Moved Four Hours South and Found Family!

It's been a while since I last posted on my blog. My husband and I moved from the Tucker, Georgia area, just outside the perimeter of Atlanta (OTP). I have enjoyed living in South Georgia for the last two years. Every minute has been wonderful—the cranes, the blue herons, and sitting roadside to watch the horses and cows. It is so quiet here! Even the geese are peaceful when they cross the road and make it to the other side alive, unlike where we used to live. Some drivers there would go out of their way to hit geese, especially in front of Sam's Wholesale Club on Mountain Industrial Road in Tucker, Georgia. Don't they know there is a law concerning the Migratory Bird Program, conservation, and the protection of geese and all waterfowl? If the geese that were hit had a clutch of eggs, what would happen to their baby birds? Also, how can we help as human beings? Besides getting out of our cars and banging on the window of the person who hit the bird and telling them it’s against the law? I know in Atlanta, you’d get a weapon thrust into your face, and it would be up to the discretion of the person if he wanted you dead as well. I’m not up for that type of excitement. Besides, if you called the non-emergency phone number for the police, you’d hear an audible scoff, and they’d ask if the bird was out of the street, and if so, they would send the Department of Transportation to dispose of it. They don’t care either. Enough of my tangent, I am glad we moved so I don’t have to see it, report it, and nothing gets done.

Since moving here, I have found this town and the people in it are very respectable and pleasant to be around. Geese fly early over our house in the morning, to their respective pond, then fly in the evening time to the other pond, in front of our house but behind the house that obstructs our view from that pond. However, they love to cross the road, I believe it's their part to make us slow down to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. 

There is no rushing a family of geese, everyone stops, and waits patiently. This family of Canadian geese has four chicks, and the parents are teaching them to walk across the street in a timely manner. 

 

Within six months of moving to Tifton, GA I applied for three jobs, and the first one I applied for called me for a in person interview. At the end of the week, I was gainfully employed. Still unsure of my surroundings or footing, so to speak. After being here almost two years, I love being around the teachers, professors, staff, and the students! I work as an assistant librarian at a local college. I've learned so much already, and I'm always obliged to help them in whatever capacity I possibly can help in.  

One day, at the end of the Winter semester, I received an email. Right before the email arrived, I was wondering what my husband and I would do for a vacation in the summer of 2025. Besides going to the beach, because that was the first on my "want to do" list. 

As I was reading this email, I checked if this family was part of my line, because some of the names sounded familiar. The woman who reached out to the Museum was my 5th cousin, two times removed. So instead of worrying about what "I" wanted to do, I was able to help with an act of service, by retracing her maternal and paternal grandparents' immigration from Germany and Prussia/France, to Wisconsin, then finally to Americus, Georgia. A few months later as I was winding down on the research, she asked if I would include an additional family that worked for her paternal grandfather, and to find their lineage as well. That finished my time, for the last two months of this project. 

It was a dizzying experience. Roots Magic lost data several times, then when using a USB drive, it ended up to be three USB drives to keep each of the families separate. However when I added the family to the 7 Terabyte USB external drive, that when things really went downhill. But, I am slowly building things back up to what they should have been. 

However, her grandfather from the parental side, and out of the Mr. Albert W. Schmidt family, this was one of my favorite finds! Arnold Schmidt wanted to serve his Country, but just as he was drafted, World War I ended, and he never saw the front lines. 

For each family member in this fan, I know where they immigrated from and who remarried after their husband or wife passed away. 

Between Semesters..

 Time goes by so quickly. The last time I posted was in 2020. Now I only have one Spring quarter remaining before I graduate with a bachelor's in History, minoring in Family History/genealogy.   

Since my last posting, much has happened in my personal life, married life, and business life. In my personal life, everything has been going really well. I'm working on my second flower garden and a vegetable garden. Last year we had a beautiful vegetable garden.

We had corn (yellow and white shoepeg), tomatoes (grape, cherry, early girl, beefsteak slicing), green peppers, cucumbers (for eating and making pickles), cabbage (my husbands favorite), yellow crookneck squash (my favorite), green beans (bush), white acre peas, purple hull peas, basil, oregano, marigolds (pest repellent), echinacea and sunflowers, long beans, watermelon, and sweet potatoes! 

My wonderful husband made the A-frames for the cucumbers and green beans. It was a 15 X 15 garden space; we put everything we could into that garden (blood, sweat, and dirty faces). Even though you can see the sweet potatoes, they are there. They grew under the A-frame in the back and spread their vines all over the garden. In October, after our beach vacation, we dug up the patch. We ended up having over thirty pounds of sweet potatoes, including two handfuls of slips for the 2022 growing season. 

In our flower garden, I was still learning what would grow, what the ground didn't like, or was that what the flower didn't like? But with any of the flowers that did make it, they sure did make beautiful arrangements! 

This year 2022, we've doubled our little garden space to 30 X 30, which is 900 sq feet! I've got so many vegetables planned for this year, including what we had last year! The addition to this year's garden is asparagus, broccoli, sweet yellow onion, red onion, beets, and a couple of varieties of lettuce. This year's tomato varieties will also include my husband's favorite cherry tomatoes and several other more extensive types of hybrid tomatoes. 

We packed (canned) and froze so many vegetables last year. We are still eating our green beans, green peppers, and white acre peas; only a few sweet potatoes are left. We primarily used the sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving and New Year in casseroles. So this year, we are doubling our potato patch by moving it to the side of the driveway. Making every space either have flowers or vegetables. 

We also gave several canned vegetables, heads of cabbage and bags, and bags of green beans and green peppers away. So, this year we will be doing the same. 

In my business life, I am finally accepting clients. Two semesters ago, I completed decorating my home office and finally hung my certificate. 

My personal business summary: 

Wendy has lived in various locations throughout the United States, with Georgia currently being her home. She has given lectures at various conferences throughout the south has done webinars and zoom meetings that are available online. Wendy devotes much of her time to the field of genealogy and presently has over 20 years of experience in genealogy. She is continuing her education by attending BYU-Idaho online, completing her bachelor's in History and Family History as her minor. Her final plans are to reunite children with their birth parent(s) from analyzing DNA; eventually working with law enforcement forensics team.

As a self-starter, she has always taken the lead in any job position and demonstrated a solid work ethic. She is experienced with consulting as a marketing manager. She is skilled in negotiation, customer service, coaching, mentoring, sales in retail, and de-escalation. She is proficiently skilled with Microsoft platforms such as excel, word, publisher, PowerPoint, and outlook. Also experienced in Linux, Red Hat, and Apple Software. She can work with a team or with minimal supervision and begin projects independently. On the hunt has always been in Wendy's blood, and the love of finding family is Wendy's passion. 

Blog: yesterdayslineage.com

Email: yesterdayslineage@gmail.com

Decisions...Decisions...Decisions...

     

     Recently in a class that I am enrolled in at BYU-Idaho.  I had to choose the name of my business. Though I know that this is a life-changer, a dream, though hearing from people "it's just an assignment, it doesn't have to be real."  Well, this is as real as it gets, for me!  I am finally pursuing a life long dream. To take the writings of a young 9-year-old child (me) and throughout my life, family members that were born or died, and where they lived, entering them in the "Book of the dead." Finally, those ancestor's stories, and dates of birth and death, are coming to life. 

     In the Family History and Genealogy Department at BYU- Idaho I have had several opportunities to share the research that I have been doing through the years. Some of the terminologies were foreign to me, for instance, the Genealogical Proof Standard which is:

• Reasonably exhaustive research.
• Complete and accurate source citations.
• Thorough analysis and correlation.
• Resolution of conflicting evidence.
• Soundly written conclusion based on the strongest evidence.

My first teacher, Profesor Micheal McCormick sent this flowchart [1] to all his students in their first year of Family History. His class was "Introduction to Family History Part One: Record Group." Which is the introductory class and was a class level of 110. 

Now it is labeled at a 200 class, which classes are rated in their difficultly by the class level. 

• 100 class levels are beginner courses and the caseload is not too crazy. However, they are worth 3 credits.
• 200 class levels are intermediate courses. The caseload gets heavier. Still worth 3 credits. 
• 300 class levels are courses of advanced college-level difficulty taken by majors and upper-division students. The caseload is heavy reading, projects, and papers due twice a week, and timed tests at the end of each week. 

This winter semester 2021, I am looking forward to two additional classes offered at BYU-Idaho.[2]

• Genealogical research in the British Isles Specialized Course 1: B.I. Part 1- 
  This course focuses on how to conduct genealogical research in the British Isles. Through case studies and assignments, students will learn about records, including their geographical-historical background and principles of paleography. They will learn methods for the reconstruction of individual families and understand the development of demographic and family history studies. Students will learn key record types for the area and how to use them to find genealogical information. Students will produce a research report on how they solved an area-specific research problem.
  

• Genealogical research in the U. S. Regions Specialized Course2: US Research 2-
  This course focuses on how to conduct genealogical research in the U. S. Regions. Through case studies and assignments, students will learn about records, including their geographical-historical background and principles of paleography. They will learn methods for the reconstruction of individual families and understand the development of demographic and family history studies. Students will learn key record types for the area and how to use them to find genealogical information. Students will produce a research report on how they solved an area-specific research problem.
  

Then for the spring quarter, in 2021. I am going to take my Capstone class, which is level 399. The 399 courses are numbered and designed for juniors and seniors!

Capstone: Professional Research -  in this course, students will apply the skills they have gained in the Family History Applied Associates Degree program as they learn about earning professional genealogical credentials. Students will practice evidentiary analysis and writing skills. Students will learn about real-world genealogical environments. Students will gain experience in completing research projects for clients. They will choose a client (fellow student, family member, or friend) and conduct research. They will prepare a well-organized client report and then submit my portfolio to the board, and become a BCG certified genealogist! [3] 

I only have three more classes remaining!  Then I will graduate, finally!!! 

[1] "How to Conduct Sound Genealogical Research - a Process Flowchart". Genealogy Explained, n.d., https://www.genealogyexplained.com/basics/genealogical-proof-standard/. Accessed 15 November 2020.
[2] "Class Schedule - Public Course Search | BYU-Idaho's Personalized Access". n.d., https://my.byui.edu/ics/class_schedule/. Accessed 15 November 2020.
[3] Jrussell. "Welcome". Board for Certification of Genealogists, n.d., n.d., https://bcgcertification.org/. Accessed 15 November 2020.

How did I know I wanted to become a Genealogist?

     Genealogy has always has been my passion since I was a little girl at 9 years of age. Just a little history, my grandmother (maternal) had lost her husband in 1964, several years before I was born.  In their living room, and in their bedroom, there were numerous painted pictures that Jacob hand-painted and framed sketches. 

     As it was told to me, one of those paintings was on exhibit in the Guggenheim museum. Sadly though, through extensive research, and numerous phone calls to the museum and area museums; I have not found this to be true, or no record of such occurrence.  

     Jacob Stephen Reuter was also in the US Army, he was stationed overseas multiple times, and he received multiple War medals. They were framed and placed in the hutch, and alongside on the wall of the hutch. My grandmother Lena and I would go over how grandpa Jacob received all of his medals, and when, even having a Purpleheart medal.    

     As inquisitive as I was, each time I would go to her apartment, I would ask questions. Finally one day, my grandmother handed me a black and white composition book, and she sat down with me. Anytime thereafter, she would sit down with me and tell me all about my grandfather as I took notes in this composition book. I was mesmerized as she told me the stories of her husband, writing down each date, each memory she had of him. 

     Soon after this cherished composition book became known as the "Book of the Dead" as my Mother said. She would always ask, do you always have to bring that book of the dead when we visit family. My reply as a young child and a teenager were "yes Mom, I do".  One year, my mother had enough of me carrying around this "Morbid" book, she took it and said she thrown it out. All of that information, through the years, of not only her father and mother's information, but of great grandmothers and grandfather's information, but of cousins and aunts and uncles birthdates, and marriage dates, even some pictures, all were gone. As a teenager, I was devastated. My mother and stepfather were in the midst of getting a divorce, in 1985, and Mom wasn't in her right mind, I kept telling myself. 

     Several years prior to 2003, my mother had been ill. In and out of hospitals, different diagnoses. Virginia had always been a smoker of menthol cigarettes, Kool and Salem were her preferred brands, however, to appease the doctors who kept insisting that she quit smoking, she went to a lower tar and nicotine cigarette.  At some time prior to 2003, Virginia was diagnosed with COPD and the beginnings of emphysema. Mom had always suffered from asthma as a child and throughout her adolescence and into her adulthood. It progressively got better with time, but whenever mom got sick with a normal cold, it would turn into bronchitis.  However, Virginia always downplayed what the diagnosis was, in fact, she was diagnosed with thyroid disease, which mom quickly dismissed, and soon thereafter quit taking the medication she was prescribed. Her other daughter believes that she definitely had thyroid disease, because, the loss of hair, brittle nails, and the horrible dry skin that Virginia had. Also, her other daughter was diagnosed with thyroid disease, as well as her granddaughter, who was born with thyroid disease. 

     The only medication that seemed to help Virginia's breathing problems was prednisone, and she relied heavily on it, and on her albuterol inhaler.  The final time I had talked to my mother, after just returning from a visit to New York, she told me where some very important documents were in her apartment, as well as items she wanted me to personally have because she knew I wouldn't sell them for personal gain, and with strict instructions, I was to give them to my daughter when my time had run out on this earth.  These items could be found in her bottom drawer in her nightstand. 

     On the 13th of March 2003, Virginia's time had run out on this earth, and she was called home to Heavenly Father. Virginia was born on 22 July in 1947, she was only fifty-five years old when she passed away. 

     While her other daughter and I were cleaning out Virginia's apartment after the funeral, deciding where to send all of her clothes, dishes, and housewares, which most of them went to the Catholic diocese in Brooklyn, New York.  Also to the Catholic Church Virginia attended, and to her sister Linda who still resided in Brooklyn. While my sister and I were in Virginia's bedroom, I remembered the conversation I had previously with Virginia. In that bottom drawer was several mementos of Virginias.  The catholic prayer book she was given by her mother, Lena, on Virginia's first holy communion. Inside of that prayer book was pictures of her that were taken for her Holy Communion, and of her brother Stephen. Also in that book, were pictures of Linda, Virginia's sister for her Holy Communion.

     These were pictures that I had never seen. Also in the pages of her prayer book were catholic mass cards for her brother-in-law, Anthony Reuter, and her Uncle's wife Maria Harsen, who was Maria Reuter or as we knew her to be, Tonda Marie. Also, a mass card for Marie's 2nd husband Edward R. Harsen.  

These were all precious to Virginia, even the newspaper clipping of when Elvis Presley passed away!

However, at the bottom of her drawer was my black and white composition book and a small jewelry box that contained her Mother's watch that her husband Jacob Reuter gave her for Christmas in 1945.  

Also, Virginia's High school diploma, where she graduated in California, not in New York as we had thought. 

Now, these mementos are very precious to me. Because this is what my mother held near to her heart. 

These are the simple reasons why I want to become a genealogist, because of family. 

BC "Peter" and the Wizard of ID

Biographical Sketch of Peter Gerhard Reuter

    

     Peter Gerhard Reuter was born on 11 December 1927, in Germany. His mother, Maria Lamberti Reuter, immigrated to the United States in 1930, he was two years old.[1] He is listed on the 1930 US Census as the nephew to the head of household, Noel Ostrand, His wife, Agnes Ostrand. Including his parents Mary Lamperti and Frank Lamperti, and his uncles, Anthony and Jacob Ruder (Reuter).[2]

     Peter is listed as being twelve years old in the United States 1940 New York Census. His relation is the son of the head of the household, his father, Frank Reuter, and his mother, Mary Reuter, living in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.[3]

     On Peter G Reuter's eighteenth birthday, 11 December 1945, he registered for the WWII draft. Peter's next of kin was Jack Reuter, listed as an Uncle.[4] On the 14th of June, in 1948, Peter, twenty-eight years old, enlisted in National Guard in Jamaica, New York. He separated from duty on 8 December 1949 due to medical reasons.[5]

     Peter was twenty-eight years old when he married Margaret Joan Carrigg on 18 June 1955. She was born on 10 July 1933 in Endicott, Broome County, New York. Her parents were Edward Richard Carrigg and Margeret Mary Morrissey.[6]

     From 1955 to 1974, Peter Reuter attended many schools. He honed his artistic abilities at many schools and art clubs and institutes. 

     Peter was an accomplished artist working at General Electric in Johnson City, in the art department. He befriended Johnny Hart, the creator of the comic strips BC and Wizard of Id. The caveman character “a yellow-haired, self-styled genius and the world's first philosophical failure.”[7] Founder of the "Prehistoric Pessimists Society" and the "Truth Pedestal," and the discoverer of oil, “the seemingly smart one.”[8]

     Indeed, Peter can be called a renaissance man. He is an accomplished musician, varying from the piano to the accordion. Peter is an accomplished artist; his art displayed in the Salmagundi Club and the American watercolor society.  He won many awards for his art in different competitions.[9]

     Peter Gerhard Reuter died in February 1973 at the age of 45. He was buried in Johnson City, New York, at Calvary Cemetary in Johnson City, Broome County, New York.[10]

   Now, do you know who "Peter" is? Peter is my cousin once removed, who was friends with the cartoonist Johnny Hart. 

Peter: A yellow-haired, self-styled genius and the world's first philosophical failure, founder of the "Prehistoric Pessimists Society" and the "Truth Pedestal," and the discoverer of oil. Peter is patterned after Hart's friend, Peter Reuter; the two had been co-workers at General Electric.[11]

  

[1] FamilySearch, "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24FX-79C ,. 12 March 2018.

[2] FamilySearch, "United States Census, 1930," https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQRD-N2F ,. 17 November 2019.

[3] FamilySearch, "United States Census 1940", "https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MY-RFNM,. 2012.

[4] Ancestry.com. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2238/44027_07_00032-01202 (Links to an external site.) . Lehi, UT,. 2011.

[5] Ancestry. New York, New York National Guard Service Cards, 1917-1954 https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/60808/41764_319874-04740 (Links to an external site.) . Provo, UT., 2015.

[6] Ancestry, "New York State, Birth Index, 1881-1942" https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/61667/48877_556574-00200 .Lehi, UT., 2018.

[7] "Peter". n.d., https://johnhartstudios.com/meet-the-actors/peter/ (Links to an external site.) . 29 April 2020.

[8] "B.C. (comic Strip) - Wikipedia"., 2020., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/b.c._(comic_strip). 27 March 2020.

[9] Newspapers.com,"Press and Sun-Bulletin 6 Feb 1973, 5"., https://www.newspapers.com/image/255600195/# ,. 29 April 2020.

[10] Ancestry. “Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current” https://www.newspapers.com/image/255602355. Lehi, UT., 2019.

[11] "B.C. (comic Strip) - Wikipedia". n.d., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/b.c._(comic_strip). Accessed 28 April 2020.

As most of my readers have asked, "how do I begin"? As Julie Andrews has sung in The Sound of Music: 

"Let's start at the very beginning, a perfect place to start...." You start with what you know, YOU!

So, do I go out and buy all those funny looking charts and print up a ton? NO, for goodness sake, NO! You have charts at your fingertips, just find one you prefer and print, voila! So, for ease of reference, here is a simple, easy, easy chart that you can go with, for now.

Now you can do like me, for when I first started over twenty years ago, I started on paper. Starting with me, myself, and I.

My name, my birth date, and where I was born. Wow, simple! Now, this is where things get difficult, parents. Some may not know, we may not have a Dad or a Mom that we can call on a daily or a monthly or bi-6month or a lifetime. You go with what you know, AND if you are adopted, GO WITH WHAT YOU KNOW. This isn't meant to be painful or dredge up bad memories or anything of the like. This is all about YOU and finding out where you come from. Easy and painless.

Choose either Maternal (Mother), the Websters #3 definition: derived from a mother [1]: or Paternal (Father) and again the Websters #3 definition: related to the father's side.[2] Since I personally knew my Mother's name and my biological father's name, I was able to do that, now, birth-dates of both were easy, but the year, not so much. So, I made a phone call to my Mother, and with a lot of why's and wherefore's she told me both her and my biological father's birth-date, and of course, while I had her on the phone, I asked about my maternal grandmother and her husband, my grandfather (my Mother's parents). Confused yet? Trust me, keep it simple. Sometimes on notebook paper, it'll come together, and don't forget about your Mother being long-winded and telling you stories of your great-grandparents because they will; keep writing everything down. Just let her talk and talk and talk. You'll have later  to verify these "sources." Hopefully, while on the phone with your Mother, she's told you where she was born, and maybe where your grandmother was born. Remember, you will be able to verify these "sources."

So, let's start with my personal pedigree chart above. The first person is me never mind the spouses, that'll come later in my next blog post. I have listed my maiden name, not my married name, Why?

When recording your genealogical data on charts, some important conventions should be followed concerning names, dates, and places. By following these standard rules, you can help ensure that your genealogy data is as complete as possible and not be misinterpreted by others.

1. Record names in their natural order - first, middle, last (surname: A Family name, surname, or last name, is the part of a person's name that indicates to what family they belong. ). Use full names if known. If the middle name is not known, you may use an initial.

2. Print SURNAMES in upper case letters. This provides easy scanning on pedigree charts and family group sheets and distinguishes the surname from first and middle names. This convention is widely used but is not necessary. Example: Wendy Lee ROSE (please take note, I did not use this form, its all a matter of personal preference)

3. Enter women with their maiden name their surname at birth, rather than their husband's surname. When you do not know a female's maiden name, insert only her first given name on the chart followed by empty parentheses (). Some genealogists also record the husband's surname. Both ways are correct as long as you are consistent and follow all naming rules.

4. If a woman has had more than one husband, then you would enter her given name, followed by her maiden name in parentheses, followed by the names of any previous husbands (in order of marriage). If the middle name is known, then you may enter that as well. 

5. If there is a commonly used nickname for an ancestor, include it in quotes after the given name. Do not use it in place of a given name and do not enclose it in parentheses (parentheses between a given name and surname is used to enclose maiden names and will cause confusion if it is also used for nicknames). If the nickname is a common one (i.e., Kim for Kimberly), it is not necessary to record it. Example: Rachel "Shelley" Lynn BROWN

6. If a person is known by more than one name (i.e., due to adoption, name change, etc.), then include the alternate name or names in parentheses after the surname, preceded by a.k.a. Example: William Tom LAKE (a.k.a. William Tom FRENCH) As listed above in my tree, it shows my daughter listed as M May (Hewitt) because she was adopted by my second husband.

* YOU CAN NOT DISCOUNT A MARRIAGE EVEN IF IT ENDED BADLY, OR A DEATH*

Simply just fill the information in, even though you don't "count it" it still happened. Signing a court document negates personal preference and a whole lot of confusion twenty to thirty years later. Then your family members down the line while doing their genealogy will find out about it, and not know what to do with all this other information.

7. Be sure to include alternate spellings when your ancestor's surname has changed over time. This possibly is due to the name being spelled phonetically or due to the surname being changed upon immigration into a new country. Record the earlier usage of the surname first, followed by later usages. Example: Michael HAIR/HIERS

*note* My Grandfather Jacob Stephen Reuter is a perfect example of this. On the ship's manifest "The Berlin," his name was "Stefan Jakob Reuter" when he arrived in the States, and upon filling out his declaration, he "changed" his name to be more American. He switched his given name and the middle name, and it is known on his military DD-214 records, as Jacob Stephen Reuter.

8. Don't be afraid to use the notes field. For example, if you have a female ancestor whose birth name was the same as her husband's surname, then you will want to make a note of that so that it is not assumed in the future that you had just entered it incorrectly.

Whew! That is a whole lot of information, isn't it? Yes, will you use it? Yes.

[1] "Definition of Maternal." n.d., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 19 October 2020.

[2] "Definition of PATERNAL." n.d., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paterna l. Accessed 19 October 2020