For the Love of Family History

You Never Know What You'll Find...Another Day, Another Cool "Find"!

2012-01-12T01:19:00.000-08:00

A quick stop at my favorite "Vintage Mall" in Springfield, OR today resulted in an unusual treasure---a history of the railroad company that both my paternal grandfather, my father and one of my uncles worked for in Iowa and Illinois. I was just wandering through the store, and there in a little pile of railroad history books was Steam Locomotives of the Burlington Route written by Bernard G. Corbin and William F. Kerka, published in 1978. It's a 320 page book with 530 photos of trains!

I know that my father, James Everett Elting (1909-1970) not only worked for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&QRR) in the 1930s, but his father James Henry Elting had worked there previously. Dad studied blueprint reading at the CB&QRR night school in Burlington, IA and then rode the rails to Oregon in about 1933. He stayed in the Pacific Northwest and continued his blueprint studies at Edison Vocational School in Seattle while working for Boeing prior to being drafted during WWII.

I don't know much about "Grandpa Jim's" work on the railroad other than he kept taking his young family by train to Montana and had a land claim there (near Havre, I think). They finally settled permanently in Burlington when Grandma had had enough of the primitive conditions in Montana. Perhaps some of my first cousins will have more details.

My uncle, Charles Leland Elting, (known as "Uncle Red") also worked for the railroad. I believe he would have worked at their southern Illinois sites, but perhaps earlier in West Burlington, IA. His children or grandchildren may have information.

I got really excited when I saw "Assignments and Roster Sheets" in the index. "Here we go! Now I'll find all the Elting family names and we'll have another bit of history to share and enjoy," I thought. Silly me. Little did I know that a railroad history book would have pages and pages and pages in that excitement inducing section...but it is all listings of train engines and cars! There is a lot of written history in the book, in addition to those 530 photos of trains, and I'll do some more reading to pull out anything that might relate to the time periods when our family members might have been involved. But, much as I love riding on trains, I am already tired of looking at those photos.

But I know just the person to send this book to---brother Ralph. He's currently engaged in studying Civil War cannons and determining why our great-grandfather--yet another James Elting---is on a horse in his official Civil War photo. (He has the answer. Maybe I can persuade him to write about it for this site).

So, that's my special family history find today.

You just never know what you'll find!

2012-01-11T02:38:00.000-08:00

Doing family history research often results in surprises. Such was the case recently when I was just fooling around seeing what might be "new" in the way of Elting family history information. This is what I found: a letter from Oscar Elting to his nephew Warren B. Keator, son of Lavina (Elting) and Calvin Keator of Rosendale, Ulster County, NY. The 1867 letter was offered for sale on the http://www.artfact.com/ Internet auction site. It requires membership so I don't know if the letter has been sold, or if so, the amount of the purchase price.

From the auction details:

Letter, dated December 16, 1867, Fort Selden, NM, and cabinet card offered from the Eric C. Caren Collection on September 15, 2011.

Oscar Elting(1831-1902) was a native of New Paltz, NY who served in the 1st New York Cavalry through the Civil War and then joined the 3rd U.S Cavalry as a career officer. His first posting as a second lieutenant was to Fort Selden in Apache country, and he was quickly put to the test : "18 days after my arrival here, had a fight with the Apaches which I will briefly describe. At 3 1/2 o clock p.m. about 75 attacked a few soldiers guarding a herd...within half a mile of this post. My company was quickly in the saddle and in pursuit and after a chase of 15 miles and fighting them in three mountain ravines we recaptured the whole herd, killed 3 indians and dismounted 13 savages...The last Indian was killed at sundown by a detachment of 5 men under my immediate command, this detachment being the advance party...I secured his scalp besides other trophies...It was a close desperate and exciting chase, our cavalry fighting them from behind rocks and driving them until night came on."

For those who do not have a copy of my book, Answering the Call! An Elting Military Tribute, this is a brief description of some of the information I included about Oscar:

(His name was actually Stewart Oscar Elting and that is the way he appears in Jim Elting's genealogy book under his number: 1533). Oscar was the son of Abraham Jacobus and Jane Vernooy (Bevier) Elting. Born August 1, 1831 in Ulster Co., NY and died November 6, 1902 in Burlington, Vermont of a heart attack. Buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. He married Fanny Barton Stewart and had three children. Oscar was an 1861 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY. Since there are at least 900 pages of Capt. Elting's military records in the National Archives, (too expensive for my research budget for the book) I listed the information that was submitted to the government for his pension request in which his service locations and dates were detailed. According to that list, he joined his unit on November 2, 1867 and reported to Fort Selden. Of course official records also show him as a prisoner of war in June 15, 1863 having been captured at Winchester, VA. Either those records are incorrect or whoever (probably his widow) failed to mention his having been a prisoner of war when filing on his pension on January 14, 1903, a few months after his death. The full records would probably, but not necessarily, solve this mystery.

In Answering... I focused more on the health and injury issues of Civil War era Elting soldiers and Oscar's list is one of the longest. Indeed, the Angina Pectoris that killed him after retirement was reported by his physician to have been service related based on Oscar's prior testimony of "hardship and long service."

Lest anyone feel "uncomfortable" with my reporting Oscar's battle with the Apaches, I repeat here a portion of the disclaimer in my book: "There was no attempt...to glorify---or to denounce---anyone, or any action. This is simply a tribute to those descendants of Jan and Jacomyntje Elting who served in this nation under the laws and politics of their time..." Family history is just that---history.

Pages and pages of all those family names!

2012-01-07T02:25:00.000-08:00

It sounded like such a simple project. I'd gather together all the family stories and bits of history scattered through several file drawers and boxes, add to them special photos selected from a large collection and put it all into family history notebooks for Christmas presents for three of my adult grandsons Kyle Utterback, and Brinton and Ty Cary.

Weeks of sorting, assembling, copying, meeting with one grandson's other grandmother for info and details and hours of writing later I hadn't begun to make a dent in the project and it was only a week until Christmas. What to do? Panic is always my first choice, but this time I actually had a good helping of common sense and realized it was not doable in so short a time. So, I put the notebooks together with the information that was ready, or near ready, and was quite pleased to see that the four inch ring binders were about a quarter full. Plenty of room for the heaps of material still to be prepared. So the boys received a "Christmas present in progress" this year and one of my major goals for 2012 is to finish this project!

Amazingly, with all that work I didn't empty a single box, file drawer or photo album! There is much left to do. Part of the reason for my inability to complete the project in time---aside from my lifelong habit of underestimating the time and energy it will take to complete any project---was that meeting with the other grandmother. Our mutual grandson has fascinating ties to Oregon's early history and I did get a little sidetracked (let's say most of one week) researching and enjoying learning about our state's history that I had never known before. There's a museum in Prineville, Oregon that I must visit now, and the frustrating thing is that I spent a whole weekend in that town, driving back and forth past that very museum, just weeks before I learned of my grandson Kyle's connection to Crook County history.

If you're still reading, here's the major points in his family history: One of his ancestor grandfathers, John Turley Crooks, represented Linn County in the legislature when they wrote the state constitution in a single month, and his son, Aaron Crooks was murdered in the Prineville area setting off a rugged vigilante "war" that is about as "Wild West" story as one can imagine. The story is easily found on the Internet.

But, any of you reading this because you're one of my Elting, Smith, Carlisle, etc. relatives---these Crooks are not our relatives. They are my grandson's paternal family members. He has, besides all of our relatives, the whole Utterback, Vibbert, Crooks, Friend lines and many more in his genealogy.

Lucky for me, these young men are interested in all this material I'm giving to them. Nothing better than having the next generation realize the importance of FAMILY.

Born in the USA---Waldport Story

2011-08-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

My article on the old Waldport (OR) hospital and Dr. Edwards was published in the June issue of Oregon Coast magazine. You can read it online at:

http://www.northwestmagazines.com/Epubs/Oregon-Coast-magazine-June-2011/#?page=34

This article will be of particular interest to descendants of Lester and Pearl (Carlisle) Smith, late of Oregon City, Waldport and Siletz/Logsden, Oregon.

While researching for this article, I read John Tayman's book "The Colony--The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai." (Published by Scribner in 2006). If you're interested in the history of this Hawaiian Island or the subject of leprosy, don't miss this book.

SMITH-CARLISLE FAMILY REUNION COMING SOON!

2011-07-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

WHEN: Saturday, July 16 8 a.m. or so until you want to leave, or the park closes, whichever comes first!

WHERE: Clackamette Park, Clackamette Dr., Oregon City, OR.

WHO: All descendants of Lester and Pearl Smith, their Carlisle cousins---and any other friends and relatives who want to visit with us.

Bring your own lunch or purchase it at the nearby fast food place.
Bring musical instruments
Bring lawn chairs, awnings--whatever you need to be comfortable. The park is beautiful, but there are no benches or chairs.
If you have children, please bring games that can be enjoyed by all the children.
Be prepared to share your family milestones that have occurred since July 2009. (Weddings, graduations, awards, hobbies, births, deaths, travel---whatever was important in your lives)

WHY: We gather together every two years to continue our family ties, visit and enjoy one another. We meet in Oregon City because it is where Lester and Pearl grew up and were married, plus it is a central location that allows most of the "Smith Cousins" to travel within two-three hours of their homes.

Gen. Patton Featured in Huguenot Street Newsletter

2011-04-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

My article on our Elting "cousin", General George Patton, is featured in the Spring edition of Historic Huguenot Street's newsletter. See: http://www.huguenotstreet.org/ and click on the mini newsletter at the top of the page. I have another article in that issue on "The Gathering" held on the Street last August. This issue has lots of information about HHS events!

"The Gathering" Featured in Magazine Article

2011-03-26T02:06:00.000-07:00

My article on "The Gathering" on Historic Huguenot Street has been published in the March-April issue of Reunions Magazine!

If you've been to New Paltz, NY, or are a descendant of the original families: Elting, DuBois, Hasbrouck, DuBois, Crispell, Bevier, Freer, Deyo, Terwilliger and others, you know that every bit of publicity that we can obtain for the stone house museums, the archives and the collections is important to saving these important treasures of our nation's history. So I'm very thankful that the story of our "family reunion" last August was published.

The issue is now available on the magazine's website:

http://www.reunionsmag.com/

Our name was Hell!

2011-03-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

I haven't spent much time on my maternal family history, but recently I was re-reading a genealogy book on one line of my grandfather's family. The book, written by Alvera Brookman Dunn in 2005, is entitled, "Jacob Hell/Clear and Margaret Davis Clear and their Descendants."

Oh, did I mention that our family name was HELL? Not a great name for children to defend, so I'm glad it was changed a few generations before I was born. According to Mrs. Dunn, the Hells were a German family who arrived in Pennsylvania about 1740 and settled among other German families. But, as descendants moved out from the German community, "they found that their family name, Hell, was not as acceptable in America as it had been in Germany. Gradually, they adopted the name 'Clear', one of the literal meanings of the German 'Hell.' By 1850 no one used the name 'Hell' unless it appeared in a land sale transacted earlier. The former name 'Hell' became 'hush-hush' and within two generations was forgotten..."

Mrs. Dunn was able to verify this information in Preble County, Ohio in the 1980s. But no legal name change from 'Hell' to 'Clear' has been found.

For those who are descended from Lester and Pearl (Carlisle) Smith, this is the family line of Lester's mother, Margaret Clear. (Jacob Hell/Clear and Margaret (Davis) Clear, John H. Clear and Ludicia "Louisa" (Graham) Clear, Margaret Clear and Luther Smith; Lester Lee Smith).

This book is filled with family history information that I'll explore in future entries.

Fun Times with "Who Do You Think You Are?"

2011-02-19T23:23:00.000-08:00

I missed the broadcast of the TIM McGRAW segment on the TV show "Who Do You Think You Are?", but listening to my husband talk about it, I began to hear familiar information. I could not believe my ears when I turned on the computer video and heard Tim McGraw discover his 8th great-grandfather was JOST HITE! For those who have read my book, Answering the Call! you know that there are several Hites featured. A quick review of the McGraw information compared to our Elting information showed that Tim's ancestor grandmother, Jost Hite's daughter Mary Magdalena, was the sister of John and Isaac Hite who married two of Cornelius Elting's daughters, Alida Eleanor and Sarah.

So, all you Elting descendants who love country music and appreciate Tim McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill...we have newly-discovered "cousins" to welcome into the family. Aren't family "connections" fun?

VREDENBURGH FAMILY LINE

2010-09-05T00:09:00.000-07:00

Wow, the power of the Internet! While researching yet another Elting---yes, I sometimes do other things---I found an entire genealogy for our Vredenburgh family line. For those of us descended from James Henry and Cora Mae (Beere) Elting, Grandpa James' mother was Phoebe (Vredenburgh) Elting, wife of Moses Elting. They resided in New Paltz, NY. I hope to post all the information on Grandma Phoebe's DUTCH family soon.

THE GATHERING on Historic Huguenot Street

2010-08-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

Bevier-Elting House

Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY

"THE GATHERING" held on Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY August 13-15, 2010 was a wonderfully successful event . More than 200 cousins and friends enjoyed days of rare mild New York summer weather. It was an amazing educational, entertaining and unique event coordinated by the HHS staff, with assistance from volunteers and Family Association members.

HHS President and Family Collaboration Committee Chair Mary Etta Schneider
visiting at the Friday Night "President's Reception" on LeFevre House lawn.

Gathering near one of the ancient trees on the LeFevre House lawn.

Gathering around the abundant food available throughout the weekend's activities.

Gathering at the workshops---so many interesting workshops.

HHS Marketing Director Richard Heyl de Ortiz presented this one on African-American history.

Gathering in the LeFevre House Gallery to hear

HHS Curator Leslie LeFevre-Stratton

share the history of the ancestor portraits.

(This is the original home of Ezekiel and Magdalene (Elting) Elting)

Gathering at the ice cream social---a very popular event!

The historical significance of New Paltz's Huguenot Street is just being fully realized.

We descendants are justifiably proud that the homes of our ancestors have been preserved, that our collections and archives are professionally catalogued and subjected to ongoing preservation techniques. We are also very proud that our professional staff is recognizing the importance of not only preserving these amazing examples of American life through the centuries from the mid-1600s, but finding ways to share them in special gallery presentations, programming, tours and publications. We were happy to hear that HHS has been a leader in exploring ways to survive in the current economic situation.

The purpose of this gathering was two-fold:

to provide an opportunity for the descendants and their family associations to meet together and share in the excitement of being together where our ancestors lived through the centuries, and
to bring more focus and attention to the financial commitments necessary to continue the presentation of this amazing example of a truly American story.

If you can contribute, or if you know of a foundation that is still issuing grants for preservation and related projects, please contact me at gecastle@cluesonline.com, or call the HHS office at 845-255-1660.

THE GRAHAM MYSTERY

2010-07-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

I've often wondered when I would have time to explore the history of our Graham Clan. My brief attempts to understand the Scottish clan history and to embrace the culture that is so carefully preserved in the U.S through Highland Games and other festivities have left me confused, but still very interested.

The section of our family that resides in Pomeroy, WA, and surrounding areas, has been diligent in keeping interest alive. There are those who have scoured the records to try to determine the family lineage beyond William and Mary (Puckett) Graham, who are buried in the old cemetery at Pomeroy. We are descended from them, but so far there is no proof of who his Graham forebears might have been, despite the dedicated efforts of cousins Kathleen Fitzsimmons and Shirley Johnson. This surprised me as I had thought my records incomplete and planned to ask Shirley how to obtain the rest of the genealogy file.

The annual Graham-Fine Family Reunion was held on June 26 in the little village of Kamiah, Idaho on the Nez Perce Reservation. We heard this time that "we're pretty sure" that William was the son of James Graham, but no paper proof has been identified, so the mystery remains unsolved. There was talk of Ireland and assurance that we are "Scotch-Irish" because Grahams originated in Scotland and then moved into Ireland.

The discussions are interesting and lively at these reunions, not always "on track" with the agenda topic, but definitely an important part of an event that feels like "family"! The shared stories lend new flavor and excitement to what we know, or suspect, our ancestors and relatives might have been up to. I'm grateful to those who work tirelessly on the genealogical mysteries, those who host and prepare for the annual reunion, and those who serve as officers of the group. They do the important work that benefits all descendants and their families.

For those readers who are descendants of Lester and Pearl Smith: We are "Grahams" through Lester's mother. The lineage is: William and Mary Graham, their daughter Ludicia "Louisa" and her husband John Clear; their daughter Margaret and her husband Luther Smith; their son Lester and his wife Pearl (Carlisle) Smith.

Next year the reunion will be at Pomeroy, WA. Date to be announced, but probably sometime in July. In 2012, we'll probably be at Athena, OR during the Highland Games.

Feeling the Pain

2010-05-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

Feeling the Pain
By Grace Elting Castle

Over the years I’ve found books here and there that looked as if they might have a bit of historical information that could be included in a family story.

Recently I’ve re-read Palissy the Potter; The Huguenot, Artist, and Martyr and was touched once again by the pain that our ancestors endured as a result of the battles between those labeled “infidel” (Huguenots especially) and the Roman Catholics in France.

This book, written by C.L Brightwell, was published in 1858 by Carlton & Porter of New York. My copy is missing a few pages, has some mottled, some dirty, pages, but the words are important and drawings are exquisite.

There are those who like to remind us that “The Eltings were not part of the original New Paltz Patentees. That our ancestors weren’t “Huguenots.” For some that is true, but for others it is not. For those descendants of Roelif and Sarah Elting, for instance, it is only partially true. The “Huguenot blood” of ancestor grandmother Sarah (DuBois) Elting flows from her father, Abraham, the Patentee, and his father, Louis DuBois, the leader of the New Paltz Patentees. Many subsequent marriages mixed the “Huguenot” and Dutch family bloodlines until few of the descendants of Hudson Valley families can claim to be without “Huguenot” descendancy.

So I share these following quotes and thoughts for the benefit of all who seek to know more about our shared heritage.

“The early years of the little Reformed Church …were very troublous ones. It was established, in the outset, with great difficulties and imminent perils, and those who ventured to enroll themselves among its numbers were blamed and vituperated with perverse and wicked calumnies. The ignorance and superstitions of that age and country (France) were called into active exercise against the adherents of the new faith, and the vilest slanders were fabricated against them, and accredited even by those who witnessed their blameless lives. Most frequently their meetings for religious worship were held during the hours of darkness, for fear of their enemies…They were even accused of wickedness and unchaste conduct in their assemblies; nor were their wanting some ‘of the baser sort’ who said that the heretics had dealings with the devil, whose tail they went to kiss by the light of a rosin candle. Notwithstanding these things, however, the Church continued to exist, and to grow, and after a time, it made surprising increase…”

“There was in Champagne a small fortified town called Vassy, containing about three thousand inhabitants, a third of whom, not reckoning the surrounding villages, professed the Reformed religion. It happened on the 28th of February 1562, that the Duke of Guise, journeying on his way to Paris, accompanied by his cousin, the cardinal of Lorraine, with an escort of gentlemen, followed by some two hundred horsemen, visited the chateau de Joinville, which was situated in the neighborhood, on an estate belonging to the Lorraines.

“The mistress of the castle was a very old lady, the dowager Duchess of Guise, whose bigoted attachment to the faith of her ancestors made the very name of Huguenot an offence to her. Sorely indignant was she at the audacity of the inhabitants of Vassy, who had no right, she declared, as vassals of her granddaughter, Mary Stuart, to adopt a new religion without her permission…the aged woman urged her son, the fierce Duke Francis, to make a striking example of those insolent peasants. As he listened to her angry words, he swore a deep oath, and bit his beard, which was his custom when his wrath waxed strong.

“The next morning…he arrived at a village not far off the obnoxious town; and the morning breeze, as it came sweeping up the hills, brought to his ears the sound of church bells. “What means that noise?” he asked one of his attendants. ‘It is the morning service of the Huguenots,’ was the reply. It was, in fact, the Sabbath-day, and the Reformers, assembled to the number of some hundreds, were performing their worship in a barn, under the protection of a recent edict of toleration. Unsuspicious of danger, there was not a man among them armed, with the exception of some ten strangers, probably gentlemen, who wore swords.

“Suddenly a band of the duke’s soldiers approached the place, and began shouting, ‘Heretic dogs! Huguenot rebels! Kill,kill!

“The first person whom they laid hands on was a poor hawker of wine. ‘In whom do you believe?’ they cried.

“’I believe in Jesus Christ,’ was the answer, and with one thrust of the pike he was laid low. Two more were killed at the door, and instantly the tumult raged. The duke, hastening up at the sound of arms, was struck by a stone, which drew blood from his cheek. Instantly the rage of his followers redoubled, and his own fury knew no bounds. A horrible butchery followed; men, women, and children were attacked indiscriminately, and sixty were slain in the barn or in the street, while more than two hundred were grievously wounded…”

“An extraordinary effect was produced throughout the whole kingdom by the tidings of this cruel slaughter. Among the Reformed party it created a universal feeling of indignant horror and alarm…Each party flew to arms, after putting forth manifestos asserting the merits of their respective causes. The Prince of Conde hastened to Orleans, which he succeeded in occupying, and there the army of the Huguenots established headquarters. In that town the Calvinist lords assembled on the 11th of April 1562 and after partaking the Lord’s supper together, bound themselves in an alliance to maintain the Edicts, and to punish those who had broken them. They took a solemn oath to repress blasphemy, violence and whatever was forbidden by the law of God, and to set up good and faithful ministers to instruct the people; and lastly, they promised, by their hope of heaven, to fulfill their duty in this cause.

“And thus the fearful work began, and tumult, massacre, battle, and siege prevailed. Every town in France was filled with the riot of contending factions. ‘It was a grand and frightful struggle of province against province, city with city, quarter with quarter, house with house, man with man,’ says a recent historian. ‘Fanaticism had reduced France to a land of cannibals; and the gloomiest imagination would fail to conceive all the variety of horrors which were then practised.’’

The atrocities escalated until they culminated in the St. Bartholomew Day Massacre in Paris on August 24, 1572. Most readers will be aware of that fateful day when the river Seine ran red with the blood of Huguenots. The battles continued throughout the country with more than 100,000 Protestants killed, according to historians.

Brightwell’s book includes these comments about that period:

“I shall never forget, continued Pare, ‘the scene, when the broad light of an August day displayed, in all their extent, the horrors which had been committed. The bright, glowing sun, and the unclouded sky, and magnificent beauty overhead; and at our feet the blood-stained waters of the Seine; and the streets bestrewn with mangled corpses. It was too terrible. To crown the whole, it was the holy Sabbath.”

“…Since the massacre at St. Bartholomew the mobs of Paris had become familiar with blood, and a spirit of increased ferocity prevailed. Assassinations, tortures, and executions were frequent, and the extreme Roman Catholic party, to which the city had, from that time, been heartily attached, was pledged to exterminate the Huguenots.”Though the history is convoluted and told differently, as one would expect, by the Huguenots and the Catholics, in 1585, an edict was issued---at the expense of the Huguenots---“…prohibiting the future exercise of the Reformed worship, and commanding all its adherents to abjure or emigrate immediately on pain of death and confiscation. This was no miserable court quarrel; it affected the interests of all, and touched the liberty, faith, fortune and life of every man.”

The Other Book by Victor Elting

2010-03-13T05:28:00.000-08:00

It took while, but I've finally located the article I wrote about John Elting and that I promised to post...way back in January!

The Other Book by Victor Elting
(As published in the March 2002 issue of The Historian, official newsletter of the Bevier-Elting Family Association of New Paltz, NY.

Mention the name Victor Elting and most members of our large, extended family will think of his book, "Recollections of a Grandfather." But Victor wrote another, lesser known book---one of sadness, yet a book whose every page exudes the love of a father for a lost son.

The book, simply titled, "John Elting 1911-1941" was privately printed in 1942 as a tribute to Victor and Marie Winston Elting's son, who died when he fell down an elevator shaft in Bombay, India on November 8, 1941. He was only 30 years old.

Some months ago, while surfing on Internet auction sites for anything related to our family's history, I saw a book by Victor Elting advertised. Thinking it was Recollections,I quickly clicked on the description and found it was, instead, this book about John. Fortunately, I was able to "rescue" the book, and when it arrived, I read this explanation in the foreword, "...(this book) is offered as a printed word which in the hands and on the shelves of John's family and friends may serve to keep alive his memory, and by suggestion and reminder renew the joy which they have had in his company. It will be given only to a few, whom he would have wanted to possess it."

It's truly a mystery how such a book ended up on an Internet auction site, but let's consider it a blessing, for it brings information to those of us who never had the opportunity to know this fascinating young adventurer, dreamer, writer---another of our Elting "cousins."

Victor recounted in the book how he and his wife thought to name the baby boy born on June 18, 1911 in Winnetka, IL, "Roelif" for three generations of ancestors of that name, but finally thought better of the plan, afraid of heaping a lifetime of spelling and pronunciation errors on the child. Instead, they chose "John" to honor an old friend, and to honor "the first American Elting, Jan."

This is the branch of the Elting family that has it's own Lake Huron wilderness cabin near a place called "Elting Point" in Michigan. The book is filled with tales from the family's wonderful adventures at the camp. I believe the cabin remains in the possession of Victor's descendants to this day.

Victor Elting was the patriarch of the family branch known in those years as "The Chicago Eltings" and his family lived a life that can only be described as "privileged"---an elegant home in one of the most prestigious of Chicago's suburbs, fine Eastern schools (John attended Hotchkiss, and then Princeton). But it's evident from the book that they were a loving, active and adventuresome family, hit too often by tragedy.

Marie died unexpectedly while on a trip to Paris with John to visit his brother, Winston, who was studying architecture in Paris. She is buried in the Elting Burying Ground in New Paltz. Those who have visited there will recognize the rock that Victor mentions thusly in his little book:

"...In one part (Of the Elting Burying Ground) is a great boulder, on the side of which is a bronze tablet inscribed, 'Family of Victor Elting.' A simple headstone, flush with the sod, records John's mother. "Marie Winston Elting. 1871-1932. Beside it is another. 'John Elting. 1911-1941.' The big rock was found by John and me on the mountain side one day soon after his mother's death and laboriously transported by modern equipment to be set up as the physical expression in the years to come of the unity of our family and of our love of the countryside."

After graduating from Princeton, John worked for the League of Nations in Washington; tried to pursue a career in the Foreign Service, but "forgot" to master French when his father sent him to Paris to be immersed in the language. According to Victor's writing, John "fell in love with an old schoolmate and his very attractive sister, and although they lived in Dijon and made some effort to carry out the program, John was not altogether true to the trust; and they had fun, mostly in English..."

Eventually John landed a job as an Associate Editor at Forbes Magazine in New York City. Anyone with access to old issues of Forbes might want to watch for John's articles. After that job, he worked for The National Association of Manufacturers.

In May 1939, John married Sally Waters Richardson. The next month he accepted a position at General Motors as special clerk in Institutional Relations, then moved up to special clerk on the general manager's staff. "On September sixteenth, 1940, John was called in by the head of the Over-Seas Division and told that they wished to rebuild the magazine known as 'The General Motors' World' and he was asked to undertake the editorship" Soon, there was an offer to transfer to Bombay, India for two or three years, which John eagerly accepted.

On their way to India, John and Sally had a couple of days before the S.S President Monroe was to sail, "so Katherine Hepburn, in her generous and spirited way, turned over to them her brand new roadster, and they drove up to Santa Barbara to see the Howard Eltings. There the last picture of John was taken by 'Uncle Howard'."

Their fairy tale journey of six weeks took them "from California to Honolulu, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore..." Just a few weeks after their arrival in Bombay, returning home from a dinner party, they found their building in a blackout, and "since the lift was not on the ground floor, John ran up the stairs in search of it and on the second floor found the door open, or at least was able to open it, which indicated the presence of the lift. He stepped through and fell two stories to the bottom of the shaft."

John was buried in his beloved New Paltz, near the large marking stone he had helped his father transport to the Elting Burying Ground.

The stone house in New Paltz was the scene of family gatherings and Victor describes it: "On Huguenot Street in the small town stands the old Bevier-Elting homestead, built in 1698 by a direct ancestor of ours on my mother's side and a few years later sold by him to a direct Elting ancestor. The title has never been out of the family. The charm of the old house and its history caught John's imagination. Afterward (Marie's funeral day) he and I worked out a plan under which we organized a trust under the New York law to take over the house as an historic site. He became chairman of the Board of Trustees, and as his interest developed worked hard with Jess DuBois and Jacob Elting raising funds for the preservation of the house. Before and after his marriage he loved to go there and the village was a real interest in his life. For several years old fashioned Thanksgiving dinners (for) all our relatives enlivened the old homestead, and it was John who gave them much of their spirit..."

The "Finis" of this book is worth recalling in this troubled time:

"There is no end to the story. It is all in the epic of the years. The men of Athens lived and died, some young in battle, some old in wisdom; but all sworn that the State of Athens should be better for their having lived. There was something of the Athenian youth in John, and the world is better for his having lived.

"Who can say what lies in store for the future? It is the spirit that lives on and gives the hope. To this spirit the dead and the living make equal contribution. John has made his gift."

Yes, indeed. He made his gift in so many ways, but for our Bevier-Elting Family Association, perhaps his greatest legacy is the work that he did to preserve the old stone house. We tend to think of those who came before us as "older." Here is proof that it was a very young man who recognized the importance of saving our beloved stone house and joined with other relatives to make sure it happened.

I like to think that Victor would be pleased that his tribute book was "rescued" so that new generations could "know" John. I think that both he and John would be ecstatic to know that new generations of an extended family love and care for their beloved old stone house on Huguenot Street.

3/13/10 note to readers: In later years, this branch of the Elting family donated the stone house to the Huguenot Historical Society for continued preservation.

Family Treasure on E-Bay

2010-01-29T20:10:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I discovered a copy of the limited edition book, JOHN ELTING, for sale on e-Bay. I purchased it for a few dollars, probably less than ten. Yesterday, I found another copy of the book listed on e-Bay for sale at $204.00!

Written in 1942 by Victor Elting to honor his 30 year old son who fell down an elevator shaft in Bombay,India during a black-out, the privately-published book was meant to keep alive the memory of a young man with so much promise. Here are Victor's introductory words:

"In the Village of New Paltz, New York, is a little burying ground. It is off the dirt highroad, and is reached by a lane through an apple orchard. The land slopes toward the West, with a beautiful view of the valley of the Wallkill. It is known as "The Elting Burying Ground," and there are buried the bodies and ashes of Eltings of several generations. In one part is a great boulder, on the side of which is a bronze tablet inscribed "Family of Victor Elting." A simple headstone, flush with the sod, records John's mother, "Marie Winston Elting. 1871-1932." Beside it is another, "John Elting, 1911-1941." The big rock was found by John and me on the mountainside one day soon after his mother's death and laboriously transported by modern equipment to be set up as the physical expression in the years to come of the unity of our family and of our love of the countryside.

"This little book is not made of granite, but is offered as a printed word which in the hands of and on the shelves of John's family and friends may serve to keep alive his memory, and by suggestion and reminder renew the joy which they have had in his company. It will be given only to a few, whom he would have wanted to possess it."

When I received the little book from e-Bay several years ago, I wrote an article for "The Historian," official newsletter of the Bevier-Elting Family Association of New Paltz, NY, to share John's involvement in preserving the "Elting Homestead" (now known as the Bevier-Elting House) on Historic Huguenot Street. His dedication to preserving the little stone house and our family's history is a story worth repeating for each generation.

In a future posting, I'll include the article I wrote about John.

THE BEERE FAMILY

2009-12-11T19:26:00.000-08:00

Those of us descended from James Henry and Cora Mae (Beere) Elting seldom hear about our Beere family connections. The following information is taken from three sources: (1) A record begun in 1888 by Mary Nealey, wife of Alonso Nealey and the daughter of Charles and Anna Beere. Mary and Alonso Nealey lived in Spangle, Washington in 1888. (2)"Descendants of William Beere," no author listed, but possibly Carole (Elting) Logeman as it contains extensive information about her family. (3) Information compiled by Lawrence F. Mulligan for a project of the Jersey Central Power & Light Company in March 1983. None of these sources included documents for genealogical proof.

Note: Often names are spelled in different ways within the same document. I have combined the names thus listed with a /. There is no way to determine from these documents which name is accurate.

While most of our Elting "nationality" centers around France, The Netherlands and Germany, the Beere side history shows our ancestors were born in England and Scotland.

1st known generation:
WILLIAM BEERE: born at Oxfordshire, England
Wife: MARY

2nd generation:
CHARLES BEERE, youngest son of William and Mary. Born in the Burrough of Banbury, Oxfordshire, England on March 5, 1817. He emigrated to the U.S in 1834 landing in New York with his oldest brother William and family.
Married on December 2, 1841 to ANN/ANNE Ruthern/Ruthven, youngest daughter of SYM and MARGARET RUTHVEN/RUTHERN/RUTHREN of Edinburgh, Scotland, by a Forbs Episcopal Minister in New York. She was born August 27, 1820 at Sailsburry Square, Edinburgh, Scotland. They lived in New York until 1846, then moved to Iowa where they settled on a farm near Dodgeville. They had ten children, some born in New York and some in Iowa: Margaret, John, Elizabeth, Amos, Joseph, Mary, Jessie, WILLIAM, Sym, Henry.
Charles died April 13, 1869 near Dodgeville, Iowa. Ann/Anne died September 25, 1912 at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth Kline near Mediapolis, Iowa.

NOTE: Elizabeth (Beere) married John Kline. Her brother, WILLIAM, married LIZZIE MAY (ELIZABETH MAE) KLINE, thus creating some confusion.

THE RUTHVEN/RUTHERN FAMILY:
Ann/Anne's father: Sym Ruthven/Ruthern. Born January 8, 1775 at Edinburg, Scotland. (Married first: Margaret Clark. Four children. None married, all deceased by 1888)

Ann/Anne's mother: MARGARET (second wife of Sym). Born April 1, 1788 at Nusselborough, Scotland. Six children: Jessie, Catherine, WILLIAM, John, Mary, and Ann/Anne.

3rd generation:
WILLIAM BEERE: born September 30, 1855 in Iowa. Died June 21, 1929. Married November 29, 1877/1879? in Dodgeville, Des Moines Co, Iowa to LIZZIE MAY KLINE(Elizabeth Mae Kline). She was born in Dodgeville, Iowa on September 18, 1856 to John and Angeline (?)Kline. Lizzie died February 24, 1941 in Burlington, IA. Six children: Annie, William, Jr., CORA MAE, Margaret C., Elizabeth K, Charles E.

4th generation:
CORA MAE BEERE, born Feb. 18, 1885/1886? in Union, Cass Co., Nebraska. Died: December 22, 1965 in Burlington, IA. Married JAMES HENRY ELTING on Wednesday, January 1, 1908 at Sperry, Iowa. He was born November 5, 1884. He died July 1, 1960 in Burlington, Iowa. Nine children: JAMES EVERETT, Charles Leland, Josephine Mae, Ronald Earl, Kathryn Louise, Alys Ruth, Ada Margaret, Cora Elizabeth, Robert William. (All are deceased in 2009).

It's interesting to me that though our Elting progenitor arrived here in the mid-1600s, our first Beere ancestor didn't arrive in the U.S until nearly 200 years later. We probably could find an abundance of family information in the United Kingdom, not to mention Ruthven and Beere relatives there.

Though the following names are not in our direct ancestral lines, they are the names of those whom our relatives married so we may have relatives scattered about the nation with these names:

Hallburgh, Ritson, Manning, Kitchen, Kline, Lines, Nealey, Cockayne, Atkenson, Seymour, Fimmen, Hueschen, Patterson, Moehn/Mochn, Weidhans, Hatcher, Stevenson, Smith, Gray, Nelson,Bentz, Quinty, Gamma, Dooley, Luckenbill, Williams, Thode, Crile, Narem, Mason, Carpenter, Corder, Swygard, Husted, Henderson, Crook, Shaffer, Schmidt, Schieffer, Miller, Pennington,Venderhaar, Pack, Lant, Schwab, Brown, Deeds, Baker (three of Alonso and Mary Beere Nealey's four children married Bakers); Kjack, Ball, Bartfoff, Bussler, Colburn, Rinehart, Paterson, Saxton, Wilson, Snow, Derr, Crosley, Snyder, Botwell, Willaims, Geil, Lines, Leffler, Funk.

If anyone has additions/corrections, etc. to this Beere information, please send them via the commment area below. Also, anyone needing additional information on a Beere descendant not in my direct ancestral line, please let me know---there's lots more in these three documents.

WATCH FOR INTERESTING BEERE INFO COMING SOON!

2009-12-04T02:42:00.000-08:00

Huguenot History Featured in "Family History" magazine

2009-11-10T01:26:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in Huguenot history, check out the November 2009 issue of "Family History" magazine. There is a great article entitled "The French Connection." that details Huguenot history in Great Britain. The estimated 250,000 of them married into the populace after arriving there in the 1500s and 1600s and it is now reported that 80% of the UK population has Huguenot blood.

There is an excellent synopsis of the persecution of Huguenots in France that caused them to scatter to places as widely diverse as the "new colonies" that became America, to Africa. The writer references the book, Days of the Upright, a History of the Huguenots, in describing the meaning of the word "Huguenot":

"It is a combination of a Flemish and a German word....In the Flemish corner of France, Bible students who gathered in each other's houses to study secretly were called Huisgenooten, or 'House Fellows', while on the Swiss and German borders they were termed Eidgenossen or 'Oath Fellows. Gallicized into Huguenot, often used deprecatingly, the word became, during two and half centuries of terror and triumph, a badge of enduring honour and courage.'

The magazine is published in London, England. I found my copy in the Barnes and Noble store in Eugene, Oregon.

THEY'RE MARRIED!

2009-10-26T00:31:00.000-07:00

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Brinton and Ashley Cary of Bend, Oregon.

Decades ago one of my weekly tasks as a news editor for a small community newspaper was to write the wedding stories. I had so little patience with the mothers of the bride and bridegroom who wanted every little detail included...from the everlasting description of the bride's dress to the "delicious refreshments," the "gorgeous flowers" and the impressive honeymoon destination. I was certain the women had never had another exciting moment in their lives. WELL....

It's a good thing that newspaper aren't publishing those kinds of articles anymore because I spent last night writing about my grandson's wedding (thinking it, not actually putting it on paper!) and I am sure that it would have been a 50 page manuscript when completed! I am now walking in the shoes of those women I found so irritating...and I'm only one of several grandmothers. :-)

So I will refrain from publishing my version of the wonderful day and simply say that this was a beautiful wedding and my grandson chose well. All of you in our extended family now have another cousin or niece.

SATURDAY IS THE BIG DAY!

2009-10-22T22:37:00.001-07:00

I have an excuse for non-posting for so many days: I am just too excited that my grandson, Brinton Cary, is marrying Ashley Henderson on Saturday, October 24!!

It will be a wonderful day with so many friends and family planning to attend that I will never figure out who they all are.

Another lady to add to our huge extended family! Check back here after the weekend for photos and details!

Are We Related?

2009-10-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

The following chart was published in Twigs and Branches in March 1991. It is a great way to explain the reason there are so many "cousins" in our Elting line!

2 parents
4 grandparents
8 great grandparents
16 great-great grandparents
32 great-great-great grandparents
64 great-great-great-great grandparents
128 great-great-great-great-great grandparents
256 great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents
512 great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents
1024 great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents

That Pesky Final "E"

2009-10-01T01:53:00.000-07:00

"...One never knows what will be found in military records. The affidavits filed on behalf of Civil War veterans' widows are especially interesting and usually filled with all sorts of information in their attempts to prove not only that they are the actual widow, but that they are destitute and have not remarried.

The following information appeared in an August 18, 1886 affidavit signed by Mary (Brodhead) Eltinge as explanation for why her last name differed from that of her late husband, Daniel D. Elting. Who would suspect that a comment on the age old 'to E or not to E' dilemma of our family would be found there?

'...that for a number of years prior to the year 1860 nearly every branch of the Elting family wrote and spelled the family name with the final 'E' and which was the original way of writing and spelling the name in English. That Daniel D. Elting the husband of the claimant always wrote and spelled the name without the final 'E' and the only reason why claimant wrote and spelled the name with the final 'E' on Eltinge was that she considered it the correct way and liked it better and the name when written looked more finished and appeared better.'

One would think that the actual descendant of the Elting(e) family would have the final say, but he died first, so I guess she won. To further complicate the issue for the government, Dr. Edgar Eltinge sent an affidavit re Daniel's death, but listed the name as Capt. Daniel D. Eltinge! That caused the paper to be returned with the the question 'Is Dr. Eltinge clmts brother?' scrawled across the bottom of the page. Poor Mary. Adding that final 'E' to her name just increased her problems. "

Originally published in "The Historian" official newsletter of the Bevier-Elting Family Association of New Paltz, NY. June 2003. Page 2. By Grace Elting Castle

"The Recipe"

2009-09-23T01:39:00.000-07:00

I'm still cleaning my office...and finding amazing piles of paper that there is no reason to keep! But a few treasures are appearing that will be added to this blog in the coming days. The following was published in "On Huguenot Street," the official newsletter of the Huguenot Historical Society of New Paltz, NY, in February 2000. I thought you might enjoy reading about an adventure I had with two of my grandsons.

A Whole Gallon of Yuck

By Grace Elting Castle

Eric Roth's newly-discovered recipe for non-alcoholic beer seemed just the right project for two young Oregon men about to make their first trip to New Paltz and their ancestral stone houses. The ingredients were carefully collected, the recipe decreased to a more manageable one gallon, and the project was begun.

Kyle Utterback, the 12-year-old in charge of most of the cooking during this special three week visit to Grandma's Illinois home, measured and stirred and wondered if this was really the way it was supposed to be done. His 14-year-old cousin, Ty Cary, observed the preparations and was certain that nothing good could come of anything that smelled so badly!

The plan was to save a special bottle of the 'brew' to take to Eric so that he could sample it during Stone House Day and perhaps have his photo taken with the cook and his helper (critic). But, on the morning the trip was to begin, 'the recipe' as it had been dubbed, was smelling so obnoxious that Kyle refused to taste it, and Ty announced that he would not be riding in the same car as the special bottle!

It was left to Grandma Grace to be the official taster---and she has yet to recover! This recipe turned into the most horrible, foul-tasting and smelling concoction imaginable. No, actually, it was unimaginable and indescribable. Such spitting and sputtering you have never seen. Nor are you likely to have ever witnessed such hilarity and carrying on as was displayed by the boys as they watched their Grandmother try to recuperate from 'the recipe.'

Needless to say, the brew was promptly poured down the sink, followed with a little prayer that it wouldn't eat the drainpipe, and our faithful archivist escaped having to pretend to like his special bottle of brew. We suspect it was the yeast that created the stench and bad taste---but we're not brave enough to try it again to be certain!

Note: The editor's note that appeared with my article stated that food historian Ms. Peter G. Rose, confirmed that the foul taste was probably due to the increased potency of modern yeast as opposed to the weaker consistencies commonly used in the 19th century. Alterations to the original recipe were also published.

Those Office Cleaning Surprises: Carlisle Notes

2009-09-14T01:07:00.000-07:00

Though I don't do it nearly often enough, I love cleaning and sorting the stacks, piles and files in my office. Yes, it's the typical writer's room with just enough (most of the time) room to get to the computer, but this "stuff" is all really important, you know?

So, recently I've been diligently going through everything trying to get this room to match the rest of the house. Some months ago I donated a large amount of my books...but alas they've been replaced by new ones.

I've started to ship off files of information collected over the past decades hoping that the new owners will actually get around to writing about the topic that I once thought was "the one!" I've stopped clipping items from the daily newspaper, except for items that might be used in upcoming articles for PI Magazine. Good starts, I think.

A couple of days ago, somewhere in one of the heaps, I found an envelope postmarked "1979" and received from my great-aunt Frances (Carlisle) Lanigan, who has since walked on. Inside was a treasure trove of family genealogy information. Obviously, it was sent in response to my request when I thought genealogy was my calling. I've since realized that the family STORIES are what I love to research and to write about, but I am so happy to rediscover Auntie's notes.

My Grandmother Pearl (Carlisle) Smith, Frances' older sister, had often mentioned that "We're related to President Grant." I had forgotten about this note from Auntie:

"Dency Ann King's mother was a Grant before marriage---
a relative of Ulisses (sic) S. Grant---the president."

Dency Ann (King) Carlisle was my great-great grandmother, grandmother of Pearl and Frances.

I'll have to check with the family genealogists' records to see what proof there might be, but this is the kind of interesting tidbit that can lead to an interesting family story.

These interesting names and dates were included in the envelope of notes. The persons mentioned are my great-great Carlisle grandparents and their children, including my great-grandfather John Edward Carlisle. I do not have "official genealogical verification" for these dates, though I have no reason to doubt them.

George Carlisle b. Nov. 20, 1831

Dency Ann (King) b. Feb. 28, 1837

d. Dec. 25, 1912

Children:

Ebenezer Ashley b. Oct. 15, 1852

d. March 1933

Frances Antoinette b. Nov. 3, 1855

John Edward b. Oct. 24 or 26, 1857

George Washington

Dennis b. Nov. 19, 1860

Ellroy Ellsworth b. Dec. 14, 1862

Archibald b. July 2, 1865

Jeffie & Sister (died as babies) b. June 23, 1867

Minnie Dency b. Aug. 26, 1870

d. Jan. 11, 1940

Hector Gregor b. Dec. 12, 1872

d. Jan. 12, 1940

It was John Edward Carlisle (above) who married Lillias Ann Horner. Their only child, Pearl Eleanor Carlisle was my grandmother. An earlier entry on this blog sought contact from anyone having information on the late Lillias (sometimes written as Lillian) Horner Carlisle.

FaceBook Site for Historic Huguenot Street

2009-09-09T02:16:00.000-07:00

I've just discovered the Historic Huguenot Street site on FaceBook. Really interesting information and lots more to come, I'm sure. Let's get an Elting presence on the fan group. Nearly 500 people have joined in so far, but I didn't see a lot of Elting names. Of course some of us are kind of "incognito" not having our maiden names included. Check it out and add some comments.

Biennial Elting Reunion

2009-09-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

REUNION OF DESCENDANTS OF JAMES AND CORA MAE (BEERE) ELTING: July 19, 2010

Elting cousin Bobbie Soupos has announced a three day cruise between southern California and Ensenada, Mexico as the next reunion of the descendants of James and Cora Elting. Cabins are filling quickly so contact Bobbie at bsoupos@sbcglobal.com or the Carnival cruise rep, Megan Callahan at 888-407-2784, ext. 7103.

We have these reunions every two years at a US location---wherever a cousin will host it. They are always lots of fun, and open to ALL Eltings to participate.

Beere Family

2009-09-07T19:38:00.001-07:00

Those Elting family members descended from James Everett and Ethel Grace (Smith) Elting may be interested in the FaceBook group entitled "Are You A Beere?SurnameBeere". I've joined and will be adding some of Dad's (James Everett) mother's family history soon. She was Cora Mae (Beere) Elting. I've never known of any people surnamed Beere other than Grandma's family so it will be interesting to see what connections can be made on this FaceBook site. You can get to it by searching for Beere and then clicking on "groups".

Revolutionary War Era to be background theme for "The Gathering"

2009-09-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to calendar the August 13-15, 2010 "Gathering" in New Paltz, NY! It's going to be a great celebration of the history of the original families of New Paltz, with a background theme focusing on the the Revolutionary War period.

Registration and activity information will be posted here as it is developed, but it's never too early to make your room reservations in New Paltz or nearby villages. Availability is always limited in the summer and fall in the mid-Hudson River Valley.

The event, with Saturday as the main activity day, is hosted by the Family Collaboration Committee of the Huguenot Historical Society of New Paltz, NY. Most activities will take place on Historic Huguenot Street or nearby venues.

For further information: gecastle@cluesonline.com

Writing Family History

2009-09-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had the urge to put all those little snippets of family history into a book? Perhaps others are urging you to do so as they want to have access to your collection? Or perhaps you have grandchildren who are (or will be someday) interested in the stories that are in your files.

Now is the time to begin! The following tips are derived from preparing for the publication of my book, "Answering the Call! An Elting Military Tribute." The stories and photos from this ten year research project were compiled into a book over the summer of 2008 (stretching a little bit into the fall as I struggled with a computer program formatting the pages).

1. Decide on the topic of your book and stick to it. For "Answering.." of course it was the military history of our family. If this step is neglected, you'll be bogged down in research (though happily) for centuries. It's OK to make copies of everything else family-related as you collect material for your book, but keep it separate and don't allow it to get you sidetracked on yet another topic.

2. Decide on your filing system and stick to it. Writing the book will be so much easier if the research material is carefully organized. File your topic material separately from the other family history treasures you've discovered.

3. Carefully document the source of all materials (Stories, photos, obituaries, newspaper and magazine articles, websites, etc.)

4. Set a deadline for completion of the research. I didn't---and after ten years had to tell myself "Enough, already!"

5. Begin compiling names and addresses (snail and e-mail) of interested persons (relatives, friends, librarians) when you begin the research and build on it throughout.

6. When you find someone with great information or stories, get it immediately. Use a recorder as much as possible. Hire someone to get it for you if you're too distant and can't get it any other way. People have a habit of passing away before we get the stories!

7. Stay abreast of technology. There is a multitude of information available on the Internet, for instance, that I could never have dreamed of when I decided to write this book.

8. Give your book a title from the very beginning of the project. It may not be the one you actually use, but having a title helps focus on the project. With a title you realize that you're working on a BOOK.

9. Be on the lookout for the best printing company. Most family histories will be self-published and you want your book comparable to ones released through the best publishers. Pay attention to who printed the books you purchase in local history venues (libraries, museums, gift shops). Contact the printer and ask all the questions you have. The best printers will happily assist you with each step. (My printer is Maverick Books in Bend, OR. Wonderful company!)

My book? It's 224 pages of Elting military history with photos and information not only on a representative number of the descendants of Jan and Jacomyntje (Slecht) Elting who have served in the US military from the mid-1600s through mid-2008, but also a smidgen of the history of the village of New Paltz, NY. Order at http://www.cluesonline.com/ or e-mail me at gecastle@cluesonline.com

Old New York---Check it Out!

2009-08-19T23:41:00.000-07:00

There is a VERY interesting article in the September 2009 issue of National Geographic magazine.

"Before New York, Rediscovering the Wilderness of 1609" discusses the work that has been done to use modern equipment and ingenuity to recreate what New York City looked like in 1609. It's fascinating and helps one to imagine what our Elting ancestor, Jan, found when he arrived there about a half century later.

I had never thought about this topic prior to opening the mail yesterday, and now I can't quit thinking about it!

Answering the Call! An Elting Military Tribute

2009-08-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

Answering the Call! is my book honoring Elting descendants who have served in the military during the period between the mid-1600s and mid-2008. There are 224 pages of photos and biographical information on the men (and two women) who represent all the many hundreds (perhaps thousands) of the descendants of Jan and Jacomyntje (Slecht) Elting(e) who have served this nation since before it declared independence from Great Britain!

There is also information on the early history of New Paltz, NY where Roelif Elting, the couple's son, married a DuBois and started an Elting presence in the village that continues today. There's a chapter on early slave activity in the village...including Elting participation.

There are some surprises, including that General George Patton was a descendant, as was Admiral Morton Deyo. Their stories are included. Other surnames range from Bright to Pattou to France, Crispell, Blum, DuBois, Schoonmaker, LeFevre, Gilles, Greeley, Hasbrouck, Fawver, Hite, Houghtaling, Kennoch, Howell, LaDue, Mitchell, Osterhoudt, Peters, Smith, Snyder, VanWagenen, Webb, Wionowsky, Woolsey, Wright, Wygant and Yandeau.

The result of ten years of research, with lots of input and donations of photos and information from Elting(e) descendants, this book is privately published and a limited edition. It's the perfect gift for your family genealogist, historian or history buff!

Order at http://www.cluesonline.com/ while it's still available!!

While you're there, you might also want to order one of the CDs of the Elting genealogy book published by James W. Elting of South Carolina.

Who Knows About Our Lillie (Horner) Carlisle?

2009-07-24T00:22:00.000-07:00

One of the mysteries in our family is the story behind the seemingly ill-fated marriage of John Edward Carlisle and his young wife, Lillias Ann (Horner) Carlisle who died in Denver, Colorado. "Lillie" was the mother of my maternal grandmother, Pearl Eleanor (Carlisle) Smith, and apparently died when Pearl was a very young child. Watch this site for additional clues about this story, but if you have "Lillie" in your family tree, please contact me!

"Gathering" Planned in New Paltz, NY

2009-07-23T23:26:00.000-07:00

An August 2010 "gathering" is being planned by the Family Associations of the Huguenot Historical Society of New Paltz, NY. Two independent Family Associations are also joining in the exciting and historical event. The participating Family Associations include the Bevier-Eltings, Crispells, Deyos, DuBoises, Freers, Gerows, Hasbroucks, LeFevres, Magnys, Schoonmakers and Terwilligers.

All descendants of the Patentees of the original New Paltz area, their family and friends, as well as others interested in the Mid-Hudson Valley history are urged to mark their calendars for the August 13-15, 2010 weekend. Registration information will be available in a few weeks.