52 Weeks Challenge Week 26 - Google Books

Week 26: Take a stroll through Google Books (http://books.google.com/). Most of us have probably used Google Books in our genealogy research, but have you really taken the time to explore what’s there? Look at the magazines and featured books. Check out the subjects offered. By taking the focus off research for a bit, your mind is open to see other ways this tool can be used.


I do use Google Books with some frequency but, as Amy says, my attention is always within my research focus. I look for specific books regarding genealogy or certain family history. So taking the time to really look at this feature is a really good idea.


I rummaged around in some of the book categories and even placed a book or two in my library to read later. (I'm going to look into how to download books and put them in my Sony Reader later.) Just to show how ignorant I was of all the features available, I didn't even know I had a personal library!!


Before long, however, the time I'd allotted to this task was drawing to an end. Before moving on to other things, I decided to take a look at the Life Magazine Jan 24 1955 issue. I just wanted to see what was going on when I was 10 years old. 


There were some great articles in this issue which just had to be read. A small one mentioned Agatha Christi's Witness for the Prosecution being a big hit on Broadway. Agatha was 64 years old at the time.


One very long and interesting article was about Greta Garbo, then 49 years old, which discredited that famous line of hers. She stated (to a friend) she did not say, "I want to be alone", but, "I want to be let alone". That does change things a bit.


Mainly, it was the advertisements that caught my eye. Here are some new and exciting items of the day: contour sheets, instant oatmeal, automatic washers and dryers, Chef BOY-AR-DEE spaghetti dinner in a box, and, believe it or not, Jello only had 6 flavors.


Thanks, Amy, for sending me to a blast from the past!! 


By the way, I spent so much time reading the magazine I never did move on to other tasks. It was time well spent anyway.

Grandma Miller’s Wisdom

When I was growing up in Rush County, Indiana, our family spent plenty of time with my Grandma Miller – Sylvia B Walker Miller, 1892-1986. She and Grandpa lived in a tiny town called New Salem. It’s the “don’t blink or you’ll miss it” sort of place right on what was then the very busy highway 52. You didn’t dare stand too close to the road for fear of the being blown over from the wind created by the semis flying past!

I don’t recall ever being told to stay away from the road; but, then, I guess the grown-ups figured the kids were at least that smart. Of course, these are the same adults who encouraged our use of firecrackers, sparklers and such on the 4^th of July. My how times have changed!!

Grandma hadn’t had an easy life and living with Grandpa, I’m sure, wasn’t a barrel of laughs. From my perspective he was pretty ornery to say the least. Perhaps he was part of the reason for her temperament after all. They do say tribulation breeds patience.

To this day, I have never met anyone with a sweeter disposition than Grandma. I’ve met some very nice people in my day but none can hold a candle to her. I can’t recall her ever raising her voice or even seeming annoyed. I never heard her say a bad word about anyone and I can remember my mother telling me the same thing. Grandma must have had a special gift to see the best in everyone. No matter what awful things were reported to her about someone her response would be: “Oh, I know, but he/she has a good heart.”

That was Grandma’s wisdom. She found happiness in looking for the good and, as much as possible, dismissing the bad in others. To the end, she was able to face life with her sweet, sweet smile and a twinkle in her eyes.

Leisure Reunion

We're back from Indiana and the Leisure reunion. We had a delicious meal together, learned how we all fit together in the family and made plans for the coming year. 2011 will be the 90th reunion so we're hoping for a great turnout and a fun time!

This year I brought a descendants chart starting from the Leisure couple - Nathan and Sarah (Irvin) Leisure - who moved the family to Indiana. I was able to go three generations before the lineage of those attending started to break off. From there, I only brought down my line (from Rush County) and the line for Nathan J. Leisure (from Grant/Henry Counties). These are not families who consisted of the current norm of 2.5 children; oh, no, we're talking 10 to 12 children at least! Everyone seem to enjoy the pictoral view of the family.

We also decided to establish a Leisure blog in the near future. I'll be working to get that started along with writing up the Ruch family. Since I already host the Elgin Genealogical Society's blog - plus this one - I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. I am looking forward to doing it though. Hopefully, the blog will bring interest to the family, find some new relatives and build enthusiasm for next year.

While in the area, my husband and I stopped by the Park Cemetery in Fairmount, Indiana and were able to fulfill a few of the photo requests on Find A Grave. I was able to post them this afternoon.

Rush County Covered Bridges

You've heard of the Bridges of Madison County, made famous by the movie, but they have nothing on the beautiful covered bridges of Rush County Indiana. They were all built by the Kennedy brothers. I have Rush County Kennedy ancestors but, alas, not these Kennedys.

Jim and I took a drive today to revisit the bridges. They are well kept and are still serving their purpose.
However, there are only four bridges left; the fifth, near Moscow, Indiana, was destroyed by a tornado June 3, 2008

Tomb Stone Tuesday - Leisure

Hannegan Cemetery; Rush County, Indiana

George W. Leisure

born June 3, 1809

died Mar 27, 1896

Lucida Myers

Wife of G. W. Leisure

Born July 27, 1810

Died Aug 13, 1890

These are two of my Leisure ancestors. I'm still looking forward to the reunion this weekend.

I created some Descendants charts to take along (lots of cutting and pasting!!) These Leisures had a tendency towards very large families!!

Will of Joseph Leasure of Garrard County, Kentucky 1835

This will mentions the emancipation of a slave named John:

Garrard County, Kentucky, Will of Joseph Leasure (Will book 1, #391, Oct. 16, 1835), Garrard County, KY Will book 1, #391, October 16, 1835, Joseph Leasure will:
 In the name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Leasure of the County of Garrard and State of Kentucky, being weak and feeble in body, but of sound mind and memory, and being as he conceives and believes, well calculated to dispose of the worldly goods it hath pleased God to help me with, do make and ordain this, my last will and testament, as follows--an first with a grateful heart for the many mercies I have enjoyed, I commend my immortal part to God, my Saviour, humbly imploring his Holyness for protection and my body to the dust from whence it originated, by the Almighty power of God, then to rest in hope and as the worldly goods with which I am blessed, dispose of it as follows: My will is at first that all my just debts, if I owe any, be speedily and promptly paid, after which the whole of my Estate, both real and personal, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Elizabeth Leasure, during her natural life. Item, at the death of myself and wife, I give and bequeath my land on which I now live to my daughter, Rachel Pearce, to her own proper use and behold forever. Item, my Negro, John, at the death of myself and wife I hereby emancipate and set free. Item, all the rest of estate, both real and personal, except what I have herein given to my daughter aforesaid, at the death of myself and wife as aforesaid, my will and desires is shall be divided into two parts, one merely I give to my daughter, Rachel Pearce and the balance to the legal heirs of my said wife, Elizabeth, and hereby lastly, I ordain and appoint my said beloved Elizabeth my Executrix and my brother William Leasure, Executor, of this, my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal this 6th day of October in the year of our Lord 1835.  Witnesses--Alex A. Jennings Jose. X Leasure, his mark *(seal)*  John H. Eason  Garrard County, KY  I certify that the foregoing last will and testament of Joseph Leasure, dec'd.. was produced to Court at the July County Court 1838, and having to be such by the oaths of Alex A. Jennings and John H. Eason subpoenaing thereto, and approved and ordered to be recorded whereupon the same is truly admitted to record. Alex R. McKee, Clerk.

Civil War Letter - Peter Miller to family in Indiana

I transcribed this letter and have left it as close to how it was written as I could. I made no corrections for spelling or grammar.

Hospitle on the Battle ground near Murfreesboro

Jan the 31, 1863

I received a letter from you yesterday and was hapy to here from you, dated December the 6 and I hope this will find you all well. This leaves me well. I have got over the diarhea and am geting strength since I have bin in the hospitle. I have but three Patience, the Rest have bin moved to Nashville and I have easy times. Those three have there legs Broke. There is one Cook here and one person to bring Rations and ……. I will take the doler and buy me some paper and envelopes.

I have not got but three papers and I have not got any for five weeks. I would like to have the paper to read if I cold get it Regular but as I cant I don’t think it necesary to send it. I will thank you for your kindness sending it so long. Well, I thank you for this money.

You wanted to no what I had for dinner at christmas. I had no diner as we went foraging to get corn hay and ladis and we got lots of sweet and irish potatoes and then we started for this plase and left them all there and one month ago to day we had the fite with the Rebles. We left Ills with nine hundred and fifty men in our Regament now we have only two hundred. Now we are all in good health, the march from Louisville is what killed our men.

Rite if father Rents my plase and his and if he finds Lem and what he does with my horse and mare and mules and Who he Rents to and if he builes on his land and what he does with his corn and mine and how the horse and mare looks and how my hay looks. If Lem took it up and Beried and how many hogs and cattle father fed and what he got for them and if he has payed the payment on my land and his. You need not think I am tired of soldiering for I am not. All I ast is good health.

My address P. Miller, 79 Reg, Ills vol, Co E near Murfreesboro Tennisee. Plese Rite soon and where dick is. tell Charles I would like to here from him soon.

I dont no how long I will be here......

I have no more paper and will get some soon then I will Rite more.
Ann Miller   A Miller
Sarah Miller
Susan Miller


P Miller


Here is a picture of the original:

Looking at Charles John Emil Ruch's Family

The fifth child of Charles & Salome Ruch (third pregnancy) was their first boy. Charles John Emil, also the first born in Chicago, made his appearance on July 18, 1876. Just recently, I realized I had entered his birth year incorrectly in my database. I've had little other information on him with the exception of his listing with his address in the 1930 probate file from his mother. Since I had to correct his birth date anyway, I decided to do a quick check in Ancestry to see what I could find. Between Ancestry and the Chicago Tribune on Newsbank, I found much more than I expected in a short time. Below is the Register Report for Charles J E and family. I've highlighted the new surnames to my file. (This is great timing because I'm coming up on his birth in my story:))

Generation 1

1.                  Charles John Emil RUCH-1[1]. He was born on 18 Jul 1876 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA[1].  Residence on 05 Apr 1930 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA (4210 N. Monticello Ave.) [2, 1]. He was  also known as Charles J. E. RUCH on 05 Apr 1930 [2, 3]. He died on 09 Mar 1959 in Chicago,  Cook,  Illinois, USA [4]. Burial on 11 Mar 1959 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA (All Saints Cemetery)  [4].

Catherine M WINDSTEIN[5, 6, 3, 7]. She was born Jan 1876 in Illinois, USA[8]. Residence 1920 in  Chicago Ward 27, Cook (Chicago), Illinois [5]. She died on 07 Aug 1957 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois,  USA [9]. Burial on 09 Aug 1957 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA (All Saints Cemetery) [9]. 

Charles John Emil RUCH and Catherine M WINDSTEIN. Their marriage on 28 May 1895 in  Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA (St. Michael's Church) [10, 1]. They had 5 children.

2.                   i.         Charles RUCH [6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14]. He was born on 15 Oct 1895 in Chicago [12, 13, 14].  Residence 1910 in Chicago Ward 27, Cook, Illinois [6, 15]. He married Elsie JACOB.  They were married on 31 Dec 1915 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA [16]. He died  May 1982 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States of America [13].  Other in Chicago [15]. SSN Issued in Indiana, USA 

ii.                  Julia RUCH[6, 8]. She was born Jul 1897 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA[8].  Residence 1910 in Chicago Ward 27, Cook, Illinois [6]. She married Elmer  TOBIAS. They were married Bef. 1957 [4, 9]. She died on 23 May 1981 in Mount  Prospect, Cook, Illinois, USA [17]. Burial on 26 May 1981 in Elmhurst, Du Page,  Illinois, USA (Mount Emblem Cemetery). 

iii.                 Alice RUCH[5, 6]. She was born 1903 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA[5, 6].  Residence 1920 in Chicago Ward 27, Cook (Chicago), Illinois [5]. She married  Someone WAGNER. They were married Bef. 1957 [4, 9]. 

iv.                Celia C RUCH[5, 6, 7]. She was born on 23 Apr 1906 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois,  USA [3, 7]. Residence 1920 in Chicago Ward 27, Cook (Chicago), Illinois [5]. She  married Unknown SALVADOR. They were married Bef. 1957 [4, 9].  

v.                  Lorraine Pearl RUCH[5, 7]. She was born on 25 May 1918 in Chicago, Cook,  Illinois, USA [5, 18, 19, 7]. Residence 1920 in Chicago Ward 27, Cook (Chicago),  Illinois [5]. She married Uniknown KLUESENER. They were married Bef. 1957 [4, 9].

Generation 2

2.                  Charles RUCH-2 (Charles John Emil RUCH-1)[6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14]. He was born on 15 Oct 1895 in  Chicago [12, 13, 14]. Residence 1910 in Chicago Ward 27, Cook, Illinois [6, 15]. He died May 1982 in  Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States of America [13]. 

Elsie JACOB[11, 16, 14]. She was born 1898 in Illinois, USA[11]. Residence 1920 in Chicago Ward  27, Cook (Chicago), Illinois [11].

Charles RUCH and Elsie JACOB. They were married on 31 Dec 1915 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois,   USA [16]. They had 3 children.

i.                    Virginia RUCH[11, 14]. She was born 1917 in Illinois, USA[11, 14]. Residence 1920 in  Chicago Ward 27, Cook (Chicago), Illinois [11]. 

ii.                  Dorothy RUCH[14]. She was born 1921 in Illinois, USA[14]. Residence 1930 in  Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana [14]. R

iii.                 Muriell RUCH[14]. She was born 1925 in Indiana, USA[14]. Residence 1930 in  Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana [14]. 

Sources

1          Selective Service System, US Federal Government, World War I Draft Registration Cards,  1917-1918 (National Archive  Film # M1509. 20,243), Ancestry.com, Database online. Registration  Location: Cook County, Illinois; Roll: 1613749; Draft Board: 62. Record for Charles John Emil  Ruch. Wife Catherine.

2          Probate Court of Cook County [Illinois], Salome Ruch will and probate file (Case No. 155336,  1930), Clerk of the Circuit Cout of Cook County, Archives Rm 1113, Chicago, Illinois, Table of  Heirship. Charles J. E. Ruch, son.

3          Cook County Illinois Clerk, Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1878-1922 (Salt Lake City, Utah,  LDS Library), http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch, Film Number 1288114, Digital Folder  Number 4272675, Image Number 59, Reference Number 14808. Cecelia Eva Ruch, daughter of  Charles Ruch and Kate Windstein.

4          America's Obituaries & Death Notices (NewsBank, Inc.), Online databases from Arlington Heights  Library, Chicago Tribune (IL) - March 10, 1959; Record Number: 19590310dn123. Charles J. E.  Ruch, beloved husband of the late Catherine; fond father of Charles, Julia Tobias, Alice Wagner,  Cecelia Salvador, and Lorraine Kluesener; grandfather of nine; great-grandfather of eight. At  funeral home, 3918 Irving Park road, until 9 a.m. Wednesday. Mass 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of  Mercy church. Interment all Saints' cemetery. Member of La Salle general Assembly, Fourth  degree K. of C.

5          1920 Census, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc.,  2005), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Chicago Ward 27, Cook  (Chicago), Illinois; Roll: T625_339; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 1625; 4210 Monticello Ave.  Record for Charles Ruch household.

6          1910 Census, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc.,  2006), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1910; Census Place: Chicago Ward 27, Cook,  Illinois; Roll: T624_269; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 1171; Image: 818. 4210 Monticello Ave.  Record for Charles Ruch household.

7          1930 Census, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc.,  2002), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois;  Roll: 477;  Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 1437; Image: 945.0. Record for Chas Ruch household.

8          1900 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004),  www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1900; Census Place: Chicago Ward 21, Cook, Illinois;  Roll: T623_271; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 654. 193 Mohawk. Record for Charles Ruch  household.

9          America's Obituaries & Death Notices (NewsBank, Inc.), Online databases from Arlington Heights  Library, Chicago Tribune (IL)

Date: August 08, 1957, Edition: Chicago Tribune;

Record Number: 19570808dn111. - -Catherine Ruch, beloved wife of Charles J.; loving mother of  Charles, Julia Tobias, Alice Wagner, Cecilia Salvador, and Lorraine Kluesener; fond grandmother  of nine; great-grandmother of eight; dear sister of Josephine Meyer. At funeral home, 3918 Irving

Park road until 10 a.m. Friday. Mass at Our Lady of Mercy church, 10:30 a.m. Interment All Saint's  cemetery.

10        Illinois Marriages 1871-1920, LDS Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Film Number 1030251, Digital Film   Number 4228246, Image Number 647. Marriage of Kate Windstein & Charles Ruch.

11        1920 Census, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc.,  2005), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Chicago Ward 27, Cook  (Chicago), Illinois; Roll: T625_339; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 1625; Image:. Record for  Charles Ruch household.

12        U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc.,  2007), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Roll: WW2_2370035; Local board: Marion , Indiana.  Record for Charles George Ruch.

13        Social Security Death Index (Social Security Administration), Rootsweb SSDI, Database online.  Number: 303-09-2698; Issue State: Indiana; Issue Date: Before 1951. Record for Charles Ruch.

14        1930 Census, Marion, Indiana, Ancestry.com -1930 census images, Database online. Year: 1930;  Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: 615; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 190;  Image: 139.0. Record for Charles Ruch household.

15        World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc.,  2005), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Registration Location: Cook County, Illinois; Roll:  1613747; Draft Board: 61. Record for Charles George Ruch.

16        Illinois Marriages 1871-1920, LDS Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Film Number 1030612, Digital Film   Number 4272443, Image 569, Reference 716689. Marriage of Charles Ruch & Elsie Jacob.

17        America's Obituaries & Death Notices (NewsBank, Inc.), Online databases from Arlington Heights  Library, Date: May 24, 1981; Edition: Chicago Tribune;

Record Number: 19810524dn107. Julia Tobias, beloved wife of the late Elmer; dear mother of  Robert (Ellen) Tobias and the late Jess Brandley; grandmother of three; great-grandmother of one;  sister of Charles Ruche, Alice Wagner, Cecilia Salvador and Lorraine Kluesner. Services Tuesday,  1:30 p.m., at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Rd., at Northwest Highway, Mount  Prospect. Interment Mount Emblem. Visitation Monday, 4 to 9 p.m. 255-7800.

18        Cook County Illinois Clerk, Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1878-1922 (Salt Lake City, Utah,  LDS Library), http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch, Film Number 1308834, Digital Folder  Number, 4403112, Image Number 00455, Reference Number 20430. Lorraine Pearl Ruch,  daughter of Charles Ruch and Katherine Windstein.

19    Cook County, Illinois Birth Index, 1916-1935 (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc.,  2008),
        www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record for Lorraine Ruch.