An Awesome View of Life

This is my great grandfather Frederick Wilhelm Gustav Engel.   This is one of my favorite photos of Grandpa Gus.  There is something so familiar about him.  Is it just because we belong to each other? The pocket watch was handed down oldest son to oldest son.  When my uncle died my cousins gave it to my Dad who turned around and gave it to me. It took me almost two years to figure out what to do with the watch. But with the help of my hubby making this custom shadow box I have the perfect place for this family memento. I love being the "keeper" of my family history.  Genealogy is what I LOVE to do.  I always say "If this paid better this is all I would do." Edit:  I had thought about cleaning and shining the watch but then started to think about all of the people who had touched it over time.  Gus and probably my great grandmother Mary.  Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  As well as great, great gr...

Bits of color It still can be pretty here once it snows?  Another photo from a couple of days ago.  Too dang cold to go out on an adventure today.  Besides I was busy finding exciting information about my great-great grandparents who immigrated from Norway in 1875.  Way too much fun!  ha!

Once again -- lost in time. Another evening into night researching my family history.  Which means no REAL photos.  Today I was contacted by someone who's great grandfather is my great grandfather's brother.  This always gets me started trying to find a missing piece.   Just a few minutes ago I found this passenger list for a ship that departed in Germany and arrived in New Orleans in February 1838. This one may be a stretch but I have seen this family name spelled so many different ways.  It is Aulwes but on the is record it kind of looks like Olvers.  But the first names and ages are exactly correct as is the arrival date and place of departure.  It is the very top record on the screen. Of course I am using this as fact until I prove myself wrong.  I've searched for an Olvers family with those first names and have NOT found anyone to match.  My next step will be to find the German departure record for this ship.  That ...

The hills are alive... Another wonderful time in Wisconsin.  This time with my daughters.  Since researching my family history Wisconsin has become a part of me.  I always leave with a bit of a heavy heart.   Plans are being made to head back this fall.  New friends were made today and we promised to come back for a visit this fall.

  1881 Diary... This diary belongs to my great-great grandmother Catherine Stickle Langdon. At the time she was living near Manchester, WI. She was 52 years old. Erwin, Herbert and Oscar are her children. Jennie is a hired helper. Herbert is my great-grandfather.   November, Tuesday 22, 1881 Nice day. I washed and cleaned my bedroom. Erwin went to Randolph Station and to see Jennie. Herbert and Oscar brought in wood and piled it up and helped me some. Mr. S. Staples came here to see the lambs.     November, Wednesday 23, 1881 Cloudy and blowed quite hard and snowed some. I ironed and cleaned the middle room. Erwin went to town and Mrs. MacDonald's and got a quarter of beef. Herbert killed a turkey for dinner tomorrow. Mr. Walker came here tonight looking after some lambs.

  Tools of the Family Historian...   Researching my family ancestry has been a passion of mine for the last year or so.  Today, I used the snowy weather as an excuse to do a little research.  Oh wait, I don't need ANY kind of excuse to do family research. And I do some kind of research EVERY day. Each family I am researching has it's own notebook and now 3 ring binder.  Earlier this week I learned to read an old German script called Kurrent that has been used to keep records in Germany since the 1500's. By learning this I was able to decipher my great-great grandmother's maiden name on my great grandmother's  baptismal record.  She has been a total mystery for me.  I'm hoping this information helps me to find more information on her. I can trace my Dad's mother's family in Germany back to the late 1600's though.  If this job paid a little better, I'd gladly make it my full time profession.