My BIG Genealogy Mistake

Wow, to admit our faults! It's difficult sometimes!

I started researching my family tree for the first time around the age of 18 or 19 (2003-ish). My step-sister asked her dad about her family history and I had the thought- Well, I want to know mine, too! My mom gave me one piece of paper with a bunch of names. (Wish I still had that piece of paper!) I asked her questions about the ones I wasn't sure about.

Asking family is a fantastic first step in starting the researching process- of course. Those before you (more than likely) know more than you do. 

So, I got my grandmother's name...Helen Ruth Seaver (1923-1981). Okay, cool. Well, mom, do you know what her mother's name was? Automatically, without hesitation, she states- Ruby Mae FRENCH. 

My mom, Grandma (Helen), and Great-Grandma (Ruby)

So, I put that all in caps because it was wrong (kinda). (stay with me here...).

Now, the problem with being a new genealogist is- you don't know the "rules". I took my mother's "truth" as the ultimate truth. I didn't fact check my great grand-mother's maiden name. Turns out, it wasn't her maiden name. It was the name of her second husband after my great-grandfather had died. This would be all and okay, however, I didn't discover this until YEARS LATER! I didn't do genealogy everyday- like I do now. It was a hobby I did in between college homework and during my hip replacement. I wasn't truly passionate and active until I had my son Jack in 2011. 

So, I had researched a direct line for Ruby Mae French, believe it or not. There was a Ruby Mae French, born around 1901 (same as great-grandma) in Indiana. I think I had her ancestors back maybe 5 or 6 generations! Then, one year- Couldn't tell you when this happened to be honest-- someone came to me via email on Ancestry.com with Ruby's obituary, stating her maiden name, the name of her second husband and then her parents names. She was Ruby Mae Henderson. Not, Ruby Mae French. 

Ruby Mae Henderson (1901-1990) married first to Otto Watson Seaver (1901-1972), had 2 daughters and then married Myron Andrew French after 1972 (marriage date unknown). 

You can read more about Ruby and see some beautiful pictures on her 52 Ancestors biography page here.

So, I learned a VALUABLE lesson. Check your sources. Write down your sources. Log everything because then, if you question it, you don't have to rely on memory! :) 

52 Ancestors Biography- Ruby Mae Henderson

This is the second biography post for Ruby. The first one is a lot of pictures I had (then) recently found, you can view that blog post Here. 

Ruby Mae Henderson- my Great-Grandmother. 

Born: 28 Aug 1901 in Tipton County, Indiana

Ruby was the daughter of John Henry Henderson (1871-1949) and Anna Jane Thornton (1875-1954). She had 5 half-siblings with her father's first wife Cora and then one brother: Gaylon Eugene Henderson (1914-1985). 

On 10 Sep 1919, Ruby married my great-grandfather, Otto Watson Seaver (1901-1972). You can read more about him Here. 

Ruby and Otto had 2 daughters: 
1. Anita Marie (1922-1957)
2. Helen Ruth (1923-1981)

Ruby (right) and her daughter Helen and her granddaughter Bonnie (my mom)

Ruby and Otto weren't married long. By 1926, Otto was remarried to Grace Dunker. Ruby re-married as well to Myron Andrew French, son of Alonzo French (1869-1933) and Lucretia Alice Ward (1871-1930). Myron was born on 19 Feb 1894 and died on 30 Nov 1964 in Carson City, Nevada. Ruby and Myron didn't have any children. 

Ruby died at the age of 88 in Carson City, Nevada in Mar  1990. She is buried in Lone Mountain Cemetery.

52 Ancestors Biography- Otto Watson Seaver

Otto Watson Seaver- my great-grandfather

My great-grandfather, on paper, didn't seem to have a very interesting or full-filling life. Otto was born on 11 Jan 1901 in Indiana to Frank Buchanon Seaver (1856-1936) and Harriett Olive Watson (1856-1915). 

(Not the best quality of picture...but it'll do)

Otto had at least one sister that I know of- Roxie, born about 1893. 

On 10 Sep 1919, Otto married my great grandmother, Ruby Mae Henderson (1901-1990)

(Click here for some lovely pictures of Ruby. Unfortunately, I have none of her and Otto.)

Otto and Ruby had 2 daughters together- Anita Marie (b. 1922) and Helen (b. 1923). Helen is my grandmother. 

Otto and Ruby were not married long. on December 28, 1926, Otto married Grace E. Dunker (1902-1990) in Warren, Illinois. Otto and Grace never had children of their own. They seemed to live a very quiet life, away from his children. In fact, Helen and Anita lived with their grandparents growing up. I could never find their mother in the 1930 U.S. Census, I'm not sure why she couldn't take them.

Census records: 

19 Apr 1910- Johnson, Indiana- Hillsburg Gravel Rd.- Home is Owned, mortgage-free. Otto is living with his father (farmer), mother, sister (Roxie) and a 26 year old widowed hired man named Bert McDaniel. 

24 Jan 1920- Johnson, Indiana- Home is Owned. Otto is a farmer living with his father and 1st wife- Ruby. 

28 Apr 1930- Reynolds, Illinois- Perryton Street- home is Owned by a William Harness, valued at $1400. Otto and his wife Grace are boarders. He is a laborer of odd jobs. They are living with William Harness and a servant named Laura Dunker, which shares the same last name as Graces' maiden name. Could be a relation. 

22 Apr 1940- Reynolds, Illinois- Otto finally owns his own home, valued at $1800. He lives with his wife and works as a general repair man at a home garage. 

Otto died at the age of 71 in December 1972. He is buried in the Reynolds Cemetery in Reynolds, Illinois. 

Ruby Mae Henderson

I have been focusing most of my Genealogy-time on family line and I've frankly and sadly gotten bored! So, I'm doing some more digging on my maternal grandmother's side of the family, which has the surname Henderson. 

This is Ruby Mae Henderson, my great-grandmother. 

Ruby was born on 28 Aug 1901 in Tipton County, Indiana and died in Mar 1990 in Carson City, Nevada. 

She was the daughter of John Henry Henderson (1871-1949) and Anna Jane Thornton (1875-1954). 

Ruby married twice- Otto Watson Seaver (1901-1972) and Myron Andrew French (1894-1964). Ruby and Otto had two daughters: Anita and Helen. 


Before today, I only had two pictures of Ruby:

Ruby is on the right. Her daughter Helen is next to her and then the little one is my mom, Bonnie.

Ruby and her second husband Myron French 

I found so many and I am absolutely in love with the picture with her and her dolly and braids! 

Today in My Family History- Week 40

Week of September 28- October 4

A Very Happy Birthday to:

~My Nephew- a "Living Creegan"-- September 28-- 9 years old

A Very Happy Anniversary to: 

~David Purdy Niles & Clarinda Jane Robinson- 
My 3rd Great Grandparents- married on September 28, 1854.

In Loving Memory of: 

~Anna Isabelle Heider (1899-1996)-- 97 years old
My 1st Cousin, 3x Removed.
She was Born on September 28, 1899.


~Mary Virgila "Virgie" Trick (1919-2007)--88 years old
My 2nd Cousin, 2x Removed
She died on September 29, 2007.


~Gesina Jeckering (1779-1816)-- 37 years old
My 5th Great Grand Aunt
She Died on September 29, 1816.


~Gerhard Jeckering (1730-1788)-- 58 years old
My 6th Great Grandfather
He died on September 30, 1788.


~Edmund Louis Trick (1915-1962)-- 47 years old
My 2nd Cousin, 2x Removed
He died on October 01, 1962.


~Celeste Elizabeth Karch (1916-1994)-- 78 years old
My 2nd Cousin, 2x Removed.
She died on October 01, 1994.


~Alma L. Brinkman (1920-1970)-- 50 years old
My 2nd Cousin, 2x Removed.
She died on October 02, 1970.


~Gerhard Brinkman (1898-1898)-- less than a year old
My 1st Cousin, 3x Removed.
He died on October 02, 1898.


~Euphemia Jeckering (1711-1764)-- 53 years old
My 6th Great Grand Aunt
She died on October 02, 1764.


~David Mendenhall (1857-1894)-- 36 years old
My 3rd Great Grand Uncle.
He was born on October 02, 1857.


~John Wesley Henderson (1841-1911)-- 69 years old
My 3rd Great Grandfather
He was born on October 03, 1841.


~Francis Jerome Trick (1929-2005)-- 75 years old
My 2nd Cousin, 2x Removed.
He was born on October 03, 1929.

Today in My Family History: Week 36

Monday, August 31, 2015

In Loving Memory- May they Rest in Peace:

~Joseph Niles (1857-1933)-- 75 Years Old

My 2nd Great Grandfather

He DIED on August 31, 1933.

Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Happy Anniversary to:

~John Henry Henderson & Anna Jane Thornton

My 2nd Great Grandparents

They were married on 01 Sep 1900 in Tipton County, Indiana.

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

A Very Happy Birthday to: 

~My 1st Cousin- a "Living Robertson"-- 46 Years Old

In Loving Memory- May they Rest in Peace:

~Colette Mildred Brinkman (1922-2000)-- 78 Years old

My 2nd Cousin, 2x Removed.

She was born on 02 Sep 1922.

Thursday, September 03, 2015

NONE

Friday, September 04, 2015

Happy Anniversary to:

~Aaron Mendenhall & Christena M. Spielman 

My 4th Great Grandparents

They were married on 04 Sep 1851 in Greenville, Darke, Ohio.

In Loving Memory- May they Rest in Peace:

~Joseph Henry Brinkman (1895-1990)-- 94 Years Old

My 1st Cousin, 3x Removed.

He DIED on 04 Sep 1990.

~Charles Adam Heider (1902-1996)-- 94 Years Old

My 1st Cousin, 3x Removed.

He DIED on 04 Sep 1996.

Saturday, September 05, 2015

NONE

Sunday, September 06, 2015

In Loving Memory- May they Rest in Peace:

~Norma M. Brinkman (1916-1984)-- 68 Years Old

My 2nd Cousin, 2x Removed.

She DIED on Sep 06, 1984.

~Adelheid Jeckering (1716-?) 

My 6th Great Grand Aunt

She was BORN on Sep 06, 1716.

Today in My Family History- June 08

Monday, June 08, 2015

Happy Anniversary to:

~John Wesley Henderson and Malinda Jane Small

My 3rd Great Grandparents

They married on Jun 08, 1862 in Tipton County, Indiana.

A Very Happy Birthday to: 

~My 2nd cousin-- a "Living Jeckering"--22 years old

In Loving Memory- May they Rest in Peace:

~Jean Marie Jeckering Robertson (1948-1996)--47 years old

My Aunt

She died on June 08, 1996 of colon cancer.

She would have been 67 years old.

~Carl Herman Heider (1894-1980)-- 86 years old

He was my 1st cousin, 3x removed.

He DIED on June 08, 1980.

He would have been 121!

~Margaretha Jeckering (1777-1838)-- 60 years old

She was my 6th great aunt.

She was BORN on June 08, 1777.

She would have been 238!!

~Aaron Mendenhall (1828-1894)-- 65 years old

He was my 4th great grandfather

He DIED on June 08, 1894.

He would have been 187!

Today in My Family History-- Week 22 (late)

Monday, May 25, 2015

Happy Anniversary to:

~William Martin Kime & Cynthia Ann Bell

My 3rd Great Grandparents

Married on 25 May 1847

~Lawrence John Brinkman & Elizabeth Johanna Rose

My 1st Cousin, 3x Removed and his Wife

Married on 25 May 1916 in Dayton, Ohio at the Holy Rosary Church.

A Very Happy Birthday to: 

~My Aunt-- a "Living Mendenhall"--

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

NONE

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

In Loving Memory- May they Rest in Peace:

~William Edward Thornton (1852-1907)-- 54 years old

My 3rd Great Grandfather

He DIED on May 27, 1907.

He would have been 163!

~Irene Jeckering (1913-1914)-- 7 months old

My 2nd Great-aunt

She was BORN on May 27, 1913.

She would have been 102!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

In Loving Memory- May they Rest in Peace:

~John Henry Henderson (1871-1949)-- 77 years old

My 2nd Great Grandfather

He was BORN on May 28, 1871.

He would have been 144!

~George Victor Heider (1903-1938)-- 34 years old

My 1st Cousin, 3x Removed

He DIED on May 28, 1938.

He would have been 112!

Friday, May 29, 2015

NONE

Saturday, May 30, 2015

In Loving Memory- May they Rest in Peace:

~Harry Brinkman (1925-1926)-- 11 months old

My 2nd Cousin, 2x Removed

He was BORN on May 30, 1925.

He would have been 90.

~Eliza Mendenhall (1823-1868)---age 45

My 5th Great aunt

She DIED on May 30, 1868.

She would have been 192!

Sunday, May 31, 2015

NONE

Happy Memorial Day 5/25/15

~This is dedicated to all the men and women who lost their lives for this country we call Home~

All the lives in my family tree who lost their lives during war (that I know of- I'm sure there's more, but I have a lot more research still to do!)

Civil War:

~Eli Abernathy (1841-1861)- 20 years old- Died in Battle

~Fielding Abernathy (1835-1861)-26 years old- Died in Battle

~Edwin B. Mendenhall (1837-1861)- 24 Years Old- Died in Battle- Virginia 

WWI:

~William Grover Huffstetler (1892-1918)- 26 Years Old

~Charles Mendenhall (1875-1916)- 40 Years Old- Thiepal, France

WWII:

~George Benjamin Allen (1925-1944)-19 years old- France

~Carl R. Mendenhall (1913-1944)- 31 Years Ago- Germany

~Donald V. Treat (1918-1943)- 25 Years Old

These are people who died in battle/in a war, but not an American-involved war:

Battle at Flodden Field 
Battle between Scotland & England on 09 Sep 1513
Near Branxton, Northumberland, England

~James Henderson (1482-1513)- 31 Years Old

~James 1st Baron of Fordell (1450-1513) (Kings Advocate) Henderson- 63 Years old

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh 
Battle between Scottish and English Armies on 10 Sep 1547
Musselburgh, Lothian, Scotland

~William 2nd Lord of Fordell Henderson (1520-1547)- 27 Years Old

~Alexander 2nd Laird Scott (1497-1547)- 42 Years Old

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks- Week 50-- Anita M. Seaver (1922-1957)

Anita M. Seaver- My Grand Aunt

b. 05 Jun 1922 in Indiana

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

Siblings: 
1. Helen Ruth Seaver (1923-1981)

Anita's story has definitely been a journey to research!  

In 1930, Anita and her sister Helen were living with their maternal grandparents in Cicero, Indiana. Their parents had gotten divorced sometime before 1930. Their father- Otto was living in Reynolds, Illinois with a new wife- Grace and I couldn't locate their mother Ruby in the 1930 census. 

                             

By the 1940 census, I couldn't find Anita, her sister or their mother. Their grandparents were living by themselves in Cicero, Indiana and their father Otto was still living in Reynolds, Illinois with Grace. 

I don't know anything about her first husband, but his last name was Quist and they had two daughters- Tina Elizabeth (b. 1948) and Montie (b. 1955)- they both took their step-father's name of Montgomery- Clifford Montgomery. 

The tragedy in Anita's story is her death. On April 12, 1957, at 2 am, the family were driving in Carson City, NV and were in a car accident. Anita died instantly, the other drive- Ronald Frank Malestin (age 22) died on the way to the hospital and Anita's daughter Tina died the next day after surgery from brain injuries. Anita's husband- Clifford and her daughter Montie only received minor injuries. Here is the newspaper article: 

A day later, Anita's 8 year old daughter died from injuries of the accident- here's what an article from the Reno Evening Gazette said on April 15, 1957:

8-year Old Dies

Eight-year-old Tina Montgomery of Reno died Saturday night at Carson as the result of Auto injuries which also took the life of her mother and another driver early Saturday on the Carson-Reno Rd. 

Both Anita and her daughter Tina are buried in the Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City, Nevada.