Photo: Wilbur Roscoe Decker

Wilbur Roscoe Decker

This photo is of Wilbur Roscoe DECKER, son of Peter W. and Pansy (GILLILAND) DECKER.  It was part of the collection of photos I was able to scan at Mike Walsh's.  Wilbur was a 1st cousin of my maternal grandmother, Bonnie LAMBERTSON.  The photographer's stamp is from Bloomington, Indiana.

The back side of the photograph is a postcard, not mailed but appears to be address to my maternal great uncle, Harold LAMBERTSON.

Left side: Wilbur Roscoe Decker.  Taken Jan. 12 20. Aged 2 years.  

Right side: Master Harold Wayne Lambertson

This photograph would have been taken on his second birthday.  Wilbur Roscoe DECKER was born January 12, 1918 in Springfield, Illinois. He married August 6, 1938 to Mary WEIR, and had at least one daughter, Sharon Sue.  Wilbur died  July 9, 1980.

Fearless Females: Moment of Strength

March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.


I'm not sure which story to write about regarding courage or strength in a difficult situation, as there are many that come to mind.  My mother dealing with cancer.  My grandmother Bonnie losing her husband when he was 53.  My great-aunt Vera losing two babies.  My great-grandmother June being an orphan at 2. Everyone who survived the economic hardships of the Great Depression.  The list could go on and on.  For many, the concept of hardship was simply unknown, addressed as just "part of life".  Today we take so much for granted and we look back and wonder how they made it.  They made it because the alternative - to give up, was simply not an acceptable alternative.


As I look at my family history, I note that so many of the stories of the women in my family have been untold, and thus lost to history.  What bits and pieces I can cobble together are told from the perspective of the men in their lives through the lens of the social and economic history of the period.  I'm glad that I've been able to interview my mother and father recently about those relatives they knew, before another generation's tales are lost.


Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

Photo: Terry Wright On Horseback

Terry Wright on horse

This is a photo of my maternal uncle, Terry WRIGHT, seated on a horse at the Wright farm.  In the background you can just make out the head of his grandpa, Virgil WRIGHT.  The original is in the collection of Mike Walsh.