Wednesday's Portrait- Frank and Ollie Seaver

Today's Portrait:

Frank Buchanon Seaver 
b. 14 Nov 1856 in Patriot, Indiana
d. 20 Feb 1936 in Tipton County, Indiana

and 

Harriett Olive "Ollie" (Watson) Seaver
b. 14 Oct 1856 in Clinton County, Indiana
d. 03 Jun 1915 in Tipton County, Indiana

Frank and Ollie don't look very happy in this picture- Frank looks angry and Ollie looks upset or even bored. I love the classic clothing and Ollie's hair! It also appears that they're outside, which I find surprising (I don't know why).

How I'm related to Frank and Ollie:

~Carrie Smith (me)

~My parents

~Harold Earl Mendenhall (1916-1989) & Helen Ruth Seaver (1923-1981)

~Otto Watson Seaver (1901-1972) & Ruby Mae Henderson (1901-1990)

~Frank B. Seaver and Harriett Watson-

              my 2nd great grandparents

Sharing Memories (Week 2): Winter Activities

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

The Olive Tree Genealogy

Link: Sharing Memories

This week's memory is Winter Activities. Really, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of winter is Christmas and snow. 

When I was in the 1st grade, we moved from Round Rock, Texas to Humboldt, Arizona. I didn't know it even snowed in Arizona, but that first winter, it snowed...and it snowed A LOT! (at least from a small person's perspective!). I remember my sister and I romping through it, the snow crunching underneath our feet. I don't know who came up this idea, but we grabbed bowls from the kitchen, filled them with snow and topped our frozen treat with red Kool-Aid. 

Mappy Monday- Ramsbury, England

Thomas Mildenhall III (1630-1682), my 11th great grandfather, was born in Marridge Hill, England, married in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, England, and buried in Ramsbury, England. 

Ramsbury England

Ramsbury, England is a parish in the English county of Wiltshire.The population (2001 census) is 1,969. The earliest written history of Ramsbury can be traced back to 909 AD. 

Ramsbury, England

Sites and popularity:

~Holy Cross church yard (or Church of England parish church of the Holy Cross) dates back to the 13th Century and still stands today. 

This churchyard is where my 11th great grandfather- Thomas Mildenhall III is buried. I would love to go visit someday so that I can see his grave.

There is also a local ghost story: according to local legend, if you count the hundred studs on the north door at midnight, it will open and the ghost of 'Wild' William Darrell of Littlecote House will come out. 

William Darrell of Littlecote (1539-1589) was an English Member of Parliament for the constituency of Downton in 1572. The whole story can be read here: Littlecote House.

~Littlecote Roman Villa (or Littlecote House)- a large Elizabethan county house and estate in Ramsbury. The estate includes 34 acres of historic parklands and gardens, including a walled garden from the 17th and 18th centuries. It was built during the 13th century.

Front of the House

Back of the House

~Fairs- Since the Middle Ages, Ramsbury has held an annual fair. During the middle ages, they held two- a Cattle Fair and a Hiring Fair- or Mop Fair-. The Cattle Fair ceased in 1939. Today, all the fairs have been replaced by a biennial Street Fair which takes place between the Square and the Memorial Hall. 

~The Tree- For centuries, Ramsbury was famous for a tree- a large wych-elm which stood at the Square. The tree is mentioned in a report in 1751. By the 1920's, it started dying.It eventually died in 1983 of Dutch Elm Disease, which had killed many trees. An Oak Sapling (sponsored by Portman Building Society) was planted to replace the old Tree.

~The Bell at Ramsbury- a restaurant at the Square- SN8 2PE. They serve Breakfast/Brunch- Price range is $19-57. 

Saturday Night Fun- Ahnentafel Roulette

Another Saturday Night Genealogy Fun thanks to Randy from Genea-Musings-- The challenge is  Play Ahnentafel Roulette:


1) What year was one of your great-grandfathers born? Divide this number by 80 and round the number off to a whole number. This is your "roulette number".

2) Use your pedigree charts or your family tree genealogy software program to find the person with that number in your ancestral name list. Who is that person and what are his/her vital information?

3) Tell us three facts about the person in your ancestral name list with the "roulette number".

4) Write about it in a blog post on your own blog, in a Facebook status or a Google Stream post, or as a comment on this blog post. 

Here's mine:

1) One of my great grandfather's was Gerhard Cletus Jeckering and he was born in 1900. When I divide that by 80, it gives me a "Roulette" number of 24 (rounded off). 

2) My 24 in my ancestor name list is Marion Richard Mendenhall (1873-1948). He was my 2nd great grandfather. He married Louella Ida "Ella" Munn (1872-1958) on 12 Aug 1893 in Ohio.

3) Three facts about Marion Richard Mendenhall:

~ Marion, or Mac, had three different occupations that I know of- working in a hardware store (1900), a silversmith (1910), and watch repairman (1930). 

~Marion and his wife Ella had 3 children- Earl Dwight (1894-1972), Treva Delight (1898-1981) and Rhea Marlene (1903-1987).

~Marion died at the age of 74 of heart disease. 

Surname Saturday- Beeson

Today's Surname: Beeson

My 8th great grandmother was Charity Grubb Beeson. She married Mordecai Mendenhall (1713-1803).

Charity Grubb Beeson 

b. 1715  in Concord, Pennsylvania 

d. 20 Sep 1809 in Guilford County, North Carolina

Her parents were: 

Richard Beeson (1684-1777) and Charity Grubb (1687-1761)

The Beeson family came to America between 1682 and 1684 from England by Charity's grandfather- Edward Beeson (1660-1712). Edward was born in June 1660 in Stoke, Lancashire, England.

Edward married Rachel Pennington (1662-1713). 

Beeson Family ancestry: 

Charity Grubb Beeson (1715-1809)

Richard Beeson (1684-1777) & Charity Grubb (1687-1761)

Edward Beeson (1660-1712) & Rachel Pennington (1662-1713)

Thomas Beeson (1634-1665) & Ann Pecke (1638-1725)

William Beeson (1600-1682) & Isabell Jelly (1610- ?)

Edward Beeson (1575- ?) & Hester Hall (1575-1600)

John Beeson (1554- ?) & Margaret Ireland (1528-1594)

The Beeson surname is an English name. Spelling variations include: 

Beeston, Beaston, Beeson, Beason, Beestoun, Beson and more.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, it is recorded as:

Bistone, Bestuna, Bestune, and Bestone. 

(The Internet Surname Database)

Artists in the Family

Paul George Jeckering (1925-1954)-

My Paternal Grandfather

Sculpture

Artwork 

Helen Ruth (Seaver) Mendenhall (1923-1981)-

My Maternal Grandmother

Paintings:

Friday Funny

TGIF Everyone! :) 

This more like a fact than a funny, but...still funny! :) 
Does anybody else have this problem? :) 

52 Ancestors- Week 11- Albert Everett Mendenhall

Bert Everett Mendenhall- my 5th cousin, 4x removed

b. 13 May 1889     Peoria, illinois
d. 16 Jun 1967      Honolulu, Hawaii

Parents: John Mendenhall (1855-1940) &
                       Sarah Jane Scott (1854-1926)

Siblings: 

Reuzilla Mendenhall                  1880-1932
Anna F. Mendenhall                  1883-1975
Elizabeth Mendenhall                1885-1962
Mamie Mendenhall                    1887-1913
Joseph R. Mendenhall                 1893-1893
Laura May Mendenhall            1894-1895
William Arthur Mendenhall     1896-1971


How he's related to me: 

Carrie Jeckering Smith (me)
My parents
Harold Earl Mendenhall (1916-1989) & Helen Seaver
Earl D Mendenhall (1894-1972) & Edna Miles
Marion Mendenhall (1873-1948) & Louella Munn
Richard Mendenhall (1852-1924) & Margaret Pierron
Aaron Mendenhall (1828-1894) & Christena Spielman 
Richard Mendenhall (1794-1871) & Sarah Pearson
Joseph Mendenhall (1770-1833) & Deidamia Hill 
Richard Mendenhall (1737-1773) & Jane Thornburgh 
Mordecai Mendenhall (1713- 1803) & Charity Beeson

Mordecai was my 7th great grandfather---

Mordecai Mendenhall (1713-1803) & Charity Beeson
Moses Mendenhall (1743-1835) & Dinah Rudduck
Moses Mendenhall Jr (1767-1805) & Elizabeth Thomas 
Francis Mendenhall (1790-1865) & Mary (1785-1864)
Joshua M. Mendenhall (1829-1907) & Elizabeth Yaughar
John Mendenhall (1855-1940) and Sarah Scott (1854-1926)
Bert E. Mendenhall




Residence(s):

1889 (0)-     Peoria, Hollis, Illinois
1900 (11)-   Dick Johnson, Clay, Indiana
1909 (20)-   Norman, Cleveland, Oklahoma  (possibly)
1911  (22)-  Vigo County, Indiana
1920  (31)-  South Bend, St. Joseph, Indiana
                      1818 Fassnacht Ave
1930  (41)-  Niagra Falls, New York
                      1020 Fifteenth Ave 
1967  (78)- Honolulu, Hawaii



Education and Occupation(s):

1909 (20)- Possible student at University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma- 1909 Yearbook titled the Mistletoe- age 20- freshman- B.E. Mendenhall

1920 (31)- Assembler at Oliver Plow Co. in South Bend, Indiana

1930 (41)- Watchman at Plant in Niagara Falls, New York



Family:

Marriage #1: 
Lillie Geneva Martin on 05 Jun 1911 in Vigo Co., Indiana

b. 08 Apr 1896 in Logansport, Cass, Indiana
d. 16 Mar 1915 in Mecca, Parke, Indiana

Lillie's mother's name was Martha E. (unknown LN)- b. 1865

Children with Lillie:

1. Angela Mendenhall
    b. 20 Apr 1913  in Mecca, Parke, Indiana
    d. 31 Aug 1914 in Mecca, Parke, Indiana 


Marriage #2:
Jeanne Louise Kermarrec bef 1920

b. 21 May 1894 in Saint Marc, France
d. 01 Mar 1980 in Honolulu, Hawaii


Children with Jeanne:

1. George Bart Mendenhall
    b. 15 Oct 1922 in New York
    d. 11 Jul 1978  in Honolulu, Hawaii

2. Jeanne Mendenhall
    b. 1926 in New York
    d. Unknown



Passport- 

Bert was issued a passport on 10 Aug 1921 at the age of 32. 


Death and Burial:

Bert died on 16 Jun 1967 at the age of 78 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He, his wife and son are buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific- Plot W, 257. 

Wednesday's Portrait- Rose M. Jeckering

Happy Wednesday!

Today's portrait:  my 2nd great grand aunt and her family

Frank Raab (husband)
b. 1876                 Ohio
d. 06 Jul 1956    Dayton, Ohio

Rose Margaret (Jeckering) Raab (Wife)
b. 04 Apr 1874    Dayton, Ohio
d. 12 Oct 1936     Dayton, Ohio

and Sons

(I don't know the boys names in the photo-- Rose and Frank had 4 sons total- Albert J., Leonard, Paul Henry and Victor John-- however, 2 boys died before age 5 and Albert is rumored to have died at age 7--- so the boys in the picture could be Albert and Paul)

Albert J. Raab               1909-1916 
Leonard Raab               1911-1913
Paul Henry Raab          1914-1916
Victor John Raab          1917-2003

This is a typical family portrait of the time-- it was probably taken about 1915 or so. I don't know the exact date.

Sharing Memories (Week 1): Introduction

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on: 

The Olive Tree Genealogy
Link: Sharing Memories

Introduction: 

A couple months ago, I started my version of the ever-so-popular 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks and I am having so much fun with it that I've been browsing other blogs for such fun ideas. This morning, I came upon The Olive Tree Genealogy’s Sharing Memories and love the concept!

I never really thought my stories and/or memories were important, but then I think- what if at least one of my ancestors had written a journal and it had survived all of these years and I was able to read it? As a genealogy and history fanatic, I would LOVE such a possession to be mine to read! It would be one of my most treasured items- to be able to read what they did on a day-to-day basis, what they went through, what heartaches and wonderful memories they had and shared with their family and friends!

We hear rumors of what our ancestors were like. I was told that my great grandfather was a very hard-headed individual who never smiled. What would his journal say about him?

I’ve always kept a journal- up until about a couple of years ago. I haven’t written in a long time but this project seems like a LOT of fun- especially if I could, one day, share it with my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

If you’re reading this and you love journaling, I encourage you to do the same in your blog or even in a book at home! J

New Tuesdays!

New Changes...

Hey everyone,

I've recently found a new "challenge" that I've decided to write instead of doing Tuesday's Tip-- I think it will be more entertaining (hopefully)- for myself and my readers! :) 

Lorine McGinnis Schulze from The Olive Tree Genealogy posted 52 Weeks of Sharing Memories on her webpage. I came upon it this morning and was instantly intrigued! 

SO... starting today, Tuesday's will now be Sharing Memories day! :) 

Mappy Monday- Aldbourne, England

My 11th great grandparents- Thomas Mildenhall III (1630-1682) and Joane (Strode) Mildenhall (1634-1682) were married on 12 Aug 1649 at The Church of St. Michael or St. Michael's Parish Church (I've seen it spelled both ways) in Aldbourne, England. 

Aldbourne, England

Aldbourne is a village and civil parish about 6 miles northeast of Marlborough and 4 miles from Ramsbury in Wiltshire, England. 

The church, where my ancestors were married, is medieval and a "grade I" listed building. The nave and aisles were built around 1200 and the three-stage tower was added in 1460. 

I think Aldbourne is a beautiful small town! It has wonderful history, beautiful buildings and breathtaking landscape! Check it out! 

History:

Aldbourne has a lot of history! During the English Civil War, Prince Rupert and his Cavaliers fought the Parliamentarian Army in Aldbourne on 18 Sep 1643, two days before the First Battle of Newbury.

During WWII, East Company of the US Army 101st Airborne Division was based at Aldbourne in the weeks before D-Day. East Company was featured in the HBO series Band of Brothers.

Baby Name Wizard

 On Nov 12, 2012, Randy from Genea-Musings posted a Saturday Night Fun challenge- Baby Name Wizard so I thought I'd try that to kill some boredom! 

Here is the challenge: 

1) Go to the Baby Name Wizard site and see how popular your name was over the 20th century, and how popular a baby name it is today. Check out your spouse, your children and your grandchildren (if you have some!) also. 

2) What does your name mean (find out on http://www.babynamewizard.com/baby-name)?

3) Tell us about it, and show us your graphs, in your own blog post, in a comment to this post, in a Facebook status or on Google+ Stream post.



Here's mine:

1) Carrie:  (Related names- Cari, Kari, Karrie, Carey, Carie, Carmela, Carri, Cary and Carys.

According to babycenter.com, Carrie is ranked #265 in 2014.
At it's peak, Carrie was #20 in 1880.


My husband James "Jim": (Related names- Jacques, Jamie, Jameson, Jamie, Jim, Jimmy)

According to babycenter.com, James is ranked #11 in 2014.
James has been #1 several times- especailly between 1940 and 1952.


My son Jack: (Related names- Jackie, Jackson, Jake, Jax, John, Jacky). 

According to babycenter.com, Jack is ranked #10 in 2014.
The last few years has been "Jack"s peak-- going as low as #3 in 2006.


2) Carrie means- Originally a short form of names such as Caroline, Carolyn and Carol. Carrie is now often used as an independent name. 

James means- "He who Supplants" - Hebrew origin. 

Jack means- Jack is short for John. The nickname became so popularized it became a name in it's own right.

Saturday Night Fun-- on Sunday lol

I always love Randy's (Genea-Musings) Saturday Night Fun! 

Last night's challenge- Where Were They 100 Years Ago?

1) Determine where your ancestral families were on 19 July 1914- 100 years ago

2) List them, their family members, their birth years, and their residence location (as close as possible). Do you have a photograph of their residence from about that time, and does the residence still exist? 

3) Tell us all about it in your own blog post, in a comment to this post, or in a Facebook Status or Google+ Stream post. 

Here's Mine: 

~My 2nd great grandparents- Joseph Herman Jeckering (born 1870) and Rose A (Horn) Jeckering (born 1872) were living at 630 McLain St. in Dayton Ohio with 5 of their 7 children: Gerhard (born 1900), Cletus (born 1902), Martha (born 1906), Norbert (born 1908), and Elizabeth (born 1910). One child was born and died in 1912- stillborn, and then Irene (born 1913), died Jan 1914. The house is still standing today: 

Photo Courtesy- Google Maps

~My great grandmother- Josephine M. Dabuliewicz (born 1906) was living as Josephine Alexinas with John (born 1974) and Mary Alexinas (born 1880)- her adoptive parents and their son- George Alexinas (born 1905). Her father- Josef Dabuliewicz (born 1883) abandoned her after her mother died in 1913. I'm not exactly sure when Josephine went to stay with the Alexinas, but by the 1920 census, she was living with them at 616 Hark (?) Street. (The street name is questionable because the census was a little hard to read). I don't know if the house is still there or not. 

~My great grandparents- Earl Dwight Mendenhall (born 1894) and Edna Grace (Miles) Mendenhall (born 1894)-- it is unsure where they were in 1914 or if they were even married yet. They didn't have their first child until 1916 and he was born in Dayton, Ohio. 

~My 2nd great grandparents- Frank Buchanon Seaver (born 1856) and Harriett Olive "Hester" (Watson) Seaver (born 1856) were most likely living at 67 Hillbury (?) Gravel Rd. in Johnson, Indiana with their two children: Cleo Rose (born 1893) and Otto Watson (born 1901). (I say most likely because this was taken from a 1910 census...I don't know specifically 1914).