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what's New?
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FROM SHARED KNOWLEDGE,
COMES PRESERVED HISTORY |
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CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON ABOVE NOW!
ALL VISITORS/NEW MEMBERS PREREGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS |
CLICK THE RED BUTTON ABOVE NOW!
TO CONTACT US AT THE SGS THIS GOES TO THE WEB ADMINISTRATOR |
REVIEW:MONTH: APRILEMILY DEIBEL spoke on
German Research that she has done for her own family tree. 
Download the video and information from Emily's talk below.
Emily gave us a great presentation on finding info on German research. She taught us about the Archion Church Books.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS ALL IN GERMAN. So either brush up , get a German/American dictionary, or find a translator. Go online with ARCHION · These are historic original documents accessible with just a click · More than 175,000 German church books browsable online! Click above to DOWNLOAD THE FILE. 
May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, it has 31 days. It's considered a spring month in the Northern Hemisphere and an autumn month in the Southern Hemisphere. May is also a month of renewal and celebration, with events like May Day and Mother's Day. The month's name comes from the Roman goddess Maia, associated with growth and fertility!
June is the sixth month of the year, and it has 30 days. It is named after the Roman goddess Juno, and marks the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. June also includes the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
JUNE PICNIC... is on June 10th at 6-8 pm at: 1415 N Center Road Saginaw, MI 48638 (LDS Church) Please bring a side dish or dessert to pass, SGS WILL SUPPLY: Pizza, chicken, bottled water ...AND ALL THE FUN! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!
PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL NOT BE CLEANING THE VETERANS HEADSTONES AT FOREST LAWN CEMETERY IN SAGINAW ON THURSDAY ITS CANCELLED! IT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE RAIN!! NO ALTERNATIVE DATE HAS BEEN SET AT THIS TIME. DEEPEST APOLOGIES.
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SPEAKER INFOMAY
KAREN REYNOLDS PRESENTS: STEVE KETTNER 
Lives in Kalamazoo, MI
(but we won't hold that against him) Worked at Western Michigan University RECEIVED M.A. in Communication RECEIVED B.A. in Liberal Arts Attended WMU Graduated from Arthur Hill High School, in Saginaw, MI "People ask why am I and others are so interested in cemeteries, some find it macabre, others find that it's a real tribute to those who have passed away," Kettner said. "And there's always different reasons for the personal satisfaction that we get from coming out and doing the cleaning and the repairing."
MESSAGE
TO THE ENTIRE SGS MEMBERSHIP Due to an increase in costs, we will need to charge for the MAILINGS of the TimberTown Log, (TTL) after the June issue. They are still being produced 4X PER YEAR. (every three months) And it is still FREE online. BUT YOU WILL NOW NEED TO SIGN IN TO READ IT. However, if you would like to get the TTL MAILED to you You will need to send us $8.00 to cover the cost of mailing and printing. IF however, you also want to get the WHATS NEW mailed to you, We will discount the price for the additional price of just $7.00! RECAP: So, the TTL and the WHATS NEW is still FREE on the website, but the TTL will cost $8.00 to MAIL. And, the 'WHAT’S NEW' newsletter,( also viewable for FREE on the website on the WHAT’S NEW page) but will also cost $8.00 to mail. BUT WAIT... if you want BOTH, we will mail them to you for a total of $15.00. HEY! You save a $BUCK! If you have any problems accessing the sign in page, please EMAIL ME AT : [email protected] with this info:
AND I WILL STAY WITH YOU ON THE LINE, UNTIL WE GET YOU INTO THE SITE....PROMISE! 
HERE'S THE BUZZZZZ: PICNIC DINNER ON JUNE 10TH AT THE LDS CHURCH 6-8 PM....
GAMES BOARD MEMBER UPDATE, PICNIC DINNER, BOARD MEMBER UPDATE, DESSERT, BOARD MEMBER UPDATE, TONS OF FUN, Oh, and did we mention that there will be a BOARD MEMBER UPDATE? ALL MEMBERS INVITED...COME SEE IT ALL!! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!
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SGS NEWS:SGS MEETING RECAPMONTH: MAYSteve Kettner is our speaker for June, he taught us so much about restoring historic gravestones...MORE TO COME
MEETING: JUNEThe annual meeting in June will NOT be put on ZOOM. Instead we will take photos of the games, the dinner and talks by the officers. And we'll put them on here,
later in June. OR JUST COME ON OVER AND SHARE THE EVENING WITH US!! 1415 N CENTER ROAD, SAGIANW, MI 6-8 PM or until we all feel like leaving!! ROOTSTECH:
ROOTSTECH VIDEOS...
How long will RootsTech sessions be available on the website after the conference? We will keep most of the classes and keynotes from RootsTech up on our sister site THE HISTORY KEY, for approximately three years. Most classes will be available until the THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S conference. SO...Where do I go to watch them NOW? Well, Check it out below! FREE PHOTO STORAGE:There is ONE safe place to store all your photos and stories... FOREVER.
Safely stored 600 ft. underground. And also
duplicated inside YET another mountain. Yeah...We got you covered! FamilySearch.org is non-profit and totally free! 
A _______ of Octopi ________
MILITARY SERVICE: CIVIL WARSix Steps To Find Your Civil War Veterans and Their Regiments
To get the most out of Civil War Stories, you need to know who in your tree might have a story! We show you how in just 6 steps to find those people. 
A _______ of Owl ________
MILITARY RECORDS:MILITARY RECORDS-ANCESTRY.COM
CHECK THIS INFO OUT
YOU MAY FIND HELP HERE FOR YOUR SEARCH! GENEALOGY NEEDS: AT YOUR LOCAL FSC!
WE are the SAGINAW FamilySearch Center, sponsored by the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, an international organization dedicated to helping ALL people worldwide discover their family story.
ARE you looking for help in YOUR Family tree? HERE, you will be shown how to begin a FREE TREE that will be placed online for any of your family members to help share more information about your deceased ancestors. That will enable family around the world to easily retrieve and use this information in search of their family members. FOR over twenty years FamilySearch.org has helped millions of families gather their ancestors. Since it's inception, on May 24, 1999. There are now over 7 million page views each day on www.FamilySearch.org YOU can contribute towards finding your family by starting a FREE ONLINE TREE and gathering and documenting your family for your loved ones. ALWAYS, at FamilySearch we believe connections to our family members past-present-and future can be a source of great joy that helps us to understand our own personal identity and may even help us overcome some of our own challenges in life. WE WANT TO HELP YOU save and share your FAMILY MEMORIES before it’s too late, and they disappear, never to be found again. IT'S FREE, IT'S EASY AS... 1,2,3 ! FOR ONLINE HELP AT:
FamilySearch open 24 hrs./7 days a week! 1-866-604-1830 
A _______ of 'Possum ________
WHAT'S ON THE TUBE?INDEXING?
Want to know more about INDEXING... Check out this YOU TUBE VIDEO, A SELF HELP TUTORIAL ... Enjoy :) PRE-REGISTER PLEASE
ALL VISITORS OR NEW MEMBERS
MUST PRE-REGISTER Please note: Invite LINK is sent the day BEFORE the meetings. SO REGISTER TODAY! 
A _______ of Zebra ________
SQUARE IS HERE FOR YOU
Pay your SGS membership or donate,
with just a few clicks. SQUARE is EASY, SAFE, AND NO HASSLE! (click the SQUARE icon above to pay) MICHIGAN GENEALOGICAL COUNCIL
ANNOUNCEMENT!!
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THE SAGINAW FSC IS OPEN!
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TIMBERTOWN LOG
Misplaced the last issue of the Timbertown Log?
CONTACT US AT: [email protected]
Not a member, and curious to see?
TO READ MORE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW
CONTACT US AT: [email protected]
Not a member, and curious to see?
TO READ MORE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW
MORE INTERESTING STUFF
NOW OPEN AND RARIN' TO GO!
CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE
A PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS
This guide shows you how to find BILLIONS of FREE birth, death, marriage and census records!
ANCESTRAL FINDINGS
Oral histories are a valuable genealogical resource. This is what you need to know about the value of oral histories, where to find them, and how to do them yourself with your own relatives. Click below to learn.
MICHIGAN LIBRARY CARDS
FREE!
Are you a Michigan library card holder?
Did you know that you can now access HUNDREDS of Michigan’s state parks, historic sites, recreation areas and campgrounds for either
FREE
or discounted admission? You can even use it to visit any of the Seven National Park venues in this state!
FOR FREE
CLICK BELOW FOR MORE INFO
Are you a Michigan library card holder?
Did you know that you can now access HUNDREDS of Michigan’s state parks, historic sites, recreation areas and campgrounds for either
FREE
or discounted admission? You can even use it to visit any of the Seven National Park venues in this state!
FOR FREE
CLICK BELOW FOR MORE INFO
SAGINAW PUBLIC LIBRARIES
HOYT LIBRARY
...remembering the past
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< CLICK LIBRARY LOGO
to see the video |
FREE SAGINAW OBITUARIES
Saginaw Libraries
OVER 200,00+ OBITUARIES
Click on the link below:
OVER 200,00+ OBITUARIES
Click on the link below:
A _______ of Orangutang ________
GET ANSWERS
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WE ARE HERE,
AND READY
TO HELP YOU!
AND READY
TO HELP YOU!
We try to find you an answer for
Saginaw County Ancestors.
Click above on the Miss Betty Icon.
OR GO TO: ASK MISS BETTY
and fill out the form.
We don't charge for the help
(but we DO take donations)
SGS REMEMBRANCE FUND
PLEASE REMEMBER US,
SO WE CAN REMEMBER YOU!
FOR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH OR PRESERVATION
THE DONATION IS MADE
IN YOUR NAME. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL TO:
[email protected]
SO WE CAN REMEMBER YOU!
FOR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH OR PRESERVATION
THE DONATION IS MADE
IN YOUR NAME. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL TO:
[email protected]
A _______ of Hippo ________
MICHIGAN-STATE GENEALOGY
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
and documents for the
STATE OF MICHIGAN.
CHECK US OUT!
A _______ of Emu ________
DID YOU KNOW?
NEWSBANK used for FREE with your public library card ID number. This website has newspapers to search thru for obituaries!
GIVE IT A TRY!
GIVE IT A TRY!
FREE HELPS
17 ALL FREE GREAT
WEBSITES FOR GENEALOGY!
1. CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT.
2. PACK A LUNCH. (JUST KIDDING)
3. SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO HERE!
WEBSITES FOR GENEALOGY!
1. CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT.
2. PACK A LUNCH. (JUST KIDDING)
3. SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO HERE!
FREE GENEALOGY SITES
LAND SAKES ALIVE! HERE'S 50 MORE!!
CHECK OUT OUR Fb SITE!
IT'S A HOOT!
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NEWS FOR RESEARCHERS!
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I'M HUNGRY NOW!!!
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FREE GENEALOGY WEBINARS!!!
Everything you ever wanted to know about USING FamilySearch and SO MUCH more! JUST CLICK BELOW!
Everything you ever wanted to know about USING FamilySearch and SO MUCH more! JUST CLICK BELOW!
SGS PIONEER CERTIFICATES
GIVE A
FOREVER GIFT...
your family will forever remember!
FOREVER GIFT...
your family will forever remember!
*Ancestor documentation vetted by SGS.
*Your ancestor noted on our website.
AND YOU RECEIVE:
*A handsome embossed certificate *
(Suitable for framing, or documentation)
Along with A VETTED ANCESTRY pedigree.
*Your ancestor noted on our website.
AND YOU RECEIVE:
*A handsome embossed certificate *
(Suitable for framing, or documentation)
Along with A VETTED ANCESTRY pedigree.
A _______ of Swan ________
MORE HELP
How SideView™ Technology Splits Your DNA Results by Parent
What parts of your DNA come from each parent ?
Ancestry® developed a technology called SideView™ to sort this out, using DNA matches. Because a match is usually related to you through only one parent, your matches can help us “organize” the DNA you share with them.
SideView™ technology powers your ethnicity inheritance—the portions of each region you inherited from each parent. This enables us to provide your ethnicity inheritance without testing your parents.
CHECK IT OUT BELOW!
Ancestry® developed a technology called SideView™ to sort this out, using DNA matches. Because a match is usually related to you through only one parent, your matches can help us “organize” the DNA you share with them.
SideView™ technology powers your ethnicity inheritance—the portions of each region you inherited from each parent. This enables us to provide your ethnicity inheritance without testing your parents.
CHECK IT OUT BELOW!
NEED GENEALOGY GIFTS?
BEV PALMER used to live in Saginaw, she is a fellow genealogist and has started this business. Lots of cool stuff - from babies to bags, and from T-shirts to tags, she's got it all!
Check it out below!
Check it out below!
A _______ of hyena ________
LINKS FOR OUR READERS
CLICK ON BLACK TITLES |
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A _______ of Alpaca ________
GENEALOGY HELPS |
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What is ThruLines?
ThruLines shows identified descendants of a given ancestor who have tested with AncestryDNA, and share DNA with the tester whose results are being reviewed.
ThruLines replaces Shared Ancestor Hints, and greatly expands upon the data provided by those hints.
ThruLines provides the opportunity to view connections that would take a great deal of research to find manually.
ThruLines is accessible from
“Your DNA Results Summary” under DNA in the top menu bar on Ancestry. To have access to ThruLines data, your family tree must be PUBLIC, and linked to your DNA test.
To check this, do these 3 steps:
1. Go to Your DNA Results Summary, and
2. Click on the Settings button (near the top right corner of the screen).
3. Follow the instructions in the Family Tree Linking section.
ThruLines are available for ancestors through to your 5th great-grandparents.
SORRY, ThruLines won't appear for 6th
great-grandparents and beyond. Information from your matches' trees that are private and not searchable won't be available to you.
CHECK US OUT BELOW!
ThruLines shows identified descendants of a given ancestor who have tested with AncestryDNA, and share DNA with the tester whose results are being reviewed.
ThruLines replaces Shared Ancestor Hints, and greatly expands upon the data provided by those hints.
ThruLines provides the opportunity to view connections that would take a great deal of research to find manually.
ThruLines is accessible from
“Your DNA Results Summary” under DNA in the top menu bar on Ancestry. To have access to ThruLines data, your family tree must be PUBLIC, and linked to your DNA test.
To check this, do these 3 steps:
1. Go to Your DNA Results Summary, and
2. Click on the Settings button (near the top right corner of the screen).
3. Follow the instructions in the Family Tree Linking section.
ThruLines are available for ancestors through to your 5th great-grandparents.
SORRY, ThruLines won't appear for 6th
great-grandparents and beyond. Information from your matches' trees that are private and not searchable won't be available to you.
CHECK US OUT BELOW!
A _______ of Echidna ________
FREE WEBINARS
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ITS JUNE 10TH!
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FamilySearch - Family Search Library Free Online Webinars
2024 classes are now online!
2025 COMING SOON
No registration is required.
Class size for webinars is NOT limited.
See the table of webinars below for more details.
2024 classes are now online!
2025 COMING SOON
No registration is required.
Class size for webinars is NOT limited.
See the table of webinars below for more details.
Most sessions are recorded and can be viewed later at your convenience at the following link:
A _______ of Crocodile ________
SEARCH TIPS
|
BZZZZZ
TONIGHT AT THE LDS CHURCH, AND 6-8 PM, I HEARD. |
6 Ancestry Search Tips
1. Pinpoint your ancestor’s location from the census, on a MAP, and then look for churches, cemeteries, and other places where your ancestor may have left records.
2. Be sure to locate your ancestor’s ADULT SIBLINGS in census records. It was common for extended family to live in the same household or near other family members. You may find a parent, grandparent, or other family members living either with them or nearby.
3. If you’re having a difficult time locating your ancestor, try searching, using only GIVEN names and other details like birth year, residence, family members, place of birth, etc.
4. Occasionally, census takers only recorded initials in place of the given name. Using only a FIRST INITIAL will bring up these records.
5. Census takers didn’t always have the best penmanship, so if you’re having a hard time locating your ancestor, write out the NAME and try replacing some of the letters, with letters that look similar. (Try an O for an A, try an J for a P, try a F for an S.)
6. The U.S. federal censuses for the years 1900 TO THE 1930 include a DATE OF IMMIGRATION for immigrants. Use that date to narrow your search for your ancestor’s passenger arrival record in the Immigration Collection.
1. Pinpoint your ancestor’s location from the census, on a MAP, and then look for churches, cemeteries, and other places where your ancestor may have left records.
2. Be sure to locate your ancestor’s ADULT SIBLINGS in census records. It was common for extended family to live in the same household or near other family members. You may find a parent, grandparent, or other family members living either with them or nearby.
3. If you’re having a difficult time locating your ancestor, try searching, using only GIVEN names and other details like birth year, residence, family members, place of birth, etc.
4. Occasionally, census takers only recorded initials in place of the given name. Using only a FIRST INITIAL will bring up these records.
5. Census takers didn’t always have the best penmanship, so if you’re having a hard time locating your ancestor, write out the NAME and try replacing some of the letters, with letters that look similar. (Try an O for an A, try an J for a P, try a F for an S.)
6. The U.S. federal censuses for the years 1900 TO THE 1930 include a DATE OF IMMIGRATION for immigrants. Use that date to narrow your search for your ancestor’s passenger arrival record in the Immigration Collection.
A ______of Armadillo ________
FMH TOOL KIT
click below How do I keep track of my Family Medical History?
If possible, look at DEATH CERTIFICATES and FAMILY MEDICAL RECORDS. Collect information about your parents, sisters, brothers, half-sisters, half-brothers, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. How you make your request will depend on your provider's processes. You may be able to request your record through your provider's patient portal. You may have to fill out a form — called a health or medical record release form, or to request for access—send an email, or mail or fax a letter to your provider. For more info click below on:
https://www.healthit.gov/how-to-get-your-health-record/get-it/#:~:text=How%20you%20make%20your%20request,a%20letter%20to%20your%20provider.
Family members share genes, habits, lifestyles, and surroundings.
These things can affect health and the risk for illness. Most people have a relative with a chronic disease or a health condition such as high cholesterol. If you have a close family member with a chronic disease, you may be more likely to get that disease. BE INFORMED!
How far back should I go for Family Medical History?
The CDC recommends taking a family health history that includes at least three generations. You should include your grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins on both sides of your family. If you have children, include them, too.
MAKE SURE TO RECORD THIS INFO!
What if I'm adopted and I don't know my Family's Medical History?
If you have your birth parents' names, public records such as birth or death certificates may give you more insight into your family's background. Also, ask your adoptive parents or the adoption agency whether they have any information that could give you more information about YOUR family medical history.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW!
Your Family Medical History plays an important role in your health.
Download FREE copies of our TOOLKIT to your Family Medical History to share with your family, friends, and colleagues. Take this important step for YOUR health.... DO IT NOW!
If possible, look at DEATH CERTIFICATES and FAMILY MEDICAL RECORDS. Collect information about your parents, sisters, brothers, half-sisters, half-brothers, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. How you make your request will depend on your provider's processes. You may be able to request your record through your provider's patient portal. You may have to fill out a form — called a health or medical record release form, or to request for access—send an email, or mail or fax a letter to your provider. For more info click below on:
https://www.healthit.gov/how-to-get-your-health-record/get-it/#:~:text=How%20you%20make%20your%20request,a%20letter%20to%20your%20provider.
Family members share genes, habits, lifestyles, and surroundings.
These things can affect health and the risk for illness. Most people have a relative with a chronic disease or a health condition such as high cholesterol. If you have a close family member with a chronic disease, you may be more likely to get that disease. BE INFORMED!
How far back should I go for Family Medical History?
The CDC recommends taking a family health history that includes at least three generations. You should include your grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins on both sides of your family. If you have children, include them, too.
MAKE SURE TO RECORD THIS INFO!
What if I'm adopted and I don't know my Family's Medical History?
If you have your birth parents' names, public records such as birth or death certificates may give you more insight into your family's background. Also, ask your adoptive parents or the adoption agency whether they have any information that could give you more information about YOUR family medical history.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW!
Your Family Medical History plays an important role in your health.
Download FREE copies of our TOOLKIT to your Family Medical History to share with your family, friends, and colleagues. Take this important step for YOUR health.... DO IT NOW!
WHAT DID YOU SEE?
SO HOW OBSERVANT ARE YOU?
WHAT DID YOU SEE?
DID YOU NOTICE THE:
20 BABY ANIMALS?
Now tell me what they call a GROUP of the YOUNG you find!!!
WHAT DID YOU SEE?
DID YOU NOTICE THE:
20 BABY ANIMALS?
Now tell me what they call a GROUP of the YOUNG you find!!!
Example: A CLUSTER of Human INFANTS
(Answers will appear at end of the month)
(Answers will appear at end of the month)
WHAT DID YOU SEE?
LOOK IN JUNE FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL!
LOOK IN JUNE FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL!
COMING IN JUNE!
THE SGS PICNIC!!!
ITS FUN, THERE'S
PRIZES AND FOOD AND FRIENDS...
SO COME ON OVER AND SEE THE buzzz!!!
MAY Stories, BRING JUNE info
STEVE KETTNER gave a wonderful presentation in May on Historical Graveyards, so we would like to add to it...
During the 1600's in AMERICA there was an obsession with death, mortality and symbols used to represent death, resurrection, and the passage of times so the headstones often featured the winged skull or death's head.
This poem also appeared:
As you are now,
So once was I;
As I am now,
So you must be.
So prepare for death
And follow me.
In the 1700's the weeping willow tree was a very popular carving on gravestones at the end pf the 1700's and into the early 1800's among early settlers.
By the time of the early 1800's the tools of the trade were popular and we see the "WOW" monuments symbolizing the WOODMEN OF THE WOODS. Images of tree stumps and logs and even partial trees. A severed branch meant a life cut short. Scrolls upon the tree gave the persons information, and were also a symbol of life and time. Here then are others:
Squirrels often symbolize: preparation, prudence, and a quiet wisdom. They can also represent the joy of mundane tasks and the flexibility to adapt to life's unexpected changes.
In some traditions, they signify trust and thrift. Seeing a squirrel can be a reminder to
plan for the future while remaining adaptable.
These and others and were gradually replaced by more classical imagery.
By the late 1830's the Victorian era masons copied images from pattern books, architecture, furniture or took ideas from nature. During this time period symbols were often chosen because they pleased the eye or were fashionable. such as mourning females, weeping trees, doves, and biblical scenes.
As the 19th CENTURY progressed, for reasons of public health, burial grounds were no longer located on church grounds. Images in cemeteries of hope and immortality were popular in rural areas in contrast to the puritanical pessimism depicted earlier in the 1700's . New memorials were depicting graceful angels, chubby baby cherubs, and botanical type images.
In some cemeteries you may see the letters "IOOF" This person was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows or the IOOF. Another letter abbreviation is FLT are from their motto: Friendship, Love and Truth. The name comes from 17th century England, and the all-seeing eye on their headstones or on their metal markers reminds members of the all seeing eye of God. Other common symbols of the group are:
Now in the 2000's to the 2025's stones are very plain and stark headstone, usually without much stone carving, as hiring a stone mason is out of most peoples finances. How times have changed!
BUT DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
The main difference between a cemetery and a graveyard is their association with a church. A GRAVEYARD is typically a burial ground attached to, or adjacent to a church, while a CEMETERY is a separate burial ground that may
or may not be affiliated with a specific religious institution.
A CHALLEGE TO A GENEAOLOGIST IS LIKE ASKING KIDS IF THEY WANT SOME CANDY!
This poem also appeared:
As you are now,
So once was I;
As I am now,
So you must be.
So prepare for death
And follow me.
In the 1700's the weeping willow tree was a very popular carving on gravestones at the end pf the 1700's and into the early 1800's among early settlers.
By the time of the early 1800's the tools of the trade were popular and we see the "WOW" monuments symbolizing the WOODMEN OF THE WOODS. Images of tree stumps and logs and even partial trees. A severed branch meant a life cut short. Scrolls upon the tree gave the persons information, and were also a symbol of life and time. Here then are others:
- ROPE: eternal bonds in life and in eternity.
- IVY: immortality, friendship, fidelity, eternal life, memory, fidelity, head of family
- FERNS: sincerity and sorrow
- OAK LEAVES: strength, endurance, and eternity
- POPPIES: eternal sleep
- ACORNS: eternal life
Squirrels often symbolize: preparation, prudence, and a quiet wisdom. They can also represent the joy of mundane tasks and the flexibility to adapt to life's unexpected changes.
In some traditions, they signify trust and thrift. Seeing a squirrel can be a reminder to
plan for the future while remaining adaptable.
These and others and were gradually replaced by more classical imagery.
By the late 1830's the Victorian era masons copied images from pattern books, architecture, furniture or took ideas from nature. During this time period symbols were often chosen because they pleased the eye or were fashionable. such as mourning females, weeping trees, doves, and biblical scenes.
As the 19th CENTURY progressed, for reasons of public health, burial grounds were no longer located on church grounds. Images in cemeteries of hope and immortality were popular in rural areas in contrast to the puritanical pessimism depicted earlier in the 1700's . New memorials were depicting graceful angels, chubby baby cherubs, and botanical type images.
In some cemeteries you may see the letters "IOOF" This person was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows or the IOOF. Another letter abbreviation is FLT are from their motto: Friendship, Love and Truth. The name comes from 17th century England, and the all-seeing eye on their headstones or on their metal markers reminds members of the all seeing eye of God. Other common symbols of the group are:
- Heart in Hand
- Bundled sticks
- Beehive
- and Dove
Now in the 2000's to the 2025's stones are very plain and stark headstone, usually without much stone carving, as hiring a stone mason is out of most peoples finances. How times have changed!
BUT DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
The main difference between a cemetery and a graveyard is their association with a church. A GRAVEYARD is typically a burial ground attached to, or adjacent to a church, while a CEMETERY is a separate burial ground that may
or may not be affiliated with a specific religious institution.
A CHALLEGE TO A GENEAOLOGIST IS LIKE ASKING KIDS IF THEY WANT SOME CANDY!
PHOTOS FROM JUNE MEETING
JUST A FEW PHOTOS...FOR MORE GO TO MEMBERS AND SIGN IN TO SEE THE REST!
WILL POST PHOTOS ON 6/11/25...
INVITE FOR JUNE...THE BUZZZZZZZZ
MEMBERS!!!
JUNE 10TH
8-6 PM
BRING A DISH TO PASS
All Tableware, Pizza OR Chicken, Bottled Water and Entertainment is supplied by the SGS.
Bring a dish/dessert to pass and a spouse
or an interested friend.
OR JUST BRING YOURSELF!
Come see what all the BUZZZZ is about!!!
Located at 1415 N. Center Road
Saginaw, MI
48638
JUNE 10TH
8-6 PM
BRING A DISH TO PASS
All Tableware, Pizza OR Chicken, Bottled Water and Entertainment is supplied by the SGS.
Bring a dish/dessert to pass and a spouse
or an interested friend.
OR JUST BRING YOURSELF!
Come see what all the BUZZZZ is about!!!
Located at 1415 N. Center Road
Saginaw, MI
48638
Come on....play the game!
Rules are simple...just scroll up to:
WHAT DID YOU SEE?
Rules are simple...just scroll up to:
WHAT DID YOU SEE?
A _______ of Rhino ________
The Oldest SGS Membership ID#
CAN YOU GUESS WHO IT IS?
NO, IT'S NOT THE OLDEST PERSON...
IT'S THE OLDEST MEMBERSHIP NUMBER...
ITS NICK BENKERT with #427!
NO, IT'S NOT THE OLDEST PERSON...
IT'S THE OLDEST MEMBERSHIP NUMBER...
ITS NICK BENKERT with #427!
Who is Nick Benkert?
He's the longest active member in the SGS!
He served in the US ARMY.
He's a retired US POSTMAN.
He has 3 SONS.
Want to know more?
He's the longest active member in the SGS!
He served in the US ARMY.
He's a retired US POSTMAN.
He has 3 SONS.
Want to know more?
GO READ THE TTL FOR JUNE. IT WILL POST TO THE MEMBERS SITE ON
JUNE 11TH (SO WE CAN ADD IN PHOTOS FROM THE MEETING)...SEE YOU THEN!!!
JUNE 11TH (SO WE CAN ADD IN PHOTOS FROM THE MEETING)...SEE YOU THEN!!!
DO YOU HAVE A COOL STORY TO TELL ABOUT WHERE YOU GREW UP?
LET US KNOW!
SEND YOUR STORY TO :
[email protected]
LET US KNOW!
SEND YOUR STORY TO :
[email protected]
FOOD & FAMILY:
Did you know...family recipes are a tradition!?!
GO AHEAD...Make it with family!
GO AHEAD...Make it with family!
HAVE PENCIL AND PAPER HANDY!
CLICK BELOW TO WATCH
CLICK BELOW TO WATCH
10 Memorial Day and JUNE COOKOUT Recipes to Make Your Cookout..... LEGENDARY!
By Christopher Michel and Beth Branch Updated: May 13, 2025
These simple but smart recipes will have folks lining up for seconds...AND MAYBE EVEN THIRDS!
Memorial Day weekend and summer is NEARLY HERE...it's a time to remember those who fought to save our country. It's also a great time to take a break, relax, and enjoy a long weekend with friends and family. And that means grilling up a few classic Memorial Day recipes to munch on while you hang out.
Tradition dictates you put on some backyard tunes, roll out the grill, and have everyone over for a big cookout. We couldn't agree more! It's not the only Memorial Day activity on our list, but it's a big one. To help out, we've rounded up our best Memorial Day recipes to round out the menu.
We've got any and all grilled entrées, like burgers, pork chops, ribs, and kabobs. If you'd like to throw some easy side dishes on the grill, we've got you covered there—corn, baked beans, and grilled veggies. Surprisingly, we've got some brownies you can make in a cast iron skillet on the grill too. And there are plenty more Memorial Day desserts where those come from!
CLICK below to see what we've brought to the table!
By Christopher Michel and Beth Branch Updated: May 13, 2025
These simple but smart recipes will have folks lining up for seconds...AND MAYBE EVEN THIRDS!
Memorial Day weekend and summer is NEARLY HERE...it's a time to remember those who fought to save our country. It's also a great time to take a break, relax, and enjoy a long weekend with friends and family. And that means grilling up a few classic Memorial Day recipes to munch on while you hang out.
Tradition dictates you put on some backyard tunes, roll out the grill, and have everyone over for a big cookout. We couldn't agree more! It's not the only Memorial Day activity on our list, but it's a big one. To help out, we've rounded up our best Memorial Day recipes to round out the menu.
We've got any and all grilled entrées, like burgers, pork chops, ribs, and kabobs. If you'd like to throw some easy side dishes on the grill, we've got you covered there—corn, baked beans, and grilled veggies. Surprisingly, we've got some brownies you can make in a cast iron skillet on the grill too. And there are plenty more Memorial Day desserts where those come from!
CLICK below to see what we've brought to the table!
CATCH THE BUZZZZZZZ!
IN MEMORY OF:
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NO ONE PASSED TODAY,
JUST REMEMBER YOUR FRIENDS,
BE THEY TWO LEGGED OR FOUR !
JUST REMEMBER YOUR FRIENDS,
BE THEY TWO LEGGED OR FOUR !
A _______ of Loon ________
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF PAGE TO SEE WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW, TO PLAY THIS LITTLE GAME OF OURS!
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF PAGE TO SEE WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW, TO PLAY THIS LITTLE GAME OF OURS!
MILITARY NEWS:
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The Vietnam War, whether you were for it or against it, was unlike anything an American soldier had ever experienced,
there are countless stories of bravery, resilience, and the profound impact of combat on American soldiers. Many faced intense firefights, booby traps, and the constant threat of ambush in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. Some soldiers experienced the horrors of large-scale battles, while others found themselves in more isolated, intelligence-gathering missions. Regardless of their roles, the war left lasting scars, both physically and emotionally, on those who served.
Experiences in the Field:
IMPACT AND LEGACY:
there are countless stories of bravery, resilience, and the profound impact of combat on American soldiers. Many faced intense firefights, booby traps, and the constant threat of ambush in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. Some soldiers experienced the horrors of large-scale battles, while others found themselves in more isolated, intelligence-gathering missions. Regardless of their roles, the war left lasting scars, both physically and emotionally, on those who served.
Experiences in the Field:
- Ambush and Combat:
Soldiers like Mike Troyer, an acting squad leader, vividly recalled the terror of ambushes, where comrades were killed in a matter of minutes. Firefights were described as "controlled chaos," with soldiers working together closely to survive the intense pressure. - Intelligence Gathering:
Some units, like Jerry's, focused on gathering intelligence, often venturing into enemy territory to observe troop movements and supply lines. This required stealth and quick thinking, with casualties being a common occurrence. - Living Conditions:
For some, living conditions were relatively similar to those at military bases in the US, with barracks, hot meals, and entertainment. However, many experienced more challenging environments in the field, with the constant threat of danger. - Booby Traps:
Booby traps were a constant threat on patrol, often resulting in casualties and shaping the experiences of soldiers on the ground.
IMPACT AND LEGACY:
- PTSD:
Many veterans struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) upon returning home, experiencing difficulties with noise, crowds, and anger management. - Missing in Action:
Thousands of service members remain unaccounted for, their names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. - Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA):
This organization was formed to advocate for the needs of veterans and ensure their stories were not forgotten. - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, often called "The Wall"serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the war.
- The Wall:
- Michael Blassie - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
“Vietnam War Unknown Soldier”
For more than 20 years.....
...HIS FAMILY WAITED...
While his remains were FINALLY accounted for, through DNA.
They found WITHIN THE TOMB of the unknown soldier
in Washington D.C.!!!
APPROXIMATELY 1,500 U S SOLDIERS HAVE NEVER BEEN IDENTIFIED OR THEIR REMAINS FOUND.
Air Force 1st Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie
Was a Vietnam War vet who was shot down on May 11, 1972, and his remains were initially buried as an Unknown in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
His identity was later confirmed through DNA testing in 1998 and he was reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri.
Blassie was a decorated pilot serving with the 8th Special Operations Squadron and was flying an A-37 Dragonfly when his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire over An Loc, Vietnam. His remains were found five months later, but were initially misidentified. The remains were later identified as Blassie's in 1998, and he was reinterred in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, according to the National Library of Medicine and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The identification of Blassie's remains provided closure for his family and also brought attention to the ongoing efforts to identify other missing in action (MIA) service members.
CLICK BELOW TO DONATE TO THE :
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
MILITARY STORIES OF VALOR
Unsung Female Heroines of WWII
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I HEARD THE BUZZZZ
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In May 1944, a 23-year-old British secret agent named Phyllis Latour Doyle parachuted into occupied Normandy to gather intelligence on Nazi positions in preparation for D-Day. As an agent for the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), Doyle – who passed away in 2023 at the age of 102 – secretly relayed 135 coded messages to the British military before France's liberation in August. She took advantage of the fact that the Nazi occupiers and their French collaborators were generally less suspicious of women, using the knitting she carried as a way to hide her codes. For seventy years, Doyle's contributions to the war effort were largely unheralded, but she was finally given her due in 2014 when she was awarded France's highest honor, the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
Doyle first joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force at age 20 in 1941 to work as a flight mechanic, but SOE recruiters spotted her potential and offered her a job as a spy. A close family friend – her godmother's father who she viewed as her grandfather – had been shot by the Nazis and she was eager to support the war effort however she could. Doyle immediately accepted the SOE's offer and began an intensive training program. In addition to learning about encryption and surveillance, trainees also had to pass grueling physical tests. Doyle described how they were taught by a cat burglar who had been released from jail on "how to get in a high window, and down drain pipes, how to climb over roofs without being caught."
She first deployed to Aquitaine in Vichy France where she worked for a year as a spy using the codename Genevieve. Her most dangerous mission, however, began on May 1, 1944 when she jumped out of a U.S. Air Force bomber and landed behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Normandy. Using the codename Paulette, she posed as a poor teenage French girl. Doyle used a bicycle to tour the region, often under the guise of selling soap, and passed information to the British on Nazi positions using coded messages. In an interview with the New Zealand Army News magazine, she described how risky the mission, noting that "The men who had been sent just before me were caught and executed. I was told I was chosen for that area [of France] because I would arouse less suspicion."
She also explained how she concealed her codes: "I always carried knitting because my codes were on a piece of silk – I had about 2,000 I could use. When I used a code I would just pinprick it to indicate it had gone. I wrapped the piece of silk around a knitting needle and put it in a flat shoe lace which I used to tie my hair up." Coded messages took a half an hour to send, and the Germans could identify where a signal was sent from in an hour and a half, so Doyle moved constantly to avoid detection. At times, she stayed with Allied sympathizers, but often she had to sleep in forests and forage for food. During her months in Normandy, Doyle sent 135 secret messages conveying invaluable information on Nazi troop positions, which was used to help Allied forces prepare for the Normandy landings on D-Day and during the subsequent military campaign. Doyle continued her mission until France's liberation in August 1944.
Following the war, Doyle eventually married and settled in New Zealand where she raised four children. It was only in the past 15 years that she told them about her career as a spy. In presenting the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour to Doyle, the French Ambassador Laurent Contini commended her courage during the war, stating: "I have deep admiration for her bravery and it will be with great honor that I will present her with the award of Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur,
France’s highest decoration."
Doyle first joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force at age 20 in 1941 to work as a flight mechanic, but SOE recruiters spotted her potential and offered her a job as a spy. A close family friend – her godmother's father who she viewed as her grandfather – had been shot by the Nazis and she was eager to support the war effort however she could. Doyle immediately accepted the SOE's offer and began an intensive training program. In addition to learning about encryption and surveillance, trainees also had to pass grueling physical tests. Doyle described how they were taught by a cat burglar who had been released from jail on "how to get in a high window, and down drain pipes, how to climb over roofs without being caught."
She first deployed to Aquitaine in Vichy France where she worked for a year as a spy using the codename Genevieve. Her most dangerous mission, however, began on May 1, 1944 when she jumped out of a U.S. Air Force bomber and landed behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Normandy. Using the codename Paulette, she posed as a poor teenage French girl. Doyle used a bicycle to tour the region, often under the guise of selling soap, and passed information to the British on Nazi positions using coded messages. In an interview with the New Zealand Army News magazine, she described how risky the mission, noting that "The men who had been sent just before me were caught and executed. I was told I was chosen for that area [of France] because I would arouse less suspicion."
She also explained how she concealed her codes: "I always carried knitting because my codes were on a piece of silk – I had about 2,000 I could use. When I used a code I would just pinprick it to indicate it had gone. I wrapped the piece of silk around a knitting needle and put it in a flat shoe lace which I used to tie my hair up." Coded messages took a half an hour to send, and the Germans could identify where a signal was sent from in an hour and a half, so Doyle moved constantly to avoid detection. At times, she stayed with Allied sympathizers, but often she had to sleep in forests and forage for food. During her months in Normandy, Doyle sent 135 secret messages conveying invaluable information on Nazi troop positions, which was used to help Allied forces prepare for the Normandy landings on D-Day and during the subsequent military campaign. Doyle continued her mission until France's liberation in August 1944.
Following the war, Doyle eventually married and settled in New Zealand where she raised four children. It was only in the past 15 years that she told them about her career as a spy. In presenting the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour to Doyle, the French Ambassador Laurent Contini commended her courage during the war, stating: "I have deep admiration for her bravery and it will be with great honor that I will present her with the award of Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur,
France’s highest decoration."
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DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE PICNIC?
BZZZZ! |
SMILE A WHILE
A _______ of Pangolin ________
STORIES FROM VIETNAM
My Worst Day in Vietnam
Thomas “Tim” Groh arrived in Vietnam in October of 1967 and was assigned to Alpha 1/16 of the 1st Infantry Division. He was wounded twice in combat during the Tet Offensive; the second wound, recounted in this video, occurred on February 22, 1968. Groh returned to the United States after his tour and joined the US Postal Service. CLICK BELOW TO READ HIS STORY
A _______ of Sloth ________
CEMETERY HEROES:
Retired WMU professor turns 'headstone hero' for forgotten
War of 1812 veterans
War of 1812 veterans
by Katie Sergent | News Channel 3
HICKORY CORNERS, Mich.
A retired Western Michigan University professor
(WHO? Keep reading) is on a mission to honor four veterans involved in the War of 1812. Adopting North Hickory Cemetery in Hickory Corners, Michigan, Steve Kettner spent his time repairing and cleaning 19th Century headstones. His interest became an obsession after he started cleaning and repairing headstones during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kettner.
"I needed to find something to do. (wait...WHO is this guy?)
I ran across this Facebook group, 'Michigan Historic Graveyards,' joined and shortly thereafter became a moderator," he said. "It was something that I could do with my time. I had a long time interest in headstone symbolism... It was just something that snowballed as far as my interest in the headstones, the symbolism and then learning to repair and clean headstones properly, and it's caught on and become a real obsession with me."
WHO IS HE???
TO SEE THE WHOLE STORY AND ALL THE PHOTOS
PLEASE CLICK BELOW
A retired Western Michigan University professor
(WHO? Keep reading) is on a mission to honor four veterans involved in the War of 1812. Adopting North Hickory Cemetery in Hickory Corners, Michigan, Steve Kettner spent his time repairing and cleaning 19th Century headstones. His interest became an obsession after he started cleaning and repairing headstones during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kettner.
"I needed to find something to do. (wait...WHO is this guy?)
I ran across this Facebook group, 'Michigan Historic Graveyards,' joined and shortly thereafter became a moderator," he said. "It was something that I could do with my time. I had a long time interest in headstone symbolism... It was just something that snowballed as far as my interest in the headstones, the symbolism and then learning to repair and clean headstones properly, and it's caught on and become a real obsession with me."
WHO IS HE???
TO SEE THE WHOLE STORY AND ALL THE PHOTOS
PLEASE CLICK BELOW
OF NOTE: YOU NEVER KNOW WHO
YOU'RE GOING TO MEET IN A CEMETERY!
YOU'RE GOING TO MEET IN A CEMETERY!
A _______ of Tapir________
JUST ENOUGH LAUGHTER
AMAZING STORIES:
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Every Wednesday The Weekly Genealogist provides readers with news and information about NEHGS and the genealogical community. Features include a description of the latest database
on AmericanAncestors.org, a spotlight, an editor’s column, a survey question, stories of interest, and announcements about bookstore items, educational opportunities, and special offers.
on AmericanAncestors.org, a spotlight, an editor’s column, a survey question, stories of interest, and announcements about bookstore items, educational opportunities, and special offers.
A _______ of Sea Turtles ________
MONTH BY MONTH:
Edwin Way Teale is credited with saying, “The world’s favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May.” Which rings so true to me. May is my favorite month because it begins the wedding season, graduations, Memorial Day, cookouts, and the unofficial start to all things summer, but, with that hint of spring coolness wrapped into one. So, without further ado, happy first week of May!! and welcome to WHAT I THINK IS the best time of the year! Now, don’t be confused, this post isn’t just about the rosy posy-ness of May, it’s about how there are some weird facts and beliefs about this month that are super interesting…and definitely odd. Check out the list below:
1. May’s birthstone, the green emerald, symbolizes success and love. Look out all those born in May, it seems you got a double helping of awesomeness!
2. The May that we experience here in the Northern Hemisphere is felt like November to those in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. It was long told that getting married in May would reek havoc and bad luck to the bride and groom. It was such a serious accusation that there is a poem that reads, “Marry in May and you’ll rue the day”! Eeek. Good thing I got married in June!
4. According to Old English terms, May is synonymous for “Three Milkings.” Why?? Because May is the time of year when cows needed to be milked up to three times per day, which is a pretty weird fact all in itself!
5. There are great holidays in May, such as Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo, but through some research, I found out that May is also LOADED POTATO MONTH. Uh yes, I will happily celebrate that.
6. The first Saturday of May is known as Naked Gardening Day. Well, if you’re looking to celebrate this bizarre holiday, maybe just make sure you’re working in the backyard garden that day where you can be concealed.
7. An old story passed down through generations states that if you get up on May 1st and wash your face with the May Dew you will be promised a clear complexion free of freckles and pimples. This is something I would be willing to try next year! I mean I thought after I grew out of my teen years, my complexion would behave like normal, but that has yet to happen for me.
8. Depending on the day in May that you were born, you are one of two zodiac signs that dominate the month. You are a Taurus if you were born between May 1st and May 20th and a Gemini if born on May 21st. Pretty weird that a few hours can alter your whole star-set destiny.
9. Another crazy holiday is May 7th: National Roast Leg of Lamb Day. Such an oddly specific event. The more I read about interesting holidays, the more I think that we are all just looking for something to celebrate, but hey, I’m not complaining!
10. May Day (aka: May 1st) is believed by some to be the last chance that fairies have to travel to Earth. So, yesterday was the day that we should have seen all the fairies in transport back to Fairy World!
1. May’s birthstone, the green emerald, symbolizes success and love. Look out all those born in May, it seems you got a double helping of awesomeness!
2. The May that we experience here in the Northern Hemisphere is felt like November to those in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. It was long told that getting married in May would reek havoc and bad luck to the bride and groom. It was such a serious accusation that there is a poem that reads, “Marry in May and you’ll rue the day”! Eeek. Good thing I got married in June!
4. According to Old English terms, May is synonymous for “Three Milkings.” Why?? Because May is the time of year when cows needed to be milked up to three times per day, which is a pretty weird fact all in itself!
5. There are great holidays in May, such as Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo, but through some research, I found out that May is also LOADED POTATO MONTH. Uh yes, I will happily celebrate that.
6. The first Saturday of May is known as Naked Gardening Day. Well, if you’re looking to celebrate this bizarre holiday, maybe just make sure you’re working in the backyard garden that day where you can be concealed.
7. An old story passed down through generations states that if you get up on May 1st and wash your face with the May Dew you will be promised a clear complexion free of freckles and pimples. This is something I would be willing to try next year! I mean I thought after I grew out of my teen years, my complexion would behave like normal, but that has yet to happen for me.
8. Depending on the day in May that you were born, you are one of two zodiac signs that dominate the month. You are a Taurus if you were born between May 1st and May 20th and a Gemini if born on May 21st. Pretty weird that a few hours can alter your whole star-set destiny.
9. Another crazy holiday is May 7th: National Roast Leg of Lamb Day. Such an oddly specific event. The more I read about interesting holidays, the more I think that we are all just looking for something to celebrate, but hey, I’m not complaining!
10. May Day (aka: May 1st) is believed by some to be the last chance that fairies have to travel to Earth. So, yesterday was the day that we should have seen all the fairies in transport back to Fairy World!
A _______ of Giraffe ________
GENEALOGY SYMBOLS |
ITS GOING TO BE GREAT FUN!
|
HERE THEY ARE...GENEALOGY SYMBOLS
WANT TO SEE MORE?....OK YOU ASKED FOR IT....
meaning symbol Unicode code point(s) name
female ♀ U+2640 Female Sign
male ♂ U+2642 Male Sign
unknown ⚪︎ U+26AA Med White Circle
Lesbianism ⚢ U+26A2 Doubled female sign
Gay Male ⚣ U+26A3 Doubled male sign
Heterosexuality ⚤ U+26A4 Interlocked f&m
illegitimate ⊛ U+229B Circled Asterisk
birth * U+002A Asterisk
baptism, christening ~ U+007E Tilde
engaged ⚬ U+26AC Small Circle
married ⚭ U+26AD Marriage Symbol
divorced ⚮ U+26AE Divorce
unmarried ⚯ U+26AF Unmarried Union
burial ⚰︎ U+26B0 Coffin
cremation ⚱︎ U+26B1 Funeral Urn
killed in action ⚔︎ U+2694 Crossed Swords
this line extinct ‡ U+2021 Double Dagger
death ✝︎ U+271D Latin Cross
stillborn ✝︎* U+0086 U+002A Latin Cross, * illegitimate birth *⃝ U+002A U+20DD Asterisk +Circle
OTHERS I FOUND.... approximate ± U+00B1 Plus-Minus
before < U+003C Less-Than
after > U+003E Greater-Than
Fig. Symbols. 5 Relationships Category view in Gramps version 5.0
Prior to the Genealogical Symbols feature being implemented, birth and death data were explicitly labeled in English for the Active Person. This data was labeled with a simple abbreviation of label where more compact display was needed for the other relatives.
female ♀ U+2640 Female Sign
male ♂ U+2642 Male Sign
unknown ⚪︎ U+26AA Med White Circle
Lesbianism ⚢ U+26A2 Doubled female sign
Gay Male ⚣ U+26A3 Doubled male sign
Heterosexuality ⚤ U+26A4 Interlocked f&m
illegitimate ⊛ U+229B Circled Asterisk
birth * U+002A Asterisk
baptism, christening ~ U+007E Tilde
engaged ⚬ U+26AC Small Circle
married ⚭ U+26AD Marriage Symbol
divorced ⚮ U+26AE Divorce
unmarried ⚯ U+26AF Unmarried Union
burial ⚰︎ U+26B0 Coffin
cremation ⚱︎ U+26B1 Funeral Urn
killed in action ⚔︎ U+2694 Crossed Swords
this line extinct ‡ U+2021 Double Dagger
death ✝︎ U+271D Latin Cross
stillborn ✝︎* U+0086 U+002A Latin Cross, * illegitimate birth *⃝ U+002A U+20DD Asterisk +Circle
OTHERS I FOUND.... approximate ± U+00B1 Plus-Minus
before < U+003C Less-Than
after > U+003E Greater-Than
Fig. Symbols. 5 Relationships Category view in Gramps version 5.0
Prior to the Genealogical Symbols feature being implemented, birth and death data were explicitly labeled in English for the Active Person. This data was labeled with a simple abbreviation of label where more compact display was needed for the other relatives.
THE BOOK NOOK:
HISTORICAL, GENEALOGICAL & RESEARCH BOOKS
Women Heroes of World War II
32 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue
Johtje Vos, a Dutch housewife, hid Jews in her home and repeatedly outsmarted the Gestapo. Law student Hannie Schaft became involved in the most dangerous resistance work—sabotage, weapons transference, and assassinations. Soviet pilot Anna Yegorova flew missions against the Germans on the Eastern Front in an all-male regiment, eventually becoming a squadron leader. In these pages, readers will meet these and many other similarly courageous women and girls who risked their lives to help defeat the Nazis.
Thirty-two engaging and suspense-filled stories unfold from across Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, the United States, and in this expanded edition, the Soviet Union, providing an inspiring reminder of women and girls' refusal to sit on the sidelines around the world and throughout history.
An overview of World War II and summaries of each country's entrance and involvement in the war provide a framework for better understanding each woman's unique circumstances, and resources for further learning follow each profile. Women Heroes of World War II is an invaluable addition to any student's or history buff's bookshelf.
TO ORDER OR READ MORE CLICK BELOW
32 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue
Johtje Vos, a Dutch housewife, hid Jews in her home and repeatedly outsmarted the Gestapo. Law student Hannie Schaft became involved in the most dangerous resistance work—sabotage, weapons transference, and assassinations. Soviet pilot Anna Yegorova flew missions against the Germans on the Eastern Front in an all-male regiment, eventually becoming a squadron leader. In these pages, readers will meet these and many other similarly courageous women and girls who risked their lives to help defeat the Nazis.
Thirty-two engaging and suspense-filled stories unfold from across Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, the United States, and in this expanded edition, the Soviet Union, providing an inspiring reminder of women and girls' refusal to sit on the sidelines around the world and throughout history.
An overview of World War II and summaries of each country's entrance and involvement in the war provide a framework for better understanding each woman's unique circumstances, and resources for further learning follow each profile. Women Heroes of World War II is an invaluable addition to any student's or history buff's bookshelf.
TO ORDER OR READ MORE CLICK BELOW
A _______ of Otter ________
LEARNING CENTER:GENETICS 101 |
THERE'S A BUZZZ ABOUT THE JUNE MEETING! DID YOU HEAR? BZZZ
|
THE CASE
Ocala Man Identified as Homicide Victim in St. Lucie County-
1986 Cold Case
28 Apr 2025 7:51 PM
Nearly 40 years after an unidentified man was found bound and executed in St. Lucie County, Florida said the sheriff’s investigators but with the help of DNA technology learned the remains are those of 39-year-old Blaine Louis Brown, Jr., the Sheriff’s Office announced April 28 2025.
The remains determined to be those of Brown, who owned a horse ranch and another business in Ocala and was known by the nickname “Bunny,” were found Oct. 7, 1986, by a laborer in a grove near a crossroad.
“Interviews with family members indicated that Brown may have been involved in narcotics smuggling, and he had ties to Ocala, Miami, Fort Pierce, and also Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the 1980s,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
Detective Paul Taylor, who’s been dedicated to investigating cold case homicide and missing person cases, has said officials determined the man was “absolutely executed,” and found shot in the head a number of times.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In a 2020 interview about the case, Taylor said the worker noticed what he thought was a football, but it was a head, which had separated from the body because of decomposition and perhaps a scavenging animal pulled it into the road. The body was nearby, and likely had been there for at least a couple of weeks.
Taylor mentioned suspected links to drug trafficking — the so-called “cocaine cowboys” era.
“Despite exhaustive efforts by original detectives, no suspects were identified, and the victim remained a John Doe, eventually buried without a name in the Ft. Pierce public cemetery,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
NEW EFFORTS
In 2019, Taylor reopened the case. He found just the skull remained in evidence at the Sheriff’s Office. A section was cut out and delivered to DNA Labs International in Deerfield Beach for DNA testing in November 2019, though Taylor got a report indicating no DNA had turned up.
Incredulous, he talked to scientists and learned the skull had been put in formalin by the lab, which he described as a preservative that stops decomposition. “The formalin had actually erased the DNA,” Taylor said. “It had slowly worked its way through the bone.”
The remains in March 2020 were exhumed after Taylor learned the body was released to Yates Funeral Home & Cremation Services. He tracked it to a cemetery in the area. “When we exhumed him we actually found that he remained still tied up, which was just completely shocking to everybody,” Taylor said.
“All of his bindings were still there. They were still on the body.”
“Despite exhaustive efforts by original detectives, no suspects were identified, and the victim remained a John Doe, eventually buried without a name in the Ft. Pierce public cemetery,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
The DNA results, however, weren’t sufficient for forensic genetic genealogy until March 2024, when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement approved grant funding for advanced testing by a lab specializing in DNA identification from degraded remains.
Ultimately, on Jan. 8, 2025, a genealogy report identified possible first cousins of the deceased. “Subsequent contact with several family members, including a half-brother in Ohio, led to the submission of a confirmatory DNA sample,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. “Testing confirmed the victim’s identity as Blaine Louis Brown Jr.”
Missing person Sheriff’s officials stated the same day the remains were found — Oct. 7, 1986 -- Brown was reported missing to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. (HMMM) “According to his family, he was last seen on Sept. 26, 1986, telling relatives he was driving to Miami in connection with horse-related business,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. “His leased 1986 gray Ford pickup truck was later found abandoned in a Miami parking lot.”
Sheriff’s officials report they continue to try to identify the person or persons responsible for Brown’s death. Those with information are asked to contact Taylor at 1-772-359-4407 or [email protected]. Tips also can be submitted via Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers through www.tcwatch.org
THIS IS STILL AN OPEN CASE!
A _______ of ferret________
HISTORICAL NEWS |
WHEN'S THE MEETING?
|
MICHIGANS FIRST TRAILS
(become our modern day roads)
Amazingly, Michigan's first trails were NOT made by Pioneers or by the Native Americans but by ranging buffalo herds in migration! JUST IMAGINE BUFFALO HERDS IN MICHIGAN!
This was especially true on the St. Joseph trail in Southwest Michigan. The major trails in lower Michigan tended to link the "Indian" settlements of Mackinac, Detroit, Saginaw, and Niles. The area around Saginaw had the MOST native American settlements in the Great Lakes region!
Noted below are 14 native ‘trails’ that we travel everyday in Michigan. (map follows)
1) Shore Line Trail - A minor trail starting near Toledo and hugging Lake Erie's shore, the Straits of Detroit. Past Fort Gratiot and Lake Huron to a spot near White Rock. White Rock was considered a solemn spiritual place of offering.
2) Today this route is mirrored by Lakeshore Drive from Detroit to Lexington and M-25 north. This trail continues north along the entire shore to Cheboygan. It was considered a minor trail as travel via canoe was preferred along this route.
3) M-25: Michigan chose to utilize much of the original Native American trail along Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay to create
M-25. Paving of Michigan's First Scenic Highway was started in 1933 and completed in 1940.
4) Saginaw Trail - One of the oldest trails, this Sauk trail system, went from the Straits of Detroit to Saginaw. Today this starts at the Detroit River and heads northwest up Woodward Avenue to Pontiac, then continues up Dixie Highway through Flint and ends in...where else.... Saginaw!
5) Sand Ridge Indian Trail - An ancient trail from Saginaw to Port Austin in Michigan's Thumb. Used primarily for access to the rich hunting grounds found in the Thumb. Today, M-25 follows much of the same route. However, the old trail is still evident and marked as Sand Road in Huron County.
6) A Major Canoe Passage across Saginaw Bay occurred at Oak Point via Charity Island to reach the AuSable River. They could only reach this via canoe! Can you imagine canoeing ACROSS Saginaw Bay??
7) St. Joseph's Trail - A major east-west system called Route du Sieur de la Salle and the Territorial Road. When the Territorial road was first built from Plymouth to St Joseph, a portion of the road was ‘corduroy.’ which means wood logs placed closely together in a fashion resembling the ribs in corduroy fabric. (What a bumpy ride! No thank you. ) Today this trail is part of U.S. 12 and vast parts of I-94.
8) Cheboygan Trail - An interior Michigan trail to the Mackinac straits hugging the western edge of the eastern forests. State road M-33 follows much of this trail system today.
9) Mackinac Trail - An interior northern Michigan trail to the Mackinac straits hugging the western forests, straight up the middle of the state. I-75 covers much of this trail system today.
10) Sault-Green Bay Trail - An east-west route across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This system is followed by US 2 and State Rte. 35. (not pictured)
11) Grand River Trail - Trail between Detroit and Grand Rapids, whose route is now followed by the trunk line US 16.
12) Shiawassee Trail - Starting just south of Detroit, then skirting today's Farmington through Southfield. Ultimately terminating in Saginaw.
13) Great Sauk Trail - This MAJOR TRAIL system ran between Detroit and Chicago. In 1820 Henry Schoolcraft was on an expedition with Lewis Cass near Michigan City, Indiana, described the trail as a "plain horse path, which is considerably traveled by traders, hunters, and others..." and said that a stranger could not follow it without the services of a guide because of the numerous side trails. It was so well established that the state of Michigan followed the Chicago Road (now M-12) construction trail in 1827.
(Imagine a line of buffalo, slowly plodding along here the next time you're stuck in traffic...and count your blessings! )
14) Cadillac-Traverse City Trail - Also called the Old Indian Trail - This is an Ancient system, dating from 700 BC which runs from Cadillac to Traverse Bay. Today this is a marked system with a map and guide. This trail system is maintained by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Native Americans.
(become our modern day roads)
Amazingly, Michigan's first trails were NOT made by Pioneers or by the Native Americans but by ranging buffalo herds in migration! JUST IMAGINE BUFFALO HERDS IN MICHIGAN!
This was especially true on the St. Joseph trail in Southwest Michigan. The major trails in lower Michigan tended to link the "Indian" settlements of Mackinac, Detroit, Saginaw, and Niles. The area around Saginaw had the MOST native American settlements in the Great Lakes region!
Noted below are 14 native ‘trails’ that we travel everyday in Michigan. (map follows)
1) Shore Line Trail - A minor trail starting near Toledo and hugging Lake Erie's shore, the Straits of Detroit. Past Fort Gratiot and Lake Huron to a spot near White Rock. White Rock was considered a solemn spiritual place of offering.
2) Today this route is mirrored by Lakeshore Drive from Detroit to Lexington and M-25 north. This trail continues north along the entire shore to Cheboygan. It was considered a minor trail as travel via canoe was preferred along this route.
3) M-25: Michigan chose to utilize much of the original Native American trail along Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay to create
M-25. Paving of Michigan's First Scenic Highway was started in 1933 and completed in 1940.
4) Saginaw Trail - One of the oldest trails, this Sauk trail system, went from the Straits of Detroit to Saginaw. Today this starts at the Detroit River and heads northwest up Woodward Avenue to Pontiac, then continues up Dixie Highway through Flint and ends in...where else.... Saginaw!
5) Sand Ridge Indian Trail - An ancient trail from Saginaw to Port Austin in Michigan's Thumb. Used primarily for access to the rich hunting grounds found in the Thumb. Today, M-25 follows much of the same route. However, the old trail is still evident and marked as Sand Road in Huron County.
6) A Major Canoe Passage across Saginaw Bay occurred at Oak Point via Charity Island to reach the AuSable River. They could only reach this via canoe! Can you imagine canoeing ACROSS Saginaw Bay??
7) St. Joseph's Trail - A major east-west system called Route du Sieur de la Salle and the Territorial Road. When the Territorial road was first built from Plymouth to St Joseph, a portion of the road was ‘corduroy.’ which means wood logs placed closely together in a fashion resembling the ribs in corduroy fabric. (What a bumpy ride! No thank you. ) Today this trail is part of U.S. 12 and vast parts of I-94.
8) Cheboygan Trail - An interior Michigan trail to the Mackinac straits hugging the western edge of the eastern forests. State road M-33 follows much of this trail system today.
9) Mackinac Trail - An interior northern Michigan trail to the Mackinac straits hugging the western forests, straight up the middle of the state. I-75 covers much of this trail system today.
10) Sault-Green Bay Trail - An east-west route across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This system is followed by US 2 and State Rte. 35. (not pictured)
11) Grand River Trail - Trail between Detroit and Grand Rapids, whose route is now followed by the trunk line US 16.
12) Shiawassee Trail - Starting just south of Detroit, then skirting today's Farmington through Southfield. Ultimately terminating in Saginaw.
13) Great Sauk Trail - This MAJOR TRAIL system ran between Detroit and Chicago. In 1820 Henry Schoolcraft was on an expedition with Lewis Cass near Michigan City, Indiana, described the trail as a "plain horse path, which is considerably traveled by traders, hunters, and others..." and said that a stranger could not follow it without the services of a guide because of the numerous side trails. It was so well established that the state of Michigan followed the Chicago Road (now M-12) construction trail in 1827.
(Imagine a line of buffalo, slowly plodding along here the next time you're stuck in traffic...and count your blessings! )
14) Cadillac-Traverse City Trail - Also called the Old Indian Trail - This is an Ancient system, dating from 700 BC which runs from Cadillac to Traverse Bay. Today this is a marked system with a map and guide. This trail system is maintained by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Native Americans.
Map below shows by COLOR the different routes used.
(AND ALL ROADS HEAD TO SAGINAW!)
(AND ALL ROADS HEAD TO SAGINAW!)
A _______ of Bongo ________
GENEALOGY FOR JUNE
|
BZZZZ ITS AT
1415 N CENTER ROAD AT LDS CHURCH! |
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Build the branches of your own family tree. The automated tree builder will guide you along. As you add information, we'll search for ancestor connections.
Search a huge archive of historical documents.
We’ve gathered a variety of important documents that recorded important life events. Records help to tell the story of your family.
Not sure where to begin?We can show you how to do things like make a family tree or search for an ancestor. Choose from a list of activities that fits your interest....CLICK BELOW
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AT?
THE STORIES OF THE HOUSE IN THE WOODS
by Debra Sheets
Until the age of 14, I lived just west of Lathrup Village, in Southfield, on Aberdeen Street. I had several friends who lived there in Lathrup Village, and I also went to Southfield-Lathrup High School in the years to come.
My favorite memory of the area, was when I was age 10, out riding my bike one early summer morning, when I came across the house in question. The front gate was open, ( the circular property was surrounded by a tall black iron fence and I was really thirsty). Anyhow, I saw a young family having breakfast at a large table under the front portico. So, I rode up the driveway to the house and asked for a glass of water. (Bold as brass...huh?)
The Mom, was there with a few small children. It must have been around 1964? Give or take a year. The Mom, (who was very gracious and kind), sent one of the kids inside to get me a glass of water. And while I waited, she asked me: WHO I was,
WHERE I was from, and WHY I was there. So I told her.
Then she told me that her name was 'Mrs. Driscoll', and that I could ride around and look at the grounds if I wanted to. So I did. I saw a lot of great big old trees, all kinds of squirrels, a few deer, some turkeys, a red-headed woodpecker and even an owl hooting in the trees, but there were NO OTHER HOUSES. I don't remember anything else; Just that the house was VERY large and impressive. And I wondered to myself, "Did those kids have to share a room like I did?"
Anyhow, I soon rode back home, across Southfield Road (it was not an expressway yet) back to my little house on Aberdeen street. I never knew that, that house had a NAME, until I saw this story, nor did I ever tell anyone where I had gone. (My Mom would have sent me to my room for going so far, and when my Dad got home I would have gotten a spanking. So, it was just best, not to tell ANYONE!
THEN I FOUND THIS ON THE INTERNET:
The 'House-in-the-Woods' was located at 19600 Forest Dr. on a 6.49-acre wooded tract surrounded by a 100-foot-wide circular road called Morningside. The house was designed by Detroit architect J. Ivan Dise, who also built homes, apartments and nonresidential buildings in Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms and Bloomfield Hills. (A couple of them are on the National Register of Historic Places.) The contractor for construction of the House-in-the-Woods was The Jacob Kehrer Co., Inc. of Detroit.
The two-story brick house, Dise designed for Louise Lathrup had 10,600 square feet and a slate roof. Louise later described it as having three kitchens, three garages, four full bathrooms and three powder rooms. It was served by its own water/sewer main and at times had up to three families in residence. At times the house served as Lathrup’s business office, including an architectural office and bookkeeper.
Construction began in 1926, and Louise has recorded that she moved into the house in 1927. But she apparently didn’t live there very long. I haven’t been able to piece it all together, but here’s what we’ve found so far: The 1930 Census sheet shows the now-married Louise and her husband living at 335 11 Mile Rd. along with a caretaker couple. Louise’s own records indicate that she, her husband and their daughter moved from the House-in-the-Woods into the second floor of 'Town Hall' in 1936. In 1938 her mother, Annie Lathrup, moved there too.
Beginning in the 1930s and continuing into the 1940s, as the Great Depression dragged on, a wide-ranging effort appears to have been undertaken to sell the House-in-the-Woods and the surrounding 250 acres, either separately or together. The house itself was listed at one point for $125,000. In 1936 Dominican nuns from Detroit came to look at it and pronounced it suitable for a school, but they did not have the money to purchase it. In 1938 it was offered to them for rent; in 1939 it was offered for sale for $75,000. Another idea floated was to turn the house into a country club, selling shares totaling $250,000. The idea was to use the house as the clubhouse and set up a corporation to own it.
Finally in 1936 the Kelley’s took out a land contract on the house and several other properties they owned. A 1940 letter indicates they had been delinquent on the contract for two and a half years. A 1943 letter indicates they were on the brink of receiving an FHA mortgage, which would pay off the land contract. That mortgage was paid off in 1953.
Beginning in 1947 the house hosted meetings and events of the Lathrup Village Woman’s Club and other groups. Fashion shows, bazaars and the like were held there, including a 1955 Las Vegas Night complete with covered wagon outside. Three hundred guests attended for dinner and games. A 1947 letter from Louise to the Woman’s Club offered six months free use of the house.
The club was the first organization to receive such access, and Louise expressed confidence they would take good care of it. “Proper care of any such a property would be natural to you, since conservation and housekeeping are natural to every woman,” she wrote. The letter spelled out in detail what portions of the house and grounds the club would have access to. “As you know, we are at this time committed to temporary use of the remainder of the structure by others.”
In the late 1940s extensive repairs were undertaken, including windows, a new boiler, plaster and paint. After cityhood of Lathrup Village, the house served as the first city hall (1953-1962), housing city administration, council meetings, a post office and a court. Much later, nine residential lots were split off the house’s land and single-family homes were built within the first circle road. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, along with that portion of the city built through 1953. (More houses were built later)
Tragically, on June 19, 2009 the house was struck by lightning and caught fire. At the time, according to newspaper accounts, the Kelley’s daughter, Louise Driscoll, was living there with her daughter, Lore. They escaped unharmed. Some of Lathrup’s personal and business records which were stored in the house were saved, and Louise Driscoll later donated the materials to the Lathrup Village Historical Society.
At the time of the fire, the house’s insurance had lapsed and the property taxes were in arrears. In September 2010, the house and 2.5 acres was quit-claimed to the city. The historical society hired architect Elisabeth Knibbe of Quinn Evans Architects, Ann Arbor, to determine whether any part of the house could be saved. In her report, she said the architectural was “recapturable,” but rebuilding the house was unlikely to be "financially feasible".
With the country in a recession, the House-in-the-Woods was demolished at city expense. A group of residents calling themselves the Save the Land Committee proposed retaining the site as open space, and city council approved a six-month moratorium on development to allow the committee to submit a formal proposal. In September 2011, the planning commission approved the proposed land use.
by Debra Sheets
Until the age of 14, I lived just west of Lathrup Village, in Southfield, on Aberdeen Street. I had several friends who lived there in Lathrup Village, and I also went to Southfield-Lathrup High School in the years to come.
My favorite memory of the area, was when I was age 10, out riding my bike one early summer morning, when I came across the house in question. The front gate was open, ( the circular property was surrounded by a tall black iron fence and I was really thirsty). Anyhow, I saw a young family having breakfast at a large table under the front portico. So, I rode up the driveway to the house and asked for a glass of water. (Bold as brass...huh?)
The Mom, was there with a few small children. It must have been around 1964? Give or take a year. The Mom, (who was very gracious and kind), sent one of the kids inside to get me a glass of water. And while I waited, she asked me: WHO I was,
WHERE I was from, and WHY I was there. So I told her.
Then she told me that her name was 'Mrs. Driscoll', and that I could ride around and look at the grounds if I wanted to. So I did. I saw a lot of great big old trees, all kinds of squirrels, a few deer, some turkeys, a red-headed woodpecker and even an owl hooting in the trees, but there were NO OTHER HOUSES. I don't remember anything else; Just that the house was VERY large and impressive. And I wondered to myself, "Did those kids have to share a room like I did?"
Anyhow, I soon rode back home, across Southfield Road (it was not an expressway yet) back to my little house on Aberdeen street. I never knew that, that house had a NAME, until I saw this story, nor did I ever tell anyone where I had gone. (My Mom would have sent me to my room for going so far, and when my Dad got home I would have gotten a spanking. So, it was just best, not to tell ANYONE!
THEN I FOUND THIS ON THE INTERNET:
The 'House-in-the-Woods' was located at 19600 Forest Dr. on a 6.49-acre wooded tract surrounded by a 100-foot-wide circular road called Morningside. The house was designed by Detroit architect J. Ivan Dise, who also built homes, apartments and nonresidential buildings in Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms and Bloomfield Hills. (A couple of them are on the National Register of Historic Places.) The contractor for construction of the House-in-the-Woods was The Jacob Kehrer Co., Inc. of Detroit.
The two-story brick house, Dise designed for Louise Lathrup had 10,600 square feet and a slate roof. Louise later described it as having three kitchens, three garages, four full bathrooms and three powder rooms. It was served by its own water/sewer main and at times had up to three families in residence. At times the house served as Lathrup’s business office, including an architectural office and bookkeeper.
Construction began in 1926, and Louise has recorded that she moved into the house in 1927. But she apparently didn’t live there very long. I haven’t been able to piece it all together, but here’s what we’ve found so far: The 1930 Census sheet shows the now-married Louise and her husband living at 335 11 Mile Rd. along with a caretaker couple. Louise’s own records indicate that she, her husband and their daughter moved from the House-in-the-Woods into the second floor of 'Town Hall' in 1936. In 1938 her mother, Annie Lathrup, moved there too.
Beginning in the 1930s and continuing into the 1940s, as the Great Depression dragged on, a wide-ranging effort appears to have been undertaken to sell the House-in-the-Woods and the surrounding 250 acres, either separately or together. The house itself was listed at one point for $125,000. In 1936 Dominican nuns from Detroit came to look at it and pronounced it suitable for a school, but they did not have the money to purchase it. In 1938 it was offered to them for rent; in 1939 it was offered for sale for $75,000. Another idea floated was to turn the house into a country club, selling shares totaling $250,000. The idea was to use the house as the clubhouse and set up a corporation to own it.
Finally in 1936 the Kelley’s took out a land contract on the house and several other properties they owned. A 1940 letter indicates they had been delinquent on the contract for two and a half years. A 1943 letter indicates they were on the brink of receiving an FHA mortgage, which would pay off the land contract. That mortgage was paid off in 1953.
Beginning in 1947 the house hosted meetings and events of the Lathrup Village Woman’s Club and other groups. Fashion shows, bazaars and the like were held there, including a 1955 Las Vegas Night complete with covered wagon outside. Three hundred guests attended for dinner and games. A 1947 letter from Louise to the Woman’s Club offered six months free use of the house.
The club was the first organization to receive such access, and Louise expressed confidence they would take good care of it. “Proper care of any such a property would be natural to you, since conservation and housekeeping are natural to every woman,” she wrote. The letter spelled out in detail what portions of the house and grounds the club would have access to. “As you know, we are at this time committed to temporary use of the remainder of the structure by others.”
In the late 1940s extensive repairs were undertaken, including windows, a new boiler, plaster and paint. After cityhood of Lathrup Village, the house served as the first city hall (1953-1962), housing city administration, council meetings, a post office and a court. Much later, nine residential lots were split off the house’s land and single-family homes were built within the first circle road. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, along with that portion of the city built through 1953. (More houses were built later)
Tragically, on June 19, 2009 the house was struck by lightning and caught fire. At the time, according to newspaper accounts, the Kelley’s daughter, Louise Driscoll, was living there with her daughter, Lore. They escaped unharmed. Some of Lathrup’s personal and business records which were stored in the house were saved, and Louise Driscoll later donated the materials to the Lathrup Village Historical Society.
At the time of the fire, the house’s insurance had lapsed and the property taxes were in arrears. In September 2010, the house and 2.5 acres was quit-claimed to the city. The historical society hired architect Elisabeth Knibbe of Quinn Evans Architects, Ann Arbor, to determine whether any part of the house could be saved. In her report, she said the architectural was “recapturable,” but rebuilding the house was unlikely to be "financially feasible".
With the country in a recession, the House-in-the-Woods was demolished at city expense. A group of residents calling themselves the Save the Land Committee proposed retaining the site as open space, and city council approved a six-month moratorium on development to allow the committee to submit a formal proposal. In September 2011, the planning commission approved the proposed land use.
This is an old photo of the house before it was torn down
The two driveways were long and they curved a bit. There was also another driveway in the back, but it was gated too. The bush you see on the side of the porch was not growing there when I was thereabout 1964?? As I could see the family from the front of the middle driveway, on the portico having breakfast. (There were three driveways)
There were no houses inside ‘Morningside Plaza’ when I was there, it was all woods. The houses didn’t start being built back then, until you reached Rackham Dr. the 3rd circle out from the house, and the south driveway was locked and closed as well. (see the PHOTO below or see interactive current map at end of story)
The two driveways were long and they curved a bit. There was also another driveway in the back, but it was gated too. The bush you see on the side of the porch was not growing there when I was thereabout 1964?? As I could see the family from the front of the middle driveway, on the portico having breakfast. (There were three driveways)
There were no houses inside ‘Morningside Plaza’ when I was there, it was all woods. The houses didn’t start being built back then, until you reached Rackham Dr. the 3rd circle out from the house, and the south driveway was locked and closed as well. (see the PHOTO below or see interactive current map at end of story)
The trip from my old house 28073 Aberdeen St. to the HOUSE IN THE WOODS which was within Morningside Plaza (to the far left of Lathrup Village) was about 2 miles from my house. Southfield Road was there, but it was only a 2 lane road back then, then it became the Southfield Expressway! Only trouble is, I don't see Southfield Expressway on the current Google map!
Anyhow, around the property there used to be a tall black wrought iron fence that you could never climb over, it was very tall and had spikes along its top. (All gone now). The trees that I saw as a young girl were very tall and old. The grounds were all very manicured and elegant but simple. I never noticed any flowers or flower gardens.
But there were birds and a few animals there, that I never saw near my house! (Like Hawks, Red-headed woodpeckers, turkeys, song birds of all kinds and squirrels too...black, gray and golden brown...I had never seen so many different kinds of squirrels before!) I saw a few deer there too, but as I approached on my bike, they ran off. (Times have sure changed.)
It's sad that such a beautiful home was torn down and lost to history. But I'm glad that I at least got to see a portion of this place, and now, I even know its name!
Click below to use THE GOOGLE MAP to check out the area.
Anyhow, around the property there used to be a tall black wrought iron fence that you could never climb over, it was very tall and had spikes along its top. (All gone now). The trees that I saw as a young girl were very tall and old. The grounds were all very manicured and elegant but simple. I never noticed any flowers or flower gardens.
But there were birds and a few animals there, that I never saw near my house! (Like Hawks, Red-headed woodpeckers, turkeys, song birds of all kinds and squirrels too...black, gray and golden brown...I had never seen so many different kinds of squirrels before!) I saw a few deer there too, but as I approached on my bike, they ran off. (Times have sure changed.)
It's sad that such a beautiful home was torn down and lost to history. But I'm glad that I at least got to see a portion of this place, and now, I even know its name!
Click below to use THE GOOGLE MAP to check out the area.
Nickolas Benkert family tree
(I KNOW ITS SMALL, BEST I COULD DO)
(I KNOW ITS SMALL, BEST I COULD DO)
SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST
HOW MANY BEES SAID NOTHING AT ALL?
SEE HOW MANY YOU CAN FIND FOR JUNE...
HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE PICNIC!!!
SEE HOW MANY YOU CAN FIND FOR JUNE...
HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE PICNIC!!!
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