Oct 23

Wexford County Deeds

This entry is part 1 of 8 in the series Land Records

Several years ago I read some deed indices in Wexford County, Michigan, looking for transactions for our ancestors. Papa had to travel to Cadillac, the county seat and our former home, for work, so I just hitched a ride and had him drop me at the courthouse. I did not go just once, I went many times. Land records can help place people in certain locations, or assist in estimating when they arrived.

I went through the indexes, and recorded pertinent data. I had forgotten about the spreadsheet I created of my results.

First, the disclaimer:

They are selected records only, not complete indices. There may be transcription errors. I searched the indices for family names, but many not have recorded every deed for every family. I recorded both the grantor and grantee for each deed, and created a spreadsheet of the results. I may or may not have further information on these transactions, but it won’t cost you anything to ask, and I will share anything I have.

The data is here.

Tomorrow: The next step with the index entries.

Oct 22

Jane Johnston’s Locket

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!

Oct 20

Progress and Pain

Back on December 28, 2008 I made some resolutions, on which I will report progress today in this post. This is not a 30 day or quarterly report, I am writing it because I don’t know what else to write today, and this may help me decide what to write tomorrow.

No more foot dragging, here are my resolutions for genealogical research:

  1. Enter all the information from the BOX into my database. No exceptions, no cheating.
  2. I will file all the paperwork in the proper place, not in piles on the floor, desk, or in any convenient box.

These two resolutions are complete. I do have a folder of newly gather information, but that was not part of the resolution, right? Hmmm.

And for my blogs:

  1. I will post on either GrannyPam or Granny’s Genealogy every day.
  2. I will finish posting all the data from my “old” genealogy site to Granny’s Genealogy.

It would take a little checking, but I am pretty sure I have missed a day here and there. However, my overall post total has more than met my unstated goal of 365 posts for 2009. A review of the numbers shows that I have posted more here on Granny’s Genealogy than on my personal blog. I have also made several posts on Papa’s site, which was not in the mix back when I made the resolution to write every day. The bottom line is that I probably never will write every day, but I can manage writing most days, and scheduling when I am too busy or away from home to write.

Posts in 2009 (after this is published) 485, as follows:
Granny’s Genealogy: January: 30, February: 32, March: 38, April: 32, May: 34, June: 33, July: 65, August: 10, September: 31, October: 23, total: 328.
GrannyPam: January: 15, February: 15, March: 26, April: 22, May: 22, June: 13, July: 15, August: 11, September: 10, October: 8, total: 157.

Traffic is up on Granny’s Genealogy, and down on GrannyPam, and checking the post numbers explains why.

Now the thing that is not complete, posting all the data from my old site to this blog. This has proved much more difficult that I thought it would be. I have started, but some of those pages were written in 2003. I know more now, so I feel I should update them. Additionally, a web page is different from a blog post, and things don’t translate as well as I thought they would.

I took a big bite and did the cemetery photos from my old blog. I had to split them into more posts than I had web pages, and format them differently, and link the photos differently. I am still not sure if I am satisfied with what I did, but this is a blog, so I need to post and move forward.

The organization factor has been bothering me, and I have partly addressed it. In the side bar, you will see monthly archives, category archives and a new tool, “Series” I found this little widget when trying to find a practical way to index my posts. I am not satisfied without an index, and am still working on that, but the series widget has helped some. When you click on it, it gives you the posts in a given series from the first one to the last one, in order. That is pretty hard to beat in some circumstances. For the cemetery posts, the first to last order doesn’t matter much, perhaps an alphabetical list of cemetery locations or names would be better. But for things like my Grandma’s books, it does put them in order, and make them accessible in one place as a group.

I am happy with my progress on genealogical resolutions, but not sure what direction I am headed. I believe I will need a new resolution before the year ends, or at least a new direction. The data from my old site will run out quickly, and I will need to decide how and when to post on this blog. I really do well with a list, but I am out of artifacts to list and describe. Except perhaps for a large group of old photos. I will have to put my thinking cap on, and see what feels right.

Thanks to everyone who has hung with me through my growing pains and continues to visit my blogs. I have great appreciation for the many geneabloggers who continue to produce valuable and thoughtful posts day in and day out. What talent!

Oct 19

Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Book – 7

This entry is part 7 of 8 in the series Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Register

In addition to my grandmother’s wedding book, I also am the custodian of the register created at her funeral. I will also post all the pages, with comments when I feel may be relevant. The ninth scan starts the pages of the visitors register. There are seven of these pages, and they read like a roster of the First Congregational Church membership of my childhood, with some family and neighbors mixed in. I will have something to say about most of these pages.

9

Floyd and Alice Wilkinson

J. V. Shepherd

Ralph McNeth

Dr.land Mrs Gregory A ALe???

Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Bendle — The Bendles owned the company that sold and engraved cemetery markers.

Kay Servis — My father’s cousin.

Frank Servis — Kay’s husband.

Gerald Carlington

Don Mohl — member of the church, if my memory is correct.

Ray Cunningham — owned a drug store in downtown Cadillac.

Ruth Mills — Mrs. Mills was my grandmother’s good friend. One of her sons was the same age as my father, and there are photos of the boys together. Mrs. Mills was a member of the Congregational Church, and shared stories about my grandmother with me when I was an adult.

Hale and Mary Dickerson — members of our church.

Jack Smith

Monsignor Callahan — from St. Ann Catholic Church, Cadillac.

Sr Mary Teresa RSM — from St Ann Catholic Church, Cadillac

Mr. Eldon Hagstrom — a Hagstrom family owned a flower shop in Cadillac, I am not sure if this is the one.

I recently received this information with regard to Eldon Hagstrom, and received permission to add it here:
Eldon,  his wife Emma (nee Anderson), and son Harry Delos Hagstrom were the original owners of Hagstrom’s Flower Shop in Cadillac, Michigan.  Eldon was born 21 Dec 1900 in Clam Lake Township, Wexford County to John Gustof Hagstrom and Ingrid Mathilda (Johnson) Hagstrom.  He graduated from Michigan State University in Animal Husbandry.  Emma Lynn Anderson was Eldon’s wife.   Emma’s mothers last name was Bertleson which ended with her, since she had no brothers.  All of Emma’s children took the Bertleson name as a middle name as well as their Christian name. Emma’s father owned a lumber camp and a saloon in the area.

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Hill — members of our church.

Oct 18

Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Book – 6

This entry is part 6 of 8 in the series Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Register

In addition to my grandmother’s wedding book, I also am the custodian of the register created at her funeral. I will also post all the pages, with comments when I feel may be relevant. The pages on the seventh and eighth scan are blank.
7

8

I do not know why these were not filled in. I do know that Mom always said that Dad was very close to his mother, perhaps it was just too hard.

Oct 17

Randy Says: SNGF

The guru of fun, Randy Seaver says, “Hey, genealogy fans, it’s Saturday night! Time for some Genealogy Fun!

Your task, if you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible music), is to:

He goes on to ask that we pick one of our four great-grandparents, the one with the most descendants preferred, create a descendants list, tell how many, living or dead are in each generation. Then, the kicker: “How many are still living? Of those, how many have you met and exchanged family information with? Are there any that you should make contact with ASAP? Please don’t use last names of living people for this – respect their privacy. And: “Write about it in your own blog post, in comments to this post, or in comments or a Note on Facebook.”

This should be a snap, right? Well, not exactly. I picked my g-grandfather, Charles Yearnd/Yournd/Ewuns/Euens, married Lena Detman/Detmann. Their descendents that I know of are:

  1. Children — 6, all deceased. I never met anyone in this generation, even though several died after I was born.
  2. Grandchildren — 10, all deceased. Of these I met my father and his siblings, a total of 5, but never met any of his cousins.
  3. Great-grandchildren — 7, at least 6 of the 7 are living. This is my generation, 4 of the 7 are me and my siblings, 2 others are my first cousins. I have met 6 all of those, but I don’t know anything beyond the name of the seventh.
  4. 3rd great-grandchildren — 13 that I know of, 11 or 12 are living. My children and their cousins, I have met 10 of the 12.
  5. 4th great-grandchildren — 7 that I am aware of, there are probably several others that I should know about, grandchildren of my first cousins. 5 of the 7 are my grandchildren. There are at least a couple on the way in this generation.

That is 43 descendants. I should make an effort to get information on the grandchildren of my first cousins, but they won’t be able to help me with my genealogical research.

There is one branch of descendants for who I have limited information. Carolyn “Carrie” Yearnd/Yournd married J. Clare Collins on 9 October 1900 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan. I am aware of one daughter of this marriage, Wanetta, who was born about 1904. I have been unsuccessful in contacting any descendants of this branch of the family, who would be descendants of the the person in #4 that I have not met. I am continuing to try to contact that branch of my family.

Facts are facts, and it is unlikely that I will meet a family member who can give me substantial information on Charles and Lena and their family.

Oct 17

Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Book — 5

This entry is part 5 of 8 in the series Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Register

In addition to my grandmother’s wedding book, I also am the custodian of the register created at her funeral. I will also post all the pages, with comments when I feel may be relevant. My sixth scan shows very little information.

6

My father’s family have been laid to rest in Maple Hill Cemetery, Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan. Block 18, lot 7 was purchased on 29 July 1936 by my grandparents. I am not sure why they got it at that time, but I do have the original deed, which shows that date. This is a thumbnail, you may click it to enlarge the document.
Yearnd Maple Hill lot deed

I also can show that my grandmother paid for perpetual care on the lot in in 1952.
Yearnd pep care at maple hill

Oct 16

Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Book — 4

This entry is part 4 of 8 in the series Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Register

I am the custodian of the register created at my grandmother’s funeral. I am posting all the pages of the book, even those which were left blank.

5

Henry Colby was the organist. Henry played the pipe organ that the church with majesty. He played that organ at every event, and most of the church services I attended there. On occasion, someone filled in, but he was the organist there as long as I can remember. I am often suspired how much a pipe organ means church to me. Not many churches have them, and this one was a wonderful presence throughout my years at that church.

Oct 15

What’s Your Favorite Genealogy Society?

After reading several excellent submissions for the 82nd Carnival of Genealogy,   I am making it my business to contribute,  just before the cutoff! This carnival asks bloggers to submit thoughts about their favorite genealogy society, along with comments about why the do or do not participate in a society.

I am currently a member of three genealogical societies, and one historical society. They are the National Genealogical Society, the Wexford Genealogy Organization, the Hoosick Township (Rensselaer Co., NY) Historical Society, and OCGS, which is profiled below. In the past I have been a member of another historical society and another genealogical society.

I will continue to support NGS as long as I can. I really benefit from their publications, which have helped me in my research process. Both WGO and Hoosick History have helped me with information in my research, and I intend to continue my memberships in those organizations in the foreseeable future.

I am a very active member of the Oakland County (Michigan) Genealogical Society. I have been the treasurer of the Society since 2003, and have also contributed in other ways when I can. I joined OCGS sometime in the 1990’s, I suppose the membership records would yield the exact date if I really needed to know. Even though OCGS meets in the evenings, I was not able to attend many meetings during the early membership, when I traveled in my project management job, and was often out of town on meeting evenings.

I am not sure if OCGS is my “favorite” society, but it is where I make my genealogical home. Since I have no ancestors in Oakland County, Michigan, some people may wonder why I devote so much time and effort to the Society. Viewpoints differ, but here how I describe the reasons for my involvement:

  1. Genealogical research is genealogical research. Techniques and tools evolve and change, but all of them are not always location specific. How to use a specific computer program, or how to find information in courthouses, archives, and libraries are just examples of skills addressed by a local society that can benefit members, regardless of the location of their ancestral families.
  2. Meetings with like-minded people nourish my soul. When is the last time someone from your neighborhood, bridge club (do they still have those?) or church asked how your research was going? Do they even know you spend time, effort and money on genealogical research? I simply love going somewhere and having someone ask, “What did you discover this (week, month, summer, year)?” It is my pleasure to hear about others research and share their success stories and frustrations.
  3. Give back, or pay forward. Much of the information I have gathered is because some society somewhere did something. Local societies collect, index, print, post, do look-ups, and generally make information from their geographical area available. Helping make information near where I live available to researchers is my way of paying back, or forward, that thought fullness.
  4. Everything is not on the internet, nor will it be in my lifetime. Networking with researchers gives me an opportunity to learn about and locate resources, refine techniques and expand my knowledge.
  5. Information and network. I learned about the funding crisis at the Library and Archives of Michigan through the OCGS membership in the Michigan Genealogical Council. I was able to share information with others and contact my representatives.

Without going into specifics, I believe that my perspective on new media and the internet, including the possibilities of new technologies for the dissemination of information may be at odds with the thinking of some Society members. That difference does not make the Society’s activities less valuable or relevant to me.

Since I am not a joiner at heart, a look my involvement in OCGS is a surprise to me. At this point in my life I have more time and energy to direct outward toward others than in the past. Without children to care for, or a job to occupy the majority of my time, I have chosen to give some of that time and energy to a cause I believe in.

I hope those of you who do not support a local society will examine your thinking, and ask yourself if you could benefit from such an  association.

Oct 15

Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Book — 3

This entry is part 3 of 8 in the series Winnie Kaiser Yearnd Funeral Register

4

I do remember the day of the funeral, which was held at the First Congregational Church, Cadillac, Michigan, which our family attended. I remember asking my Dad why he wasn’t working, since my six year old mind knew a funeral was his job. He just sadly said that someone else was working for him today. I don’t remember another thing about that day, except sitting in the back alcove of the sanctuary. I couldn’t tell you who was there, I have no memories of seeing anyone.

The minister, Rev Wesley Purschbacker, was a good friend of my father’s. He was the pastor of the Episcopalian church in Cadillac, I have no idea why he served as the minister for Grandma’s funeral.