Friday, December 17, 2021

The Dreaded Holiday Letter, Version 2021

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Let’s open with a favorite holiday song, done a bit differently. It should set your toes to tapping.


Man and I would like to wish you the Happiest of Holiday seasons.  May 2022 be better than what we have all been through for the last couple of years.


In case you are wondering why no month by month report, well, frankly, there is nothing to report.  We sold the Montana in March.  We still have The Estate.  We have not used it tho since May 2020.


We stay home, away from possible infections because of our concern over the virus, and yes, we are jabbed and in fact, we are boosted too.  We are both health compromised and have always been more than a bit cautious with the flu and colds and such. This is just a bit more epic, eh?  It could be worse, we have a lovely home with a beautiful lot, with tons of wildlife. I hear there may be eagles out in the woods/swamp.  Something new to watch for.  In the last year we had the normal deer, wild turkeys, geese, sandhill cranes, birds of too many varieties to list, and new to us, muskrat in the pond for a week or so and coyotes running around the back yard.  We had 3 baby deer, one single and two that appeared to be twins. One morning at least one of them was running laps in the back. Frisky creature that made me laugh.


We purchased a membership to a local garden, and have been exploring parts of it that we never have before.  We also discovered a few other parks near by, some almost brand new, others which are totally new to us.  It is fun, gets us out in nature, gets us some exercise and fresh air.

 


I keep myself insanely entertained with my research, adding hundreds of new peeps and information I have been able to gather about them.  With the increase in digital records, I have more input to do than I can manage, even though I try.  I had hoped several years ago to catch up on the backlog of digital records I have amassed over the years.  Instead, I find it impossible to resist the call of the “research” and probably have more records now than I did 2 years ago.  It is an embarrassing wealth, well, almost embarrassing.  LOL


Over the last couple of years I have taken up digital puzzles, like this one - - Ho HO HO.  I enjoy sitting with the iPad in the evening and solving them.  I find it quite relaxing.


We, like so many, have experienced losses and additions to our extended clan of family and friends.  Many are suffering in many ways.  Our hearts are filled with awe and pain and love.  We pray for all.  



Stay safe, have a blessed holiday season and a wonderful new year.
 

* Photos this year are some memories from the past, the reading of  "The Night Before Christmas", two versions.  The grand twins first visit with Santa and helping me trim our tree. Winston wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Puzzle of Santa headed down the chimney, obviously head first.

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Thursday, August 5, 2021

William H. Remley, Advertises Land For Sale.

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

I have been digging through old newspapers for a good year now.  I have been finding so many little tidbits, like the names of parents of infants that died young that I have been wondering about for years.  Marriage announcements that may tie a marriage record from a locality I doubted - - SURPRISE.  One of our mystery females I found so many little "social gossip" columns goodies it took me over a week to find them and type them all up, but, whewie, did I ever fill in lots of blanks and questions about her.  Found much tragedy, in one line, it was so perverse I had to set aside the research for now, it was just too overwhelmingly sad.

Now and then, I note a new paper has come on line, or I discover a paper that is not on one of the "pay to play" sites.  

All in all, it has been great fun.  And, a lot of typing. I have hundreds of articles waiting for transcription.  That part is not so much fun tho.  LOL

The other day, a new paper came online in one of my "pay to play" sites and it covered some early dates.  In a burnt county in South Carolina.  You know I hurried over there!  

And, yepper, here is something fun and new:


From the Charleston Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, Oct. 21, 1863.

Further rabbit hole snooping commenced, from the site "Names in Colleton County" I found this about Mashawville.  I had never heard of it.

"About four miles from Walterboro in the highway to Charleston are perhaps a dozen houses hugging the highway which form a community known as Mashawville."

Newspapers, truly my link to understanding and broadening my family tree.



** Remember, to check my Disclaimers Page.  Pay sites I use, well, I pay for.  

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Saturday, July 17, 2021

Jumping From “Parents Unknown” to “That’s my Aunt”, Genie Style

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Let me introduce you to Mildred Cox, married to one of the Lashbrook distant cousins.  Up to a few weeks ago I did not have her parents names recorded.

Till I found this marriage announcement while playing around in newspapers dot com.  At first I almost did not open the link because “Arthur”.  I know him as Charles Arthur.  Then, I paused and said to myself, lets have a lookie see, one quick click and - - 


From the Blackwell Journal-Tribune, Blackwell, Oklahoma, published on July 3, 1927:
     "MISS MILDRED COX AND ARTHUR LASHBROOK WED
     Miss Mildred Cox and Arthur Lashbrook were united in marriage, June 27, at the home of the bride in Duncan, Okla., with only relatives and a few friends present.
     Mrs. Lashbrook is a member of the Chi Omega sorority at Stillwater and will be the head of that organization next year.
     Mr. Lashbrook is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lashbrook of this city, and a graduate of the local high school.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Lashbrook are seniors at Stillwater and will return to their school studies this fall.  They plan to make a trip to the Yellowstone park this month."

This led to a do-over search at Ancestry dot com, and in a data base that was not available to me the last time I searched this twig (could be as much as 10 years ago), up popped this tidbit:

Mildred Ruella Lashbrook
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
No record image  Text-only collection
Name: Mildred Ruella Lashbrook
[Mildred R Lashbrook]
[Mildred Ruella Cox]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 15 Nov 1903
Birth Place: Lamont Grant, Oklahoma
Death Date: 18 Jun 1992
Father: Elzie E Cox
Mother:   Daisy N Ward
SSN: 440644770
Notes: 05 Jun 1972: Name listed as MILDRED RUELLA LASHBROOK; 25 Jun 1992: Name listed as MILDRED R LASHBROOK


Do you see it??  Parents names.  Well, did not take me long to find them on the census, and on Find A Grave.  And, then, I realized they both died on the same day in 1916.  Victims of a tornado that pretty much wiped out their little burg of Kemp City, Oklahoma. 



Cut to about 10 days later, while I was doing “mop up” input and research.  I realized they were buried about 265 miles from Kemp City, in Lamont, Oklahoma. 

I was now officially down a research rabbit hole.  Why were they buried so far away?  My suspicion was there was more family in Lamont.  Yep, there they are.



Next I am studying the other relatives and I discover that one of them authored the work, “Chariot of the Sun”.  

Her name, Catherine Ward Allen.  

Aunt of Mildred Cox.


And, yes, I have already found where I can purchase a copy or two on eBay and what libraries around the US have a copy (via WorldCat).


* Image of Catherine's book cover was located at her Find A Grave memorial thanks to Farley Calvert Hollibaugh.

** Please remember to check my Disclaimers page and the fact that I pay for my use of the web site Ancestry dot com and newspaper subscriptions.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Mabel Norton Lashbrook May, The Hunt is Over, Maybe?

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

So, this is what we know about you my dear:

Per the 1900 census (see additional reference below) you were born about May 1880.

In 1898 there is a marriage license taken out to marry one James O. Lashbrook, small issue, the certification by whomever married you never was returned or recorded.  Therefore, marriage license #16400 of Jackson County, Missouri has the return section totally blank.  The newspaper report of the license being issued states your groom’s name as, David Lashbrook.  Ooopsie.  For a matter of interest, the official Jackson County Recorder of Deeds Web Access, at the Marriage Document Access tab, shows this marriage license as "unused".  (URL not provided as it is more likely to change than not, a search will bring up the records.)


We find you in the 1900 census of Kansas City Ward 9, Jackson, Missouri, United States, enumerated as the wife of James and mother of one year old James.

From the December 12, 1904 issue of the Kansas City Star, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri:
     "Divorces Granted at Independence.
     The following decrees of divorce were granted in the circuit court in Independence yesterday:
     ………  John From Mabel Lashbrook……..."  
     Yes, John, not James, sigh, I even pulled the article to check on that once more, yep, says John.

There is a Mabel Lashbrook in the 1905 city directory of Kansas City, Missouri,  so far, this is the only directory entry found for you in the research.

Mabel E. Lashbrook marries Orrie May, 7 November, 1905 Leavenworth County, Kansas.

From The Leavenworth Times, Leavenworth Kansas    8 Nov 1905, page 8:
     "THREE MARRIAGES TUESDAY
     Probate Judge Johnson issued licenses to and married Tuesday:
     …..
     Orrie May and Mabel E. Lashbrook, both of Jackson county, MO.
     …."


After this we find nothing on you Mabel.  You are not in any additional city directories or census enumerations or marriage indexes from Kansas, Missouri or anywhere that we have found. I used Lashbrook, May and Norton for searches. 

I have searched for you on and off for well over 15 years, heavens, it might be 20 years, maybe longer?  Maybe.

Till the other night when I was digging deep in the digital newspapers I subscribe to and this lone, singular small article shows up in my searches.

From the Moberly Weekly Monitor, Moberly, Missouri, published on October 1, 1907:
     "FORMER MOBERLY GIRL DEAD
     Mrs. Mabel May, aged 27 years, died at her home in Kansas City, after an illness of only three days with peritonitis, and was buried Friday afternoon.  Deceased was formerly Mabel Norton, of this city and is a granddaughter of Mr. Margaret Norton, now residing on north Fourth street.  She was a beautiful girl and is remembered by many of our people." 


We note, from this short death notice:  No mention of your husband's name. No mention of your parents names.  And, for the record, who is Margaret Norton?  She does not appear on the 1900 census of Randolph County Missouri under that name.  She's not on the 1910 for Randolph County Missouri either.  

Now, these peeps might be part of your core family. Preliminary research leads me to believe it is possible.  More research might help, but, the lack of census records and vital records and/or news articles with lots of family names, make this quite difficult.  I cannot find one document or news article (YET) that links you to this family.  Marriage records do not indicate parents.  Death records, not helpful.
Home in 1880: Salt River, Randolph, Missouri, USA, enumeration date is June 3 and 4, 1880.  
William C. Norton 53 Self (Head)
Rebeca Norton 42 Wife
Sarah Norton 16 Daughter
Robert Norton 14 Son
Stella Norton 8 Daughter
James W. Norton 5 Son
Geo. T. Norton 3 Son
     You do NOT appear here, but on the 1900 census with your hubby James, your birth month and year are stated to be May 1880.  
     Note:  From the actual image of this 1880 census enumeration, right at the top of the page, it states:
     "The Census Year begins June 1, 1879 and ends May 31, 1880.
All persons will be included in the Enumeration who were living on the 1st day of June, 1880."  
     Just.  SIGHHH.  I have lots of possible explanations for this conflict.  None of which I see how to prove or disprove.
 
Missouri death certificates start about 1910.  There are some earlier death records and I have located a possible entry for you.  I may order it, although I do not expect to learn anything more.  No memorial found at Find A Grave - as of this week.

I have had the newspaper article open on one of my tabs for several weeks, I keep looking at it, thinking, you are found.  

Hopefully, now you rest, even though I have been unable to fully reunite you with your family.



* Please remember to check my Disclaimers page and the fact that I pay for my use of the web site Ancestry dot com and newspaper subscriptions.  FamilySearch dot org is a free site to all users.
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Thursday, May 20, 2021

The Poultry Farm


Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

For more years that I can remember, I have had this photo.  Because of where I found it, and who owned it prior to it coming into my possession, I have long felt it was possible this was the poultry farm of my great-grandfather, Joseph Eugene Bowen.


Let me tell you, this image is poor to middlin, I am fully aware.  This has been digitally edited by Moi, the original was really awful.  Faded almost to thin air.  I was happy I could "restore" it to this point.

However if you get out a magnifying glass you will see a long row of "houses" running from the middle of the photo to the far right.  On the far left is a 2 story farm house.  On the far right is a shed of some sort with a open door and some kind of a stove pipe coming out of the roof.

This week, I have been reviewing, linking, updating, organizing, and all things good for organized genealogy.  My faithful readers may remember that last year I was contacted by a genie angel who shared with me the first photo I had ever seen of my g grandpop, Joe E. Bowen, the poultry farmer.

She shared some business letter head, a photo of his wife, Minnie Maud Remley Bowen and a few other photos.  

This week while the reviewing was ongoing, I came back to this photo of Joe.


Chickens and all!!  Behind Joe, is part of that row of chicken coops. And, look at that shed, open door, and that stove pipe.

You can decide for yourself, but, I'm going with YES my photo of the 2 story farm house was correctly identified by me, by hook or crook and with a ton of just plain ole good luck.

Thank you genie angel.  Your gift and kindness just keep on giving.



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Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Richard McGreevy's Story, Maybe it's Magic Or A Marathon Or Two

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Richard E P or Richard Edward McGreevy has long been a mystery to this researcher.  And, after writing his story, it seems it makes for a long blog post as well.  LOL



What I am reasonably sure of - - 

He was born on Mar 21, 1908 in Tuscalum, Effingham County, Georgia.  I find him enumerated with his parents (Richard McGreevy and Rosa Ellen Remley McGreevy) on the 1910 and the 1920 U.S. Census living in Savannah, Chatham County Georgia.

In 1925 his father Richard dies in Savannah, a short 4 line death notice appearing in “The Bulletin” of Augusta Georgia fails to state any of Richard Sr.’s survivors. In 1926 when his sister Helen Ulmer dies, her obituary states Richard is living in Savannah.  In 1932 when his brother James dies, Richard is said to be living in Camden “JJ”. I believe that is a typo and should read Camden, New Jersey.  In 1948 when his mother Rosa dies, Richard is said to be living in Fort Worth Texas. In 1968 when his sister Lucy Fenchel dies, he is said to be a survivor, but, his place of residence is not stated.

I am sure this is his registration for the draft in World War II:
Name: Richard Edward McGreevy
Gender: Male
Age: 32
Birth Date: 21 Mar 1908
Birth Place: Tusculum, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Savannah, Georgia, USA
Next of Kin: Mrs. Pincus Louis Fenchel
Notes of interest:  Mrs. Pincus Louis Fenchel is his sister, Lucy. In the employment area of the registration card Richard states his employment as, self - entertainer, and the place of his employment as, traveling. 


I am quite sure this is Richard:

Social Security Death Index
Name: Richard McGreevy
SSN: 262-18-4466
Last Residence: 93001 Ventura, Ventura, California, United States of America
Born: 21 Mar 1908
Died: Oct 1978
State (Year) SSN issued: Florida (Before 1951)

California Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: Richard McGreevy
Social Security #: 262184466
Sex: MALE
Birth Date: 16 Mar 1908 *yes, I note a difference of 5 days in the reported birth date.
Birthplace: Georgia
Death Date: 31 Oct 1978
Death Place: Ventura

Now what makes a researcher sit up and go, yippee, AKA, the fun stuff.  I'm not totally convinced of all these suggestions/possibilities. They are not all conclusive in my mind, me the one who needs a bit more than name and place and date similarities.  That said, I’m leaning - - - 

I think what I shall do here is just show you what I have found in chronological order, pointing out some interesting tidbits as I go. 

I find 2 marriages for Richard to the same woman, 1 year apart. One in Harris County, Texas, seen here: 

 
Something that I did not see the first time around, but, this marriage record from Texas was "disposed of" at a “dance marathon”.  See that little note in the lower left corner.  (It really pays to review documents several times.  LOL)

Next, about year later, give or take, is in Indianapolis Indiana.  I cannot get a copy of the digitized record at this time, pandemic woes.  I did find it in Marion County, Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1925-2012 at FamilySearch. And, from the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, May 1, 1930, we have this notification.


The address Richard and Hilma give is the Cadle Tabernacle, scene of the dance marathon being held in Indianapolis Indiana at this time.

Dance marathons were a huge thing in the late 1920’s to early 1930’s.  Marathons of any type were all the rage.  Reading books marathons.  There was a talking marathon in New York City in 1929 (hysterical photo with this one, no one in the stands to listen to them, no attendance). Reading the Bible marathons (one such event took 70 hours to read the Bible from front to back). Swimming long distance, both Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan advertisements were found.  Outdoor motor boating near Galveston Texas (they had an issue with weather, snarky windy weather). Flag pole sitting, rocking chair rocking, fishermen (during the dance marathons), croquet marathons, bicycle riders and of course long distance running/walking marathons from coast to coast.  I even found one for marathon phonograph music playing. 

Of course, there were some shady characters and there were substantial objections to the marathons. There were legal cases alleging forgery, drugs, swindling and bigamy.

This marathon stuff sent me down a deep research hole for days.  Gracious, it was so interesting. 

But, back to Richard.  Here are two fun images I captured from the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana.


Notice he is called Mac. And the tidbit about dancing in 8 contests.  And being engaged for a year.  How much of that is public relations and how much is true? 


I must say that bit about the largest wedding cake in Indiana was a fun find.  

See, here is the thing, these marathons were an advertisers delight. They ran articles before and daily during the marathons. Marathons frequently could and would run well over a month.  Yea, really.  The newspapers cross the nation made $$ and covered marathons with regularity.

 The organizers needed to keep the interest up, so, they had “special” events many nights. They had special shows of "Sultans Dancing Girls" and dance skits where the entertainment was based on comedic dances, they called this evening "Movie Night". There was a Carnival night, with "Interior Decorators". The Turkish Harem night was found advertised in different cities. And, the ever popular "Cot Nite" where they displayed the dancers resting.  They even had some gal get a perm in her hair while she was dancing one night in Indianapolis in 1930. 


Then there were the weddings, and after that blitz of research, I can tell you that the weddings were a staple of marathon entertainment.  And, then there were the divorces, and the bigamy previously mentioned.

Now, back to Richard - - - 

From the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, published on April 30, 1930:
    "WEDDING FOR MARATHON
     While fellow marathoners danced beside them, Richard M. McGreevy, 23 years old, and Miss Hilma E. Nelson, 22 years old, couple No. 20 in the "mad marathon" in progress at Cadle Tabernacle, obtained a marriage license at the office of George O. Hutsell, clerk, yesterday.  The wedding will take place tonight in the Tabernacle."

The wedding report itself took up several columns and several inches of newspaper reporting. Here are a few clips:

"8,000 Persons Witness Mad Marathon Wedding Rites at Cadle Tabernacle… The principals were Miss Hilma E. Nelson, 22 years old, a native of Minnesota and of Swedish parentage, and Richard M. McGreevy, 23 years old, an Irishman from Savannah, Ga.”

  I suspect that middle initial probably stands for “Mac”, a nickname.  My Richard was from Savannah Georgia and the age is so close we won’t argue.

Richard and Hilma did not win this particular marathon, but they did place fourth and took home $100. for their trouble. 
     From the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, published on May 13, 1930, in part:
   “CITY’S LAST MARATHON DANCE CLOSES AFTER TWO MONTHS;
     Historic Cadle Tabernacle, where the gesticulations and oratory of the evangelist and the stately religious hymns of the pipe organ have been replaced by the croonings of a Chicago master of ceremonies and the blatant notes of a jazz band, for the last two months, was dark last night.
     It was an untimely close for the city’s final dance endurance contest, the city Council having passed an ordinance to forbid similar contests.     
     Other winners were…Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mcgreevy of Minneapolis, fourth.” 

Next, we find a Richard McGreevy in the 1940 U.S. Census enumeration of Prince George´s, Maryland, with a wife named Ruth.  So much fun to note that they are both entertainers, magicians to be exact.  Who is Ruth?  Not a clue.

 

And, guess where we next find Richard in records available to us - - 

1943 in Shreveport Louisiana city directory, the business section, twice - - 
    *Magical Apparatus
     MAC'S MAGIC SHOP, 812 Louisiana, Tel. 9129 (Note the name of his shop, Mac’s!)
    *Entertainers
     McGREEVY, RICHARD, r 812 Louisiana, Te. 9129 

In the personal section of the 1943 directory we find them again:
     McGREEVY, RICHARD (Cleo: Mac's Magic Shop) r 812 Louisiana, Tel. 9129 (Who is Cleo?  Not a clue.)

Skip to 1950 where we find Richard and Cleo back in Texas, remember his mother's obituary in 1948 stated he was living in Fort Worth Texas.
     1950 San Angelo, Texas, City Directory:
     MCGreevy Richd (Cleo) magician r 601 McAnn  (Again, who is Cleo?  Again, not a clue.)

Issues with the entire story:  Hilma? Some researchers believe she is Hittie Hicks, or Hettie Hicks, or Hattie Hicks.  Who are Ruth and Cleo?   Are they all the same lady?  Could be.  I keep thinking how “entertainers” are prone to changing their names.  

 I have not located an obituary for the lady Hattie Hicks, or Hilma McGreevy, or Hettie McGreevy, even tho other researchers say this is she.  (See the Texas, U.S., Death Index, 1903-2000)
     Name: Hettie Mcgreevy
     Death Date: 8 Sep 1989
     Death County: Harris
     Gender: Female


In the research I did on Hittie Hicks, it seems to indicate she was born in Oklahoma.  That wedding business in Indianapolis with Hilma Nelson, says she comes from Minnesota.  Could be the Minnesota stuff had more of a romantic ring to it.  Good ole public relations again?  Many unanswered questions here.

I also have not yet found any obituary for Richard who died in 1978 in California. 



Is this research finished, not by a long shot.  I have a few other documents I would like to see, but, that will have to wait till the pandemic subsides and libraries reopen.

The research so far seems to point to Richard being a marathon dancer and a magician.  Am I sure?  Nope.  Let’s be honest here, these references to Richard, may not be my guy at all. If it turns out the Richard McGreevy entertainer, possible marathon dancer, magician is not mine, well, it was a lighthearted and fun search.  It’s all good no matter how it works out for Richard. 


* Please remember to check my Disclaimers page.

** Sources I used, Ancestry dot com, FamilySearch dot org, GenealogyBank and Newspapers dot com.  I have subscriptions to all except FamilySearch which is a free service.  

*** Indianapolis articles were clipped from the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana found at Newspapers dot com.  

**** I leave you with the winners of the 1929 dance contest held in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published on March 29, 1929.  They are Mickey Sheehan and Miss Jessie Holman, both of Dallas.  They took home a cash reward of $1,000, each.  They danced 1,537 hours.  Take a gander at her dress!




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Saturday, May 8, 2021

Seriously, Even After 30 Years of Research, A Old Gal Can Learn New Tricks

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

My last blog post I shared with you Man's grandfather's World War II Draft Registration, and my surprise at his reported "birth place".  I shared that image with Man.  

I thought that birth place stuff was rather humorous, but, leave it to Man, who rarely looks at my genealogy and the massive files, to notice something I have missed.  Let's have another look - - 


What did Man see?  Why the difference between lines 2 and 3.  I swear in all these 30 years I never noticed that.  

Of course, I went on a little research side trip to see if I could find some explanation.  

I looked at Ancestry dot com.  They have a nice description of the data base.  They also include a list of states for which there are NO cards.  They are:
     Alabama
     Florida
     Georgia
     Maine
     Mississippi
     New Mexico
     North Carolina
     South Carolina
     Tennessee

I looked at a few independent web sites, again, good stuff, basically the same as Ancestry.  I looked at FamilySearch dot org and they even have an image to reference.   The wiki page (link below) is quite extensive and helpful.

As I looked closer I realized that Fred's registration card had a notation in the lower left corner that said, D.S.S. Form 1, (Revised 4-1-42)

You know that word "revised" peaked my curiosity.

I started reviewing some of my other World War II Registration applications.  Some had the notation D.S.S. Form 1.   Here is an example from my own research:


Look at line 2 and above his name in the margin.  There are at least 4 addresses here. Did this moving and address issue lead to the revision by the government?  Did this affect a lot of guys registered?  Frankly, I have no idea, in my reading I did not discover the reason for two forms. 

My last stop in my little side research trip was at Fold3, a pay site I use for military research.  They have a very nice descriptive page on World War II Draft Registration forms.  And, they show images of THREE different versions of the card.  They show the D.S.S. Form 1, another which was revised 6-9-41 and the third which was revised 4-1-42. 

Their brief, but, nicely worded description of the data base follows:

"The first draft registration under the 1940 Selective Training and Service Act required all males ages 21-36 to register on October 16, 1940, to serve in what would ultimately be WWII. Between 1941 and 1943, there were five more registrations, and the ages changed to 18-44. One exception is the Fourth Registration, or "Old Man's Draft," also on Fold3. Registration cards show name, residence, age, place of birth, employer, physical characteristics, and other information."

What is so typical of research, when I did some more clicking around on the Fold3 site, they tell me there were not FIVE registrations, but, SIX!  As follows:
     First Registration - October 16, 1940
     Second Registration - July 1, 1941
     Third Registration - February 16, 1942
     Fourth Registration, "Old Man's Draft" - April 27, 1942
     Fifth Registration - June 30, 1942
     Sixth registration - December 10-31, 1942
And just for fun, noting there is no sense in counting it as number 7, they tell us there was one more registration set:
     Extra Registration - November 16-December 31, 1943
(Note:  Each of the registrations targeted a different set of men, defined by their ages.)

See I learned something, even after 30 years of research.  Goodness I have no idea how many of these registration forms I have looked at and have in my data base.  All this said, I am not sure I have discovered all the little tidbits about the World War II Draft Registrations.  Like was there a reason for the 3 different variations of the form? 

I love learning - - don't you?  And, keep an open mind, so you can be surprised - - 


* BTW, the data base descriptive page at Ancestry dot com may be behind a pay wall.  The description at FamilySearch dot org, is not, here is the current link.  The information at Fold3 may be behind a pay wall.

** * Please remember to check my Disclaimers page and the fact that I pay for my use of the web site Ancestry dot com and Fold3.  FamilySearch dot org is a free site to all users.

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Sunday, May 2, 2021

Really Fred?? I Don't Think So

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

I am still pulling documents on ancestors well researched.  This weekend, I added Fred's World War II Draft Registration cards.

That would be one Friedrich (Fritz\Fred) Johann Gehrke, born April 22, 1885 in Hammerstein, West Prussia, Germany.  I support that with church records of his confirmation from Lihue Lutheran Church, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii while his parents were living there (from abut 1888 to about 1904).  Also from his marriage record in the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pigeon, Huron County, Michigan, said record hand written in old German by the pastor.

But, come World War II, Fred John decided to record he was born in Pearl Harbor.  Yes he did!



Of note, and something I need to follow up on, is that mention of working for the W.P.A.

* Please remember to check my Disclaimers page and the fact that I pay for my use of the web site Ancestry dot com.  
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Wednesday, March 17, 2021

When the Indexing Fails, Change Up Your Search Parameters.

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

I searched for Arthur more than once in the data set that should have contained his death certificate.  

However, the indexing was just failing.  Even just the last name and a year failed.  

And in a moment of brilliance or madness, I decided to try his given name and the death year.  I was surprised when the search engine allowed such a search, many will not allow a search unless there is a surname.  

Guess what, it was indexed/transcribed wrong.  I was glad I tried the unusual search.

Hennedy was the indexing.  Kennedy is the name.  They managed to get it right on his wife's name, just not his.  




I submitted a correction. 

I knew it was there, how to free it from the indexing horrors was the challenge.

After several attempts, I beat the system at it's own game.  

Tenacity and creativity for the win.



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Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Civil War Pension Index, It's Not All Civil War

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

So, you have a Civil War Pension Index card, but, the dates of service are not those of someone serving during the Civil War??

I accessed this set from Fold3 (as part of my Ancestry dot com subscription).  

It's called:  Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900.  Found here.    Part of the description page tells us:

"This publication contains index cards for pension applications of veterans who served in the U.S. Army between 1861 and 1900, including wars other than the Civil War."

I have seen a similar card for Arthur, yep, I have 2.  This one shows a stamp indicating "War with Spain".  The other card does not show that stamp.  


It never hurts to look at a data set even if you think the time frame is off kilter.  In this case I thought something was amiss.  Nope, it was just fine and yep, it was the ancestor I was researching. I came away with a new understanding of the data set.  Good stuff.


* Refer to my Disclaimers page here at Reflections.  Fold3 is part of my subscription at Ancestry dot com.

**No guarantees are made by this blogger that any links will remain active.  

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Friday, March 12, 2021

That Last Cell Phone Photo, March 2020

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

There is a meme going round Facebook these days, what was your last photo on your cell phone as we shut down one year ago?  I had actually downloaded this to the computer, but, it was taken WITH the cell phone!  LOL

This was taken in Wickenburg, just a day or so before we ran for the Sedona/Cottonwood/Camp Verde area.  The Camp Verde area choice felt like the safest seeing that we were so far from home (about 2000 miles) and the weather could still threaten and the availability of open anything was so questionable.  You may remember they were closing rest areas.  No one knew if there would be fuel available, stores were already out of TP, medical gloves and disinfectant wipes.  Propane was already hard to obtain. No one had much knowledge of "masks". 

One night, late, Man and I seriously considered trying to make a run for it, but, the unknowns were so high and really, scary, we decided to stay put. Better a known and a campground with facilities than out on the road with no fuel, questionable temperatures and weather conditions.  Frankly folks, I ain't that brave.

We felt sorta safe in this restaurant because the booths had high backs and each was like it's own little room.  Ya, I know, seems bizarre now.  That said, we were already unnerved by what we were hearing.  And, that said, ya, it still caught us shocked and surprised a few days later.

SOOO, this was in a restaurant, seems it may have been the last meal IN a restaurant in 2020.

I thought it was a cute idea to show off photos or paper artifacts.  No matter how hard I tried I could not dim those lights reflecting and shining back at me.  LOL  But, we get the idea.

It was March 8th.

Within the week I was sure our world had just turned topsy-tervy and nothing would be the same again. Funny, I accepted it without hysteria.  Just the facts mam?  SIGH





* Remember check my Disclaimers page.  I use Facebook as an individual, it is a free service.  Sir Winston also has a page there, which I tend to.  I also admin a few groups there.  

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Thursday, March 11, 2021

World War I Pledge Card

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

One of the little joys of research is finding new data sets and having your person of interest appear in same.

Case in point, from FamilySearch dot org, this data set:

Iowa, Black Hawk County, Waterloo, World War I Pledge Cards 

Which is described, in part:

"This collection includes index and images of donation pledge cards from Waterloo families who donated to war bond drives supporting the nation during World War I."

Here is one I found, it may be the only one I find, and frankly, it took referencing the fine help pages at FamilySearch dot org to figure out what I was looking at.  30 years of research and I do not remember seeing a document like this. One can always learn.  I had heard of pledges, had not seen anything like this.  

How fun!

Harry Frisbey, who, by the way, is also found in record sets as William H. Makes researching a challenge.  (His elder brother is even more of a challenge, and they also have a sibling Harold. FUN stuff I tell you.)




* Check out the Disclaimer Page here at Reflections.  I use FamilySearch dot org in my research, it is a free site.

** The help page for this data set is found here

*** The search page for the data set is found here.

**** No guarantees are made by this blogger that any links will remain active.  
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Thursday, March 4, 2021

Luther Dews, Cleaning Files Fun, OR, Lookie What I Found

Copyright 2021, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

I have to laugh when a friend complements me on being organized.  If they only could see my messy computer files. I am trying, one more time to clean up disasters, err, my computer files.

The other day as I was working in the data base I found this in Luther's text file.  Frankly, honestly, and embarrassingly, I could not remember what in the world this meant.  Shame on me.

Luther Dews
 in the U.S., Army Transport Service, Passenger Lists, 1910-1939
Name: Luther Dews
Departure Date: 17 May 1918
Departure Place: Newport News, VA
Address: 549 Chapel St
Residence Place: Norfolk VA
Father: Robert L Dews
Ship: Madawaska
Rank: Private
Service Number: 2471949
Notes: Company B, 319th Infantry, 80th Division

Today I found the image for this tidbit.  It was buried on my hard drive, deep in the dark recesses of what I laughingly call, organized file structure. I have digitally edited the image somewhat, removing a number of names,  I have maintained the original full octane version of the file, but, not on my data base.  I downsize images there so as to save storage room in the data base.  It used to be more important to do that, not so much these days with the cheaper storage we have available.  

Anywayyyyyyyy - - here it is - - - Luther is number 92.  I like that it names his father and home address.


The collection is from Ancestry dot com, I located the description here.   Part of the description of the data set is:

"The U.S. Army Transport Service (ATS) was established in 1899 as part of the Army Quartermaster Department. It was originally created to manage the transport of troops and cargo on Army ships that travelled between U.S. and overseas ports during the Spanish-American War. During World War I, the Quartermaster Corps managed the Army's deepwater fleet."



* Please remember to check my Disclaimers page and the fact that I pay for my use of the web site Ancestry dot com.