52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

          My maternal great grandfather, John Koetzle Jr. was a candy maker. In the census records he is specifically listed as a confectioner. His father, Johann Koetzle Sr. was a baker, as were others in the family. John Jr.   was born in 1857 in Philadelphia, PA, the first born child to Johannn Koetzle and his wife Matilda Schuler. His surname is pronounced Kett-zill. They both immigrated from Studdgart Wurttemberg Germany, John in 1856 (still working on Matilda’s timeframe).   John Koetzle Jr., my mom's grandfather was a confectioner John Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Reilly (Lizzie) were my mom’s maternal grandparents. She knew them well, and spent lots of time at their home in Philadelphia, as well as their vacations in Brigantine, NJ in the summer.   Yes, he always had a suit on, even at the shore! Dot (my mom) and her grandpa John Koetzle Jr. around 1927 at the beach Because Mom spent so much time with them, she knew his skills as a ...

           I  first thought about golf when I saw this topic. But I’ve already written about that. Then the game of bridge came to mind. Perfect!!! Its a real family affair! My maternal grandmother pictured here in 1927 as one of five ladies sponsoring a large game. My mom’s parents played bridge A LOT. Particularly Nannie, my maternal grandmother, Florence (Koetzle) Harley. She married Clarence Wilbur ( C. Wilbur) Harley in 1913 in Philadelphia. They were both 24 years old when they married. They moved to Atlantic City NJ in 1919, one year after Dorothy, their daughter (our mom) was born.   I have no idea if they had played bridge before they moved to Atlantic City. I think it was a hugely popular thing to do in the 1920’s and beyond.   The first newspaper article (Yes, the local papers posted all the bridge games and results too) my grandmother was mentioned in was April of 1922, and let me tell you, it must have been a grand affai...

          The first thing that came to mind for “Wide Open Spaces” was the prairie lands of the upper midwest, where I live. But the more I thought about it, another idea surfaced. What about being at sea? That certainly is also a wide open space, and my father, who served in the US Army during WWII, was transported immense distances at sea during his time overseas. Here is a brief overview of his travels at sea. When I transcribed my dad’s WWII letters, I never really considered the actual distances that he traveled at sea. He was born and raised in the central mountains of Tennessee, graduated from college with a degree in pharmacy. He enlisted in the US Army in the medical corps, and was stationed in Atlantic City. But in January 1945 his orders required him to leave the US and sail from New York City to “somewhere in France” per his letters. He traveled by ship approximately 3,600 miles in about 14 days.   This Tennessee man was not used to ocean...

          It’s difficult to know where to start with my Sherrill line. I find their bravery, explorations and accomplishments   almost unbelievable. My 5th great grandfather Adam “The Pioneer” Sherrill and his father William "The Conestoga Fur Trader”   Sherrill were true adventurers in every sense. There is so much more to their lives than I can put on paper here, but it will give you a small sense of their courage and pioneering spirit with this overview. Adam Sherrill is my 5th great-grandfather on my dad Roscoe mother’s side. Roscoe’s mom was Rebecca Catherine Sherrill , and she married Stewart Hinch. That is where our Sherrill line comes in. Adam Sherrill was born around 1696, most likely in Maryland, about 80 years before the Revolutionary War. Adam is not quite my earliest ancestor, but he is one of the earliest that I can prove with high confidence. Adam’s father, William Sherrill, was most likely born in Devon, England around 1666. ...