tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19252765017012817992024-02-18T21:27:20.173-08:00Finding and Preserving Your HistoryMy Family Genealogy and Other Historical ResearchSharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-6902126738864479042017-07-27T09:59:00.000-07:002017-07-27T09:59:13.916-07:00Win a Bundle of Fun Before Summer is Gone<a href="https://www.genealogybargains.com/giveaways/christmas-july-contest-win-2000-genealogy-bundle/?lucky=3986">https://www.genealogybargains.com/giveaways/christmas-july-contest-win-2000-genealogy-bundle/?lucky=3986</a><br />
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Click on the link above and join in the fun. Genealogy Bargains is giving away a package valued at over $2,000. Time is running out. Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-73410737097399804512017-04-23T13:56:00.000-07:002017-04-23T13:56:45.216-07:00The Neatest Information Found Only in Old NewspapersI have spread the word about checking with the information in old newspapers to find the missing tales of your family. Checking periodically to see what new stuff has been digitized, I am never disappointed with my findings. Of course, I don't believe everything that I read, but it sure does give me more data to prove or disprove within my family history research.<br />
<br />
I have been very jealous of my husband's family. They have been in the USA since....well, before it became the USA! Consequently, there is always someplace that I have to scour for new, potential, data for his family tree. He doesn't really care, unless I come up with a tidbit that may mean he may come into some money (which doesn't happen, but he can always wish) with his relationships to early citizens of this nation. These people in his ancestry seemed to get involved with some things that deemed important enough to write about, and it ended up in the newspapers. <br />
<br />
For instance: I had heard that his great grandfather was a baker. OK, well I knew that he was born in northern Illinois, and found him in the usual census data. But, recently, I was informed of a website that lists libraries that have old newspapers, and some have been digitized and available online...FREE. <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11twsadf5ymMfF22gMH8n-NCskIg&ll=39.44459296471636%2C-111.79838228923336&z=3">https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11twsadf5ymMfF22gMH8n-NCskIg&ll=39.44459296471636%2C-111.79838228923336&z=3</a><br />
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Here's what I found in an old 1885 edition of the Sterling Standard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUzZrPOGgvDKhVOHaxe0j0Jm2JLGTCx_u_FOv0EMrvkwk4Uql8XVoZxmaCEWakIsBaunjRyE5vCrxFkUSplRjgYM-nC6KPP3CNzq3h5LO1Jo1E7fxCIlIMy91Htrl8QfDTkinn8BInnvs/s1600/1885+Henry+Reif+Lena+bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUzZrPOGgvDKhVOHaxe0j0Jm2JLGTCx_u_FOv0EMrvkwk4Uql8XVoZxmaCEWakIsBaunjRyE5vCrxFkUSplRjgYM-nC6KPP3CNzq3h5LO1Jo1E7fxCIlIMy91Htrl8QfDTkinn8BInnvs/s1600/1885+Henry+Reif+Lena+bakery.jpg" /></a></div>
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Seems that Henry Reif, my husband's great grandfather used to live in Sterling, but was operating a bakery and confectionery shop in Lena, Illinois. What makes this even neater.....there is no 1890 census to refer to (it burned, you know), so now I know where he was after his previous location in Sterling in 1880. The next step would be to look for advertisements and city directories for Lena, Illinois for that time period. Hopefully, I will have luck with that.<br />
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Of course, not everything is online. That is when you start to make contact with local libraries and organizations (historical and genealogical). They may have records and indexes that are only available at their locations. <br />
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I will tell you more about what I find in newspapers regarding land records and ownership later. Such cool stuff.<br />
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-79324085836042024112017-04-02T17:06:00.000-07:002017-04-02T17:06:58.058-07:00Using Civil War Pension Records, Part VI, The Case of Ernst C. Reif FinalOn our last posting, we revealed the second marriage of Catherine (Foy) REIF, to Samuel NEITZ in 1869. The pension detectives found the paperwork to prove this marriage, and no paperwork that Catherine had reported the marriage. That would have suspended her pension support from the government. She continued to receive support during this second marriage. Catharine's pension support ended June 6, 1875, upon her marriage to Simon Geeting, who passed away in 1905.<br />
<br />
page 178-179/220 of the Reif Civil War Pension files<br />
<br />
The Declaration for Widow's Pension, Act of September 8, 1916. Notice: this can be executed before a Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or a Court of Record, or any officer duly qualified to administer oaths.<br />
<br />
This form is typed, with a notation that the official is a Justice of the Peace. Catherine Geeting is now aged 73, still living in Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois. Furthermore, it repeats all of the facts regarding Ernst Reif and his service in the U.S. Army, Company H of the 34th Illinois Infantry. It confirms that she was married to Ernst (the second time, because the first could not be proven from 1861) on October 4, 1863, officiated by Rev. J.K. Bloom. Catherine Geeting has signed her name to this document. Also signing as witnesses to the document: Jacob F. SWANK and High S. STANLEY, both of Forreston, Illinois. Cyrus BILLIG has signed as the Justice of the Peace, dated October 14, 1916.<br />
<br />
Page 180/220 The official record of the second marriage of Catherine<br />
<br />
The affidavit from the county clerk of Ogle County, in the town of Oregon:<br />
I, Robert F. Adams, clerk of the county court in and for said county, hereby certify that Samuel L. Neitz and Mrs. Catherine Rife (sp) were joined in Matrimony on the 20th day of May, 1869 by J. N. MOHR, Minister of the Gospel in the said county, as appears on the records in my office.<br />
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said county, at Oregon, Illinois this the 24th day of February, 1917. signed Robert F. ADAMS, clerk of the county court, Lillie SHELLEY, Dep. Clerk<br />
<br />
Page 181-186/220 The Divorce Decree: Catherine vs Samuel<br />
<br />
handwritten document, dated January 31, 1873, State of Illinois, County of Ogle, Circuit Court<br />
<br />
Catherine NEITZ appears with her attorney, Thomas J. HEWITT, with summons issued against Samuel L. Neitz. The county Sheriff has returned the summons to the court, without being able to find Samuel in this county, and inability to locate him elsewhere. Proof of the publication of this summons was shown to the court, and approved. It was considered that Samuel NEITZ has willfully deserted Catherine for over two years without just cause, since the ninth day of September, AD 1869. Catherine has received no word or support from Samuel during this time. It has been decreed that the bonds of matrimony between both parties are hereby dissolved. Both parties are at liberty to marry again in like manner as if they had never been married. Catherine was ordered to pay the costs and charges of the court of this suit. Signed by W. W. HEATON, Judge.<br />
<br />
Clerk of the Circuit Court notes that he certified the foregoing decree is a true, full and perfect copy of the decree in the said case as appears in the records of his office, Record E Chancery, page 210<br />
signed H.P. LASON, clerk. The gold seal of the county is affixed to this document<br />
<br />
Page 187/220 General Affidavit, Henrietta Swank<br />
Sister of Catherine, Henrietta Swank, age 63, appears in the matter of Catherine Geeting, formerly widow of Ernst C. Reif, deceased veteran. She testifies her statement to the Notary Public, William H. HETRICK, age 69, both being residents of the town of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois. The statement reads that Catharine is will known to the Swanks, and know from personal knowledge that she has never married since the death of her late husband, Simon Geeting, and that they are of such close acquaintance with her, as that they would have known if she had re-married, and that at this date she is still unmarried. Both Henrietta Swank and William H. HETRICK sign the document. Notary Public, Joseph M Myers, certifies this document.<br />
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Page 188-191/220 Rejection of the Widow's Request<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejection on the grounds of no title under the Act of March 3, 1901, Catherine was not proven to be the wife of the soldier during the period of his military service, even though cohabitation and the birth of a son, soon deceased, occurred prior to his return from service. Only the marriage decree of 1863 was recognized. signed by the legal examiner, R. L. FORD. This document goes further to say the claimant, Catherine Geeting, does not write.<br />
<br />
Page 192-195/220 Index, Tally sheet for the claim of Catherine Geeting, remarried widow of Ernst Reif<br />
<br />
The page mentions 19 records of proof of marriages, co-habitation, soldier's disability, dependency and general assessment of the case using the testimony of the listed persons who have been previously mentioned. Following are copies of claims submitted by Catherine, supposedly signed by Catherine (remember that the rejection notice stated that Catherine did not write)<br />
So, dated Dec 13, 1905, Edward Haller, Notary Public, swears that Jacob F. PYFER and Minnie H. GEETING, both of Forreston, Illinois, witnessed Catherine Geeting sign her name to the documents, and that they have both known her for thirty years and twenty-five years, respectively. Signatures of both appear on this witness document. The signatures look eerily like that of the script used for the signature of Catherine Geeting, known to not be able to write.<br />
<br />
Pages 196-203/220 Letters from Congress and the Pension Bureau, 1917<br />
<br />
Apparently, someone (Mr. Edward HALLER???) had been inquiring about the status of Catherine's widow's claim for support. There are a series of letters written to Mrs. Catherine GEETING, from the Pension Commissioner, G.M. SALTAGABER,regarding her widow's claim. A February letter asks her to send some proof of her marriage to Knight (meaning NEITZ) and a death of him or divorce decree. Also, they ask her to send testimonies of persons having knowledge of her and her marriages. Haven't we been down this road previously?<br />
<br />
Also, letters to and from the State Representative, John C. McKENZIE, House of Representatives, stating that this claim of Catherine's has been rejected because of her multiple marriages. They mention the Widow's claim filed in October of 1916, being the last one filed and rejected, along with all documentation attached.....the ones with Catherine's signature......and she could not write.????<br />
<br />
There is a letter from acting commissioner, E.C. TIEMAN, to Rep. John McKENZIE, House of Representatives, Wash. DC, stating that the claim of Catherine's is now being considered! What? This letter is dated July 6, 1917. They previously said it had been rejected.<br />
<br />
Pages 204-215/220 Repeated records of files previously in this claim packet<br />
<br />
Pages 216-218/220 Folded forms filed for the support of the minor child of Ernst Reif<br />
<br />
Ludwig FOY, father of Catherine, was named the legal guardian the child of Ernst REIF, Mary REIF. The support payments were given to Ludwig Foy, until the 16th birthday of Mary REIF.<br />
<br />
Page 219/220 A letter to Representative Frank O. LOWDEN, June 1, 1907<br />
<br />
From the office of the Acting Commissioner of the Pension Bureau, stating that Catherine's pension claim as a remarried, but now widow, dated 1906, filed by herself without representation had been rejected because it could not be proven that she was the lawful wife of Ernst REIF on the day of his enlistment into military service, as required by the provisions of the pension act. This, indeed was the last claim that Catherine, herself, had filed. <br />
<br />
The claims submitted after this were inducted by Edward HALLER, himself, as was his practice until he was finally caught. He insisted that widows asked him to file for pensions, and if so awarded, they would give him part of the support payments. <br />
<br />
Page 220/220 the ending cover of this lengthy soap opera.<br />
<br />
Edward HALLER did not have a good future. In 1919, he was accused of having a cache of alcohol in the attic of his drug store in Forreston, Illinois. His store was raided and he was arrested. Federal officers took the 1200 whisky bottles stash. Apparently, Mr. HALLER had the alcohol shipped into the county under the label, "Malted Milk". The federal agents followed the purchase of the booze in Chicago, which had been shipped in barrels to Harper, Illinois. It was then transported by team and wagon to Forreston, Illinois under cover of night. The final delivery was made at midnight at Haller's Drugstore. He was prosecuted under the Illinois search and seizure act, and under the Federal war-time prohibition act. He claimed that he had no intention of breaking the laws, and had the right to store the wet goods for legitimate purposes.<br />
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-91370334218126108542017-02-26T14:15:00.000-08:002017-02-26T14:15:07.213-08:00Using Civil War Pension Records, Part V, The Case of Ernst C. Reif<span style="font-size: large;">Affidavit of<b> Edward E. Haller</b> in Regard to a Pension for Catharine Geeting the Widow of Simon Geeting, continued:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b>PAGES 14 and 15</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Hugh S. Stanley,</b> gives his testimony on this page, stating that he is over 62 years, and has lived his entire life in Forreston, Illinois. He says that he is personally acquainted with <b>Catherine Geeting (nee Foy), </b>widow of <b>Simon Geeting</b> and <b>Ernest C. Reif,</b> Civil War Veteran. She is described as being about 72 years, and has been trying to be awarded a Widow's Pension for many years, but unsuccessful. <b>Hugh S. Stanley </b>says that he tried to enlist in the US Army before he was of legal age, twice, but his guardian would not approve, but finally was accepted and served his full term. He noted that <b>Catherine Geeting </b>currently owns a small house worth about $750, and she has not means of support except for her daily labor. She holds no allegiance to foreign royalty, and holds true allegiance to the United States of America. He says that he is acquainted with all persons interviewed in this matter, such as <b>Mrs. Henrietta Swank</b>, wife of <b>Jacob F. Swank</b>, deputy Factory Inspector, Township Supervisor and School President of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Stanley admits that he did not know of the marriage of <b>Catherine Foy</b> and <b>Ernst Reif</b> in 1861. However, he did remember that her parents encouraged them to remarry, and that he knew the <b>Rev. N. W. Lilly,</b> late, of Kansas City, Missouri who officiated the first marriage, and <b>Rev. J. K. Bloom</b>, who performed the second marriage. He helped to haul the bricks for the building of the Lutheran Church. <b>Rev. N. W. Lilly </b>spoke to <b>Mr. Stanley</b> in 1892 about the loss of the marriage license from 1861, and no records could be found in Ogle County, Illinois. Witnessed and signed on 5 March 1913, by <b>Hugh S. Stanley, </b>Witnesses <b>W. F. Gerwig </b>and <b>Geo. J. Gersbaugh. Edward Haller </b>signed as Notary Public, 10 March 1913.<br />
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<b>PAGE 16 </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Robert F. Adams, </b>County Clerk, testifies that he is in custody of all files and records for the county of Ogle, which include assessments of property for taxation. He states that in 1904, <b>Simon Geeting</b> was assessed with real estate as follows : North 1/2 of Lots 14 & 15 Block 3 of Neal addition to the Village of Forreston, assessed value of $150, No personal property was assessed in the name of <b>Simon Geeting.</b> Personal property was assess in the name of <b>Catharine Geeting</b> to the amount of $230.. He certifies that the assessed values represents twenty percent of the true value thereof. <b>Robert F. Adams</b> signed his statement 11 Dec, 1905.<br />
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<b>PAGE 17</b><br />
<br />
<b>Edward Haller </b>makes his statement the on 10 December 1912 <b>Catherine Geeting</b> appeared before him. She revealed that she was born 31 August 1841, currently 71 years, living in Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, and wishes to place her name on the Pension roll under the acts of March 3 1901 and February 28th 1903, amending Section 4708 Revised Statuary. She was the former widow of<b> Ernst Reif, </b>who died 19 October 1867 from wounds received while serving as a soldier. She was his lawful wife during the time he was in service. She had been married clandestine to <b>Ernest Reif </b>in 1861 and no record was ever found of this marriage. She maintained their home until he come out of the army as wounded, and was advised to remarry 4 October 1863. They had a daughter about two years of age in 1863. She remained his wife until his death. The soldier was not in the military before 1861. She and a child were formerly pensioned on account of the death of her husband, paid by the pension agent at Chicago, her certificate number being 184488, and she never applied for a pension again until the death of her husband <b>Simon Geeting </b>in 1905. Her pension had been terminated because of her marriage to <b>Simon Geeting</b>. <b>Simon Geeting</b> died 1 March 1905, and she was never divorced, and <b>Simon Geeting </b>did not serve in the Army or Navy. She has no means of support other than her daily labor, and an actual net income not exceeding $250 per year. It shows a signature of <b>Catharine </b>Geeting, and signatures of witnesses as <b>Minnie Geeting</b> and <b>Hugh S. Stanley</b>. <b>Edward Halle</b>r signs as the Notary Public on 10 December 1912.<br />
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<b>PAGE 18-20 DECLARATION OF A WIDOW WHO HAS REMARRIED</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Dated 4 March 1913, <b>Catherine Geeting,</b> age 73, appears to make her sworn statement for the purpose of putting her name on the Pension Roll, under the Act of March 3. 1901 and February 28, 1903 amending Section 4708 Revised Statutes. It repeats the facts that she was the former widow of <b>Ernest C. Reif,</b> deceased veteran and she was his lawful wife through marriages preformed by <b>Rev. Lilly</b> in 1861 and <b>Rev. J.K. Bloom </b>in 1863, to satisfy the advise of her parents when no marriage license could be found from the first wedding. She admits that one child was born to her and <b>Ernst Reif</b> in 1862, and she took care of the home and child, until the death of the infant at about 10 months of age. The <b>Child</b> was laid to west in White Oak Cemetery, just west of the town of Forreston. She and her second child <b>Mayme LaShelle (nee Reif)</b> were formerly pensioned from the death of <b>Ernst Reif.</b> <b>Ernst Reif </b>was laid to rest beside their first child, in White Oak Cemetery. Her pension was terminated due to her marriage to <b>Simon Geeting,</b> in1875. When <b>Simon</b> passed away, he was also buried in White Oak Cemetery. She was never divorced from either husband. Her sole means of support does not exceed $250 annually. She has been without pension support since her marriage to <b>Mr.</b> <b>Geeting, </b>and she now files for her claims because of her advanced and age and humble circumstances. There is a signature of <b>Catharine Geeting, her mark</b>, dated 4 March 1913. <b>Charles W. Price </b>and<b> Justus DeGraff </b>was signed witnesses. <b>Edward Haller </b>signed as Notary Public.<br />
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<b>PAGE 21-22</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
In the City of Freeport, County of Stephenson, Illinois,<b> Louisa Lawver</b> makes her sworn statement. She states that when she was 8 years, she came west with her people to Illinois, and lived near Forreston for 21 years. She was personally acquainted with <b>Ernst Reif,</b> deceased. She knew that he had mustered into the Army at the first call for soldiers, and he had a gun shot wound to this left leg while in the line of duty, and knew that he had died from his wound in 1867. She had been a friend of the <b>Reif family</b>, and she sat at his side several days before he passed. <b>Louisa Lawver</b> was a nurse. She saw his wound and knew that he had infection and was in great pain. The wound was repulsive to the eye. She attended the funeral performed by <b>Rev. N.W. Lilly</b> at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Forreston and officiated at the last sad rite of the veteran. She knew <b>Ernst Reif </b>as a strong healthy man, and it was hard to see him become lame. She stated that <b>Ernst Reif</b> had been a cabinet maker and very good carpenter. He was also the janitor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Forreston. She felt that he received a small compensation from his pension and had a hard time supporting himself, his wife and little daughter. This statement is signed by<b> Louisa Lawver</b> on May 1908, City of Freeport. Witness signatures were <b>Gertrude Blunt</b> and <b>Henry W. Foy.</b> Notary Public, <b>Wilber Goddard</b>, signed and dated the document May 1908.<br />
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<b>PAGE 23-24</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
In the City of Freeport, County of Stephenson, Illinois, <b>Henry W. Foy </b>makes his sworn statement.<br />
He states that he was born in the state of Pennsylvania in 1847. When he was 17, his parents moved the family west and they settled in Ogle County, Illinois. He now lives in Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois, and has lived there for the past 24 years. <b>Henry Foy</b> says that he was very well acquainted with<b> Ernest C. Reif,</b> deceased, and that he was in 1861 engaged to marry his sister, <b>Catherine Foy</b>. But, at the first call for soldiers to put down the Rebellion, <b>Ernst Reif </b>was one of the first men to respond to the call. He knew of the wound in the left leg that was received on the field of battle. From the story told him by <b>Ernst Reif,</b> he laid without medical aid, being hemmed in by the rebels. <b>Ernest Reif </b>was discharged in 1863 on account of the injury. He came home lame and the wound would break open at times and caused soreness at the hip joint. His sister, <b>Catherine Foy</b>, married <b>Ernst Reif</b> in 1863 and he had become the sexton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Forreston. He worked at his trade as a cabinet maker until he could no longer do that on account of his limb. <b>Ernst Reif</b> often showed <b>Henry Foy</b> his wound, and was not surprised that he had passed from the complications of this injury. <b>Henry Foy </b>attended the funeral to White Oak Cemetery in Forreston, and the brothers and sisters and parents followed the remains to the burial. He knew <b>Catherine</b> had received a pension from the US Government Pension Office until her marriage to <b>Simon Geeting</b>. He knew that his sister had reapplied for support in 1905, but was denied because she had no proof of being married to <b>Ernst Reif</b> before the war of 1861-1865. <b>Henry W. Foy</b> signs his statement on 8 May, 1908. Witnesses signed include <b>W. Goddard</b> and <b>Bertha Sheffner </b>(?). <b>Wilbur Goddard</b> signs as Notary Public on 8 May, 1908<br />
<br />
<b>PAGES 25-26</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
In Kansas City, the County of Jackson, Missouri, <b>N. W. Lilly </b>makes his sworn statement that he is over 7 years, and that in 1867 he was the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Forreston, Illinois. He was personally acquainted with <b>Ernest C. Reif,</b> during his stay in Forreston, and admitted that <b>Mr. Reif</b> had been the sexton for a number of years of this church. He showed that on page 64 of his records, <b>Ernest Reif</b> and <b>Catherine Foy</b> were married by <b>J. K. Bloom</b>, former pastor of this church, on 4 October 1863. He supports the story of <b>Ernst Reif </b>being a soldier and that he was wounded during battle, and returned home because of the wound. <b>Ernst Reif</b> died in his home across the street from the church. <b>Rev. Lilly</b> states that he lived less than 2 blocks from the <b>Reif Family.</b> The Reverend also stated that he was at the bedside of <b>Ernst Reif </b>at his death, and officiated the funeral at the church and to the burial at White Oak Cemetery. He stated that <b>Catherine Reif,</b> widow, her parents and brothers and sisters followed the procession to the grave site. He states that he makes this statement in support of the case of <b>Catherine Geeting,</b> for her future support. <b>N.W.Lilly </b>signs this document on 30 April 1908, Witnesses signed are <b>W. Lake Henry </b>and <b>G. W. Lilly</b>. Notary Public <b>M. J. Oslergard</b> (?) signs on May 1908.<br />
<br />
<b>PAGE 27, plus notes</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Act of September 8, 1916, Remarried Widow's Pension, OTF. no. 184.188</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Claimant "<b>Catharine Geeting,</b> former widow of Soldier : <b>Ernst C. Reif</b><br />
P.O. Forreston Rank : Private; Co. H<br />
County: Ogle; State, Illinois Regiment, 34th Illinois Inf.<br />
<br />
Payments on all former certificates covering any portion of same time to be deducted,<br />
<br />
None<br />
<br />
REJECTED<br />
<br />
Submitted for Rejection, July 5, 1917;<br />
Approved for: Rejection: the claimant has no title to renewal of pension as the former widow of the soldier, <b>Ernest C. Reif,</b> having contracted more than one marriage since his death.<br />
Widow was pensioned at 8 dollars per month under general law<br />
Soldier was pensioned at 4 dollars per month under general law<br />
Enlisted September 7 1861, Claimant's application under other laws, October 28, 1876 and<br />
December 1, 1905<br />
Honorably discharged June 4, 1863 Former Marriages, NONE<br />
Reenlisted, No other service Divorce of former NONE<br />
Died October 19, 1867 Claimant's marriage to soldier, Oct 4, 1863<br />
Declaration Filed Oct 6, 1916 Claimant's marriages : May 20, 1869<br />
Divorce : January 21 1870<br />
Remarried; June 6, 1875<br />
Claimant alleged 73 years Death of last husband; March 7, 1905<br />
<b>Claimant DOES write</b><br />
<br />
Signed by the <b>Honorable John C McKenzie, MC</b><br />
<br />
notes: This claim REJECTED on the grounds that there has been more than one marriage.<br />
<br />
Note 2: Claimant's 1st remarriage was to <b>Samuel Neitz</b>, May 20, 1869, yet she continued to draw pension as the widow of the soldier, <b>Reif</b>, until June 6, 1875, when she married for the 3rd time to <b>Geeting.</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">NEXT UP: A Forgotten Marriage and Divorce, Oh, My, " I forgot to stop taking pension payments through it all", claims Catherine (Foy) Reif, remarried to Samual L Neitz.</span></b><br />
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-53725623904888842462017-01-22T14:38:00.000-08:002017-01-22T14:38:33.839-08:00Using Civil War Pension Files, Part IV : the Case of Ernst C. Reif<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1da6-4bVTRgbjmkecOjTaod9n2e2Rnr8Onfeyn4z8bSEL7WHbSC2zVCrXFTcj1SIFMZtxF4n5gOSibUMSpW68tV-irktfHSCqz-KMwBP3sRosENTacaJLQrZG6duY779rJOXcpsm85BTt/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1da6-4bVTRgbjmkecOjTaod9n2e2Rnr8Onfeyn4z8bSEL7WHbSC2zVCrXFTcj1SIFMZtxF4n5gOSibUMSpW68tV-irktfHSCqz-KMwBP3sRosENTacaJLQrZG6duY779rJOXcpsm85BTt/s320/IMG_6384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author's own photo, Fullersburg Cemetery salute, 2016</td></tr>
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<br />
We begin with the Widow's Brief No. 2, claim #228.542 The soldier : Ernest Reif The examiner : Geo. W. Taylor<br />
Sub. for final review June 12, 1879<br />
<br />
<b>Rejected</b> - Widow with Children<br />
228.542 cert. no. for original and increase. Brief app'd Nov 22 1878<br />
Title : Catherine Reif now Geeting, widow of Ernest Reif who was a private and pensionable rank of private in Company H 34th Regiment Illinois Infantry<br />
Residence of the claimant, Forreston in the county of Ogle, state of Illinois Post office : same location<br />
Attorney : JP Jones, of Rockford, Winnebago County Illinois having been filed Feb 19, 1877<br />
<br />
Incidental Matters : Soldier had invalid claim, which was paid up to Sept. 4, 1867.<br />
<u><b>This widow is rejected on the grounds that she has no title. She did not apply within 5 years after the death of this soldier, and she had remarried.</b></u><br />
Minors claim this day briefed for admission<br />
<b>The Summary of Material Facts</b> :<br />
Widow remarried June 6, 1875 to Simon Geeting.<br />
The particulars of the injury suffered by Ernest Reif are repeated, having been wounded at the Battle of Stone River, non functioning leg and use of a crutch until his death.<br />
<br />
Skip to Page 113/220<br />
<b>A Declaration for Original Pension of a Widow, Child or Children under Sixteen years of age surviving.</b><br />
This page further describes the relationship of Catharine Geeting, formerly Catherine Reif, widow of Ernst, his wound listed at Murfreesboro, Tenn. on the 31st of December 1862. His death recorded October of 1867<br />
After his death, the widow married Simon Geeting on the 6th day of June, 1875<br />
A child was born unto Ernest and Catharine , a female, on August 2, 1867<br />
Records show that Ernest had never been married before he and Catherine were wed.<br />
<br />
Page 115/220<b> Statements from the Attending Physician of Ernest C. Reif</b><br />
A statement in the state of Illinois in the County of Carroll, <b>John W. Frazy, MD</b>, of Lanark,Carroll County, Illinois.<br />
He certifies his statement that he was well aquainted with Ernest Reif before he enlisted into the army, and was described as sound. The Dr. was the physician of Ernst Reif after his return from the Army and treated him up to the date of his death, on the 19th of October 1867, and his death was the result of the gunshot wound received by Ernest while in the army.<br />
Officially sealed, State of Illinois Notary Public, <b>Alvaro Shumway</b>, dated 10th of Oct 1876<br />
Title page mentions the name of Ludwig Foy, father of Catherine Foy Reif Geeting. as he is the legal guardian of Mary, minor child.<br />
<br />
Page 117-118/220<br />
An additional statement from Dr. Frazy, now living in Woodbury County, Iowa, and this statement continues to repeat as in the aforementioned document that Ernst was sound when entering the army, and left an invalid upon his return. He was a constant infirm from that leg wound which rendered him unfit for business labor for the rest of his life. dated January 22, 1877<br />
<br />
Page 119-120/220<br />
Another statement from Dr. Frazy, of Woodbury County, Iowa, now living in Sioux City.<br />
This statement a bit shorter about the death of Ernest on Oct 19, 1867 of the extended infection from the same wound, problems commencing in the hands and extending to the body, the result of long continued suffering and low vitality, from the time he returned from the army until his death, entirely incapacitated for manual labor and a continual sufferer. This dated May 13, 1878, officially sealed by State of Iowa, Notary Public, <b>Madison B. Davis</b><br />
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Page 122/220<br />
A handwritten letter, dated Dec 17, 1877, Sioux City, Iowa<br />
To J. Jones, Rockford, ILL<br />
Dr. Frazy states that he was not issued a copy of his former statements so he is trying to make this statement to the best of his memory, which is of no help because his memory is not refreshed from the records or conversations, and that he cannot recall with certainty any statement, now, from him that might in some points be a contradiciton....signed JW Frazer. clearly this man is elderly.<br />
<br />
Page 123/220 <b>The Birth of Child, Mary Reif</b><br />
A statement from Dr. Frazy that clearly states that he was the attending physician at the birth of Mary Reif, at 8 oclock a.m. August second 1867, and that he was the attending physician with the said Catherine Reif at the birth of said child. Clearly signed by<b> John W Frazey, MD</b>. officially sealed<br />
State of Illinois, Carroll County, dated the 10th of October 1876. signed notary <b>Alvero Shumway</b><br />
<br />
Page 125/220 <b>The Marriage of Ernst and Catherine Reif</b><br />
An official certificate of Record of Marriage, State of Illinois County of Ogle, filled out by <b>Albert Woodcock</b> clerk of the county , certifies that Ernest Reif was married to Catharine Foy on the 4th day of October 1863 officiated by <b>Rev J. K. Bloom</b>, Minister of the Gospel. This office was located in Oregon, Illinois and dated 17 Oct 1876<br />
<br />
Page 127/220 <b>Yet Another Written Statement from Dr. Frazy </b><br />
The letter dated Oct 22, 1878, Sioux City, Iowa.<br />
Basically it states that in his opinion the the infection that killed Ernst was caused by the wound in his leg and hip, and which his suffering had been great that the pain in the hip and leg caused the loss of sleep, loss of appetite, general debility, nervous demeanor, bad blood and a condition of low vitality. He treated him during this sickness until the time of his death, signed <b>JW Frazey MD</b><br />
<br />
Page 130/220 <b>Another Rejected Claim</b><br />
Claim 184488 claimant Catherine Geeting, date of filing May 18, 1908, declaration<br />
Catherine tried to apply for pension help again, giving the same information as before, and asking for $12/month<br />
It was <b>REJECTED..</b>July 3, 1908, rejection on the grounds of no title under the Act of April 19, 1908, claimant having remarried (ceased to be a widow) prior to the date of filing for claim. This now gives the date of death of her husband, <b>Simon Geeting, March 7, 1905.</b><br />
An addition document once again repeats the information about Ernst, only this one typed, not handwritten, in red ink. certified by State of Illinois Notary Public, <b>Edward Haller.</b>..REMEMBER THAT NAME<br />
<br />
Pages 132-146/220 <b>Letters of Guardianship and Childs Pension Approval</b><br />
pages contain all proofs of letters of guardianship by <b>Ludwig Foy </b>for the care of his grandchild, <b>Mary Reif</b>, until her 16th birthday in 1883. Two men, <b>George Balsbaugh and Philip Smith</b> sworn statements that Mary Reif was the legal child of deceased Ernst Reif, and that they personally knew this family very well.<br />
<br />
Page 148/220 <b>Certification of Remarriage of Catherine Reif to Simon Geeting</b><br />
Simon and Catherine married on 6th June, 1875, by <b>H D Healey</b>, Minister of the Gospel, Certified by the county court record in Oregon, Ilinois on 18 Feb, 1913<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcE0Ecz_tGRtH41c5k-Sw4b2TTahyphenhyphenGNf0GgvIBQvBZvGUkukd7v4NBG4qIWRuPk9W83aXRlTvbeKtZo-tMBt7pVgsmeW4Bc6U-xFTC673nJs6WP8QUfimFWdV_v9i968jJol_W_7OR7xZ/s1600/us-1861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcE0Ecz_tGRtH41c5k-Sw4b2TTahyphenhyphenGNf0GgvIBQvBZvGUkukd7v4NBG4qIWRuPk9W83aXRlTvbeKtZo-tMBt7pVgsmeW4Bc6U-xFTC673nJs6WP8QUfimFWdV_v9i968jJol_W_7OR7xZ/s320/us-1861.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">U.S. Flag of 1861, images.google.com</td></tr>
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<b>NOW TO THE MATERIAL IN QUESTION BY THE PENSION AUTHORITIES</b></div>
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pages 149-176/220 A typed file entitled : Affidavit of<b> Edward E. Haller</b> in Regard to a Pension for Catharine Geeting the Widow of Simon Geeting.<br />
These pages contain records of duly sworn statements of witnesses by <b>Edward Haller</b>, Notary Public<br />
of Ogle County, Illinois. In various areas of this file Mr. Haller states that he is filing this case under the direction and request of Catharine Geeting. Various persons who knew the families of both Ernst Reif and Catharine Foy made statements, under the thought that this was for the well being and support of the widow Geeting, after all, she had been a widow for the past 15 years, and probably needed some support. In various cases, a "signature" of Catherine is recorded, and in some cases, her name printed with her "mark", an X, indicating that she could not write.<br />
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<b>PAGE ONE</b> : Haller gives his own bio briefly, and then tells the story of how he knew the Foy family very well, having lived in the same town, Forreston. Haller's parents knew <b>the parents of Catherine Foy (Ludwig and Magdalina).</b> They all belonged to the same church. Furthermore, at this date, his parents and the Foys were deceased. Haller knew the siblings of Catherine, and mentions their names, <b>Lewis, Edward, Louisa, Henry and Maggie Foy.</b> <b>Henry Foy </b>was the Sunday School teacher for Haller. Catherine Foy worked for Haller's parents as a domestic, and witnessed the birth of Haller. Haller remembers visiting Catherine at her home and playing with her little child. He affirmed that he knew Catherine and Ernst Reif were legally married. Upon returned from the War, Catherine's parents found out that the Marriage License was never place on record in the County of Ogle, They were wanting Catherine to leave Ernst and not live with him anymore. Their strong German Lutheran beliefs did not support the idea of unmarried men and women living together. Catharine remarried Ernst in the laws of the Lutheran church,<b> Rev. JK Bloom</b>, officiated the ceremony, Haller said he knew the minister very well. Regarding Ernst Reif, he stated that he was the janitor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Forreston, up until the date of his death, and lived a few doors from the Church. Haller stated that all the old folks cried over the disasters of the War. Haller said he knew of Catherine and Ernst being married in 1861. He knew Catherine to be a good woman.<br />
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<b>PAGE TWO: Edward Haller, </b>notary, said that he had a hard time explaining the importance of all the questions being asked to Catherine. It was only by chance that Haller discovered someone who had been at her first marriage in 1861, before Ernst enlisted in the Army. <b> Henrietta Swank (nee Foy)</b>, sister of Catherine, and Jacob Swank, her husband and President of the Trustees of Schools, previously the Supervisor of Forreston Township and Deputy Factory Inspector, and Treasurer of the Trustees of Schools, would never say or do anything to discredit her husband. Haller also mentions <b>Hugh S. Stanley </b>of Forreston, the Round House Foreman. Haller states in the last paragraph that his has no interest in being paid for this writing filing, and believes that Catherine should receive the pension that she applied on 15 Dec 1905 .<br />
Witnesses Signatures : <b>Riley M Garman and C A Walters</b><br />
Notary Signature and stamp by<b> Martin H. Earle</b><br />
<b>seals stamped March 8, 1913 by Law Division and Pension Office. Civil War Division stamp Mar 20 1913.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>PAGE THREE: title page</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>PAGE FOUR: Jacob F. Swank, </b>swore under oath that he is over 54, and has lived in the area for over 40 years. He states that he knows Catherine Geeting, formerly Foy and Reif, and knew her as the widow of Ernst Reif and Simon Geeting. He states that he know Catherine has never married since the death of Mr. Geeting, and trusts that Haller would have found evidence of such. He signs his name as <b>Jacob F. Swank</b> on May 9, 1908. This document <b>seals and stamps : May 18 1908 by both the Pension Office and the Congressional US Bureau of Pensions. May 19 for the Law Division. Edward Haller, </b>signed and sealed as Notary.<br />
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<b>PAGE FIVE AND SIX: William Sloggett, </b>swore under oasth the his is over 62, and he has lived in this area since 1855, except for the time in the war. He enlisted as a soldier during the War on February 24, 1964 in the 34th Infantry company H of the Illinois Infantry. He was discharged on July 12 if 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky. He states that he knew Ernst Reif very well, as he saw him enlist into the Army in 1861, and he returned with an honorable discharge and a wound of his left leg. He knew that Ernst passed away as a direct cause of his wound. His father ran a hotel, now owned by <b>FJ</b> <b>Acker</b>, and Ernst lived on the same block as the hotel. He knew that Ernst had married Catherine upon his return from the War, remembered attending the party at their home, which was across the street from the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He knew that Ernst was a cabinet maker before the War, but upon his return, he could no longer work at his carpentry bench. He had become janitor of the Church. <b>William Sloggett</b> states that he was the Librarian there, and that Ernst was a teacher of the sunday school. <b>Rev. N W Lilly</b> was the pastor, who had officiated at the funeral of Ernst Reif. <b>Sloggett</b> said he had visited Ernst during his sickness and was shown his wound, which was very repulsive and sore to the touch. <b>William Sloggett</b> said he followed the remains after the funeral along with the family members to the White Oak Cemetery, and remembered the gallant boys of the 34th, who must go from this life, one by one. He further states that he knew Catherine has not remarried since the death of her late husband, Simon Geeting, and that if she had, he would have heard about it because things like that are not kept quiet. signed by <b>William Sloggett</b>, s<b>ealed and signed by Pension office and Congressional US Pension Office on May 18, 1908, likewise signed by Edward E Haller,</b> notary.<br />
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<b>PAGE SEVEN: Robert F. Adams, </b>Ogle County Clerk, states that he has custody and control of the tax rolls. Simon Geeting was assessed with real estate value at $300, located at the N1/2 Lot 14 and 15 Block 3 of Neals Add. Mrs, Geeting was assessed with personal property amounting to $50. These amounts represent 1/3 of the true value of the same. He signs on 18 Feb 1913, <b>Robert F. Adams. Stamped and dated Mar 8 1913 at the Pension Office and Law Division, Mar 20 1913 at the Civil War Division.</b><br />
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<b>PAGE EIGHT - TEN: Henrietta Swank (nee Foy), </b>testifies that she is over 60, and has lived in this county all her life. Her sister is Catherine Geeting (nee Foy), and was married in 1861 to Ernst C. Reif before <b>Rev. N W Lilly</b>, a minister, now deceased, of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Forreston in Ogle County. She said that the marriage license was never returned to the county seat on account of the Civil War. Ernst was a soldier in that war and was married before he enlisted as a soldier. There was one child born to them while he was in the war. Catherine kept house and maintained their child, and that child passed at about the age of 10 months, The child was buried in White Oak Cemetery. Catherine kept up the house until the return of her husband, Ernst. Ernst had been wounded in the leg and hip. It was thought best by her parents that since the marriage license was lost and never recorded, they should remarry. Her parents were very strict Lutheran. <b>Rev. JK Bloom</b>, minister of the Lutheran Church of Forreston married them. After that Catherine and Ernst were blessed with another child. Ernst died from the gun shot wound and was buried beside his little daughter. She said she was present when Catherine married Ernst in 1861, and can fully remember that it was before the War. She knew that Ernst came from Germany before the war and boarded and worked for Catherine's father on their farm. Catherine was courted by him and married before <b>Rev Lilly</b>, and they took up a little home and lived there until the war broke out and Ernst enlisted. Catherine lived in their home until he returned. When Ernst come home being wounded, it was found that the marriage license was never recorded in Oregon, the county seat. <b>Ludwig and Magdelena Foy</b> wish no fault with Catherine and wanted to cause no trouble and annoyance to her since she now had a wounded husband. They suggested another marriage before <b>Rev. J K Bloom</b>, which was recorded. <b> Henrietta Swank</b> testified that her husband, <b>Jacob F. Swank</b> was from Forreston Township and was past the age of 60. He is gone from home all the time, that he is the Supervisor of the Forreston Township for the past 25 years, and was the township School President. She said she would never make any statement that would reflect on her husband's good name. Her sister, Catherine,is now 75 years and she is dependant on her daily for support. <b>signed and dated 19 Feb 1913 Henrietta Swank. witnesses : Anna Haller, Virginia Haller, signed Edward E Haller, Notary, 21 Oct 1913 expiration of notary, </b><b>stamped and sealed Mar 8 1913 Pension Office and Law Division, Mar 20 1913 Civil War Division</b><br />
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<b>PAGE ELEVEN-THIRTEEN Robert F. Adams, County Clerk, </b>has filed transcriptions of the records of marriage between Ernst C. Reif and Catherine Foy, 1963, and Simon Geeting and Catherine Reif, 1875, A<b>ll received in the Law Division and Pension Office, 8 Mar 1913.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Next Up...</b>sworn statements of<b> Hugh S. Stanley and Robert F. Adams, and Edward Haller files two papers, forging Catherine's signature to each.</b><br />
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<b>The SAGA Continues.....</b><br />
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-62470332501609808452016-12-28T19:39:00.000-08:002016-12-28T19:48:20.089-08:00Using Civil War Pension Files, Part III - The case of Ernst ReifOur last post about Ernst, we reviewed the letters of the Adjutant General, and assistants, regarding the death of Ernst, and the extent of his wound. He was injured by gunshot wound of the thigh, while engaged in combat at the Battle of Stone River, which developed into Erysipelas :<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">an acute, sometimes recurrent disease caused by a bacterial infection. It is characterized by large, raised red patches on the skin, especially that of the face and legs, with fever and severe general illness. www.google.definitions</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">free images.google.com<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">We continue with the <b><span style="font-size: large;">War of the Rebellion Widow's Pension</span> (</b>Original With Increase) page 103/220</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Chicago Pension Office, case 184.488</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Catherine Reif now Geeting, widow of Ernst Reif, Priv., Company H, 34 IL Vol.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Resident of Ogle County, State of Illinois, Post Office of Forreston,</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Attorney, JP Jones, Rockford, Winnebago County, Fee of $ Twenty-five. having been filed Feb. 19, 1872</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Rate of pension $ Eight per month, commencing October 20, 1867, day after soldier's death, (ending June 6, 1875 the date of widow's remarriage) and two dollars per month additional for each child as follows:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Child : Mary Born August 2, 1867 Commencing October 20, 1867</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"> Sixteen on August 1, 1883</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Admitted and approved by Examiner, June 5, 1879 and Reviewer June 12, 1879</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Dates Shown by Papers :</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Enlistment Sept , 1861</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Muster into pensionable rank Sept 7, 1861</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Discharge June 4, 1863</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Death Oct 19, 1867</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Invalid app. filed Oct 13, 1863</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Invalid last paid to Sept 4, 1867</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Widow's app. filed Oct 28, 1878</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Right accrued Oct 19, 1867</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Claim completed Oct 28, 1876</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Former marriage of soldier NONE</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Death of former wife NONE</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Claimant's marriage to soldier Oct 4, 1863</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Claimant's remarriage June 6, 1875</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Handwritten comment : Minor's claim heretofore allowed</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Cause of death Erysipelas result of GSW (gunshot wound) Place of Death House - after discharge</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Page 104/220 <b><span style="font-size: large;"> Incidental Matters</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Handwritten :</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Minor in receipt of pension from the date of widow's re-marriage.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Widow's claim formerly rejected, on the grounds that it was barred by limitation.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Atty. JP Jones made inquiry Dec 19, 1878, relative to the date of commencement of pension which is regarded equivalent to re-opening the claim.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Page 105/220 <b>Summary of Proof, No Former Marriage of Soldier</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #741b47;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">as shown by declaration of widow</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #741b47;">Marriage of Soldier to Claimant</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #741b47;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">The marriage of Ernest Reif to Catharine Foy</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">is shown by certified copy of Public Records</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Re-Marriage to Simon Geeting, June 6, 1875,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> by certified copy of Public Record</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #741b47;">Dates of Birth of Children</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #741b47;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">By the affidavit of attending physician</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #741b47;">Dates of Deaths of Children</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #741b47;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">None</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Page 106/220 <b><span style="font-size: large;">Proof As To Death</span> </b>(of Soldier)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Reports and Testimonies of Adjutant General, Surgeon General Officer, Fellow Soldiers Army Surgeon, Attending Physician, Certificate of Disability, Other Testimony</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Soldier was pensioned at rate of $4 - contraction of left leg</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Surg. Gen. USA</b> March '78 : Reports soldier admitted to Hospital with GSW of the thigh and discharged from service on June 4, or 6, 1863 by reason of GSW</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Certificate of Disability</b>, July 2 '63 shows the same as above as to cause of disability</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Lieunt. Hanselods (sp?)</b> Nov. '63 shows that wound was received in line of duty while advancing under the fire of the enemy</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Dr. Frazey, </b>Oct 28, 1876 Soldier was sound at enlistment, was his physician after his return home to date of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">death - Oct 19, 1867, cause of death was the result of GSW</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Same Physician, Feb 19 '77 and May 23 '78 Soldier a constant sufferer from said wound prior to his death, died Oct 19, 1867 of </span><b style="font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">phlegmonous erysipelas, </b><span style="font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">the result of long continued suffering and low vitality which continued from the time of his return from the army until his death, entirely incapacitated for labor.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Same Physician Oct 26, 1878 writes direct to this office that in his opinion the erysipelas was caused by the wound in the leg or hip, - Am positive that the erysipelas was developed by the condition produced by the wound, (For full particulars see Minor's Brief)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: white;">To Be Cont.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">UP NEXT</span> : It is revealed that Catherine Foy and Ernst Reif married before the War in 1861, but the license was never filed</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">AND</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Catherine remarried to Samuel Nietz, who deserted her and her child, and she filed for divorce, two years later.....</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">A Soap Opera Indeed</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: #990000; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-16359379846100216772016-12-02T14:43:00.000-08:002016-12-28T19:46:06.158-08:00Using Civl War Pension Files, Part II : The Case of Ernst C. ReifContinued....<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Pension File of Ernst C. Reif, US Civil War Veteran, 34th Illinois Reg. Vols.</span></b><br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</b><br />
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<b>Question:</b> What were the requirements for an injured, invalid person who served the nation, to be able to obtain a government pension for support, in the event he could not support himself because of that injury?<br />
<br />
<b>Answer:</b> <span style="font-size: large;">The War of 1861. Act of July 14, 1862</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: #a64d79;">Under the act of Congress approved July 14, 1862, pensions are granted to the following classes of persons.</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: #a64d79;">I. Invalids, disabled since March 4, 1861, in the military or naval service of the United States, in the line of duty.</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: #a64d79;">II. Widows of officers, soldiers, or seamen dying of wounds received or of disease contracted in the military or naval service, as above.</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: #a64d79;">III. Children, under sixteen years of age, of such deceased persons, if there is no widow surviving, or from the time of the widow's remarriage.</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: #a64d79;">IV. Mothers (who have no husband living) of officers, soldiers or seamen, deceased as aforesaid, provided the latter have left neither widow nor children under sixteen years of age; and provided, also, that the mother was dependent, wholly or in part, upon the deceased for support.</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #a64d79;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", times, serif;">V. Sisters, under sixteen years of age, of such deceased persons, dependent on the latter, wholly or in part, for support, provided there are no rightful claimants of either of the [???] last preceding classes. </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>http://www.nytimes.com/1862/08/12/news/army-pensions-instructions-forms-be-observed-applying-for-them-under-act-july-14.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">Ernst C. Reif applied for his invalid pension on the 12th day of September 1863 in Ogle County, Illinois. The County Clerk, Albert Woodcock, filed the paperwork, with witnesses, Cyrus Billig and Robert Crunkleton, both residets of the county. Ernst was 24 years old, sworn to testify the true answers to each question. He confirmed that he was a volunteer of the 34th Regmt. of Illinois, and entered service at Mount Morris. His company H was commanded by Capt. Miller, and the 34th Infantry was commanded by Col. Kirk, Bristol(?), etc. He confided that he was discharged while in Louisville, Ky on the 4th of June in 1863. Further, Ernst told his story of being engaged at the Battle of Stone River in Tennessee on the 31st of Dec in 1862. He was shot in the front side of the left thigh, with the ball going through and seriously injured the bone so as to produce lameness, which still existed, and no prospects of improvement. He refers to the Surg. Certificate that shows he was discharged and the certificate of Doctor Colescott of Louisville, the resident surgeon. He returned to Forreston, Illinois, and has been resting himself, not being able to labor on account of his disability.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">Prior to his injuries, he was of good health and had good tempermant. Now he is considered three fourths disabled and not earning wages. He wishes to be placed on the Invald Pension Roll. His represented attorney, C C Tucker, of Washington DC, said he will issue his pension certificate. He agreed to have his pension mailed to the Post Office at Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, because his place of abode is in this town, and it is a small place without numbers on the houses. He signed his name as the applicant, (and quite nicely, I might add) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">The two witnesses and the Clerk of Ogle County signed the form, and it was notarized.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: #741b47;">XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">On February 8, 1864, Ernst Reif was allowed a pension of $4 per month, commencing June 4, 1863.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">A brief was written in the case of Ernest C. Reif, Priv, Co H 34th Ref. Ill Vols.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">He reported that his post office address was Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, along with his dates of enlistment and discharge. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">The brief asked for proof exhibited for Ernst to claim for an invalid pension. The points written were as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">1 Discharge for gun shot wound of left thigh rec'd at Battle of Stone River.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">2. Adjutant General reports him wounded at the Battle of Stone River</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">3. 1st Lt. certified claimant became disabled Dec 31/62, that his Co. was ordered to advance under fire of the Enemy, and in so doing claimant rec'd a gun shot wound in the front side of left thigh, ball going through and injuring the bone so as to produce lameness & unable to walk without crutches. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">4. Attndg Surg. certifies June 12/63 to gun shot wound of left thigh, Some contraction & adhesion of parts injured, cannot straighten limb at knee, walks on toes of injured limb, Disability one half and permanent. Exm. <u>not</u> ordered.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">Disabled by <u>Contraction of left leg </u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #741b47;">His Cert. No. 34.340, was paid to him, through the Chicago Illinois pension office from 1863 ending 1867.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: #741b47;">XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Report of the Death of a Pensioned Veteran :</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
A very yellowed form from the Department of the Interior, Pension Office, dated Nov. 29th, 1876<br />
<br />
"Sir : Your respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the enrollment, must, service duty, and discharge of death of Ernest Reif, who was a private in Company H, 34th Regiment of Illinois Vols. reported died October 19th 1867. <br />
<br />
If the above name is not found on the rolls of said Company, will you so state, and report as to enrollment, in the case of any man bearing a similar name, whom you have good reason for believing to the soldier inquired for.<br />
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Please, also, to furnish any evidence on file that may enable this Office to decide whether the soldier's death resulted from injuries received or disease contracted in the service and line of duty."<br />
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Please return this circular with your report. Claim No. 228.542<br />
Very respectfully, signed JA Bentley, commissioner pensions<br />
Adjutant General, U.S.A.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The reply is as follows:</span></b><br />
<br />
The Adjutant General's Office has an acknowledgement of the receipt for the Pension Application<br />
No. 228.542, (widow and child pension application) dated Dec. 18, 1876, Washington, D.C.<br />
<br />
They are repeating what had appeared in the Rolls on file in the Adjutant General Office :<br />
<br />
"Ernest C. Reif, was enrolled on the 7 day of Sept, 1861, at Mt. Morris, in Co. H,<br />
34th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war, and mustered into service as<br />
a Priv. on the 7 day of Sept., 1861, at Camp Butler, in Co. H, 34 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers<br />
to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Master Roll of Co. H, of that Regiment, for the period<br />
from muster in to Feb. 28, 1862, he is reported present. So reported until roll for Nov. & Dec 1862,<br />
reports him. Taken prisoner at Murfreesboro. Subsequently reported wounded in Battle of Stone<br />
River Dec 31/62. In hospital at Nashville, until roll for May and June, 1863 reports him Discharged<br />
June 3 1863, for disability. Regt. was in action at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dec 31/62.<br />
Prisoner of war records furnish no information. <br />
Certificate of disability reports him dischd. at Louisville, Ky.<br />
June 4th 1863, which date is accepted as correct."<br />
<br />
I am, sir very respectfully,<br />
your obedient servant,<br />
<br />
S N Benjamin, Assistant Adjutant General<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">free images.google.com</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Additionally, this letter...</span></b><br />
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On 4 Jan 1877, a form letter sent by the Department of the Interior, Pension Office, requested the full medical history as possible on the soldier, Ernest Reif, Co. H,34th Regt. Ill. Vols.<br />
Enlisted Sept 7 1861<br />
Discharged June 4/63<br />
<br />
Allegations of Claimant in regard to Fatal Disease or Injury,<br />
Wounded at battle of Stone River Dec. 31st 1862<br />
<br />
Report of the Adjutant General U.S. Army<br />
Enlist.d Sept. 7/61 Pm. Co. H. 34th Ill Vols<br />
Wounded in battle of Stone River Dec 31/62<br />
In hospital at Nashville until June 1863<br />
Roll for June reports him dischgd. June 3 1863<br />
for disability<br />
<br />
Cert. of disability reports him dischgd. at Louisville Ky<br />
June 4, 1863<br />
<br />
No comments on Death<br />
No comments on Miscellaneous Statements<br />
<br />
Please return this circular with your report.<br />
<br />
Signed : J A Bentley, commissioner, pensions<br />
<br />
The Surgeon General, U. S. Army<br />
Claim No. 228.543<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To be continued..</b>.Catherine Reif and her daughter, Mary, file for support as a widow and child of the deceased Ernst C. Reif</span><br />
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-30444440220251309992016-10-29T14:04:00.002-07:002016-10-29T14:04:44.332-07:00Using Civil War Pension Files, Part I : The case of Ernst C. Reif - Part I<div style="text-align: left;">
Recently I received the full pension files for two Civil War soldiers, and I have never been so </div>
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excited to read the information that has been revealed to me. Outstanding!</div>
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The pension files belong to a great great uncle of my husband who served as a volunteer in the </div>
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Union Army, and an African American Civil War Veteran who served one year in the USCT. </div>
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These were both obtained from the company <b>Twisted Twigs on Gnarled </b></div>
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<b>Branches</b>, <span style="background-color: white; color: #006621; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://twistedtwigsgenealogy.com/">twistedtwigsgenealogy.com</a>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Flag of 1861, public domain photo, www.images.google.com</td></tr>
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19 April 1908 c. 147 35 Stat. 64</h1>
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An Act To increase the pension of widows, minor children, and so forth, of deceased soldiers and sailors of the late civil war, the war with Mexico, the various Indian wars, and so forth, and to grant a pension to certain widows of the deceased soldiers and sailors of the late civil war. <a href="http://www.genealogy-quest.com/">www.genealogy-quest.com</a></h3>
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In the days of the Civil War, the Pension Office was overseen and part of the Department of the Interior (now oversees the National Parks Service), and the Veterans Administration of today was not formed until much later.<br />
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This is the story of veteran Ernst (Ernest) C. Reif of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; white-space: nowrap;"></span>Ernst Christian Reif arrived in the United States in 1854, along with his father, stepmother, and some younger siblings. Being the oldest of the brood, I suspect he had to help his father with the support of this Reif family. They settled in northern Illinois, the county of Ogle, later moving to Stephenson. Ernst was a carpenter by trade, as well as his father, George Reif.<br />
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Ernst enlisted into the Union ranks in 1861 upon the opening of the Civil War. He served in the 34th Illinois Infantry, where he was wounded at the Battle of Stone River, near Nashville, Tennessee, on 31 December 1862. He was shot through the thigh and had become so lame that he could not walk without a crutch. Having been taken prisoner, and later recuperating in a Union hospital, he was discharged in June of 1863. He returned back to Forreston, Illinois and his betrothed, Catherine Foy.<br />
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This is where the story of the pension begins for Ernst Reif. According to his pension papers, he was wounded and taken prisoner. Having been exchanged with other prisoners, he was able to be tended to and then sent home upon his discharge. The Examining Surgeon's Report states that he was discharged from Louisville, Kentucky. Later, in August of 1867, he would die from the effects of this permanent damage from the gunshot wound to his leg. One document from the surgeon states that he was subsequently promoted to 1st Lient. This is the only reference to this promotion.<br />
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He was admitted to General Hospital 21 in Nashville, Tennessee, (most likely Cumberland hospital, but not proven yet) 13 Feb, 1863. His wound was described as : "gunshot of left thigh, ball entered anterior inner face of thigh, 2 inches below groin, just internal of sartorious, part directly backwards and outwards, behind and internal to femur, and out on posterior face of thigh, below gluteus maximus, through belly of biceps. Some contraction and adhesion of parts injured. Cannot straighten the limb at knee, Walks on toes of injured limb."<br />
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Signed by the examining surgeon, 12 June 1863, Louisville, Kentucky. Many Union soldiers, sick and wounded, were treated at one of the several Nashville military hospitals, before being transferred to Louisville for further treatment.<br />
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Ernst was transferred to Louisville from Nashville in April of 1863, to General Hospital 7. This is where he was cared for until June of that year, and was sent home with a certificate of disability and eligible for an invalid pension. Hospital 7, also known as Brown General Hospital, built by the Union Army in Louisville, the largest of six general military hospitals in Louisville. <br />
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To be continued.....</div>
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Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-63035356324590501492016-09-18T13:58:00.000-07:002016-09-18T13:58:03.171-07:00What's So Special About Following Newsletters and Blogs?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR0fdJgw8GkB4g_VDze2Ok1tKntVBmFZXzA6snun_iEZ3qUeh2BP2vMD8UViedql0ks26BJFbABzvoxbfPfnL37i-AshyLnnjsgh1Ss0ZHTUvSsd9cBtKzA4LFMNKi6AFBSUEDClJkEpL/s1600/LAST+POST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR0fdJgw8GkB4g_VDze2Ok1tKntVBmFZXzA6snun_iEZ3qUeh2BP2vMD8UViedql0ks26BJFbABzvoxbfPfnL37i-AshyLnnjsgh1Ss0ZHTUvSsd9cBtKzA4LFMNKi6AFBSUEDClJkEpL/s320/LAST+POST.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post box, www.photomorgue.com<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why Follow Blogs and Newsletters for Genealogy?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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Do you read many blogs and newsletters from individuals and associations? No? You should!!!</div>
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Online newsletters can tell you about things that you ordinarily would not know about. Wouldn't you like to know when someone has published a book on the subject that you have been wondering about? What about finding a new database that just might have the information you have been needing to break down a brick wall in your research? These are just a few things that you will benefit from when you subscribe to newsletters and follow blogs.</div>
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Just a few of the many newsletter and blogs to check out:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter,</span> </b>by Richard Eastman. Specific to genealogy, Richard tells you about all that is new in the world of genealogy research. And, if he misses something, just send him a line and he will look into what you have suggested for his mailing. Check it out at <a href="http://blog.eogn.com/%C2%A0">http://blog.eogn.com/ </a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Genealogy Today</span>, </b>has articles, search tools and database links to the newest sites for online data sources. There is also a Marketplace, Memberships and Database listing on their home page. See what its all about at <a href="http://www.genealogytoday.com/">www.genealogytoday.com</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ancestry's Genealogy Newsletter,</span> </b>a portal to the Learning Center, <a href="http://www.ancestry.com/learn/">www.ancestry.com/learn/</a>, lets you follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Ancestry Blog in just a click away. It also has links to tips, census and record information, new additions to the Ancestry community of databases, and an opportunity to subscribe.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GenealogyBlog</span>, </b><a href="http://www.genealogyblog.com/">www.genealogyblog.com</a>, is available as a free daily online magazine. It has a catagory search list on the home page so that you can find just the topic that you'd like to read about. And there are so many topics listed. I can't imagine what is not listed there, because it covers everything, and I mean everything. Try this out. You just might find something that you have been wondering about, or learn about a new topic. Endless possibilities.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Geneabloggers</span>,</b> headed by Thomas MacEntee, and, <b><span style="font-size: large;">Cyndi's List</span>, </b>have great collections of blogs related to history and genealogy. Sit back, and click away.</div>
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Do you have some favorite Newsletters and Blogs that you follow? Tell us about them, and share what you learn from them, and why you follow them. Thanks in advance for your replies.</div>
Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-5771482240295226052016-08-27T12:18:00.000-07:002016-08-27T12:18:05.406-07:00Genealogy OnLine : How to Get Started<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc4YmPjWYG8obDRW9nMNnoIXMAveYwucLQDGVJgBdNyjjsz4W8fHF7gCnCeidUQLwxj2XNbgjXWj81N2k6MIh8AaB2V0g91evbUY6ZEsSp2lntBclGJ74i7Kj28BHqTVoSzBTtaazxjkl/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc4YmPjWYG8obDRW9nMNnoIXMAveYwucLQDGVJgBdNyjjsz4W8fHF7gCnCeidUQLwxj2XNbgjXWj81N2k6MIh8AaB2V0g91evbUY6ZEsSp2lntBclGJ74i7Kj28BHqTVoSzBTtaazxjkl/s320/image.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting Started in Genealogy ONLINE, W. Dollarhide, 2007 reprint, www.genealogical.com</td></tr>
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<br />
So you want to do some family research? Where do you start? Right here, is a good beginning place.<br />
<br />
William Dollarhide has been writing some of the best books on research. This is one of our favorites.<br />
If you are looking for a how-to book that is easy to read, right to the point and not too cumbersome, then this is the book for you.<br />
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At just about 64 pages (including master forms for family data, pedigree and family group sheets), this publication has all that you need to start your journey. Just be careful. This journey will never end. You have been warned. Once you get bitten by the genealogy bug, you are hooked for quite a while. <br />
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Mr. Dollarhide starts from the beginning...with yourself, your immediate family and extended family. Conducting interviews is the first step to get the oral history started. Then there is the task of getting first hand documents (or secondary copies of first hand documents) to back up all the stories that you have been told. Death records and death certificates can certainly start the collection of information that you will need. And, using the Federal and State Census records to track the locations and persons in your family is an essential step. <br />
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The Family History Library Catalog has a nice, and easy, search engine to see what has been copied, and or documented. Don't forget,,,,it's FREE.<br />
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The author goes on to announce how nice it is to be able to search for book titles on the Internet. We think so, too, since <a href="http://ancestorstuff.com/">AncestorStuff.com</a> is a place that we like to start (we own the company)! Lots to choose from, and we offer help in finding just the right publications for you, whether we carry it in our catalog, or not. Books are great!<br />
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Further into this book, the search for those special websites that seem to offer the pot-o-gold is discussed. Every little bit of information helps, so don't turn you nose up at any site. Bookmark those that seem promising. Some websites are lineage-linked, and others are sponsored by software companies, archives, libraries, cemeteries, societies and organizations.<br />
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There are several resource centers located across the United States. Search those out, and plan field trips or family vacations and make a visit...even though the kids will roll their eyes. Get them involved in the search, and add an award to the kid who finds the best bit of information.<br />
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When all else fails, you get too tired, or just don't have the time to do the search and legwork, contact a professional researcher. Or, subscribe to the many genealogy magazines, newsletters and blogs. Many are listed in this book. <br />
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Finally, browse the top twenty Reference Books for Genealogists, of which <a href="http://www.ancestorstuff.com/">AncestorStuff.com </a> has many listed in our catalog. <br />
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Document...Document...Document every piece of information you collect. The Master Forms sheets at the end of this book, kindly provided by William Dollarhide, are just what you need. Make copies, keeping data and images stored online, in a cloud, and yes, paper is good, too.<br />
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You can get a copy of <b style="font-style: italic;">Getting Started in Genealogy ONLINE, </b>at <a href="http://www.ancestorstuff.com/computer-getting-started-in-genealogy-online-dollarhide.html">http://www.ancestorstuff.com/computer-getting-started-in-genealogy-online-dollarhide.html</a><br />
and purchase at a 15% discounted price. Looking for a nice gift for someone who wants to dabble in the hobby of genealogy and family history? This is a very good, and affordable, idea.<br />
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Thanks for reading, and HAPPY HUNTING<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKImZho0ne9og8u2DCkJaen7w0P-UfreB8vBjMH_dfCJnU2LWkgd8auxbuvm7NW_HaPjxrbG8pyzoipEnLCjXK0B6aYeiJWTkOexvPk1Ig1Nrf0P7VOvF8t98lCKbleWroL1HLlynHeLQ/s1600/IMG_6413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKImZho0ne9og8u2DCkJaen7w0P-UfreB8vBjMH_dfCJnU2LWkgd8auxbuvm7NW_HaPjxrbG8pyzoipEnLCjXK0B6aYeiJWTkOexvPk1Ig1Nrf0P7VOvF8t98lCKbleWroL1HLlynHeLQ/s400/IMG_6413.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fannie, Black Lab Mix and History Buff Mutt</td></tr>
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-80959648130816570162016-06-20T14:52:00.001-07:002016-06-20T14:52:54.530-07:00It's Showtime : Ancestors in the Entertainment BusinessLights Camera ACTION<br />
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Do you have any family members that were employed in the entertainment or broadcast business?<br />
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It might be interesting to learn about them and their professions. There are several ways to look up what they might have been up to.<br />
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<b>My Uncle Bennie....Horse Trainer, Circus Actor, Western Film Stuntman</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg613wxroCLKihO4De1kxz2p0JegnPAWiL03ObmO9fD8DJnMiHZYCaW7FbevdMNcrbmAU1iSbdCinRTnEW9JzsHz-j1tHnBsz3yh7giA8lJd4oG1W884S04H8Z-mGwsh-V7EnHWuo9bd_v1/s1600/uncle+Bennie+the+knife+thrower+Fred+Johnson+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg613wxroCLKihO4De1kxz2p0JegnPAWiL03ObmO9fD8DJnMiHZYCaW7FbevdMNcrbmAU1iSbdCinRTnEW9JzsHz-j1tHnBsz3yh7giA8lJd4oG1W884S04H8Z-mGwsh-V7EnHWuo9bd_v1/s400/uncle+Bennie+the+knife+thrower+Fred+Johnson+banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">images.google.com; public domain, accessed 20 June 2016</td></tr>
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As little kids, our mother often told us of our Uncle Bennie, who worked in Los Angeles in Western genre films. I never met the man, but my siblings had. I only saw photos of him. After years of hearing about our cowboy relative, I decided to find out a little about him and his career.<br />
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Aunt Ethel, wife of Uncle Bennie, often called our home to let us know what films Bennie would be appearing in, and later her son, Carl, also took up the "reins" and followed in his father's footsteps. He also appeared in films and television shows.<br />
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Visiting Aunt Ethel when I was a teenager, I asked her how she and Uncle Bennie met. She said that she and her brother left their home when teenagers and toured the country in a traveling Wild West Circus Show. They were from Montana, and had lots of experience around horses. When the show appeared in the town where Bennie lived, he went to see the performances. His eyes met hers, Her eyes met his, and "the rest is history", she said. They traveled with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.<br />
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The family that Uncle Bennie came from was very involved in Italian fruit marketing. Obviously he did not go into this business like his father and siblings. I looked into the 1911 old phone books and found Bennie listed, living with his parents and siblings, but he was listed as "theatrical" at the age of 19. The rest of his male siblings were listed as fruit dealers.<br />
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Bennie married Ethel, had their son, Carl, in 1916, and at WWI he registered with the draft. His draft card states that he was employed a performer with the Ringling Bros. Circus.<br />
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Several family photos were produced by various persons showing Bennie with western star Tom Mix, who appeared in westerns, most of which were silent films, from 1909-1935. <br />
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Many newspaper articles, most of which were from the early 1950s, made mention of Bennie and his touring of the nation in traveling western shows. Also, there were mentions of his training of movie stars in the western movie business. He was very adept in lassos, knife throwing, hatchet throwing, horse whip tricks and shooting performances.<br />
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He was mentioned as a personal assistant to Will Rogers as a chauffeur, and a very good friend of Will Rogers, Jr. <br />
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In his obituary of 1955, it states, "a famed western showman, a long time western film horse trainer and stuntman, close friend of the late Will Rogers, a double for many famous stars in western films, owner of a ranch formerly owned by Will Rogers, Jr., and appeared on the television show "You Asked For It" where he performed a knife-throwing act with his wife and partner, Ethel."<br />
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There was so much more found in newspapers and ephemera regarding Uncle Bennie. Too much stuff to mention here. But, at least I found several ways to learn about him, and now you can research your Entertainer Ancestor, too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyxjRUmdvdq_snMuny9hqCQ5C8m6WO5J56wI_d_lZx_Sh7BX_5BLczMotMv6eLPPOFoiHlTRbwTYzMf7xMuIN3quWEMwMspYi42UXuv9CnpwY6ALpXHERw84oSytzP8XvNT-OfioeuVAp/s1600/uncle+Bennie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyxjRUmdvdq_snMuny9hqCQ5C8m6WO5J56wI_d_lZx_Sh7BX_5BLczMotMv6eLPPOFoiHlTRbwTYzMf7xMuIN3quWEMwMspYi42UXuv9CnpwY6ALpXHERw84oSytzP8XvNT-OfioeuVAp/s400/uncle+Bennie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from the collection of Mrs. Louis Busalaki Stepler, 1917-2002.</td></tr>
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-53188936916197056282016-06-03T15:58:00.000-07:002016-06-03T15:58:28.187-07:00World War II : D Day ResearchDo you have relatives or friends that participated in the D Day operations in Europe during World War II? <br />
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There have been many viewpoints written about this epic day in history. So many died on the beaches during this unprecedented invasion. And, yet, so many were fortunate to survive. For them, it was a memory that I am sure they never wanted to repeat. <br />
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There are some great publications written by many of these survivors. And, many researchers are now able to find information about the behind the scenes actions since many of the files have become declassified. One of these books is written by Kenneth H. Garn, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Secret D-Day,</u> 2004.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eJxwFuNf43TeKs0V1uWPNLW6PHoGJtey4ZlkBe0bpffyTAaL4c-3wCOSn9P7QcvFYgDL-GxwFf97M_0j3aEb5fAGzlLrCZ35LC2pZM0MtvK0UFgyq6_OYl_al4-GuVgMVVpQrf1PKBNJ/s1600/The+Secret+D-Day+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eJxwFuNf43TeKs0V1uWPNLW6PHoGJtey4ZlkBe0bpffyTAaL4c-3wCOSn9P7QcvFYgDL-GxwFf97M_0j3aEb5fAGzlLrCZ35LC2pZM0MtvK0UFgyq6_OYl_al4-GuVgMVVpQrf1PKBNJ/s400/The+Secret+D-Day+image.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heritagebooks.com/">www.heritagebooks.com</a>, available for sale through <a href="http://www.ancestorstuff.com/">www.ancestorstuff.com</a><br /></td></tr>
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The author was part of a defense platoon in Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion of the 531st Engineer Shore Regiment. He unravels the truth behind the D-Day invasion.</div>
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This book is highly recommended for those who enjoy reading first hand accounts of war.</div>
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<a href="http://ancestorstuff.com/">AncestorStuff.com</a> sells at a discount off of list price, and is giving FREE SHIPPING to customers when they buy 3 Military Catalog items until June 13. You might want to take advantage of this offer. It would be a good savings to anyone.</div>
Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-87016633569512065882016-05-27T19:45:00.000-07:002016-05-27T19:45:03.214-07:00Researching Ancestors While Reading Biographies and Historical AccountsNot very many people are so lucky as to have ancestors with published biographies on the shelves of every library in town. In fact, not too many people have ancestors mentioned in history books. I should know....I've been researching our families since 2002. Seems like yesterday when I picked up an old photo in a relative's box of belongings and wondered...Who are these people, and why do I look like them?<br />
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And so you start to wonder a bit about family of long ago, those that you have never met. <br />
But that is where life gets interesting. It's time to do some investigative reading. <br />
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Looking into the lives of our ancestors, we need to pick out every place that they lived, every school that they attended, the churches that they visited on Sundays with family and any military and occupational experiences they had.<br />
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Look at all the possibilities that you have to gather more information into their lives. Research the schools that they attended. Google books on their churches. Find histories written about the towns, villages, counties and townships in which they lived. Research the history of the military units in which they served. Find the places of employment and read about the history of the company or corporation. <br />
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Besides reading books on all of the above, search for news articles in newspapers and periodicals that may have stories about those schools, churches, companies, etc. Your ancestors probably knew many of the people who are named in all of these sources. Now you know a little more about your ancestor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9L0Wu0m6WZkg9Snet3_zVfBQ5GQrGkpBWyCGp1BMwpHKu0CWlaKmIJ1QbZja3vd61XOoOxk9-sJIVUzHkIArPZiSDaCNMl7rHk3ox0ujp5ZQHLVRZl-rr8Trkdj2FFmsYcpjSlrcMPy3-/s1600/971597_1001911659899761_8636352627762431095_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9L0Wu0m6WZkg9Snet3_zVfBQ5GQrGkpBWyCGp1BMwpHKu0CWlaKmIJ1QbZja3vd61XOoOxk9-sJIVUzHkIArPZiSDaCNMl7rHk3ox0ujp5ZQHLVRZl-rr8Trkdj2FFmsYcpjSlrcMPy3-/s400/971597_1001911659899761_8636352627762431095_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>AncestorStuff.com</b> is a good place to start. Our newly purchased company has gone through quite a change in the past 60 days. Redecorated website, blogs, social media....yes it's all been a lot of work. But we are not done with the changes yet. We will begin to write newsletters to our subscribers FREE of charge on a monthly basis. If interested, go to our website, <a href="http://www.ancestorstuff.com/">www.ancestorstuff.com</a>, and sign up for the newsletter...we will send you a FREE 15 Generation Chart (two-sided) when you leave your address on the subscriber sheet. Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-21257871661241785522016-05-23T19:51:00.001-07:002016-05-23T19:51:09.529-07:00AncestorStuff.com Website is new and improved...ready to take your orders<br />
Www.ancestorstuff.comSharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-39350817374463918742016-03-13T17:29:00.001-07:002016-03-13T17:29:53.309-07:00State by State Research : Colorado<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffTnR5wBe72O_xy7SL7jS-eXL-xeL7O9qrcohSAz5-5hHV-37KsaLJzrmOFUD9QJTZltLunYVSTP2_ibPUT8w8zuEGXPrZKPgkbCfDIcRLQYERum80wj4yUn3MWjIlygCcljB9Dy7-RQ8/s1600/detail_86_cs-co102-Colorado-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffTnR5wBe72O_xy7SL7jS-eXL-xeL7O9qrcohSAz5-5hHV-37KsaLJzrmOFUD9QJTZltLunYVSTP2_ibPUT8w8zuEGXPrZKPgkbCfDIcRLQYERum80wj4yUn3MWjIlygCcljB9Dy7-RQ8/s400/detail_86_cs-co102-Colorado-600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.google.com/images<br /></td></tr>
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Continuing with my review of state history and genealogy research, let's explore Colorado.<br />
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<b><i><u>Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection</u></i></b> <a href="http://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/">www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org</a><br />
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Wow, over 200 newspapers are searchable at this site. That is impressive. Let's see what I can find.<br />
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The years range from 1859 to 1966. Not too shabby. You can search, browse by title, name or place. There is also a topics page, listings are alphabetically arranged, which helps a lot when you looking for that certain event that could have dozens of articles written and posted. The articles are arranged by newspapers and date of publication. Now that makes things easier.<br />
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I looked up "Knife Throwing", and 20 articles suddenly appeared. Cool. Of course these are all from Colorado newspapers, but that is the neatest thing. You can get much closer to a specific geographic area.<br />
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There are "Help" and "Forums" to help you with search suggestions. But let's be honest, isn't it fun to just fumble around and do some hunting without help? OK, ask for help if you want to.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Colorado State Archives</u> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1790449756"> </a></i><a href="http://www.colorado.gov/archives">www.colorado.gov/archives</a><br />
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Looking for birth and death registers? How about divorce indexes? Probate, yep. Other documents of naturalization, teacher licenses, tax lists, Supreme Court case files, etc. This site is for you if you have Colorado research ambition...<br />
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Want Probate information? Go to Menu tab, scroll down to Public Records (or Genealogy....all roads lead to Rome you know), then scroll to Legal Records....scroll down to Probate. There is a list of Counties and the years that are held at the state archives. Only those cases prior to 1985 are listed. But, not all of these records are at the archives. You can order document copies.<br />
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Did I forget to mention Military records? How about Penitentiary records? School records? <br />
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Folks, there is just so much on this website that I can't possibly write about all of it. You will just have to visit it yourself. But I promise you, you won't regret it...ever. It would be nice if every state have such a comprehensive collection such as this.<br />
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Job well done, Colorado!<br />
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And let me remind you, <b><u>Family Tree Magazine</u></b> published an fantastic article about the many state websites available...I still have mine from December of 2011. Be sure to visit<b><u> Family Tree Magazine.com.</u></b> A great publication!Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-36404435461185131162016-03-07T19:02:00.000-08:002016-03-07T19:02:45.706-08:00California : Research State by State<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlefTpEUQBrCUYJ1wEmC0fllp5mj8KKHD-xu9CtKcv1N7y8fuHGgBE6bBedpKQFAOH2X1_Nzc9ZvzfaSFdbDH6-EdAvSJex4-RIe9r4Vb0QNoUBXs4bjBuW1guMBdVx-XazUiIwxmZgkpC/s1600/california-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlefTpEUQBrCUYJ1wEmC0fllp5mj8KKHD-xu9CtKcv1N7y8fuHGgBE6bBedpKQFAOH2X1_Nzc9ZvzfaSFdbDH6-EdAvSJex4-RIe9r4Vb0QNoUBXs4bjBuW1guMBdVx-XazUiIwxmZgkpC/s400/california-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.googleimages</td></tr>
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Have some family ties in California? There are a few websites mentioned by <b><i><u>Family Tree Magazine</u></i></b>.<br />
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<b>California Digital Newspaper Collection </b><a href="http://cdnc.ucr.edu/">cdnc.ucr.edu</a><br />
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This site, a project by the University of California at Riverside, has newspapers that cover 1846 through the present. They have a search feature, so I decided to use it. Looking for my great uncle and information on his career as a stunt man in western films.<br />
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I didn't find him, or his son, Carl. Better luck next time.<br />
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I did a search for Reagan....guess what....over 12,000 hits. Go figure.<br />
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<b>California Genealogical Society and Library </b><a href="http://californiaancestors.org/">californiaancestors.org</a><br />
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This site seems more promising to me. It talks about membership, research, look ups, libraries, etc.<br />
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I used the California Names Index. Just as before, after entering the surname of my great uncle, no results appeared. <br />
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There is a free manuscript database, so once again I looked for the surname. No luck.<br />
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In the Members section, there are many databases to explore. I am not a member, but there seems to be a sizable list of subjects to browse :<br />
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Church membership listings<br />
Baptisms<br />
Marriage listings for Brides and Grooms<br />
Vital Records listed in the San Francisco Newspapers<br />
Enrollment of the Association of Territorial Pioneers<br />
Archives of the CGS news and The California Nugget<br />
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Under the tab Research, you can find how to hire a researcher, tip for researching in California, Name Look ups for $10, upcoming classes and events.<br />
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Under the tab Library, you can find many recommended links for further research in California.<br />
Links to libraries, newspapers, societies and groups are plentiful. I might spend a bit more time in this section of this site.<br />
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Under the tab Publications, you can find about a dozen or so books that are for sale. Of course, members get a better deal than non members. Seems to be quite a variety here, so take a look and there might be something that you want to order.<br />
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There is a lot more to this site than I have just mentioned. I think that this could be a very good resource for those who have an interest in the history of California.<br />
<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-44594756148791235222016-01-30T17:19:00.001-08:002016-01-30T17:23:42.452-08:00Research State by State : ArkansasContinuing with research in the States, I have a source for Arkansas. The Arkansas History Commission, found at <a href="http://www.ark-ives.com/">Www.ark-ives.com</a>, has many sections to search.<br />
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The News and Events tab shows a chronological list of general messages regarding special hours for research on various holidays, but also posts of interesting articles regarding Arkansas history. There is an article dated from 6 January 2016, which reports a story of the desegregation of Little Rock School. The Black History Commission of Arkansas will partner with the Arkansas History Commission in this presentation to be held on 6 February 2016.<br />
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The Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives has a tab that directs you to their page, which features "One Hundred Fifty Years Ago Today in Arkansas". This is an on- line exhibit regarding Arkansas in the Civil War. Selected images and articles are showcased to give a glimpse of the extensive collection held by the Commission. This is a searchable database to allow inquisitive persons to explore various subject matter of the Civil War in the South. There is also a feature entitled "Today in Arkansas History". I found that on today, 30 January , the southern boundary line was completed in 1831, as well as by the act of the state legislature, the Apple Blossom became the state flower in 1901. <br />
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Another tab, entitled CARAT, allows the researcher to browse various collections by title. Some of the topic collections include:<br />
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Manuscripts<br />
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County Records<br />
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Newspapers<br />
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Military Records, just to name a few.<br />
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The most interesting and valuable records about land ownership, Confederate Pensions and WWII discharge papers will probably attract anyone who wishes to research their Arkansas kin.<br />
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Looks like the data in CARAT is worth your time to review.<br />
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The Black History tab sends the researcher to the page for The Black History Commission of Arkansas. Although they have a collection , they are continually seeking donations of letters photos, business records, and other documents of the Black History of Arkansas. The Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program is available to help fund projects related to Black History of Arkansas.<br />
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Lastly, there are databases to help the researcher find more information like these topics:<br />
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African American legislators<br />
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African Americans manuscripts<br />
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African American yearbooks<br />
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African American newspapers, and several others.<br />
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Furthermore, there are resource guides to aid teachers in their classroom plans to study the above listed topics.<br />
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Although I have no family connections to Arkansas, <a href="http://www.ark-ives.com/">Www.ark-ives.com</a>, I will browse this website just because it holds such interesting information. Just the thing for a ho-hum rainy day.<br />
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-11388483409704334852016-01-23T17:27:00.000-08:002016-01-23T17:27:07.450-08:00Research by State : ArizonaHello again.<br />
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I just reviewed two sites that are incredible. Who knew that Arizona would have such great research guides? Need some birth and death information? Arizona has a searchable database that is fantastic.<br />
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Let's start with <b>Arizona Genealogy Birth and Death Certificates </b>found at <a href="http://www.genealogy.az.gov/">genealogy.az.gov</a><br />
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Currently on this site, you can search births to 1939 (at least 75 years ago) and deaths to 1964 (at least 50 years ago<br />
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Images are in pdf format for both birth and death certificates. Fantastic? You betcha!<br />
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The <b>Arizona Memory Project</b> found at <a href="http://azmemory.lib.az.us/">azmemory.lib.az.us</a><br />
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I found this site to be really neat for that information that you never learned in school. There are collections covering a variety of topics and subjects....Architecture, Education, Maps, Military, Native Americans, Photographs, ....just to name a few.<br />
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I love to read about people who have a whole different taste of life....usually for the absurd or purely wacky (not to be critical or anything like that). So, I did some browsing in the Crime and Law section. There was a topic called Murder and Mayhem. Just what I like to read. Look what I found...<br />
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<h1 style="background-color: #f2f0ec; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 36px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 20px 0px 10px;">
Murder & Mayhem - The Strange Saga of Winnie Ruth Judd</h1>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8xxc-HVQmOnINlhA2pvcIXDu70any0d8gUX194Ym5OSAtbUv4Zbs2vUAXLK-vkWIIM8Bycjy6hzNC3vJsnRrmBkf5shbgRH3ZFXiPehNe62fJSQt4U9Di52O8ogOs8jsKD9Mf3tieZef/s1600/Winnie+Ruth+Judd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8xxc-HVQmOnINlhA2pvcIXDu70any0d8gUX194Ym5OSAtbUv4Zbs2vUAXLK-vkWIIM8Bycjy6hzNC3vJsnRrmBkf5shbgRH3ZFXiPehNe62fJSQt4U9Di52O8ogOs8jsKD9Mf3tieZef/s320/Winnie+Ruth+Judd.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/cdm/landingpage/collection/ahfmur</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #f2f0ec; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22.8571px;">Contributed by </span><a href="http://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/cdm/contributor?colln=ahfmur" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #f2f0ec; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22.8571px; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.00392157) 1px 1px 1px;" title="About Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records: State Archives">Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records: State Archives</a></div>
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This is the story of Winnie Ruth of Indiana. At the age of 19, she married Dr. Judd, a man 22 years her senior. While living in Los Angeles, her husband became a drug addict. She was diagnosed with TB and decided to move to Arizona for the drier air.</div>
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Winnie got a clerical job at a clinic, and soon made friends with two other women. They became roomies. She began dating a new man in her life....and yes, she was still married....and, oh, by the way....he was married too. She moved out of the girls place and got a place of her own. However the three women still met up each week to socialize.</div>
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Well, one day, Winnie went to visit the ladies. An argument ensued, someone pulled out a gun, and all three were shot. Winnie was injured in the hand, but, unfortunately, the two other young women were fatally wounded.</div>
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The body of one of the young gals was stuffed into a suitcase. The other was too large to fit into a case, so her body was dismembered, and she was stuffed into multiple suitcases.</div>
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Winnie left Arizona with the suitcases, headed back to Los Angeles.The trunks began to smell and leak body fluids while on the train ride through California. The train inspectors asked Winnie to open a trunk. She told them that only her husband had the key, and with that, she ran off.</div>
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Train inspectors forced the suitcases open and the bodies were found. </div>
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Winnie's trial began in 1932 in Phoenix. The "Trunk Murderess" claimed self defense. That idea didn't work. She was found guilty and sentenced to death. However, not long after, she was found to be insane, as was sent to the state mental hospital for 38 years. She escaped seven times from the hospital, and managed to get as far as northern California where she found employment as a nanny.</div>
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Police finally caught up with her, and she was extradited back to Arizona. In 1969, she demanded to be reexamined to determine her sanity. Her parole was denied, but in 1971 the governor signed her pardon. She returned to California, now going by the name of Marian Lane.</div>
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Marian died in California in her sleep, at the age of 93, in 1998.</div>
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Now, where else can you find a story like this? Newspapers!!! My favorite research resource....until I reviewed this <b>Arizona Memory Project</b> site...which is running a close second place.</div>
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I hope that you take the time to browse these Arizona sites to help you with your family research, or just to read about the lives of people who do strange things.</div>
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Speaking of that, don't forget to visit my other blog...<b>Friday's Fallen Acorns and Other Nuts</b> found at <a href="http://www.fridaysfallenacorns.blogspot.com/">www.fridaysfallenacorns.blogspot.com</a></div>
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Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-13424718565904424052016-01-15T19:00:00.000-08:002016-01-15T19:00:43.057-08:00State by State Research : AlaskaLast week I mentioned the <b style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">Family Tree Magazine </b> listing of state archive websites for genealogy and historical research. The state of Alaska is one of their entries, and I'd like to review it for you.<br />
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The <b><i><u>Alaska Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums</u></i></b>, found at <a href="http://lam.alaska.gov/">www.lam.alaska.gov </a>, is just what one needs when researching historical Alaska. Databases include newspapers, naturalization and probate records, in addition to a gold rush pioneer index.<br />
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How many glaciers are in Alaska? I don't know for sure, but there is a section in the Alaska State Library tab that shows the location of each glacier, it's common name and it's elevation . The Library also mentions the newspapers that are featured in full-text, most of which are pre 1923.<br />
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Alaska free clip art is also a feature of this library. Much too many topics to mention here.<br />
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In the Genealogy section of this site is <b><u style="font-style: italic;">Finding Your Gold Rush Relatives. </u> </b>Links to repositories, societies, resources, books, cemeteries, etc. are plentiful. Your could sit all day and still never cover every one of these.<br />
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Alaska and Yukon Vital Records are in PDF form, and volumes cover 1898 through 1936.<br />
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The digital archives include collections of the State Library and the various campuses of the University of Alaska, in addition to several museums.<br />
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Researchers can be employed if you don't have the time to do it yourself. Just ask.<br />
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Although I don't have any family members who lived in Alaska, this is a site that I'd like to revisit simply because the history of Alaska is just so different from the other 49 states. I hope that you, too, will take some time to see what this site has to offer.Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-90906852026965466362016-01-09T13:53:00.000-08:002016-01-09T13:56:34.196-08:00State By State Research : AlabamaI want to tell you how wonderfully the writers of <i><b><u>Family Tree Magazine</u></b></i> fill their pages with such useful information. For those of us who need that extra help with researching the archives of individual states, they have published a listing of websites that can be the portals to helping you with your historical and genealogical research. I am going to review each of their picks by state.<br />
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Let's start with <b>Alabama</b>.<br />
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<b><u>The Alabama Department of Archives and History</u> </b><a href="http://archives.state.al.us/">archives.state.al.us</a><br />
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This site has a search feature to look for names in the Civil War service cards. It also has a search feature for the 1867 voter registrations. <br />
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Interested in microfilmed newspapers? Well, they are listed in the catalogs, and some are available through interlibrary loan.<br />
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There are also links to find church records, local and county records and maps.<br />
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The <b><u>Alabama History Timeline</u></b> is quite fascinating. It has quips of what was in the vicinity of Alabama going back to 10,000-7,000 BC.,,featuring information on Russell Cave in Jackson County which is a fine example of prehistoric geology. Going forward, several Spanish explorers made their mark in the area, and the development of the Native American Creek Nation, along with other tribes formed from the earlier Mississippian peoples. There is information on schools, cities, forts, legislature, et. al. Truly a go to spot for Alabama history.<br />
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Multi Media is not lacking on this website. You Tube videos are abundant and cover a wide range of subjects.<br />
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This is certainly a website that I will bookmark, and I hope you do, too.Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-19197050975495704772016-01-02T13:00:00.000-08:002016-01-02T13:00:16.875-08:00A New Blog By Me : Friday's Fallen Acorns and Other Nuts<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FRIDAY'S FALLEN ACORNS AND OTHER NUTS</td></tr>
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I am so sorry to those who anxiously await my new posts. You see, I have not posted here since August of 2014. Terrible, just terrible. I am so embarrassed.<br />
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But, since the new year has arrived, it's time to make those resolutions. Yes, I do plan to lose weight, just like 50 percent of the American population. I might join Weight Watchers....Oprah says its OK. I also want to continue writing on this blog, and not skip a month ever again. We will see if I hold up to that commitment. News flash : I decided to start a totally new blog entitled<u><i> Friday's Fallen Acorns and Other Nuts.</i></u><br />
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In this new blog, I will share stories and research that I find regarding persons from my family, my collateral relatives connected to me through marriages and friendships, and any other persons that I come into contact with this year. I chose this subject because I happen to have an overabundance of persons in my research that have made news in the past, but not very pretty stories.<br />
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Murder, kidnapping, extortion, firebombing, assault, etc.....it's all there. Some persons are the instigators, and some are victims, and then there are those guilty of associations with these activities. Sound interesting? I think so.<br />
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Stay tuned for my first blog....new posts will be written every Friday....<u><i>Friday"s Fallen Acorns and Other Nuts </i></u>will be entertaining, if not just plain useful to others who are afraid to publish their own stories of unsavory and unfortunate characters.<br />
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See you on FridaysSharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-10908035836118182052015-08-18T17:29:00.000-07:002015-08-18T17:29:10.455-07:00Famous Families in the Civil WarSo sorry for the delay in posts....<br />
We had a wedding in our family in late May of this year....it was in Jamaica, and, yes, its was just beautiful. I have a very pretty new daughter-in-law. <br />
Summer came upon us, and I slowed down with the heated weather, which included my writing.<br />
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But, now I am back. And I have been collecting so many new topics to write about. I can't wait to share them with all of you. So, let's do this!<br />
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Many a U.S. history enthusiast has joined in the commemoration of the War Between the States....better known as the Civil War. It made me think of all those researchers who have scrambled to find our if any of their ancestors were military participants of this war.<br />
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I began to look at records of those better known families in our American history. Wouldn't it be interesting to find family members of those well known Americans who had enlisted into the military service, either Union or Confederate? I did find some and I'll share them with you.<br />
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Remember Paul Revere? That awesome guy who rode his horse, using the signal "one if by land, two if by sea", had a grandson. <b>Col. Paul Revere</b>, named after his grandfather, was an officer serving in the Union troops during the Civil War. Unfortunately, the colonel died at the Battle of Gettysburg. I had heard about this while viewing a program on The History Channel. The website FindAGrave does have quite a nice tribute to Colonel Revere,<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?GRid=5845791&page=gr"> http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?GRid=5845791&page=gr</a> , which includes photos of his grave. <br />
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<b>Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.</b> (1841-1935), served with the Union Army . He hailed from Boston, Massachusetts, son of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., a noted person himself. Mr. Holmes later became Justice Holmes.....he was a Justice of the Supreme Court in the early part of the 1900s. There are many photos of him, and much written about him. Wikipedia has a wonderful biography of the Honorable O. W. Holmes at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Wendell_Holmes,_Jr.">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Wendell_Holmes,_Jr.</a> <br />
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<b>George Armstrong Custer</b>, better known for his demise at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, also served in the Civil War. He was admitted into West Point where he graduated in 1858....being the last in his class. When the Civil War began, he was called to duty in the Union Army. After the war, he was a Calvary commander in the Indian Wars on the Great Plains. Much can be found on the Internet, including<a href="http://www.georgearmstrongcuster.com/"> http://www.georgearmstrongcuster.com/ </a><br />
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Did <b>Frank and Jesse James</b> serve in the Civil War? Well, there are some very interesting documents that have been digitized. And, these tell of the James brothers as Confederate guerrilla fighters. Frank James did serve in the Confederate Army, was captured, and was forced to swear allegiance to the Union. Jesse James, born in 1847, was too young to join the military, but that did not stop him from joining the bushwhackers with his brother. I found the site <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/james-frank/"> http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/james-frank/ </a> has so much information about the James brothers and their activities before and after the Civil War. <br />
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So what famous families do you think had Civil War veterans? Try looking them up some day. Think of politicians, entertainers, literary and other famous persons who may have been living during the mid 1800s. I bet you will find some folks who wore the uniform of the Union or the Confederacy. Have fun on your search.<br />
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<br />Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-89639627918108918562015-04-20T18:08:00.001-07:002015-04-20T18:08:24.143-07:00Community Mausoleums : The Architecture of Cecil E. BryanHave you ever noticed the mausoleums that have been erected in older cemeteries? Their styles are difference, yet similar. Monumental buildings that store and keep the remains of those who have passed appeared in the late 1800s in some of the most visited cemeteries in our nation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cecil E. Bryan, <u><span style="color: #0066cc;"><a href="http://beechermausoleum.org/cecil-e-bryan/">http://beechermausoleum.org/cecil-e-bryan/</a></span></u></td></tr>
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A prominent mausoleum designer, Cecil E. Bryan became very well known for his designs of mausoleums suitable to just about any cemetery in the country. He was born in 1878, and worked for architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and later for Ralph Modjeske, an architect that used reinforced concrete in many of his designs. He began designing and building mausoleums in 1912, using what he had learned from these great men, and used reinforced concrete with other new materials.<br />
Frank Crane compiled a brochure of Cecil E. Bryan's mausoleum designs in 1917. He aspired to build better, more perfect mausoleums to honor those who have passed, and yet give the visitors of these solemn places a spiritual experience. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK-FU06CeQQGXdHut8bzAXaW8aG3BLWgHlFN_y1dqMYtddi1luqvbZ-tn6Yk7gVvZq3pYPEG0aqaTtGbpA8wqK3lWkKJr9_QXsWTL28iNwFeg8EPl0c7wfJhk7fd7ZkiUZrD1LYvnMvCs/s1600/community+maus+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK-FU06CeQQGXdHut8bzAXaW8aG3BLWgHlFN_y1dqMYtddi1luqvbZ-tn6Yk7gVvZq3pYPEG0aqaTtGbpA8wqK3lWkKJr9_QXsWTL28iNwFeg8EPl0c7wfJhk7fd7ZkiUZrD1LYvnMvCs/s1600/community+maus+cover.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community Mausoleums, by Frank Crane, brochure of the work of Cecil E. Bryan, 1917</td></tr>
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Mr. Bryan was well known for his respectful, stately designs of these buildings. His buildings can be found across the nation, in some of the most beautiful cemeteries ever seen. And, he built them to last long after the descendants of those entombed have passed. Keeping to the goals of providing a dry, well- built building, Mr. Bryan went a bit farther with incorporating Greek and Roman architecture to create an impressive edifice.<br />
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The following are some of the mausoleums designed by Cecil Bryan. Perhaps you may have seen some of these :<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t0W6j-O2gR-z35gXMXx1eQkh3ozjFArU_DwngLOeVRgePPkLT-HRW0lXLmneJoIMvaI7aYEn5DOAqs8adn_r3bxKUpeKpXmhVKhPes7F7ABK6ujJ3hvBEOiw2I9G53YO8bp8WIBYk61r/s1600/Rockford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t0W6j-O2gR-z35gXMXx1eQkh3ozjFArU_DwngLOeVRgePPkLT-HRW0lXLmneJoIMvaI7aYEn5DOAqs8adn_r3bxKUpeKpXmhVKhPes7F7ABK6ujJ3hvBEOiw2I9G53YO8bp8WIBYk61r/s1600/Rockford.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rockford Cemetery Mausoleum, Rockford, Illinois<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5wFnQ9Wx6hhwzx2wFVZPN7XStB990alDmLM-SOnb1ytkdcHbtf1NvsnDblhHj_XvXPntXOhaQabK8BVp-PTjAMQR2kQCPdRtL6ehryZWdrTuqUV_NiBgcAcUoeWGoUJcnK62Oj8KaDcK/s1600/Beecher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5wFnQ9Wx6hhwzx2wFVZPN7XStB990alDmLM-SOnb1ytkdcHbtf1NvsnDblhHj_XvXPntXOhaQabK8BVp-PTjAMQR2kQCPdRtL6ehryZWdrTuqUV_NiBgcAcUoeWGoUJcnK62Oj8KaDcK/s1600/Beecher.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beecher Cemetery Mausoleum, Beecher, Illinois<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomhZOeLy41Reodr21Ep8u3Q7gJrOTZjJQXMv-RczMz2t6RESHd5rIbamQrKY2_BxsWQxhuLk5vm_R2rEOhWM5nqWV7JeUaMHP-CGnGX3t0ISBBvTxUOqcyfixqKf0po7bJjatmYL524tl/s1600/Elmhurst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomhZOeLy41Reodr21Ep8u3Q7gJrOTZjJQXMv-RczMz2t6RESHd5rIbamQrKY2_BxsWQxhuLk5vm_R2rEOhWM5nqWV7JeUaMHP-CGnGX3t0ISBBvTxUOqcyfixqKf0po7bJjatmYL524tl/s1600/Elmhurst.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Elmhurst Cemetery Mausoleum, Elmhurst, Illinois</td></tr>
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Mr. Bryan designed and built other mausoleums in Lincoln, Hillsboro and Moline, Illinois. In addition, he traveled to other Midwestern locations to tout his designs. Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and many other states have cemeteries where Mr. Bryan's mausoleums have been added to enhance their landscapes. He is credited to have built over 80 mausoleums, and many have been registered as historic landmarks. <br />
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The idea of building a mausoleum for storing the remains of lost lives is an idea that is not so new. It has been a tradition in many civilizations of the world. Hadrian's tomb in Rome, Italy, the Taj Mahal in India, Westminster Abbey in London, England and Joseph Francis' tomb in the House of Hapsburg in Vienna, Austria are just a few of the structures built to entomb the remains of those who have reigned in the past. <br />
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The following photo of the mausoleum in Oak Brook, Illinois (formerly Hinsdale), built in 1913 at the Bronswood Cemetery, shows Mr. Bryan's love of Roman architecture. Fortunately, I have been able to enter this building which is kept locked to keep it from being vandalized.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieNri_nXmoO5bWCEmIRi4DrXLHtKGfKo7L4u1WQ1RKai8xFYS8qwwyD8xaDzH5XcA4KXIb760fWszr4dEdYkYOwBdVGitTcg-Lb7ctuhzr3LVGvxplhfMjM54GMfa38bCG7x-EJgtthXa/s1600/Bronswood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieNri_nXmoO5bWCEmIRi4DrXLHtKGfKo7L4u1WQ1RKai8xFYS8qwwyD8xaDzH5XcA4KXIb760fWszr4dEdYkYOwBdVGitTcg-Lb7ctuhzr3LVGvxplhfMjM54GMfa38bCG7x-EJgtthXa/s1600/Bronswood.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bronswood Mausoleum, Bronswood Cemetery then located in Hinsdale, IL, 1913<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhj2BHqu3C2RnbC1G3zP_wxCk_3VicwztQXZ49qXz970QoRN8PoDm1RcNBqSLw3iR1-AXiyVUwH1_PT9LDgaKL3Y0XorBR4LGVpgZsYOFmHev5mIukyNAK6JwCcSPMz1sgyhaolFbOebA2/s1600/bronswood+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhj2BHqu3C2RnbC1G3zP_wxCk_3VicwztQXZ49qXz970QoRN8PoDm1RcNBqSLw3iR1-AXiyVUwH1_PT9LDgaKL3Y0XorBR4LGVpgZsYOFmHev5mIukyNAK6JwCcSPMz1sgyhaolFbOebA2/s1600/bronswood+door.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recent photo of the mausoleum at Bronswood Cemetery, 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yKhFS7NVQAmk6UuX8auyQt45qKonqJMn_pw1n2Chch7fUdlxKi6ck4JL07CZesHNXgl3YF-eOLKV4sucfeIso4tn1JiVB63al7X_bGqMgRoW_BmlLVkC391JxZlZnEuMb1HfH-eqWj3W/s1600/interior+receiving+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yKhFS7NVQAmk6UuX8auyQt45qKonqJMn_pw1n2Chch7fUdlxKi6ck4JL07CZesHNXgl3YF-eOLKV4sucfeIso4tn1JiVB63al7X_bGqMgRoW_BmlLVkC391JxZlZnEuMb1HfH-eqWj3W/s1600/interior+receiving+room.jpg" height="400" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior receiving room in the Bronswood Mausoleum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpLXLvpI_v22rXvG2udizdPupHXAMFYacqH1364sFnNtzU4E3lce-LGSe5HuAlsXlMclkFw5wPlRP1FZU5t_dCC330gLZD_ABpj9c3GqoudEiz1h0g_mJWFfZq5Nyj4RBITuo6uDH9U0Y/s1600/stained+glass+interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpLXLvpI_v22rXvG2udizdPupHXAMFYacqH1364sFnNtzU4E3lce-LGSe5HuAlsXlMclkFw5wPlRP1FZU5t_dCC330gLZD_ABpj9c3GqoudEiz1h0g_mJWFfZq5Nyj4RBITuo6uDH9U0Y/s1600/stained+glass+interior.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior stained glass, Bronswood mausoleum, Oak Brook, Illinois, 2009<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Some families are lucky enough to purchase their own private entombment room, like the Norling and Chapek families, below:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Xj-QcIfGi67tML88xh6o2TS0nllASrhYr1BvtdB_xmV63nH7QXJoEpWnqNVdtX-3nE9BmeoH0bfqzlTN6jhd0v-_QVRGACcLxmyPyDEEwiWCBGwNSPbeWJh6Fw2NyQsfdKnoggUqu_Lu/s1600/privatefamily+entombment+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Xj-QcIfGi67tML88xh6o2TS0nllASrhYr1BvtdB_xmV63nH7QXJoEpWnqNVdtX-3nE9BmeoH0bfqzlTN6jhd0v-_QVRGACcLxmyPyDEEwiWCBGwNSPbeWJh6Fw2NyQsfdKnoggUqu_Lu/s1600/privatefamily+entombment+room.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Norling private family entombment room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlalj1aAK5c7xsBaGDDRE7kw-wtPDzXZPge9-VSYPgXVpkVvCoa3x4xkKjxYIIzDWE3otai3QMmodLnJbkW9-JN0x9OOJ0JQ4x5SiOlOZjhMAfvBQ9_kFRrLVI0Q5kI1U08qnuzZrfx18l/s1600/chapek+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlalj1aAK5c7xsBaGDDRE7kw-wtPDzXZPge9-VSYPgXVpkVvCoa3x4xkKjxYIIzDWE3otai3QMmodLnJbkW9-JN0x9OOJ0JQ4x5SiOlOZjhMAfvBQ9_kFRrLVI0Q5kI1U08qnuzZrfx18l/s1600/chapek+family.jpg" height="400" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chapek family private room</td></tr>
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The interior walls of Mr. Bryan's mausoleums are usually adorned with prayers and solemn quotes, such as the one below from the interior of the Bronswood Cemetery mausoleum:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QrnMDw8TACNIY2EgsUtv9r3CI1mOzut0v3dTRIh9kbmnyH-ZsPGMmJmo3nrWHR3kArfiEaBq-5o6wml-Qn5ghJEYpfFf2dsgcJTr2I-ib2XJ4ONOXbW_KXRrXLfEywSiEQIgqbehra60/s1600/prayers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QrnMDw8TACNIY2EgsUtv9r3CI1mOzut0v3dTRIh9kbmnyH-ZsPGMmJmo3nrWHR3kArfiEaBq-5o6wml-Qn5ghJEYpfFf2dsgcJTr2I-ib2XJ4ONOXbW_KXRrXLfEywSiEQIgqbehra60/s1600/prayers.jpg" height="400" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior wall of Bronswood Cemetery mausoleum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuIgGNi4VOcG38GRUmP7QVooiF7XKuFjaKRVQOFeTS2y3_dLTaM5LkBof5RdBdIgnz7UbTsMQDbXtL-l0D_sRBjVhrKfdHd3YSGKxHQFhCknWEfPp7ZOk5CyMYMBhap1zoHdGPiMpyNRc/s1600/stained+glass+private+burial+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuIgGNi4VOcG38GRUmP7QVooiF7XKuFjaKRVQOFeTS2y3_dLTaM5LkBof5RdBdIgnz7UbTsMQDbXtL-l0D_sRBjVhrKfdHd3YSGKxHQFhCknWEfPp7ZOk5CyMYMBhap1zoHdGPiMpyNRc/s1600/stained+glass+private+burial+room.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each private family burial room has a beautiful stained glass window</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaVPd0PhIOurewUf5QbOBM7TWcsP21BFp8iMGIL4V3cWD5sXWMzVhL1elww-B3_jFUPhFvcb0sYq6JzkefisU5E44HrcJxPYgGlySvqmZCM2LNfaC39sftz12XvaYVMPqEPhKcNG-8pEf/s1600/stained+glass+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaVPd0PhIOurewUf5QbOBM7TWcsP21BFp8iMGIL4V3cWD5sXWMzVhL1elww-B3_jFUPhFvcb0sYq6JzkefisU5E44HrcJxPYgGlySvqmZCM2LNfaC39sftz12XvaYVMPqEPhKcNG-8pEf/s1600/stained+glass+jpg.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Absolutely gorgeous designs used in the windows all over the interior of the Bronswood Cemetery mausoleum</td></tr>
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To learn more about Cecil E. Bryan and his career in mausoleum design, consult <a href="http://beechermausoleum.org/cecil-e-bryan/">http://beechermausoleum.org/cecil-e-bryan/</a></div>
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2009 exterior and interior photos of Bronswood Cemetery mausoleum take by S. R. Reif</div>
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Exterior photos of other mausoleums from the noted brochure, and can be found on <a href="http://www.archive.org/">www.archive.org</a> </div>
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Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-14631606899295871852015-03-20T18:07:00.001-07:002015-03-20T18:07:39.787-07:00Emigration Museums in Europe : Norway, Sweden, Germany, Ireland and BelgiumA few years ago,<strong><em> The Chicago Tribune </em></strong>published an article penned by Rick Steves, noted travel guide and travel show host. Rick featured several emigration centers in Europe. He briefly describes what can be found at emigration museums, and supplies the url address for each. Here is a synopsis of his thoughts :<br />
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<strong>Norwegian Emigration Center : </strong>The port city of Stravanger is the location of this museum. This center features stories of Norwegian emigrants and their lives, their reasons for leaving their country, and what life was like in the New World. According to Steves, the first emigration boats departed in 1825. The staff at the center can help you to answer genealogy questions. You don't need to visit the center to ask for staff help, however, Steves suggests that there is a "romantic appeal" to placing yourself in the place where your Norwegian ancestors may have left years ago. <br />
The url for the center :<a href="http://http.emigrationcenter.com/"> emigrationcenter.com</a><br />
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<strong>The House of Emigrants in Vaxjo, Sweden : </strong>Many Swedes looked for safety and shelter in North America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Economy problems all over Europe made the decision to leave for America a little easier. Steves reports that over one million Swedes voyaged to the "promised land". There are many displays and exhibits depicting the life of the Swedish family as they worked to establish themselves in their new homeland. One may not know that many Swedes were aboard the Titanic on the ill-fated trip across the Atlantic. <br />
The url for this center : <a href="http://utvandrarnashus.se/">utvandrarnashus.se</a><br />
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<strong>The Hamburg BallinStadt Emigration Museum</strong> : So many Germany citizens left their homeland to escape the tyranny of the various governments that ruled them. The BallinStadt Museum exhibits the emigration experience from the mid 1800s to World War II. Steves describes the dormitory buildings where sick travelers stayed until they were healthy enough to continue on their journey.<br />
The url for this center : <a href="http://ballinstadt.net/">ballinstadt.net</a><br />
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<strong>The Ulster American Folk Park</strong> and <strong>The Cobh Heritage Centre : </strong>These are both wonderful choices in Ireland. The Ulster Park commemorates the Scots-Irish who left their homeland to settle in the southern states in America. The Cobh Heritage Centre exhibits the potato famine, emigration and the Australia-bound prison ships. Steves notes that there's a statue of the first immigrant to arrive in Ellis Island. The Centre has a genealogy search assistance, available for a fee.<br />
The urls for these centers : <a href="http://nmni.com/"> nmni.com</a> and <a href="http://cobhheritage.com/"> cobhheritage.com</a><br />
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<strong>The Red Star Line Museum</strong> : Antwerp was the major port in Belgium. Their Red Star Line Museum opened in 2013. Millions of emigrants boarded here on their trip to the New York, including a large number of Jews escaping persecution in Europe. Steves wrote that this museum holds the history of the shipping line, and exhibits artifacts from passengers.<br />
The url for this center : <a href="http://redstarline.org/">redstarline.org</a><br />
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The article referenced : Chicago Tribune, Travel, Section 5, Sunday, March 10, 2013<br />
Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1925276501701281799.post-12692515044675393702015-02-28T11:10:00.000-08:002015-03-12T15:26:39.177-07:00Bankruptcy in the Family : Uncle Willie's Dilemma in 1932The University of Illinois has digitized some Illinois publications from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and they can be found at <a href="http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/">http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/</a>. There are 45 newspapers currently included in this collection. I have seen this collection grow over the last few years. Take advantage of it to research your Illinois, or border state, relatives. You never know what you might find.....<br />
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Here's my find : My grandmother's brother, Salvatore, aka Willie, went bankrupt during the depression in 1932. It was publicized in the <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Farm, Field and Fireside Collection : The Chicago Packer.</u> Willie and his brother, Tony, had a produce business/ produce distribution business in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Prior to this venture, both learned their skills while working in the Italian dominated produce markets in St. Louis, Missouri.<br />
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In the 1930 Census, Uncle Willie and his family are listed, with quite accurate data (as I had documentation from their vital records from the St. Louis, Missouri area). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRiO_8wDTt6oLZDhYrw00lenepS6HBX63OHeTHFrA_vV5ighIpnu-1nfQptGM3QAjEetR9vp3J2A1ebn09Hwbb_Zwsjw38v4Xq8FNiu9488b59Uv8-P1yCtrqoh51Ho7SYTudBytkpYWd/s1600/1930+William+Pitti+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRiO_8wDTt6oLZDhYrw00lenepS6HBX63OHeTHFrA_vV5ighIpnu-1nfQptGM3QAjEetR9vp3J2A1ebn09Hwbb_Zwsjw38v4Xq8FNiu9488b59Uv8-P1yCtrqoh51Ho7SYTudBytkpYWd/s1600/1930+William+Pitti+family.jpg" height="50" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">Year: </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">1930</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">; Census Place: </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">Mount Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">; Roll: </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">521</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">; Page: </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">22A</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">; Enumeration District:</span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">0023</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">; Image: </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">1013.0</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">; FHL microfilm: </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">2340256</em></td></tr>
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<u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Chicago Packer,</u> was a weekly agricultural newspaper that catered to produce handlers, poultry farmers and commercial growers. It was published in Chicago, and had other editions for major markets, such as New York, Cincinnati and Los Angeles. Founded in 1899, this newspaper contained advertisements and articles that announced information of interest to those in the food markets. In addition, it contained articles about specific businesses and personal matters of those in the food business. Uncle Willie owned and operated the Broadway Fruit and Produce Company in Mount Vernon, Illinois. The business was getting some unfavorable mentions in this newspaper, beginning in early 1932.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9SzqZPzugSO4DNzauYoKcYS6qeLR1EJGoKZCQwjIGkrEPC2inwBL2x0df69J2_FjPJPTDIHL22XtO_ezmd9ijceZHIRO7HiAqC0osqvsQaYUMVy8YW2IHRhD75vzsQTx0VxddQ47CE6w/s1600/1932+feb+22+Chicago+Packer+Will+Pitti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9SzqZPzugSO4DNzauYoKcYS6qeLR1EJGoKZCQwjIGkrEPC2inwBL2x0df69J2_FjPJPTDIHL22XtO_ezmd9ijceZHIRO7HiAqC0osqvsQaYUMVy8YW2IHRhD75vzsQTx0VxddQ47CE6w/s1600/1932+feb+22+Chicago+Packer+Will+Pitti.jpg" height="400" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1932 February 22, <b><i><u>The Chicago Packer<br /></u></i></b></td></tr>
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Evidently, the produce company had come upon hard times, and caused some upset with its creditors.<br />
Attorneys were to represent those holding interest in the business, with a trustee appointed to represent Uncle Willie's business., which had fallen into bankruptcy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF_YGxhlDxefEoCkxUgOxvNGxbLpqMQOtXfLMwBC88AE2A8z7Y9NZ8N3rlHmkb4tBSdCarSninZ_YYxYvem9Qc233bxTnoXUJb4azzSdXBY8EiZBZj1Nrql4OHGfC8jmH_nHOS8c1xBKe/s1600/1932+June+11+Chicago+Packer+Will+Pitti+part+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF_YGxhlDxefEoCkxUgOxvNGxbLpqMQOtXfLMwBC88AE2A8z7Y9NZ8N3rlHmkb4tBSdCarSninZ_YYxYvem9Qc233bxTnoXUJb4azzSdXBY8EiZBZj1Nrql4OHGfC8jmH_nHOS8c1xBKe/s1600/1932+June+11+Chicago+Packer+Will+Pitti+part+1.jpg" height="640" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRXtOUzLbqcPNqVQ_KoGNRm6hIIqHXxYRT7A7aAp5aDvR6_yrGKuTvpGW-ijs9fJUVJrV46Ebs4egQ6cf9bMVJ3BPMvIxgzJHA2LVobpPA03cy-Jt2VCBJj48KtSE8jPIzSP1WCNiw3sP/s1600/June+11,+1932+Chicago+Packer+part+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRXtOUzLbqcPNqVQ_KoGNRm6hIIqHXxYRT7A7aAp5aDvR6_yrGKuTvpGW-ijs9fJUVJrV46Ebs4egQ6cf9bMVJ3BPMvIxgzJHA2LVobpPA03cy-Jt2VCBJj48KtSE8jPIzSP1WCNiw3sP/s1600/June+11,+1932+Chicago+Packer+part+2.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1932 June 11, <b><i><u>The Chicago Packer</u></i></b></td></tr>
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So, according to this article, Uncle Willie paid cash for his purchases from St Louis businesses until November of 1931. Thereafter, he bought on credit, and had not paid off those bills. Creditors were accustomed to being paid weekly on Thursdays, as is the agreed habit of those in the business. It was reported that Uncle Willie paid cash only to the Mount Vernon Distributing Company during this time period. Of course he did. His brother, my Uncle Tony, owned and operated the Mount Vernon Distributing Company. Why would he take advantage of his brother? Family comes first, right? And not reporting income from the sales of his credit purchases only fueled the flames of anger. The creditors wanted to be paid.....Now. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXuk8kdW_ubCe0YMR47U25FoNL4Ls7oqkzIsnFv-epj6cOuRPclysGVub5LoSeRyXqJRmcmfosgltwccD_rb9LrUdcyfbmTJyY8ADkadz7s9u8jT8KN8r1xyBB8UT9FV55WCQ2WPeUHxo/s1600/Will+Pitti+Chicago+Packer+18+June+1932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXuk8kdW_ubCe0YMR47U25FoNL4Ls7oqkzIsnFv-epj6cOuRPclysGVub5LoSeRyXqJRmcmfosgltwccD_rb9LrUdcyfbmTJyY8ADkadz7s9u8jT8KN8r1xyBB8UT9FV55WCQ2WPeUHxo/s1600/Will+Pitti+Chicago+Packer+18+June+1932.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1932 June 18, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Chicago Packer</u><br /></td></tr>
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Uncle Willie submitted a very unpopular answer to the charges files by the Fruit and Produce creditors. The judge, evidently, wanted to give him another chance. He was allowed to review and rephrase his answer. But, he had only one week to do it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV6d8c4qUGAnu7ShrC3z_U6UxRhley9Pcftc7I2Ffq1htM2rl2P2O61VcAE6jhSjBSeO1quuf3n42xR2wXTo5D81kLARX-n0SJAN3tNbr5NW7St5HTsgGrZskv_dTD2mBcMedpjdyPSBq/s1600/2+July+1932+William+Pitti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV6d8c4qUGAnu7ShrC3z_U6UxRhley9Pcftc7I2Ffq1htM2rl2P2O61VcAE6jhSjBSeO1quuf3n42xR2wXTo5D81kLARX-n0SJAN3tNbr5NW7St5HTsgGrZskv_dTD2mBcMedpjdyPSBq/s1600/2+July+1932+William+Pitti.jpg" height="640" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1932 July 2, <b><i><u>The Chicago Packer</u></i></b></td></tr>
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On July 1, 1932, Uncle Willie was to testify in the court. Evidently, the examination, and cross examination did not reveal very hopeful news. The association of the Fruit and Produce merchants was organized to protect the interests of all of its members. And, apparently, their muscle was driving the court to hold Uncle Willie to the flame.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMjO6wi6l5au3dtuf6DTXiC9zsSXyrjmJA84DnbZz7N_B6vVFchxFSMWpFhcQY8KCl-YnHKaOjzCFc0XhdbNA0vunkDKGkY9QzXimfn6sgb9lPGDxlYVtpzrgbdS8RSm-lAoaHKfhZ9uP/s1600/2+Oct+1932+Chicago+Packer+Will+Pitti+part+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMjO6wi6l5au3dtuf6DTXiC9zsSXyrjmJA84DnbZz7N_B6vVFchxFSMWpFhcQY8KCl-YnHKaOjzCFc0XhdbNA0vunkDKGkY9QzXimfn6sgb9lPGDxlYVtpzrgbdS8RSm-lAoaHKfhZ9uP/s1600/2+Oct+1932+Chicago+Packer+Will+Pitti+part+one.jpg" height="640" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1932 October 2, <b><i><u>The Chicago Packer</u></i></b></td></tr>
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The court lowers the Boom on Uncle Willie. Since his bankruptcy filing in early February of 1932, he repeatedly failed to submit a full report of cash and assets to the Hon. Walter J. Grant. In addition to his fruit and produce creditors, he also owed his landlord. Oh, Uncle Willie. This is not going well, is it? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWw6RDV9zyVCFWlkFJIEIyTaUqpqkWGG7pJ9pubDFZ4OSBYjVHGp8KLvjV8KAfvf2T-tQYKuFKEV2pb85K1Sd8kNN6j2lBeecKGJPM0Vy53P9x2jW_5uyRHpdOpdG13c6YYC_bs7JtRHFW/s1600/1932+Oct+part+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWw6RDV9zyVCFWlkFJIEIyTaUqpqkWGG7pJ9pubDFZ4OSBYjVHGp8KLvjV8KAfvf2T-tQYKuFKEV2pb85K1Sd8kNN6j2lBeecKGJPM0Vy53P9x2jW_5uyRHpdOpdG13c6YYC_bs7JtRHFW/s1600/1932+Oct+part+2.jpg" height="640" width="324" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1932 October 2, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Chicago Packer, </u>continued...</td></tr>
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and the story goes on....Uncle Willie purchased fruit and produce for his establishment from others not named in the initial petition of the Fruit and Produce association, and to those merchants he owed not a penny. The association could not have been happy to hear that. The court pointed out that the weights of the product purchased by him in the late months of 1931 from the association merchants was not shown on the petition papers. But that was irrelevant, according to the court.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAO1ByU0b17DnLQSZlGPmUk8DPwjFlK-85k5_H-ln7SrHC-PCa3du90Y1CSWzFX24FcsxH0Y4IY2-y1-bF9XRfIxOrt5QbOV_WOgPTah9-wwZnmVAh-9rM3ZsqrtYrKsvtTKDN_Akrlar/s1600/1932+oct+part+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAO1ByU0b17DnLQSZlGPmUk8DPwjFlK-85k5_H-ln7SrHC-PCa3du90Y1CSWzFX24FcsxH0Y4IY2-y1-bF9XRfIxOrt5QbOV_WOgPTah9-wwZnmVAh-9rM3ZsqrtYrKsvtTKDN_Akrlar/s1600/1932+oct+part+3.jpg" height="640" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1932 October 2, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Chicago Packer,</u> concluded article.</td></tr>
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Uncle Willie hauled one heck of a lot of produce during those few months, according to this article, taking him seven trips from St. Louis to Mount Vernon. After all the numbers wrangling, he is ordered to pay the associated creditors $883.05. If he fails to do so, he will be charged with contempt. The article states that Uncle Willie had a partner, Charles Mercurio, who was his brother-in-law. I thought that Charles was just a salesman for the company, not a partner. <br />
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So that's the story of Uncle Willie's bankruptcy during the depressed times of the 1930s. It is not the end of the story....since this was held in the Eastern District Court of Illinois in East St. Louis, there would be records of testimony in this case held in the archives. I'll let you know when I am able to review those records. There could be much more that was not reported in <b><i><u>The Chicago Packer.</u></i></b><br />
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Meanwhile, if you think that your ancestors may be mentioned in some of the occupational periodicals in Illinois, check out the University of Illinois database mentioned at the beginning of the story. You might uncover a story that adds a little spice to your family history tales.Sharon Reifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567949650163852624noreply@blogger.com0