Welcome!

I am new to the blogging community but, as my family tree has grown, I decided that this is the best way to share my findings and make new connections.
I have been interested in genealogy in about 30 years and have worked on it off and on during that time.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Advent Calendar-December 6-Santa Claus

I remember writing letters to Santa, leaving milk and cookies and even carrots for the reindeer. But one particular memory that has stayed with me is about believing in Santa Claus. Santa was a big deal at our house, with 5 children and 10 years between the oldest and youngest we kept the tradition going on for quite some time. I do remember believing in Santa long after my friends and peers did. One day at school several of us were talking about Santa during recess. I very matter-of-factly stated that there had to be a Santa because how could parents afford all that stuff!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Sorting Saturday

I inherited a box of papers and notes that a great-aunt had when she was writing many of her books. I haven't yet opened it or gone through any of it because I want to have plenty of time when I do. Since I am getting caught up on other things this long week end, I hope to get into it later today.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thriller Thursday

Today's blog prompt suggest thrilling stories from the past but I have one for today.
While doing some searching last night, I located a family tree on ancestry.com with familiar names. In looking at it more closely, I found that the submitter had the same great-grandfather as me! How exciting!!! Now, to try to get in touch with him; I check his profile and see that he hasn't logged in for over 6 months...bummer, I hope he gets my message.
Well, good news! He got the message and replied first thing this morning. And his profile lists him as living only abou 1 & 1/2 hours drive from one of my sisters! I am so excited and hope that we can share information.
I love meeting new relatives I did not know that I have.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Woodhead/Hollingworth Connection

For sometime now, I have been trying to find a connection between the surnames WOODHEAD and HOLLINGWORTH.
This started because of a list of birthdays my great-grandfather wrote up in a "Birthday Book" in the 1850's. His surname was Hollingworth. Scattered in among the Hollingworths and some other names I am familiar with, there are several with the surname Woodhead. I have not found any family members who know where that name fits in.
I have been searching on ancestry on and off for a few years but have really stepped up my search the past few days. I have found several records connecting all the Woodheads I have names for, but none connecting them to the Hollingworth family.
In the early 1800's, the many of the Hollingworths came to America but, apparently, the Woodheads stayed in England.
I will continue my search but am hoping this blog will help me get in touch with someone who knows of the Woodhead family.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Society Saturday

Today we at CHAT had a very nice meeting. We had a tour of the Jefferson County (WV) museum and our request to use their meeting room on a regular basis was approved. We talked about what topics to address in upcoming meetings and hope to join in the tour of Washington homes next Fall. We will be putting up fliers around town about our group and hope to get more members.
All in all, a good day.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday

Much of my father's side of the family is from upstate New York; Monroe County, Hilton, specifically. I was there this past weekend and while visiting my father's grave and planting flowers there, I took pictures of others I had not connected to the family before. Now I just need to find the correct people in my database and connect the pictures to them. In the meantime, RIP Dad, I miss you.


Saturday, October 29, 2011

Remembering Grandma

When Gregg and I got married, his mother had already passed away so I never got to know her. But his paternal grandparents were still living and his grandmother taught me a few of the family recipes that Gregg requested. One was spaghetti sauce. Every time I make it, I think of her fondly. Today we are getting snow here in WV; yes, that's right, I said SNOW! Very unusual and won't last but it pretty and made it a good day for spaghetti sauce. In memory of Grandma Bender, I thought I would share the recipe as she told it to me. My notes are in parentheses but I try not too change it too much.

SPAGHETTI SAUCE
Grandma made hers in a large pot on the stove and let it simmer all day. I do it in a crock pot.
Grandma did not give amounts for most of the ingredients, just "to taste".

3-4 large cans of tomato paste (Grandma told me to be sure to get the kind with the picture of the lady on it <smile>
water: same amount as cans of tomato paste using the cans for measure to get all the extra paste out
1 onion, chopped (more or less as desired)
1 green pepper, chopped (more or less as desired)
Parmesan cheese
basil
thyme
oregano
garlic or garlic powder
onion powder if not using chopped onion
seasoned salt
(I also add mushrooms; if using canned, I also add the water)
olive oil

Mix all ingredients except reserving some onion and green pepper in large pot or crock pot. Bring to low boil then reduce heat and simmer several hours. When I use my crock pot, I usually have it cook about 6-8 hours.

MEATBALLS

1-1/2 lb. ground beef
1 egg
seasoned bread crumbs

Mix together 1 lb of ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, reserved onion and green pepper and all spices listed above for sauce. form into small to medium balls and add to sauce after sauce has cooked about an hour or so. Do not cook the meatballs before placing them in the sauce.
Cook the remaining ground beef in a small skillet, again adding the spices listed above. Add to sauce about half way through cooking. (I don't always do this, preferring instead to use all the meat for meatballs).

Sunday, October 9, 2011

FamilySearch YouTube channel

I read about this is a recent edition of Internet Genealogy magazine. I am looking forward to listening and watching some of the videos.http://www.youtube.com/familysearch

Friday, September 9, 2011

It's been a week...

Well, I haven't posted here in a week because of illness in the house. Hubby and I have been sick and I have not been up to doing anything. But feeling better now and hope to get back into research mode.
Tomorrow is genealogy day; first a local group of friends get together to talk research, etc. Then on to the FRECOGS meeting in Frederick, MD.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Society Saturday

I am a member of the DAR, thanks to my paternal grandmother. She worked very hard in the early 1970's to become a member and I was then able to join using her research. I am working on another ancestor through my mother's line, too.
I am also a member of the DUV-CW and was able to make that connection on my own. It was quite satisfying to be able to discover information that our family had not known before.
Currently I am working on an application to the Mayflower Society.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Funeral Card Friday

I have pictures of several old funeral cards. The originals were my grandmother's and now, I believe my mother has them.






Thursday, September 1, 2011

Question to Bloggers

Since I am new to this, I have been surfing around and looking at many other blogs. I see lots of interesting links, icons and widgets and am wondering how those work and where you find them! Thank you for any help you can offer.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Wedding Wednesday

This is one of my favorite pictures. It is of my great-grandparents, Gifford and Florence (Nimon) Wright on their wedding day, 12 January 1910.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday

This is the tombstone of my 7th (and 9th) great-grandfather, Abel Wright. He was buried in Springfield, Massachusetts. I have not been there, but others in my family have and have sent me this picture.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Military Monday

One of my ancestors, Peter Henry Weiser, was (and still is to a degree) a mystery to our family and to the Weiser Family Association. I was able to find out a bit more about him, including the fact that he served for a short time in the Civil War. He was wounded at Blue Mills Landing in MO.
He was my 2nd great-grandfather and helped me join the DUV (Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War).

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Church record Sunday

From family information, I knew that my 2nd great-grandfather, Jabez Hollingworth had been baptized in England at the Independent Lane Chapel. I ordered the microfilm from the FHC and found the record of his baptism and that of several other family members. I also learned more about the Independent Lane Chapel. It was a very successful and informative search.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

I am back!

After being gone on vacation for a few weeks, I am back and looking forward to learning more about blogging and connecting with other researchers.
While I was away, I was able to visit a cemetery in St. Louis where I believe an ancestor is buried. Unfortunately, no one answered the phone or my knock on the office door. I was able to get in touch with someone a few days later, but was not able to get back to the cemetery to check out the information. I am hoping a friend in the area can get there sometime soon to check on it for me.
I also discovered that my future son-in-law is interested in genealogy so was able to get him started on his research.
It was a very good time with family.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

On the List!

I am on the Geneabloggers list! hopefully I will get more contacts that way. I haven't had much time for research lately, maybe over the weekend.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A Good Start

Well, I am off to a good start. I had three people "follow" me yesterday, two comments on my post and 1 possible distant cousin! It certainly revives my interest in doing more research. I seem to wax and wane with my searches.
I have been surfing around, reading other blogs and following several people on Twitter. Even though I wish I had more time for all of it, I am enjoying what I do have time for.
Happy Hunting everyone.

Nancy

Monday, August 8, 2011

Welcome!

Hello fellow researchers! I have decided to join the blogging world and give this a try. I will be adding information on the surnames I am researching and some family stories, but it will take some time. Please feel free to leave a comment and/or suggestion.