Yesterday, I spent an entire day documenting one family. If the reader is interested, click on this link and read about my cousin “Nettie.” I have a number of “black sheep” in my family tree and I see Nettie as one of the worst.

I titled this message “collaboration” because (at this hour) four genealogists are involved. First, a cousin sent the obituary for one of Nettie’s grandchildren. I expanded on the information; I documented the ancestry. Questions prompted me to dig for more information—including a search on the Internet. At the end of the day, I shared my research with genealogists (cousins) who might be interested. Two responded… and one sent the attached newspaper clipping.

Extremely interesting information (in my humble opinion). Mike Rowe visits the Hair Museum. At this time, I was unable to locate the video that was aired on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on 12 Mar 2022. Here is another link to Leila’s Hair Museum. I found it very interesting because Leila said the early displays of hair were an early record of ancestors. She said the name of the individual was listed by a piece of hair and numerous pieces of hair—on one “picture”—spelled out ancestry.

Restless night: When I wasn’t awake, I was dreaming I was physically in Ukraine. Part of the time, I was with the women and children evacuating the country; part of the time I was in the battered city, in the basement. A friend tells me to “Turn it off” but I feel compelled to watch the excellent coverage on FOX News. I could get on my soapbox… but I won’t.

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One more heartache: For the second time in four months, a “cousin” sent a negative message. In Ancestry, I failed to accurately document a family member. Her criticism is on top of Coronavirus, allergy/sickness, Ukraine, and my “old” ago.

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Postscript: Please read the kind words of a reader (in comments)

True story: I feel like I am stuck in wet cement; I can’t move. I don’t even have a desire to document obituaries and ancestry. Seriously, “old lady” is spending time in her comfortable chair with a mug of coffee.

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“Big D” = depression

…after cold nights and days. Therefore, still in my pajamas, I ventured out to the mailbox. It had been several days… so several items.

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Lorraine,
While in an antique mall in Aurora, IL, I picked up a photo of “Lucy Altland, sister of Mattie Blickenstaff” and it contains 2 women. Judging by the photos of Mattie Burgard Davis Blickenstaff in your tree, I’d say one of the women is definitely her. That makes the other woman Mattie’s sister Lucy Burgard Altland. I bought the picture with the intent of reuniting it with their family. According to your Lorraine Frantz Family Tree, you’re their family. If you’d like the photo–free, tell me where to snail-mail it and it’s yours. I hope to hear back from you soon.
Andy Gappa
P.S. You do not have a copy of this photo in your tree—yet.