What Got you Started in Genealogy?: Writing Challenge
Posted on January 10, 2022 3 Comments
This gets asked periodically, especially on Twitter and I usually reply with my true, but fairly rote answer. But thinking about what got you into Genealogy might be a good exercise for all of us, whether beginning or seasoned, genealogists. It does not matter how well you write or whether you plan to share this. You can write a narrative or jot down a list.
Here’s what you might include:
- The date or how old you were when you started?
- Where were you living?
- What or who inspired you?
- Where did you start?
- Who did you talk to?
- How did you conduct your research?
- Any interesting incidents or stories come to mind?
- Who would be on your gratitude list?
- What would you do differently if you started anew?
- What has given meaning to your research?
- What discoveries are you most proud of? (This could be a separate writing prompt)
- What have you discovered about yourself or what traits do you share with your ancestor(s)?
You need not answer all the questions or in order. Feel free to add your own and share in the comments if you wish. Below I will share my story, parts of which I have shared before.
I married young in the early 1970’s and moved 3,000 miles from where I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area to a small town in Pennsylvania: Emporium, in Cameron County which was 95% forest lands. The town where I landed averaged about 3,000 souls and its main claim to fame is, as the home of Sylvania televisions, flash bulbs and the like. So unlike some similar rural towns in the area, there was a “brain trust” that took it away from the typical Allegany Mountains backwater town. However, it was quite the culture shock to a girl raised in the shadow of San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley suburbs. Many things struck me. We arrived at the height of peak color in October—the natural beauty and wildlife was stunning. My husband’s family was warm and welcoming and refreshingly normal. In some ways quite a contrast from my unpredictable and tumultuous family. Predictability was a weekly Menu posted in the kitchen and a set time for dinner each night that never varied.
In any event my husband quickly found a job working for the Pennsylvania Forestry Department and I joined the ranks of unemployed housewife living with my in-laws. I indulged in all sorts of arts such as knitting, crocheting, macrame, pressed flower paintings, embroidery, cross stitch, sewing and what not. I became a consumer of magazines like Better Homes and Gardens and Family Circle. And it is there that I found it. This less than 2 page article provoked a half century of happy ancestral pursuits. This was pre-Roots, Alex Haley’s 1976 novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, which turned many in our country into budding genealogists. It was followed by a film in 1977.
So armed with this article I decided to work on my husband’s family since they had lived in Emporium for 3 to 5 generations. This was much easier than starting with my family who enjoyed hopscotching across the country. I was particularly lucky that the Cameron County courthouse was less than a half mile walk away. And unlike in my family where all 4 of my grandparents had died. One of my husband’s grandparents was still living and many of his great aunts. Furthermore the 3 cemeteries where his ancestors were buried, were a short drive away. So in no time I was meeting and interviewing his family and collecting lots of information. I particularly remember visiting his 3 great aunts, Mary, Annie and Edna born COLSON, sisters of his grandmother Edith Amanda (COLSON) WHEATON. It is here that I took these (very poor quality photographs). I regret not taking more photographs including the front pages of the Bible and photos of all those I interviewed. This was one of my most interesting lessons. None of these three sisters had any clue where their parents were born in Sweden. I remember being incredulous. Furthermore they suggested that their father’s name may not have been COLSON! This has been a long standing brick wall—but with some interesting DNA clues.
Other remarkable findings: my father-in-law said his father did not have a Middle Name just the initial “H.” At the courthouse I discovered that the “H” stood for Hobart. After spending many hours at the Courthouse I noted all the Dockets had informative names: Deeds, Marriage, Births, Deaths, Orphan’s Court etc. However there was one Docket named “Lunatics and Drunkards.” I finally got up the courage to ask the Prothonotary what the Lunatics and Drunkards docket was for. It turned out to be the Divorce docket because at one time these were the only reasons for which you could seek a divorce.
Over the year I spent searching records there, other then perhaps one or two people for a brief minute or two I was the only one ever there besides the Prothonotary, and she spent most of her time in the outer office. Furthermore, I wonder how many other people ever visited the musty basement and looked through the Tax records and Naturalizations stored there. At the time I never thought to try photographing records and mostly just took notes as the cost of certified copies—seemed high to me at the time. [Laughs out loud]. The current cost of an certified copy of a birth record in California is $29! My how one’s perspective changes.
I did manage to get photos of cemeteries and gravestones. I also was given many old photographs including these two unidentified ones. I was able to later identify them. These are my husband’s 2nd great grandparents. And no one knew who they were. That is part of the joy of doing genealogy. We were later to visit Elizabeth’s grave in Chenango County, New York and discover the names of her parents. One thing leads to another.
Then in 1973, I moved back to California and saw a note posted at the local library about a genealogy group forming. I attended and was the youngest and founding member of this local group. I am one of only two surviving members of the original group. And she is still a friend. The group facilitated many friendships with mostly seniors and field trips to The National Archives Branch in San Bruno, Sutro Library and the California Genealogical Library and the Oakland LDS Family Search Library. These were the days of microfilm census records without indexes. I remember a visit to San Bruno and looking through the first published Census indexes and the Soundex Index to the 1880 census. I also remember snail mail letters to relatives, potential relatives contacted via the Genealogy Helper (defunct magazine for genealogy queries) and the ubiquitous SASE ( Self Addressed Stamped Envelope).
It was then I started in earnest on my family and began a long standing research association with my maternal aunt and paternal great aunt and a great uncle. I was active until the births of my children. Then genealogy sat on the back burner for a few years with just the occasional letter from my earlier advertisements in the Genealogical Helper. Over the years I became the recipient of photos, letters and other family memorabilia. And yet much was lost as people threw things out and relegated to the auction house. I wrote to my husband’s aunt asking for some keepsake of his grandmother. By the time I contacted them all had been disposed. Not a bible, rosary, photo, teacup had been saved to give to him or his sister. I do not know who , if anyone, retains the COLSON Family Bible and although there was a WHEATON Family Bible, it was never located. And I wrote letters and made phone calls to everyone in the family. I also photographer the MOSIER Family Bible. As genealogists and Family Historians we are obligated to share freely and broadly. So much is lost over time without a concerted effort,
I am so lucky to have had, so much help from older generations of the family when I was getting started and in some cases I preserved information that otherwise would have been lost. As I have written in Reformed Genealogists: Turning Stories Into Trees I have switched from collecting ancestors, to writing their stories. It has been pure delight to meet my Great Grandmother Mary Lulu (PADEN) MOSIER through her diary. To find my connection to her and her son my grandfather as kindred spirits, who enjoyed writing. The pursuit of genealogy has led to travel and friends around the globe. It has connected me in a way that has enhanced my understanding of ancient and more recent history. It has underscored the interconnectedness of people, experiences and life. I used to think if I had it to do over again I might have been better organized and taken better notes—but the truth is my regrets are few and my joy is great when I think of the places I have been and the people I have met, from casual connections to lifelong friends.
I have come to realize that my connections to my ancestors are quite personal and that they help me make sense of my life and the lives of those around me. Bringing their stories to life helps me discover more insight about my own and sharing them gives me connections that I need. My grandfather’s and great grandmother’s sorrows did not occur in a vacuum and their sensitivities I share…And what delighted them, delights me too: poetry, literature, flowers, trees, the way one feels when the sunlight is just so. As I have written before, the ancestors who left behind letters, diaries or stories are those I know best. But my great-grandmother Lucy Jane FRANKLIN’s colored pencil drawings of flowers and fruit
or my grandmother Helen SHELDON’s Lenox plates tell me something about each of them as well. We can tell alot about what people value by the choices they make.
The hardships, the Wars, the struggles are universal, and I like to think that they have paved the way for me to endure mine as well.
It is impossible for me to pick my favorite discoveries but some most noteworthy ones are the establishment of where my immigrant ancestors came from. The villages and towns in Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, England, Scotland etc have been particularly rewarding. Travelling to the villages in Bavaria, Germany where my fathers surname line came from was very rewarding. Although he and my grandfather had died before the discovery I know how much it would have meant to them and I brought hem with me in my heart as I visited this sacred places. And finally establishing Elizabeth Olson’s true origin as Aslôug Elifesdotter, in Vinje, Telemark, Norway after forty years of coming up empty. Visiting the cemetery in Little Compton, Rhode Island, the final resting place of Elizabeth (ALDEN) PABODIE my 9th great grandmother allegedly the first European women born in America. These and so much more.
Perhaps future blog posts I will write more. My hope for you is that reflecting on your own search brings you a deeper understanding of yourself, your family history and our shared humanity. My hopes for the future include discovering my enslaved ancestor’s name. Breaking down the origins of my brick wall ancestors John MERRITT and Margaret GEARY of New Jersey and Genesee County, New York. And having the time to research and complete more ancestors stories.
Kelly Wheaton © 2022 All Rights Reserved
Locating the Actual place Your Ancestors Lived: Sheldon Land Records in Early Kingstown Rhode Island
Posted on January 6, 2022 12 Comments
Where John SHELDON of Newport and later Kingstown Rhode Island lived has been a bit of a puzzle that we have worked on over the past couple of years. After a recent visit to the Town Hall for South Kingstown located in Wakefield Rhode Island. [And if that isn’t confusing enough the property is now in West Kingstown, not South Kingstown. Oh yes those jurisdiction issues again!] However after my exploration I felt confident enough to reach out to the current land owner. It is now clear to me that I got it right.
You never know when you write a letter to a land owner how it will be received or if you will ever hear back. Not only did I hear back, but I also had a delightful phone call with Tom. Since I live 3,000 miles a way I arranged for another SHELDON cousin to visit at his invitation. Never underestimate the power of human contact over just written records—it’s the stories that make the difference.
The original John SHELDON Sr. [aka John 13] purchased property in Kingstown 22 Sep 1671 and recorded 26 Oct 1683 from Benjamin CONGDON to John SHELDON of Narragansett Country, Planter, for seven pounds being 33 acres of a larger parcel had by CONGDON 22 Sept 1671 from William BRENTON, Benedict ARNOLD, John HULL, John PORTER, Samuel WILBOR, Samuel WILSON and Thomas MUMFORD ( the original Pettaquamscutt Purchasers). This parcel is reflected on this map in red.
This property is located north of the current Liberty Lane and Shown on map above being transected by Chickasheen Brook. My guess is that the house was probably located on the map where we see B.C. GARDENER which may be at the end of the current, Shickasheen Way [Note change in spelling. No house from that time frame is standing at this location.] This link will take you there on Google.
John SHELDON Sr only had one surviving son (that we know of): John SHELDON Jr. On October 20, 1687, John Jr. bought 230 acres of land near the Pettaquamscutt Purchase for 7 pounds from Benjamin CONGDON being “the land granted to me [CONGDON] by William BRENTON, Benedict ARNOLD, etc”. This is the parcel seen on above map to the west of his father’s parcel and labeled Wilson Arnold No 1. Please note there is a J. SHELDON and a SHELDON Hill on the above map. John Jr died in 1705 and John III died about 1732. So the J. SHELDON of the map is an even later SHELDON. What it does, is establish that SHELDONs were living on SHELDON Hill as late as 1835. Now to the tricky part where is this today? The southern edge of the property line is south of Liberty Lane and the parcel is transected by RI Highway 2 . Here is the annotated map Tom sent me:
According to Tom the old house that stood about 150 feet west of the Narragansett Trail was built in 1691. He remembers riding his bike up Sheldon Hill as a boy of 8 and usually turning around before reaching the house; summoning a bit more courage each time. The house was 2 story white shingled and had a center chimney. In 1691 this would have been John SHELDON Jr.’s property. John SHELDON Jr’s will is dated August 15, 1704 and was proved on January 16, 1706. So he likely died in December of 1705 or very early January of 1706. Jan 13, 1706 John SHELDEN III appeared in administration of the Estate of his father John SHELDEN Jr as seen below.
This is just below the above—the beginning of John SHELDEN Jr’s will as recorded on page 10 ot the North Kingstown Record Book.
In his will John SHELDEN Jr wills: “unto my eldest son John Shelden [III] the Dwelling House I now live in With all the Land there into belonging being bounded as a Deed of said Land Expreses With all the privileges and Appurtenances there unto belonging or in Any wise Appertaining.” This may be the 33 acre parcel first acquired. The will goes on: “Item I will unto my Son Isaac Shelden the one halfe or Moity of a Trackt of Land which I bought of Henry Hall. Said Land Lying in Kingston and bounded North Northerly in Part on land now in the use and occupation of ye Widow Crandall. ” The following map shows the land of Crandall to the West of the Benedict Arnold parcel. I believe the house shown as Mr Wilcox would be the same as that which Tom speaks of being built in 1691 and which I have marked as the Sheldon House in red.
So we can establish that somewhere between 1835 and 1870 the Sheldon House and property pass out of the hands of the SHELDONs to WILCOX. It appears to have been occupied by Hiram DOYLE and more recently belonged to Daniel BRAYMAN. It was burned down in 1977 by the then property owner because it was deemed unsafe, before the property was acquired by Tom. The Narragansett trail would have been a major trail of the native Narragansett people and then later used by the European settlers as well. The house was previously a Way station or Inn. Thank you to Sissy Walker for visiting Tom and sharing the photos below.
By the time Joe bought the property there were 7-8 rock wall enclosed fields. Here is an example of two walls one constructed long ago and one Tom constructed.
There are 3 grave lots on the property and more details about them can be found on the Rhode Island Cemetery Commission website. They are:
- SKA40 SHELDON – SMITH Lot Walled with nice entrance stones. Only one grave marker with visble marking (concrete) for Dorothy PARTEKA died 20 Feb 1936. However in 1880 He found one stone with the date 12 March 1832 presumably a death date and eleven other rude stones.
- SK199 Daniel BRAYMAN Lot 12 burials 220 feet SW of foundation 45 X 25 feet no enclosure no inscriptions Has visible mounds and Head and foot stones. 1/2 of graves are infants.
- SK200 UNKNOWN Lot 3 burials Located just off the Highpoint of Narragansett Trail. NE of house foundation. Field stones with no engraving. Stone wall enclosure with one wide step stone on South corner lot 25 X 15 feet
There is one additional lot off Liberty Lane which would also have been on SHELDON property
- SKA37 SHELDON LOT Located off Liberty Lane “on land of John G. Clarke north of his house on corner of lot two graves… both with rude stones. On the opposite side of wall a burial yard now plowed down that of slaves of his family.” This lot was destroyed in the 1937-38 when Route #2 was constructed. According to Carl CONGDON as told to Tom the Sheldon Cemetery and the Baptist Church at Waites’s Corner had to be moved. Originally it was probably north of Liberty Lane as that is where the CLARKE property was located. Formerly known as SK 572. Whether the graves were moved or plowed under is not known.
Liberty Lane connects directly to Hwy 2 aka South County Trail. Off Liberty Lane is Holly RIdge Lane which you can take North to also connect with Hwy 2. This would have been part of the SHELDON property as well. These are photos I took there. The two hundred and 30 acres of John Jr plus the Thirty-33 acres of his father John Sr encompass a fairly large area currently transected by Hwy 2, Liberty Lane and Holly Ridge Lane.
Finally we should mention the CLARKE property shown on all three of the above maps and remained in the CLARKE family for many generations. In 1885 the Honorable John G. CLARKE II, who was a Clerk of the Supreme Court from 1865-1883, built the standing stone mansion in 1885.
Returning to John Jr’s will. “Item I will unto my said son Isaac Shelden and to his heirs forever the one halfe or said Land except twenty acres of Land Which Was formerly Given unto my Son in Law Daniel Sutherland and the residue of the Whole Trackt being equally divided from North to South the Westermost thereof I give unto said son Isaac. With A dwelling House that stands thereon and all the privileges and benefits thereunt belonging from as aforesaid. Item I will unto my son Joseph Shelden the Eatermost Halfe of Moity of said Trackt of Land unto his heirs forever With all the Rights and Profits thereunto belonging. ” [Note John Jrs daughter Elizabeth Sheldon marries Daniel Sunderland before 1704 .] It is my understanding that this is the large 230 acre parcel as shown on the first map as Wilson Arnold No.1. Isaac having inherited all but twenty acres of the Western half and Joseph the eastern half. This places Isaac on Sheldon Hill and his brother Joseph in the area of Holly Ridge Road. Further research in the Deeds of South Kingstown may yield more gems.
Granted following old deeds and wills is not easy but I think we can be reasonably assured we have found the early lands of SHELDONs in South Kingstown Rhode Island [now lying in West Kingstown of maps]. Heartfelt thanks to Tom and Sissy and my partner in crime Dale Sheldon!
Resources used:
- Land Records
- Wills
- Many versions of Old Maps
- Recent maps including Google
- Cemetery Records
- Personal Interviews
Kelly Wheaton 2022 All Rights Reserved
Music & Dressmaking, Singing as I Sew: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 30
Posted on January 5, 2022 Leave a Comment
Sat Feb 1 – Nothing particular to chronicle
Sun “ 2 – Mrs Miller Essie & Herbie came over to look at a house and call on us. Lolita and Charlie also came had a very pleasant time.
Mon “ 3 – Eilenes birthday J [Jessie] & I were almost ready to go to town when Mrs Fryer came out to be fitted. We then went down to Berkeley and had lunch then to town. Did a lot of shopping got my new glasses and came home. J went around by Davies and got my Govt check for $15.00 which they keep sending to Hayward and out to our old address in Castro Valley. But I get them which is the main thing. Eilene was here when we got back and had waited quite a while for us. She was kindly entertained by our neighbor Mrs DeGiers. Jessie got a telegram that said Syl would be in S. F. at 10 this same evening. Jessie went with Eilene and Leo to the City to meet her returning soldier boy. It is now 11 oclock. I have been out and mailed a letter to Milo in ans. to one I got from him today and now to bed.
Tue Feb 4 – I did an immense washing was through when Jessie & Syl came home. He looks well and happy to be back. Jessie is radiant.
Wed Feb 5 – J & I go shopping and learn the value of a dollar these anti-bellum [After war] days. [After WWI price controls were lifted and inflation took off] Syl got a nice new hat at the same bad prices as before the armistice. Uncle Sam isnt clothing him now. He likes civilian styles and cloths better. We all go for a walk.
Thu. 6 – Spent the day in cutting and fitting my pongee skirt, and in evening go to see Mrs Miller Ray and Rose with Jessie and Sylvester. It was raining I read “The Yellow Typhoon” on the way. [By American novelist Harold MacGrath]
Fri Feb 7 – Mrs Fryer didn’t come for her things today. I have a very bad sore eye this morning. Cant sew or read much. Treating it with witch hazel and Boric acid solution.
Sat. “ 8 – Eye still sore. Jessie and Syl do the Sat. marketing and then go to S. F. to see the folks on both sides over there, so I am alone awhile.
Sun Feb 9 – I was half awake and thought I was at home in Neb in bed and there came several earthquake shocks and I wasn’t afraid. It was pouring down rain. Finally when I really awoke to the fact that I was on the Pacific Coast I was more alarmed about the shock, but guess it was only a dream. I arose at 10 bathed my eye which is quite sore yet, got my breakfast did up my morning work looked the paper over the best I could and now at 12.30 am bringing this record up to date. No one has appeared to break my solitude. The sun has come out and a brisk wind is blowing. We have had several letters from Milo lately saying among other things that he had received his Christmas box and that he was coming home soon he thought. Good, fine on everything.
Feb. 20 — Gave Jessie $10.00 a day or so ago gave her $5.00 and when my $75.00 came all at once on or about the 1st of Feb I gave her $20.00. I also spent about 1.00 for groceries. I went to two Wed morning meetings of the Choral Club and enjoyed them very much. I will have to have my glasses refitted. Returned Irenes dress that I mended and had a good visit with her. Got some silk thread to make up Josephines new green silk dress. Syl went up to Willows to run a tractor plow in the rice fields and we are all alone again. Am very tired of the loneliness. My heart is heavy and I want my babies back again O cruel fate. Went alone to the P. on the 17 to see the drawing for the auto. There was a wonderful crowd out. It was a huge success but I did not get the auto. I got my 15 from Milos allotment this morning Feb 20 and also learned from the Red Cross that I was not entitled to an allowance from the Govt. Its me for doing without it then. I am to see the clinic about my eyes soon. Spring is here in all its Golden Glory but some how my heart fails to respond. I have finished my pongee skirt and it looks very well. I am now embroidering a corset cover.
Feb 21 Fri – Eilene came over with Leo for us to keep over Washington’s birthday while they went on a hike. J & Syl took him with them the next day…
Sat Feb 22 – …when they went to Hayward Their hostess the Durant girls failed to keep their appointment and meet them with the auto so they came home in time for a dinner of steak and potatoes at home. I had sewed some on Josephines dress and kept the house in order when Mrs. Smith and Vestina came. I had a pleasant chat with them and after they left did quite a was. In the night it began to rain and so I got up and brought them in.
Sun Feb 23 – I got up rather early and washed up last nights dishes got breakfast and after it was over did my ironing. There was quite a lot of it and I finished it all. J & S went to look at a house and I gave the baby Leo a bath and he is now sleeping sweetly. I tidied up things and am now at 3.30 writing up my Diary. The day is sunny and showery by turns, cool and very pleasant. God is every where though some times through our blindness we fail to see his face. I am rather tired and a little melancholy which I try to fight against. I suppose I am to get dinner and I had rather rest. (Later in the day) Eilene came and said she never saw Leo looking so sweet. She took him home with her.
Last week of Feb. spent quite as usual at home at Jessies sewing on Mrs Fryers work attending Wed morning rehersals and helping on housework, etc… I went to clinic and didn’t get any satisfaction or advice they were so busy with people who were really poor and unfortunate that I decided not to bother them again Jessie and I went to visit Mrs Westlund in Castro Valley and had a very good time. The weather was rainy but we were met in Hayward with a car and didn’t have to wait long. We called on Mrs. Hasenbalk and found the old woman suffering with a very painful leg. We also called on Mrs Smith by the V. C. about this time. Took crocheting along and listened to some very good phonograph music. Mrs Smith and Vestina called us a couple of times. I did not put down the doilies which are unimportant any way
Mar 4 – Lolitas 18 birthday gave her a pretty guest towel. She came over in evening and brought us a piece of her birthday cake. Was sad because I couldnt go over.
Mar 5 — Usual Wed morning rehersal. Began work on Stabat Mater which the Berkeley Oratorio will give Good Friday. Went to Fryers to get thimble and more sewing.
6 – 7 – 8 — Usual routine of work.
Mar 9 – Lolita and Charley came over and found me alone they got a pie and some Hot tamales and we had a fine dinner. J & Syl were away. Lolita was not very well.
10 – Syls birthday. I bought him a necktie which Lolita had seen in the window the day before and considered very pretty. Then I went over and met Allie and he took me way down the peninsula and showed me how to run the car. I had a most delightful time. When I returned Jessie and Mrs Miller were getting up a fine dinner for the birthday so I had quite a full day. He was pleased and gave me a kiss for his birthday present. He is a good son-in-law.
Mar 11 – Mrs Fryer came and we did some fitting. She took back some of the girls ginghams for a woman to do who she said would do them for nothing. I told her I couldn’t sew for nothing for I had my living to make. Gave her my bill.
Mar 12 – Usual Wed morning rehersal. Getting on fine. Called at St Marks for money for sewing. Got 20. Very glad to get it; as I was crossing street I met Joe who inquired after every body in “his” usual neighborly way Lolita came the day before. She was quite sick and we are to keep her till she is able to go to work again. We had a pleasant time the rest of the week. It seemed nice to have her with me again. I fixed her underskirt for her. She learned to crochet a pretty new pattern for a camisole.
Mar 15 — Eilene came over on Saturday and got her Georgette waist that I had hem stitched for her and Lolita went back with her Allie & Dewey drove the Madera and got Uncle Petty.
Mar 16 – I think it was this day that J. S. and I went to the 1st B [Baptist] Church in Berkeley. It was rainy and the services dull but the church seems to be a pleasant place for the Young people of the U. to foregather to worship.
Mar 17 – this was the monthly drawing at the Pantages. We all went but as usual failed to get the auto. Had a good time nevertheless.
Mar 18 – Went to S. F. with Jessie. Stopped at Emporium and saw Lolita. She told me of money being missing and suspicion being directed on her. It happened when she was home sick and while it worried her terribly I told her to stick to work and every thing would come out all right. I was so sorry for her. They had cross questioned her till she was pale and nervous. I stayed with her till Jessie came from home on Oak St. She said Eilene had cut her hand very badly and she must go over to help. It was Lolitas second day at work since her sick spell and she was hardly able to stand it but while I pitied her I knew it would not do for her to quit as long as the question of the missing $50.00 remained unsolved. We waited at the Ferry Bldg awhile for D. nd A. to show up in their Jitney and when they did not we came on over to Berkeley. I stopped at the St called Bancroft Way and walked over to Dacia to Unity Hall when the Berkeley Oratorio Society meets to reherse the Stabat Mater. [Editor’s note: this redwood constructed building still stands and I attended meetings there as a teen in the 60’s]
I was the first one there and the janitor showed me the way to the rooms where we practice. I had been there once before when we were rehersing for the Road to Victory Pageant, but I had forgotten which entrance we used. It is on a corner and a very dark gloomy place of a rainy evening before the lights are on inside. However I went in, he lighted up and I sat on a couch by the big fireplace crocheting while the singers came straggling in one by one. Mr. Steindorf did not come but we had a good rehersal nevertheless led by Mr. Redfield with his wife at the piano.
Wed Mar 19 – I went to the Ebell club house in Oakland as usual and worked hard at the music being rehersed for the Stabat Mater and a program to be given the convention of womens clubs soon. A lady next to me gave me a compliment which warmed my heart. We were speaking a difficult piece. She said “You have such a lovely voice You ought not have any trouble with it.” I was astonished for I was led to believe by Madam Pres. That I dident have any such thing. I thanked her. It helped a lot. I went over to the hotel and had my second surprise. Irene said I was to have the kiddies dresses to make after all. That Joe had said he didn’t want anyone to make them for nothing and he wanted me to have the work anyway. While she was out he came in, He asked me if I was going to do the childrens sewing. I said Mrs Fryer had said he said I should do it. And he said “that goes then.” You have always done their sewing very nicely. I let her attend to it for me. And so it was settled. He went out. Mrs. Fryer came back and I cut and sewed all afternoon. Hurried home, and got Syls supper.
Mar 20 – 21 – 22 – busy days sewing.
Sun “ 23 – Jessie Sylvester and I started out to look at a house, met Vestina Smith and her mother on a similar quest looked at several, visited the piano store unique in its way from others Ive seen, and went on over to Melrose to see Rays family. Met them all and also Mr and Mrs Fitch and their own and foster children. She is a typical mother and take it easy. Ray was making 3 little white cribs for his own and the Fitches babies use. We had ice cream for dinner which was too chilling for me so I cooked something hot when I got back home and felt better after eating it.
Mar 24 Mon – Washed cloths.
“ 25 Tue – Rehearsal of Stabat Mater at Unity Hall.
“ 26 Wed — Morning Rehersal. Called at St Marks. Jessie came in, stayed a few minutes and then we went shopping.
I bought me a white dress. It is very pretty. Applied for a dressmakers discount at Kahus. Came home tired but triumphant. “Music and dressmaking, Singing as I sew, I begin to feel at home here, a part of the intricate activities of this wonderful string of cities around the San Frisco bay.
Mar 27 – Cut out bloomers etc. In the evening we went to the big civic auditorium in Oakland to hear VilHjalmmer pronounced Halmur Stefensen lecture on his experiences in the far north.
It was most interesting and instructive and so simply and naturally told that it was a source of wonder to hear him tell so calmly of living for 5 years with the Esquimos as one of them and off the country even as they do. Hunting, fishing, sealing, white Polar bear and fox caribou and seal it was all one to them. A slight youthful modest man with light brown hair large straight forward honest blue eyes. Kindly nature unassuming thoroughly equipped with a fine education he has added materially to the knowledge of almost every branch of learning. He has brought the Arctic nearer to us than it has ever been brought before.
Mar 28 – Washed cloths
“ 29 – Crocheted an edge on a handkerchief. Feeling bum. Sat around fire most all day. Vestina called for a lamp. They have mooved across the street. J was in city all well at home, Lolita has her cash box back which goes to show they have found her innocent at the Emporium I’m so glad its cleared up at last. Eilenes hand is better. Allie is at work in a garage. Dewey is overhauling his car. Leo is growing very fast.
Mar 30 Sun – Jessies 26 birthday. They went to church came home baked a birthday cake had dinner. Went to see Ray and Rose and have not returned.. It is now 8 oclock in the evening. The weather is beautiful and mild. We have had so many cold rains. I am feeling better today. I had a letter from Milo about two weeks ago he had written it so long ago that it wasn’t very newsy. He didn’t expect to get away from France for a while probably until spring. He was doing nurse duty and said it was a great life if you didn’t weaken.
Mar 31 – Jessie went to S. F. to help Eilene wash.
Kelly Wheaton © 2022 All RIghts Reserved
How to be a “You Cannot Fail” Genealogist
Posted on January 4, 2022 2 Comments
Confession Time. Everything in my life is a combination of trial and error, and that includes Genealogy. I started writing the past year of Blog posts by accident. It was in response to a blog post, by my now friend, Paul Chiddicks, in his article The Top 10 Sins of a Genealogist. So now after a year of being an accidental blogger in earnest it got me thinking of why I write. Here’s what I wrote to Paul: To make connections, to inspire and to make people think differently. There are so many people being told you “Must do it this way.” And I am really just saying “No you don’t.” Try this, or it’s okay to do that. If we know we can’t fail, we’d take more risks. We’d try more unconventional things. And my guess is we would have more fun.
Over the years, the How To’s and edicts by the experts intimidated me, discouraged me and made me feel bad about “how” I was doing genealogy. I always felt I was doing it wrong. Now I write, partly to be the antidote to that and partly to share things I have learned or am in the process of learning. And what gives me the courage to talk back to authority? A half century of genealogical research and what I have been able to accomplish in spite of doing it all wrong. When I started my website Wheatonwood.com it was because I started a Wheaton DNA Project and at the same time I was laid up from leg surgery and had to keep my leg elevated for 6 weeks. And that is how I work: adversity, inspiration, opportunity and persistence.
It’s important to know how you work best. Is it deadlines and goals? Great. But if that isn’t you I am here to encourage you to find your own way. We can learn a lot from experts; but they can also stifle our creativity and our native abilities. They can make us feel bad about not measuring up. So you set out to write 52 Ancestors stories and managed just one or none. So what? The fact that I don’t always note my sources as well as I should, or that I gave up writing down every reference I consulted after about 5 years—I suppose now a days I could keep all that in Evernote and search through that every time I got inspired to go look up something new. After 50 years I can say the way I do things and end up revisiting things suits me fine. The chance to revisit, is a chance to find what I overlooked the first time. If I simply go to my notes and say “oh I already checked that” and never recheck , that is a lost opportunity.
If I take a walk and I drop a glove and have to go back to look for it, I tend not to bemoan that—I tend to look at it as an opportunity to look at things a bit closer. To get another chance. Okay so not to belabor the point here’s my advice. Follow bloggers and genealogists who encourage, inspire and make you feel good about the way you do genealogy—if you follow people who make you feel bad about things, why? Especially now after 2 years of Covid-19 and fractious politics we don’t need much more negativity. Let your new genealogy mantra be to have fun or die trying! Try to find others that you connect with; that make you smile or even laugh out loud at yourself. If you are a creative or rebellious sort, just know you are not alone—and you can accomplish a lot and never do it the way you are supposed to.
The Key to “You Cannot Fail,” is not to give up trying. The key is to let go of your definition of failure. if all you ever do, is research what you want and share that with a few family members that is success! At the end of the day, for me, it is about connection. It is about connecting with my past and with a future that I will not live to see. It is to leave behind something—-breadcrumbs for others to follow. Although not completed yet I have blogged posts from my Great grandmother Lulu’s diary. It connects me to her in ways I could never have imagined and it makes me cognizant that the struggles of 100 years ago are not so different than the ones today. Although much of genealogy is a solitary pursuit it is also one incredible opportunity to share and connect with others. We share ancestors and stories and we connect because we share a passion to find out more. If my writing brings you a little closer to doing something you love, I am very glad for it. That makes me happy. I write for myself, but I share with you for the one person, that may be reading a post, who needed to read just this. I may never know what a difference it made, but I like to think it did. And that is my double delight. Thank you !
Kelly Wheaton © 2022 All Rights reserved.
2022 Genealogy New Year: The Anti-Resolution Resolution
Posted on January 2, 2022 2 Comments
It must be my contrarian nature, as I am not one to make promises I won’t keep. I get things done but not usually in a systematic, “finish this before starting that” fashion. Remember I am a firm believer in gophering. And gophering is all about going for one thing and ended up somewhere else. I go off researching one ancestor and end up following another. It’s all good in my play book.
Please don’t make the mistake of thinking I am disorganized as that is not true. There is a method to the madness it’s just not point A to point B. To me that is just boring. I liken it to my Genealogy related traveling. I have a very detailed itinerary with opening times, requirements etc for places I want to visit. It is organized by day and color coded. However, that is mixed with a great deal of flexibility. Things get added and things get dropped. A wrong turn means we end up at a garden or cemetery or church we hadn’t expected. We pull into a parking lot and meet someone who leads us somewhere else. Serendipity is the foundation of Gophering which leads to new discoveries.
So here’s my contribution to New Year’s goal setting. Some ideas for you to ponder.
- Are you still collecting ancestors rather than developing stories about those you have?
- Are you a hoarder of information? Do you share freely or hide your tree behind the it’s a mess excuse?
- Are you enjoying your genealogy research, or are you hating it?
- What do you like to do most? Organize photos? Make New Discoveries? Meet new relatives?
- Do you have an end goal or mini goals along the way?
So here is how I would answer those questions.
Are you still collecting ancestors rather than developing stories about those you have? No I shifted a few years ago to trying to build out the stories of the ancestors I have. I wrote about that here in Reformed Genealogist.
Are you a hoarder of information? Do you share freely or hide your tree behind the it’s a mess excuse? My tree is always public and it appears warts and all with a caveat. In Genealogy we have shared ancestry, hoarding is an anathema to Genealogy. I wrote about that in Greed and Genealogy Don’t Mix
Are you enjoying your genealogy research, or are you hating it? I am loving it. Meeting new people and collaborating brings me joy. I need to write more about that.
What do you like to do most? Organize photos? Make New Discoveries? Meet new relatives? I have discovered that I like researching and writing stories about my ancestors. A couple of Examples One thing Leads to Another: My Ira ALLEN and Ice Cream Melons, Foxes Its the mouth watering details that Bring Ancestros to Life. So my advice is do what “you” love and leave the things you don’t enjoy to someone else. You can use collaboration or hire someone to do what you don’t like to do. Don’t like writing or need help, hire a writer or coach. Don’t have the expertise in German research, hire someone to help. Bottom line do what you are inspired to do. To borrow a phrase from Marie Kondo. Do what “Sparks Joy.”
Do you have an end goal or mini goals along the way? I don’t like major goal setting—as for me—it feels like a set up for failure. I don’t work well that way. If it works for you by all means do it. I prefer to do my goal setting by list making. I create a list of unfinished business and I check it to see what I have not completed or what I still need to do. It is open ended with no time frame and no stress. It’s a gentle reminder of what I “mean” to do (some day or other). I accomplish just as much but without the sense of pressure and failure of unmet goals. I currently have 12 drafts of Blog posts in various stages from just a Title to almost ready to publish. Some people would write one at a time and finish one before starting another. I don’t work well that way—and if you are like me take heart, you never need to set a genealogy goal and feel like a failure again. You can do genealogy any way you like as long as you have fun or enjoy the way you do it.
If anyone makes you feel bad, then I suggest not following their advice. Life is too short to feel bad when you don’t have to. So bottom line is do it any way you wish. If setting goals motivates you, then by all means set goals. If you hate the pressure then try out some benign lists. There is a great satisfaction for me in checking things off. But an unfinished list is just like a shelf full of books—lots of possibilities and I pick the one that calls out to me in the moment.
Kelly Wheaton © 2022 All RIghts Reserved
I Love You California: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 29
Posted on January 1, 2022 Leave a Comment
[Published January 1 2022 103 years later. Back then it was the Spanish Flu, now it is Covid-19 Omicron]
Jan 1 1919 Wed – This ought to prove an easy date to write just two 19’s. Jessie is about well now. We put out the wash I did yesterday and cleaned house sorting magazines for the red cross and overhauling things in general. Mrs Rebecca Miller came as we finished. The weather is so cold but I think is warmer today. The sun is doing its best. I feel so discouraged and down hearted today. Seems as if there is a burden of woe to heavy to be cast off. I try to look on the bright side but how do you do it when there isn’t any?
Liven up sad heart and cease repining.
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining.
Your fate is the common fate of all.
Into each life some rain must fall.
Some days must be dark and drear.
I went to bed early and while the world went wild with the joy of the new years dawning I slept quietly only waking when the big fog horn on Angel Island shrilled its distressing wail so much for 1918 which had its joy as well as sorrows.
Jan 2 – 3 – 4 – Very cold and freezing at night. J Leo H and I at home.
Jan 5 – Eilene David Walker Lolita & Charlie Cameron came over from S. F. and brought $5.00 for Leo’s board.
Jan 6 – Went to Pantages in evening. Saw Betty alone took her home to St Marks. Mrs. Fryer sick stayed until Joe came back from Fairlawn Hotel when he took or brought me home.
Jan 7 – Went down to Oakland Ebell club. No meeting of Wed. Morning Choral Club so went to see Mrs Fryer she is up but not well.
Went to a cafeteria for lunch. Spent a pleasant afternoon. Met Mrs. Aber. a Christian Science lady who entertained us so well that dinner time found me still there. Joe asked me to eat with them which I did enjoying it greatly. After sitting around the lobby watching the others awhile as Mrs Fryer said “like a lot of stuffed cats” I went out with Josephine to get some milk and bread for Mrs. Fryer and then came home. I lay awake nearly all night thinking over the events of the eventful day.
Thu. 9—Busy working on a centerpiece I am crocheting out of No 100 thread. Jessie is working on a couple of dresser scarfs.
Fry. 10 – Sat 11 – Usual daily routine and still no word from Milo.
Sun. Jan 12 – Jessie went over to see the folks at San Francisco. Came back in evening. Leo and I had a strenuous day together.
Mon. Jan 13 – In the evening I went down to the Pantages theater to the drawing of the Piedmont house. A French girl named Modene who is sick in the hospital got it. I am glad a woman got it. Mrs Fryer is not much better.
Tuesday, Jan 14 – Looked for Mrs. Fryer today she dident come but Eilene did. I was glad to see her. She looked very well today. She took Leo home with her to keep. He was so glad he was going to “see Dewey” who is his Idol. Uncle Wm Petty came today she said. I am sure glad he is well. The house seems strangely quiet since they left. Jessie got two letters from Syl. He got his affidavit and thinks he will be discharged soon now. I got a letter from my sister Goldie who gave me some figures on the home places which I was glad to get.
Wed Jan 15 – No rehersals at the Wed Morning Choral so I did up my morning work early and Jessie & I talked of going to see Rosie. I decided to stay so J went alone. Soon after she left Mrs Fryer came in her fine big auto. Josephine & Betty came along. Mrs Fryer whose name shall hereinafter be Irene brought some skirts for me to remodel. I shall be glad of the opportunity to make some money again. The day threatened rain but it blew over. It is cloudy but warm. Irene is better of her flu of which I am very glad. It is 8 oclock and Jessie has not returned. It is a wee bit lonesome.
Jan 16 – 17 –Sewing and Housework.
“ 18 Sat – Did housework. Dewey came over in evening and brought us $10.00 which comes in mighty handy, thanks.
Jan 19 – Heaviest rain of the season every body glad and happy Mrs Miller came and brightened up the day for me, she is real entertaining. She went home in evening.
Mon Jan 20 – Irene F. came and fitted skirts.
Jan 21 – At home in Berkeley busy at daily duties.
Wed. Jan 22 – Allie’s 29 th birthday dident get to see him. Working on Mrs Fryers skirts wonder why she doesnt come.The good U.S.S. Orizaba arrived at N. Y. with the 52 ammunition train complete, hope Milo is with them but am not sure
Jan 23 Fri. — J did our washing. Misty in morning sunny in afternoon dried our wash fine Joe and Irene came in afternoon to have Irenes skirts fitted. They fit fine and she left promising to come in a day or so. I am in a flutter of anticipation over Milos possible arrival in N. York. Jessie made whole wheat biscuits and they went fine with honey. After eating them we felt like the house wouldn’t hold us so we took a long walk up into the North Brae hills we could see mirriads of lights twinkling in Berkeley Oakland San Francisco Sausalito Albany and Richmond. A starry night without a moon with a fresh flower scented breeze made walking a keen delight. Up hill nearly all the way mounting higher till we could discern the lights on the different islands on the bay. We took the car back home and arrived about 10 oclock. So now I sit writing it down. A thousand wonderful sensations that no words could portray but the heart can treasure up and the memory recal years hence at the breath of a subtle scent of musky flowers or new pine houses or the misty glimmer of twinkling lights through the fog. “I love you California”
Jan Fri 24 – Working steadily on sewing getting on fine. Jessie thought it was Sat. and went out marketing for Sunday.
Sat 25 – Discovered mistake and looked up back dates verifying [?????]. Got it all straightened out and had a good laugh about it so this Sat. and not Sun.
Sun Jan 26 – A glorious spring day sunny breezy and redolent with the scent of blooming shrubbery. J and I decided to take a walk which we did going out Cedar st as far as it went towards the bay thence north to Albany and around back home to 1534 Bonita ave. [2 miles out and back] Just as we were approach the house we saw Eilene and Leo coming across the st. Lucky we met her so she would not have to remain outside waiting. Leo looked fine in his new blue velvet suit. She went home about 8.
Mon Jan 27 – sewing; ripped up pongee skirt fitted Jessies skirt
Tue 28 – Mrs Fryer & Josephine came out and stayed to dinner, we enjoyed it very much.
Wed 29 – Jessie and I were ready to go to the city when Mrs Miller came in so she accompanied us. I went to the Ebell club to see about rehersals which have ceased for the influenza. Then I had my eyes fitted for glasses they are the best the Elaine Barettta Co makes and will cost me $28.50. then we went over to S. F. and did some shopping at the Emporium. I got me a new hat [????? ?????] silk hose, etc. I came home very tired retired at 12 o’clock. J came in just before that she and Mrs Miller had been looking at houses to trade. I saw Lolita at work. She is getting on fine.
Thu Jan 30 – Mrs Fryer came bringing more sewing and the kiddies for a hike with Jessie and Lolita that came over for that purpose. They had a fine time climbing the hills back of the University of California.
Lolita took the children back to their Hotel and then went on over to the city of San Francisco. Jessie got supper and is doing up the dishes. I shall now go to bed.
Fri. Jan 30 — Last day of first mo. Just busy sewing.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved.
The Tea Kettle Sings Merrily. All is Calm. All is Bright.: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 28
Posted on December 20, 2021 Leave a Comment
Nov 29 – J. did not go to work so we washed the laundry and went down to Oakland. I could not get Milos Christmas box there so we did a little shopping and came home. J. went to S. F., Found Eilene sick in bed. Got Milos sox that Mrs Johanna Wahl knit for him and some gum for his box and came home.
Nov 30 Sat. – Up early. J. to work me to get Leo ready and go to Berkeley red cross for that everlastingly elusive Co. Carton. Last day. The card I have chosen to send bears this appropriate verse…
To my lad in Khaki
Heaven possess you, fortune bless you all along the unseen way,
Forward faring, gladly sharing
In the nations testing days
Courage fill you service thrill you
Victory crown each brave advance
Comrads cheer you God be near you,
Soldier boy “Some where in France.”
I arrived at the Red Cross 1:15 and was the last one to send a box over seas from Berkeley. I came home afoot Leo trotting along in and out of doorways up and down steps banks and hillocks, tireless. I was tired enough when I got home.
Dec 1. Sunday Dec 1 1918 – I arose early and ironed Leos coat dry which I wash Sat eve. Jessie took him to see his mother in S. F. who is sick with the “flu.” She took a short motor trip and lost her pocket book containing 11.00. Mrs Miller came over and we both went to St Marks church to the rehersal. Had a pleasant time. I walked home alone and Mrs Miller took the Key Route home to S. F. Jessie & Lolita and Charley came a little later bringing Leo, boy baby, back with them. He is always ready to go any where with anyone.
Monday Dec 2. – Jessie went to work saying she would go directly to S. F. to see if they had found her purse that she lost Sun. Leo and I have put in a busy day. He had his first lesson in using a needle. He is very apt and sewed several buttons on a card. I was made happy with a letter from Milo, who is still in France. I have written to him and Goldie Mathews. Allie & Dewey came over in machine get drawing table. They passed Jess somewhere. They didn’t find her purse. She didn’t approve of their methods.
Tue Dec 3. — I took a walk with little Leo in the glorious Dec sunshine, got some bread, meat, apples and postages. Mailed Milo and Goldies letters. Came home got lunch over and put Leo to sleep. A letter came from Syl also one from the treas dept with a check for $85 for Jessie. O joy.
Dec 4. – Wed Morning rehersal at the Ebell Club.
“ 5 – 6- 7 – ordinary routine.
Dec 8 Sunday – It rained so did not go to auditorium to practice Road to Victory. [The performance they are practicing for.]
Mon Dec 9 – Went down to auditorium to reherse Pageant. I am in the Angel Cho.[choir] and Enjoy it all hugely.
Tue 10 – Another rehersal
Wed 11 – Went down to Aud. in afternoon to help make the halos for A. Cho. Got a bad headache from fumes of gold paint walked into Oakland to wear it off and felt much relieved when I got back to Auditorium. The 1st night was a success.
Thu 12 Fri 13 & Sat 14 – Nightly performances of the Pageant by Lila Stewart called the Road to Victory. I enjoy the part I have in it. I met Mrs Fryer Fri night and she drove me down to the Auditorium in her big sedan. I found out she had been sick and Paul and family had gone back to L. A. and that she had not been away from Oakland. All of which surprised me. I was glad to see her again. They are all staying at the St. Marks.
Sun Dec 15 – Quiet restful day after the big show which was a grand success in every way. Eilene and Lolita came over from S. F. to see it on Sat and Jessie took Leo down. I joined them after my act was over and we enjoyed the last scene together.
Mon Dec. 16 – Went to Pantages show in evening. As usual, no luck in bungalo drawing which comes of every mon.
Tue Dec 17 – Eilene came over with money to pay Leos board. She got her allotment from the Govt. She stayed all night.
Wed, “ 18 – I went down to Choral Class. J & E went downtown and got Leo two pair shoes and went on over to S. F. where they remained all night.
Thu “ 19 – They took Leo to Dr Stewell in S. F. and had him circumsized. F. S. and Dewey brought him over in the car.
Fri “ 20 – Leo is doing nicely. Jessie is not well and it makes her worse to be up nights with him. Jessie went down town between rains and mailed Sylvesters Christmas box, which made her cold worse.
Sat Dec 21 – Busy at housework & waiting on Leo. Trying to complete some Christmas presents for the family. A collar bag for Dewey a wash rag knitted for Allie and a waist for Lolita a coat hanger for Eilene.
Dec 22 Sun. – Very dull and lonesome Sunday. Leo is cross, Jessie sick. Lolita and Charlie came late in the evening for a short call. I tried her waist on. They promised to come Christmas.
Mon Dec 23 – I fixed up a box for Fryers and gave it to Joe at the Pantages theater on Monday evening after the first performance. I then hurried home to my sick people.
Tue Dec 24 – I was as busy as a hive of bees when Joe Irene and Josephine drove up. They had a nice box of writing paper and a book of the Operas for me. They said Jessie had the flu. We had a lovely visit. Frank Mosier came as they were leaving. Mrs Fryer spoke pleasantly to him. He came to settle with Jessie about some work that he did on the Miller place in the S. S. Dist. And did not refer to Fryers visit. Quite late Allie Eilene & Lolita came over bearing presents and invited themselves to a Christmas dinner.
Dec 25 Wed Christmas – I hurried out early in the morning and bought a tree and a squash and other things for a dinner. Killed the last of the squabs and got busy preparing same while the girls trimmed the tree. We had a fine time dinner at 8 in evening. Lolita called at St Mark Hotel to take some presents to Josephine & Betty with which they were greatly delighted, Then came on here.
Charley had already come D & Allie came later. We had a very pleasant time all around, altho Jessie was sick she got up and helped all she could.
Dec 26 – J went to Red cross to see about Sylvesters affidavit. They sent a Dr to see her who gave her a certificate stating she was slowly recovering from the flu. I went and got her some med.
Dec 27 – She went down to see Mrs Fryer and Joe to get them to sign the affidavit as witnesses and they were out. She came home discouraged. I was sorry she went
Dec 28 Sat – Put the house in order did the marketing and ironing and fixed white waist.
Dec 29. Sunday — It has been a most peaceful and restful day. Jessie was up part of the time. Leo is almost well and plays out of doors most of the time. I forgot to say I got a letter from Leo stating that he had got into a law firm. I’m so wonderfully gratified glad and happy that he has accomplished his hearts desire at last. All success my boy. I havn’t heard from Milo in a long time. I don’t know whether he is on the way home yet or not. Jessie is eating her second dinner. I think she is getting better and I’m glad. It is 8:30 and no one came to see us yet. It is clear and cold out. Our coal fire is real comfortable. The tea kettle sings merrily and the Christmas tree gives off the spicy fragrance of its Northern home. All is calm. All is bright.
Mon Dec 30 – Jessie went down to Oakland to get Mr. Richardson to sign her affidavit to get Syl discharged from the army. I did not go down to the Pantages in the evening to the bungalo drawing.
Tue Dec 31 – Last day of the old year so full of joys and sorrows. May the new year be kinder to the poor long suffering world.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Christmas Expectations
Posted on December 19, 2021 5 Comments
A fellow blogger Genea- musings asked: What are your most vivid memories of Christmas times past?
The expectations would begin right after Thanksgiving with my Mother’s long Christmas gift list. Then every Christmas Eve starting around 2 in the afternoon we would load up the car with Christmas packages for friends of my parents and set off to visit the Bryan, Lin, Dowdakin, Altamurano and Upham families. Kids played, parents caught up and gossiped, food and drink consumed and finally gifts were exchanged before moving on to the next house. We always ended up at the Uphams. We did not see them throughout the year but always spent Christmas Eve at their dinner party.
It was festive and fun and as I grew older and had crushes on a few of the boys I looked forward to seeing them each year. A lot can change in a year! Voices deepened, inches gained, girls became young ladies…We played board games, told stories and did what kids did back then, stayed as far away from our parents as we could, hiding out upstairs or in back bedrooms, preferably with the door closed.
Some of the memories are, well how should I say it, unappetizing. Such was the case when I took a slice of unusual looking red Jell-O from the huge buffet Mrs Upham had prepared. I loved Jell-O of all types but this one…it did not like me. First bite came right back up as I gagged on tomato aspic. It’s all about expectation. I envisioned sweet and smooth and it was neither. To this day I have not eaten aspic.
The most surprising gift I ever got was received on Christmas Eve. And it was the one present I opened that night. The opening of one present on Christmas Eve was a tradition we picked up from one of the other families, although it took some heavy lobbying to get our parents to go along. It was the most intriguing package I have ever received. It was a wrapped small can; smaller than tuna fish, but larger than chopped olives. And it had a very quiet clunk when I shook it. I could not guess what it was. I was mystified. Even after opening it with a can opener I was like what IS this? Well, it turns out it was an oyster which my father deftly opened with a pocket knife. He used the tip of his knife to explore inside, finally exposing the pearl inside.
However, that was not the most unexpected of Christmas gifts. The most unexpected gift happened when I was 11. We had spent longer than usual at the Uphams on Christmas Eve. It was after midnight on a foggy night, but not that foggy that you could not see. My brother was fast asleep and I was enjoying the Christmas lights as we made our way home. And then we saw the most unexpected thing. On the roof of a house maybe 5 blocks from our home, was a real live Santa all decked out in red and a pack on his back standing with one leg into the chimney. There was not a soul around, no one to witness but my parents and I. What was he doing? Surely he did not think he could get down the chimney? My parents were just as incredulous as I was. And we talked about it for years, my brother not believing us. Why was Santa on a roof in the middle of the night? It was a real live person moving about on someone’s house in the wee hours of Christmas morning. It challenged all of our expectations, and left us with a lifetime Christmas memory. Perhaps that is the true gift of Christmas 🎄
My heartfelt wish to all my followers for a Very Merry Christmas or Winter Solstice and that the season is full of wonder even as we deal with another year of the unexpected.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.
One Thing Leads to Another: Our Ira ALLEN not “the” Ira ALLEN
Posted on December 13, 2021 3 Comments
While I was writing my post Ice Cream Melons & Foxes [ now many months ago] I was surprised to find several mentions of Daniel COATS’ father-in-law Ira ALLEN in the History of De Kalb County, Indiana 1885. So I parked that with the thought—okay that needs exploring, so here I am staring at the most distant ancestor for which I have a photo: Ira ALLEN. Ira is my 4th great grandfather and this is a small image of poor quality, but we go with what we have. (Ira was Mary M ALLEN’s father). Born in Ira, Rutland County, Vermont 12 February 1791 to Major Benjamin ALLEN (War of 1812) and his wife Amey WOOD. So let’s see what we can do to bring Ira back to life.
We know that Ira ALLEN died in or about October 1860 at De Kalb County, Indiana, so we can assume this photo was taken before 1860—this is on paper which was unusual for this time period in America. It is less than 2″ of image. It has been colorized to bring out some detail.
For many many years the family legend was that our Ira ALLEN was related to the famed Ethan ALLEN of the Green Mountain Boys. Ethan was a military commander and Revolutionary War patriot. Ethan had a famous brother Ira ALLEN also a military leader with the Green Mountain Boys. After much research (including DNA evidence) we know that this is one of those “wishful thinking” legends. It is true that Ira, Vermont was named for Ira ALLEN and it is true that “our” Ira was born there, but beyond that there is NO familial relationship!
What do we know about Ira ALLEN is the recording of his birth in Ira, Vermont as it appears in the Ira Land records Vol 2 pg 273 (HINT: please note this is not in a book of births but in the land Record Books!)
All 5 of Ira’s full siblings are recorded in the same book: Rhoba, Benjamin, Reuben, Amey, and Asa. Ira was the last child born to Amey (WOOD) ALLEN. One sister died before he was born and one brother died the year of his birth. That must have been a bittersweet time for Ira and Amey. Then another tragedy strikes. Ira’s mother, Amey, dies 1st of March 1794 at Ira, Vermont when Ira is just over 3 years old. His father Benjamin is left a widower with 4 children aged 11, 7, 5 and 3 years old. As was so often the case back then, his father remarries shortly thereafter about 1795-1796 to a Mary RAWSON and to this union 3 children are born. In 1815 Ira’s father, Benjamin ALLEN, dies in St. Lawrence County, New York. I estimate Ira marries Hannah WATERS about 1816-1817 in St. Lawrence County.
In the 1820 census Ira is living with his wife and 3 children in Rossie St. Lawrence County New York adjacent his older brother Reuben ALLEN.
From the map this looks to be a rural area in upstate, New York near the Canadian border.
By the 1830 census we find Ira and brother Reuben in Morristown, more of an established town, about 16 miles due North, right on the St. Lawrence seaway. From there our Ira heads west. We find out more in the History of De Kalb County, Indiana tells the story of Ira ALLEN in its chapter about Wilmington Township:
“In the early part of 1837 Ira Allen came in and pitched a cloth tent on an oak hill on the east side of the township. In that tent he remained perhaps a month or two until he put up what in those times a commodious house composed of oak logs hewed square notched down closely. When he came he was a very large stout , muscular man, apparently with an iron constitution.” While I do not have a photo of his log house, this postcard is a square hewed notched log house from New York. The skill necessary to fit such a cabin is much greater than that required to build a typical lincoln log type cabin.
As the History records it: “Sometime on October of 1837, Mr Allen went out to hunt his cattle of which he has a number, and after finding them far out in the interminable woods and swamps to the north and west, he started home with them. On the way one of his work oxen mired down. After laboring hard in the mud and water for some time (the other cattle in the mean time getting scattered in the woods again) he started for his tent, but failed in reaching it and lay out through the cold and frosty night, wet and muddy as he was. The next day John N. Miller, an early settler of the same township, while making his way through the wilderness to the land entered, heard someone hail him away out where he was not looking for a human being, and on going where the voice came from, he found Mr. Allen and his boys laboring to get the ox out of the mire, it having been all night and until the afternoon of the next day. They had forgotten to bring an ax, and had to cut a pry by bending down a sapling and cutting it off with a pocket-knife, while the fibers of wood were thus strained. Getting this pry under the beast , they finally raised him from his sunken condition, but had to roll him several times over before he could find firm footing.“
Again we have not photos but this etching from Harper’s Weekly 20 January 1866. [I found this by doing a search on Ebay for oxen and etching. Never underestimate Ebay as a resource!]
It appears that Ira ALLEN applied for a land patent on the 2nd of November 1837 from the US General Land Office in Fort Wayne Indiana for 160 acres in Stafford Township. By its legal description we can locate it precisely in 34 N 15 E the SE Quarter of Section 6. This map from 1880 shows the parcel being transected by the railroad and it now has a major highway going through it.
43 years after Ira ALLEN Settled here
It is pretty amazing that I was able to locate this parcel today. It is often evident where earlier parcel lines lay by the lines of cultivated fields and watercourses.
The History also suggests that this incident may have led to his becoming “broken down with rheumatism. As an instance of hardships and exposures that probably brought on this affliction.” Additionally we learn that “The commodious block-house erected by Mr Allen was long used as a meeting house as well as a dwelling, and here in an early day was held many a prayer meeting, or Sunday Worship.” As others settled the area we get this lovely description: “By this time [1837] the newcomers began to feel pretty good; they were getting neighbors within two or three miles of each other, and could hear their dogs bark, as well as hear the wolves howl every night. The sturdy yeoman battled their way through thick and thin to get a living for their families and had to endure all the privations of a frontier life.” At this date Ira and Hannah ALLEN will have 9 children. The youngest, Ira Jr., is about one year old and the oldest 19 is Sarah M. ALLEN. No wonder he needed a commodious house!. In a838 Ira is listed on the grand Jury for DeKalb County, indiana.
Ira is listed on the 1840 and 1850 census for Stafford Township, DeKalb County, Indiana. I cannot find him in 1860—however he should be somewhere is he does not die until October-November 1860. His will was written 7 Feb 1851 and not proved until 8 Nov 1860. In his will he does not mention his wife so I assume she has died. He gives his property to his three sons to be divided equally Asa, Aaron W. and Ira Jr. He gives to his five daughters varying amounts: Mary M COATS $4, Maria D COATS & Elizabeth CLEMENS $30 each, Lucinda ALLEN $200 and Lucinda ALLEN $300. We do not know why the great discrepancy in amounts, although sometimes this means they had already been given land or financial assistance.
Ira’s final resting place is about 7 miles SW of his home at Newville Cemetery. The grave is in poor shape and no dates are visible. “Last row next to river where 5 broken and deteriorated markers exist. This is the only one with any writing the can be read.”
So that is the extent of what I have been able to piece together about Ira ALLEN my 4th Great grandfather. His ALLEN lineage is what leads me back to Rehoboth, Massachusetts and so many ancestors there. He traces back to a William ALLEN, my 10th Great grandfather, the immigrant, who settled in Salisbury, MA in 1639 allegedly from Yarmouth, England. He marries in Salisbury to Ann GOODALE. And let me repeat he has no relationship to the famous Ira ALLEN and the Green Mountain boys. However he seems like quite a character in his own right!
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Spanish Flu which is Epidemic: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 27
Posted on December 13, 2021 Leave a Comment
Tue Oct 1 – Thinking over music of pageant. Home at Jessies. Usual Housework at Jessies in Sleepy old Berkeley.
Wed 2 – Usual Wed morning meeting of the Wed Morning club. I enjoy these immensely. We are working on some lovely music.
Thu – Fri – Sat – Just the same old round. No letters from anybody but the usual daily love letter from Syl to J.
Sunday Oct 6, 1918 – Mrs Miller and I went down to see the great army training camp at Menlo Park near Palo Alto called Camp Fremont. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it immensely. Syl came up to see J. After we returned to Essies I went over to see Eilene and the rest and as I stood in the Pan Handle behind a great Eucalyptus tree an auto drove up and out got Eilene and Frank H. I crossed over Oak St. and greeted them. They were greatly surprised. We went in the house. Later J and Syl came over and we all went down to the So. Pacific to see them off for Camp Fremont. This is the last time before he started for France.
Mon 7 – Practiced or rather rehearsed our Angel Chorus at Unity hall am learning it all rapidly. Enjoy it hugely.
Oct 8 – Usual round of h. h. h. duties.
“ 9 – Went down to the Wed Morn Choral meeting, practicing some popular music for Parade.
10 Thu 11 Fri washing & ironing up etc.
Sat – morning went down to club house to practice. Few turned out. Pres. Mrs. Koser quarantined for Spanish Influenza which is epidemic.
Sat evening Oct 12 – went to the parade dressed all in white. Took part in Womans land army singing patriotic songs on street as we marched along.
Arriving at the auditorium I was fortunate to get a seat in front and listened to some inspiring music and stirring addresses by prominent Bay people, notably Miss Reinhardt of Mills College for girls which was a splendid patriotic appeal for the city to rally to its duty in buying liberty bonds for carrying the war on to a glorious victory. A returned Chateau Thierry soldier a public entertainer in khaki returned from the front and an author and war correspondent Mr DeBeaufort were instruments in making the meeting a success. I returned late but inspired to our little shingled bungalow under the great Sheltering Palm at 1534 Bonita Ave which perhaps will be my home as long as any of the other habitations wherein I have dwelt.
Sunday Oct 13 – Jessie and I dressed up and started to go to Lake Side Park to see and take part in the big movie that the Tribune people of Oakland were taking for to show the boys “Over There” When we went to transfer at 14 and Broad an auto passed some one called I looked up and saw the whole Mosier family Pater and all. We spoke pleasantly and they took us over to the lake where we arrived in pleanty of time for the “moovie” It was so very hot but we braved out and got on the picture. Then listened to Paul Steindorf’s band discourse lovely music and Beatrice Michelena sing the Star Spangled banner and the Marseillaise and then we wandered home.
Monday Oct 14 – Rehearsed the Angel Chorus at Unity Hall. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred on
Tue 15. Attended Choral
Wed 16 Few present at Club house on acc. of Spain “Flu” which is getting rapidly worse. All Cities report a rapid increase in cases and deaths. Syl left for France.
17 – 18– 19—20 – All public meetings called off. No theaters churches or societies may meet until further notice from authorities but people can go and come if they wear a gauze mask over their faces.
Sun Oct 20 – Jessie and I went over to S. F. acc. by Mrs Miller who had come over earlier in the day to get a jacket. We discussed the Great forest fire that had recently devastated Northern Minn and Wisconsin with its appalling loss of life and property, and Sylvesters probable departure for The front which was all a great secret. I took Milos letter which I had just received which told of his going north in a motor truck and picking wild black berries along the way to “the front” Spoke of all the letters which I never got etc. Mother Padens birthday
Oct 21 – All is calm but the “Flu”
“ 22 – F. S. took the girls out for a ride and brought them over here about 4:30 I didn’t want to go riding so told them I wait for Jessie. She was amazed. We bluffed it out. They stayed to dinner at our request. It wasn’t very pleasant reviving old thoughts.
Wed 23 – They came back and left Leo with me while they went with their Father to Rodeo to try and get work in the munitions factory. He brought them back in time for supper. They didn’t get work on account of it being a fake add. (Funny) I didn’t see him. I was nervous and overwrought on account of meeting him the day before and was glad. I don’t like the way he looks at me, so haunted and sad. I wish to God he had been a man and been a good husband and father Instead of throwing away his life like he did and ruining the happiness of both of us. Eilene said Frank Hoffman entrained for N. Y. on Mon 21 Oct.
Oct 24 Thu – Feeling blue and dejected got a nice letter from Carrie and Leo who had been called out to do home guard duty at Moose Lake Minn. Helped bury 100 bodies in one grave. Said it was awful. Carrie sent babies picture. She is sweet.
Oct 25 – Washed and cleaned house.
“ 26 – Ironed and went marketing. Made yellow tomato preserves.
Sun Oct 27 – Beautiful quiet and sunny. J and I are about to go to San Francisco. Later came home late in evening tired and glad to be home again after a nice visit with the children. [We do not know if Lulu went to church in San Francisco on this day. This is here old congregation at an open air service on October 27, 1918 View west on Waller between Octavia and Laguna. 1st Baptist Church during the Spanish influenza epidemic. Congregants assembled on folding chairs on the sidewalk.]
Monday Oct 28 – Jessie was to tired and sick to go to work so rested awhile and helped me trim 33 great fronds off our palm tree which was quite a task, but results repaid our efforts.
Tue Oct 29 – Regular round of h. h. duties.
Wed “ 30 – No Wed. Choral today on account of Influenza epidemic. Mailed a letter to Milo in France. Dewey came in afternoon and stayed for dinner. We had a nice little visit.
Thu 31 – Did the weeks wash and cleaned house. J & I ironed in evening.
November 1 1918 Friday – I was embroidering on a set of tea napkins when the childrens Father Mr. Mosier drove up in his car and talked awhile thru the screen door. He wants to moove the 1415 Oak st establishment consisting of my old furniture and Eilene and Lolita in with Jesssie & I, which will necessitate taking a larger house. We talked quite informally of the different phases of the rather odd situation. Sylvester & Frank off to the war. Dewey wanting to go Milo already there and Himself working in Rodeo in a powder factory which leave the women folks of this family temporarily manless. I agreed to take them in and he agreed to furnish money for their share of the expenses. Not a word was spoken of our own personal affair; which was well and as it should be. We have settled all that in court.
Nov 2 – Cleaned house and went down town with Jessie marketing in evening. People present the most grotesque appearance with their various makes of (gass) Influenza gauze masks on. We got a jack rabbit.
Nov 3 Sun – At 1 p m correct time Leo came and no paper yet. This is getting to be a habit with our carrier. We just naturally want to know the news these trying times. A brisk wind is blowing and it rained some this morning. We finished trimming the jessamine [Yellow flowered vine] and the climbing roses.
Nov 4 Mon – Got a letter from Wash. [Washington] about allotment. J got one from Syl who is in Base Hospital Camp Mills in N. Y.
Tue Nov 5 – Still no letter from Milo. I await his address slip anxious as I cannot mail him his Christmas box without it. I wrote to Allie & Leo and will mail them when I go down to order some coal. Weather grows chillier. Dewey came over to see us.
Wed “ 6 – Same old story Nothing doing.
Thu “ 7 – Did a big wash including Allies old overcoat than which no garment ever did so much good. Cleaned house very tired. Leo Hoff. Is a lively child. Rumor that Germany agree to truce terms and to sign armistice.
Friday November 8 – Two letters came to brighten up the day. One from Milo and one from Allie. But Milo didn’t send his slip for his Christmas box. I am very sorry I am afraid when it comes it will be too late as they have to be sent by Nov 20. Last night the country went wild celebrating our supposed victory. Hope its true. Milo wrote from the front and says he has a fine bunch of souvenirs for me. He writes very entertainingly of army life at the front. It is now time to start Jessies evening repast. My head has been aching for 3 days
Nov 9 – Usual Sat work. (anniversary)
“ 10 – Looking for Dewey to come over in auto and take us to Bonny Doon Ranch to get apples. Came after I had gone to bed. Auto in Rodeo out of commission. Dewey stayed all night.
Mon 11 – Jessie went to work and came back saying they had a holiday so we all went to S. F. with Dewey. Eilene and Lolita also had a holiday so after dinner we all went down to Market st. to see the celebration of signing of the armistice by Germany. The United States went quite mad with joy and S. F. Oakland etc upheld their reputation of “knowing how”. The chief element was noise of every description a bedlam of primitive racket, hilarious boisterous but not vicious no order no music just noise. Every one wore flu masks. We got back to Berkeley about midnight nearly deafened.
Nov 12 – the day after. Rather dull. Got a telegram from Allie saying he would be at the 16 station at 6. I got dinner and when Jessie came I was all ready to go and meet him. We found him in the Station hardly recognizable in a big 6 ply gauge mask. Helped him home to Berkeley with part of his heavy tools. After dinner he went to see Dewey in S. F. to see Dewey and remained.
Nov 13 – Look for Allie over but didn’t come
Nov 14 Thu – Allie and Dewey came over to see us. Said they would inquire about going to war. But thought there would not be much show now of going to France since the armistice had been signed. Leo is still with me and keeps me busy.
Nov 15 – Usual pastime waiting for the letter that never comes. No money from the Gove’t which has had ample time to pay up the money it owes my two daughters Jessie and Eilene and I. We are certainly patient but it grows monotonous.
Nov 16 – My 52 Birthday. J & I went marketing and shopping in the evening and got some things for Milos Christmas box.
Nov 17 Sunday – Jessie gave a birthday dinner to me. The children were all here but Leo and Milo. They brought a big box of lime candy. Had fried squab. Dewey & I went to T & D also Lolita and Allie.
Nov 18 – Rained hard all day.
Nov 19 – Washed with rain water. Jessie & I went down to see Tribune moovie of people who have boys in army over there and enjoyed it very much. Got letter from Carrie Leo and Sylvester.
Nov 20 – Leos picture taken in a goat cart. The day for sending the Christmas boxes over seas has been extended to Nov. 30. We can get a box if the label comes or not.
Thu 21 – Ironed and washed some more. Got letter from Jessie and Allie from Seattle bank and from Mother Paden. Jessie worked on lawn dress late in evening.
Nov 22 Fri – Cloudy and threatening rain cool and quiet.
Sat 23 – Dewey came over late in eve. brought me $5.00 for keeping Leo the week. [Dewey] Is quite sick with a cold and fever. The Drs would diagnose it Spanish Influenza. I gave him hot tea, lighted the oil stove and got him warmed up and advised home and bed. Sorry to see him go back.
Sun 24 – Very dull stupid Sunday Read most all day.
Mon 25 – washed a few pieces, sewed some, met Jessie in Oakland, got Milos service flag to hand in window. Did some marketing had dinner at the V. & J. Jessie took Leo went back home. I went to Pantages and later to rehearsal at the Oakland Hotel. Saw the Chinese dance under direction of Mrs. Lila Stuart. Very pretty. Little Chinese girl played Paterewski’s minuet by memory. Came home alone.
Tue Nov 26 – Jessie got 2 letters and a bunch of pictures from Sylvester. They were fine. I ordered 14 pictures of Leo Hoffman taken in a goat cart and they were delivered today. They are also good. Lolita came over in evening and stayed all night.
Wed Nov 27 – Lolita and Jessie were up early and Jessie got breakfast while Lolita got ready to go to S. F. to work. Nothing transpired during the day worthy of note. As usual, no visitors or mail came. Spent the day mending and “minding” Leo. Some job. In evening J. went marketing for Thanksgiving. I killed 3 pigeons and we picked them and went to bed.
Nov. 28 Thu – Thanksgiving day. Jessie Leo and I had a good little dinner all alone by ourselves. We had pigeon Fricasee, pumpkin pie, combination salad beet pickles, carrots, potatoes and coffee. Jessie is spending the raining day making a coop for the only remaining pair of pigeons.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Wheaton Wood 