Researching the Ross Line

Keryn was kind enough to help me do a little family history research today. It gets really confusing with all of the George Wellington and Daniel Andrew Rosses, so I started writing things down as I found them. Mostly, I found data that was already in FamilySearch or in mom's records.

Following are my notes. A few things to notice. We don't have really good records about the marriage of Daniel A and Mary J Daniels. I have a microfilm number that I'm going to look up in the Family History Library to see if I can find their parent's names since we can't go back any farther than the two of them on that line.

In the 1870 census, Mary is listed as Maria, as is her daughter.

In 1860 and 1870, Daniel's birthplace is listed as Canada. In 1880, after Daniel has remarried, his birthplace is listed as Michigan. Keryn theorized that his new wife (did you see how young she was!) just didn't know what to tell the census taker and made something up.

I wanted to find information on Jennie McDonald, the wife of George, but I didn't have any luck there. Ancestry.com things that her last name is Morey. Maybe that is based on the fact that a brother-in-law of George, named Frank Morey, was living with the family in 1900. That doesn't mean that her last name was Morey for sure, but I can't tell where we're getting McDonald in our records either.

It is funny to note how things aren't consistent from one census to the next, either for spellings or dates or locations. But I guess it can be useful for clues!

·      Daniel Andrew Ross (1835)

o   Michigan Marriages

§  Daniel A. Ross, Mary J. Daniels, 1 May 1857, Wayne, MI

§  Original data: Wayne County, Michigan Marriages, 1851-69. County court records located in Detroit, Michigan or Family History Library microfilm #1377620-1377622.

o   1860 Census

§  D A Ross (25) (b. ~1835 Canada)

§  Mary J (25) (b. ~1835 Illinois)

§  Nettie M (3/12) (b. ~1860)

o   1870 Census

§  Daniel Ross (35) (birthplace Canada)

§  Maria Ross (33) (birthplace England abt 1837)

§  Nettie Ross (10)

§  George Ross (7)

§  Fredric Ross (4)

§  Maria Ross (2)

§  Isabella Ross (24) (teacher)

o   Ancestry.com

§  Mary J. Daniels (d. 10 Oct 1878, Detroit, Wayne, MI)

o   1880 Census

§  Daniel A. Ross (45) (birthplace Michigan, parents b. Scotland)

§  Lola N. (23) (b. ~1857 Michigan, parents b. New York)

§  Nathalie N. (20)

§  George W. (17) (b. ~1863)

§  Frederick C. (14) (b. ~1866)

§  Mary (11) (b. ~1869)

·      George Wellington Ross (1863)

o   1900 Census

§  George Ross (35)

§  Jennie Ross (38) (Apr 1862)

§  Donald Ross (15)

§  Katinka Ross (13)

§  Frank Morey (18) (brother in law)

o   1910 Census

§  George W Ross (47)

§  Jennie M Ross (47) (immigration 1884)

§  Katrinka M Ross (23)

§  Frederick C Ross (45) (brother)

Thanksgiving Project

Jebb's Musings

Yesterday Jebb and I were riding alone together in the car. This rarely happens and we were talking, just the two of us. He asked me if I knew how old Papa Ross was. I told him and he said, "Good, so probably he won't be dead when I turn 12." (Sorry if that sounds rather abrupt...) I replied, "No, I don't think he will be. How come?" "Well, when I am 12 he will make me a treasure chest." He paused for a minute then added, "But really soon he will make me a CTR sign." I reminded him that Jackson didn't get his plaque until he was 8. He thought about this and said, "Well, I hope he stays alive for a while."

Thanks Mom and Dad for all you do for our kids! They love and think of you even when they don't see you. :)

Happy Veteran's Day

Thanks for serving, Dad.

Mom, thanks for posting those great memories. I love this blog.

Today in our office, we're having a 11-11-11 Veterans Day lunch at 11:11am. What a fun date for a party.

Grandma Peters

Walking

I visit with Mom almost every day. During those visits she has shared many of her memories of living at 248 W. 1^st North (N. Temple), Salt Lake City, Utah. She lived close to everything. Her elementary school was farther than West High school which was around the corner and up a couple of blocks, and West Jr. High which was across the street. She and her brother George walked to school together each day. They came home for lunch most days.

Here are a few of those memories:

Grandpa Buck loved to walk over to the Assembly Hall and sit on the bench by the pond and watch the fish. Grandpa enjoyed visiting with the gardeners about the plants. Mom would go over to the tabernacle and listen to the organist practice. They could see the Salt Lake Temple lit up at night. She loved to see the Walker building lit up a Christmas time.

When her dad was in the LDS Hospital, she and George would walk five to six blocks down North Temple and up C Street eight blocks to visit with him. I think they could take a short cut by going through City Park but that was still a long walk. Grandma wasn’t able to walk so she took a taxi once a week or so to visit him. Grandpa’s job as a machinist caused him to end up in the hospital. One of the jobs he frequently did was to clean the parts of the train engine in a liquid cleaner,(I assume a degreaser). He sat down to do the job and the liquid would splash on him as he worked. In 1936 he ended up in the hospital for almost a year. This from Mom’s book: “He lost all the skin on his arms from the elbows down to the tips of his fingers. Then it showed up on his legs from his knees to the tips of his toes. The doctors tried all kinds of treatments, but he almost lost his legs to gangrene anyway. The doctor put maggot eggs on his legs then put bandages on his legs and the eggs hatched and ate away the dead flesh so the new flesh could grow. One day when the doctor came to see my dad he told the doctor that he felt bugs crawling on his legs. They removed the bandages and there were worms all over his legs but the legs looked better. The doctor said the maggot procedure was an old remedy he had learned in France. My Dad’s legs healed just fine and he learned to walk again. George or I would go the LDS Hospital and help my dad to walk and exercise. We lived at 1^st North still between 1^st and 2^nd West and we would walk to the hospital where my Dad was and then walk back home. When winter came we still went. Snow used to get quite deep so we had to stay on the walks where snow plows had been. We didn’t have any high boots. We had long underwear to wear but nothing warm like people have today. I helped my Mom take care of my Dad before and after school after he came home from the hospital.”

Mom had a babysitting job in the Avenues that often lasted until 10:30 pm. If she missed the last bus home, she would walk the 9 blocks to catch the bus to her house.

Another comment from her history: “We would walk and pull a red wagon to 4^th North to the state run facility where they gave away food. We would get rice, flour and I don’t remember what else now, but it was always more than we could carry home.”

Tracking the Past: Dorothy Buck Childhood in SLC

Keryn and I spent a luxurious couple of days in Salt Lake City this week to celebrate our 10th anniversary. While there, we dropped in on the new Church History Library. We took the short tour where they show you a video and walk you through the public stacks. As we wandered through the stacks, our guide pointed out some old Salt Lake City directories dating back to 1900.

Thinking of Grandma Peters, I thought I'd like to see if we could find her family. I pulled up Family Search on a computer to remind myself of the pertinent names and dates and then fetched the 1923 and 1939 directories. In the first one, I found a promising entry while looking for Francis Morgan Buck.

That photo shows Frank M. Buck. His occupation is listed as machinist for the Oregon Short Line and his residence is at 248 W. 1st No. Those abbreviations are all explained at the front of the directory. 1st North is the same thing as North Temple.

We flipped through to the 1939 directory and found this entry.

You'll notice Frank M. and Ellen L. are listed together this time, which confirmed that we were looking at Francis Morgan Buck and Ellen Louise Pedersen Buck. No occupation is listed, and this is a year before his death, so that may be accurate. I didn't notice the other entry on this page until I got home. You'll notice, at the same address, Dorothy A. Buck. I don't have Dorothy and Ralph's marriage date handy, but knowing that mom was born in 1941, this must have been shortly before she got married. How cool that she made the directory separately!

From FamilySearch, I could see that Ellen's father and mother had also died in the Salt Lake area in 1910 and 1918 respectively, so I went to an older directory to look for them. I found the following entry in the 1908 directory.

There is Lars E. Pedersen, occupation shoemaker, at 27 W 17th South in Murray. His business and residential address were the same. I think this matches what Michelle told us at a family reunion, so I think this is the right person. Michelle, I'd love it if you'd post that story to the blog if I'm remembering right. I couldn't find any reference to Charlotte Amelia Andersen Pedersen in the directory, even after her husband died. I wonder if she moved in with someone else right away and thus doesn't show up as a widow (like Jensine above) in the directory.

Knowing that Dorothy had lived so close to the library where we were looking this up, Keryn and I decided to walk over and see what was there now. While we were walking, we called mom and she told us that grandma had been mentioning the house at 248 recently. How funny. Mom didn't remember that the house was on North Temple.

When we arrived at the location, we could see that it was right across the street from a large parking lot. That parking lot was where they had the medals ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics. There was no more 248 W. There is an (apparently pretty new) apartment building at 230 W. When we looked at this address on Google Maps, there was a differently shaped apartment building in the same location, so apparently the house has been gone for a long time now. In the photo below, you can see the current apartment building. The left edge of this building is at the center of the block and is probably where the old house stood.

I took a quick panoramic video shot to give you a sense of the currently location. Sorry about the wind noise on my cell phone camera.

Mom, while we were on the phone, you mentioned some of the things Grandma said she used to do. I'd love it if you'd pen a quick post with some of those memories!

Halloween 2011

Ezra's Baptism

Ezra is turning eight in a few short days!  He is very excited to be baptized, and would like to invited everyone to his baptism on November 5, 2011, at 9:30 am at 1150 E 1240 S, Spanish Fork, Utah.  After the baptism, we will have a brunch-type-party at our house!

We know that it is not possible for most of you to come, but we want you to know you are invited if you want to!  We love you all.

Turning… no, “Turned” 70

Turning 70 was my most interesting birthday for many reasons. Turning 60 wasn’t traumatic because I was still working and being productive. It was just another year, another birthday. It indicated that I was nearing retirement age but it was still a long way off. Sixty five came and went surrounded by similar feelings, but I began to savor the experiences knowing it wouldn’t be long before my life would change. However, I had a mission to plan and prepare for and a new home to think about.

Then 70 hit. I realized that I was really OLD. I was no longer productive like I was a few short years ago. I was retired. I was on Social Security. I don’t get much done in a day. I was finally really OLD and OVER THE HILL.

I tried to enjoy this momentous birthday. In preparation I went shopping and bought myself some clothes and yes, some fabric, and a chair for my sewing room.

It was awesome to have a party to celebrate it. I can’t express how great it was to have all my children in attendance. I appreciate the sacrifice everyone made to make it happen. I have such a wonderful family. I have all that to savor as I sit in my rocking recliner.

70... Texas Style

Steve and I took Mom out to celebrate her 70th. Texas Roadhouse was her pick...



























Here she is sitting on the b-day saddle getting her big Texas Roadhouse YEEE HAWWWW!!

Mom's Birthday Bash

Customize a digital invitation

Pure Joy

Am I wrong for loving this picture so much?

FHE Suggestion

Brad Wilcox is a popular speaker to youth, but the message is appropriate for grown-ups too. He recently spoke in a BYU devotional on the subject of the atonement. Grace isn't the thing that fills in the gap after the end of a period of our work. Grace is the thing that enables us to work. He has some uplifting and encouraging insights that I thought you might like to share with your families for an FHE activity sometime.

Video and text are both available.

Introducing Page, AZ

I saw this link on Sharon Woodard's blog and thought it was worth sharing. Only, I don't know where the double bridge at the beginning of the video is. Anyone want to clue me in?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tedj40Mb2HQ&feature=player_embedded

Making Memories-The Ross Reunion 2011

Hello everyone! I hope you are as excited as the we are for the upcoming Ross Reunion. I wanted to give a brief overview so you can plan accordingly:

MAKING MEMORIES 2011

Wednesday, July 6th-
Arrive at the Gillelands. Free time to mingle and reconnect. Make some memory makers.

Thursday, July 7th
Making Memories at Mesa Verde. We'll get up early and head to Mesa Verde!

Friday, July 8th
Making Memories Photo shoot in AM
Making Soggy Memories on the River. Float the River or go to the Rec Center today.

Saturday, July 9th
Making Memories in the Mountains. Alpine Sliding in the morning and Jeeping in the afternoon

Sunday, July 10th
Church at 9am! I hope everyone stays so I can show you all off!!!!!! :)

This is just the bulk of each day. We will be doing other activites in the evenings. If anyone has a Musical Moment (musical number) they would like to add to our collective Memory, please come prepared to share. You wlll likely need: A towel, sunscreen, good walking shoes, a hoody or jacket, a tube (river rat style), a hat, and a MEMORY MAKING ATTITIDE!

As soon as I know who all is coming (please RSVP in the comments today or tomorrow!), I will let you know on room assignments so you can plan for sleeping bags or pillows or whatever. We have extras for whomever! :) Just let me know! Questions? Just post them in the comments! We can't wait to Make some Mega Memories with our Marvelous Mass!

Seattle Visitors

Seattle Visitors

Sam and Jack arrived 15 minutes early. We didn't make it all the way to B15.

Waiting for the luggage to arrive.

Jack and Sam still didn't realized who we were going to see in concert since it was to be a surprise. They knew we were going to dinner and they were trying to guess who it might be. Nate walked them along to wall so the wouldn't see the marquee above their heads.

The dinner was delicious! Great salmon and chicken. We were 10 minutes early, even though the place looks like we were alone, it was packed by concert time. Lots of people came late, but the concert started exactly at 7.

Jon Schmidt gave an awesome concert! He is amazing. Both Nate and Jack enjoy playing some of his songs. The boys were familiar with many of the numbers he played for us. It was a very nice theatre which seated 175 to 200 people for dinner.

Finally!

My peonies and bleeding hearts are blooming and I love it! They don't last long enough. I brought the peony from Page with me after keeping it in a pot for a year in anticipation of the move and being able to plant it where it would actually grow and bloom. I couldn't get bleeding hearts to grow in Page either. They do so well here.

Check It Out

So I caved. I started a blog. I thought it would be a good way to share our experiences as we make our move to Texas. Take a look and see what you think.

http://rubyslippers-noplacelikehome.blogspot.com

Gabe's Life Presentation

I know I have an annoying habit of pre-dating blog posts that I didn't get to when they happened. I have done it again, but I wanted to be sure and let Grandma and Grandpa know about it because it is the Life Presentation Gabe gave which I told them about. I am putting a link so you can go right to it:

Click Here for Gabe's Life Presentation

Don't Change Teachers. Change the Job Description.

I just read a brilliant article that explores the opposing viewpoints on teacher quality. On the one hand, we have people who say the job is superhuman and the best we can do is admire those who choose to do it and stay out of the way. On the other hand, we get people we are ready to dump the ineffective teachers and find better ones through system of merit pay and the like.

In the middle is an approach that is so obvious I'm embarrassed I haven't thought more about it. Stop expecting teachers to do everything. Allow them to specialize and combine in unique ways to provide all the services students need.

We would think it bewildering if we walked into a hospital and saw elite cardiovascular surgeons, novice residents, and bookkeepers taking turns conducting heart surgery and handling administrative duties. Yet that is standard practice in schools, where all teachers—regardless of skill or demonstrated performance—take equal turns monitoring the lunchroom, supervising bus loading, patrolling the hallways, filling out stacks of mandated paperwork, and the rest.

In fact, if one walks into a local elementary school and asks the principal to identify the school's best 4th grade math teacher and the school's worst, it's almost certain that each will be teaching the same amount of math to the same number of students each day. Each teacher is instructing his or her bundle of 20-odd students in math, reading, science, history, and everything else, regardless of skill or expertise. This is a profoundly careless use of talent, yet it is unexceptional today.

You can read the whole article at the American Enterprise Institute.

What Difference Does One Digit Make?

4 bundles of shingles.
5 sheets of plywood
1 roll of tar paper

Yes, we goofed by one digit in our very first calculation of the area of our roof. A 2 that should have been a 3. Sigh. It gave a result that was close enough to what we would have guessed that we didn't catch it. Sorry for all the extra running around and consternation our mistake caused, but I must say that you guys were terrific in working around it!

The roof looks really good. I'm going to drop by the roofing supply store and pick up the extra shingles either Tuesday or Wednesday and slap them up there. It should be a quick finish to a huge project.

Keryn and I both want to thank the Hannays and Gillelands and Mom and Dad for volunteering to help us with the mammoth project of replacing our roof. It turned out to be a larger task than I had envisioned; I didn't originally figure we would need to replace the plywood and all the fascia boards. I can't wait to post a finished picture for you all to admire when I get the last shingles put up.

Next project for the summer: replacing our snow-smushed shed. Hopefully I prove to have better math skills for this one. :-/

High school and nerds

I came across this thought at a political blog I follow, and Bradley and I wondered if any of you have thoughts about it.

REVENGE OF THE GEEKS: What made them outsiders in high school makes them stars in the world.

If high school is an environment that systematically punishes traits that lead to success in the real world, then why not abolish high school? As institutions, they don’t do a very good job of teaching math and history. If they also punish traits linked to innovation then what exactly are high schools good for?

Mixed Up

Is the family reunion July 6-10, or 13-17? I'm so mixed up I'm not sure anymore! :)

The newest LDS Homefront commercial

(Also known as this year's Ross Family contribution to the ward movie night.)