Wednesday's Portrait

Happy Wednesday!

So, I've decided to change my Wednesday post from "Wednesday's Child" to "Wednesday's Portrait"...I originally got the child idea from another blog- where they would post pictures of children's gravestones. I thought it was a neat idea and then I realized, I didn't have very many pictures!

Today's Portrait-

Ann Brinkman Karch
b. 27 Feb 1892     Ohio
d. 08 Aug 1936     Dayton, Ohio

How she's related to me-

Ann's parents were Louis Heinrich Brinkman (1866-1922) & Elizabeth Jeckering (1861-1957).
Elizabeth was my 2nd great grand aunt.

                     

I don't know the year this photo was taken, but it looks like she's in her early- mid- twenties, so probably around 1920 or later. 

Everything about Ann's outfit is stylish for the times- the dress, her hair, her shoes...all very fitting. I think what would top this off would be if she were wearing a hat! :)  

Tuesday's Tip- Genealogy tip for beginners

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Welcome to my first post for Tuesday's Tip! Today's tip is more of a "rule," however, I think it is an important one for people who are just starting their genealogical journey. 

OK, so you're eager and ready to start researching your family history...you have your paper, pens, computer, software, genealogy sites, etc. But where do you start FIRST? NONE of that! 

First things first- you always ask your family. Talk to your parents, your grandparents, your great grandparents (if they are still living). Write everything down that they tell you. Ask them as many questions that you think of-

Where were they born?
Where did they grow up?
What high school or college did they attend?
Who were their parents?
Who were their grandparents/great grandparents, etc?
Ask them to tell you stories of their childhood.

Since I've started doing my own family history (6+years), I've learned SO much about my family and some of it- the stuff I've found out through my own relatives- I wouldn't have been able to find out online or in a library! Ask these questions now, before these important people are gone and that opportunity is missed.

Mappy Monday- Following my Ancestors Steps

Happy Monday!

Welcome to the first Mappy Monday blog post!

Introduction: In the first several "Mappy Monday" posts, I will follow the path that my ancestors followed. My mother's name- Mendenhall- originated in Mildenhall, England, so that's where I'm going to start! :)



Mappy Monday: Mildenhall, England

My maternal grandfather's family- the Mendenhall's- came from Mildenhall, England. Mildenhall is a small town in Suffolk, England with a lot of history. The population (2001 Census) is 10,315. 

Mildenhall is known for the location of the Royal Air Force base (RAF) but it's also a market town. The town center has its 16th century hexagonal Market cross which was used for hanging criminals years ago, as well as the town pump. Piped water wasn't available to the town until the 1940's. 

The market is held there every Friday and was established by the Royal Charter in 1412 which offers fruits, vegetables, clothing, tools and many more. 

Source(s): http://www.visitmildenhall.co.uk/#/mildenhall/4535329506

New Schedule and New Additions!

Hey There!

I will be adding more posts to my blog- starting this week!

This will be my schedule if you’re interested in reading!

Mondays- Mappy Monday

Tuesdays- Tuesday’s Tip

Wednesdays- Wednesday’s Child

Thursdays- 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Fridays- Friday Funny

Saturdays- Surname Saturday

Sundays- OFF J

Also, if you enjoy reading my blog, please subscribe and comment! J

ENJOY!

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 7

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 7   (update at the bottom)

Ruth E. Mendenhall (1927- ?)- My great aunt

Birth:           16 Jan 1927           Dayton, Ohio

Death:           Unknown              Rumored- California

                  Age: Unknown

Parents:       Earl Dwight Mendenhall (1894-1972) &

                              Edna Grace Miles (1894-1934)

Siblings:    

          Harold Earl Mendenhall (1916-1989)

          Robert Eugene Mendenhall (1919-1993)

         

Residences:

1930  (Age 3)        2260 Catalpa Dr, Dayton, Ohio

1940  (Age 13)      129 E. Orchard Springs, Harrison, Dayton, Ohio

Disowned:

When Ruth was 14, she was disowned by her family. The reasons are unknown because nobody would discuss it, but it rumored that she was pregnant. Her family burned all of the family pictures that included her. Only one picture was found- it had fallen behind a dresser. She was never heard from again after she left home.

In the 70's, someone in the family tracked her down with a private investigator. She was found living in California, married to a doctor. She told the investigator she wanted nothing to do with the family.

This is the only picture we have of Ruth. It is from her 3^rd grade picture in 1935 at the Shiloh Springs School in Dayton Ohio. Ruth is in the middle row, 4^th one in from the left- she has a mischievous smile on her face J

The Shiloh Springs School was located at 5816 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio. It was demolished in August 2012.

Death:

If Ruth is still alive today, she would be 87 years old.



Update: Dec 2, 2016- found more information- read Here

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 6

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 6

~Most of my genealogy work is on my paternal grandparents and maternal grandparents, mainly because my husband’s tree is some-what difficult because of the last name SMITH- very difficult to trace. However, throughout these 52 weeks, I do have a couple of Smith’s that I’m going to be writing about J

Francis Morse Smith (1920-1985)- My husband’s grandfather

(a.k.a.- Dr. Walter Morse Smith)

Dr. Walter M. Smith

Birth:           21 Mar 1920         Oakland, Alameda, California

Death:          17 Jul 1985           La Mesa, San Diego, California

                    Age: 65

Parents:       Walter Allen Smith (1884-1926) &

                              Violet Claire Brown (1879-1965)

Siblings:    

Francis had 1 older brother- Walter Allen Smith Jr. (1918-?)

Walter Sr., and sons

Behind the name change:

Francis started going by Walter in grade school when his father died. I don’t know if ever legally changed it to Walter, but since he basically took his brother’s name, Walter Jr. went by his middle name, Allen.

         

Residences:

1920 (birth):         Oakland, California

1930 (age 10):       Mecca, Riverside, California

1945 (age 25):      Berkeley, Alameda, California

1945 (age 25):      Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska

1948 (age 28):      San Diego, California

1985 (age 65):      La Mesa, San Diego, California

Eagle Scout:

Walter received his Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts about 1933 at the age of 13. He was honored and in the local newspaper for his profound achievement.

Eagle Scount- age 13

Education:

Walter graduated from UC Berkeley and then graduated from medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 1945.

Walter at Creighton University

Military:

After graduating from medical school, Walter used his talents as a flight surgeon in the Army Air Corp during World War II.

Family:

Walter married on 19 Jun 1948 in San Diego, California. (Bride’s name is disclosed because she is still alive). They had 3 sons- Walter, Paul and David.

Walter and his bride on their wedding day- Love this picture

More pictures of Walter:

 I unfortunately didn't get to meet Walter, but he seemed like a very ambitious and hard working individual. 

Death:

At the young age of 65, Walter died in 1985 due to a pulmonary embolus due to a cerebral hemorrhage due to diabetic atherosclerosis.

Burial:

Walter is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in La Mesa, San Diego, California.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 5

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 5

I originally had a different ancestor planned for this week, but realized that today is my grandmother’s birthday- so I changed it in honor of her! She would be 88 today if she were still alive.

Dorothy Jean Hendricks (1926-2010)- My Paternal Grandmother

Birth:           09 Jun 1926           Jeffersonville, Indiana

Death:           02 Aug 2010         Dayton, Ohio

                    Age: 84

Parents:       Isaac Hendricks Jr. (1883-1942) &

                              Myrtle May Hyman (1884-1953)

Dorothy's 7th great grandfather- Hendrick Daniel Hendrickson (1636-1677) immigrated to America from the Netherlands. 

Siblings:    

Dorothy was the youngest of 10 children!

          Edna Viola

          Harry Oliver         (1903-1971)

          Grace                     (1904-1917)

          Ida Pauline            (1906-1975)

          Mary Kathaleena  (1908-1976)

          Catherine Virginia (1913-1989)

          Charles Woodrow   (1917-1973)

          Edna Viola            (1919-1919)

          Melvin Clifford     (1920-2002)

         

Residences:

1930 (age 4) - 201 Bainbridge ST., Dayton, Ohio

1940 (age 14) - 66 S. Terry St., Dayton, Ohio

1954 (age 28) - 336 N. Upland Ave, Dayton, Ohio

1956 (age 30) - 5080 Lemoyne Dr., Dayton, Ohio
1966 (age 40) - 1138 Demphie Ave, Dayton, Ohio

Dorothy with her Kindergarten teacher

Dorothy- 1950s

Dorothy with three of her sisters

(from left to right) Dorothy, Catherine, Mary and Ida

Family:

Marriage 1: 02 Aug 1947 in Dayton, Ohio.  (my grandfather)

          Paul George Jeckering

          19 May 1925- 11 Jan 1954

Dorothy and Paul on their wedding day- 02 Aug 1947

Children: Dorothy and Paul had 4 children- (all names disclosed because they are still living)- 2 girls and 2 boys.

Christmas 1953

Marriage 2: 11 Feb 1956 in Dayton Ohio.

          John Potchik

          30 Jan 1926- 15 Mar 1988

Dorothy and John on their wedding day- 11 Feb 1956

Children: Dorothy and John had 4 more children together- 4 boys.

Dorothy, John and 7 of the kids

Death:

Dorothy lost a long fight to Colon Cancer on 02 Aug 2010, at the age of 84.

Burial:

Dorothy and her husband John are buried together in Valley View Memorial Gardens in Xenia, Greene, Ohio- in the Prayer Garden, Lot 124- B, Space 1 & 2.