v1.1.2001
Unearthing Relevant News, Advice and Updates for the Living
©DeadFred.com
Dead Fred’s Meditation Corner
“In all of us there is a hunger marrow deep to know our heritage - to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainment in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness.”
If you have a quote or anecdote for our Meditation Corner, send it to us at meditation@deadfred.com.
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Words From The Reunited
“Picture 483a looked so much like my husband that I could not stop staring at it. My husband’s father was born in 1911, and he did not marry my mother-in-law until he was 50 years old in 1961, which was the year my husband was born. Before this time, we do not know too much about his history except that he was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and he traveled to New York, New Jersey and throughout Pennsylvania for work. His name was Juozapas Jokubynas or Joseph Yokubinas.
What really got me thinking it is him is the totally circumstantial stuff I found after his house burned down and he passed away. He had saved a death card and (only one) in a small Lithuanian bible for a Cesina Simone who died August 20,1955. The top of the death card had been deliberately cut off. He also had in there an old business card for a Detective Pat DePalma of the Boonton Police Department in New Jersey. Lastly, there was the small school picture of a girl who looks just like the woman in the picture.
Thanks for all your listening and help.”
~Monica Yokubinas
“I am sure the photo of Beck, H. Rev, is that of Franklin Hudson Beck, my late husband’s great-uncle. I have the same photo from the family album. The 1860 census places him in Steubenville, Oneida Co., NY, 1880 in Oswego, Oswego Co., NY, 1900, Los Angeles, L.A. Co., CA. He was a Methodist-Episcopalian minister. Thanks.”
~Virginia Beck
“I was trying to figure out how to get the e-mail address of the submitter of Photo#1716, 1717. This is a picture of my great aunt Edith Mitchell in New Jersey. Edith was a teacher and later principal for Culver & Bacon school in Millville, NJ. She lived to be 100 and had been made unofficial “First Lady of Millville” by the mayor in 1988. My great-grandfather ran a glass factory in Millville. She did not marry until late in her life (around 50 yrs. old) and her married name was McCorriston. I have no idea what happened to her estate; she most likely left everything to the Presbyterian church in Millville. Out of 5 siblings, my grandmother was the only one to have children. Sadly, a lot of personal family items has probably been lost, because no one kept up with each other. But I would greatly appreciate you checking with the antique dealer for any more missing Mitchells. Thank you for your reply.”
~Nancy M. Smith
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Letters To The Archivists
Hi Jeannette!
Keep an eye out on the newsletter. I will tell you that I think it [Dead Fred’s Original Genealogy Photo Archive] is a very cool idea for a site.
Thanks again!
Josh, Listener Relations
The Kim Komando Computer Show
“The nation’s largest talkradio show about computers and the Internet!”
(We made it! DeadFred.com was a featured “Kool Site” last week:
KIM KOMANDO’S KOOL SITES OF THE WEEK:
Informative, weird, stylish, offbeat or unique--get the full list of Kool Sites at:
http://www.komando.com/other/kool_sites
GENEALOGY THROUGH PICTURES
http://www.deadfred.com
It began with a single photo nearly a century old, and now this site has blossomed into a comprehensive database of family photographs, searchable by name, state, photographer and more. You can submit your own photos for free, or participate in the “Pick and Shovel” bulletin board.)
Whether you have a bone to pick or a eulogy to offer, send your thoughts to letters@deadfred.com.
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Pick & Shovel Highlights
LOOKING FOR INFO/PHOTOS OF MACELDERRY ANCESTORS
Any photos or info on my ancestors would be greatly appreciated...spelled MACELDERRY or MCELDERRY came from Ireland...
jeannie macelderry
cosmicmuse@webtv.net
In search of old photos and family. . .
Hi everyone,
I am in search of my ancestors....Surnames are as follows:
Stine/Bollinger/Baumgardner/Bubb/Bobb/Weaver/Fisher/Wagner/
Hurrell/Hassinger and Henry’s....Any photos out there? Any relatives?
Bea
beair@acsworld.net
Love to hear from you !!!
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What’s New In The Database?
Surnames Submitted (5/24-5/30)
Arms
Banks
Barry
Benson
Berenguer
Bumpers
Bumpus
Burgess
Bush
Cantrell
Clark
Clarke
Cochran
Courtier
Crump
Dickenson
Duffield
Eakin
Fielder
Finch
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Gancos
George
Hendricks
Houtz
Joflson
Johnson
Knopp
Leeper
Luther
Martin
Mason
Mccalley
Mccormick
Mclane
Merritt
Mertz
Perry
Petrie
Pittenger
Porter
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Price
Robinson
Ross
Ross, Jr.
Shipley
Shirk
Skeleton
Slonaker
Stainbrook
Steiner
Stewart
Thomas
Todd
Vick
Wakefield
Weiner
Wilmoth
Wilson
Woolsey
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http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11279.jpg
Irene Stainbrook
Waterloo, Iowa, USA
1930
Maiden Name - Walz
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11277.jpg
Guy Stainbrook
Waterloo, Iowa, USA
1930
Comments: Dr. Guy L. Stainbrook, dentist in La Porte City and Waterloo, IA.
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11248.jpg
LeRoy Steward
Indiana, USA
Baby
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11502.jpg
Oliver and Betty Crump
Joaquin, TX, USA
1944
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/10445.jpg
Elizabeth Marie Scalese (Nee Donahue)
Laguna Niguel, CA, USA
1939
Taken in Shanghai, China
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Recognize These Faces?
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11228.jpg
Young female named Gertrude
(bonus points if you figure out the doll’s name!)
Age 6-10
Date range 1851-1900
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11221.jpg
Adult male and female from Belfast, Ireland
Ages 26-35
Date range 1851-1900
Photographer - Cumine
Type - CDV
C1860’s
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11219.jpg
Adult female from Madison, Indiana, USA
Age 16-25
Date Range 1851-1900
Photographer - Gorgas
Type - CDV
C1880’s
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11217.jpg
Young female
Age 6-10
Date range 1901-1920
Type - Portrait
Comments: On reverse is written “T Borenee” not sure if that is her name or
even spelled correctly.
C1905
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/11216.jpg
Male and female
Age 16-25
Date range 1901-1920
Type - Portrait
C1900
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Remembering Our Fathers
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I will never forget the morning of July 8,1999. That was the day my father died. He was 48 years old. Three weeks after his death my daughter, Siobhan, was born.
As I held my newborn daughter in my arms I thought of my father. I was saddened to think that he would never be able to hold his first granddaughter. He would never be able to teach her how to play golf, his favorite sport. He would never be able to share his favorite dessert, apple pie and ice cream. He would never be there. I knew that my daughter would rely on me to tell all she would want to know about her grandfather, but I couldn’t. Unfortunately, I did not know my father too well. I never talked to my father about his life—his time growing up in Ireland or his years working in England. I never knew what he liked to do as a young boy with his friends. I never knew what his favorite class was in school. I never knew what he did on his parent’s farm. I never knew of his relationship with his brothers and sisters. I never knew of how he met my mother. I figured I had plenty of time to ask him, that he could even tell Siobhan himself, but now he has gone. And all I have to give my daughter are my memories of her grandfather and a few photos. |
On June 19, 2001, we will be celebrating those men who have played a loving role in our children’s lives. How Father’s Day originated is debatable, but the most popular story is that of a daughter’s love for her wonderful father.
It was 1909, and in Spokane, Washington, Mrs. Bruce John Dodd requested a church service in honor of our fathers. She wanted this service to be celebrated on her father’s birthday, June 5. Unfortunately, her minister had to delay the celebration until June 19 since he did not have enough time to prepare the service. People thought that this celebration of fathers was a wonderful idea, and in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event. So on the third Sunday in June we honor and thank our fathers and wish them a Happy Father’s Day.
This Father’s Day, why don’t you spend the time with your father, your grandfather, or uncle and ask them to share their stories? Although getting them to share their stories is not as easy as it seems, it is certainly worth the time and effort. You may want to schedule a time when you can talk. Have questions prepared, and have a pen and paper ready for their answers. Photos can be very helpful since they may help bring back memories. Be respectful, and don’t be too pushy for answers. Your relative may not want to share everything with you. Most importantly, have fun! This could be a wonderful opportunity for the two of you to share and learn so much about each other.
I regret not having such a time with my father. I’m sure I would have learned some funny and interesting things about my dad. I will cherish the times that we did have together, and I will be happy to share those memories with my children and grandchildren.
Send your questions or comments about this story to claire@deadfred.com.
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Ancestors Series Meets Success In Its Second Season
Ancestors, a series devoted to genealogy and exploration of family history, returns to PBS with thirteen new episodes that combine both personal stories and expert instruction. Produced by KBYU Television of Provo, Utah, in cooperation with Wisteria Pictures, Inc., Ancestors first aired in 1997 to a very captivated national audience. An impressive 94% of PBS member stations carried the series; no other series launched that year achieved such a feat.
“After. . .people began to feel the excitement of family history research, we received feedback from viewers wanting more specific instruction about how to find their ancestors among the millions of records available worldwide,” declared Executive Producer Marcy Brown.
Consequently, the second season focuses entirely on guiding viewers through the world of family history records. Each episode is usually composed of a dramatic “mini-documentary” about a person whose life has been changed by family history research and a “how-to” segment providing practical instruction from some of the most prominent experts in the field of genealogical research. New host Scott Wilkinson leads a worldwide search for family history records with such destinations as France, Ireland, Hong Kong, and Washington, D.C.
“This series,” commented Lead Researcher Megan Smolenyak, author of In Search of Our Ancestors: 101 Inspiring Stories of Serendipity and Connection in Rediscovering Our Family History, “is mostly sliced by record type, so depending on which ones you watch, you’ll learn how to use, say, census records or probate records or military records-—but you’ll learn without feeling like you’re back in 3rd grade taking notes.” Megan considered over 1,500 stories for the series, but only thirteen could be featured in the series.
Episode Titles And Broadcast Order
201 Records At Risk
202 Family Records
203 Compiled Records
204 Genealogy And Technology
205 Vital Records
206 Religious Records
207 Cemetery Records
208 Census Records
209 Military Records
210 Newspapers As Records
211 Probate Records
212 Immigration Records
213 Writing A Family History |
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Episode 209, “Military Records,” seems to be a favorite among viewers. It features the story of Susan Hadler, Ph.D., whose only link to her father for years was a letter he wrote to her just after she was born—and just before he was killed in combat during World War II. She uses military records to connect with the father she never knew. Experts highlight service and pension records and tell how military records are a rich source of detailed and personal family history information.
Episode 204, “Genealogy And Technology,” spotlights Megan Smolenyak as she draws upon various technological resources to find cousins she didn’t know she had, both in the United States and in the Slovak village of Osturna. Experts elaborate on how to use computers and the Internet in seeking out family connections.
“I LOVE the emerging technologies. The Internet has revolutionized genealogy, just as I believe molecular genealogy (what I call “genetealogy”—the merger of genetics and genealogy) will. I’m already having tests run on my extended family. Both technologies, I believe will have an effect of revealing to people how truly interconnected we all are. I believe one of the most compelling aspects of genealogy is that it’s one of the few forces bringing folks together, and both of these technologies contribute to this. Plus, they’re just plain fun!” exclaimed Megan.
Megan began researching her family history in the sixth grade. Twenty-eight years later, her story is known nationwide. Since the series, she and her newfound relatives have had yet another reunion in Slovakia and will have another one later in the summer. Her Slovak/Rusyn/American/Canadian family continues to grow.
Tune into Ancestors on your local PBS member station to discover more about genealogy and family history. The series is available for broadcast through May 2004. To find the air dates and times in your area, go to http://www.kbyu.org/ancestors. In addition, episodes can be purchased individually or as a set.
Send your questions or comments about this story to jeannette@deadfred.com.
Material used in writing this article was made available courtesy of ANCESTORS/KBYU ©2001. All rights reserved.
Also a special thanks to Megan Smolenyak for offering her time and expertise in an interview. http://www.HonoringOurAncestors.com
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Ten Tips To Help You Successfully Find Your Ancestors
1. A few don’ts... Don’t create problems for yourself by making the same mistakes others have done before you. Constantly seek out information about your new hobby. You’ll save lots of time along the way if you know what to do and more importantly, what not to do...
2. Don’t worry about how far you can get; too many factors are involved. Everyone’s research is the same, but our backgrounds have different twists and turns. Some factors will deal with your own family’s history, other factors will deal with world events. Your persistence, your luck and the amount of time you can give your new hobby will all determine how far back you can go. If a sufficient amount of information has survived through the years, then your chances of filling in all the family branches are greater.
3. Don’t make any assumptions unless you can back them up with facts. Confirm your facts using a second source of information. Family stories are often exaggerated or embellished. The social standing of a family is often improved upon. Be aware of stories about royal or noble descent. Try to confirm all family stories with at least two sources.
4. You must always start from the known and find your way to the unknown. So begin by writing everything you know about yourself. This teaches you how to record information accurately and completely. Remember your descendants will use your information, and you may not be around to explain your notes.
5. Decide whose genealogy you want to complete. If you choose to research all your ancestors, then your charts will start with yourself. But if you want to find just your father’s side of the family, you will want to start with your father as the main person.
6. Build a miniature tree. Take a large piece of paper (the back of an old poster is great), and write down all the names of family members you know. At the top write your name, to the right add your brothers & sisters since their family tree is the same as yours. To the left write down your spouse’s and children’s names.
On the next line, write down the name of your father and your mother. Next to these names indicate their brothers and sisters and their families (your aunts, uncles and cousins). Lower on the page, continue with the next generation, add your paternal and maternal grandparents, their children and families. If you know your great-grandparents, list this fourth generation lower on your miniature family tree.
This miniature tree is not fancy or artistic. It is completed to help you visualize where everybody fits. Just add names; the factual information should be recorded in your genealogical diary.
7. Set up a filing system. You’ll be accumulating lots of documents and papers of all kinds. There are no rules to setting up a filing system, except that it must enable you to find what you want quickly and efficiently. Organize your files to enable you to track what you want.
8. Seek out family members, young and old, as well as family friends to get as much information as you can. Ask lots of questions, get answers to the Who, What, Where, When and Why of your family. Look through photo albums, the family Bible and all personal and vital records found in your family homes. Find as many clues as possible before you go searching in the outside world.
9. There are many outside sources available to help you conduct your research. You must be aware of what each has available in your area of research. Joining a genealogical society early on in your project will help you direct your efforts in the right direction. Make a point of writing to or visiting these different resources to see what’s available: Public Archives, Public Libraries, Genealogical and Historical Associations, Private Libraries and Associations, Family History Center of the LDS Church, Churches and Cemeteries.
10. Finally, enjoy your new hobby, write a family history or produce a family video; hold a family reunion. Share your information with your new and extended family...
Article contributed by Louise St. Denis:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GENEALOGICAL STUDIES
Attention: Louise St. Denis
30 Wellington Street East, Suite 2002
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5E 1S3
Telephone: (416) 861-0165
Fax: (416) 861-1894
E-mail: info@genealogicalstudies.com
Web site: www.genealogicalstudies.com
and
HERITAGE PRODUCTIONS
www.genealogystore.com
Copyright © Louise St. Denis (for written permission to reprint this article, write to stdenis@genealogicalstudies.com)
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DeadFred Creative Writing Contest
Deadfred.com is pleased to announce the first DeadFred.com Creative Writing Contest!
Who Can Participate?
The DeadFred.com Creative Writing Contest is open to anyone who would like to put their creative writing skills to work.
What is the Theme?
This Creative Writing Contest will be about a DeadFred.com Mysteries Photo:
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/10599.jpg
There will be two categories: Poetry and Fiction
When Does the Contest Run?
The contest will run from June 1, 2001 to July 31, 2001. The winner will be announced in the August newsletter.
What are the Prizes?
The winner of each category will win the following:
- Work featured in the DeadFred.com Newsletter
- $50.00
- A DeadFred.com Creative Writing Certificate
All participants will receive an honorable mention in the DeadFred.com newsletter and a DeadFred.com Creative Writing Certificate.
Entry Requirements
- Contestants may enter one submission only to each category.
- Each entry must be the original work of the contestant.
- Entries must be typed, one-sided, on 8 1/2” x 11” paper. Entry must include a cover sheet with contestant’s name, address, telephone number and e-mail address.
- There is a 1,000 word maximum for the fiction and a 300 word maximum for the poetry.
- Entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2001.
- Please send entries to:
DeadFred Creative Writing Contest
P.O. Box 6937
Springdale, AR 72766-6937
All entries become the exclusive property of DeadFred.com. DeadFred.com reserves the right to use winning entries in future promotions. DeadFred.com is in no way responsible for lost, late or misdirected entries.
There is no entry fee required. However, a donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made out to DeadFred or with cash; however, checks are preferred.
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About The Co-Editors
Claire Bott, Joe’s daughter-in-law, maintains the phenomenal traffic flow of DeadFred.com. She conducts essential research for site content development, reviews and edits records and responds to e-mail correspondence. Contact her at claire@deadfred.com.
Copywriter Jeannette Balleza writes and edits promotional materials for DeadFred.com and related projects. With public relations as her primary focus, she assists in marketing and advertising efforts to both attract support and generate awareness for the site. Contact her at jeannette@deadfred.com.
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Vulcan Creative Labs
Why settle for a web site or a printed piece that looks more like a rough draft when you could have one that is unmistakably remarkable? Be Bold. Get Vulcanized.
http://www.vulcancreative.com |
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