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Resolutions Revised
Are New Year’s Resolutions a waste of time? It seems like many of those set get left among the confetti and streamers. I’ve made resolutions on and off over the years. I like working toward goals, so each new calendar brings an opportunity to reflect on what I’ve accomplished and what is left to…
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Happy St Lucia Day!
Some traditions get lost in time. Others last for only one lifetime. Meaningful traditions just might last forever. I hope my family’s celebration of St. Lucia Day is in this third important category. Time and distance may separate us, but on this day my grandchildren are in my every thought. Instead of dwelling…
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Who was President?
Do you remember who was running for office when you first became aware of politics? Who was in the White House when you were born? When your parents were children? When your ancestors immigrated? One of my grade school teachers held a mock election during the 1972 United States presidential…
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Herman Mangels’ Inquest
My 2nd great-grandfather attempted to take his own life January 7, 1912. Three days later Herman Mangels died in Dunning Hospital after succumbing to lobar pneumonia, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Below is a transcription of the inquest record created after his death. “WITNESS SHEET Inquest upon the body of Herman…
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Family Story Examined
According to family lore, Herman Mangels drank often and his wife was tired of his drunkenness. She was supposed to have told him that the next time he came home intoxicated, he would be sent outside to sleep on the porch. As fate would have it (the story continues), Herman’s…
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Chicago Illinois Inquest Record
Obtaining inquest records from Cook County requires persistence. On July 30th I requested my paternal 2nd great-grandfather’s 1912 inquest record in a letter that said; “To whom this may concern, I would like a copy of the inquest record regarding Herman Mangels, my 2nd great-grandfather. Enclosed please find a copy of…
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Chicago Research – Batavia Illinois
Batavia Illinois is a lovely suburb about forty miles west of Chicago. The oldest city in Kane County, Batavia was founded in 1833 and many old buildings remain, giving visitors a sense of the community’s rich history. The Fox River runs through the center of town and shady well-kept parks are located along…
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October Birthdays in My Family Tree
Happy October birthday to the leaves on my family tree including my dad, who would have been 81 on October 25th; and to my grandson and my niece, my cousins Cynthia and Rosemary, and my grandaunt Lucy. Happy birthday to Anna, David and Frank – my first cousins once-removed, to James – my first…
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Chicago Research – Home Again
Husband and I just returned from a genealogical vacation in Chicagoland. We explored records at the Gustafson Research Center in Batavia Illinois and at the Chicago History Museum, Harold Washington Library and Newberry Library. We visited several cemeteries including West Batavia, Rosehill, Graceland, Jewish Graceland and Wunders. We spent a day…
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