Matrilineal Monday

     I want to give some well-deserved focus to some of the strongest women in my life. If it wasn't for these 

women I wouldn't be here today, wouldn't be who I am, wouldn't have this wonderful family and be so 

strong willed.

Great grandma: Mary Caroline Estes (Elfrank)

Great grandma: Essie Mae Stewart (Clinton)

Great grandma: Emma Josephine Harenberg (Hopper)

Great grandma: Aline Marie Smith (Langston)

Grandma: Martha Colleen Clinton (Elfrank)

Grandma: Lena Kathleen Hopper (Langston)

Grandma: Doris Ann CAMPBELL (Benton, Langston)

My mom: Debra Sue Elfrank (Langston)

      Every one of these women played a special role in my life some way or another. I just wish they were all around now so I could thank each one of them. Over the next few weeks on every Monday I plan on introducing you to each of them a little more. With the help of some collected photos, letters, stories and memories from my mom and me.   We have all come to a point at one time or another wishing we would have said or done something more. I guess this is my way and time to express that, with some laughter and a few tears. 

Surname Saturday - Gray

The surname I’m sharing with you today comes from my father’s side. Cornelia Josephine Gray, she married Charles Harenberg. Cornelia died in 1890 after giving birth to my great grandmother, Emma Josephine Harenberg, in Missouri. I’ve run into a very large wall with Cornelia Josephine Gray, she showed up on a 1880 census, age 14, mulatto and a servant to the Ellis family, John C. Ellis of  South River, Marion, Missouri. I’m unable to locate anything about her childhood, who her parents are and where she came from. Special note is that she only shows up on the 1880 census.

Advent Calendar - Christmas and Deceased Relatives

This Advent calendar post is one of the hardest for me. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of my grandparents and the holidays are even harder. These are the times when the family comes together to celebrate so many wonderful things, love, memories, accomplishments and a time to reflect on the past. There is always a special toast in honor of them, a special ornament that we hang on the tree to remember them and a special prayer that we say.  It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary that during the time we are preparing a meal, eating or opening presents to hear us reminiscing about them. Something that they might have said, done or what they might be thinking at this time. Only to be followed by a laugh and maybe a tear or two of joy.

     Physically they might not be here with us now but their spirit, their love and their memories are with us always. When we take a moment to look in the mirror, at the decorations, even some of the baked dishes on the table or even look at the smiling faces of our children, they are there smiling back at us. We love you.

House Fire Takes Everything

     I had my post all ready for today but thought after yesterday I should change the subject. Actually I was in the middle of checking it to make sure everything was ready when I heard the sirens.  I live in a small neighborhood of around 25-30 homes, in a country setting out of the city. So when you hear sirens you know it’s coming into your neighborhood.  I went out the front of our house to see fire trucks and an ambulance driving by; my heart started thumping fast with fear and concern. I walk down the first step and look in the direction the vehicles were traveling and my heart sank. I saw a house with smoke coming out of the roof then realized I knew the family that lived in that house, their son and our son are very close friends.

     I ran down, hoping the whole way that no one in the house. The closer I got I could see the oldest child made it out fine. She told the firemen that she was the only one in the house, and her mom was on the way. Within a matter of seconds the house went from clouds of dark gray smoke to a few flames then it looked like a fire ball. All any of us could do at this point was stand there and cry, tears of relief that everyone was safe along with tears of their loss. There were two wonderful people who ran into the home, grabbing Christmas presents, trinkets and photos in the entry way. They lost everything clothes, electronics, furniture, the typical things most of us have in our homes.

     Having the love for genealogy, my family and our memories it took a few minutes to dawn on me but their memories were gone. Sure they have the memories in their hearts but the memories they can physically see, touch and share were gone. This is a special family and we have become very fond of their son.

     We have all scanned some of our family’s most treasured memories. All of the research we have done, on our families and maybe others. If something like this were to happen to my family I know that we wouldn’t have enough time to save everything. So I’ve decided to save everything now, right now. We have a fire proof safe in our home as I’m sure many of us do. As I said earlier I have scanned many documents, letters and photos. I will now make sure that my USB stick, with all of our memories and my research on it is kept that safe. I will only pull it out to backup and save any photos or research that I’m working on then return it directly back to the safe. Unfortunately this is a lesson that I have learned at someone else’s expense and hopefully many of you will follow.