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O. Earl Spencer, Died at age 89 yrs.

Another “cousin” is gone.  Earl Spencer died Oct. 4th and last week I reported that “Cousin” Ted Locke, Jr. passed away (I’ll publish his obituary in a separate blog).

This from The Daily Times (DE) on Sunday, October 12, 2014.  O. Earl Spencer, age 89, of Wilmington, DE, formerly of Wallingford, PA, died Saturday, October 4, 2014.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Mr. Spencer graduated from Washington & Jefferson College.  He was a partner of Spencer Stationery Company.  After moving to Delaware, Earl worked at the Delaware Art Museum and took classes at the University of Delaware Academy of Lifelong Learning.  Earl enjoyed playing tennis and golf, and riding the waves in Ocean City, NJ.

Earl was the devoted husband of the late Mary Jayne Spencer.  Survivors: son, Lon Spencer (Margaret); Daughters: Amy and Meg Spencer and Anne Holford (Fred); four grandchildren: James (Ranjani), Meredith, Georgina and Spencer; one great-grandson: Elliott:  Brothers: Philip and Robert Spencer; Sisters: Mary Betts and Betty Drusedum.  Funeral Service and Interment are private. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of O. Earl Spencer to Compassionate Car Hospice Foundation, 248 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Suite 4, Newark, DE 19713; or The Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway Wilmington, DE 19806.  Condolences:  www.msbfh.com

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Ted Locke’s Passing Noted

Many of you will remember Ted Locke from the White Reunion and visits long ago.  Ted was married to Grace White Hosler, who died in 1995 at the age of 74.  I’m sorry to report that Ted has now passed away October 5, 2014 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.  Ted and second wife, Marje lived in White Horse Village in Newtown Square, PA.  There will be a service for him at White Horse Village on November 11th at 11:00 am and internment at Arlington Cemetery at a future.

Contact me if you would like further information.

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Frank and Lydia (Buckwalter) Hershey Reunion a Success

Yesterday(Aug. 24, 2014) it was a beautiful day for a reunion.  The skies were blue, the temperatures warm and the conversation lively.  The Ephraim Hershey family hosted the picnic and we had a fair turnout.  Lots of kids were there to take advantage of Paradise Park, Pequea Creek and the country setting for finding out about their ancestral home.

We had some cousins who had never been to the reunion, or at least since they were very young, come out to meet all of their Hershey relatives.  The Hershey’s are all good cooks, so no one went home hungry.  We were entertained by Ray Denlinger’s hunting story.  His hunting prowess could have fed the 5000.

Next year the Vera Hershey Landis family will be hosting, so stand by for the Who/What/Where/When of the Reunion.

We had a number of additions reported and a few marriages.  Look for your newsletter to arrive at your email when I get it completed.

See you next year.

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White/McCord Family Reunion a Great Success

Ruth and Jim Blanas hosted a wonderful family reunion this past weekend (Aug. 16, 2014) in an Allentown/Bethlehem area park with attendees coming from as far as Apopka, FL, Greenville, SC and Chicago.  We got to meet new cousins, Navy Baumann and Caitlin Egan and the many other youngest generation.  The newest member, who couldn’t make the trip, was born only 13 Aug 2014, Jeremiah McCord.  He lives in Missouri with parents, Seth and Haley.

It was an active party with plenty of photos taken and available for viewing on Facebook.  The boys ( ages 3-10) built a stone fort.  I’m sure the park caretakers are enjoying that.  They swings and merry-go-round got a good workout as well.

The day was beautifully, sunny with just enough breeze to keep bugs and heat away.  Ruth must have sent a lot of prayers upstairs to get such a beautiful day.  She certainly thought of everything to make it a perfect day.  Let’s make this an annual event.

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Frank and Lydia (Buckwalter) Hershey Family Reunion

It’s that time of the year again.  The Hershey Family reunion for the descendants of Frank and Lydia Hershey will be held August 24, 2014 at Paradise Park, Paradise, PA. Lunch will begin at 1:00 pm.  Bring a dish to pass, drink, table service and lawn chairs.  If you have any questions, contact Don Hershey [email protected]

See you there.

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Thomas Sanford, Revolutionary War Patriot

I have found another Revolutionary War ancestor to prove for NSDAR.  Thomas Sanford fought in the war and I am a direct descendant through the Morse and Beardsley families.  I’m always on the look out for another ancestor.  This one I initially located on my trip to the New England Historic Genealogical Society “Coming Home to New England” program last August.

If you ever would like a wonderful experience, attending the “Coming Home” program in Boston can’t be beat.  Gary Roberts, the NEHGS treasure, astounded me by taking my pedigree charts and advancing me numerous generations on many lines.  I spent the remainder of the week proving many of the lines through records and histories held by the Society.  Gary was spot on for so many families.  Thank you, Gary for all of the assistance.

My grandfather, John SANFORD Brown was named for this family.  I was always puzzled by the middle name, but now know this famous name.

Thomas Sanford b. 3 Mar 1732 in Newtown, Fairfield Co., CT married to Lydia Clark in 1755.  They had daughter, Polly Ann Sanford who married William Beardsley.  Their daughter, Ruth Beardsley, b. 16 Feb 1806 in Redding, CT married Ziba Morse.  Ruth died, according to some records, in a fire.

I will be submitting this application soon, so keep your fingers crossed that I have the proper documentation to connect my family lines.

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Welcome New Addition to White Family

Navy Jane Bauman has been added to the family tree.  She is the daughter of Joe and Jamie (McCord) Bauman and was born June 1st.  Her tree goes like this Joe and Jamie d/o Jim and Jackie McCord, s/o Bea (White) and Bill McCord d/o Walt and Effie (Bell) White, s/o Alex and Mary Ella (Hess) White.

The White/McCord’s are having a family gathering August 16, 2014, so if you are interested you should plan on attending and let Ruth (McCord) Blanas know, by contacting her on Facebook.

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Walter White’s Family Gathering

Ruth McCord Blanas has organized a family reunion for Walter and Effie (Bell) White’s children and families.  It will be in Bethlehem, PA on August 16th, 2014.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Ruth and let her know.  She will need a head count.

Don’t wait for a personal invitation just plan to come.  You can also contact me via this website and I will pass it along to Ruth.

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Shoemaker Packard Book

I am very pleased to say that I am selling my book on the Shoemakers, Averys, Browns, Duarts and Packards, etc.  It’s great to see what a little advertising will do for sales. I may even have to have a second run of the book.   Thank you.

This week I met with the Executive Director Emeritus, Dr. Ralph Crandall, from the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston and they were glad to get a copy of this book as well as the Harrisburg Chapter, NSDAR book ” Revolutionary War Patriots’ Historic Houses of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania”.  This was compiled by our Historic Preservation Committee of the Harrisburg Chapter.

Dr. Crandall is interested in family records or books from anywhere, that you would be willing to donate.  They are branching out to cover more than just the New England States, as many of the settlers moved south and west from Boston.

If you would like to have a wonderful week of genealogical research,  “Coming Home to New England” is a great time.  I went last August and can’t wait to return.  I advanced my family to the Mayflower on two lines and connected with Princess Diana, with the help of resident expert Gary Boyd Roberts.   Gary is an incredible scholar, author and NEHGS treasure who took my family lines back many generations, all from his abundant knowledge of New England genealogy.

All that research was great, but it still didn’t confirm what I went to find, the parents of Ebenezer Avery and Joel Packard.  If you are reading this and are researching either of these lines, HELP!

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Dottie Myers and William Betts Have left us

This has been a year of losses.  Today I received a call that William Betts, husband of Mary Spencer Betts, had passed away rather quickly.  Bill and Mary had just this past year buried their son, Kerry.  Our hearts go out to Mary and Carole and hope others will keep them in their prayers.

Just two weeks ago, Dottie Heisley Latham Myers, wife of cousin Mel Myers passed away very unexpectedly.  She had fallen and landed in the hospital for a week.  She was unable to recover.   I attended the graveside service in Perry Heights Cemetery, Marysville, PA.  As has been the norm this winter we had yet another snow storm and I was unable to attend the memorial service at the Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, PA.  Contributions may be made to that church in Dottie’s memory.

This year we have lost too many of the White’s, so stay healthy.