I really enjoy my friendship with the famous Maureen Taylor.
As native Rhode Islanders, we share common bonds (but not ancestors that I know of). I went to RI to hear her speak last Saturday and bought one of her books that I did not own. Her delightful mom was there too. It was great.
I flipped open to where she signed it and had to wipe tears from my eyes.
This is the kind of thing that keeps us genealogists going forward.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sentimental Sunday: Coffee Jello
Yesterday, hubby and I went to the Rhode Island Genealogical Society day-long meeting held in North Kingstown. It took us almost 90 minutes from door to door.
I missed my home state and my parents and grandparents while traveling down Rt. 95. I looked at the exit we always took to visit my parents and have to deal with the heartache for days afterward.
When my daughter was little, we called that the "almost there" location. I said out loud, "Almost there!" for sentimental reasons.
Since everyone is dieting in January, I decided to make a New England favorite, Coffee Jello. Coffee is very big in Rhode Island. If you don't drink coffee, don't go there.
I have two recipes. One given to me by a friend who was a professional cook. This makes coffee jello in a large quantity. It is on the yellowed piece of paper under the packet of gelatin.
I have made a modern, lazy person's version.
Midge's Rhode Island Coffee Jello
2 cups black hot coffee (Dunkin Donuts medium size is perfect)
1 packet Knox unflavored gelatin
1 tsp sugar or Splenda
Sprinkle gelatin in with a small amount of water into a large Pyrex measuring cup. This is called soaking the gelatin. (A small amount of water is about 1/16 of a cup) Let this gelatin/water mix sit for several minutes. Add the hot coffee and stir. Add the sugar or Splenda and stir again.
Microwave 2 minutes 30 seconds. Pour into small dishes and refrigerate until firm.
Variations: you can use flavored coffee like French Vanilla or Hazelnut. Today, I used original blend Dunkin Donuts and a 1/4 tsp cinnamon extract. I have used vanilla, french vanilla, coconut, and peppermint extract and they are great too.
Top with cool whip and eat.
I missed my home state and my parents and grandparents while traveling down Rt. 95. I looked at the exit we always took to visit my parents and have to deal with the heartache for days afterward.
When my daughter was little, we called that the "almost there" location. I said out loud, "Almost there!" for sentimental reasons.
Since everyone is dieting in January, I decided to make a New England favorite, Coffee Jello. Coffee is very big in Rhode Island. If you don't drink coffee, don't go there.
I have two recipes. One given to me by a friend who was a professional cook. This makes coffee jello in a large quantity. It is on the yellowed piece of paper under the packet of gelatin.
I have made a modern, lazy person's version.
Midge's Rhode Island Coffee Jello
2 cups black hot coffee (Dunkin Donuts medium size is perfect)
1 packet Knox unflavored gelatin
1 tsp sugar or Splenda
Sprinkle gelatin in with a small amount of water into a large Pyrex measuring cup. This is called soaking the gelatin. (A small amount of water is about 1/16 of a cup) Let this gelatin/water mix sit for several minutes. Add the hot coffee and stir. Add the sugar or Splenda and stir again.
Microwave 2 minutes 30 seconds. Pour into small dishes and refrigerate until firm.
Variations: you can use flavored coffee like French Vanilla or Hazelnut. Today, I used original blend Dunkin Donuts and a 1/4 tsp cinnamon extract. I have used vanilla, french vanilla, coconut, and peppermint extract and they are great too.
Top with cool whip and eat.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Vital Records Frazel and Ulman
As a professional genealogist, I turn to the vital records for the most reliable information about the families I am researching. Mamie and Phares have a marriage record in the Massachusetts Vital Record 1841-1910. The town clerk had "a clear hand" (handwriting) and it is a joy to be able to easily read the information.
Mamie is listed as "Mamie Ulman", which we know from looking at her gravestone inscription that her given name was Mary. They were married in Marlborough on 11 Nov 1896 and the marriage was recorded on 15 Dec. It was a first marriage for both and they both lived in Marlborough at the time of their marriage. He was 21 and she was 22. Luckily, the names of the parents match what family records tell us and the maiden name of the women were included. They were married by a minister further confirming the Protestant religion of this family.
As Mamie is listed earlier in the 1891 Canada census as 17 and living with her parents, the names match and I can add her siblings into my tree with some assurance of their names being correct. She is listed as Baptist.
As for Phares, no one can tell me why he bore this unusual name but I have been reading up on the naming conventions and most men in this family did not use their first name and were called by their middle name until we get to Phares' father, Joseph. Phares often is listed in the Marlborough City Directory as P.D. Family tells us he was called Uncle Feggie.
Mamie and Phares had a son named Raymond who I met on the day I got married. on the 28th day of April 1905, Mamie died. Her death record was difficult to read , so I captured it and applied some shadows and sharpened the image until I could be sure of what it said.
Mamie, once again listed as Mamie Frazel, died of Pulmonary TB with a complication, sadly, of pregnancy. The doctor wrote that she was 5 months pregnant. The names of her parents are clearly written and the place she was buried on 1 May 1905 is correct. It is sad to note that she had TB for 2 years.
Her age at death was 30 years, 2 months and 3 days. She and Phares lived at 44 O'Neil St. in Hudson.
These are great records but it is sad that she left behind a young husband and little boy, isn't it?
Mamie is listed as "Mamie Ulman", which we know from looking at her gravestone inscription that her given name was Mary. They were married in Marlborough on 11 Nov 1896 and the marriage was recorded on 15 Dec. It was a first marriage for both and they both lived in Marlborough at the time of their marriage. He was 21 and she was 22. Luckily, the names of the parents match what family records tell us and the maiden name of the women were included. They were married by a minister further confirming the Protestant religion of this family.
As Mamie is listed earlier in the 1891 Canada census as 17 and living with her parents, the names match and I can add her siblings into my tree with some assurance of their names being correct. She is listed as Baptist.
As for Phares, no one can tell me why he bore this unusual name but I have been reading up on the naming conventions and most men in this family did not use their first name and were called by their middle name until we get to Phares' father, Joseph. Phares often is listed in the Marlborough City Directory as P.D. Family tells us he was called Uncle Feggie.
Mamie and Phares had a son named Raymond who I met on the day I got married. on the 28th day of April 1905, Mamie died. Her death record was difficult to read , so I captured it and applied some shadows and sharpened the image until I could be sure of what it said.
Mamie, once again listed as Mamie Frazel, died of Pulmonary TB with a complication, sadly, of pregnancy. The doctor wrote that she was 5 months pregnant. The names of her parents are clearly written and the place she was buried on 1 May 1905 is correct. It is sad to note that she had TB for 2 years.
Her age at death was 30 years, 2 months and 3 days. She and Phares lived at 44 O'Neil St. in Hudson.
These are great records but it is sad that she left behind a young husband and little boy, isn't it?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Mamie Uhlman
Mary Mae Ulhman was the first wife of Phares David Frazel. Everyone called her Mamie. Her maiden name was written as ULHMAN or ULMAN.
Mary M. Wife of / PD Frazel / Died April 27, 1905 / age 30 yrs. 2 mos. is what is inscribed on the side of the Frazel monument in the Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA.
Mamie was the daughter of Nathaniel Ulhman and his wife Mary Cushing. The most information known about her is in the 1891 census of Canada when she is listed as a teenager in her father's household. Her father was a farmer and the family's religion is given as Baptist. They lived in Chelsea, Nova Scotia.
Phares David Frazel and Mary Mae Uhlman's marriage 11 Nov 1896 tells us a bit more...
Mary M. Wife of / PD Frazel / Died April 27, 1905 / age 30 yrs. 2 mos. is what is inscribed on the side of the Frazel monument in the Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA.
Mamie was the daughter of Nathaniel Ulhman and his wife Mary Cushing. The most information known about her is in the 1891 census of Canada when she is listed as a teenager in her father's household. Her father was a farmer and the family's religion is given as Baptist. They lived in Chelsea, Nova Scotia.
Phares David Frazel and Mary Mae Uhlman's marriage 11 Nov 1896 tells us a bit more...
Friday, January 21, 2011
Phares and his sons
Phares David Frazel married in Marlborough, MA a woman the family calls Mamie. The vital records (most importantly her death record) tell us she was born in Nova Scotia. We don't know if Phares knew her before he came here with his family at age 16 or if he met her here. The marriage record (461:284) tells us that it was a first marriage for both and that they married on 11 Nov 1896 in Marlborough.
Phares is listed in the 1900 census as living as a border. I don't know why if he had a wife! He is listed as an engineer in a shoe factory. The city directory also lists him in that same year. It may be that Mamie wasn't home when the census taker came or she went back to Nova Scotia to visit family.
Phares became a naturalized citizen in 1901 and his address given is 21 Norwood St. in Marlborough. Mamie and Phares had a son born to them name Raymond W. Frazel. He is the older child in this photo. My father-in-law is the baby.
I located a passenger list that tells us that Phares went back to Nova Scotia on the ship Prince Arthur in 1902 arriving back at Boston on 26 Sept 1902. Raymond was already born on 14 May 1902 so perhaps it was a trip back to show off the baby to his maternal grandparents?
What happened next is not good....
Phares is listed in the 1900 census as living as a border. I don't know why if he had a wife! He is listed as an engineer in a shoe factory. The city directory also lists him in that same year. It may be that Mamie wasn't home when the census taker came or she went back to Nova Scotia to visit family.
Phares became a naturalized citizen in 1901 and his address given is 21 Norwood St. in Marlborough. Mamie and Phares had a son born to them name Raymond W. Frazel. He is the older child in this photo. My father-in-law is the baby.
I located a passenger list that tells us that Phares went back to Nova Scotia on the ship Prince Arthur in 1902 arriving back at Boston on 26 Sept 1902. Raymond was already born on 14 May 1902 so perhaps it was a trip back to show off the baby to his maternal grandparents?
What happened next is not good....
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Grave Humor
In keeping with good fun for winter gravestone hunting, a new reader to my blog shared with me this gravestone that he found nearby to one of his own ancestors at Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston.
I hope this made you smile. Winter is so long. I have cemetery cravings today.
Thanks Wayne for sharing this with us!
I hope this made you smile. Winter is so long. I have cemetery cravings today.
Thanks Wayne for sharing this with us!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Book Review: Life in Civil War America
Recently I was asked to read over a new book, Life in Civil War America, to be published in late February at the Family Tree magazine, "Shop Family Tree" store. [Here's the link to preorder this exciting new book.] It was written by Michael J. Varhola with a photo commentary by Maureen A. Taylor. It will be published by F&W Media, the parent company of Family Tree Magazine and it is also available at Amazon.com
As you know, 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and Mr. Varhola's update to his popular book, Everyday Life During Civil War America, published in 1999, will be a hit with genealogists and family historians and here's why....
With the push for all of us to have better understanding of the lives of our ancestors, it is essential to read material about not only where your ancestors lived geographically but to be knowledgeable about their work, their food, their houses, their religion, their entertainment and the ways in which they communicated. We all wish we could be time traveler's to visit and talk and get to know them.
For those who are writing a family history of their family during this period of America or who are writing a work of fiction, this book is a must have and a must read.
More than just another reference book, this visually appealing book is an entertaining look at life before, during and after the war. It is not just another book about the battles and their outcomes. I enjoyed it, learned a lot and it inspired me to learn more about my four 2nd great grandfathers who lived in this time, their wives, their children and even their parents and siblings who might have still been living.
I took 15 pages of notes with ideas of ways to learn more about this time period. I has three who served and one who did not. For the first time, I am wondering why one did not serve.
It is chilling to learn that between the years 1861 and 1865, 625, 000 Americans died, which is more that all US personnel killed during World Wars I & II, Korea and Vietnam. How horrible.
Chapters that I enjoyed were the photo appendix by Maureen Taylor, the chapter with the Step by Step ways to get records, the chapter on education (since I am an educator and a genealogist) and the amusing chapter titled Fun & Games.
Thumbs up for this book!
Gravestone pictured here from Old Packer Burrows Cemetery in Groton, CT:
Addison Alonzo GODFREY, Co. C. 21st Reg't Conn. Vol's
Died Feb'y 3, 1880, private was a machinist and in 1870 was living in Groton, CT he rec'd a disability discharge on 2 Jun 1865. He is not an ancestor of mine. I like the patriotic flag emblem at the top of the stone.
As you know, 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and Mr. Varhola's update to his popular book, Everyday Life During Civil War America, published in 1999, will be a hit with genealogists and family historians and here's why....
With the push for all of us to have better understanding of the lives of our ancestors, it is essential to read material about not only where your ancestors lived geographically but to be knowledgeable about their work, their food, their houses, their religion, their entertainment and the ways in which they communicated. We all wish we could be time traveler's to visit and talk and get to know them.
For those who are writing a family history of their family during this period of America or who are writing a work of fiction, this book is a must have and a must read.
More than just another reference book, this visually appealing book is an entertaining look at life before, during and after the war. It is not just another book about the battles and their outcomes. I enjoyed it, learned a lot and it inspired me to learn more about my four 2nd great grandfathers who lived in this time, their wives, their children and even their parents and siblings who might have still been living.
I took 15 pages of notes with ideas of ways to learn more about this time period. I has three who served and one who did not. For the first time, I am wondering why one did not serve.
It is chilling to learn that between the years 1861 and 1865, 625, 000 Americans died, which is more that all US personnel killed during World Wars I & II, Korea and Vietnam. How horrible.
Chapters that I enjoyed were the photo appendix by Maureen Taylor, the chapter with the Step by Step ways to get records, the chapter on education (since I am an educator and a genealogist) and the amusing chapter titled Fun & Games.
Thumbs up for this book!
Gravestone pictured here from Old Packer Burrows Cemetery in Groton, CT:
Addison Alonzo GODFREY, Co. C. 21st Reg't Conn. Vol's
Died Feb'y 3, 1880, private was a machinist and in 1870 was living in Groton, CT he rec'd a disability discharge on 2 Jun 1865. He is not an ancestor of mine. I like the patriotic flag emblem at the top of the stone.
Monday, January 17, 2011
PD Frazel
It is too bad that my husband doesn't remember his paternal grandfather. This grandfather, who is buried in Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA, died on 14 Oct 1949 when my husband, who was born in 1945, was a little boy. Traveling from Rhode Island to visit family was hard on my husband who has the motion sickness we call carsickness.
Phares David Frazel born 11 May 1876 (according to his WWI Draft Card) in Baker Settlement, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He came to the United States by ship in 1892 at the age of 16 with his parents Joseph and Naomi and his siblings. The information given to me by my father-in-law some years ago gives this date and some exact month and day of departure and arrival but I have not been able to confirm anything but the year (from census records).
I have learned a lot about my grandfather in-law in the past few months which I will continue in the next few blog posts.
Phares David Frazel born 11 May 1876 (according to his WWI Draft Card) in Baker Settlement, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He came to the United States by ship in 1892 at the age of 16 with his parents Joseph and Naomi and his siblings. The information given to me by my father-in-law some years ago gives this date and some exact month and day of departure and arrival but I have not been able to confirm anything but the year (from census records).
I have learned a lot about my grandfather in-law in the past few months which I will continue in the next few blog posts.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Snowflake Frame
In case you didn't hear, we had a blizzard here. Today, it is cold but the sun is shining.
I hope to be back to blogging soon. I have been asked to review two books so I am working on that right now and the webinar for next Tuesday.
I hope to be back to blogging soon. I have been asked to review two books so I am working on that right now and the webinar for next Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Phares David FRAZEL
Phares David FRAZEL
headstone of my husband's grandfather at Maplewood Cemetery, Marlborough, Middlesex, MA
This gravestone will be the focus of upcoming posts!
headstone of my husband's grandfather at Maplewood Cemetery, Marlborough, Middlesex, MA
This gravestone will be the focus of upcoming posts!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Pilgrim Village Families Sketches
While working today on the research needed for the upcoming Massachusetts Webinar, I fell over some excellent articles at NEHGS, written by Robert Charles Anderson.
I think that they are available without membership. I logged out and went to Google and typed in:
Pilgrim Village Families Sketch and came up with a list of short articles at the American Ancestors Web site.
What surprised me was one on those who came to New England after the forefathers.
Here is one for my ancestor, Henry Cobb.
I think that they are available without membership. I logged out and went to Google and typed in:
Pilgrim Village Families Sketch and came up with a list of short articles at the American Ancestors Web site.
What surprised me was one on those who came to New England after the forefathers.
Here is one for my ancestor, Henry Cobb.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Dollar Sign
It is a great deal of fun teaching the Cemetery 101 Research class for Family Tree University. (But, I need more students!)
The lone student in this recent class which spanned the Christmas month took a great photo of this grave in a Catholic cemetery (St. Mary's) near her home in Virginia.
I knew I had seen this symbol before and so did a Google search for "dollar sign symbol gravestone" and BINGO, I got a hit to a fellow Graveyard Rabbit's blog. I love the success. Thanks, Joe for the explanation. [credit: Cemeteries and Cemetery Symbols]
Being a Protestant doesn't prepare me for the myriad of religious symbols on gravestones. I have identified two fairly close by Catholic cemeteries to explore. [Whine] "Is winter over yet? [end Whine]
I should add that this symbol of the $ is in Douglas Keister's book (a MUST read) for gravestone hoppers. It is on page 146 and is called IHS or IHC. It is almost always on crosses.
The lone student in this recent class which spanned the Christmas month took a great photo of this grave in a Catholic cemetery (St. Mary's) near her home in Virginia.
I knew I had seen this symbol before and so did a Google search for "dollar sign symbol gravestone" and BINGO, I got a hit to a fellow Graveyard Rabbit's blog. I love the success. Thanks, Joe for the explanation. [credit: Cemeteries and Cemetery Symbols]
Being a Protestant doesn't prepare me for the myriad of religious symbols on gravestones. I have identified two fairly close by Catholic cemeteries to explore. [Whine] "Is winter over yet? [end Whine]
I should add that this symbol of the $ is in Douglas Keister's book (a MUST read) for gravestone hoppers. It is on page 146 and is called IHS or IHC. It is almost always on crosses.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Damage to Gravestones
Here in New England we see many ancient stones, that while readable today may not survive much longer.
I have long wondered about this group of gravestones that are thick and made of brownstone/sandstone. It is not known when they were placed here or by whom. Fred Burdick, town historian for Stonington, CT has photographed, researched and created a CD of this graveyard and many other ancient places of burial in Stonington, CT.
(We know that this graveyard was recorded by Grace Denison Wheeler in or around 1903 because there is a list of gravestones and graveyards in her book, Old Homes in Stonington. Grace was my third cousin, twice removed and a genealogist and town historian.)
I have long wondered about the white "stuff" rising from the ground onto stones like this one. Louis S. Schafer's book, Tombstones of Your Ancestors, written in 1991, mentions the reason for this on page 3. It is part of the process of damage to stones from the water beneath the ground.
"...rising dampness from the earth pushes moisture into the porous stone, much like water soaking into a sponge. Capillary like action of water moving into rock brings with it soluble salts from the earth. When abrasive salt solution begins to crystallize within the open pores, it leaves behinf a white efforescent film on the stone surface. This encrustation will inevitably promote rotting from the inside out, eventually breaking away noticeable chunks. This process is known as spalling..."
Gaylord Cooper's book, Stories told in Stone, also mentions this term but doesn't tell us what the whiteish material could be. Probably this stone is still intact because it is so thick. Since Isaac WHEELER, Sr. died in 1712, this ancient gravestone (or so we think) is not damaged on the surface. Well, not yet at least.
This gravestone is in the Whitehall burying ground in Mystic, CT which is part of Stonington in New London, CT. Isaac Wheeler, Sr. is one of my 7th great grandfathers.
I have long wondered about this group of gravestones that are thick and made of brownstone/sandstone. It is not known when they were placed here or by whom. Fred Burdick, town historian for Stonington, CT has photographed, researched and created a CD of this graveyard and many other ancient places of burial in Stonington, CT.
(We know that this graveyard was recorded by Grace Denison Wheeler in or around 1903 because there is a list of gravestones and graveyards in her book, Old Homes in Stonington. Grace was my third cousin, twice removed and a genealogist and town historian.)
I have long wondered about the white "stuff" rising from the ground onto stones like this one. Louis S. Schafer's book, Tombstones of Your Ancestors, written in 1991, mentions the reason for this on page 3. It is part of the process of damage to stones from the water beneath the ground.
"...rising dampness from the earth pushes moisture into the porous stone, much like water soaking into a sponge. Capillary like action of water moving into rock brings with it soluble salts from the earth. When abrasive salt solution begins to crystallize within the open pores, it leaves behinf a white efforescent film on the stone surface. This encrustation will inevitably promote rotting from the inside out, eventually breaking away noticeable chunks. This process is known as spalling..."
Gaylord Cooper's book, Stories told in Stone, also mentions this term but doesn't tell us what the whiteish material could be. Probably this stone is still intact because it is so thick. Since Isaac WHEELER, Sr. died in 1712, this ancient gravestone (or so we think) is not damaged on the surface. Well, not yet at least.
This gravestone is in the Whitehall burying ground in Mystic, CT which is part of Stonington in New London, CT. Isaac Wheeler, Sr. is one of my 7th great grandfathers.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Monument Monday: Stone Grave Markers
"The Typical Stone grave marker of today, as the term implies, probably evolved as a means of marking the specific spot where someone is buried" [Schafer: Tombstones of your Ancestors p. 11]
Monument from Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, MA , is of someone with the STONE surname. It is not one of my ancestors but this monument gave me the idea of taking some of the wisdom of the many books I own and passing them along to you, dear reader.
I gazed at this monument and murmured out loud, "Yes that is a stone." Thank you STONE family for the idea.
Monument from Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, MA , is of someone with the STONE surname. It is not one of my ancestors but this monument gave me the idea of taking some of the wisdom of the many books I own and passing them along to you, dear reader.
I gazed at this monument and murmured out loud, "Yes that is a stone." Thank you STONE family for the idea.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Fortunate
It is always good to remember how fortunate we are to know as much as we do about our own families at the start of each New Year. With intent and purpose, genealogists and family historians both work hard on finding out who they are by studying their ancestors and their lives.
But, it is helping others get started in finding their ancestors that gives us a real sense of belonging. Of course, this takes some money and a lot of time. Turning away from your family research is hard but it is worth all the money in the world to see someone's delight at finding their family.
It is with that in mind that I show you the silver dollars that my father carried through France and Germany in World War II. He jangled them in his pocket so much that they are worn smooth. I am not sure what they looked like when they were new. Someday, they will belong to my grandson.
We are indeed lucky to have those in our past watch over us and sometimes they surprise us by leaving us money when they pass away. This has happened to us in our family this New Year.It is not a lot of money but it is enough for us to spend some and save some.
Instead of my two cents; here's my two dollars toward a brighter future for us all!
But, it is helping others get started in finding their ancestors that gives us a real sense of belonging. Of course, this takes some money and a lot of time. Turning away from your family research is hard but it is worth all the money in the world to see someone's delight at finding their family.
It is with that in mind that I show you the silver dollars that my father carried through France and Germany in World War II. He jangled them in his pocket so much that they are worn smooth. I am not sure what they looked like when they were new. Someday, they will belong to my grandson.
We are indeed lucky to have those in our past watch over us and sometimes they surprise us by leaving us money when they pass away. This has happened to us in our family this New Year.It is not a lot of money but it is enough for us to spend some and save some.
Instead of my two cents; here's my two dollars toward a brighter future for us all!
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