Genealogy Highlights of 2013

This year, I made some good headway, genealogically speaking. On my wife's side I found a couple caches of pictures and documents that revealed new information. Unfortunately some of these discoveries were made as a result her grandparents passing away. I wish we had asked them just a few more questions about their history, before we were no longer able.


Also this year I got to connect with a long sort-of-lost relative on my wife's side. She is my wife's grandma's cousin, and we didn't know who she was, or that she lived 25 minutes from our house! Not only that but she has been doing genealogy for many years and has lots of great info.


Also this year we got to celebrate my wife's great aunt's 90th birthday. She is still going strong. We have been able to visit with her a few times this year and also as a result have came across a treasure trove of old pictures that we had never seen before, and that revealed new information.


One big highlight for my side of the family was being able to visit the Netherlands with my dad. We drove through just about every town we could that we had ancestors from.


In one of those towns, in the church tower, was a dedication to a Broersma that laid the first brick. We haven't been able to connect this Broersma to our direct line yet, but it certainly was exciting to see the possibility since our family live in the area.


Also while visiting the Netherlands, I got to visit with relatives and get more family stories and pictures to bring back with us. One of the visits was with our cousin that is one of the only living people in the world that has met my great great grandpa Broersma, and had some stories of him and what he was like.


With some new information that he gave us, we were able to drive to another town and find the exact spot where a picture of my great great grandpa Broersma was taken.


Overall it's been a great year that's has expanded our knowledge of our family. I hope to have more great finds in 2014.

Luitske van Gunst Heirlooms

When visiting relatives in the Netherlands, me and my dad discovered that my Great Great Grandma Luitske van Gunst (Broersma) had made a cross stitch sampler when she was 12. I don't know if she made a lot of them, but 1 still existed and it was given to one of my aunts. When we got home my dad called her and asked if she still had it, and she did. She said we could have it, and also something else.


It says: Luitsche van Gunst, 12 years old, 1882. We hope to have it framed. I've seen some of these come up on Antiques Roadshow and can be worth a lot, but those are really old and have a lot of detail. I like this one though because it's from my family.

Included with the sampler was a church book that also belonged to Luitske.


This church song book almost everyone would have from that congregation, and would bring it each Sunday to church. Most of it is songs, but it also has the New Testament and catechisms. This one was printed in 1881. Another cool thing with this book is that is says it belonged to Luitske.


It says: Churchbook of Luitske Thijses van Gunst, born in Piaam the 11th day of October 1869. Luitske would go on to marry Jetze Broersma in 1890.

Where is Forest, Washington?

I found some postcards from my wife's side of the family that were from 1909. They were to Martha (Morey) Wisner, wife of Lawrence S Wisner. They were living in Waukegan, Illinois from 1900 till about 1910 when they were in Stockton, California. But then I saw this postcard and it was sent to the town of Forest, Washington.


So this was postmarked August of 1909, and it looks like they were living in the town of Forest in Washington, but where is that? There is not much of an address, just the town. Then I saw it again in another postcard from December of 1909.


So since there were there for at least a few months, they had to be living there. I tried to look up Forest, Washington on Google Maps and came up with like a thousand hits. They have a few trees in that state. So I found the fact that they were living in Washington for at least a few months, maybe up to a year, significant because I thought they went straight from Illinois to California.

So I searched some more and couldn't find anything. I figured it was a small town that probably changed it's name. I went on Ancestry.com and went to the 1900 census and started looking at the available districts for Washington. I went county by county until I found one that said Forest, and I found it in Lewis County!

Lewis county rang a bell in my mind. Someone else from the family had been there I thought. So I looked up the other towns in the county and the ones that caught my eye were Napavine and Chehalis. Napavine is where Lawrence S Wisner's father George Wisner had died. George had left Illinois sometime after 1901 and in 1905 he died in Napavine. Lawrence was still in Illinois in 1906, so I wonder if he moved to Forest because it was near where his father was working.

I wanted to find out where Forest was on a map. After searching for a while I found out about 2 sentences on the history of that town, from "The Origin of Washington Place Names" written in 1923 by Edmund Meany:

FOREST, a postoffice in Lewis County, was established and named by W. R. Monroe in March, 1897. On October 1, 1897, it was moved a mile and a half southeast to its present location by the postmaster, Joseph Grenner. The place is usually called Newaukum Prairie.

So I kept searching and finally found an old map of Lewis County. And I got lucky because it happened to be from 1909, when the postcards were written.


It may be hard to see, but Forest is under the L in Chehalis. And just to the southwest of Forest is Napavine! So Lawrence did move to the area where his father was. My guess would be because he knew work would be there. Mystery solved, at least the mystery of where Forest is.

Update: As I was going through some more photos I came across this one that says it was the school that Ray C Wisner went to in Washington. I'm assuming that this is near Forest.

Wordless Wednesday - Rock Valley Iowa Drum Band

The Name Van 't Zet

I wish I had found out about this 2 years ago. That would have been cool timing.

Over the summer I got to go visit the Netherlands. As we were researching the family we learned of a new resource that allowed you to see who owned what property in 1832. There is a website that took that information and put it on an interactive map. You can check it out on WatWasWaar.nl.

We were searching on all the last names we had and got a hit on Van 't Zet. I always thought it was a weird last name and didn't know what it meant. Oh, and by the way the full name should be "van het Zet" but they usually abbreviate the het so you are left with 't. Tjerk Tjerk van 't Zet owned some property just south of the village of Allingawier. So we thought it'd be cool to go check it out.


There was a house there, but it has most likely been rebuilt. I don't think it was more than 100 years old. We did knock on the door, but no one was home. It made it less awkward to take pictures of a stranger's house.


Then we noticed on one of the pillars in front driveway that is said Set! That is pretty much the same as Zet.


The other pillar said Jakle. So put them together and you get Jakle Set.


We noticed on the front of the house that there was a wooden sign that said Jakle Set with a couple guys in a boat.


After looking around we moved on and visited some other villages, then went back to where we were staying. When we got back we did a little more investigation. Here is a Google maps view of where Jakle Zet is.


View Larger Map
Now here is what comes up in the 1832 reference map. Do you notice a pretty major difference?


There used to be lakes there! And Jakle Zet was at a point between the 2 lakes where the land almost came together. I looked up the area on some older maps. Here is what it looked like in 1664:


Here is what it was like in 1718.


Now here is a map from 1854 and on this one it has Jakle Zet, but it also says overzet underneath.


So what does all this mean besides the fact that I like to look at maps? What is a Zet? Our cousin Jaap Heeringa, who we were staying with, let us know that it meant a bridge. A narrow bridge that would turn. So when people wanted to cross, it bridged the land, but when boats needed to get through it would turn on a pedestal and let them pass on either side. Here is a modern version of what it would kinda look like. I found this animated gif to the right on Wikipedia. So then what is an overzet? Well it turns out that at some point in history, that narrow waterway got wider, and the swing bridge either fell down or wouldn't work anymore or something. So they had to ferry people across in a boat. So probably that's why on the house there was an image of a boat.

So what is a Jakle Zet? Well it turns our that Jakle is the name of a man. Again with the aid of cousin Jaap, we discovered some history of the area in a book, and it talked about Jakle Zet. I also found the same text from the book online here, in the chapter about Allingawier.

I only speak English, and the book is in Dutch. I took the text and ran it through Google translate and here is the approximation of what the book says:

One would therefore, in view of all that water, assume that the residents have always led. A quiet and peaceable life here Villages in the same position as Eernewoude and Suawoude, have not known the storms of the Middle Ages. But that is at least not always been the case with Allingawier. Between the two large lakes was a fairly narrow connection. Originally it is probably a normal speed, which a "turn" was. When this trade was later widened by erosion, there was a spring. The name Jacle Set is given to a house on the road to Allingawier near Workum and is maintained, inhabited by Mr. Elzinga.

Then in 1878 the two lakes were drained - of which more later - also disappeared spring. At the Jacle Set reminds adopted the surname Van 't Zet, by the occupant of the house Jacle Set, Tjerk Tjerks in 1811. The name is probably derived from Jacla Feddes, who around 1450 had a stins here. He was vetkoper and controlled by his fortified house the transition across the water between the lakes. A strategic position, so we would say. This also includes the Schieringers and therefore tried Douwe Sjaardema and Epe Aylva there also to build a strength in order "to cut off Jacla Feddes and Vetkopers pass and passing." Their attempt, which they undertook in 1449, however, was by Janco Douwema en. Jacla with other Vetkopers prevented under construction and the strength was "razed to the ground." This does not let the Schieringers outdone. Five years later appeared Goslijck Jongema and a troop Schieringers, supported by citizens of Bolsward, in Allingawier. They destroyed the stins of Jacla Feddes and beat him with 15 helpers death. The stins of Jacla with was razed and Jongema took possession of the goods of cases Jacla. There is probably nothing when rebuilt, because in ancient chronicles and old maps is not stins more.

So, to sum up, there is some interesting stuff there. At that point between the 2 lakes there used to be a "stins." A stins is a fortified tower. Only super rich people could have had one, big land owners. This tower was owned by Jacle Feddes around 1450, but was destroyed 5 years later and Jacle was killed. There are only a couple of stins left in Friesland, and we got to visit one. This is similar to what Jacle would have had.


So that place, with the turning bridge, was named after Jakle, and they called it "Jakle Zet." My 5 great grandfather, Tjerk Tjerks, lived there. In 1811 all inhabitants of the Netherlands had to register a family name - a last name. Since Tjerk was living at the set/bridge, he took the family name "van het Zet" - "from the set."

So that's what his name means. Tjerk Tjerks van 't Zet registered his family name on 17 December 1811, 202 years ago today. Here is that document that shows his official name.

Military Monday - Lawrence S Wisner Army

I recently came across this photo of my wife's great great grandfather, Lawrence S Wisner. This photo is significant because until it was found we had no knowledge that he was in the military. On the back of the photo it says it was before the Spanish American War. That war was in 1898. Lawrence was born in 1870 so I estimate the photo to be around 1890 to 1895. Lawrence is the tallest dude on the far left.

Amanuensis Monday - Martha Morey's Last Wishes

I came across a note that was written by Martha (Morey) Wisner to her husband Lawrence S Wisner and her son Raymond C Wisner. It appears to be her last wishes, but based on some info she gives in the letter, I think it was written at least 20 to 25 years before she died. She says she wants her son Ray to get married in a few years. He was married in 1921, so it had to be written before that. She died in 1939.

Also in the note, it says that "...if I had been well all these years," which begs the question was she sick? Sick for a long time? Or maybe not quite right in the head? It's hard to tell. I was not aware of any circumstances like that. My first thought was that she might have caught the Spanish Influenza during the outbreak in 1918 or something and thought she might die. But based on the sick for a long time comment, I'm not sure.

Another possibility about her nature could stem from the fact that her 2nd son Frank M Wisner died when he was 3. That was in 1906. Maybe due to that loss her temperament or nature changed. It the note it mentions that she used to rock Frank in a rocking chair, and she wanted Ray to have it. It also made me curious as to where that ended up.

      
To Papa & Raygie, to read later

My Darlings,

If it is God’s will that I shouldn’t come back to you, I want you to get the place – you be a comfort to each other & be good to each other & always stay together & never be separated. I want Ray to marry some nice girl in a few years & have a home & be happy, & papa live with him.

Don’t be an old back, please, read your Bibles & go to church. It makes no difference to me where I’m buried, I like Lodi tho. Cremation would be cheaper. What ever you think best. Don’t mourn. If I go it is for the best. God knows best. I love you both dearly & want you to be good & all in all to each other.

I know I fell short many times but I believe if I had been well all these years, I would have been happier & better natured. You both have been good to me. A woman never had a kinder or more thoughtful husband than you have been to me hubby.

Hope Ray is as good to his wife & I think he will be. Always have good habits Raygie & go with good men & go to church & work in it.

God bless & keep you both
-wife and mother

Any of my things Ray wants he can have. Let Mrs. Lattin have anything of mine I have here she wants. The table cloth with fringe & any waists or dresses. She’s been good to me. Or shoes or slippers. Keep the quilts. The curtains in front room she gave me, she can have them back if she wants them.

I want Ray to always keep my little rocker. I rocked he and Frankie in it when babies. Keep the carpets, Ray will need them some day. I sewed the rags for them all. Raygie is to have the tablecloths & things like that, that are home & anything else he wants. Papa is to always live with Ray.

God bless you both. Both go east some time to see my relatives. Read your Bible, go to church & be Christians – that’s the only way & best way to live.

mama

Workday Wednesday - National Ice Company

My wife's great great grandfather Benjamin Hawver worked at the National Ice Company in Floriston California, near the Nevada border. I recently came across this picture from 1900 and was very excited to see it.

Thanksgiving 1936 at the Hawvers

While having Thanksgiving with relatives, I was looking through old family albums searching for old pictures and came across this one from 1936 in Rail Road Flat, CA. I guess they didn't want future generations to know the identity of the little boy in front.

Capt. George Denison

As I was going through my database, seeing if there were any people with anniversary coming up, I came across George Denison, my wife's 10 great grandfather. He passed away on 23 October 1694 in Connecticut. He has a pretty cool looking gravestone. This is a postcard of it from a while back. I think today it has been replaced with a new stone that is a replica of this one. You can see the new one at Find-A-Grave.com.


He sounds like he was a pretty cool historical guy, coming to America in 1631 and later fought battles and stuff. His grave says he was a captain, but I think he later became a colonel. This written account of him has some more detail on his life. You can find it in New England families, genealogical and memorial: Vol 3, by William Richard Cutter on pages 1175-1176.

(II) Colonel George, son of William Denison, was born in Bishop's Stortford, in 1618, baptized December 20, 1620. He came to this country with his parents in 1631. He was thoroughly educated for his time, and had as tutor the famed John Elliot, who followed Roger Williams as missionary among the Indians. He went back to England and served as an officer under Cromwell in the parliament army, won distinction and was severely wounded in the battle of Naseby, and was nursed at the home of John Barodell, whose daughter he afterwards married. He returned to Roxbury, but later settled in Stonington, Connecticut, where he had a long and honorable career. He was always engaged in civil and military affairs, became a captain while in Roxbury, beside managing his large estate of five hundred acres. His house in Stonington was surrounded by a stockade fort against the Indians, and he also had a stone fort within the stockade.

He commanded numerous expeditions against the Indians and was always most successful when commander-in-chief. He participated in the famous and destructive Narragansett Swamp fight in December, 1675., In the following February, 1676, a series of forays was commenced against the Narragansetts, who had identified themselves with Philip. These partisan bands were commanded by Denison and James Avery, and were composed of volunteers, regular soldiers, Pequots, Mohicans and Niantics. The third of these excursions began in March and ended April 10, 1676, resulted in the capture of the last sachem of the Narragansetts, Canonchet, by Denison, and his men, a little above Pawtucket. The death of Canonchet is one of the most touching tragedies in American history. The following June, Colonel Denison commanded a company against the Indians in Massachusetts and moved as far north as Northampton. After a short rest he marched to the northwest of Providence, which only three months before had been laid in ashes. He then went south to Point Judith and along the coast to Stonington. In these marches he made a brief halt on Kingston Hill, to which his soldiers gave the name "Little Rest." He afterwards marched into Plymouth colony and then pushed west to the Housatonic. He and Avery conducted no less than ten expeditions and broke forever the hostile Indians' power. In these he bore a conspicuous part and won for himself undying fame. Numerous tracts of land were given him for his military services, so that at his death he owned several thousand acres in Stonington, Norwich, Windham and the western part of Rhode Island. From 1661 to 1694 he represented Stonington for fifteen sessions of the general court.

He married (first) in 1640, Bridget, daughter of John Thompson, Gentleman, of Preston, Northamptonshire. England. She died in 1646, and he married (second) Ann, daughter of John Barodell, in whose home in England he was nursed after being wounded in the battle of Naseby. Both he and his wife Ann were distinguished for magnificent personal appearance, and for force of mind and character. At Stonington she was commonly called "Lady Ann." She died September 26, 1712, aged ninety-seven years. Her handsome slate headstone can still be seen in the Elm Grove cemetery, Stonington. He died in Hartford, Connecticut, while there on public business, October 23, 1694, and was buried in the yard of the First Church (Center). His granite monument is in the Elm Grove cemetery with that of his wife. Children of first wife: Sarah, Hannah. Children of second wife: John, mentioned below; Ann, Barodell, George, William, Margaret, Mercy.

Happy Birthday JC Hawver

In Auburn, California, there is a person of local historical interest that happens to be my wife's 4th great uncle, and today is his birthday. He is Dr. JC Hawver, a dentist back in the late 1800s to early 1900s. He also made some paleontology discoveries in a cave in the area, and now that cave is named after him.

His house was abandoned, and a few years ago it was torn down to expand the parking lot for an In-N-Out Burger. But they put a plaque to commemorate him. However whoever wrote the inscription got his name wrong. His middle name was not Carpenter, it was Christopher. I read somewhere that they plan on correcting the error.

Wordless Wednesday - Piaam Sign

Gerlof Gerlofs Gerlofsma

Ran across an unfortunate name recently: Gerlof Gerlofs Gerlofsma. Actually, more an unfortunate timing in being born. In Friesland in the Netherlands, children are traditionally named after their grandparents. Also their second name, or patronymic name, is after their father. Then of course they also will have a family name. In this case Gerlof came from his grandfather, Gerlofs basically means son of Gerlof, and Gerlofsma, the family name, means beloning to, or from Gerlof.


The document image is from allefriezen.nl Here are some more of the details of the marriage if you are interested off of tresoar.nl:

Huwelijksakte Franekeradeel, 1852
Bruidegom: Gerlof Gerlofs Gerlofsma, oud 23 jaar, geboren te Achlum
    Vader: Gerlof Gerrits Gerlofsma
   Moeder: Murkje Hyltjes Scheltinga
    Bruid: Trijntje Oepkes Bonnema, oud 22 jaar, geboren te Achlum
    Vader: Oepke Zytzes Bonnema
   Moeder: Baukje Jans Bangma
    Datum: 30 januari 1852, akte nr. 2

Amanuensis Monday - Elsie Eddlemon History

A few months back we had the opportunity to empty out my wife's grandparents house, after the passing of her grandfather. One of the things that we came across was a stash of letters. One letter had 2 enclosed written histories of my wife's grandmother's mom. I found them interesting because there were many details that I didn't know.

As I was transcribing them I had the dilemma of trying to write them as close to how she wrote them, misspellings and all, or to correct the grammatical errors. I decided to try and write it how she did. My favorite error that she consistently did was to spell the word "there" as "thire." Never having met her, I can just hear her Arkansas drawl as she would spell "there" phonetically. Also she must have been one of those people to put a "t" at the end of some words, like "clost" - so she would write something like "We live clost to the woods."


3-1-65
My dear children, 

Always happy to receive a word from you so will try to keep them letters coming by ans. with a few lines this beutiful, beutiful sunshiney blue sky morning. My how fast these two last months have past. Seems summer is just around the corner, as the sayin goes.

Elvie and family came up yesterday. She read the letter so I'm sending to you as you suggested with another one that I had written 12 years ago. I could write a lot more about my life history but I don't guess it will do any one any good. But as I'm living in the past anyway I think of so many things. I'm mentioning the high points. I may write more sometime. Elvie said Barneys mother is writing on her life story too.

Well I'll close this and get some more things done before I have to go to town. I trust you are all well and happy. I'm feeling old.

My my, Dick must be swimming in money to pay $20.00 for a hair permanant for just how permanant. Any way you know they don't last long. The best of them. Well thats him not me.

bye now,
as ever mama

Here is the first of the 2 histories that she wrote. One of the interesting facts that I learned from these letters is that she had a child that died as an infant. Not only that, but tomorrow would be the 102nd birthday for that child. This first history focuses more on when Elsie was a young girl, while the 2nd history is more of her life post marriage.


Elsie Lee Eddlemon-Orrell was born Aug. 6, 1890, was left an orphan at the age of seven yers. Lived with my aunt, "my fathers sister" until I was (11) elevon yrs. old. When I had my (12) twelveth birthday I was living at Butrans, a couple of old people that lived up on Walnut Creek about 60 miles west of my aunts home. When I had my (13) thirteen birthday I was living up about ten miles further up in the (ruts?) clost to Crystal Springs with another old couple that needed someone to do earounds for them and work. Had my 14th birthday back down in the settlement where my aunt lived with some nabhors that needed a girl to work for them, and too, they could see what was going on. They felt sorry for me, so they said. But it was a younger couple with three children and thire was plenty of work to be done on farm. Same thing happened with another young couple when I had my 15th birthday. Soll Dadd was corting me then. My first sweet heart. 

I staid with first one and then another, working mostly for my bord and room. When I did a days work in field I got .50 a day. When I did hs. work and took care of babys, I got $1.50 a week. At the time I had my 16th birthday I was staying with Sols brother Lige and his wife (thats where Sol was living). I was making $3.00 week and my room and bord, which was a plenty to buy what clothes I needed. But that fall, in 1906 my love affair was blasted, with my fioncia being aflicted a terible sickness. And when it was over, everything else was over with he and me.

That fall my brother Henry came and perswaded me to go over to Mazarn about 10 miles away and live. So my three brothers and my only sister and me, moved into a house there clost and made a crop that year. I became 17 years old that year and there is where I met Lewis A. Orrell at church. He fell in love with me so he said at first sight. And it wasent long untill we were going steady for two years and married in 1909 Oct. 31st. 

In Sept. 3, 1910 our first baby came, and didn't live. In 1912 our 2nd baby Elvie came on July 18 at Shorts Timber Co. down clost to Shirdan Ark. In 1915 our son John Albert came on John Mathews farm, clost to Red Field Ark.  1918 Edgar came. We were living in the old Orrell house clost to Pearcy Ark. And in 1923 Allene came to live with us in the old Vanderberg house near Royal Ark., Hot Springs being our home town in Ark. 

Elvie marred first time Apr. 29 - [19]34, 2nd time Dec 21st 1948. J.A. marred 1st time to Evangelen Mudge Sept. 25th 1937, 2nd time to Jennie Wheeler Nov. 14 1954. Edgar R. O. marred Pauline Jones Aug. 30 1940. Jennie Allene marred Lawrence Wisner Feb. 8th 1944. 

Husband-father-grandfather-and great grandfather passed away Oct. 3rd 1964. Mother-grandmother-great grandmother written Feb. 6th 1965. 



We married in 1909, Oct. 31st. Our first house was a 10x12 foot tent. (no 1) We moved from Mazarn up into a milling country. I forgot the name of the place, but we lived thire, I think, about three weeks. Lewis was aiming on started in the butcher business. Made a failure of that. (no. 2) We moved back to Mazarn up in the hills clost to Gossitts Mill on the hill. (no. 3) Moved from thire down to the bottom of the hill. Still living in the tent and he cutting timber with Dow Buck. (no 4) In March of 1910 we moved back on Mazarn on his dads place. He cut fire wood for his dad. And that summer his dad put up a two bot'd house (no. 5) and we moved out of the little tent into the house. For out tent was just about gone for we had gone through two or three storms and one fire by this time and it was pretty well shot to pieces.

In Sep. the 3rd 1910 our first baby came, only living 12 hours. The year of 1910  Lewis made a little crop of Cotton on the Wilson place, my bro Charlie helping. (no. 6) In 1911 we moved to Grant County to Farrells Camp, he working cutting tember. (no. 7) 17th of July that year we moved again. Elvie was borned the 18, 1912, the next day after we moved. (no. 8) When she was three month old we moved to Newport Ark. on the White River out in the country, he still cutting tember. 

(no. 9) In Feb of 1913 we moved in to town and he worked at a handle factory for a while. (no. 10) Then we moved again while thire. (no. 11) Then we moved back down in the country near the river (oh yes he dug mussel shells a while when we were thire the first time). (no. 12) Then we moved again and he cut timber a while. Elvie now was eleven months old. (no. 13) When she was 17 months old we moved back to Farrells Camp and he worked in the tember again. (no. 14) Until in Feb. of 1915, we moved on John Mathews place near Red Field Ark. to make a cotton crop. Albert was born July 4th that year. 

(no. 15) In Sept. following we moved to Shiridan Ark. for Lewis to go to school to finish a degree so he could teach school. (no. 16) In 1916 we moved back up to Mathews and made another cotton crop. (no. 17) In June or July of that same year we moved over clost to where he taught his first school. When that was out (either two or three months) (no. 18) we moved back to gather our crop on the Mathews farm. (no. 19) Then we moved down below Shiridan where he taught his 2nd school that winter (about 5 months I think). (no. 20) Then when school was out we moved up on the highway and again( no. 21) we moved down on John Mathews farm and made another cotton crop, for the same man but a different place.

(no. 22) In Jan of 1918 we moved back to Mazarn on the old Orrell place. This is where our boy Edgar came to live with us on Nov. 8 1918. Lewis taught his 3rd school thire at Mazarn that winter. (no 23) In Oct. 1919 we moved to Texas Elleott. (no. 24) From thire in 1920 we moved Wagner Refinery, (no. 25) then moved back to Bugscliffe. (no. 26) Then to Fortworth Texas. (no. 27) Then back to Ark. on the Vanderburg place, he working at saw mill. This was Nov. 1923. This was where our daughter Allene was born Nov. 18, 1923.

(no. 28) In Jan 1924 we moved over in the log house clost to Lewis's mother. (no. 29) Then we moved up on the river at Sharts Mill and he worked thire that winter of 24. (no. 30) Then we moved back in the little boy house.

(no. 31) Then we moved out west, stopping a little while at different places for a short time picking cotton, untill we got to Rogers Ark. (no. 32) We moved from thire to Faithill. (no. 33) We moved from thire to Sherman. (no. 34) The taking a long detour around, we moved to (Weeds?) Bible School in Arizona.  Moved seven times in Arizona and 4 times I forgot (ma....). (no. 45) from thire (no. 46) we moved to California to Elmonte in 1936 Nov. which was a bad move because we lost all of our children thire. (no. 47) Well we moved from there in 1943 to Hemet. (no. 48) in 1944 we moved back to Elmonte. (no. 49) In 1945 we moved to Fetterly ave in east LosAngeles. 

(no. 50) Moved form thire to Juneau Alaska in 1949. (no. 51) Moved back to Fetterly. (no. 52) 1950 moved back to Hemet in Jones Court. (no. 53) Moved from there to Mayberry. (no. 54) From thire to Warthx. (no. 55) moved from there to where we, or I live, at 719 E Whittier. This date is now Nov. 22 1953 Hemet Calif. 

At the present time I'm all alone. My children and my husband all have left me but I'm happy in the Lord. That means more to me than anything else. Alot of things I don't understand. I have quit trying to understand. I'm just trusting in Jesus.

Mom Orrell

Broer Pijtters & Orseltje Pijtters 315th Wedding Anniversary

Broer Pijtters, the oldest direct Broersma that we have been able to document, was married 315 years ago today in Schettens, Netherlands to Orseltje Pijtters. That would be on 7 August 1698 if you don't want to do the math. I had the opportunity to visit the church and took some video.

Charlemagne is Boring

A while back I discovered that on my wife's side of the family, she descends from Audrey Barlow, the wife of William Almy of Rhode Island. Audrey sailed from England to New England in 1635 on the ship Abigail. So that's pretty interesting. Her and her husband were the immigrant ancestors for that line. Then I discovered that Audrey Barlow descends from Henry II, King of England! So I was like - sweet!

Once you tap into a royal line like that, you can go way back cause it's been researched very well. So I was poking around on one site, The Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, which has some great charts that show the line from Audrey Barlow back to Henry II (born 1132), William the Conquerer (born 1027) and then back to Charlemagne (who was born in 742). And once you get back to Charlemagne then you can pretty much follow that line back to Merovech, founder of the Merovingian Dynasty and king of the Salian Franks, who died in 457! Which probably means he was born around the year 400. We're talking Roman Empire here. Rome moved it's capital to Constantinople in 330 and the western empire fell in 476, that's according to a quick search on Wikipedia (I don't have all those dates memorized anymore).

So that's really cool right! I think so. I just jumped from 1635 to 457 without hardly lifting a finger. Then I started to try and enter in all those names in my database, and document with some kind of references, the line back. I quickly became bored. It's not research anymore. It's data entry. I'm not actively trying to put the pieces of my family together by scouring all over to find the next generation of ancestors.

Don't get me wrong, I think the history is cool, but I don't feel like Charlemagne is a part of my family. There is nothing left to research or piece together. It has already been done. Now, I know that while doing family research you are always running into stuff that other people have researched or documented, and then taking those pieces and adding it to your own tree. But this is different. And yes to a certain extent, the regular research I do on my family is part data entry, but this noble stuff is different. It's this massive amount of data that goes back for a millennia, and I didn't have to do anything to get the information. It's out there in history. And since it's a part of history and well known, how well do I need to source my info? I'm not making any new discoveries here.

I think that's probably the key - I'm not making any new discoveries. Not that the discoveries I was making in my tree hadn't been discovered before, but I was the one connecting the dots, putting the pieces together and growing my family tree. In the heraldry stuff the dots have pretty much already been connected, and I'm just typing it in to my database...and it's pretty boring.

Four Generation Friday - Nicholas Broersma

10 years ago today my first child was born - Nicholas Broersma. It has been fun (for the most part) to watch him grow. In the picture you can see that he was still in his drooling phase. We went through multiple shirts daily back then, but he eventually grew out of that phase (for the most part).


Lloyd Broersma (b. 1927)
Ron Broersma (b. 1954)
Luke Broersma (b. 1979)
Nicholas Broersma (b. 2003)