Category Archives: Genealogy

Detroit Society for Genealogical Research

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Pat Shaul

I have been a member of the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research since 1998. 28 years might seem a long time, but DSGR has been in existence since 1936! It will celebrate it’s 90th Anniversary this year. At the beginning … Continue reading →

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OK, Grandma Jenks, where did they lay to to rest?

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Pat Shaul

My great-great-great grandmother, Almira Botsford Jenks remains one of my open projects. I have not been able to find where she was buried. Almira Jenks, the daughter of Simeon and Esther Clark Jenks was born on 27 June 1807, in … Continue reading →

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A brick wall or, just possibly, a legal writ

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Pat Shaul

Attending a genealogy society meeting last night, a colleague gave a presentation on how he broke down the brick wall that was his grandmother’s natal family. I have a number of ancestors that seem to have just been dropped off … Continue reading →

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Improvement – a family trait?

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Pat Shaul

Well, back at the patent office, I noticed that Great-Great Grandfather, Ezra P Koontz, must not have been satisfied with the refrigeration unit for which he took out a patent in 1880, since he took out another in 1890 Frigidaire … Continue reading →

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Great Great Grandfather Koontz did get off his rocker…

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Pat Shaul

Ezra Peter Koontz, my great-great grandfather, did more that patent a rocking chair (see prior post). As indicated in the above advertisement for his furniture and bedding store in Ligonier, Indiana, he was a cabinet maker by trade. Once in … Continue reading →

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Update to the purge of excess paper …

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Pat Shaul

It is true, the dumpster was filled with thousands of pages of paper records that I have digitized and I was very proud of the space I created in my office. Then I looked around and found I have a … Continue reading →

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Time, it is a factor

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Pat Shaul

This past week, I had to say goodbye to an old friend – my great grandparents’ clock. It had been ticking and keeping good time since the 1880s. Long ago, thankfully, it gave up the ability to chime. It had … Continue reading →

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What’s Next?

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Pat Shaul

Now that the Hotchkiss, Lee, Munn, Tilden book is done [!!!!] what is my next BIG project? Well, it started when I noticed this historic marker on Nine Mile Road in Farmington Hills, Oakland, Michigan: I have Sprague as one … Continue reading →

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Getting There!

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Pat Shaul

I have finished editing the first 220 pages of Hotchkiss, Lee, Munn, Tilden and Other Related Families! Another 36 and I get to print a new draft (and possibly send it off to the printer if I like the draft … Continue reading →

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Progress is my most painful product!

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Pat Shaul

OK, I am embarrassed to admit, but it has taken me way too long to get into the proofreading of my volume on Hotchkiss, lee, Munn, Tilden and Other Related Families. But, I am finally making some progress. I have … Continue reading →

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