Relative Roulette or Who Was That Standing Next To Me?

Last December I wrote Name Tags - What would Emily Post say? after Aunt Theresa's 100th birtday party. In it I lament the lack of name tags to help identify relatives you may never have met or had not seen in decades.

The party was a great chance to meet some of Chuck's paternal relatives and I made sure to take pictures of everyone. From a genealogy prespective it was a golden chance to put faces to the names in my database.

Memory Game - Family Style

It is amazing how the mind works. I was sure I would remember all the names and faces of the people I met but the minute I left the party my mind went blank! As I was downloading the pictures to my computer panic set in - I coudn't remember half of the people's names. Thank goodness Chuck's parents were staying with us over the holidays and would be able to help me identify the people in the pictures.

The next day I printed each picture on an 8 x 10 sheet of regular computer paper and laid them on the table. Chuck's parents, Chuck Sr. and Shirley, took turns looking at the pictures and in a short time and after a few friendly disagreements they had identified everyone.

Charles Mikulas and Theresa Steigerwald Steinkellner

Lessons Learned

As genealogists we always sigh when we find a box of pictures without names on the back or a date jotted in the corner. In the new digital age, we may not even have a printed copy of the picture!

I have started putting a 'Read Me' file in the digital folder that is created when I download pictures from my camera if the pictures are of people outside our immediate family. The file contains a quick 'who, what and where' of the occasion. I then list the 'name' or 'id' of the picture and who is in the picture. I also use this technique when I have been visiting a relative and scanned pictures during my visit.

No matter what method you use, be sure to write down the names of everyone in your photos. It may be obvious today that Aunt Ida is on your left and cousin Jimmy, once removed is on your right but will you remember that tomorrow or next month?

I just ran into those 8 x 10 sheets of paper while putting away my sewing basket! I had never recorded the names - I did not even remember where they were there! They are now in the 'to be filed pile'.

Take Care,
Pattie

Take a Reading Break!

Summer is a great time to catch up on your reading. Whether on a plane or a car, at the beach or in the back yard take a couple of minutes and relax with a book.

Some books on this list will help in your genealogy research and others are a great read with a family history twist.

* The Book of Myself A Do-It-Yourself Autobiography In 201 Questions

* Isle of Canes (paperback)

* Preserving Your Family Photographs

* Your Family Reunion: How to Plan It, Organize It, and Enjoy It

* Honoring Our Ancestors: Inspiring Stories of the Quest for Our Roots

* The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry

* Social Networking for Genealogists

* Slaves in the Family

* The Hidden Half of the Family: A Sourcebook for Women's Genealogy

* Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History

* Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America

And for the Younger Generation

* At Ellis Island: A History in Many Voices

*My Family Tree Workbook (Dover Hobbies and Amusements for Children)


And do not forget the sunscreen!

Take Care,
Pattie

Sunday's Obituary - Gustav Pahlke

Father: Christian Pahlke
Mother: Elisabeth Knoblach

Married: Caroline Justine Gerber - March 3, 1887
Married: Johanna Wehmeier - February 21, 1891

Gustav Pahlke of North Avenue died suddenly Monday of Heart failure, in his seventy-first year. Funeral Services were at Foelschow's funeral home, then a church service at St. Paul;s Evangelicial Church. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.

Gustav Pahlke was born October 16, 1859 at Mechlenburg-Schwerin, Germany.

He came to America in 1880 settling on a farm near Barrington. He was married to Lena Gerber on 1885 and they were the parents of one son, Alvin. His first wife died in 1889, and he was married in 1890 to Johanna Blum who survives. Two sons, Arthur and William and a daughter Mrs. Anna Nordmeier survive this union.

Besides the four children, Mr Pahlke also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Anna Schuster of Chicago and Mrs. John Friedland of Elgin, and six grandchildren.

Mr. Pahlke moved into Barrington with his family fourteen years ago and has since resided here.

News Items About Gustav in the Local Papers

Barrington Review - December 10, 1892
Mr. August Pahlke received severe injuries at the gravel pit last Friday, the gravel caving in upon him.


Daily Herald - March 3, 1905
Local News - Schaumburg
Aug. Pehlke and wife of Palatine, on their way to Elgin, visited Fred Salge, during the snowstorm. Fred hooked up two broncos and delivered them safely at Roselle.

Barrington Review - October 8 1908
August Pahlke had a runaway Sunday noon. He was thrown from his buggy and sustained slight injuries.


Barrington Review - December 7, 1916 pg 7
Auction Sale
Williams Peters, Auctioneer

Having decided to quit farming, I will sell my entire farming outfit on my farm located 2 miles southeast of Barrington, 4 miles northwest of Palatine and 3 miles south of Lake Zurich known as the old John Schoppe farm.

Barrington Review - Tuesday, December 12, 1916
Commencing at 10 o'clock a.m., the following described property:

28 head of Livestock

10 cows, 2 with calves by their sides, balance springers and milkers;
13 two year old Holstein heifers;
6 spring Holsteins.
Five Head Horses - 1 black gelding 12 years old wt 1300; 1 gray mare
14 years old,;
One driving horse 6 years old, pair mare colts coming
2 years old.
Two fat hogs.

Large amount of farm implements,
Hay and Feed: 17 ?, tame hay, 30 acres corn in shock, 50 bushels of wheat.

Self-feeder heating stove
Usual terms of sale with 6 months' time of bankable notes.

Free Lunch at noon.

August Pahlke, Proprietor

Barrington Review - December 14, 1916
The August Pahlke farm sale southeast of town was held on Tuesday. The family will move at once to Barrington and occupy the Mundhenke house near North Hawley Street.

Barrington Review - December 21, 1916
August Pahlke and family moved Tuesday from Palatine township to North Hawley Street, after thirteen years of residence on the Schoppe farm.

Don't Print - PDF!

Every day while researching genealogists find new information. It may be an email about a long lost relative, an obituary or a Civil War record. Our first reaction is to print the information on the screen in front of us.

Later that piece of paper will be placed on a 'to be filed' pile and eventually filed. Over time those files will get larger and larger and take up more space.

The answer - PDF!

Yes, anytime you press the 'print' button you can optionally 'print to pdf'. The tool that I use is PDF995, and it is FREE. Once installed it displays as another printer option when you use your 'print' button.

After you confirm that you want to print, the PDF is displayed and the 'Save As' dialog box is presented. Just name document and save it in the appropriate folder on your computer. No mess and no burgeoning files to put away.

The free version of PDF995 is not crippled, but does display sponsor pages during the process of creating the PDF. If you do not wish to see these ads the price is $9.95.

So, the next time you print, consider the advantages of a PDF.

Take Care
Pattie

SCGS Jamboree, Streaming Videos and You!

Genealogists used to spend hours in dusty archives hoping to find a faded document that would knock down a brick wall in their research. Today a large portion of a genealogist's research is done on your computer and the biggest challenge is keeping up with technology and terminology.

Streaming Video

What is Streaming Video?

When video/media is sent directly or 'live' over the Internet and is played on your computer when it arrives. There is no need to download the video/media before it can be played, it is watched LIVE!

Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree

The Southern California Genealogical Society has announced that it will be offering 5 sessions from their Jamboree FREE this weekend! On June 11, 2011 from 8:30a.m. (PDT) to 5:30 p.m. (PDT) it will be possible to attend these sessions while sitting in front of your home computer!

The list of sessions are:
Lisa Louise Cooke - SA009 - Google Search Strategies for Genealogists
8:30 to 9:30 a.m. PDT

Curt B. Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF - SA019 - Fingerprinting Our Families - Using Ancestral Origins as a Genealogical Research Key
10:00 to 11:00 a.m. PDT

David A. Lambert - SA024 - Researching Your Union Civil War Ancestors
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT

Kory Meyerink, AG, FUGA - SA035 - But it Ain't Really the ORIGINAL Record!
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. PDT

Kerry Bartels - SA043 - The Many Facets of the National Archives Website (NARA)
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. PDT

You will need to register for each session you wish to 'attend' by clicking this url: http://tinyurl.com/3measan

Isn't techology great!

Take Care,
Pattie

Sunday's Obituary - Adelheit Lageschulte Schnetlage

Barrington Review - October 24, 1912


On Saturday morning, October 19, in the quiet waft of the early day, Mrs. Herman Schnetlage passed to her eternal reward at the home of her son, William Schnetlage, on North Hawley Street.

She was born in Germany, November 29, 1832. Her father Herman Lageschulte,was an industrious workman. She was married to Herman Schnetlage and their home was blessed with children. Only two are now living, William Schnetlage of Barrington and Mrs. Kate Zink of Chicago, a stepdaughter.

In 1885 Mrs. Schnetlage emigrated to America and settled here. Soon after coming to this country she was converted and joined the Evangelical association. Her life has been quitely given to those duties which she found it possible to bear, and her unostentatious life was one of withdrawal from the general hum of society.

For more than 12 years she had been afflicated with a cancerous growth in her face. while she had been faithful in attending public workship in harmony with her zeal, she soon found it necessary to withdraw from attending public service in consideration ofothers, and ever since has had her private rooms in the Schnetlage home as her chapel.

That she has suffered much may be granted, yet from her statement it has been evident that her suffering was providentially lessened, and not until during this past year did she speak of her ailment as being at times painful. Her death was a welcome messenger of relief from the ravages of tormenting sufferings from cancer. Her hope of eternal life was explicit and earnest.

Her span of life reaches the 80 mark within a few weeks. Much has been done for the suffering patient during these many years by her son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. William Schnetlage, the care developing almost entirely upon the young wife, who, besides her own household duties has borne the responsibility of the taxing care with an immense endurance and in a loving spirit.

The funeral service was held at Salem Church on Monday, conducted by her pastor, Rev. H. H. Thoren, and interment was at Evergreen Cemetery.

Genealogist Supply List - Don't Leave Home Without Them

A few years ago I was at a genealogy seminar and someone asked if it was a prerequisite for a genealogist to be addicted to Office Depot? I laughed, but then thought for a moment. I LOVE Office Depot!

With summer coming genealogists will be making more road trips and then going home to 'digest' their findings. Having the right supplies will make life easier.

Here are some items that every genealogist should have in their 'toolbox'.

* Magnifying glass
* Binder Clips - Small,Medium,Large
* Highlighters
* Post-it Notes - Regular and Directional (arrows)
* Photo safe and acid free Scotch Brand Scrapbooking Tape
* Index Cards
* Paper Clips
* Archival Pen and Pencil
* Ruler
* Mini Tape Measure
* USB Drive
* Portable Scanner
* Cotton Gloves
* Label Maker
* Sheet Protectors
* Extension Cord
* Calculator
* 9 x 12 Envelopes
* Steno Pad
* Blank cd's
* Permenant Markers
* Voice Recorder (cell phone, mp3 player, etc)
* Camera (cell phone, digital camera, disposable, etc)
* Pre Printed Cards (aka business cards) with your contact information
* 3-Ring Binders
* File Folders

Divide your supplies into different containers.

When traveling select either a soft side container that can be carried in a computer bag, brief case or tote bag. This can hold a small magnifying glass, paper clips, highlighters, pens, pencils, etc.

For home storage the type of container is not as important as long as it it holds your supplies and keeps the items organized. An actual 'toolbox' may help organize your supplies best.

I am continuing to add to my list of 'must have' supplies as I reorganize my office. I will post more supplies later!

Take Care,
Pattie