Coolidge's Fruit Store - Baraboo, Wisconsin (1929)

Coolidge's Fruit Store - Baraboo, Wisconsin (1929)

This delightful old-timey photograph from 1929 shows “Coolidge’s Fruit Store” in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The people are identified as “J. Clifford Coolidge, Rita, Curtis C. Coolidge, Walter Kock”. Can you help me find their stories?

The A. Walker Company in Santa Fe, New Mexico (1890s)

The A. Walker Company in Santa Fe, New Mexico (1890s)

This photo shows a group of about 16 men, two horses, and a dog in front of the “A. Walker Co.” Is this possibly the A. Walker Company of Santa Fe, New Mexico from the 1880s and 1890s? Here is its story.

Abraham Yerger (1822-1909)

Abraham Yerger (1822-1909)

This distinguished looking gentlemen is identified as “Abraham Yerger”. I love his smile and relaxed posture as he sits in his ornate chair. Can you help me find his story?

"Bee Alyea, a devoted friend passed away many years ago"

"Bee Alyea, a devoted friend passed away many years ago"

This late 1800s found cabinet card photograph from Austin, Texas has a beautifully heartfelt inscription written on the bottom. It reads, simply: “Bee Alyea, a devoted friend passed away many years ago”. Here is Bee’s story.

"Emily Waugh - Age 1 Yr."

"Emily Waugh - Age 1 Yr."

This found photo (eBay) of an adorable thumb sucking one year old girl is identified as “Emily Waugh”. Born Emily Louise Irons, this is her story.

Oliver E. Myers (1873-1935) Expires At Home From Paralysis

Oliver E. Myers (1873-1935) Expires At Home From Paralysis

After years of searching, of and on, I somehow just now stumbled upon the obituary of my 2nd great grandfather, Oliver Edgar Myers (1873-1935).

Unique Names in Genealogy - Week #4

Unique Names in Genealogy - Week #4

Highlights from this week’s Unique Names in Genealogy Round up include: Frank Frank, Takes Bob Cat, and Homer Simpson. Check out the others!

Your Storied Life: Unique Biographical Portraits - Heirloom Keepsake Books

Your Storied Life: Unique Biographical Portraits - Heirloom Keepsake Books

We are pleased to offer our Unique Biographical Portraits in beautifully designed Heirloom Keepsake Books. Turn our creatively researched, written, and digitally displayed biographies into a keepsake you can share with your family for generations to come.

Unique Names in Genealogy - Week #3

Unique Names in Genealogy - Week #3

Mr. Carnival Bernard? Kermit Green? Mrs. Rose Bush? These are just some of the entries in the Week #3 roundup of unique names in genealogy. Check out the others.

Unique Names in Genealogy - Week #2

Unique Names in Genealogy - Week #2

Week #2 of the Unique Names in Genealogy posts include such first name gems as: Buttercup, Beauty, Fragrant, and Twilight. Check out the others!

Unique Names in Genealogy - Week #1

Unique Names in Genealogy - Week #1

From “Beaver O. Bevarson” to “Lasagna Luigi Felice” here is the Week #1 Roundup of Unique Names in Genealogy.

President of the Lake Superior Beagle Club - Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958)

President of the Lake Superior Beagle Club - Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958)

My 2nd great uncle, Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958), raised beagles and in 1938 was the president of the Lake Superior Beagle Club. Here he is with some of his dogs.

10 Lessons From One Month of Daily Genealogy Writing

10 Lessons From One Month of Daily Genealogy Writing

In May of 2020 I challenged myself and others to write every day for a month about a family heirloom or artifact. Here are 10 lessons I learned from this genealogy writing experience.

The Future of Your Digital Family Heirlooms and Artifacts? - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 31)

The Future of Your Digital Family Heirlooms and Artifacts? - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 31)

This will be my final contribution to the May, 2020 Family Artifact Challenge! Thank you to everyone who participated, whether a lot or a little, or just followed along.

The Reverend Esper Brothers and Their Club - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 30)

The Reverend Esper Brothers and Their Club - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 30)

In a previous post I wrote about the history of The Leaning Tree Lodge and its importance to my family for several generations. Before it became The Leaning Tree, it was known as “The Esper Club”, named after three Esper brothers, all Catholic priests, two of whom were twins. This is the story of their club.

"Granny" Paints Her Great Granddaughter - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 29)

"Granny" Paints Her Great Granddaughter - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 29)

How old does an item have to be to be considered and artifact or heirloom? I would argue that is painting, done in 2011, already meets the requirement. It is a watercolor of our daughter, painted by her great “granny”, Muriel Joy Gregory Petit (1930-2014).

Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), My 3rd Great Grandfather - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 28)

Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), My 3rd Great Grandfather - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 28)

This is the original newspaper clipping of Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), my 3rd great grandfather’s obituary. It was affixed to sturdy paper and laminated. He lived and died near Houghton Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. It appears that it was clipped from The Mining Gazette.

The Photo Album of My Great Grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 27)

 The Photo Album of My Great Grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 27)

This is the gem of my family history archives. It is the photo album of my great grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002). I wanted you to see the album as it is, every well loved tattered page of it. You can also view the gallery for individual images and notes.

Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) of Michigan Technological University - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 26)

 Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) of Michigan Technological University - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 26)

Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) was my first cousin twice removed. As the obituary states, he was a well known professor at the Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan and a former head of the Department of Mathematics there. By some he was described as, “one of the greatest teachers to serve on the Michigan Tech faculty.”

My 3rd Great Grandfather Rhinard Rhoads (1833-1920) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 25)

My 3rd Great Grandfather Rhinard Rhoads (1833-1920) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 25)

My 3rd great grandfather was Rhinard Rhoads (1833-1920) of Dunlo, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. This photo of him was taken in the later years of his life. Rhinard and I share a birthday, 143 years apart. Here are some more photos of him.