Obituary - James Edward Howard, Sr.

James Howard was the son of Launa Rodgers-Howard. James would be my 3rd cousin.

James Edward Howard (January 12, 1933 - December 25, 2009) James Edward Howard of McCarley, born January 12, 1933, died peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25, 2009. Mr. Howard was a resident of the State Veteran's Nursing Home in Kosciusko, where his battle with Alzheimer's Disease was managed by an extraordinary and loving staff. Mr. Howard was a retired truck driver and a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of McCarley Baptist Church in McCarley. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Cassie Howard and Launa Rodgers Howard. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret Ann "Peggy" Mullen Howard; four children, Donna Howard Serio, Debbie Howard Bond (Rocky), James Edward Howard, Jr., (Renee), and Fred Ronald Howard; eight grandchildren, Mary Margaret Serio Holmes (Heath), Ann Claire Serio, Joseph Matthew Serio (April), An Howard Schubert, Joshua Casey Howard, James Bailey Howard, Andrea Nicole Howard, and William Cass Howard; and one great-grandson, Aaron Andrew Holmes. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, December 27, with visitation from noon until service time. Burial will be in Mission Cemetery near Winona. Rev. Rupert Ingram will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Matthew Serio, Joshua Howard, Cass Howard, Heath Holmes, Johnny Bennett, Billy Montgomery, and Wally Montomery; with Bailey Howard serving as an honorary pallbearer. The family would like to express their deep gratitude and love for the host of caretakers and friends that have so generously given their time and service over the last few years. Memorials may be made to McCarley Baptist Church or the the charity of the donor's choice.

My Aunt Kathy's Obituary - 29 Dec 2009

Chicago Tribune, December 29, 2009

Kathleen (Larmon) Johnson, suddenly, 59 years, beloved wife of Jeffrey S.; devoted mother of Kevin (Kathleen) Larmon, James (Jenna) Larmon, Amy Larmon (Robert) Meyer, Julie (Jim) Denny, Amy (Jeff) Olsen and Peter (Candice) Johnson; loving grandmother of 15; dear sister of Timothy Felton, Rene Podgorski, Tommie Lynn Gbur and Jeffrey Rodgers. Visitation Wednesday from 3 to 9 p.m. Funeral Thursday, 10:15 a.m., from the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 West 127th St., Crestwood, to St. Barnabas Church for a 11 a.m. Mass. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Martin dePores, 6423 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago IL 60637. (708) 824-9000.

Kathy is my aunt, my mother is her half-sister René.

Black Sheep Sunday - Alex Gombash

Sunday is almost over.. I better hurry up! lol

My great-grandfather, Alex Gombash, was a character alright. Later on in his life, he was known to always have a bottle of whiskey in hand or a stogie in mouth.

(Note: Both whiskey AND stogie! haha)

He was born 7 Dec 1896 in Tiszadob, Szabolcs megye (county), Hungary, to Sándor (Alex) Gombás and Eszter Tóth (a noblewoman). His father Sándor immigrated to America on 09 Jul 1902 to his brother-in-law Daniel Szuhay. Daniel's wife was Zsuzsánna Tóth, Eszter's sister. Eszter immigrated eight months later on 05 Mar 1903 to her husband. Eszter remained in America until about 1906 and removed back to Hungary. She then immigrated a final time on 16 Nov 1909 with her children Alex (my g-grandfather), Robert and Susan (who was born in America in 1904).

Alex grew up mainly in Butler County, Pennsylvania. At the age of 19 years old, he married a fellow Hungarian named Emma Hido. Her Hungarian name was Irma Hajdú. Coincidentally enough, Emma and her family came from the same village as Sándor Gombás.. Büdszentmihály. And coincidentally again, Emma and her family were listed below the Gombash's on their immigration manifest in 1909. They were obviously family friends, and as research showed, relatives of Sándor through the Pethe family.

Anywho, Alex and Emma were married 19 Aug 1916 in Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. I don't know much about their marriage, other than what was in their divorce papers. Alex apparently left the home quite often and wouldn't return for periods at a time. In other words, he would abandon her for a while, then come back and then do it again.

They had a daughter and a son during all of this. As for the daughter, I don't know when she was born or died, but she died sometime after new year of 1919. Their son was named Joseph Anthony Gombash, later changed to Csordas when he was adopted by his step-father. He was born 23 Sep 1919 in Aultman, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He abandoned her one final time, so Emma moved in with her parents, Andrew Hido and Sophia Pethe. Emma later went to court and petitioned for a divorce. The sherrifs of Indiana and Butler counties couldn't find Alex anywhere, so that he could appear at the divorce hearing. He never showed, nor saw his son ever again.

Alex then began to traveling in open railway cars around the midwest, primarily in the PA-OH-IL area. He finally settled in Joliet, Will County, Illinois where he met my great-grandmother, Catherine Grządziel. Catherine was the first born into an arranged marriage, 05 Nov 1906 in Barycz, Brzózow, Poland. Her parents were Franciszek Grządziel and Amelia Stec. I do not know the marriage date for Alex and Catherine, but I assume it to be sometime between 1920 and 1922. Alex and Catherine later relocated to McDowell County, West Virginia, where their children were born and raised.

Alex's mother who was previously mentioned, died on 04 Apr 1950 in her daughter Julia's home in Richland Township, Guernsey County, Ohio. Alex didn't attend her funeral. Because of this and other things, he became very unfavorable with his siblings and family. In 2004, I contacted my great-great-aunt Julia to ask questions for my research. She nicely replied to my questions, but later asked me to stop writing.

She had tons of pictures and information from Hungary that I would've been ecstatic to have copies of. Pictures from Hungary.. with Hungarian writing on the back! Need I say more?! Originals would've been great, but I don't need them. Just to see a decent clear picture of my great-great-grandparents Sándor and Eszter would've been... simply put, AMAZING! Julia passed away in 2008 at the age of 87 years old. Everthing of hers and her sister Esther's (who passed in 2000, before I started my research), has now been passed onto their niece Patricia. She has spoken with me on the phone several times, and I have asked for copies of things.. even said I would reimburse. But her son told her not to share anything with me, so alas.. I have received nothing. It's unnerving knowing the actions of my great-grandfather are having this effect on my interaction with family that I've never met, and have been nothing but nice and courtesy with.

New Database: Mecklenburg, Germany, Parish Register Transcripts, 1876-1918

Ancestry added a new database on December 7th entitled "Mecklenburg, Germany, Parish Register Transcripts, 1876-1918".

I was browsing through the images of this database, and this is one great resource that they've put online! It states: "The majority of the records cover the years 1876-1918. However, there are some earlier records, some as early as 1716." These are digital images of the actual records! Let's hope they continue with this and upload more and more records from other parts of Germany, and Europe too!

There's four (4) initial categories to choose from, for the database:

• Evangelical-Lutheran Mecklenburg-Schwerin
• Evangelical-Lutheran Mecklenburg-Strelitz
• Garnisongemeinden (Garrison Communities)
• Catholic

I can offer my assistance with a quick look-up or translation help. Anything after 1/2 hour, I charge at a fair hourly rate. Here's a list of the towns available for each category.

Evangelical-Lutheran Mecklenburg-Schwerin:

Ahrensberg

Alt Rehse

Althof

Ankershagen (mit Möllenhagen)

Bäbelin

Bad Sülze

Badendiek

Barkow und Brook

Basedow

Basse

Baumgarten

Beidendorf

Belitz

Bellin

Benthen

Bentwisch

Berendshagen

Berhren-Lübchin

Bernitt

Biendorf

Biestow

Blankenhagen

Blücher

Boddin

Boitin

Boizenburg

Borgfeld

Börzow

Bossow

Breesen

Brenz

Briggow

Bristow

Brudersdorf

Brüel

Brunow

Brünshaupten

Brüz

Buchholz

Buckow-Burow-Camin

Bülow

Bützow

Camin

Cammin

Chemnitz

Conow

Cramon

Crivitz

Dambeck

Dammwolde

Damshagen

Dänscheburg

Dargun

Dassow

Demen und Hohen Pritz

Diedrichshagen

Döbbersen

Dobbertin

Dobbin

Doberan

Dömitz

Dreibergen

Dreilützow

Dreveskirchen

Eichsen-mühlen

Eickelberg

Eldena

Elmenhorst

Federow

Frauenmark

Friedrichshagen

Gaarz

Gadenbusch

Gägelow

Gammelin

Garwitz

Gehlsdorf

Gielow

Gnevsdorf

Gnoien

Goldberg

Goldebee

Gorlosen

Gorschendorf

Grabow

Grambow

Granzin bei Boizenburg

Granzin bei Lübz

Grebbin

Gresse

Gressow

Grevesmühlen

Gross Brütz

Gross Flotow

Gross Giewitz

Gross Helle

Gross Laasch

Gross Methling

Gross Poserin

Gross Salitz

Gross Trebbow

Gross Upahl

Gross Varchow und Luplow

Gross Vielen

Grosse Lukow

Grubenhagen

Grüssow

Güstrow Dom

Güstrow Landarbeitsh

Güstrow Pfarrkirche

Haustorf und Heiligenhagen

Herzfeld

Hohen Mistorf

Hohen Sprenz

Hohenkirchen

Holzendorf

Hornstorf

Ivenack

Jabel

Jabel Alt

Jesendorf

Jördenstorf

Kalen Alt

Kalkhorst

Kambs bei Röbel

Kambs bei Schwaan

Karbow und Darss

Karchow

Karin Alt

Kastorf

Kavelstorf

Kessin

Kieth

Kiewe

Kirch Jesar

Kirch Kogel

Kirch Mulsow

Kittendorf

Klaber und Grosse Wokern

Kladow und Vorbeck

Kladrum

Klinken

Klüss

Klütz

Kölzow

Körchow

Krakow

Krein

Kritzkow

Kröpelin

Krümmel

Kuhlrade

Kuppentin

Laage

Lambrechtshagen

Lancken

Lärz

Leizen

Leussow

Levin

Levitzow

Lexow

Lichtenhagen

Lohmen

Lübow

Lübsee

Lübsee bei Güstrow

Lübtheen

Lübz

Lüdershagen

Ludorf

Ludwigslust

Ludwigslust-Bethlehem

Lüssow

Lütgendorf

Malchin

Malchow

Marlow

Marnitz

Massow

Mecklenburg

Melkof

Melz

Mestlin

Meteln

Moisall

Mölin

Möllenbeck

Muchow

Mummendorf

Neese

Neschow

Neubukow

Neuburg

Neuenkirchen

Neukalen

Neukloster

Neustadt-Glewe

Paarsch

Pampow

Pankow

Parchim St. Georgen

Parchim S. Marien

Parkentin

Parum bei Güstrow

Parum bei Wittenburg

Passee

Passentin

Peckatel

Penzin

Penzlin

Perlin

Petschow

Picher

Pinnow

Plate

Plau

Poel

Pokrent

Polchow

Prestin

Pritzier

Proseken

Qualitz

Raden

Rambow

Rechlin

Recknitz

Redefin

Rehna

Reinshagen

Retgendorf

Rethwisch

Retschow

Ribnitz Kloster

Ribnitz Stadt

Rittermannshagen

Röbel Alt

Röbel Neu

Röckwitz

Roggendorf

Rossow

Rövershagen

Rühn

Rumpshagen

Russow

Sanitz

Sankt Nicolai (Schelfkirche)

Satow bei Malchov

Satow bei Rostock

Schlieffenberg

Schloen

Schorrentin

Schwaan

Schwandt

Schwarz

Schwerin Alt

Schwerin Dom

Schwerin Paulskirche

Schwerin Schlosskirche

Schwinkendorf

Serrahn

Sietow

Slate

Spornitz

Stavenhagen

Steffenshagen

Sternberg

Stralendorf

Stuer

Suckow

Sülsdorf

Tarnow

Techentin

Tempzin

Tessin

Tessin Grosse

Teterow

Thelkow

Thulendorf

Thürkow

Toitenwinkel

Uelitz und Goldenstadt

Upahl Grosse

Varchentin

Vellahn

Viecheln Hohen

Vielist und Sommerstorf

Vietlübbe

Vietlübbe und Gadebusch

Vilz

Vipperow

Volkenshagen

Walkendorf

Wamckow

Wangelin Hohen

Waren

Waren St. Georgen

Waren St. Marien

Warin

Warnemünde

Warnkehagen

Warsow

Wasdow

Wattmannshagen

Wessin und Bülow

Westenbrügge

Wismar St. Georgen

Wismar St. Marien

Wismar St. Nicolai

Wittenburg

Wittenförden

Witzin

Woosten

Woserin

Wustrow

Zahrensdorf

Zapel

Zarrentin

Zehna

Zernin

Zittow

Zurow

Zweedorf

Evangelical-Lutheran Mecklenburg-Strelitz:

Badresch mit Klein Daberkow und Klein Miltzow

Ballwitz

Bredenfeld mit Neigarten

Brunn

Carlow

Daberkow mit Mildenitz

Dahlen mit Birkhof, Beseritz und Dishley

Demern

Dewitz mit Cölpin

Eichhorst mit Liepen, Jatzke und Gentzkow

Feldberg

Friedland mit Lübbersdorf

Friedland St. Marien

Friedland St. Nicolai

Fürstenberg mit Buchholz

Fürstenhagen

Gaarz

Gehren mit Galenbeck und Wittenborn

Göhren

Göhren midt Georginenau, Plath und Leppin

Grosse Helle

Grünow

Hagenow

Helpt mit Holzendorf und Krekow

Herrnburg

Hinrichshagen mit Rehberg und Ballin

Jatzke mit Genzkow

Kaebelich mit Petersdorf

Kotelow

Kratzeburg

Kuhblank mit Neetzka und Golm

Mirow

Neddemin

Neubrandeburg St. Marien

Neubrandeburg Johanniskirche

Neuenkirchen mit Neverin und Glocksin

Neustrelitz Militägemeinde

Neustrelitz mit Zierke

Neustrelitz-Hofgemeinde

Plath

Prillwitz mit Hohenzieritz

Ratzeburg

Rödlin

Roga

Rühlow

Schillersdorf

Schlagsdorf

Schönbeck

Schönberg

Schwanbeck

Schwichtenberg

Selmsdorf

Serrahn

Stargard

Staven

Strasen

Strelitz mit Userin Quassow

Strelitz-Alt

Teschendorf

Tornow

Triebkendorf mit Woldegk Synode

Wanzke

Warbende

Warlin

Weitin

Wesenberg mit Drosedow

Wokuhl

Woldegk mit Cancow

Woldegk mit Pasenow

Wulkenzin

Ziethen

Garnisongemeinden (Garrison Communities):

Garnison Colmar

Garnison Ludwigslust

Garnison Parchim

Garnison Rostock

Garnison Schwerin

Garnison Wismar

Catholic:

Barkow Rostock

Ludwigslust

Rostock

Schwerin

Wismar

Treasure Chest Thursday - Carl Gustav Märten

This photo was sent to me in 2008, several months after my great-grandmother, Sylvia (Martin) Flemming passed away. This is of her grandfather, my 3rd-great-grandfather, Carl Gustav Märten.

Carl Gustav was born 23 Aug 1846 in a very tiny village that you won't find on any map, named Töpperkuthen. It was incorporated into a larger village nearby named Berneuchen. They were located in Kreis Landsberg, Brandenburg, Germany.

You can notice on the image, that Carl Gustav is a decorated veteran. His 1934 obituary states that he was a "Franco-German war veteran". After finding this out, I scoured records trying to find his military information. I located him serving in Lieb-Grenadier Regiment Nr. 8 (1. Brandenburg) in the 4th Company (1st Battalion). This Regiment was part of the 5th Division of the Prussian/German army. It was also a famous regiment which distinguished itself in all three of the Wars of Unification. During the Franco-Prussian war the division saw action in the battles of:

Spicheren (August 6, 1870)

Vionville-Mars la Tour (August 18, 1870)

Gravelotte-St. Privat (August 18, 1870)

The Siege of Metz (August 19 to October 27, 1870)

Bellevue (October 7, 1870)

Provenchères (November 6, 1870)

Bretenay (November 7, 1870)

Beaune-la-Rolande (November 28, 1870)

Orléans (December 3-4, 1870)

Revoy (December 7, 1870)

Gien und Briare (December 8, 1870)

Azay-Mazange (January 6, 1871)

Le Mans (January 10-12, 1871)

He received the Iron Cross for his service in this war, along with two other medals I haven't been able to identify yet. Any ideas?

He was married twice: first to a woman named Henrietta Kurth, who passed in 1876 and secondly to my 3rd-great-grandmother Louise Friederike "Auguste" Lübke. They were married on 15 Jun 1876 in Gross Schönfeld, in Kreis Greifenhagen, Pommern, Germany. They had total of six children: Otto (1877), Carl (1880), Gustav (1882), William (1883), Alvina (1885) and Anna (date unknown). The family immigrated to America, migrating through Bremen and landing in Baltimore, Maryland on 18 Apr 1883, aboard the S.S. Hohenzollern.

The family immediately settled in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, presumably with relatives. On 10 Jun 1891, he purchased 80 acres of land in Polar Township, Langlade County, Wisconsin, at Section 14, Township 31N, Range 12E. This land continued to be held in the family until the 1960's.

Carl Gustav and his wife Auguste lived in Polar til their deaths, in the 1930's. Carl Gustav passed on 12 mar 1934 and Auguste on 19 Oct 1938. The entire family is buried in St. John's Cemetery in Polar.

Wordless Wednesday - 23 Dec 2009

Elaine (my grandmother) and Eunice Stuempges

My Genealogy Goals for 2010

I liked Elyse's blog post about her goals for 2010, so I thought I would give it a shot. Here are some of my goals I wish to complete for this upcoming year. Be warned, it's going to be a lot. I'm a very driven and persistent researcher, I'll get most of it done... hopefully!

1. Continue with my Hungarian Marriages Project. As of right now, I have the marriages for the Reformed churches of Tiszadob and Taktaszada complete, and I'm 95% done with Tiszadada. I also have a portion of marriages for District I of Budapest complete as well. At the moment, I have these other parishes at hand to begin indexing: Büdszentmihály (1737-1852), Tiszalök (1761-1852), Tiszaszederkény (1753-1895) and Kesznyéten (1760-1895).

2. Prove my descendancy from Revolutionary War Captain, Samuel Martin. Born 26 Mar 1732 in Ireland and died 18 Nov 1836 in Dallas, Lincoln Co, NC. My 3rd-great-grandfather was William S. (probably Samuel) Martin. He was born about 1804, probably in Lincoln Co, NC. He is the grandson of Captain Samuel Martin. I'm just unsure who his father was.

3. Find actual documents including information on my noble Hungarian ancestors from these families: Berzeviczy de Berzevicze, Fekete, Horváth de Perlak, Izdenczy de Komlós, Kottány de Kothan, Miskolczy, Széky, Szük and Tóth.

4. Research my Posen roots: the families of Domagala/Domagalski, Gadacz, Gotowa/Gotowy and Lesniewski. They came from these two areas: Birkenfelde, Kreis Znin, Posen, Prussia, now Brzyskorzystew (Żnin), Bydgoszcz, Poland, and Gluschin, Posen, Prussia, now Głuszyna, Poznan, Poland (part of Poznan).

5. Break down my Costilow brick-wall. James Costilow, whom I know nothing about, was married to Mary Bethia Hopkins in Adams County, Mississippi in 1818. Mary Bethia is a descendant of English and French royalty from the 1300-1400's.

6. Document my descendancy from the English and French royalty from the 1300-1400's. I descend from them through my 4th-great-grandmother Mary Bethia Hopkins Costilow Bell.

7. Learn anything I possibly can about my 3rd-great-grandmother, Martha A. Miller. She was the wife of Civil War veteran James Andrew J. Costilow. She was born 18 Nov 1836, possibly in Alabama and died 19 Dec 1877 in either Holmes or Yazoo county, Mississippi. They were married on 25 Jul 1855, place unknown. Her dates were taken out of a Costilow family bible, that seems to have disappeared.

8. Learn more about my earliest Rodgers ancestor: James Rodgers. He emigrated Ireland in 1718 and came to America, going to Pennsylvania before he finally settleding in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia in the mid-1700's. James died not long before 22 May 1760 in Augusta County, Virginia. He left behind a widow, Ann, and two sons: James (married Margaret) and Thomas (married Elizabeth White). There was a possible third son named John.

9. Continue the research on my Black Forest ancestors. My research in Gutach is near completion (after nearly 10 years). And I now need to move onto Hoheweg (Beilarz's), Reichenbach (Schondelmaier's), Sankt Georgen (Schultheiss) and Kirnbach (Summ's).

10. Continue my research on my Bohemian ancestors in the Czech parish records available on RecordSearch. These are the main families: Grundmann, Heller, Kasper, Matzken, Müller, Munzig, Paschant, Reichelt, Reichenbach, Sandrich, Schicketantz, Schneller, Tietze/Tieze, Vogel, Weishaupt and Wenzel. They are from Graber, Litomerice, Bohemia (now Kravaře, Litoměřice, Czech Republic) and also neighboring Johnsdorf, Litomerice, Bohemia (now Janovice, Litoměřice, Czech Republi). I'm also researching in the towns Dörfel (now Víska), Littnitz (now Litice), Schönau (now Křenov), Schönborn(now Stráž u České Lípy) and Waltersdorf (now Valterice).

11. Begin research on my Sprengling and Mai families from Weinolsheim, Kreis Oppenheim, Hesse, Germany. I know very little on this family.