Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Who Are Your 32 Third-great-grandparents?

I just finished Randy Seaver's Saturday Night Challenge. Here are my third-great-grandparents, However, i will admit that most of the names of people born in the 1600s and 1700s are based on other peoples trees since there is minimal proof that I have been able to find.

Ancestors of Geraldine Ruth Patterson This report was created 1 Jun 2025 with Legacy 10.0 from MyHeritage; content copyrighted and maintained by author

Sixth Generation (3rd Great-Grandparents)

36. John Wigham.

John married someone unknown. Most trees have Elizabeth Clarkson - needs proof

40. Joshua Tadlock, son of Thomas Tadlock and Sarah Elizabeth Jones, was born in 1752 in Barren, Kentucky, USA and died in 1805 in Barren, Kentucky, USA. Joshua married Nancy ??Maiden?? Tadlock

41. Nancy ??Maiden?? Tadlock was born about 1760 and died on 12 Jul 1805. Nancy married Joshua Tadlock

44. James Newton, son of Ignatius Newton and Susanna Shanks, was born in 1789 in Kentucky, USA and died on 2 Oct 1873 in Marion, Kentucky, USA.

James married Mary Spalding

45. Mary Spalding was born in 1781 in Saint Marys, Maryland, USA and died on 18 Mar 1871 in Kentucky, USA.

Mary married James Newton

46. John Abraham Rhodes, son of James Rhodes and Mary Wilcox, was born on 2 May 1794 in VA KY, Nelson, USA and died on 29 Aug 1877 in Big Spring, Meade, Kentucky, USA. John married Louise Edelen 47. Louise Edelen, daughter of George Edelen and Sarah Ann Edelen, was born on 2 May 1794 in Washington, Kentucky, USA and died on 18 Oct 1861 in Meade, Kentucky, USA. Louise married John Abraham Rhodes 48. John Milton Weddle, son of George Weddle and Mary Evans, was born on 3 Sep 1776 in Wyethville, Wyeth Co VA and died on 3 Jul 1842 in Pulaski, Kentucky. John married Mary "Polly" McDaniel 49. Mary "Polly" McDaniel, daughter of Spencer McDaniel and Elizabeth Randall, was born on 5 Oct 1783 in ?, ?, Virginia, USA and died on 26 Jul 1852 in Faubush, Pulaski, Kentucky, USA. Mary married John Milton Weddle 50. Jacob M "Jake" Tarter, son of John Tarter and Nancy Catherine Logan, was born on 21 Nov 1794 in Wythe, Virginia, USA and died on 19 Nov 1874 in Russell , Kentucky, USA. Jacob married Polly Weddle 51. Polly Weddle, daughter of Daniel Weddle and Rachel Rayborn, was born in Nov 1800 in Pulaski, Kentucky, USA and died in 1874 in Russell County, Kentucky. Polly married Jacob M "Jake" Tarter 52. Smith W Cain, son of William Cain and Margaret ?Maiden? Cain, was born on 17 Aug 1822 in Pulaski, Kentucky, United States and died on 12 Oct 1892 in Pulaski, Kentucky, USA. Smith married Emily Nelson. 53. Emily Nelson was born on 12 May 1826 in Kentucky, USA and died on 5 Aug 1901 in Kentucky, USA. Emily married Smith W Cain. 54. Daniel Spencer Weddle, son of John Milton Weddle and Mary "Polly" McDaniel, was born on 14 Mar 1817 in Pulaski Co, , Kentucky, USA and died on 17 Sep 1885 in Pulaski Co, , Kentucky, USA. Daniel married Anne Rainwater 55. Anne Rainwater, daughter of Bartholomew Rainwater and Nancy Mclaughlin, was born on 15 Apr 1826 in Pulaski, Kentucky, USA and died in 1890 in Pulaski, Kentucky, USA. Anne married Daniel Spencer Weddle 56. Daniel Strunk, son of John Johann Strunk and Joann, was born in 1775 in Virginia, USA and died in Aug 1851 in Whitley, Kentucky, USA. Daniel married Honor Pennington 57. Honor Pennington, daughter of William Pennington and Abigail Susannah Pennington, was born in 1802 in Virginia, USA and died on 21 Mar 1837 in Marsh Creek, McCreary, Kentucky, United States. Honor married Daniel Strunk 58. Joseph R Ryan, son of William Ryan and Mary Chancellor, was born on 7 Sep 1787 in Scott, Virginia, USA and died on 6 Feb 1873 in Ketchen, Scott, Tennessee, USA. Joseph married Martha Holt 59. Martha Holt, daughter of Drury Holt and Elizabeth Rogers, was born in 1794 in Hawkins, Tennessee, USA and died in Aug 1852 in Scott, Tennessee, USA. Martha married Joseph R Ryan 60. James McDonald, son of Unknown McDonald, was born on 21 Aug 1758 in Cumberland, North Carolina, USA and died on 12 Jan 1848 in Scott, Tennessee, USA. James married Sarah Cox. 61. Sarah Cox was born on 2 Mar 1776 in Randolph, North Carolina, USA and died on 7 Jan 1873 in Huntsville, Scott, Tennessee, USA. Sarah married James McDonald. 62. Isaac Morris Reed, son of John Reed and Nancy Morris, was born on 31 Mar 1790 in Greenville, Greene, South Carolina, USA and died in 1854 in Scott, Tennessee, USA. Isaac married Phariba Hatfield 63. Phariba Hatfield, daughter of Joseph Hatfield and Rachel Smith, was born in 1791 in Russell, Virginia, USA and died after 1850 in Scott, Tennessee, USA. Phariba married Isaac Morris Reed

Remembering Simon F Flaugh

Remembering Simon F Flaugh

born 16 June 1852 in Saegertown, Crawford County, Pennsylvania

died 30 November, 1931 in Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, Colorado

Simon was born 171 years ago last June 16th.  His parents were Frederick and Caroline Elizabeth Easton Flaugh. He was the third of eight or nine children. 

There is a Samson Flaugh in some trees that might have been a twin brother who died, or maybe Simon later went by Samuel. Some people have trees with Simon's name as Samson or Samuel.  It is confusing.   

Simon married Ida Rust, 1859–1920

Marriage "8 Jul 1877 • Woodcock Twp, Crawford Co., Pennsylvania Flaugh - Rust - July 8 By Rev. William Grasale. Samuel F Flaught and Miss Ida A Ruth. Both of Woodstock, this County."

Simon and Ida had twelve children together, four of them died before adulthood. There is a record of them getting a divorce in 1918. I haven't found any record or family story of why they divorced. They are buried together.

He obviously died a decade plus before I was born, but my Mother-In-Law, Mary Flaugh Humes, grew up around him.  He lived with her family for a few months before the family sent him on to Grandpa Tom Flaugh's brother, James Flaugh. Mary always said he was mean to her and that was one reason Tom sent him on to his brother's home. Quite likely, he had dementia.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - 2025 Week 3: Nickname

 I'm in the process of catching up with my writing.   This weeks topic,is Nickname.  In my family most of the nick names were the standard shortened nicknames. My name, Geraldine, ìs Gerry.  my Dad, Melvin was Pat as were several Uncles and cousins whose last names were Patterson.   My husband Cecil was Cece as a young child and Cec as a young adult.   My Daughter-in-law’s family used lots of nicknames, most of which didn’t have much of or anything to do with their given names.

My paternal Great Grandfather had a somewhat unusual name Greenup and apparently was frequently known as Green. His second son was also Greenup Bird Patterson. His oldest grandson in his youngest son's family was named after them and was known by his initials, GB.

My Uncle, known as Kenneth to my Dad and me, was named John Kenneth Eugene Patterson. John was his Great Grandfather's and a maternal Grand-Uncle's name, but I don't know where Kenneth or Eugene came from. According to his obituary Uncle Kenneth was also known as Pete. Maybe there were too many Pat's around and it was kind of close otherwise I've no idea where it came from.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - 2025 Week 2: Favorite Photo

There are so many photos that mean a lot to me. Here is one (the only one I know of that had all of my family in one photo). I wore that sweater in my High School yearbook photo so I'm pretty sure we posed for that photo sometime between the fall of 1960 and 1962. It isn't the greatest photo, but it means a  tremendous amount to me.

Standing Geraldine Ruth Patterson, John Patterson, Seated; Ruth W. Patterson, and Melvin Patterson about 1961 or 62

           

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - 2025 Week 1: "In the beginning"

I have again decided to post as many of these themes as I can. Who knows what I will accomplish; 1, 3, 5, 11,22,33,or maybe 52. This is a program that I've started many times and usually only get 3 or 4 written and posted. As I have said in the past, I believe that however many stories I tell is better than none. If this idea intrigues you, check out Amy Johnson Crow's website at: 52 Ancestors www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks-new" target="_blank">"52 Ancestors

This week's topic is "In the beginning". The instructions for this challenge are "interpret the phrase however you want - you can't be wrong." My interpretation is the beginning of my interest in genealogy

At the age of 81, the specific beginning memories are a little blurry. I know My mother told me some stories of her childhood over the years, and then when I was attending Point Loma High School her mother came out to stay with us for a few weeks or months. I believe it was winter and she came because she needed to get away from the bad weather in Ohio. I know that she had injuries over the years from slipping and falling on icy steps. She may also have needed a break from her husband. I wasn't privy to that information, but I had an impression that he was rather difficult to live with. I remember from my first visit that his daughter's hair was half her height long because he wouldn't let her cut it.

I believe that during her visit, my grandmother told me family stories. She had two sisters living in the San Diego area and these Grand Aunts would pass on information to me. My Aunt Elsie had a collection of scrapbooks that had an enormous amount of information about family and friends from McCreary and Whitley Counties in Kentucky and probably Scott County in Tennessee. My Aunt Vee (Vera) had her parents Family Bible with names and dates.

One of the first things I remember learning were the names of three of my Great Grandfathers names: George Washington Strunk, Abraham Lincoln Weddle, and Thomas Jefferson Jeffers. I was fascinated that all three were named after famous Presidents. I have a vague recollection of doing a family tree for a class, but it might not be accurate.

After we were married in June, 1964, we took a trip of a 3 day honeymoon in Big Bear, then on to Santa Rosa for Cecil to meet his boss in person Mr. Mitchell of Roy F Mitchell and Associates, Public Accountants, along with the other partners and staff, and find a place to live. On the drive home our 52 Chevy had problems. Luckily we were near Glendale where my paternal Uncle Carter and Aunt Mary lived. They took us to dinner, found a motel for us, and we got the car fixed. The rest of that story is for another time.

A year or so later we stopped by my paternal Uncle GB's home near the LA airport. He had his parents Family Bible. I know I copied all the information listed in the Bible. Later I typed it all up, and now I can't find that handwritten list. I believe all my information is correct, per the Bible, but I wish I could verify it with that list. His wife at that time died, and he remarried and as far as I know his third wife probably threw the Bible away.

Well, time to wrap this

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun

I just read Randy Seaver's blog for last Saturday's .

"Tonight's challenge: 1) Use the FREE FamilySearch Full-Text Search (https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text) to find a record for one of your ancestors that is new to you. +6 2) Share your results on your own blog or in a Facebook post."

His example of land grants, inspired me to search for my Grandfather, Jasper Patterson's records.

Here is the first item I found: "Caldwell, Texas, United States Deed 1895 …to me ┃ in hand paid by the promissory note of ┃ Jasper Patterson for said sum of Twenty ┃ two Hundred and … …annum from date and ┃ said note is signed by said Jasper Patterson, and the vendor's lien is hereby … …presents do grant sell and convey unto the said Jasper Patterson of the County of Hays ┃ and State of Texas… …thereto in anywise belonging with the said ┃ Jasper Patterson his heirs and assigns forever and ┃ I hereby …"

I knew he lived in Hays County Texas, but didn't know he owned land in Caldwell County. Actually, when reading the complete document, I see his father, G. B. Patterson, is the seller and Jasper had to pay $2250 + 8% interest for the land. He married my grandmother, Katie Tadlock, in Hays County, Texas on 14 Nov 1894 so they were a young family. Per his obituary they moved to Granite, Greer County, Oklahoma Territory in 1901.

website for this document: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3SF-B6BZ? view=fullText&keywords=Jasper%20Patterson&groupId=M9MZ-B3N

Jasper is also mentioned as posting a bond to be a suretie on another person's will in 1910.

Here is the transcription: "Jasper Patterson , being first duly sworn on oath say : That I am one of the sureties whose name is subscribed of the above bond , that I am a resident and householder , and freeholder , within the State of Oklahoma, and am worth the sum of Four Thousand Dollars, over and above all my just debts and liabilities, exclusive of property exempt from execution."

This one is found at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97G-SYLW?view=fullText&keywords=Jasper%20Patterson&groupId=M99J-C33 December 17, 2024 update: I must have been interrupted and didn't publish this near the time I wrote this. The information is good so am publishing it now.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge Week 2

Well, here I am again starting to participate in this challenge (52-ancestors-in-52-weeks-themes-for-2024/). I didn't get week one done so am skipping it for now. I may get back to it. My record with any of these challenges isn't very good, but I keep starting because I believe some is better than nothing. Theme for Week two is "Origins." There is no right or wrong way to interpret each week's theme. So, my approach is "My Origins." I have names and quite a lot of information on all my ancestors going back to all my 16 Great, Great Grandparents. I believe I have proof of the information I have for these ancestors. I have no Native American DNA, so I know my ancestors were immigrants. Those 16 ancestors and all their descendants were born in the USA. Several of the Greats x2 (my abbreviation) were born prior to 1800, the rest were born before 1825. If other people's trees are accurate, some of the ancestors going back to Great x5th generation were born in the Colonies during the 1700s and a few in the 1600s. I'm fairly sure my Mother's Weddle line goes back George A Weddell.

That is only one of my 5th Great Grandparents. There seems to be adequate proof he is in my line. As all genealogists know, it takes a lot of work to prove things before 1800. I believe I've run out of time to write this. I may edit in the future, who knows.

Some Perspective

 Saw this today on my Facebook feed.  A Sonoma County friend copied it from one of her friends, and I shared it back in 2020.  It is very appropriate still.  I was born during WW II, my mother just before WWI, and her mother in 1894. So very much has changed, and so many have died.

I'm not the originator of this. But I'm passing it along because I think it's important.

For a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900. When you are 14, World War I starts and ends on your 18th birthday, with 22 million people killed. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until you are 20. Fifty million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million. When you're 29, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, global GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy. When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet. When you're 41, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war, and the Holocaust kills six million. At 50, the Korean War starts, and five million perish. At 55, the Vietnam War begins and doesn’t end for 20 years. Four million people die in that conflict. Approaching your 62nd birthday, you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, could well have ended. Great leaders prevented that from happening. As you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends. Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How do you survive all of that? A kid in 1985 didn’t think their 85-year-old grandparent understood how hard school was. Yet those grandparents (and now great-grandparents) survived through everything listed above. Perspective is an amazing art. Let’s try and keep things in perspective. Let’s be smart, help each other out, and we will get through all of this.

Thanks to my friend Vespa and her friend Randy for passing this along.

7/16/2024 update. There have been almost 40 years of wars, pandemics, etc. since 1985. Someone could update this if they had the time.

Gerry's Genealogy hiatus is over, I hope.

 I was quite involved with my Soroptimist club the last three  years, and of course, we were faced with the Covid-19 Pandemic, so I didn't do much writing.  I'm still working with Soroptimist, but I don't have quite the pressure that I did as Treasurer.

Covid-19 is still around and keeps mutating with some variants being quite dangerous, especially for immunocompromised individuals.  The Vaccines and Boosters are doing a good job for those that have gotten them (that's us).  

Covid took my cousin Betty Ann Davis Heston in November of 2021. 

We will see if I keep writing posts about the family.

Remembering My Grandfather, Jasper Patterson

Updated this post on May 7, 2023.     I actually rewrote and added quite a lot.

My Grandfather, Jasper Patterson, was born on this day (12 March) in 1872, 152 years ago. He was born in San Marcos, Hays County, Texas, USA.  

His parents lived in Missouri for the 1870 Federal Census.  Although not Slave owners, they were apparently Southern sympathizers and moved to Texas for less hassle.  My Dad told me something about the family hiding out in the hills during the Civil War. He wasn't too specific or sure of the details.  Jasper's Dad, Greenup Bird Patterson, could read and write and was a well-to-do farmer based on the value listed in the 1860 & 1870 censuses. Real Property, $3,000, and Personal Property, $1,000, were listed in the latter. 

In 1894 Katie Tadlock marries Jasper.

Jasper and Katie Tadlock Patterson, probably taken in 1894 for their wedding photo.

In the 1900 census, Jasper is a Farmer living next door to his parents and probably working their farm. He and Katie have two children, Greenup Bird II (named after his grandfather) b 1895 and Maggie, b 1897.  According to his obituary, the family moved to Greer County, Oklahoma Territory, in 1901.  "Shortly after that, he had a blacksmith shop in Granite."    

In the 1910 census, he is listed as a Blacksmith with his own business.  They now have five children, Green, Maggie, Florence, b 1900; Melvin, b 1904; and William C, known to me as Uncle Carter, b 1905.   Uncle Kenneth was born in December 1910, the first of the Patterson children to be born in the new State of Oklahoma.

Katie gave birth to Jasper Junior in early March 1913. Eight days later, Katie Dies.  According to a transcription of her Death Certificate, she died of Cancer.  However, my dad said Jasper hated the Doctor because he wasn't careful enough, and she died of Childbed fever.  Sad to say, Junior died on March 29, 1913.

Jasper apparently married Frances (unknown maiden name) Patterson shortly after Katie died. Jasper needed a wife to care for his five children. I haven't found any record of the marriage, though. However, she died in November 1914, and he never married again. 

In the 1920 Census, Jasper is apparently sharing a home with his son Greenup and his wife, their son (I list him as Greenup III since Jasper's Dad was Greenup), as well as Jasper's three youngest sons, ages 15, 14, and 9 Yrs.  

Jasper was living with his sister, Maggie, and her family in the 1930 census. He is still a blacksmith, working in an Iron Foundry.  In 1932, Melvin wrote a letter to Uncle G.B.'s family and gave them this information about his dad.  "Papa is at Uncle Jeff's in Texas. Uncle Jeff died a few days after he got there. He is going to spend the winter there as Uncle Jeff's wife asked him to."  He is still there in the 1940 census with no occupation listed but is probably helping out on the ranch.

His son, John Kenneth Patterson, took care of him somewhat in his old age.  By the time I got to meet him in 1949, he was in a care home in Altus, OK.  Fairly close to where Uncle Kenneth and his family were living in the Granite area.  He apparently had some type of dementia because he didn't remember my dad.  Here are some snapshots from our meeting.  Well, the blogger system doesn't like my photos for insertion.  I'll have to add them to a Facebook post.  Finally got them added in May 2023.

Back Row: Ora Mae Taylor, Jo Ann, Kenneth, Jasper, Melvin Patterson; and Florence Patterson Pendergraft.  Front Row: cousins Carol and Geraldine (Gerry) Patterson

Melvin, Jasper, and Kenneth, aka Pete, Patterson

Jasper died on 29 August 1953.  I remember my dad getting the phone call.  It was the first time I ever saw him cry.

This took me a lot longer to create than I thought.  So, I'm now a day late in posting this.

2020 challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 2

I’ve decided to join Amy Johnson Crow’s 2020 challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. 

I’m guessing that this week’s challenge is difficult for many of us because we have several photos that mean a lot to us. Therefore, I am selecting several to tell you a little about them and how I came to have them.

Photo #1 is a photo of my Mother, Ruth Weddle Patterson (1912 -1965), probably taken around in the early 1920s (she was born in 1912).  It was sent to me electronically by my cousin in Texas a year or so ago.  This was probably taken in Bell County, Kentucky.  Her father was a Doctor for various Coal Mines over the years.  They were in Bell County in 1920 (census) and he died in Bell County in 1926.

Ruth Weddle Patterson (1912 -1965)

Photo #2 is a photo of Ruth's Maternal Grandmother, Dillie McDonald Strunk (1858 - 1901).   This picture (hard copy) was sent to me by another Strunk-Weddle descendant cousin. She died fairly young, probably having 13 children had something to do with it.  I had her husband's photo but had never seen hers before.  I was so thrilled to receive it.

Dillie McDonald Strunk (1858 - 1901)

Photos # 3 and #4 are both of my Brother, John Franklin (Nee Freeman) Patterson.  We had different Fathers and were 13 years apart in age, but I grew up with him so we were close and I miss him. I found the Proof photo in my Mother's belongings.  The other photo was taken at my Wedding.

Well, there are many other photos that mean a lot to me, but I'm still behind in this challenge and life is interfering (time to get ready to see my trainer - have to stay healthy) so I will end this here.

Amy Johnson Crow’s 2020 challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Week

I’ve decided to join Amy Johnson Crow’s 2020 challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. 

 I need a Fresh Start.  I haven’t been successful in following through in the past, but some stories are better than none!  I hope you find these interesting, and if you think we might be related let me know.  If you believe we are related and/or have more information for me, I would certainly appreciate it.

 I'm already late, as we are actually in 2020's third week.  Therefore, I'm going to make this short and sweet.  I'm hoping to meet the challenge and write most weeks with a goal of at least one post per month.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 4 - I'd Like to Meet

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week  4 –  I'd like to meet

I’ve decided to join Amy Johnson Crow’s 2019 challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  I haven’t been successful in following through in the past, but some stories are better than none!  I hope you find these interesting, and if you think we might be related let me know, and if you are related and/or have more information for me, I would certainly appreciate it.

I'd like to meet my Father's Maternal Grandmother, Amanda Newton Tadlock Haggard.  She undoubtedly had a difficult life and I'd love to know more about her and her families.

Some families on Ancestry add the middle name Catherine, but I don't think I have seen a record with that name on it. Amanda was born in 1844 in Indiana which raises my first set of questions - What was the family or at least her mother, doing in Indiana.  In the 1850 Census, Amanda is the third child of four with the first two and the youngest all born in Kentucky. What was your family life like?  Was your family Confederate sympathizers?  Did you know Carter Tadlock before the War?

The second set of questions are: "What was the Civil War like for you?  How did you meet your Husband? Why did you decide to move to Texas after the War?  Was it difficult for Grandpa as a Confederate soldier to live in Kentucky?  I understand you lost two daughters to Yellow Fever on the way to Texas.  Were their names Jennetta and Angeline?    Family Stories say that Grandpa Carter didn't fully recover from his war injuries and suffered horrible headaches.  Was he able to work and support the family fairly well?  Did he have what we call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Nightmares, Panic attacks, reliving battles while awake?    Is he buried in the Kyle Cemetery, Texas? Did he have a headstone?

How did you survive as a Widow with 6 children ages 1 to 16 after Carter died at age 48?  The boys were only 11 and 6 when he died, probably not old enough to take over the farm. When and Where did you marry Troy Haggard?  Did you Divorce or just go your separate ways? 

So many questions and so little chance of finding the answers.  Amanda must have been a strong woman who survived because she had to.  The Civil War, a damaged husband, Birthing 8 children and losing two as toddlers, the death of her husband after 18 years leaving her with 6 children, the death of her oldest daughter as a twenty-nine-year-old young Mother, and the death of another daughter at age 36 who was a mother of six children.  Another Marriage and then separation (divorce?)  I would love to be able to sit down and interview her - get to know her.

#52Ancestors

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 3: Unusual Name

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 3 - Unusual Name

Phariba - Pharaba - Fariba

I’ve decided to join Amy Johnson Crow’s 2019 challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  I haven’t been successful in following through in the past, but some stories are better than none!  I hope you find these interesting, and if you think we might be related let me know, and if you are related and/or have more information for me, I would certainly appreciate it.

This weeks prompt is "Unusual Name."  I have a few in my tree, but my Great x3 (Genealogy shorthand for Great, Great, Great) maternal Grandmother's name is the one that has intrigued me over the years.  Partly because her surname makes me wonder if I'm related to the feuding Hatfields, but it's mostly because Phariba is so unusual - at least to me.  

I discovered that there were actually 1.75 million entries that come up if you search for Phariba on Ancestry.com.   There are three women on facebook with that name plus two more whose names are in a different language alphabet.  One site I looked at said there are less than 2,700 people living today with this name which can also be spelled Fariba.   It apparently is of ancient Persian origin and means lovely, charming, and enticing.

My Phariba was born in 1791 in Russell County, Virginia to Joseph Hatfield and Rachel Smith.  Some people list her name as "Phariba (Phoebe) Hatfield" which may be because of the unusual name and in the 1850 census Ancestry indexed it as "Phoriba" although I think it is a sloppy "a" instead of an "o."  I'm not sure where they got the name Phoebe* - maybe just trying to make it fit in today's world. 

One of Phariba's daughters was Rachel Reed who married Samuel McDonald who were the parents of Dillie McDonald the Great Grandmother I wrote about last week.  Her oldest daughter also had the name Phariba, and I had forgotten but I also have an inlaw of a second cousin who died as 10-year-old in 1904.  Although these families lived in the same general area of Kentucky and Scott County Tennessee, One set is my Mother's maternal line and the other is in my Mother's paternal line. They are the only ones in my tree at this time.  I haven't been able to track her after 1860.  

I haven't done a lot of research on her since I live so far away and I rely on others research.  My son and I are in her DNA Circle along with 202 other probable descendants.

*Some people have her listed as Phoebe Reed in the 1870 Census in Georgia, Blind and living with an apparent son James.  I don't think that is her.  Findagrave has Phariba dying in 1840, but I don't believe that is correct either.  I've messaged the Hatfield descendant that created the memorial so will have to wait for her to respond to find out her source - I could be wrong.  

Interesting how writing what you know, tends to raise more questions.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 2 - Challenge

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 2 – Challenge Favorite Photo

I’ve decided to join Amy Johnson Crow’s 2019 challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  I haven’t been successful in following through in the past, but some stories are better than none!  I hope you find these interesting, if you think we might be related let me know, and if you are related and/or have more information for me I would certainly appreciate it.

Well, the topic Challenge was too big a challenge for me and I decided to write on one of the topics from last year that I didn't complete. "Favorite Photo" was the one I chose.  

The challenge rules are extremely flexible with the goal of getting us to write family stories.  Amy wrote this in this week's email: "If you haven't done the 52 Ancestors challenge before, you might be a bit surprised at the prompts. Yes, they are vague. That's by design. There is no right or wrong way to interpret the prompts. The goal is to spark ideas for your writing. Each week, I'll give some suggestions, but they are just that — suggestions. 

You do not need to blog to do this challenge. Some people keep a journal or make scrapbook pages. Some people post a photo on Instagram. Others send an email to family members. The goal is to write something and get those discoveries out of your genealogy software and into a format that others can see and enjoy." 

MY FAVORITE PHOTO

This is my favorite photo because I wondered for years if anyone in the family had a photo of her.   Her daughter, Verda had a picture of her husband but as far as I knew she didn't have a photo of her Mother.

She is my Great Grandmother, Dillie McDonald Strunk. Dillie was a twin - her sister was Millie.  She was born in Scott County Tennessee to Samuel and Rebecca Reed McDonald in November of 1858.  



She married George Washington Strunk in 1875 about a week before her 17th Birthday.  George was 25 years old.  In 1870, George was living with his parents and was a "clerk in store."  By 1880,  living in Huntsville, Scott County Tennessee, George was a "Register of Deeds" and they were the parents of three, 2 sons and a daughter.

In the 1900 Census, they have moved across the state line into McCreary County Kentucky.   George is working as a "Coal Weighmaster" and they have 11 living children.  The census record states she is the mother of 11 with 10 living.  

However, there are 11 children listed and I know (99% sure I copied his name and dates from the family Bible back in the 1960's and have since misplaced those hand written notes) that Leslie Lane Strunk was born in 1888 and died in 1889.  There was also an Elma Strunk, twin to Velma,  b April 1897 and died 30 Nov 1897 - information also from the Family Bible.

Dillie died on 17 Jan 1901 at the age of 43.  I've never heard of her dying in Childbirth, but it is a possibility even if she was 43 years old.  But after 12 pregnancies in 25 years and losing two children, I'm sure she was worn out and susceptible to many diseases.

The photo of Dillie was received from my first cousin, Dillie Weddle Sanders daughter in 2016. It was a tremendous surprise.







Sources:
 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46311616
George Washington Strunk Family Bible - Last known in possession of Vera Strunk Green Coleman's Granddaughter.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54418771/deliah-strunk   (In 1870 Census she is listed as Delilah but so far that is the only source of the name)
Clips from the 1870 and 1900 Censuses

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 1 - First

I've decided to join Amy Johnson Crow's 2019 challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  I haven't been successful in following through in the past, but some stories are better than none!  I hope you find these interesting, and if you think we might be related, let me know.

Week 1:  First

The first ancestor I met was my Grandma Verda.  She was my maternal Grandmother who lived in Dayton, Ohio when I met her at six years of age. We lived in San Diego County in a rural area with a mailing address of El Cajon.  I probably should say California, but most of you know that is where San Diego is located.  Mother (and I as a teenager and adult) exchanged letters and occasional phone calls with Grandma, but due to the distance, we didn't visit.  During the War years Grandma and my Aunt Dillie, Aunt Eleanor, and Uncle Ray came out to visit.  I have a photo of all of us on the beach, and I look like I'm about 1 year old so that would be 1944. As you might guess, I don't remember that meeting.

Dillie Weddle, Verda Strunk Weddle Jeffers, Eleanor Jeffers, Ray Jeffers standing, Gerry (me) and Ruth Patterson

The majority of people today are too young to remember when phone calls were expensive.  When families earned $200 - $300 per month, a $2 or $3 phone call was considered for special occasions or emergencies. In case anyone is interested, in the late 60's I worked for several months in the personnel office of our local Sears store.   I'll never forget seeing the wage history of one woman who had started working in 1948 and her starting pay was $.50 per hour.  Another First,   for me recognizing the changes over the years.

In 1948, Mother and I traveled to Dayton with some Sailors who were driving back east.  Ride Sharing was pretty common back then as well as picking up hitchhikers - especially Sailors in San Diego.  That was my first long Road Trip.  It was also the first time I visited my Grandmother and met my Step-Grandfather and my Mother's half brother and sister.

My Aunt was a petite little girl who was 11 years to my 5, and I was probably almost as tall as she was.  I definitely was the following summer when my family drove back to see them again.  My Uncle was a typical 13-year-old boy who didn't want to have much to do with his little niece.  I also probably embarrassed him by asking him to read to me.  That was my First experience with someone with learning difficulties.  Dyslexia wasn't a known condition at that time, and I'm sure it caused him a lot of problems.  I've never talked to him about it, but I've always believed that was his problem once I learned about dyslexia.

#52Ancestors

H IS FOR HATFIELD

April 2018

I decided to continue using the 2016 A to Z logos since I had created the pages but not the posts.  I have over 20,000 people in my family tree so have lots of possibilities for posts.

H IS FOR HATFIELD,

My Maternal Great (x3) Grandmother is Phariba Hatfield.  Don't you just love that first name!  So far, I haven't found any other family members with that name other than her oldest daughter.  Of course, Phariba was born in 1795 so that makes records pretty scarce, especially when you are unable to travel to the family locales.  

I've tried to see if there was a family connection to the infamous Hatfield's of the Hatfields and McCoys, but other than that Phariba was born in Virginia, I can't make the connection.  Just discovered another tree that has her birthdate as 1791 which makes more sense.  Her first child was born in 1808. Looks like she had 18 children including three sets of twins.  No wonder there are 139 members in her DNA Circle on Ancestry.com.

Some confusion as to her date of death.  Some people have it at 1840, but I found her in the 1850 census so I believe she died sometime in the 1850's since I couldn't find her in the 1860 census.

G is for George

Well, I wrote this a couple of years ago and never published it.  So decided to go ahead and publish it now.

I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (April 2016), where we write 26 blog posts featuring each letter of the alphabet.  Each blogger can choose whatever subject matter they want.

Obviously, my interest is in Genealogy (categorized as History/Mythology for the Challenge), so I'll be posting short bios of my or my husband's ancestors.  Hopefully, this will give me the incentive to keep it up, at least for a month. Who knows, it might create a good habit.  

GEORGE WASHINGTON STRUNK

(b 30 April 1850 - d 27 Jan 1933)

One of the first things I remember learning about my Great Grandfather was the fact that he was named George Washington.  This was kind of funny because my Mother's 3 Grandfathers were all named for Presidents.  George Washington Strunk, Abraham Lincoln Weddle, and her Step-Grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Jeffers.  

George W  Strunk and Dillie McDonald marriage record.

George married Dillie McDonald on 18 Nov. 1875.   They had 13 children.

His family in the 1900 Census

.

Dillie died in 1901.  In 1902, George married Lizzie Lancaster Toomey and added three step-daughters to the family.  The oldest Step-daughter, Mabel Toomey married his son, Edward Luther Strunk.

Snapshot of George on Marsh Creek probably taken in the years shortly before he died in 1933.

F is for Mary Estella Flaugh

I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (April 2016), where we write 26 blog posts featuring each letter of the alphabet.  Each blogger can choose whatever subject matter they want.

Obviously, my interest is in Genealogy (categorized as History/Mythology for the Challenge), so I'll be posting short bios of my or my husband's ancestors.  Hopefully, this will give me the incentive to keep it up, at least for a month.  Who knows, it might create a good habit. 

MARY ESTELLA FLAUGH

(b 1 Jan 1921 - d 16 Jun 2009)

Mary's High School Graduation photo 1939-1940

The following is a transcription of the Memorial Handout written by her daughter Carolyn.

"Mary Estella Humes was born Jan 1, 1921, in Pagosa Springs, Colorado to Tom and Mabel Carman Flaugh. Raised on a cattle ranch in an area at the foot of the Rockies, surrounded by trees, lakes, and rivers. Milking cows, gathering eggs, raking hay, riding horses and fishing for trout were part of her everyday life. She always loved the aspens in the fall with the rich colors of autumn. She got frostbitten, stabbed with a pitchfork, teased by her brothers and by her dad, who she always called "Tom" instead of Dad. She took care of her Mom, who was often ill. She played basketball, was in the Drama Club, and always wished she could sing.

Married December 31, 1940, in Yuma, Arizona to James Hallie Humes (also from Pagosa Springs), and immediately moved to San Diego. She was a wonderful daughter and sister, and a great mother to her two children, Cecil, and Carolyn. Mary was a fun, loving and affectionate grandmother and great grandmother! Mom loved the Padres and the Chargers, and would follow their games enthusiastically. She was a talented and impeccable seamstress, floral designer and homemaker. Her friends adored her, as did her nieces and nephews, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren! She will be dearly missed by all of us."

James Hallie and Mary Flaugh Humes, their wedding photo

Mary at her son's wedding 1964

Mary's daughter Carolyn, Grandson Cole, and Mary at Cole's Wedding 

E IS FOR EMILY ELIZABETH CAIN

I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (April 2016), where we write 26 blog posts featuring each letter of the alphabet.  Each blogger can choose whatever subject matter they want.

Obviously, my interest is in Genealogy (categorized as History/Mythology for the Challenge), so I'll be posting short bios of my or my husband's ancestors.  Hopefully, this will give me the incentive to keep it up, at least for a month. Who knows, it might create a good habit.  

  

Emily Elizabeth Cain

b 7 Jan 1869 - d 24 Jul 1933 

 

Emily Elizabeth Cain, daughter of Milford J and Nancy Jane Weddle Cain, was born 7 Jan 1869 in Caintown, Pulaski County, Kentucky.  Emily was the oldest daughter and the second born of the family's six children.  Milford was a farmer.

"Lizzie" married Abe Weddle on 15 Feb 1885 at her parent's home by J. J. Cooper. (http://www.therainwatercollection.com/allied-bible.shtml#a)  Elizabeth's Great Grandfather was her husband's Grandfather, John Milton Weddle (b 1776 - d 1842.) Elizabeth's Maternal Grandfather, Daniel Spencer Weddle (b 1817 - d 1885) was the older brother of Lincoln's Father, Solomon Weddle (b1822 - d 1890.)

I love how all my ancestors used different versions of their names throughout the years.  Emily Elizabeth was Emily, Elizabeth, and Lizzie on different records.  Abraham Lincoln was Abraham, Abe, Lincoln, A L, and Abe on different records.

 Elizabeth was the mother of Herbert Cain Weddle (b 1887 - d 1926), Lida Ella (b 1890-d 1959), Nannie Helen (b 1898 - d 1970), Minnie Pauline (b 1901 - d 1990), and Martha Elizabeth Weddle (b 1907 - d 1983).

Weddle Family about 1903: Abraham Lincoln, Nancy Helen, Herbert Cain, Lida Ellen, Minnie Pauline, and Emily Elizabeth Cain.  Date of photo estimated from Pauline's birth year of 1901

 Below is a family photo taken about 12 years later.  Herbert is married and away from home.  This includes daughter born after previous photo.

Note from my Aunt Libby identifying family members. Picture was probably taken about 1916 since youngest daughter was born 1907 and family moved to Mississippi in 1917.

 Their middle child, Helen, married a young man she met at Berea College.  He became a Realtor in Mississippi, and sold her parents some land in Mississippi in 1917 and they established a farm.

Their son Herbert, died in 1926.  Due to health problems his wife couldn't care for their children so Abe and Emily took the two youngest children home to Mississippi.  Later, the youngest girl returned to her mother, but the middle daughter didn't want to return to her mother.  After Abe's death, the two Elizabeth's moved to Sangamon, Illinois. I found them there in the 1930 census, living near the Weddle daughter, Ella Sievers. 

Elizabeth Cain Weddle died 24 July, 1933.  She is buried next to her husband and near her son, parents, and quite a few siblings in the Somerset City Cemetery in Somerset Kentucky.