Society Saturday - Huguenots in Illinois

The Illinois chapter of the National Huguenot Society met in Northbrook, IL for our semi-annual meeting.  The room had a lovely view of the DesPlaines river - too bad it was pouring rain outside.

Members of the National Huguenot Society descend from a Huguenot - a French Protestant who, due to religious persecution, was forced to flee France to other countries in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Our speaker at this meeting was Jeannine Sheldon Kallal, former Registrar General for the Society.  She spoke on the history of the Huguenots beginning with the Protestant Reformation in 1517 and continuing until the Edict of Toleration in 1787.  It was a well-researched and interesting talk.

http://www.huguenot.netnation.com/

Society Saturday - The "Witch Book"

I've been terrible about keeping up with my blogging lately, but I have a good excuse.  Every evening has been devoted to finishing my book.  It is the "Associated Daughters of Early American Witches Roll of Ancestors".  I have compiled genealogical information on over 300 people who were accused, tried, or convicted of witchcraft in 17th century America.  They are all eligible ancestors for ADEAW.  I finished the book just in time for the 25th Anniversary celebration of the society on April 14.  Since that time, I have been busy collecting orders and shipping the books.

Writing this book has been quite an experience - I started about 5 years ago when I was the Registrar of the organization.  I have spent quite a lot of time in libraries and online researching their accusations as well as three generations of their lineage.  Then came the editing, decisions on formatting, etc.  Of course, the editing, indexing, adding the forword, etc. all took longer than expected.  Next came time to pick a publisher and apply for copyright.  All in all, it was worth it - now I just need to get the books out of my foyer and to the post office.

Did I mention that since the book was sent to the publisher, we found two more eligible ancestors?  I have already started a file for the second edition - but I need to catch up with every thing else in my life first :-)

If you are interested in more information about Associated Daughters of Early American Witches or our Roll of Ancestors, our website is http://www.adeaw.us/.

Military Monday - The Steinbrecher Brothers in World War I

My grandfather and his brothers contributed to the American Cause during World War I. 

They were the children of John William Steinbrecher who immigrated from Russia in 1892.

My grandfather was:
John Steinbrecher, born 22 June 1894 at Wauseon, OH.  He enlisted in the Army on 24 June 1918 as a Private in the 336th Infantry.  He was honorably discharged at Camp Sherman, OH on 9 December 1918.

John Steinbrecher in 1918

His older brother Henry Steinbrecher was born 10 September 1890 at Saratov, Russia.  He enlisted in the Army at Wauseon, OH on 2 October 1917.  Prior to going overseas he married Rosa Kaiser on 24 March 1918 at Fulton Co., OH.  He was part of the American Expeditionary Forces beginning 6 June 1918, first joining Compay A 329 Infantry until 29 July 1918, then Company B 38 Infantry.  The 38th Infantry fought in the Second Battle of the Marne, one of the turning points of the war in Europe.  He died of wounds on 17 October 1918 in France.

Henry and Rosa (Kaiser) Steinbrecher in 1918

His younger brother Lorenz Louis Steinbrecher was born 18 September 1898 at Fulton Co., OH.  He was living in Hammond, IN but joined the Army at Defiance, OH on the same date his older brother died.  He was at the Student's Army Training Corps at the College at Defiance until his honorable discharge on 20 December 1918. 

The Students Army Training Corps was a program started by the U.S. War Department during WWI that was designed to use existing colleges and universities to train new military personnel.  In addition to the usual college courses, there was daily instruction in military procedure.

An ad from The Herald of Gospel Liberty, published by Defiance College

Their oldest brother was William Steinbrecher, born 13 August 1882 in Russia.   He registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 while living at Lenawee Co., MI.  He was 36 years old and was not called upon to serve.

Their youngest brother was Arthur E. Steinbrecher, born 25 May 1906 at Wauseon, OH.  He was only 12 years old when the Great War ended.

Military Monday - Nathaniel Ormsby

I would like to pay tribute to one of my Revolutionary War Ancestors, Nathaniel Ormsby.

Nathaniel Ormsby who was born on 7 November 1734 at Norwich, CT, the son of Samuel and Dinah (Fisher) Ormsby.  He married Elizabeth Perkins on 7 May 1759 at Norwich, CT.  She was born 28 March 1740 at Norwich, CT to Robert and Lydia (Bushnell) Perkins. 

Nathaniel served as an Ensign in the French and Indian War.

Nathaniel and Elizabeth had 8 children:
1.  Nathaniel Ormsby
2. Lydia Ormsby, born 24 February 1761 at Norwich, CT
3. Anne Ormsby, born 11 January 1763 at Norwich, CT
4. Salle Ormsby, born 15 September 1765 at Norwich, CT
5. Elizabeth Ormsby, born 1 September 1768 at Norwich, CT
6. Samuel Ormsby, born 10 November 1770 at Norwich, CT and died there 3 April 1771.
7. Eunice Ormsby, born 26 November 1772 at Norwich, CT and married Ezra Phillips, Jr.
8. Samuel Ormsby, born 30 August 1775 at Norwich, CT and married Rachel Day.

In 1776, Nathaniel moved his family to the "far west", now known as Hampshire Co., MA.  The following year, he volunteered in the Continental Army.   He served as a Private in Col. Nixon's Sixth Regiment from 15 May 1777.  He was captured by the British and died at Albany, NY while captive on 25 October 1777.

After his death, Elizabeth married Deacon William P. Miller on 24 September 1778 at Huntington, MA and had two more children.

Nathaniel was one of thousands who were held captive by the British during the Revolutionary War.  Approximately 80% of those POW's died in captivity. 



Thankful Thursday - A Grandparent by Any Other Name...

Is still a grandparent... (apologies to Shakespeare).

There are many names for grandparents - here are a few from my family:

On my father's side -
"Grandma Kern" and
"Grandma Hill" 
Grandma Hill was my great-grandmother and Grandma Kern's mother and they've always been known as such to distinguish them.
I never knew my paternal grandfathers.

Jessie (Hill) Ormsby Kern and Nancy Jane (Wiley) Hill, 1944

On my mother's side, I had -
"Grandpa"  
I never knew my maternal grandmother.

Me with John Steinbrecher, Christmas Eve 1965

My daughters have -
My mother started off as "Grandma".  When my older daughter was three she asked if she could call her "Grammy" instead and it stuck.  When my sister's daughter was little she tried to say "Grammy" but is came out "Goggy".  Now my mother answers to "Grammy" and "Goggy" interchangeably.

My father died before my girls were born.  They learned from family photos that he was their Grandpa but somehow became known as "Old Grandpa" instead.

Donald Edward and Ruth (Steinbrecher) Ormsby, 1988

On their father's Austro-hungarian side, the girls had "Oma" and "Opa" - the german terms of endearment for grandparents.

Josef and Gertrude (Parzer) Nagy, 1988

 They also had "Ur-Oma", their great-grandmother.

Me with Maria (Oellinger) Parzer, 1985

What do you call your grandparents?

Society Saturday - I see the light!

Chicago Colony New England Women and Illinois Branch Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims recently had a joint meeting with a guest presenter.  Dan Mattausch, from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History gave a very informative presentation  on historic lighting.

We learned that the first light sources in the colonies were candles - usually made of beeswax or tallow.  Colonists used light for the task at hand, not for lighting the whole room.

Soon after, various types of oil would be used in lamps - an early oil used on the east coast was whale oil.  An advancement in oil lamps was the "Betty Lamp" which kept oil in a covered container to keep animals from eating the fuel.

The next major advancement was the Argand lamp in 1784.  The wick was replaced by a hollow wick to allow more air to burn, resulting in a longer, brighter burn.  This was initially a lamp for the elite and servants or slaves would keep it tended.  Miles improved on this by changing the burner so that it would screw in, allowing the lamp to be carried without spilling the fuel.  It also became more affordable.

Other types of oil were used as well, such as turpentine (aka "burning oil") which was much more flammable than previously used whale oil.  Lard was used by many people who lived on farms.  Kerosene was widely used until the advent of electric lighting.

It is always interesting to learn about how different our ancestors' lives were from ours!

Thankful Thursday - I am thankful for...

Every year, we try to get together with my mother and my sister's family for the holidays.  Before we start eating our Thanksgiving meal, we go around the table and say what we are thankful for.

Our responses five year ago (2006) were:
Ruth (my mother) - "My family, being all together today and for our new houses"

Donna (my daughter, age 14 - "My wonderful loving family, everyone who has supported me and been by my side through everything, the gift God gave to me to play music, and Dr. Cole for fixing me" (the year of her knee injuries and surgery)

Robin (my sister) - "The good health of my family"

Jeremy (my brother-in-law) - "Family gathering, Good health, life experience and Good fortune"

Zoe (my niece, age 5) - she drew a picture of her family

Amanda (my daughter, age 9) - "The World" :-)

Regan (my niece, age 4) - she drew a picture of her mom

Me - "My 2 wonderful daughters"

What are you thankful for today?