April in Slovenia

2013 photo of my 2nd great grandparents headstone, Jošef and Franciska Kočijancic.

I just returned from a 12 day visit to Slovenia, my second in four years.  In 2013 my daughter and I made the journey as a combination vacation and genealogy quest with success finding the cemetery headstone of my 2nd great grandparents and meeting some very distant relatives as well.  Honestly, after the initial trip I had a less-than-optimistic outlook that I would ever see Slovenia again.   Fast forward to January 2017 when my daughter receives a Fulbright Scholarship and relocates to...........Ljubljana, Slovenia for the next 9 months!

2017 photo showing a new headstone.

Being in Slovenia again gave me another opportunity to visit the Nadškofija Ljubljana Arhiv, one of three Catholic archives in Slovenia.  Equipped with 2 other helpers (husband and daughter) we made quick time of the Status Animarum records (parish family books) for the year 1854 and found a number of promising records I am currently evaluating.

We also made a visit again to St. Cantius Church cemetery in Škocjan near Turjak to visit the graves of my 2nd great grandparents (if you missed my post on Jošef you can read it here). and we found something quite surprising, a new headstone since 2013.  Translating the inscription it appears that Jošef's son Anton (1881-1957) as well as his daughter Vida (1921-1999) and her husband Franc Žužek are buried here also, which was probably the case in 2013 and why a new headstone was installed.  Due to limited land in Slovenia, cemetery plots only exist while a member of the family continues to pay the monthly rent and maintain the space.  After that, they are evicted (I didn't ask anymore questions and don't want to know!

Altogether, this visit was more remarkable than the first considering I had my daughter for a tour guide!  Hmmm, I wonder if I will ever return?

Soda Crackers and Coffee, breakfast of champions?

Surprises! That's what I love about genealogy and family history.   Whether it's meeting distant cousins in Slovenia and Michigan, locating a headstone or cemetery, adding another name on the family tree or hearing about favorite family recipes these are what I consider to be the true pieces to the genealogical puzzle.   Discovering stories that bring "life" to my ancestors and then sharing these with my family will always be my purpose for continuing to search.  This month, a mighty "thank you" to my Mom and her twin sister for sharing this memory!

My attempt at "soda crackers and coffee".

Although I wouldn't consider this a "recipe" as such,  my Mom and Aunt recalled that their Grandfather, Anton Penne, frequently consumed "soda crackers and coffee" for breakfast, mixed together with a lot of sugar!  Yep, he had a "giant coffee cup" where all ingredients were mingled together and then eaten with a spoon, slurping followed.  Of course, I had to try it, with cream as well, and quickly gave it a thumbs up.  As strange as this breakfast may sound, after online researching, it really isn't at all. Soakey, Coffee Sop, Coffee Soup was a staple during the Depression Era and Latinos have a long tradition of adding "galletas de soda" to their coffee or hot chocolate as well.   During the American Civil War soldiers would soften their daily ration of hardtack (basically a cracker made from flour, water and salt) in their morning coffee. In fact, I have found a television commercial and a blog touting the delightful deliciousness of soakey!

Did Great Grandpa Penne's breakfast tradition originate in Slovenia or after he immigrated? Maybe during the Depression? I don't think anyone ever bothered to ask but this breakfast choice surely  made a lasting impression on his grand daughters.  I too remember sitting at the breakfast table with my grandparents, watching them add evaporated milk to their coffee while eating toast with strawberry jam scooped and spread on with a spoon.  Childhood memories are like snapshots, small bits and pieces that don't seem to have a beginning or end and maybe the most focused snapshots occur first thing in the morning after a long night's rest and that's why they are so easily recalled even years later.

Additional reading here and here if you're still curious!

Helena Seitz

My only photo of Helena Seitz Besack, 2x great grandmother.

Each month I sit down and write my blog post I move further up the family tree and also become more aware of how little information I have as well as how much information has been potentially lost.  This post is a good example, kind-of-a "Just the facts, ma'am" style detailing Helena's life and, sadly, her tragic death.

Helena was born August 4, 1840 in Heiligenzell, a small village in southwestern Germany near the French border to Conrad (Konrad) and Katherine (Huebel) Seitz.  Conrad died in 1844 leaving his Katherine with 13 children: Rosa 23, Otillia 21, Benedict 19, Bernard 17, Adelheid 15, Ferdinand 13, Fidelis 11, Michel 11, Joseph 8, Mary Ann 6, Helena 4, Therese 2 and Charles 1.

Immigration record for Katherine and her children minus Charles.

In 1852, Katherine and 7 of her children (Adelheid, Ferdinand, Michel, Joseph, Mary Ann, Helena and Therese) left the port of LeHavre aboard the St. Nicholas and arrived at Castle Garden on August 4.  Although, three of the older children emigrated previously most puzzling is why Charles who was 9 years old was not on the ship manifest as it is known that he emigrated as well.  The family settled in Caledonia, Racine County, Wisconsin and most remained there throughout their lives.

Helena married John Besack (Biesack) in 1861 and together had 10 children, all born on the family farm-Mary 1862, Emma 1863, Elizabeth 1864, Henry 1866, Catherine 1868, Rose 1870, John 1872, Helen 1873(my great grandmother), Joseph 1875 and Odtelia 1878.  John and Odtelia died young ages 15 and 2.  The Besack Farm consisted of 43 acres and was located in Section 29, Range 23, Township 4 in Caledonia Township, 3 miles north of Racine.

After the death her husband John in 1899, Helen relocated to the city of Racine, 1305 LaSalle Street, where she shows up on the 1900 United States Federal Census living with Helena (listed as Lena), Rose and Verna Poulson (her 4 year old grand daughter who was erroneously listed in two households on this census!)  It was at this house where the tragedy occurred.  The two newspaper articles from the Racine Journal News dated December 1 and December 18, 1915 describe the horrific events that eventually took her life.  

I must warn you however, the reports are quite graphic.

The suffering my poor great, great grandmother went through is unimaginable.  Helena's daughter Elizabeth, who was living in California, arrived home  the day before her mother died.  Helena was buried with John at Old Holy Cross Cemetery on Kinzie Avenue, Racine.

I wish I had more details of Helena's life to share rather than leaving you to remember her terrible death.  I was in the Racine Public Library, seated at the microfiche machine, searching old newspapers when I first read about her shocking death.  It's something I won't soon forget.

Racine Journal News December 18, 1915

Racine Journal News December 1, 1915

What Would Jožef Think?

My daughter in Ljubljana during our 2013 Slovenia trip.

As it turns out, my great, great grandfather Jožef Kocijančić and I have more in common than DNA. We both have had children make the same journey between the United States and Slovenia, with the exception of being in the opposite direction.  Last Friday, I hugged my daughter goodbye as she left for a nine month research and cultural experience in Slovenia.  However, as Jozef's daughter Johanna (my great grandmother) set sail for America in 1901 their hug would need to last a lifetime.  They never saw each other again.  In today's world of international travel, the thought of never seeing your child again seems unimaginable.  I certainly couldn't help but think about Jožef and Johanna as I left my daughter at the airport.  How would you say goodbye to your child forever?  For many of our ancestors that was the grim reality and I am very, very thankful it is not mine.  Someday I hope to know more about this brave man but for now you can read what I do know about Jožef on the Penne page below.

Penne Family

Jožef Kocijančič, Great, Great Slovene Grandfather

Kocijančič Home, Mali Osolnik 9, Škocjan pro Turjaku, Slovenia.

Jožef was born in Mali Osolnik #9 to Janez and Marija (Grebenc) Kocijančič on February 8, 1841 at a time when Slovenia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  Historically, in Slovenia, land is inherited by the oldest son, called primogeniture, as a way of keeping land and property in families.  So far, I have documented 4 generations of Kocijančić's born in house #9 with the 5th generation, although not born there, listed as the current owner of the abandoned home.  Jožef spent his lifetime in that home

Jožef probably married Franciska Novak sometime

Jožef Kocijančić, date unknown.

Jožef probably married Franciska Novak sometime in 1871,  the year their first child was born.  I have been unable to locate a marriage record which probably means she was not from Mali Osolnik herself and the marriage took place in her village. Together they had 10 children:  Tomaž, Jože, Johanna, Franciska, Janež, Jožef, Anton, Franc, Ana and Katerina.  Jože, 10, died in September 1874 just three days before my great grandmother Johanna was born.  More tragedy followed when Franciska died on December 1, 1888 followed by two of her children Janež on December 2 almost 11 years and Katerina on December 4 age 1 most likely from some type of infectious disease, possibly cholera.  Johanna, Franciska and Ana immigrated to Eveleth, Minnesota, Jožef immigrated to Joliet, Illinois, Anton stayed in Slovenia and inherited house #9, Tomaž remains a mystery.  Tomaž also most likely died as a child or he would inherited the house as the firstborn son.  The hardships, adversity and suffering my Kocijančič ancestors lived through breaks my heart.

My knowledge of Jožef's life is very minimal.  However in a settlement near his home called Škocjan (formally known as Staro Apno) sits a Catholic church

St. Cantius and Companions

called St. Cantius and Companions.  The church dates to medieval times, approximately 1260, and has gone through many renovations and architectural styles-Romanesque, Gothic (First and Second) and Baroque.  Of note, during one of the remodeling the original medieval chapel was uncovered.  The parishioners of St. Cantius are proud of the fact that Primoz Trubar, the first person to translate the Bible to Slovenian, was baptized in this chapel in 1508.  Then in 1891, preparations began for an extensive church remodel and Jožef was one of six chosen to be on the building committee.  It wasn't until 1906 when work finally began on the church and almost exactly a year later  the "new"

Medievel chapel, circa 1260, where Primoz Trubar was baptized in 1508.

church was consecrated on October 27, 1907.  "And why all the effort for this selfless work? Because, as the valiant sons of the Church may now say with pride: This is the work of our hands, this is truly our church! This is a monument to our faith, taken from the fathers inherited from ancestors, a monument to the late centuries speaks to grandchildren: Stand firm in the faith, true to his God as me! wrote Fran S. Finžgar, a catholic priest and popular Slovene writer, in a blessing published on November 15, 1907 (at least I'm fairly certain this was his quote as I am translating the Slovenian report! Apologies if I am incorrect).

In 2013, I had the privilege to set foot inside St. Cantius Church, the church of my ancestors.  And very near the church through a gate and down a set of stairs sits a beautiful cemetery.  This is where I found my great, great grandparent's Jožef and Franciska.

Jožef and Franciska's gravesite.

Their grave site is the oldest in the cemetery. Jožef died on May 11, 1916 but he lived long enough to see his new church.  

Bog jim a daj vecni mir in pokaj - God Give Them Eternal Peace and Repentance

is written on their headstone.   Amen to that, you both have earned it.

Bernard A. and Johanna H. (Sievering) Willing

Bernard (Barney) and Johanna were German immigrants, Bernard from Vreden near the Dutch border and Johanna from a town I can't even find on the map (so most likely I have an incorrect town name or the name has been changed) who made Chicago their home for a short time.  And that's all I know about either of their lives before they married.

Subsequently, I will begin on July 21, 1874 at St. Michael's Church in Chicago, Illinois.  On this date, my great-great grandparents Bernard Willing and Johanna Sievering were married.  St. Michael's in Old Town was built on land donated by a prosperous immigrant brewer and served German immigrants beginning in 1852.  This wooden structure was replaced in 1869 with a brick building and steeple that was once the tallest structure in Chicago.  However, just two years later in 1871, St. Michael's Church was ravaged by the Great Chicago Fire.  On October 12, 1873 the church was re-dedicated becoming one of the first after the Great Fire to do so and just nine months before my grandparent's wedding day the next year.

Bernard and Johanna's first child, Mary, was born in May 1875 in Chicago followed by Annie in 1876.  By the time of my great grand father John's birth in April 1878 the family had relocated north to Racine, Wisconsin.  Four more children would followed-Louise, Bernard, Leonard and Catherine-all born in Racine as well.  Bernard and Johanna would reside in Racine the remainder of their lives.

Bernard Willing (beard) with my great grandfather John, holding his granddaughter Mary Jane, and his daughter Hildegard Bowman.  Circa 1937. (Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of Johanna.)

Bernard's granddaughter, Genevieve (I often refer to her as "Aunt Gen" in this blog and use her memoir quite often as reference) described him:

"Grandpa was a farmer and also dabbled in real estate in his later years.  I only remember him as having snow-white hair and full beard and carrying a cane.  I always like to watch him pull on two chains that would wind the cuckoo clock that hung on the dining room wall.  What fun it was to watch the little cuckoo bird come out on the half or full hour".  In his later years, Grandpa seemed to cough a lot and had difficulty breathing, no doubt from smoking a corncob pip for years".  

And describing Johanna:  

"I only recall Grandma as being rather plump and watching her grind coffee beans, churning milk for butter or lifting the coffee pot off the big iron stove and taking a drink from it.  She was injured in the cyclone that ripped through the north side and also killed Annie".  

New York Times, May 19, 1883.

Undoubtedly, the most significant event in their lives occurred during the evening of May 18, 1883.  The warm day had brought afternoon thunderstorms followed by large dark clouds and hot, still air.  A tornado formed and swept through Racine killing little Anna (Annie) who was six.  On May 19, The New York Times reported "The little daughter of Barney Willing was blow fully 50 rods from where the house stood and against a wall, and killed instantly".   The same news article states "A son of Barney Willing is missing".   This could have been either my great grandfather John, 5, or his brother Benny who was one year old at the time.  Since the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern reported on May 19, 1883 that "Barney Willing, eight months old was killed in his mother's arms" I am inclined to conclude that Benny/Barney was the child missing.  Regardless, both John or Benny were found and lived well into adulthood.  All members of the Willing Family were seriously injured that day, some permanently.  Two years after the tornado Barney and Johanna were blessed with a baby daughter they named Anna in memory of the daughter they lost.

Barney and Johanna made their home at 1838 LaSalle Street for a number of happy years in the same neighborhood as their children and grandchildren.  Johanna died in 1923 and when Barney died in 1939 their house was purchased by their granddaughter and her husband, Hildegard and Gil Bowman.    When I was about 10 years old I visited "Aunt" Hildegard at the home never realizing, until just a few years ago,  the circumstances and sadness the devastating tornado had on my great, great grandparent's lives.

Resources:

http://www.st-mikes.org/15

Updated Pedigree Charts

It's been well over two years since the creation of this blog and it recently occurred to me that I haven't updated the pedigree charts.  Much has happened since that time-names, dates and places added as well as names, dates and places changed.  Twelve charts have been added that are extensions to the previous four, one for each of my grandparents.  In many cases, for example Parks, Hiller, Kenyon and Fuller surnames, my current pedigree charts extend much further and as I add my genealogical citations and sources to these names and families I will feel more comfortable posting the charts.  In the meantime, if you are on the edge of your seat (ha ha) curiosity seekers can message me and I will provide this information.

Pedigree Charts

50 Years Together

Anton and Johanna Penne celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 6, 1951

Anton and Johanna Penne celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 6, 1951 with a formal event the next day.  The occasion began at 10 o'clock mass at St. John the Evangelist church in Milwaukee and included songs "Oh Beautiful Mother Mary Help Us" and "Oh Mary Through the Life" in Slovenian.  St. John the Evangelist was founded in 1916 by Slovenian immigrants and just last week celebrated their 100th anniversary.  At the time of its founding, it was one of eight slovene parishes in Wisconsin.   I attended the church as well as a child, often listening to the priest speak in some kind of slovene/english combination, when visiting my grandparents however by that time it had relocated from Walker's Point (just a couple blocks from my grandparent's home to Greenfield.

Johanna, Anton and Father Sipek at the dinner hall.

In the afternoon, their children Anne and Don Hiller (my grandparents), Frank and Mary Penne, Al and Olga Penne, Louis and Fran Penne, Johnny and Wanda Penne and son-in-law Frank Zupancic (Mary, their oldest daughter had died the previous year) gave a reception held at the Collins-Meyer Post Hall.

About 400 relatives and friends were present for this memorable occasion-much larger than even most weddings these days.

Anna Kerze (Johanna's sister and Carolyn's grandmother), Johanna, my mother, Barb Hiller and one of her cousins.

A few years back, I was gifted a box of 8mm film and film projector from John Penne's estate. Most of the film has been digitized now and one reel contained scenes from the anniversary celebration.  You will see everyone leaving the church and greeting my great-grandparents-my mother and her twin sister at the very beginning, my grandparents and all my great aunts and uncles.  I recognize many faces however many I do not.  (Any help would be appreciated, just comment below.)

What a treasure this box of film reels has been!

Another photo from the day

Although this event happened ten years before  my birth, I've been able to "time travel" to that joyous day when my great-grand parents, along with family and friends, gathered on October 7, 1951 to celebrate the vow they made to each other fifty years before.

Newspaper announcement in slovene (Johanna never learned English).

References

St. John the Evangelist anniversary:  http://washington.embassy.si/index.php?id=814&L=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=28440&cHash=c97735dc03dcb20c5388aaa19be43ed2

A Golden Anniversary

One unexpected result of being the family genealogist is that I've also become the family's "archivist".   Any photo, 8 mm film, letter, newspaper clipping, memento, etc. that is no longer wanted by my family finds it's way to my doorstep.  And I appreciate ALL of it!  Recently a cousin, one of those distant and removed kind of cousins, sent me an envelope of beautiful remembrances  pertaining to my great grandparent's golden anniversary celebration.  One of the items included provided details of the day and out-of-town relatives and friends who attended.  Of great importance to me were these additional names that I can use in my "cluster" research of my great-grandparents.  This is how Wikipedia describes cluster research:

"Cluster genealogy is a research technique employed by genealogists to learn more about an ancestor by examining records left by the ancestor's cluster. A person's cluster consists of the extended family, friends, neighbors, and other associates such as business partners. Researching the lives of an ancestor's cluster leads to a more complete and more accurate picture of the ancestor's life".

I hope you enjoy all my gathered media celebrating Anton and Johanna's special day, available on the Penne Family page.  A special "thank you" to Carolyn for sending all the items my way!

Artwork Addition to "The Artist" Post

Portrait of my Auntie Marlene as painted by her father Harry Atwell, circa 1936-37.

This month I've spent more time researching genealogy (to bring you more fascinating stories in the future) than preparing my monthly genealogy blog post   So I will continue with a story from May when I highlighted my grandfather's, Harry Atwell, artwork. Another painting has been made known to me and I have edited The Artist post to include the portrait.

Helena Clara Besack

Lena, probably taken on one of her Texas trips, date unknown.

Helena (Lena) was born in the Village of Caledonia, RacineCounty, Wisconsin in 1873.  Her parents, John and Helen (Seitz) Besack had 9 other children-Mary, Emma, Elizabeth, Henry, Catherine, Rose, John,  Odtelia ((John and Odtelia died in childhood) and Joseph.  I don't have any knowledge of her childhood however by the 1900 US Census, Lena was 27 years old, living with her mother, sister Rose and niece Verna Poulson in Racine and working as a seamstress.

On  June 13, 1902 Lena married William Stone Atwell in Racine.  In 1904 their first child, Claude, was born in Chicago followed by

Wedding announcement from the Racine Weekly Journal.

Helen, James, Harry (my grandfather) and Norman all born in Racine. Lena and her husband built a cottage at Round Lake in Lake County, Illinois and enjoyed it for many years.  In photo below you can see that the steps to the front door were never completed and their grandchildren remember it remaining this way forever.  

Lena with her son Harry, about 1926.

It's worth mentioning here that I believe there is much more to my great grandmother's life than the following paragraphs, however, I lack this knowledge.  Nobody should be defined or remembered by their mental illness, yet it seems to happen often because of the effects of the disease on not only the person but their family as well.  Although the timeline isn't clear, sometime after 1940 Lena had, as described to me, either a nervous breakdown and/or mental illness of some kind and confined to a facility in Libertyville, Illinois by her husband.  After his death in 1944, Lena's son Harry fought to get her released and brought her to live with him, his wife and 4 children.  The difficulties this brought upon the whole family cannot be overstated.  Lena basically became my grandmother Marie's charge, since Harry was working all day, on top of taking care of her own four children, one of them also in poor health.  In spite of these difficulties Marie "never lost her kindness or faith in humanity" according to her daughter Marlene.

Lena did, however, overcome her anxiety issues and became well enough to spend winters in Texas with her cousin and summers with her daughter Helen in Kenosha.  She regularly traveled by rail free of charge since her husband was a retired railroad employee.  She outlived her husband almost 20 years and her son Claude and daughter Helen as well.  Lena died on March 19, 1963 at Lake County General Hospital (Waukegan, Illinois) after a lengthy illness.  A catholic mass was held at St. Joseph's Church in Round Lake with burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

While researching, I found this quote online and although it could apply to any illness I believe it speaks in a powerful way to individuals battling a mental illness.  My hope is that one day I will write a more complete story for Lena, of which she is most deserving.

"You are not your illness.  You have an individual story to tell.  You have a name, a history, a personality.  Staying yourself is part of the battle". 

 -Julian Seifter, MD

Lena's physical appearance changed dramatically during her health issues.

Round Lake cottage. Lena, Harry & Marie with their daughters Joan and Marlene.

William Henry Stone Atwell, Part 2

Picking up where we left off last month, I have since received the awaited for documents (divorce records) regarding Henry Stone, Will's biological father.  It does appear that Henry was indeed married and divorced previous to marrying Will's biological mother, Harriet.  The timeline fits and looks like this:

29 December 1869:

 Henry Stone marries Fanny M. Hollister 

April 1871:

 Henry and Fanny are no longer living together per divorce testimony

1872:  

 Henry has relocated to Kenosha (divorce testimony)

16 June 1873:    

 Henry and Fanny divorce

16 April 1874:

 Henry marries Harriet Parks in Kenosha.

18 December 1874 or 1875:

 William Henry Stone born to Henry and Harriet.

My great-grandfather, William, standing on the left, next to him are his sons Claude, my grandfather, Harry Atwell and either his daughter Joan or Marlene. Circa, 1932-1934.  Location unknown.

The divorce records and testimony helped me to solidify a timeline that allowed the marriage between Henry and Harriet to be possible.  Although the records were a great genealogy find, the testimony was only one-sided since Henry Stone could not be found and, not surprising, he is not portrayed well.  

Racine Wagon & Carriage Company, circa 1890, courtesy of Chicago Public Library (link below).

Moving forward, William H. Stone was never formally adopted however he became the foster child of James and Lovina (Savage) Atwell of Lake County, Illinois and was living with them in 1880.  The next record I have is his marriage to Helena Besack in 13 June 1902 at St. Rose Church in Racine, Wisconsin.  Together they had 5 children; 4 sons and 1 daughter and I will go into more detail on both the marriage and children when I write about Helena.

Helena and Will with granddaughters Joan & Marlene Atwell at Round Lake.

He remained in Racine working for Racine Wagon & Carriage Company (see link below for history) and over the next 12 years held jobs as clerk, assembler and inspector.  By 1930 Will is living and working in Chicagofor the Wabash Railway Company where he eventually retired.

Obituary from The Antioch News, May 18, 1944.for the Wabash Railway Company where he eventually retired.

After retirement, Will and Helena enjoyed their small lake cottage on Round Lake, Lake County, Illinois before his death in May, 1944.

There is certainly much more to learn about my great grandfather William H. Stone Atwell especially regarding his early life and the circumstances that bought him to live with the Atwell's.  My search continues....

References/Credits

Racine Wagon & Carriage Company photo credit,

http://digital.chipublib.org/cdm/ref/collection/woop/id/47

For more information on Racine Wagon & Carriage Company 

http://www.racinebusinesscenter.com/history-of-racine-business-center

My Genealogy Brick Walls

Over the last 2 years, I have authored posts on each of my great grandparents, aside from two, William H. Stone Atwell and his wife Helena Besack who are most definitely my genealogy brick walls.   William's story is unusual and conflicting family knowledge, or lack thereof, and clashing information from the documents I have obtained has made for difficult research progress.  Although Helena's childhood was more conventional, pulling together her story has been difficult as well.     Much more is known about these two after their marriage.  This two-part (June and July) post about William is more "genealogy proof summary" than "life story".  A way for me to put a jumble of information and documents out there for review, consideration, reader thoughts and criticism. Visit the Atwell Family Page for William H. Stone Atwell's curious childhood.

William H. Stone Atwell, part 1

One of three known photos to exist of William H.Stone Atwell.

My great grandfather was born with the name William Henry Stone on December 18, 1874 (or 1875), in Russell, Illinois and also known as William Henry Stone Atwell or Will.  For unknown reasons his birth was never registered until 1934 when he was about 60 years old and at that time Will along with his foster father James Atwell completed the necessary paperwork. (The Social Security Act was signed in August 1935. Was this the possible reason for registering his birth after so many years?)

1880 US Census for Grant County, Illinois.

A significant event occurred in his early years considering by 1880 William, aged 6, was living with the Atwell Family and neither of his biological parents. And this is where documents and family lore muddy the water. As you can see on the 1880 Census William is listed as 3 years old which is may incorrect, if we are to believe his birth certificate, he would be 6.  Errors like this on census records are not uncommon, however.  

W. H. Stone Atwell's birth record filed 1934.

All this time keep in mind his birth wasn't recorded until 60 years later and he or his foster father may have not ever known the exact year. Regardless, his biological parents were most likely Henry Stone and Harriet Parks.  I did find a marriage document for a Henry B. Stone and Harriet Parks for 16 April, 1874 in Kenosha, Wisconsin and can confidently place them together within months of my great grandfather's birth. Once again, interesting date, right?  This is a solid record, nevertheless, because at least it was filled out only ONE day after the marriage (not 60 years later) and by the two people who actually attended the event, the bride and groom, Will's parents.  The record also lists the parents of the bride and groom (another generation to add to the family tree!) Henry and Laura Stone and William and Esther Parks.

During an interview in 1987, Norman Atwell (Will's son), told me that his grandfather, Henry, died in a farm "plowing accident" and that his mother, Harriet, "married many times".  I haven't been able to confirm Henry's death with a record or obituary. In fact, the last document I have on Henry is the 1875 Wisconsin State Census for the Town of Bristol

Henry Stone, Esther Parks & Newell Parks all listed on 1875 Wisconsin State Census.

in Kenosha County.  Henry, Harriet and another male, presumably their first son Benjamin, as well as Harriet's mother and brother-in-law live within close proximity.  Harriet had her last child with Henry Stone on 14 September 1877 but listed her daughter's last name as "Parks", her maiden name, when registering the birth.  Evidently, the significant event I referred to above occurred between June 1875 and by September of 1877.  I'm skeptical of a plowing accident as I would see no reason to change the surname of the last baby due her husband's death unless you wanted to keep the birth a secret from him.

By June 1879, Harriet remarried a man named Christian Johnson and had 2 or 3 more children, all male, and there is evidence that her first child, Benjamin, was living in the household in 1900.  I have not located any records ever showing Will with his biological parents.

Just this week I have located some documents that could shed light on Henry Stone and hopefully will receive these in the next week.  To be continued ...........

The Artist

Grandpa's earliest known drawing,

circa 1918.  

From a young age, my grandfather's natural artistic talents were evident and, although never formally trained, he made a career using his talents in a number diverse ways:  theatre poster painting, lettering (sign, truck and businesses), lithography and portrait painting.

Back in the day, the signs advertising a film were hand painted on heavy cardboard and then inserted into the glass display case outside or inside the movie theatre.   Below are two film posters my grandfather painted when he was employed by Theatrical Poster Service from 1935-1936.

My Dad, circa 1946, currently hanging in my parent's home.

Grandpa turned 21 years old one month before the beginning of the Great Depression and during that year his occupation was listed as "artist" in the Racine City Directory.  With hardships, suffering and unemployment hitting every United States city, Grandpa found work with the Works Projects Administration (WPA) sometime between 1934-1943.  The WPA was founded under President Franklin Roosevelt's Administration and employed 3 million Americans at it's peak in 1938 (1).  Harry's employment with the WPA brought him to the Milwaukee Public Museum where he worked on the "China Room" (as both my Aunts remember it being called) applying all the gold leaf to the room in what can only be described as a highly ornate and filled with artifacts.

A portrait of my  Auntie Marlene, circa 1939, possibly painted as a sample for an advertising campaign for a milk or cookie company.

Portraits of my father above, (circa 1937) and above right (circa 1943).

As I was creating a timeline for Grandpa and researching the WPA, I came across an interesting side note that needs further exploration.  The Federal Arts Project (1935-1943) was part of the WPA, and was created to help artists during the depression and one of their projects was painting posters, among many others.  It's my hunch that Grandpa's work with the Theatrical Poster Service

No one is sure why this was painted or when. Regardless it's one of my favorites given to me by my Grandpa. 

during 1935 and 1936 was part of the Federal Arts Project.  The big questions is "Why would the government sponsor a program to paint movie posters?" and the answer is that millions of Americans attended movies each week in an effort to escape the realism of the Great Depression.  Using the Milwaukee City Directory for 1937, I counted 66 movie theaters.  That's a lot of poster painting!  Furthermore,  as well, I believe during 1937-1938 is when he completed the work in the "China Room" under the Federal Arts Project.  I certainly will keep you all posted with any further research developments.

By the start of World War II, Harry was working for a lithography company printing war maps for the troops.  It's unclear if this was the same company, E. F. Schmidt, that he worked for from the early 1939 until he retired or a different company altogether but my best guess is that it's one and the same.  After the war, E. F. Schmidt was known for making calendars and as one of a small group specialized sheet-fed lithographers in Milwaukee (2).  They eventually merged with a larger corporation but are still in business today.

Absolutely beautiful painting of the resurrection of Jesus.  Grandpa painted this in 1926 at age 18.

Captain Felix Struck

One of the family's favorite paintings is that of Captain Struck, the last man on Jones Island.  Not only is his life story fascinating but he was important part of Milwaukee history.  I won't elaborate here, however I have included several links below regarding the Captain.  My Dad remembers going to the island with his Dad and playing with the fishing nets while the Captain sat for his portrait.  I'm not sure how my Grandpa convinced Captain Struck into sitting for him but it took significant convincing.  As you can see, the painting is realistically stunning; I can imagine exactly what the inside of Captain Struck's tavern looked like when I contemplate this painting.  Grandpa won a Blue Ribbon at the Wisconsin State Fair with this entry.

Newspaper article mentioning a portrait (shown) painted by Harry.

I will carry forward my research in tracking down one other known painting my Dad remembers, one with a circus scene, and will keep you posted.

Portrait of my Auntie Marlene painted by her father Harry Atwell, circa 1936-37.

References and Additional Information

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_Progress_Administration

2 http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/arandell-corporation-history/

Milwaukee Public Museum

Federal Arts Project

Hollywood In The Depression

The Last Man on Jones Island

Jones Island Mayor Dead

Exotic Fishing Village of Jones Island

Remembering My Grandfather's Artwork

This month I am highlighting the artwork of my grandfather, Harry Atwell, and hopefully have gathered for the first time most of the known paintings into one area.  A number of people hold pieces of Grandpa's work, my Dad and Aunt as well as myself and my brother, and over the years I have been able to photograph each of them.  Hopefully, by posting the art, more pieces will be revealed by other family members and can also be added to this collection.  I'm delighted to share it with you all now and it can be found under the Atwell Family page.

Another Family Recipe...

My Grandma, Marie

Willing Atwell,

circa 1920's

Shredded Wheat, most likely, is one of those cereals that kids  never want to see at the breakfast table.  I was one of those kids who rarely made it my first choice in the morning, that is, until my Auntie Marlene made me her mother's recipe  (circa 1970's).  She took those bland, wheaty biscuits and created a warm, crispy, sweet, buttery bowlful of goodness!   It's the perfect hot cereal for a cold winter's morning.  Yes, I know.  I should have posted this 2 months ago!

Shredded Wheat was first introduced to the American public in 1893 during the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Although first marketed as a cold, "cookless", cereal today many variations of the warm cereal and other recipes incorporating shredded wheat can be found online.

Me and Grandma Atwell

circa 1964.

My Grandma Atwell's recipe can be found on

the Family Recipe Page.   Give it a try!  It's good any time of the year.

Credits/Additional Information

http://www.vintagerecipeblog.com/2014/12/1931-shredded-wheat-ad.html

For a little history:  

http://www.diningchicago.com/blog/2013/06/25/that-momentous-filamentous-introduction-in-chicago/

Grandma Atwell's Shredded Wheat & Hot Milk

Prepping the biscuit with water.

Ingredients for 1 Serving

2 shredded wheat biscuits 

1 cup of milk (more or less depending on preference).

2 T. butter

Sugar, optional

Begin by heating a cast iron pan on medium heat with a little butter.  While pan is heating take 2 shredded wheat biscuits and run briefly under water, letting the water drain.

Browning/steaming.

When the pan is to temperature add the shredded wheat, a couple butter pats to each biscuit and cover.   Cook/steam until the bottom is browned and butter has melted through the biscuit.  While the biscuits are browning, heat

about 1 cup of milk in the microwave.

Place 1 or 2 biscuits in bowl with the warm milk and add sugar.  Enjoy!

Vintage Photos of a Life Before Marriage

Years ago, my Grandma Hiller handed me her photo album, "You should have this" she said, "because you have all the other old family photos".  I was honored she chose me to be the family archivist despite, at the time, having no idea what I would ever do with this album.  We never had a chance to label all the photos and consequently many remain unknown today. My best guess in dating this album would be 1929-1932.  Grandma's brother Matt who died in 1928 is not present in any of the photos and by 1933 she was living in Milwaukee. These photos are most definitely from Grandma's hometown of Leonidis,  a mining community next to Eveleth, Minnesota in the Iron Range and this is where most of the photos were taken.  This photo album was important to her and, therefore, it is important to me as well.  All these years, I've kept it in a safe place and today it's been digitized and shared with all of you. I haven't removed any photos and any empty spaces were there on the day she handed me the book. I think it was her way of letting me know she had a life before marriage, children and grandchildren.  A life that, as someone ages, rarely is spoken about with grandchildren.  I am sure she never imagined the people and places of her youth would be posted on the Internet in a family history blog for all the world to see!  You can find the complete photo album on the Penne Family page.