Follow Friday -- Research to do Only Once on my Parents

In the past week, I've been thinking about the lives of my parents before I was born. A blogger, Remembering Those Who Came Before Us and Facebook friend, Sara Campbell mentioned Union College. Hum, that is where my father went, and a thinking out loud thought to myself was written to Sara. I was curious to know if I could get a yearbook photo of him and any other information from his file. Sara sent me a link to the college, and the process began. After calling Union College in Schenectady, I called my mother's college, Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, both in New York. Below are some of the things I received.


Three days after my call to Union, I was looking at his yearbook page, and other copied files. I discovered my father was in the Choir, Dramatic, Track and Camera Clubs. Who was this person? He never sang, did any sports, didn't attend plays, and took very few photos. As my father, he collected old maps, old guns, old stamps and was an avid ham operator.  His nickname was "Pud," what kind of name is that, where did it come from, well, I'll never know.


The file contained my birth announcement, printed in two newspapers, and a few other pieces about his service. His obituary was in the file, and date stamped at the college a week after he died. Seems my mother knew what to do, as she sent all these articles to Union. He majored in Science/ Chemistry and became a Chemist, working at several Boston area companies.


My mother's  file, Jane Ten Eyck Bishop, was similar, with a yearbook photo and listing of her clubs. Since she majored in Costume and Textiles, she was quoted as saying, "Have to make a sweater to match the socks I knitted for the game tomorrow" Looking at her photos reminded me of the movie, Mona Lisa Smile, since Skidmore was a woman's college. (She was her class agent 15 years up to the time of her death.) Many years later, she attended Northeastern University and received her Masters Degree in Education, and became a teacher.


If your parents went to college, this might be a nice resource. I found out more than what is mentioned above. Neither college asked me for any information, perhaps because obituaries (with my name mentioned) were in their files. The process was so painless, and I got a huge payoff. Photos below are of my mother.

My mother holding the magazine.

My mother on the ladder.

Looking Back -- May 2011

I like to acknowledge those who enjoy my blog and thought I should have an award. Some bloggers mentioned they knew I don't accept them, but wanted me to have one anyway. I understand why people love giving them, as well as receiving them. However, from the very first day I received one, I decided that wasn't the route I wanted to take. But thank you ladies for the three different awards. Please check out their blogs, you will be so glad you did.

The Ancestor Approved award was given to me on Jan. 20th, and I didn't discover it until months later. It was embarrassing that I didn't catch it earlier, and it pays to read each and every blog you follow, you just never know what might be in a post. And, I think it is important for recipients to also thank the sender, which I don't see happening very often.

My Ancestor Approved award came from: Suz of The Hunt for Henrietta

One Lovely Blog awards from:
Cyndi Beane Henry of Mountain Genealogy                     
Leslie Albrecht Huber of The Journey Takers Blog
Leslie Ann of Ancestors Live Here
Yvonne Mashburn Schmidt of ATCO, Georgia, The Village


and Betty Huber Tartas of Betty's Boneyard Genealogy presented me with the Genea-Angel award.


The past month has been busy, and I will be blogging about some of the events in the next few weeks. One interesting thing, I hate to admit, is I didn't learn all I could about my parents and grandparents first and then work backward. I instead by-passed them and steam rolled through each generation rather quickly, (which took about 21 years). But, I realized I didn't know the first thing about my parents, especially before I was born. During the past week, I discovered some great information about them, and will share that. If I had asked questions about the last two generations years ago, some relatives were around to answer what I wanted to know.


Much of this winter-like month has been devoted to webinars, I love them and in one week attended five, and one day there were two. I'm getting a great free education, learning about things such as: Using Twitter, Backing up your Genealogy Data, Tracing Female Ancestors, Writing your Personal History, two on Blogging, and several on RootsMagic4. I hope you have been able to take advantage of them, some are still available to listen to/see and new ones have been scheduled. Most are FREE, so please visit the above webinar site.


This has nothing to do with genealogy, but to illustrate how quickly time flies. When I heard it was 30 years ago that President Reagan was shot, to me, it was like yesterday.
I was working at the Veteran's Administration, my office on the first floor of a 14-floor building, and on the L Street side in Washington, DC. When we heard the sirens and saw police cars fly by, we knew something serious had happened. We grouped together, and imagined a disaster at the White House, which was a few blocks away. Soon we knew the real story. Now, it's hard to believe it was 30 years ago. Did I age, what was I doing as a hobby (not genealogy yet), no idea what I was doing, but I remember that freeze in time.

Animals for the Young and Old -- Wordless Wednesday

1921
My mother was 22 months old.

1942
Her father, my grandfather, was 52.

First Man Married in Utah -- Westover - Sunday Obituary

Charles Beal Westover was my 2nd cousin, 5 times removed.  See FindAGrave for copy of cemetery stone, and death certificate.


"Charles Westover, Sr.
First Man Married in Utah Passes Away
Charles Westover, Sr. passed peacefully away in this city at about 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, 1919, of the infirmities of old age. He managed to get about until the day before he died, getting out on to the porch of his home to get his photograph taken, along with his wife on the Friday preceding his death.


Charles Westover, Sr., was born at Licking, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1827, a son of Alexander and Electa Westover. His mother and brother joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and went to Winter quarters, Charles accompanying them and being baptized into the church at Winter Quarters by Apostle Erastus Snow in the spring of 1848. He crossed the plains in Capt. Brigham Young’s company and it was while crossing the plains that he met his wife, Eliza Ann Haven, who was loading oxen when he first met her. 


Mrs. Westover, whose memory is still very keen, relates what she considers the most exciting incident during the long toilsome journey as follows: The company was encamped near the Platte River when a very large herd of buffalo, estimated at between four and five thousand came to the river to drink. The whole company were afraid that this vast number of animals might stampede in their direction and felt considerably relieved when they left. When arriving in Utah Mr. Westover settled in Great Salt Lake City. 


When Apostle Erastus Snow was about to leave on a mission for Denmark in the fall of 1849, he asked young Westover to take charge of his place while he was away, and advised him to get married. Westover and Miss Haven were agreeable and they were married by President Brigham Young in Apostle Erastus Snow’s house on Oct. 14, 1849. 


They were the first couple to be married in Utah and celebrated their 70th Anniversary of their wedding day on Oct. 14th this year. 


Of this marriage there were 11 children, seven of whom are living, also 45 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. The children are Charles Westover Jr., of Washington; Mrs. L. Redd, of Bluff, San Juan Co.; Mrs. H. A. Gracey of San Francisco, CA,; who is here taking care of her parents; Mrs. L. S. conger of this city; William A. Westover of Washington; L. B. Westover of Lewiston, Utah; and Mrs. A. A. Paxman of Washington. 


Besides this family a second wife and family are living at Huntington, Utah, they are: Mrs. Mary Shumway Westover, wife; two sons George and Alberto; and two daughters, Mrs. Julia Rowley and Mrs. Louisa Johnson. 


Mrs. Eliza Westover is the only person living who received her endowments in the Nauvoo Temple. She is 90 years old and enjoys good health; she spends most of her time knitting; her memory is keen, but she is deaf to a considerable extent. While her husband was engaged in the Indian War in the early days she melted lead in a spoon and made the bullets which he used. 


Mr. Westover was granted an Indian War pension in Jun, 1918. 


Mr. and Mrs. Westover came to Saint George in the fall of 1861, being called to the Dixie Mission to settle this country. They moved to Pinto in 1869 and stayed there 13 years, moving thence to Washington where they resided until three years ago when they made their home here. All the children by the first wife except Lewis were here with their father when he passed away. 


Mr. Westover was of a kindly disposition and a cheerful temperament. He suffered considerably toward the last with severe pains in his chest, but bore up with fortitude and looked longingly toward the end when he would go to meet his reward. He was faithful to the end and sought a glorious home in the great beyond. 


Funeral services will be held in the tabernacle this afternoon."

Obituary of Charles Westover.  Permission granted to use photo by Travis Elder (author of article with obituary).

A Mixed Table Setting

My silverware is a combination from sets belonging to both grandparents. My Bishop grandparents had Gorham, the pattern is Fairfax. My Poole grandparents had the ornate pattern by Towle, called Old Colonial.

Both sets of grandparents married in 1918, one in Connecticut, the other in Illinois. It is clear that the women had different tastes.

Both pieces have initials, the B is clearly seen, the pattern first made around 1900.

There is an A on the back of a fancy serving spoon. The A stands for my grandmother's maiden name, Adams and the pattern was first manufactured in 1895.

Both patterns are still manufactured.

From each pattern I was fortunate to receive a setting of four.

Wordless Wednesday -- A Cute Two Year Old

My Father

Clarence Frederic Poole -- Sunday Obituary

The below obituary is for my grandfather. It was obtained from the Evanston Historical Society. Unfortunately, I still haven't seen a photo of where he and his wife are buried in Skokie Memorial Park, Skokie, Illinois. Thanks to Susan and Carol's comments, I called the cemetery for plot location, then I posted the names and all data to FindAGrave and requested a photo be taken by a volunteer.


I recall meeting my grandfather twice, once in Evanston, Illinois and once in Boston, when he took us to eat at the Parker House. When my husband and I ate there last year, the memory of my grandfather's visit came back, after 50 years.


August 27, 1957


"Clarence Frederic Poole, 65, of 2741 Eastwood Avenue, died Sunday in Evanston Hospital.  Mr. Poole had just moved to the Eastwood Avenue address after living three years at 2517 Central Street.  Previously he lived 30 years at 1319 Greenwood Street.


A native Evanstonian, Mr. Poole was a patent lawyer with Parker and Carter in Chicago.  He served several years on the patent law committee of the National Association of Manufacturers and in 1954 was president of the Chicago Patent Law Association.


He attended the old Lincoln school at Main Street and Forest Avenue, and Evanston High School and was a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Northwestern law school.  He was a member of Sigma Phi, which he joined at Michigan, Westmoreland Country Club and the University Club of Chicago.


Surviving are his wife, Marie Stephenson Poole; two children, John Adams Poole of Lexington, Mass., and Mrs. Judith Goff of Northbrook; two step-children, Mrs. Lynn Carver, 1834 Asbury Avenue, and William H. Stephenson of Santa Barbara, Cal.; one sister Mrs. Edward H. Ludlow of Winnetka, and seven grandchildren.


Services were Wednesday afternoon in St. Mark's Episcopal church, with Dr. Paul Elmen officiating.  Burial was in Memorial Park."

Just Saying Sayings

As with my other lists, this list was created because these sayings often guide me. I feel most can be applied to my life when I get stressed, especially  when related to genealogy.

• "We should do what we're supposed to."  Mark Knopfler

• "Great breakthroughs come from people doing it for the first time."  Bill Warner

• "It is only when we make mistakes that we can begin to notice what needs attention."  Benjamin Zander

• "Don't Let the Minutes spoil the Hour."  Ted Jones

• "Learning is a treasure no thief can touch."  Indian proverb

• "If you learn to worry or fret less, you may add time to your life."  Daniel Mroczek

• "Be in Love with your life."  Jack Kerouac

• "If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there." -- Will Rogers

•  "The secret of creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." -- Albert Einstein

Bites of News -- Social, Social

As I was about to toss my issue of Smart Computing, (February 2011) issue out, the new issue of Internet Genealogy arrived (April/May 2011). As a long time subscriber, actually a charter subscriber to Smart Computing, I've mentioned the magazine before. I thought some readers might be interested in seeing what the topic of the day is.


It is no surprise that Internet Genealogy has articles about social media, every issue seems to cover something along that line. However, Smart Computing is a different matter. Their article, Get Connected, How Social Networking Can Benefit Your Business runs from pages 56 to 71, no small article for sure. Chapters includes the following:

•  Put Your Business On Facebook
• Get Linkedin
• Put Social Networking To Work
• Beyond the Big Names

What I Wore In Alameda, California -- Same Pattern

My mother majored in textiles in college and loved sewing.
As a result, just about everything I wore was made by her.

We lived near San Francisco, so I am assuming these photos were taken in the winter.