My mom’s maternal grandfather, Arthur George, was born November 3, 1881 in a hamlet called Edge End in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. Arthur was the oldest of eight children (six boys and two girls) born to James William George and Sarah Jane Howell. Arthur grew up in the Forest of Dean, a rural … Continue reading Arthur George
Author: tkjensen
Edward Cabell Cannaday
My mom’s paternal grandfather, Edward Cabell Cannaday, was born in Virginia on March 19, 1881, to Tazwell Howard Cannaday and Julia Ann Foster. Edward was born in rural Floyd County, which sits on a plateau in southwestern Virginia between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. Edward's interesting middle name likely comes from William H. Cabell … Continue reading Edward Cabell Cannaday
Esther Yemm
My mom’s maternal grandmother, Esther Yemm, was born January 7, 1879 in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. Her parents, Richard Yemm and Esther Cooper, had six children (three boys and three girls). Esther was the oldest and the only one without a middle name. Esther was always known as Tot to her grandchildren, but … Continue reading Esther Yemm
Lillie Caroline Herpst
My dad’s paternal grandmother, Lillie Caroline Herpst, was born in Butler, Montgomery County, Illinois, on December 1, 1868. Lillie’s German-born parents were John Charles Henry Herpst and Caroline Milberg. Lillie was the third of nine children born to John and Caroline, all girls except the oldest and the youngest. Lillie also had six older half-siblings … Continue reading Lillie Caroline Herpst
Henry A. Myers
My dad’s paternal grandfather, Henry A. Myers, was born in Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois, on May 26, 1867. Henry’s parents were Andrew J. Myers and Emily J. Holmes. Great-grandfather Henry was the second of four children. His older sister Minnie was born in 1866 and his younger brothers Albert and William were born in 1869 … Continue reading Henry A. Myers
Same Song, Different Verse
I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting the grandparents. Now it’s time to step back a generation and visit with the grandparents’ parents, my eight great-grands. The great-grandparents were born between 1867 and 1885. The four on my dad’s side of the family were all born in Illinois. On my mom’s side, one was born in Ohio, … Continue reading Same Song, Different Verse
Evelyn Josephine Nichols
Snap.…snap.…snap flash! There’s Grandma Evelyn with her ever-present Kodak Instamatic! Come sit awhile, Grandma, and let’s hear about you. The youngest of my four grandparents is my dad’s mother, Evelyn Josephine Nichols. Evelyn was born in Galesburg, Illinois on December 5, 1908, to Finis Ewing Nichols and Edythe Mae Siepel. Grandma Evelyn was the second … Continue reading Evelyn Josephine Nichols
Edward Ernest Cannaday
What’s that I hear? It’s the lovely strains of Humoresque on the violin! Edward, hello! Put down your bow and let’s hear about you now. The third oldest of my four grandparents is my mom’s father, Edward Ernest Cannaday. Edward was born in Peoria, Illinois on June 24, 1908, to Edward Cabell Cannaday and Martha … Continue reading Edward Ernest Cannaday
Ruby Kathleen George
A beautifully manicured red fingernail just tapped me on the shoulder. Hello, Ruby! Yes, it’s your turn now! The second oldest of my four grandparents is my mom’s mother, Ruby Kathleen Melbra George. Ruby was born in Cuba, Illinois (pop. 2,000) on April 6, 1908, to Arthur George and Esther Yemm. Esther broke with tradition … Continue reading Ruby Kathleen George
Henry A. Myers, Jr.
My dad’s father, Henry A. Myers, Jr., was born in Peoria, Illinois on January 2, 1908, to Henry A. Myers, Sr. and Lillie Caroline Herpst. Grandpa Hank's birth record shows his middle name and his father’s as “Anderson,” but his was lined through and replaced with the initial “A”—I wonder if the correction was made at … Continue reading Henry A. Myers, Jr.
The Singing Oak 