Background

Sunday, October 27, 2013

HARE WAVE

A man was driving along the highway and saw a rabbit hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the rabbit, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of the car and was hit.

The driver, being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road and got out to see what had become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit was dead. The driver felt so awful he began to cry.

A woman driving down the highway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong. "I feel terrible," he explained. "I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it."

The woman told the man not to worry. She knew what to do. She went to her car trunk and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead rabbit and sprayed the contents of the can onto the rabbit. Miraculously, the rabbit came to life, jumped up, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped down the road.

50 meters away the rabbit stopped, turned around, waved at the two again, hopped down the road another 50 meters, turned, waved, and hopped another 50 meters. The man was astonished. He couldn't figure out what substance could be in the woman's spray can! He ran over to the woman and demanded, "What was in your spray can? What did you spray onto that rabbit?" The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said: "'Hare Spray' Restores Life to Dead Hare. Ads Permanent Wave."

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

EAST-WEST, PEBBLES AND COINS

Most tombstones usually face east. According to sources I read, the tradition began when Pagans buried the dead so they would face the rising sun. The tradition continues in Judeo-Christian societies. The layout of most cemeteries today stem from biblical history and tradition. Some modern cemeteries may have graves facing other directions, but east-facing tombstones are still found in many traditional Christian and Jewish cemeteries.

As above, according to Ethnicity and the American Cemetery, the feet of the deceased face east as well. This tradition is based on the belief that when Jesus returns, the departed will rise from the grave already facing his direction.

Some Christian churches were built with their entrances facing west so that worshipers faced east during the services as they look toward the altar.

References of east and west occur throughout the Bible. In The Bible Significance of East and West, or Is The Dawn Appearing, sacred places are referenced in the Bible showing that people entered places like the Garden of Eden from the east, facing west.

Some newer cemeteries have broken away from tradition for practical reasons, like easy layout. In modern times, changes are often made to accommodate the accepting of all religious and spiritual beliefs. But, east-facing cemeteries still exist and arouse the curiosity of people today.

PEBBLES

In ancient times, headstones were mounds of stones. Visitors would add a pebble to the pile of stones to show respect for the dead. Some believe the tradition is simply a carry-over from when headstones were just piles of stones.

Putting flowers on graves to remember a loved one is a custom embraced by many. Placing pebbles on the grave is a Jewish tradition. While flowers wither and die, stones last forever.

Some believe placing pebbles on graves started as superstition. It was believed the souls of the departed would rise out of their grave and haunt those left behind, but the placement of pebbles on the grave was thought to prevent them from rising up.

COINS

Traditionally, coins were once left on grave markers as a sign that the deceased was well-loved and respected. Coins were seen on graves long before people began leaving flowers, which is a practice started a few hundred years ago.

Some cultures believed that coins paid for one's journey in the afterlife. Coins left at graves also have been used as a way to ask a favor of the deceased, or as an offering to God to make sure that the deceased is all right in the afterlife.

The American tradition of leaving pennies on the grave dates back to Benjamin Franklin's funeral, when his grave was covered in pennies left by the thousands who came from around the country to pay their respects. The more pennies left on the grave, the more esteem was bestowed on the deceased. Finally, some believe that leaving pennies on a grave is a symbol of the words on the coin: "In God We Trust."

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

ALMOST AUTUMN

The days of Summer dwindle down
and Autumn's song I hear,
The leaves will soon desert the trees
when frosty nights appear.

The air now holds a promise
of the season's golden glow,
And as Summer takes her leave
Fall soon will overflow.

The beauty of each season
is always on display,
Summer, Winter, Fall or Spring -
hand in hand on God's highway.

by Nora M. Bozeman



Monday, October 21, 2013

MY INTIMIDATOR AND SON NASCAR WALL

I bought a large shelf for $2.00 quite some time ago and found it when cleaning the garage yesterday. I purchased the shelf to display my small NASCAR items. Yesterday afternoon, with some help, the shelf was hung on the wall above my three bookshelves* filled with NASCAR car models and other items.


Today I filled the shelf with my Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. memorabilia. On the bottom shelf, is a deck of Dale Sr. playing cards (valued at $15); on the next shelf is the #3 Intimidator semi-hauler; on the next shelf up are two collector Brickyard Dale Ronson lighters in their round metal tins (valued at $109.99 each); and on top are several Dale Sr. and Jr. collector tins.


*One bookcase of three shelves holds Dale Earnhardt Sr. items; one like bookcase holds Jimmie Johnson items (my favorite driver); and the third like bookcase holds Dale Jr. and Jeff Gordon items. Yes, I'm a BIG NASCAR FAN.

Another project completed.

I just love it when I can cross another item off my TO-DO list.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - FINALLY

On August 18, 2013, I wrote my blog about the finished shed cleaning project and moving on to the September goal of cleaning out the garage. (CLICK HERE to read the blog.) I did not make it in September. Too many things were going on that month, like cemetery work and genealogy.

I had to wait until all the sale items were moved out of the garage and taken to the auction. That happened last week, finally. Today, I tackled the cleaning project to get my garage ready to receive the baby.

I went through boxes, sorted things out, and gathered many items to take to the shed. After two hours of steady work, and lifting help from my friendly handyman, several things are now in the shed for the winter and the garage was swept out. It looks so nice and neat now.

Then it was time to make the big move. Yes, the baby was pulled into the garage where she will stay, safe and warm, through the winter months, never to endure the snow.

This was the final goal made last spring - to clean the attic, clean the shed, and then clean the garage. Inside the house was done first before summer. I feel relieved to have accomplished this large goal and have my yard straightened up for the winter months.

I have plenty to keep me busy during the winter, computer work, reading material, yarn to work with, and an office to straighten up again. It was a very busy day for me, for sure. Before I started the final garage cleaning, the dishes were done, the laundry was finished, and I even cleaned out my tool box. I hope this cleaning bug gives me a little break while the snow flies around here. I need a break!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

CEMETERY CLEAN UP DONE

On Thursday, I wrote about making a presentation to the Perry Township Trustees at their October meeting regarding the disgraceful conditions found at the Walnut Creek Cemetery. At that meeting, the presiding trustee said he would contact the probation office and make arrangements for community service workers to do the cleanup work.

The meeting was on Monday, October 14, and today, Friday the 18th the work was done - fast MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! (The photos here can be compared to the photos in my blog of Thursday - big difference.)

The workers showed up at 9 AM and were provided with a weedeater, trash bags, a broom, and rakes. The old section of the cemetery was in the worst shape and the cleaning began. When I showed up at the scene about 10:30 AM, the trash can had been emptied, and several trash bags had been filled. I spoke to the workers' supervisor and then I walked around the old section to view the changes.

I saw that some areas that had been in the worst condition were still not clean enough. Therefore, to set a good example, I grabbed a free rake and began cleaning around a grouping of headstones. One young man had a trash bag and followed me for almost an hour and picked up all my debris piles. When I waved to the supervisor, he sent the other workers over to where I was raking and they joined in to do a more dedicated effort. I found several fallen stones that were since sunken into the ground and covered completely with grass, weeds, dead grass and debris. As I walked and felt a stone under my foot, I used my shoe to verify that there was a stone there and began to clean it off and rake around it until the stone was again visible. I did this several times.

After my hour of work, there were a total of 18 full trash bags ready to be hauled away. As we got ready to leave, after the cemetery looked much better, and more respectful to those buried there, the supervisor said that his van would not hold his five workers, all the trash bags, and the borrowed equipment that needed to be returned to the trustee's house. So I stepped up and volunteered to use my truck to transport the bags.

My truck was loaded with the 18 bags of debris and I followed the van to the trustee's house and all was unloaded and returned. A job well done in a timely manner. Now that the cemetery has been cleaned up, I hope the trustee responsible for this area will take better care of it and show more respect for the interments.

I feel a sense of pride and gratification that my complaint was taken seriously, my solution suggestion was accepted, and the cleanup was accomplished in such a timely fashion. I will attend the next monthly meeting and express my gratitude in a formal manner to the presiding trustee that stepped up and took charge, especially when it is not the cemetery he is assigned.

The squeaky wheel does get the grease! (Fortunately, I was not the only one to complain.)

Friday, October 18, 2013

OLD STORY COMES FORWARD

While cleaning out my attic this summer, I found a box of old items belonging to my mother, such as her original DAR certificate, her childhood school report cards, and a notebook she used in high school. I read the notebook and learned that she had to write a review of the life of George Washington for history class. I decided to share her words here, typed as she wrote it, with some language differences we would not normally use today. This was written in 1932:

Men are like books. They have a beginning, so on the 22nd day of February in the year of 1732, George Washington, one of the greatest heroes of American history, was born at Bridges Creek, Virginia, about five and one-half miles south of where Washington now stands. He was the son of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington and the second of two sons having an elder brother named Lawrence, who died in young manhood. His father, soon after the birth of George, removed to an estate on the Rappahannock opposite Fredericksburg. Nothing remains of the old homestead at Bridges Creek, but a stone slab marks the site of the house and bears this inscription, “Here the 11th day of February 1732 George Washington was born.” Difference in reckoning of time now makes 11th the 22nd. Washington's great-grandfather, John Washington immigrated from the old Cavalier families who fought in behalf of Charles I during English Civil War. George Washington received a fair English education but nothing more. He was associated with the Episcopalian Church. He excelled in athletic sports and horsemanship and was fond of life in the woods. In young manhood he became a skillful surveyor and found the work highly profitable. Throughout his life he used his influence in every way to build roads and canals and to open up and settle the west or what was then known as the west. Washington's mission to the French Fort at Venango first brought him into public notice. In 1753 the Governor of Virginia determined to send a messenger to Venango and knowing who ever undertook such a journey must travel at least three hundred miles on foot, over mountain ranges, cross rivers and risk his life among hostile Indians. After due deliberation, he decided to entrust this difficult and dangerous task to George Washington, then a young man of twenty-one and being a skilled surveyor knew all about life in the wilderness and did not know what fear meant. The name of that young man may still be read on a lofty limestone cliff at Natural Bridge in the mountains of western Virginia where, when a lad he climbed up higher than any of his companions dared to go and cut his name with his hunting knife.

On January 17, 1759 he was married to Mrs. Martha Custis, a widow with two children at Williamsburg, Virginia.

During the Revolutionary War Washington was appointed as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army by Congress. As a warrior he was incapable of fear, but made no merit of defying danger. He fought for a cause, but not for personal renown. To study the life of Washington it is necessary to enter into the campaigns of the Revolution, even where Washington was not present in person, for his spirit pervaded and directed the whole and a general knowledge of the whole is necessary to appreciate the sagacity, forecast, enduring fortitude and comprehensive wisdom with which he conducted it.

He himself has signified to one who aspired to write his biography, that any memoirs of his life, distinct and unconnected with the history of the Revolution would be unsatisfactory. In treating of the War we must consider the greatness of the object and the scantiness of the means. To keep in mind the prevailing poverty of resources, neglects, the squalid miseries of all kinds, with which its champions had to contend in their expeditions through trackless wildernesses, beneath scorching sun, or inclement skies; their wintry marches to be traced by bloody footprints on snow and ice. Their desolate wintry encampments rendered still more desolate by nakedness and famine. It was in the patience and fortitude with which these ills were sustained by a half disciplined yeomanry, voluntary exiles from their homes, destitute of all the 'pomp and circumstance' of war to excite them, and animated solely by their patriotism, that we read the noblest and most affecting characteristic of that great struggle for human rights.

It was just eight years from the first outbreak of the war, April 19, 1775 to the virtual disbanding.

During the war, after a dissolution of the combined forces had taken place and Washington having attended in person to the distribution of ordnance and stores, the departure of prisoners and the embarkation of the troops, then Washington returned to Eltham, the home of his stepson. He arrived just in time to receive the last breath of Mrs. Washington's son, John Parke Custis, so he had several years previously rendered tender and pious offices at the death bed of John's sister, Miss Custis. John Parke Custis had been an object of Washington's care from childhood and been cherished by him with paternal affection. Formed under Washington's guidance and instructions, John was fitted to take a part in the public concerns of his country and had acquitted himself with the credit as a member of the Virginia Legislature.

He was but twenty-eight years of age at the time of his death and left a widow and four young children. It was an unexpected event and the dying scene was rendered peculiarly affecting from the presence of the mother and wife of the deceased. Washington remained several days at Eltham to comfort them in their affliction. As a consolation to Mrs. Washington in her bereavement Washington adopted the two youngest children of the deceased, a boy and a girl who thenceforth formed a part of his immediate family.

From Eltham Washington proceeded to Mt. Vernon, but public care gave him little leisure to attend to his private concerns. We have seen how repeatedly his steady mind had been exercised in the darkest days of the Revolutionary struggle, in buoying up the public heart when sinking into despondency. He now had an opposite task to perform, to guard against an overwhelming confidence inspired by recent triumphs. He knew congress must be stimulated to military preparations. Washington continued with his precautions until there was news of peace and he knew the army was to be discharged. After Washington had returned to Mt. Vernon he desired to retire from public life, he was envious of none and was determined to be pleased with all. During the winter months after his return he anticipated the time when the return of the sun would enable him to welcome his friends to partake of his hospitality. His manner of living was plain, he is quoted as saying, “A glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always ready; and such as will be content to partake of them are always welcome. Those who expect more will be disappointed.” Some degree of economy was necessary for his financial concerns had suffered during the war, and the products of his estate had fallen off during his long absence. As spring advanced Mt. Vernon as had been anticipated began to attract numerous visitors. They were received in the frank, unpretending style Washington had determine upon. It was truly edifying to behold how easily and contentedly he subsided from the authoritative Commander in Chief of armies into the quiet country gentleman. He seemed to be his natural element.

Mrs. Washington too, who had presided with quiet dignity as head quarters and cheered the wintry gloom of Valley Forge with her presence, presided with equal amenity and grace at the simple board of Mt. Vernon. In entering upon the outdoor management of his estate, Washington was but doing in person what he head long been doing through others.

He had never ceased to be the agriculturist. Throughout all his campaigns he had kept himself informed of the course of rural affairs at Mt. Vernon. By means of maps on which every field was laid down and numbered, he was enabled to give directions, for their cultivation and receive accounts of their several crops. Washington owned 63,000 acres in five farms, lying in what are now seven states and the District of Columbia. They were called Union Farm. Surveyor, soldier, general, president, gentleman, but always a farmer, his favorite vocation. Yet as spring returned and he resumed his rides about the beautiful neighborhood of this haven of his hopes, he must have been mournfully sensible, now and then, of the changes which time and events had effected there. A diagram of the plan in which he had laid out his grounds, still remains among his papers at Mt. Vernon, the places are marked on it for particular tree and shrubs. Some of those tree and shrub are still to be found in the places thus assigned to them. In the present neglected state of Mt. Vernon, its walks are overgrown and vegetation runs wild; but it is deeply interesting still to find traces of these tails in which Washington delighted.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

MY WORK TO PRESERVE A CEMETERY

A good friend of mine, Linda Limes Ellis, writes a blog entitled Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in Ohio (which can be seen on the link under My Favorite Blogs on the right). We email frequently and I learned that she visited Walnut Creek Cemetery in Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio, in mid-August of this year. Linda has many ancestors buried there. She was saddened by the dilapidated conditions of the cemetery.


I am a volunteer photographer for the Find-A-Grave website, the home of millions of memorials to ancestors around the country. I get emailed requests for photographs of different gravestones in the cemeteries in my area. On September 30th, I decided to fulfill some of the photo requests from Walnut Creek Cemetery, and check on the conditions she mentioned.

I found the conditions to be even worse than she had seen. I sent her many pictures of the sad sight I witnessed. Linda mentioned that the township trustees take care of the three cemeteries in their area. Therefore, I started my research. I just LOVE research and a challenge.

After two weeks of preparation, I made a storyboard of information and photos, and wrote an outline of a speech I decided to present to the trustees at their next meeting. Monday, October 14th was that meeting. During the public input after the general business, I set up my storyboard and presented my facts to them.

On the left side of the board were some of the photos taken by Linda in August at Walnut Creek. The photos on the right side are the ones I took on September 30 that show the conditions were worse one month later. In the center of the board, I posted a copy of the tax levy of 1.0 mil that is designated for their General Fund, copy from the Auditor's Office; a copy of the Plat of Perry Township of 1913 which shows the areas of land in my great-grandfather's name; a copy of a complaint letter sent to one of the trustees from Linda Ellis in August; and a copy of a story written about Joshua Wilson, a Revolutionary War Veteran buried in Walnut Creek Cemetery.

I told the trustees about my visit to Walnut Creek on September 30, my observation of a lot of overgrowth of weeds and grass, and many areas of dead grass covering and around gravemarkers. I reminded them of the complaint letter sent to one of the trustees, and the others said they had never seen it, so they read it from my board.

I did not just complain about the conditions, but offered them a possible solution to the problem. The Community Service workers (from court convictions) are free labor offered by the Probation Department for any township in Fayette County.

I requested that better care be taken of this cemetery, on behalf of all the relatives of those buried there, and that more respect be paid to our ancestors, who are our heritage.

The presiding trustee offered to call the probation office and arrange for some labor assistance to clean up the trash, debris, and dead grass covering the stones. I learned today that those arrangements are now being made for Friday of this week or Monday of next week. I look forward to learning that the work has been completed and I will gladly take new photos of the improvements.

I am pleased that my two-week preparatory work and my request, backed up by facts and photos, was taken to heart and something will be done about the complaints.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

HELP BEGETS HELP

On October 1 and October 6, 2013, I wrote blogs about when I helped two individuals recently with either genealogical, photographic, or research type items. The tables turned and now it's my turn to praise a helper.

In doing some research on my Civil War ancestors, I ran across another blog here on Blogger that interested me. The title of the blog is CIVIL WAR DAYS & THOSE SURNAMES. I started to read it and realized that the writer KNEW his Civil War stuff. I decided to ask him a question or two.

His name is Dennis and I got his email address from his site and asked him if he had ever written about the 40th Ohio Volunteer Infantry which was my great-grandfather's company (on my maternal grandfather's side). His response was swift and educational. He sent me a link to the History of the 40th Ohio Volunteer Infantry by John N. Beach. I downloaded the PDF book and spent the evening reading it. Dennis also sent me information on (John Anderson Porter) my great-grandfather's enlistment date, his muster-out date, and his photo (which I already had). His research effort was greatly appreciated.

While doing some genealogy research on my maternal grandmother's side the other night, I found out that two more relatives fought in the Civil War. Time to ask my new friend for his help again. I asked him about William P. Irion and Henson C. Irion. Again, he was helpful and sent me the information on both veterans and their relevant dates. William and Henson were the children of my gr-gr-gr-grandfather, John Irion (and his wife Catharine Hawk).

To see his Civil War blog website CLICK HERE. If you like Civil War history, his blog is a good read.




Friday, October 11, 2013

Greenfield History Day - Part 3

The second building I visited on my tour of History Day in Greenfield was the Train Station and Military History memorabilia area. Inside was a counter like where tickets would be purchased, and an entire layout replica of the older Village of Greenfield. There were also military uniforms and various military items.




The third building I toured was called the Tannery. One room housed childrens' toys made out of metal scraps from the war era, like a tea set and more. The main room displayed larger items like a couch and old pump organ.



According to to a Greenfield Historical Society pamphlet, the Revolutionary War veteran, William Smith and his son, Samuel, built the Smith Tannery in 1821. It was used as the family's home with the tannery in the basement.

The main building of the society is called Travellers Rest, built in 1812. I have visited that building two or three times in the past month or so. It houses a lot of museum items and their archived historical documents. It is where I found some additional information on my family history. They had a copy of an obituary for William M. Porter, the brother of my great-grandfather, who was the Highland County Treasurer in 1904 and served two terms in that office. Therefore, I donated a photograph to the society of Uncle Billy (as he was called by the family) sitting at his desk in the treasurer's office. I found this picture in my grandfather's photos my mother kept.

The Old Burying Ground Cemetery is behind the Travellers Rest building where many burials took place in the 1800s. Many of the stones are so old, they are now unreadable.

I enjoyed my tour of history; it was an educational experience.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Greenfield History Day - Part 2

On Saturday's visit to History Day in Greenfield, I also saw two old buggies sitting outside the barn that holds the items referred to in yesterday's blog. Several vendors were set up in the yard area selling things like pumpkins, jewelry, books, and other miscellaneous items. I spent one dollar and purchased an old tin pictured here.




Stay tuned for Part 3 tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Greenfield History Day - Part 1

On Saturday, I attended the Greenfield History Day, sponsored by the Greenfield Historical Society, in Highland County, Ohio. I recently became a member of the society due to my family roots in Greenfield.

The society occupies five buildings at the corners of Jefferson and McArthur Streets near downtown Greenfield. All the buildings house historical museum articles with a Highland County/Greenfield background.

The first building I visited had a covered wagon, an old cream separator, and a 1938 Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine made in Cincinnati. There were many other items there, but these are the ones I photographed. The gentlemen who showed me around was not clear on the year of the fire engine, but I took a closeup picture of the nameplate with model number and patent number and researched it when I got home to find the actual year.




Stay tuned for Part 2 of my adventure tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

FLU SHOT

Today I went to the local health department and got my annual flu shot. I have been getting flu shots for the past five or six years, either at the health department or my local doctor's office.

I want to be prepared for the possibility of a rough winter, predicted by some weathermen. I am not looking forward to the heavy snow and cold, but after all, I live in Ohio and Ohio means snow in the winter.

I will stay home, stay warm, and look out the window at the weather and pray for springtime to come soon. Hopefully, now I will stay healthy.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

SUCCESSFUL SEARCH - ANOTHER GOOD DEED

On September 27, 2013, I wrote a blog entitled DEAD END - ALMOST. It was about researching my grandfather's real estate license. In the family photo box, I had found a frame containing his 1966 Real Estate License. When I took the license out of the frame to make a copy of it, I found the agent license for Harry A. Buchanan, who used to work for my grandfather. This frame hung in my grandfather's office in 1966, but no one knew there was an additional license in the frame, since both my parents and grandparents are deceased.

I went to the Archives here to search for a probate file to look for descendants of Harry and found the legatees page listing a daughter, and Thomas A. Buchanan as his son, living in Washington state in 1982 when Harry died.

After some genealogical research, I learned that Thomas died in Mercer Island, Washington in 1993. Therefore, I knew I had to search for a grandchild of Harry, and child of Thomas, so my search began. Luckily, because of a friend, I was able to learn that Harry's grandson was named Todd Buchanan and I surmised that he might still lived near Seattle, Washington, pursuant to Harry's obituary. After calculating an estimated age of over 50 for the grandson, I started a new search.

Tonight I was able to accomplish my mission. Using my online resources to their fullest extent, I was able to locate a Todd Buchanan near Seattle. A total of three were originally located, and by calling the first two, which gave me negative results, the third call was answered by Todd. When I told him why I was calling and asked if he was the son of Thomas and the grandson of Harry, I was elated to learn HE WAS just who I was seeking.

We talked for a short time and naturally, being skeptical, he wanted to verify my information and who I am. I told him to call the funeral home that handled his grandfather's funeral and check out my information and call me back. He did just that and received a good reference for me and my genealogical efforts.

I was happy that he called back to allow me to mail him his grandfather's original real estate license from 1966. My mission was to get this item to a relative of Harry's so that it could stay in the family as a memento.

I am now preparing to send this memento to its rightful owner to be passed on in the family chain. I feel like I have accomplished another GOOD DEED in my genealogy search. These little good deeds are making me feel SO good about what I'm doing. The feeling I get inside my heart just brightens my day more than I can describe.

I can now close the chapter on this quest and move on to my next conquest. Movin' on and feelin' good!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

MY PERRY TOWNSHIP ROOTS

I have been doing quite a bit of Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio research this past month. I have roots there dating back to 1913 and beyond. I am still searching for pre-1913 records.

On September 18, 2013, I wrote a blog entitled LAND OF PLENTY AND IRONY (CLICK HERE) regarding my great-grandfather's farm on State Route 41 South, Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio. That is where my mother grew up. The entrance to the farm currently looks like this:


I was told by my mother and grandmother that my great-grandfather built those brick pillars in the early 1900s when he owned the farm. I remember seeing a photograph of my mother, (and one of my aunt) when they were young, standing beside those pillars. After searching for two weeks, I finally found the picture which means a lot to me. As you can see, the chain-link fencing is still there today, the same as in the late 1920s-early 1930s.


Mother used to show me that area often when we would drive to Greenfield down State Route 41 South. I also remember her telling me about walking to the one-room schoolhouse down the road in the late 1920s. The brick building itself still stands and I stopped to photograph it recently. Then while driving north on Route 41, I measured the distance from the schoolhouse to her old farm residence and it was exactly 1.8 miles. Ironically, I remember walking a mile to elementary school many years ago. Now days, if a kid lives more than half a mile from school, the child thinks he/she deserves a school bus ride to get there. They just don't know how easy they have it!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

THE WORK GOES ON


Today I finished the cemetery search project for the gentlemen I wrote about a couple days ago, regarding the Murray family. I assembled the photographs, a copy of the Find-A-Grave memorial page, and a copy of the Greenfield Interment Record for his ancestor. I typed out all the information I was able to gather and got the envelope ready to mail in the morning.

One project done and I started a new task today. I went to the library and did a lot of research on Perry Township, the area where my great-grandfather's farm was located until 1934. I have such a thirst for knowledge, it does keep me up at night researching! Life is good.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

RAMP RENEWED


The entry ramp to my front porch had such a worn look, it needed a lift. Two years ago, I stained it with Thompson's Water Seal (Honey color), but after being weather worn and normal walking wear and tear, it looked faded.

I decided it needed a new coat of stain, but this time I got Thompson's Water Seal (Cedar color) and it looks so much better. My friend and handyman had it painted in two hours last Saturday. It sure makes a difference in the look of the house. He said it matched the brick better than the old color.

The water hose has been put away, the porch cleaned, the house power washed, and the ramp renewed. I think the house is now ready for the coming winter weather.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

ONE GOOD DEED

Monday I went to the Greenfield Cemetery to do some Find-A-Grave research. I first went to the office to look up some section and lot numbers. Once I had the information I needed, I drove to Section 1, parked, and began looking at my notes.

A small pickup truck stopped as I stepped out of my vehicle. An older gentleman asked if I could help him. He said he was from Franklin, Ohio and unfamiliar with the Greenfield Cemetery. Of course, I said I'd try. He said he was looking for some Murray grave markers, and how would he go about finding them.

I asked if he knew the section number where they might be located, and he said no. I said that the first thing we would have to do is look on the interment list on the Internet to find the name and section number where they are located since there are about 18 sections to search.

Since I didn't have my computer with me, I did the next best thing; I called the Administration Office, Third Floor, where the cemetery records kept. I have met the gals on the third floor, and the one who keeps the records, so I have personal knowledge of names and phone numbers. I was worried that since it was so close to quitting time at 4pm, I might miss them. I was lucky enough to get Holly on the phone and she said Bev might be able to help me since Margaret (cemetery office) was off today. Bev works in the water office across the hall, so I asked her if she could please check the notebook on top of the file cabinet and look up a name for me. (I knew the notebooks were there when Margaret's office is closed, since I do a lot of research there.)

Bev was able to find the Murray names and told me the section and lot number. Coincidentally, I was parked at Section 1 and that was also the location we needed to search. The gentleman walked with me as I walked to the general area where I began to look. It was just a couple minutes and we found the Murray markers he was searching for and he was so surprised. I asked if he wanted a photocopy of them. I took a photo of the markers and said I would be glad to mail them to him. Then I asked him to stand next to the main marker and I also took his picture.

Tomorrow his photos go in the mail to him and he has already expressed great thanks. As we talked briefly before he left the cemetery, we talked about Franklin, Ohio and my two relatives there. He knows one of them and has heard of the other.

I was glad to help him - a good deed done - and it is indeed a small world!