Advent Calendar : Christmas and Deceased Relatives

Did your family visit the cemetery at Christmas? How did your family
honor deceased family members at Christmas?


I do not remember visiting the cemetery at Christmas.  We would honor their memories by continuing traditions and remembering them that way.  


My mom and dad shared a bit that I didn't know:

Grandma Ruth LeMaster always visited the cemetery and placed wreaths or grave blankets on the deceased.   I don't visit the cemetary at Christmas.   Since my parents are buried next to the highway, I always look over at the tombstone and think of them.   One way I probably honor my parents is to talk about them to my grandchildren.   I also bake their favorite cookies.   I decorate the house with many of my parent's decorations.

Virgil C. Chew

I was contacted a while back concerning an error in my Rootsweb database concerning the marriage of Esther V. ABEL and Virgil C. CHEW.  The young couple was married September 2, 1905 in Jay County, Indiana, where many of my CHEW family resided.  I had inadvertently attached this marriage record to the wrong Virgil Chew in my database.

Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 about Virgil C Chew

Name: Virgil C Chew Spouse Name: Esther V Abel Marriage Date: 2 Sep 1905 Marriage County: Jay Source Title 1: Jay County, Indiana Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Records 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vo Source Title 3: W. P. A Original Record Located County Clerk's Off Book: C-J OS Page: 209

Source Citation: Title: Jay County, Indiana, Index to Marriage Records 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vo, W. P. A Original Record Located County Clerk's Off; Book: C-J;Page: 209.  Source Information: Ancestry.com. Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.


This particular Virgil Cooper CHEW was born May 5, 1885 in Jay County, Indiana.  The mother of Virgil Cooper CHEW was Mabel L. FRAZIER [sic].  The mystery currently is who his father was.  His mother was unmarried at the time.  Ancestry.com has him indexed as Virgil E. Chew:

Indiana Births, 1880-1920 about Virgil E Chew

Name: Virgil E Chew Mother: Mabel L Frazier County: Jay Gender: Male Birth Date: 5 May 1885 Reference: Jay County, Indiana Index to Birth Records 1882 - 1920 Inclusive Volume I Letters A - Z Inclusive Book: H-1 Page: 128

Source: Ancestry.com. Indiana Births, 1880-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Works Progress Administration. Index to Birth Records. Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.

According to the researcher, Virgil's grandmother is Mary C. BUTCHER, the second wife of William H. FRASER.  They were married March 21, 1861 in Jay County, Indiana and had 4 children: Lincoln, Maybell, Ettie and Ella.  Maybell/Mabel gave birth to Virgil on May 5, 1885 and was unmarried.   Mabel died May 19, 1885 (aged 18) and is buried at Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.


Virgil is enumerated in the 1900 census of Salamonia, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, living with his grandmother in household 43, family 44.


Frasher, Mary C., head, white, female, born June 1838, age 61, widow, 6 children, 4 living, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Virginia, no occupation
Chew, Virgil C., grandson, white, male, born May 1884, age 16, single, born Indiana, father born Indiana, mother born Indiana, farm laborer.


How did Virgil get his last name?  If his father was a member of the CHEW family, which one?  My ancestor, Dr. Ezekiel Cooper CHEW, was a Salamonia physician around this time frame - his son William later served in the same capacity.  Perhaps there is a court record in Jay County that will shed some light.


The researcher was going to continue to search local records for an obituary for Virgil to see if it would shed some clues.


Virgil married secondly to Jessie Louise TERRELL on December 24, 1921 in Marion County, Indiana.

Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 about Virgil Cooper Chew

Name: Virgil Cooper Chew Spouse Name: Jessie Louise Terrell Marriage Date: 24 Dec 1921 Marriage County: Marion Source Title 1: Marion County, Indiana Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Record 1920 - 1925 Inclusive Vol Source Title 3: Original Record Located: County Clerk's Office Ind Book: 118 OS Page: 391

Source Citation: Title: Marion County, Indiana, Index to Marriage Record 1920 - 1925 Inclusive Vol, Original Record Located: County Clerk's Office Ind; Book: 118;Page: 391.


Virgil's World War II draft registration card was filled out in Marion County, Indiana.  It reports his birth as May 5, 1885 in Salamonia, Indiana.

Source: Ancestry.com. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010

Merry Christmas

Miss Vera Haley
Portland, Ind.
R.R. 9


12.10.10


Hello Vera.  Rec'd your letter yesterday O.K.  This is Sat eve, Mellie has gone to Basket Ball game.  I have to work tonight.  Oh Say please don't mention what I said concerning Mellie in my letter, I did not think at the time, See.  Bess may not like it.  But I suppose he writes and tells her all, Ha Ha.  You had better hide this postal.  As ever.  Otho.


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This postcard, postmarked Angola, Indiana, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera HALEY.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Music

What songs did your family listen to during Christmas? Did you ever go
caroling? Did you have a favorite song?


Growing up, we listened to all sorts of Christmas music, both secular and sacred.  I remember going caroling only with our church group, unless you count the times when we would visit my great-uncle & aunt, Clarence & Vera (Haley) Stuber, at their home and later in the nursing home.  We were pretty young then, and I can remember singing Christmas and other songs for them.


As a kid, my favorite was probably "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer".  Now, I would have to say that one of my favorites was "Mary, Did You Know?".


Mom had a different favorite song:

When I was growing up, my brother and I were in the band so we were surround by music especially music at Christmas.   Mother always had music playing in the house. 
We would go caroling with the church and back for fellowship.   I usually starting playing music right after Thanksgiving.   "Silent Night" is probably one of my favorties.   It always makes me cry.

 

Hearty Greetings for Christmas

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio
R. R. # 5


Dear Aunt & Uncle: I will be glad when I see you Xmas.  I said this morn that I would ride my bicycle in front of the ford Sun. when I go to Ruthies.  That is about all I talk about.  I have a cold I cough a good bit, on the account Revival meeting I wont go to Ruths while you are there for I will take more cold going to church every night.  But you come here and stay several days (that farm traded for a property in town)


From Mildred Miller


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This postcard, postmarked December 22, 1921 from New Corydon, Indiana, was sent to my paternal great-aunt and uncle, Clarence and Vera (HALEY) STUBER, by their niece, Mildred MILLER.  Mildred was the daughter of Galen and Mary (HALEY) MILLER.  The Ruth mentioned in the card was my grandmother, Ruth HALEY.

Applying SWOT Analysis To Your Genealogy Research

Performing a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is a common business tool used by individuals to develop their careers and businesses to build market share.  The site www.mindtools.com contains tools on how to use the SWOT analysis.  Why not apply the principles of SWOT to genealogy research to kick start your goal setting for the new year?

Strengths :  What do you do well? What unique resources can you draw on?  What do others see as your strengths?

Weaknesses : What could you improve?  Where do you have fewer resources than others?  What are others likely to see as weaknesses?

Opportunities : What good opportunities are open to you?  What trends could you take advantage of?  How can you turn your strengths into opportunities?

Threats : What trends could harm you?  What is your competition doing?  What threats do your weaknesses expose you to?

A thoughtful examination of each of these categories will help you to determine your research goals and provide opportunities for improvement.  For example, my genealogical SWOT would include the following details.

Strengths: Good communication skills, social networking abilities and problem-solving skills.  Can draw upon educational experiences to focus on problems.  Others see my tenacity and natural curiosity.

Weaknesses: Research documentation in primary always needs improvement. Have fewer monetary resources than others due to age and financial circumstances at this period of life.  Others might see lack of certification credentials as a weakness.

Opportunities: Good opportunities are available to pursue online training and certification in the genealogy field.  Close proximity to major repository (Allen County Public Library-Ft. Wayne, IN) and memberships online to Ancestry.com and Footnote.com can provide additional sources for research. Can take advantage of trends in genealogical research such as DNA testing to add value to family history knowledge.  Can cultivate my communication skills into opportunities to draw upon the greater genealogical community to help solve "brickwalls" in my research.

Threats: Trends that could harm include over-reliance on online sources, which could cause me to overlook vital information in off-site repositories.  The competition (fellow researchers) are blogging, tweeting and utilizing social media to improve knowledge base. My weaknesses expose me to the threats of incorrect conclusions based on limited evidence.

Using these SWOT principals, I can plan on ways to improve my researching skills, including pursuing educational opportunities, society memberships, etc.

Advent Calendar : Religious Services

Did your family attend religious services during the Christmas season? What were the customs and traditions involved?


Attending church services during the Advent season is a special time.  Having been a part of different Protestant traditions, I must say that the ones that stick out in my mind are those involving the "Hanging of the Greens" and the lighting of the Advent candles each Sunday in Advent.  This was a tradition in both the Disciples of Christ church I grew up in and the United Methodist church of my early adult years.


I've been to Christmas Eve candlelight services as well, and there is something beautiful about a simple worship service at this time of year.

Obituary : William Lee Wright (1919-1973)

Source : Alexandria, Indiana Times Tribune [undated]

William Wright Dies Monday

William L. Wright, 53, 610 W. Broadway St., was dead on arrival at Community Hospital in Anderson Monday at 12:44 a.m.

He was a native of Alexandria and was married to Bonnie Lambertson, formerly of Elwood.

He had been employed as a clerk at the Alexandria Post Office for 28 years. He was a member of the First Christian Church Alexandria Elk Lodge 478 and was a veteran of World War II.


Surviving with the widow is one son, Terry Wright, and one daughter, Mrs. Gloria LeMasters, both of Alexandria; two sisters, Mrs. Clara Ellen High and Mrs. Barbara Webster, both of Alexandria; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Karl M. Kyle funeral home. Burial followed in the Park View cemetery.

LeMaster Photos

My cousin, Wanda (LeMaster) Louck, provided me with copies of some LeMaster family photos from her side of the family.

Clarence LeMaster, May LeMaster & Kenneth (1912)

(L-R) Wanda, Kenneth & Ferry May (Bickel) LeMaster

Sitting in chair: Mary Ann Bickel, mother of Ferry May (Bickel) LeMaster

Clarence & May (Bickel) LeMaster, Wedding photo (1911)

May & Clarence LeMaster

Kenneth & Louise (Dalrymple) LeMaster, 50th Wedding Anniversary

Advent Calendar : Christmas Shopping

How did your family handle Christmas Shopping? Did anyone finish early
or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?

I've never started Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve, but I've been close.  I seem to struggle sometimes on what to buy.  Every year I tell myself I will do better and buy early, but it never seems to work that way.  I don't do subtle very well, so if someone wants something, I need to know exactly what it is.

I've tried to put some 'sweat equity' into my shopping, and not just shop entirely online.  This year we've noticed that many stores do not have the inventory on hand, and are also out of stock online.  Not good if there is something you really want.

Mom contributed the following :

I do the majority of Christmas shopping and wrapping.   I start early sometimes as early as September or October.   I go with the girls on Black Friday mainly to get ideas.   I'm usually done a couple of weeks before Christmas but there's always a last minute gift or two to pick up.  I give a lot of baked goods, candies, and homemade jams and sewn items. When the kids were little we would buy all year long and hid the items in attic or garage.   We have a tradition of going out for breakfast on Christmas Eve and browse afterwards through the stores.   Sometimes we pick up silly little items for the granddaugters before heading back home to get ready for Christmas Eve get together.

Sunday's Obituary: Ord LeMaster (1906-1971)

Source: Ord W. LeMaster obituary, The Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, November 1, 1971

Ord W. LeMaster

Funeral services for Ord W. LeMaster, 65, 1107 W. Water St., Portland, will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Boggs officiating.  Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

LeMaster died Saturday afternoon at the Clinic Hospital in Bluffton after a brief illness.  He had been employed for the past 25 years at Delco Battery in Muncie.

Born Sept. 30, 1906 in Jay County, his parents were Cooper and Barbara (Wehrly) LeMaster.  He was married to Ruth Haley, who survives.

Surviving besides his wife are three sons, Paul of Portland; Ord Weldon, Alexandria and Victor at home; three daughters, Mrs. Donald (Idola) Coats, Selma; Mrs. Harold (Juanita) Steigerwalt, Portland and Miss Ruth LeMaster at home; five brothers, Stanley LeMaster, Akron, Ohio; Elvin LeMaster, Columbus, Ohio; Floyd LeMaster, Union City, Ohio; John and Gerald LeMaster, Salamonia; three sisters, Mrs. Orville (Freda) LaFollette, Akron, Ohio; Mrs. Thornton (Mary Olive) Taylor, Akron, Ohio and Mrs. Glen (Dorothy) Lock, Richmond and 13 grandchildren.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

The Christmas Star

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio


Aniwa, Wis. 12/17


Dear Friends, May you each have a very good Christmas season; trust your parents will also.  We are both feeling fine.  I especially better than for many winters; finding lots to do; assisting some in music, playing piano for special Christmas programs, etc.  Enjoy it.  Joe's mother underwent a goiter operation 11/12.  Better, gaining weight.  We all expect to be together for Christmas.  


Sincere Christmas Wishes to you.  Please remember me to Mrs. Johnson.


Mr. and Mrs. J. Penniston.


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This postcard, postmarked December 17, 1936 from Aniwa, Wisconsin, was sent to my paternal great-aunt and uncle, Clarence and Vera (HALEY) STUBER. I do not know the relationship of the sender at this time.

Surname Saturday : GARY

The GARY surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown.


Stories and history :


Ahnentafel # 41 : Rachel H. Gary (1816-1897).  Rachel was born March 25, 1816 in Fairfield County, Ohio.  She married January 1, 1835 in Hardin County, Ohio to George J. Haley (1814-1888).  George was born December 14, 1814 in Canton Basel, Switzerland.  George was a minister in the Evangelical Association and the family lived in Hardin, Fairfield, Marion, Marrow and Erie Counties, Ohio, raising 10 children.  George died February 27, 1888 in Huron Township, Erie County, Ohio.  Rachel died November 25, 1897 in Erie County, Ohio.  Both are buried in the Scotts Cemetery, Huron, Erie County, Ohio.


Ahnentafel # 82 : ________ Gary.  Rachel's father was claimed to have been born in Ireland, according to "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana", Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1887, page 665.


Related blog posts : 

• Rachel H. (Gary) Haley (1816-1897)

• Tombstone Tuesday: George J. and Rachel H. (Gary) Haley

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Stockings

Did you have one? Where did you hang it? What did you get in it? Do
you have any Christmas stockings used by your ancestors?

I can always remember having a stocking at Christmas.  We would always hang it on the fireplace.  One item that our stockings always included were a pair of tube socks.  Even today, when we go to mom & dad's, there is a pair of tube socks in a stocking for us.

Mom and dad contributed the following :

Weldon and I don't remember having a stocking at Christmas.   It could be because neither one of us had a fireplace to hang one.  My children had stockings and now the grandchildren have one, especially since we have a fireplace mantle to hang them on.   The children usually get candy, fruit, and maybe a small gift.   

   

Be Merry All

Miss Vera Haley
Portland, Ind.
R.F.D. 9


Dear Cousin -


Well I am ashamed I haven't answered your card but I have been very busy lately.  Bessie was married in September and mother and father were visiting Alfred's in Chicago for 2 weeks.  I had to keep house, and I am working everyday and getting ready for Christmas.  I'll be glad when its over.  With love.


Write when you can.


Evalyn


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This postcard, postmarked December 23, 1912 from Huron, Ohio, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera HALEY by her cousin.  Based on the names mentioned, I believe the card sent was from Evalyn R. HALEY, daughter of Benjamin H. and Louisa (HUTTENBOCKER) HALEY.  Evalyn was born in 1885.  Bessie was born in 1892 and Alfred was born in 1880.  Evalyn would be a first cousin once removed from Vera, but was a contemporary.  Benjamin H. HALEY was a son of George J. and Rachel (GARY) HALEY.

WDYTYA Season 2

The names of the “celebrities” to be featured on Season 2 of NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? have been announced.  

Scheduled to be highlighted in Season Two are : Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Rosie O’Donnell, Steve Buscemi, Kim Cattrall, Lionel Richie, Vanessa Williams and Ashley Judd.  

This must be the singers and actors edition. My first impressions are that this group is not as strong as the first season : only Buscemi, O’Donnell and McGraw seem interesting to me.  However, the first season surprised me and hopefully this one will, too.

Gwyneth Paltrow is an actress that I admit I’m not familiar with at all, until I checked Wikipedia I thought she was British; her Quaker and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry may connect with mine.  McGraw’s Scots-Irish ancestry would most interest me.  Rosie O’Donnell might be one of the more interesting ones, with her mother dying at a young age she may not know much about her past. Steve Buscemi is an actor that I’ve enjoyed since Reservoir Dogs and his roots are Sicilian and Irish. Kim Catrall – not sure why she’s in this list – she’s British and has already been highlighted on their version of the show. Lionel Richie – liked his music, but don’t know much more about him.  Vanessa Williams last I knew of her was the Miss America scandal and bad action movies. Ashley Judd has a colorful family, might have some surprises there.

I’m not sure what NBC’s criterion for selecting subjects for the show.  Both season’s shows seem to be dominated by actors and actresses, as if they were the only people who’s past would be interesting enough to hold viewer’s attention.  Politicians who’ve run for President have their family trees in the paper when they receive their party’s nominations, but what about the other Congressmen and Governors who make the news regularly?  Surely the genealogies of some best-selling authors or businessmen would be just as interesting as the Hollywood set.

It would also be nice if the show could somehow highlight research of the more common folk.  Perhaps NBC could solicit viewers to submit their family research problems/questions in some sort of video format, and then the producers could select one or two to highlight.   In my opinion, having the show give some ‘free’ research advice and discoveries would capture the imagination of people better than focusing solely on the rich and famous.

That being said, some choices for folks that I would like to see profiled on the show include: former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, musician John “Cougar” Mellencamp, talk show host Glenn Beck, former Senator/astronaut John Glenn, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, evangelist Franklin Graham, author John Grisham and rapper Sean “Puffy” Combs.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first season of Who Do You Think You Are? and I’m eagerly awaiting this one as well.  I would imagine they will rebroadcast the episodes from the first season as well.  

Johannes 'John S.' Wehrly (1802-1876)

Johannes "John S." WEHRLY was my paternal 3rd-great grandfather.


The following facts about John's life are known:

• Birth: He was born June 4, 1802 in York County, Pennsylvania, the son of Heinrich "Henry" and Christina (SAUBEL) WEHRLY.
• Baptism: He was baptised at St. Jacob's Church, York County, Pennsylvania, according to compiled Wehrly family history.
• Marriage: He married Barbara PETRY, daughter of George and Maria Catharine (KALTREIDER) PETRY, in 1821 in Stark County, Ohio.
• Residence: 1854 - He moved his family to Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, according to compiled Wehrly family history.
• Census: In 1860, John is the head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  His occupation was listed as a farmer, and his real estate was valued at $2000.
• Census: In 1870, John is the head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  His occupation was listed as retired farmer, with real estate valued at $1200.
• Death: He died November 10, 1876 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.
• Burial: He is buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

The following facts need additional research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Baptism: Need to locate record of the baptism recorded in official church records or other sources.
• Marriage: Need to determine the exact date of John and Barbara's marriage in Stark County, Ohio.  
• Census: 1830 - Need to locate him in the 1830 census.  Based on birthplaces of children, he should be located in either Seneca or Preble Counties, Ohio.
• Census: 1840 - Need to locate him in the 1840 census.  Based on birthplaces of children, he should be located in Preble County, Ohio.
• Census: 1850 - Need to locate him in the 1850 census.  He should be located in Preble County, Ohio.
• Land Records : Need to search deed records of Jay County, Indiana to locate land transactions that can pin down the date of his arrival in Jay County, Indiana.
• Death: Need to see if there exists a death record for him in Jay County, this may be too early, but there may be funeral home records, newspaper accounts, etc.
• Will : Need to obtain a copy of the will or estate records in Jay County, Indiana.

Related blog posts:

• Surname Saturday: Wehrly

Funeral Card Friday: Ruth Pauline LeMaster

In Memory Of
Ruth Pauline LeMaster


Date Of Birth
April 11, 1911


Date Of Death
February 1, 1990


Services Held At
Baird-Freeman Funeral Home


Date And Hour Of Services
11:00 AM Monday
February 5th, 1990


Clergy
Mark Manor
Larry Brincefield


Interment
Mt. Zion Cemetery
Portland, Indiana


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This was the funeral card of my paternal grandmother, Ruth Pauline (HALEY) LeMASTER.  I was a pallbearer at her services.




Funeral Card Friday – do you have a collection of memorial cards for your ancestors or family members, the kind that funeral homes produce and give out to mourners? Post images of these cards and stories about the person memorialized during Funeral Card Friday. Funeral Card Friday has been an ongoing series by Dee at Funeral Cards & Genealogy.