Granny Pam's Genealogical Trials and Triumphs
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William Henry Yearnd (1883-1948)

March 21st, 2012 | Posted by Granny Pam in Granny's Ancestors - (2 Comments)

William was my grandfather. I originally posted this short biography on my old website, more than ten years ago. I am finally getting around to adding it here.

William H. Yearnd. Michigansian, U of M yearbook, 1905

Birth and parents

William Henry Yearnd was born ca 1883 in Howell Michigan. I have found no birth or baptism record. His birth and parentage is supported by other several records.

The first, his marriage record, # 54 of the year 1908 in Wexford County, Michigan recorded 9 April 1908, and stating he married Winnie Kaiser, daughter Wm Kaiser and Jane Johnston on 8 April 1908, and listing his parents as Chas Yearnd and Lena Detman.

Upon the death of Charles Yearnd (sometimes Yournd) of Howell, MI on 20 July 1911, there was no will, however William Yearnd appears on the determination of heirs for the estate. The heirs are listed as: Lena Yearnd, widow; Fred Yearnd, son; Augusta Yearnd; daughter, Frank Yearnd, son; William Yearnd, son. William Yearnd was the attorney who filed the case in probate court.

A clipping of an obituary for William, which is not identified as to date or paper it is from, states he was born in Howell, Michigan on 28 June 1883, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yearnd.

William, of Cadillac is listed as a survivor in the obituary of Charles Yournd.

Several biographies and articles were printed in newspapers between 1908 and 1948 which note that William Yearnd was born in Howell, MI. William’s wife, Winnie, kept a scrapbook which preserved many articles, but does not always identify the paper or the date. The public cannot access the archives of the local paper in Cadillac, and there is no microfilm.

Early life

Howell, Michigan is located in Southeastern Lower Michigan, northwest of Detroit. It was a small town, typical of many in the Midwest. There was, for a time a condensed milk factory, which provided employment. The majority of the residents were farm families or laborers.

William Yearnd attended the University of Michigan. On particular article stated that he shoveled coal to put himself through school. According to the University, they maintain some files of graduates in the Bentley Library, and William Yearnd is among those with a file. I will post what I find when I am able to look at the file. William received an LLB in 1905, and upon the recommendation, and with references from of a school counselor joined a law firm in Cadillac, MI.

William Yearnd, probably during his time as prosecuting attorney, Cadillac, Michigan

Adult life

On 8 April, 1908, as previously noted, he married Winnie Alice Kaiser, a local girl who was employed as a clerk in the Wexford County Court House. It is natural that they should meet, since a local lawyer would frequent that place.

In the minutes of the Clam Lake Township board of November 30, 1910 it is noted that Fred Wetmore and William Yearnd were appointed to defend the Township in a recently filed lawsuit.

There were 5 children in the Yearnd Family, Margaret Jane born in 1910, Marion Augusta born in 1912, Helen Elizabeth, born in 1914, William Henry born in 1917, and James Austin, born in 1927.

Although no one knows, it appears that the children were named for relatives. Margaret and Jane were Winnie’s Aunt and Mother respectively, Augusta was the name of William Yearnd’s sister, Elizabeth was the name of Winnie’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Long Kaiser, William Henry was obviously named for his father. My father, James Austin, was likely was named for two uncles of Winnie, James Johnston her Mother’s brother; and Austin Kaiser, her Father’s brother.

The family home was at 703 E. Division Street in Cadillac. The house is a short 2 block walk to the courthouse and William walked to work there often, according to local accounts.

The Yearnd Family were members of the First Congregational Church in Cadillac. That church is an active congregation today.

In August 1918 William Yearnd was appointed the City Attorney of Cadillac. He resigned that position in 1939, stating a need to spend more time on his law practice. He was also Wexford County Prosecutor for twenty years.

William Yearnd was appointed Probate Judge for Wexford County, taking office January 1, 1923.

William Yearnd is listed under the heading “Lawyers” in the 1930 Polk City Directory of Cadillac, Michigan.

William was elected circuit judge in 1947, the campaign brochure which I found in my grandmother’s scrapbook speaks volumes about the difference in politics then and now. You can read the brochure front and back, and the brochure inside.

William Yearnd was a golfer, he had 3 holes in one to his credit. A undated clipping shows describes his accomplishments. He played golf at the Cadillac County Club.

William Henry Yearnd died on 10 September 1948 of a heart attack, and the age of 65 years, and is buried on the family lot in Maple Hill Cemetery, Cadillac, Michigan

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Anniversary January 20, 1951.

January 20th, 2012 | Posted by Granny Pam in Granny's Ancestors | Photos - (0 Comments)

My parents, James Austin Yearnd and Marjorie Helen Herrington, were married on this day in 1951. The wedding was held at my grandmother’s home, 703 E. Division, Cadillac, Michigan. The picture hanging in the wall on the right is hanging in my house today. It is an English water color, about 15 x 28 inches, by Henry J. Sylvester Stannard. It still has the label from a New York gallery; the title of the painting from the label is, “Home From Market” near Flitwick, Bedfordshire.

I also remember the clock which is sitting on the table under the painting. I believe Dad told me it was a “Kaiser” clock, but I don’t know which member of my Kaiser family it may have belonged to. Kaiser was my Grandmother’s maiden name.

mom and dad

I do not remember the wallpaper in the picture, but the carpet is very familiar. It was a flat wool rug with no padding, in a maroon color. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, on the left under the window, you will see a pull string from the window shade. Every pull in my grandmother’s house had string crocheted on it, just like that one. It is a detail I had forgotten until I looked carefully at the picture.

My parents divorced in 1964, after three children. Perhaps I shouldn’t be remembering their anniversary, but without the marriage, I would not be here.

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Remembering Dad

July 13th, 2010 | Posted by Granny Pam in Granny's Ancestors | What's going On - (3 Comments)

I have a bundle of things to do today, but I am barely treading water. The reason is that my father died on July 13, 1979, 31 years ago today. Somehow, that 31 years seems like a long time, but the events seem like they happened yesterday.

James Yearnd (1927)
James Austin Yearnd, Sr., 1927-1979

I remember the blur of the day, but not much more. It was Friday, the first day of a busy weekend at a concession stand I ran. The night before, my stepmother stopped at that very stand, and told me it would be wise to go see Dad. Papa and I went that Friday afternoon, an hour’s drive to a unfamiliar hospital in Traverse City, Michigan.

It was clear that he was not doing too well, and I do not remember if he was conscious enough to know who we were. What I do remember is the nurse seeing that he had visitors, and that she hurried to find a doctor. That doctor wanted to talk to us, so we stepped out into the hall. He delivered the bad news that there was nothing more that could be done. Although I knew in my heart that that was the case, I did not even know how to react. I remember asking, “How long?”, and the doctor just shrugged his shoulders, and said “A few days, perhaps a week.” We stayed for a while, and when we got up to leave, I said, “Dad, see you in the morning,” and gave him a kiss.

I had a concession stand to run, so we headed for home. I do not remember who was watching the little girls, but I do remember that our oldest daughter was at camp. When we got home, Papa got out of the car, and I was about to head to town to open my stand when he came back out of the house. The call had come just before we got home, Dad was gone.

He was fifty-one, and would have been fifty-two on July 20. I was twenty-seven years old, married, and the mother of 3 little girls; my youngest sibling was only fourteen. For twenty-four years, every time I had a birthday, I would wonder if I would make it to fifty-one. Since I turned fifty-one, I wonder how far past that number I may live on every birthday. For many years I was very angry with Dad, because some lifestyle changes might have prevented his early death. Then I just became sad, sad that he missed my daughters growing up, his beautiful great-grandchildren, all the fun times you can only appreciate after your children are grown.

How can I forgive him for being himself? When I was particularly bitter, or sad, or frustrated one day, one of his sisters pointed out to me that he had good qualities, as well as the undesirable ones I remembered. Lately, as I go through some old photographs, scan them, and file them away in sleeves, I do remember to good qualities, and the young dad who loved babies and small children.

I just wish I had known him longer.

Treasure Chest Thursday — Aunt Jane’s Treasures

June 3rd, 2010 | Posted by Granny Pam in Granny's Ancestors - (1 Comments)
This entry is part 9 of 9 in the series Treasures and Curiosities

When you wish to know or understand someone, it is helpful to consider what they think is important. When my Aunt Jane passed to a better place on 5 February 2002, I was called upon to clean out her apartment. There were other things I did, but cleaning out the apartment was the most difficult. We had visited her there for nearly twelve years, holiday after holiday, so the place was familiar. I had also stayed in the apartment for a couple of nights when Aunt Jane was in the nursing portion of the facility.

Margaret Jane Yearnd was born on 29 January 1910 in Cadillac, Michigan. Her parents were William H. Yearnd, Sr., and Winnie Alice Kaiser. Aunt Jane graduated from Cadillac High School, and received a AB degree in social work from the University of Michigan in 1931.  She married Leo Edward Joseph Devereaux on 25 December 1931. Concern for others was the hallmark of Aunt Jane’s life.

When Jane  was eventually forced to relocate to a small retirement apartment, she did not save too much. What I did find tells a lot about the who Jane was.

Hidden away in the place I keep all my most important things, a top bureau drawer was Jane’s master’s degree from the University of Michigan. She earned the degree in 1943, I can only imagine the difficulty of study and full time work, while worrying about her soldier husband.

yearnd devereaux jane masters degree

yearnd devereaux jane masters

Next, I found some remnants of Aunt Jane’s volunteer efforts at a sheltered workshop in Paris, Michigan. I know she drove there from her Evart, Michigan retirement home each week, but had not been aware how important that activity was to her. As soon as I saw it, it remembered; one of Aunt Jane’s jobs was slaving over a hot grill on cook-out days.  She had saved a remodeled fast food crown to remember her time there.

yearnd devereaux jane hdq

The organization had honored her, also. There is an inside joke here, we will never know the whole story. I do the staff at MOARC treasured and cared for Jane.
yearnd jane devereaux moarc

Old habits live on, and Aunt Jane was a person who lived a life of service to others. Even with her sight problems, she found ways to help during her time at the retirement home. We usually visited Jane on Sunday, but if we made a Saturday trip, we were cautioned to arrive after 11:30. During the morning, Aunt Jane was busy helping with bingo and other games in the facilities health center.
yearnd devereaux jane fv vol

Jane Devereaux
Friendship Village Heath Center
May, 1994

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Tuesday’s Tools – Saving an Image from Seeking Michigan

April 27th, 2010 | Posted by Granny Pam in Tools and Information - (5 Comments)

There are a host of professional genealogists who offer tips, shortcuts and tricks to make life easier for the rest of us. Along the way, each of us picks up tidbits of knowledge which help us survive, or at least become our own standard way of accomplishing tasks. Once in a while, when I feel like it, in very irregular fashion, but almost always on Tuesday, I will tell you how I do something related to my genealogy. If this little effort helps you, share with others, so they can be helped to. We all have a little something in our heads that can make life easier for others. One warning: I am a PC user, and I know nothing about Apple, Mac or Linux operating systems and/or computers. This is from a PC user, for PC users.

Today’s tool is a method I used to save, rather than print, records on Seeking Michigan [www.seekingmichigan.org]. I usually prefer to save files, rather than print them, and Seeking Michigan does not have a “save” button.

I conducted a search, and am using my great-grandmother, Lena Yearnd. Here is the result of searching for “Yearnd”.

seeking1

I bet you wish you had an unusual last name now, don’t you? Clicking on the image produces this:

seeking2

I have some choices, but saving the image is not among them. Darn. I click the “printable version” link and see this:

seeking3

Here is the trick, click cancel instead of print, and the print box vanishes, leaving just the image. You can see only part of it, but do not worry. Right click on the image and select “save as” from the shortcut menu:

seeking4

Here is Lena’s death record on my desktop where I saved it:

seeking5

If you are as crazy as me, you won’t want to have the record with the thick black border. That huge black border is another reason not to print, it prints out, too. Just open the image in your favorite photo editing program, and then crop off the black. Some of the images on the site are slightly crooked, you can also straighten if needed.

Here is a link to the resulting file, and nice clean version of my great-grandmother’s death certificate. If you know of any Detman/Detmann families in Michigan between 1870 and 1920, please contact me. Although I have no evidence Lena immigrated with her family, one never knows.

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DNA, Another Step in the Search

March 29th, 2010 | Posted by Granny Pam in Granny's Ancestors - (4 Comments)
This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series DNA in Genealogy Research

If you haven’t read about my search for my great-grandfather’s surname, you can find out more here, here, and here. After I found my grandfather’s family, I was thrilled, and did quite a few happy dances, visited the cemetery, got his will and every record available about him and his family in his hometown of Howell, Michigan. Then the struggle began. 1870 census? Nothing close. Passenger lists? Nothing. I have searched passenger lists and Castle Garden records every way imaginable. I have a list of possible surname spellings that covers two pages, all carefully recorded from soundex and “sounds like” searches of various sources. I have visited the locations where he lived, read the newspaper microfilms, copied his real estate transactions, obtained death records for him and his family, searched for birth records and other records. But I still have a dead end. Boo!

When I realized I was pretty much at a dead end on that branch of the family, I did what my brain and experience told me to do. I searched more, expanding into neighboring counties and my grandfather’s siblings. I found a divorced Baptist minister, and a descendant of the divorced wife’s second husband. I wrote letters to 26 gentleman who were listed in the phone book and have a name which may be connected with another branch, carefully outlining the relationship and asking specific questions. I included a self-addressed stamped envelope in each letter, and my phone number, along with e-mail and postal addresses. I received only replies that were negative, not one from the person I was seeking. Still nothing useful or helpful in identifying the family’s actual origin, or the original spelling of their name. Boo-hoo.

Now, the new “Family Finder” DNA test has become available, and I am taking the plunge. A close male relative of mine is also taking the family finder test, and a YDNA test. It will be interesting to see what the results are, and if it will help me in my search. I have no illusions here, I know this is not a magic bullet. Today I will list the reasons why I have considered the test, and why I am taking it, and in later parts of this series, I will keep you abreast with the process as it unfolds. If my experience helps someone, then I will have a good result, even if it does not help me.

  1. The YDNA test that my relative is taking will provide me with a tool to find other members of my great-grandfather’s family. Since research is stalled at the point where my ancestor arrived in Howell, Michigan, with only a few clues to his origin and no substantial real evidence, I am hoping that there really may be a magic bullet. The best possible result would tell me his actual origin, Germany, or elsewhere, and what the “more German” spelling of his name was. What I am hoping for, a lucky match to a family who is also actively researching, which may point me to the correct location in Germany, or elsewhere.
  2. The Herrington mystery is another reason. My mother was raised in foster care. Her paternal line originates with a man named “Herrington” who lived near an area where members of the better documented Harrington family lived; however, he does not seem to be closely connected to that family. Since that ancestor came from a large family, I am hoping that some other researchers also take the “Family Finder” test and I may become aware of them and their research.
  3. The Orlando Palmer adoption mystery. My mother’s maternal grandfather was the adopted son of Platt B. Palmer and Angeline Carpenter. His original name was Askey, or Ascha, or similar. The evidence I have found fits the story, but the details are lost in history. Maybe I will connect with a descendant of the family. I have found some, among them a super researcher who is generous and caring. I just want one more…

Since much of this is a shot-in-the dark kind of thing, I thought my readers might be interested in the results. Fishing trips can be fun and challenging, but so are roller coaster rides. Ride along with me as I explore DNA testing, what to expect, and how the process works. Better still, watch me sweat and sit on the edge of my chair while wait to for the results. Best of all, see if the results help me in any way.

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Winter 2010 GeneaBloggers Games Task 4E

February 16th, 2010 | Posted by Granny Pam in Tools and Information - (0 Comments)


Made with WordItOut

I used Word it Out to create this graphic which shows the surnames in my family. Somehow, just the names seem very incomplete, so here is a little more.

The Johnstons and the Rapiers arrived in Huron County, Ontario from Scotland, where they married.

Long and Myers arrived in Ontario, already married with a family, from the disputed territory of Alsace-Lorraine. They always said they were French, and claimed birth in France.

A Kaiser came to Huron County, Ontario from his home in Vaughan Township, York County, Ontario, Canada. His ancestors, who were loyal to the King, had walked to Niagara and then settled in Kaiserville, near York (now called Toronto). You can find out a lot more about them at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

A Long married a Kaiser, they lived in Huron County, Ontario, then migrated to Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan.

In Cadillac another Kaiser married a Johnston. Did I say that the Johnstons also migrated from Huron County, Ontario to Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan?

A Yearnd/Yournd and a Detmann/Detman, already married, dropped into Howell, Livingston County, Michigan from outer space Germany? One Yearnd completed his education and traveled to Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan, where he married a Kaiser.

William H. Yearnd and Winnie Alice Kaiser were my paternal grandparents.

Howard married Winn somewhere near their home in Rombow Precinct, Fishkill, New York. A Winn married a Ham, they lived in Columbia County, New York.

There another Winn married a Sherwood; they lived in Washington County, New York.

Then another Winn married a Palmer. They lived in Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer, New York.

But wait, the Palmer was adopted, his name was Askey or Ascha at birth. He came from Bennington County, Vermont, or Columbia County New York, or perhaps Berkshire County, Massachusetts. His parent’s surnames were Ascha/Askey and Ackert.

A Herrington, or perhaps Harrington dropped from outer space Ireland? into Rensselaer County, New York. He married a Palmer, who had previously been married and divorced from a Hill.

David Henry Herrington and Helen Lois Palmer were my maternal grandparents.

Somehow, Marjorie Helen Herrington found her way to Detroit ca 1949-1950, where James Austin Yearnd was attending Wayne State University. They married on January 20, 1951, at his mother’s home in Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan. They were my parents.

If you are researching any of these names, in outer space, or a location I have indicated for that name, please contact me from the link on the upper right.

This graphic was created and posted to satisfy the requirement of category 4, Expand Your Knowledge, task E for the Winter 2010 Geneabloggers Games. Additionally, it was created on 15 February 2010, and posted with a scheduled time for publication of 6:00 a.m. EST, in partial satisfaction of task 5C.

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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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Jane Johnston’s Locket

October 22nd, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Granny's Ancestors - (9 Comments)
This entry is part 1 of 9 in the series Treasures and Curiosities

This locket was given to me on Christmas, by my Aunt Jane Yearnd Devereaux. Aunt Jane was my father’s sister, her full name at birth was Margaret Jane Yearnd.
locketfront

This note which accompanied the locket describes three items, I will get to the others in later posts.
jyearnddevchristmas1980
Inside the locket
locketback
Here is a larger photo of Jennie Johnston wearing the locket.
janejohnston1

Jane “Jennie” Johnston, who married William Kaiser (b 1862), was actually my paternal great-grandmother, but would have been my Aunt Jane’s maternal grandmother, an easy mistake to make. I wrote a little about Jennie a while back. I do know this is Jennie, and I can date the photo between 1881 and 1888, most likely between 1883 and 1888. Jane Johnston died in 1888.

The date is based on an immigration date for Jane’s only surviving sibling, who arrived in Cadillac, Michigan by 1884.

James and Jane were listed on the 1881 Canadian census, county Huron, South Grey, page 67 line 18: dwelling 274, family 274, Johnston, James, male, 16, born Ontario, religion Canadian Presbyterian, origin Scotch, farmer, going to school; Jane, female, 13, born Ontario, religion Canadian Presbyterian, origin Scotch, going to school; Harbottle, William, male, 25, born Ontario, religion Canadian Presbyterian, origin English, married, blacksmith; Catherine, female, 23, born Ontario, religion Canadian Presbyterian, origin Scotch, married.

James may have been listed first since he was the male heir to his  father’s property, John Johnston died 19 January 1881. The other deaths in the family were: John’s wife Catherine on 9 June 1880; and two children, Maggie, 14 Dec 1880; and “Winnie” on 29 December 1880. Katherine “Kate” Johnston married William Harbottle on 20 April 1881; and she died on 31 October 1881. The Johnston family burials are detailed in this post.

James and Jane were in Cadillac by 1884, when he is listed in a directory; and was a witness to Jane’s 10 October 1884 marriage to William Kaiser which occurred in Wexford County, Michigan.

In the early 1980′s I had the locket appraised by an antique dealer. The value is negligible, however, the appraisal did reveal that the locket was beaded steel, popular in the 1880′s. That helps to confirm that the locket existed at the time Jane lived and would have worn it.

I have a daughter who we named Jennifer, who is sometimes known as Jen, but never Jennie. Jen acquired her name long before I knew about Jane Johnston and her locket, but the locket will pass into her possession after I leave this world. If no other grandchildren arrive, I will ask that the locket and letter next be passed to GD1; her middle name is Jane.

If you made it this far, you might want to check out “CanadaGenealogy, or Jane’s Your Aunt“. If you don’t care to read it, you will at least know why I identify with the title!

P.S.  I am adding a link to the  GeanaBloggers theme for today, Treasure Chest Thursday.  I followed the theme without even knowing about it!  You can find links to interesting posts about family treasures on the theme page.  Have fun reading all of them!

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