The Book Process

I am still working on my book project. The research phase includes following all the bread crumbs left by previous researchers. When I finish with one, up pops another one. It is an amazing process. After reading an article about PERSI yesterday I went to explore the new set up at Allen County Public Library in Indiana. I found that my two articles are there as well as some for the surnames, but some are missing. The best part are the new listings of some older articles and some more recent. Today I sent in a request, which they replied to promptly and started working on today. The timeliness of these new discoveries feels like true serendipity. The key to it all is keeping an orderly record of where I have been, where I am at and what I want to do in the future.

Sharing Parties with Family Members

After my mother passed and I had been given her clothing and jewelry we had an evening when all female family members gathered and we had a sharing party. Everyone left with plenty of items they will treasure and I still have more. Whenever the grand kids come we often go through collections again. I am not overly concerned about the younger ones as I know these connections are so important. My mother also would buy things for me though the almost sixty years we had together. Later we had a sharing party of her photograph collections with all siblings and their spouses. Each had color sticky notes to mark the ones they wanted copies of. I ended up scanning all of the marked pictures and giving them flash drives with the copies.

Summer 2022 LeBlanc Retreat

What a great week we had when the Walkers came a week ago Friday. They stopped to say hi before heading to the Hemmerts where they are staying part of the time. We met them the next day at Tillamook and had lunch at Denny’s. After a drive up the coast where they wanted to hike we headed to the rental house in Netarts Beach. Our two older sons, Daniel and Michael were already there and helped us to unpack. On the Walkers way back they picked up the Sushi that the boys ordered. Once sleeping arrangements were worked out, we ate and then the boys played games. It was a great place to stay, especially for children. They loved climbing into the Loft. On Sunday everyone but me went to the beach and met up with the Hemmerts, Sarah, David and Shelby to celebrate Father’s day. I enjoyed quiet time, napped and read some. When the Hemmerts, Sarah, David and Shelby left to return home, the others came back to the house and we ate a simple dinner. More game playing for the boys, while the younger ones kept us entertained. On Monday it was time to clean up, pack and head for home. What a wonderful time we had and the weather was fantastic. On Tuesday morning most of the family went to the Hemmerts to help fence their property. They worked all day and were exhausted. On Wednesday they finished the fence. We went bowling in the afternoon. I just cheer them on. Our older sons treated everyone, including lots of snacks. Then we went home and had a rest. On Thursday we were at home in the morning. In the afternoon I met everyone at the park in St. Helens. The children loved being able to play outdoors and on some great play equipment. The Walkers went to dinner at Sarah and Charles house with David and Shelby. Crystal came in the evening for a short visit. On Friday the Walkers came here and left their children with us so they could do some errands. In the evening we went up to the Hemmerts for dinner and said our goodbyes to the Walkers. I so appreciate everyone who made this gathering possible.

Staying on Task

I have four projects that are my focus this week. One is for my book, another is the collection from my father's cousin, then I have a pro bono project and some follow up on the Watts Family Collection. Yesterday I had my annual cancer check up and things went well. One more yearly check up at the five year mark and then I will be able to go to a more local facility. With Covid fog abating I am feeling much better. It has been an interesting spring. I am ready for summer! I completed the cousin's collection organization, will work on the pro bono project next and of course the Watt's collection is ongoing. Making great progress in the book. I definitely need to work on my picture collection and scanning.

Recovery from Virus

Finally recovering from a virus that kept me from wanting to do anything. It was hard to read. Sleep felt the best. No fever, but plenty of other symptoms. Now that the foggy head is abating I am slowly resuming the work on my book. It pays to have various options for work. Enjoyed two great books: Anne Hutchinson the American Jezebel by Eve LaPlante and The Spy by James Fenimore Cooper, written in 1821. Went through my short stack of loose papers and it makes me feel great to review the progress I am making.

Mail Box Full of Book Packages

Got some great books in the mail today. There are five, three related to work on the book. The fifth is the book, The Foundlings Book by Nathan Dylan Goodwin from Amazon. There is a webinar April 29, 2002, which includes Diahan Southard This is the most recent in his series and this time I ordered a copy for me which I will share back to the library. This is a great book for relaxing my mind before I move onto the next phase of the book. The other books include two for Quaker research and one about Gentle Tamers, Woman of the Old Wild West. These three came from the Genealogical Forum of Oregon surplus book sales. Great prices and as a Life Member they are half price. The last book and maybe the most exciting is, The Register Book of the Lands and Houses in the New Towne, and the Towne of Cambridge and the Records of the Proprietors of the Common Lands, Being Generally Called "The Proprietors Records" in 1635, printed in 1896, 410 pages, from ABE Books. The index is rather brief, but does list two Tidd family members, Lydia Teed and John Tidd. So now to take some down time and do a little reading. I now have town books for all of the ancestral towns where the Tidds lived from 1637 to 1860. These are rare books and capture the true nature of each town. Now back to the Foundlings!

1950 Census

Took a break from my work on the book and prepared a presentation and handout on the 1950 Census. Last night I met via Zoom with the Genial Genealogists group of St. Helens, Oregon. We had a nice group with several new people joining us. What that forced me to do was search for my parents, grandparents and great grandparents who were still living at the time. I am still trying to find one great grandfather, Peter Anderson. The past few months I have been getting to know my mother's cousin, also a descendant of Peter. I sent her a packet of pictures and genealogy information that I have in his notes in my database. She sent me one packet of pictures and another is on its way. The timing for this is so perfect. My mother is surely smiling down on us and the joy we feel in knowing each other. Have you found relatives in the 1950 Census?