Here is the “story” I wrote and attached to a man in my Ancestry database. Yes, I have a lot of things I should be doing but I love being a detective. (I prefer “detective” to “janitor.”) I’ve attached the “cousin marriage” chart. I love to create “pictures” for the benefit of fellow researchers. (This reveals Lorraine in “Depression Aggression.“) Yes, “Stuck in a rut” is about the cousin whom I now accept as the wife of Francis Irvin Deal.

Quite frankly, upfront, I confess to being obsessive about accurate documentation in my Ancestry database. I entered the name Francis Irvin Deal because the World War I Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918 identified him that way. Likewise, in the World War II Draft Cards Young Men 1940-1947. Furthermore, the Social Security application says Frances [sic] I. Deal. Honestly, I had to locate verification that the man used the name “Irvin.” That verification can be found in 1910, 1920, 1925, 1930 Census records where he is listed as “Irvin” and “Ewin.” Additional information came in marriage records for his son, John Edwin Deal.

It was with reluctance that I accepted that “Irvin” looks like “Irving Deal” on the death certificate for his wife Anna Wagoner Deal born 25 Mar 1885 and died 5 Jul 1960. When did they marry? I spent hours searching for a record using alternate spellings and various locations. One Ancestry Member Family Tree lists the marriage on 20 Jul 1947 but no source. (I want “sources.”) I’m accepting that date because it came from a grand-nephew who probably has “inside information.”

In the Gallery find a chart illustrating the “cousin marriage” of Francis Irvin Deal and Anna Etta Wagoner.

ADDITIONS & CORRECTIONS APPRECIATED

“It’s a small, small world.”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love being a detective. I spent many hours researching and documenting Anna Etta Wagoner. Daylight turned to twilight and then it was dark. I continued to search for verification of a marriage between Anna Etta Wagoner and Francis Irwin Deal. I looked at other Member Family Trees and found the 20 Jul 1947 date. So I went to his “tree” hoping to find a “source.” A new phenomenon: Ancestry told me this is a third or fourth cousin. Ancestry DNA made the connection; how interesting! So I explored his “tree.”

Remember my earlier blog message about “showers of blessings”? A name appeared in “cousin’s tree” that brought wonderful memories. His aunt entertained me in her home in about 1991. I was a long way from Lancaster, California; I was in Delphi, Indiana, doing research. That day, I was enjoying the extremely valuable information I was finding in the card files in the Delphi library. I would “ooh” and “awe” out-loud as I studied the information. When I said the name “Wagoner” the librarian (Phyllis) said “Oh, that’s Margie’s family. She only lives a couple of blocks away. Here’s her phone number; call her.”  I phoned… and Margie invited me over. More specifically, she invited “us” over because I was with another relative.

My “other relative” lived in the same community but the two ladies did not know one another. Before the afternoon was over we discovered that we three are cousins through the Wagoner family. (Margie was born a Fisher, Rosa was born a Hufford, and Lorraine was born a Frantz.) It was a revelation and an awesome experience!! Margie produced several pages of hand-written genealogy—family history prepared by one of her ancestors. (I have a copy somewhere in my boxes of family history.)

This was, indeed, a “shower of blessings.” The memories are my reward for spending hours “climbing the family tree.” ~~~ Most of my genealogy cousins have left this earth and I’ll see them someday in Heaven. I have such a sense of urgency to get families accurately documented before my eyesight fails and my number is called. ~~~ Counting my blessings!! ~~~ I could expand this message for a story in Mennonite Family History but I haven’t the time. I’ve got to get back to the ladder (computer) and “climb the family tree.” (I’m a contributing editor for Mennonite Family History. Clone me so I can accomplish all my projects.)

More blessings?

Conundrum and confusion. Recently a blog titled “Insanity reigns.”

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(Click each picture to enlarge for better viewing.) I can’t walk away. There are so many errors in Ancestry Member Family Trees. An individual copies the information from another “tree” until two dozen “trees” with faulty information. I speculate that folks lack the motivation to search for details (“sources”). Then they fail to double-check the family and I see where they have the same children listed two and three times. Seriously, I could write a book about “careless cousins.” (Another C & C.) So I see myself as a “janitor” cleaning up messes!!

Regarding those two “pictures”: Three men named Emanuel Cripe in the same vicinity. I had already documented the several families before an “aha moment.” Something wasn’t right!! I back-tracked; I did additional searches for source information. I scribbled names and drew charts. But I needed a “bigger picture.” It took four hours to accurately document the specific individuals and create these “pictures.” I enjoy the challenge but there are projects that need time and attention, also.

P.S. I retract that statement regarding “careless cousins.” More specifically, the name represents a “leaf” on a branch of the tree that the individual knows nothing about. “Cousins” know better!!

Did you notice that I missed a few days preparing blog messages? I never heard the expression before but I define my mood as “depression aggression.” I’m so depressed!! I’ve been aggressively “climbing the family tree.” When I’m focused on people and places, I’m not thinking about the Coronavirus, rioting, looting, hatred spewing from the mouths of reporters.

Let me tell you about one of my fears (strange as this will sound). Years ago I quite-by-accident learned of “Stone Mountain“ Georgia. I visited the site and was so impressed with the artwork. I didn’t take offense about a Confederate General. Just like Mount Rushmore, an artist applied his talent. Now statues of our Presidents are being destroyed and one reporter indicated “Stone Mountain“ will be destroyed. Our wonderful country is being destroyed by hoodlums!!

I learned a motto many years ago: “The kindest thing to do and say, is the kindest thing in the kindest way.”  Other well-worn expressions: “Love thy neighbor,”  and “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”  Would those looters want someone coming into their home to steal items?

I’m getting on my “soapbox” as I express my sadness. People have so little consideration for one another, they fail to wear masks in public. People are suffering from the loss of their jobs, their income… but that message seems to get lost (lately) as we hear criticism of our President and law enforcement. Oh yes, some Christian organizations (like Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Blessing) are providing food but too little recognition for their efforts. (Samaritan’s Purse set up a hospital in New York’s Central Park to care for Coronavirus patients.)

I’m extremely patriotic. From my position at my computer, I look out at the American flag blowing in the wind. Near the flag, my attractive display of red, white, and blue bottles. A patriotic garden flag is prominently displayed at the street. Inside my yard, another red, white, and blue bottle display. A “flag” decal is plastered against the sliding-glass front door.

I’m getting “too old” for the turmoil in our Nation. “This world is not my home, I’m just traveling through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.”  In an earlier blog message, I expressed my desire to donate to the society. I’d like to think my “aggressive” documentation of extended family members is a worth-while endeavor. The “cousins” (aunts, uncles, and grandparents) were (are) hard-working, God-fearing, Christ-centered individuals. The Old German Baptist Brethren are a unique group of people whom I choose to document. “Depression aggression!”

Confession: This message prepared on Sunday evening and scheduled for Monday morning.

As I looked out my kitchen window, I experienced a wave of emotion–and gratitude. Perhaps a year ago, a lady-friend gave me the lovingly-made (just for me) bead display. In Livingston, I was able to position it so it caught sunshine.  No “sunny window” in my Waco trailer home. On Friday morning, I was encouraged to “get out” and go to breakfast with two friends. At first, I protested… but they “twisted my arm.” I felt 1000% invigorated, on Friday, after the outing.

More than six-plus years since I’ve been to an IHOP restaurant. In Waco, I see all the “brand name” restaurants. Eventually, I may patronize the Wendy’s (near the IHOP). During my travels—at Wendy’s—I loved to get a baked potato and small chili. FYI: Very few restaurants in Livingston—and I rarely left the RV Park, and Livingston.

P.S.S. Yes, we wore masks to and from…

…showers of blessings we need. Mercy drops ’round us are falling, but for the showers, we plead.”

“The old lady”  was sitting in her rocking chair counting her blessings. The rain is so refreshing after our extreme heat and humidity. The porch is delightful, the yard is beautiful, and the trailer is comfortable. Who could ask for anything more? Well, “the old lady”  had to rebuke the wind because the red, white, and blue bottles were swaying and almost crashing against one another. Apparently not quite enough distance between the displays? Can you see the rain running off the porch roof?

When I turned on the TV, after six, I was greeted with an inspirational spiritual message. The program closed with an acapella group singing a beautiful hymn. I quickly jotted some of the lyrics so I could search for “the message in song.” A Google search provided the following. Hopefully, I’ll find an artist or group singing the words.