Managing Relationships (GeneaPopPop)

Recently I found a significant mistake in my family tree.  I had my gg-grandmother's brother listed as her father.  I realized the mistake when I found that she was three years older than he.  I have also encountered an interesting problem when two men named John (both with the same surname but three generations apart) got linked inappropriately in a separate file in my database.   It created a loop that went on ad infinitum.   In both cases initial embarrassment and frustration gave way to laughter...  but not as much laughter as the following video which suggests that genealogical relationships are not necessarily as simple as a relationship grid might suggest.  As an example, I think I have finally come to understand the difference between a first cousin once removed and a second cousin...   but this video compounds the issue greatly.  Check it out!

Stardust Stories: John Charles Weaver - Part 6

John Charles Weaver (1884 - 1969) was my wife's paternal grandfather. Fortunately, he left us with an autobiographical sketch, richly filled with family stories and genealogical information. Recently my wife re-read her grandfather's story of his life. She had remembered him as a somewhat stern and aloof person. But that is not what comes through in his writing. "I wish I had know these aspects of him," she mused. In order to preserve and share the multi-textured person that was John Charles Weaver, I am sharing his writing in 6 posts.
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MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY JOHN CHARLES WEAVER (Part 6)

Then there were the school days. My sister, Eva, and I attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. Our pastor was Rev. Michael Patrick Kinkead, a priest with a broad Irish brogue. The school was under the supervision of the Dominican Sisters. Sister M. Alexus taught the lower grades and Sister M. Phillips, a freckle faced bull of the woods type, the upper grades. Then there was Sister Mary Thomas (my favorite) a music teacher from who I took piano lessons. I was not a brilliant scholar, but I managed to get passable grades. Strange to say my best grades were in grammar, fair in arithmetic, poor in spelling, and as I mention spelling I am reminded of the time when I, the poorest speller in the class, won the spelling match.

Here is how it happened. Sister would select two captains, a boy and a girl. The boy going on one side of the room and the girl on the other. Then these captains would choose from the class talking alternate turns. Of course they would pick the best spellers first, and as usual a boy named Anthony Applethorn and I were the last to be chosen. Now while we had a Catholic speller, Sister would choose some words from the public school speller. On this occasion she was choosing words from the public speller. Sometimes Anticipating this I had prepared a list of words that I would submit. I copied them from a public school speller that I obtained from a neighbor girl, but on this day Sister chose to give out the words. When you missed a word you went to your seat. After several rounds the captains missed as did the entire class save me. The odd numbers left me the only one standing. "Well, John," said Sister and repeated the missed word and to the amazement of Sister and the class I spelled it. The word was DAGUERREOTYPE. I had won the contest. Sister had given a word that I had chosen from the public school speller. So with lips compressed and a stony- eyed glare the mystified Sister gave me the usual prize - a lace-embroidered holy picture of the crown of thorns.

Although it has no connection with the above incident, it fits into the picture for want of a better palace. So I relate the following episode. Sister Superior Phillips called me to her desk and handed me an envelope and told me to take it over to Father. So i did. Father read the message, then in a stern voice and Irish brogue said "Knale dune." I knelt. He put his foot on the nape of my neck, forced my head down and my bottom up. Then gave me a resounding whack on my rear cheeks. I yelped, scrambled to my feet and ran out of the house. He didn't try to stop me. I dried my tears and returned to my classroom trying to act as though nothing had happened. And I never did know what I was paddled for.

One of the important events of the school year was the preparation of the First Communion class. Father Kinkead made an extra special occasion of it. He would prepare a banquet in the school hall to which the parents of the class were invited. The year 1896 was no exception and it was my year. I was probably the best dressed boy in the class as my First Communion pictures will testify. There were about fifteen boys in the class and about the same number of girls. In those days you had to be twelve years old before receiving. Our Communion hymn impressed me and it became a part of my prayers and since I have heard nothing to compare with it. I think it is worthy of note. So here it is.

I am ym loves and He is mine.
O earth attend. Ye heavens hear.
Your mighty Lord, Your King divine,
Is now my bosom's guest most dear.

Behold the vast Creator makes
His home within His creature's breast.
His realms of glory He forsakes
Tis in my heart He longs to rest.

My dearest Lord, my God, I'm Thine
And Thou, my Jesus, art all mine.
My heart forever Thine shall be.
Oh keep it, Jesus, all for Thee.

Another event that had affected the course of my life and which occurred on my First Communion day was my induction into the Father Mattew Society - a total abstinence society originating in Ireland - of which our pastor. Father Michael Kinkead, was an advocate. He explained its purpose and asked for volunteers from the boys to take the pledge till age twenty-one. Two booys stood up, Joseph Wahl and me. Father administered the oath and I became a member of the Father Matthew Society - total abstinence from intoxicating liquor till age twenty-one.

So as I entered my teenage years I was active in a number of pastime activities - fishing, swimming, baseball, football, and marbles. In the winter months it was skating, sledding and ice hockey on the ice-covered river.

Then came adversity. First, my youngest brother, Leonard, died of brain fever and was brought to Dayton for burial. Then the carriage factory where my father was superintendent got into financial difficulties due to the race horse activities of the owner and the plant was closed down. He got the job of watchman during legal proceedings.

My parents had made no financial provision for the future, so when the crash came they were unprepared. So we moved from our home on Dietrick Street to cheaper quarters nearby. Our new home was one of a group of houses all built alike with a single community well-water pump on the sidewalk. I never knew how much my father's income was, but I do know that it was not enough to meet expenses and that they ran up a sizeable grocery bill at Minnich's grocery store and that they were paying on it long after we had left Defiance, Ohio.

Stardust Stories: John Charles Weaver - Part 5

John Charles Weaver (1884 - 1969) was my wife's paternal grandfather. Fortunately, he left us with an autobiographical sketch, richly filled with family stories and genealogical information. Recently my wife re-read her grandfather's story of his life. She had remembered him as a somewhat stern and aloof person. But that is not what comes through in his writing. "I wish I had know these aspects of him," she mused. In order to preserve and share the multi-textured person that was John Charles Weaver, I am sharing his writing in 6 posts.
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MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY JOHN CHARLES WEAVER (Part 5)

As we lived on the banks of the Maumee River, I practically lived in the water of went fishing. At that time the Maumee was the most prolific fish producing river in the U.S. I could pick up a length of cord, tie it to a bent pin, dig a few worms, break off a limb from a willow tree for a pole and in no time have myself a string of sunfish, crappies and yellow bellies - enough for a meal before breakfast. Papa also strung a trot - line across the river with hooks tied onto it about two feet apart. We had a boat and every evening we would run the trot - line and pick off the fish.

I was also a pigeon fancier. In my pigeon coop I had an assortment of pigeons, white blowers, fantails and tumblers. But they multiplied so fast that my coop became too small. Then too, they attracted to many rats that they became a nuisance and I had to get rid of them. With the pigeons gone the rat epidemic subsided.

My almost daily playmate was a little Dutch boy named Oscar Haydord Harmon Anderson. We played marbles a lot and he would generally win. Then he would give me back the marbles he had won and we would start over again. In the winter months when the river would freeze over, it was skating and sled coasting. The river was about 200 feet below our backyard and we would coast from a point at our back-porch, down the hill, through an arbor of grapevines onto and across the river.

Five pennies was the price of admission to see one of our dramatic presentations. We would act out nursery stories; Jack and Jill; Little Miss Muffet, etc. with a red light tableau as a grand finale.

Then there was our dog who was my constant companion. He was a big dog, half Newfoundland and half St. Bernard, with a big spot of white on his breast. We named him "Nigger." [Note: I was tempted to eliminate or mask the previous sentence because of its offensive language.] One day two men were crossing the field and saw me and my dog. They called me over and told me they could show me how to make my dog do tricks. I came over and as I held my hand on the neck of my dog they poured some liquid on his back. My dog gave a terrific yelp as he broke from me and it was days before I could get near him. It left a scar on his back and hair never grew on that spot.

Then there was the time when I passed out bills advertising a play at the local theater and I got a free ticket for the Saturday afternoon performance. It was the first time I had ever been in a theater and I was uncomfortable. The curtain came up and the play was on. Finally the villain appeared, fired a shot and somebody dropped over dead. It scared the liver out of me and there was a vacant seat - front row center on the aisle.

Then there was the time when I was a Drummer boy along with about twenty other boys. We were dressed in white shirtwaists and blue short pants - only mine had ruffles that embarrassed me to death. We beat our drums as we sang, "Drummer boy, drummer boy where are you going, rolling so gaily your bold rap-a-tan? I'm going to where my country my service is needing, rolling so gaily my bold rap-a-tan."

Stardust Stories: John Charles Weaver - Part 4

John Charles Weaver (1884 - 1969) was my wife's paternal grandfather. Fortunately, he left us with an autobiographical sketch, richly filled with family stories and genealogical information. Recently my wife re-read her grandfather's story of his life. She had remembered him as a somewhat stern and aloof person. But that is not what comes through in his writing. "I wish I had know these aspects of him," she mused. In order to preserve and share the multi-textured person that was John Charles Weaver, I am sharing his writing in 6 posts.
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MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY JOHN CHARLES WEAVER (Part 4)

Pedro was the popular card game of the times and there was seldom an evening that it was not the pastime and our home was the most popular meeting place. When company would drop in I would be sent to the nearby saloon with a gallon bucket to get beer. I would knock on the door and the bartender would come and take my bucket (minors not allowed) fill it, give me a pretzel and I would be on my way with the evening's cup of cheer.

One evening Mrs. McNally, a nearby neighbor, was the only person to come. Her husband was working overtime and she didn't want to be home alone. They decided to play cards with me as my mother's partner. I was elated at the opportunity but Papa told me to run over to McNally's home and see if he had returned. Disappointed I went hoping that Mr. McNally would not be home, but there he was walking up and down the room. But I wanted to play Pedro so I cam back and with a straight face told a whopper. I said the house was dark and I played Pedro with a guilty conscience. I don't know if they ever found out. If they did they never said anything, but I think my mother had her doubts.

About a quarter of a mile from our house and across the open field was the junction of the B&O & Walbash railroads, and at that point was a target station shanty and signal tower. The watchman was Tom Birch who lived next door to us. He was supposed to be in the shanty but seldom was. When a train would come to the junction they had to wait for the all-clear signal before they could cross the junction. The target signals were two balls, one red, the other green about the size of volley balls and it was Tom's job to manipulate the balls and a train could not pass until Tom gave them the green signal. When a train came to the junction and found the red light against it, the engineer, knowing of Tom's habits, would toot the whistle with a series of short blasts and Tom would come bounding out of the house. Now Tom had lost his right leg in a railroad accident which accounted for their putting up with Tom's negligence. He wore a cork leg that would give a loud squeak when he put his weight on it, and when he was in a hurry which was usually most of the time, he wouldgo bounding across the field kangaroo fashion: thump, hop, squeak, thump, hop, squeak to the target house, pull up the red ball, let down the green and the train would pass on. The neighbors got a bang watching Tom hop and skip across the field when they heard an engine's toot toot.

About a block from our house on Dierick Street was the volunteer fire engine house. When a fire broke out the one who discovered the fire would ring the fire bell and volunteers would come running, pull the hose cart to the fire which was usually too late to save anything except surrounding buildings. The firehouse was at the dead end of Holgate Avenue and the electric single track car line ran up to it. The car would be operated from either end by the motorman, so that when he got to the end of the line all that he had to do was turn his trolley around and be all set for the return trip.

Which calls to mind the time on one Halloween night as I came out of the house to join the kids at play under the arc lights, I spotted a can lying in the gutter. Upon investigation it turned out to be a can of lard. It was a large can nearly full and must have fallen from a passing truck. I called the kids. What to do? On Halloween night and with a can of lard? So we started out on a greasing expedition. First we greased the car tracks for about half a block. When the car came and the motorman applied the brakes his car wouldn't stop and skidded into the firehouse door. When he turned his trolley and tried to pull out, his car just skidded on the greased track. The neighbors finally got a barrel of salt from old Adam Clare's grocery nearby and got the car going. Aside from the car tracks, we greased everything in sight - trees, fences, Hitchingposts, windows, the community water pump - everything. Next morning there was a little boy carrying a bucket of hot water, a scrub brush and rags under the eyes of his mother cleaning up the mess. The little boy was me. I had been spotted by one of the neighbors and was made to clean up the mess.

Adam Clare who ran the grocery was an odd character. He only carried staple items in his store - bread, butter, sugar, salt, coffee, tea, crackers in a barrel and cheese - no meats. We ran a weekly account on tab. At the end of the week Adam would make out the bill, put it in an envelope, address it, place a stamp on it, then deliver it himself. His wife was almost totally blind and we would hammer out white pennies and when she was in the store try to pass them off for nickels.

Stardust Stories: John Charles Weaver - Part 3

John Charles Weaver (1884 - 1969) was my wife's paternal grandfather. Fortunately, he left us with an autobiographical sketch, richly filled with family stories and genealogical information. Recently my wife re-read her grandfather's story of his life. She had remembered him as a somewhat stern and aloof person. But that is not what comes through in his writing. "I wish I had know these aspects of him," she mused. In order to preserve and share the multi-textured person that was John Charles Weaver, I am sharing his writing in 6 posts.
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MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY JOHN CHARLES WEAVER (Part 3)

The first few years of my childhood are very vague to me. I can only recall a few scattered episodes. Such as the time I was peeved at something and decided to leave home. I would hike over to my Aunt Bessie's who lived close by. Aunt Bessie O'Connor was just over from Ireland and I remember my mother telling how she would never go to church because she thought that the priest should come to the house and say Mass as they did in Ireland. Her rosary was always in her hand. (Incidentally she was the aunt of Officer Grover O'Connor of the Dayton police force and my fourth cousin). Then I remember going to the drug store with a note to get a bottle of whiskey for my Uncle Jim - my mother's brother who was ill with tuberculosis. He would mix the whiskey with Phillips Emulsion of Cod liver Oil as a tonic. Uncle Jim was living with us at the time. My mother was deathly afraid of the disease and I was constantly being dosed with a spoonful of the medicine without the whiskey.

Then I remember a Christmas Eve when Santa Claus came - only be wasn't dressed like Santa - just some old clothes and he brought along his wife, Snicklefritz, who was wrapped in a sheet and looked more like a ghost. Scared to death I stammered out some prayer at my mother's knee - but I got a tricycle.

I remember it was good for a spanking if you referred to your father as "my old man" or your mother as "my old woman". It had to be Papa or Mama.

There was a road that ran through the field and at quitting time those who had bicycles would race down the road to Dietrick Street. One evening I was coming home from a fishing trip. It was quitting time at the factory and the men on their bicycles were racing down the road. I was walking backwards as I watched them racing and I did not notice the farmer driving a team of horses hitched to a wagon. He was evidently dozing and did not see me. The nose of one of the horses knocked me down as I backed into them and the horses and wagon passed over me. My father racing down the street saw what happened and was soon on the scene. But horses and wagon passed over me without my receiving a scratch and the farmer drove complacently on - the only damage was a broken fishing pole. Guardian Angel must have been on the job.

The open field in front of the houses on Dietrick Street was the ideal spot for carnivals and circuses. I remember the occasion when the Barnum and Bailey circus came to town. In those days they had advance crews come and prepared the field in advance of the circus date. The three rings were formed out of mounds of dirt forming a ring. They dug a deep hole to make a pool for the diving act. Once when the advance crew came I was watching the workers put up the tents and the head man asked me to carry water for the workers. For two days I carried water and on the day of the circus I was given a ticket to the main show and the side show and a dollar spending money. I was the envy of all the kids. That hole in the ground remained full of water for years and became a breeding spot for frogs and the mounds that made the rings were the nesting spot for yellow jackets. The rings were honeycombed with their nests. We kids would tease them out of their nests and then with faces covered with netting we would kill them off with paddles. Then when all the bees were killed we would rob the nest of its honey.

I recall a song we used to sing called the "Birdies' Ball" and went like this:

Spring once said to the nightingale
I mean to give you birds a ball.
So the nightingale asked the birdies all
The birds and the birdies great and small

Soon they came from each bush and tree
Singing sweet their songs of glee
Soon they came from each cozy nest
Each one dressed in his Sunday best.

The wren and the woodpecker danced for life
The awkward owl and the bashful jay
Wished each other a very fine day.

They danced all day till the sun was low
And the mother birds prepared to go
When one and all both great and small
Flew home to their nests from the birdies ball.

Another song was about the fingers and went like this:

(Holding the thumb) Thumbkins says I'll dance, thumbkins says I'll sing
Dance and sing ye merry little men.
Thumbkins says I'll dance and sing.
(Holding index finger) Pointer says I'll dance,
Pointer says I'll sing
Dance and sing ye merry little men.
Pointer says I'll dance and sing
(Holding the middle) Tall man says I'll dance,
Tall man says I'll sing
Dance and sing ye merry little men.
Tall man says I'll dance and sing.
(Holding next finger) Middle man says I'll dance,
Middle man says I'll sing.
Middle man says I'll dance and sing.
(Holding little finger) Little man says I'll dance,
Little man says I'll sing and dance.
Dance and sing ye merry little men.
Little man says I'll dance and sing.
(Holding up all fingers) All men say they'll dance.
All men say they'll sing.
Dance and sing ye merry little men.
All men say they'll dance and sing.

These and many other songs of a similar nature we sang as we gathered about the piano almost every evening. Papa was forever composing music and many of the songs we sang were of his composition and he was forever writing poetry.

Stardust Stories: John Charles Weaver - Part 2

Stardust Stories: John Charles Weaver - Part 2

John Charles Weaver (1884 - 1969) was my wife's paternal grandfather. Fortunately, he left us with an autobiographical sketch, richly filled with family stories and genealogical information. Recently my wife re-read her grandfather's story of his life. She had remembered him as a somewhat stern and aloof person. But that is not what comes through in his writing. "I wish I had know these aspects of him," she mused. In order to preserve and share the multi-textured person that was John Charles Weaver, I am sharing his writing in 6 posts.
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MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY JOHN CHARLES WEAVER (Part 2)

There is little that I know about my baby and childhood days. I know that I was born, because I am here. So must have had a father and mother who would be my parents. And they too a father and a mother who would by my grand-parents. That's as far back as I intend to delve into posterity. So I'll begin my autobiography from there.

John Fitzmaurice came to this country from Ballyduff County, Kerry, Ireland about 1850. Landed in New York and migrated west to Florence Ohio where he set up a boot making shop. Here he met Margaret McCarthy, fell in love and they were married in the Church of the Visitation in the nearby town of Eaton, Ohio March 11, 1858. They had ten children: Hannora, Ellen, Mary, Rose and Lucy (wins), Margaret, James, Elizabeth, Theresa and Johanna. What did the future have in store for them? Here is a brief resume:

Hannora married Jack Manley who drank too much. Ellen married George A. Weaver a carriage maker. Mary married C.D. Wetzel a saloon keeper who died and she then married Jack McFadden an electrical worker. Rose married Joe Kernan a laborer. Lucy married Clarence Willson a last maker. Margaret married John Baker a saloon keeper. James never married and died at age 30. Elizabeth never married and died in her twenties. Theresa married Timothy Larkin a core maker. Johanna died at the age of four years. Ellen who married George Weaver became my mother. There were five children born of this marriage: Margaret, who died at the age of three, John, Eva, George, and Leonard who died at the age of three.

All of my aunts and uncles on both sides of our family have passed away. So I have no living aunts or uncles. So my mother was Ellen Agnes Fitzmaurice and my father was George Anthony Weaver better known as Chick, the life of the party. According to the ethics of that period for an Irishman to marry other than an Irishman was treason and my father was a German and for a German to marry an Irish girl was VERBOTEN.

My grandfather, Charles Weaver, came from Germany and was as dutch as sauerkraut. He came to this country to escape service in the German army, for every male twenty-one years of age had to serve for three years. My own father says that he then changed his name from Weber to Weaver so as to conceal his identity, since the German monarchy considered every German of any country still one of its citizens and subject to German discipline and army service. There were eight boys and two girls in my father's family: Edward, Andrew, Frank, George, Philip, Louis, Albert, William, Katherine and Clara. All have passed on.

My father was called "Chick" Weaver and was generally the life of the party since he could play the piano and sing. He also played the bass viol. He was also an actor in the Cathoia Gezeklen Verien - a German organization on Montgomery Street in east Dayton near Trinity Church. So my yen for dramatics must have been inherited from him. He was organist and choir director of Emmanuel Church for many years.

My mother was a good but proud woman - proud of her family and carried herself in a queenly fashion. "She reminds him of the queenly bearing of the Astors and Vanderbilts of Fifth Avenue, New York." She was her own dressmaker. She was a cook par excellence; a master of the cooking art. My mother said that when she first saw my father she thought he was the homeliest man she ever met.

When the Weaver clan got together, which was at least once a year, especially at picnics in Ebby's Woods along the Miami River for birthdays, etc., it was a regular German bill - singing German songs as they guzzled a glass of beer.

Now that I have established the authenticity of my ancestors and the fact that my parents were George Anthony Weaver and Ellen Agnes Fitzmaurice and that on January 22, 1884 a son was born to them and was given the name of John Charles Weaver, I am ready to begin. At the time of my birth they were living at 47 Costello Street in that section of Dayton, Ohio named "Brown Town". I was their second child - the first a girl named Margaret died in early childhood about three years old.

I was baptized by Father Charles Hahn in Emmanuel Church. My godparents were my Uncle Edward Weaver and my Aunt Mary Fitzmaurice (my father's brother and my mother's sister.) My Aunt Mary was married twice, first to C.D. Wetzel who died and then to John McFadden - all are now deceased.

Speaking of Emmanuel Church, Germans went to German churches and schools. You had to learn both English and German. The pastor would preach a Sunday sermon in German and then follow it with a sermon in English. World War I settled that and the people were told to learn to accept English or else. When necessary confessions ere heard in German. During World War I a mammoth American flag was flown between the spires of Emmanuel church. Father Seabird was the all - American pastor.

Stardust Stories: John Charles Weaver - part 1 (GeneaPopPop)

John Charles Weaver (1884 - 1969) was my wife's paternal grandfather.  Fortunately, he left us with an autobiographical sketch, richly filled with family stories and genealogical information.  Recently my wife re-read her grandfather's story of his life.  She had remembered him as a somewhat stern and aloof person.  But that is not what comes through in his writing.  "I wish I had know these aspects of him," she mused.   In order to preserve and share the multi-textured person that was John Charles Weaver, I am sharing his writing in 6 posts.
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MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY JOHN CHARLES WEAVER (Part 1)

"That's enough. Go to your seat. You should be ashamed of yourself," came the commanding voice of Sister Mary Thomas from behind the screen where she was prompting. I was reluctant to be in the school's yearly entertainment program. I didn't mind being with a group, but this time I was expected to face the audience alone and speak my part. After much urging, I did manage to commit my part to memory and could deliver the lines for Sister privately.

Came the day for the presentation and my cue to speak. So there I stood with the American flag unfurled about me. I bravely announced, "Our Flag" as the title of my essay. Then I began, "Rally round the flag, boys. Give it to the breeze. That's the banner we love on the land and seas." That's as far as I got. I was distracted by the antics of Ed Brady, the school's problem pupil who was sitting on the window sill in the rear of the auditorium, and with his fingers was distorting his features into grotesque monkey shines. He caught my eye and I forgot my lines. Sister would prompt. I would repeat them, but after several repetitions Sister gave up, took the flag from me and sent me to my seat.

That was seventy years ago and I have no doubt that Sister Mary Thomas is looking down in disbelief as she sees her reluctant pupil doing an about-face and taking a prominent part in organizing, directing and acting in amateur dramatic presentations. Organized, directed and acted with the St. James Players and over a period of the years captured all the trophies offered for best all-around production. Organized, directed and acted in the Dayton Chapter Blackfriars Guild a unit in the National Organization a movement originated by Rev. Urban Nagle, O.P. and Rev. Gilbert Hartke, O.P. of Catholic University. They later became associated with the Catholic Theater Conference. Our work in Dayton, Ohio impressed Father Nagle and he gave me special mention in his book "Behind the Mask."

The organization of the Dayton Blackfriars Guild was accomplished without the aid of a financial angel. Director or personnel received no monetary remuneration. From the above evidence of my dramatic activities you can well see why Sister Mary Thomas might be flabbergasted. The Guild is now in its twenty-seventh year of continuous operation. I dwelt with it first because I think it played an important role in my dealing with people of various temperaments, nationalities, age, and sex in my supervising capacities.

I am married, eighty-four years old. My wife is the same age. We had seven children, five living, and twenty-seven grandchildren. My wife is a good cook so I don't have to worry about an ulcerated stomach.

My father was a carriage maker and he tried to guide me into the same channel but my heart was set on the electrical field. I eventually got a job with an electrical contracting firm wiring houses. I accepted an offer to work for the General Electric Company installing electrical equipment on traction cars. I accepted assignments in Niles, Ohio, then Lansing and Detroit, Michigan. The assignment was completed and I returned to Dayton. I obtained a fob with the Apple Electric Company making electric motors and generators for automobiles where after two years I became foreman. When the Apple Electric sold to Splitdorf Company of Newark, New Jersey I was asked to come along - moving expenses paid. I consented and moved to Newark. After one year I resigned and took a position with the Crocker Wheeler Company of Ampere, New Jersey. After about ten months I resigned to take a job with the Diehle Electric Company of Elizaberth, New Jersey. I was making these changes for the purpose of getting experience and jobs were to be had in most of the electrical plants in the East.

As an extra activity I sold I.C.S. Courses on a part - time basis. Upon the urgent request of my parents in Dayton I accepted an offer of a position in the experimental laboratories of the John O. Heinze Company of Springfield, Ohio which was close to my hometown of Dayton, Ohio. There, while on a visit through the plant, my former employer Mr. V. G. Apple, spotted my and it was not long until I was back in Dayton working in Mr. Apple's experimental laboratories.
While working at the Apple Laboratories I prepared to enter the electrical contracting business with an Uncle who was an experienced electrician. WE eventually established the McFadden and Weaver Electrical Contractors Company and combined it with a hardware store. To cut down overhead, I sold Wearever Aluminum as a home demonstration salesman. Business disagreements led to a sell - out and we quit business.

I obtained a job with Delco Products, a division of General Motors, as foreman in the Armature Department. After two years I was promoted to general foreman of Armature and Stator building with over 350 employees. I remained at Delco for twenty-five years when I retired at age sixty-seven.

During my last year at Delco I equipped my garage to establish an electric motor repair shop, so I would have something to keep me busy after retirement. I operated my one-man repair shop for seventeen years. The limitations of advanced years caused me to heed competent advice and close shop.

My principle active sport was, until a few years ago, tennis. But I follow baseball, basketball, football and sports in general although because of my age I'll settle for croquet as an active sport.

So now retired from retirement, I want something to which I can devote my time. I feel that with the experience I have had in a variety of occupations, I might have enough background material from which to glean some interesting episodes if I can put them in writing. I am not concerned primarily in financial returns, although it would be welcome. I just want to keep busy.

Family Tree Recipes (GeneaPopPop)

Today, among my wife's cookbooks, I discovered a gem - a booklet of recipes issued for the 1990 Weaver Annual Reunion (12 August 1990). 





The center fold was a five generation Weaver family tree.  (I removed the names of spouses and children the bottom of the tree.)

My favorite recipe in the 24 page booklet came from Marc who was, as you can see, only 4 years old.
1 BOXFULL, Jello
Cottage Cheese
1/2 full Cool Whip
1 canfull Mandarin oranges
Put Jello in it and chill for 1 hour

One family member who claimed that she "doesn't cook" added this RECIPE FOR A HAPPY FAMILY:
Take - 1 small home
Add - 1 bride & groom
Stir in - 7 children ( one at a time)

Mix well with laughter and tears.
Blend all together, and falvor with a sprinkling of in-laws.

Result:  a Weaver Reunion


The back cover contained the final gem:  GRANDPA WEAVER's TOAST AT FAMILY MEALS:

Here's to those we love
Here's to those who love us
Here's to those who love them that we love,
And to those who love them who love us.

WDYTYA3 - Lisa Kudrow (GeneaPopPop)

I just finished watching the latest WDYTYA.  There was much less genealogical research and much more story arising from the facts that were found.  This edition of WDYTYA confirms what many of us who are more family historian than genealogist seek in our research - namely, the stories behind the research.  Uncovering a few facts that lead to a convincing story is far more satisfying than facts that only lead to a research log.

I found myself moved from tears of sadness (as Lisa read the account of the murder and burning of the Jews of Ilya) to the warmth of a whole body smile as she talks to Tomek, and then the gentle tears of joy as Lisa's father and Boreslav get connected via a video call.  This is the 'payoff' that many of us seek - taking scraps of a family's remembered story and building upon it...   adding story to story...    finding new chapters and new character in the story...   and finally being able to tell a new, expanded story.  

The research, the hard search for accurate facts, the hours spent at the computer or in the county court house, organizing files and photos, documenting sources, filling out family group sheets, and so much more is all worth the effort when they lead to a new and improved version of the story.   Of course, the new version of the story is not always as gut-wrenching as Lisa Kudrow's, and it doesn't have to have a happy ending.  Because the story, in and of itself, is enough when it is my story...  our story!

I enjoyed the first two editions of WDYTYA as a genealogist / family historian.  I watched tonight's edition first and foremost as a human being.  I found my heart singing along with the music at the end.

Another Piece of the Puzzle - Grace Ada Brenner

Grace Ada (Brenner) Mieding (1889 - 1985) was my grandmother.

Recently, I found a transcription of her death certificate online.  Until that time, I was unaware that she had been a secretary for the railroad at one point in her life. I have not yet seen a copy of the actual certificate, just the online transcription.  Ohio death certificates use two generic categories to describe a person's occupational background.  For Grandma, the "Industry of Decedent" lists "Railroads" and the "Occupation of Decedent" lists "Secretaries."

Earlier this week, I was able to fill in a little more of the story.  While conducting an advanced Google search for my Grandfather, George Henry Brenner (Grace's husband), I had the serendipity of finding three entries in the index of the Erie Railroad and Employee Magazine.  The listing that registered in my Google search was a news item about Grace's marriage to George (29 September 1909).  Since this was an index, not a copy of a magazine issue, I saw the two additional listings for Grace Mieding.  (I probably would have missed all three of these entries if I were searching for Grace, because they had her surname spelled incorrectly, reversing the 'i' and e'- "Meiding.")   The February 1909 index  simply indicated that Grace visited Cincinnati. 

The final listing was the prize.  The January 1907 issue of the magazine contained a picture of Grace, as a member of the Clerks Association in the Mahoning Division of the railroad.  At the time of the picture Grace would have been 17 years old.  The index lists her as a "Shop Clerk."   In February 1909, she is listed as a Stenographer in the Chief Car Inspectors Division; in October 1909, Stenographer in the Joint Car Inspectors Division.

I'm not sure how much longer my Grandma worked for the railroad after her marriage, but I am pretty sure that she wasn't employed outside the home after my Dad was born in 1912.

Six Word Memoir (GeneaPopPop)

I have been reading a number of six word memoirs today.  This was suggested as a part of Lisa Alzo's Fearless Females series -- namely, write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.  I was impressed with what everyone else has done, so I thought I try my hand at it.

For my Mom, Bessie Garnet (Brenner) Deeter (1915 - present):
     95 years young; still going strong.
                or
     A full life; a fulfilled life.
                or
     She cares deeply.  What a Mom!

Standards (GeneaPopPop)

T.K. at Before My Time has an interesting post on A Few Thoughts On Standards.  While I left a comment on her blog, I thought it worthwhile to share a few of her comments and my responses.  She got me thinking about my standards for what I include in my database.  The primary qyestion being:  what do I do with unsourced data.

First, however, her reflections:

• She acknowledged that she is not seeking or expecting perfection.  "If it were [my goal], the doing would cease to be a pleasure; it would become an obligation, a test, a source of anxiety"
• She then reminds us that "this is my avocation, not my vocation." You have to have different standards if you are providing services to paying customers.
• Her most telling point is: "My database is where I choose to do my thinking, my comparing, my filing. It's mine, and if I wish to store 4993 as yet undocumented, unsourced, probable ancestors and cousins in there with the dozen that are almost (but not quite) perfect, that's okay with me. That's where I'll look for them later when I find the opportunity to do the research."

Here is my response (somewhat elaborated):

Thank you for your thought provoking post.  It has helped me clarify some of my own priorities and standards:   
(1) It is my desire to provide accuracte source documentation for as much of my data as possible.  This means a lot of catching up, but I want my dat5a to have integrity.  Without being anally obsessive, I will do my best to provide accurate citations when I can.
(2) As the unofficial "family historian" for both my family and my wife's, I have chosen to include the research of other family members even though the only documentation is "provided by Cousin Dave." I have been entrusted with some data that has been carefully and thoughtfully gathered -- my cousin's maternal lineage that goes back to Amsterdam in 1700; the family tree of another cousin's husband that goes back 10 and 11 generations.  I consider those data to be almost a sacred trust.  Because they are not direct line descendants, I will not be doing any research on them, but I have included them citing for every individual "information provided ny cousin ..." (using the "personal knowledge" source template in RootsMagic 4.
(3) I have chosen NOT to contribute my database to online collections such as Ancestry.com or RootsWeb's OneWorldTree because so much of what I have is a hodge-podge of documented and undocumented, but I do have it online on my own website.

I am in the process revising 8 separate databases by providing source citations where possible.  Those 8 will be merged together and eventually will replace my current online database.  I strive to learn from the professional genealogists and even to emulate their adherence to standards, but I do not choose to restrict myself to presenting only "proven" data.

For me, genealogy is a dance in which "proven and "undocumented" whirl around the dance floor together -- occasionally stepping on each others toes, sometimes "wow-ing" the on-lookers with the grace of their steps, and mostly just keeping time with the music. 

New Design for "Stardust 'n' Roots (GeneaPopPop)

As you can plainly see, the blog has a new design.  Blogger has just made available its beta Blogger Template Designer which I was able to use to re-design and customize the template for this blog.  It was fairly easy to do, had lots of options, and showed me how the changes would look as I tested out the various options. 

I was pleased to be able to widen the actual space for my posts.  You can adjust the width of posts and sidebar(s).  You can have one or two sidebars; or none at all.  If desired, the gadgets in the sidebar can all be placed at the bottom of the page.   Every element of the blog template (color, font type, font size and attributes, placement, background) is customizable.   Pretty Neat!

If you have a Blogger-based blog, you can re-design your blog as easily as I did mine.  The trick is that you can't use the regular link to your Blogger Dashboard.  Instead, go to Blogger In Draft and begin to have some fun. 

"KeepThis Letter" (GeneaPopPop)

Yesterday I began a huge undertaking -- that is, scanning (digitizing) and organizing a box load of papers and pictures having to do with my wife's Spitzer ancestors.  The particular focus of much of this material is her grand uncle Alfred Spitzer.  I was preparing 22 letters and their envelopes to be scanned.  Most of them were letters written to Alfred, some while he was serving in France during World War !.  One letter, however was from Alfred (in France) to his brother Rudolph in Kentucky.  The letter itself is browned and coming apart at the folds.  The special treasure here was not just the letter itself, but a hand written comment on the back of the letter (probably from Alfred's sister, Mina.)  Mina Spitzer was my wife's grandmother.

The note read:  "One of you keep this letter to Rudolph from Alfred.  Some day you will be glad to have it.  The one who thinks their family will take best care of it.  It helps to tell history.

"When Alfred was in World War I in France 1918"

Mina Spitzer eventually married Walter Gregg, so I knew her as Grandmother Gregg.  Would that all our ancestors were as genealogically savvy as she.  (Actually, it only takes one in a family to caution others about saving memorabilia.)

Because of Grandmother Gregg's efforts, we have more information about the Spitzer lineage than any other of the grandparental lines of my wife and myself.   Original documents and/or transcriptions (some annotated), photographs with names attached, saved letters with family history and genealogical data...   all this provides a remarkable context for adding birth/marriage/death certificates; census data, timelines and maps, etc.   

Sadly to say, as our family was growing, I was chief among the non-saving sinners.   Had I known earlier what I now know...     truthfully, until the genealogy bug bites, it is good to have someone around who knows enough to say:  "Keep this!  Some day you (or your descendants) will be glad you did.  It will help make history come alive."    Thank you, Grandmother Gregg.

Family History Expos

Family History Expos lost all online blogging and business data last month (see Ancestry Insider's post Major Failure of Utah Computer Center).  Thomas MacEntee asks that we provide them some assistance by helping get the word out about their upcoming Immigration Family History Expo (March 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah) and their new website:

•  If you would like to receive Family History Expo’s free email newsletter you can sign up at the new website.

•  You can follow Family History Expos on Twitter @FHExpos

•  Use hashtag #FHExpo on Twitter

Mr. Thrift Stamp (GeneaPopPop)

Twenty-five cent "Thrift Stamps" were issued in 1918 to raise money for World War I and instill patriotism in children.  (For more information see Thrift Stamps.)  One of my treasured family documents is a letter to my father (from his Aunt Kate) on the occasion of his 6th birthday.  

240 Queen St.

Connellsville, Pa.

Mr. Thrift Stamp says:

Hello Donald: – Your Aunt Katie, Uncle Fred, and cousin Lloyd tell me that six years ago today a little baby boy came to live with Mr. and Mrs. George Brenner. They were so glad to have him and so were his grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles that they wanted to make him as comfortable and happy as they could. So then came a name. What do you think! They called him “Donald George Brenner.” Then this wee little baby grew and when he was as big as his cousin Lloyd is now, he was just as inquisitive and meddlesome as baby Lloyd. He used to pull his grandma's pans out of the cupboard and do so many cute things. Finally his mother made him little boy dresses, and then regular boy suits.

They even tell me that this baby started to school a couple of weeks ago. He saves his pennies and buys “Thrift Stamps” to help Uncle Sam win this big war. And so they sent me to you, to help fill your book and be a birthday greeting, as I am told you are having some company to help celebrate your t6th birthday anniversary. Your little cousin Lloyd would like to be sitting beside you and help blow out your candles on your cake.

Your Aunt Katie, Uncle Fred and cousin Lloyd wish you many, many more happy birthday anniversaries and want you to think of them when you eat your birthday cake.

They send you lots and lots of love. Remember them to your daddy, mother, grandma grandpas and Aunt Clara.

Put me with the rest of your stamps and save your pennies and buy more to live in this book with us.

Goodbye from –

Mr. Thrift Stamp

Rating Genealogical Maturity - Assessment III (GeneaPopPop)

 The Ancestry Insider has posted a series of rating scale to help assess one's "genealogical maturity"    based upon his earlier description of “Genealogical Maturity Model Definitions.”   Coincidentally, Michael John Neill's tip of the day for that same day was "Becoming a better genealogist is a daily process of growth."     So, here's my opportunity to a) assess where I am, b) decide where I want to be, and c) begin to put a plan in place to enable desired growth.


Conclusion

#	Level	Conclusions	Check
1.	Entry	In the absence of analysis, reaches conclusions by instinct.	X
2.	Emerging	Learning to evaluate the quality of sources, information, and evidence. Emerging ability to resolve minor discrepancies.	X
3.	Practicing	Additionally, resolves conflicting evidence or uses it to disprove prevalent opinion. Usually applies correct identity to persons mentioned in sources.	X
4.	Proficient	Additionally, when necessary creates soundly reasoned, coherently documented conclusions utilizing direct and indirect evidence.	x
5.	Stellar	Additionally: Publishes clear and convincing conclusions. Teaches and inspires others.

I am moving steadily toward the publishing of clear and convincing conclusions, but still have a significant way to go.  This has meant out-growing old habits, learned early and reinforced often.  It is this process of "out-growing" that has me redoing my databases for the main lines in my genealogy.  Because I have been entrusted with a number of compiled, but not documented, tree branches from extended family members, I feel some commitment to publish them.  I am, however, in the process of noting what is documented and what is not.

Conclusion Trees

#	Level	Conclusion Trees	Check
1.	Entry	Merges or combines individuals in trees without evidence.	X
2.	Emerging	Growing hesitancy to merge or combine individuals without evidence.	X
3.	Practicing	Never merges entire compiled genealogies into own tree. Contributes or changes community trees only with evidence.	x
4.	Proficient	Manages evidence separately from conclusion tree. Not interested in trusting high quality conclusions to a low maturity community tree.	x
5.	Stellar	Publishes highly respected conclusion trees.

As I mentioned previously, I am revamping my databases to provide more conclusive documenation, including notation of those areas of the genealogy which do not have sources, other than compiled genealogies.  

Review the categories and pick one to work on. See what you need to do to advance from your current level to the next level. Make that your goal. Don’t try and work on all categories at once. Baby steps. Don’t try to skip levels. Baby steps. Commit to yourself and focus your efforts on that one, little goal.
Once you’ve accomplished that goal, come back and pick another area for improvement.

What Level Are You?

This next exercise is optional. It is a non-scientific method of determining your “genealogical maturity.” Write your level number in the table below for each category above. Add up all the numbers and write the total in the last row.

Category	Level
Sources	3
Citations	4
Information	3.5
Evidence	4
Conclusions	3.5
Conclusion Trees	3
TOTAL	21

In the table below, find the range that includes your score. Your genealogical maturity is listed on the same row.

Range	Maturity Level
6 - 11	1.  Entry
12 - 17	2.  Emerging
18 - 23	3.  Practicing
24 - 29	4.  Proficient
30	5.  Stellar

To sum up my assessment:  I am slightly beyond the middle of "Practicing."  That is about where I had expected to be.   The encouraging thing for me is to see that I am improving in almost all the areas.  My goal is to move my overall assessment into the level of "proficiency."  That will take some time, and will be a challenge...  but it is not beyond hope and expectation.

Of course, I am aware, as Ancestry Insider says, "these levels are not scientific."  I have found them, however, to be helpful for me.

I would suggest two additional areas for assessment, both have to do with publishing data:  1) Collaboration  (What level of collaborative proficiency do I exhibit?  This could include:  random acts of genealogical kindness, sharing with & receiving data and sources from others, blogging...)     and    2) Story-telling  (Can I convert data into coherent and accurate stories about the people and families in my genealogy?  To what degree, do I integrate general historical data into the stories?)  As a genealogist who falls into the primary sub-category of "family historian" (rather than "professional genealogist"), my primary focus is the discovery and publishing of the stories that reside in the data (rather than just collecting, documenting, and publishing the data).  I do not mean to suggest that a family historian is not concerned about the accuracy of data and its sources, nor that a professional genealogist only cares about the data and its sources.    I believe, however, that there is a subtle difference of focus.

Rating Genealogical Maturity - Assessment II (GeneaPopPop)

 The Ancestry Insider has posted a series of rating scale to help assess one's "genealogical maturity"    based upon his earlier description of “Genealogical Maturity Model Definitions.”   Coincidentally, Michael John Neill's tip of the day for that same day was "Becoming a better genealogist is a daily process of growth."     So, here's my opportunity to a) assess where I am, b) decide where I want to be, and c) begin to put a plan in place to enable desired growth. In Part I, I assessed "Sources" and "Citations."  Today I assess "Information" and "Evidence.

Information

#	Level	Information	Check
1.	Entry	Typically does not realize the need to judge information quality and has no basis for doing so.	X
2.	Emerging	Emerging realization that information quality differs. Muddles evaluation by thinking of primary/secondary sources instead of primary/secondary information, leading to muddled evaluation when sources contain both.	X
3.	Practicing	Judges information by source type, informant knowledge, and record timing. Applies "primary/secondary" to information instead of sources.	X
4.	Proficient	Additionally, learns history necessary to recognize and evaluate all explicit information in a source.	x
5.	Stellar	Additionally, utilizes implicit information in a source. Finds information in cases like illegitimacy that stump most researchers.

My ability to assess information has been steadily improving.  I understand that "primary/secondary" are categories to apply to information itself, rather than the sources (which can contain both primary and secondary information).  I have begun to utilize the historical setting to help evaluate information, but still have a ways to go in this area.  While I am showing some growth in this area, and I expect that improvement to continue, I am not going to focus on growth goals in this area right now.

Evidence

#	Level	Evidence	Check
1.	Entry	Limited understanding of evidence and the role it plays. Typically ignores conflicting evidence.	X
2.	Emerging	Captures direct, supporting evidence and increasingly depends upon it.	X
3.	Practicing	Additionally, captures directly conflicting evidence.	X
4.	Proficient	Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, supporting evidence.	x
5.	Stellar	Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, conflicting evidence.	x

I am becoming more proficient at recognizing and capturing "indirect, supporting evidence" (whether it supports or conflicts with other evidence).  Much of my work with conflicting evidence comes from data gathered from compiled (not sourced) genealogies in the past.  Much of the conflict has been found through directly conflicting evidence; but some, through indirect.  As I develop more experience in this area, I will be able to refine some growth goals.  At the present, I expect to continue as I have been doing.

Next post will examine the final two categories in Ancestry Insider's assessment tool.

Stardust Stories - What a County Treasurer Does (GeneaPopPop)

I have always thought of County Treasurers as people who sat in offices filled with books and records, toiling away behind closed doors, out of the public eye.  Not necessarily so!  I recently found an article about my great-granduncle Judson Brenner (1862-1929), Treasurer of Mahoning County, Ohio.  The article was in the New Castle (Pennsylvania) News, Wednesday, November 17, 1927, page 13.

Safe Is Seized In Tax Crusade

    YOUNGSTOWN, O., Nov. 16. --

County Treasyrer Judson Brenner has

started a comapign to collect delin-

quent taxes by seizing personal prop-

erty.  Attaches of the treasurer's of-

fice seized the safe in the office of

the Keesecker Land company and

took it to the treasurer's office.

The picture that comes to mind is the Treasurer and his staff ('Attaches') performing an Elliot-Ness-like raid on the offices of the miscreants.  Of course, it was probably nothing quite so spectacular.  But it had to raise some hackles somewhere.  Can you see a contemporary politician acting so rashly?

I guess, however, if you are 65 (retired from a successful business career) you can afford to act in unconventional ways.   What was the aftermath of the confiscation of the safe?  I don't know.  That will have to be researched.  I would guess that the Keesecker Land company paid their back taxes.

Telling My Story (GeneaPopPop)

I have written previously that, for me, genealogy is all about the stories I am able to tell because of the data I have collected.  I appreciate the encouragement from Dr. Bill Smith to "Keep these ancestor stories coming!"

This past weekend I decided to give the story-telling a new twist -- namely, tell my own story.  I had previously ordered two copies of To Our Children's Children: Journal of Family Memories by Bob Greene & D. G. Fulford (Broadway Books, New York, 1998)...    one for my mother, one for me.  We both received our copies the latter part of last week.  The book is actually a journal -- 234 pages with one or more questions at the top of each page and lots of blank lines underneath to write your responses.  Some of the questions are standard genealogical interview questions about family members, residences, schooling, etc.  Others provide opportunity to reflect upon that which gives texture and character to our lives.  Opening the book at random I find, "Do you have a favorite retreat or place of respite where you go to bring you silence and solace?" (page 132) and "What is your favorite cartoon character or comic strip?  Which comics do you remember reading as you were growing up?" (page 133).

I decided to do my journaling online instead of in the book.  I have a variety of reasons for doing it online:

1. to make it available immediately to my family and a few close friends;
2. to enable their comments, which might help 'correct' some of my mistaken memories
3. to encourage them to think about (and maybe even write down) their stories
4. to be able to add pictures (which I have digitized) and web links (Google maps, for example)

A final reason has to do with my grandchildren - Olivia & Benjamin.  While they both are lovers of books at this time in their lives, I suspect that they will increasingly rely on electronic media as they grow into adulthood.

The end result was the creation of a second blog, "Stardust Memories"  I have chosen, at this time, to keep "Stardust Memories" private - that is, just for family and some close friends.  I'll probably share some of the posts here when applicable.

So far I have posted three entries and I am finding the process energizing.  I recommend the process to other genealogists and family historians.  Tell your own story as well as that of your ancestors.  After all, some day you, too, will be an ancestor!

Rating Genealogical Maturity - Assessment I (GeneaPopPop)

 The Ancestry Insider has posted a series of rating scales to help assess one's "genealogical maturity" based upon his earlier description of “Genealogical Maturity Model Definitions.”   Coincidentally, Michael John Neill's tip of the day is "Becoming a better genealogist is a daily process of growth."     So, here's my opportunity to a) assess where I am, b) decide where I want to be, and c) begin to put a plan in place to enable desired growth.   In this post I'll assess the first two categories:  "Sources" and "Citations"

Sources

#	Level	Sources	Check
1.	Entry	Typically relies on compiled genealogies.	X
2.	Emerging	Mostly relies on compiled genealogies and online sources.	X
3.	Practicing	Uses a limited number of record types and repositories. Mostly relies on online and microfilmed sources.	X
4.	Proficient	Uses a wide variety of record types. Often contacts record custodians to obtain copies of high-quality sources.
5.	Stellar	Insightfully pursues research at multiple, targeted repositories, making use of a plethora of records and record types. "Burned counties" are not roadblocks.

I got my start in genealogy with the compiled work of my 1st cousin, once removed.  He had done his own original research beginning 30-40 years ago.  Most of his research was done in the field, prior to the advent of the proliferation of online sources.  His notebooks (which I scanned) contained some copies of original documents, many family photographs, and numerous hand-drawn family group sheets.  My former brother-in-law thoroughly researched my wife's family's lineage.  He compiled a wide array of family resources, online data, and many visits to small, out-of-the-way cemeteries.  Much of his work is fairly well cited.  I have received undocumented family trees from a couple of cousins.  One traces his mother's family back to the Netherlands in 1700.  

I have become fairly comfortable with online sources and use a fairly wide variety of search engines and sources.  Ancestry.com and FamilySearch are often my first go-to sources.  I have downloaded a fair number of GEDCOM files that relate to ancestors in my research.  I have not entered them into my online TNG database  and I have filed them for further review and confirmation.  I am currently revising my database off-line so I will be able to publish my work with a more comprehensive and accurate listing of my sources.   

The next steps for me in this area are:  (1) visit the local Family History Library and the Midwest Genealogical Center to become acquainted with their resources and (2) a research trip to Youngstown, Ohio (home for many of my ancestors).

Citations

#	Level	Citations	Check
1.	Entry	Captures URLs for online sources and citations for published sources.	X
2.	Emerging	Increasingly captures necessary information for manuscript sources.	X
3.	Practicing	Typically produces complete source citations.	X
4.	Proficient	Gives complete and accurate source citations including provenance and quality assessment.	x
5.	Stellar	Overcomes limitations of genealogical software to create well organized, industry standard reference notes and source lists.	x

This is the area of greatest growth for my genealogy.  The Winter 2010 GB Games got me over a hump and firmly rooted in good process.  As indicated above, I am redoing my databases to provide more accurate and thorough source citations.  This is a two-fold process for me.  On the one hand I am entering citations using RootsMagic 4's citation templates.  I have found this process to be helpful, but not entirely clear.  On the other hand, I am recording all my data in a MediaWiki format where I feel much more confident of the citation process, using Mill's Evidence!  Missing is provenance and quality assessment.

The next steps:  1) thoroughly review the Genealogical Proof Standard and begin to apply it to my research  and  2) review citations in my RootsMagic , applying the "proof" criteria and indicating whether the source is information provided by the source is primary or not.   (Continue to do #2 as I enter new citations in RM4

Next I will assess these areas:  Information   and   Evidence.

Who Do You Think You Are? (GeneaPopPop)

The long-awaited event has finally arrived. NBC's Who Do You Think You Are? aired this evening.  The promotional publicity within the genealogical community was strong.  The program did not disappoint.  Sarah Jessica Parker was aided in tracing the roots of two of her mother's ancestors.  Of course, they are her ancestors too.   

I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the show.  The story-telling was great!  After all, isn't story-telling what genealogy is all about?!  We search for the data so we can tell more of the story...   so we can tell the story with more color, texture, flavor, and panache.    As Sarah Jessica Parker did, we get excited when we find clues and data about our ancestors.  But something else seems to settle in when we begin to piece together the story.   When SJP returned to her mother's home in Cincinnati to tell the stories, she asked her mother if she looked different...     She was different.  At the very end we got a clue about that difference as she said, "I am belonging."   Genealogy is a search for where and how we belong.

Of course, I would like to have seen more of the hard work the genealogists, historians, and librarians did to discover the facts and documentation for SJP's story.   I kept saying to my wife, "But it isn't that easy!"   It would be nice to walk into a museum in Cincinnati and be greeted by a history professor from UCLA.  (That has never happened to me when I've visited the museum in the old Union Terminal in Cincinnati.) 

Kudos to Producer Lisa Kudrow and to NBC.  I look forward to the next installment.

Stardust Stories - 4 Generations and 28 Million Light Years (GeneaPopPop)

I have two ultra-favorite pictures related to my genealogical roots.  The first is a 4 generation picture with me sitting on my great-grandfather's knee.  From my great-grandfather's birth to the present (2010) is 143 years.  The picture, probably taken around 1943, covers a span of just over half that time -- 76 years...  my great-granddad, Lloyd Brenner (1867-1947); my dad, Donald G. Brenner (1912 - 1990); my granddad, George H. Brenner (1888 - 1955); and me (1940 -  ). 

Some have been fortunate to trace ancestors back much farther than I have.  Recently, I found a couple of online databases that, according to their data, traced my ancestry back (through Lloyd Brenner's wife) as far as 1160 in England.  If the data is accurate and capable of being validated, I suspect it will take me many years to confirm.  

On the other hand, I have an ancestor whose roots go back more than 28 million years.  I can't put this ancestor in a pedigree or a family group sheet, but am fortunate to have a recently taken picture.  Even though this picture of the "Sombrero Galaxy" was taken in 2003, it represents what my ancestor looked like about 28 million years ago.

The number of ancestors which are still visible in the far reaches of the universe is stunning.  Not all are as photogenic as "Sombrero;" some, however, are even more awe-inspiring. 

Why do I consider "Sombrero" an ancestor?  It's quite simple, really.  It took billions of years for the universe to produce the nitrogen, oxygen, complex carbohydrates, mitochondrial DNA and ribosomal RNA that led to the possibility of producing 4 generations of Brenner males sitting on a sofa in a house on High Street in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1943.  I am as much a product of the greater processes of the universe's continuing creation as I am of direct genealogical descent from particular (multiple g-)grandparents.  Unfortunately, I'm having difficulty deciding how to enter "Sombrero" in RootsMagic 4 and I am searching for some "proof" of connection that is a little closer in time to "Sombrero" than 28 billion years later.

I think this is more than just a simple brick wall.

New Page: Fireplace Mantle

It was a pleasure to participate in the Winter 2010 GeneaBloggers Games.  Now comes the dilemma - what to do the the six "medals' I won for participating.  Instead of simply displaying them in a post, I decided to add a new page to the blog.  (I learned how to do this while participating in the Winter Games.)  The page is called the Fireplace Mantle.  I've displayed the medals there, and have left room for other awards or honors that may come in the future.

Philosophical Ponderings: Genealogy as Journey to Meaning (GeneaPopPop)

I am fascinated by the question "What is Genealogy?"   My answer seems always to come back to the same assertion - genealogy is part of our quest for meaning.

Some have suggested that we human beings inhabit the universe's capacity for self-awareness.  To be self-aware is to know something about where and how we fit into the big picture.  To be self-aware is to be on a quest toward meaning.  One metaphor for that quest for meaning is genealogy. I was trained in philosophy and theology long before I began my genealogical journey; but I find a lot of similarities in the processes.

Origen of Alexandria took note of the 42 stops the Israelites made during their wilderness wanderings.  He allegorized those 42 stops into the 42 stages that comprise our journey toward meaning (toward God).  Bernard of Clairvaux suggested that the journey toward meaning begins with the senses ("the flesh"), moves toward sensability ("the intellect"), and finally finds meaning ("wisdom").  He called that wisdom "union" with God (ultimate meaning ).

I am not sure how many "steps" there are in the genealogical journey - maybe there are 42 (maybe more, maybe less).  But I am aware of my moving through three journey stages (similar to those described by Bernard) as I engage my genealogy. 

First stage: Finding Facts.  I encounter the sensory data (photo albums, shoebox full of pictures and letters, school papers and diplomas, digital images, GEDCOM files, online family trees, emails for new "cousins," and so much more).  These data are the facts, potentially the stepping stones for the genealogical journney.  But facts, by themselves, are just facts.  I can have piles on my desk, boxes, file cabinets, computer folders, and online backup services filled with facts.  By themselves, the data don't become genealogy - that is, they don't create connections or meaning.  I gathered raw data for about thirty years before I seriously entered into the next step of the journey - making sense of the data.

Second Stage: Making Sense.  My 1st cousin (once removed) did a remarkable job of making sense of the data he had gathered (much of which I received from him).  He gathered and organized his genealogical journey in the days of paper, pencil, and loose leaf notebook genealogy.  Fortunately, I have access to a desktop (and laptop) computer, a wide range of desktop and online genealogy software, as well as online search engines and data repositories that are growing in depth and breadth every day.  These tools have helped me find new data and  to organize the raw data into categories and relationships that make sense.   These sensible relationships (pedigrees, family group sheets, ahnentafels, citations, etc.) become the stepping stones for the genealogical journey.  The insistence on proper citation for sources is a result of our desire not to wobble or fall when we move onto particular stepping stones.  As important as the stepping stones are, however, they are not the end of the journey.

Stage Three: Meaning (Union).   For Bernard, the final step, reached only occasionally but sought after always, was mystical union with God (ultimate meaning).  I believe it is so also with genealogy's journey.  As we immerse ourselves in the data and in the process of organizing those data so that they make sense, we periodically have those "Aha!" moments when it All seems to make sense.  It is no longer just the story of how my gg-grandmother managed with 15 children or that our family is NOT directly related to the Mayflower Bradfords...  somehow I find myself in my ancestors; their stories and my stories emerge as one story;  meaning flows forth.  

From fact to sense to meaning and connection...   that is what it means for us to be sentient beings, the universe's capacity for self-reflection and -awareness.  For me, that is what genealogy is all about -- the quest for meaning and purpose.  Every once in a while, for brief moments, I find myself there.  And in those brief moments, I know that it has ALL been worthwhile!