Family Photos

Harvey E Hoak, my 1st cousin, 3x's removed.  Born in 1867 and died in 1944.  Lived in Noble County, IN his entire life.  Wow!  Not a bad looking guy lol!

The Bee Hive - Cromwell, Indiana

Frank and Sarah Hitler-Ohlwine with the clerks in front of their store, The Bee Hive, in Cromwell, Noble County, IN.  Sarah Hitler, (b.Feb 1856 in Noble Co., IN, d. July 1934 in Noble Co, IN), was my 2nd great grand aunt. Her husband was Frank Ohlwine, (b. July 1853 in IL, d. 1921 in Noble Co.). They were married on 15 April 1879 in Noble Co. My grandma said they had the nicest store in Cromwell. Looks like they were celebrating a new year!

Who Was My Grandfather's Real Father? Part I: Too Little Asked Before It Was Too Late

Papa as a young child with his mother, Pearl, about 1904

 

My biggest genealogical brick wall has always been the identity of my mother’s father’s father – my great grandfather. My grandfather, Papa, as I called him, was um, aaaa, well, um, Papa was illegitimate.  While the subject wasn’t discussed, it wasn’t exactly a secret.  My mom heard a hushed family conversation in the parlor as a young child.  She doesn’t remember the details but she does remember being shocked to learn that the man she thought was her grandpa, Lincoln, wasn’t really her father’s dad.

When I was little, Papa dropped little hints about his family tree to me. “We’re part Indian, you know”, he randomly said to me one day.  “Wow. That’s cool”, my 6- year-old-self said to him and we continued on with our Go Fish game or whatever it was we were playing.  6- year-old Karen was not family-tree-hunting, adult Karen.  Knowing who Papa’s real dad was wasn’t a big deal to any of us.  He was raised by his mother, Pearl and a much loved step-father, whose last name was used by Papa and passed down to my mom, her brothers and their kids.  I think Papa knew who his dad might have been.  But, none of us thought to ask. We even accepted that we were of German ancestry probably because of Lincoln’s German last name.

Some time when I was in high school, my mom or someone said something about us being German and I shot back, “Why does everyone say we’re German when that German last name Papa used isn’t wasn't really his last name? We could be German but we don’t know for sure so I’m not going to say I’m German anymore”. I remember feeling really annoyed when I said it.  You know, that teen angst thing when your parents say something that is soooooooooo stupid that you couldn't possbly be related to them. 

The light bulb finally went off in my teen-aged head.  But, it was too late to ask Papa who his dad was.  He had passed away many years earlier. Plus, Papa was actually old enough to be my mother’s grandfather, so there wasn’t really anyone in the family close in age to him left to ask. Kicking myself for never thinking of asking Papa who his father was, I vowed I would find out who that man was and what our family’s real last name was.

To Be Continued......



Upcoming SCGS Webinar on Irish Research

Are your Irish roots showing or maybe not showing enough? Here's something that might make your Emerald Isle research feel closer to home. The Southern California Genealogy Society will be holding another free webinar as part of it's terrific Jamboree Extension series.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 6 pm PST, the SCGS will be hosting Erin in the USA: Irish Research on this Side of the Atlantic, presented by Michael Brophy. Mr. Brophy, is a professional genealogical researcher, heir search specialist and lecturer in the Boston area. During this free webinar, Mr, Brophy will present Irish records that are available in America.

For more information, please click here.

More From The Cromwell Ladies Aid Society 1909

From my second great grand aunt, Mary Hitler Cunningham:

Most Endangered Lists: Preserving Historical Architecture; Preserving The Story Of All Of Us

In my mind, genealogy and historical architecture preservation go hand in hand.  All over the United States, there are homes and factories that lie unused, unloved and in terrible disrepair.  Many consider these buildings an eyesore and are happy to be rid of them for new development.  Many others know that that the termite eaten wooden home was that of the first settler of their town.  They know that the crumbling brick building at the end of Main Street was long ago the factory that drew people to their city and made their area flourish.  These structures tell the history of who our ancestors were.  They point to why we are where we are today.

There is something you can do to bring attention to and help save our architectural history.  Each year, preservation societies all over the US seek nominees for the most endangered architecture in their area.  Below is a list of organizations which are seeking nominations for their 2013 Most Endangered lists or their current Most Endangered lists.  Please look through the list to see if there is anything you can do to help. Although I can’t list all of the current endangered lists, I encourage you to seek out your local preservation or historical society to help save our architectural past so that future generations can see our past and look to our future.  Thanks!

Endangered Properties of West Virginia 2013

Providence RI Preservation Society Most Endangered Property Nomination Form

 

Indiana Landmarks 2012 10 Most Endangered

 

Landmarks Illinois Ten Most Endangered Historic Places

 

D.C. Preservation League Endangered Places Nomination Form

 

The Georgia Trust 2013 Places In Peril

 

Kansas Preservation Alliance 2012 Endangered Places

 

Preservation Massachusetts Preserve Mass Barns Program

 

Preservation Ohio 2012 Most Endangered Historic Sites

 

Preservation Oklahoma 2012 Endangered Places

 

Preservation Pennsylvania 20 Year Retrospective of Pennsylvania At Risk

 

National Trust For Historic Preservation List of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

 

Arizona Preservation Foundation 2012 Most Historic Places

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake County Indiana GenWeb Project Get's A Re-Do

Between my meniscus tear and subsequent surgery, it feels like my genealogy research and blogging is going just like my recovery: SLOW. There are certain genealogy-related sites that almost feel like old friends as I visit them so often. Because of my lack of being able to sit for very long, I feel like I’ve been neglecting some of my old friends. One of these sites is the Lake County Indiana GenWeb Project page. 

 

I’ve always kind of had a love/hate relationship with my old pal the Lake County InGenWeb. There was decent research info there and the Coordinator always seemed to work hard to add additional information often.  But, the layout and design seemed a little dated and looking for an interesting new tidbit kind of a chore.  So, when I paid my old friend a visit the other day, I was quite pleased to see she had gone through a remarkable transformation.  I barely recognized her! A website plastic surgery, so to speak, seems to have taken place.

 

I nearly let out a cat whistle when I saw the updated Lake County InGenWeb.  The graphics are new and reflect the area it represents.  The menu and records are clean and much easier to read and navigate.  There appears to be many more records provided.  There also seems to be more contributors adding info to the project.  

 

Kudos go to the project coordinator, Jeff Kemp.  Well done, sir! Please take the time to visit my friend, Lake County InGenWeb here . The ugly duckling has grown into a lovely swan.