January 1, 1858-1921

My second great-grandfather was given the name Pehr August when he entered the world on 01 Jan 1858 in Svenarum, Jönköping, Sweden. He was the 5th of eight children born to spiksmed (nail-smith) Carl Tolf and his wife Helena Stina Åhman. Pehr was just 11 years old when his oldest brother Gustaf emigrated to America.…

A Second Look at November

Feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks on your genealogy to-do list? Oh my gosh, me too! Last month I decided to let my ancestors guide me through what should be done next to tell their stories. I started by printing a monthly calendar from Family Tree Maker. Each day lists an event in the life of one…

Zora (Clarke) Highbarger 1857-1940

From the January 26, 1940 edition of the Funkstown Daily Mail; “Mrs. Zora Highbarger, widow of John Highbarger, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William King, Woodburg, Baltimore County, on Thursday afternoon, at 2:00 o’clock. She was born and reared in Downsville but has lived in Baltimore for the past 20 years. She…

Morgan Edgar Clarke 1873-1876

From the Daily Mail, Hagerstown Maryland, Friday January 21, 1876; “On the 11th inst., at Downsville, MORGAN EDGAR, son of Morgan and Susan Clark, aged 2 years and 6 months. Its remains were interred in Funkstown.” Morgan has a memorial on Find A Grave.

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 cousin-twice removed, and to Kyle…

August Birthdays

Happy August birthday to my incredibly wonderful husband and to our beautiful granddaughter, to my sister, my paternal grandfather, my uncle Bob, my cousin Bill, my grand-uncle Bud, and my first cousin once removed Faith. Birthdays among my (possibly) German Clarkes: A second great grand-aunt Zora E CLARKE was born in Maryland on the 19th of August…

July Anniversaries

Ancestors in my family tree who married this month include: 01 Jul 1910 Myrtle Alvira YOUNGBERG and John L MILLER in St Joseph, Berrien, Michigan. Myrtle was a first cousin thrice-removed who married Joseph when she was 18 years old. Just a few years later, she married Joseph Philip FRIEND, a Motion Picture Machine Operator.…

July Birthdays

Happy July birthday to my niece Christina; nephews Drew and Justin; cousins Cynthia, David and Ernie Lynn; 3rd cousins once-removed Dave, Jim, Pat and Steve; 4th cousin John; 4th cousin once-removed Angel; and my Aunt Karen. Birthdays among my Swedish Carlsons: My 2nd great-grandmother Maja Stina KARLSDOTTER was born in Börstil, Uppsala, Sweden 02 Jul 1839. Four of her six children immigrated…