From the Vault: Durango Story

By Eilene Lyon I spoke with my dad the other day. He was widowed not long ago. Even more recently he turned 89. He says his memory isn't great, so he's been asking me questions. One is a query I answer regularly (and reluctantly), so I thought I'd share it here for posterity. "How did... Continue Reading →

A Case of Bastardy

By Eilene Lyon My recent genealogical research has included using a new feature available at Family Search, the free genealogy site owned by the LDS Church. They are now using A.I. to search some of the handwritten documents in their vast collection. This is an A.I. application I can heartily approve. There will never be... Continue Reading →

Drafted and Disabled

By Eilene Lyon Last month I shared some background on my Arbogast ancestors  who migrated to Ohio from Alsace, France. Of the Arbogast children who traveled with their parents to America, my 3rd great-grandfather was John C. Arbogast Jr. He was 12 when he landed in Tuscarawas County in 1840. He still lived with his... Continue Reading →

Alsace Emigrants

By Eilene Lyon It’s time I shared a bit about a neglected line on my family tree, the Arbogasts of Alsace. They immigrated from a tiny village or commune in the Bas-Rhin department of France called Rittershoffen. The prefecture (capital) of Bas-Rhin is Strasbourg, a major city on the Upper Rhine River. Rittershoffen is about... Continue Reading →

Bio Bite: Charlotte Mabel Halse

By Eilene Lyon Charlotte Mabel Halse Frydendall (1918–2007) I remember grandaunt Charlotte from childhood visits to the Frydendall cabin at Seal Rock, Oregon. They enlarged it when her husband, Cecil, retired and they could live there full-time. Charlotte grew up with her ten siblings in Codington County, South Dakota. Her brother, Al, worked with Cecil... Continue Reading →

Around the Sun Again

By Eilene Lyon Today I celebrate another trip around the sun. I thought it might be a good time to reflect on my arrival on this Earthly Plane, oh-so-long ago. First a little background. My father was in ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) in college. He married my mother after their junior year, and upon... Continue Reading →

Bio Bite: Alvin Treslin Halse

By Eilene Lyon Alvin Treslin Halse (1915–2007) Grandpa Everett and his youngest brother, Alvin, were the “runts” of the Halse family. Despite his stature, Al played basketball for the Florence, S.D., high school. Older siblings Inez and Lloyd were like second parents to him. In the late 30s and 1940s he worked in a Corvallis,... Continue Reading →

Stella Braves The Storm

This post about one of my great-grandmothers (who I never met) was popular. Originally published April 18, 2018. EL Week 16: #52 Ancestors – Storms By Eilene Lyon Stella Gusso didn’t ordinarily let the farm dog in the house, but something didn’t feel right. The building clouds were ominous-looking. Stella’s husband and the other men... Continue Reading →

An Invitation to Heidelsheim

This piece was one of my first efforts for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks program by Amy Johnson Crow. I completed three full years and did a smattering for a fourth year. Now I'm just randomly doing my family history posts among other topic. Originally published January 27, 2018. EL Week 4: #52Ancestors -... Continue Reading →

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