I had a couple extra days off this week and since Thursday have made a lot of progress in the Mapes-Bera-Morford branch if was researching. I found five obits this morning which helped solve a lot of questions.
With the assistance of the obits mentioned I was able to confirm the whereabouts of both Mildred and Dorothy Mapes. I had known they were living together as of the 1930 census but never knew if they had married etc. after the date it was obtained.
The obits confirmed both had married, and through some simple searching was able to confirm husbands names and a lot of the vital info I was seeking.
Added several new virtual memorials to the cemetery as a result of these discoveries today. Getting close to 580 memorials.
I am proud to say I also made entry number 12,000 this morning in my Family Tree Maker 2010 software I am currently using.
Less than 40 days until the release of the 1940 census. 9AM on Tuesday April 2.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
O'TOOLE-MAPES-BERA-MORFORD Connection
Been attempting to uncover some branches of the William Lane Morford Sr. line regarding descendants of Joel Henry Bera and Dora E. Morford. Dora is daughter of Ardin and Hannah Morford and the granddaughter of William Lane Morford Sr.
While searching yesterday morning I unfortunately stumbled upon an obituary of a relative. His name was Dennis Lynn O'Toole and he died on January 18, 2012 in Lowell, Michigan.
Dennis was the son of Wendall Leo O'Toole and Gretchen Mapes.
His obituary is now linked on the recent obituaries section on the side and his memorial added to the virtual cemetery.
My sincere condolences go out to his family.
Gretchen Mapes was the daughter of Harry Huntington Mapes and Ethel Mae Bera.
Ethel Mae Bera is the daughter of Joel Henry Bera and Dora Morford.
In 1892 Joel Henry Bera founded what is now know as Mapes Furniture, in Sunfield, Michigan. The family still runs the 50,000 square foot showroom today and the building itself is one of the the most historic in the community, dating back to the days of its settlement.
Here is a link to the stores history.
http://www.mapesfurniture.com/company.php
I expect to solve a couple of branch mysteries with the discovery of this information.
While searching yesterday morning I unfortunately stumbled upon an obituary of a relative. His name was Dennis Lynn O'Toole and he died on January 18, 2012 in Lowell, Michigan.
Dennis was the son of Wendall Leo O'Toole and Gretchen Mapes.
His obituary is now linked on the recent obituaries section on the side and his memorial added to the virtual cemetery.
My sincere condolences go out to his family.
Gretchen Mapes was the daughter of Harry Huntington Mapes and Ethel Mae Bera.
Ethel Mae Bera is the daughter of Joel Henry Bera and Dora Morford.
In 1892 Joel Henry Bera founded what is now know as Mapes Furniture, in Sunfield, Michigan. The family still runs the 50,000 square foot showroom today and the building itself is one of the the most historic in the community, dating back to the days of its settlement.
Here is a link to the stores history.
http://www.mapesfurniture.com/company.php
I expect to solve a couple of branch mysteries with the discovery of this information.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Saturday Feb. 18, 2012 Update
Been a pretty productive last couple weeks. I've made contact with a couple relatives recently that have provided much infomation and assisted in growing the tree.
A special Thank You goes out to James Morford from Michigan and Pam Daniel of Colorado for their assistance providing information on their respective branches of the tree recently.
With their assistance I've added another 40 relatives or so, with many more to come I anticipate.
The reason for this blog and the virtual cemetery I have online has been working, which is good to know, as the contact I have made with these new relatives is directly related.
I found another older post today on an genealogy forum regarding a mystery branch that I am hoping will solve a another mystery.
The Find A Grave virtual cemetery now has over 570 memorials in it.
The William Lane Morford Sr. tree is nearing 1100 identified descendants.
A special Thank You goes out to James Morford from Michigan and Pam Daniel of Colorado for their assistance providing information on their respective branches of the tree recently.
With their assistance I've added another 40 relatives or so, with many more to come I anticipate.
The reason for this blog and the virtual cemetery I have online has been working, which is good to know, as the contact I have made with these new relatives is directly related.
I found another older post today on an genealogy forum regarding a mystery branch that I am hoping will solve a another mystery.
The Find A Grave virtual cemetery now has over 570 memorials in it.
The William Lane Morford Sr. tree is nearing 1100 identified descendants.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Marye Sluyter-Lord Update
Got three responses seeking info on Marye, but no real solid info I could use. There is evidently an obit for her death, but they could not seem to find it nor can it be found on any other obit search site I looked at. It was mentioned she had a son who lives in Michigan who would vist. I'll see if that clue leads anywhere.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Grace Etta Mumford-Partch 1881-1960
Surprise discovery today, and as a result, I was able to add to add over 30 names today to the William Lane Sr. tree. That should grow with additional research. That is what I consider a good day researching.
What I found was the family of Grace Etta Mumford-Partch. Grace was the daughter of Ira Mumford Jr. (24) and Cordelia Burr. Her grandparents are Ira Mumford Sr. and Mercy Morford (5).
I had been searching for any data I could but was unable to confirm much about her. Using what info I had, which basically were just census documents, I was under the assumption she had died in her teens and never had any children.
I stumbled upon her name in her Husband's family tree. Her husband was Archer Fay Partch, aka Archie. Archie and Grace ended up having four kids and the branches go from there.
What I found was the family of Grace Etta Mumford-Partch. Grace was the daughter of Ira Mumford Jr. (24) and Cordelia Burr. Her grandparents are Ira Mumford Sr. and Mercy Morford (5).
I had been searching for any data I could but was unable to confirm much about her. Using what info I had, which basically were just census documents, I was under the assumption she had died in her teens and never had any children.
I stumbled upon her name in her Husband's family tree. Her husband was Archer Fay Partch, aka Archie. Archie and Grace ended up having four kids and the branches go from there.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Marye Juanita Sluyter-Lord 1929-2005
Sent out a couple inquiries today to Florida attempting to obtain more info on Marye Juanita Sluyter-LORD. Mary is the third-great granddaughter of William Lane Morford Sr. and her parents are John Bennett Sluyter and Juanita Tubbs. Keeping my fingers crossed for a possible obit or other info.
Clues I have been able to uncover about her:
1. Marye is the correct spelling of her first name. A bit unusual.
2. She was born on July 10, 1921 in Oakland County, Michigan.
3. Evidently she married a man with the surname LORD. I've been unable to determine the husbands first name or any history on him or their marriage.
4. Her date of death appears to be August 5, 2005 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. She appears to have been a resident of a nearby suburb called Oakland Park.
5. She spent several years before she moved to Florida as a resident of Traverse City, Michigan.
6. Marye evidently owned a a piece of property in Oakland Park, that she donated to the cities local historical society, and they use the building now as a historical museum. Here is a link to Historicial Societies Website about the building and its history.
http://www.oaklandparkhistory.org/about/pioneer-house
Clues I have been able to uncover about her:
1. Marye is the correct spelling of her first name. A bit unusual.
2. She was born on July 10, 1921 in Oakland County, Michigan.
3. Evidently she married a man with the surname LORD. I've been unable to determine the husbands first name or any history on him or their marriage.
4. Her date of death appears to be August 5, 2005 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. She appears to have been a resident of a nearby suburb called Oakland Park.
5. She spent several years before she moved to Florida as a resident of Traverse City, Michigan.
6. Marye evidently owned a a piece of property in Oakland Park, that she donated to the cities local historical society, and they use the building now as a historical museum. Here is a link to Historicial Societies Website about the building and its history.
http://www.oaklandparkhistory.org/about/pioneer-house
BROKEN BRANCHES AND UNSOLVED FAMILY HISTORIES
I'm still in the process of formulating a plan on how to best use this site. This is certainly a new experience for me and I apologize for not posting more frequently. I have come up with a few ideas that will allow me to post regularly.
One thing I am now going to do is to highlight branches of the family tree that are the biggest mysteries I am trying to solve. I refer to them as broken branches.
In most cases I have some clues to work with, but unfortunatly these are leading to dead ends.
Hopefully this may help in the future to connect with someone who is directly from or has info on one of these branches to help solve these mysteries.
After doing this for now over ten years, I've solved some of these mysteries after seven or eight years of searching and I can only tell you it is always a very satisfying feeling to solve these. The older the mystery the more gratifying the feeling when it is solved.
It is sort of a process of elimination to fill in these branches. Solve a mystery and move onto the next one.
I am happy to say that I have found most of the earliest descendants, with only a couple real early ancestors whereabouts unknown.
I'm just posting these mysteries as I am searching for an individual, so it is not in any specific order. I really don't have a rhyme or reason to my searching, I just kind of pick out a name and start to see what I can find.
I'll post as many clues as I have about the indivdual as I can. Some of the stories or family lore are absolutly fascinating.
If you come across a person I am looking for and can provide any additional info or details on their whereabouts and history, or someone to contact who may know this info, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Todays first mystery is Marye Juanita Sluyter-Lord.
One thing I am now going to do is to highlight branches of the family tree that are the biggest mysteries I am trying to solve. I refer to them as broken branches.
In most cases I have some clues to work with, but unfortunatly these are leading to dead ends.
Hopefully this may help in the future to connect with someone who is directly from or has info on one of these branches to help solve these mysteries.
After doing this for now over ten years, I've solved some of these mysteries after seven or eight years of searching and I can only tell you it is always a very satisfying feeling to solve these. The older the mystery the more gratifying the feeling when it is solved.
It is sort of a process of elimination to fill in these branches. Solve a mystery and move onto the next one.
I am happy to say that I have found most of the earliest descendants, with only a couple real early ancestors whereabouts unknown.
I'm just posting these mysteries as I am searching for an individual, so it is not in any specific order. I really don't have a rhyme or reason to my searching, I just kind of pick out a name and start to see what I can find.
I'll post as many clues as I have about the indivdual as I can. Some of the stories or family lore are absolutly fascinating.
If you come across a person I am looking for and can provide any additional info or details on their whereabouts and history, or someone to contact who may know this info, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Todays first mystery is Marye Juanita Sluyter-Lord.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Saturday January 7, 2012 Update
If you didn't know, most of the research I do is done on weekend mornings. I am an early riser and love to get up and search for stuff. I do some during the week but not as regularly as the weekends.
This week though, has been a good one, as I received an email from a family member seeking to exchange info on a line of the tree that I had limited info on, which should lead to another good addition to the tree and also I had several Find A Grave photo requests fulfilled. I have a link to the virtual cemetery which has now grown to over 550 memorials.
This morning, I stumbled upon another relative, who appears to have just become a member of the Ancestry.com website, they also were from a branch I had been seeking more info on. Two good leads.
On Tuesday Jan. 3 we moved to less than 90 days to go until the release of the 1940 census. I have a link posted to a countdown clock to this event. I'm compling a list of dead ends through the 1930 census I have, that hopefully the release of this info will assist me to uncover some real family mysteries. I plan on posting some of these mystery stories regularly in the future.
This week though, has been a good one, as I received an email from a family member seeking to exchange info on a line of the tree that I had limited info on, which should lead to another good addition to the tree and also I had several Find A Grave photo requests fulfilled. I have a link to the virtual cemetery which has now grown to over 550 memorials.
This morning, I stumbled upon another relative, who appears to have just become a member of the Ancestry.com website, they also were from a branch I had been seeking more info on. Two good leads.
On Tuesday Jan. 3 we moved to less than 90 days to go until the release of the 1940 census. I have a link posted to a countdown clock to this event. I'm compling a list of dead ends through the 1930 census I have, that hopefully the release of this info will assist me to uncover some real family mysteries. I plan on posting some of these mystery stories regularly in the future.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Vincent D. Morford 1920-2011
Wanted to pass along my condolences to the family members of Vincent "Vince" D. Morford who passed away on November 30 at him home in Spring Lake, Michigan. At the time of his death, Vince was the fourth oldest living descendant.
Vince was the brother of a longtime acquaitence and recently discovered relative of mine, Wayne A. Morford of Kentwood, Michigan.
Wayne and I first met while I was in high school in Middleville, Michigan in the early 1970's. He was an avid chess player earning Master's status from the United States Chess Federation, which is no easy feat. He was a neighbor of mine at the time. He founded a nice chess club in his basement and a couple of buddies of mine from the neighborhood and I became quite interested and were members. I always wondered back then if we were possibly related, but could never make a connection, although my mother always said that we must be, and just this year I was able to make the connection and prove her right.
I contacted Wayne this summer by phone after the discovery. We figured it had been since 1975 since we had last seen each other. Had a great conversation catching up and filling him in on my research. In the small world department, I find I am working for the same company as his daughter.
I have added a link to the recent obituaries. Sounds like Vince had quite a life.
Vince was the brother of a longtime acquaitence and recently discovered relative of mine, Wayne A. Morford of Kentwood, Michigan.
Wayne and I first met while I was in high school in Middleville, Michigan in the early 1970's. He was an avid chess player earning Master's status from the United States Chess Federation, which is no easy feat. He was a neighbor of mine at the time. He founded a nice chess club in his basement and a couple of buddies of mine from the neighborhood and I became quite interested and were members. I always wondered back then if we were possibly related, but could never make a connection, although my mother always said that we must be, and just this year I was able to make the connection and prove her right.
I contacted Wayne this summer by phone after the discovery. We figured it had been since 1975 since we had last seen each other. Had a great conversation catching up and filling him in on my research. In the small world department, I find I am working for the same company as his daughter.
I have added a link to the recent obituaries. Sounds like Vince had quite a life.
Monday, December 26, 2011
The numbers are in!
Sorry for not posting as much as I'd like recently, had a big home project I was trying to finish before Christmas that was taking up my weekend time since Thanksgiving.
One thing that I have been able to complete though, was to recalibrate the family tree numbering. I use the Ahnentafel System. I have now identified over 2900 descendants of the two brothers as of December 25.
I have discovered 1874 descendants for Garret Sr. and 1032 for William Lane, making the combined total 2906 to date.
This is a time consuming project these days as the tree grows, so I now usually only recalibrate twice a year. I especially want to start the new year off with a current and updated draft.
I will attempt to post something daily to the best of my ability in the future. I appreciate those taking the time to check this site.
One thing that I have been able to complete though, was to recalibrate the family tree numbering. I use the Ahnentafel System. I have now identified over 2900 descendants of the two brothers as of December 25.
I have discovered 1874 descendants for Garret Sr. and 1032 for William Lane, making the combined total 2906 to date.
This is a time consuming project these days as the tree grows, so I now usually only recalibrate twice a year. I especially want to start the new year off with a current and updated draft.
I will attempt to post something daily to the best of my ability in the future. I appreciate those taking the time to check this site.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
William Lane Jr. and Frances Louise Morford, Greenwood Cemetery, Emmet County, Michigan
Grave markers for William Lane Morford Jr and Frances Louise (Dickerson) Morford
Friday, December 16, 2011
William Lane Morford Jr. (11)
William Lane Jr. MORFORD (11)
Born on Feb. 2, 1835 in Niagara County , New York County , Michigan Greenwood Cemetery , Emmet County , Michigan Barry County , Michigan
44* I Clyde Henry MORFORD
45* II Edwin Alfred MORFORD
46* III Etta Alma MORFORD
Frances Louise Dickerson is the sister of Henry Lewis Dickerson who married Emily Hortentia Morford (13).
John Martin and Mary Ann Kipp, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan
Grave markers for John Martin Kipp and Mary Ann (Morford) Kipp
Mary Ann Morford (10)
Mary Ann MORFORD (10)
Born in 1833 in Niagara County , New York Michigan Barry County , Michigan Banfield Cemetery , Barry County , Michigan
41 I Clyde B. KIPP
42 II Ernest Allison KIPP
43* III May Alma KIPP
John Martin Kipp was the brother of Abram I. Kipp, who married Garret Morford Sr.'s (Vol. I) daughter Eunice Morford. Their sister, Hannah Kipp, also married Garret Morford Sr. son Horton Morford.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Elkanah Morford, Bay Township Cemetery, Charlevoix County, Michigan
Grave marker for Elkanah Morford
Elkanah W. Morford (9)
Elkanah W. MORFORD (9)
Born on Jan 3, 1830 in Niagara County , New York Emmet County , Michigan North Bay Cemetery , Charlevoix County , Michigan
40 I Lella C. MORFORD
The wedding of Elkanah and Caroline is noted historically as the first ever in Baltimore Township , Barry County , Michigan Michigan
Fanny Maria (Morford) Ball, Oak Grove Cemetery, Branch County, Michigan
Grave marker for Fanny Maria Ball
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Fanny Maria Morford (8)
Fanny Maria MORFORD (8)
Born on Sept. 20, 1929 in New York Branch County Michigan Oak Grove Cemetery , Branch County , Michigan Johnstown , Barry County , Michigan
36* I Cynthia A. BALL
37 II Marilla A. BALL
38 III Effa Delphine BALL
39 IV William P. BALL
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Ardin and Hannah Morford, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan
Grave Markers for Ardin Barker Morford and Hannah (Poor) Morford
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