Thankful Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope everyone's day is filled with as little stress as possible.  Make sure to take time to reflect on how much easier we have it compared to our ancestors and that the "Good Ol' Days" weren't always so good!

I read a wonderful post on Wednesday from a blog I follow called, "Living on a Dime," and it's a post well worth reading.  It reminds us all to be thankful for the things we've got even if they aren't quite perfect or what we want.  Give it a read and share your thanks.

In the spirit of giving thanks, these are a few of the things that I'm grateful for:

-My husband.  For being able to tolerate my moodiness and late nights.  Who always supports my dreams and keeps me grounded and focused on what is really important in life and for giving me two beautiful boys (for Christmas I would like a third).

-My boys.  They may drive me absolutely nuts sometimes, but I'm a tough woman to please.  They are incredibly smart and well behaved.  They don't get into trouble in school and only pick on each other.  They are extremely empathetic and strive to do what's right.

-My family.  We're talking everyone not living in my house now.  I've got a great mother and step-father, three incredible sisters, awesome cousins, aunt and uncles, and a gorgeous niece.  And that's only on my side of the family.  I've also been blessed to have just about the best in-laws in the world.  In fact, I don't really look at them as in-laws.  They are family, mother, father, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and 5 of the handsomest nephews and cutest niece (and grand-niece) I could have ever asked for.

-You.  Without you reading all the silliness I post, I'd be talking to myself and on my way to being committed!  Your encouragement, advice and support mean more than I could ever say.

-My government.  Yes, people complain about those folks in power, and they aren't getting much done right now, but it's the best in the world regardless of it's drawbacks.

-Health.  My family (apart from some cooties here and there) are fairly healthy.

-Health insurance.  For having insurance so that when we aren't healthy we can get better and for check ups and immunizations that keep us from getting sick.  To exist without it would be devastating and unimaginable.

-Water.  The severe drought in Texas reminds me how lucky we are to still have water when some communities are beginning to run out.

-My house.  It's not my dream home, but it's beautiful, sturdy, and clean.  It shelters us from the excessive summer heat, the crazy Killeen winds, and the cold (if you can believe that it gets cold, here...it does!).

-Food.  We are lucky to have food when there are many people that will be going without not just on Thanksgiving, but go hungry each day.  Remember them and not just during the holidays.

-My church.  I don't go as frequently as I should, but it does lift me up and remind me of the person I want to be.  It reminds me of my heritage and ancestors each time I go.  It is something we have in common.

-A good school for my children.  To have a school that has teachers that care for and educate my children, that challenge my children and encourage my children.  To know that they are safe at school and that they are in the best learning environment we could give them, inspires me to tolerate the PTA nonsense that has been holding up my business and career goals.

-The PTA.  Ironic isn't it, but it's true.  Parent involvement, regardless of how pathetically low it is nowadays, is essential for our children.  The PTA is a great resource for families, schools, teachers and the community.  Being their president has helped me learn to be a bit more diplomatic and less drill-sergeant-like when dealing with less than nice people (but the drill sergeant does come out when needed).

-Cub Scouts.  I cannot say how important scouting is to our family.  I wasn't an active parent in scouting when I first started and pushed it off as a father-son activity.  It is not.  It has helped me work with my oldest son to prepare him for independence better than I could have done alone.  It has forced me to let go and let him be the wonderful young man that he is and that he will be.  It has taught him so many life lessons.  My Pack is exceptional as are it's leaders and boys.

I could go on all night.  I realize now, and need to every day, that no matter how hard things are, they are not too bad.  Sure someone has it better than I do.  I'm the 99%...but you know, many people have it worse than I do.  I will be thinking and praying for those struggling during the holidays and throughout the year and hoping that our nation can eventually be one, where kids don't go to bed hungry or in a car (or worse).

So this season when you hear that bell ringing, or see that giving tree, or the box for the local food drive, give thanks for what you have and then give...even a little...to help someone else that isn't as fortunate.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and pass the cranberry sauce!

Wedding Wednesday - Mr and Mrs Wilbert Dart's Golden Anniversary

"Golden Wedding - Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Dart, rt. 3, Luxemburg, recently observed their 50th wedding anniversary.  They have one daughter, one granddaughter and one great-grandson."

Wilbert is my husband's great great uncle.  He was born on February 18, 1897 in Wisconsin and is the son of Eugene and Josephine Dart nee Hermans and was the youngest of 12 known children.    Wilbert married Alice Delveaux at the end of December 1919 or the beginning of January 1920 (I found a website which noted a license issued on 02JAN1920, so I need to check into this some more), and had one daughter, Bertha.

Wilbert served in the Army during WWI.  He enlisted/was drafted on August 8, 1918 and was discharged on September 2, 1919.  Just over a year of service.  He died on June 11, 1984 in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.

Alice Delveaux was born on Jun 4, 1893 (parents unknown) in Wisconsin.  She died on December 15, 1976 in Luxemburg, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.  Alice and Wilbert are buried in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

[Hand-dated December 28, 1969.  This was most likely the anniversary date rather than the publication date and was most likely published in the Green Bay Press-Gazette]

Tombstone Tuesday - Eugene and Josephine Dart

Eugene and Josephine's tombstone (why did I not clean it when I was there!)

Eugene Dart

Eugene and Josephine Dart nee Hermans are my husband's 2nd great grandparents.  Eugene was born on September 18, 1845 in  Grand-Leez, Namur, Belgium to Jean Baptiste Sr and Marie Josephe Dart nee Podor.  He was the fourth of six known children: Jean Baptiste Jr, Marie Julienne, Jules Joseph, Eugene (of course), Antoinette, and Desira.

He married Josephine Hermans in 1871 in Wisconsin and they had twelve known children:

Louisa
Charles
Jean Baptiste
Odile (also spelled Odele)
Adolphe
Jule
Desirea
Mary (my husband's great grandmother)
August Joseph
William
Eli
Wilbert

Josephine Dart nee Hermans

Josephine was born in Belgium (location unknown) on March 23, 1851 to Charles and Josephe Hermans nee Landeck.  While I haven't been able to confirm any siblings enough to warrant putting them in my tree (I've found some, but my research hasn't convinced me yet!), I was able to find another tid-bit while searching for this blog post...Her parents' marriage in Belgium!  Very nice...different blog post though!

Eugene died in 1924 and Josephine died on October 25, 1930 in Wisconsin.  They are buried in Saint Martin's Cememtery, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.


[Thank you Cheryl (no not me) for sharing the Dart pictures with me!]

Military Monday - T/5 Norman Falish, A Casualty of WWII

Green Bay Press-Gazette

Norman enlisted (according to WWII Enlistment records on Ancestry.com) on December 1, 1942 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  He enlisted to be a Warrant Officer and his rank in the Ancestry.com database for "US Rosters of WWII Dead" is Technician Fifth Grade.  His service number was 36287378 and before enlisting he was a Machinist.  He is listed as being single with dependents (according to Ancestry enlistment records).  Perhaps his parents were considered his dependents?

While conducting some research on Norman in order to find a year of death for him, I was able to connect with a fellow Ancestry.com researcher that had Norman in his family tree.  He was able to relate to me the information on Norman's tombstone and that he is buried in Robinsonville Presbyterian Cemetery, Champion, Brown Cty, WI.  Norman was born on September 22, 1922 and died on December 13, 1944 in France.  His tombstone reads, "In memory of our son, T/5 Norman Falish, gave his life in defense of his country in France" and then there is a veteran marker that gives his unit as, "411 Infantry, 103 Infantry Division, WWII".  His parents are also listed on his tombstone as Mr. and Mrs. John Falish (just like in the obituary).  Thank you, Bruce for all the great information!

His obituary states that he had five brothers.  Looking at the 1930 census his parents were John and Minnie Falish and his brothers were Charles, Goldie, Alvin, Clarence, and John.  On this census there were 3 cousins living with the family at that time with a last name of Laurent.  Seeing that I think that perhaps Norman was a distant relative of my husband's since the hubby's paternal grandmother was a Laurent and she was the initial clipper of all these newspaper articles I have.  Now I just have to figure out the family connection!

Want a wrench thrown into the research works?  When I was searching Ancestry to see which of his brothers were also serving (and if any were casualties as well), I came across a card in the "AJHA WWII Jewish Servicemen Cards" for a T/5 Norman Falish with a next of kin listed as Minnie Falish from Wisconsin.  The inquiry date would have been after his death.  I'll need to look into these cards some more, because on first glance I'm told that they were for Jewish-American Soldiers that served, but Norman was listed on his enlistment papers as Protestant.  Interesting.  Perhaps a parent/grandparent was Jewish.  Unfamiliar ground to me, but isn't that what makes all this research interesting!?!  Anyone with Jewish research experience that may be able to shed the light on any of this.  Granted, I have conducted a reasonably exhaustive search, but so far I'm fairly certain that these Normans are the same person.

Onward to the obituary!

"Memorial Services for Norman Falish Sunday

Special to Press-Gazette

NEW FRANKEN, Wis. - Memorial services for T/5 Norman Falish, who died Dec. 13 from wounds received in action in France, will be held at 10 o'clock Sunday morning at the Robinsonville Presbyterian church, with the Rev. Marvin Kruse in charge.  Two young ladies of the church will sing special humans.

Born Sept. 24, 1922, in the town of Scott, T/5 Falish entered the Army Dec. 12, 1942, and had been overseas only a few months before being fatally wounded.

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Falish, New Franken, and five brothers, two of them in the Army."

The two brothers that served?  Charles (enlisted 04JUN1942) Alvin (enlisted 19NOV1942).  Something not mentioned in the article?  Another brother, John Falish (Jr.), enlisted after his big brother, Norman, died.  His enlistment date was 26JUN1944.  They all survived the war.

[This clipping was one of many passed on to me by my mother-in-law from Green Bay, WI.  There is no date on the clipping.]

Sunday's Obituary - Jule Dart

Jule Dart was my husband's great grand uncle and the sixth child of Eugene and Josephine Dart nee Hermans.  He was born on February 5, 1882 in Wisconsin.

The obituary did a pretty good job at naming his siblings and children, but since it only mentioned their married surnames, I'll correct that here (such a pet peeve of mine, but it was a sign of the times).

The children of Eugene and Josephine were: Louisa, Charles, Jean Baptiste, Odele (as spelled Odile) Vandenhouten (spelled differently in our tree than below), Adolphe, Jule, Desirea Vandenhouten, Mary Laurent (my husband's great grandmother), August, William, Eli, and Wilbert.

Discovery - I didn't have a husband for Louisa in my tree, but apparently I need to look into Louis Mathy!

Jule and Odile had five known children: Louis, Anna Le Mense, Melvin, Julius, and Lillian Claflin/Killen

Discovery - Lillian's husband's name is listed in the obituary of her brother, Melvin, as Joseph Claflin.  I imagine that she married a second time, and that her first husband was Ed Killen, but I need to verify this.

"Jule Dart Dies in Hospital at Age 67

Jule Dart, 67, 1256 Day street, died Sunday afternoon in a local hospital. He had been ill for a year, and had been a patient at the hospital for one day.

Born in Tonet, he was married to the former Odile Motquin 45 years ago. He was formerly employed in Brussels, and worked as a farmer until five years ago when he and Mrs. Dart moved to Green Bay.

Survivors are his wife; three sons, Melvin, Sturgeon Bay; Julius, Little Sturgeon, and Louis, Green Bay; two daughters, Mrs. Ed Killen, Sturgeon Bay, and Mrs. William Lemense, Green Bay; 12 grandchildren; five brothers, John, August and William of Tonet, Eli of Luxemburg, and Wilbert, Walhain; and four sisters, Mrs. Louis Mathy, La Crosse, Mrs. Eugene Van Den Houten and Mrs. Victor Laurent of Green Bay, and Mrs. Louis Van Den Houten of Tonet.

The body is at the Dupont-Malcore Funeral home where the rosary will be said at 8 o'clock each evening, with the Rev. Peter Skell in charge Wednesday evening.

Funeral services will be held at 9 o'clock Thursday morning in SS. Peter and Paul church. Father Skell will officiate and burial will be in St. Martin cemetery in Tonet."

[Hand dated December 25, 1949.  There is no publication information but the clipping was most likely from the Green Bay Press Gazette and the date most likely refers to the date of death rather than publication]

Wedding Wednesday - Mr and Mrs Eli Dart's Golden Anniversary

Seeing a Golden Anniversary has always fascinated me.  You don't see them all the time. Making that landmark anniversary is a true testament to the love between to people.

Eli Dart was the son of Eugene and Josephine Dart nee Hermans.  He was the 11th of 12 known children and was born on September 21, 1894 in Wisconsin.  He enlisted in the Army during World War I on March 28, 1918 and was discharged on September 5, 1919.  Shortly thereafter he married Edith (last name unknown) on November 11, 1919, and died on February 21, 1982.  Edith was born on July 10, 1899 in Wisconsin and died in October 13, 1981.  They are buried in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

"Wed 50 Years - Mr. and Mrs. Eli Dart, Rt. 3, Luxemburg, recently observed their 50th wedding anniversary.  They were married Nov. 11, 1919 at Tonet and have one daughter, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren."

The clipping was passed on to me by my mother-in-law and was hand-dated 1969.  There is no publication information for the clipping, but it was most likely from the local Green Bay newspaper the Press-Gazette.

Tombstone Tuesday - Do You Understand What it Says?

A tombstone can tell you a lot...if you know what it says!

Here we have a tombstone for Ernestine E. Hermann.  It tells you that her maiden name (name at birth/born as) was Muller (also spelled with an umlaut over the "u", and as Mueller).  It also tells you that her husband was Valentin Hermann.  She was born on September 28, 1860 and died on May 18, 1904.

Now most genealogists would be able to figure most of that out without knowing German, but if you weren't careful you could get it wrong.

Anyway, Valentin and Ernestine Hermann nee Muller are my husband's 2nd great grandparents.  Ernestine was born in Germany and they were married in Wisconsin around 1881. They had 5 known children:  Carl, Elizabeth, Dorathea (my husband's great grandmother), George and Valentine (Jr).  Ernestine and Valentin are buried in Union Cemetery, Theresa, Dodge County, WI

A bit odd.  I never realized that Ernestine was only 43 when she died.  She was fairly young. Sometimes I forget that just because these people lived what seems to be a long time ago, it doesn't mean that they were actually old.  How sad that she still had children that were living at home when she died.  I will have to go in search of her death certificate (which I may have in a stack of papers), because I would like to know why she died so young.