Christmas Photo 2019

Our Houston Family and Extended Family.......25 December 2019   Houston, Texas
Darcy, Scott(younger son) and Spencer behind John and Judy Webb. Barbara Shaw, m/Molly. David Webb with grandson Max, David (s/David) w/d Kate and Molly Shaw Webb, her father behind, Robert. The Bundscho and Elden Families: Danica and Nealy Elden with Grandparents Joe and Linda Elden Bundscho, Cynthia and Neal Elden with Aunt Biddie Elden Webb (g/m of Max and Kate).
25 December 2019 at Bundscho residence, Houston. Much Fun and Memories made by All.

Normal Wonderful Christmas time.

Solving a Family Mystery

9 Demember 2019

 Received Saturday 7 Dec 2019 a Death Certificate that was ordered for my Great Aunt Henrietta Cleveland, born 1861, Henry Co, Georgia. Her parents are James H and Frances Fanny Jackson Cleveland.

What a dreadful time to begin life, Georgia and Henry county felt the full brunt of war. Her father dies while she is a babe or toddler. The exact date of his death and location of burial is unknown. Henrietta is the eight child. Both James and Fanny's parents lived in the county and certainly helped. The James/Frances Cleveland family is not found in the 1870 Federal census and the 1880 census finds Henrietta age 19 the only child at home with her mother. The missing 1890 census and the lack of marriage records for the last three children leaves a lot unknown. For the first twenty years of my researching, many miles on my car, many cranks of microfilm readers and many books perused to find little information on Henrietta. Wonderfully one day Ancestry.com appeared online and later affordable DNA testing producing DNA Matches and methods to find missing kin.

In the summer of 2019 I began to think I am kin to everyone. My DNA Matches said I had over 170,000 cousin matches!! Of course, I would guess, about one-half have small to NO trees. Two first cousins on my maternal side tested making  it easy to divide my Matches between Maternal and Paternal. The McCleskey Family in Georgia has a published book and my main concern is to work on Maternal side: Holt, Bustre, Cleveland, two different Jackson families,Kite, Shaw, Dodd, and a  name very unusual to me, Stalnaker among others. It was fascinating to see interesting and unusual names that didn't seem to fit into what I thought Georgia names would be. One name Rooks seemed familiar but I couldn't remember what family it belonged. The more I sorted families and became familiar with Ancestry I realized I could Search my tree names. Typing in Rooks brought up Henrietta. Frances Fanny Jackson Cleveland died in 1909 leaving an estate. Her father John Jackson and her father-in-law Rice Cleveland both left money to Fanny and her descendants. In Fanny's probate Henrietta  is listed as a Rooks. Thus, the connection to my new Rooks DNA cousins.

The DNA Rook cousins posted that they descend from Andrew Jackson Rooks and Etta Brantley Rooks. Certainly Etta is abbreviation for Henrietta and she could have had a first marriage to a Brantley. But, the dates did not mesh. The marriage record from Spalding co, Ga of the Rooks-Brantley marriage would indicate that if is Etta Cleveland, she would have been 8 years old marrying Jack Rooks and that was her second marriage. Applying for the DC was, what seemed like the last chance. Posted by these descendants is a photo of a tombstone saying Andrew Jackson died in 1914. Who would be informant for Henrietta. A J (Jack) and Henrietta (Etta) had only one child, Leroy R Rooks.

When I opened the envelope from California Public Health, it was a pleasant surprise to see the clear neat handwriting. The informant was Matron, County Hospital Riverside Co, CA. Given was Etta Rooks birth date (that was unknown) and both parents: James Cleveland, b SC; Fannie Jackson, b SC.
We now have the correct Etta but do we have the correct Andrew Jackson Rooks? In the beginning the name Rooks seemed strange and unusual. By the time I finished, I wonder why I had not encountered before! Even more interesting is the number of Andrew Jackson Rooks found and how many were in both Georgia and California. Since A J "Jack" Rooks is not in my direct line, I will leave him to his descendants or at least wait until I have time for him. Records on Ancestry does show that there is a Death Certificate for him or, at least, the one buried in Olivewood Cemetery in Riverside, CA.

One of the facts missing from Etta Rooks death certificates is the name of the cemetery where she is buried. The first word, Riverside is easy to read but the second word remains a mystery, Olep, as best as I can decipher. The only cemetery in Riverside county starting with an O is Olivewood. An e-mail query to Olivewood has been sent.

Henriette Cleveland left Georgia and must have had an adventurous trip to California! I do not know about the hardships she and her family encountered, but I am sure they had them. Henrietta Etta Cleveland Rooks is found during her lifetime in only three census, with her mother in 1880 Henry Co, GA. Next, 1900,  with Andrew J Rooks 51 years, Etta 39 and the introduction of son Roy R Rooks 6 years. They are in Indian Territory, Choctaw Nation, So McAlister. It states they have been married 7 years. A J and Etta born in Georgia and Roy born in Alabama.

While doing research during the late 80s or early 90s, I made a notation that Henrietta was married to a Henry "Bud" Waldrop. This marriage seems probable because of ages. If she is 39 in 1900, married only 7 years, at her marriage to A J, she would have been about 32 years. A marriage to Bub Waldrop has been researched, no information found. The 1900 census points to Etta and A J living at least a time in Alabama. You find many Georgians living in Alabama either temporarily or permanently as the masses moved West after The War and as new lands were opened.

The next time Etta Rooks is found, 1920 Riverside Co, California,  Roy is grown and on his own; Andrew Jackson Rooks is dead and Etta H (perhaps Henrietta) Rooks is living alone, age 59, Widow and working at Housework for a Private Family. She dies one year later in the Riverside County Hospital of a Brain Tumor (Cerebellum). E H Wood, signs the certificate as Chaplin. She has been in the hospital since 7 July 1921 and dies 24 September 1921. DC states she is 61 years, 7 months and 17 days and that she has lived in CA for 20 years.

I Honor Henrietta "Etta" with deep admiration. Even though I did not know her or the women of that era I know the many hardships they had. I can only hope she found happiness and comfort.
Judy McCleskey Webb, 2XGreat Niece. She was the youngest sister to my Great Grandmother.

Olivewood Cemetery responded to my request and says, Etta Rooks is buried in this cemetery. I failed to inquire if her grave site is next to A. J. Rooks.

Some Family History

28 October 2019  For a while, I am changing direction of this blog. Actually, it has always been a Hodge-podge , guess that is what will continue, but in near future, it will lean towards Family History and my old family photos and photographs. I have been Googling how to add Categories or as Blogger calls them, Labels to my post so more people might see.  I have several good stories and some wonderful photographs.

This is my mother and father when they were married in 1936. William E "Bill" and Estelle Holt McDaniel McCleskey. My mother brought two cute young boys into the marriage. This is Robert Lee and Harry Thomas McDaniel, Born 1930 and 1933. Bill raised them as his own with great love.

Holt Family Story written 8/20/2019

 This is The Thomas Holt Family of Clayton Co, GA. The Family had gathered to Celebrate Thomas Holt's 70th Birthday. (Center with beard). His birthday was last day of May and was occasion to bring his large family together. But this story is about the Celebration of about 1918. I am repeating the story as told to me by my Mother (Estelle Holt). Her Mother Mary Jackson Holt is pregnant with her in this photo.

In the Spring of 1918 Thomas Holt and his second wife Fancina are living with his son JT Holt, Jr and their family on New Hope Rd, Fayette Co, Ga. His son (also called Tom) is building his father a small home for retirement in Fayetteville. They are preparing for the annual birthday gathering and Tom, SR request they roast a goat for the Celebration. The goat is secured and is being fattened up for the roast. He is tethered to a tree when a strong thunderstorm blows through; it blows a wash cloth off the clothes line and wind sends it straight for the goat, who in-turn eats it!! My Mother had great delight telling the story and laughing. It gives me pleasure to tell her story and remember how a simple life story can give you a smile and pleasure.  

    The idea of writing this story comes from a book I am reading by Blaine Bettinger. He tells about the stories we carry in our DNA. Yes, we might carry it in our DNA but unless we write them down they will not be heard. Write a happy story about your family today.

Recent Boxes, June 2019

This is the last batch of boxes. 16 June 2019. Bottom four made from Paper Phenomenon paper, Flutter and Bloom. Kathy King is scrapbook designer I follow and she recently, working with graphic artist, has begun designing and selling her own line of paper. The Halloween paper was another example. Haven't decided where these boxes will go but wanted to record. The bottom four are not finished, may take another photo later but I mailed some recently without making a record for me.

addendum: 9 Aug 2019.  Sent the bottom four boxes and the middle box on top shelf to four of my US Army Intern friends and a daughter of one who just bought her first home. They were well received. Who wouldn't enjoy a box with beautiful butteries or pretty flowers?  

Gift Boxes

7 June 2019....I do not always take photos of the boxes I make. Sent package off this week with one Proper Gentleman for Lee Russell and a box each for Perla      and Morgan Henderson. They are our financial managers at Edward Jones in Gainesville. Today, I can list 53 remembered boxes and have several on shelf and making 4 new ones.  Rotating between work on boxes and research on Ancestry.com, trying so hard to find my G G Grandmother Bethena/ Parthena/ Matheny Bustre's parents...or just her correct name. Many, Many FaceBook groups to listen and offer advice. Today I was sent to Georgia Archives Virtual Vault. Found image of Henry Co, Wedding book 1822-18??
Copied "B" page, maybe, Matheny had brother that married around time she did. Hopefully I can crumble that her brick wall.

1 April More Boxes!

Just for me to remember boxes I made.

Ethnicity from Ancestry

Saturday, 23 February 2019.   My blog is cataloged as Scrapbooking. Yes that is my prime interest but the blog has turned into sort of a Journal: scrapbooking, Family and what interest me. For thirty-three years I have been a Family Historian. First, my interest was to document a Revolutionary Soldier so I could join Daughters of American Revolution. James McCleskey, my great-great-great-great grandfather was my first ancestor documented. His application for a pension said his father's Bible stated he was born in 1755 in Pennsylvania.
     When I started my family research, personal computers were not common and there was NO internet. My research was done mostly in Georgia, my mother was huge asset for Holt and Jackson research. Visits to National Archives in East Point, GA; Georgia Archives, downtown Atlanta and later Stockbridge; Fayette County Historical Society, Fayetteville; Clayton-Henry Historical Society, McDonough; many visits to cemeteries in both GA and AL; visiting family members that I discovered through snail mail. On and On, all before the Internet.  Now, the National Census for each state is easily searched on line through Ancestry.com.
     That brings me to current times. John and I and three sons and their wives have all had DNA test. After thirty years on research, I felt I would not find a single length to The Old World. Our ancestors had mostly immigrated to America in the early 1700s. If records kept, they are lost or haven't been published yet. Our DNA test show where our ancestors came from. Yes, they keep changing, as more and more people are tested, the results will become more accurate. But, today, they are best we have.
     Through research, I found my maiden name McCleskey to be Irish. I have even visited Dungiven, Ireland, our ancestral home. Another of my unusual (to me) names is Stalnaker, German.
     So here is my DNA history as of today (from Ancestry.com test): England, Wales and Northwestern Europe 78%: Norway 9%: Ireland and Scotland 8%; France 3%: European Jewish 2%: Sweden 1%.  My migration path  North Alabama Settlers and Southern States Settlers. I am happy to accept these countries. I was surprised to find 2% Jewish and only 8% Irish/Scotland. We have traveled to Europe many times and was well aware that the Norse men traveled all over Europe spreading their nationally.
     What I cannot accept is data published to Ancestry.com that has no Proof. It will take some time for the data entered to be proved or unproved.

14 January 2019     The Homes I have lived in.

     I heard someone say recently that Americans move a lot. About eleven times in your life.  Let's see:  The first homes where I lived, my parents chose (Atlanta, GA area):  1.     Langston Ave, (the home that I came to after my birth;  2.        Fletcher St., we moved to this home before my first birthday and the home I started Kindergarten at George W Adair School. The next year I marched off to 1st grade from that home but walked to #3.    831 Stewart Ave in afternoon. This was my favorite childhood home. Many friends and being part of community. This was our home until Christmas Holidays 1949 when we moved into a home my parents built in Fulton Co., #4 2060 Dodson Dr., just pass the City Limits. From this home I boarded a yellow school bus to attend Ben Hill Elementary. I do not know if we were annexed or by arrangement, but for High School our area attended a brand new SouthWest High where I graduated 1957.
      From the Dodson Dr home, my next four years were spent in various # 5.,University of Georgia dormitories.  Graduating in 1961. By this time I had been accepted into a United States Army Dietary Program that included my Internship. Thus, a long move from Atlanta, Georgia, my parents home to #5. US Army residence on Fort Sam Houston Army Base, San Antonio, Texas. I would have to do some real research to find my address!! This is were I was living when I met  Major John A. Webb, M.D. Meeting John began the largest chapter of my life and moves that we made together. I do not have scanned photographs of the above home, but I do have all of them in scrapbooks.
     John and I married in December 1962. He had already moved from an apartment to a home. The house at 5202 Kinglet, Houston, TX was number 6.  With the addition of our first child to his two boys it soon became very tight!  After I became pregnant with our second child, it was time to move into something larger: #6 6202 Wigton.  During our stay on Wigton, we be became very interested in Brittany bird dogs. We also bought a semi-finished beach house at Sea Island development on West Galveston Island. I will not count The Cutty Sark as a home, but it did furnish us with great memories and a way for John to relax and boat and fish. However, as our interest in campaigning Brittanys on the field trial circuit increased, the amount of time at the beach diminished and we sold. Also the interest in the dogs demonstrated the need for more land. A friend told me her neighbors were putting their home on market and it had an acre of land. Perfect! Number 7 for me 9926 Rolke Rd in SW Houston, but still in the city limits. The move came  a little to late for John; by the time we moved the traffic and grind of a large laboratory practice was taking it's toll. The participation in American Brittany Club and campaigning our dogs was also seeing long trips to North Texas and Oklahoma. Why not get out of the rat race, move north and have more time! We did. The next move was to a small ranch outside Wichita Falls, Texas, # 8  11261 Longley Rd.  We live there 30 years! Our next move was to get closer to one of our sons. He found us a beautiful home in Lindsay, TX but with a Gainesville mailing address: #9  15 County Road 3630.   If you add up the years.......John was in his eighties and I wasn't far behind. What we learned in the nine years we lived there was medical care wasn't what it is in larger cities.  And , our driving skills aren't what they once were. Our second son, arrived in our driveway one Saturday morning to visit and encourage us to move back to Houston where some of the World's most skilled doctors practice. We did, in September 2017, #10 9829 Pine Lake Dr. The most arduous move for me was the move from the ranch. John had built a large barn with living quarters and large store room. They were both packed full. John is a bit of a Hoarder! My brother came out, we told John to stay in the house and the two of us made trips to the landfill. What we took from the barn went to make more mess for our eldest son at his Shop. He, too, is a Hoarder!
     The next chapter is yet to be written. John and I are very comfortable here, convenient to great shopping and medical care. Our next adventure will be learning to use Uber.  So, if 10 moves is a lot, I am guilty. I have great memories from homes I remember and photographs made by my Mother of the early ones.

831 Stewart Ave, Atlanta, Ga...my favorite home and neighborhood. 1945-1949

Family Christmas, 2018

2019, January

Three of our four sons: John and Sandy, David and Biddie, Scott, Darcy and grandson Spencer. Linda and Joe Bunscho (Biddie's sister: .)  Good food and fun for all. L to R: Linda, John and Sandy, Judy, David and Biddie, Joe, John, Spencer and parents, Darcy and Scott. Christmas dinner at Sr. Webbs.