TBT- Photos of Yesteryear-- Herman & Stella Weerts

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is my Great-Grandfather & his 2nd wife

Herman "Harm" Weerts & Stella Loveall

This marriage took place on September 1, 1932 in Fairmont, Minnesota. Herman had just lost his wife the previous Spring, but with 7 small children at home I expect a "Mother" for them was a priority.

In 1936, Stella gave birth to a daughter of her own... sadly, in January 1942, at the age of 41- Stella passed away from chronic myocarditis. 

Mystery Photo-- Peoria, Illinois vicinity~

This interesting photo was recently shared among 

family-- trying to identify who it might be.

It looks to be a very early photograph... likely from the Peoria or Metamora, Illinois area-- and connected in someway to the Krumholz, Weber, or Schadt families.

Hopefully, one day, someone else will have a labeled version of this photograph in their collection. Until then, we'll keep searching.

Mystery Photo- Norwood, Minnesota... Hoelz kin?

This mystery photo comes from a Norwood, Minnesota photography studio

It came from a collection of photos that are connected to the Hoelz & Wagner families that lived in the Young America - Norwood area for many years.

Hopefully someone will recognize this fine looking bridal couple and they can once again be identified.

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Weerts Brothers

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

The Sons of Herman & Elizabeth (Weber) Weerts

Gerald, Willard, Jame & Donavon Weerts

Herman & Elizabeth (Weber) Weerts lived in Martin County, Minnesota during their married lives. Elizabeth died as a young woman in 1932 and Herman remarried and moved to Winnebago, MN. 

They had 5 sons- Gerald [1918-1988], Willard [1920-2005], James [1922-1990] & Donavon [1929-2001] are pictured above. Lawrence [1927-2007] is missing from this photo.

Lost Heirloom- Antique Woven Blanket- Martha Ellis

I stumbled upon this amazing family heirloom at a local antique shop. While the $200 price tag is beyond what I can spend to rescue items, I thought it was worth it to spotlight it here, in hopes that a descendant may be tracked down who is in a position to purchase the item.


This old handmade wool blanket is in surprisingly great condition for its age. It would seem it was only used rarely.

Years ago, someone typed up on a typewriter, the history of this blanket... as well as the outline of the family it comes from. 


"Plaid Blanket 
This plaid blanket was spun,
woven and colored by Martha Jane
Smith before she was married to 
Lyman Ellis (b. 6/23/1815 in N.Y. state,
                         d, 10/7/1879)
Martha Jane Smith (b. 6/20/1821 in N.Y. state
                                  d. 2/25/1884)
They were the parents of 
     Rosina, Frederick, Lynus
     Freeman and Norman Ellis

Norman Ellis & Olive Acker Ellis 
     Parents of Sidney, Walter
           Ernest, Laurence and Alice

     Laurence Ellis & Bertha Kipp
            parents of Irene, Perry
                    Homer, Martha, Marian"

From the typed note, it would seem that this blanket was passed on to Norman Ellis and eventually his son Laurence and then to his daughter Martha.  Sometime after this, the blanket was separated from relatives and sold.

Brief research shows that the family originated in New York, and eventually settled in Michigan. Where Lyman & Martha passed away. Lynus died prior to his parents, and probably left no children.

With 5 children, it seems likely that there must be a descendant of Martha, who would treasure & appreciate this stunning family heirloom, in spite of the price tag attached. 

Are you fortunate enough to be a descendant of the maker of this great blanket? I sure hope so!

Let's Get Educated in 2016~ Further Your Knowledge

Right now, RootsTech 2016 is in full swing. Anybody who is anybody is there... while the rest of us sit at home hating them... [well, not really]

If you are scratching your head, wondering just what RootsTech is... well, I'm sure you aren't alone... Officially begun in 2011, it's a wildly popular & hugely attended annual genealogy conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Follow the link above and see what it's all about. 

Because while RootsTech is the impetus for this post, it's not the subject. We're now a month into 2016! Wow. Time is flying.

If you're in a part of the World that is experiencing Winter, perhaps you've found some extra time to sort paper or tackle a brick wall.


Maybe you've been reading some articles or blog posts and have stumbled upon some genealogy related subjects that you're just not very well educated on.

Even after 20 plus years of active research, The Dead Relative Collector here still has certain resources or locations that he's not very knowledgeable on.

And while it is very handy, to hop online and post a question to one of the many genealogy related groups out there, it's still satisfying to do some research & self-educate a little bit.
So I usually try a trusty Google search first! Which often yields a plethora of results. When needed, I'm always eager to post a question or idea to any number of groups I belong to. One of my favorite is the Facebook group Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness - RAOGK USA, with over 22,000 members [and growing daily], it's great place to find knowledgeable people. 

So here I sit in snow covered Minnesota [48 hours post blizzard], jealous that I'm not in Utah at the world's largest genealogy conference and itching to further my own genealogical education. What do I do?

As a Minnesota resident, I'm fortunate to live in a State that values history & has archives and research repositories. I'm also lucky that we have a wonder State Genealogy Society. The Minnesota Genealogical Society offers many classes & educational opportunities throughout the year!

Checking out their upcoming 'events', I see that there are a number of classes & webinars that may be of interest to me. And the large Spring Conference is only a couple of months away! Minnesotans [and those in surrounding states] check this out and see what might be of interest to you!

Fear not! You don't have to live in Minnesota or Utah to partake in genealogy education opportunities!

There are tons of virtual classes out there these days! Dear Myrtle, our famous genealogy guru has been involved in teaching genealogy related subjects forever! Check out the link to her blog... there are links to webinars, etc there.

CyndisList also has a ton of direct links to online course & webinars. I'll be honest, I didn't check out any of the ones she lists, but if you do-- please share!

And don't forget actual books! WHAT? You mean genealogy research that doesn't involve a computer or mobile device? Yes. It can be done. And was done for decades. Research a genealogy reference book that could help further your knowledge-- Top 10 Genealogy Reference Books, is one researchers choice for the top books! Or check Amazon for a book that might be of interest to you. And if you're researched out... read Laverne Galeener-Moore's two hysterical books about our great hobby!

So.... even if, like me, you're stuck home during the world's largest genealogy conference, fear not! There are still plenty of ways to participate in educating yourself. [Or plan ahead for 2017... RootsTech will be held February 8-11]

If you can answer any of these questions, please share in the comments for other readers! Thanks~

What are your favorite webinars?
Is there a genealogy podcast you adore?
Best genealogy book you've ever read?
What classes or seminars are available in your state?

TBT- Photos from Yesteryear- Jehu Mapson

Spotlighting photo from my extensive photo archive

This week is-

Jehu Mapson [1845-1932]

Jehu Mapson was born in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, England to Robert & Ann (Thrush) Mapson, the second of seven children. As a young boy he moved with his family to the United States, settling first in Cambria, WI and later Winnebago, MN.

After the death of his first wife, Henrietta, he remarried to Kate Sharp and they eventually settled in California where Jehu was a prolific farmer, known for his large citrus groves.

He remained in the San Diego area until his death at age 86.