Historical Societies can be found in most towns, communities, and cities. They’re a unique type of organization offering historical information. But unfortunately, some of them go unnoticed. So, I’ve shared a couple of historical society posts in the past,“Middletown Goes to War”is one.
As a genealogist, it’s a little frustrating to know this isn’t a valued resource by some. Many don’t even know they exist and what they have to offer. Most societies are established to preserve local history. They educate us of years past, including building preservation, preserving statues, and yes, local cemeteries. Trust me when I say they have so much to offer you in your research. Imagine viewing a society’s collection and finding that missing piece of information. No joke I’ve broken a few brick walls that way.
They are a true asset to our family history research. Consequently, they are looked over many times. I can’t put my finger on why maybe some fail to make the connection between genealogy and history. Strange I know but, what do you think?
I’m sure many of us have contemplated the idea of writing our memoirs. Well, okay maybe not many of us, just a few of us have thought about it. There seem to be two common concerns when starting. One is knowing where and how to start, so I put it on paper or computer.
The other one is how much information can be included. For instance, what we find interesting might not be as interesting to others. Let’s face it when reading about our ancestors, not everything we read is a nail bitter. I found myself stuck, questioning where to start and what should be included. So I ended up putting everything aside. Subsequently while visiting a local book store I came across this book“The Book of Me: A Do-It-Yourself Memoir”.It’s a fun guided approach in helping you collect the content needed in creating your memoirs. I did check before posting this, yes, it is available on Amazon.It’s made up of 7 chapters, approximately 28 to 60 pages per chapter including the introduction. Within each chapter, you are asked multiple questions to help build your memoirs. Here are a couple of examples;
“How did you handle the competition?”
“What family legends do you know about?”
“What was your most appalling bad hair day?”
I’m happy to say I’ve started writing mine and thanks to this book I find it much easier. Plus, I’m adding some additional information in some of the chapters. Isn’t it funny when you start telling a story how many twists and turns you can take in telling it?
Have you started writing your memoirs yet? Let us know and share your techniques, you might influence others to start theirs.
A couple of years ago one of my artistic children created a piece of genealogy art. What can I say, I’m one of those moms, my child is an artist. So, I ended up leaving it on my whiteboard for a couple of weeks. Honestly, it made me feel good, they could see the hard work I was putting in. There were those moments where I’d question if they valued the work I did. So yeah it made me feel good, I was viewed as a warrior. As with any piece of artwork we gave it a proper name, “Genealogy Warrior.”
Genealogy Warrior
Walking Dead
How is it I go from a “Genealogy Warrior” to this, “Genealogy Zombie"? If you’re an art aficionado then you will notice this piece was created by a different artist. But they still had a point they were trying to get across.
Warrior to Genealogy Zombie
Maybe this was a subtle way of telling me I needed to sleep, eat or just step away. There is a lot of truth with this, I do forget to eat, sleep and I even stretch restroom breaks. Well, that’s a visual you didn’t need. I’m happy to see they acknowledged the hard work, but this one breaks my heart. Then a strange little light went off, metaphorical speaking. They look the same way after playing games on the computer or X-Box. So, let’s just say this tuned out to be a fun discussion.
But in all honestly, with what we’re facing in the world today, we may look like a “Genealogy Zombie”. I completely understand the love of research and hunt for answers. Let’s just remember we still need to pull away from our work, step outside breathe in the fresh air. Human contact can’t be found in the local libraries, archives, or courthouses due to social distancing. Remember we do have other ways of reaching out to our fellow genealogists and family researchers. Seek out those connections through social media, zoom, or even a phone call.
Keep in touch, share what work you’ve been doing and stay safe everyone.
Living in this area I’ve driven over Taylors Bridge numerous times. Who knew it was once the hotspot for local stills. Roger Martin shared this little bit in the Delaware history section of the Middletown Transcript in 2015.
Middletown Transcript
April 23rd, 1923 The General Assembly created the Delaware State Police just in time as federal agents found two 150 gallon stills near Taylors Bridge.
About seven years ago I decided to tackle some Polish research, yeah, it’s a tough one. This was and still proving to be a challenge. There was one book I came across during one of the multiple conferences I’ve attended over the years, “STO LAT: A Modern Guide to Polish Genealogy” by Cecile Wendt Jensen.
Researching Your Ancestors
For me, someone who had never attempted researching our ancestors in Poland found this to be very useful. The multiple spellings on surnames mixed with given names were difficult. Maybe that’s because I don’t read or speak Polish, by the way, I still don’t. With this book, she helped by sharing some useful techniques with surnames. If you are like me when it comes to researching your Polish ancestors this is a book I would recommend you take a look at. Don’t worry if you are unable to attend a genealogy conference I found it on Amazon, just click this linkhttps://amzn.to/2J72mrpand learn more.
What kind of 50-year-old secret could be held from the public? If you stop and think your imagination could go wild with ideas. Mine did, then I learned what the secret was. If you’re like me you may find this disturbing, leaving you confused, angry, and sad. As a parent with a child in the military, I can’t even imagine what these 2,000 families must have been going through. I’m sure for many years they felt something was missing, the truth. The sinking of the HMT Rohna by the Germans in the Mediterranean was a secret that affected so many.
Middletown Transcript November 23, 2017
November 26th – 1943 Sgt. Blair Ellis of Laurel was one of the 2,000 soldiers aboard the troopship HMT Rohna when it was sunk by Germans in the Mediterranean. With the loss of over half the troops, including Ellis, it was so catastrophic that it was withheld from the public for over 50 years!
There’s so much more to this piece of history and all of those impacted by this tragedy. I couldn’t help but want to learn a little more about Sgt. Blair Ellis.
1930 United States Federal Census
[1]1930 United States Federal Census from Delaware, address listed is 439 Central Avenue, shows Wilbur P. Ellis, head of household, married, white, male, born about 1894 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as Assistant Sup with a chain store; he was 36 years of age. He also owned his home, was 22 years of age when first married, was able to read, write and speak English. Elsie C. Ellis, wife, married, white, female, was born about 1898 in Delaware and both of her parents were also born in Delaware. As for occupation, she was the homemaker; she was 32 years of age. She was 19 years of age when first married, also was able to speak English, read, and write. There are four children listed in the household. Wilbur P. Ellis, son, single, white, male, born about 1918 in Delaware; he was 12 years of age. Richard H. Ellis, son, single, white, male, born about 1920 in Delaware; he was 10 years of age. Joseph C Ellis, son, single, white, male, born about 1921 in Delaware; he was 9 years of age. Donald B. Ellis, son, single, white, male, born about 1923 in Delaware; he was 7 years of age.
U.S. WW II Draft Cards Young Men 1940-1947
[2]U.S. WW II Draft Cards Young Men 1940-1947, shows Donald Blair Ellis, white, 19 years of age, born 25 October 1922, born in Laurel, Sussex, Delaware. The additional description reads light complexion, brown eyes, black hair, and height is 6’1”. The employer is Howard Windsor and their next of kin is Wilbur P. Ellis, his father. The date of registration is the 30th of June 1942.
[3]Laurel Parents Learn Son Is Still Missing – Laurel, Jan. 27-Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Ellis has received further information regarding their son. Sgt. Blair Ellis, who was reported missing several weeks ago. The letter from the Adjutant General in the North African area, stated that as a result of enemy action. St. Ellis is missing from aboard ship, and that a prolonged search both air and sea have failed to reveal any tract of him. A search of the list of prisoners of was also failed to disclose his name among those captured, the information added.
[1] 1930 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com:accessed 4 April 2020) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0019; FHL microfilm: 2340026
[2] U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 4 April 2020) Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011. The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Delaware, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 21
[3] Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com: accessed 4 April 2020) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi )
What comes to mind when you hear, security systems? If you’re like me you typically think of locks, alarms, and cameras. While thinking about unusual security systems what comes to your mind? I bet tear gas isn’t something you would have considered. Well, it appears this unusual security system was used in 1953. The Delaware Trust Company in Wilmington, Delaware thought it was the perfect security system. Unfortunately, just like security systems today, they go off accidentally.
Middletown Transcript
1953 For the second time in six months, the Delaware Trust Company’s Wilmington office was cleared when tear gas from its security system escaped and caused great disruption.
Locating those international vital records can be difficult for many of us. Sure, some of them you can obtain through some online sites but what about those you can't? Do you know what is required in obtaining a birth certificate in Ontario? Or how about marriage records in Hong King? Don’t worry neither did I but thanks to this book, “International Vital Records Handbook” By Thomas Jay Kemp it’s all good.
Records Handbook
Again, I made this purchase while attending a genealogy conference, I’m starting to see a spending pattern here. Thomas had taken the time to explain what is needed in obtaining some of those vital records from births, marriages, death, adoptions and more. Including the easy to copy forms requesting those much-needed vital records in your research.
You will find all you need in requesting those records form all 50 states including US citizens abroad, all US trusted territories and international countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. If you’re doing some international research then the need for those records is a given. Now my book is the 5th edition, there are actually seven editions out as of 2017. For those not attending one of the many genealogy conferences, you can find the book on Amazon https://amzn.to/2KZvRxe .
