CMJ Office Blog

Writing Wednesday and a Challenge

CMJ Office — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:11:14 +0000

I’m creating ‘Writing Wednesday’ here at my blog. I hope to share a writing tip, story or such on Wednesday’s each week.

This Wednesday I’m sharing an abbreviation. Do you know what the abbreviation for ‘treasurer’ is?

I’m usually tops at these English questions but this one made me pause. I actually had to think about it. Why? It simply doesn’t look right when written.

tres.

Now, for the challenge I mentioned above. FindMyPast.com is challenging everyone to name all their sixteen great great grandparents along with any interesting uncovered stories. What do you win if you can name all of them? You will win a free 12-month Explorer subscription.

They’ll pick a winner every month in their newsletter.

Email them at casestudies@findmypast.com with the subject line ‘Great Great Grandparents’ and include your username so they can check your growing tree on Family Tree Explorer.

Don’t have a tree listed over there? This is a great reason to jump on over and get the tree online.

Best wishes to all that enter. If you need help researching those great great grandparents, remember that I’m only an email away.

Colleen, CMJ Office

CMJ Office is a certified and licensed virtual administrative business supporting business owners, bloggers, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

Iowa County Pioneer

CMJ Office — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:25:29 +0000

George W. Goings was my husband’s great-great-great grandfather. He was born in 1818 and lived until 1900. The following is a historical document detailing his life. His only surviving daughter from his first marriage, Barbara, married Joseph C. Johnson in Iowa on December 21, 1873.

GOINGS, George W. — (Washington Twp.) Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, P. O. Marengo. Was born in Ohio on the 25th day of December, 1818, and when six years of age removed with his parents to Indiana, where he was raised. After completing his education he learned the trade of stone-cutting and followed it for seven years, when, on account of ill health, he was obliged to give it up. Then he engaged in farming and followed it there until the summer of 1849, when he came to this county, being one of its pioneers. He is the owner of a fine farm of 288 acres, well improved. Has a good location for his residence, four miles northwest of Marengo. Mr. Goings has been twice married. First, in Indiana, in October, 1846, to Miss Susanna Wood. By this union they had eleven children of whom one is living. His second marriage was in this county, to Miss Mary J. Norris. They have five children, two boys and three girls. (p. 661.)

I love finding detailed histories.

Colleen, CMJ Office - New Blog located at http://cmjoffice.blogspot.com

CMJ Office is a certified and licensed virtual administrative business supporting business owners, bloggers, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

Blog Has Moved to Blogger

CMJ Office — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:26:57 +0000

Well, I’ve switched over to Blogger for a bit. You can follow my posts over at:

http://cmjoffice.blogspot.com

I’m going to keep this blog in place as an archive. I might be back to it. I like to discover and play around with different formats. Right now I’m finding that I like Blogger. So, that is where I will be until further notice.

Thanks,

Colleen, CMJ Office

Pardon Codes

CMJ Office — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:05:26 +0000

I’m fiddling around with my blog. Please excuse the codes that keep appearing. I keep switching around things and cannot make up my mind.

Until I do figure things out, codes will be flying around.

Colleen, CMJ Office

A Thankful Thanksgiving

CMJ Office — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:17:22 +0000

This week Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. It really is a wonderful time to reflect on the important things in life and slow down to give thanks.

Without a doubt, I am most thankful for my immediate and extended family. My life is filled with so much love. I have been blessed abundantly with a wonderful husband and three beautiful children. Most people don’t seem to experience that these days. Do we have our moments and difficult times? Of course we do but we are always there for each other. This is the greatest blessing in life – Love. I wish everyone could experience it.

This is quickly followed by thankfulness for health. There are a few out there laughing right now because they know the germs have flown around in my house this past year. However, there is a huge difference between germs flying and a serious or critical illness. My heart bleeds for those dealing with such tribulations. I am extremely thankful to have health in my household. To those that don’t, my prayers are with you.

As a military spouse, I have to throw in my thanks that my spouse is with us this holiday season. We have not been so fortunate during the past. To those families that are coping with deployed military family members, I hope that they return unharmed and soon. To all our military in the way of harm, stay safe and Thank You!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and may your lives be blessed.

Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office

CMJ Office is a certified and licensed virtual administrative business supporting business owners, bloggers, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

For the Love of Ireland

CMJ Office — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:10:27 +0000

The theme for The Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture, 10th (and one-year anniversary) edition is ‘For the love of Ireland’. Share what you love about Ireland and Irish culture.

What don’t I love about the Irish culture? The only thing that I can come up with is excessive drinking but in my opinion that is a myth due to the pubs which are social gathering places.

I’ve had the pleasure of travelling all over Ireland with my family several times. The best thing about the Irish culture is how friendly the people are in Ireland. They win the prize!

Wherever I went, I was made to feel at home and welcomed into homes as if they were my very own. Smiles, waves and handshakes were given at every turn. When lost, just ask anyone for directions. You will get them even if it’s a long-winded story. Hey, we are talking about the Irish here. Stories are a given even when providing directions. You may also discover that the Irish have a tendency to exaggerate a wee bit. Down the road can mean 20 miles down the road when you thought it meant a mile or two!

One of the nicest greetings I’ve come across is how my cousins enter a house. They always enter while greeting everyone with, “God bless all in this house”. It’s just a warm expression that I love; but of course, this is where religion and heritage mesh and become one.

Before I go, I must mention that the chips (french fries) are fabulous in Ireland. I know that some of you are giggling at me but they hit the spot every time. And yes, it is part of their culture. Chips are served with everything. The chip shops are even open when the clubs let out in the early morning hours. Trust me on that fact.

In closing, Happy Anniversary to the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture!

Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office

CMJ Office is a certified and licensed virtual administrative business supporting business owners, bloggers, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

Photo Friday Featuring A Boyer/Eddington Ancestor

CMJ Office — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:07:56 +0000

This is a picture of my husband’s maternal great-great grandmother, Hannah M. Eddington Boyer.

She was born in 1863, Ohio, and died in 1951, Kansas.

The interesting note here is that her great granddaughter (hubby’s mom, Sharon Gragg) shared their birthdays, April 17^th. We almost witnessed history repeat itself again when my daughter, Sharon Gragg’s granddaughter, was born on April 18^th. So, my daughter blew history by being a day late. I can’t even say that it was a close call either. Emily wasn’t born until late in the afternoon on the 18^th. Oh well.

Hannah and Sharon pictured above in Kansas. Sharon was born on Hannah’s 77^th birthday.

Does your family have a birthday that repeats itself throughout history?

Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office

CMJ Office is a certified and licensed virtual administrative business supporting business owners, bloggers, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

Index to Massachusetts Births, 1911-1915 Online

CMJ Office — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:19:58 +0000

A new database has been added to the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s online collection.

It’s the Index to Massachusetts Births, 1911-1915.

At some point during the digitization project, the birth, marriage and death records for this time period will become available. Digital images are being included as well.

Until the images are online (some are), you can view these images on microfilm at the NEHGS Boston research library or order copies here: Click here to order photocopies from NEHGS Research Services.

Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office

CMJ Office is a certified and licensed virtual administrative business supporting business owners, bloggers, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

County Longford, Ireland Research Links

CMJ Office — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:12:32 +0000

I compiled a list recently for a cousin of mine regarding County Longford, Ireland, links on the internet.

I thought that I’d share this list here for those researching ancestors from the County Longford region in Ireland.

http://www.brsgenealogy.com

http://www.igp-web.com/longford

http://www.irishroots.com

http://www.cousinconnect.com/p/a/1112

http://www.longfordlinks.com

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irllog/

http://www.interment.net/ireland/longford.htm

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/irl/LOG/

http://www.genealogylinks.net/marriages/uk/ireland/Longford.htm

http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/longford

http://www.longfordancestry.com

http://genforum.genealogy.com/ireland/longford

http://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/gv_start.php

Did I miss any other great research links for County Longford, Ireland?

If so, please send the link along. Good luck researching your ancestors.

Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office

CMJ Office is a certified and licensed virtual administrative business supporting business owners, bloggers, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

Digging Up The Ancestors

CMJ Office — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:55:08 +0000

One of the best tips around for digging up those pesky ancestors is to talk to your living relatives.

Think about it for a moment.

Can you remember your grandparents or information concerning them?

Most of us can.

So, your parents should remember facts about their grandparents. Guess what? You just uncovered your great grandparents.

Now, you are really blessed if you still have your grandparents. Ask them questions. You will discover your great-great grandparents.

Wow! Do you see how this works? It’s brilliant.

What are you waiting for? Don’t lose those ancestors. Digging them up once the living relatives are gone is more difficult. Get their lives written down from those that still vividly remember and treasure them.

Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office

CMJ Office is a certified and licensed virtual administrative business supporting business owners, bloggers, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.