What a very different year this has been. The loss of my parents was more than devestating on me, but as typical Stratton fashion, I pulled myself up by my proverbial bootstraps and moved on.
Update on Vickie. I found her son on Facebook. His name is Nathan and he is a wonderful person. He lives in North Carolina with his wife. I am hoping to get down there to see him sometime in this next year.
I also connected with other Stratton cousins: Ruthie and Richie (Uncle Ronald's children). So, I feel like while I lost two people who were a tremendous part of my life, I also gained some more relatives.
I went to NC with my family and Granddad for the Lackey/Sharpe Reunion. Thanks to Facebook, I am getting to know distant cousins. We're talking 5th and 6th cousins! So, my family continues to grow in many ways.
Successes: Alexander made it to Eagle Scout. To say that we are proud of him is an understatement. He worked hard and didn't let anything or anyone or any situation get in his way. He really deserves to be an Eagle.
Alec is on his way to driving. He finished his in class portion of the class and when we return from Utah in a couple weeks, he will beging the driving portion. We can't wait to have another driver in the family.
Gaby and Alec are both homechooing and moving at a steady pace. Both have the goal to graduate high school early. I think they will succeed.
Ken started a new job and seems to be loving it. He now only has a 20 minute commute as opposed to an hour and a half. Sweet!
I'm doing fine. I have new projects. I'm working on restoring civil war cemeteries here in Prince William County. It is a labour of love. So many cemeteries are in wrack and ruin and need help.
Finally, one more success for Ken and myself. At the first of September, Ken and I both began a low carb diet. To date he has dropped from 250 to 212. I have dropped from 206 to 178. Not too shabby!
Well, that is the year in a nutshell.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
A new cousin
Yesterday I received Aunt Vickie's death certificate in the mail. I notice a name in the Informant's section and decided to follow through and find out who this person is. I looked up on whitepages and found out that the person named is 33 years old. I realized that since Vickie was 55, perhaps this person is her son. So... where do we go these days to find people? You got it! Facebook! I have reached out to my cousin and am looking forward to hearing back from him.
On another note....
All the temple ready work is done and in order for the Youth Conference trip. I believe I have enough names for all the youth to do a baptism. Now I am going to take each name and place them on an index card with a bio. So, when the youth go to do the baptisms, they have some information about the person they are baptising. This is going to be one awesome Youth Conference!
On another note....
All the temple ready work is done and in order for the Youth Conference trip. I believe I have enough names for all the youth to do a baptism. Now I am going to take each name and place them on an index card with a bio. So, when the youth go to do the baptisms, they have some information about the person they are baptising. This is going to be one awesome Youth Conference!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Verification of death
Well, when all else fails, go through the back door.
I was having a dickens of a time finding out if my aunt Vickie truly did pass away this past January. As you know, I had written to my aunt's apartment -- addressing the letter to the male roommates. The letter came back with no forwarding address. I sent the letter again addressed to Vickie, hoping that the executor of the Estate would receive the letter. I received it back with a postal mark stating DECEASED.
A friend of mine suggested that I contact the Medical Examiner's Office. I did, and he directed me to the County Courthouse. For $1 (as opposed to Ancestry's $80+ fee), I received an uncertified copy of the death certificate which arrived today. Cause of death... sleep apnea!
I am not closing the case on Vickie. I will continue to try and locate the man who was living with her at the time of death. He is also listed as the informant. I want to learn about my aunt, who she was and what her life was like.
I had also sent away for her birth certificate from Texas. I received back a form to complete and another monetary request. (I had already paid them.) I will send that form in with a copy of her death certificate and see what information I can ascertain about her mother from that document. I already know her name and maiden name, but hopefully it will list her birthplace.
The request for the marriage/divorce certificate for Ruth Holmes (my grandmother) was unattainable by the location/agency I contacted. They did give me another location to research. I'll reach out to them tomorrow.
I was having a dickens of a time finding out if my aunt Vickie truly did pass away this past January. As you know, I had written to my aunt's apartment -- addressing the letter to the male roommates. The letter came back with no forwarding address. I sent the letter again addressed to Vickie, hoping that the executor of the Estate would receive the letter. I received it back with a postal mark stating DECEASED.
A friend of mine suggested that I contact the Medical Examiner's Office. I did, and he directed me to the County Courthouse. For $1 (as opposed to Ancestry's $80+ fee), I received an uncertified copy of the death certificate which arrived today. Cause of death... sleep apnea!
I am not closing the case on Vickie. I will continue to try and locate the man who was living with her at the time of death. He is also listed as the informant. I want to learn about my aunt, who she was and what her life was like.
I had also sent away for her birth certificate from Texas. I received back a form to complete and another monetary request. (I had already paid them.) I will send that form in with a copy of her death certificate and see what information I can ascertain about her mother from that document. I already know her name and maiden name, but hopefully it will list her birthplace.
The request for the marriage/divorce certificate for Ruth Holmes (my grandmother) was unattainable by the location/agency I contacted. They did give me another location to research. I'll reach out to them tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Frustrated Research Efforts
Today I received mail! I get excited about mail when I am waiting to hear from ancestral inquiries. We'll start with my Aunt Vickie.
As you recall, I sent a letter to her last known address where she died. At first I addressed it to the men who were rooming with her. That returned to me. Then I decided to send the letter addressed to her (with a letter inside directed to the Executor of her Estate). That letter came back to me today with a yellow sticker from the postal service and handwritten scrawl which read DECEASED.I guess we are at the end of the line here with Vickie. For now. Still trying to locate the men that resided with her.
Next was the hunt for my grandmother Ruth Stratton's marriage or divorce record from Mr. Buzzell. I received a No Record Found statement from the Department of Health. They have referred me to the clerk of the Massachusetts Archives. Fortunately, I was provided with a phone number so I will call tomorrow and see what is required.
On the graveyard service project. I have begun to research the families in the graveyard. Many of them were born into slavery and achieved freedom as an adult or early childhood. NewFamilySearch indicates that some of the names have been entered through Extraction work. I am entering in the other names for temple work. We will pass these names on to the youth so that they can do the baptisms before cleaning the cemetery. How wonderful to serve these people in so many ways! In my research I am learing about thier family and their lives. I am very touched. One night I had to stop my research because it became too emotional to go on. We are so blessed to live at a time and in a place where we can be free.
I will post photos of the graveyard soon.
As you recall, I sent a letter to her last known address where she died. At first I addressed it to the men who were rooming with her. That returned to me. Then I decided to send the letter addressed to her (with a letter inside directed to the Executor of her Estate). That letter came back to me today with a yellow sticker from the postal service and handwritten scrawl which read DECEASED.
Next was the hunt for my grandmother Ruth Stratton's marriage or divorce record from Mr. Buzzell. I received a No Record Found statement from the Department of Health. They have referred me to the clerk of the Massachusetts Archives. Fortunately, I was provided with a phone number so I will call tomorrow and see what is required.
On the graveyard service project. I have begun to research the families in the graveyard. Many of them were born into slavery and achieved freedom as an adult or early childhood. NewFamilySearch indicates that some of the names have been entered through Extraction work. I am entering in the other names for temple work. We will pass these names on to the youth so that they can do the baptisms before cleaning the cemetery. How wonderful to serve these people in so many ways! In my research I am learing about thier family and their lives. I am very touched. One night I had to stop my research because it became too emotional to go on. We are so blessed to live at a time and in a place where we can be free.
I will post photos of the graveyard soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
