2012 in Review

In January when I set my course of work for 2012, seen here, little did I know how wise I was to keep it short and simple 

I had hoped to get in a research trip or two. Didn't happen. In fact, the only trips taken were one to Chattanooga courtesy of our daughters when we stayed on the Delta Queen, and a couple trips to Nashville.

We were lucky enough to have a visit by my Aunt and Cousins in early June, and a Zimmeth/Simmet cousin the week before I had my knee replacement surgery. In August, one of DH's cousins came from Buffalo for a visit.

However, I did start the scanning/sorting project of 33 years of photographs. In starting that project I found some photos that I thought were missing.

I had fun searching the 1940 census. Eventually found my mother who was indexed wrong. She was not indexed with her brother and sister. The family was definitely split up. Unfortunately, I never found my grandfather, as I've blogged about previously. He was not only MIA on the 1940 census, but also in my mother's and her siblings' lives. Also MIA is one of my husband's father's uncles, Stanley Kruszka, who is MIA in 1930 also. If they don't want to be found, sometimes they just aren't going to be found.

I'm hoping 2013 will be a little more successful!

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Sympathy Saturday - Angus McEachin

I connect to the McEachins through my late uncle Angus Mack. Before she died, my aunt Margie Zimmeth Mack handed me a book one of Uncle Angus' relatives had put together. Until that point, I had no idea his last name was really McEachin. Let's face it, until I was in my teens, I thought his first name was Mack. That's what my parents always called him.

Today's subject was my Uncle Angus Mack's grandfather.

From the Port Huron Times Herald, Port Huron, Michigan, obituary, 30 December 1931, p1.

Death Takes Old Resident -- Brother of New York Democratic Leader Dies in Ubly.  (Special to the times Herald).  Ubly, Dec. 30 -- Angus J. Mack, 73, pioneer resident of Sheridan township and a brother of Norman E. Mack, well known buffalo newspaper publisher and Democratic leader, died Tuesday in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Matthew McIntyre, Sheridan Township.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Columbkille church, Sheridan township. Rev. Fr. William Fitzpatrick will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mr. Mack is survived by 13 children:  Mrs. Peter C. Burns and Daniel, both of Port Huron; Hanley, James, John, and Mrs. Joseph Heffernan, all of Detroit; Norman, Malcolm and Mrs. Harry Johnson, all of Flint; Mrs. R. C. Burns and Mrs. McIntyre, both of Sheridan Township and Sister Mary Estelle and Sister Sabina, both of Chicago; three brothers, Norman E., Buffalo; Neil MacEachin, Bad Axe, and Malcolm MacEachin, Rhinelander, Wisconsin; and two sisters Mrs. John D. McEachin, Ubly and Mrs. Sarah McGillivray, Cass City.

Mr. Mack was born in Parkhill, Ontario and came to Sheridan when about 12 years old.  He had lived there since and was active in civic affairs, serving several times as supervisor and treasurer of the township.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Something Accomplished

I took down some of the Christmas decorations yesterday, including that tempting (to our cat) Christmas tree. Mouse tried to help me by knocking down as many ornaments as possible! As I was putting away my ceramic pencil Santas my sister Diane made for me many years ago, I was reminded what William, age 5, said about them. He said "I like your wise men. Them have different gifts." I only remember that one of them was holding a wreath.

This little boy continually amazes me. I made him a paper nutcracker in the shape of a Toy Soldier courtesy of a freebie at SVG Cuts. William saw it under the tree and said "Who is the nutcracker for?" Okay, what 5 year old boy knows about nutcrackers? He certainly knew it was a ballet.

I'll also admit it's been a LONG time since I was around a 5 year old boy. For more than a few hours. It was fun but exhausting.
 
Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Too-Too Thursday-Two Days After Christmas

I had hoped to get the Christmas Tree down yesterday, but no such luck. It rained most of the day, then rained and snowed and since our stuff is all stored in the shed, I just didn't want to deal with it. It has become quite the challenge to keep the cat from scaling the tree and stripping it of any and all decorations.

I'm still recuperating from Christmas eve and Christmas day. Christmas eve was spent with our daughters, and younger daughters boyfriend and his 5 year old. It's been a long time since I was in the company of a 5 year old. He likes to help, so he helped set the table and we gave him a plastic knife so he could practice his cutting skills. It was a struggle for him, but he did it. He also chose who sat where. Now I understand my mom's statement "I'm glad they came, but I'm glad they went home." How she did it with her grandchildren, who were fairly widely spaced, is beyond me. But it was really nice to have a child in the house.

Christmas day was quieter. Older daughter spent the night and most of the day with us. We had a chicken pot pie that I made and froze after Thanksgiving. Wednesday, we were back to ham left overs. In a couple of weeks, when the ham has become a memory, I will drag out the ham bone I froze and make soup. 

Today, it is off to the doctor's for a checkup. Why I made the appointment for 2 days after Christmas, I have no idea.

Right now I am enjoying the relative quiet in the house and the neighborhood. Think I'll pour another cup of coffee!
Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Wedding Wednesday - Ford & Percival

On December 26, 1867, in Ashland County, Ohio, Joshua Ford married Sophia Jane "Jenny" Percival. She was the daughter of Moses Cook Percival and Mary Wright.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Merry Christmas

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Twas the Day Before Christmas

We got a nice call yesterday from younger daughter and boyfriend and boyfriend's 5 year old son to see if they could come a day early for Christmas. Well, of course, we said yes. I sort of miss the chaos of Christmas eve which we always celebrated with my family. So this year, I am remembering it. Older daughter will be over soon and we will start our celebrations early.

All of us here wish you a merry Christmas!

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Sympathy Saturday - Emeline Davis Percival

On December 22, 1912 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Emeline Davis Percival, widow of Warren Percival. Death occurred as a result of hypostatic pneumonia due to a fracture of the hip after falling down stairs. She was born in Chelsea, Maine on August 12, 1820.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

If the World Doesn't End ...

Happy First Day of Winter! And today is the end of the Mayan Calendar. If the end of the world doesn't happen, I am all set for my next genealogical road trip, since I added the RootsMagic App to my iPod Touch. I am also anxiously awaiting my Android phone, and when the RM App is available for that, I will have everything covered.

I love tech stuff, but really just limit it to my laptop, my iPod and my phone. However, I saw the iPad mini the other day and just love the size of it. Do I need one? No. Do I want one? Maybe.

As to the Maya Calendar, well, here is a link to the Wiki page. I think the reason there is no new calendar, is that it got far to complicated for them! So see ya Tomorrow on Sympathy Saturday!

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Too Too Thursday - the Final Rush

Sure, we could have stayed home yesterday and accomplished some of the tasks that have to get done before Christmas, but you know what? We spent part of the day an hour away having a nice visit with younger daughter. Since she was under the weather for Thanksgiving, it was really nice to have a cheerful visit with her and get updated on all her doings. Yes, I know we'll see her on Monday for our Christmas eve dinner. It was still great. The tasks will still be here today.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Wedding Wednesday - DeLong and Sellers and Mitchell & Sellers

 From the Lexington Herald, Lexington, Kentucky, 20 December 1906, section 2, p2

DOUBLE WEDDING.
The double wedding of two attractive sisters, Miss Henrietta Sellers to Mr. Lawrence Jasper Mitchell and Miss Clara Sellers to Mr. Arthur Ami DeLong was celebrated yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the East Hickman Baptist Church, the Rev. Mr. A. R. Willet officiating. It was a beautiful wedding in all details and the attractive little church was crowded with friends for the impressive ceremony. Mrs. Allan McDowell, of Nicholasville, who presided at the organ played a beautiful program of music during the moments of waiting and Lohengrin's bridal chorus and Mendelssohn's wedding march for the entrance and departure of the bridal party. From the windows to the center chandeliers in the church were garlands of smilax forming a pretty picture overhead; the altar was banked with palms and ferns and where the bridal couples stood for the ceremony, hung a beautiful white wedding bell. First came the bridesmaids up the right aisle, Miss Martha Baker, of Nicholasville and Miss Clara Sellers of Versailles, followed by Miss Helen Baker, of Nicholasville and Miss Madge Reynolds of Missouri. They wore stylish tailor suits of broadcloth and picture hats and coming slowly behind them were the two charming brides. They wore beautiful gowns of blue chiffon broadcloth with large blue picture hats and as they neared the altar, they were joined by the bridegrooms who entered the left aisle followed by the groomsmen, Messrs Sidney DeLong, John Clarke, Melvin Knight and Wallace Sellers, of Lexington. The picture formed was a beautiful and impressive one as the four young people stood to take the marriage vows and as the responses were made "Hearts and Flowers" was softly played.

The ceremony was followed by congratulations and the bridal party was then driven to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mitchell near Nicholasville, the parents of one of the bridegrooms, where they were entertained with a beautiful dinner. The evening was happily spent drinking to the health of the popular couples and an elegant dinner of several courses was served. The lovely brides are two of the county's most attractive accomplished girls. They are daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sellers and have always been social favorites. The bridegrooms are prosperous young farmers and are both very popular. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell will go immediately to housekeeping on a pretty farm on Union Mills Road and Mr. and Mrs. DeLong will keep house at his attractive country place on the Tates Creek Road. They were remembered with many handsome gifts and their host of friends are extending to them their best wishes and congratulations.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

One Week Until Christmas

Here it is the week before Christmas and I am still planning my menu. Mostly trying to figure out a dessert. My family is not the traditional pumpkin pie for dessert type of family. In fact, one of my kids does not really care for pie! Actually, I've come up with 'smores if the weather is nice and we can light the firepit. But I need something I can eat too, since 'smores really are not diabetic friendly.

It makes me think back to the wonderful desserts my mom used to make, whether for the holidays or not. Pineapple upside down cake, cheesecake, banana cream pie and her specialty of apple pie. For Easter, I will make the traditional (for us) lush angel cake. I would try any of these, but really don't want left overs. Especially since I have a doctor's appointment two days after Christmas!

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

It's Monday Already?

Yes, I had all weekend to write my post, but somehow, stuff kept interfering. First, we drained, cleaned and refilled our spa. Doesn't sound intensive does it? Well, using just the drain, it took an hour to drain an inch of water. This is a 225 gallon hot tub. At that rate, it would have drained all night long. A call to the Pool and Spa Depot produced a pump that would pump it out a little faster. It still took an additional 2 hours to drain. But it was a nice day, so I could climb in there in my shorts and give it a good wipe-down before refilling it.

Refilling it took a half hour. Chemicals added and tested and all we had to wait for was the temperature to warm up in order to use it that night. Since the starting temp was 57 degrees, it took a while.

Saturday and Sunday we spent trying to figure out how to keep Mouse from climbing the tree. The spray bottle works up to a point, so we cut up an old box and put it around the tree. She is still interested in the box, but more easily distracted. Nine days until I can take down the tree!

I have a couple of Christmas cards to make, and hope to get back into my volunteer genealogy projects tomorrow.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Sympathy Saturday-Kaye Percival

My mom died on December 17, 2007 in Livonia, Michigan. It's been 5 years and I still expect to hear her raspy voice on the phone every year on my birthday, singing. One of my sisters still claims to get that annual call.


I remember the funny little dances she did along with singing.



 
I remember her cooking for the holidays. Everyone wanted to be the "stuffing tester."  There are some things my mom made that were fabulous.  Her chicken and dumplings were my favorite. Some other things, we would tease her about, asking how many cans she had to open.

I miss her so much, especially around the holidays.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

TGIF - Totally Distracted.

Okay, it's 10 days from Christmas and as hard as I try to stay organized, things don't always work out the way I expected. For instance, we discovered yesterday that our older daughter won't be at our Christmas eve celebration since she has to work. We changed it in order for younger daughter and her entourage to make plans with the entourage's family. Since older daughter works retail, I can't say I am really happy with these plans. Somehow we'll work around it. In the meantime, I continue with prep work for the menu.

In the midst of all this chaos, is Mouse. Mouse, of course, is our adopted shelter cat. She is so fixated on the tree, and we have been fighting the battle or the ornaments with her. Last night she tried to climb the tree. Oh and it's artificial. She even tries to eat it. I've been keeping a spray bottle handy to keep her from the tree. Sometimes, all I have to do is show her the bottle and she moves away. Other times ...

Today, we are adding a new Christmas tradition. We are going to empty the hot tub, give it a quick clean and refill it. The high today is expected in the upper 50's and it seems like that might be the best we can hope for.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Too-Too Thursday - Twelve Days Til Christmas

I know from previous experience just how fast those last 12 days before Christmas pass. I am finishing up the last of the homemade things, and hoping I get them all done before Christmas eve. I am also working on a volunteer project for the Missouri State Archives. No, not the death certificates, that won't start until 2013. Right now I am working on transcribing an index for the Jackson Examiner and the Independence Examiner. Exciting since I had family members living in Jackson county and in Independence in the time frame of this index.

I'm also working sporadically on indexing for Family Search. And trying to keep the cat from knocking ornaments off the Christmas tree. Keeping the cat from the tree? That's the most challenging.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Wedding Wednesday - Bowman & Moore

On December 12, 1872 in Mercer county, Kentucky, Miss Nannie Smith Bowman to Bacon Rochester Moore. Nannie was the daughter of Dudley Mitchum Bowman and Virginia Smith.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Those Holiday Photos and Newsletters

Yes, I do read the annual newsletters that I get from family and friends. More importantly, I scan the photos they send and link them in my RootsMagic genealogy program. Having said that, I will admit the ones I get early before Christmas end up scanned and linked faster than the ones I get after the 15th of December. It seems by that time, I am rushing around trying to get things organized for one last trip to the grocery store, or to get one last gift. So scanning waits then till that day when I go through the list of cards I sent and double check addresses, and prepare them for storage. Yeah, I have no idea why I keep them, maybe its time to get rid of the ones prior to 2010? I always have an idea that I am going to pick some out for framing, because quite honestly, some of them are framing gorgeous!

Are you prompt with scanning? What do you do with the photos?


Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Getting There - Christmas Preparations

I am getting there. Most of the Christmas presents are wrapped, some even with home-made boxes and gift card holders. The Christmas cards have been sent.  The front outdoor lights are still waiting to be hung - waiting on a repair on the stacked stone first. In the meantime, I've begun to think about the menu. I've had one of the desserts planned for a little while. Hoping it is decent enough for the kids (ages 32, 30, 28 and 5) to make 'smores around the fire pit in the backyard. I'm not sure what else we will have, other than ham, but I know in the next week the entire menu will be planned.

With the addition of our adopted cat, Mouse, I've had to re-arrange some items on the Christmas tree, and have been trying to get her to leave the ornaments alone. Easier said than done. I have a feeling she might change some of our traditions.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Sympathy Saturday, William Harper

See this week's Thriller Thursday-William Harper for the back-story on his death. He died the following day.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

T.G.I.F. - Really!

It's been quite the week around our house. On Monday, we adopted a cat, aged about 1 year, who tried to adopt our Older Daughter last week. Older daughter already being the mommy of two very possessive cats, and it being 2 a.m. and not able to trust one of her cats not to attack - again - she called the police who took the cat to the local animal shelter.

Within 24 hours, the sweet little grey and white cat was up for adoption. DH and I had talked the week before about adopting a pet, but thought we'd wait until after Christmas. However, it just seemed fated that this cat would show up when she did.  When we went to meet her at the shelter, she tolerated being cuddled by 3 adults consecutively for quite a while.

In our county, when you adopt a shelter pet, it has to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated before you can even take it home. Tuesday was spay day, which we added to by asking them to do the Feline Leukemia test also. Her test came back negative and they did the surgery. DH and I spent part of the day shopping for cat food, a collar, litter and box, toys and something cozy for her to lay on/ignore. Then we set about trying to cat-proof the Christmas tree. We did have a cat for the first third of our marriage and neither our cat nor our dog ever fussed with the tree.

Wednesday was pick up your cat at 7:30 a.m. day. The woozy little thing tolerated the car ride to her new home in a carrier without much fuss! Her new home was waiting for her and she appears to be in for much spoiling and loving. 

There are still a few places off-limits to her until we are sure she is adjusting - our offices included. Mine is a complete and utter disaster at the moment. The laundry room is another room that has been deemed forbidden. Once she gets used to the sounds our space-age washer makes, I am sure she will be fine in there. At the moment, the guest room, too, is off-limits. After Christmas, when all the wrappings are put away, we'll see. Then there is the storage room/craft room. There is far too much in there that she can climb, so for the foreseeable future, that door will remain closed. Not that she doesn't try to sneak in every time one of those secret doors is opened.

She is also fascinated by the sound of our coffee pot.

When we picked her up post-operatively, she weighed less than 6 lbs. Not really healthy for a one-year-old (approximately) cat. However, she seems to have no problems eating or filling the litter box, so I presume that will change as we go along.

The little thing was unfortunately named Mouse at the shelter, and it seems to have stuck. She is so not a mouse. She is inquisitive and active and loves people. She loves to snuggle up to you, rub her face on your cheek and then put one paw on each shoulder and hug you. At night, she likes to drape herself across us.  My mind boggles at why she was a stray. For the most part, when you tell her no, she listens. She does have a fascination for the Christmas tree though.


Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Thriller Thursday - Accidental Shooting

From the Chillicothe, Missouri Constitution-Tribune, December 10, 1929:

William Harper Very Low

William Harper, attendant at the city dump ground, who was accidentally wandered Sunday morning when a revolver he was carrying dropped from his belt and was discharged, the bullet penetrating his right breast, is very low at the Chillicothe hospital and is not expected to survive the night.  An error was made yesterday in giving his name as John.

He was carrying a .38 pistol in his belt; he was stooping over and pistol fell to ground and discharged accidentally.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes


Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Wedding Wednesday - Percival & Brant

On December 5, 1830 in Geauga county, Ohio, Miss Sabrina Brant to Mr. Sereno Percival. He was the son of Orrin Percival and Leany Burroughs.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Please - No New Databases!

I am so far behind, when I check FamilySearch.com, Ancestry.com, or Genealogybank.com for updates, I secretly hope they don't put anything up that I will feel compelled to search then and there. I always feel like that around the holidays, because there is always so much to be done. Just when I think I have everything under control, something else comes up that I feel obligated to work on, clear out, etc., when I really know that I can't handle one more thing.

I've been having really weird dreams at night lately, too. I am ready for them to stop. If my dearly departed would just leave me messages in my weird dreams, that might not be so bad ...

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Monday, Monday!

To make myself feel good, I sat down and looked at what I did in November genealogically. At least what I added to the database. I only added one person, but I added 14 sources and 109 multimedia items. Not shabby. Those 109 multimedia items are census, obituaries, marriages, and family pictures.

Now, since November is the start of the holiday season and I finished off making my Christmas cards (60 - I counted) decorated my tree and house, shopped, etc. I don't feel like I did nothing.

Of course, I still have all those cards to address and send off and Christmas lights to put up on the front of the house when older daughter is done working on cleaning our gutters.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes

Sympathy Saturday - Isabella Mildred Chinn

On December 1, 1908 in Kansas City, Missouri, Isabella Mildred Chinn, daughter of Joel Higgins Chinn and Caroline Isabella Blackwell, from burns.  She was 76. Her Find-A-Grave memorial can be found here.

Copyright 2010-2012, ACK for Gene Notes