Mystery Monday - Paralee Steen(e)/Steele TRICE

This mystery woman married my great grandfather Charles Yancy Trice.  On her headstone in Belle Vista Cemetery, El Dorado, Kansas, it states “Paralee, Wife of C Y Trice” and the dates 1847-1893. 

In the History of Boone County Missouri, “He was married November 19th, 1878, to a daughter of Alfred R Steele.”  Unfortunately the book doesn’t say anything more about her.  I have not found her or her father in 1850, 1860 or 1870 census records.  The 1880 census records show that she was born about 1857, not 1847, as the headstone.  But we know that a wife may not want to indicate that she is older than her husband. 

On the death certificate of Odon Charles Trice it states that his mother was Paralee Steen, born in Joplin, Missouri.  On the death certificate of his sister Harriet Trice Sheley it says her mother was Perilee Steene, born near Joplin, Missouri.

An obituary for Charles Yancy Trice stated that “By his first marriage to Miss Paralee M Steen…” 

So the family has her maiden name as Steen.  The history book has her father’s surname as Steele.  I have been unable to find her, or her father, with either spelling.

So, who is she?  Who were her parents?  Are there any birth or marriage records for her?   Do any of you have any knowledge of her?  Do you have access to a death record for her that may give more information? 

FGS 2011 - Part 4 - Friday

This afternoon I attended my first session that wasn't actually scheduled.  What?  Yes, this is a new idea.  In the one room set aside for these informal sessions, Amy scheduled the topic on Blogging.  I believe 13 or 14 attended and the discussion was on different aspects of blogging.  It was really interesting.  Thank you, Amy, for setting up the session.  Thank you, Bloggers, for the providing so much information that no one person would probably ever know. 

For dinner I walked to Gianfranco.  It's on Adams, just past the bookstore.  I had a great dinner.  And they are open until 8 I believe.  While Gianfranco's is an informal place, the service was prompt and the food came out hot.  And it was really good.  I saw a few other FGS attendees there.  I hope they enjoyed their dinners as much as I enjoyed mine.

Reading the WeTree blog I found out about HistoryGeo.com.  If you have looked at the map books in the Arphax booth, and wish you had $2000 to buy all of the books for your counties, this NEW web site is much less expensive.  You can sign up and look at some basic maps FREE.  And then there are two subscription levels.  If you are still here at the FGS conference, you may want to get "hands on" instruction at the booth on Saturday.  If not, check out the web site or call them.

Tomorrow, Saturday, is the last day of FGS 2011.  Some attendees will be leaving tomorrow and some of us will be staying until Sunday.  I have had a great 3 days and I know the last one will be just as informative and fun as the past 3.  Thank you Paula and Josh and all of the great volunteers.  And a huge thank you to the city of Springfield and the little cafes near the hotels who were sometimes inundated with all of us who were wearing lanyards with ribbons hanging down from our name badges.

FGS 2011 - Part 3 - Friday

Oh have the days run into each other.  Sessions at FGS began at 8 am this morning.  Since many of the cafes don't open until 7 there wasn't much time.  It was also raining, but I went out anyway to get a light breakfast (at the Trout Lily, again).  Almost no one was on the street.  Guess people may think they shrink?  I don't know. 

Sessions yesterday with the door prize drawings not starting until 6:30 made for a long day.  I won't write about the details.  At the moment I don't remember all of them although I do have complete notes. 

Something great is that about half (I'm guessing) of the talks are being audio recorded.  With this noted in the program I sometimes have attended a talk that isn't recorded because I'll order a CD for one that is recorded.  I wish there were some video recordings also being made (SCGS's Jamboree had some).  These are really great.  But I guess we need to be concerned and consider if anyone would go to a conference or even a session.  I would, but would everyone? 

Time to leave for another session.  Also, I need to check out one of the vendors.  I just heard about a new subscription site on maps.  Need to check it out.  More later.

FGS 2011 - Part 2 - Wednesday

Oh, so much is happening.  And there are three more days to go.  I will survive!!

Last night I attended a reception for bloggers that was hosted by FamilySearch.  All bloggers who were attending the FGS conference were invited.  It was great to actually meet some of the bloggers I had never met and to be reintroduced to some of those I did know.  Fun. 

FamilySearch representatives provided so much information about new projects and improved services on familysearch.org.  There was lots of information regarding RootsTech 2012.  Many of us are going to want to help indexing the 1940 census starting next April.  Progress is being made on putting Civil War records online. 

One of the most impressive statements to me is that records are being added online within 4 weeks after being digitalized and the goal is to have them available in 2 weeks.  Amazing.  Indexing will come later but the images are going to be available for browsing.  Well, we used to just wind microfilm; now we click on images.  Which is easier on the shoulder? 

Wednesday was society day.  We had sessions on so many different topics from making sure our society is thinking about the future in meeting the changing needs of our members, both our current ones and our new ones.  Sessions on social media in all forms were available all day.  Brainstorming sessions were also offered so that we received ideas from many attendees.  What a great variety of ideas.  I loved it. 

It's so difficult to unwind tonight.  But tomorrow morning is coming.  And there will be great sessions and the exhibit hall will also be open.  I'm really looking forward to another great day. 

FGS 2011 - Part 1 - Tuesday

You will probably be able to read about this FGS conference by many bloggers.  This will be my first conference since becoming a blogger. 

The conference actually starts tomorrow.  This morning, Tuesday, a took the Metra from Morton Grove to Union Station in the Chicago area; then the Amtrak from Chicago to Springfield.  Guess what?  Three of the four people sitting in front of me were also coming to the conference.  Harold, from Indiana, and Jacqueline from Evanston, sat together.  Then is seems that Harold had never met Jane from Michigan, but I believe Jane had helped Harold out with some research.  SMALL WORLD!!

I checked in and then went looking for someplace for lunch.  You can't believe all of the Welcome signs in the cafe windows.  What a nice feeling.  Unfortunately, in the few blocks I walked, I'm going to be unable to visit all of the very interesting restaurants during the time I'm here.  I like to walk before and after a day sitting during a conference.  I also walk during the lunch break, if I'm not signed up for a lunch.  If you're looking for someplace, walk Adams and Monroe, and 6th and 5th streets.  (That's what I've done so far.)  I had a great chicken, walnut, raspberry salad at Trout Lily on 6th Street.

Next stop:  the convention center to pick up registration materials.  I still need to get myself organized for tomorrow.  Oh, yes.  On the way back from the convention center, I found an Irish pub that is supposed to have music Wednesday, tomorrow, night.  I don't know whether or not the music is traditional.  But I may stop by.  The Celtic Mist is on 7th street, just across from the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. 

As I walked into the hotel lobby, Amy had just finished checking in and was going to drop off luggage.  She was meeting a friend in a hotel restaurant and invited me to join.  Instead I'm here, back in the room.  I  figured out how to connect to the internet, unpacked, and I'm resting. The next 4 days are going to be busy, exciting and fun.

Come back and read additional parts. I'll try to let you know about my experiences as if you are here.  And, don't forget to check out the other bloggers who are writing about this FGS conference.

Disclosure:  I've mentioned a couple of specific restaurants, but I have received no compensation or discount from either of them.

FGS 2011 - Tai Chi - Yang Style (Long form)

I'll be in Springfield next Tuesday afternoon.  Does anyone practice Tai Chi Yang Style Long Form?  Would you like to meet during the conference?  Morning, lunch time, evening? 

I'm still a beginner.  I studied for about 3 years with a great teacher, but have had to practice on my own for the past 2 years.  Unfortunately the studio closed and I've been unable to find another location that also teaches/practices this style.  

At Jamboree and at FGS in Knoxville, it never occurred to me to ask if any one else wanted to practice.  Of course, I may not have asked since I wasn't a blogger then. 

Please let me know.  Perhaps we can find some time that is good for us all.  Thank you.

Thrifty Thursday - Mel's 19 cent hamburgers - Pomona

Did any of you live in the Pomona California area in the 1960s?  Did you ever go to Mel’s?  It was located at 304 East Holt;  at the corner of Holt and Palomares).  They had 19 cent hamburgers and 21 cent cheeseburgers; just what starving college students needed on weekends when the Cal Poly cafeteria was closed, or when we needed something other than cafeteria food.

What a difference 50 years makes!  (Oh, is that hard to write!!!!)  But now we can buy 99 cent hamburgers.  So maybe things aren’t that bad.