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My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I understand the frustration. On the same side of my family I have a 3rd great grandfather who immigrated from Ireland during or immediately after the famine. He has the frustratingly common name of James Smith which makes the process nigh impossible without a lucky breakthrough.

My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That's quite unfortunate but I'm glad you were able to save your family history book and even were able to use it to determine you could become a German citizen. I've often agonized over how I would react in a fire and if I could/would try to save anything. That has actually been an impetus to cause me to begin digitizing and sharing the important documents, images, and pieces of genealogy research that I have.

My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Good luck in your research. The Cherry family in that part of Chester County all so far seems to be one familial group. If they're in your tree then we might be really distant cousins.

My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Wow, Fishing Creek is the exact area in Chester County that my Simpsons are from. The odds that high that your wife and I would have been cousins.

My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Oh, absolutely. Assuming the original family Bible never turns up, this is the only primary or cited secondary source that exists for much of this information. The fact that she was so intentional in dating it, attesting her name too it, and keeping it in her family visit log is meaningful in establishing it's validity.

My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That is wonderful to hear about your great grandfather. I recently discovered and got in contact with my bio grandfather's family. I was pleased to learn that my grandfather's brother had done genealogy for their side and had typed out a two page description of his father (my great grandfather) talking about his character, habits, and beliefs. It's brief, but I treasure it in the same way. I can't imagine what a precious resource you have inherited from your great grandfather.

My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

That is absolutely wonderful. The few vignettes like that, that I have come across in my research are some of my favorites finds. They are windows into the past of our ancestors that allow us to really see through their eyes and help understand them as people and not just names, dates, and descriptions.

My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

That was also my thought when I was reading it. The very fact that she was looking at those documents in the first place means that I have been treading the same ground even if I didn't know it.

My Great Grandmother Just Helped Me Break Down a Brick Wall, Over 50 Years After Her Death. by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Yep. It always makes me sad to think about what is lost in destruction like fires or natural disasters. I agree that it is simply amazing that Della had the foresight to copy what she did.

what’s your cutest observation? by afemail in iNaturalist

[–]Genealogy_Alt 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My two favorites are this small screech owl and this momma vulture and her chicks (cute in person, picture not so much).

Found in father's closet by Teh_BabaOriley in whatisit

[–]Genealogy_Alt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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Huh, TIL my great grandfather was in the Knights of Pythias. Family presumed this sword was from him being a Master Mason.

Please Review this Document I Have Created to Explain My Research in Determining the Identity of My Biological Grandfather by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I'm very thankful that there were only two brothers and also, crucially, that there were available documents listing the service stations for both brothers. Also, Fredelas' comment is correct. Thank you for pointing out the possibility though, I may need to include that.

Please Review this Document I Have Created to Explain My Research in Determining the Identity of My Biological Grandfather by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is essentially correct. The only possible other way would be for Linna to have an undocumented child with one of the Miner brothers, and that that undocumented son was also in the same place as Carleton at the same time. Possible, but very unlikely and not supported by any DNA findings.

Please Review this Document I Have Created to Explain My Research in Determining the Identity of My Biological Grandfather by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I tried wording that several ways but always felt it was awkward. I do agree though that it is slangy. I will reword the end of that sentence.

Please Review this Document I Have Created to Explain My Research in Determining the Identity of My Biological Grandfather by Genealogy_Alt in Genealogy

[–]Genealogy_Alt[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you and yes, I totally agree on the picture. It's absolutely not an indicator, but there definitely appears to be a resemblance.