GRIP - Two Weeks to Prepare

In two weeks I'll be in Pittsburgh, at LaRoche College for GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh).  Since I'm a list-maker, my lists are started. 

Don't forget: 
THE BOOK!!...Mastering Genealogical Proof by Dr. Thomas W Jones
ethernet cable - for the room
hair dryer - this isn't a hotel
body wash and hand soap - again this isn't a hotel
drinking glass
umbrella and/or rain jacket - the Pittsburgh weather is a little different from Phoenix weather
dressing in layers - who knows whether the classrooms will be hot or cold
business cards
computer power cord and extension cord

So, what am I forgetting?
Oh, yes.  A list of books I already have so I can shop at Maia's books
the normal clothes, toiletries, etc.
cell phone charger

Now I need to get back to reading the two articles in THE BOOK

I'm looking forward to the week: from the classroom, to the cafeteria, to the evening programs and especially to the people I'll meet, or meet again. 

Sympathy Saturday - Write Your Own Obituary

Why should you write your own obituary?  Well, what do you want to remembered for?  What have you done in your life that you are especially pleased about?  And, and, and....

I just wrote an obituary for my father-in-law.  No, it isn't a sad occasion.  He had a great life; was 96 years old; and died peacefully in his sleep AT HOME.  But....the most difficult part of the arrangements was writing the obituary; not an emotional problem, but one of figuring out what to include. 

Now, being a researcher, I've read lots of obituaries.  But it's different when you start to write one.  I had others "proof read" my drafts, but I still forgot things.

First, I forgot to list the spouses of the children.  Then, I forgot to list surviving siblings.  AND, I forgot to list siblings that predeceased him.  I forgot to include his two wives to predeceased him.  I forgot to list to mortuary (but they helped with that.)

My husband added two great pieces of informatio about Dad's working career.  Dad's caregivers reminded me that he considered himself the original "Cookie Monster," a comment that has made many laugh who read the obituary and remember Dad.  I also needed help with his current and past activities (which I got from his caregivers) since we live almost 400 miles from him and weren't a part of his daily life. 

So, please consider what you would like to have written about you.  If you don't want to actually write one, at least starting a list of things you would like to have mentioned.  Or make a template and add topics as you think of them.  All of these ideas would definitely help anyone who is trying to write a complete obituary and celebrate your life.

Surname Saturday - Olga Engdahl (1894 Sweden - 1954 CA)

Olga Engdahl, possibly with a middle name of Wilhelmina, was my grandmother, who I never met.  She immigrated in 1907 with her sister Hilma.  I believe they were intending to visit an aunt in Montana.  I never found Olga in the 1910 census or her aunt's family in Montana. 

She married Thurman Allen Poe (or Allen Thurman Poe) about 1919 in Sparks, Nevada, and lived there for many eyars.  I found Olga in the 1920, 1930 and 1940 census records in Sparks.  I also found an obituary in 1954 when she died.

If you have information about Olga, her family, or the Poe family, I would be interested in communicating with you.  I am particularly interested in copies of any documents or photos that you may have, since I don't believe I ever met her.

Therefore if you are interested in collaborating with me on this family, please contact me.

Thank you.

Happy Anniversary To Me!!

I am celebrating my blogging anniversary.  Well, it's the 20th or 21st;  the Summer Solistice.  I figured I needed the longest day of the year to get started.

While I don't have a huge number of readers, I appreciate each of you.  I also want to thank Amy and Thomas, especially, for their encouragement in the first few days/months. 

Just for your info, family stuff has been interfering with genealogy.  I'm sure you can all identify with that.  So, for the past month I've been planning on how, starting today, genealogy writing (especially blog writing) would move up in my to-do list..  Unfortunately, I just found out that MORE family stuff is going to take extra time and effort, including being away from home, for some time.  (No, it's not my health or my any of my family member's health, so that's not the problem.)  I don't know how long yet.  I'm grateful that I was able to attend both NGS and Jamboree this year.  I'm still hoping to make GRIP.  We'll see.

Wedding Wednesday - Clifford and Bertha Bryan Blackmore c 1914

Clifford Franklin Blackmore and Bertha Jane Bryan married in November 1914 in Winchester, California. 

 

 

If you know this couple and would like to collaborate, please contact me.  I may have more photos of this family.

Surname Saturday - Allen Thurman Poe (1888 TX-1979 NV)

Allen Thurman Poe or Thurman Allen Poe is a grandfather I don't believe I ever met.  I am looking for information about him, and of course, his ancestors.  I am also interested in his wife Olga Engdahl.

I have followed Poe from through the census records from 1910 (in Oklahoma) through 1940 in Nevada.  He had a variety of occupations.  I believe he married in Sparks, Nevada in 1919. 

I would really appreciate any information you could provide.  Of course, I'd really like photos or any other documentation.  I am willing to share what little I do have.

If you are interested in collaborating on this family research, please contact me.

Thomas G Blackmore c 1897 Colorado

While visiting my father-in-law's brother, he showed me this photo of Thomas Greenslade Blackmore, in his store in Colorado, about 1897.  I took this photo because I didn't have a scanner available.  I believe this is in Rifle, Colorado.

 

 

In the future, perhaps some months in the future, I may receive the original as well as others.  Therefore, if you are researching the Blackmore family in Colorado and would like to collaborate, please contact me.