Frequently, it takes hours to research the individuals and accurately document the information. I’m the only “Member Family Tree” with correct information (for this family). Other subscribers to Ancestry “copy” one another’s tree. I couldn’t “walk away”; I felt compelled to “stick to it.” ~~ The “tree” on the left indicates they have eighteen sources and, therefore, goes to the top of the list. Honestly, I don’t understand why “they” can’t see the discrepancies. FYI: The twin girls are listed twice because they appear with their mother and their stepmother. One wife is my fourth cousin three times removed and the other individuals are “inlaws.”
The following is a short story I attached to a woman in my Ancestry family tree.
An interesting story? I documented Anna Mae Ressler (1932-2012) on 8 May 2021 because I wanted to provide details about the lady I visited (2003), and the barn I saw (collapsed barn*). Yesterday, I was documenting some families who lived in La Verne, Los Angeles County, California (Cullen, Boone, Fasnacht. et al). ***(I documented that cemetery in 1989, and published the information in La Verne Evergreen Cemetery Tombstone Inscriptions.)*** While documenting… I stumbled across the Ressler name (connected to one of the families). My mind said “I know that name.” A search of the Ressler surname (in my Lorraine Frantz Family Tree) revealed Anna Mae Ressler and I was (am) ecstatically happy to have built upon the earlier documentation. *** I sincerely believe “my Heavenly Father” leads me to families—and information—that is valuable to the history of families belonging to the Old German Baptist Brethren fellowship, and Church of the Brethren.***
*The barn where my immigrant ancestor, Michael Frantz (1687-1748), initiated the first “divide” of members in the fellowship that later became known as Old German Baptist Brethren. I did, indeed, visit the location and saw the collapsed barn, a pile of foundation rocks, and previous supporting barn timbers, and shingles. I gathered items (as memorabilia) and will donate them to the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio.
How often have I told my readers that there is “never a stopping point” with my extended family? The individuals are “knit” or “crocheted” in a beautiful afghan. ~~ I thank “my Heavenly Father” (God) that I (1) wake up in the mornings, (2) have the skills to document the families, and (3) have the patience to sort through inaccurate, and accurate, details and “save” valuable information for other researchers (with less patience and fewer God-given skills). Furthermore, I marvel (and thank God) that my memory recalls details from 1989 when I spent weeks (weekends) walking the La Verne Evergreen Cemetery and documented more than three thousand individuals who, primarily, belonged to the Church of the Brethren or Old German Baptist Brethren.
It’s almost five o’clock in the early evening. I sat down to the computer about eight o’clock this morning intending to “put a few finishing touches” on families I didn’t finish at one o’clock this morning. I did not intend to spend the day at the computer because there are downsizing projects demanding my attention. Repeat: With Ancestry, “There is never a stopping point.”
At approximately 1:30 PM—while at the computer creating a blog message—I saw a strange car pull in the driveway and park across the street. The man walked back and forth as though looking for someone or something. Both “across the street” neighbors are gone so I walked out and asked, “Can I help you?” I was attempting to be friendly and helpful. The black man got very defensive and said “I work for a living. I’m here to pick up a package for FedEx.” I said “I was just trying to be helpful” and his reply was “No you weren’t.” I was the unwitting participant in a racial incident. (Should I even publish this blog message?) I sincerely wanted to be helpful; I wasn’t looking at his skin color. Now I “see” with my own eyes how black men “see” a situation much different.
Look at the amount of money I paid for 500 worms. However, they must have been microscopic in size because these old eyes didn’t see a single wiggler. When I ordered… I believed 500 worms would be “more than enough” for my Tower, and the Tower of my new gardening-friend neighbor. The contents of that little bag were dumped in the tube in hopes “they” were “microscopic” hibernating worms that will begin composting in their new home. ~~~~ Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm is a disappointment.
Because it’s a cooler day, (1) I decided to do some food preparation. (2) Potato soup for our dear owner-manager of this RV Park. He has been in the hospital and we have bombarded heaven with prayers for his health and well-being. (3) Potato peels for the worms in the Garden Tower. (I hope, and pray, there are worms in the Garden Tower.) ~~ Beyond the “tasks,” I’m loving the aroma of the few pieces of slab bacon I fried before adding potatoes.
Rain predicted all week so I’m trying something new. I speculate heavy rain will “wash out” seeds. So I’m attempting a head start for the seeds before transferring them to the Tower this time next week. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” The seeds are several years old and may—or may not—germinate.
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Postscript at 11:40 AM: TV programming was interrupted to advise us of golf-ball-size hail in some areas. I’m praying it doesn’t come to this neighborhood and damage my plants.
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Postscript at 1:25 PM: Not complaining; much-needed rain.
The past couple of days, I’ve enjoyed a triple application of exercise. Correction: “enjoyed” is embellishing the truth. After a year of sitting at the computer for endless hours, “exercise” is good for me but (truthfully) I ache all over!!
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True story: I need to make another trip to The Home Depot for two or three bags of garden soil. Yesterday I purchased a bell pepper plant so I have the pepper plant and three tomato plants in need of attention.
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Postscript at 4:00 PM from “wearier woman.” I got started and “never a stopping point.” I need several more bags of garden soil; I need to start planting lettuce seeds. ~~ I intended to cut a three-inch hole in the bottom of the white pail in preparation for a “topsy-turvy upside-down tomato plant.” I want to show neighbors “it can be done.” Eight or nine years ago, in North Carolina, I had beautiful “topsy-turvy”…
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Postscript at 6:30 PM. ~~ On second thought, the predicted several days of rain might “wash out” seeds planted in the Tower. I’ll wait for next weekend. (Purposeful procrastination?)
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Third Postscript and a “third thought”: Seeds could have been planted and the Tower covered with a tarp. However, a variety of sizes of tarps were sold and/or given away before I left Livingston.
Twelve noon and I’ll be visiting Home Depot for more garden soil for the Garden Tower (after lunch). I added some of the precious “veggie” soil around the Jasmine. ~~ “Doing” today because more rain predicted for the weekend, and next week.
All by myself, I drove to The Home Depot for three bags of garden soil. Then to the huge H.E.B-Plus for groceries. “Wise woman” because I went shopping before the predicted one week of rain.
Three Quarters & Counting 