Elsner and Dunham photos provide clues

 

“Charles” Carl Friedrich August Elsner, 1852-1941

     Years ago, someone gave me, Selma, this 1940 photo of “Charles” Carl Friedrich August Elsner, 1852-1941. Charles lived in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. The photo shows great-grandpa Elsner holding baby Selma on his lap in a rocking chair in his parlor. Why is this important to me? This connects me with my paternal ancestors. If you had time to read my first blog in this #52ancestors series, you will remember that I do not have verbal stories passed down from the families. This tells me great-grandpa cared enough to want a photo with me. In this family, the men provided for their families by working hard. The families were not physically demonstrative as some people today.

     My mom expressed at one time her difficulty in asking for or giving hugs. Mom said, “My father provided for our family, but I never saw him hug anyone.” She added that her father never told her that he loved her, yet she did not doubt his love because of his provision for his family. My own experience with my family of several generations was the same.

     When I went to Lockport, Illinois, (maternal side) with the family, I went outside and played, usually by myself. When I went to Frankfort, Illinois, (paternal side) with the family, I was given the choice to play outside, wonderful old summer kitchen or in the home, Grandpa Kampe had a very large roll top desk.  Between the side drawers, a box of toys included a large top and a wooden turtle with a pull string which keep me playing for hours. Grandpa would set in his rocking chair and watch me play while the adults visited. My son enjoyed playing with the toys; and I have a photo of my son sitting on his great-grandpa Kampe’s lap in a rocking chair. Great memories!!!

Who is Aunt Sarah Dunham? As the generations passed, I received more family photos; so “Aunt Sarah” started my genealogy climb. In the early 1990s, I posted her photo on every site that allowed questions. Was this “Aunt Sarah” by birth or by marriage? In 1993 my conclusion with thanks to P.C. Alger, Ann Eldred and others in New York who shared photos, “Aunt Sarah” was born a Dunham who married a Hickok. With this information, I joined the Dunham family association, again great help from Gratia Dunham Mahony and others. (I am currently a Dunham board member and V.P., check us out) Next challenge is what branch of the family? Thanks to DNA and my Dunham cousins Rich Capen and Christina Strieff, I have been added to the William F. Dunham branch of the family. Please for more family articles, read blogs or contact me.

    Great-grandpa Charles Elsner is probably my favorite photo, yet “Aunt Sarah” deserves credit for introducing me to the world of genealogy with enjoyment of 30+ years and still searching for more family and memories. Thank you everyone!!!

Roy Bertelli, 1910-2003

 

Mr. Accordion, Roy Bertelli’s dates obtained from the indexed Social Security death index read: birth date 3 Nov 1910 and death date 22 March 2003.  Also on Ancestry and Find A Grave his death dated is listed as 22 September 2003. Other twists and turns appear around his burial. You, the reader, can research and decide for yourself what you want to believe. Also, on Ancestry is a wedding date for Roy Bertelli and Ethel Rees; the date is 12 August 1950 in Piggott, Clay County, Arkansas. The 1951 Springfield City Directory lists Roy and Ethel Bertelli living at 2010 Brown. According to several online articles, Mr. Bertelli shared his love for the accordion with anyone who would take the time to engage him. One article reads that in the 1950s, Roy taught about 150 students a week. He was a prolific writer and arranger of songs for the accordion and organ; he performed with the Lawrence Welk’s backup band; he was an all around showman and supporter of the performing arts. 

In November of 1997, my cousin and I traveled from Lockport, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois, to meet with Roy Bertelli. We corresponded previously; we were looking forward to meeting him. He answered many of my questions, played his own songs and shared sheet music. He suggested contacting the Peoria Area Accordion Club, P.A.A.C. In August 1998, Joey and I enjoyed a P.A.A.C. performance at the Italian Festa. The Festa is held annually at Hickory Grove Park, Peoria, Illinois.

 My connection: accordion

During my grade school years, I remember four of us in an accordion class. Our final performance was to play “Lady of Spain.” Due to my inability to get up to speed, I was dropped from the final performance.

 As an adult during the 1960s living in Illinois, I enjoyed lessons in our home. My teacher came once a week. My goal was to write out the bass cords to an old hymn book. He introduced me to fake books and guitar cord books. This was a challenge and fun for my own entertainment. When my mother-in-law was confined to an Alzheimer’s unit, I attempted to “entertain” the patients once a week. My mother-in-law was not even in the room. She had no idea who I was. So while trying to decide if this was worth my time and energy, the song “How Great Thou Art” came across my mind. When I started to play and sing, a man got up from the far corner and stood behind me. He astounded everyone by harmonizing beautifully with the melody; he knew every word! We enjoyed our time together for about ten minutes; he went and sat down. Later I learned from one of the staff that he had not spoken in three years. The staff knew nothing about his life except his name and that he came from out of state. After our time together, he did not speak again. Needless to say, this was NOT a waste of time and energy! 

In 1985 when I moved to Atlanta, the accordion came along. The first church I attended was very small. In fact, one Sunday in July, we had 14 people in attendance. The membership consisted of several families. The children took piano lessons and took turn providing our music. As the children grew up and went off to college, the music was gone too. So, I volunteered to provide the sing along melodies from the old hymn book. Oh how different we sounded singing praises to God with the accordion; then I progressed to the keyboard and briefly the organ. Eventually the next young child learned to play the piano; this sounded great again! 

Jeremiah 29:11 ^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV. Bible Gateway.

Tell us about your musical experiences.  Selma Kampe Blackmon, sbgenealogy@gmail.com

Henry J Kampe, 1916-1983, was this his sled?

 

“The sled belonged to your father.” This message has been passed down to me for years. Is this true or false?

 

Maybe it was not a dream; I remember seeing tracks down the hill at grandpa’s home in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. The photo included in this blog is me on a sled in February 1943. Since I was born 1 August 1939, I would have been three and a half years old. The dream or memory in my mind plays out of descending down the long, to a child, gentle hill. I remember various tracks in the snow from numerous trips up and down the side yard.

 Is it possible that my dad had a flexible wooden sled? Yes, according to Wikipedia.com, “Samuel Leeds Allen patented the Flexible Flyer in 1889…” 

“Flexible Fliers are flexible both in design and usage. Riders may sit upright on the sled or lie on their stomachs, allowing the possibility to descend a snowy slope feet-first or head-first. To steer the sled, riders may either push on the wooden cross piece with their hands or feet, or pull on the rope attached to the wooden cross-piece. Shifting the cross-piece one way or the other causes the flexible rails to bend, turning the sled.”  Comparing my sled model with online photos, this sled may have been designed in the 1920s.

  The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor, reminds us to wring out every detail in a photo. My dad’s hand writing provides the date as February 1943. Selma on the sled is the subject. This leaves only the location in question. Concrete blocks, tires and wood scraps appear in the upper half of the original photo. HINT: scan ALL of the original photo, keep original scan, crop for publication.

family

With my family staying in Will County, Illinois, the following are three possible locations:

• 1.    My maternal grandparents, the Schuler family lived at 815 Madison Street, Lockport. The garage was wooden. In the front yard was a short steep hill ending at the curb.
• 2.    My dad had purchased an old house at 56 Herkimer Street, Joliet. He remodeled this into six apartments. It would have had a back porch that may have had blocks, but doubt the tires. I doubt this was the place, very small yard, no hill. I attended first grade 1945-1946, so I doubt he owned the building in 1943.
• 3.    My paternal grandfather, William Kampe, lived at the edge of Frankfort. My dad grew up on this farm. The buildings consisted of the original barn with adjoining equipment shed, summer kitchen, garden, chicken house and home. All the buildings appeared to be the same vintage. Except, a large concrete block garage looked out of place at the end of the gravel turnaround between the garden and the chicken house. The garage was definitely more modern than the rest of the buildings.

 With these three choices, I would choose Frankfort. We visited often. It would be the safest for a three and a half year old child to slide down the grassy hill and stop safely with no traffic. Dad and his father were probably out working in the garage when I stopped at the bottom of the hill.

If this is my dad’s sled, they could have been cleaning out the garage as many of us are attempting to do today. Thank you, Deborah; the sled has a great new home. May this article be a tribute to the sled, my dad, my grandparents and many fond memories!!!

 Comments, Selma Kampe Blackmon, sbgenealogy@gmail.com.

Genealogy: Case of mistaken identity LEWIS COUCH

 

"Fatal Ending of a Poker Game" April 24, 1888 found on GenealogyBank

Credits: 

downloaded & scanned by Selma Blackmon

This genealogist presents a case for mistaken identity or how to separate Lewis Couch from Lewis Couch. Fast, quick and easy describes an internet search. The family historian types in a name, location, and maybe a date and with one keystroke floods of information popup on the monitor. Everything from grave markers, photographs, death certificates, and newspaper articles clamor for the reader’s attention. Read each piece thoroughly! Only the researcher will be able to evaluate the material. Compare all information with a timeline and against other verified information. Is this the person of interest? Is this another person with the same name?

In this search example, Lewis Couch (1849-1937) was born in Oneida County, NY and died in Joliet, Will County, IL.

The headlines read “Fatal Ending of a Poker Game” and continue with “William Bowley or Rowley Stabbed by Lewis Couch Who Was Caught Cheating.” The newspaper article is found on GenealogyBank.com (see photograph) a newspaper subscription site.

Similarities between search name and newspaper name:

• Same name – Lewis Couch
• Same generational timeline – newspaper article 1888
• Location – Lockport
• Occupation – blacksmith

Could this be the same person? The family historian must know more about the search person; the family historian must read every detail of the newspaper article.

The newspaper digital image is from the Daily Inter Ocean dated April 24, 1888, Erie, PA. The article reads “…at Lockport, this county,…” According to Samuel P. Bates, Lockport was a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania. The Lockport connected with the search subject is Lockport, Will County, Illinois..

According to the U.S. census, the search subject lived in Illinois from 1860 until his death in 1937. According to the LaSalle County, Illinois, marriage license, he married Susannah Kimberk on October 31, 1883 in Ottawa, Illinois. According to family records, his family started growing in 1885 and continued until 1889 with all children born in Illinois.

Given the above information, the researcher believes that two men named Lewis Couch existed at that time. The Lewis Couch in the newspaper article and the Lewis Couch search subject are not the same person.

Relationship to me, Lewis Couch of Lockport, Will County, Illinois, is my 2nd great uncle.

Comments or questions, contact Selma Blackmon.

Research 101: BE SPECIFIC case study using Steamboat, Schuler, Lockport, circa 1900

 

In family history research, every piece of information offers details and questions. How does the genealogist transition from detail to questions? In this article, the family historian will learn by example how to ask specific questions.

This example is of my research trip planned from Georgia to Illinois, expressly the National Archives at Chicago. As a former volunteer for the Atlanta branch of the National Archives many questions sound like this, “Give me all you have on steamboats. I am looking for information on my grandpa and his time on the canal.” Yes, we encourage your visit to YOUR archives. But, please come with detailed information on the research topic and a identifiable goal. 

• What is the name and dates for the person you want to research
• What is the location or area you are searching
• What is your goal

A copy of William Schuler’s 1918 pilot license started this pursuit. The copy was obtained from the National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri. A newspaper clipping lists the name of his steamboat as the “Niagara.” A general question was sent by email to the Genealogical and Local History Department of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio. My return response was “Yes” the library has a very large collection with information on ALL canals and waterways. A digital article from library’s archives of the The Waterways Journal uncovers that Capt. W.H. Wallace of Joliet, Illinois, is the proprietor of a fleet of nine boats including one steamer named the “Niagara.” As Lockport and Joliet are located next to each other on the Illinois and Michigan Canal could William Schuler be one of the pilots for Capt. Wallace?

Specific research for the National Archives at Chicago:

• Is William Schuler a pilot for Capt. W.H. Wallace on the steamboat “Niagara”?
• Record Group 41 contains the Marine Inspection and Navigation records. Will inspection records for the “Niagara” be on file? Are cargo records available?
• Record Group 36 contains records of accidents and engineering work on the towpath. William Schuler’s father John was the pilot of a mule powered tug boat. In 1885, the towpath bank caved in and three mules drowned. Will a record of the accident and work on the towpath be available?

An article with the answers to the above questions appear in the article, Steam canal boat records circa 1900.

Questions or comments