Medusa Ring?

Is there such a thing as a Medusa ring? That was one of the first questions a few of us had as we viewed this ring last week. I stopped by the Middletown Historical Society Museum on Friday and was surprised and curious, as many of us were, about this ring pictured. Not much is known about this ring except as to who found it and where it was as.  Sean McMenamin a local resident and metal detector enthusiast, who also runs a group called Tri State Hunters here in Delaware.  While working on a piece of proper in Odessa, Delaware he came across this piece. He knows the property that he was working on dates back to 1782. He had spent many hours going over this property finding bottle caps, buttons even some coins but this was defiantly unique. That’s one of the reasons he stopped by to see if we had any thoughts on the piece. He did verify that it’s silver and the stone is jade and at one point it was sized because you could see the section on the back of the band.

The area in Odessa that he was searching was at one time believed to be the location of a tannery. There was an archaeological dig in the area but no proof of the tannery.  One of the other items found within the same area was a 1694 William & Mary copper coin.   He also shared that about 30 yards from the location of the ring was a 1662 Spanish 1 Reale Cob.  So I can’t help but wonder how long has that ring been there. It appears to me that they are two different faces; the hair is different on both faces and the size of the eyes and nose look different also. Now granted some of this could be from wear and tear but the direction of the hair is defiantly different on each face.

We have one member of our society who took a look at the photographs and believes it is Art Nouveau about 1885-1910. She does confirm that it is a female and often a “goddess”, “mermaid” or “woman in the wind” was common on some pieces of jewelry. 

Take a close look at it and let me know your thoughts, he is hoping to find out as much information as he can, quite honestly so am I. I'm attaching his YouTube video that was shot during this dig please feel free to view. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzalkCAmeYM

Play Catch Up

     Wow who knew when the month of November rolled around I would find myself so busy that I would neglect posting on my blog. I’m sure that has never happen to anyone else. (Insert a smile with a few giggles.)  Well let me catch you up on all of the fun that has taken place in my world of family, genealogy, history and research. We celebrated another successful Halloween making memories. My parents joined us in the trick-or-treat festivities and a day trip into Philadelphia.  If you ever have the chance to walk around parts of Philadelphia prepare yourself for the amount of history you will see, hear and feel.  Wonderful!

     I presented “Searching Newspapers” at the Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society, on the 10th of October, I believe I already blogged on that experience.  I then had the opportunity to present “Getting Started” at the Appoquinimink Community Library and had a fun time with a great turn out and some wonderful questions. I will be presenting there again on the 13^th of January “Researching from Your Couch,” sharing some sites you can view from the comfort of your home while research your ancestors.   

 

     Before the night of witches, ghost and goblins I had the opportunity to be interviewed and appear in a local documentary on Middletown, “Middletown USA.” Nadine Owens Burton is the spirit behind this project and she continues to pour her love for Middletown our history and growth into this film. It was interesting to learn through this filming that there are actually 22 towns called Middletown within the United States. You’re invited to view her page, http://www.middletownusathemovie.com/     and see what she has accomplished so far.

     During the month of November I found myself working on research for a few clients and was able to reveal my work to one client. She was so delighted to learn more about her family and had a better understanding as to why her grandmother was so tough. Sometimes we hear stories about how one of our ancestors seemed to always be grumpy or wouldn’t spend a dime. Maybe they were always wrapped in a blanket while sitting in their home. She couldn’t understand why in the world her grandmother wouldn’t turn on the heat and insisted that a blanket and fire was all that was needed to keep her home warm. After reading some of the stories she had better understanding and found a new respect for that “grumpy grandma.”   

     I also had the opportunity to be one of the 12 presenters during a career fair at one of the local middle schools. I know that I’ve posted before on the fun I have presenting to our youth and their desire to learn more. Some of the questions I got were what you might expect, “how much money can you make,” “do you have a college degree,” “what it the hardest thing to find while researching.” Some of the unusual questions that made me laugh were “do you have to dig up the bodies of the ancestors,” and “is the paper they would write stuff on still alive.”  There were some really questions about DNA, difference between a record and a vital record and what information can be found in a cemetery. I had a few hands on items for them to view which always helps with the history connection.

     Whew…now onto this wonderful month of December. Finished closing another wonderful client and shared in the joy of her discovery. I was lucky enough to have some of her family’s history available to share with her from our local Middletown Historical Society. I’ve said it before and will say it again; your local historical society might have that key to unlocking some of your family’s history.  

 

Cemetery Quick Find Presentation

I’m sitting here preparing for tomorrow evenings presentation. This looks to be the perfect time of month to be presenting on cemeteries and what you can find while doing your research.  I will be discussing the different types of cemeteries you can include in your research.  The symbols that can be found on some headstones, there meaning and the story they can hold about the loved on buried.  I will also review some of the “Tombstone Tuesday” blog postings and how walking through the cemetery helped to find out more about those families.

I will be the guest speaker at the Middletown Historical Society on the 20th of October, tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM here in Middletown, Delaware.  You don’t have to be a member to attend the meetings so if you are in the area please stop by.   

Toy Room Exhibit

When looking back at how things have changed from our cloths, televisions and automobiles we sometimes forget about the simple smaller things. No I’m not talking about cell phones getting smaller I’m talking about toys. The toys we had or even the toys our grandparents and great grandparents had. What better way to see and remember what some of these toys were like then visiting the Middletown Historical Society, here in Middletown, Delaware. On the second floor you can take a visit to toys past in the “Please Touch Room”, this is an exhibit that all kids, both young and old, will enjoy. What better way for kids to learn more about history then to let them play with some of these reproductions.

The museum schedule is listed below, if you have any questions about special tours they ask that you contact them through one of the following numbers. (302) 378-8265 or (302) 740-5544.

Every Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  

1^st Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. – noon  

3^rd Wednesday of each month from noon – 4:00 p.m.  

Middletown Goes to War

Middletown Historical Society museum offers a glimpse into the lives of those who have served our country. The museum is open every Friday for those of you who would like to see the “Middletown Goes to War” exhibit, no charge. While walking through the exhibit you might recognize a few faces as well as names. You get a chance to see what some of the lives were like for our service men and women during these battles. You also have the chance to get a glimpse at what like was like back on the home front for our families.

Schedule Update "Cemetery Quick Finds"

Angela Rodesky with ARodesky Genealogy will be the guest speaker in October at the Middletown Historical Society meeting. She will be presenting on her “Cemetery Quick Finds” from our local cemeteries here in Middletown, Delaware.  Members and non-members are encouraged to attend this informative and fun presentation at 7:30 on the 20^th of October at the Old Academy Building, 216 N. Broad Street here in Middletown.

Peach Industry Exhibit

The “Olde-Tyme Peach Festival” is well known in the area of Middletown and some of the surrounding towns. It only comes along once a year but luckily the Middletown Historical Society has an exhibit up on the second floor available for you to visit. The exhibit “Peach Industry around Middletown 19^th & 20^th Century” shows how the peach industry affected Middletown. If you are like me when hear peaches you always think of Georgia not Delaware. This is the perfect exhibit to show you that peaches made a difference in places besides Georgia.  

September Presentation - "Cemetery Quick Finds"

Angela Rodesky with ARodesky Genealogy will be the guest speaker this month at the Middletown Historical Society meeting. She will be presenting on her “Cemetery Quick Finds” from our local cemeteries here in Middletown, Delaware.  Members and non-members are encouraged to attend this informative and fun presentation at 7:30 on the 15^th of September at the Old Academy Building, 216 N. Broad Street here in Middletown.

Middletown Academy Exhibit

 Taking a glimpse into the history of classrooms and school work can be interesting, exciting and educational all at once. The building that the Middletown Historical Society is housed in happens to be the “Middletown Academy” building. In 1826 the Middletown Academy was a private academy and didn’t open its doors as a public school until 1876.  One of the exhibits you can visit on the second floor shares the history of the “Middletown Academy” and some of the changes that took place. When you walk into the “Middletonians Go to School: A History Look of Educating the Local Populace” you see how   things changed throughout the years and going from a private academy to public school.   

Four Month Presentation Wrap Up

“Thank you so much for your assistance, and sharing your wealth of knowledge about this field.   I have already made progress as a result of your help.  If you do another set of lessons, I will definitely attend.”  - Claude Newton

That was just one comment from those who attended four presentations over a four month span that I did here in Middletown, Delaware at the Middletown Historical Society Museum. It always feels good knowing that what I love to do helps others, wither it be in breaking that brick wall or helping them and encouraging them to continue the research that they started.

For a quick look back it all started on the 28^th of May with the first presentation title “Where do I begin?” the turnout was fantastic. The presentation was what you read in the title, we covered the research process, where to start and the process of collecting and organizing your research. The feedback and questions were some that many of have heard before, “where do I get birth certificates”, “can I compile all information on one surname into a folder” and “is it better to keep everything on a computer or in binders on paper”.

The second presentation happened on the 25^th of June with “Records? What Records?” and just like the last presentation was great. With this one we went a step further and I guess you could say piggy backed on the presentation in May. I mentioned the importance of records in not only the beginning of your research but throughout the whole process. So we went over what records are available, the information that some records contain and how to obtain those records. I have to say the feedback and questions were good, “are the death certificates 100% accurate”, “why are some name’s misspelled from one year to the next on census records” and “why can’t I find a death certificate for all of relatives”.

The third presentation was on the 30^th of July “Researching from Your Couch” again another great turn out with fantastic questions and comments. Yes going to a facility to conduct our research is a must for most of us. But at the same time we like to conduct some of our research from the comfort of our own homes. This was the perfect opportunity to take a different approach on presenting. I thought it might be fun to ask those who would be at this presentation to email me someone they would like to receive more information about or maybe a brick wall they have hit. So during the presentation I would actually plug in those surnames into many different research sites. I was a nice new way to present and they not only learned how to navigate some sites but also get some answers.

Then the fourth and final presentation was last night the 27^th of August “Middletown’s Treasure Trove” with yes, another nice turn out for the final presentation. For the final presentation I wanted to be able to not only show everyone the wonderful treasures of information that is available in the research room. But I also know that there were still questions about research and I wanted to make sure that everyone had a chance to get answers to some of those questions. The class was split up into two sections and half went up into the research room and took a tour with George Contant, who answered question and showed the request for records process. While the other half stayed with me and took the opportunity to ask questions and get some additional information. Then they switched so everyone had a chance to take a tour and get those answers.    

   

Middletown's "Downtown Abbey Exhibit"

Many of us have heard of the Masterpiece Theater hit show “Downton Abbey” and if you’re like me you can’t wait until the next season begins. For those of you in the Delaware area you might not be aware of an exhibit that the Middletown Historical Society has on the second floor. Thanks to the hit show it sparked some interest as to what life was like in Middletown during the same time frame. A visit to the second floor “Downtown Abbey” exhibit you can see some of the popular clothing styles and activities that took place from 1912 to 1924.  

Middletown Historical Society Museum

216 N. Broad Street

Middletown, DE

Hours of operation: 

Every Friday 9am - 3pm 

1st Saturday of every month 9am - noon 

3rd Wednesday of every month noon - 4pm

Congratulations We Have a Winner

Congratulations to Jennifer Beyer of Wilmington, Delaware on her recent win at the 2015 Olde-Tyme Peach Festival in Middletown, Delaware. Jennifer Beyer was the lucky winner of the $150 Genealogy Research Report that was offered by the Middletown Historical Society and donated by Angela Rodesky, owner of ARodesky Genealogy.

Middletown Historical Society - Genealogy Classes

From the May 21, 2015 Middletown Transcript in Middletown, Delaware

Hunt for ancestors at Historical Society’s free genealogy classes

From Staff Reports

     The Middletown Historical Society is offering free genealogy classes to help participants research who their ancestors were. Knowing their stories can be life affecting, not to mention fun to find. 

     Beginning Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m., the community is invited to the Middletown Historical Society Museum for the first of four classes led by genealogist Angie Rodesky which will clear the mysteries about how to find your ancestors.

     While the classes are free registration is required by emailing Rodesky at arodesky@gmail.com or calling 1-913-702-6489.

     Each class will build research skills by teaching about the tools and techniques for finding the amazing amount of information available, often from the comfort of your home.

     Rodesky is a full-time professional genealogist of over 12 years, who has traveled the world doing research and consultations. She does private group presentations such as these classes, and is a published author and freelance writer. Her work has been featured on the History Channel’s “How the States Got Their Shapes,” “Genealogy Roadshow” on PBS, and Federal Genealogical Society radio programs.

     Classes will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and the schedule is as follows:

May 28 – Where do I begin? The research process and organizing your information.

June 25 – Records? What records? Documents such as census records, death certificates, land records, military records, and more – the information they contain and how to obtain them.

July30 – Researching from your couch. How to research on the internet, including some sites that you might not have visited yet, and some helpful tools for maneuvering around them.

Aug. 27 – Middletown’s treasure trove. The amount of information that the Middletown Historical Society has amassed and organized is one of the treasures of our town. Rodesky has spent much time in the Historical Society’s research room, going through books, The Middletown Transcript, and the growing archives. The last session will include a tour of what’s available in the research room and the process of requesting records and assistance.

     Each class includes a question – and – answer session at the end.

     The Middletown Historical Society Museum is location in the Old Academy, 216 N. Broad St., Middletown. 

Look What I Found

     I’ve shared some photos and information about the importance of our local historical societies and mentioned MHS (Middletown Historical Society) briefly. I thought I would shine a brighter light on what can be found at MHS here in Middletown, Delaware. By the way it’s located in New Castle County. When in the area if you mention  MHS you usually hear about the hard work they do with the “Peach Festival” that takes place here in August (I’ll discuss the festival at a later posting).  

     The society is physically located in one of the most historical recognizable buildings here in Middletown.  The building they occupy is the Old Academy Building located at 218 North Broad Street. When you enter this building you will also discover it’s a museum with two floors of unique collections that reflect the lives of community members in years past.   Currently the main exhibit on the first floor is titled “Middletown Goes to War” and is an interpretation of the service and sacrifices of our men and women in Middletown.  It focuses on their sacrifices during our Nation’s wars from the Revolution through Vietnam, and beyond. Venturing up to the second floor you can still see some of the collections focusing on "Downtown Abby", Old Academy Building and education in Middletown plus the importance of peach crops in the area.

"Downtown Abbey" room on the second floor

Both found on the second floor

     

     The archive collection is large and continuing to grow including the discovery of letters, books, photograph, artifacts and many documents. They are constantly working to archive their collection and make if available for your research needs. When conducting your research they have a comfortable large research room on the second floor with someone there to assist you in your research needs and document retrievals. One of the pride and joys of the society is the computer searchable collection of the 125 volumes of Delaware’s oldest newspaper, The Middletown Transcript.  I have spent some time as a member with the society in the research room helping them to index some of their collection, along with sharing the importance of their collection to family researchers and genealogist.  If you have a chance to visit your historical society I advise you to do so. They hold so much information that we as research’s can find very useful. You might just be surprised as to what you find and in turn they might be surprised what you find in their collection.  Here are a few surprises that I found and yes some were a surprise to some of the members.

Miscellaneous document found in donated boxes (yes more then one) that was once in someones attic. 

 1914 Marriage Ledger (Yes I'm working to index this ledger and the 1915 ledger)

The research room is open to members of the society, you will find their schedule below. It the schedule below doesn't work with your schedule you can always call and set up a special appointment.  (302) 378-8265 or (302) 740-5544 

Every Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  

1^st Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. – noon  

3^rd Wednesday of each month from noon – 4:00 p.m.  

You can find me in the research room Fridays 10-2 conducting my own research and offering assistance to those in need. So now I ask, what have you found during your visits to historical societies?