Who needs traffic laws?
The first track from Airs' Moon Safari album, accompanied by scenes from a video shot from a streetcar traveling down Market Street in San Francisco in 1905. Before the earthquake/fire of 1906 destroyed the area. Remarkable footage of the turn of the century lifestyles in California.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
March 29...
March 29 - Create a free Footnote Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley's post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you've selected and why and then post a link to what you've created.
 |
| Mary Alice (Coleman) Johnstone |
 |
| Johanna "Jennie" (Felt) Borgreen |
Sunday, March 27, 2011
March 27....Fresh off the boat
March 27 - Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?
I could tell you the Titanic story, but since I really don't believe that one, I'll tell you what I DO know.
On 4 Jun 1913, Mary Alice Johnstone arrived in Quebec along with her two children, Steven and Ellen and her mother, Mary Coleman. They were on their way to B.C. Canada to meet up with Mary Alice's husband William Johnstone, who had arrived more than a year earlier.
They traveled on the Laurentic, most likely as one of the 1,000 third class passengers. Four years later the Laurentic would meet a fateful end when it was sunk by a mine on 25 Jan 1917 off the coast of Ireland, killing 350 passengers.
The Johnstones would remain in B.C. until 1916, when they emigrated to MT, where they would live the rest of their lives.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
March 24....Is Your Mother Home?
March 24 - Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?
The one thing thing that has followed me around, since about the age of 12, is my mother's voice. I've always been told that I sound just like her and was always confused with her on the phone, as a teen. Fast forward to my adult years and now my girls are mistaken for me on the phone and I'm still asked, "Is your mother home?" when I answer the phone. I can barely tell my girls' voices apart on the phone and my poor son went through an awkward time, before his voice changed, where he was also mistaken for me or any of his four sisters when he answered a call. Fortunately for him, when he hit the age of 13, his voice promptly dropped an octave and saved his sanity.
The one thing thing that has followed me around, since about the age of 12, is my mother's voice. I've always been told that I sound just like her and was always confused with her on the phone, as a teen. Fast forward to my adult years and now my girls are mistaken for me on the phone and I'm still asked, "Is your mother home?" when I answer the phone. I can barely tell my girls' voices apart on the phone and my poor son went through an awkward time, before his voice changed, where he was also mistaken for me or any of his four sisters when he answered a call. Fortunately for him, when he hit the age of 13, his voice promptly dropped an octave and saved his sanity.
Monday, March 21, 2011
March 21...Tender moments
March 21 - Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.
I will never forget the times spent at Grandma Nell's house. We would have sleep overs and it was always so much fun. Grandma loved to have the kids come to visit in her tiny little yellow house. She had very little room, so she'd get creative. Snacks were kept in the dryer in the kitchen. We had free run of the place and could have whatever we wanted without asking. She always had little metal snack trays for us to use in front of the TV. They had little foldable legs and we'd sit on the floor, watching cartoons and snacking away. Then Grandma and I would snuggle on the couch and she'd pat my hand or my leg. We would sit like that for hours.
Many years later when I had children of my own, we'd go visit and she'd sit with them the same way and pat their legs or hands. It was so sweet to see that tenderness passed on to the next generation.
I will never forget the times spent at Grandma Nell's house. We would have sleep overs and it was always so much fun. Grandma loved to have the kids come to visit in her tiny little yellow house. She had very little room, so she'd get creative. Snacks were kept in the dryer in the kitchen. We had free run of the place and could have whatever we wanted without asking. She always had little metal snack trays for us to use in front of the TV. They had little foldable legs and we'd sit on the floor, watching cartoons and snacking away. Then Grandma and I would snuggle on the couch and she'd pat my hand or my leg. We would sit like that for hours.
Many years later when I had children of my own, we'd go visit and she'd sit with them the same way and pat their legs or hands. It was so sweet to see that tenderness passed on to the next generation.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
March 20....Brick by Brick
March 20 - Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.
My Brickwall is Johanna "Jennie" (Felt) Borgreen. She and her husband Gust never spoke of Sweden. As far as I can tell they never told anyone anything at all. I ordered death certificates in hopes of finding a town of origin or a parent's name. NOTHING. I ordered a marriage certificate for the same reason. NOTHING. I have scoured every document that I can find for any clue as to where they may have come from. Here's what I know of Johanna so far...
Born 22 May 1868 Nävlinge, Kristianstad, Sweden The name of her town and parish came from Swedish Emigration Records found on Ancestry.com. She left Eljaröd, Nävlinge, Kristianstad, Sweden in 1891 to move to North America with her final destination being Rock Springs WY. This information came from the Swedish church records at Ancestry.com. She married Gust Borgreen on 5 Dec 1891 and a gentleman named A. Felt was a witness. This found on the marriage certificate. We then lose track of the family until we can pick up the trail again in MT on the 1900 census where they live with their four oldest children and surprisingly, they live right next door to an Andrew Felt and his family. This is where I decided to pick up the trail of Andrew. Who is he and how is he related to my family? The 1900 census shows that Andrew, his wife and oldest child came to WY in 1890, just one year before Johanna. We know that Gust was already in WY at that time. Several of Andrew's children were born in WY according to the census. So I tracked the whole family back and forth through time and found that those WY births had occurred in Rock Springs. I have yet to find Andrew and his family's immigration papers. But I continue to search. I also continue to search for Johanna in Swedish church records. Hopefully, one day I'll find the birth register I'm looking for. I'm also searching forward in time. I'm looking at Gust and Johanna's children, along with Andrew's children, and their children hoping to find a living descendant who might know just a bit more than me. I still don't know if Andrew is actually related. It would seem that he must be and based on their ages, I suspect he's a brother. But until I have proof in hand, I can only speculate. Come on Johanna. Give it up.
My Brickwall is Johanna "Jennie" (Felt) Borgreen. She and her husband Gust never spoke of Sweden. As far as I can tell they never told anyone anything at all. I ordered death certificates in hopes of finding a town of origin or a parent's name. NOTHING. I ordered a marriage certificate for the same reason. NOTHING. I have scoured every document that I can find for any clue as to where they may have come from. Here's what I know of Johanna so far...
Born 22 May 1868 Nävlinge, Kristianstad, Sweden The name of her town and parish came from Swedish Emigration Records found on Ancestry.com. She left Eljaröd, Nävlinge, Kristianstad, Sweden in 1891 to move to North America with her final destination being Rock Springs WY. This information came from the Swedish church records at Ancestry.com. She married Gust Borgreen on 5 Dec 1891 and a gentleman named A. Felt was a witness. This found on the marriage certificate. We then lose track of the family until we can pick up the trail again in MT on the 1900 census where they live with their four oldest children and surprisingly, they live right next door to an Andrew Felt and his family. This is where I decided to pick up the trail of Andrew. Who is he and how is he related to my family? The 1900 census shows that Andrew, his wife and oldest child came to WY in 1890, just one year before Johanna. We know that Gust was already in WY at that time. Several of Andrew's children were born in WY according to the census. So I tracked the whole family back and forth through time and found that those WY births had occurred in Rock Springs. I have yet to find Andrew and his family's immigration papers. But I continue to search. I also continue to search for Johanna in Swedish church records. Hopefully, one day I'll find the birth register I'm looking for. I'm also searching forward in time. I'm looking at Gust and Johanna's children, along with Andrew's children, and their children hoping to find a living descendant who might know just a bit more than me. I still don't know if Andrew is actually related. It would seem that he must be and based on their ages, I suspect he's a brother. But until I have proof in hand, I can only speculate. Come on Johanna. Give it up.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
March 19.....HOLD THE PRESSES!!!!
March 19 - Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?
Title: Rock Springs Miner. no. 26. June 29, 1892, page 4
"Gus Borgreen is the father of a fine boy. Dr. Murray, the attending physician informs us that the mother and child are doing nicely."
It would appear that Gt. Grandma was already expecting at the time of the wedding. This did surprise me until I buckled down to do some Swedish research and found it was perfectly acceptable and quite common for young people to co-habitate before the marriage, as long as they had made their intention to marry public. Its not uncommon to find the births of children entered in the church register before the actual marriage date of the parents. It would seem that Gust and Johanna simply brought this tradition to the states with them.
I do have to make one correction to the newspaper bit, though. The oldest child of Gust and Johanna, who was actually born in June of 1892, was their daughter, Esther.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
March 17.....It's What You Can Do For Your Country
March 17 - Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group?
 |
| Red Cross Sewing Club 1917 |
Katherine Marxer and her daughters, along with many other area women belonged to the Pleasant View Red Cross Sewing Club.
The Red Cross Sewing Club was organized during WWI to aid the war effort. Knitting socks, sweaters and mufflers for soldiers and rolling bandages were the main projects. The club disbanded at the end of the war.
This photo was taken outside the Joseph Marxer home.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March 16...Ladies Who Lunch
March 16 - If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?
This was a topic of a scrapbooking project I participated in last year. I'll share the layout I did for that challenge. As for where we'd go and what we'd eat? That's a family joke. We can never decide where to go or what to have. And no one will ever start the buffet line. I always say, "You'll find out skeletons at the end of the buffet line. We all starved to death because no one would go first."
This was a topic of a scrapbooking project I participated in last year. I'll share the layout I did for that challenge. As for where we'd go and what we'd eat? That's a family joke. We can never decide where to go or what to have. And no one will ever start the buffet line. I always say, "You'll find out skeletons at the end of the buffet line. We all starved to death because no one would go first."
Journaling reads:
Grandma, please tell me all you remember of your life as a child. Tell me how you met Grandpa, and what was Mom like as a child? Ms. Burnett, I've idolized you since before I can remember. Where did that wicked humor come from? What was it like to be a pioneer of women in entertainment? Teach me how to do the Tarzan yell. Mrs. Woody, I've studied what I can of your life, but I need to know more. Tell me everything. Mrs. Obama, how do you stay so poised
and balanced and approachable? Mother Teresa, your spirit and capacity for love is awe inspiring. Where does that come from and how can I be more like you?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Here Comes the Bride All Dressed in....Alice Blue Lace
March 14 - Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?
Here we have two separate news items pertaining to the marriage of Ellen Johnstone and Carl Borgreen. I love the detail the papers went to, to describe the wedding, the decor, the reception and every detail in-between.
I wish there was a wedding photo. I would love to see the dress and turban she wore with the little veil. But I'll be happy that we have this clipping that describes it so beautifully. It may be the best we ever have.
 |
| Ellen (Johnstone) Borgreen 29 Jun 1935 |
Here we have two separate news items pertaining to the marriage of Ellen Johnstone and Carl Borgreen. I love the detail the papers went to, to describe the wedding, the decor, the reception and every detail in-between.
I wish there was a wedding photo. I would love to see the dress and turban she wore with the little veil. But I'll be happy that we have this clipping that describes it so beautifully. It may be the best we ever have.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger
March 13 - Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation
Our story begins in July of 1930 when Great Grandpa William H. Johnstone finally went to see a doctor about what had been ailing him for some months. The diagnosis; Rectal Cancer. His wife, Mary Alice (Coleman) Johnstone, was likely the primary caregiver. Their daughter, Nell (Nurse Nellie of yesterday's post) was only 17 years old at the time, and still in school. The other 7 siblings were also either working to help out or in school. William would eventually become so ill that he could no longer work and on Oct. 16 1933, he passed away at home. He was 48 years old
But there is more to this story. Mary Alice's mother, Mary Coleman, was living with them all these years. And while William was ill, she herself was suffering with something unknown, but she didn't see a doctor until May 27, 1932 and by June 14th 1932 she was gone, at the age of 71. Her diagnosis? Cancer of the bladder with extensive metastasis. Did she tell anyone that she was ill, or did she suffer in silence for as long as she could bear it?
As I read the supporting documents, I have to wonder what Mary Alice and her children went through during these years. Times were tough anyway and then we have two deaths right at the beginning of the Great Depression. How on earth did they carry on? One thing is made clear through this research, though. Grandma Nell was always so terrified of cancer. Now I know why. Now I understand.
 |
| Mary Alice (Coleman) Johnstone |
But there is more to this story. Mary Alice's mother, Mary Coleman, was living with them all these years. And while William was ill, she herself was suffering with something unknown, but she didn't see a doctor until May 27, 1932 and by June 14th 1932 she was gone, at the age of 71. Her diagnosis? Cancer of the bladder with extensive metastasis. Did she tell anyone that she was ill, or did she suffer in silence for as long as she could bear it?
As I read the supporting documents, I have to wonder what Mary Alice and her children went through during these years. Times were tough anyway and then we have two deaths right at the beginning of the Great Depression. How on earth did they carry on? One thing is made clear through this research, though. Grandma Nell was always so terrified of cancer. Now I know why. Now I understand.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Working 9-5
March 12 - Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation
Ellen "Nell" (Johnstone) Borgreen graduated from the Columbus Hospital School of Nursing in 1933 at the age of 21. .She worked for two years in the office of Dr. C.H. Peterson, of Great Falls, before marrying Carl Borgreen in 1935. Nell then spent the next 24 years as a wife, mother and homemake.
When Carl died suddenly and tragically
in 1959 at the age of 53, Nell was forced to return to nursing as a way to support her family. She spent the next many years working at Park Place and Cascade County Convalescent Hospital.
I remember going to work with Grandma when I was little. I enjoyed the residents, but I remember hating the hospital smell. Grandma always had fun with her patients. She was ballsy and brash and I think they all loved her for it. She always had stories to tell from work. I'll share a couple here.
One day she heard someone talking in the closet. When she opened the door an elderly lady yelled "I'm not done yet!" The poor woman thought she was in confession. How did she get in the closet in the first place? Another resident got tired of listening to her talk and pushed her wheelchair into the closet to "shut her up."
There was one lady who always had to be busy. She constantly needed something to keep her occupied. Grandma got some hand towels from the laundry and asked the lady to please help her fold them. Just as she was folding the last one, Grandma "accidentally" knocked the pile over and she had to start again. The lady happily folded towels all afternoon.
As a single mother, Nell had to deal with latch key children. She had instructed the boys not to watch TV while she was at work. They promised that they wouldn't. But as soon as she got home, she put her hand on top of the TV and felt that it was still warm. Not to be outdone, she took a pair of scissors and cut the "damn cord" off the TV. Well the next day the boys just rewired it, and watched TV all day. I don't remember how this story ended. I was usually too busy laughing at the thought of her cutting the cord and them wiring it back on again.
There are many more Nell stories, but I can't do them justice here. No one can tell them the way she did.
 |
| Nurse Nellie |
Ellen "Nell" (Johnstone) Borgreen graduated from the Columbus Hospital School of Nursing in 1933 at the age of 21. .She worked for two years in the office of Dr. C.H. Peterson, of Great Falls, before marrying Carl Borgreen in 1935. Nell then spent the next 24 years as a wife, mother and homemake.
When Carl died suddenly and tragically
in 1959 at the age of 53, Nell was forced to return to nursing as a way to support her family. She spent the next many years working at Park Place and Cascade County Convalescent Hospital.
I remember going to work with Grandma when I was little. I enjoyed the residents, but I remember hating the hospital smell. Grandma always had fun with her patients. She was ballsy and brash and I think they all loved her for it. She always had stories to tell from work. I'll share a couple here.
One day she heard someone talking in the closet. When she opened the door an elderly lady yelled "I'm not done yet!" The poor woman thought she was in confession. How did she get in the closet in the first place? Another resident got tired of listening to her talk and pushed her wheelchair into the closet to "shut her up."
There was one lady who always had to be busy. She constantly needed something to keep her occupied. Grandma got some hand towels from the laundry and asked the lady to please help her fold them. Just as she was folding the last one, Grandma "accidentally" knocked the pile over and she had to start again. The lady happily folded towels all afternoon.
As a single mother, Nell had to deal with latch key children. She had instructed the boys not to watch TV while she was at work. They promised that they wouldn't. But as soon as she got home, she put her hand on top of the TV and felt that it was still warm. Not to be outdone, she took a pair of scissors and cut the "damn cord" off the TV. Well the next day the boys just rewired it, and watched TV all day. I don't remember how this story ended. I was usually too busy laughing at the thought of her cutting the cord and them wiring it back on again.
There are many more Nell stories, but I can't do them justice here. No one can tell them the way she did.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sunday go to Meeting
March 10 - What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn't they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?
Great grandma Katherine Marxer lived out in the country on the family homestead with husband Joseph and 14 children. There wasn't a church nearby and a trip to town was an overnight affair, so they worshiped at home. The Marxer's were from Eschen Liechtenstein and were Catholic. Katherine kept a Bible by her favorite chair and they would all gather upstairs to pray every night.
Johanna Borgreen came from Sweden, so naturally, she was Lutheran. I posted about her prayer book earlier this week. It's written in Swedish but tucked in between the pages are clippings from an American newspaper of little Bible verses. So the book is something that she kept close to her and used regularly even after coming to the U.S. Mom told me that they belonged to the Lutheran church in Great Falls.
 |
| Katherine (Wanger) Marxer |
 |
| Johanna "Jennie" (Felt) Borgreen |
I'm not sure if or how any of my female ancestors served their church, but some research of church records in Great Falls will probably tell the tale. I'll add that to my list of things to look for in the future.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
But what does it all mean?
March 9 - Take a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information
This is Johan August "Gust" Johansson Berggren's certificate for moving out. Gust was a 20 year old bachelor at the time he left Ossjo Westergard, Ljunga parish in the county of Kronobergs, Sweden in 1883 and headed to America.Though considered a minor, he was free to marry at this age. According to the document, he'd had cowpox, was able to read, had a passable knowledge of Christianity and was entitled to Holy Communion. It also states that he'd "been on the interrogations and was enjoying civic trust". He was too young to have completed military service, was registered for the census and was planning to move to America. The document is dated 9 Jun 1883 and is signed by his pastor...last name Svenson
transcription provided by Yvonne Henriksson
This is Johan August "Gust" Johansson Berggren's certificate for moving out. Gust was a 20 year old bachelor at the time he left Ossjo Westergard, Ljunga parish in the county of Kronobergs, Sweden in 1883 and headed to America.Though considered a minor, he was free to marry at this age. According to the document, he'd had cowpox, was able to read, had a passable knowledge of Christianity and was entitled to Holy Communion. It also states that he'd "been on the interrogations and was enjoying civic trust". He was too young to have completed military service, was registered for the census and was planning to move to America. The document is dated 9 Jun 1883 and is signed by his pastor...last name Svensontranscription provided by Yvonne Henriksson
Are you wondering why I chose the document of a man to answer this blogging prompt for Women's History month?
Sometimes the women's stories are found between the lines of their father's or husband's stories. This document, which has been in my family's possession for decades, held the clues to a host of other pieces of the puzzle. No one could read the document and I'm fairly certain that no one tried. It was kept safely in a bundle of other "important family papers" but remained a mystery until it was posted online with a plea for help. When the translation arrived in my email, the floodgates opened and the hunt was on. It's slow going with this brickwall ancestor and his wife. But I will chip away at that wall, one little chunk at at time until I find what I'm looking for.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
March 6 - Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don't have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)
This little prayer book was given to me last year, by my mother. I can't read a word written in it, as it's entirely in Swedish, but I treasure it none-the-less. I also use this book several times a year. I'm an historical
 |
| Prayer book of Johanna "Jennie" (Felt) Borgreen |
 |
| Inside cover of Jennie Borgreen's prayer book |
 |
| Jennie Borgreen's prayer book |
re-enactor and one of my "characters" is a woman who lived in my community from 1870-1919. She was the second school teacher here and started the first Sunday school. She was instrumental in the founding of the Episcopal church and her husband became the first mayor of our town and served many years as a judge. This prayer book serves as a prop for my reenacting and as long as no one asks to see it close up, my secret is safe.
I hope that Great Grandma Borgreen would be happy to know that her little prayer book was still being used and appreciated and that from time to time it was getting out into the world and serving a new purpose, rather than languishing in a drawer or box in some dark corner.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Put a ring on it...
March 4 - Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.
 |
| Marriage certificate of Edward and Marie Marxer |
They were married on 24 Feb. 1936 at St. Ann's Cathedral in Great Falls MT. It was a small family wedding. The bride's maid was Louise Marxer, Edward's sister, and the best man was Mike Reddish. The wedding day was cold and the snow deep. The bride's bouquet of roses was frostbitten in the cold. The wedding party headed out to the ranch in the early afternoon. The car made it as far as Eden than needed to be towed by a team of horses the rest of the way. When they arrived at the house the whole community was there to greet the new bride. They played games, told round stories and tall tales and sang songs. Later they rolled the carpet up and pushed the furniture out of the way for an impromptu dance in the living room. They partied until the wee hours of the morning.
This story was told by Edward and Marie in the county history "A Century In The Foothills 1876-1976"
page 319
 |
| Marriage certificate of Joseph and Katherine Marxer |
 |
| Joseph and Katherine Marxer |
 |
| Marriage certificate of Carl and Ellen Borgreen |
 |
| Ellen "Nell" (Johnstone) Borgreen |
 |
| Carl Borgreen |
 |
| Marriage certificate of August "Gust" and Johanna "Jennie" (Felt) Borgreen |
 |
| Gust and Jennie Borgreen in later years |
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Namesake
 |
| Johanna "Jennie" (Fält) Borgreen |
My name is Jennie and I was named after my Great Grandma Borgreen.
Jennie Fält was born on 22 May 1868 in Nävlinge, Kristianstad, Sweden . On 16 Jul 1891 she arrived the U.S. traveling directly to Rock Springs WY. Research shows an individual named Andrew Felt was already living in Rock Springs and I suspect he was her brother. She married Grandpa Gust Borgreen on 5 Dec 1891 and the mysterious A. Felt served as witness.
Gust and Jennie reportedly homesteaded in Rock Springs, but as yet, no land patent has been found. By 1898 they had moved to Belt MT with three of their 7 children. The rest would be born in MT.
While living in Belt, they appear next door to one Andrew Felt and family on the 1900 census. Four children were born in MT bringing the grand total to 7. They moved to Great Falls by 1905 and resided there until they passed.
Jennie passed on 14 Apr 1936 and Gust on 6 Apr 1946.
We'll visit Jennie Felt again, as she is my brickwall ancestor. I have not been able to locate the parish in Sweden where her baptism record is kept, so have not been able to identify her parents or any siblings. She is a stubborn woman, this great grandma. But with time and persistence, I will find her.
[ETA] almost immediately after posting this, I DID locate the parish register where I found a record of the date she left for the U.S. I haven't found a baptism entry, but she may have not been baptized in the same parish. Regardless, one baby step forward and I'm very excited about that.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Women's History Month
In honor of National Women's History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women's History Month.
"March 1 - Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would... like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.
March 2 - Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?
March 3 - Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you've come across in your family tree.
March 4 - Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.
March 5 - How did they meet? You've documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?
March 6 - Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don't have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)
March 7 - Share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother's kitchen. Why is this dish your favorite? If you don't have one that's been passed down, describe a favorite holiday or other meal you shared with your family.
March 8 - Did one of your female ancestors leave a diary, journal, or collection of letters? Share an entry or excerpt.
March 9 - Take a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information.
March 10 - What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn't they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?
March 11 - Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?
March 12 - Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.
March 13 - Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.
March 14 - Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?
March 15 - Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.
March 16 - If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?
March 17 - Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.
March 18 - Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.
March 19 - Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?
March 20 - Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.
March 21 - Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.
March 22 - If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?
March 23 - Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.
March 24 - Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?
March 25 - Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?
March 26 - What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.
March 27 - Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?
March 28 - Do you remember your mother's best friend? Your grandmother's? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?
March 29 - Create a free Footnote Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley's post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you've selected and why and then post a link to what you've created.
March 30 - Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?
March 31 - Pick one female ancestor and write a mini-profile (500 words or less).
BONUS: Take all of your postings and turn them into a memory or tribute booklet for future generations."
I know I won't be able to do them all, but I will do some of these prompts. Thanks, Lisa, for a great list.
"March 1 - Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would... like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.
March 2 - Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?
March 3 - Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you've come across in your family tree.
March 4 - Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.
March 5 - How did they meet? You've documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?
March 6 - Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don't have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)
March 7 - Share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother's kitchen. Why is this dish your favorite? If you don't have one that's been passed down, describe a favorite holiday or other meal you shared with your family.
March 8 - Did one of your female ancestors leave a diary, journal, or collection of letters? Share an entry or excerpt.
March 9 - Take a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information.
March 10 - What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn't they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?
March 11 - Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?
March 12 - Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.
March 13 - Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.
March 14 - Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?
March 15 - Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.
March 16 - If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?
March 17 - Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.
March 18 - Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.
March 19 - Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?
March 20 - Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.
March 21 - Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.
March 22 - If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?
March 23 - Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.
March 24 - Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?
March 25 - Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?
March 26 - What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.
March 27 - Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?
March 28 - Do you remember your mother's best friend? Your grandmother's? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?
March 29 - Create a free Footnote Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley's post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you've selected and why and then post a link to what you've created.
March 30 - Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?
March 31 - Pick one female ancestor and write a mini-profile (500 words or less).
BONUS: Take all of your postings and turn them into a memory or tribute booklet for future generations."
I know I won't be able to do them all, but I will do some of these prompts. Thanks, Lisa, for a great list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)