I went to donate a photo and graduation certificate at the Ozaukee County Historical Society.  They did not know the church or school they were associated with.  The library was right next door and I walked over and the librarian found 2 books for me.  I did locate that the name of the church was changed.

The most fun find though was found because of the index in the back of one book.  I just looked up family surname and saw one reference, and at first I thought distant relative.  I looked at the page it referred to and recognized the short note referred to my grandfather.  It had a source cited, and the library had the microfilm. She was most helpfull and found the date I needed.  After I found the little notice, and printed that page, I looked at the first page and saw a reference about President Taft signing the act making Arizona and New Mexico states.  I was thrilled to find the reference to my grandfather opening up his harness shop, and extra excited to find the historical reference point. 

I'm a happy researcher, and all because I donated those few items. :)

4 friends at their 8th grade graduation, Saukville WI

names on back:
Lillian Haessly (my aunt)
Eugenia Schowalter
Alois Sander
Albert Jahl

I am not 100% sure on the spelling of the other names.

Would be fun to share with families of the others in the photo.
I remember my aunt telling me how she remembered one of the boys fathers taking them in the horse and buggy to have that photo taken!

Years ago my mom and I had the good fortune of traveling to Newfoundland to visit with relatives.  I had loaned my photo album to another aunt here, and didn't get it back for years.  I am finally taking the long lists of photos and writing them on the matching photos in my albums.  I'm almost 4 rolls through, and thats still in first album.  It is tiring, but brings back memories of who was who in the photos, and what we all did.  If I ever get through, I will post some of the photos.  Wish me luck!!

Hi,

I just uploaded 9 photos to the unidentified photos group.  These should all have Wisconsin connections, so if you have people you are researching in Wisconsin, go check out the group.  Who knows, they may have been friends with my Aunt Lillian!

I had uploaded the photos to the public gallery, but now I have a Judy's Unknown Pic's Gallery in the unidentified photos group.  9 down, who know's how many more to follow!

I'm glad for Archbishop Dolan, as he is truly one of the most kind and friendly persons around. He has a tremendous sense of humor.

I am also very sad to see him leave the Milwaukee area.

I'm feeling emotional because I got to take my Aunt Lillian to see him say a Mass shortly after he came to Milwaukee. What was most personal though was I was able to take my aunt an hour's drive north to see the Archbishop say the Funeral Mass for a first cousin of my aunt. This first cousin had been a long time pastor of a church. We got to speak a few words with the Archbishop and now I wish I had brought along a camera to record that event. This funeral was in December of 2004.

Aunt Lillian passed away in April of 2007, two months after her 107th birthday.

How I wish she was here to share this news with.

I love these type of photos, and I am lucky enough to have one from my mom and my dad.

Mom is the oldest girl and the 2nd oldest of her family of 11 (younger ones not in photo), and my dad is the baby of his family, also a family of 11. His photo has only the 6 boys, the 3 oldest are girls and not in his photo.  His family had twins that passed in infancy.

The photos were taken years apart as dad born in 1916, and mom born in 1917 so are just a year apart in age in reality although mom is a young lady in her photo, and dad just a little tyke.

I just love how similar they are.   :)

While researching my great grandma, Barbara Bingen Thomas, I attempted to contact the funeral home that handled her burial.  I had to go out, and a friend got the return phone call from Zacheral Funeral Home.

The message my friend passed on was that "when old George Zacheral died (Aug 26, 1930), no records were kept untill the end of the year" 

Great grandma died Sept 1, 1930, so I missed out on any records.  Imagine my frustration, missing by just those few days!

It's one of those stories that brought a smile to my face though. :)

Ok, I'm moving slowly - this is only my 2nd post.  I added a few photos, but I didn't understand the difference between where I first put them in public, or now I moved to blog.   I uploaded 3 photos, this one, and two closeups of the inscriptions.  The windows are in a little church in Ohio in honor on my great great grandparents, and donated by their children.

Thanks to Doris, a local resident who lives within walking distance of the church and so kindly took them and sent them to me. 

Someday I will visit Ohio and visit the church and other landmarks.  My great grandfather, Jonathan along with a few of his siblings moved to Wisconsin, and that is where I live now.

Ok, Since I signed up months ago, I have not been active.  I have resolved in 2009 to get going.  I just got off the phone with a 2nd cousin I have been in contact with for a few years, and met once.  We hope to get to one or more cemeteries near her home, which is about an hour north of where I live.  That was the plan for last spring - so plan B is for this spring!!

Not to make excuses, but with spring flooding, and gas prices etc, not too many trips were taken. 

This is my first blog, so I'm not sure how this all works.  I knew a long time ago, I needed to get more information on my page.  So this is a small step!