Granny Pam's Genealogical Trials and Triumphs
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Treasure Chest Thursday – The Service Flag

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Granny's Ancestors | What's going On - (2 Comments)
This entry is part 2 of 9 in the series Treasures and Curiosities

You may or may not be familiar with the Blue Star Mothers, an organization of mothers of service members. I recently read the history of the Blue Star Mothers, and learned that the group was organized in Flint, Michigan. I am a Michigander, and finding the group’s Michigan connection made me proud. I saw the listing for chapter M1, Flint, Michigan, thereby learning it is still active, and saw a listing of the officers and meeting time and location.

I wanted to learn more about the Blue Star Mothers after I found my grandmother’s Service Flag folded into her funeral register book. I wrote about Winnie Kaiser Yearnd’s funeral register in this series, not too long ago. My grandmother died when I was six years old, but I do have wonderful memories of visits to her home. When I saw the flag, I had far off dreams of having seen it before, but I am not sure. I think it may have been displayed at her funeral; if I remember correctly perhaps that is why it was in the book. I do remember seeing Blue Star Mothers marching in the Memorial Day parades of my youth, perhaps the only women in uniform I saw during that era.

D1 sent for a service flag when GS1 entered the Navy; it has been displayed in our front window for three years. This fall, GS2 joined the Army. I remembered that D1 had mentioned needing a new flag with two stars, then forgot about it. Last night, I took the old flag out, pressed it, inserted a wood dowel in the casing at the top, and hung it in the front window.

blue on white

The stars first represented my father and uncle, who served in the world War II era. Dad was too young for service during the war, but he was in the Marines for a short time after his high school graduation. There are quite a few photos of uncle Bill in uniform, he was older than my father, and served longer. I don’t believe washing the flag would be a good idea, it has no side seams, and is slightly frayed along the edges. However, I am very proud of our grandsons, and think my grandmother would be proud too.

Do you remember being told how lucky you were to live in the United States? I certainly do, freedom was highly valued, and those who served our country were respected and honored. Things were not as friendly when Papa served during the Vietnam era. It is important to remember that a price has been paid for our way of life, and today I am glad that more citizens take pride in their country and the service members who sacrifice for us.

Are members of your family serving? Do you have a service flag for your window? You can leave a comment here if you have memories of The Service Flag. If you would like on to display in honor of your service members, there is information on how to obtain one on the Blue Star Mother’s website. Even if you have no active member of the military in your family, you might enjoy reading about the history and activities of this great organization.

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Honoring My Mother

November 20th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Granny's Ancestors | What's going On - (0 Comments)

Mother left us for a better place on June 6, 2007. I was fine for a while, and the not fine, and then fine. I rode the roller coaster of life and found joy in daily routine, family and friends, my garden and my genealogical research. A year ago today we buried her ashes at the Great Lakes National Cemetery.

In cases where a graveside service is included after a funeral, the death, services and some closure follow each other closely. In this case, more than a year after her death, I had no desire to add another “sad about Mom day” to my calendar. So when S-Dad decided it was time to bury her, I suggested her birthday. It is fitting, Mother loved birthdays and all the fuss that she supposed needed to be included.

I made my first trip up to the cemetery in the spring, and took photos as I have with all the graves I visit. I was later suspired to find a memorial for her on Find-a-Grave, and asked that it be transferred to me.

Today, Papa and I will place a memento on her grave, and pause to remember all Mom was, and did for us.

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Until We Meet Again

November 10th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in What's going On - (3 Comments)

Papa’s Dad left us nine years ago today. In many ways, it seems like yesterday, but it was not yesterday. Our niece, who is his youngest granddaughter, had traveled the distance between a little girl and a teen. We have two granddaughters he never saw or held. Our youngest grandson does not remember him, and our older grandsons, his great-grandsons that he was so proud of, are far from the safety of home, one in the Navy and the other the Army.

This picture of him hangs in M-in-L’s home. It looks so much like him, that I expect him to say something every time I see it. But he has said all he had to say, and helped us all he could. He never said a disparaging word about anyone. His family, the neighborhood, and the world are richer for his passing this way.

I am not sure if it is the tractor, or the man on it, or the beautiful scene behind him that looks so like home, but today looking at this gives me a sad feeling.
bill sr tractoredited
William R. Warren, Sr., 7 March 1918 – 10 November 2000.

Michigan Electronic Library and Michigan Electronic Catalog — A Survey

November 6th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Tools and Information | What's going On - (1 Comments)

You remember last summer, right? Members of two pretty main-stream groups, genealogists and librarians protested in support of the Library of Michigan when funding was threatened.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries was abolished, the Library of Michigan and the services it provides were moved to the Michigan Department of Education. Some subtle changes in the website indicate this, although every “History, Arts and Libraries” banner has not been replaced on the websites.

Today’s topic is: Electronic services provided through the Library of Michigan (and Archives of Michigan) to the citizens of Michigan. The Michigan Electronic Library (MeL) is a large collection of digital resources provided to the citizens of Michigan. A grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services helps fund this group of electronic services.

They are as follows:

  1. The Michigan Electronic Catalog MeLCat is a database of resources in participating Michigan Libraries which allows patrons of those libraries to borrow, books, CD’s movies and other resources, and have delivered to their home library.
  2. MeL Databases containing databases and full-text resources in these categories:
    • Books and Reading
    • Business and Jobs
    • Genealogy
    • Health and Wellness
    • Kids
    • Reference Desk
    • Teens
  3. Mel Michigan – A large collection of on-line resources. This category includes Seeking Michigan which contains the new death record collection and much more, Michigan Histories and Atlases, and many more full-text electronic resources available from home.
  4. Online resources for Educators, including lesson plans and curriculum aids.
  5. Featured resources, a list of current and highlighted topics.

Why am I writing this? If you are a library user, you have may get great benefit from these services. Even if you never leave your home, you can use electronic resources like Seeking Michigan, or Heritage Quest, or the on-line newspaper collection if you have a library card or a Michigan Driver’s license.

According to the Michigan Electronic Library Website:

“The MeL Study is here! In an effort to continue improving MeL and MeLCat so libraries and Michigan residents get the most benefit from the program, the Library of Michigan has contracted with EPIC MRA to study the program. See here for more information or take the survey that applies to you below. “

Please follow drop over to the Library site, check out the resources, read about the survey and take it.

Thanks to Brenda K. Wolfgram Moore, MGC Corresponding Secretary Tom Koselka, and Pam Epple for pointing out this opportunity to me.

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Family Tree Magazine’s 40 Best Genealogy Blogs

October 14th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Tools and Information | What's going On - (4 Comments)

voteforablog

I was truly surprised and amazed to find my little log of pontification listed among the nominations for the Family Tree Magazine’s 40 best Genealogy Blogs. Around my household, we get a little tired of those who know everything, and want to share it with everyone. It is no wonder I started writing about my genealogical research, the household residents have heard it all, and they are not impressed. My oldest daughter has asked (more than once), “So, do we have any relatives who are living?”

I do spend too much time moaning about missing people, and their missing events, facts, residences, births, deaths, and burial places. All this moaning, combined with tons of surfing for ancestors, and library, archive and courthouse trips, led me to wonder if anyone else in this mortal world was also searching for the same elusive documentation.

A blog is an easy way to share information, and my everyday personal blog was soon filled with information about my genealogical research. One day, I woke up and noticed that the personal genealogical blogs I was reading did not usually combine personal and genealogical topics, at least to the extent mine did. After digesting that revelation, I started a new blog, named it, and copied my genealogical posts to it. Build it and they will read, or something. And it seems to me that a few people have been marred, scarred or perhaps impressed with my little effort, at least enough to type the name of this blog into nomination for the Top 40 honor.

I appreciate the nomination more than anyone could realize. Reading down the list of nominations on the ballot brings the realization that the majority of the nominees are seasoned writers, researchers and educators. I feel a little out of place among such lofty competition. It turns out that I am a little out of place; my blog has been categorized in the “Cemetery Research” section. According to the Genealogy Insider, “Cemetery – These blogs focus on cemetery research, gravestone photos and the like.” I digested what I think is a mis-categorization for a few days, and on April 5th, posted a comment on the Insider blog at Family Tree Magazine. Here is my comment, and the follow-up comments which are displayed with the post announcing the opening of voting:

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 10:12:43 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

As much as I appreciate the nomination for “Top 40″, I am surprised to see my Family History Blog classified as a “Cemetery Blog: These blogs focus on cemetery research, gravestone photos and the like”.

I checked, and 59 of my 475 published posts relate to cemetery research and gravestone photos. The balance also uphold my stated purpose which is posted at: http://xrl.in/39ye, “I’m researching my way through local records, near and far, in a quest to find out about those that come before me on this earth, in a effort to understand more about them, and more about me. What you find here may be useful, interesting, or just a documentation of that effort.”

GrannyPam

Monday, October 12, 2009 5:51:53 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Hello,
I wanted to e-mail you to make sure you’d see this, but was unable to find your address on your blog. When we looked through the nominations and did categorizing (at the very end of September), we included Granny’s Genealogy in the cemeteries category because almost all the posts for August and September were cemetery-related. There definitely were some difficult categorization decisions, and I hope you’ll still enjoy being among the Family Tree 40 nominees. Congratulations!
Diane

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:31:46 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Thanks for the reply, Diane. I will move my contact link so it is more prominent, that is certainly a great suggestion.
GrannyPam

So what happened here? I started the year with some resolutions, among them was the one in which I promised myself, “I will finish posting all the data from my “old” genealogy site to Granny’s Genealogy.” Just before some of my blogging buddies submitted their nominations, I finished a very long series about the items in Belle’s Box. Remembering my goals, I turned my attention to the data from my old genealogy site, and started at the top, as I often do. Magically (and alphabetically) first was the folder labeled “cem”, and contained all the photographs and information from the cemetery section of my old site. You can see the results above, Family Tree Magazine took a look at my recent activity, concluded that my blog was about cemeteries, and categorized me that way.

All this got me thinking about the way we find information on a bog. More specifically, how my readers might be finding information on my blog. Watch for more on the fascinating topic of organizing blogs. I’ll get to it as soon as I organize my thoughts.

And even though I am filed under cemeteries, I would appreciate your vote, and I know the all the other worthy bloggers on the ballot would, too!

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun – Get Carded!

September 12th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Tools and Information | What's going On - (0 Comments)

With a tip of the hat to Randy for his suggestion, and Sheri for having a Simply Brilliant Idea, here is my genealogy trading card!

card2

The Library and Archives of Michigan, What Now?

September 12th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Tools and Information | What's going On - (2 Comments)

This is an article which contains my opinion, and my opinion only.

Governor Granholm has amended her original Executive Order (EO 2009-36) with an additional Executive Order, 2009-43. Both the orders can be read here.

I have read several articles regarding this amendment, but most of the recent press coverage has focused on Last Thursday’s rally at the Capitol. Shirley Hodges wrote an article which has been duplicated on Dick Eastman’s Blog.

Today, I’m posting my own thinking on the situation.

The genealogist in me wants everything to remain the same, the Library and Archives of Michigan including the Museum, my local libraries, and museums, the wonderful electronic world, all ways to find information. As an American citizen, I have become accustomed to getting the information I want. As a researcher, I believe access to records is crucial.

The little girl in me remembers daily trips to the library on the way home from school, and the librarian allowed me to check out the posted limit of books every day. She never censored what I read, she always had good suggestions, and she was still there when my daughters were reading and growing.

The adult in in me understands that information is the cornerstone of of a free society, and that history is a guide for navigating the future.

I know there is no doubt that the rally organized by the Michigan Genealogical Council and the constant bar age of mail, e-mail, and calls from genealogists and other supporters of the Library and Archives of Michigan helped produce the amendment to EO 2009-36. The rally held last week at the Capitol helped to emphasize that genealogists and historians are not the only voters concerned about library services.

The wording in the amendment to the EO is not as clear as some Library and Archives supporters, including me, would like. There is room for interpretation about what collections and services will actually be protected and preserved; and where, how, when, and if, access to current collections will be continued.

It is clear that responsibility for the Museum will be transferred to the Department of Natural Resources, and that the Civil War Flag collection will be protected.

It is also clear that the functions of the Library and Archives will be transferred to the Department of Education, and:

“The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall administer the assigned functions transferred to the Department of Education under Section II.B of this Order in such ways as to promote efficient administration and shall make internal organizational changes as may be administratively necessary to complete the realignment of responsibilities under this Order. To achieve efficient administration and effectuate necessary cost savings consistent with appropriations provided by law, the Library of Michigan shall evaluate and implement measures designed to reduce expenditures and eliminate duplicative services. Subject to available appropriations, the Library of Michigan shall focus on the provision of leadership and critical services to libraries and patrons throughout this state, including, but not limited to, all of the following…”

The emphasis is mine, but the implication is clear: critical services will be protected. The services actually itemized are:

  • “..the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and MelCat, the statewide online catalog and resource sharing systems..”
  • “..state-level support for the cost savings and effective delivery of statewide library services achieved through the leadership of the Library of Michigan and the collaboration and resource sharing of libraries..”
  • “Preserving important collections maintained by the Library of Michigan, including the Michigan Collection, the Rare Books Collection, and the Genealogy Collection.”

I am encouraged that support will continue for MeL and MelCat. It is good news and that the Rare Books Collection, the Michigan Collection and the Genealogy Collection will be “preserved”. I also know that preservation is not the same as access.

Michigan is suffering from a severe economic crisis, funds are not available for everything. Cuts will be taking place in many areas, not just libraries. In an ideal world, the Library and Archives of Michigan would remain open on the current schedule in their current location. That may not be possible or realistic. I do believe the most efficient action is to maintain collections in their current location, which was built to house them. Although limited hours and services are not desirable, they are much better than splitting or moving the collection.

Michigan must enact a balanced budget by September 30. I believe that if we want the Library and Archives remain open in the current facility, we must again make our opinions known to the Governor, and our senators and representatives.

For the rest of this month, I request that you contact the Governor, your Senators and Representatives, and voice your support for continuing funding of the Library of Michigan at current levels, maintaining current collections in the current building. Michigan residents may find and contact your representative here, and find and contact your senator here. Now is the time to thank Governor Granholm for amending EO 2009-36, and letting her know that the current facility and funding are of paramount importance. You may contact Governor Granholm here, through her contact page, and via an opinion form which is here. If you are not an resident of Michigan, you may make your opinion known here.

Our next mission should be to contact the Michigan State Board of Education members, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to whom the responsibility for the Library is being transferred. The money for Michigan libraries, including the library of Michigan will be controlled in their budget. The message should be clear, protect the Library and the Archives. Do what it takes to keep free and open access to the important collections housed there.

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I Did It! (Almost)

September 3rd, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Don't Try This | Organize! | Tools and Information | What's going On - (3 Comments)

Remember the box, and the resolution to enter all the data into my genealogy database? On June 6th, I checked how I was doing, and found that I had fallen miserably short on the data entry end of things.

When I assessed my progress on August 2th, I was feeling a little better about the progress I had made.

Today, my pile looks like this:
missing pile
Right, it is GONE. Sorry to yell, but this is a big deal to me. I finished entering all the data from my pile. Nothing left but dust. I was about to declare myself a big winner, and have a drink:
drink

But, then I realized that the filing is not complete:
to file

I think I can do the filing in one day, and I have chosen tomorrow to do that.

I won’t be celebrating for too long, I have a ways to go before I can really declare myself a winner. The next problem is the data entry from the files on my computer. I just looked at the computer folder which contains results from numerous trips. I have been to courthouses, libraries, cemeteries, even Salt Lake City, and my results are stored neatly in folders with the date and the place I visited. There are notes, transcriptions, and pictures. The pictures are of deeds, of graveyards, and of pages in books, and there are photos of microfilm boxes showing the number of the film, and of microfilm screens, showing data about some person of interest.

The fact that it is all neatly organized into folders is some consolation, but not a lot. The parent folder is massive: 4.63 Gb, 79 sub-folders, 4984 files. I’m not sure how long it will take me look at, evaluate, transcribe (if necessary) and enter the data I have collected in those 79 folders. I also have some hand written notes that go with some of the files:
to do

The top of the report looks like this:
to do close

Darn. Well, I’m having a drink anyway. Then, after the filing is complete, I will tackle my pile of notes and start the process. Maybe next week.

Library of Michigan, Department of History, Arts and Libraries

August 24th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in What's going On - (0 Comments)

I received a copy of this message, originally sent by the Michigan Genealogical Council. I am quoting it without comment, you all know my opinion. Please contact the senators listed below, and your own Senators today:

Senator Cameron Brown has introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, which if passed by a 2/3 majority in the State Senate and 2/3 majority in the State House would reject Governor Granholm’s Executive Order 2009-36 abolishing the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. This would also repudiate the proposed Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention proposed in this same Executive Order. We need your help, please continue to contact your State Senator, and especially your Representative. This is still an uphill battle and time is running short. The 60-day window from July 13 for the State Legislature to reject this Order is rapidly coming to a close, July 13 + 60 days = September 11.

Please stress in your communication with our Legislators the importance of keeping over 180 years of Michigan history, literature and culture together in one cohesive Library of Michigan collection. If this permitted to be dissipated, it will never be reassembled. Visitors come from all across the country to research at the Library of Michigan. Please STRESS the importance of passing SCR 18. Make your voice heard NOW. Send your 911 letters, emails, or visits to your State Legislators today!

In addition, Senate Bills 503-527 is a twenty-five bill package, which would transfer all responsibilities for the current Department of History, Arts, and Libraries to the Secretary of State, rather than splitting the parts among several state agencies. For a brief analysis of these bills, visit http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2009-SFA-0503-S.pdf

The following are members of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. They are meeting Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. in Lansing. These Senators will make their recommendation to the full Senate on SCR 18 and SB503-527. Please contact these Senators as well.

Senator – E-mail
Sen. Jason Allen, Chair
senjallen@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Judson S. Gilbert, Vice-Chair

Don’t forget the rally at the Library 10th Sept~
senjgilbert@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Tony Stamas
ofctstamas@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Hansen Clarke, Minority Vice-Chair
SenatorHansenClarke@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Tupac A. Hunter
sentahunter@senate.michigan.gov

Michigan Genealogical Council

Don’t forget folks who do not live in MI can still help as this is taking away a lot of tourism.

End of quote

Thank you (That’s from me.)

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Puckerbrush Award of Excellence

June 6th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Tools and Information | What's going On - (5 Comments)

Julie has awarded me the Puckerbrush Award of Excellence!

Puckerbrush Award[4]

The award was created in honor of genealogy blogger Janice Brown by Terry Thornton, author of “Hill Country of Monroe County, Mississippi”, who explained that “Janice told us all about the word ‘puckerbrush’ in an article she posted August 27, 2007 at “Cow Hampshire”. Terry elaborated a bit further in a comment: ‘On any land allowed to go fallow and left untended, a wild assortment of wild plants grow – in some areas, this wild growth results in such a thicket of plants that it is almost impossible to push your way through the growth. So it is with the growth of blogs — so many that it is impossible to read them all. But in the puckerbrush eventually a few plants/trees become dominant and influence all who view them through the thick surrounding puckerbrush. And it is those outstanding blogs whose influence spreads beyond just the surrounding rabble of puckerbrush that I’m honoring.’ Terry issued this challenge: Henceforth these awards will be called the Janice Brown Puckerbrush Blog Award for Excellence. All blog authors are hereby challenged to name the ten blogs which have influenced their writing the most and list them as a tribute to Janice — the Janice Brown Puckerbrush Blog Awards for Excellence.

I always read “Cow Hampshire” when it was active, and am honored that Julie would think of me. Thanks to her, and my list of nominees, who most certainly have been previously nominated. Many of the geneabloggers find the same blogs inspirational!

  1. Right back at Julie!
  2. Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings (one of the first I ever read!)
  3. Miriam at AnceStories, another of my favorite reads!
  5. Jasia, the Creative Gene.
  7. Apple, at Apples Tree.
  9. Thomas and company for their teamwork!
  10. Judith, at Genealogy Traces.