Grammy's Genealogy

Sep 2, 2012

A Genealogy Moment

I've had a real genealogy moment this week! I have received some old cards from a cousin and the package included my aunt's scrapbook to scan and use in my scrapbooking. Most are photos I've never seen - how exciting. Here is my great grandmother, Mabel Libby (Phelps), as a teenager, with her sisters. How can you not love these old photos!!??

On GGrandmother's birthday and 50th anniversary in 1939, the family got together to celebrate. One of the fun parts of the evening was a wedding re-enactment, starring two of my older cousins, Mary Ruth and Ralph. I'll include their photo here - so cute!

And here is great grandma's obituary:

1954 Jan 14, The Milford Mail, P1, Milford, Iowa

LAST RITES FOR MRS. PHELPS AT ARNOLD´S PARK WEDNESDAY

Last rites for Mrs. Mabel Libby Phelps were conducted from the Friends church in Arnold´s Park, Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Baiotto, pastor of the church, was in charge of the services, with arrangements by Leysons. Mrs. Phelps passed away Jan. 11, 1954, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bessie Parks, in Arnold´s Park. She was 86 years of age. Pallbearers at the funeral were Kenneth Orr, Jim Read, Martin Read, Loren Weise, Paul Mansmith and Glen Pugh. Loren Wiese was vocal soloist, singing "Beyond the Sunset" and "Face to Face." Mrs. Guy Hedrick was in charge of the flowers. Burial was in Winner, S.D., on Thursday, today, beside the grave of her husband.

Mrs. Mabel Libby Phelps, daughter of Angeline P. Riley and S. Appleton Libby, was born Oct. 9, 1868, at Hopkinton, Iowa, and died Jan:11,1954. She was united in marriage to Adelbert Phelps of Cherokee, on Oct. 9, 1889 at Larrabee. To this union, four children were born. They are Mrs. Bessie Parks of Arnold´s Park, Irwin of Union Grove, Wis., Lawrence of Winner, S. D., and Robert who passed away March 11,1943. Left to mourn her passing are one sister, Annette Libby of Arnold´s Park, one brother, Eugene, of Portland, Oregon, the daughter and two sons, 15 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, besides the number of friends she has made during her long life.

Jul 30, 2012

2012 Devil Pups

2012 Devil Pup camp was another big success. Seven St. George area pups graduated. Chance McPhie was guide-on bearer for Platoon 3. Each pup made it to the top of Ole Smokey, the final challenge of umpteen challenges throughout camp. We are proud of each one of them! Here's a photo of five of the pups digging into a bag of chips. It probably took a lot of hamburgers to fill them up after 10 days of rigorous training. For more photos see www.2012soutahdevilpups.shutterfly.com.

May 5, 2012

Roses in May

Probably because of my pneumonia during the month of April, the roses weren't as glorious as they could be, but they've got pretty good color now that I'm taking a little better care of them. Back to front, we've got 12 rose bushes. Best thing about them - very little care, just some feeding now and then.

Mar 15, 2012

Blue Angels

The Blue Angels are scheduled for an air show here in St. George Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18. Bill is on the security detail for both days so he'll get to see the show up close and personal. Right now the Blue Angels are "practicing" out of the new St. George Airport, and we can see and hear them going overhead here in SunRiver. Awesome!!

Mar 7, 2012

March Weather

It's been a mild winter. Looks like this may be the only snow we'll have this year. Rain when we went to bed last night was a light dusting of powdered sugar this morning. Since we can't see Pine Valley Mountain this morning, there may be more white stuff on the mountain top in a day or two.

Mar 6, 2012

My Park/Parks In-Laws

I’ve been working on my “cousin-in-law” ancestors for a couple weeks now. It’s been a fun hunt, but those ancestors know how to hide. Basically, I’m hunting for ancestors of James A. Armstrong and his wife, Mary Ann Wilson. There is quite a famous branch of Armstrongs in Pennsylvania, one of which had the military background to merit the naming of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. I haven’t been able to tie James and his wife into that line – yet – but I sure would like to learn who James and Mary Ann’s parents were.

James A. Armstrong appears to have been born about 1800 in Pennsylvania and spent most of his life in Fayette County, the last few years in the Springhill area. He died about 1852 or 1853 (supposedly in a sawmill accident) in Fayette County. Mary Ann Wilson Armstrong was born about 1812, according to the 1850 census in Maryland. Her death occurred in Upper Hillville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania according to Findagrave Memorial #13337192. This move was after the death of her husband.

The Armstrongs had six children that I know of:

Andrew “Jackson” Armstrong (1839-1926) (78th Reg. Penna. Inf., during the Civil War);

Robert A. Armstrong (1839-1907) (Civil War in Co. E, 168th Regiment of PA Volunteers);

Charles Martin Armstrong (1843-1915) (78th PA Volunteers);

Elizabeth Armstrong Cimmons (1846-1932) (tireless knitter for the Red Cross);

Esabelle Armstrong Jackson (1849-1933) (her obit claims she was a great great granddaughter of Colonel Armstrong); and

Ellen Jane Armstrong Fowzer (1851-1920) (died at the home of her daughter in Venango County).

I just need to tie James A. Armstrong and Mary Ann Wilson to their parents!
There is a possibility that John S. Wilson (1823-1900) who married Mary Ann Mossburg (1822-1889) is a brother to our Mary Ann Wilson. Sure would love to bust through this brick wall.