January 2012

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season!

I spent the holiday at my daughter’s house near Madison. It was a special treat to see how excited my 5 year old granddaughter, Addison, was. When I finally schlepped out of my bedroom at 7:30 AM, she met me at my door wildly telling me that her stocking was “stuffed full” and that “Santa left a LOT of presents under the tree!!!!”

Even though it’s been fifty years since I was her age, I still remember how excited I was on Christmas morning. But, I think I cherish the memories of Christmas when Michelle was a kid even more. It was a time my sisters and I all got together at my parents’ house.

My mom always had a big Christmas dinner. It was the one time each year my mom went all out. So much food! Always a big ham (sometimes a turkey, too,) mashed potatoes, olives (usually a gallon jar,) a shrimp salad and her baked beans that she would hand sort the night before to make sure there were no small stones in the bag! And, SOOOOO many pies!

But, even more fun was to have all the grandkids (and later all the great-grandkids) together!!!! All the anticipation to find out what Santa left at Grandma’s house. Chris Niles sent me an E-Mail a couple days before Christmas and said, “…Christmas thru a child’s eyes is God’s miracle.” How true!!!

But, enough about me… How were your holidays? Feel free to post a comment or send me an E-Mail. How about sending me a couple paragraphs about a memorable holiday you had? Something touching… something funny... maybe something I can post to this blog?

Oh, and if you happened to miss it on the birthday list for December, Aunt Mary Ryan turned 103 on Christmas Day!

Here’s wishing you all a very Happy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year!!!!

Keep in touch!

Welcome Clayton Ostmoe - Another member of Generation 4!

I must be slipping... It's been a week and I haven't posted this!

Welcome my new grandson, Clayton Ostmoe! Born December 7, 2011 to my beautiful daughter, Michelle and her husband, Eric Ostmoe. Clay was 9 pounds 11 ounces and 21 inches long.

Big sister, Addison, is proud of her baby brother in this picture of the three of them. (And, yes, that is my granddaughter, Addison, and NOT my sister, Ruth!)

If you know of any other births, let me know and I will post a notice.

Merry Christmas and keep in touch!

December 2011 Quiz

Grandpa Roy had 7 siblings: James, Isaac, Florence, Pleasant Emma, George, Elmaria and Lily.

Isaac, Florence and Elmaria all died young. What was the primary occupation of the other four?

Check back next month for the answer!

-- ANSWER

I found these answers in US census records. I'm assuming the occupations I list are correct, BUT, they may not be the ONLY occupation they held. If you are aware of any others, let me know!

James was a laborer at the La Crosse rubber mills (1910). He and his wife, Elizabeth Greineisen had five children.

Pleasant Emma married Burt Fessenden in 1884. They were farmers/ranchers in Montana (1910, 1920, 1930). She and Burt had eleven children.

George was a fireman on the railroad (1910). I have no record of George ever marrying or having any children.

Lily married Thomas Morris in 1886. Thomas was a barber when they were first married. He graduated from the Law School at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and was elected District Attorney of La Crosse County. Later, he was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly where, in 1909, he was instrumental in the establishment of a college that would eventually become the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. In 1911 he was elected to Lieutenant Governor for the State of Wisconsin which he held until 1915. He practiced law in La Crosse after that until his death from a sudden heart attack while visiting New York City in 1928. Lily and Tom had nine children.

December 2011

First, I hope all of you in the US had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was excellent. I spent the holiday with my daughter, Michelle, and her family in Madison, Wisconsin. I especially enjoyed being able to spend some time with my granddaughter, Addie, and to cook the big traditional Thanksgiving meal for all of them. Of course, watching the Packers beat the Lions and go to 11-0 was an additional thing to be thankful for! (Sorry to all the cousins in Michigan!)

I was hoping to be able to report the birth of Michelle and Eric's baby, but, alas, no such luck. Any day now, though!

Second, as we enter this special time of the year, I would like to wish you all a joyous holiday season. And remember that I would appreciate any photos of your family gatherings! Just E-Mail them to me at PaulPendleton@Comcast.net!

Third, I am missing a lot of information about Aunt Evie's and Uncle Art's families. If you know of anyone with knowledge of those cousins, please send me their E-Mail addresses or give them mine.

Fourth, if you know of any news in the extended family - births, marriages, anniversaries, special events, military service, etc - that will help me keep the family tree up to date, please let me know! If you would like any of the information I have, I am more than willing to share. Let me know what you need.

Finally, if you have any suggestions about items you would like added or changed on this blog, feel free to send me your ideas.

As always, keep in touch!

November 2011 Quiz

So, I’m gradually getting back into my research mode. When I left off last spring, I was working on the Newkirk family. Remember that Roy’s mother was Catherine Newkirk.

One interesting thing that I have found is that many of the Newkirks in the 19th century liked to name their children after states. Which of the following states was NOT used as a first name?

A. Georgia
B. Louisiana
C. Missouri
D. Ohio

Check back next month!

-- Answer

I will confess that I have not finished researching all of the Newkirks. So far, I have found a Louisiana Newkirk (and another named Louisianna,) two people named Missouri Newkirk, and two people named Ohio Newkirk. I have NOT found anyone named Georgia Newkirk. So, the correct answer is: A. Georgia.

I did also find one person named America Newkirk. Incidentally, the two people named Ohio were male while all the others were female.

Also, all of them were cousins of Roy.

October 2011 Quiz

OK... I have finished the patio, the fences and the deck... and, instead of researching a new quiz, I have been enjoying my new space. We have been having the most GLORIOUS autumn in Minnesota, with high temperatures around 30C (85F) and low humidity and mosquitoes.

I officially have the neighborhood "party deck." I just love when the neighbors all get together for a communal cookout. Too much fun! I'm very fortunate to live in a close-knit neighborhood where we all get along.

But, I have gotten back into researching the family tree and have a couple ideas for future quizes and I promise to post a new quiz for November.

So, if you need a quiz "fix" for October, 2011... Who is going to be a Grandpa again in November???

A. I am.
B. Yours truly.
C. Grandpa PEN-dle-ton (as my granddaughter, Addie, calls me).

Check back next month for the answer and the new quiz.

-- Answer

If you missed this one...

Congratulations Julie and Delton Denzer

Julie [Niles](2) and Delton Denzer celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at Holzinger Lodge in Winona, MN, on Sunday, September 25, 2011. Many friends and family members turned out to join in the celebration

Congratulations and best wishes to Julie and Delton.

Let's all plan to join them in 10 years for their 50th!

September 2011 Quiz

Well, I have spent another month working on the deck, etc, so I have not prepared a quiz..

So, in lieu of a quiz, here's a challenge: Write a bio of a favorite relative, pose a question about the family, share something about your immediate family...

I'll post anything I get!

August 2011 Quiz

Well, my summer continues as do the major projects I am working on - a new brick paver patio, a deck and new fencing around the yard. And, yes, I am doing all the work myself! I can't tell you how many times I have invoked Uncle Art's and Uncle Ray's memories for inspiration - and FORGIVENESS!!!

The deck is almost done - just some final trim work, some lighting and installing a few electric outlets. I couldn't resist the temptation to post a picture of what it looked like a week or so ago. I have faced the stairs and finished the hand rail since then.

Hopefully, I should be able to get some enjoyment out of it this year, providing the weather and the mosquitos cooperate. Stop by sometime and have a beer!

Needless to say, this has taken up ALL of my free time, so the quiz gets ANOTHER month off. I'm hoping to have something posted in September.

Until then, feel free to E-Mail me any topics you would like to have me research. I have received a couple suggestions since last month and will likely follow up on some of them in the future.

Have a great month!

Congratulations Nancy and Ken Proctor!

Nancy [Niles] (2) and Kenny Proctor celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 4, 2011.

Their marriage was re-blessed at a mass at St. Elizabeth Seton church in Holmen, Wisconsin on Sunday the 3rd. Later that day, they were joined by many friends and family members at an open house at the Holmen American Legion.

Let's all hope they see another 50 year of happiness together!