Your “usually very verbose” blogger is groping for words to explain the remarkable experience of the past few days.

On November 3rd, I handled some long-neglected family history. Read about it in the blog message titled Anti-depressant. Follow that with Garden of Read’n.

As I documented Frantz-family individuals, I would frequently compare my information with the information of other Ancestry.com Member Family Tree(s). One member has a well-documented tree and I was so impressed I sent a “thank you” message praising her work. Carol answered… and we exchanged pleasantries. Note that I was documenting information regarding Frederick S. Frantz Jr. but I also wanted to find Marian A Gould. (Marian prepared the charts thirty years ago, Frederick sent them twenty years ago, Lorraine looked at them four days ago.)

I am a fanatic for accuracy!! The well-sourced “tree” drew me back for a second and third look. “Comparison” is good, “copy” is bad (in my humble opinion). The researcher behind that tree, Carol, has some of the same surnames as Marian A. Gould. I’ll be expedient and tell the reader that I (initially) saw a distant “kissing cousin” relationship. The more I documented the clearer the picture became. Carol is my seventh cousin!! Carol is the niece of Marian!! It’s a small, small world. Let me tell you, with the words of Paul Harvey, “The rest of the story.”

Decades ago, I had a wonderful visit with another researcher named Evelyn “Rosemary” Frantz. I wrote about her in a blog message titled Thirty years and counting. Because Carol and I have Frantz ancestry, the message conversation included Rosemary. I shared Thirty years and counting with her and here is her reply:

What fun that you met Rosemary Frantz. She had a brother named David who married a Gingrich cousin of mine: Carol Gingrich. I knew Rosemary and David, and Carol and I take care of the Gingrich reunion.

Oh boy, oh joy, oh happy day!! One more comment: Carol wants her aunt’s meticulously-prepared charts “when I am through with them.”

Midnight—and never a stopping point. ~~ Have you noticed that I am fond of numbers?

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The “tree hugger” has entered a new “garden” and is feasting her tired eyes on an orchard of new trees.  My research started thirty-plus years ago and I never encountered these individuals. Before I collected volumes of information regarding descendants of immigrant Michael Frantz. Marian A Gould had amassed volumes of information and painstakingly recorded the information on large sheets of paper. Her ancestry (on Ancestry.com) appears to go back to Johannes Frantz, son of Christian Frantz (the third). I have Christian Frantz III well documented and that is blatantly false. So I will be using my magnifying glass to examine the meticulously documented information by Marian A Gould (1922-2016). FYI: Her mother was a “Frantz.” Below: Just two interesting items I want to share with my readers.

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P.S.: This is such a mystery! The deeper I go the stranger the information. My head is shaking  back and forth with “no, no, no.” ~~ Before I use the magnifying glass for the information from Marian (via Frederick Frantz), I’ll need to set up the ironing board and smooth the pages. I’m in the process of documenting reliable sources from Ancestry.com.

Gratefully, I have two computers so I can “read” information on one and “write” (document) on the other.

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This has been an all-day search for accurate records regarding the identity of several “key” individuals. I don’t have the desired information and I’m so disgusted with “Member Family Trees” with the same inconclusive data copied from tree to another tree. “Inconclusive” and inaccurate!! (I look at Member Family Trees for a possible “hint” that will complement the information in my database.)

“Let the good times roll.”  Why did that come to mind? I like to post a “catchy title” to my blog messages and that’s what popped into my thinking. If you have followed my recent blog messages. you know I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors working in the yard and carport. For three days, I did not “climb the family tree.” It surprises me that so many more individuals were added in one month. Yesteday, less work and many hours visiting with neighbors.  They see me, I see them while riding the three-wheel bicycle. Perhaps the very nice weather has prompted folks to leave the sanctuary of their trailer home? Leaving “the sanctuary of my trailer home” has been beneficial. However, from my position in front of the laptop computer, looking out the glass double doors, I see my Trump flag and American flag. I’m grieved by the election conundrum.

The weather seems to reflect my mood. Things don’t look good for my President preference.

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While rearranging the storage unit, I came across the “tube” with ancestor information. Shame on Lorraine; it had never been opened. Recording ancestors is relatively simple with Ancestry.com. Look at the work that went into drawing the charts and listing the individuals. I may need to set up the ironing board and cautiously iron the four pages (to flatten). I’ll compare Frederick Frantz’s information with sources on Ancestry.

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For my mental health, I need to return to “climbing the family tree.”  Indubitably, I must get my mind off the political situation.

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I spent the evening (night) searching my database for the man who shared his ancestry with me. He was not in my Ancestry.com database but, with repeated searches, I found Frederick S. Frantz (1922-2009). I traced his ancestry (on Ancestry) and it seems he is from “another tree.” This is very curious because researchers have always attributed the Frantz family (in America) to three brothers. The immigrant ancestor likewise came from Germany and may prove to be another brother. A new challenge for Lorraine (and now there are seven obituaries awaiting my time and attention.) I need to be four people.

…it’s back to work I go!!

No, I won’t climb the ladder to put light bulbs in the fixture. My “angel” helper is due back for a project or two. ~~ I “like” the progress I’ve made in the yard and carport.

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Can I stop now?

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Six obituaries await my time and attention. Folks (family) my age—and younger—are becoming statistics in my Ancestry.com database.

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An “angel” appeared at my door–about 2:30–asking if there was anything he could help me with. “Yes, yes, yes!!”  We moved a lot of items stacked just inside the door of the storage unit. Strong, healthy “angel” lifted the corner of the trunks so I could slide “risers” underneath. I had worried (for months) that rainwater was flooding the floor and would cause damage, mold and mildew. No evidence of damage (praise the Lord). Then an additional shift of memorabilia so he could reach the Christmas items. (I plan to create my Christmas Bottle Tree soon.)

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Question: “Anything else?”  Answer: “No. I think the rest is up to me.”  Question: “Do you want me to clean the car?”  Answer: “Yes, yes, yes!!”

Yesterday, “cousin” sent another obituary but it will have to wait. Yesterday, Ancestry.com was ignored. Yesterday, the TV was “off” more than “on.” To assuage “election stress disorder,”  today I plan to work in the yard. (Absentee ballot recently delivered to headquarters.)