Busy, Exciting Week

The past week has been a very busy and exciting time for our family! My daughter had her end of year (end of High School) Chorus Concert on Tuesday night. This concert was neat because it was at the church where she went to pre-school. On Monday she took a trip to Dollywood with the Chorus. Then on Wednesday evening we went to the National Honor Society program my son joining the NHS and my daughter receiving her NHS (not sure what it was called) to wear at graduation. Then Saturday afternoon was Graduation! Wow! How can that be!
She can't be old enough to graduate.

I'm not sure how much time I'll have for the next couple of weeks. I report for jury duty tomorrow morning. Wish me luck.

How do you like that long hair on my son. He is going to cut it for the summer. I didn't like it at first but now I do.

Maggie's Last Letter

To my surprise while looking through my Ziegler letters I found an envelope that said "My last letter from Maggie". The letter is dated 3-17-46 and Maggie died 5-4-46. The letter is addressed to My dear Sallie (my great grandmother), Sallie and Maggie were sisters-in-law.They apparently were close, since Maggie addressed the letter My dear Sallie and the fact that Sallie made note that it was the last letter from Maggie and saved it. Her daughter then saved it until 1995 and I am proud to now be saving a part of the Ziegler family history.

It appears that Maggie was sick at this time as she talks about how she couldn't help them if she were there. She mentioned still drinking wintergreen and sassafras tea and how she didn't feel like going to town.

Most of the letter is a "gossip" between friends. She talks about Bennet Hutsell, Clydie's oldest son being home from overseas. Don't know who Bennet Hutsell is, she does give some history on him. He learned fast in school and got a good job in the Athens Post Office, saved his money and bought his grandfather's farm the old Stanard??? place. His mother died when he was 3.She told about seeing him before he went and how he didn't want to go and kill and be killed.She was proud to see him home safe and sound. Maggie mentions that Chester saw Bennet first so this tells me that Chester was still with Maggie.What my Mom remembers is probably correct, Chester had to leave after Maggie died. Maggie kissed Bennet's cheek and she said "thanked God in my heart for the honor. Oh! these precious boys."

She goes on to tell about others Earnest Shults drowning, Jacob Moore (I think this was a nephew) his wife sued him for $50,000 but didn't get a cent. And others I'm not sure any were related except the Moore just people they both knew.

Maggie had 47 dozen eggs. I would think that would be a huge job to take care of all those hens. I think this is the last letter I have from Maggie or about her Estate. I'll keep checking on the mystery lady, Rula Onks and checking with family to see if there is a picture of Maggie.

My Mother's Day Gift!

My very sweet and loving husband gave me a gift that is so thoughtful. He knows how much I love Genealogy and he heard about a new book on the radio a few weeks ago and thought of me.
He gave it to me for Mother's Day. I had not heard of the book before, Annie's Ghosts written by Steve Luxenberg. The story is about how his family learned their mother had a sister, she had ALWAYS said that she was an only child. The journey of finding out about this sister who had been kept a secret since 1940. It is one of those books you can't put down. I would recommend Annie's Ghosts to all with an interest in genealogy.

Wow! Another Award!

Cindy at http://genealogybycindy.blogspot.com/ has given Me? the 2009 Friendly Blogger Award! Thanks so much! I appreciate this Award and will pass it on to 7 other Friendly Bloggers.


Becky at http://beckysgraceandglory.blogspot.com/


Pam at http://www.warrenweb.info/genealogy/

Gini at http://ginisology.blogspot.com/


Betsy at http://betsyfromtennessee.blogspot.com/2009/05/beach-is-calling-us.html


Judith at http://tennesseememories.blogspot.com/
Amanda at http://ataleoftwoancestors.blogspot.com/
Becky at http://kinexxions.blogspot.com/

"One Lovely Blog" Award

Please forgive me the link to Cindy should be http://genealogybycindy.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Judith for "One Lovely Blog Award"

What a surprise to see Judith Shubert at Tennessee Memories



http://tennesseememories.blogspot.com/2009/05/thanks-becky-for-one-lovely-blog-award.html had given me "One Lovely Blog Award". I enjoy Tennessee Memories!
Thanks so much Judith!


From Judith's blog I see I'm to pass "One Lovely Blog Award" on to seven beautiful blogs. Now that is the hard part it is hard to pick only seven. There are so many truly wonderful blogs out there.


Terry at http://desktopgenealogistunplugged.blogspot.com/

Terri at http://terri-thetiesthatbind.blogspot.com/

Cindy at http://terri-thetiesthatbind.blogspot.com/

Betsty at http://betsyfromtennessee.blogspot.com/
Dorene at http://graveyardrabbitofsanduskybay.blogspot.com/

Apple at http://appledoesntfallfar2.blogspot.com/
Becky at http://kinexxions.blogspot.com/

Who is Rula Onks?

I decided to post the final two letters which were written to Will G. Ziegler regarding the estate of his sister Maggie Z. Edgemon. The letters don't give us any new information except the amount which Will received which was $4,040.30 in November 1947. It would be interesting to see the inventory and final settlement page which all the family signed and returned.

I am still wondering who Rula Onks was and how she was related to the Ziegler family. There was a Rula Onks buried in Onks Cemetery in Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee which is the same town and county where the Rula Onks from the letter lived, so it would seem I have found Rula Onks. I also found Rula Onks on the SS Death Index same county and with the same date of death as the cemetery listing.

I'll keep searching and hope that someone will read this blog and know who Rula Onks was and how she was related to the Ziegler family.