Events in My Family Tree: December 31 (at last!)

I have a copy of a big family photo that was taken on the occasion of Anna's wedding in 1924.  Hymie died on the 40th anniversary of his sister Anna's wedding.

Births

Edmund Hoffman was born December 31, 1825 in Pennsylvania.  He was the husband of Mary Gaunt, daughter of David Gaunt and Pamela Plummer, who is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Clarence Eugene Easlick, son of Allen Severs Easlick and Mary E. Shemeley, was born December 31, 1912 in New Jersey, probably in Burlington County.  He is my 3rd cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line through the Easlicks.

Carol Alene Gauntt, daughter of James Kirkland Gauntt and Newita Wanda Scott, was born December 31, 1940 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California.  She is my 1st cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line.

Marriages

Henry C. Buckley and Ella Gaunt, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Gaunt and Elizabeth K. Frazer, were married December 31, 1868, probably in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Ella is my 2nd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

John B. Gaunt, son of James Gauntt and Amelia Gibson, and Sarah V. Woolston were married December 31, 1876 in Mount Holly, Burlington County, New Jersey.  John is my great-granduncle.

William B. Gaunt, son of Abner H. Gaunt and Emeline Severs, and Fannie Rebecca Hall were also married December 31, 1876, but I don't know where.  It was likely New Jersey or Pennsylvania.  William is my 1st cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

William Lippincott Gaunt, son of Benjamin Franklin Gaunt and Mary A. Woolman, and Clara M. Taggart were married December 31, 1921, probably in Burlington County, New Jersey.  This William is my 3rd cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Gabriel William Lederman and Anna Gordon (originally Chana Gorodetsky), daughter of Avigdor Gorodetsky and Esther Leah Schneiderman, were married December 31, 1924 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.  Anna is my great-grandaunt.

Jose "Uchey" Yngber and Edie Ida Jakowszycka, daughter of Aaron Samuel Jakowszyck and Findle "Novinska" (probably Nowicka?), were married December 31, 1939, probably in Cuba.  Edie is likely my 2nd cousin 2x removed on my Nowicki line.

Philip Charles Alexander and Jessie Utley Easlick, daughter of Vinton Thompson Easlick and Beulah Anna Elizabeth Bozarth, were married December 31, 1951 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Jessie is my 4th cousin on my Gauntt line through the Easlicks.

Melvin Cecil Gordon, son of Alexander Gordon and Roslyn Rubin, and Marcia Urrutia were married December 31, 1982 in Dade County, Florida.  Melvin is my 1st cousin 1x removed on my Gordon line.

Joel Ian Katz and Leala Rona Birnboim, daughter of Chaim Avraham Birnboim and Shirley Hirt, were married December 31, 1989 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  Leala is my 4th cousin on my Meckler line through the Birnboims.

Deaths

Hyman Gordon (originally Chaim Gorodetsky), son of Avigdor Gorodetsky and Esther Leah Schneiderman, died December 31, 1964, probably in Manhattan, New York County, New York, at the age of 65.  He is my great-granduncle.

John F. Kelly, son of Joseph Kelley and Martha W. Lawrence, died December 31, 1975 in New Jersey.  He is the 2nd cousin 1x removed of my half 1st cousin Albert Lore on his Eckman line through the Lawrences.

Events in My Family Tree: December 30

Joseph Gaunt and Phoebe Severn were married on Joseph's aunt Ann's 44th birthday.

Births

Ann Gaunt, daughter of Joseph Gaunt and Elizabeth Borton, was born December 30, 1775 in New Jersey, probably in Burlington County.  She is my 4x-great-grandaunt.

Logan Thackeray, son of Selector Thackeray and Louisa Moodey, was born December 30, 1886 in Indiana, possibly in Ripley County.  He is my 4th cousin 3x removed on my Gauntt line through the Thackerays.

Clara Louise Rathert was born December 30, 1888 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.  She was married to Charles Jacob Gaunt, son of Arthur Lee Gaunt and Rachel Lovena Stutsman, who is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Bertha Florence Gaunt, daughter of James Knox Polk Gaunt and Sarah Naomi Boone, was born December 30, 1892 in Armona, Kings County, California.  She is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Charles E. Wickham, son of Charles E. Wickham and Martha Elizabeth Bowen, was born December 30, 1899 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey.  He is the 1st cousin 2x removed of my half-sister Laurie Sellers and her half-sister Shanyn James on their Bowen line.

John H. Gauntt, son of Thomas Kirkland Gauntt and Jane Dunstan, was born December 30, 1914, probably in Burlington County, New Jersey.  He is my granduncle.

Anna Elizabeth Easlick, daughter of Daniel Leon Easlick and Ella Ritchie Mingen, was born December 30, 1925 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  She is my 4th cousin on my Gauntt line through the Easlicks.

Rose Marie Hise was born December 30, 1970.  She is my 3rd cousin 1x removed.

Geoffrey Philip McStroul was born December 30, 1975.  He is the 1st cousin 1x removed of my aunt Mary McStroul and her sister Anna McStroul, and the 2nd cousin of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

Marriages

Joseph Gaunt, son of Jacob Gaunt and Hannah Holmes, and Phoebe Emily Severn were married December 30, 1819 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Joseph is my 1st cousin 5x removed via the Gaunts.

James W. Gage and Mary Rosella Hutson, daughter of Thomas R. Hutson and Ruth Thackeray, were married December 30, 1875, possibly in Indiana.  Mary is my 4th cousin 3x removed on my Gauntt line through the Thackerays.

Julius W. Berenoff and Lillian Gordon, daughter of David Gordon (originally David Gorodetsky) and Freeda Alterman, were married December 30, 1939 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.  Lillian is my 1st cousin 2x removed on my Gorodetsky line.

John Oren Clark, son of Gilbert Lewis Clark and Helen Opal Abbott, and Linda Mabbs were married December 30, 1971 in Barrington, Cook County, Illinois.  John is my 5th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line through the Clarks.

Reed Allen Gershwind and Annick Sarma were married December 30, 1998.  Reed is my 3rd cousin.

Death

Joseph Gaunt, son of Hananiah Gaunt and Ann Ridgway, died December 30, 1806 in Evesham Township, Burlington County, New Jersey.  He is my 4x-great-grandfather.

Events in My Family Tree: December 29

It's nice to see another Janice in the family tree.

Births

Carl Thomas Gantt, son of Daniel Taylor Gantt and Phoebe Thomas, was born December 29, 1889 in Nebraska, probably in Jefferson County.  He is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gantts.

Ruth E. Barnett was born December 29, 1891 in Wabash County, Indiana.  She was married to Uz Millard Votaw, son of Millard F. Votaw and Ida Mary Fisher, who is my 4th cousin 2x removed on my Gauntt line through the Votaws.

Anna Schwartz was born December 29, 1905 in Manhattan, New York County, New York.  She was married to Hyman Gordon (originally Chaim Gorodetsky), son of Avigdor Gorodetsky and Esther Leah Schneiderman, who is my great-granduncle.

John Joseph Preisner was born December 29, 1942 in Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois.  He is the husband of Anna Heath McStroul, daughter of Eugene Washington McStroul and Anna Krebs, who is the sister of my aunt Mary McStroul and the aunt of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

David Charles Ellis, son of Harold Levi Ellis and Josephine Fiori, was born December 29, 1950 in New Jersey, possibly in Burlington County.  He is my 2nd cousin on my Gauntt line through the Ellises.

Francis Wickham, son of Raymond Henry Wickham and Janice Kasabula, was born December 29, 1957, possibly in New York.  He is the 3rd cousin of my half-sister Laurie Sellers and her half-sister Shanyn James on their Bowen line through the Wickhams.

Julianna Copestick was born December 29, 2014.  She is my 2nd cousin 2x removed.

Marriages

James Edward Slentz, son of Ephraim Slentz and Zilpha Emily Gaunt, and Caroline Ella Estella Oler were married December 29, 1899 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.  James is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Clarence Gilbert Lore, son of Clarence Newcomb Lore and Dorothy Mae Sellers, and Carna Marie Ellis were married December 29, 1979 in Grundy, Buchanan County, Virginia.  Gil is my half 1st cousin on my Sellers line.

Les Perley and Selma Ruth Tennenhouse, daughter of Arnold Tennenhouse and Faye Garfinkel, were married December 29, 1981, possibly in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  Selma is my 4th cousin on my Meckler line through the Garfinkels.

Deaths

Loran Clarence Gaunt, son of Clarence Meridith Gaunt and Mary Grace Stewart, died December 29, 1987 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin at the age of 72.  He is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Wanda Joan Hutson, daughter of Calvin William Hutson and Berdella Martha Elisa Abplanalp, died December 29, 2016 in West Chester, Butler County, Ohio at the age of 84.  She is my 6th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line through the Hutsons.

Events in My Family Tree: December 28

When I saw Lynden B. the first thing I thought of was LBJ, but since Lynden was born in 1915, I guess he wasn't named for the former president.

Births

John Gaunt, son of Jacob Gaunt and Hannah Holmes, was born December 28, 1795 in Salem County, New Jersey.  He is my 1st cousin 5x removed via the Gaunts.

Anna Eliza Zelley, daughter of Joseph Ridgway Zelley and Sarah R. Eacritt, was born December 28, 1869 in Southampton Township, Burlington County, New Jersey.  She is my 3rd cousin 2x removed on my Gauntt line through the Zelleys.

Harold Edwin Dunn, Jr. was born December 28, 1935 in Canton, Stark County, Ohio.  He was the husband of Ruth Clara Ellis, daughter of Levi Ellis and Carrie Florence Gauntt, who is my 1st cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line.

Lynne A. Runkle, daughter of Floyd Daniel Runkle and Elizabeth Ilene Gaunt, was born December 28, 1952 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.  She is my 6th cousin 1x removed via the Gaunts.

Joel Richard Kent, Jr. was born December 28, 1956 in Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey.  He was the first husband of my half-sister Laurie Sellers.

Marriage

John Miller Gaunt, son of George Horner Gaunt and Emily A. Miller, and Emma A. Steward were married December 28, 1882 in Paulsboro, Gloucester County, New Jersey.  John is my 4th cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Deaths

Lynden B. Gaunt, son of Elmer Boone Gaunt and Edna L. Wright, died December 28, 1915 in San Joaquin County, California at the age of 5 1/2 weeks.  He is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Amanda Virginia Easlick, daughter of Jonathan Easlick and Susannah Sever, died December 28, 1945 in New Lisbon, Burlington County, New Jersey at the age of 62.  She is my 2nd cousin 2x removed on my Gauntt line through the Easlicks.

George Wendel Votaw, son of Millard F. Votaw and Ida May Fisher, died December 28, 1959 in Los Angeles County, California at the age of 52.  He is my 4th cousin 2x removed on my Gauntt line through the Votaws.

William Ellsworth Thackeray, son of Thomas B. Thackeray and Phoebe A. Miller, died December 28, 1960 in Rural, Franklin County, Indiana at the age of 84.  He is my 4th cousin 3x removed on my Gauntt line through the Thackerays.

Morris Garfinkel, son of Yikusee'ael Koifman Gorfinkel and Sora Rivka Mekler, died December 28, 1969 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada at the age of about 69.  He is my 2nd cousin 2x removed via the Meklers and the father of my dear cousin Esther Garfinkel.

Events in My Family Tree: December 27

Marla was born on her mother's 37th birthday.

Births

Esther Golub, daughter of Harry Golub (originally Herschel Golubchik) and Dora Sorin, was born December 27, 1932 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.  She is my 3rd cousin 1x removed on my Meckler line through the Golubchiks.

Mark E. Gershwind, son of Irving Lawrence Gershwind and Frances Perlman, was born December 27, 1946 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.  He is my 2nd cousin 1x removed on my Nowicki line through the Perlmans.

Margaret Ann Allen, daughter of Elwood Allen and Wilma Darlene Givan, was born December 27, 1956, probably in Burlington County, New Jersey.  She is my 5th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line through the Allens.

Marla Dina Minuk was born December 27, 1969.  She is my 4th cousin.

Marriage

Roy Birnboim, son of Menashe Birnboim and Sophie Garfinkel, and Ronna Silverberg were married December 27, 1966 in Winnipeg, Manibota, Canada.  Roy is my 3rd cousin 1x removed on my Meckler line through the Garfinkels.

Deaths

Pauline E. Smoot died December 27, 1867 in Indiana at the age of 40.  She was married to Redden N. Gaunt, son of Joseph Gaunt and Phoebe Emily Severn, who is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Floyd Richard Williams, son of Floyd Richard Williams and Susie Lee Adams, died December 27, 2001 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.  He is the father of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Your 2024 Christmas Genea-Gifts

Since it's the Saturday right after Christmas, it's kind of natural to expect Randy Seaver to ask us to talk about our genealogy Christmas presents for tonight's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun.

Come on, everybody, join in and accept the mission and execute it with precision.

1.  Was Genea-Santa good to you?  What genealogy gifts did you receive for Christmas this year?

2.  Tell us about them in your own blog post, in a comment on this post, or in a Facebook Status  post.  Please leave a link on this post if you write your own post.

Well, I didn't get the one thing I asked Santa for, but I know it's going to be really difficult, so I didn't expect it so soon anyway.  But I did get something very cool!

A new (to me) cousin found me through my blog, and she has been sharing photographs like crazy!

She's a cousin on my Armstrong line, which I don't know as much about.  I've only been in contact with one person who is also researching my family.  So this was a total surprise.

My great-grandmother Laura May Armstrong had a brother and a sister.  The previous researcher is researching the sister, Rachel Anna Armstrong.  This person is researching the brother, Stacy Biddle Armstrong:  all-new information!

Along with lots of photos and great information about Stacy and his family, my newfound cousin even has photos of some relatives I know.

For example, here's a school photo of my Aunt Carol, from the 1st or 2nd grade (which Carol isn't sure she has a copy of):

And here's a photo of my grandfather from 1970 that's new to me:

The baby in the photo is the cousin who contacted me.

Apparently my grandfather used to visit this cousin and her family up in New Jersey kind of regularly.  Even though my family was living near him during some of this time, he never mentioned he was visiting relatives (fink!).

Here's a photo of my great-granduncle Stacy Armstrong and his wife Lydia:

So many photographs!  We're playing the matching game with a lot of them, recognizing a person in one photo and then in another.  Only a few of the photos are labeled (of course!), so we're focusing on those names and faces and piecing things together.

Thanks for the great Christmas present, Genea-Santa!

Events in My Family Tree: December 26

Even though December 26 is Boxing Day, I didn't think anyone was going to be named Box or Boxing, and I was right.  Not even a Joe Louis Gaunt.

Births

Jacob Whitacre, son of Joseph Whitacre and Anna Gaunt, was born December 26, 1824 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Stacy Carrigan Gaunt, son of Benjamin Gaunt and Mary Elizabeth Sever, was born December 26, 1887 in New Jersey, possibly in Burlington County.  He is my half 2nd cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Charles Richard Gaunt, son of Charles Gaunt and Pearl E. Cory, was born December 26, 1905 in Indiana, probably in Wabash County.  He is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Carolyn Mae Gaunt, daughter of Charles Clark Gaunt and Louise F. Stoner, was born December 26, 1932 in Kings County, California.  She is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Deborah Elyce Birnboim was born December 26, 1970.  She is my 4th cousin.

Kristin Bernadette Guy was born December 26, 1978.  She is my 5th cousin 2x removed.

Yonaton Kamil was born December 26, 1988.  He is my 3rd cousin.

Marriages

John Gaunt, son of Reuben T. Gaunt and Mary Budd, and Anna Elizabeth Lehman were married December 26, 1867, probably in New Jersey.  John is my 1st cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

William Sharp Sever, son of Allen Sever and Elizabeth Ann Gaunt, and Margaret D. Curtis were married December 26, 1868 in Southampton, Burlington County, New Jersey.  William is my 1st cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Elizabeth Heath, daughter of Henry Heath and Eliza Bullock, and John Frank Thissell were married December 26, 1871, probably in Warren County, New York.  Elizabeth is the great-grandaunt of my aunt Mary McStroul and her sister Anna McStroul, and the 2nd-great-grandaunt of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

Cheryl Lynn Abell, daughter of Kenneth Leroy Abell and Emma Evelyn Gaunt, and James Donald Tuttle were married December 26, 1965 in Kings County, California.  Cheryl is my 5th cousin 1x removed via the Gaunts.

Death

Miriam Gaunt, daughter of Walter Clayton Gaunt and Lulu May Sherman, died December 26, 2015 in Arcadia, Los Angeles County, California at the age of 94.  She is my 5th cousin 1x removed via the Gaunts.

Events in My Family Tree: December 25

I've heard from friends that being a Christmas baby is mostly a disadvantage, because you often don't have a regular birthday party and people want to give you a combined birthday/Christmas present.  This is probably not a big problem when you're Jewish, right?

Births

Mary Ann McGowan was born December 25, 1805 in Pennsylvania.  She was married to Joseph Gantt, son of Joseph Gaunt and Mary A. Lobaugh, who is my 1st cousin 5x removed via the Gaunts.

Pauline E. Smoot was born December 25, 1827 in Virginia.  She was married to Redden N. Gaunt, son of Joseph Gaunt and Phoebe Emily Severn, who is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Wilma Elizabeth Norris was born December 25, 1912 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana.  She was married to Neil Gaunt Clark, son of Oren Wilson Clark and Anna G. Gaunt, who is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Irene Bassie (Bessai?) Dubensky was born December 25, 1920, possibly in Ohio.  She was the third wife of Harry Herman Mackler, son of Morris Mackler (originally Moishe Meckler) and Minnie (originally Mushe) Zelda Nowicki, who is my granduncle.

Gene Paul Gaunt, son of Clarence Meridith Gaunt and Mary Grace Stewart, was born December 25, 1931 in California.  He is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Melanie Amron, daughter of Eli Morton Amron and Alice Gold, was born December 25, 1952 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.  She is my 4th cousin on my Nowicki line through the Amrons.

Edward James Ellis, Jr. was born December 25, 1977.  He is my 2nd cousin 1x removed.

Marriages

Nathan Gaunt, son of Samuel Gaunt and Achsah Taylor, and Sarah Coles were married December 25, 1823 in Swedesboro, Gloucester County, New Jersey.  Nathan is my 2nd cousin 5x removed via the Gaunts.

Richard Dunstan, son of James Dunstan and Maria Hilton, and Jane Coleclough were married December 25, 1833 in Manchester, Lancashire, England.  They are my 3x-great-grandparents.

James Andrews and Mary D. Gaunt, daughter of Hananiah Selah Gaunt and Mary Elizabeth Rose, were married December 25, 1841 in Tuckerton, Burlington County, New Jersey.  Mary is my half 2nd-great-grandaunt.

Francis D. Matthews and Susannah H. Gaunt, another daughter of Hananiah Selah Gaunt and Mary Elizabeth Rose, were married December 25, 1876, probably in New Jersey.  Susannah is also my half 2nd-great-grandaunt.

Floyd Richard Williams, son of Preston Frank Williams and Priscilla Crawford, and Susie Lee Adams, daughter of Alma Adams, were married December 25, 1927 in Muscogee County, Georgia.  They are the paternal grandparents of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

Deaths

Isaac Gaunt, son of Hananiah Gaunt and Rebecca Mulliner, died December 25, 1864 in Tuckerton, Burlington County, New Jersey at the age of 77.  He is my 3rd-great-granduncle.

James H. Fuller, son of Joseph E. Fuller and Lorina G. Tripp, died December 25, 1929 in Stony Creek, Warren County, New York at the age of 80.  He is the 2nd-great-granduncle of my aunt Mary McStroul and her sister Anna McStroul, and the 3rd-great-granduncle of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

Janet Edna Weaver, daughter of James Henry Weaver and Ada Adelle Allen, died December 25, 2005, possibly in Whiting, Ocean County, New Jersey, at the age of 75.  She is my 5th cousin on my Gauntt line through the Allens.

Joseph W. Bonifas, son of Charles Dennison Bonifas, Sr. and Georgia Grace Gaunt, died December 25, 2011 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana at the age of 80.  He is my 6th cousin via the Gaunts.

Events in My Family Tree: December 24

This day's list includes the three spelling variants of Gantt, Gaunt, and Gauntt that I know of in my family.

Births

Paul Avery Gantt, son of Daniel Taylor Gantt and Phoebe Thomas, was born December 24, 1898 in Steele City, Jefferson County, Nebraska.  He is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gantts.

Joseph Frederick Baer was born December 24, 1914 in Roebling, Burlington County, New Jersey.  He was married to Nellie Elizabeth Sellers, daughter of Cornelius Elmer Sellers and Laura May Armstrong, who is my grandaunt.

Floyd Richard Williams, son of Floyd Richard Williams and Susie Lee Adams, was born December 24, 1930 in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia.  He is the father of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

Chris Eve Meeks, daughter of Donald Wayne Meeks and Mary Lu Sherman, was born December 24, 1954, probably in Indiana.  She is my 6th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line through the Shermans.

Simon Berkowitz was born December 24, 1958.  He is married to Sheryl Millstein, daughter of Irwin Millstein and Julia Baena, who is my 2nd cousin 1x removed on my Gorodetsky line through the Millsteins.

Linda Sue Gauntt, daughter of David Lester Gauntt and Virginia Carolyn Petersen, was born December 24, 1962, possibly in New Jersey.  She is my 5th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line.

Bobby Wollock was born December 24, 1985.  He is my 3rd cousin.

Marriages

Reuben T. Gaunt, son of Hananiah Gaunt and Rebecca Mulliner, and Hannah S. Lewallen were married December 24, 1807 in Waterford, Gloucester County, New Jersey.  Reuben is my 3rd-great-granduncle.

Benjamin Gaunt, son of Benjamin Selah Gaunt and Hannah Ann Peters, and Mary Elizabeth Sever were married December 24, 1868 in Southampton, Burlington County, New Jersey.  Benjamin is my half 1st cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Samuel W. Thackeray and Virginia R. Gaunt, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Gaunt and Elizabeth K. Frazer, were married December 24, 1885, probably in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Virginia is my 2nd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Herbert McGinnis and Mary Jane Gaunt, daughter of James Knox Polk Gaunt and Sarah Naomi Boone, were married December 24, 1902, probably in California.  Mary is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Richard J. Merrill and Yedida Marcia Amine, daughter of Moshe Amine and Florence Meckler, were married December 24, 1975 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.  Yedida is my 1st cousin 1x removed on my Meckler line.

Deaths

Claudia L. Githens, daughter of Thomas G. Githens and Emma D. Runyan, died December 24, 1908, probably in New Jersey, at the age of 18.  She is my 5th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line through the Githenses.

Phoebe Emily Gaunt, daughter of Redden N. Gaunt and Pauline E. Smoot, died December 24, 1928 in Perth, Sumner County, Kansas at the age of 82.  She is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

John Clendon Vaughn, son of John E. Vaughn and Bertha Florence Gaunt, died December 24, 1979 in Butte County, California at the age of 69.  He is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Family Christmas in Florida

These are photos from the bonanza that my sister sent me a year ago.  (Wow!  Has it really been that long already?)  I'm not sure about the year.  Based on the apparent age of my youngest cousin in the photos, I was guessing about 1998, but her grandmother thinks it was 1994 or 1995.  I'm actually leaning toward at least 1996, based on other information.

This was at my father's house in Mary Esther, Florida.  I don't know if the family get-together was actually on Christmas, but it seems to have been around that time, so close enough.

The Christmas tree, in all its glory

I didn't know my father had a train set-up

My father, Lynn, and my stepmother, Ginny

Aunt Dottie, someone behind her we can't see,
a woman I don't know, and my cousin Pattie

Ginny and Pattie

My cousins Patricia (Stacey's daughter) and Stacey (Pattie's daughter)

Pattie and Dottie

Four generations:
Stacey, Patricia, Dottie, Pattie

And now with Pattie facing the camera!

The feast table before the feast
(I can't seem to find a photo of the table laden with food, though)

j

Events in My Family Tree: December 23

Barbara Allen was born on her grandfather Elwood Allen's 51st birthday.

Births

Settie Inez Horn was born December 23, 1885 in Pennsylvania Township, Jay County, Indiana.  She was married to Joseph Harley Gaunt, son of David Clinton Gaunt and Martha Sophronia Hartman, who is my 4th cousin 2nd removed via the Gaunts.

Elwood Lambert Allen, son of Cyrus Kunze Allen, Jr. and Clara Barton Shinn, was born December 23, 1895 in Bordentown, Burlington, New Jersey.  He is my 4th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line through the Allens.

Barbara Lee Allen, daughter of Clarence N. Allen and Mary Elizabeth Stradling, was born December 23, 1946, probably in Burlington County, New Jersey.  She is my 5th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line through the Allens.

Janet E. Brainin, daughter of Samuel Michael Brainin and Blanche Mildred Sax, was born December 23, 1957 in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California.  She is my 2nd cousin 1x removed on my Brainin line.

Ellen Kardash, daughter of Louis Kardash and Mary Udashkin, was also born December 23, 1957, but in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  She is my 2nd cousin 1x removed on my Gorodetsky line through the Kardashes.

Christopher James Guy, son of William Thomas Guy and Patricia Claire Gauntt, was born December 23, 1960, possibly in Pennsylvania.  He is my 5th cousin 1x removed on my Gauntt line.

Elliott Garth Feller was born December 23, 1970.  He is my 3rd cousin.

Beth Anne Gordon was born December 23, 1974..  She is my 2nd cousin.

Matthew R. Clark was born December 23, 1978.  He is my 6th cousin.

Marriages

Millard F. Votaw, son of Daniel W. Votaw and Louisa Gaunt, and Ida May Fisher were married December 23, 1891 in Wabash County, Indiana.  Millard is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Calvin William Hutson, son of Conner W. Hutson and Rosa A. Bultman, and Berdella Martha Elisa Abplanalp were married December 23, 1925 in Ripley County, Indiana.  Calvin is my 5th cousin 2x removed on my Gauntt line through the Hutsons.

Anna Heath McStroul, daughter of Eugene Washington McStroul and Elizabeth Almire Heath, and John Joseph Preisner were married December 23, 1967 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona.  Anna is the sister of my aunt Mary McStroul and the aunt of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

Deaths

William Thomson died December 23, 1904 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania at the age of about 77.  He was married to Almira B. Githens, daughter of Thomas Githens and Mary Gaunt, who is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Mamie Adams, daughter of Harry Adams and Mary Julie McClain, died December 23, 1929 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia at the age of about 26.  She is the great-grandaunt of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.

Herbert Simon died December 23, 1994, probably in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, at the age of 79.  He was married to Sylvia Pollack, daughter of Isaac Pollack and Bessie Brainin, who is my 1st cousin 2x removed on my Brainin line.

Events in My Family Tree: December 22

This is a busy day of crossovers.  Joseph Gaunt was born on his brother Hananiah's 7th birthday.  Redden Gaunt died on his daughter Phoebe's 8th birthday.  Steve Gordon was born on his Uncle Sidney's 39th birthday.

Births

Hananiah Gaunt, son of Joseph Gaunt and Elizabeth Borton, was born December 22, 1762 in Little Egg Harbor Township, Burlington County, New Jersey.  He is my 4x-great-grandfather.

Joseph Gaunt, another son of Joseph Gaunt and Elizabeth Borton, was born December 22, 1769 in Little Egg Harbor Township, Burlington County, New Jersey.  He is my 4x-great-granduncle via the Gaunts.

Phoebe Emily Gaunt, daughter of Redden N. Gaunt and Pauline E. Smoot, was born December 22, 1846 in Indiana, possibly in Jay County.  She is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Alice Mullin was born December 22, 1906 in New Jersey.  She was married to John Francis Gaynor, Jr., son of John Francis Gaynor and Josephine O'Connor, who is the great-granduncle of my half-sister Laurie Sellers and her half-sister Shanyn James.

Sidney Gordon, son of Joe Gordon (originally Joyne Gorodetsky) and Sarah Libby (originally Sore Leiba) Brainin, was born December 22, 1915 in Manhattan, New York County, New York.  He is my granduncle.

Florence Meckler, daughter of Morris Mackler (originally Moishe Meckler) and Minnie (originally Mushe) Zelda Nowicki, was also born December 22, 1915, but in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.  She is my grandaunt.

Harvey Stephen Gordon, son of Alexander Gordon and Roslyn Rubin, was born December 22, 1944 in Miami Beach, Dade County, Florida.  He is my 1st cousin 1x removed on my Gordon line.

George Steven Monat was born December 22, 1953 in Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama.  He is the husband of Janis Susan Brainin, daughter of Harold Leon Brainin and Ruth Pauline Schwartz, who is my 2nd cousin 1x removed.

Marriage

Lewis Allen Gaunt, son of Lewis Cass Gaunt and Mary A. Kindlesparger, and Sylvia Belle Black were married December 22, 1906 in Miami County, Indiana.  Lewis is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

Deaths

Redden N. Gaunt, son of Joseph Gaunt and Phoebe Emily Severn, died December 22, 1864 in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee at the age of 43.  He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Harry A. Schwartz, son of Joseph Schwartz and Anna Ajzner, died December 22, 1990 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California at the age of 80.  He is the 1st cousin 1x removed of my 3rd cousin 1x removed Esther Garfinkel on her Ajzner line.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Your 2024 "Dear Genea-Santa" Letter

It's almost Christmas, so it must be time to write to Santa for Randy Seaver's Satuday Night Genealogy Fun!

Come on, everybody, join in and accept the mission and execute it with precision.  Here's your chance to sit on Genea-Santa's lap (virtually) and tell him your Christmas genealogy-oriented wish list:

1.  Write your 2024 Genea-Santa letter.  Have you been a good genealogy girl or boy?  What genealogy-oriented items are on your Christmas wish list?  They could be family history items, technology items, or things that you want to pursue in your ancestral quest.

2.  Tell us about them in your own blog post, in a comment on this post, or in a Facebook Status  post.  Please leave a link on this post if you write your own post.

As usual, I've been a pretty good genealogy girl:  still doing lots of volunteer work, writing more this year than I have for the previous two years (combined!), trying to stay in touch with most of the relatives I've connected with over the years and share information with them, reaching out to more relatives when I have the opportunity.

After looking over the past several Dear Genea-Santa letters I've written, I noticed I've kind of been stuck in a rut, but it's an important rut, and so I think I'll make the same request I've made since 2018:  I want to find my Aunt Dottie's son whom she gave up for adoption.

To recap:

• My aunt Dorothy ("Dottie") Mae Sellers had a son who was born September 23, 1945.  She named him Raymond Lawrence Sellers and surrendered him for adoption soon after he was born.  I don't know what name he was given or anything else that happened to him after adoption.

• Dottie's DNA is on Family Tree DNA, MyHeritage, and GEDMatch.  I couldn't get her on Ancestry or 23andMe because those are spit tests, Dottie couldn't manufacture enough for the tests, and neither allows you to transfer your raw data from another site.

• Raymond's siblings, and I, are represented on Ancestry and 23andMe. So we have the DNA bases covered.

• I did what I could with state research, but Raymond was born and adopted in New Jersey, which sealed adoption records from 1941 on.  A search through birth indices did not point anywhere helpful.

• Dottie registered with New Jersey as being willing to accept contact if Raymond chose to look for her.

Dottie passed away in 2021.  I still don't know what would happen if Raymond did try to contact her through the New Jersey state office now, as I have not contacted that office to find out.  I need to learn if an alternative contact person (such as my cousin, who is Dottie's daughter and Raymond's sister) can be named or if the parent is the only person the state will accept (I'm pretty sure the latter is what they will say, because they're just not a friendly state to work with).  Raymond's siblings would very much like to find him and connect with him, especially now that Dottie is gone.

That really leaves only the DNA databases as a way to find Raymond.  But if he died young or if he and any children he might have had have never tested, we won't be able to find him.

As I mentioned, Dottie's DNA is in three databases.  I have found it interesting that I have only ever found a grand total of one person who matches her, who is definitely not Raymond.  If I were paranoid, I might think of that as a deliberate obstruction someone has thrown in my path to dissuade me.  But I'm not that paranoid, and I'm just thinking that Raymond either didn't survive to adulthood or is totally uninterested in DNA testing.  Even though Dottie had long, long roots in New Jersey through her mother, and she really should be matching probably several people, not just one.  But nope, I'm not being paranoid.

One wrinkle that occurred in 2023 is that a little bird whispered in my ear that someone STRONGLY resembled one of Dottie's children and knew he was adopted, and maybe that man could have been Raymond Lawrence Sellers (all this past tense because the man in question is deceased).  But the man was older by a few years than Raymond was supposed to be, and a couple of other pieces didn't quite fit.  While I would love to make the facts that we know about Raymond fit this other man, that's not the right way to solve questions.  I'm now inclined to believe that this mysterious adopted man was related to Dottie's other child through that child's paternal side.  I should be able to find photos of people in that family to compare.  Resolving this question likely will not help get us any closer to finding Raymond Lawrence Sellers, but it probably will eliminate this man from consideration.

Well, hope springs eternal.  C'mon, Genea-Santa.  Throw me a bone.

Events in My Family Tree: December 21

Gary Lederman was not born on the anniversary of his grandfather's death, because they were Jewish, and the important date for the death is the one on the Jewish calendar, to commemorate the yahrzeit.  Gabriel Lederman died on 15 Tevet, but Gary was born on 5 Tevet, so not the same date.  He was named for his grandfather, though.

Births

Almira B. Githens, daughter of Thomas Githens and Mary Gaunt, was born December 21, 1830 in New Jersey, possibly in Camden County.  She is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Hannah Gaunt, daughter of Uz Gaunt and Sarah Ann Whitacre, was born December 21, 1854 in Ohio, possibly in Wabash County.  She is also my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Veronica Barbara Hudson, daughter of George Richard Hudson and Elizabeth Giacomozzi, was born December 21, 1957, possibly in New Jersey.  She is my 5th cousin on my Gauntt line through the Hudsons.

Gary William Lederman, son of Murray Lederman and Linda Feller, was born December 21, 1963 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.  He is my 2nd cousin 1x removed on my Gorodetsky line through the Ledermans.

Aryn Sharma was born December 21, 2005.  He is the grandnephew of my aunt Mary McStroul and her sister Anna McStroul, the half-nephew of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams, and the son of Angela's half-sister Beth Williams.

Marriages

John Corwin Gaunt, son of Ner Gaunt and Agnes Corwin, and Elizabeth D. McEachern were married December 21, 1871 in  Pana, Christian County, Illinois.  John is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

John Henry Talbot and Elizabeth Jean McStroul, daughter of Eugene Washington McStroul and Elizabeth Almira Heath, were married December 21, 1958 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona.  Jean is the sister of my aunt Mary McStroul and her sister Anna McStroul, and the mother of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams and her half-sister Beth Williams.

Simon Berkowitz and Sheryl Millstein, daughter of Irwin Millstein and Julie Baena, were married December 21, 1985 in Connecticut.  Sheryl is my 2nd cousin 1x removed on my Gorodetsky line through the Millsteins.

Deaths

Joseph William Whitacre, son of Joseph Whitacre and Anna Gaunt, died December 21, 1879 in Pennville, Jay County, Indiana at the age of 45.  He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Gabriel William Lederman died December 21, 1953 in Manhattan, New York County, New York at the age of about 50.  He was married to Anna Gordon (originally Chana Gorodetsky), daughter of Avigdor Gorodetsky and Esther Leah Schneiderman, who is my great-grandaunt.

Events in My Family Tree: December 20

Almost all of the deaths for this date are very young people.

Births

Mary B. Gaunt, daughter of Clayton Decou Gaunt and Sarah E. Edwards, was born December 20, 1849 in Gloucester County, New Jersey, possibly in Woolrich.  She is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Louis Victor Gaunt, son of William Allen Gaunt and Mary Ann Parrott, was born December 20, 1876, probably in Wabash County, Indiana.  He is my 3rd cousin 3x removed via the Gaunts.

David Harry Durland was born December 20, 1955 in Nyack, Rockland County, New York.  He was the second husband of Laurie Sellers, daughter of Bertram Lynn Sellers, Jr. and Mary Lou Jocelyn Bowen, who is my half-sister.

Matthew Joseph Garfinkel was born December 20, 1997.  He is my 4th cousin 1x removed.

Dovid Budwick was born December 20, 2005.  He is my cousin in a way I have not yet confirmed, but probably 5th cousins.

Marriages

John Charles Gaunt, son of William Alvin Gaunt and Mamie B. Mitchell, and Mildred Ailene Haddock were married December 20, 1975, probably in Kings or Tulare County, California.  John is my 4th cousin 2x removed via the Gaunts.

Melvin Cecil Gordon, son of Alexander Gordon and Roslyn Rubin, and Janet Elaine Goldstein were married December 20, 1964 in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Florida.  Melvin is my 1st cousin 1x removed on my Gordon line.

Deaths

Alfred Githens, son of Alfred Githens and Margaret Middleton, died December 20, 1853 in New Jersey, probably in Camden County, at the age of 4.  He is my 3rd cousin 3x removed on my Gauntt line through the Githenses.

William Allen Gaunt, son of Uz Gaunt and Sarah Ann Whitacre, died December 20, 1879 in Wabash County, Indiana at the age of 33.  He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed via the Gaunts.

Jonathan Franklin Easlick, son of Jonathan Easlick and Susannah Sever, died December 20, 1930, probably in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, at the age of 53.  He is my 2nd cousin 2x removed on my Gauntt line through the Easlicks.

Ira Delbert Earehart died December 20, 1933 in Allen County, Ohio at the age of about 73.  He was married to Doris Lavina Rowland, daughter of Joseph Freeman Rowland and Sarah D. Pelham, who is my 4th cousin 2x removed on my Gauntt line through the Rowlands.

Darwin Monroe McStroul, son of Leo Martin McStroul (originally Moska Leib Strul) and Anna Krebs, died December 20, 1962 in Los Angeles County, California at the age of 43.  He is the uncle of my aunt Mary McStroul and her sister Anna McStroul and the granduncle of my not-quite-cousin Angela Williams.