Looking in the Mirror, and Beyond

Do you ever look in the mirror, and wonder who it is that is looking back at you? Not that you're having an identity crisis...but more like wondering who you inherited all those features from.

Whose nose is that? What person passed that chin on to me?

I am so glad for the wonderful invention of cameras!  Before that, we had no idea what our ancestors looked like. Unless you were fortunate enough to find a painting, or description of them, it was all up to your imagination.

I have been quite fortunate to have many older photographs to peruse, and I love looking through them for physical links between the generations.

Thanks to  www.sparksfamilyassociation.net, I am able to see a photo from my 5x-great grandmother, Elizabeth Weaver Sparks. Although it is not of the best quality (and therefore hard to take a close look at her features), this first photo of Elizabeth is my first look at this side of the family.

Elizabeth Weaver Sparks
(Source: The Sparks Quarterly, June 1973)

I wish I had photos of Elizabeth's children, and more of her grandchildren.  With no photos of these two generations besides one grandchild (not my line), it is hard to tell which features are inherited from Grandma Weaver Sparks.

Indiana Governor Winfield Taylor Durbin
(Source: Indiana Governors)

Did their grandchild, Indiana Gov. Winfield Taylor Durbin, inherit Grandma Weaver's features, or more features from his Durbin side? Of what I can see, I think he resembles Grandma Weaver Sparks quite a bit. 

I wish that I had a photo of Elizabeth's son, Hamlet, or his daughter, Mary R. Sparks. However, I do have several photos of Mary's daughter, Anna Moore Hillman. I choose to include this photo, because it shows her features at approximately the same age as everyone else. 

Anna is my great-great grandmother, and two generations removed from my first photo. And yet, I still see a strong resemblance (in the eyes and nose) to Elizabeth. It looks to me that Anna also shares the same eyes and nose with her mother's cousin, Winfield.

Anna Moore Hillman

As I look at the photo below of my Great-grandma Haessig, I also have many wonderful memories to go with it.  We enjoyed going to her house, and spending holidays with her. 

Although those eyes are hiding behind glasses, I can still see the resemblance to her mother (Anna), her grandmother's cousin (Winfield), and to her great-great grandmother (Elizabeth). I think the eyes and nose are still strong features in this family.

What do you think when you look at these past ancestors?  Do you see a resemblance?

Carrie Hillman Haessig

The following photo is of my father, Gene, and two of his 1st cousins.  With my father, especially, I think that the resemblance is still there. But I would like to see what your opinion is of the three of them.  Do you think that Elizabeth's genes are still running strong in the 21st century? 

I would love to hear your opinion on this.  I know that there are several other family genes that start running through each family, and vying for attention, too.

1st cousins ~ Ethel Mae, Gene, & Nancy

And, to bring this post to a close, I am including one last photo to show how strong the family ties can be sometimes.  At the recent family reunion, I was talking to my 2nd cousin's daughter, Kim. She never thought that she looked like her mother's side at all. She always felt like she mostly resembled her father's side.  

We have physical proof that she was wrong! Lol!  I found a picture on my tablet of her great-grandma Clara (L) and her grandfather's sister, Ethel Mae (R), taken over 50-60 years ago. 

Do you see a little bit of a resemblance between the woman holding the baby, and the woman holding the tablet?  Kim did, too! She said it was like looking in the mirror!

My 2nd cousin's daughter, Kim (in photo, Clara Goins,
 Ethel Mae Goin & unidentified baby)

So, who do you resemble?  How far back does those family genes go?  Share your stories with us! We would love to hear them!!

Now, How Is He Related to Me?!

Ok, a show of hands, please, if this has happened to you…

You have just uncovered a fascinating story about a relative, and can't wait to tell everyone. You begin the story, and you have your audience hooked...until someone says, “now, how are we related to him?”.

As you start to explain, their eyes start glazing over...and you know you've lost them!

I know, because it has happened to me. A while back, I discovered that one of our cousins would be acting alongside Daniel Radcliffe, in the film, “Imperium”. Exciting news that I couldn't wait to share with my son, right?!  And he was excited, until he had to go, and ask THE QUESTION.  (The answer by the way was my son’s 3rd cousin)

So, I hope this chart might help you, and your audience, as you discover new relatives, and old ancestors.

1. Find the common ancestor(s).

      (Ex. ~ In my story above, that would be Henry & Carrie Haessig.)

   2. Go right across the top blue row, filling in each generation until       reaching the one you are researching. Start with the Common             Ancestor’s child, grandchild, etc.

     (Ex. ~ Henry & Carrie > Ethel > Gene > Diane > My son. My son

     would be the 2nd Great-grandchild of Henry & Carrie.)

  3. Now, repeat Step #2 (going down the left blue column) with the           other line that you are researching.

      (Ex. ~ Henry & Carrie > Clara > Robert > R.G. > The Actor. The               Actor would also be a 2nd Great-grandchild of Henry & Carrie.)

     *I am being vague with some names for privacy’s sake.

     

  4. After finding the two relatives along the top blue row and the             left blue column, trace their lines until they meet in the chart.             This will tell you how two people are related.

      (Ex. ~ My son is 2nd Great-grandchild along the top blue row.              The Actor is 2nd Great-grandchild along left blue column.                     Where they meet in the chart, states they are 3rd cousins.)

I am sure this is as clear as mud right now, but it honestly gets easier each time you try it! I know it works best for me if I always try to keep my right pointer finger on my top row relative, and my left pointer finger on my left column relative. Then, I can just move my fingers until they meet.

You may need to write your relatives’ names in the boxes. Whatever works best for you is the best way to use this chart.

Now...a short quiz to test your newfound skills!

I am related to an Indiana Governor from the early 1900’s. His name is Winfield Taylor Durbin, and our Common Ancestor is Elijah Sparks.

Winfield’s line ~ Elijah >Eliza > Winfield

My line ~ Elijah > Hamlet > Mary > Anna > Carrie > Ethel > Gene > Diane

How are Governor Winfield Taylor Durbin and I related to each other?

Hoosier Roots Run Deep in Indiana

Good news for this Hoosier Lady!

When starting a blog, one of the more difficult tasks is coming up with a name. It is a good idea to find something catchy, but it should also speak volumes about the blog itself.  I chose the name “This Hoosier’s Heritage” not only because I am a born-and-bred Hoosier, but also because I knew my roots grew deep in the state of Indiana.

Several weeks ago, I sent off my application to the Society of Indiana Pioneers.  If they can verify that you have ancestors in the state of Indiana before 1840, you are then welcome to join the Society and your ancestors will be added to their database.

Carrie (Hillman) Haessig on the left, Ethel
(Haessig) Schrader on the right 

My paternal grandmother, Ethel Haessig, has roots that run deep in Dearborn County.  Her mother, Carrie Hillman, was born in the small town of Moores Hill to Thomas Hillman and Anna Moore.

Thomas Hillman and Anna (Moore) Hillman

Anna Moore has a very rich heritage in Dearborn County, and much has been written about her grandparents' and great-grandparents' accomplishments and pioneering spirits. Her grandfather, Adam Moore, and his wife, Judith Smith, travelled from Maryland, and established the town of Moores Hill. The town was supposed to be named Moore’s Mill; but, through an error by the postmaster, it was mistakenly, and forever, named Moores Hill.

Adam Moore's will (naming Levin, and his siblings)

Anna Moore is the daughter of Levin Moore and Mary Sparks. Although Levin’s father, Adam, played a pioneering role in the founding of Moores Hill; Mary’s side of the family played an even bigger role in the history of Dearborn County.

Elijah Sparks' Life in Indiana

Her grandfather, Elijah Sparks, brought his wife, Elizabeth Weaver, and children (including Mary’s father, Hamlet) from Kentucky into Indiana Territory in 1806. He became a Territorial Judge for Dearborn County, until his death in 1815. Although Elijah helped to settle this southeastern corner of the Indiana Territory, he was not fortunate enough to witness its statehood.

I was waiting on pins and needles for a reply from the Society of Indiana Pioneers, and was delighted with their answer. According to their genealogist, "I will have no problem, whatsoever, in approving your application for both Elijah Sparks and Adam Moore."

My next step is completing the membership requirements for the Society, which is just a few small details on my part.

However, as all family historians are well aware...half of the fun is digging up the facts and stories.  The other half is in verifying whether they are indeed facts, half-truths, or legend. 

When an organization, such as the Society of Indiana Pioneers, verifies your research is in fact true, you breath a sigh of big relief.

Ahhh, now to continue digging deeper!! 

The Family Reunion

In a few weeks, I will be heading to the family reunion in a small town in Indiana. In the last few posts, I have been writing quite a bit about my great-great grandparents, Henry & Sophia Haessig, and Thomas & Anna Hillman.

Today, I am turning the spotlight onto their children...and the following generation that brings us together in October to share our linked heritage.

Henry came to Indiana in 1871, and settled into farm life on the eastern side of Ripley County.  Henry, and his wife, Sophia, would have five children together: Caroline, Henry George, George Phillip, Emile and Louise. Sophia also had a son from a previous marriage, George Jacob (Jake).

Everyday, I am learning new things. But, at this moment, I don’t know much about Caroline, Emile, Louise and Jake.

George Phillip Haessig

George was only a name I saw on a few records here and there, until a reunion several years ago. At that reunion, I was introduced to a whole side of the Haessig family that I am getting to know better all the time. At this reunion, one of George’s sons, Charlie, was able to visit for the first time in decades with his first cousin: my 90-something year-old grandma!

Two of George’s grandchildren have been filling me in on interesting stories and Haessig research recently. I will have to share with all of you some of what I have discovered in future posts. But, suffice it to say, if his granddaughter hadn’t been introduced to my blog, I might not have heard about George and Henry rafting on the Mississippi!

Which brings me to my great-grandfather, Henry George Haessig.

Henry George Haessig

Henry met a neighboring schoolteacher named Carrie Mae Hillman. Carrie was the oldest child of Thomas and Anna Hillman. They were married over a century ago, and we still honor their memory today.  

Carrie Mae Hillman

I wish I had been fortunate enough to meet Henry. I have heard many good things about him, but I am sad to say that I never had the pleasure to meet him.

I know that I was extremely blessed to be able to spend a good portion of my childhood getting to know my great-grandma, and most of her children, well. I have been quite fortunate in knowing these wonderful people, and I will not forget these memories I have of them.

The first reunion began as a birthday party for my great-grandmother, Carrie, when she was 95 years old. I may have been a young girl, but I still remember her being able to visit with her little sister, Maude, who was 90 at the time!!

At past reunions, I have learned that four of Henry and Carrie’s sons were in World War II at the same time. I have also discovered that one of my dad’s 1st cousins served on the same Army base as Elvis Presley back in the day!  

Most of Henry & Carrie's children (and spouses). Carrie, the
matriarch, is sitting near the middle of the back row.

So, let’s see if I can discover anything new this year!    

And...I would love to hear what you have learned about your family this year! Tell me all about it!

Those Darn County Lines!

Great-great Grandpa Thomas Hillman

Location, location, location!

They always tell us how important it is, but it takes on a whole new meaning to genealogists.

All my life, I knew that my great-grandmother, Carrie, grew up in Moores Hill, Indiana. It is a little town on the west side of Dearborn County.

But, It was very perplexing to me that it was hard to find Carrie, and her family, on census records.

So, I decided to put my sleigh cap on, and do some detective work.

I started with the most recent census records that I could find under her parents' names, Thomas and Anna Hillman. So, I began with the 1920 census. I found them almost immediately within the town of Moores Hill.

This was an excellent beginning, but I knew it was only the beginning.  Thomas and Anna were much older. Carrie and most of her siblings were married, or at the least, already adults. I still understood that she had grown up in Moores Hill.

So, onwards to 1910.

Nowhere to be found in Dearborn County. I then decided to leave the county off of the search filters.

Bingo!! Found them...But right over the county line in Ripley County. Not only that, but I also found him there in 1900, 1870 and 1860.

Which means...? The most exciting part for me...

Breaking through a brick wall that has been there forever. I had a first name with a question mark for his father's name. Now, I had mother, father and brothers.

Moral of this story...If you have a brick wall, you might want to look in the neighboring areas. In some places, just living across the road could mean that you live in a different county as your neighbor.

Thomas and Anna: Through the Years

     Growing up in a world where we are photographed from Day One, it is hard for many of us to fathom a time when our families had no pictures at all.  For many of my ancestors, I am sorry to say that this is generally the case.

     But not for Thomas and Anna (Moore) Hillman...just check out all of these photos I have for a couple married in 1881. 

     The first picture was taken in the early 1880's.  Between talking to relatives, and some detective work of my own, it has been guessed at being taken very close to their wedding. It is encased in a wooden frame with gold leaf trim. My grandmother kept it hung at her house, and I have now been given possession of this wonderful keepsake. 

Thomas and Anna:  the Early Years

     Many of you have seen this next photo in a previous post.  It was taken circa 1899,  when my grandmother's Aunt Edna was still just a baby.  My Great-grandma Carrie is the oldest, and she was born in 1882.  I have been told that it was taken in their yard in Dearborn County, Indiana.  I was privileged to be able to spend time with my great-grandmother, and one of her sisters, before they passed away.

Thomas and Anna: the Turn of the Century

     I would love to have seen photos from the time period between the last one and these below. I know that Thomas passed away in 1920, and Anna in 1932. Judging by the aging between the previous photo and these, I would assume these might have been taken in the last few years before his death in January 1920.

     You can tell that the years had taken a toll on the two of them. Their son, George,  had spent three years in Europe, as part of the Rainbow Division in World War I. One if the daughters,  Lillian, had past away in 1918 in the flu epidemic. 

Thomas: the Later Years

Anna: the Later Years

     I am forever grateful for the advent of photography. My Grandma, and my Great-grandma, were good Christian woman that I cherish with all my heart. This couple shaped their daughter, and granddaughter, into the wonderful women that I knew and loved. To have these photographs that bring this precious couple to life are priceless! 

Tell me about some of your most prized old photographs! I would love to hear your stories!