Week 7 – Theme "Landed" – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks –Baby Brother Visit

This is my second year working on this year-long weekly writing prompts provided by Amy Johnson Crow and posted on her Generations Cafe Facebook page. I will do my best to write something each week. I've missed the first 5 weeks of this and trying to get back into the swing of things. 

I started working for Mervyn’s right out of high school in 1976 and worked for them for 16 years. In 1979 Mervyn’s was building 4 new stores in the Phoenix area and a group of us were promoted and transferred to Phoenix. I just turned 21 years old. All four stores’ management teams spent months interviewing, hiring, and training for all four stores. 

I always kept in contact with my parents and baby brother Shawn when I was in Phoenix. Shawn was ten years old when I moved to Phoenix.  We were close and I missed him tremendously. I asked my parents if they would fly him out to visit with me for a weekend. My mom at first was very hesitant, after all it was her baby. I don’t remember if my dad or I or both of us convinced her. Shawn had never been on an airplane and my mom was worried about it. 

We picked a weekend, his ticket was purchased, and I made our plan of activities. The weekend came and I was so excited. His plane was on time, and I stood in the waiting area. He was the first to come off the plane. He ran to me and flung his ten-year-old arms around my neck. I was so glad to see him. I had to show the stewardess who accompanied Shawn my ID, all was good, and we left. 

The first thing we had to do was drop off his luggage at my townhouse and then call my mom. When she picked up the phone I said, “He’s 'landed' safely, and all went OK.” She said a few words to Shawn, and we hung up. So weird to think there were no cell phones at that time and knowing my mom she was worried sick until she heard from me. 

That weekend we went to the Phoenix Zoo. Our favorite was the Roadrunner exhibit. We had not experienced seeing one in the wild and we laughed about the cartoon Wiley Coyote and Roadrunner…beep beep! 

My townhouse complex had a pool and we spent time in the pool. Shawn loved the water, and it was always hard to get him out of it, whether we were at home in the pool or the lake. Our weekend ended and I took him back to the airport, got him on the plane, called my mom from home to let her know he was on his way. Once they picked him up at the airport and arrived home, she called to tell me, “He 'landed' safely, and we are home.” 

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.

Week 6–Theme "Maps" – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – R D GRIFFIN'S FIRST DAYS OF WWII

This is my first year working on this year-long weekly writing prompts provided by Amy Johnson Crow and posted on her Generations Cafe Facebook page. I will do my best to write something each week. 

I've missed the first 6 weeks of this. I have not written anything since December 27, 2021. 

This excerpt is from a project I am working on about my grandfather and his World War II experience. It includes a few maps. I've only included where he was November 1944 to December 31, 1944. 

26 November 1944 Station: Beggendorf, Germany

This was three days after Thanksgiving. Grandpa was listed as a Private (Pvt) and was transferred into L Company 406th Infantry Regiment 102nd Infantry Division. At this time, he was stationed in Beggendorf, Germany.                                           

1 December 1944 Station: Linnich, Germany 

His company left the Regimental Rest Area in Beggendorf, Germany at 12:15 p.m. Enroute they encountered bombing by German Messerschmidts but received no casualties. His company arrived in Puffendorf, Germany where they remained for 2 hours. They left Puffendorf, Germany at 3:15 p.m. marching 2 miles to Ederen, Germany and dug in a defense position. At 6:30 p.m. they left Ederen, Germany enroute to Linnich, Germany. Along the way they encountered stiff resistance. Several defensive positions were set up and they remained in defensive positions ½ mile from Linnich, Germany. 1

2 December 1944 Station Linnich, Germany 

Company L moved into Linnich, Germany at 6:00 a.m. to reinforce the 2nd Battalion 40th Infantry Regiment. Remained until 11:30 p.m. then moved 1½ miles southwest of Linnich, Germany, dug in and had no casualties. 2

23 December 1944 Station: Setterich, Germany 

Company L was relieved of front-line duty and left Gereonsweiler, Germany at 4:45 p.m. marched 3 miles to Setterich, Germany and arrived at 5:45 p.m. 3 

25 December 1944 Station Setterich, Germany (Christmas Day) 

Grandpa received a nice Christmas present. He was promoted to Private 1st Class (Pfc). The company remained on alert in Setterich, Germany. Sadly, one enlisted man was killed in action on this day. 4

29 December 1944 Station: Setterich, Germany 

Left Setterich, Germany at 7:50 a.m. and marched 5 miles to Loherhof, Germany (This may be LOVERICH not Loherhof as there is no Loherhof on the map and they seem to take one route there and same back to Setterich). Route of march, Setterich to Loverich to Floverich to Immandorf to Loherhof Loverich. Arrived at 10:00 a.m. Prepared Division Reserve position. Then returned to Setterich, Germany. Closed in at 3:30 p.m. and morale excellent. 5

31 December 1944 Station: Setterich, Germany (New Year’s Eve) 

Left Setterich, Germany at 8:15 a.m. and marched 5½ miles to ½ mile NE of Frelenberg, Germany. Arrived at 10:00 a.m. Prepared Division Reserve Position. Left Frelenberg, Germany at 1:00 p.m. and returned to Setterich, Germany. Closed in at 2:45 p.m. 6

1 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 26 November 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.

 2 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 2 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.

 3 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 23 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.

 4 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 24 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.

 5 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 29 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.

 6 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 31 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.

December 27, 2021 – January 2, 2022 Weekly Recap

JAUNTS

Had lunch with Renee at SOLA on Wednesday.

I met Lisa at the Oakland FamilySearch Library twice this week. It was nice to be in the library again. On the way out Thursday I left after dark and all the Christmas lights were on and they have music playing. I have never seen the temple lite up for the holidays before. The temple was beautiful. 

 

VOLUNTEER WORK AND MEETINGS

I was able to get caught up with CGS events and requested postings to the Bay Area Genealogy Calendar and ConferenceKeeper. I also sent out an email blast with the California  Research Series flyer. When I was at the FSL library I printed off the CGS California Research Series flyer and left them. I need to take some color ones next week. 

I did not attend any meetings. 

CALLS

Lisa and I had our call Monday and that was when we planned to go to the Oakland FSL on Tuesday and then also ended up going on Thurs. 

Had our Amigos call on Tuesday. Stewart was not able to make it. Was nice to have Linda join again. 

We had a facetime call with Ryan, Amanda, Addison, and Tucker on New Year's Eve. We talked for over an hour.  At one point Tucker decided to put a red yarn ball on the end of his nose. I just cracked up. I laughed so hard I had tears. We all told him he needed antlers. He disappeared and about 5 minutes later he comes out with antlers taped to his head. We all busted up. He was cracking up too. I swear that kid will be a comedian. He always makes us laugh. What a great way to start the new year! (See photos below)

WEBINAR MEETINGS

I attended a webinar put on by Zoom about Zoom basics and the difference between meetings and webinars. Very informative. I did learn that breakout rooms are only for meetings. 

BOOKS READING AND COMPLETED

I started these 2 books earlier this year and still have not finished them. I will try to finish by the end of January 2022. Well, I still have not done any reading. 

1. Company Commander Charles B. MacDonald (some day I will finish this)

2. Zotero for Genealogy: Harnessing the Power of Your Research Donna Cox Baker

You can see Barry cracking up in
the upper right hand corner

I'm cracking up this time

Ouch when the tape comes off

He is just too funny

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.

December 20 — 26, 2021 Weekly Recap

CHRISTMAS WEEK 

We spent Christmas Eve at relatives (see Jaunts).

Christmas Day Renee came over for Christmas breakfast. This has become a tradition for us. 

 

Adam and his girlfriend Bri, came over on the 26th and we had our Christmas with them. We had a great time. Barry BBQ'd steaks and lobsters. We also had baked potatoes and a great Caesar salad with Barbaras' (our neighbor) homemade Caesar dressing. She taught Barry and I how to make it a few months ago. This was the first time we made it on our own. We had her taste it and we passed the test. I can taste it now as I write about it. 

JAUNTS 

Christmas Eve we spent at Melissa and James' in South San Jose. Adena also helped host. This was the first Christmas we all spent together since Christmas 2019, right before the pandemic. Aunt Violet, David, Danny, Jo Ann, Adena, Shaylynn, Melissa, James, and Utah were all there. We had a wonderful time. It was so much fun watching Utah open all his presents. He was so good and had a great time. His smile is contagious. 

Danny, Jo Ann, and James opening presents

Utah enjoying his mom's headband

James being silly with one of
Shaylynn's stocking stuffers

Willow trying to stay out of the way

I gave Adena & Melissa these
headbands that lite up

Utah & Shaylynn playing
with his new workbench

VOLUNTEER WORK AND MEETINGS

I did not do any volunteer work but I need to. I'm behind in posting upcoming events on the 2 calendars, ConferenceKeeper and the Bay Area Genealogy Calendar. I need to get caught up. 

I did not attend any meetings. 

LISA CALL

Lisa and I met on Monday and had a great discussion about her kids, her speaking fee, and that CGS should have a class on the 1950 census since its release is April 2022.

AMIGOS CALL (LISA, LINDA, STEWART)

We cancelled due to the holidays. 

WEBINAR MEETINGS

I didn't attend any due to the holidays. 

BOOKS READING AND COMPLETED

I started these 2 books earlier this year and still have not finished them. I will try to finish by the end of January 2022.

1. Company Commander Charles B. MacDonald (some day I will finish this)

2. Zotero for Genealogy: Harnessing the Power of Your Research Donna Cox Baker

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.

Week 52 – Theme "Future" – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks THREET FAMILY PHOTO FUTURE PROJECT

Week 52 – Theme "Future" – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This is my first year working on this year-long weekly writing prompts provided by Amy Johnson Crow and posted on her Generations Cafe Facebook page. I will do my best to write something each week. 

THREET FAMILY PHOTO FUTURE PROJECT

Back Row-Billie Mack, Donal Dean, Samuel, Wilma Sue, Willie, Floyd Junior, James Elice

Front Row-Ernie, Sylvia, Bruce Travis, Clara Marie, Sandra Kay, Roger Dale

The above photo is of my father’s family. My father was born Billie Mack Threet, AKA Billy Max Threet, and has ten siblings. I do not know when he changed the spelling of his first and middle names. This is a something I would like to narrow down in the future. 

Another 2022 future goal I have is to write a small piece about each of his siblings and parents. I don’t know much about the early years of dad’s family or vital records dates, but my future goal of 2022 is to try to write down what I do know and possibly learn something new. Hopefully with the release of the 1950 census in April I will make a few discoveries. 

I do know the family moved from Texas when my dad was 14. Some of the family came by car, some by train and not all at the same time. I believe most of the siblings were born in Texas or Oklahoma but again I will need to confirm. 

So far, I have a few goals in mind but in the next few days I will need to narrow them down.

2022 GOALS (not in any specific order yet)

1. Writing 

a. Small vignettes about my dad’s siblings

b. Small vignettes about my mother’s siblings

c. Be consistent about writing the 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks from Amy Johnson Crow’s writing prompts

2. Continue writing about my dad

3. Organize and scan photos, file appropriately

4. Organize and scan vital records, file appropriately

As I look at this list, I’m already feeling a tiny overwhelmed so I will need to be more specific and not so generic. I think that will help.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.

Week 46 — Birthdays — 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 45 – Birthday – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This is my first year working on this year-long weekly writing prompts provided by Amy Johnson Crow and posted on her Generations Cafe Facebook page. I will do my best to write something each week. 

BARRY 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

My husband turned 50 in 2004 and we decided to throw a birthday party. We liked to throw theme parties, so we settled on a tie-dyed theme. We sent out the invites and told everyone to wear tie dye attire. My girlfriend Renee Toomey and I planned a day to go shopping in Berkeley to look for pants and tie-dyed shirts. We were successful.

At that time, we frequented a restaurant in San Leandro, CA called The Englander. Two of our friends, Tom and Theresa Lawrie, managed and worked at The Englander. We reserved the side room with the bar. We arranged everything through them but didn't want them to work it. We wanted them to enjoy the party. We had hot food for everyone but can't remember what it was, but I know it was delicious. When we throw a party, we are known for having fun little toys all over the table for everyone to play with. You'd be surprised how many adults turn into kids with little toys from Oriental Trading. It's very amusing but helps loosen everyone up. We made party bags for the little kids which they loved.

We also hired a clown to keep the little kids amused so the parents could have fun. She did magic, limbo, and games. There was a small stage in the room, and she used that for her area. It was perfect. The kids were far enough away to enjoy themselves and the parents could still see them. The kids were doing limbo at one point and of course a few of the parents had to get involved, especially the birthday person. 

To this day we still laugh about the party and have great memories. One was my friend Renee took an old bedside commode she had and decorated it with streamers and 50's party decorations. BUT -the best item she added were Baby Ruth bars. She took the candy bars out of the wrapper and hot glued them into the commode bucket to look like you know what!! It was hysterical. People had to take their photos with it. Our nephew, Ross Threet, decided he wanted to remove one of the candy bars and put his head by the commode with the candy bar in his mouth. Yes, pictures were taken but at this time I can't find them (another reminder I need to get my photos organized)! 

Another memory involves Barry's mom. I was sitting at one of the tables and Barry's oldest son Adam was at the same table. I think it was my sister, Teresa Rushing, who came over and said to Adam, "hey your grandmother is at the bar and she's pouring tequila shots." If only I had a photo of the look on Adam's face! PRICELESS! Adam popped right out of his chair and went to the bar. Barry was shocked too. Not something he or Adam knew about his mom. She was not a drinker but apparently enjoys a shot of tequila every now and then. The interesting thing is my husband is the same way. He likes a shot of tequila every now and then. 

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.

Week 45 — Theme Stormy Weather — 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 45 — Theme Stormy Weather — 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This is my first year working on this year-long weekly writing prompts provided by Amy Johnson Crow and posted on her Generations  Cafe Facebook page. I will do my best to write something each week. 

1923 HAILSTORM DAMAGE

I found a newspaper article years ago that mentions my 2X great grandfather, John N. McCurdy. The article talked about a hailstorm that ruined crops and killed livestock belonging to him. (1)  For me it put into perspective that even back then, weather affected our ancestors and their way of life. Not something I have thought much about. 

Today I know much more about researching and what to look for. After reading this article again, many questions started running through my head and I now have a bit more research to do from this article. 

New questions:

1. John N. McCurdy’s grandson, my grandfather, would have been around 12 at that time. Did my grandfather live close by?

2. Was John N. McCurdy renting or did he own the land?

3. What is the equivalent in today’s dollars this loss cost him?

4. Did he farm additional acres?

I’m sure there will be more once I start research. 

1. Ada Weekly News (Ada, Oklahoma), 2 August 1923, p. 3, col. 2; “Considerable Damage Done By Hail Storm,” J. N.McCurdy (John Newton McCurdy); digital image Ancestry.com: accessed 16 September 2018. 

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.