January 2002 Newsletter

Publisher of "The Keystone" is the Gaylord Fact Finders Genealogical Society, a non-profit organization. Publication is in January, April, July, and October.
Membership dues are $10.00 per individual (or $ 12.00 per family), and are due by the May meeting each year. If the dues have not received, that member will not receive the July issue of "The Keystone." Regular meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (August - November, and March - June) at the Family History Center, 600 N. Elm, Gaylord, Michigan.

This issue includes a short family history, advice to a bride, female nick-names, the continuation of an early pioneer's recollection of George A. Menzies, and up-coming events.

THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUR ANCESTORS Call #929.1 Tay
By Suzanne Hilton
(from dust cover)

"One of my immigrant ancestors owned a dog called "Little Watch" who kept him company on his travels across the frontier. Other family members related how animals on the farm doubled as companions. An aunt showed me a photograph of her riding in a wagon pulled by a goat. Her sister told me how one of the family dogs was related to Fala, President Roosevelt's dog. She even wrote him a letter and enclosed a picture of her dog.

"Have you ever looked at an old black and white photograph of a relative long since dead and possibly forgotten, and wondered what his or her life might have been like? What if you could find out? This book can help you uncover the secrets and adventures of your own family in the "personal detective story" that is genealogy.

"Based on instruction and workshops that Maureen Taylor has conducted over the years. Through the Eyes of Your Ancestors presents an easy-to-follow approach to the fascinating hobby of genealogy. Each chapter begins with an anecdote, enticing the young reader with what they might find hidden in their ancestors;' pasts. All varieties of families are represented here---extended, adoptive, and blended, from every race and culture---with emphasis on the unique role that each has played in the founding and development of the United States.

"From lists of helpful organizations to suggested interview questions, state-of-the-art computer programs to Web sites, this guide will help children become family historians.

ASK YOUR LIBRARY ABOUT ACCESSING "AncestryPlus"
AT HOME-----------------------------IT'S FREE!!!!

Not having met my dad's family until I was 26, I have enjoyed looking into their past for a number of reasons.

It has enabled me to meet and talk to all kinds of people and family. I have traveled to Wisconsin to question an uncle. Then I have traveled to Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and South Carolina, it is always exciting to find a piece of information after a lot of looking and researching. This Spring while spending 3 days in Union, South Carolina's library, I met a man that was able to take us to my 4th Great Grandfather and Mother's grave, that is located on private property.

Also, I have done a lot of my work on my McClintock side of the family in Indiana that I am more familiar with. I have a mystery on both sides that I am working on. Why is my great grandmother buried in Mississippi and South Carolina? Also what happened to my grandfather McClintock's brother that disappeared in the 1920's?

(Editor's note - these short stories are being contributed by members of our genealogical
society for publication here. IF ANYONE HAS NOT YET CONTRIBUTED THEIR
STORIES, PLEASE SEND THEM TO PRESIDENT, DONNA MARRS, OR TO THE
SOCIETY.)

The year is 1912—ADVICE FROM A KENTUCKY GRAND-MOTHER TO NEW BRIDE:
1. Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.
2. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.
3. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in bilin water.
4. Sort things, make 3 piles. 1 pile white, 1 pile colored, I pile work britches and rags.
5. To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with bilin water.
6. Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and then bile. Rub colored, don't bile, just rinch and starch.
7. Take things out of kittle with broomstick handle, then rinch and starch.
8. Hang old rags on fence.
9. Spread tea towels on grass.
10. Pore rinch water in flower bed.
11. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
12. Turn tubs upside down.
13. Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.

NICKNAMES by Christine Rose, C.G.
(From Genealogical Helper, Mar-Apr., 1987)

FEMALES:

Abigail	Abby, Gail, Nabby	Jessica	Jessie
Addy	See Adelaid, Adeline, or any name starting with "Ad"	Jerry	See Geraldine
Adelaide	Addy, Addie, Dell, Delia, Heddi	Jessie	See Jane, Janet, Jessica
Adeline	Addy	Jill	See Julia
Agatha	Aggy	Jo	See Josephine
Aggy	See Augusta, or any name starting With "ag"	Joanna/Johannal	Joan, Jody, Hannah
Agnes	Aggy, Inez, Nessa	Joey	See Josephine
Aileen	Allie, Lena	Josephine	Jo, Joey, Josey, Fina
Alberta	Allie, Bert, Bertie	Joyce	Joy
Alexandra	Alex, Alla, Sandy	Juanita	Nita
Alfreda	Aify, Fredda, Freddy, Frieda	Julia	Jill, Julie
Alice	Ailie, Elsie, Lisa	Katherine	See Catherine
Alla	See Alexandra	Kathleen	See Katherine/Catherine
Allie	See Aileen or any name starting with "al"	Kit	See Catherine
Almena	Allie, Mena	Lanna	See Eleanor
Amanda	Manda, Mandy	Lavinia	Viney
Amelia	Emily, Mel, Millie	Lena	See any name ending with"leen,""lina," or "line"
Ann/Anna	Annie, Nan, Nanny, Nana, Nancy	Letitia	Lettie, Lettice, Titia, Tish
Antonia/Antoinette	Nette, Tony	Lil	See Delilah, Lillian, Mildred, Melissa
Arabella	Ara, Bella	Lillian	Lil, Lilly, Lolly
Arlene	Lana	Lina	Any name ending with "lena," "leen,""lma," or "line"
Armilda	Milly	Linda/Lindy	See Belinda, Melinda
Asenath	Assene, Sene	Lisa	See Alica, Melissa
Augusta/Augustina	Aggy, Gussie, Tina	Lois	See Heloise, Louise
Barbara	Bab, Babs, Barby, Bobbie	Lola	See Delores
Beatrice	Bea, Trisha, Trix, Trixie	Lolly	See Lillian
Becky	See Rebecca	Loretta	Etta, Lome, Retta
Belinda	Belle, Linda	Loiraine	Lorrie
Belle/Bella	See Arabella, Belinda, Isabelle, or any name starting with "Bel" or ending with "belle/bella"	Lotta/Lotty	See Charlotte
Bert/Bertie	See Alberta and Bertha	Louise	Eliza, Lois, Lou
Bertha	Birdie, Bert, Bertie	Lucille	Cille, Lucy
Bess/Bessie	See Elizabeth	Lucinda	Cindy, Lucy
Beth	See Elizabeth	Lucy	See Lucille, Lucinda
Biddie	See Bridget, Obediance	Luella	Ella, Lu, Lula
Birdie	See Bertha	Lynn	Any name ending with "lene," "lina," "line," or "lyn"
Bobbie	See Barbara, Roberta	Mabel	See Mehitable
Bridget	Biddy, Bridie	Madeline	Lena, Maddy, Madge, Maggie, Maud
Camille	Cammy, Millie	Madge	See Madeline, Margaret
Caroline/ Carolyn	Carol, Carrie, Cassie, Lynn	Maggie	See Margaret
Cassandra	Cassie	Manda/Mandy	See Amanda, Miranda
Catherine	Cathy, Katie, Kay, Kit, Kittie, Trina	Margaret/Margarite	Peg, Peggie, Rita, sometimes Marjery, Marge
Cathleen	See Catherine	Martha	Mart, Mattie, Patsy, Patty, Marty
Cecelia	Celia, Cissy	Mary	Mae, Mamie, Mitzi, Molly, Polly
Charlotte	Char, Lotta, Lotty	Matilda	Matty, Maud, Tillie
Chloe	Clo	Matty	See Matilda
Christine/ Christiana/ Christina	Chris, Crissy, Christy, Tina	Maud	See Madeline, Matilda
Cilla	See Priscilla, or any name ending with "cilla/cella"	Medora	Dora
Cinderella	Cindy	Mehitable	Hetty, Hhly, Mabel, Mitty
Cindy	See Cinderella, Cynthia, Lucinda	Mel	See Amelia, Melinda, Melissa or any name starting, or containing (mel)
Cissy	Cecilia, or any name with a "sis" sound	Melinda	Linda, Lindy, Mel
Clara	See Calrinda, Clarissa	Melissa	Lisa, Mel, Milly, Missy
Clarinda	Clara	Mena	See Almena
Clarissa	Clara, Cissy	Michelle	See Mickey
Clo	See Chloe	Midge	See Margaret
Constance	Connie	Mildred	Milly
Cordelia	Cordy, Delia	Millie/Milly	See Amelia, Armilda, Camille, Emily
Cornelia	Corny, Nelle, Nelly	Minerva	Minnie
Cynthia	Cindy	Mira	See Elmira
Daisy	See Margaret	Miranda	Mandy, Mira
Deborah	Deb, Debby	Miriam	Mitzi
Delia	See Cordelia, Fedilia, or any name ending with "delia"	Missy	See Melissa
Delilah	Dell, Della, Lil, Lila	Mitty	See Mehitabel
Dell/Della	See Adelaide, Delilah	Mitzi	Mary, Miriam
Delores	Lola	Nabby	See Abigail
Dina	See Geraldine	Nan	See Nancy, Hannah, Ann
Dolly	See Dorothy	Nancy	Nan, Ann
Dora	See Isadore, Medora, or any name containing "Dora"	Natalie	Nettie
Dorothy	Dolly, Dot, Dotha, Dotty	Nessa	See Agnes
Edith	Edie	Netta/Nettie	See Natailie, Henrietta, all names ending with "netta"
Eleanor	Elaine, Ellen, Ellie, Lanna, Nellie, Nora	Nib	See Isabella
Eliza	See Elizabeth, Louise	Nell/Nelly	See Cornelia, Eleanor
Elizabeth	Bess, Bessie, Beth, Betsy, Betty, Eliza, Libby, Lisa, Liza, Liz	Nita	Juanita
Ella/Ellie	See Eleanor, Gabriella, Helen, Luella, or any name starting with "el" or ending with "el/ella"	Nora	See Elanor
Ellen	See Eleanor, Helen	Obedience	Biddie, Obed
Elmira	Mira	Pamela	Pam
Elouise	See Heloise	Pat	See Patricia, Patience
Elsie	See Alice	Patience	Pat, Patty
Emily	Emmy, Millie, See Amelia, Emeline	Patricia	Pat, Patsy, Patty, Tricia
Essy	Any name starting with "Es"	Patsy	See Martha
Etta	Any name ending with "etta"	Posthuma	Humey
Emelin	Em, Emma, Emily	Priscilla	Cilla, Prissy
Estelle	Essy, Stella	Prudence	Prudy, Prue
Esther	See Hester	Rebecca	Becky, Reba
Eustaci	Stacia, Stacey	Retta	See Loretta
Faith	Fay	Rina	See Irene
Fanny	See Frances	Rita	See Martgarita
Fay	See Faith	Roberta	Bert, Bobbie, Robbie
Fidelia	Delia	Rona/Ronnie	See Veronica
Fina	See Josephine	Sadie	See Sarah
Florence	Flo, Flora, Floss, Flossie	Sandy	See Alexandra
Frances	Franny, Fran, Frankie, Flossie	Sally	See Sarah
Freda/Freddy/ Frieda	See Alfreda	Sarah	Sal, Sadie
Fronny	See Veronica	Sene	Asenath
Gabrielle	Ella, Gabbie	Sissy	See Cissy
Gail	See Abigail	Stacia/Stacey	See Eustacia
Geraldine	Dina, Gerrie, Jen	Stella	See Estelle
Gertrude	Gert, Gertie, Trudy	Submit	Mitty
Ginger/Ginny	See Virginia	Susan/Susannah	Hannah, Sue, Sukey, Susie
Hank	See Henrietta	Tabitha	Tabby
Hannah	Nan, Nanny, See Nancy	Theresa	Terry, Tessa, Tessie, Thursa, Tracy
Harriet	Hat, Hattie	Tibbie	See Isabella
Heidi	Adelaide	Tilly	See Matilda
Helen(a)	Ellen, Lena	Tina	Any name ending in "tine," or "tina"
Hejoise	Eloise, Lois	Tish/Titia	See Letitia
Henrietta	Etta, Etty, Hank, Nettie	Tony	See Antonia/Antoinette
Hester	Ester, Hessy, Hetty	Tracy	See Theresa
Ib	See Isabella	Trina	See Catherine
Inez	See Agnes	Tricia/Trisha/Trix/Trixie	See Beatrice, Patricia
Irene	Rena	Trudy	See Gertrude
Isabella	Bella, Belle, Ib, Issy, Nib, Tibbie	Veronica	Franky, Frony, Ronnie, Ronna, Vonnie
Isadora	Dora, Issy	Victoria	Vicki
Issy	See Isabella, Isadora, any name starting with "is"	Viney	See Levinia
Jane	Janie, Jessie, see Virginia	Virginia	Ginger, Ginny, Jane, Jennie
Janet	Jessie	Vonnie	See Veronica
Jennie	See Virginia	Wendy	See Gwendolyn
Jessica	Jessie	Wilhelmina	Mina, Willie, Wilma, Minnie
(Men's nicknames in next issue)		Winifred	Winnie, Winnet

The railroad continued to work northward from Gaylord. It was a slow process, as it was built by hand and hard work. There was a demand for wood, as the railroad used wood to fire the engine. Father and Mr. Sweet and Ben Marlett acquired a wood machine and set it up where Vanderbilt is now. They were paid 75 cents per cord for the best wood which was piled on the railroad right-of-way.

Our first means of transportation was by an ox team named Duke and Dime. Father was quite progressive so he soon acquired a team of horses. He purchased them from Freeman Wells who at that time had a livery barn in Gaylord.

There was a sort of store and a post office at Logan, east of the overhead bridge, six miles north of Gaylord. It was owned by Mr.Lantz. That was the first business place in that locality. The next was at Benyville, operated by Berry and Gagnier. They had a store, sawmill and grist mill. The mill was powered with a waterwheel. There was also a building which was used for a school and church. The next store was at Vanderbilt and owned by H. L. Bonner. The first Sunday School in Vanderbilt was held in the railroad depot.

There were numerous business places established in Vanderbilt at about this time when it was finally decided that the railroad would go there instead of through Berryville. About this time the doctors in Vanderbilt were Dr. Peckham, Dr. Caster and Dr. Woodruff. This was around 1880.

"I might add that Mother made most of our wearing apparel, even straw hats. She made her own soap and sugar. Dad made our shoes. He had different styles and sizes of lasts. He bought the uppers and wooden pegs. They used tallow candles for light, so most of our living was produced from available natural resources."

Officers for 1999-2000:		Committees:
President	Donna Marrs	Obituaries/Vital Records	Donna Marrs
Vice President	Patricia Moehring	Membership	Patricia Moehring
Recording Secretary	Mary "Dell" Krueger	Social	Patricia Moehring
Corresp. Secretary	Donna Marrs	Newsletter	Donna Marrs
Treasurer	Jackie Skinner		Patricia Moehring
		Programs:
Past-President	Uilani Clifton	Inter-Society Liaison	Donna Marrs
		MGC Delegates	Donna Marrs
These officers and Past-President comprise our executive board.			Janet and Don Rechlin
		Publications	Sue Giessel
		Historian	Pat Moehring