Proximidade Award

I have been given this award 3 times by Janet the Researcher, George Geder and footnoteMaven.
I have stolen footnoteMavens graphic and put it here. She is so good at it I can't help myself!

by footnoteMaven :o)

I have chosen these blogs to pass the award too!

Digging Up Your Roots

The Lucas Countyan

Janet's Genealogy Blog

Renee's Genealogy Blog

Genealogy Lines

iPentimento|Genealogy and More

ANCESTOR HUNTING

Genealogy - Diggin up Dirt

I Hope You Had A Great Day!

I did!
Merry Christmas!

Welcome to Our Christmas - Christmas Tour of Blogs

Here I am, ready to welcome you. All dressed up with the itchy petticoats. It's 1960 and I am almost 6. I'm off to sing in the choir at the Christmas Program. Come on in and I'll tell you about Christmas' past and present.
I bought these icicles in 1973 at a mall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was on a trip to visit my Aunt and Uncle who lived there. I love Milwaukee. Love the foghorns, the lake and the excitement of the city. My eldest daughter was 8 months old.

This ornament was on that 1960 tree. It is one of the ornaments I have kept, a memory from my childhood. We had happy Christmas'. I crocheted a bunch of snowflakes one year. They made the cut this time and are on the tree.

My youngest daughter made me a set of these beaded ornaments several years ago. They catch the light nicely. I think she did a wonderful job.

This ornament was on my parents first tree. I was always fascinated by these. As a child I loved the way the light caught them.
Well I could go on and on, and show a thousand photos, but I won't. You'd go away before I was finished.

So, from my home to yours. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

from Cali and the rest of us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Have a very Merry Christmas!

written for: Christmas Tour of Blogs

Blog Caroling? OK. Me, too!

This song was sung every Christmas at our church when I was growing up. It was a particular favorite of my grandmothers'.

What Child is This?
William Chatterton Dix - 1865

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Christmas 1958

This was Christmas 1958. I was almost 4. Some of the ornaments on this tree I still have. I keep them put away most of the time. This year, I am not hiding them. The name of this years tree is, 'Through the Years'. I put away the fancy ones and got out the old ones. Ornaments from my childhood and my children's childhood.

My brother was one in '58. You can see his presents. This photo must have been taken before we got out of bed. I can assure you it was not that neat after we got a hold of everything. I remember all those toys.

My brother was a real pain. Funny though. I would have missed him terribly if he had gone away. It's a lot more fun having a fellow explorer.

Tis the Season. . .

Well the season is here like it or not. But I'm actually feeling different this year. Unusual. I feel a strong longing for the rituals and celebrations of my childhood. The faith of my ancestors. I don't understand that. I have had my own way of doing things for a long time. I have not had that longing before. I find myself missing the marking of the seasons. Missing the Nativity. Missing all the things I thought I had put behind me. So what is different this year? I miss the communion with the sacred. The silent, holiness of the night, the still waiting, the quiet joy. I miss the voices of the past. There was an excitement and hopefulness in those days that I have lost in the passing of time. Why do I miss those things this year?

It's cold outside. Sounds like the beginning of a song. I can't believe it has been this long since I've blogged. Between being busy and a new mystery allergy, the time just flew past and I seem to have slept through. I may get into decorating for the holidays later. I used to be eager. I have noticed since my Dad died I have more trouble getting excited about it. I mailed out my out-of-state cards yesterday. So I'm beginning to feel it. I need to get involved in something Christmasy. I've always called it Yule in my house for many years, but we celebrate it the way I grew up celebrating. I love it all. Ok, I am feeling better about it. :o)

Eight Things About Me ... I've been tagged!

I was tagged by Jessica over at Jessica's Genejournal.
The rules for this meme are:

1. Each player starts with eight random fact/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. A the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their name.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and to read your blog.

-------------------------------------

1. I am interested in the paranormal and spirituality. Ok, it borders on obsession. I've been interested from a very young age. I've had a lot of experiences that have kept my interest high.

2. I like order around me. I am uncomfortable without it. I wish I could work in the middle of a mess. . . . . . ok so I don't really. I don't understand how people can work that way :o)

3. I'd like to write a book someday. Of course that is not a big shocker! Don't all of us hope to put down our ancestors stories? One day, if I live long enough. I do have an interesting format I would like to use with a twist!

4. I love creating web pages. I also love being a County Coordinator. I always wanted to be a CC. I learned how to make a basic page. Nothing else. When my county came up for adoption I applied. I didn't think I would even be considered. I was 'hired'. So I had to go on a html binge. I fell asleep on the books. I took every free course. I was terrified. I loved every minute. I have only my own county now. I still love it.

5. I hate 'girly' movies. I don't go to a theater because I tend to lose interest and want to wander off and work on something in the middle. I don't like gore either. I love those old Japanese sci-fi. You know the ones. Badly dubbed, motorcyle helmets without the shield, going to the moon sitting in lawn chairs, foil covered boxes as instruments. . . . .ok that is my secret. Old, bad sci-fi. Oh yes, I am a trekker. (I believe Picard was No.1, ok?)

6. I quilt. I have made many quilts, big and small. I don't do it so much anymore. My hands don't like to do it as much as I do.

7. I don't like to travel. We traveled so much when I was a child I think I burned out early.

8. I don't like to shop. I shop because I have to, not because I want to. My sister loves to shop. She thinks I'm nuts. She's probably right....


I am tagging . . . . . .

Msteri at Heritage Happens

Lee at The I Seek Dead People Blog

Janet at The Chart Chick

Cat at Diggin Up Dirt

Lori at Smoky Mountain Family Historian

T.K. at Before My Time

Shannon at AncestralSpace

Ruby at Genealogy Works

New Week - Adding New Information

In starting a new week I am trying to get a lot of new information added. This is going to be a week of adding new people and sources. I've been putting it off for a while, now it's time. This data involves my Alexander, Allman, Hovis and Bohall lines. I really find these lines interesting. Just recently though, I was sent a photo of my Henry Hovis. I didn't know there was a photo of him in existence so it was quite a delightful surprise! The same person sent me a photo of the grave of Henry Sr., father to the above Henry. What a great contact!! Hovis contact has been few and far between. Unfortunately, I have not made contact with any Bohalls. I would love to find contacts there.

So, my week is spoken for. . .

I do hope to have time to blog. I have not had the time lately. The weather has been so messed up that I have a headache full time now. One day it's 60 and the next 34. Hard to get used to.

Hoping for a good, productive week!!

Ermil R. Trapp - A TwigTale

Ermil R. Trapp
Born: August 28, 1923
Died: September 15, 1944 France
Buried: Marion Cemetery, Jackson County, Indiana
------------------------------------------
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
Ermil served in General Patton's 735th Tank Battalion in a light tank. He was killed in the Battle of Metz, France in September 1944.

Ermil Trapp Dies in Action September 15
Local Soldier Was Serving With Tank Group in France - Widow Gets Word

Technician Fifth Grade Ermil R. Trapp, age 21, was killed in action September 15, according to a telegram received late Sunday afternoon by his wife, Mrs. Joyce L. Trapp, 620 Euclid Avenue.

"The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your husband, Technician Fifth Grade Ermil R. Trapp, was killed in action on September 15th in France. Letter follows," read the telegram, signed by J.A. Ulio, adjutant general.

Sgt. Trapp entered the service on January 8, 1943, receiving his training at Fort Lewis, Wash., as a member of a tank battalion. He had served overseas since February 1 of this year. Mrs. Trapp's last letter from her husband was dated September 6.

Lived at Chestnut Ridge.

Born in Jennings county, T.5 Trapp was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Trapp, of Chestnut Ridge, six miles south of this city. He spent most of his life in the Chestnut Ridge community, attending school there. He was employed throughout the county on various farms and also worked at Camp Atterbury before entering the armed forces.

T.5 Trapp was widely known both in this city and throughout the county and a host of friends join with relatives in mourning his death.

Survivors include the widow, the former Miss Joyce Jaynes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Jaynes, with who she makes her home; a fourteen-months-old daughter, Judy Kay Trapp; the parents; five sisters, Mrs. Fern Russell, of Beanblossom, and Marjorie, Carol, Vivian and Phyllis Trapp, all of Chestnut Ridge; and three brothers, all of whom are in service. Ernest Trapp and Murrel Trapp, both serving overseas in England or France, and Donald Trapp, serving on a Navy destroyer in the South Seas.
~frontpage: Seymour Daily Tribune, Seymour, Indiana


Brick at the Veteran's Memorial - Seymour, Indiana

-------------------------------------------------

Grave photo: owned and taken by Tina Brock Smith
Photo: in possession of Former Judy Kay Trapp
Obit: original in my possession
Brick Photo: owned and taken by Sheri Bush
for: Veteran's Day Post 2008

I have 2 step-nephews and 1 full nephew serving right now. One already had several tours in the US Navy and is stateside now. Two will soon be going.

Oh, Baby! Huh?

This is it?

I thought I'd add a photo of me. Showing my attitude toward life. Confused. I still have this expression most of the time.

Wish I still had that stroller! Notice the bumpers? Is that rubber baby buggy bumpers??

Submitted for:
Smile for the Camera
10 November, 2008

Henry Hovis - A TwigTale

Henry W. Hovis was born on July 1, 1840 in Noble County, Ohio and he died June 11, 1935 in Nashville, (Brown County) Indiana. He was the son of Henry Hovis and Sarah Hogg. On July 9, 1864 he married Elizabeth Ellen. Bohall in Brown County, Indiana.
Elizabeth, daughter of George David Bohall and Catherine E. Draper, was born June 17, 1844 in Jackson County, Indiana and died July 17, 1897.

This is an entry in *1886: History of Jackson County, Indiana. Brant and Fuller.
MARTIN GROVE CHURCH.

This church was organized March 15, 1878, three miles
northeast of Clear Spring. Members: Prudy Elkins, Sarah
Martin, Martha Scott, Hanna Scott, Nancy Cobb, Ollie Winein-
ger, W. A. Williams, Sarah Williams, Mary B. Smith, John C.
Bowman, Adaline Bowman, Martin Beavers, Mary A. Beavers,
Henry Hovis, Elizabeth Hovis and William Paris; ministers:
Elders R. J. Gorbet, David Sexton, J. R. McCoy, J. W. Maynard
and H. Hovis.

As you can see, Henry is also listed as a minister.

They had 4 children: Seth, Mary C., Margaret C. and Martha Jane. Margaret C. Hovis is my great-great-grandmother. My grandmother spoke of her often and said she was her favorite person. Seth was divorced by his wife for violent behavior and died in the County Farm in Independence, Missouri . I have not found Mary or Martha yet.

The church no longer stands.

------------------------------------------

*Title: History of Jackson County
Publisher: Chicago: Brant & Fuller 1886
Page: 424
Jackson County Public Library/History Resources Online
http://www.jacksoncountyhistory.org/books/index.asp?book=brantfuller&page=424

The GraveYard Rabbit

I'm proud to say I am now a member of The Association of Graveyard Rabbits. The new blog is The GraveYard Rabbit of Jackson County, Indiana.

BOO!

Have a delightfully ghoulish Halloween

Was It Fact or Fiction?

Well, it was evenly split, 3 fact and 3 fiction. That's not leaning one way or the other. So, I guess it's time to tell you the truth.


This is George Thomas Jaynes, better known as 'Old Tom'. He was my maternal great-grandfather. Writing the story was not hard to do. It flowed. Funny, I could hear my grandmother's voice as I wrote. You see, the story is true. I interviewed many in the early days. They all told pretty much the same story, only their own eye-witness accounts were a little different. Everything I wrote was fact. There was more that I did not write because I knew that you would not believe it all.

My curiosity about this man has not waned at all. I am stuck on his grandfather, David Jaynes of Metcalf County, KY. So I know little more about his background than I did when I began.


So, are you surprised or disappointed?

I've Been Tagged

I was tagged by Taylorstales-Genealogy. So here goes.

Ten Years Ago, I Was:
1. Babysitting my first grand-daughter a lot!
2. Recovering.
3. Worked with my Dad for a while.
4. Sewing, sewing, sewing.
5. Caring for my daughter.


Five Places I Have Lived:
1. RR #2
2. Ninth Street
3. Laurel Street
4. Brownstown, Indiana
5. South Ave.


I've not gone far from here for sure!

Five Jobs I Have Had:
1. Burger Chef (long gone)
2. Van's Music Store (long gone)
3. Local Hospital
4. Electronics Factory
5. Nursing Home


Five Snacks I Enjoy:
1. Mike-Sells Zesty Barbecue Chips
2. graham crackers
3. Koshier Dills
4. Cheese
5. Cheerios (plain, few calories and good for you!)


Five Things on Today's To-Do List:
1. Finish template for census
2. laundry
3. take care of at least 10 sources
4. do at least 2 pages 1920 census
5. do some pre-publishing

I can't find anyone who hasn't been tagged. . . so if you are reading this.......YOU'RE IT!!!!

Tomorrow I will reveal whether Old Tom was fact or fiction!

The Eyes of Old Tom.

When I first started researching my family, I was really looking for an answer to an old question. It was just curiosity. I only wanted to know where he was from and why. Why was everyone afraid of him? And why did they call him 'Old Tom' long before he was old? My own mother said she never looked into his eyes. "They were strange eyes" she often said. "A funny milky blue that looked through you."
Now my grandma lived with Old Tom and his wife Cora when she and grandpa first married. Grandma loved Cora. She said she was the warmest woman she'd ever met. She also laughed about Cora's famous temper. Seems she never had a full set of china because it became her weapon of choice when she was mad.
But it wasn't Cora I wanted to know about. It was Old Tom. When they spoke about him, they spoke in whispers, as though he might be listening. Perhaps he was. He died the month after I was born, so I never knew him, though Mother said he did hold me once. I have to admit that I had never heard them whispering about him until I was a teenager. It wasn't a thing to speak of in front of children.
Seems Old Tom was called a witch, mostly because they didn't know what else to call him. He always seemed to know what was coming. But there were other things too. The rapping. Not music, you understand. Knocking on the walls, from some other world unseen to us. But the thing that scared people most was the power he seemed to have over objects. He would lay a hand on a table and it would 'walk'. Kept the neighbors scared, I hear. He often did these things when people he didn't care for came to visit. He didn't have many of those kinds of visitors, I can tell you. People were scared of Old Tom. They thought him a witch or a devil.
One clear, beautiful day he was making a table walk when suddenly the window was blown apart by a bolt of hot, white light and the table was struck and burned. Old Tom was scared that time. Scared enough to rethink some things. Misuse of power? Waste of talent? I only know what my grandma told me about that. Old Tom thought he had wasted his power. He said he was wrong to scare folks. He understood some things better, but he'd not tell her about them. She was better not to know. He never again tried to scare people. He never again walked a table.
But, right up to his death he talked about how he wished the spirits would leave him be. The rapping never went away. The spirits were always trying to get his attention. My grandma felt sorry for him. Many people I talked to thought he was evil. I just wish I could have met him. I want to find all of his family. Where did he get his abilities? Was it a family trait?
Funny though. My curiosity about him led me to this place today. My habit, genealogy. I'd have never started my research had it not been for him.

Is it Fact or Fiction?

Written for Carnival of Genealogy - 58th Edition

Kind Of A Drag . . .

. . . . or is it? Could it be 4 really homely women :^) Sorry. This is another 'orphan' photo. As I thumbed through the stack I thought hats, I must check them out more carefully. When I went back, boy was I surprised! I didn't catch it first time around. The middle two are a little more creative than the other 2. A wig and a purse! I will never identify them. Wish I could. What would a researcher say, I wonder, if I said I have a photo of your grandpa?
Actually I could just have easily posted a drag photo of my own. I have one of my grandfather and his friend hamming it up like this too. It must have been all the rage in the early decades of the 20th century.

What appropriate timing.

^..^Trick or Treat!^..^

Submission to:
6th EDITION
Smile For The Camera

Dad's Quilt

My dad wanted me to make him a quilt. We poured over books and patterns, discussed color schemes and fabrics. He finally chose the "Maple Leaf" pattern which I put on point. He wanted a scrappy quilt in more blues and fall-like colors. He loved the quilt when it was finished. I gave it to him in 2000. I took the photo above a couple months ago. My step-mother returned it to me when he passed away in 2006.

The Wm. H. Alexander Family

William Hays Alexander was born May 11, 1880 in Jackson County, Indiana, and died October 10, 1928 in Seymour, Indiana. He was the son of John and Amanda (Atkins) Alexander. He married Olive Ellen Martin, daughter of Samuel Martin and Margaret Hovis. She was born December 25, 1885 in Jackson County, Indiana, and died January 21, 1975 in Seymour, Indiana.


Children of William Alexander and Olive Martin are:



Della Mae Alexander, born September 4, 1904 and died June 6, 1996 in Seymour, Jackson County, Indiana. She married James Jaynes.







Gladys Alexander, born March 30, 1907 and died Jan 1973 in California. She married Joseph A. Taylor.








Merril Harris Alexander, born September 11, 1909 and died November 6, 1931 in Seymour, Indiana. He married Bertha Manning.








Lucille D. Alexander, born 20 October 20, 1913 and died in April of 1987 in Seymour, Indiana. She married Arthur Gerth.







Opal Louise Alexander, born 16 January 16, 1916 and died 16 May 16 1948 in Seymour, Indiana. She married Woodrow R. Bush.








William H Alexander, born June 12, 1919 and died January 15, 1971 in Seymour, Indiana. He married Lois Lee Plumer.






Norma Alexander, born 05 October 5, 1922 and died May 16, 1993 in Seymour, Indiana. She married Eugene Wright.

Della's Quilts

My grandmother loved pink. She also loved sewing and gardening. She could get anything to grow.

I own a large bed quilt that she made. As a child I would stay with her and sleep under it. It has that very familiar feel. There were originally 2 of them. I think the other has probably been destroyed, but I am not sure.

Below are 2 items that she created and I proudly now keep safe.



This is the pink quilt. It is full size and has a thin batt. It is also in very good shape. It was made in the very late 1940's or the very early 1950's.

This is the quilt my grandmother made for me and my dolls. It is all handmade. I know it was given to me when I was about 3. I am 54. She taught me how to sew and crochet. I will always have that.

A Cemetery Visit

I've been so busy lately that I have not had much time to blog. Allergies are bad right now, too.
Yesterday my sister and I went to visit and clean up my dads grave. I am always in a 'mood' after that. We also ran by the gr-grandparents graves on the way home. I didn't have much time, but I got photos of all the old stones that had broken and fallen since last time. Each time I will fill my card/camera with photos until they are all photographed.
Both are small country cemeteries. My dad is atop a knob overlooking the 'holler' in Cummins Cemetery. He was born in Alabama in the mountains. He had spent his last years in the area and said it reminded him of home. I wish he was closer to town as we can't get out there as often as we'd like, but I know he loved the area. The gr-grandparents cemetery, Chestnut Ridge, is larger, and had lost a couple trees in the storm. It's not as isolated, but still quite a ways out of town.
I enjoy walking through cemeteries. Nice way to end a busy day.

Bizzie's Quilts

Bizzie Lee [Beard] Brock made all of these. When she made them is probably fuzzy but I am sure she made them all before the move to Indiana from Alabama. So that would be pre-1951. They are all in bad shape, some worse than others. But they were all used. A lot. My dad told me of the quilting bees and how they pulled out the cotton to make the batts. You can still find cotton seeds that they missed in some of the quilts.
This one is the fanciest one she made. I think she actually bought fabric to make this one. So it would have been for something special. I wish I knew the history!
This one almost matches. That one block throws it off. It's a small quilt and it is in very bad shape. I believe because of its size it is most likely one of the childrens quilts. Because of the color I would say one of the girls.
This thing weighs a ton! The fabric you see was added later when the original quilt was in really bad shape. She didn't throw it away, she simply recovered it. She also took the time to re-quilt it. She bulked it up with a flannel lining. The thing is heavy. A small child would not be able to move under this thing! It was obviously covered with scraps from other projects. I can't tell what the original design was without further damaging the quilt. This is the quilt I have the most questions about!
I am building my museum/artifact pages for my site, FamilyTwigs. When I have it up and running all the stats on the quilts will be listed; such as size, fabric types, more detailed photos and damage. I also try to date them all.

Regrets, I've Had a Few. . . . . . .

I'm still working on photos. I will probably be working on photos for the rest of my life!
When I first got a computer it had Windows 98. Good program. But, as often happens, you get a new computer, you get a new OS. I got Windows ME. Oh my. It was so awful. I crashed with nauseating regularity. The first time I lost a lot. I quickly learned a new term. Backup. That was such an awful OS. Crashed about every 4 months like clockwork and hung daily. Then along came XP. Breath of fresh air. Though, I don't agree that it was the greatest ever, I'm just sure it seemed to be the greatest ever after having ME. :0) At any rate, I had a scanner. It worked with 98, ME and XP. It had 3 settings, 100, 200 or 300 dpi. It scanned JPG. I was happy, even though I didn't know what JPG or 100, 200 or 300 dpi was. The how-to book consisted of pictures of how to plug it into the computer, and how to push the button. So, this is how most of my photos were scanned. One could say blindly.
But, as you know, nothing lasts forever. Get a new system, end up with a new OS. I got Vista. Now, I have no complaints about Vista at all. I personally feel it is better than XP. I really like it. But my scanner would no longer work. So, I went over to the site to update the drivers. Bad news! They hadn't been updated since 2002. It was discontinued, of course. So I was forced to go get a new scanner.
I bought a 3-in-one. It is a little more complicated than the one I had. It actually has a learning curve :o) My old Memorex scanner had a button. You said 100, 200 or 300 dpi and pushed it. Now I have choices of file types, and the dpi is endless. And it has all kinds of little fixes. Quite an improvement. Took some practice too. I still accidentally learn a new trick now and then. A large number of photos I have since rescanned. Many I will not be able to rescan.
Now I have all these photos to tag and change into a safe format (.tif). Gigs of them. But I will hack away at them until they are done. Big job though.
I bet everyone has something they did in the beginning that they wish they had done differently. I wish I'd kept more careful notes and learned to cite sources right in the beginning. Wish I'd took scanning 101.

I've Been Tagged!

Well, I just found out that there is something besides my cold going around :o)
Becky over at kinexxions has tagged me. I don't think I've been tagged before. I am honored.







The rules associated with this particular tagging thingy are that the tagged blogger

• can put the logo on his/her blog
• must link to the person who gave the award
• must nominate seven other blogs and link to them
• must leave a comment on each of the nominated blogs

I have seen this tag on several of the better known blogs so I have chosen the ones I haven't seen it on. I love and read all the better knowns, but I tune in at these as well [in alphabetical order]:

The Family Curator by Denise
FamilyMatters by Denise Olson
Generations Gone By’s Weblog by generationsgoneby
Genealogy - Diggin up Dirt by Cat
Granite in My Blood by Midge Frazel
Heritage Happens by Msteri
Taneya’s Genealogy Blog by Taneya

Glorious Hats! - Crowning Glory

I've decided to post hats. Not my family, I'm afraid. I have tons of photos of unknowns. Sad, but true. Here are some wonderful ladies that do not deserve to be forgotten.

Ladies, heads up, you're on!

Strange hats. . . . .

big hats. . . . .

pert hats. . . . .

Traveling hats. . . . . .

and now, for the finale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

a tin-type, prim hat. Doesn't she look interesting? I wonder who she is. Do you think it's just what they wore? Or is it Quaker? They were in this area. Anyway, I think she is beautiful.

Written for: 5th Edition of Smile For The Camera
Sep 13, 2008
Crowning Glory

Suddenly Busy

I don't know why, but things always heat up all at once. Lately it's been hot! I have had 3 new contacts about 3 different lines just in a week. My Morgan, Hovis and Hogg families. I love it!
I also don't know why, but I have either a monster cold or allergy outbreak of biblical proportions. :o( Ok. So it's not like a plague. Or is it? So I'm a little [lot] cranky and tired. Everytime I turn on the TV I want to throw stuff at it. How long before it's over? November??? [sigh] Weeeee.
Good news. There is a Storm Watch in the counties to the north and west of me. We may get rain. This is exciting news. I want thunder. I want pouring rain. It's been a long time since we got more than sprinkles. I am hoping!
I can't talk anymore...my throat hurts. [cough] [cough]
LOL

John H Alexander

John H. Alexander (son of Thomas) was born 1803 in Ky, and died August 18, 1886 in St. Louis, Missouri. He married 1.Judah Northern December 25, 1828 in Washington County, Indiana. He married 2.Mary Frances Carter[Lucas] January 16, 1841 in Jackson County, Indiana.

Isaac Alexander, b 1850 I believe he died as a child.
John Alexander, b. November 15, 1842, Indiana; d. August 4, 1904, Seymour, Jackson County, Indiana.
Mahala Alexander, b. 1844, Indiana.
Louisa Alexander, b. 1847, Indiana; m. Ephram Wilson, October 27, 1867, Jackson County, Indiana.

My biggest interest right now is finding more information about Judah Northern. About Judah I know little, except that she died before January 16, 1841. I believe she was born in Kentucky though I cannot prove it. I also believe they had at least one child, a son.

Mary Frances was married first to Joel Lucas on July 20, 1826 in Clark County, IN. She liked to call herself Frankie, and it is listed that way on the marriage record. I had always assumed that Joel had died but communication with other researchers has indicated that maybe they were divorced. I know they had at least one child. In the 1840 census of Jackson County she is listed as 30-40 with a male of 5-10 in the household. She and John remained very close to Lucas family members, often listed as a Lucas in the household at the time of a census, so I really don't believe the divorce was a reality. I grew up knowing that Lucas was family.

Show and Tell . . . . Hidden Treasure

Ok, so I will show trash. At least it was supposed to be trash. It was thrown away. My father picked it out of the trash and brought it to me after his mother, my grandmother, died. He said that his mom had wrote in it and he thought surely it was more important to me than to the ones that threw it away. It had lost it's front and back cover in the process. Looked pretty rough, but then diamonds aways look rough at first. And this was a diamond! Pure treasure.

As you can see it is in very bad shape. Very delicate. But it did survive.
She used this book like a scrapbook. She wrote in bubbles about her family. From accidents and illnesses to births and deaths. She recorded the day of the week everything happend, not just the date. Every space is utilized. The last entry was in 1973. It was the birth of my first child.
But that wasn't the only treasure inside. I now own several one of a kind original photos, clippings, her notes on her family tree, copies of their wills and even handkerchiefs she had taken to church to have annointed in prayer for my grandfather after he had a terrible accident at work. The photo above shows only a small amount of things she had tucked away in it.
I don't take it out very often because I don't want to aid in it's demise. I scanned everything at first, then put it away safely. When I do get it out, I want to cry with sadness and with joy. I miss her very much and my dad saved her most precious treasure.


Submitted to the Carnival of Genealogy for September 1st edition, "Show and Tell".

Alexander

Merrill Harris Alexander and Bertha Manning Alexander
Christmas Day, 1928

Closing ceremonies were today. Here are my results.

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!










3. Organize Your Research!










4. Write, Write, Write!








I would like to thank the members of the Genea-Games Organizing Committee Miriam Robbins Midkiff, Kathryn Doyle, and Thomas MacEntee, the members of the Genea-Games Organizing Committee and everyone else that worked so hard to organize the games, for all the fun and for allowing me to join in. I have had a wonderful time and it did what I hoped it would. It jump-started my own research and got me excited about it again. So, thank you all!
". . . ::footnoteMavin:: . . ." created the graphics for the games and did a wonderful job. Thank you fM!!

The next games will be in 2010. Hope to see you there!