Every Friday The Psychogenealogist shares a "Pic of the Week." The intent is to encourage thought and imagination about the spaces where psychology, genealogy, and history converge.

Here is another photograph from my personal archive. It came from a large stash of photos that belonged to my great grandmother, Ida (Rhoads) Sears (1900-2002).

This is Lucille Rhoads, my 1st cousin, twice removed. She was born on December 6, 1906 and died on June 12, 2004 at the age of 97. She had a twin brother, Germain, who died in a motorcycle accident in 1940.

Lucille Rhoads (1906-2004) - Sister Jamesetta Rhoads

As you can tell from her garb, Lucille was a Catholic Nun. She became "Sister Jamesetta Rhoads" and was a sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe, Michigan.

Her father, James Rhoads (born about 1880) was my 2nd great uncle. James married a Margaret (Campbell) Rhoads. I wonder if Lucille took her religious name "Jamesetta" to honor her father?

Standing to Lucille's right is my great grandmother. Though only 6 years older, Ida was Lucille’s Aunt.

I found a second photo from an Ancestry connection who was researching the same line. I included it in on an "are they the same" Facebook post that you can see below. I am about 95% sure that the girl on the left grew to be the woman on the right. What do you think?

Catholic nuns take a vow of poverty and chastity. Since they don't children, I often wonder what happens to their stories when they are gone. Who will know them and who will tell them?

I have one great uncle, a retired Catholic priest himself, who has a very distant memory of Sister Jamesetta, though they were not close. Her obituary in the Detroit News on June 16th, 2004 reads:

Age 97, died Saturday, June 12, 2004. Beloved sister of Rosemond Marshan of Swartz Creek and Ellnore Lane of Flint. Visitation Thursday from 2-7:30 p.m. at the I.H.M Motherhouse Chapel in Monroe, Michigan, with prayers at 3 p.m. and funeral services on Friday 10 a.m. Memorials to the I.H.M. Retirement Fund. Arrangements by the Rupp Funeral Home, (734) 241-9300.

Questions:

Are there Religious in your ancestry?
What are their stories?
What role do religion and religious traditions play in your family tree?
What happens to the stories of your childless ancestors?

Do you have an old photograph or a genealogical story that you would like to share? I am happy to consider guest submissions for possible Pic of the Week or other blog posts in the future. Send an email to info@psychogenealogist.com for more information.

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