The Bride Wore Irish Lace

Photograph courtesy Vivian & Dee McNosky Larson 

permission granted for use on family blog

Wedding portrait
Charles Eck (1st cousin 3x removed)
Mary Edna Pearl Terry

Back of photograph

"The bride's dress was dark green with Irish Lace
June 23, 1906
Baltimore, Maryland"

Marriage record 

(Maryland State Archives)

Series Information
BALTIMORE CITY
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
(Marriage Index, Male)
1886-1914
T2426

Charles Eck, age 25, resides in Baltimore, Maryland

Edna M.P. Terry, age 22, resides in Baltimore, Maryland

Minister - Edwin E. Ide

Discovery on Digital Public Library of America via Podcast

circa 1900 

Description -Note hitching post in front. Nursery had both citrus and "deciduous stock".  

Creator Clarence Tucker, d. 1970

Location - Covina, California

Originally form Covina Public Library

Material in the public domain

Digital Public Library Of America

I LOVE genealogy podcasts. Listen to them on the way to and from work. Also, while out for walks around town. With each episode, I learn something new about family history research.

One of my favorite podcasts is Generations Cafe Podcast by Amy Johnson Crow. She shares helpful websites and genealogy methodology. 

On a recent episode called "7 Free Genealogy Websites That You Might Be Overlooking" Amy discussed the DPLA (Digital Public Library of America). 

DPLA states:

"The Digital Library of America empowers people to learn, grow, and contribute to a diverse and better-functioning society by maximizing access to our shared history, culture and knowledge". "Discover 40,786,219 images, texts, videos, and sounds from across the United States".

On the site there is a page entitled "The Family Research Guide to DPLA". Here it states:

"DPLA is totally free to use and open to all -- no library card, subscription, or sign-up required! Our collection, with items from many institutions, offers a unique research resource for family historians and genealogists."

Listed on the page are collections such as family photographs, family bibles, local maps, yearbooks and oral histories. There you will find amazing images, some in the public domain.

The above photograph is a small glimpse of the Covina Nursery in California. The nursery was co-founded in the early 1900s by Aaron L. Keim. He was the husband of my 1st cousin 3x removed, Mattie Estella Judd. 

I have read several articles about the citrus industry in California. Aaron was a prominent figure in this community. On the website Town Square Publications we find a page entitled Covina History. There it states with others "A.L. Keim started Covina's citrus industry by raising seedlings in their nurseries". 

I discovered additional information about A.L. Keim on Google Books. In "Covina Valley Citrus Industy", published in 2011, we learn Keim became one of "Los Angeles County's largest citrus suppliers. 

Discovering the image was such a lovely surprise. Exciting to gain this small part of Aaron and Mattie's life. 

Thanks to Amy for sharing this website. And, thanks for making my commute/walks so educational. Check out her podcast.

Social Media ~ Family Historian's Friend

Rev. William Huff, Rev. H.C. Maitland, Rev. C.W. Ruth 

1912, Red Rock Park St. Paul, Minnesota

I have been an early adopter of all things social media. Facebook for keeping up with family and friends. Recipes, local events and genealogy news. Instagram for photographs, past and present. Twitter for rapid fire genealogy conversation and new blogs.

Had been posting tons of genealogy on my personal Facebook page. Soon realized not everyone shared my enthusiasm, and didn't want to read all this information. So, created "Deb's Adventures In Genealogy Facebook Page". There I posted all the wonderful news, blogs and fun discoveries. 

A favorite subject to discuss is my husband's grandfather, Rev. C.W. Ruth. Christian was one of the founding fathers of the Church of the Nazarene. In his earlier years, he was an evangelist for the Holiness Christian Church.

One day last summer, I received a message. My new best friend, Michelle, found the page with a Google search. She introduced herself and we proceeded to chat about my husband's connection to Christian.

Michelle is a member of the Red Rock Camp Fellowship in Minnesota. One of the many places Christian visited during his years as a circuit preacher. During our conversation, she shared a series of photographs we had never seen. Genealogy happy dance! In fact, I actually screamed.

So friends, share your family stories and photographs. Never know who is searching.  A new cousin or genealogy angel. 

Tombstone Tells the Story

Charles Edward Segui, great-uncle 

husband of Mary Fuchs Segui Mitchell, great-aunt

born January 20, 1893 in Georgia 

died January 04, 1915 at sea 

buried Palmetto Cemetery, Brunswick, Georgia

I located this gravestone for great-uncle, Charles E. Segui on Find A Grave. The volunteer who photographed the stone, granted our family full use of the marker. It has supplied us with several important facts about Charles E. Segui's life.

Enlarging the photograph, a symbol was located at the top of the stone. Using Photo Gallery of Cemetery Symbolism, we discovered Charles was a member of Woodmen of the World.

Wikipedia has the following statement about the organization:

"The organization was founded in 1890 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Joseph Cullen Root. Root, who was a member of several fraternal organizations including the Freemasons, had founded Modern Woodmen of America in Lyons, Iowa, in 1883, after hearing a sermon about "pioneer woodsmen clearing away the forest to provide for their families". Taking his own surname to heart, he wanted to start a Society that "would clear away problems of financial security for its members". Root fell out with the Modern Woodmen of America over accusations of false beneficiary claims. He moved to Omaha, where he started Woodmen of the World on June 6, 1890."

Next, we see how young Charles was when he died. Only 21 years of age. Above the date of death, we are given the reason his life was cut short. "Lost at Sea".

The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.), 14 March 1915. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90052143/1915-03-14/ed-1/seq-1/

Searching Google lead to this obituary on Chronicling America on the Library of Congress website. 

Here we learn Charles was lost in a wreck, January, 1915. He was not recovered until March of that same year. Also, the funeral was in charge of the Woodmen of the World.

Charles and Marie, my great-aunt, were married May 7, 1913 in Glynn, Georgia. Their child, Hannah Marie, was born June 4, 1914. Such a sad story! Charles left behind a wife and young daughter.

Great-aunt Marie was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. I am trying to determine how the couple met, married and returned to Charles' home state. This makes the tragedy even more difficult. Marie was far from home, giving birth to a child and newly widowed. 

By the 1920 United States Federal Census, Marie and her daughter are residing in Baltimore, Maryland. They are living with her parents, my great-grandparents, Stephan and Marie Fuchs.  Marie would eventually remarry and have two more daughters. 

Without locating this headstone, we would not have this important part of Marie's life. I knew she had been married young, but not what happened to Charles E. Segui.

Why do I spend so much time in cemeteries or on Find-A-Grave? Tombstones tell the stories.

Further reading on Woodmen of the World:

Joseph Cullen Root - Giant of American Fraternalism

Woodmen of the World photographs - flickr

Woodmen of the World monuments-Graveyards & Gravestones: photographs of over 2300 Gravestones - Rootsweb

David A. Gilland, Mayor via HathiTrust

Altoona, Pa. Board of trade. [from old catalog]. Illustrated Altoona: A Complete Pen-picture of the City of Altoona ... [Altoona?, 1896. 

Public Domain in the United States

David A. Gilland  (back, standing right) ~ daughter-in-law's 4th great-uncle 

brother of Emma Jane Gilland Potter ~ daughter-in-law's 3rd great-grandmother

b. September 16, 1841, Pennsylvania

d. March 21, 1906, Pennsylvania

I am a wee bit addicted to genealogy research. Spend every spare moment searching databases, newspapers and Google. Find a new ancestor? Off to the races! Who needs sleep? 

Doing research, sites that I use regularly are Google Books, HathiTrust Digital Library and Internet Archive. We don't always locate our ancestors, but you may find local histories and maps for the regions they resided.

This morning (3:00 a.m.), was looking at my daughter-in-law's family tree. From previous research, knew her 4th great-uncle had been mayor of Altoona. Since he was a prominent figure in the community, hoped to discover more of his story.

First up, HathiTrust Digital Library. Searched for "Altoona"+"David Gilland". Found several articles and the above photograph for David A. Gilland. 

Also, this wonderful biography. So much information! Some facts we didn't know, until locating the online book.

• born in Huntingdon County
• moved to Hollidaysburg
• carpenter
• contracting and building all his life
• served in Civil War - Company I, 137th Pennsylvania Volunteers
• served in Tennessee -Government Construction Corps - built bridges
• moved to Altoona in 1865 
• business man
• served as Mayor March, 1874 to April, 1878
• State Legislature for two years

Check out Google Books, HathiTrust Digital Library and Internet Archives. Never know what you will discover.

Here are a two resources about using HathiTrust Digital Library for family history.

The Massive Free Genealogy Resource You've Probably Never Heard Of - Family History Daily

Researching Family History in Hathi Trust by Gena Philibert-Ortega

Family Inventor ~ Google Patents

United States Patent Office

Herman I. Bertermann, of Baltimore, Maryland

son-in-law's 2nd great-grandfather

father of Mary Josephine Berterman Karcher ~ son-in-law's great-grandmother

CUTTER-HEAD - follow this link for entire patent

Several years ago I attended a genealogy webinar about Google Patents. Since then, I have been searching to discover possible family inventors. To date, have found several, adding the information to the tree.

Above is a patent by Herman I. Berterman, son-in-law's maternal 2nd great-grandfather. Herman was born June 05, 1855 in Baltimore,Maryland. He died August 25, 1915 in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Newspapers.com - The Baltimore Sun - 12 May 1880 - Page 4

With more research, we find this article in The Baltimore Sun Newspaper. Listed are patents for "persons in this neighborhood". Here we see Herman and his cutter-head. 

Also, on the 1880 United States Federal Census Herman's occupation is listed as"machinist". 

With these puzzle pieces, we gather a clearer picture of this ancestor. Did he have a workshop in his Chapel Street rowhouse? Was he always tinkering? I love finding information that makes family history come to life.

Interesting side note. My son-in-law's brother, Brian can fix anything! Could be in the genes.

Information about patents and how to use in research:

Intellectual Property - Patents from Cyndi's List

eBay = Family Treasure

 

My husband's grandfather, Rev. Christian Wismer Ruth, was a pastor for the Church of the Nazarene. While researching, we discovered he wrote a number of books. In fact, several volumes were available on Google Books.

I began searching eBay with hopes of acquiring any of these editions. We were fortunate enough to locate and obtain three different titles.

Most recently acquired the book entitled "Temptations Peculiar to the Sanctified" published in 1928.

After placing a bid I crossed fingers, toes and eyes. What a wonderful feeling when we won! Instant family treasure thanks to eBay.

The seller listed the book in very good condition with little wear. Since the book was a paperback, I was worried there was possible deterioration over the years.

Fortunately, when the book arrived it was in very good condition.

Opening the pages we discovered a wonderful surprise. There we found this previously unseen photograph of Rev. C.W. Ruth.

More fun, found the book listed on the Goodreads website.

Goodreads ~ "is the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations. Track the books you're reading, have read and want to read."

The site has two recommendations! This tickled my husband.

Don't forget to check eBay and other auction sites. You may find a book, postcard or photograph. Discovering family treasure.

Here are a few articles and blog posts about using eBay for genealogy.

Using eBay to Further Your Genealogical Research by AncestralFindings.com

Tips from the Pros: Keep an Eye on eBay, from Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak

Our Ancestor Was ~ Street Car Conductor

Carl Victor Judd 

1st cousin, 3x removed 

b. 11/13/1888 in Texas 

d. 1/17/1956 in California 

photograph in personal collection

Years ago, I connected on Ancestry with a friend sharing Judd family information. Steve gifting us with various photographs. One of my favorites is Carl V. Judd, 1st cousin 3x removed, in uniform.

Neither of us knew what this uniform represented. Steve enlarged the photograph to see if he could gather clues. Focusing on the buttons, he was certain they were not military issue.

FamilySearch, California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994, Los Angeles, Los Angels,
Death Certificates 1956 - no 1-1350

This record supplied a missing piece to our puzzle. Carl's "usual occupation" was that of "street car" "conductor".

FamilySearch, California, County Marriages, 1850-1952, 004280954

On FamilySearch, I found this marriage record for Carl V. Judd to Mary J. Mullin. There Carl's occupation was recorded as "Con L.A. Ry". We interpreted as conductor on the L.A. Railway.

The best evidence, discovered in a publication called "Two Bells". This magazine was published by and for employees of the Los Angels Railway. In the January 30, 1928 edition, we find C.V. Judd on page 3. He is depicted in the article called "Trainmen Who Received Bouqets During 1927". Carl can be found bottom right.

All aboard! Love solving a mystery.

Further reading on the electric street railway:

Los Angels Railway - Wikipedia    

Los Angels Railway 1895-1945 - flickr

Los Angels Railway (1895-1945) - Metro's Primary Resources, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Rails West: Street Railways Enable City Growth

The Street Railway History of Los Angeles : The Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California

+This post is part of series "Our Ancestor Was". Will be documenting interesting and unusual occupations as discovered.

Facebook Group = Family Story Translated

Berthold & Emilie Darr Vollmert

son-in-law's 2nd great-grandparents

This wonderful postcard is owned by my son-in-law, Lucas. Here we have his 2nd great-grandparents, Berthold and Emilie Darr Vollmert. The couple were born in Germany. From an Ancestry record, we have them being married November 9, 1890 in Erfurt, Thuringen, Germany. About five years later, they immigrated to Maryland.

The postcard is dated October 30, 1928. I find the couple residing on Necker Avenue in the 1920 United States Census. Berthold's occupation is listed as "farmer" and industry "truck farm". From Merriam-Webster dictionary website, we learn "truck farm" means "a farm devoted to the production of vegetables for the market". 

We know the author of the postcard was Berthold's son-in-law, August Wilhelm Crais. August (my son-in-law's great-grandfather) was married to Berthold's daughter, Minnie Vollmert. Minnie was my son-in-law's great-grandmother.

Here we have the back of the postcard. I tried several ways to translate the information, but had no real success. 

My family history mentor, Ann, told me about several Facebook Groups, created to help researchers with translations. One being "German Genealogy Translations". This is a private group, so you need to ask permission to join. 

I have uploaded several documents to this group over the years. Usually, on the same day the document is translated! The people on this site are very responsive.

Added the above record to the site this morning, and received the following translation:

"I am sending you here a picture of my parents-in-law on the farm. The forest goes almost up to the front door on one side; on the other, there is an open field. He looks like a farmer or ("Bauer"). He looks like he has no need. He is not so lean as farmers in Germany."

I talked to my son-in-law and he remembered the property. Said the "forest" and "field" made sense. He visited the spot when doing a family history project. He did make a comment about the last sentence. Wonder how the father-in-law felt about his son-in-law's description?!

Thanks to Ann and this wonderful group of genealogists. Without their willingness to help with translations, so much history would be lost forever.

Frick's Meetinghouse & Burial Ground

Frick's Meetinghouse & Burial Ground

Hatfield, Montgomery Country, Pennsylvania

Plaque below - History of Frick's Meetinghouse from side of building

Abraham Allebach

born circa 1746

died Oct. 1794

(4th great-grandfather of husband)

In
Memory of
Susannah
wife of David Ruth
who departed this life
April 10th 1866
Aged 83 years
10 months and 28 days
(3rd great-grandmother of husband,
daughter of Abraham Allebach)

"Although no deed is on record for this tract of land on which this Meetinghouse stands, the following facts are known:

Jacob Shooter was the first recorded owner (1740) of the farm on which this tract was located. When he sold the farm in 1776, the deed of sale contained the following conditions: "(that) a small plot, between a small gut (gulley) and Beaver Creek, is set aside as a burying ground for the society of Mennonites with the privileges of a road along the line from the west corner of the farm to the burying ground."

The exact date of the burial ground's establishment is uncertain. However it is believed to have been the first Mennonite cemetery in the area, proceeding the opening of burial grounds at Line Lexington Mennonite Meetinghouse (1752) and Plains Meetinghouse, near Lansdale (1760-69).

A group of Mennonites known as "Funkites" who broke off from the larger church as a result of Revolutionary War tensions erected the original house of worship on this tract in 1812 or 1813. The brick Meetinghouse was located on the hill at the lower end of the burial ground. Peter Frick donated the ground on the southwest side of the cemetery for the establishment of the present-day Meetinghouse. The original building was razed in 1882 and the new one was constructed in that same year. Additional land to the south of the drive was purchased by Raymond and Sallie Rosenberger in 1958 and conveyed to the Trustees. An additional 12 acres to the north of the drive was added in 1977.

A Board of Trustees to oversee the Frick Meetinghouse property has been maintained throughout the years. Trustees Bishop Henry H. Rosenberger of the Brethern in Christ Church, and Daniel Rosenberger of Hatfield, a Mennonite, were trustees instrumental in the construction of the present-day Meetinghouse.

William F. Rosenberger, a Mennonite farmer and founder of Rosenberger's Dairies in Hatfield Township, deserves special mention for his untiring efforts to maintain the Meetinghouse during years when there was little interest or financial support.

Members of the Rosenberger Family continue to oversee the upkeep of this historic property. The Trustees hold an annual meeting on the third Sunday of each September.

Your assistance in caring for this property as you enjoy the peace of this quiet environment is both solicited and appreciated."

Our Ancestor Was ~ Steeplejack

August Louis Eck

husband of 2nd great-grand aunt, Catherine Judd

b. 02/03/1863 - Baltimore, Maryland

d. 03/08/1940 - Newark, New Jersey

While researching 2nd great-aunt, Catherine Judd, I discovered her husband was a steeplejack. I have heard of this term before, but hadn't investigated exactly what the occupation entailed.

Wikipedia description: "A steeplejack is a craftsman who scales buildings, chimneys, and church steeples to carry out repairs or maintenance."

I found several articles about August's climbing adventures. One even made it all the way to Indianapolis! Seems he was a famous gentleman.

• The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]), 27 Feb. 1887. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82015679/1887-02-27/ed-1/seq-12/>

The second story was featured in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper, April 3, 1903, pg. 8, Baltimore, Maryland. This article was found on the Newspapers.com website. Once again, August is climbing Baltimore's Washington Monument. 

The following are several excerpts from the article:

"August L. Eck, a professional steeple jack, who climbed the statue on the Washington Monument at noon yesterday in order to replace on the lightning rod a cap which had been burnt away some weeks ago."

"The climb gave the spectators several distinct shivers. Mr. Eck weighs 285 pounds, and though his muscles are not trained as those of an athlete, they are tremendous. He is 6 feet 2 inches in his stockings."

"Had he fallen he would have dropped 204 feet to the ground."

"He began steeple climbing in 1878 when a weather vane on Camden Station was out of order. Once in Tennessee in 1884 he feel 81 feet and escaped without breaking a bone. He says he is usually affected by nausea for several hours after such a climb."

As someone that gets dizzy just looking down from any height, this is impressive.  I'm wondering if August was a bit of a thrill seeker. First a career with the Baltimore City Fire Department, then a steeplejack. 

To learn more about steeple-climbing read "Careers if Danger and Daring" by Cleveland Moffett, published 1908.

+This post is part of series "Our Ancestor Was". Will be documenting interesting and unusual occupations as discovered.