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City directories: Just boring phone phonebooks?
Genealogists know that city directories are not simply phone books, rather that these resources were created for businesses to get access to customers and vice versa. They are genealogy gold ready to be mined! Ralph L. Polk, the most widely known publisher, began his business with 1872 ...
Santa Fe Hospital (Part 4)
The Santa Fe Hospital in Topeka, Kansas was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 recognizing the building’s significant role in healthcare for the State of Kansas and specifically, Santa Fe railroad employees.[1] Located near downtown Topeka when it was constructed, the hospital was ...
Santa Fe Hospital (Part 3)
The Santa Fe Hospital in Topeka, Kansas was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 recognizing the building’s significant role in healthcare for the State of Kansas and specifically, Santa Fe railroad employees.[1] Located near downtown Topeka when it was constructed, the hospital was ...
The Avalon: Finding the Story that Lies Beneath the Surface
One of the reasons I like genealogy is I really enjoy delving into someone’s records to determine just what story lies beneath. This was certainly true when I was researching a small apartment house called The Avalon in Manhattan, Kansas, to help determine its eligibility for listing ...
Santa Fe Hospital (Part 2)
The Santa Fe Hospital in Topeka, Kansas was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 recognizing the building’s significant role in healthcare for the State of Kansas and specifically, Santa Fe railroad employees.[1] Located near downtown Topeka when it was constructed, the hospital was ...
Happy Birthday Ellis Ray Spencer!
My Grandfather Ellis Ray Spencer was born to Richard Allen and Leona (Howell) Spencer this week one hundred and ten years ago (Feb 20, 1912) in Plato, Laclede County, Missouri. He was the first son born into the family of nine children. Here is a glimpse into ...
Santa Fe Hospital (Part 1)
The Santa Fe Hospital in Topeka, Kansas was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 recognizing the building’s significant role in healthcare for the State of Kansas and specifically, Santa Fe railroad employees.[1] Located near downtown Topeka when it was constructed, the hospital was ...
The German Empire and German Americans
On this day in 1871 the Deutsches Reich, or German Empire, was proclaimed from a group of 26 disparate entities. My ancestors hailed from the western side of the Prussian empire near Coblenz, the Duchy of Nassau, the Kingdom of Hanover, and the Electorate of Hessen. Lately, ...
Sanborn Maps Can Add Context to Your Ancestors’ Lives
Sanborn Maps are great tools whether you are new to genealogy or a professional researcher. The maps are essential if you are doing building or property research; however, for genealogists these maps offer valuable contextual clues to how and where our ancestors lived. Even if your kin ...
Richard Tolliver Southard: A Resilient Life
For many years I have been drawn to the story of my third great uncle, Richard Tolliver Southard (1844-1934). His early life had to have been traumatic, seemingly always in turmoil. The challenges to his family began before his birth and would last through the early years ...