After I married my husband, I realized his family was different. Oh, I don’t mean different in the way we sometimes describe our new in-laws, as in, “they open their presents on Christmas Eve and we open them on Christmas morning,” or “they make cornbread stuffing and we make white bread stuffing with chestnuts.” No, I mean different.
An Elephant Never Forgives
On 4 January 1903, Thomas Edison killed Topsy, an elephant at Coney Island whose penchant for peanuts had been replaced by a vengeance for her trainers, and who, people would argue, might have had it coming.
Edison had no personal vendetta against Topsy.
Genealogists might love portability, but an iPod? Borrow one from the nearest teenager and see for yourself how much room there is for a jammin’ little music player in your family history toolbox.
Looking for a way to justify an iPod under the tree? That’s easy, once you know what an iPod can do.
Ever wonder what your ancestors did for fun? Learn about the games children played during the Victorian era at the Education Network of Ontario (ENO) Social Studies site. Some games, such as Old Maid and Tug-of-War, are still played today, but others are obsolete, including Deerstalker and Errand Boy.
To give is to receive. At least that’s how it worked for Janice Lane.
When Janice first heard about Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK) in 1999, she knew she would become a volunteer. What she didn’t know was that, eventually, helping others would help her, too.
Sometimes a ghost taps you on the shoulder and pushes you to help. On a sunny August day, Thomas G. O’Connor’s ghost did just that. He found me at the Portland police museum, pointed to an empty picture frame, and said it was reserved for him.
O’Connor died on 29 August 1867—the first Portland policeman to be killed in the line of duty.
Time for Another Rescue
It’s heartening to know how many folks out there are kind enough to protect another family’s possessions and make the effort to get these possessions back into the right hands. Carol Hertensteiner of Missouri is just one of these generous people.
Carol wrote me about a daybook that would clearly be invaluable to a member of its family of origin.
How can one daughter’s birth certificate send you in so many directions? See for yourself.
1. More Kids
“Triplet” and “or other” are crossed out, but “Twin” isn’t. An Arizona birth index check http://genealogy.az.gov shows Charles Emmett Edwards born the same date to the same parents.
2. Where They Hung Their Hat
Elizabeth was born in 1915, but where were her parents in 1910?
Sometimes the information you want about a specific relative can’t be found in the usual sources—birth, marriage, and death registrations, church registers, censuses, military and pension files, and courthouse, land, and probate records that often describe relationships. So where do you turn?
Rich and Famous
Hoping Junior will make enough money to pay his way—and yours? Give him the first name of the wealthiest men—John. Rather have an inventor in the house? Try John again, although Charles and William run a close second and third (if you’re hoping he wins a Nobel prize, you may also want to slip the name Robert in there).
For a wealthy daughter, try Anne, Barbara, or Margaret.