30 April 2010

5500 Searchable Photos

Willard Library in Battle Creek, Michigan has 5500 photographs relating to Battle Creek history online. This photographic preservation project includes photos from the 19th and 20th century. The photos are searchable by keyword within the caption of the photograph or by broad subject categories.

Some of the photos include pictures of
  • Battle Creek Sanitarium (where cereal was invented)
  • Boy Scouts
  • Camp Custer-World War I
  • Fort Custer-World War II
  • Gravestones of early Battle Creek Pioneers
  • Military Photo's-including one of local civil war veterans
  • Clubs
  • Farms
  • Schools
  • Hotels and Taverns
  • and many more.
If you are looking for or have an interest in Battle Creek history. Check the Photographs from Battle Creek History out.

28 April 2010

My Packing List for Library Visits

As I said last month, I am a list maker. I thought I would share what I take when I go to do genealogy research at a library.

  • Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets
  • List of Sources to Check for Information
  • Pencils
  • Colored Pens (I'll share why colored pens in a future post)
  • Copies of sheet to record sources on (I created my own which I will share with you, soon)
  • Sticky notes
  • Pad of paper
  • Laptop with flash drive which has my family tree software on it
  • Money, preferably change, for copies (the one time I forgot all I had was a five dollar bill-the machine dispensed all dimes-I am sure the people near me appreciated the chink, chink of 50 dimes falling!)
  • Highlighter
  • File Folders (I like to be organized, remember!)

This is all carried in a canvas bag.

Can you think of anything else that would be helpful for a library visit? Leave a comment and share your ideas.

26 April 2010

Sorting Out Henry Glover

I get a headache when I try to figure out the Henry Glover's I may be descended from. I am confident in my Glover ancestors as follows:

Bruce>Harry>Frank H.> Samuel S.(Jr)>Samuel S.>Alexander>Thomas> Henry (who married Mary Crehore)>Henry(who married Hannah ___)

It is the next generation that is in question. Henry Glover who married Hannah _____ can be found in these sources:

  1. Glover Memorials and Genealogies by Anna Glover, published in 1867: Henry Glover who was the third son of Thomas and Margery (Deane) Glover was born in 1603. He had a wife, Abigail. Glover states, "of his children we can only gather an account of a son, Henry, who had a wife, Hannah. (p 505)
  2. Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County Massachusetts by Ellery Bicknell Crane, published in 1907: There is a listing for Henry Warren Glover. It states that "Henry Glover (I) was the emigrant ancestor of Henry Warren Glover, of Millbury, Massachusetts. This source says he came to America in the "Elizabeth of Ipswich", April 30, 1634. He is said to be the third son of Thomas and Margery (Deane) Glover." It continues with other information about this Henry Glover's time in Massachusetts. This source also states, "there are records only of one son who remained in this country, Henry." (I would love to know what records he speaks of) It continues about Henry (II). He "was born probably at Dedham, Massachusetts, died at Milton, Massachusetts, April 6, 1714." "He married Hannah _____" It lists children, one which is Henry, born 20 August 1670, married Mary Crehore. (p 191)
I wish I was content to use these sources, but I have not been able to find the records to substantiate this information. So, I keep looking.
The next source I discover is, Great Migration Newsletter, Vol. 9, October-December 2000. In this newsletter I find "How Many Henry Glovers?" (What? Are they reading my mind?) It looks like there are three from Colonial America.
  1. Henry Glover (1634 Passenger)-migrated in 1634 on Elizabeth, sailing from Ipswich
  2. Henry Glover (New Haven)-First record found 12 June 1641, a daughter was baptized at New Haven.
  3. Henry Glover (Dedham)-admitted a townsman at Dedham, 2 January 1642/43.
The Great Migration Newsletter asks, "which, if either of these men (#2 & 3) was the passenger of 1634?" If Great Migration Newsletter is confused you can imagine my confusion as a recreational genealogist!

With further research I have been able to eliminate Henry Glover (New Haven). There is a nice accounting of this Henry Glover who married Helena _____ .
Now, I am left with two Henry Glover's to sort out: Henry (1634 Passenger) and Henry (Dedham). I check two sketches for the above Henry's. The sketch of Henry Glover (1634 Passenger) states "no record for a Henry Glover appears in New England between this passenger record and 1641." 1641 is the Henry Glover (New Haven) record. Additionally, it states "that there is no identifiable record in New England for the 1634 passenger."

So this leaves Henry Glover (Dedham). Henry Glover (Dedham) migrated in 1642. He married Abigail ____. Did they have any children? I haven't been able to prove they had a son, Henry. The Great Migration sketch of this Henry feels that the connection to Thomas and Margery (Deane) Glover as stated in Glover Memorials and Genealogies is "erroneous".
For now, I have to be content with ending my ancesty at Henry Glover and Hannah ____. I am not able to connect him to Henry Glover and Abigail at this time. I am hoping more information will be uncovered with definitive proof of who Henry Glover that married Hannah, parents were.

Sources:
Anderson Robert Charles, Editor. "How Many Henry Glovers?." Great Migration Newsletter Volume 9 (October-December 2000): [P 25].

Crane, Ellery Bicknell. Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County Massachusetts: with a History of Worcester Society of Antiquity. New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907.

Glover Anna. Glover Memorials and Genealogies: An account of John Glover of Dorchester and his descendants. Boston: David Clapp & Son Printers, 1867.

Great Migration 1634-1635, G-H. (Online database. NewEnglandAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009.) Originally published as: The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume III, G-H, by Robert Charles Anderson. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003

Great Migration Biographical Sketches, Volume 11. Database. New England Historic Genealogical Society. Great Migration. www.greatmigration.org (Accessed 21 March 2010)

24 April 2010

Surname Saturday-Mast

The surname Mast is German and Swiss German in origin. It has been found written Mast and Maust. The Mast side of my family originated in Guiggisberg, Canton Berne, Switzerland. Jacob Mast immigrated to America in 1737 aboard the ship 'Charming Nancy'.

The Mast's in my family tree include:

Hans(Benedict) Mast
Peter Mast
Uli Mast
Hans Mast
Jacob Mast (1705-1772)
Joseph Maust (1763-1846)
Samuel Maust (1800-1865)
David Samuel Mast (1823-1891)
Nancy Mast Graf (1871-1908)
Daisy Graf Fredrick (1892-1978)
Mom
Me

22 April 2010

Oh! The Places You'll Go

Do you have a list of places you would like to go to further your genealogy research? Here are a few of mine:

1. Library of Michigan, Lansing, Michigan: I can't believe I haven't been here. It's at number one because it's future is uncertain.

2. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah: What more can I say-it's the largest genealogical library in the world.

3. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts: Eight Floors of sources and they specialize in New England research.

4. Plymouth, Massachusetts and surrounding area: Would love to see where my colonial ancestors started their American lives.

5. Places yet to be discovered:

Where are the places you would like to go?

20 April 2010

Tombstone Tuesday: Otto and Daisy (Graf) Fredrick

Otto A Fredricks and Daisy Ellen (Graf) Fredricks are buried in Brethren Cemetery, Corner of Coates Highway and N. High Bridge Road, Brethren, Manistee, Michigan.


Otto August Fredricks was born 1 November 1878 in Manistee County, Michigan
He died 5 February 1968 in Brethren, Manistee, Michigan.


Daisy Ellen Graf was born 18 October 1892 in Plevna, Howard, Indiana.
She died 26 October 1978 in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.


Otto Fredricks married Daisy Graf on 12 Dec 1917 in Brethren, Manistee, Michigan.

17 April 2010

Surname Saturday: Zastrow

The surname Zastrow is German in origin. It originated from Western Pomerania. It has been found written as Zastrow, Zastrau, and Zasterow. The Zastrow side of my family is another brickwall for me. Louise Fredricke Zastrow was born 9 April 1856 in Germany. She immigrated April 1875 aboard the ship Donau. She married J. August Fredrick on 8 May 1875 in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan. Louise Zastrow Fredrick died 27 July 1940 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

16 April 2010

Follow Friday: If These Walls Could Talk

From Journey to the Past
Have you ever wondered what your ancestor's house looked like? I have a couple of pictures of homes where my ancestors lived. One picture is of the family farm on my mother's side. The farm is still in the family today. Another is from a picture I took myself. A present day picture (2009) of a house my great grandparents, Frank and Hattie Glover, were living in around 1910. The picture above is that house on Ridge Street in Marquette, Michigan.

196 Capital Ave, NE, Battle Creek, Michigan c. 1940
Present Day: Kimball House Museum

If you have ancestors that lived in Battle Creek, Michigan circa 1940, you are in luck. Willard Library in Battle Creek, Michigan has a Historical Images of Battle Creek, Michigan-Homes and Building c 1940 collection accessible online. This collection has photographs of every house and building that was within the Battle Creek boundaries in 1940. The collection is listed alphabetical by street name, then house number. Even if you don't have ancestors in Battle Creek, check this great collection of photo's out. If these walls could talk, oh the secrets they would tell.

14 April 2010

Enlisted at Age 15; Later Became Lieutenant Colonel

My father always told the story about his uncle, Merle Glover, running away to join the Army, during World War I. It wasn't until I found the document below that my father and I realized he was 15 when he joined the Canadian Army. Merle Glover was born 21 January 1902 in Michigan, United States.

The following Attestation Paper found at ancestry.com from the Canada, Soldiers of the First World War, 1914-1918 collection, has Merle attesting to the truth of the information on the form. His birth date on the form was listed as January 21th. 1898. His place of birth was listed as Kingston, Ontario.

Merle Glover eventually made a career with the United States military. I don't know when he left the Canadian Army and joined the U.S. one. He rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and served in the military for 33 years. His obituary says he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, but I haven't been able to find his burial information at Arlington.


Obituary of Merle Glover

The Mining Journal, 10 December 1981

Marquette, Michigan

The Social Security Death Index above also states his date of birth as 21 January 1902.

I find it interesting that a young man of 15 would want to join the army so bad he would go to Canada, lie about his age to join, and continue to serve for many years to come. The patriotism and dedication of Merle is to be admired.


12 April 2010

Madness Monday: Louise Fredricke Zastrow Fredrick


Louise Fredricke Zastrow Fredrick is my great grandmother and a brick wall in my research. She was born 9 April 1856 in Germany. Where in Germany, I have not been able to ascertain. She was naturalized in 1909, but I have not been able to find a source for the Naturalization records in Manistee County, Michigan. The county clerk's office says they aren't available. So where do I go now? What I know is listed below with the documents I have found.

New York Passenger List 1820-1957

Louise Zastran arrived 24 April 1875 aboard the ship Donau. She travelled with Johann Zastran-was he a brother?

The marriage register of Louise Fredricke Zastrow and Johann August Frederick, 8 May 1875, Manistee, Michigan. The family story is that Johann August sent back to his homeland for someone to come to the United States and marry him. Louise Zastrow was sent. I don't know if she knew him before she came here or not. The family believes she did not want to leave Germany. She supposedly left a twin sister in Germany. I haven't been able to learn the name of her twin sister.


This marriage certificate copy was obtained in 2007. John Zastrow was a witness but I haven't been able to find any information on whether he stayed in the United States or not.



Louise Fredrick can be found in the 1930 Census. She is living with her daughter, Mary and the Bruce family in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Louise died 27 July 1940 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.



I don't know where to look for further information on her and her origins in Germany.  Any suggestions?


10 April 2010

Surname Saturday: McGee

The Surname McGee is Irish in origin. It has been found written McGee, Magee, MacGee. The McGee side of my family arrived in Canada in the mid 1800's, eventually, settling in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. Richard McGee was an early settler of West Gwillumbury Township, Ontario, Canada. Catherine McGee, Richard's daughter, arrived in the United States in the early 1880's, settling in Marquette, Michigan.

08 April 2010

Ancestor Biography: Samuel Stillman Glover, Jr.

Birth: Samuel Stillman Glover, Jr. was born 13 May 1836 in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw, Michigan. He was the sixth, of twelve, child born to Samuel Stillman Glover and Vinera Eglantine Powers.


1850 Census: Samuel's mother died in February of 1847. He was 10 years old. Stillman Glover can be found living in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw, Michigan in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census. He is living with John, Eliza, Orson, and Alice Cody.





Marriage: According to the Dibean’s Michigan Marriage Index for Lenawee County, Michigan, Samuel S. Glover married Ada L. Dyer on 2 August 1857. Ada L. Dyer was the daughter of William G. Dyer and Mary Ann Swallow.

Children: Samuel and Ada Glover had ten children:

Charles W. 1859-
William E. 1861-
Frank H. August 1863-7 October 1925
Mary J 1864-
Louis B 1866
Laura J 1869
Sarah 1871
Emma D 24 July 1873-3 September 1874
Emerson 24 July 1873-28 October 1873
Walter S. 27 Feb 1875-5 February 1920

Military Service: On 7 December 1861 Samuel Glover, Jr. enlisted in the Civil War, Union side. He enlisted at Marshall, Calhoun, Michigan at the age of 26. He was living in Lenawee County, Michigan at the time.

While serving Samuel S. Glover Jr. was with the 1st Regiment, Engineers and Mechanics, Michigan, Company H. His rank during his service was Private First Class. He received a disability discharge on 8 Dec 1862 in Nashville, Tennessee. My great grandfather, Frank H. Glover was born nine months later in August of 1863! Samuel's obituary states:

"early in ’62 he was wounded in the right knee while on his way from
Shelbyville to Huntsville with secret dispatches. He was several miles
from his destination when wounded (was shot through the knee) but pluckily
clung to his horse until he reached the picket lines at Huntsville, when he
was taken from his horse nearly unconscious and had just strength enough to
say dispatches were in his shoes, that was the last he knew for weeks. His family at home did not hear from him and had about given him up for dead when months after he suddenly arrived in Adrian (where his family resided at that time) discharged as incapacitated from further service."



According to his obituary, Samuel received a pension of $10 per month.


1870 Census: Samuel S., Adaline, Charles W. William E, Franki H., Mary J, Louis B, and Laura J can be found living in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan in 1870. This census page is interesting because Samuel S. Glover is Ass't Marshall.
Other Census Information: Samuel Stillman Glover, Jr can also be found in the following census:
1860 Macon, Lenawee, Michigan
1880 Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan
1900 Pleasanton Township, Manistee, Michigan
Occupations: Samuel S. Glover, Jr was listed in the census as a merchant, life insurance agent, clerk in clothing house, and farmer. In 1876, he was the Justice of the Peace in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan. Sometime during the 1890’s he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and worked for the “Milwaukee Sentinel”. He returned to Manistee County in 1898 and farmed land in Pleasanton Township, Manistee, Michigan.
Death: Samuel died 12 April 1904 in Pleasanton Township, Manistee, Michigan from uremic poisoning, chronic prostatis and nephritis.
Obituary: Samuel S. Glover's obituary can be found in the Manistee Daily News 14 April 1904, and Manistee Daily Advocate on 16 April 1904 (on the front page).

Below: Manistee Daily News 14 April 1904

Above: Manistee Daily Advocate 16 April 1904


Burial: Samuel was buried 16 April 1904 in Gilmore Township Cemetery, Elberta, Benzie, Michigan.

07 April 2010

Happy Birthday, W.K. Kellogg


Battle Creek has been my home for the past 22 years. We moved to Battle Creek when my husband, Kirk, accepted a counseling position with the Lakeview School District. Living in Battle Creek, Michigan has many benefits. The one I enjoy the most is when the sweet smell of cereal wafts through the open windows of my kitchen. My daughter tells of the time her college town was smelling of soy. She was saying she didn't like the smell of it. Someone asked her "What does your town smell like?" She proudly replied, "Froot Loops!"

Battle Creek is known as "The Cereal City". It is firmly grounded in cereal making history. It is the world headquarters for the Kellogg Company. Kellogg's and Post both have cereal manufacturing plants in the city. In addition, the Kellogg name can be found on many landmarks.

So, I thought I would use the history of Battle Creek as a subject for future blog posts. Today, commemorates the 150th Birthday of W.K. Kellogg. Will Keith Kellogg was born 7 April 1860 in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was the seventh son born to John Preston Kellogg and Ann Janette Stanley. W.K. Kellogg married Ella Davis 3 November 1880. It was at this time that he went to work for the Battle Creek Sanitarium. It was here, in 1894, after a series of accidents he developed a wheat flake. From this discovery, a food empire was built.


1870 U.S. Federal Census-The Kellogg Family
Battle Creek will be celebrating W. K. Kellogg's birth year with Sesquicentennial Events, held throughout the year. Battle Creek has a lot to thank W.K. Kellogg for and this is a wonderful tribute to someone who gave so much to Battle Creek and others. Check back for future posts on Battle Creek and Happy Birthday, Mr. Kellogg!

06 April 2010

Tombstone Tuesday: Civil War Veteran-Samuel S. Glover Jr.







Samuel Stillman Glover, Jr, a civil war veteran, died 12 April 1904 in Pleasanton Township, Manistee, Michigan. He was 67 years old. He is buried in Gilmore Township Cemetery, Elberta, Benzie, Michigan-Section F Lot 25. Gilmore Township Cemetery is located on the corner of Grace Road and Highway 22, Elberta, Michigan. Access to the cemetery is from Grace Road.

03 April 2010

Surname Saturday: Fenn

The surname Fenn is English in origin. It has been found written as Fenn, Fen, and Fann. It is a topographic surname coming from someone living in a marsh, lake or boggy region. The Fenn side of my family is my brickwall. The Fenn family in my lineage comes from the Shoreham, Addison, Vermont area. Daniel Fenn married Huldah Rowley and migrated to Michigan. Their son, Daniel C. Fenn is the father of my great grandmother, Hattie Fenn.

02 April 2010

Women's Basketball in 1901!


For the past month my family has been immersed in basketball. We even have a fun family pool to pick the winner of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. This year there are 17 members hoping to pick the winner for the right to brag for a year! (I chose West Virginia to win it all. If they win then I will be the one bragging!)

Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891. This picture, from Marquette High School in Marquette, Michigan, is of the women's basketball team in 1901-just 10 years after it was invented!

My grandmother, Sarah Lilla Watt, is the first one in the front row. I find this picture fascinating because I can't imagine playing basketball in a long skirt. Also, I was amazed that they had a women's basketball team in 1901. I graduated from high school in 1975 and until the Title IX education amendment of 1972 was passed, women's sports weren't as accessible as they are now. It makes me wonder was Marquette schools ahead of their time?