Denise's Life in the Past Lane

Wordless Wednesday - Aunt Eva and Robert Waddell

2013-05-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

My aunt and uncle,

Eunice Evangeline "Eva" (Yawman) and

Robert Lee Waddell,

circa 1945, probably El Monte, California.

Mother's Day 2013

2013-05-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original held by Denise Spurlock,
[ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY],
Lomita, California, 2013.

Mama, me, and Pierre

1954, El Monte, California

This photo was taken when I was about one week old, just a few days after Mother's Day 1954.

Mama passed away in 1999, and every day I miss her.

Wordless Wednesday - A Baby in the Flower Bed

2013-05-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

I believe this is my brother,

Archie Anthony Neil "Tony" Sherrell,

circa 1943, probably El Monte, California.

Wordless Wednesday - The Men in My Life

2013-05-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon 2012.

From left to right:

My brother Arny Sherrell holding me, brother Tony Sherrell,

brother-in-law Gary Hutchcraft, father Jack Spurlock, and

family friend Verne Phelps.

Circa 1956, probably El Monte, California.

Wordless Wednesday - Let's Go For a Ride #4

2013-04-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR
PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2013.

My nephew, Mark Sherrell

c1972, Alaska

Wordless Wednesday - Let's Go For a Ride #3

2013-04-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2013.

Denise Jacqueline Spurlock

c1963, Fairbanks, Alaska

Wordless Wednesday - Let's Go For a Ride #2

2013-04-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original photo held by Deanne GOLDEN, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Unidentified child being held by my mother,

Beaulah Belle Yawman Sherrell Spurlock,

(hidden behind the animal), circa 1940.

Wordless Wednesday - Let's Go For a Ride #1

2013-04-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image; original held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

My mother, Beaulah Belle Yawman Sherrell Spurlock,

with several unidentified children,

circa 1940.

My "Easter" Ancestors

2013-03-31T15:23:00.001-07:00

By Cliff from Arlington, VA (Outside Washington DC), USA
[CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)],
via Wikimedia Commons

Four women in my family tree were named Easter:

Easter A. Owens, my 1st cousin 3 times removed, born about 1852 in Alabama, died unknown
Easter Lillie Eaton, my 2nd cousin twice removed, born 15 April 1900, died 6 October 1917, buried in Washington County, Missouri
Katie Easter Spurlock, my half-grandaunt, born 27 March 1910, died 5 November 1888, buried in Jackson Parish, Louisiana
Easter Terralyn Donaldon, my half-first cousin, once removed, born 1942, died 1946, buried in Jackson Parish, Louisiana

Both Easter Lillie Eaton and Katie Easter Spurlock were born on Easter Day. I suspect the other two might have been as well, although Easter Terralyn Donaldson might have been named in honor of her aunt Katie Easter Spurlock.

I thought it interesting that all of these women are related to me on my paternal line.

Do you have anyone in your family tree named Easter? Were they born on Easter Day?

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun (Sunday edition!) - 2,331 Surnames

2013-03-24T17:21:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, Randy Seaver of GeneaMusings offered up his weekly Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge:

1) Go into your Genealogy Management Program (GMP; either software on your computer, or an online family tree) and figure out how to Count how many surnames you have in your family tree database.
2) Tell us which GMP you're using and how you did this task.
3) Tell us how many surnames are in your database and, if possible, which Surname has the most entries. If this excites you, tell us which surnames are in the top 5! Or 10!
4) Write about it in your own blog post, in a comment to this blog post, in a status or comment on Facebook, or in Google Plus Stream post.

I'm a day late (and probably a dollar short as well!), but here goes:

I use Legacy Family Tree software, and it has a simple report called "Surname Summary." Using that feature, I found that I have 2,331 surnames in my database.

I exported the list so that I could open it in Excel and sort to find the top 10 names. They are:

Yawman - 257 instances - date range of 1750-1994
Spurlock - 230 - 1807-1997
Burton - 144 - 1784 - 1998
Horton - 144 - 1722-1899
Eaton - 127 - 1659-1914
Gandy - 125 - 1670-1879
Wallen - 124 - 1759-1915
Justice - 117 - 1695-1847
Parsons - 117 -1783-1999
Smith - 100 - 1589-1966

At spot #11 were 89 individuals with no surname listed; however, that number is not reflective of the true number of individuals without surnames. For those women for whom I have no maiden name, I enter their married name in parentheses; this helps me keep all those named Mary and Elizabeth sorted out!

© 2013 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - A Yellow Easter Suit

2013-03-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original photograph held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2013.

Christopher Morris

Easter 1977

Wordless Wednesday - With Our Easter Baskets

2013-03-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Digital image. Original photograph held by Deanne Golden, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Glen Hutchcraft, Denise Spurlock

Jennifer Spurlock and Roger Hutchcraft

April 1960

Wordless Wednesday - The Easter Bunny Brought It?

2013-03-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

Digital image. Original held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Denise Jacqueline Spurlock

Easter 1956

Wordless Wednesday - Love is in the Air #4

2013-02-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Digital image. Original held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Arnold Lee Sherrell and

Sandra L. Svoboda

and their wedding party

(my brother and sister-in-law)

14 February 1959

Los Angeles County, California

Wordless Wednesday - Love is in the Air #3

2013-02-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Digital image. Original held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR
PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Gloria Jane Spurlock and

Donald Dale Chaney

(my sister and brother-in-law)

20 October 1956

Huntington Park, Los Angeles County, California

Wordless Wednesday - Love is in the Air #2

2013-02-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

Digital image. Original held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR
PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Gary Arnold Hutchcraft and

Deanna Dale Sherrell

(my brother-in-law and sister)

29 August 1953

Temple City, Los Angeles County, California

Amanuensis Monday - 1812 Will of William Cook

2013-02-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

William Cook, of Surry County, North Carolina, was the brother of Thomas Cook, my 4th great-grandfather. I thought it interesting that William felt that it would be best if his executors rented out his property and the profits therefrom given to his widow; I have not previously seen that provision made in a will.

“In the name of God Amen. I William Cook, of the County of Surry, and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound mind and memory, blessed be God for the same, do this seventeenth day of February, in the year of our Lord 1812, make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner following, Viz.

First of all, I recommend my soul to God who gave it, and my body to its native dust, to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner, at the discretion of my Executors; and as to my worldly goods that it hath been pleased God to bless me with, my will and desire is that they be disposed with as follows,

Item I give unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Cook my molatto boy Lewis to be her own property forever. I also lend to her my said wife my negro woman Milley together with the whole of my moveable or perishable property of every discription (negro Bob excepted) also the profits of my land and plantation, dwelling house, out houses, and so forth, where I now live during her natural life or widowhood; and in order that the same may be managed to the best advantage I direct that my Executors rent out continuealy my said land and plantation and return to my said wife the profits of such rent during the above said term. Also I desire that if is should appear to my Executors to be necessary that they should sell such part of my stock and working tools as they may think usless to my said wife and the product of such sale to be equally divided among my children.

After the death or widowhood of my wife Elizabeth Cook, I give and bequest the aforesaid negro woman Milley to my daughter Mary Holeman and my land and plantation where I now live containing three hundred and twenty acres I give unto my sons Wiles [Miles?] and John Cook to be equally divided between them.

Item. I give unto my daughter Lucy Holeman my negro man Bob. I also direct that my two Lotts in the Town of Huntsville be sold and the product of such sale to be equally divided among my children as above said~~tioned~~

I also do nominate and appoint my said wife Elizabeth Cook Executrix and my son John Cook and Thomas Wright Executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke and disannul all others wills by me made and do acknowledge this only to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I the said William Cook hath set my hand and seal the day and date above written in presents of

Test Henry Hampton William Cook {seal}

John Angel

State of North Caroline Surry County May Session AD 1812.

John Angel (one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of William Cook) made oath that he saw the said Cook sign publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that he was of sound and disposing mind and memory and at the same time he saw Henry Hampton sign the same as a witness thereto which was ordered to be recorded; done accordingly

by Jo Williams CC”

[Source: North Carolina, Surry County, Wills, 1792-1827, William Cook, Vol. 03, pg. 100, image 126; digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 Jan 2013).]

Treasure Chest Thursday - Gram's Wedding Announcement

2013-02-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

In her scrapbook, my grandmother Mamie Olive (Martindale) Spurlock pasted the following newspaper announcement regarding her marriage to Jasper Jackson Spurlock in November 1905:

I am grateful that Gram saved it because, other than the 1910 federal census on which my grandparents are enumerated as a married couple and an entry in a marriage index for Nacogdoches County, Texas, there is no other record of their marriage.

But why did she save it? My grandfather abandoned her shortly after the birth of their fourth child (my dad) in 1912, and never returned. I have not found a record of a divorce nor a second marriage, but my grandfather was enumerated in 1930 and 1940 with another woman as his wife. He died in 1940.

My oldest sister Jane told me that Gram believed he would return to her one day. Gram never remarried and saved this newspaper clipping for 60+ years. A sad ending to what started as "one of the prettiest weddings of the season."

© 2013 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Love is in the Air #1

2013-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Digital image. Original held by Denise SPURLOCK, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR
PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2012.

William L. Yawman and

Myrtle Arminta Snider

(my maternal grandparents)

September 26, 1897

Neosho County, Kansas

Amanuensis Monday - A Second Deed from Richard Cook to Thomas Cook

2013-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

Last week I published the first of two deeds from Richard Cook to his father Thomas Cook (one of my maternal 4th great-grandfathers). This second deed for 40 acres, also on Brushey Mountain in North Carolina and the land on which Richard was living, was dated 31 March 1818, just two days after the first deed. This deed also was not recorded until 15 July 1819, after Thomas Cook's death.

“Richard Cook to Tho^s Cook Deed 40 Acres land

This Indenture made the thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen between Richard Cook of the county of Wilkes and State of North Carolina of the one part and Thomas Cook of the County and State aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that for an in consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to me in hand paid by the said Thomas Cook the receipt whereof is ~~hereby~~ fully acknowledged that the said Richard Cook hath given, granted, bargained, sold and by these presents do give, grant, and sell unto the said Thomas Cook his heirs or assigns to a certain tract or parcel of land containing forty acres be the same more or less it being part of the land whereon the said Richard Cook now lives. Beginning on a White oak, thence nearly West to my North line it being a conditional line made between Richard Cook and Thomas Cook Including all the lands North of said line concluding forty Acres be the same more or less with the appurtenances and all rights titles and priviledges and improvements the same anny ways belonging to him the said Ritchard Cook his heirs or assigns forever and the said Cook himself his heirs do hereby coventent [covenant] and agree to and with the said Thomas Cook that said Cook his heirs or assigns shall and may forever hereafter peaceably and quietly injoy oqupy [occupy] and precess [possess] the aforesaid grant and land without Molistation and the said Ritchard Cook himself his heirs Executors, Administrators or assigns do by these presents warrant and forever defend the right and title of the aforesaid granted lands and primises to him the said Thomas Cook his heirs and assigns forever against the right title or claim or Intrest of anny person or persons whatsoever, In witness whereof I Ritchard Cook hath hereunto set my hand and fixt my seal the day and date first above written.

Signed, sealed and delivered }

I[n] prsents of } Richard Cook {seal}

James Clanton

Enos Anderson

W. W. Martin

(wrote on the back.)

North Carolina }

Wilkes County } May Term 1819

The within Deed was duly proven in open court by the oath Williams W. Martin in order to be Registered.

Test R. Martin, Clk.

Registered }

15^th July 1819 }”

[Source: Wilkes County, North Carolina, Deeds, 1768-1964, 24: 432, indenture, Richard Cook to Thomas Cook, dated 31 March 1818, recorded 15 July 1819; FHL microfilm 392,960.]

Wordless Wednesday - A Bathing Beauty!

2013-01-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Digital image. Original photograph held by Deanna Golden,
[ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Gloria Jane Spurlock

circa 1952, probably El Monte, California

Amanuensis Monday - 1818 Deed - Richard Cook to Thomas Cook

2013-01-28T10:54:00.002-08:00

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

Because I am working with my newfound cousin Connie on our Cook ancestors, I am trying to transcribe all the documents I have scanned relative to this family. Today I am publishing the image and transcription of the first of two deeds from Richard Cook to his father Thomas Cook (one of my maternal 4th great-grandfathers). This deed for 100 acres on Brushey Mountain in Wilkes County, North Carolina, was executed on 29 March 1818, but not recorded until 15 July 1819, after Thomas Cook's death.

“Richard Cook to Thomas Cook Deed 80 Acres land

This Indenture made the twent[y]ninth of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen Between Ritchard Cook of the County of Wilkes and State of North Carolina of the one part and Thomas Cook of the County and State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to me in hand paid by the said said Thomas Cook the same where is fully acknowledged that the said Richard Cook hatch given Grnated Bargained sold and by these presents do give Grant and Sull unto the said Thomas Cook his heirs or assigns to a certain tract or parcel of land Containing Eighty acres on the Brushey Mountain Beginning at a red Oak in Thomas Cooks line West sixty poles to a Chesnut in Martains line thence North with said line thirty poles to the corner then West sixty poles to a White Oake North eighty two poles to a red oak East twenty five Poles to a read Oak in Gilreaths line South six poles to the former East one hundred and seven poles to a Chesnut Oak thence South to the Beginning with the appertances and all Rights titles Privilleges and Improvments the same in anney ways Belong to him the said Richard Cook his heirs or assigns forever and the said Cook himself his heirs do hereby covnant and agree to and with the said Thomas Cook that said Cook his heirs or assigns shall and may forever hear after peaceably and Quietly Injoy Oquipy [occupy] and pocess [possess] the aforesaid Grant and Land without Molestation and the said Richard Cook himself his huars [heirs] Executors administrators or assigns do by these presents warrant and forever defend the Right and titel of the aforesaid Granted land and primses [premises] to him the said Thomas Cook his heirs nad assigens, forever against the Right title or clame or Intrust [interest] of any person or persons whatsoever in witness whereof I Richard Cook hath hearunto set my hand and fixt my seal the day and year first above Ritten.

Signed Sealed and Delivered }

In presents of } Richard Cook {seal}

James Kanton [Clanton]

Enox [Enos] Anderson

W. W. Martin

(wrote on the back)

North Coralina } May Term 1819

Wilkes County } The within deed was duly proven in open Court by the oath of William W. Martin in order to be Registered.

Test. R. Martin, Clk.

Registered 15^th July 1819 }”

[Source: Wilkes County, North Carolina, Deeds, 1768-1964, 24: 429, indenture, Richard Cook to Thomas Cook, dated 29 March 1818, 15 July 1819; FHL microfilm 392,960.]

© 2013 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Out for a Little Fun!

2013-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Digital image. Original photograph held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Gary Arnold Hutchcraft and Deanna Dale Sherrell

circa 1953, probably Long Beach, California

Wordless Wednesday - You Cooked, We Wash Dishes!

2013-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Digital image. Original photograph held by Deanna Golden, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Portland, Oregon, 2012.

Gary Arnold Hutchcraft and Donald Dale Chaney

circa 1954, probably El Monte, California

Amanuensis Monday - Kilpatrick-Owens Indenture 1888

2013-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

Today I'm publishing the transcription of an indenture between Emily C. Kilpatrick and H.T. Owens (one of my paternal 2nd great-grandfathers) recorded in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, in 1888. The seller, Emily Coleman (Morgan) Kilpatrick was the mother of William Thomas Kilpatrick, husband of my paternal great-grand-aunt Mary Ann Spurlock.

The actual date of the sale of this property is unclear. The indenture says it was sold 22 December 1888, but the clerk's statement at the bottom says it was recorded 15 October 1888. Perhaps it was sold in December 1887 and not recorded until October of the following year. There is no way to know when the sale took place without having the actual original deed.

“State of Louisiana )

Parish of Bienville )

This Indenter [sic] maid [sic] and entered into on this the 22nd day of December one thousand Eight hundred and eighty eight between Emily C. Kilpatrick of the first part and H. T. Owens of the second part in witness whereof I the said Emily C. Kilpatrick for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred and fifty Dollars the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged before the sealing and signing of these presents I the said Emily C. Kilpatrick has this day bargained and sold unto the [said] H. T. Owens, all my rights, titles and interest in and unto the following described lands to wit. The South West qua[r]ter of the South East qua[r]ter and the North East qua[r]ter of the South West qua[r]ter and the west half of the North West qua[r]ter of the south east qua[r]ter Section five Township No. Eighteen of Range No. five West containing one hundred acres more or less to have and to hold the ab[?] bargained premises and I the said Emily C. Kilpatrick do warrant and forever defend [?] titles and claims from myself my heirs executors administrators and all other persons unto the said H.T. Owens his heirs, executors and administrators to have and to hold the above bargained premises with all [?] teniments {?] and appartainances In witness whair [sic] of I do hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of these witnesses.

Emily C. Kilpatrick

Attest Isaac Miller H. T. Owens

M. A. Miller

I hereby certify the above and foregoing is a true and correct record of original deed This Oct 15^th 1888.

J C Thuss

Dy CDC & Ex Of Recorder[?]”

Source: Bienville Parish, Louisiana, Conveyance Records, 1848-1900, AA: 704, Kilpatrick-Owens indenture, 15 Oct 1888; FHL microfilm 266,016.