Trip to Fort Wayne--I Found It!

It was supposed to be a weekend trip to the family cottage at Winona Lake.  The temperatures were below zero, and snow was in the forecast, so I drove to Fort Wayne to visit my aunt and uncle instead.  They gave me a tour of the city, it is much larger than when I visited as a kid. The most important part of the tour was showing me where the Allen County Public Library was located.

Grace Shaw Harvey, my grandmother

Who cares? Well this library holds one of the largest collections of books for genealogy research in the nation. The genealogy center is on the second floor and there are always librarians and volunteers to help answer questions.

In fact, my grandmother Grace Harvey, did most of her research there.  The building is beautiful, fresh new with lots of windows and books. If Grace was alive today she would love doing research on the computer which gives us access to so much more information.

I spent two afternoons there. The first afternoon didn't accomplish much, but I kind of figured out stuff like where to park, how to use the copiers, where the restroom was, carts for picking the books for study etc. But I did find 5 of the family history books that were on my wish list. The next day I had a specific mission: to find Dr. William Ralston M.D.

There had been a biography about him in a small Indiana publication that included a portrait. I've been trying to locate it for the last several years. I found where the publication was located, but there is one volume for every year, there were at least 100 years.  UGH.  So I asked one of the genealogists for help.  This man looked everywhere and it didn't seem like it could be found.

Dr. William Ralston of Southern Indiana 

Feeling very disappointed, I went back to my work table to clean up my stuff and get ready for the drive home.  All of a sudden this guy came into the study area, waving a book, saying "I found it." William was born in Scotland 1786.  He became a doctor in 1815.  Within several years he and his wife Agnes with 2 daughters sailed to America.  He arrived in southern Indiana via the long route taking waterways and rivers all the way from Newfoundland to Madison IN.

He had a fascinating history with a large territory for his medical practice and pharmacy,  his wife going with him to act as a nurse.  They had a total of 8 children.  One daughter named Ann born on Christmas day in 1836 and died on Christmas of 1920; became my great great grandmother. It is so wonderful to find your ancestors, especially if they have made a contribution to their community. But I have one question: How did Agnes have time to raise 8 children and be William's nurse?

Not quilting, but having fun,
Ann Fahl

Another Book Finished!

My great grandmother Nannie Harvey, 1950s, standing in the garden which is still beautiful today.

There isn't any quilting in my life at the moment.  I've finished writing The History of the Harvey Cottage. It has 85 pages and over 100 photographs and maps.This particular adventure began in 2005, and the completed manuscript is now in the hands of a friend who will proofread it for me.  Soon it will go to the printer and become a real book for the members of my family to read.

The cottage property was purchased by my great grandparents in 1927 and has been in the family ever since. It is a place that has much influence on who I have become; and inspired many quilts along the way.

In my research, I found this photo of my great grandmother standing in the garden that adjoined the cottage. Her name was Nancy Jane Culbertson 1870-1959.  She was very gentle with her great grandchildren, but she never smiled!  I will always treasure this picture of her. Oh yes, she possibly is the maker of the red and green tulip quilt which I am still restoring.

My Loughry Grave Project

Jeremiah Lochry 1700-1749

When I first discovered Jeremiah’s gravestone on findagrave I thought to myself, “This headstone needs to be replaced.” His grave and cemetery information can be found there.  The opening page shows his 6 x great grandson near a small rock, which is all that remains of his grave marker. Mr. Lochry was the second person to be buried at the Lower Marsh Creek Burial Grounds in what is now Gettysburg PA. It is a very old cemetery and the Presbyterian Church nearby seems to be taking good care of it.

 Jeremiah's grave today

In 2011, I called the Presbyterian Church and asked them for a photo of the headstone, then contacted their historian, who led me to Codori Memorials in Gettysburg PA.  All this time we’ve been waiting for research to tell us how Jeremiah’s last name should be spelled. The Historical Society in Adams Co. did the work and we’ve determined it should be LOCHRY.  It has been spelled: Lockry, Lochra, Lochery, Loughry, Loughery, Loughrey, Lawry, Lowry, Lowery, etc. so there is reason for some confusion.

Jeremiah Lochry is ancestor #1 in the book titled A Brief Genealogy of the Loughry Family of Pennsylvania by Julia A. Jewett. He came from Ireland to America before 1740 with some of his family. He and his wife had 8 children; at least 5 came with him to the New World. They settled in what is now called Pennsylvania. Several of his sons fought in the Revolutionary War. His descendants are now too many to count, have gone on to accomplish many things. My mother’s family came from PA, and that it how I descend from Jeremiah. He is my 6 x great grandfather, he deserves more than just a remnant of a gravestone to mark his resting place.

Mr. Jim Codori has designed a new stone, taking into consideration the requirements of the ancient cemetery, for Jeremiah.  It says: “ Here Lies Jeremiah Lochry, Died December 1749, Founder of the Loughry Family.”  My goal is to have it in place in the spring of 2014 at the latest.

Planned grave marker 22 x 10 inches, level with the ground.

My plan was to ask all Loughry Family members for donations, but discovered the paperwork and tax implications would make that a difficult project. When I went to the bank to set up a "benefit" account, I had the ladies is tears telling them why I was doing this.  I like to keep things simple, so I am going back to my original plan, and will pay for the stone.  There may be some changes in the above proposed stone.  I will show you a photo of the stone, when it lies above Jeremiah.  This is just something that needs to be done.

This blog has been updated with new information here.

Ann Fahl

Ann Becomes Ancient History!

My Great Grandfather, Pascal Kenyon Shaw  1854-1928

This is a day that I never thought would arrive, and it has.  I feel that I must mark this day with a more personal message to you, my readers.  I remember when I was a little girl asking my father, in what year I would be 50 years old.  Fifty was an age that was beyond anything I could possibly comprehend.  I also remember when I was 24 and a good friend of mine was 30, I thought she was ancient!

Ann Fahl, April 11, 2012 a landmark birthday

Today, I can be covered by Medicare and begin receiving Social Security checks.  How could I ever have gotten to this day?  It's mind boggling, how has life gone past so quickly? So in this photo, I am sitting in a pose similar to that of my great grandfather, (but don't you think he was handsome?) but I am certainly having more fun! I'm sitting in front of my newest quilt background, which was pieced today, I'm wearing red socks and shoes.

I've had a lovely day, we had special cookies at coffee this morning, lunch with a friend, it is sunny outside, and tonight we are going out for ice cream. We will have a family celebration with my sons this weekend. But somehow, I feel I should be old today!

On my cutting table, daffodils in a vase by Judy Coates Perez

My studio is cheery and sunny today and my garden is so beautiful.

Doronica, a shade loving plant is blooming much earlier this year.  When all the buds open it will be full of bright flowers.

The May Apples are just about open, even though the temperature got to 28 degrees last night.

And look at the hyacinths that are blooming in my front yard.

So this is how my life has been today. The daffodils are still beautiful and I have 3 bouquets in the house, they smell heavenly. 

I was 29 years old for many many years.  Five years ago, I had my 30th birthday, and I've been 30 ever since.  But to be really honest, I'm not 30 anymore.  My son is 30!  I should feel very old today. 

I feel so many conflicting feelings, but to be truthful, I don't feel old.  I've just finished a great quilt; starting another, the master gardener classes have been fun and informative, life is good I don't have any compaints.

Yesterday I took my Silver Mist Toyota Camry in for her 90,000 mile checkup. This was an expensive proposition, with new timing belt, serpentine belt, fluid changes, tires rotated and on and on.  When all was completed, I thought Misty and I could ride off into the sunset together! But I've had a change of heart, we are driving to Paducah together instead.  Hope to see you there.

Ann Fahl
Age 30 years.

Writing a New Book and a Vacation from Quilting

If you live in the US you've lived through this heat wave!

It's too hot to work outside in the garden so I decided to stay inside and finish up a book that I've been working on for the last year or so.  This isn't a quilting book, it's another in my series on my family history.

Last summer I found the letters that my grandfather wrote his sweetheart while he was in the army in 1916-1918. After reading through most of the 65 letters, I decided to transcribe them and put them in book form for my family.  At the end of each letter he continually asked her to come and visit him at the base; which she eventually did on August 3, 1918.  They married on August 15 several weeks later.

Book cover with some of the letters

When I was typing up the letters, I was totally absorbed into their story. Imagine my grandparents as young and in love!  It was hard to stop working on them.  The bonus is that grandpa sent her postcards, comics, newspaper articles, bulletins etc., and most of these things were still in the envelopes!  Grandma kept these letters and many others in a cedar chest.  When she died in the 70's her son kept them; then last summer they found their way to the cottage in Winona Lake.  I just couldn't leave them alone. That's when this book got it's start.

I titled the book, "Dear Grace"  I put as many letters into the text that would fit in 60 pages.  I inserted as many pictures of the things that grandpa sent her. I'm very proud of the book, and hope my cousins enjoy it as much as I did. This is a precious treasure which I will share with all of Grace and Harry's grandchildren.

Here is Grace and Harry in 1916, early in their relationship

I took the completed file to Office Depot where Angie and David worked a whole day laminating the covers, printed the body of the book, and binding them with a small black spiral.  The book looks great and with care should last a generation or two. Only 15 relatives will own one.

This morning I took all the books to the post office and mailed them off.  You know, I am really sad that this project has come to an end.  For me it was a chance to step back in time and get to know my grandparents as young adults.  I learned a lot.  I'm not sure what I will tackle next.  Nothing will be quite as personal and magical as this project.

Even quilters need a hobby!

Ann