Who doesn't enjoy a little Saturday Night Fun? Especially when it involves genealogy. Randy Seaver offers up his weekly SNGF via the always fun Genea-Musings and for once, Saturday night finds me at home where wireless high-speed Internet resides so I can participate.
This week's challenge:
Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:
1) Open your genealogy database in the software of your choice, and use the Help function to determine if your software can count the number of separate family trees you have in that database.
2. Follow the directions if the program can do it, and Count Your Trees.
3) Tell us about how many trees you have, and who is the "root" person in the biggest tree. Tell us if you have any big surprises - did you find any disconnected trees that should not have been disconnected?
4) Write your own blog post, write a comment on this post, or write a Facebook status or comment.
"Well ... Isn't this a timely genealogy mission?" she says with a smile.
Having lived my past life on the side of the PC world, I recently became apple-cored. My conversion was totally unexpected - iPhone, iPad followed by FTM for Mac for my new MacBook Pro. Having new techie toys is almost as much fun as finding the document that either gets you through the brick wall, over the pond, or points the way to gr-gr-gr-grandmother Abigail's resting place. With that in mind I couldn't wait to open my FTM program (feeling smug that I knew exactly where to find it!) and count my trees.
So much for the walls of Jericho tumbling down ...
If you have read Randy's post, you will have all ready surmised that Family Tree Maker does not have a function to perform this sort of task. But it was a good way to delve into the upgrade of FTM as I was running an earlier version prior to making the upgrade in order to migrate my family information to the Mac.
While I was unable to complete my "mission" it was fun to participate in SNGF. As always, thanks Randy!
Showing posts with label Genea-Musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Genea-Musings. Show all posts
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, August 21, 2010
SNGF: Those Wild and Crazy Researchers
Genea Musing's Randy Seaver issues the weekly blogging prompt courtesy of Lynn Palermo of The Armchair Genealogist titled: Monday Madness - The Craziest Thing You've Done in the Name of Genealogy?
What is the most wild, crazy, off-the-wall, or really stupid thing you have done in pursuit of your ancestral families and their family history? Tell us about it in your own blog post, a comment to this post, or a comment or status on Facebook.
Twenty plus years of family history research has given me more than a few moments of crazy and off-the-wall stunts - such as a visit to my great uncle's grave in Michigan's Upper Peninsula which turned into a "I Love Lucy" adventure, as Mom and I took turns 'digging' a hole with a ballpoint pen in order to place artificial flowers on uncle Ralph's grave. I've also, on occasion, used a pen while copying records in a court house and been known to laugh out loud while reading obituaries at the library.
The craziest thing I've ever done in the name of family history was in pursuit of my Stone family history.
Isaac Stone arrived in northern Wisconsin during the early 1840s, according to his daughter Nancy, from the state of Maine. One of the first white settlers to begin logging in this region of the state, Isaac married a woman from the Lac du Flambeau band of the Ojibwe. Nancy was my maternal great-grandmother and the youngest of their three children; Nancy's mother, "Elizabeth", died shortly after Nancy's birth. The lack of records during this period of time in Wisconsin's history made documenting this family legend difficult.
When the Lac du Flambeau reservation was formed, records were created when members of the Ojibwe filed for land within the reservation. After years of having my request to view the records being denied I decided to try a new approach ... rather than someone pursuing their family history, I called and said I was writing the history of early settlers in the Price, Lincoln and Langlade county area and wondered if I could view information on Isaac Stone. Imagine my surprise when I was asked when I wanted to look at the records. While I was not allowed to make photocopies of the affidavits documenting the wife of Isaac Stone as a member of the LdF band, I was able to view the documents and make notes ... all the while the theme of "Mission Impossible" playing in my head.
Oh wait ... I think that might have been the theme from the Pink Panther.
Does your dog bite????
What is the most wild, crazy, off-the-wall, or really stupid thing you have done in pursuit of your ancestral families and their family history? Tell us about it in your own blog post, a comment to this post, or a comment or status on Facebook.
Twenty plus years of family history research has given me more than a few moments of crazy and off-the-wall stunts - such as a visit to my great uncle's grave in Michigan's Upper Peninsula which turned into a "I Love Lucy" adventure, as Mom and I took turns 'digging' a hole with a ballpoint pen in order to place artificial flowers on uncle Ralph's grave. I've also, on occasion, used a pen while copying records in a court house and been known to laugh out loud while reading obituaries at the library.
The craziest thing I've ever done in the name of family history was in pursuit of my Stone family history.
Isaac Stone arrived in northern Wisconsin during the early 1840s, according to his daughter Nancy, from the state of Maine. One of the first white settlers to begin logging in this region of the state, Isaac married a woman from the Lac du Flambeau band of the Ojibwe. Nancy was my maternal great-grandmother and the youngest of their three children; Nancy's mother, "Elizabeth", died shortly after Nancy's birth. The lack of records during this period of time in Wisconsin's history made documenting this family legend difficult.
When the Lac du Flambeau reservation was formed, records were created when members of the Ojibwe filed for land within the reservation. After years of having my request to view the records being denied I decided to try a new approach ... rather than someone pursuing their family history, I called and said I was writing the history of early settlers in the Price, Lincoln and Langlade county area and wondered if I could view information on Isaac Stone. Imagine my surprise when I was asked when I wanted to look at the records. While I was not allowed to make photocopies of the affidavits documenting the wife of Isaac Stone as a member of the LdF band, I was able to view the documents and make notes ... all the while the theme of "Mission Impossible" playing in my head.
Oh wait ... I think that might have been the theme from the Pink Panther.
Does your dog bite????
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: If You Won ...
Tonight's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun finds me in front of a fire in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, contemplating the question ...
1) If you won the grand prize in the Ancestry.com Ultimate Family History Journey Sweepstakes of $20,000 for genealogy travel to places of your choice, where would you go, and what would you do?
2) Tell us of your dream genealogy trip using the prize money in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this post, or in a comment on Facebook.
Okay.. I can't justify some serious bling in the name of genealogy so I begin my second favorite internet activity ... shopping for bargin air fare to the U.K. Wait! I have twenty thousand smack-olas so why am I looking at flying coach? I'm not sure I can totally justify the cost of upgrade to Business Class but having the extra leg room on my flight from Chicago to London is much appreciated.
After enjoying a traditional first night in London meal at Cafe Uno near Carnaby Street, I head off to East Anglia and research on my Clarke family line. While I am there, I will enjoy time spent at Bury St Edmonds, the site of RAF Rattlesden Airfield. Originally designated as a satellite for RAF Bury St. Edmunds during WWII, the airfield was assigned to the 3rd Bomb Wing which controlled most of the USAAF assigned airfields in Suffolk. In June 1943 it was decided that the airfield was suited for B-26 and finally the 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the Eighth Air Force. The crew that included my uncle Lee Bergeron was among the first of 447th B-17 Flying Fortresses that arrived at Rattlesden from America.
From East Anglia, I will head up to Lancashire and spent time researching my Hornby and Howard family lines. Then up to Rochdale for Jones family research before my U.K. research quest continues north looking for the elusive Armstrong family lines.
Back on American soil my traveling companion (Mom) and I make a road trip to Pennsylvania for research in Clarion and Luzerne counties. As long as we are in the neighborhood, we will certainly spend an afternoon at Space Farm and Zoo; founded by a descendant of Peter Space, the brother of the progenitor of my Space line, John.
This is truly a dream come true ... wait. What?? You mean this isn't really my moment in the sun and only a dream?
Really ... don't bother waking me up.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Make A Calendar!
Live! From central Wisconsin! It's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun (insert applause here).
After last week's SNGF step back and learn about our fellow genealogists and family historians, Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings takes us back to research with tonight's challenge:
1) Open your genealogy software or family tree program of choice and make yourself the highlighted person.
2) Find out how to create a Calendar to show birthdays and/or anniversaries of yourself and all of your ancestors (or all relatives, or all persons - your choice!). The "Help" button is your friend here!!! It can be done in all of the current software programs.
3) Create your calendar. Pretty it up if you want. Save it. Can you show us a page from your calendar - say January 2010?
4) Which of your ancestors (or relatives or descendants - your choice!), if any, were born 30 January?
Have fun with this. How can you use this in the coming year?
This is a feature of my family tree program of choice, Family Tree Maker, that I make 'regular' use of; the current edition that is on my computer is Family Tree Maker 2009. Pictured above is the screen snapshot of my January 2010 calendar page.
What I am unfamiliar with is the calendar 'pretty up' feature. I have, however, used a background when creating family group sheets - usually the tree silhouette provided from the drop-down box but on occasion I have used one of my personal photographs. But back to the calendar.
I was a bit frustrated not being able to immediately scale the background to the calendar even using one of the provided backgrounds. I then used one of my personal photographs but was disappointed and frustrated when I spent too much time 'futzing' to get the background scaled to my liking. If I were to print out the calendar I would opt for the default, generic background and use one of my photographs and place it above the calendar page for the pretty factor.
I have two relatives listed on my calendar page as having been event dates that occurred on Jaunary 30th: George T[homas] Armagost, born 157 years ago and the marriage of Etienne LaFond and Marie Boucher who would have celebrated their 365th anniversary on 30 Jan (you have to love those French Canadians who knew how to record every event and store them in stone churches.)
The Armagost family married into my Space and Shankle family lines (my mothers paternal family); all from the Clarion County, PA, area. Etienne LaFond, born about 1615 in France, and Marie Boucher, born 21 Jan 1629 also in France, were married 30 Jan 1645 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Their daughter, Francoise, born 8 Jul 1658 in Trois Rivieries, Quebec, was my 7th great-grandmother. This is my father's paternal family line.
So how can I use this throughout the coming year? A number of years ago I gifted my parents with a relative/descendant and ancestor calendar using the calendar feature from FTM as a reference. I purchased a caledar that featured one week per page with large rectangle boxes for each day. This allowed me to fill in the dates with my choice of whom to include, the event date and how many years ago that event occurred. The first calendar included individuals and dates from both of my parents family lines. They enjoyed it so much that I would present them with an updated calendar every few years. A few years ago my father called me and asked if I would make a calendar for him with his family's information as he was disturbed to realize he could not remember the dates of his grandparents and other family members. Since that time I've made a calendar for each of my parents.
Thank you, Randy, for the gentle reminder that 2010 should be the year I update those calendars for my parents as I am blessed to be able to gift an updated one to them.
Copyright (c)2010 Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What I Do When I'm Not Doing Genealogy
Aren't you thankful that Saturday Night Genealogy Fun is hosted by Randy Seavers instead of NBC? Who needs all that drama!! We can always rely on a good time - and no Sunday morning hangover! This week's mission (which I hope everyone has decided to accept is:
"Tell us about your "other" hobbies or interests outside of genealogy and family history research, writing, speaking, etc."
I'm a born-again stay at home Mom ... only in this chapter of my life, I am enjoying my role as Mom to adult children. Our oldest son (soon to be 36) and our beautiful daughter-in-law live in Michigan's Upper Penisula; son's #2 (age 33) and #3 (age 31) live nearby which allows for a lot of time to tell them how much their Mom loves them.
Photography is an activity I enjoy and share with my husband of almost 38 years, Al. Combined with outdoor activities, I am rarely without my camera.
I love to travel .... I have been fortunate to have made several trips to England and Scotland with my favorite traveling companion - my mother. Memories of each trip never fail to bring a smile to my face. It is a rare moment when I am in front of the camera so photo's such as the one below - taken at (one of) our favorite restaurants in London, Pont de la Tour, are special.
Dogs - like genealogy and family history research - has taken on a life of its own. From the moment I laid my hands on my first field bred English cocker spaniel, I knew they would always be a part of my life. It was also my introduction to the world of dog behavior and training. We purchased Casey from Badger Kennels in 1991 which was the start, as they say, of a beautiful friendship. Jim became my mentor, introducing me to upland bird hunting, something my husband had always enjoyed but now we added a merry little cocker to the hunting team. I will always be grateful for Jim sharing his wealth of knowledge on dog behavior and helping me understand the order of the pack. Our lives have been forever changed by each one of the cockers who have come into our live, each one unique and a joy to train and work with. The Anahar line was established in Scotland by Denis and Dorothy Douglas; having several of his dogs earn the title of Field Trial Champions. Now in their 80s, Denis and Dorothy have graciously opened up their home in Laurencekirk in Kincardineshire to Mom and I on several of our trips. Sixteen years after our first introduction to the Anahar cockers, we continue to work with Badger Kennels to keep the Anahar line of cockers going. Our son Jeff took the Anahar line in a new direction when, at his mother's insistance, he entered his dog Riley in a Dock Dog event. Proving little dogs can fly, Riley held the #2 position in the nation for dogs 17" and under, two years ago placing 7th at the national event.
Photographer: Al Scherwinski
When the entire family gets together, a bit of dog hair in your potato salad is to be expected. In 2009 we lost two of our beloved dogs - matriarch, Emma (second from the left) at the age of 14 and her 12-year old girl, Lucy (far right). Seen in the photo below with my nieces, Alissa and Becky, is our son's Flat-Coated Retriever who is convinced she is one of the cockers.
When I'm not filling up my digital card and computer with photographs or running Camp Cocker - I am involved with the D.A.R. The Daughters of the American Revolution is a volunteer woman's service organization dedicated to historical preservation, education and patriotism. I made my application on John Space, who served from the state of New Jersey. John was a descendent of my mother's father's line. After informing my Mom we were making our application to DAR, she has enthusiastically added "Daughter" to her life description.
While it seemed as if helping others with their membership application and genealogy was a perfect fit for me in DAR - I have really enjoyed exercising my creative side. I am the editor of our chapter newsletter (which of course allows me a venue for my photographs as well as a chance to share my love of nature and silent sports). During the past state administration I served as editor of the state newsletter, created a monthly e-letter for the state regent, created all the handbooks for state events, magazine ad's ... if it looks like public relations and media, I have a hand in it. I also played a role in our state regent's successful campaign for the national office of Vice President General in 2009.
During this time, I produced two full size, full color calendars that were sold to benefit the State Regent's project. I was especially proud of the last calendar which was dedicated to our veterans. Between the State Regent and I, we were able to assemble our special family relics that spanned four generations of military service to our country for the cover shot.
Dubbed "the Daughter with the camera," I'm known for catching those moments that are not the standard "stand and smile" photographs - such as the petal perfect butter rosettes on our table during the State Officer Dinner.
Finding beauty in the ordinary and sharing my love of nature - passed on to me by my grandfather, shared with my husband and children - is what helps define who I am and keeps me centered when I'm not tracking down those elusive ancestors.
Copyright (c) 2010 Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - What's Your Superpower?
Look!! Up in the sky! It's a bird - it's a plane! No - it's Randy Seaver with another Genea-Musings challenge. This week our challenge (should we decide to accept it ...) is:
1) Answer the question: Do you have a genealogical "superpower." (i.e. a unique research ability or technique that helps you track down records or assemble conclusions that other's can't.) If so, what is it.
2) Tell us about it in a blog post, a comment to this post, a comment to Dean's post, or a comment to this post on Facebook or Twitter.
3) If you have a picture of yourself in superpower mode, please show it to us!
1. While I wish my 'superpower' was the ability to speak to those who have passed over to the other side, I have yet to perfect that talent (I continue to leave messages on the answering machine but no one returns my calls.) If I have a superpower it is listening for that 'inner voice' and my willingness to widen my circle of research. Many times the key to solving a family research problem is held by a sibling, a cousin or even a friend or neighbor. My willingness to step outside of the box (so to speak) and let go of what I know, or what I think I know, to explore a new theory has oftentimes rewarded me with a few steps forward.
Attempting to confirm the parents of my maternal great-great grandmother Margaretta Shankle Space was going nowhere until I researched all of Margaretta's siblings. A descendant of niece Nora Kegan had documentation that proved Margaretta's parents were Jacob Shankle and Rachel Click.
At the risk of sounding 'way out there' - listening to that inner voice has never let me down. I can't take credit for that superpower as, like most family researchers, I've experienced first hand assistance with my research that cannot be explained. That might make a great topic for a future Saturday Night Genealogy Fun?
2) Complete.
3) I seem to have misplaced my cape - probably in the same box with my crystal ball and Ouija board.
1) Answer the question: Do you have a genealogical "superpower." (i.e. a unique research ability or technique that helps you track down records or assemble conclusions that other's can't.) If so, what is it.
2) Tell us about it in a blog post, a comment to this post, a comment to Dean's post, or a comment to this post on Facebook or Twitter.
3) If you have a picture of yourself in superpower mode, please show it to us!
1. While I wish my 'superpower' was the ability to speak to those who have passed over to the other side, I have yet to perfect that talent (I continue to leave messages on the answering machine but no one returns my calls.) If I have a superpower it is listening for that 'inner voice' and my willingness to widen my circle of research. Many times the key to solving a family research problem is held by a sibling, a cousin or even a friend or neighbor. My willingness to step outside of the box (so to speak) and let go of what I know, or what I think I know, to explore a new theory has oftentimes rewarded me with a few steps forward.
Attempting to confirm the parents of my maternal great-great grandmother Margaretta Shankle Space was going nowhere until I researched all of Margaretta's siblings. A descendant of niece Nora Kegan had documentation that proved Margaretta's parents were Jacob Shankle and Rachel Click.
At the risk of sounding 'way out there' - listening to that inner voice has never let me down. I can't take credit for that superpower as, like most family researchers, I've experienced first hand assistance with my research that cannot be explained. That might make a great topic for a future Saturday Night Genealogy Fun?
2) Complete.
3) I seem to have misplaced my cape - probably in the same box with my crystal ball and Ouija board.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday Morning's Look at Saturday Night Genealogy Fun
With the second week in December coming to a close and the start of the new year on the horizon, Santa Seaver at Gena-Musings has added yet another Saturday Night Genealogy Fun question for everyone to ponder: to express our wishes for databases we want the genealogy companies to bring to us.
1) Define one or more genealogy or family history databases, that are not currently online, that would really help you in your research. Where does this database currently reside?
2) Tell us about it/them ...
Oh my. Are you are old enough to recall the anticipation waiting for the official start to the Christmas season: the arrival of the toy catalog? If you are, then you may recall laying on the living room floor marking the pages to reference for your letter to Santa and will understand why I have chosen for my database wish to bypass the toy section and going right to the top and ask for a Christmas pony.
My wish would be free access to military records relative to the War of 1812 at the NARA.
The selected records offered by several genealogy sites/companies are a start but, of course, the records I am interested in are not included in these selected records.
The progenitor of my Facer family line, Lewis Facer, is listed as having served during the War of 1812. Listed on the one and only piece of paper that a researcher could find states his rank, the company he served in and a hint that more military records exist but are not able to be located. I am convinced this is one of those instances of his surname being misspelled and possibly the researcher was not looking for other possible variances.
I have several other brick walls and holes in my family history that online access to the complete War of 1812 database would either solve or give me clues as to where to look next.
Oh .. and did I mention I would like this access to be a no cost?
So Santa ... I have a blanket on my bedroom floor that will be perfect for my new pony.
1) Define one or more genealogy or family history databases, that are not currently online, that would really help you in your research. Where does this database currently reside?
2) Tell us about it/them ...
Oh my. Are you are old enough to recall the anticipation waiting for the official start to the Christmas season: the arrival of the toy catalog? If you are, then you may recall laying on the living room floor marking the pages to reference for your letter to Santa and will understand why I have chosen for my database wish to bypass the toy section and going right to the top and ask for a Christmas pony.
My wish would be free access to military records relative to the War of 1812 at the NARA.
The selected records offered by several genealogy sites/companies are a start but, of course, the records I am interested in are not included in these selected records.
The progenitor of my Facer family line, Lewis Facer, is listed as having served during the War of 1812. Listed on the one and only piece of paper that a researcher could find states his rank, the company he served in and a hint that more military records exist but are not able to be located. I am convinced this is one of those instances of his surname being misspelled and possibly the researcher was not looking for other possible variances.
I have several other brick walls and holes in my family history that online access to the complete War of 1812 database would either solve or give me clues as to where to look next.
Oh .. and did I mention I would like this access to be a no cost?
So Santa ... I have a blanket on my bedroom floor that will be perfect for my new pony.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Genea-Musings - Saturday Night Genealogy Fun
Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings has posted his Saturday Night Genealogy Fun with the title "Family Increase."
1) Pick one of your four great-grandparents - if possible, the one with the most descendants.
2) Create a descendants list for those great-grandparents either by hand or in your software program.
3) Tell us how many descendants, living or dead, are in each generation from those great-grandparents.
4) How many are still living? Of those, how many have you met and exchanged family information with? Are there any that you should make contact with ASAP? Please don't use last names of living people for this - respect their privacy.
5) Write about it in your own blog post, in comments to this post, or in comments or a Note on Facebook.
Since I am usually 'up north' on a Saturday night with limited cell (broadband) service, I miss out on most of the Saturday night Genea-Musing fun. But not tonight!
1.) I have chosen my paternal great-grandparents Francis Xavier Bergeron (1863-1953) and Mary Elizabeth Reinwand (1865-1951)
2.) I created a chart using Family Tree Maker
3.) The descendants of this family are as follows:
Children: 8 (all deceased)
Grandchildren: 19 (14 are deceased)
Great-Grandchildren: 24 (2 are deceased)
Great-Great-Grandchildren: 39 (2 are deceased)
Great-Great-Great-Grandchildren: 7
4.) There are several branches of this family line that have not been updated in a couple of years but then, securing accurate information from them has always been difficult. My grandfather divorced his first wife while living in Minnesota, where he was born and spent the early part of his childhood. He moved to northeastern Wisconsin where he met my grandmother and where they lived the remainder of their lives. There has always been a sense of being on the outside looking in with the family that remained in Minnesota, something my dad and aunt mentioned many times. I do exchange Christmas cards with several of these cousins - a good reminder that the 2009 Christmas card should include a printout of their family information and ask for an update.
My family was hit very hard by the Flu Pandemic of 1918: Four of Francis and Mary Reinwand Bergeron children died during the epidemic. Two daughters died leaving no children while the two sons both left behind a wife with young children. One son, Henry, lost his 3 week old daughter to the flu less than a month before his death.
Over the years, Francis and Mary raised a number of their grandchildren during different times of their lives. I often think about how difficult it must have been to never have experienced 'empty nest' or at least only for a short period of time.
This is a great exercise in confirming my belief that all family historians researching their family should expand their research horizons to include "cluster genealogy" or what others call "whole family research." Several of my grandfather's siblings married siblings: the two sisters who died during the flu epidemic married brothers while another brother married the sister of my grandfather's first wife. Had I not expanded my research to include the spouses and their families, I would not have discovered a second Bergeron-Reinwand connection.
Mary Reinwand's sister-in-law was Catherine Wilmoth. Catherine's sister, Johanna Wilmoth, married Adolphus D. Bergeron, the brother of Francis X. Bergeron.
1) Pick one of your four great-grandparents - if possible, the one with the most descendants.
2) Create a descendants list for those great-grandparents either by hand or in your software program.
3) Tell us how many descendants, living or dead, are in each generation from those great-grandparents.
4) How many are still living? Of those, how many have you met and exchanged family information with? Are there any that you should make contact with ASAP? Please don't use last names of living people for this - respect their privacy.
5) Write about it in your own blog post, in comments to this post, or in comments or a Note on Facebook.
Since I am usually 'up north' on a Saturday night with limited cell (broadband) service, I miss out on most of the Saturday night Genea-Musing fun. But not tonight!
1.) I have chosen my paternal great-grandparents Francis Xavier Bergeron (1863-1953) and Mary Elizabeth Reinwand (1865-1951)
2.) I created a chart using Family Tree Maker
3.) The descendants of this family are as follows:
Children: 8 (all deceased)
Grandchildren: 19 (14 are deceased)
Great-Grandchildren: 24 (2 are deceased)
Great-Great-Grandchildren: 39 (2 are deceased)
Great-Great-Great-Grandchildren: 7
4.) There are several branches of this family line that have not been updated in a couple of years but then, securing accurate information from them has always been difficult. My grandfather divorced his first wife while living in Minnesota, where he was born and spent the early part of his childhood. He moved to northeastern Wisconsin where he met my grandmother and where they lived the remainder of their lives. There has always been a sense of being on the outside looking in with the family that remained in Minnesota, something my dad and aunt mentioned many times. I do exchange Christmas cards with several of these cousins - a good reminder that the 2009 Christmas card should include a printout of their family information and ask for an update.
My family was hit very hard by the Flu Pandemic of 1918: Four of Francis and Mary Reinwand Bergeron children died during the epidemic. Two daughters died leaving no children while the two sons both left behind a wife with young children. One son, Henry, lost his 3 week old daughter to the flu less than a month before his death.
Over the years, Francis and Mary raised a number of their grandchildren during different times of their lives. I often think about how difficult it must have been to never have experienced 'empty nest' or at least only for a short period of time.
This is a great exercise in confirming my belief that all family historians researching their family should expand their research horizons to include "cluster genealogy" or what others call "whole family research." Several of my grandfather's siblings married siblings: the two sisters who died during the flu epidemic married brothers while another brother married the sister of my grandfather's first wife. Had I not expanded my research to include the spouses and their families, I would not have discovered a second Bergeron-Reinwand connection.
Mary Reinwand's sister-in-law was Catherine Wilmoth. Catherine's sister, Johanna Wilmoth, married Adolphus D. Bergeron, the brother of Francis X. Bergeron.
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