Amanuensis Monday - November 29

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

If you have an Amanuensis Monday post on your blog, please feel free to add a link below.  An explanation of this weekly blog theme follows.

• Is there a letter, journal entry, speech, other document, or audio recording, written or delivered by or about an ancestor you wish to transcribe for future generations?

• Are you engaged in a transcription project of an historical document?

This is what Amanuensis Monday was created for. Amanuensis is an obscure word, but it derives from the Latin, ‘Manu’ meaning ‘hand’. I began this project back in February of 2009, and since then, many others have joined in on the meme.  Why do we transcribe?  I provide my three reasons in the linked post.  You may find others.

Amanuensis Monday - Real Estate Listings - November 1907

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

I continue my project to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin - some I never met - others I see a time in their life before I knew them.

This week my transcription is very short.  An entry from a listing of real estate transactions from the St. Louis Post Dispatch in November of 1907.

Surname Saturday: Dudelsack or Dudelczak

I continue with the Surname Saturday blogging theme -  

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Dudelsack / Dudelczak


The origin of the surname is a bit unclear.  There is a German bagpipe called a Dudelsack.  However, the word 'Dudel' is a diminutive for "David" in Yiddish, so there's a strong possibility the surname is patronymic in origin.  Spelling of the surname varies.

Four Dudelsack siblings immigrated to America in the late 1800s.  My great great grandfather Selig, a brother Yidel, a sister, Toba, and a sister Zlota.  Toba had married Aaron Oberman prior to immigration.  Selig and Yidel both changed their surnames upon arriving in America.  Yidel Americanized his given name to Julius, Toba went with Tillie, and Zlota chose Lottie.  Family lore says there were four siblings who remained in Russia. Nothing beyond their names are known.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system.  I've emboldened my direct ancestors. It's currently unclear what town in Russia the family originated.  It was most likely in the region of Volhynia. The four families started in America in St. Louis.  Most of the Odelsons moved to Chicago, and the Goodmans moved to Tulsa.

3. Samuel Zvi “Harry” Dudelsack married Gitel Slupsky

3.1 Belle Dudelsack
3.2 Gershon Dudelsack
3.3 Selma Dudelsack
3.4 Sprinsa Dudelsack
3.5 Toba Dudelsack ( - 1935) Married Aaron Oberman - Poland, St. Louis
3.6 Yidel “Julius” Dudelsack ( - 1917) married Jennie - Poland, St. Louis, Chicago
3.7 Selig Dudlesack (1860-1915) married Anna Perlik - Poland, St. Louis
3.8 Lottie Dudelsack (1861-1939) married Aaron Getz and Judal Goldstein - Poland, St. Louis, Tulsa

3.5.1 Manuel Harry Oberman (1886-1946) married Rose Askuvich
3.5.2 Samuel Oberman (1890- ?)
3.5.3 Minnie Oberman (1893-1974) married Louis Felman
3.5.4 Ben Oberman (1898-1969) married Geraldine Rosenthal
3.5.5 Joseph Oberman (1900-1967) married Fannie
3.5.6 Oscar Oberman (1904-1969) married (1) Lassie Brown (2) Anna Brodak

3.6.1 Samuel Odelson (1877-1954) married Rose Gordon
3.6.2 Pearl Odelson (1884-1957) married Morris Feldman
3.6.3 Louis Odelson (1886-?)
3.6.4 Sarah Odelson (1894-1987)
3.6.5 Harry Odleson (1896-1971) married Sonia Blak

3.7.1 Harry Feinstein (1884-1933) married (1) Dora Servinsky (2) Grace - Poland, St. Louis
3.7.2 Herman Feinstein (1886-1963) married Anna Blatt - Poland, St. Louis
3.7.3 Benjamin Feinstein (1888-1952) married Nevada Rowe Amacker - Poland, St. Louis
3.7.4 Pearl Feinstein (1890-1967) married Edward Louis Oxenhandler - Poland, St. Louis
3.7.5 Morris Feinstein (1893-1926) married Edna Frager - St. Louis
3.7.6 David Feinstein (1895-1896) - St. Louis
3.7.7 Aaron Feinstein (1898-1988) - St. Louis
3.7.8 Joseph Feinstein (1899-1901) - St. Louis
3.7.9 Rose Feinstein (1901-1985) married Abe Gold - St. Louis

3.8.1 Samuel Getz (1881-1943) - St. Louis
3.8.2 Sarah Getz (1890-1980) married (1) Frank Goodman (2) Theodore Kallmeyer - St. Louis, Tulsa

3.6.1.1 Anne Odelson (1900-1978) married Jack Kaplan
3.6.1.2 Harry Odelson (1902-1974) married Ida Taitel
3.6.1.3 Jacob Odleson (1904-1986)
3.6.1.4 Ida Odelson (1906-1994) married Harry Berz
3.6.1.5 Oscar Odelson (1908-1978) married Betty
3.6.1.6 Joseph Odelson (1910-1985)
3.6.1.7 Ben Odelson (1912-2006) married Bernice Bernstein
3.6.1.8 Irving Odelson (1915-2010) married Esther Siegel
3.6.1.9 Meyer Odelson (1916-2001) married Minnie Novey
3.6.1.10 Julius Odelson (1918-1966) married Jennie David
3.6.1.11 Belle Odelson (1919-?) married Irving Epstein
3.6.1.12 Sidney Odelson (1921-2010) married Sylvia Fox
3.6.1.13 Emanuel Odelson (1922-?)
3.6.1.14 Roy Odelson (1924-2001)

3.7.1.1 Sidney Feinstein (1906-1975)
3.7.1.2 Adeline Feinstein (1908-1966) married (1) Arthur Meyer (2) Sam Robinson
3.7.1.3 Alvin Feinstein (1910-1934)
3.7.1.4 Willard Feinstein (1912-1965) married Shirley Fogel
3.7.1.5 Robert Seymour Selig Feinstein (1915-2008) married Mary Margaret Cedillo

3.7.2.1 Bernard Feinstein (1913-1968) married Belle Hoffman
3.7.2.2 Belle "Sissie" Feinstein (1914-2002) married Melvin Lester Newmark 
3.7.2.3 Seymour "Babe" Feinstein (1917-1999) married Leonore Miller

3.7.3.1 Benjamin Feinstein, Jr. (1915-2000) married Dorothy Creighton
3.7.3.2 Ruth Feinstein (1921-2004) married Earl Jacobs

3.7.4.1 Willard Oxenhandler (1914-1995) married Sarah Steinbaum
3.7.4.2 Selig Seymour Oxenhandler (1916-1987) married Joyce Schmuckler
3.7.4.3 Sigmond Oxenhandler (1919-1987)

3.7.5.1 Marvin Feinstein (1919-1963) married Marilyn Steinberg
3.7.5.2 Dolores Feinstein (1920-2001) married Paul Zigler
3.7.5.3 Seymour Feinstein (1924-2002) married Dorislee Blank

3.8.2.1 Harry Goodman (1906-1975) married Dorothy Werbner
3.8.2.2 Gertrude Goodman (1908-?) married Jerome Naron
3.8.2.3 Frances Goodman (1910-1992)
3.8.2.4 Edrea Ann Goodman (1923-2010) married Julian Jack Appleton

My number is 3.7.2.2.1.3 

Happy Thanksgiving

A Song of Thanks
by Edward Smyth Jones

FOR the sun that shone at the dawn of spring,
For the flowers which bloom and the birds that sing,
For the verdant robe of the gray old earth,
For her coffers filled with their countless worth,
For the flocks which feed on a thousand hills,
For the rippling streams which turn the mills,
For the lowing herds in the lovely vale,
For the songs of gladness on the gale,—
From the Gulf and the Lakes to the Oceans’ banks,—
Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!

For the farmer reaping his whitened fields,
For the bounty which the rich soil yields,
For the cooling dews and refreshing rains,
For the sun which ripens the golden grains,
For the bearded wheat and the fattened swine,
For the stalled ox and the fruitful vine,
For the tubers large and cotton white,
For the kid and the lambkin frisk and blithe,
For the swan which floats near the river-banks,—
Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks

For the pumpkin sweet and the yellow yam,
For the corn and beans and the sugared ham, 
For the plum and the peach and the apple red,
For the dear old press where the wine is tread,
For the cock which crows at the breaking dawn,
And the proud old “turk” of the farmer’s barn,
For the fish which swim in the babbling brooks,
For the game which hide in the shady nooks,—
From the Gulf and the Lakes to the Oceans’ banks—
Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!

For the sturdy oaks and the stately pines,
For the lead and the coal from the deep,
dark mines, For the silver ores of a thousand fold,
For the diamond bright and the yellow gold,
For the river boat and the flying train,
For the fleecy sail of the rolling main,
For the velvet sponge and the glossy pearl,
For the flag of peace which we now unfurl,—
From the Gulf and the Lakes to the Oceans’ banks,—
Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!

For the lowly cot and the mansion fair,
For the peace and plenty together share,
For the Hand which guides us from above,
For Thy tender mercies, abiding love,
For the blessed home with its children gay,
For returnings of Thanksgiving Day,
For the bearing toils and the sharing cares,
We lift up our hearts in our songs and our prayers,—
From the Gulf and the Lakes to the Oceans’ banks,—
Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!

Thanksgiving Poetry -- Gratitude - by Edgar Guest

GRATITUDE - by Edgar A. Guest (©1917)

Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along your way;
Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day;
Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do,
For round about you there are men less fortunate than you.

Be grateful for the growing trees, the roses soon to bloom,
The tenderness of kindly hearts that shared your days of gloom;
Be grateful for the morning dew, the grass beneath your feet,
The soft caresses of your babes and all their laughter sweet.

Acquire the grateful habit, learn to see how blest you are,
How much there is to gladden life, how little life to mar!
And what if rain shall fall to-day and you with grief are sad;
Be grateful that you can recall the joys that you have had.

Amanuensis Monday - Thanksgiving 1942

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

I continue my project to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin - some I never met - others I see a time in their life before I knew them.

This week I transcribe a letter my maternal grandfather, Martin Deutsch, sent home Thanksgiving, 1942.

Amanuensis Monday - November 22

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

If you have an Amanuensis Monday post on your blog, please feel free to add a link below.  An explanation of this weekly blog theme follows.

• Is there a letter, journal entry, speech, other document, or audio recording, written or delivered by or about an ancestor you wish to transcribe for future generations?

• Are you engaged in a transcription project of an historical document?

This is what Amanuensis Monday was created for. Amanuensis is an obscure word, but it derives from the Latin, ‘Manu’ meaning ‘hand’. I began this project back in February of 2009, and since then, many others have joined in on the meme.  Why do we transcribe?  I provide my three reasons in the linked post.  You may find others.

There's one in every family

"There's one in every family!" Bring your stories of colorful characters, unique heirlooms, mouth-watering recipes, most dearly beloved pets, whatever! Interpret as you like.

I knew I wanted to participate in this Carnival of Genealogy family reunion, but I pondered on what I would choose to write about. I don't like discussing living relatives, and while there are a handful of ancestors I could discuss under the topic of blacksheep, I'd rather not. However, the theme wasn't limited to people. Jasia specifically suggested family heirlooms, recipes, and other objects. I've discussed a couple of heirlooms before, and could think of a few more, but the topic didn't appeal greatly to me at this time. So I pondered some more. Something or someone every family has. After a few weeks of sorting through the possibilities, a new idea came to me. Something almost every family indeed does have. Most European nations began requiring them in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A family name (or surname)

Most of my personal experience with surnames comes from Western European culture, though I know other cultures handle surnames differently. The origins of surnames are sometimes sorted into five categories, which I have listed below, and provided examples from my ancestors. I looked up surname origins at both Ancestry  and the Surname Database.

1) Derived from a Given name (aka 'Patronymic')

• My distant maternal ancestor, Myndert Fredericksen, and his brother, Carsten Fredericksen, were the sons of Frederick Van Iveren. (The children of Myndert and Carsten returned to the Van Iveren surname, or changed it to either Van Every or Van Avery.)

• My paternal grandmother's original ancestral surname was Dudelczak. While the surname is possibly derived from the German bagpipe, Dudel is also Yiddish for "David." The odds are this surname was patronymic in origin.

2) Occupational Name

• My maternal great grandmother's surname, Lichtman, is considered occupational for a chandler from the Yiddish 'likht' for 'candle.'

3) Location/Topographical

• My surname, Newmark, likely is derived from the German/Polish area known as Newmarch.
• My paternal great grandmother's surname, Cruvant, came from the Lithuanian town, Kruvandai.
• My maternal grandmother's surname, Van Every, is likely derived from a Dutch or German town with a similar name -- though there is some debate over which town that is. (Possibilities include Everinghe, Holland and Jever, Germany.)

4) Nickname - names based on physical appearance, temperament, or personality

• The surname Denyer is considered by many a nickname for a poor or insignificant man, from the name of a very small medieval coin, Middle English, Old French denier

• The surname Lipman, as a Jewish surname, probably comes from the Yiddish for "Beloved man." (As a Dutch surname, it is thought to be a patronymic of the given name, Phillip.)

5) Ornamental Name - A name chosen by the family as an ornament.

• My paternal grandmother's surname, Feinstein, means "fine stone." Selig Dudelczak adopted the surname upon his arrival in America.

• My paternal great grandmother's surname "Blatt" is ornamental for most Jewish families, originating from the German and Yiddish word for "leaf." However, the non-Jewish German Blatt surname is considered to come from the German word "Blate" meaning a flat surface or plateau, and likely topographical.

• My maternal great great grandmother's surname "Adler" means "Eagle." 

On Going Home For Christmas - Edgar Guest

Edgar Guest's sentimental poetry is perfect for the season.  Many people object to the mention of Christmas prior to Thanksgiving, but the earlier the below poem gets posted, the more likely it will have any impact on holiday plans.  And I subscribe 100% to the message. 

On Going Home for Christmas - by Edgar Guest

He little knew the sorrow that was in his vacant chair;
He never guessed they’d miss him, or he’d surely have been there;
He couldn’t see his mother or the lump that filled her throat,
Or the tears that started falling as she read his hasty note;
And he couldn’t see his father, sitting sorrowful and dumb,
Or he never would have written that he thought he couldn’t come.

He little knew the gladness that his presence would have made,
And the joy it would have given, or he never would have stayed.
He didn’t know how hungry had the little mother grown
Once again to see her baby and to claim him for her own.
He didn’t guess the meaning of his visit Christmas Day
Or he never would have written that he couldn’t get away.

He couldn’t see the fading of the cheeks that once were pink,
And the silver in the tresses; and he didn’t stop to think
How the years are passing swiftly, and next Christmas it might be
There would be no home to visit and no mother dear to see.
He didn’t think about it — I’ll not say he didn’t care.
He was heedless and forgetful or he’d surely have been there.

Are you going home for Christmas? Have you written you’ll be there?
Going home to kiss the mother and to show her that you care?
Going home to greet the father in a way to make him glad?
If you’re not I hope there’ll never come a time you’ll wish you had.
Just sit down and write a letter — it will make their heart strings hum
With a tune of perfect gladness — if you’ll tell them that you’ll come.

Legacy's ObitMessenger Service now *Free*

I just received an email from Legacy.com.  (The date in the first paragraph says 11/16, but I received the email today, 11/18)

Dear ObitMessenger Subscriber,


We are very pleased to announce that on 11/16/2010 we will launch an upgraded version of our ObitMessenger^TM service. One of the biggest changes: ObitMessenger^TM will be free with no sign-up or annual fees. Here are some of the other exciting upgrades:


* Select up to five keywords and we'll search both the deceased's name and the obituary text.
* Search as many or as few newspapers as you like, and update your newspaper list at any time.
* To streamline your results e-mail, we will now include four lines of text per obituary with a link to access the full obituary.
* You will now be able to choose a secret question for account security. As a current subscriber, your secret question will default to your mother's maiden name. You will have the option to leave as-is or select a new question.


Your current account information (including login, password, keywords and newspapers) will be carried over to the upgraded ObitMessenger^TM service. In other words, no action is necessary on your part.


You can visit your account here.


If you have any questions, please contact us at obitmessenger@legacy.com.


Thank you,
Legacy.com

Legacy handles the obituaries for hundreds of newspapers across the US and Canada, so this is a great way to retrieve obituaries mentioning a particular surname regardless of what newspaper they happen to appear in.

Previously, you could search for five surnames in every newspaper they managed, but it would only find an obituary if it was the surname of the deceased -- not if the surname appeared in the text as a relative, etc.  And this cost $40/year.

You could also search for five keywords/phrases in one newspaper.  It wouldn't matter where the words appeared in the text of the obituary.  This cost $15/year.  (And they prohibited words such as "funeral" or "flowers" preventing it from being used as a means to get every obituary from a single newspaper emailed to you.)

The local newspaper stopped updating their RSS feed about a year ago, and I'm not pleased with the online interface, so I've been fiddling around with the $15/year option for a little over a month trying to find the perfect combination of keywords to get the most local obituaries sent to me via email.  I was more than happy to pay the $15 if I was comfortable I was receiving most of the obituaries that were important to me. The maximum I've achieved is somewhere between 25-40% of the total, depending upon the day. I was satisified with the results.  (I was using the names of three funeral homes, the word 'mortuary', and the word fragment 'cremat'.)

Since each 'account' is tied to an email address only, I have several email addresses, and the Terms of Service don't appear to prohibit setting up multiple accounts, it shouldn't be difficult to now set up a few different accounts with the names of all the major funeral homes in the area, and in this fashion get close to all of the obituaries emailed to me.

I've also set up an account that searches for five of my more uncommon surnames across their network. 

My only complaint?

I paid $15 a little over a month ago for a full year account.  And now it's free.


One other note: I do not use my mother's maiden name as a security passcode anywhere.  I maintain a genealogy blog where anyone who wanted to could look it up. I'm not silly.

UPDATE : The emails now contain adverts for flowers and genealogy services.  I see nothing wrong with this.  I am more than happy to see these daily adverts in place of an annual fee.

Update 2: Legacy added a comment, and as they state, and I hadn't noticed, it is possible to create multiple searches on one email address, so multiple email addresses are no longer necessary. 

NBC's birthday present for me

NBC has announced they're giving me a birthday present!

Season 2 of Who Do You Think You Are is returning to the air on Fridays, starting on January 21, which just happens to be my birthday.  It's so thoughtful of them.

There's no word yet on who the celebrities will be.

Amanuensis Monday: Obituary for Harold Newmark (2003)

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

I continue my project to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin - some I never met - others I see a time in their life before I knew them.

This week I transcribe the obituary of my great uncle, Harold Newmark. He was brother to my grandfather, Melvin Newmark.

Amanuensis Monday - November 15, 2010

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

• Is there a letter, journal entry, speech, other document, or audio recording, written or delivered by or about an ancestor you wish to transcribe for future generations?

• Are you engaged in a transcription project of an historical document?

This is what Amanuensis Monday was created for. Amanuensis is an obscure word, but it derives from the Latin, ‘Manu’ meaning ‘hand’. I began this project back in February of 2009, and since then, many others have joined in on the meme.  Why do we transcribe?

If you have an Amanuensis Monday post on your blog, please feel free to add a link below.

Surname Saturday: Deutsch

I continue with the Surname Saturday blogging theme -  

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Deutsch

Deutsch is a common surname.  The name, in German, means, "German." One might assume this suggests a family with this surname originated in Germany. That's not necessarily the case. 

One reason for the frequency of German names among Jews is related to a misunderstanding of a 1787 Austro-Hungarian law. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, which controlled a substantial part of Europe, was the first country in Europe that required Jews to register a permanent family surname. At the same time, they required Jews to register a German given name. The decree was widely misinterpreted as requiring a German surname, so the overwhelming majority of Jewish surnames created for that registration were German ones. (source)

My most distant-known Deutsch ancestors were from Transylvania when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.  So there is a very good chance the surname was created in 1787, and my ancestors were among those who thought they needed to choose a German language surname.  If this is the case, they either didn't have very much imagination, or they had a very dry sense of humor.  (I can hear them now: "Our surname must be 'Deutsch'?  OK, it's 'Deutsch.'")

There are two common pronunciations of the surname.  There's the German fashion which sounds like Dyche or Ditch, and the Austrian fashion which sounds like Doytch.  My grandfather pronounced it in the Austrian fashion, though there is evidence some of his cousins pronounced it in the German fashion.

A lot of the information I have on the early generations below comes from family lore, passed down orally on an audiotape my grandfather and his siblings recorded in the 1970s, pieced together with documents I've found online.  Since Deutsch is a common surname, the odds I have made some mistakes in the patchwork increase.  I will make corrections/additions as they are discovered.

The numbering follows the d'Aboville system.  I've emboldened my direct ancestors. Since I'm less certain on geographical locations for many of the names, I've left them off this descent.  The family originated in Transylvania, and lived in several cities there including Turda, and Varalmas.  Many of the branches that immigrated to America settled originally in Chicago, Illinois.

2. Abraham Deutsch - married Sarah Weiss

2.1 David Leib Deutsch – married Edith Markowitz
2.2 Albert Deutsch
2.3 Samuel Deutsch (Dec 20, 1861 – Jan 21, 1938) - married Chava Leah (Helen) Lichtmann
2.4 Sarah Deutsch (1877-?) married Adolph Rosenblum

2.1.1 Bertha Deutsch – married Frank Newman
2.1.2 Herman Deutsch
2.1.3 Celia Deutsch
2.1.4 Hani Deutsch – (1880-Nov 10, 1943) married Samuel Guttman

2.2.1 Joseph Deutsch – (1887-?) married Eva Wurtenberg
2.2.2 Regina Deutsch (1890-?) married Nathan Greenfield
2.2.3 Herman Deutsch (1897-?) married Dora Diamant

2.3.1 Jean Deutsch (1889-?) - married Bernard Kamerman
2.3.2 Armon Deutsch (1900-1908)
2.3.3 Theodore Deutsch (Oct 22, 1902 – Sept 1980) married Frances Levy
2.3.4 Edward Deutsch (Oct 6, 1904 – May 15, 1973)- changed surname to Kameran
2.3.5 Martin Deutsch (Feb 28, 1907 – Mar 19, 1991) married (1) Myrtle Van Every (2) Marjorie Shelp
2.3.6 Maurice Gerald Deutsch (Jun 18, 1909 – July 30, 1950) married Dorothy Arkin
2.3.7 Berta Deutsch (Apr 6, 1911 – Feb 22, 2003) married Herman Freed
2.3.8 Allen Deutsch (Jan 24, 1914 – Jun 13, 1988) married Jean Collier

2.4.1 Daniel Rosenblum
2.4.2 Pauline Rosenblum (Jul 31, 1903 – June 1984) married Edward Kohl
2.4.3 Esther Rosenblum
2.4.4 Frances Rosenblum
2.4.5 Julia Rosenblum - married David Mittleman
2.4.6 Lillian Rosenblum - married Eli Greene

2.1.1.1 Henry Newman
2.1.1.2 Nathan Newman
2.1.1.3 Lydia Newman

2.1.4.1 Samuel Guttman (Mar 28, 1905 – Dec 1968)
2.1.4.2 Edward Guttman (May 28, 1906 – Sept 1973)
2.1.4.3 Joe Guttman (Jun 4, 1907 – July 1982)
2.1.4.4 Emil Guttman
2.1.4.5 Nathan Guttman (Jul 5, 1913 – Sept 1, 1981)

2.2.1.1 Albert Deutsch
2.2.1.2 Sigmund Deutsch (Nov 20, 1914 – Aug 8, 1995) married Margaret Smick Sept 26, 1942

2.2.2.1. Bella Greenfield – married Hugh Roth
2.2.2.2 Gertrude Greenfield – married Harry Schrenkel
2.2.2.3 Milton Greenfield
2.2.2.4 Irving Greenfield

2.2.3.1 Sarene Deutsch (July 29, 1914 – Jan 20,1990) married David Lipton
2.2.3.2 Pearl Deutsch (June 2, 1921 – July 17, 1997) married Burton Zoot
2.2.3.3 Albert Deutsch (Dec 31, 1922-Nov 30, 1998) married Ida Rosenwald
2.2.3.4 Lillian Deutsch (May 21, 1924 – Dec 15, 2004) married Morrie Isaac

2.4.2.1 Darwin L Kohl (June 1925-Oct 2, 1971)

My number = 2.4.5.1.3

Friday Five

Possibly jumping the gun on this one by a couple weeks, but I thought I'd get in the spirit, and it's been awhile since I did a "Friday Five." 

Names on a theme from various databases

1. May Flower - 1920 census - age 36 - Montgomery, Pennsylvania
2. P. L. Grim - 1910 census - age 43 - Eel River, Allen, Indiana
3. Water Turkey - 1920 census - age 45 - Lee, Florida
4. Butterball Mantooth - Texas Death Index - 1998 - Lubbuck, Texas
5. Cranberry Goble - Iowa Deaths and Burials Index - 1904 - Villisca, Montgomery, IA

All five names found at FamilySearch

Veterans Day, 2010

Caption for photo to left: Human Statue of Liberty. 18,000 Officers and Men at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa. Colonel William Newman, Commanding. Colonel Rush S. Wells, Directing. Mole & Thomas, 09/1918. (source)

In honor of Veterans Day/Remembrance Day, below are the names of ancestors, and their siblings, who I know served their nation's military, either in a time of war, or in a time of peace.  Several have been added to the list from last year.

I am including my Loyalist ancestors; their nation was Great Britain. I am including my Confederate ancestors too, despite their desire to form a separate nation.




Fifth Great Grandfathers
McGregory Van Every (1723-1786) Loyalist/Butler's Rangers
Michael Showers (1733-1796) Loyalist/Butler's Rangers

Fourth Great Grandfather
David Van Every (1757-1820) Loyalist/Butler's Rangers (served briefly as a Patriot in the NY militia)

Fifth Great Uncle
Benjamin Van Every (1759-1795) Loyalist/Butler's Rangers(served briefly as a Patriot in the NY militia)
William Van Every (1765-1832) Loyalist/Butler's Rangers
Peter Van Every (1771-bef 1816) Loyalist/Fifth Lincoln and Second York regiments (War of 1812)

Fourth Great Uncles
David Van Every Jr. (1782-1847) Loyalist/Second York regiment (War of 1812)
Michael Van Every (1790-?) Loyalist/Fifth Lincoln and Second York regiments (War of 1812)

Second Great Grandfather
Ebenezer Denyer (1828-1872) (Confederate Army)

Third Great Uncles
Samuel Jennings Denyer (1822-1861) (Gonzales County Minute Men - Republic of Texas -1841)
Samuel T Hartley (1830-1920) (Confederate Army)

Great Grandfather
Samuel Deutsch (1861-1938) (Franz Josef's Austro-Hungarian Army)

Grandfathers
Melvin L Newmark (1912-1992), WWII
Martin J Deutsch (1907-1991), WWII

Great Uncles
Jerry Deutsch (1909-1950), WWII
Allen Deutsch (1914-1988), WWII
Harold Newmark (1915-2003), WWII
Mandell Newmark (1923-1945), WWII
Bernard Feinstin (1913-1968), WWII
Seymour Feinstein (1917-1999), WWII

Uncle
Stevan J Newmark (1942-1997) Army Reserves

Wordless Wednesday: Romanian villagers dancing the Hora

1938. Photographer: John Phillips 
Villagers dancing the Hora in the hills near Cluj, wearing traditional peasant clothing and headscarves. (source)

Schicksalstag - November 9

Schicksalstag is a German word meaning, “Day of Fate.” It is used by Germans to describe November 9. Apparently it was first used by some German historians after WWII, but it picked up in popularity after 1989. There are several major events in German history that occurred on this date, with conflicting emotional baggage. However, when you look at a list of events for November 9, you realize this Day of Fate doesn’t stop at Germany’s borders.  (Some refer to this date as the "European 9/11" since Europeans write dates with the month after the slash.)

Here’s a partial list:

1494 - Medicis expelled from Florence, Italy
1799 - Napoleon overthrew the French government in the coup d’etat of 18 Brumaire
1918 - Kaiser Wilhelm steps down, and Germany’s Republic begins
1923 - Hitler’s failed Beer Hall Putsch
1938 - Kristallnacht/Pogromnacht - German pogrom viewed as the start of the Holocaust
1953 - Cambodia declares its independence
1989 - Berlin wall comes down

Amanuensis Monday - November 8, 2010

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

• Is there a letter, journal entry, speech, other document, or audio recording, written or delivered by or about an ancestor you wish to transcribe for future generations?

• Are you engaged in a transcription project of an historical document?

This is what Amanuensis Monday was created for. Amanuensis is an obscure word, but it derives from the Latin, ‘Manu’ meaning ‘hand’. I began this project back in February of 2009, and since then, many others have joined in on the meme.  Why do we transcribe?

If you have an Amanuensis Monday post on your blog, please feel free to add a link below.

Amanuensis Monday: Obituary for Dora (Goldstein) Cruvant

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

I continue my project to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin - some I never met - others I see a time in their life before I knew them.

This week I transcribe the obituary of Dora (Goldstein) Cruvant. Her husband, Ben Cruvant, was the brother of my great grandmother, Bertha (Cruvant) Newmark.

Surname Saturday: Newmark

Another weekly genealogy meme? I've been thinking about participating in this one for awhile, and the initial post below has been ready to go for several months, as I awaited some further information.  I stopped waiting.

Surname Saturday.

To participate in Surname Saturday, simply create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

I'll start with the most obvious surname to begin with - my own.

Newmark

From my research it appears there are a handful of "Newmark Clans" in the United States that originated in either the Neumark/NewMarch region of Germany, or near enough in Poland to raise the question of where those Polish ancestors actually came from. (The clan to which I belong being part of the latter.) These clans also seem to often share something else besides geographical origin - a Jewish religious background. Whether or not we are all related would likely require a Y-Surname DNA study, but it wouldn't be surprising to learn that at least some of us are. It's doubtful though we'll ever be able to trace the exact lineal connections.

The first known progenitor of the Clan from which I descend is Israel David Newmark. Below is a limited descendant chart utilizing the D'Aboville numbering system, including the locations the individuals lived, and their birth, marriage and death dates. I could extend it further, but I can't do a complete list of the next generation without deciding which information to leave out for living relatives.

[Key: * = no vital record has been found to back up this information, but this is the date either claimed by the individual, or recorded by the family.]

1. Israel David Newmark (?-?) Poland  - married Leah (?)
1.1 Samuel Joseph Newmark (1862 - July 20, 1940) Warka, Poland; London, England; St. Louis, MO, USA - married Rose Cantkert
1.1.1 Solomon "Sol" Newmark (*Dec 4, 1883 - Dec 4, 1934) Warka; London; St. Louis
- married Sarah Nathan, Aug 31, 1902
1.1.2 Barnet "Barney" Newmark (*March 17, 1886 - Nov 25, 1956) Warka; London; St. Louis
- married Bertha Cruvant, *Aug 27, 1911
1.1.3 Nellie Newmark (*March 8, 1889 - Mar 22, 1959) Warka; London; St. Louis
- married Morris Fudemberg, Jan 30, 1910
1.1.4 Bella Newmark (*March 4, 1890 - Dec 2, 1976) Warka; London; St. Louis
- married Coleman Charles Cohen, Jan 30, 1910
1.1.5 Meyer "Max" Newmark (*Aug 16, 1892 - Jan 31, 1931) Warka; London; St. Louis; East St. Louis, IL, USA - married Dora (?)
1.1.6 Kate "Katie" Newmark (Nov 27, 1894 - March, 19, 1960) London; St. Louis; Chicago, IL, USA
- married Phillip Jacobs
1.1.7 Cecile "Cissie" Newmark (Aug 16, 1896 - Sept 12, 1973) London; St. Louis; East St. Louis; New Orleans, LA, USA; Falls Church, VA, USA - married Hyman Gold
1.1.8 Israel David "Buddy" Newmark (Apr 3, 1903 - Oct 16, 2004) London; St. Louis
- married Clara Rubin

My number is 1.1.2.1.1.3

Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November

If there are any British readers of this blog, Happy Guy Fawkes Night

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

And what should we do with him? Burn him!

There are many videos online of the above.  Here's one of them:





I wonder if my British Denyer ancestors, who immigrated to America in the early-1800s, observed Guy Fawkes day in any fashion after arriving in America.  I wonder if my Newmark ancestors who lived in London for fifteen years from the mid-1890s to 1910 got into the habit of celebrating it with their neighbors.

If you are reading this on November Fifth, the Oxford English Dictionary's Word of the Day is Gunpowder. Clearly in honor of November Fifth. However, they don't store archives, so you can only see the current Word of the Day.  (Or you can subscribe to their free email edition, like I do.)

Words that Hurt, Words that Heal

This post has nothing to do with genealogy.  A lot to do with blogging, and socializing on the internet.  (And off the internet.)  Some people will see perhaps connections to other blog posts elsewhere.  However, I am making this post generic so that I can direct people in the future to this post, and say, "Read this - these are my thoughts."  They will apply today; They will apply in the future.  This way I don't have to retype them.  If you think these thoughts match yours in a future instance, feel free to direct people here as well.

I first started participating in internet discussions in college back in 1988, when the internet was still called "Bitnet."  I particularly enjoyed the political discussions, so I am well used to the heated arguments that tend to develop.





I'm also still amazed at how often people resort to insults and name-calling.  The ad hominem attack isn't new.  We see it a lot on what passes for television commentary today, but poet, Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), was a master at the ad hominem.  (Two poems about a politician named Richard Tighe, with whom Swift disagreed.) Still, it may be old, but it's not a very useful type of argument.  It only serves to make the individual you're arguing with either angry at you, or depressed about themselves, or both.

I like to put a little twist on the schoolyard chant:

Sticks and stones

may break some bones

but the hurt from words

lasts longer.

There's a poem, Incident, by Countee Cullen (1903-1946) that makes this point well.

About 12 years ago I read a book that made an incredible impression on me.  "Words that Hurt, Words that Heal" by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.  He talks about the power of words, mixing religious quotes, with anecdotes from the newspaper and history.  He covers a lot of ground from malicious (and non-malicious) gossip to criticism to public humiliation.  He also discusses how to use the power of words for good.

Telushkin begins by arguing that the tongue is the most difficult muscle in the body for most people to control.  If you think you can control your tongue, he suggests attempting to go 24 hours without saying something negative about anyone.  To their face, or behind their back. And if we can't do that, we have to admit we have a problem, because if we can't go 24 hours without drinking, or without smoking, we know we are addicted. And we know we need help. [And I'm not referring to negative things about politicians.  I'm referring to negative things about your neighbor, your postman, your cousin, your co-worker, or even your friend.]

It should be noted that Telushkin admits he struggles with it at times.  I do, too.  All of humanity does.  But the point is to struggle with it, and reduce the hurt we cause from our words.

A few quotes

Whoever shames his neighbor in public, it is as if he shed his blood.”—(Babylonian Talmud. Bava Mezia 58b)

***

 Before you criticize somebody, ask yourself three questions:

1. How do I feel about offering this criticism? Does it give me pleasure or pain?

If part of you is looking forward to it, hold back. Your motives are probably at least partly insincere (you don’t so much wish to help this person as relish cutting him down to size) and your listener will probably respond defensively and reject your critique.

If the thought of critiquing another pains you, yet you feel impelled to speak up, do so. Your motives are probably sincere; your concern for the other person will shine through, making it likely that he or she will be able to accept, or at least hear, your criticism.

2. Does my criticism offer specific ways to change?

3. Are my words non-threatening and reassuring?

***

When offering criticism …remember the three sugestions of Moses Maimonides, the medieval Jewish philosopher and Rabbi

1. Administer the rebuke in private.
2. Speak to the offender gently and tenderly
3. Point out that he is only speaking for the wrongdoer’s own good.

If you'd like to read more about what Rabbi Telushkin has to say:

The 99th Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy has been Released

The 99th Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy has been released 

with several discussions on how religious rites have impacted our family histories.

And not only has the theme for the 100th edition has been announced, CreativeGene has declared she wants at least 100 submissions from at least 100 past participants in the CoG. 

"There's one in every family!" Bring your stories of colorful characters, unique heirlooms, mouth-watering recipes, most dearly beloved pets, whatever! Interpret as you like. Every family has "special" individuals, you know, the ones with a green thumb, the black sheep, the lone wolf, the blue-ribbon cook, the story-teller, the geek! I know you have treasured recipes and amazing heirlooms you've yet to share! Tell us about them and become a part of history in the 100th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy! The deadline for submissions is December 1st.

Wordless Wednesday: A Monument to Fascism?

It's amazing the bits of history one can find online.  The below article appeared in Life Magazine, March 8, 1948 - p. 113. 

(move mouse over images for additional comments)

Schrödinger the Cat’s Election Theorem

For those of you who haven't met him before, observe - my cat, Schrödinger.  (He used to belong to a friend of mine, and I started taking care of him "temporarily," and that temporary status lengthened.  His registration officially changed hands on October 31.  Appropriate, perhaps, for a black cat. I wish I could take credit for his name, but alas, I can't.)

Schrödinger knows a thing or two about elections.

Schrödinger the Cat's Election Theorem: You can’t know whether your candidate has won or lost until the votes are counted. Until that moment, your candidate is half a winner, and half a loser.



If you don't understand the humor in the theorem, or the cat's name...

Amanuensis Monday - November 1, 2010

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

• Is there a letter, journal entry, speech, other document, or audio recording, written or delivered by or about an ancestor you wish to transcribe for future generations?

• Are you engaged in a transcription project of an historical document?

This is what Amanuensis Monday was created for. Amanuensis is an obscure word, but it derives from the Latin, ‘Manu’ meaning ‘hand’. I began this project back in February of 2009, and since then, many others have joined in on the meme.  Why do we transcribe?

If you have an Amanuensis Monday post on your blog, please feel free to add a link below.

Amanuensis Monday: Running for State Rep

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

I continue my project to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin - some I never met - others I see a time in their life before I knew them.

In honor of election day tomorrow, this week I transcribe some election results from a 1932 primary for State Representative in the fourth district of St. Louis.  This comes from the Official Manual of the State of Missouri.  The volumes from 1878 to 2000 are online, and searchable, at Missouri Digital Heritage.

Pardon me as I also praise the Secretary of State who oversaw the creation of Missouri Digital Heritage - Robin Carnahan.  It is my fervent hope she earns a seat in the Senate tomorrow, but she has already left quite a legacy here in Missouri.