Obviously, I should spend less time “climbing trees” and devote time to deleting some of the 99,000 old email messages from my Gmail. But that isn’t any fun!! Honestly, it is so uncomfortably HOT, I seek “comfort” in my hobby.

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A cousin sent a very interesting article and the following is my reply.

SINCERE THANKS, Gale, for the article. I knew Elvin years ago. He and the extended family researched and self-published a small booklet (for family) titled “Michael Frantz Descendants.” His sister, Hazel Frantz Turner, seemed to have the bulk of the researched information and she lived about one-hundred miles from me–in Highlands, California. I spent a good many hours in her home in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

More to the story: I was beginning my Frantz research and approached it with a mass-mailing. I wrote a pleasant letter introducing myself and asking for Frantz information. I spent time in the Lancaster library going through phone directories (all over the U.S.) for folks with the Frantz surname. I sent the letter–with SASE (remember self-address stamped envelope?). I received a reply from Loren Frantz–in Pennsylvania–saying his sister had a booklet titled Michael Frantz Descendants. If I remember correctly, that same day, I received a large padded envelope with a copy of Michael Frantz Descendants. Loren had shared my request with his sister (whom I would not have known to contact) and she graciously shared with me.

If you may have noticed, I have Hazel’s name as one of the authors of Frantz Families–Kith & Kin. She was extremely helpful. One project in particular: A Brubaker cousin in Sacramento was planning to publish a Brubaker book. He shared hundreds of computer printout pages with his information and Hazel checked every name against information she and I already had. It was a very poor presentation (book) and he was stuck with copies that never sold. Sorry, I don’t remember his name (because he didn’t make a good impression on me). I visited with him a couple of times–in Sacramento.

Gale, see what memories the name “Elvin” brings. Thanks from Lorraine

A second email message to my cousin:

Gale, I did some additional research after reading the story. I added information to the Ancestry Gallery with further details about Elvin Dale Frantz. Thought you might like this extra background.

Two statements arrived in the U.S. mail; fifteen pages of fine print. They reveal the cost of my recent two–day trip to the hospital—totaling $22,310.00. Gratefully, my health insurance covered every penny but I expected to see an amount I was due to pay. Five weeks early, I had my Halloween scare (lol). Heart attack averted.

Folks younger than myself are passing away. A cousin sends obituaries and it’s a full-time task to document the individual, the immediate family, and the extended family. Some… say “cousins by the dozens”; I say “cousins by the thousands.” ~~ Oops, only the Ancestry database is a solo accomplishment. I’m indebted to a cousin with paid subscriptions to newspapers and funeral home information. I acknowledge that my computer skills and genealogy savvy is a God-given gift.

Feels like mid-July.

Question: “Will I ever feel ‘good’ again?”  I’ll spare you a list of health complaints!! PRAISE GOD, MY HEAVENLY FATHER, I awakened to a new day. (Another tree to climb?)

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Via email, received an obituary; climbed a tree.

Blame it on the heat? Lethargic! Very little information was located for that “Frantz” tree. With more than 3,600 individuals with the “Frantz” surname,  in my Ancestry database, it’s rare to encounter individuals from a uniquely different tree.

I had twenty pictures on this message–scenes captured from the TV screen. On August 26th, 2023, I deleted the pictures hoping it would “free up” space for current pictures.

Brain dead? I “shoulda” created “an album” of pictures. “Blame it on the heat?” Notice the indoor temperature. “Summer” just won’t let go of Texas! Furthermore: No lie, AFib is an occasional new visitor.