Genealogy

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Genealogy Blogging and the Brick Wall Busting Discovery of My Schmidt Family

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Genealogy Blogging and the Brick Wall Busting Discovery of My Schmidt Family

Genealogy blogging led me to the discovery of this beautiful photograph of my 3rd great grandparents, Carl Schmidt and Ernestina Zenner Schmidt (d. 1922), and their 8 children. Here is how.

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Pic of the Week (#103) - "Santa Claus came to you heavily loaded"

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Pic of the Week (#103) - "Santa Claus came to you heavily loaded"

Postcard (1910): “Wish one and all a Happy New Year. Suppose Santa Claus came to you heavily loaded. Was very good to me. I am very busy now preparing to be bride-maid for a wedding. How are you standing this cold weather? Love to all. Anna L.”

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"Son is Electrocuted Where Father Died" - Tragedy in the Costlow Family of Johnstown (PA)

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"Son is Electrocuted Where Father Died" - Tragedy in the Costlow Family of Johnstown (PA)

Eerily similar tragedies befell the Costlow family of Johnstown, Pennsylvania on June 15th of 1930 and November 3rd of 1958. Anthony Joseph Costlow (1897-1930) and his son, James J. Costlow (1921-1958), were both electrocuted while working in the same steel mill. These are their stories.

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Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979): A Photo Essay

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Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979): A Photo Essay

Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979) was one of my paternal great grandmothers. She is also the subject of this 49th installment of my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks family history blogging challenge. I hope you enjoy this photo essay about her life.

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James J. Halvis (1896-1987): A Greek Family Mystery Is Solved

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James J. Halvis (1896-1987): A Greek Family Mystery Is Solved

James J. Halvis (1896-1987) was my 1st cousin 3x removed. Until now there had been an unclear connection between his family and my own Halvangis line. Here is the story of how this Greek mystery was solved.

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#101) - "Men Working"

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#101) - "Men Working"

Hunched, paint brush in hand, this older man casts his own shadow on the side of the building he is painting. Who is he and what is his story?

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Dewey Loudermilk (1898-1957): The Coolest Name In My Family Tree

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Dewey Loudermilk (1898-1957): The Coolest Name In My Family Tree

Dewey Loudermilk (1898-1957) was my 1st cousin 3x removed. He has, perhaps, the coolest name in my family tree. This is his story.

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#100) - Battle Creek Woman Reaches Century Mark

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#100) - Battle Creek Woman Reaches Century Mark

If born just a few weeks earlier than her February 17, 1900 birthday, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002) would have achieved the rare distinction of having lived in three different centuries! This is her story.

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#99) - Is This the Family of Moses Devore (1844-1917)?

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#99) - Is This the Family of Moses Devore (1844-1917)?

A lovely family portrait, this cabinet card appears to be the family of Moses (1844-1917) and Fannie Raisor Devore (1855-1926). Can you help me find and tell their story?

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James William Halvangis (1920-1973): "Meeting" My Grandfather Through Photographs

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James William Halvangis (1920-1973): "Meeting" My Grandfather Through Photographs

James William Halvangis (1920-1973), my maternal grandfather, was the only one of my four grandparents who died before I was born. I’ve enjoyed “meeting” him through photographs. I hope you will too.

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#98) - "My time is short"

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#98) - "My time is short"

An early 1900s postcard sent between cousins. Can you help me find and tell their stories?

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The Contemplative Beard of David Costlow (1853-1924)

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The Contemplative Beard of David Costlow (1853-1924)

The beard of David Costlow (1853-1924) is a soft and greying cloud in active weather. David’s calm eyes rest contemplatively above a yard that teeters tenuously between kempt and neglect.

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#97) - Bernice Smith, Daughter of Elmer and Lizzie, Springfield, MO

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#97) - Bernice Smith, Daughter of Elmer and Lizzie, Springfield, MO

This is Bernice Smith of Springfield, Missouri. She’s the daughter of Elmer and Lizzie Smith; sister of Thelma. I found her photo. Can you help me find her story?

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The Last Will and Testament of Christopher Adkins (1825-1887), My 4th Great Grandfather

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The Last Will and Testament of Christopher Adkins (1825-1887), My 4th Great Grandfather

“I Christopher Adkins, of Epsom, in the County of Daviess, and State of Indiana, merchant, being of sound and disposing mind and memory …” - I believe this to be the last will and testament of my 4th great grandfather, Christopher Adkins (1825-1887).

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#96) - John Chrisville Putting On Shoes Outside Temple

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#96) - John Chrisville Putting On Shoes Outside Temple

Military man and New Yorker John Chrisville puts on shoes outside a temple. But where? Can you help me find out?

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My 2nd Great Grandmother: Marie Zuchowska Pawlowski (b. 1851)

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My 2nd Great Grandmother: Marie Zuchowska Pawlowski (b. 1851)

Marie Zuchowska Pawlowski was my 2nd great grandmother. Born around 1851 in what is present day Poland, she came to the U.S. with her husband, Baltazar, in 1907. They settled in Detroit, MI to join their children. This is her story.

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#95) - "We would sure have a high time" (Postcard, 1911)

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#95) - "We would sure have a high time" (Postcard, 1911)

This 1911 postcard is delightful for two reasons: the beautiful pastel drawing and the extremely legible handwriting. Can you help me tell the stories of Ida, Wilber, and Stella?

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Greek Tsardoulias Brothers Buy and Operate Hotel James in Greenville, Ohio

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Greek Tsardoulias Brothers Buy and Operate Hotel James in Greenville, Ohio

In 1925 two recent Greek immigrant brothers, Nicholas and Angelos Tsardoulias, purchased and began operating the Hotel James in Greenville, Ohio. They are likely cousins of mine. This is their story.

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#94) - Illinois Boy Charles Shauk Wears Unique Outfit

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#94) - Illinois Boy Charles Shauk Wears Unique Outfit

Illinois boy, Charles Shauk, wears a unique outfit. Can you help me tell his story?

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1942 Letterman of Saint Michael High School in Flint, MI: Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015)

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1942 Letterman of Saint Michael High School in Flint, MI: Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015)

Letterman (1942) of the Saint Michael High School Basketball team in Flint, MI and my grandfather, Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015). This is his story.