Tombstone Tuesday: A Grave in Beard Cemetery

The photo above was taken a couple years ago when I visited Beard Cemetery. I visited the cemetery with my grandparents and brother because we were looking for Oswalt tombstones in Saint Joseph county. One of the books of cemetery transcriptions had a transcription of Beard Cemetery, and the last name of Oswalt was mentioned. So, before we left Saint Joseph county (at the end of our second trip), we stopped at the cemetery, and I took pictures of the Oswalt tombstones. This tombstone is of Albert Oswalt, but I have not uncovered a connection. Thus, I do not believe he is related to my Oswalt family.

Searching For My Ancestor's Grave: A Wild Goose Chase, Part Two

As you may remember, I started to post about the search for my ancestor's grave before Thanksgiving. Well, I have finally gotten around to looking up my notes and to finishing my story.

When I left off, my grandfather and I were planning on making a trip down to Three Rivers, Michigan. We decided to go make a trip in July, and stay at a hotel there for about two nights. After checking into the hotel, we went to the county courthouse in Centreville, - a village about five miles from Three Rivers and a 5-10 minute car drive between the two places- and did a little research into the vital records held in the county clerk's office. After ordering a marriage certificate, I asked one of the assistant clerks about local funeral homes that might have existed back in the 1940s, and the clerk wrote down two funeral homes in Three Rivers where I could ask about my ancestor's possible burial. After I received the information, my grandma asked about a good place to eat dinner, and the clerk suggested a place.

At dinner, I discussed with my grandparents and brother our plan of action for the next day to find my grandpa' grandfather. After dinner we went back to our hotel, and relaxed before going to bed. ...

At the moment I have to stop with my story since I am behind in posting this article, but hopefully, I will be able to finish it in part three. Stay tuned for the next part. Enjoy!

7th Meet A Rabbit Column Posted!

The seventh Meet A Rabbit column has been posted! The author of this week's column is Kathryn Lake Hogan, and you can read it here. Enjoy!

Tombstone Tuesday: Another View of Prairie River Cemetery's Graves

The picture above is another view of some of the graves in Prairie River Cemetery, and I took this photograph when I stood behind my Stout ancestors' graves. I took the picture because I wanted to have a few photographs to help me figure out the location of my ancestors' graves in case I ever forgot where in the cemetery they were located. I especially took the picture because of the two columns in the background. Those two columns had been a part of my grandfather's story about a visit he made to the cemetery with his aunt many years before, and he claimed that they were connected to our ancestors. (I will explain this in another post, later.) The columns are a part of the Major family plot, and indeed there is a connection as Peter Stout's sister, Sarah, married a John M. Major. She is buried in the same cemetery as well. (I suspect it is in the Major family plot, but I haven't confirmed my suspicions yet because I did not look the last time I was at the cemetery.)

Update on Part Two of Searching For My Ancestor's Grave

As I mentioned last week, I was not be able to post part two for awhile because of my school work. Well, I am now home, so hopefully within the next few days I'll have part two posted! Stay tuned ...

6th Meet A Rabbit Column Posted!

The sixth Meet A Rabbit Column has been posted! The author of this week's column is William Morgan, and you can read the article here. Enjoy!

(As a side note, I just want to mention that I was originally supposed to write the column for this week, but since I have finals this week, I haven't had any time to write very many posts. Therefore, I want to thank William Morgan for taking my spot. I am extremely grateful. Thank you.)

Tombstone Tuesday: Another Detwiler Family Grave

Although I'm not done posting the rest of the pictures I have of Prairie River Cemetery, I've decided to post another photograph from Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers. (I have yet to scan the other photos for Prairie River Cemetery, so that is why I am posting this photograph.) The picture above is the grave of James Detwiler, whom I believe was the son of John Detwiler. (I'll have to check his death record, but I believe that is who his father is him from studying the Detwiler families in Saint Joseph.)

A Note About Part Two of "Searching For My Ancestor's Grave"

I just want to let everyone know that I will post the second part of this story sometime in December, but I will not be able to do so until after the 12th or 13th because I am busy finishing up this semester at my school. In addition, I will have to look back at some of my research notes as I have realized that some of my memories from that trip and previous research trips to Three Rivers are getting mixed up at the moment. (Since I started to do research in 2003, I have made about three trips to Three Rivers.) So, I'll have to think about the trips when I am less stressed, and hopefully, I'll be able to sort all of my memories of the trips out. Anyway, I just want to let everyone know. I will eventually finish the story, so stay tuned for the next part. Thanks!

5th Meet A Rabbit Column Posted!

The fifth Meet A Rabbit column has been posted! The author of this week's article is Denise Olson, and you can read the article here. Enjoy!

Tombstone Tuesday: A Photograph of Some Other Prairie River Cemetery's Graves

This photograph is of the tombstones to the right of my Stout ancestors' graves, and I took this photo at the time I took the other photos. (You can read more about my tip on taking pictures of other nearby tombstones here.) The surname on these stones are Stuby. As far as I know, there is no connection between that family and my ancestors.