Recent Posts

Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 4

Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 4

In Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of this series, we uncovered and identified the parents of Franklin Hesse (Dakota Territorial Homesteader) as John and Magdalena Hesse.   Before we take a closer look at Franklin’s father, John Hesse, let me remind you that … read more

Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 3

Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 3

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we uncovered and identified the parents of Franklin Hesse (Dakota Territorial Homesteader) as John and Magdalena Hesse.   Let’s take a closer look at Franklin’s mother, Magdalena.   Genealogy Question: What is Franklin Hesse’s mother’s given … read more

Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 2

Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 2

Last week, I posed the question Who are the parents of Franklin Hesse (Dakota territorial homesteader)?     The headline announced the shocking truth.             This was my family     Here is a quick synopsis of the story: According to … read more

Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 1

Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 1

Back in the days before the Internet, genealogy research was slow. I kept my data in a 3-ring binder and worked in pencil. For queries, I wrote letters and included stamped, return envelopes. I conducted interviews with a cassette tape recorder. Everything was slower. Newspaper … read more

Norenberg – Arndt Marriage

Norenberg – Arndt Marriage

Tomorrow is the 111th anniversary of the marriage of Charlie Norenberg and Bertha Arndt. Let’s celebrate with a bit of genealogical research!   The marriage of Constantin Nurenberg and Bartha Arnt [probably spelled the way their names sounded, see this discussion] is recorded in Cass … read more

One Photo: James. E. Garnett

One Photo: James. E. Garnett

  James E. Garnett was the son of William Hopkins Garnett and Mary Victoria Jackson Willis. Born in Adair County, Kentucky in 1864, he used several nicknames: Ed, Ned, and, most frequently, “J. E.” Family members spell his middle name Edmund or Edmon.   I … read more

Birth Record: Gert Rector

Birth Record: Gert Rector

Florence Gertrude “Gert” Rector has no birth certificate and no baptism record.   Let me back up. To date, I have not discovered any document that was produced at the time of Gert’s birth that provides her birthdate and birth location.   Birthdate Theory: Florence … read more

Wedding Anniversary

Wedding Anniversary

The idea for today’s blog post comes from a second great granddaughter of this couple. She is doing a family tree for a school project and asked her grandmother, who then asked me, for this photo.   Her timing was absolutely, very, astoundingly perfect!   … read more

Doublecheck: Susan Marie Roy

Doublecheck: Susan Marie Roy

The purpose of this post is to show the importance of checking genealogical sources, especially transcribed sources. The research questions posed herein may elicit some negative reactions because of the mystery involved. My intention is not to pass judgement, but to present the facts. See … read more

One Photo: Diving Board

One Photo: Diving Board

This year, I’m participating a writing challenge orchestrated by genealogist and author, Amy Johnson Crow. The program is called 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.         This week’s writing prompt is: Tell the story of a favorite photo     This is a … read more