, was popular, although it caused lots of poisonings and killed more patients than it actually helped. There was no anesthesia available and surgery was actually prohibited by the church, so doctors avoided it, even in cases of life and death. Diphtheria, malarial fever, yellow fever and tuberculosis were all common diseases in Colonial Virginia.

The road system in the Virginia Colony and its surroundings was poorly developed. When travel was necessary, people would use a horse or take off on foot, but this was mainly avoided in winter because the conditions were too difficult and too risky for most colonists to attempt. Most people traveled by boat if the distances were long or time was an issue.

The social life of those living in the colony included folk music and reading as the main forms of entertainment. Cider and whiskey were considered common drinks and served along with everyday foods, including family dinners, afternoon teas and BBQs organized by the town, church or close friends. People often socialized in groups or as a family, rather than separately.

Basically everything used in daily life was manufactured at home. This included candles, clothing, all metal and wood artifacts for the home and farms and even school supplies. Silver and iron were used for practically everything, from shoeing horses to making dinner dishes


Read more: What Was Life Like in the Virginia Colony? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4588658_was-life-like-virginia-colony.html#ixzz1lo28N9OC

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY AUGUSTUS EDDINGTON 1819 - 1903 HENRIETA CURTIS EDDINGTON 1818 - 1882

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY today is Augustus Eddington
born May 13 1819 in New York
died September 7 1903 in Janesville Wisconsin

 Henrieta Curtis who was born 1818 in New York and died in 1882 in Wisconsin
Augustus and Henrieeta M Curtis Eddington are my 3rd great grandfather

Rest in peace grandpa and grandma

Writing Challenge My Family Day 5

Writing Challenge My Family Day 5

Day 5 was Super Bowl Sunday, hubby and I are not really into football but we were invited to son’s house for some good grub and I do love to watch the commercials. We left at half time and headed home to watch something else that was on our watch list. If I told you what we wanted to see on TV you would scratch your head and go " You got to be kidding".

To keep my Internet time in control we headed to McDonald’s after church and spent several hours there. I did not go much further in time but instead added depth to what I had written. I separated the sections of my writing more so I can see what I am doing. So far I have 2747 words written so I was able to add a bit over 500 words. I am enjoying what I am doing with putting down Joseph Cheuvront's story on paper and look forward to continue with his family.

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 6 Family Heirlooms

Family Heirlooms

This is the sixth week of Amy Coffin’s series on Abundant Genealogy.

Week 6 – Family Heirlooms: For which family heirloom are you most thankful? How did you acquire this treasure and what does it mean to you and your family

I have many family heirlooms.  How do I possibly pick  my favorite or what I am thankful for ?

I treasure my mother's wedding ring that I wear most days.  If I still had her I would not have it and would gladly give it back to her.  Same with my aunt Daisy's ring, she wore it to work and church and I admired it every time I saw it.  I would gladly turn it back over to her.  I have my grandmother's ring, I do not remember her wearing it but I also would love to give it back to her also.

I have vintage albums and family photos, other pieces of jewelry and glassware.  Any furniture I was given I have passed on to my boys already.  This is from my mother's side.

I have very little from my father's side. My grandmother died before I was born and we lived in Minnesota while grandpa Zion lived in Washington.  But I do have from that side my grandmothers autograph book from when she was a teenager which my grandpa wrote in before they married.  I have a souvenier from the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair that was given to my great grandmother Mabel Coleman Hall from great grandfather Arthur Hall.  I also have several bibles from that side of the family.

I also have letters and cards that both grandmother's wrote to the family and a couple letters from grandpa Zion. I love to see their handwriting.  I have letters from my mother to me and from my father to my mother.

I guess what I treasure most is the letters, with these I am seeing their thoughts and their hand writing.  They are still with me when I read them, as the jewelry when I wear it I feel they are still with me.

What family treasures are you most thankful for?

Wandering The Internet Doing Genealogy Research

Do you every just wander around the Internet using Swag search to see what you may find. While writing my family history challenge I added the other night that my 5^th great grandmother Elizabeth had died in 1800 of Typhoid fever. So I decided to do a search to see if I could get a little background of this disease. Yuck is what I have to say. The symptoms are horrible and how you catch it is just as bad. Unsanitary conditions are all I will say. From there  From there I saw a link for diseases of the past 1800 to 1920. This was found on a site named Bella On LineA Site  For Women. There are some links that may interest you besides genealogy.

Then I read an article on the process of becoming a member of the Daughters of the Revolution. I know that I have more than one ancestor that found in the American Revolution but did not realize the work that has to be done to become a member should you wish to.  I am proud of my ancestor who fought in the Civil War and I am proud of my grandfathers who fought in the Revolutionary War.  I have thought of applying and may see if we have a local member in our area who can guide me. 

When I visited our local library recently I saw books on the Daughters of the American Revolution and the members family line. For a fee I can hook up with some one who comes from my same line.

Should I attempt to do this I will let you know how it is going or went.  Some may ask why bother but I am proud of my ancestors and their fight for our country.

WRITING CHALLENGE MY FAMILY DAY 4

Writing Challenge My Family Day 4

Today I spent my time writing at McDonalds again. I am up to 2223 words in my story. Lots of editing needs to be done but that will be done with the second draft. I spent time adding some history to my story yesterday so did not really get past the year 1802. I feel like I am back in school and studying history except this time it is in context with my family’s history. I spent my time reading about the border warfare or the history of the settlement by the whites in northwest Virginia. On my to do list is to find a copy of the Chronicles of Border Warfare: the Colonial & Indian Wars of the Early American Frontier 1742-1795 written by Alexander Scott Withers. After I finished with my daily writing I spent time on the Internet using Swagsearch to search for more history that would fit into my story. I think today went well with my writing. Will be interesting to see where day 5 takes me. One thing I have learned is I did not do my writing outline with enough details. It was to basic to start. Will do different the next time I write a family story.

52 WEEKS OF ABUNDANT GENEALOGY 2012 WEEK 5

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy 2012 prompts suggested by Amy Coffin

• Week 5 – Life Experiences: Sometimes the challenges in life provide the best learning experiences. Can you find an example of this in your own family tree? Which brick wall ancestor are you most thankful for, and how did that person shape your family history experience?

I enjoy finding stories of strong women in my family. I love to look deeper into the family area and find women who have been pioneers in my opinion. I wonder what there lives are like what they felt or how they lived.
 Right now I am working on my Cheuvront family history story. Married to my Joseph Cheuvront is Elizabeth Ellsworth.  At the age of 18 in 1777 she marries and within the next 23 years she has 11 children and in 1800 she passes away from Thyroid fever at the age of about 41 years old. Her death comes just days after her son Joseph jr. has died of the same disease. I look forward to reading about this time period and adding depth to her family history in my writings.

This week’s prompt runs from Sunday, January 29 through Saturday, February 4, 2012.

WRITING CHALLENGE MY FAMILY DAY 3

Writing Challenge My Family Day 3
Today’s writing was this evening in the semi quiet of my office. Television is on but I am totally tuned out to it. My goal is to write for about thirty to sixty minutes. Once again I have added another 500 or so words and am adding basic history to my Joseph. We are up to 1800 and living in Virginia. From 1777 to 1800 Joseph and Elizabeth have married and had 11 children. 1800 comes and Typhoid fever attacks not only wife Elizabeth but also one son and another son dies from an infection from a cut. Day four when I write I will add more to these years.

WRITING CHALLENGE MY FAMILY DAY 2

Writing Challenge My Family Day 2

Day 2 of my family writing challenge was spent in McDonalds as I sipped a coke. They have wireless internet so I am able to write and not use up my air time. Some months I never come near my limit and last month I was so close to going overage that I was rarely on the Internet at home. So if I was not at McDonald’s I was at the library that also gives us free Internet connection. I was able to write about 500 words and brought my Joseph from France to England to New York. What I am writing is a rough draft and I look forward to adding more to it as time allows. Basically all I have is just the data that can be found in the records. As I go I look forward to adding depth to my story of Joseph and his family.

SEPIA SATURDAY CHILD WITH STUFFED BUNNY RABBIT VINTAGE CABINET PHOTO

For this weeks Sepia Saturday I am sharing a vintage cabinet photo of a young child with a stuffed bunny. 

Pictured is a darling young child with a sweet little smile and his hand on his bunny. 
Written in tiny lettering is a name, I can not make out the first name at this time but last name looks like Wagner.
This was found in family photos and I am not sure which side but would tend to lean towards my mother's side on her father's side.  Further time searching family names to find out who this may be.

Hope that you enjoy this adorable family photo. 

I am sharing this at Sepia Saturday, you can find more interesting postings there. Grace

Writing Challenge My Family History Day 1

Yesterday was the first day of the writing challenge. February 1st has come and gone
I had chosen my ancestor as my 5th great grandfather Joseph Cheuvront.
I had written out my story idea in bullet form with planning to start my story with Joseph arriving in New York in 1773.
But after the challenge came to write our first sentence, I decided to begin with the day Joseph was dying. I had found his last words at the National Archives and remember to this day the feeling I had as I read them.
 I wrote that first sentence the last night of January and when I was done I had written over 250 words.

On Saturday, 24, 1832 his speech failing, he motioned for a slate, and wrote on it, " I want a plain coffin, and to be buried in a winding sheet, and brother George Collins to preach at my funeral." As he handed it to one of his sons he said, " I want you to see to it. "
Day 1 came and wanted to find just the right time to start writing. I wanted time that I could be quiet and just think and write. That afternoon I sat and wrote out some of the story of his last day and his last words.  I then went back to France and Joseph as a young teen, I wrote how I saw him physically and how he probably was and felt coming to grips with religion and the choices he wanted to make with his life. Day 1 was over and I had a total of 793 words written.
Day 2 is here of my family writing challenge and it is time to be quiet and get back to my story.

Grace

ORGANIZING MY FAMILY PHOTOS STEP BY STEP DAY BY DAY

I have over 100 years of photos, family photos of my ancestors both sides. Family photos of my children, photos of trips hubby and I have taken. Photos that I places I found interesting. Lake Minnetoka in Minnesota on a beautiful day, Minnihaha falls in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. At least I think I made it there every season. Photos of the Mississippi rising during the Spring thawing run off.
I need to really start on a day by day start to organize these. If I take only thirty minutes a day to do something I will be further ahead than I am now.
I have over 100 years of photos, family photos of my ancestors both sides. Family photos of my children, photos of trips hubby and I have taken. Photos that I places I found interesting. Lake Minnetoka in Minnesota on a beautiful day, Minnihaha falls in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. At least I think I made it there every season. Photos of the Mississippi rising during the Spring thawing run off.

I need to really start on a day by day start to organize these. If I take only thirty minutes a day to do something I will be further ahead than I am now.

While at our down town library to do some family research I came across this book and brought it home.


Preserving Your Family Photographs by Maureen Taylor.
I have had it three weeks with good intention. It is due in one week. Starting today I will start a commitment to read through it piece by piece starting at chapter 8 " Ways to Organize " Keep It Simple " and work day by day a few minutes a day to at least get a start.

Step 1. Look through all images and make a list of people, places and events
Step 2. Decide on an organizational plan and try it with a small group of images
Step 3. Estimate supplies you may need (storage boxes and sleeves)
Step 4. Purchase these in bulk to save money
Step 5. Set up a work space
Step 6. Begin sorting
Step 7. Create a file of images in need of identification
Step 8. Create a file of photo copies of pictures requiring conversation or restoring
Step 9. Start labeling and boxing
Step 10 Create an index if necessary

My first step will be to jump to step 5 and find a space for a work table. I have the perfect one to put into my office.
For today I will read through chapter 8 and clear out the space in my office for the table.
Over the next days I will set the timer for 30 minutes and start to do something with my photos. Anything I do will be better than doing nothing with them.

Thanks for stopping by.. Grace

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ALMOST ~ MYSTERY PHOTO GALLAGHER FAMILY SIDE

Today for Wordless Wednesday ~  Almost Wednesday since I rarely can be totally quiet, I am sharing another photo from my Gallagher / Gallaher family albums.

This is a funeral cabinet photo. Not sure if family or friend of the family. Bottom middle group of flowers has spelt out in middle " Our Friend "  The top left side flowers are in the shape of a cross. On the left hand side middle row of flowers also looks like a cross.

Right above middle set of flowers is a picture of a young man. He appears to be in his late teens to very early 20's.

There is no notation in album on the page photo was placed that tells me who this friend was. The album belonged to my great grand Aunt Mary Gallagher sister of my great grandma Katherine.

The photographer was Spettel Brothers of LaCrosse Wisconsin. Photo was probably taken late 1890's
Thanks for stopping by, hope that you will take a moment and look at some of my other posts. Should you think we may be related to each other I would love to hear from you. Grace