Who Is To Blame?

Just read a post by Kellie at She Finds Graves called "When Skeletons Should Stay Skeletons" that details some of her not-so-nice findings when researching the family tree.  She quotes the old maxim about why genealogists research their families - so they know who to blame!


Isn't that true? Aren't we who go beyond just the names and dates and really dig into the whys and wherefores trying to figure out who we are and why we are the way we are?  I'm not trying to re-open the debate about "family history" versus "genealogy" - if some want to think finding out the dirt is gossip, they are certainly entitled to their opinion.  For many people, genealogy is seen as an expensive hobby, but it can be cheaper than therapy.


I'm not trying to suggest that the reason I act the way I do is 100% related to who my great-grandfather was - but I do believe that the choices made by my ancestors and relatives and how that family lore has been presented (or sanitized) has shaped how I believe my family was or should be.  The journey of discovery has tarnished my view some ancestors and given me more respect for others, in much the same way that the closer you are to someone you begin to see them for who they really are, warts and all.


Finding out that the reason no one knows much about a relative is because they were conveniently "forgotten" a few generations ago can be a thrill laced with an "ick" factor.  The question for me is always how to be tactful about revealing the truth.  Even in my family's current generation (and the in-laws, etc.) there are "issues" that are not discussed openly - even if everyone knows about them.  In a couple of generations, no one will be alive who even knows the facts and they will have to be "re-discovered" by a future family historian.

Lina Baker (b. January 1, 1886 Shelby County, Ohio)

Lina BAKER was born January 1, 1886 in Jackson Township, Shelby County, Ohio, according to this record found at the FamilySearch.org website.  Lina was the wife of Sidney Dewitt AILES, my paternal 2nd cousin 3 times removed.


Lina and Sidney were married on January 1, 1913 in Jackson Center, Shelby County, Ohio, and resided in Perry Township, Shelby County, Ohio.


Lina died May 7, 1973 in Pemberton, Ohio.  They were the parents of five children: Wayne, Clara, Mae, Ned and John.

Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962 for Lina Baker

name:	Lina Baker
gender:	Female
baptism/christening date:
baptism/christening place:	Shelby, Ohio
birth date:	01 Jan 1886
birthplace:	Jackson, Shelby, OH
death date:
name note:
race:	White
father's name:	W. C. Baker
father's birthplace:
father's age:
mother's name:	Frederica Schmidt
mother's birthplace:
mother's age:
indexing project (batch) number:	C51425-7
system origin:	Ohio-VR
source film number:	562854
reference number:	2:2R7NL07

Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962. digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: February 9, 2011). 

Carolyn Chew (b. September 7, 1873 Darke County, Ohio)

Carolyn CHEW was born September 7, 1873 in Darke County, Ohio, according to this record found at the FamilySearch.org website.  Carolyn was my paternal 1st cousin 3 times removed, the daughter of Nathaniel Durbin and Margaret HEISTAND) CHEW.


Carolyn was still living with her parents in the 1900 census of Williams County, Ohio (age 27 - nurse) and the 1910 census of Lenawee County, Michigan (age 37 - teacher).   Although other members of the Chew family were found in later census, nothing further is known about Carolyn at this time.

Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962 for Carie F. Chew

name:	Carie F. Chew
gender:	Female
baptism/christening date:
baptism/christening place:
birth date:	07 Sep 1873
birthplace:	Darke, Ohio
death date:
name note:
race:	White
father's name:	N.D. Chew
father's birthplace:
father's age:
mother's name:	Margaret Heistand
mother's birthplace:
mother's age:
indexing project (batch) number:	C04208-2
system origin:	Ohio-EASy
source film number:	1030768
reference number:	v 1 p 213

Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962. digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: February 9, 2011). 

To My Valentine

Mr. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio
Box 54


Feb. 13, 1913


Dear friend - How are you? I am feeling fine.  Have been to church every night so far.  Night before last three more came forward.  They were Mell Coder, Leland Goodson and Ruby Gibson Haley.  We were to Portland Tuesday.  Saw Lottie, maybe she will come out Saturday and stay over Sunday.  Ruthie has a bad cold.  As ever


Your friend,


Vera


---
This postcard, postmarked Portland, Indiana, February 13, 1913, was sent by my paternal great-aunt Vera HALEY to her future husband, Clarence STUBER.  The Ruthie mentioned is Vera's sister, my grandmother, Ruth (HALEY) LeMASTER.  The Lottie mentioned is Clarence's sister.  I do not yet know the relationship of Ruby Gibson Haley to my family.

Wordless Wednesday: William P. Wehrly

Wordless Wednesday – a great way to share your old family photos! Create a post with the main focus being a photograph or image. Some posters also include attribute information as to the source of the image (date, location, owner, etc.). Wordless Wednesday is one of the longest running “memes” in the blogosphere and is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

My Love Is True

Mrs. Vera Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio


Hello Vera -


How are you this is not to answer your letter but I haven't time to write more now, will write a letter next time.  It has been pretty cold 30 below zero but we didn't think it was near that cold.  I have been very busy in store all day, we have good sleighing.


Carrie G.


---
This postcard, postmarked Midland, Michigan, February 14, 19__ was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera (HALEY) STUBER by her aunt, Carrie (HALEY) GRAVES.

Tombstone Tuesday : Arthur R. and Maude G. LeMasters

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Arthur R. and Maude G. LeMasters marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009.

Arthur Raymond and Maude Gertrude (McLAUGHLIN) LeMASTERS are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Arthur was my paternal great granduncle.

Arthur was born December 28, 1885 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LEMASTERS Jr.  

Maude was born September 29, 1888 to unknown parentage.

They were married on April 22, 1906 in Jay County, Indiana.  Though they had no children of their own, they did raise a foster son, John Mathias BISHOFF.

Arthur was a farmer, who also operated a garage in Geneva, Indiana and a grocery in Portland, Indiana.  He later wrote a history of the LeMaster family.

Arthur died December 16, 1971 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.  Maude died in 1967.

Tombstone Tuesday – To participate in Tombstone Tuesday simply create a post which includes an image of a gravestone of one or more ancestors and it may also include a brief description of the image or the ancestor. This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

With Valentine Thoughts

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


New Corydon, Ind.
Feb. 14, 1921


Dear Aunt -


This card is a little late but forgot to send it Sat. I was sick all day Sat.  I have an awful bad cold.  Uncle Ad Millers were her Sun. for dinner.  Papa took care of me while Mamma washed this morning, I have been looking for a letter from you.


Hope you are both well


Your niece,


Mildred Miller


---
This postcard, postmarked New Corydon, Indiana, February 14, 1921, 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.

Amanuensis Monday: Information from Book of Shelby Co. Ohio

An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. 

Information from Book of Shelby Co. Ohio

Settlers of Shelby County and the lands they entered.  They became permanent citizens.  The LeMaster & Young families are often mentioned for tax levy, judge list, board of Election officers.

Two Jacob LeMasters - tax, judge, election book

       Isaac LeMasters -  "  "

This was back in 1820, 1824

The family is traced back to first settlers of 1818 in Shelby County - Jacob LeMasters

One of 3 local ministers L. W. Lemasters & a circuit minister or preacher Philip LeMasters were members of Wesley Chapter M.E. Church organized in 1838 & still in use by descendants & others.

Relatives by marriage are the Adam Young Philip Young, T. McVays (Jane LeMasters, daughter of Jacob LeMaster married Thomas McVay (came from Virginia as early settlers)  I think grandpa Luman Walker LeMaster's mother was a Young.  In an old book I reviewed that belonged to the Sidney News the Jacob LeMaster & Youngs were written about & I am quite sure great grandmother was a Young.

The Young family according to recent surveys were prominent in the 1800s.  I haven't read the book I own as yet, only scanned it & looked up the LeMaster, Young, McVay & _____ families listed in the back of the book.

Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Sunday's Obituary : Roger Allen LeMaster (1926-1972)

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, March 6, 1972, page 8.

Roger LeMaster

Roger A. LeMaster, 45, a veteran of the Korean War, died unexpectedly early Sunday morning at his home in Salamonia.  Death was attributed to a heart attack.

He was born December 5, 1926 in Redkey, the son of John L. and Dorotha L. (Delauter) LeMaster Sr.  He was graduated from Madison High School in 1945 and Ball State University.  He was employed as a high school teacher at Randolph Central School Corporation at Winchester.  Mr. LeMaster was a member of the Salamonia Christian Church.

Surviving besides his parents in Salamonia are three sisters, Mrs. Gale (Jerry) Stoner, Troy, Ohio; Mrs. Ralph (Ardis) Bickel, Anderson and Mrs. Philip (Ann) Monger, Richmond; two brothers, John L. LeMaster Jr., RR 4, Portland and William A. LeMaster, RR 6, Portland.

Funeral services are set for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home with Donald Potter, minister of the Salamonia Christian Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Salamonia Cemetery.  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.