Goldie was born December 28, 1905 in Allen County, Indiana.   She was the daughter of Benjamin W. Putt and Bessie Denney. In the 1910 Federal Census, Benjamin and Bessie live in Fort Wayne. They have six children ; Bernice (1898), Chauncy (1899), Jesse (1900), Ernest (1904), Goldie (1905), Wilbert (1908).  Benjamin digs cisterns for a living.  In the 1920 Federal Census, Benjamin and Bessie remain in Fort Wayne and Benjamin works as a polisher for Electric Works. Their oldest daughter, Bernice, has married and moved on and the remaining children who are still at home are: Chauncy, Jesse, Ernest, Goldie (14 years old), Wilbert and Rosco (1911).

Goldie married Clarence B. Capin on March 8, 1923 in Jackson, Michigan. Clarence listed his occupation as an electrician and Goldie listed her occupation as an operator on their Michigan Marriage license. They returned to the Fort Wayne area later in 1923.

On August 11, 1923, Clarence Thomas Capin was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.   By the 1930 Federal Census, Goldie and Clarence are living in Fort Wayne with their son Clarence T and Goldie’s brother, Rosco who is a young man of 20 years old.  In the 1940 Federal Census, the family lives in a rural area near Fort Wayne.   Clarence is an electrician. Clarence Thomas is a sixteen year old.

Clarence and Goldie lived in several locations in and near Fort Wayne, Indiana according to the Fort Wayne Directories of 1929-1954.

Thirty two years ago today, Goldie died of congestive heart failure after falling in her home and fracturing her hip. She was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park next to her husband.

Rest in Peace, Goldie!

Love, Jan

Goldie is my second cousin two times removed.

Mabel Eleanore was born on March 25, 1900 in Arthur, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Joseph L. Johnson and Alice B. Denton.  In the 1900 Federal Census, Joseph and Alice Johnson live in Jonathan Creek Township in Moultrie County, Illinois with their two daughters, Clara (1896) and Mable (1900) where Joseph was a farm laborer.  By the time of the 1910 Federal Census, Joseph and his second wife, Mollie live in Pana, Illinois.  They have Joseph’s four children living with them, Clara, Mable, Eldon (1903) and Allie (1905, Alice).  In 1905, Alice, Joseph’s first wife, conceived twins.  Tragically during childbirth Alice died and so did a son named Alma.  Alice, the other twin, survived.  Joseph is a laborer on the railroad.  Joseph and Mollie had two children in the next decade; Mary (1911) and Ferol (1915).

Marriage Certificate issued in Montana for Maybelle Johnson and Russel Hayner Bradley – 1917

Maybelle (Mabel) married Russel Bradley in Helena, Montana on July 14, 1917.  Russel was a Lieutenant stationed in Livingston, Montana.  Mable and Russel had two sons while living in Montana; Russel Robert (1918) and Lyle King (1920).

Eleanore and Russel (Jack) in Montana 1918 (Property of Paula Bradley)

In 1921, Russel and Mabel returned to Michigan where they settled in Romulus, where they would eventually have four additional children; Wellington Yale (1922), Gloria Faye (1924), Betty Eleanore (1927), Richard Dale (1931).

In the 1930 Federal Census, Russel and Mable live in Romulus. Mable is listed as housewife and has no outside employment. And they have five children living with them; Russel, Lyle, Wellington, Gloria and Betty.

By the time of the 1940 Federal Census, Mable and Russel have five children living at home; Lyle, Wellington, Gloria, Betty and Richard (1931). The oldest son, Russel (Jack) has moved out and is working in Detroit. He has not yet joined the Army Air Force (as it was known then). Russel and Eleanore are working for the County Infirmary. Eleanore is a cook supervisor. In about 1945, Russel and Eleanore (who prefered to go by her middle name, Eleanore) bought a hardware store. It was called the Bradley Hardware Store which was located on Huron River Drive in Romulus, Michigan.

Four of the Bradley children served in the military.  The oldest, Russel Robert was reported missing in Action in May of 1942 in the Pacific.  He served in the Army Air Force (as it was known then).  It is believed that his plane crashed into the Pacific.  Eleanore and Russel made several inquiries to the War Department about the status of their son but his remains were never found. He was eventually declare deceased. (Reference the Russel Robert post for May 28, 2019 for more information on Russel Robert (Jack) Bradley.)

Eleanore and Lyle King Bradley (property of Paula Bradley)

Lyle King made the military his career.

Eleanore and Wellingon Bradley (Property of Paula Bradley)

Mabel Eleanore Johnson Bradley died sixty four years ago today November 12, 1955.  She died of Leukemia according to the Obituary posted on Ancestry.com by Paula Bradley. She is buried in the Silver Lake Cemetery in Wolverine, Michigan in the Bradley plot.

Rest in peace, Mabel Eleanore.

Love, Jan

Mabel was the wife of my second cousin two times removed, Russel Hayner Bradley.

A “Special Thanks” to Paula Bradley for sharing the family photos and other family documents on Ancestry.com so more distant relatives like me can find them.

Robert Burnham was born in Norfolk, England in 1585. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Baker) Burnham.

Robert Burnham married Mary Andrews in 1608. They had eight children; Edward, Robert, Thomas, Benjamin, Amelia, John, Ruth and Mary. On Ancestry.com, there is a bit of discrepancy about birth order of these children. So they are listed here but the order of their birth could be different. Unfortunately not much is known about Robert. He remained in Norwich, Norfolk, England his entire life.

Three hundred and eighty five years ago today, at the age of 53, Robert died in Norwich, Norfolk, England and it is presumed that he is buried there as well. Robert Burnham is my eight times Great Grandfather

Rest in Peace, Robert!

After the death of their father, three of Robert’s sons, Robert, Thomas and John emigrated to America in 1635. They sailed aboard a ship called the Angel Gabriel which was owned by their Uncle, Captain Robert Andrews. Early documents indicate that the three Burnham boys were left in charge of their Uncle ship in Pemaquid, Maine when a terrible storm occurred on August 15, 1635 and the ship was lost. The Burnham boys and their Uncle, Captain Andrew, settled in Massachusetts.

The Burnham boys, Thomas, Robert and John, and their Uncle became very prominent pioneer settlers of Ipswich, Massachusetts but these stories are for different blogs.

Love Jan

Davis Edwin Smith was born on April 4, 1866 in Adams County, Indiana. He is the son of James Wesley Smith and Hester Ann Odle according to Davis’s death record. His mother, Hester Ann, married James Wesley Smith on July 20 1866 in Adams County, Indiana.  It appears that Hester divorced James W Smith or the marriage was annulled. There is a marriage record for Hester Ann Smith to Jacob Richard which shows that they married on June 18, 1868, less than two years later. She took her son, Davis Edwin with her as the 1870 Federal Census indicates.  Hester Ann and Edwin D Smith are found in Bluffton, Indiana with Jacob Richards, Jacob’s father, John Richards,  his brother James, and Sarah A, who is a baby.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Davis Edwin is living with Frederick Richards and Hannah Richards. They are in Adams County, Indiana. Davis is listed as Frederick’s nephew. There are two nieces listed also, they are Amanda and Martha Richards. There is no sign of Hester Ann , Sarah Ann or Jacob Richards.  There is a marriage record for James Richard and Hannah Gilbert and they married in 1874. Hannah lists her marriage status as Widow in the 1880 census.  Richard is a widower at the same time as Hannah in the 1880 Federal Census. It is my belief that Amanda and Martha are Hannah’s daughters. There are no death records for Hester, Jacob or James that I have found as of this time. I will continue to research and add them here if I find them. This period of time in Davis ‘s life is full of turmoil.  There is too big a story to cover here so I’ll continue to research and it will be published on my other blog and when completed I will put a link here.

Davis Edwin married Amanda Hostettler in 1889. The photo is their Wedding Photo. It was shared publicly on Ancestry.com. Davis and Amanda had thirteen children; Pearl (1890), Homer (1891), Myrtle (1893), Ruth (1895), Mark (1897-1898)Mary (1900), Viola (1902), Clifford (1904), Gay (1907), Hortense (1909), Hester (1910), Hazel (1913), Don (1916).

This photo is from 1895 of Amanda’s family with her parents and all of her siblings and their families taken in Markle, Indiana. ( The family names listed below were noted with the photo on Ancestry.com. This photo is not in my possession and I can not validate the accuracy of the data. I am sharing what was written publicly on Ancestry. )

Seated Row L to R : Isaac Hey holding Jerome, Willmina Hay, Daniel Hostettler, Floyd Hey, Catherine (Crites) Hostettler, Myrtle Smith, Pearl Smith, Davis Edwin holding Vira (likely Ruth), Homer Smith

Standing Back Row L to R : Emma (Hostettler) Hey, ?, Phillip Wise, Mary (Hostettler) Wise, Viola Miller (or Wise?), Lottie Miller (or Wise), Amanda (Hostettler) Smith.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Davis and Amanda have five children living with them; Pearl, Homer, Myrtle, Ruth and Mary. They live in Wells County, Indiana. Davis is a day laborer on the railroad. He would become a section boss for the railroad before he left the work which require the family to move too frequently.  In the 1910 Federal Census, Davis and Amanda have nine children living with them; Pearl, Homer, Myrtle, Ruth, Maggie, Viola, Clifford, Gay, and Hortense. They live in Fort Wayne and Davis is a laborer in a Coal Yard.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Davis and Amanda have seven children who remain at home. They are Mary, Clifford, Gay, Hortense, Hester, Hazel and Donald. Davis is working at General Electric. The 1930 Federal Census, shows Davis, Amanda, Hazel and Donald live in Whitley County, Indiana. Davis works as a mechanic for General Electric Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He retired from General Electric after the census data was recorded in 1930 due to ill health.

In the 1940 Federal Census, Davis is living with his daughter, Hazel and her husband Charles Scarlet. Also living with them are Donald Smith, Hazel’s brother and a niece, Betty Dan. Davis is a seventy four year old widower. They are living in Churubusco, Whitley County, Indiana.

Sixty nine year ago, Davis Edwin Smith died on October 29,1950 in Churubusco, Indiana. He was buried in Eel River Cemetery in Allen County, Indiana.

Rest in peace, Davis!

Love, Jan

Davis Edwin Smith is the husband of my first cousin four times removed, Amanda Hostettler.

Mariah Catherine was the daughter of William Homer and Lydia (Miller) Wert, born in Markle, Indiana on February 23, 1851. William Homer and his wife Lydia had six children; Emmanuel(1840), William (1849), Mariah (1851), Cyrus (1853), Isaac S. (1854), Lydia.

Mariah married Franklin Ashbury Bratton on April 3, 1870 in Wells County, Indiana. Mariah and Franklin Bratton had five children; Lydia L.(1871), Sarah L. (1874), Cyrus F (1878), Mary E. (1879), Charles (1892). Some researcher believe that John Wm Bratton (1900) may have been their son but I do not find any evidence of  it.

Franklin Ashbury and Mariah Catherine Bratton – this photo was shared on Ancestry.com by a researcher.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Mariah and Franklin are living in Celina, Ohio. Franklin is a Foreman in Stone Mill. They have four children; Lydia (1871), Sarah (1874), Franklin (1878), Mary E. (1879).  In the 1900 federal Census, Franklin and Mariah are living in Salamonie, Indiana.  They have three children living with them; Franklin (1878), Mary (1879), Charles (1892). The two oldest daughter have married.  By the time of the 1910 Federal Census, Mariah and her husband are living in Van Buren, Grant County, Indiana. Franklin is a merchant who is running a grocery store. They have one seventeen year old son, Charles, who remains at home.  In the 1920 Federal Census, Franklin and Mariah remain in Van Buren, Grant County, Indiana. They are now seventy three and sixty eight years old.  In the 1930 Census, Mariah and Franklin still live in Van Buren, Indiana. Franklin is eighty years old and Mariah is seventy-nine.

Franklin and Mariah Bratton seated in the front.  Mary, Charles, Sarah and Lydia – this photo was shared by a researcher on Ancestry.com

Eighty two years ago today, Mariah Catherine died in Van Buren, Indiana at the age of eighty six years old.  She is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Warren Indiana.

Notice the reference on the death certificate to Lydia Wilson as her mother.  Lydia’s father was John Miller.  I am not sure why it says Wilson.  If I ever clear this up. I’ll reference it here. All my research indicates that she is Lydia Miller.

Rest in peace, Mariah!

Love, Jan

Mariah is the aunt, Homer Wert, who was the husband of my Great Grand Aunt Etta Clare Smith Wert.

Ione Genevieve was that daughter of Alvin Elgin and Dora May (Hurd Helfrich) Best. She was born in Birch Run, Michigan on April 28, 1909. Alvin and Dora live in Birch Run in the 1910 Federal Census with their one year old daughter, Ione Genevieve. Alvin is a merchant in a General Store. By the time of the 1920 Federal Census, Ione Genevieve is ten years old. She has two brothers, John S. (1913) and Max (1918). They live in Birch Run. Ione Genevieve attended Aurora High school in Saginaw, Michigan.  She is pictured in the 1926 High School yearbook.

Ione Genevieve – 1926 High School Photo

Genevieve completed two years of college obtaining her teaching degree. Her father, Alvin, died in 1928. She and her mother, Dora and her younger brothers are living in Flint by the time of the 1930 Federal Census.  Genevieve is working as a  school teacher in the public school system in Flint and her mother works as a clerk for the Post office.

Ione Genevieve married Earle John Stine on April 2, 1931. The marriage license indicates that Ione Genevieve lives in Clio Michigan and Earle lives in Midland. Earle is an armature winder.  In the 1935 State of Michigan Census, Earle and Iona live in rural Midland County.  The 1940 Federal census, Earle is working as an electrician for Dow Chemical Company and they now live in Richland township, Saginaw County.  They have three children; Earle Jr. (1932), Frances(1935), Peter (1939). They also have a teenage lodger/servant living with them whose name is Virginia Seifreid.  Virginia is from Kentucky and is fifteen years old.

Forty four years ago on October 15, 1975, Ione Genevieve died in University Park, Iowa. I am not certain when they moved there. It appears that at some point Earle become a minister.  It may be that they moved there for a ministry assignment. Ione died before Earle.  She was buried in Tanner Cemetery in Genesee County, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Ione Genevieve!

Love, Jan

Ione Genevieve is my first cousin three times removed.

George S Stranahan was the son of John and Lucy (Buck) Stranahan who was born on October 4, 1783 in Canaan, Columbia, New York. John and Lucy had eleven children; Mary Polly (1764), James (1766), Jane (1868), Aaron (1771), Lucy (1773), John (1776), Farrand (1778), Peleg (1780), George S (1783), Gibson J. (1786), Daniel J (1789).

George fought in the War of 1812 in the New York Calvary. He was a private who served in Asa Ransom’s Company. As a result of his service, he received a land Grant for 40 acres on August 1, 1853 in Jackson County, Michigan.

George married (Bethenia) Catherine in Caanan, New York where they had nine children; Caroline (1806), Hiram (1812), Catherine (1816), George (1816), Maranda (1820), Mary (1825), Betsy, Julia (1829), Cordelia. In 1833, George and Catherine moved their family to Jackson County, Michigan. George bought 349 acres on October 15, 1835 through the Bronson Land office according to land record document # 1083. Catherine died on November 4 1840. George married Mary W. Powers on August 7, 1844 in Jackson, Michigan.

In the 1840 Federal Census, George and his family are living in Jackson County, Michigan.  George and his two son, Hiram and George Jr are farming the land that George purchased. By the 1850 Census, both sons have married and live next to their father and his second wife, Mary. George and his two sons remain farmers. George S, George Jr and Hiram appear in the Agricultural Census of 1850. The sons, Hiram and George each claim 90 acres and George claims 160 acres. It is stated that George Sr and George Jr planted the first orchard in Jackson County on the north side of Clarklake. By the time of the 1860 Federal Census, seventy seven year old George, is living with his daughter Mary and her husband, Stole Clark, in Jackson County, Michigan.

One hundred and fifty five years ago today, George S Stranahan died in Jackson County, Michigan. He is buried next to his first wife Catherine in the Clarklake Cemetery.

Rest in peace, George!

Love, Jan

George is the Great Grand Uncle of the husband of my Great Grand Aunt Addie Jane Hayner.

Yes, I know that the relationship is way out there but… Have a good week and we’ll see you again next week.

Joseph Matthew Smith was the son of Ashley J. and Helena (Schlinger) Smith. He as born on November 27, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois. In the 1920 Federal Census, Joseph is found with his parents, Ashley and Helena, and siblings, Ashley C (1909) and Elenora (1913) on South Honore Street in the 18^th Ward of Chicago. There is a boarder living with them whose name is James Allie. Joseph is 3 and a half years old.  Joseph’s father, Ashley is a taxi driver in 1920.

By the time of the 1930 Federal Census, Ashley and Helena live on Adams Street with their three children; Ashley C who is twenty-one years of age, Elenora who is seventeen and Joseph who is thirteen. They have a boarder living with them whose name is Helen Walsh.  Ashley remains a taxi driver.

Joseph married Genevieve Theresa Mikrut on March 25, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois according to the marriage database for Illinois but the 1940 Census seems to indicate that they are married before that.  By the time of the 1940 Federal Census, Joseph and Genevieve  are living in Thornton, Illinois with one son named Joseph Jr. who is four years old.  Joseph works as a Boiler Foreman for a Chemical Company in Thornton, Illinois.  Joseph enlisted in the Army on April 26, 1943 and served during WWII until is discharge on November 12, 1945. I did not find information specifically about where he served.

Joseph and Genevieve had five children, four daughters and one son.

Nineteen years ago today, Joseph died in Anderson, Indiana of cancer at the age of 83. He is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne Indiana.

Rest in peace Joseph!

Love, Jan

Joseph Matthew Smith is my second cousin two times removed.

Charles was the son of George A. and Cora (Phipps) Stinson. He was born in Boone County, Iowa on February 24, 1894. George and Cora had three children; Arthur (1890), Charles (1894), Georgia (1898)

In the 1900 Federal Census, Charles is six years old and he is found living with his parents at the home of his maternal Grandfather, Eli Phipps. Eli is listed as head of household. Also living in this residence are,  Cora (Eli’s daughter) and her husband George, with their children, Arthur, Charles, Georgia, and Eli’s daughter, Minnie, her husband, Jacob and their daughter, May. They are living in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. In the 1910 Federal Census, Charles is with his parents in Hennessey Ward 5, Kingfisher County, Oklahoma. Charles is 16 years old in May of 1910 when the census is taken.

Charles married Cora Belle Crites in Kingfisher, Oklahoma on December 12,1910. He was sixteen and Cora was seventeen. They had a daughter, Lillie Marie Stinson born on Dec 22, 1910 in Hennessey Oklahoma.  They either divorced or annulled the marriage because by the 1920 Federal Census, Charles and Cora Belle are no longer married. I do not find a record for either event.  Cora has remarried to a man named Rufus Starkey. Lillie Marie Stinson is living with her mother and her new husband.

On July 8, 1915, Charles D Stinson married Edna G Blackstone in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. On June 5, 1918, Charles registered for the draft for WWI. He list that he is married and has a wife, no children dependents.  They live in Hennessey, Oklahoma. According to a “Delayed Birth Certificate”. Charles enlisted in 1918. His service record is listed on the Birth Certificate, this document seem also  to list what appears to be a Life insurance Policy.  In Texas WWI Records, I find Charles Dubra Stinson is a Private in the 52^nd Machine Gun Battalion, Company B.

Delayed Certificate of birth from 1951

In the 1920 Federal Census, Charles and Edna are living in Kingfisher with Edna’s son, Ira Blackstone. The 1930 Federal Census show Charles and Edna in Seminole, Oklahoma. They have three daughter; Georgia (1924), Roberta (1927), Dubylene (1929).  Charles works in the gas industry as a Stillman. By the 1940 Federal Census, Charles and Edna are in Hutchinson, Kansas with their three daughters. In 1942, Charles registered for WWII. He does not list his wife as contact but lists Edgar Priddle and W.H Tillock. He now lives in Burrton, Kansas. He is listed with Edna in Kansas City, Kansas in March of 1954

Fifty Five years ago today, on September 24, 1964, Charles Dubra Stinson died in Witchita, Kansas. He is buried in White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita, Kansas.

Rest in peace, Charles!

Love, Jan

Charles was the first husband of my third cousin Cora Belle Crites for a brief period of time.

Hannah Jane Kinnaman was the daughter of Hiram and Cassandra ( Crosley) Kinnaman. She was born in Green Township, Madison County, Indiana on February 15, 1940. Hiram and Cassandra had thirteen children ; David (1833), Conrad (1836), Walter (1837), Henry (1839), Hannah (1840), Emily (1842), Lane (1843-1843), Francis Madison (1845), Sarah Ann (1847), Margarette Levina (1849- 1854), Hiram (1852), William A. (1855), Richard Francis (1858). The Kinnaman named is also spelled Kinnamon on many records.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Hiram and Cassandra have nine children listed; David, Conrad, Walter, Henry, Hannah, Emily, Francis, Sarah Ann, and Margarette.  Hannah Jane married William Smith in Pendleton, Indiana in 1860 after the Federal Census which shows her still living at home at the age if 20 years old. In the 1860 Census, Hiram and Cassandra have eight children left at home; Henry, Hannah, Emily, Francis, Sarah, Hiram, William, and Richard.

By the 1870 Federal Census, Hannah has married to William Smith and they have a daughter, Sarah Jane who was born in 1866. William is a farmer. William and Hannah had two child die young who do not appear in any census records. Rosa Alice was born in 1862 and an unnamed son was born in 1864 who died at birth. Both of these children are buried in Mt Carmel Cemetery in the Smith Family Plot

In the 1880 Federal Census, William and Hannah have three children; Sarah (1866), William F, (1871) and Lenora (1878). By the 1900 Federal Census, William and Hannah live in Falls Creek, Madison County, Indiana. All of the children have married and left home. William list his occupation as landlord. I do not find a Census record for 1910 but in the 1920 Federal Census, Hannah is listed and is living alone in Pendleton, Indiana. She is 79 years old.

Ninety one years ago, Hannah died in Pendleton, Indiana on September 17, 1928. She is buried beside her husband in Mt Carmel Cemetery, in  Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana.

Rest in peace, Hannah Jane!

Love, Jan

Hannah Jane is my two time Great Grand Aunt.