Wordless Wednesday ~ Schlitz, Anyone?

I think this might be one of my all-time favorite Pointer photos ~ My husband's grandfather, Forrest Pointer [standing, 2nd to left]. A moment of relaxation stolen in the midst of war. Schlitz, anyone? And what I wouldn't give to hear the story that's being told.

Forrest Pointer [Standing, 2nd to left.] in Kodiak, Alaska during World War II.

Tombstone Tuesday ~ 'Family Stuff'

Just yesterday I tweeted the following:

"Why is it the collaterals with no descendants that capture my attention the most? It's like my heart adopts them automatically."

And

"Their faces tug on my heartstrings just begging me to tell their stories."

What inspired those? I had been sitting at my father-in-law’s table poring through more old photos and more of Pearl’s composition books.  I had originally gone over there to photograph an old family toy for an article that I’m writing for Shades of the Departed, when my father-in-law said, “Here’s some more family stuff.”

[Gawd. How I love that “family stuff.”]

Pearl (Williams) Pointer

That “family stuff” got me to thinking in several directions.  As I flipped through Pearl’s school composition books, where she’d dutifully practiced her handwriting and no doubt answered her math and geography homework questions, I wondered if any of my descendants would be as awed by my school homework? [That is, if I can keep my non-packrat husband from throwing it away. ;)]  Would they pore over every letter hoping that some curved line would reveal just an inkling of what I was thinking, feeling? Would they pull out their magnifying glass to analyze my boredom-induced doodles in the margins hoping to see if they revealed what my hopes, dreams, and regrets had been? [Yes, Pearl doodled. Lots.]

Then I flipped through the scrapbook album. Some of the photos I’d already seen thanks to Great-Uncle Donald and his awesome digitizing, but there were many that I’d not seen. This had been my husband’s grandfather’s album [Great-Uncle Donald’s younger brother], and it’s interesting to see what photos Grandpa Pointer included in his album and how he grouped them as compared to how Great-Uncle Donald had done. Perhaps I’m analyzing it too much [So sue me.], but it reminded of what Great-Uncle Donald had told me last summer about the dynamics of the relationships between brothers.  And yesterday I thought to myself how lucky I was to have so much of the family artifacts to look at.  It’s like hearing a different viewpoint of the family story, which is important, because, in my opinion, somewhere in there lies the truth.

Back: Harold, Lester, Wayne, Glen. Front: Forrest & Donald

Flipping towards the back of the album, I found Great-Uncle Lester’s high school diploma. And it brought tears to my eyes. [I’m such a girl. I know.] You see, Great-Uncle Lester [U.S. Navy] died during World War II of a brain tumor. He had been married, but had no children. And that’s what broke my heart. No descendants to wonder and mull over the “stuff” he’d left behind. No one to wonder if they had the same eye or hair color as Lester. No one to wonder what his hopes and dreams had been. No one to wonder what his handwriting reveals about himself in his letters home to mom [Pearl].

However, if all of the copies of the newspaper articles of his illness and death, and if all the letters and postcards of his that were saved over the years are anything to go by, he had made a big impact on his family.

But Lester wasn’t the only Pointer to be sacrificed in World War II. His brother Staff Sergeant Wayne H. Pointer (Air Corps) had been listed as missing in 1943 after his plane went down over Brazil, and he was later declared dead. He had not been married nor did he have any children. However, his letters home to mom were carefully saved and his photos were neatly stored by at least 2 of his brothers. Great-Uncle Donald even has specific stories about Great-Uncle Wayne in his memoirs.

It still saddens me whenever I find “collaterals” [siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.] that have no descendants to tell their hopes, their dreams, their regrets, their stories. And with each one that I uncover, I feel compelled to adopt them. To find and tell their story so they won’t be forgotten.

 As I look into their fading faces and as I read their fading handwriting, I just want to say, “Don’t worry. You won’t be forgotten. Someone will know your story.”

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Lester Laverne Pointer. b. 26 Nov 1915; d. 14 Oct 1942;
buried at Arlington National Cemetery

~C

The Face of Genealogy

What does genealogy look like? Well, it looks a little different for everyone. From outlaws to law abiding citizens ~ there are a myriad of forms your genealogy can take.  One thing is for sure, though.  You won't know until you look.

Join me at the Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree in Burbank, California this week, Jun 10th-12th, and find out how to start looking for your genealogy. For your family story

Your ancestors are just waiting for you to find them and all about them.  [O.K. They probably don't want you to find out *everything* about them. You know, all their secrets? But much to their chagrin, you will, which is the fun part.]

At Jamboree, you'll meet all sorts of people ~ from beginners to professionals ~ who want to learn more about their ancestors.  Along with classes and lectures from some of the top professionals in the industry teaching you the newest methods in searching [Yes. It takes more than plugging a name into a database and hitting "enter".], you will have an opportunity to meet with genealogy vendors who bring the most cutting edge technology to you to make your search easier. [That's right. Something for the techies, too.]  And if you're wondering, "OMG. I've never done this before. I won't know anybody," then stop. This is my first time at Jamboree. You won't be the only one. [Plus, hello? It's in southern Cali.]

C'mon. Aren't you just a little bit curious what your genealogy looks like? What their stories are? Who you're related to?  And how to find all the "good stuff" on your ancestors?

Then go to Jamboree.

What does my genealogy look like, you ask? I suggest you take a look at some of my past posts, but I'll share my "Ode to Family" with you that I posted previously along with a photo of my grandfather, Big Paw Paw.  If you haven't read anything about my Big Paw Paw, then I suggest you start right here with They Had Balls. [Yes. You read that correctly. *snort*] He was quite a character. [Rolling eyes heavenward.]

Hey. Maybe you have a "Big Paw Paw" in your family, too. [Snort.] How will you know if you don't look?

An Ode To Family

Oftentimes I'm asked,

Why I've made finding

my family a task.

So here below

My 'Ode to Family"

To you I bestow.

I have a 2nd great-grandfather

With whom I bother.

A bugler, a fifer, or a drummer

In the Civil War, which one was he?

I often wonder if he ever played the

'Yankee Doodle Dandy'.

And when he looked into the eyes

O' the young Irish lass,

I wonder if he told her

'Tis her beauty that could not be surpassed.

One more thing 'bout them I'd like to ask;

How long did it take for her to get him

to the altar for Catholic mass?

Then, so her courageous story won't get

Stuck in a drawer;

My great Aunt Anne I study more & more.

All about driving that ambulance in France

During the second World War;

I'd be honored to write her memoir.

Am I truly a daughter of the American Revolution;

A fifth great-granddaughter of a Patriot of this great nation?

I'd also like to close the book on the lives

Who were so violently taken;

So their memory will never be forsaken.

Arrgh! A pirate lurks way back there;

I often wonder, "Did he stand tall on his corsair?"

And let's not forget the history of transportation.

A Chief Messenger of the railway, and

A teamster from Michigan.

Then my grandfather the bean counter

Who quite a bit ago

Once worked for an oil company in Tampico.

Also the man who I would've loved to meet

Face-to-face;

Who definitely led me on a wild goose chase.

My Dad's dad who was so tight-lipped;

No matter, he was well worth the trip.

There is also my great-grandfather

Who came from Prussia on Christmas Day;

Who disembarked his ship

To view the beautiful Galveston Bay.

Then there were those who were bawdy

After being given a toddy.

And yet still those who were a bit frisky

After a bit o' Irish Whiskey.

Those who acted bravely,

And those who acted cowardly.

There were those who were feisty, flirty & flowery;

And those who came with a helluva dowry.

Give me my ancestors who were considered tawdry;

Especially those who had a lot of jewelry.

How 'bout those whose plans went awry;

Who just simply wanted to sit down and cry?

Or the one who dared to defy;

Or maybe the one who dared not

Because she was too shy?

I have found none who left home

To marry a carny;

But I've come across a few that spoke

A lo' o' blarney.

There was the one I've heard

Who ran 'round like a banshee;

'Course, she was the sis of the

One who had a bat in the belfry.

Those who stretched the truth vastly;

And those who were downright ghastly.

Some could be considered

A "little miss goodie two shoes"

Yet there were others who

Hated to lose.

Some were quite girly;

While others were a bit burly.

Not all were part of the gentry;

The others came from the country.

There were those whose eyes were beady;

And some who were quite greedy.

Others with nose in the air

Were quite haughty;

Those who didn't care

Were especially naughty.

Some were liars;

And some were criers.

A few were klutzy;

But even more were gutsy.

Some were tall;

And some were small.

I even have a third great-grandma

Who supposedly was an herbal cure-all.

Then there were those who were grumpy;

And those who were seen as a bit frumpy.

"Heavens to Betsy!"

I'd be remiss;

If I didn't mention those

In absolute bliss.

There were those who were known

As "One Hot Mama";

However, I've yet to find one

Who owned a llama.

'Tis very true;

They are quite the motley crew.

But, Oh! How they sit there

In All their glory;

How could I not tell

Their Family Story?

And finally? Here's my Big Paw Paw ~ one of the many faces of my genealogy:

Official #Genealogy Blogger for #FGS2011!

Yup. You read correctly. I'm an Official Blogger for FGS2011!


The Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference this year ~ Pathways to the Heartland ~ is being held in Springfield, Illinois September 7-10.  That's right 4 jam-packed FAN-tabulous days of genealogy fun! Seriously? I was going over all the sessions last night that are available for this conference. And? My head hurts [in a good way] with all the opportunities for learning and networking.  This is a must-see-must-attend-absolutely-gotta-be-there conference.


And if that doesn't get you there, then maybe this will.  I will be there. Reporting. Interviewing. Dining. Networking. You know, the usual hard work.


BUT, what if you can't make it? Don't worry. I and this outstanding list of esteemed Official FGS Bloggers will be blogging about the vendors, the food [Apparently, Amy Coffin over on her blog, We Tree, will be scoring and blogging  about some ~from what I hear~ fantastic bacon from a particular vendor.], the socials, the lectures, and, well, everything.


Now, in the months, weeks, and days leading up to FGS2011, I will be spotlighting on this blog and on my official How-To Blog For Newbies, For Your Family Story, any conference news, interviews with planned conference lecturers & vendors, historical places to visit near the conference, and local resources for opportunities to research in and around Springfield.


At the conference, I will be Tweeting [ @FamilyStories ] and blogging conference news, interviews, photos, etc.


After the conference, I will be blogging my thoughts, meditations, and the like of the FGS2011 Conference. [And definitely more pics.]


Oh my. I'm gonna busy. [A good kinda busy.]  I am so very excited and honored to have been chosen to be an Official Blogger for the FGS2011 Conference!


Now for the "legal business." In exchange for all of the above listed tasks, I am receiving the following from FGS:

• One full complimentary registration to the conference
• Media credentials
• Complimentary admission to the Old-Fashioned Prairie Social on Wednesday evening
• Off-Hour admission to the Exhibit Hall
• Use of space at the Media Hub

[O.K. Can I scream now? Aaaaaaack!!! Woo-hoo!!!! This SO rocks!]


So, will I see you there?  Goodness, I hope so.


Until then, keep an eye out for all the FGS2011 Conference news via my blogs, Family Stories and/or For Your Family Story, via Twitter, and via Facebook.