While there are some nice things with LiveJournal, I've decided that BlogSpot meets my needs a little better.

Please update your feeds and bookmarks; I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

http://genblogjulie.blogspot.com/

This blog will stay active for awhile for archives (all posts have been moved to the new blog).

I've been tagged by Kathy at Kathy's Genealogy Blog and Colleen at Orations of OMcHodoy.  So here we go...

***10 Years Ago I........

Moved from sunny Arizona back to snowy Illinois.

Was trying to finish my Bachelor's degree while working full time.

Started to have health issues.

Was hanging out at the bars on karaoke night (and no I did not get up and sing, although I sing very well).

Watched my friends graduate from college and move onto bigger and better things.

***5 Things on Today's To-Do List......

Get cracking on starting my writing/graphic design business.

Run a Windows update.

Contact the city about a business license.

Decide whether to move my blog to blogspot.

Go through the stack of papers on my desk.

***5 Snacks I Enjoy........

Breyer's Health ice cream...yum!

Cheetos

Golden Delicious apples with caramel dip

Sugar cookies

Peanut butter cookies

***5 Places I Have Lived......

Lombard, Illinois

Addison, Illinois

Elmhurst, Illinois

Prescott, Arizona

Bloomington-Normal, Illinois

***5 Jobs I Have Had.....

Secretary

Call center for the IRS

Administrative coordinator

Technical writer

Business analyst

Now the hard part, tagging 5 others!

Well, it seems like almost all of the blogs I follow have been tagged.  If you haven't been tagged already, then I humbly say, tag...you're it!

Kathryn over at LOOKING4ANCESTORS posted a challenge to fellow bloggers:

I have a challenge for you for this edition of Fun Friday. Spend some time this week-end reading blogs. First start with your favourite blogs, and then, branch out and read some new blogs.

The challenge is to leave a personal comment on at least ten of the blogs you read.

I usually leave comments when I find some really helpful advice. I want the author to know I appreciate them taking the time to share their advice help others.

I do leave comments when I find something interesting, but don't always.  I should take more time to do this, as people have taken the time to post something that I enjoy reading.

I'm participated in this challenge and plan to make this part of my blog-reading routine.

Here's a list of posts I commented on for the challenge.  Enjoy!

As I peruse other blogs, I see some pretty neat things.  I came across digital scrapbook pages and thought I'd give it a whirl.

This scrapbook page was designed by Raspberry Road Designs.  The photo is of Joseph CAHILL and Jean Marie MILLER taken on their wedding day on 28 October 1967; privately held by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr.

Amir Dekel over at I Dream of Genea(logy) posted an interesting research question about who to include in the ever-growing tree.  This is a question I myself had after I kept adding people that really had no "direct" relationship.  I started to respond to Amir's post via a comment, but it's a little hard to explain in such a short amount of space.  Plus, I believe in visuals, so I decided to do a post instead.

Now, when I say direct here, I don't mean direct-line.  I include every last cousin I can find.  What I don't include are their ancestors beyond the point where we became related.  Huh?  Basically, I don't bark up the "married into" family tree, unless I need to (for more information, research lead, etc.) or want to (interesting story, possible connection to other family, etc.).

So, for example, my second-great-granduncle, Edward P MULLIGAN married Sarah RALPH and had four children.  I will of course travel up Edward's line, since his father is my third-great-grandfather.  I will also travel down Edward's line to capture all those pesky cousins.  But, I will not do anything more for Sarah since she only married into my family.  I would only do this if I found that her family (or another spouse or other children) could prove useful in my research.

Sometimes this can lead to missed opportunities, as was almost the case with two of my first cousins twice removed.  Clarence L ROTTMAN and Ethel ROTTMAN were brother and sister, and each married a COSTER (Alma and George respectively).  Because I hadn't initially included the parents for George and Alma, I may have overlooked the fact that they shared the same parents and were indeed brother and sister.  Because I had copies of documents and my sources referenced, it was easy for me to go back and make the connection.

While I suppose siblings marrying another family's siblings is somewhat common (this is not the first instance in my tree and probably not the last), I'd rather miss them initially, than to have oodles of collateral branches out there just blowing in the wind.

Vilhelms BRIEDIS - Vilhelms was the husband of my grandaunt Florence McMAHON.  He was born on 13 October 1908 and passed away on 23 February 1993. [1]

Timothy J McMAHON - Timothy is my great-great-grandfather.  He was born 14 May 14 1874 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois to Timothy McMAHON and Margaret RYAN.  He died on 14 October 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. [2]

Thomas CAHILL - Thomas is my great-great-grandfather.  He was born in 1860 in Thomastown, Kilkenny, Ireland to Michael CAHILL and Anne HALE.  Thomas died on 15 October 1929 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois. [3,4]

Noah WEBSTER - Yes, "the" Noah Webster, LL.D. is my third cousin eight times removed.  He was born on 16 October 1758 in Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut.  The "father of the dictionary" died at the age of 84 on 28 May 1843 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut.  [5]

William Norton - William is my 12th great-grandfather.  He was likely born in 1558 in Sharpenhoe, Kent, England and likely died on 19 October 1622 in England. (Note:  I have not confirmed the accuracy of this information as of this date.)  [6]

Notes

1.  Social Security Administration, "Social Security Death Index," database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com), entry for Vilhlems Briedis, 1993. 

2.  State of Illinois, death certificate no. 28236 (1939), Timothy J McMAHON, State of Illinois Department of Public Health. 

3.  Thomas CAHILL, "Rothe House," database, Irish Family History Foundation (http://kilkenny.brsgenealogy.com/search.php). 

4.  robmy_vicc, "ROBVIC2006," database, Private Family Trees, Ancestry.com (http://trees.ancestry.com/fhs/home.aspx?tid=956976&pg=2)

5.  Family Search, "Ancestral Files," database (www.familysearch.org), Noah WEBSTER (BDVR-NG). 

6.  Cahill Family Tree papers; privately held by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr.

So many blogs, yet so little time to constantly update my link list on my blog.  My solution?

Well since many of the blogs I follow (over 100) are using Blog Network on Facebook, I cheat and just add a link to my Blog Network page.

When anyone clicks on the link, they're taken to my Blog Network page, which lists all the blogs I follow.

Personally, I think it's great for several reasons:

1. I don't have to remember to go and add new blogs.
2. I'm not limited to a particular number of links.
3. I don't have to manage the links.
4. It doesn't make my page go on for miles.

I've not been blogging too much since I've been busy scanning photos for the last few weeks.  When you get into a rhythm, you just don't wanna stop!  I have many things to share and hope to be writing a lot more very soon. 

TGIWW (Thank God it's Wordless Wednesday)!!!  ;)

I am so excited!  GenBlog just got accepted into Alltop's genealogy topic!

This is a great accomplishment, as I never imagined my blog would be this successful in just a short period of time.  For that, I have to thank all of the GeneaBloggers out there.  You made this possible by encouraging me to keep running this blog, and of course for reading this blog.

If you read my post yesterday, you know that I rescued some orphan photos while out antiquing with my husband.

Here's some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Frank Trapp, Taylorville, Illinois Postmark:  Colorado Springs, Colorado, 27 Jul 1925 Signed:  Vin Postcard imprint reads:  Mt. Manitou Scenic Incline At the Summit of the longest and highest incline on the globe.  You cannot afford to come to Colorado and not take this grand trip. The message reads: Sure am seeing the sights.  Look in Pike's Peak Saturday, seeing sunset from top & coming down after dark.  Would like to put in a month out here if I could afford it.  Vin There is no other identifying information.  Oddly enough, this could be one of my Trapps, but I don't know yet...will be looking into...what a find if he's related!

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: Hello Ida.  We are all well.  The weather is very dry here.  Harry Duncan and Hattie was out to visit us.  We had a big fire in Dayton it burnt one block on Main St.  It started in the Exchange Hotel and burnt to the Bank.  One woman burnt and died Wednesday morning.  Will write you soon, ans soon.  Good by, From Clara There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location. I got this one simply because of the story.  I did a quick (very quick I might add) to see if I could find out more about this fire.  Oddly enough, the first search result was an article written in September of this year about the "100th anniversary" of the fire.  So based on that info, this postcard was probably written in September 1908.  The end of the article provides more information about the fire and even states the name of the woman who died that was referenced in the postcard.  Pretty interesting!

Continued from Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 3

Here are some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

I will be posting additional photos in the future!

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: Freda Blanche Evans 8 months old weight 22-1/2 lb. There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location.

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: Harold Leslie Nelson to _____ Paula There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location.

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  George Summer Myers, Hastings, Michigan, c/o Royal Myers Postmark:  Probably Mottville, Michigan (although not 100% legible), 13 January 1915 Signed:  Aunt Grace The message reads: Dear Summer am sending you a picture of your cousin his name is Pruan [?] Dee[.] Uncle Shirley has gone to New Mexico and I'm so lonesome[.] How I wish I could see your mother and have a good visit, Galen has the whooping cough, many thanks for the "Baby Boo" like it so well, Love to All Aunt Grace Lots of interesting info here!

Continued from Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 2

Here are some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

I will be posting additional photos soon!

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: Hello Lucy.  How I would love to see you and your baby. I suppose it is a wonder.  I know mine is.  [cannot read signature] There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location.

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Josefa Ejavec, 1011-13 N. Chicago St., Joliet, Illinois Postmark:  unreadable The message is written in I'm guess Slavic, as the stamps appear to be from Slovenia.

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: For her Great Grandmother Tower From Ruth Evelyn Tower Taken when she was 10 weeks old Born June 6, 1913 Glendale, Calif. Lots of interesting info here!

Continued from Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 1

Here are some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

I will be posting additional photos soon!

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Melissa S. The message reads: This is the red headed baby when 7 mo old.  Would you like to have it. There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location.

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Miss Gertrude Bontz, Glasford, Illinois Postmark:  Hanna City, Illinois, 19 September 1910 The message reads: Thomas Walter Gibbons at the age of 6 months. There is no other identifying information.

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Mrs. Homer Moore, Homer, Illinois Signed:  Mabel Postmark:  City not show, Washington, 26 January 1912 The message reads: Dear May: Lula's Terre Haute address used to be 1815 N. 10th St.  I don't know where she is now but wish I did.  She was in school at Granville, Ohio the last I heard from her but that has been several years ago.  Mabel Lots of interesting info in just this small bit!

The message reads: Glenella Florence Davison.  Age 5 months & 3 weeks.  Nov. 1, 1914 There is no other identifying information, postmark, or location.

If you read my post yesterday, you know that I rescued some orphan photos while out antiquing with my husband.

Here's some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

I will be posting additional photos soon!

These two photos were together in a cardboard frame (forgive me, I'm not up on my terminology).  There is no identifying information, nor a photographer/studio, time period or location.  My guess is, they are brother and sister.  These photos were rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008.

This photo is presented in a cardboard frame.  Davis Studio in Blue Earth, Minnesota is imprinted on the frame.  There is no identifying information.  This photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008.

This is a postcard photo.  The following is printed on the back:  W.T. Caldwell Photographer in Milford, Illinois.  There is no identifying information.  This photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008.

The 6th Edition of Smile for the Camera is upon us.  This edition is being hosted by Becky Wiseman @ kinexxions.

Becky's word prompt for the 6th Edition of Smile For The Camera is Funny Bone. Show us that picture that never fails to bring a smile to your face! An amusing incident, a funny face, an unusual situation. Share!

Choose a photograph of an ancestor, relative, yourself, or an orphan photograph that tickles your Funny Bone and bring it to the carnival. Admission is free with every photograph!

I actually thought this one would be easy; I have a lot of "funny bone" pics.  However, many of them involve relatives who are still around somewhere and would probably kill me if they came across their funny (or embarrassing) photo on the Internet.

If you read my post from yesterday, you know that I went antiquing and rescued some orphan photos.  There was one in particular that made me chuckle so I purchased it with this carnival in mind.

I though it was cute.  The little girl on the right looks so mischievous, while the baby looks spooked.  The expressions are priceless and made me smile!

I have no idea when or where this photo was taken, nor who is in the photo.  If anybody wants to claim it, I'm happy to share.

Leona Mildred ROTTMAN & Gilbert H SCHNEEKLOTH - Leona is my first cousin twice removed.  She and Gilbert married on 7 October 1938 in Iowa. [1]

Richard Raymond ROTTMAN & Vera Helen MULLER - Exactly one year after his sister Leona (above) was married, Richard married Vera on 7 October 1939 in Iowa.  [2]

Notes

1.  Leona M. Schneekloth, obituary, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa), 30 September 2007.

2.  Barbara_Rendl, "Herrin/Free/Rottman/Beatty," database, Ancestry.com Public Member Trees(http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/TreeInfo.aspx?tid=1533183&pg=0).

My husband and I spent the afternoon at an antique mall in El Paso, Illinois.  I picked up some neat things and some great orphan photos.  Here are my finds.

This is a scrapbook of old advertisements.  There's some pretty neat stuff in here.  I plan to post the on my blog at some point.	Found some neat orphan photos.  Many of them are postcards.  I plan to post them each on my blog; maybe someone will claim them!
This is Webster's Complete Reference Dictionary and Encyclopedia, printed in 1942.  Remember, Noah Webster is a relative.	This is a flour bag, with Daniel Webster.  Not sure if this is my Daniel Webster, but I'm determined to find out!

Here's a quick status on my "homework."  View the original post for details of my "assignment."

Thanks to a RAOGK from Colleen, I was able to find a little more about my gg-grandfather Thomas CAHILL and his wife Margaret MILLETT, as well as my ggg-grandparents Michael CAHILL and Anne HALE.  Following is part of the original post:

I am fairly certain that my gg-grandfather, Thomas Robert CAHILL was born in Thomastown, Kilkenny, Leinster, Ireland in 1860. As far as I can tell, his parents (my ggg-grandparents), Michael CAHILL and Anne HALE were born in Ireland probably between 1834-1838. Thomas married Margaret MILLETT, likely from Kilkenny as well. They were not married in Ireland; instead they were married in Illinois in 1887. It appears in the U.S. census data that they immigrated at different times, so I am not sure if they knew each other in Ireland or not. I also suspect that Margaret's parents, John MILLET and Mary RYAN were also born in Ireland.

Through the Irish Family History Foundation I tracked down some church records and here's what I've found/confirmed:

• Confirmed - Thomas was born in Thomastown, Kilkenny, Ireland in 1860.
• Found - Michael and Anne were married in Thomastown, Kilkenny on 30 January 1855.
• Confirmed - Margaret was born in Old Grand, Kilkenny in 1863.
• Found - Somewhere along the line, Margaret's name was changed to MILLETT from MILOT.
• Confirmed - Margaret's parents were John MILOT/MILLETT and Mary RYAN.
• Confirmed - Thomas had a sister Margaret, born in Thomastown, Kilkenny circa 1867.

That's all for now.  Stay tuned!