Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month (http://www.nwhp.org/whm/history.php), Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog (http://www.theaccidentalgenealogist.com/) presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month
March 30 — Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?
When I first read this prompt, I thought of this wonderful song that I have been hearing on the radio a lot lately and which I completely agree with:
I was raised by my mother. My grandma Casell was also in the house and helped raise my sister and I. I was also lucky enough to have my aunt/Godmother Amy live with us for a couple years and then to be able to hang out with her often growing up. As such, the main words of wisdom in my life are from them. I also, of course, have words of wisdom from my Grandma Acquard, particularly one I was told within the past couple years that prominently sticks out in my mind.
From my mom: Be happy and make enough money that you don't need to worry if you can pay your bills.
From my Grandma Casell: Remember how you were treated as a child and then treat children how you wish you were treated. You can read anything, don't worry about age group listings (in relation to a library book sale).
From my Aunt Amy: She never told me this directly, she told my Grandma, who told my mom and I overheard when I was about an early-teen. She talked to her new boyfriend (now husband) all night and still had more to say. That's when she knew he was the one. It's also how I knew Aaron was.
From my Grandma Acquard: Kids think we had it (marriage) easy, that it just worked. But it didn't. It is hard, you fight, you have to work at it to stay together.
"You could say I'm a little bit crazy
You could call me insane
Walkin' 'round with all these whispers
Runnin' 'round here in my brain
I just can't help but hear 'em
Man, I can't avoid it
I hear voices
I hear voices...
Turns out I'm pretty dang lucky
For all that good advice
Those hard to find words of wisdom
Holed up here in my mind
And just when I've lost my way
Or I got to many choices
I hear voices
I hear voices all the time..."
Showing posts with label Fearless Females. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fearless Females. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Fearless Females: Vera Gress
In honor of National Women’s History Month Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.
March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?
When I was beginning my genealogy search, I order birth and death certificates for all of my know ancestors. There were no surprises until I saw the birth certificate of my great-grandmother, Vera Gress[ref]City of Buffalo, New York, birth certificate no. 148 (1900), Vera Louise Gress; New York State Department of Health, City of Buffalo, Buffalo.[/ref]
I had long know that her full name at birth was Vera Julia Gress. My mom, Julie, was named for her. Or so we thought. It turns out that at birth, Vera's middle name was Louise, after her Aunt Louisa (I am guessing). When did she change it? Prior to her marriage when she was 20[ref]Tom Tryniski, "New York State Historical Photos & Newspapers 1817 Thru 2007," database, Old Fulton Post Cards (http://www.fultonhistory.com : accessed 23 Jun 2009), Whitehead-Gress; citing The Illustrated Buffalo Express, 30 January 1931, p. 4, col. 2. [/ref]
My grandmother and her sisters were all surprised and my grandmother says Vera never said anything when my mom was born and named for her. My mother wasn't quite sure what to think, as she apparently was named incorrectly, which was quite a shock. We will probably never know when and why Vera changed her name, but it is definitely an interesting story.
March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?
When I was beginning my genealogy search, I order birth and death certificates for all of my know ancestors. There were no surprises until I saw the birth certificate of my great-grandmother, Vera Gress[ref]City of Buffalo, New York, birth certificate no. 148 (1900), Vera Louise Gress; New York State Department of Health, City of Buffalo, Buffalo.[/ref]
I had long know that her full name at birth was Vera Julia Gress. My mom, Julie, was named for her. Or so we thought. It turns out that at birth, Vera's middle name was Louise, after her Aunt Louisa (I am guessing). When did she change it? Prior to her marriage when she was 20[ref]Tom Tryniski, "New York State Historical Photos & Newspapers 1817 Thru 2007," database, Old Fulton Post Cards (http://www.fultonhistory.com : accessed 23 Jun 2009), Whitehead-Gress; citing The Illustrated Buffalo Express, 30 January 1931, p. 4, col. 2. [/ref]
My grandmother and her sisters were all surprised and my grandmother says Vera never said anything when my mom was born and named for her. My mother wasn't quite sure what to think, as she apparently was named incorrectly, which was quite a shock. We will probably never know when and why Vera changed her name, but it is definitely an interesting story.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Fearless Females: Marriage Records
In honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogistblog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.
March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.
As both of my grandmothers are still living and probably wouldn't want this information on my blog, I will focus on my great grandparents for this post.
Alfred Marco Casell and Lillian L. Eichhorn married 11 July 1928 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. Al was 22, Lillian, 19. Witnesses were Al's father Marco and Frank J. Condon.
William Herbert Whitehead married Vera Julia Gress 28 March 1921, also in Buffalo. He was 24, she was 21. Witnesses were Bill's brother Hobson and Alberta Suess. Their wedding announcement was:
Florian Dana Acquard and Stanislawa Frances Karpinski married 28 December 1932 in Bennington Center, Wyoming County, NY. Florian was 33, Stella was 16.
Albert Emil Nuwer married Edna Agnes Roll 22 June 1932 in Alden, Erie County, NY at St. John's Roman Catholic Church. He was 26, she was 21.
[caption id="attachment_814" align="aligncenter" width="235" caption="Al and Edna's Wedding"]
[/caption]
This is the only wedding picture I have for my great grandparents. I love the "Just Married" sign on the car. I had calla lilies as my wedding flowers,just like they did.
Sources
Erie County marriage certificate (short form), 4024 (1921), Whitehead-Gress; Erie County Clerk's Office, Buffalo.
New York State Department of Health, marriage certificate 2251 (1928), Casell-Eichhorn; WNYGS Erie Co. Clerk's Office Marruage Licenses microfilm 132.
"Whitehead-Gress," (Buffalo) Unknown Newspaper; Article owned by Barbara Mueller. Copied from her home by Amanda E. Perrine 23 May 2009.
March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.
As both of my grandmothers are still living and probably wouldn't want this information on my blog, I will focus on my great grandparents for this post.
Alfred Marco Casell and Lillian L. Eichhorn married 11 July 1928 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. Al was 22, Lillian, 19. Witnesses were Al's father Marco and Frank J. Condon.
William Herbert Whitehead married Vera Julia Gress 28 March 1921, also in Buffalo. He was 24, she was 21. Witnesses were Bill's brother Hobson and Alberta Suess. Their wedding announcement was:
Whitehead-Gress. The marriage of Miss Vera [piece ripped off] daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. [also ripped; Gress] of Forest avenue, to Mr. William H. Whitehead , took place Easter Monday night at 8:30 o'clock at the home of the bride's parents, the Rev. J. Ward officiating. The attendents were Miss Alberta Suess and Mr. Hobson Whitehead. Mr. and Mrs. W. Whitehead will be home at 173 Forest avenue after a trip to New York, Washington and Baltimore.
Florian Dana Acquard and Stanislawa Frances Karpinski married 28 December 1932 in Bennington Center, Wyoming County, NY. Florian was 33, Stella was 16.
Albert Emil Nuwer married Edna Agnes Roll 22 June 1932 in Alden, Erie County, NY at St. John's Roman Catholic Church. He was 26, she was 21.
[caption id="attachment_814" align="aligncenter" width="235" caption="Al and Edna's Wedding"]
[/caption]This is the only wedding picture I have for my great grandparents. I love the "Just Married" sign on the car. I had calla lilies as my wedding flowers,just like they did.
Sources
Erie County marriage certificate (short form), 4024 (1921), Whitehead-Gress; Erie County Clerk's Office, Buffalo.
New York State Department of Health, marriage certificate 2251 (1928), Casell-Eichhorn; WNYGS Erie Co. Clerk's Office Marruage Licenses microfilm 132.
"Whitehead-Gress," (Buffalo) Unknown Newspaper; Article owned by Barbara Mueller. Copied from her home by Amanda E. Perrine 23 May 2009.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Fearless Females: Naming Patterns
Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month by Lisa Alzo.
March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.
My first name, Amanda, is unique in my family. Prior to being married, was the only "Amanda Acquard" to ever exist in the world.
My middle name, however, has a multitude of connection to my female ancestors. My middle name, Elizabeth, was given to me in honor of my Grandma Acquard, whose middle name is also Elizabeth. Both of her paternal great-grandmother's had the first name Elizabeth (Zwilling and Nichter), which is where I imagine they got it for her.
Coincidently, my mother also has the middle name of Elizabeth. My mom got this middle name after her maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Fink Gress, and also after her aunt who died in infancy, Elizabeth Whitehead.
It was very important to me to keep this connect to my family by keeping my middle name when I got married. It will also be the middle name of my daughter, if I have one.
March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.
My first name, Amanda, is unique in my family. Prior to being married, was the only "Amanda Acquard" to ever exist in the world.
My middle name, however, has a multitude of connection to my female ancestors. My middle name, Elizabeth, was given to me in honor of my Grandma Acquard, whose middle name is also Elizabeth. Both of her paternal great-grandmother's had the first name Elizabeth (Zwilling and Nichter), which is where I imagine they got it for her.
Coincidently, my mother also has the middle name of Elizabeth. My mom got this middle name after her maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Fink Gress, and also after her aunt who died in infancy, Elizabeth Whitehead.
It was very important to me to keep this connect to my family by keeping my middle name when I got married. It will also be the middle name of my daughter, if I have one.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Fearless Females: Photograph Edition
In honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.
March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?
March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?
[caption id="attachment_809" align="aligncenter" width="254" caption="Sophia Passel Gress"]
This is a tintype of my great-great-great grandmother Sophia Passel Gress. Born in 1846 in Germany, this picture was probably taken around the turn of the century in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. This is one of my favorite photographs of my ancestors for a variety of reasons. I love how regal she looks; that it is a tintype that has been handed down in the family through the generations; that if you didn't know better you could think it was my great grandmother or my grandmother or one of my great aunts, due to the stong facial resemblance.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Fearless Females: Favorite Female Ancestor
In honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.
March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.
I don't know that I have a favorite female ancestor, but I do have those female ancestors that I always seem to go back to when writing posts or thinking about my family tree.
The top 2 would be Lillian Eichhorn Casell, my great-grandmother, who I wrote about here. The other would be my great-great grandmother, Anna May Sanderson Whitehead.
Anna May is the catalyst to my becoming a genealogist. Long story short, she was probably born Elizabeth Ann Sanderson, married, left her husband and family to marry my great-great grandfather, moved to Buffalo and never returned to her family in Canada. Many years ago my grandmother was contacted by a possibly-very-distant relative about this mystery and I thought it was fascinating. After this, I started researching, on and off, through my teenage years and college, the story of my family. Anna May will probably always be the biggest mystery to my search, though I am planning my proof argument for ProGen to be about her. I will post that when the assignment is due in a few months.
March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.
I don't know that I have a favorite female ancestor, but I do have those female ancestors that I always seem to go back to when writing posts or thinking about my family tree.
The top 2 would be Lillian Eichhorn Casell, my great-grandmother, who I wrote about here. The other would be my great-great grandmother, Anna May Sanderson Whitehead.
Anna May is the catalyst to my becoming a genealogist. Long story short, she was probably born Elizabeth Ann Sanderson, married, left her husband and family to marry my great-great grandfather, moved to Buffalo and never returned to her family in Canada. Many years ago my grandmother was contacted by a possibly-very-distant relative about this mystery and I thought it was fascinating. After this, I started researching, on and off, through my teenage years and college, the story of my family. Anna May will probably always be the biggest mystery to my search, though I am planning my proof argument for ProGen to be about her. I will post that when the assignment is due in a few months.
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