"Message to Heaven"

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The following message to my birth mother was written almost 48 years after my birth. At that time she had no choice about my adoption. She had too many kids, little help from my father; she did as best as she could. I was taken from her at birth (17 Nov 1949). I finally learned about my birth family on 1 Jan 1992 (I was 42). By 4 Jan 1992, I knew 5 generations of most of my birth family, both my birth parents had already died (in the late 1970's). I went to visit the gravesites in January 1992. Now, each year I visit the graves and leave flowers on Memorial Day. Their names are: Lucinda Aurelia Peach (b. 20 Feb 1915 - d. 14 Mar 1978) who married (9 Feb 1935) Robert H. Meredith (b. 30 May 1907 - d. 2 Jun 1977). Then in 1997, five years after learning about my birth family, I felt the need to send this message to my birth mother, Lucinda Aurelia.  - Written by Rebecca L. West

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Message to My Birth Mother

I want to thank you, Mother
For bringing me into this world
Even though you didn't know me
I am still your little girl

You were not there to nurse me when I was sick
Or dry my tears when I cried
But, I wish I could have hugged you
Just once before you died

I wanted to touch your gentle hand
Put my arm around your shoulder
I wish we could have been together
To watch each other grow older

I wanted to see your smiling eyes
To hear your gentle voice
But, Mother, I truly understand
You really had no choice

Mother, even though we were not together
You have a special place within my heart
And when I see you in Heaven
We will never again have to part

Copyright 31 May 1997 by Rebecca L. West

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Jumping to Conclusions

“Do Not Let the Trash Can Get in Your Way!”

While working at a business recently, I went into a small room that had swinging doors. The entry way was partially blocked by a large plastic trash can. I moved it slightly and slipped past it pushing one of the doors into the small room. Within a few seconds I was heading out of the room, pushing the same door I went through before. It was blocked by the trash can. I reached through pushing the can back so I could open the door to get out. I just went through the same door seconds earlier, I thought how in the world did this can get in the way? Did someone come along and move it? My first, immediate thought was that someone must have moved it! So, what were the facts?

When I went into the room, I pushed the door in and away from the trash can that I had moved a little to get by it. Then as I was going out I pushed the door away from me toward the trash can. I had not moved the can far enough for the door to swing both ways. So, it turns out that I was the only one that moved the can. I had to laugh at my thought that someone moved the can in my way. It was a foolish conclusion based on circumstantial information.

In our genealogical research, we often do not find solid documented evidence; and we have to make reasonable conclusions based on circumstantial information that often leads to false assumptions and conclusions. This is also compounded when you want the evidence to prove these conclusions to be true facts! When we have only circumstantial evidence, we need to ask what are the facts? Then try to piece all of the evidence together to reach a reasonable conclusion. Accepting weak evidence for fact can cause you some serious stumbling blocks to go back in time about your family.

- Written by JGWest.

Tombstone Thursday - Wood

 

 

St. Joseph Cemetery

Evansville, Indiana

Patrick H. Wood

1903 - 1958

My mother's Uncle Pat, brother to her mother.  I just barely remember going to the funeral home (I was about 11 years old).  He was only 55 years old... the same age that my father was when he died.

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated

in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

- Photo taken by Indiana Bones

"Genealogy on the Web!"

 

Just something to make you smile this morning!

 

 

TSGS Membership Dues

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Our Membership Dues are...
still only $12/year!!!

If you have not paid your renewal dues for fiscal year 2012-13, please fill out the Membership Form on the TSGS Web Site and send in your dues before 01 Sep 2012. 

The cost of sending out the member's quarterly journal The Tri-State Packet to individuals not included in the bulk mailing is very high... so we have to charge extra for late memberships.  After 01 Sep 2012, membership dues go up to $14.  Please send in your dues ASAP!

Interested in joining the Tri-State Genealogical Society for the first time, just fill out the membership form and send in the $12 dues... it is that simple!

Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

From the First Mate's Photo Album - Counts

TSGS President Don Counts sent this photo for our blog.  John Counts is my Grandpa and served on the Evansville Traffic Squad.  I saw the following article "Evansville Police Department 150th Anniversary"

http://westside.14news.com/news/news/61534-epd-seeking-old-photos-memorabilia and called Brad Hill.  He came by and borrowed the picture.  He couldn't find a scanner big enough then found a person with a hand held scanner that worked.

[Click on photo for a larger image.]

From Left to Right: Gilbert Underdown, John Counts, Norman Clark, Chris Humphreys, George Gamble, William Hudson, John Hamrush, William Schulte, Walter Fisher, Charles Ohning, Clyde Roebling, Ralph Plummer and William S Perrett

My Grandpa is the 2nd from the left on his motor cycle.  My Dad was born in 1920 and he was a policeman when Dad was little so this is probably in the 1920s.

Brad and the police department were impressed and they are going to make this a wallpaper to go in the entrance to the police department.

- Photo submitted by Don Counts.

Two Great Historical Presentations!

The

Vanderburgh County

Historical Society

has two interesting events

coming soon!

Isn't their logo really cool!

It is like the past seeing the present.

The Vanderburgh County Historical Society and Willard Library proudly presents: The WPA at Angel Mounds

Thursday, 30 Aug 2012    6:30PM - 8:00PM
This public program is FREE of charge. 

Angel Mounds Director, Mike Linderman, will discuss the plans to rebuild the WPA camp buildings erected during the 1930's at Angel Mounds.  Linderman's discussion will touch on the history of the WPA at the site with Eli Lilly and Glenn Black and what was accomplished. The talk will then shift to present day plans to rebuild the original camp buildings and how Angel Mounds has gone about finding exact location, size and building design to ensure construction of the most accurate representation.
Event Location:
Willard Library 2nd Floor
Special Collections Dept.
21 First Ave., Evansville, IN 47710
To Register: http://www.willard.lib.in.us/calendar_of_events/event_details.php?eventID=722
<<<<<<<<=====>>>>>>>>
Civil War Tour of Oak Hill Cemetery
Sunday, 09 Sep 2012   2:00PM
This event is FREE and open to the public!

The Civil War Tour will be led by members of the Vanderburgh County Historical Society under the auspices of the City Preservation Office and City Preservationist Dennis Au. The tour will start outside of the Administration Office within the Cemetery. Parking is available in the Veteran's Plaza just inside the main gate off of Virginia Street.  Contact Superintendent of Cemeteries Chris Cooke at ccooke@evansvillegov.org with any questions.

Indiana Bones encourages everyone to attend both of these historical events!