Category Archives: Genealogy

David’s Diary – December 9, 1968

Monday, December 9, 1968

Up about 9:30. Went to work immediately on translating Psalms 1 + 23 from the Hebrew. When I finished this I began working on translating them from the LXX—found that I had mistakenly xeroxed the 22^nd Psalm—so could do only the 1^st. Broke for lunch around 1. Shaved. Didn’t go outside at all today—beastly cold out—in the teens! With very strong winds—chill factor about 20° below! In the afternoon, finished Greek work, turned to translating parts of a German article on Paul; this took all afternoon—Bonnie + Debby went down to Patriquin’s for an afternoon of knitting. I stopped studying about 6:15—had supper. I was left with Debby for the evening while Bonnie went to Community Chorus practice. Debby wasn’t so good—fretful. I worked on my Paul paper. Finished about 11:30. Bathed; studied Greek for a short while, off to bed about 1.

Tuesday, December 10, 1968 Karl Barth – DEAD[1]

Up about 8:20. Shaved, breakfast; caught the 9:20 train to Boston. Greek class 11-12—we worked on ps. 1 + 23. Lunch, 12:-12:45, with Mike Miller. After lunch I worked on getting material for my papers. Looked through JBL for article on Jeremiah-Job passages, xeroxed an article on Jeremiah 20:14ff.—began translating it out of the German. Charlie Whitford brought the tent heater for us to use en route to Indiana. Found out at 3 that Dr. Oliver is ill—couldn’t meet, so I caught the 4:10 train home. Tired, dozed on train. Home shortly after 5. Began work on the German article again. Had supper around 6:30. Watched CBS news—Karl Barth died today at 82. 7:30, back to work on the article. Stopped about 10 for coffee, then back to work. Shortly after 11 stopped to bathe, got some concrete ideas on what to write about [for] my “essential values” for the Danforth Foundation. More German briefly; off to bed around 12:30.

Wednesday, December 11, 1968

Up about 8:30. Went right to work preparing my statement for the Danforth Foundation. Had breakfast. The spent the rest of the morning on the statement. I wanted to have it in the mail by 5 p.m., but this proved impossible. By late afternoon I was stalled on the last question. So I turned to translating the German article. I worked on this until supper time, about 6:30. Back to work on German at 7:30. Got a few minutes work in before the Bible Class began to arrive. We worked on Matthew 1-2 tonight. 7 in attendance. Over about 9:15. I went to work briefly on German, and then turned to the Danforth statement again. Finally finished—did take 5 minutes off at 10 pm to see the beginning of Nixon’s TV announcement of his cabinet. Began typing on the Danforth statement finished question one by about 1; off to bed at about 1:20.

Thursday, December 12, 1968

Up at 8. Went right to work typing on Danforth essay. Had breakfast at 9:30. Back to typing; finished around 11. Bonnie took it to the post office. I began work immediately—after shaving—on finishing translating the German article + briefly reviewing some other material for Jeremiah D.S. I didn’t go to Greek class this morning. We had lunch after 12.—then left for Boston around 1. Got there in time for my class at 2. This was over by 2:30. We went to the Paperback Booksmith in Copley Square, stopped to shop on the way to Rockport—bought cloth for Bonnie to make me a sports jacket. We were home about 6. I set up the Xmas tree which Bonnie bought this morning. We had supper, then decorated tree. We went to Mals to get more ornaments. When we got home, took amplifier + whole system to Lords—set it all up; back home, decorated tree, bathed, off to read in bed at 11:30. Lights out about 11:50.

Friday, December 13, 1968

Slept late. Not up until after 9. It was a mild day, so I decided to work out of doors. In the morning I didn’t do much, did a little reading. Helped get breakfast. After the mailman came, I went to the post-office, changed wayside pulpit, went to the building center, bought a caulking gun + two tubes + weather-stripping. Came home, worked on caulking the windows for a while, stopped for lunch, put the weatherstripping on the back door, went back to caulking—up til about 4. Came in had coffee, relaxed. Then we all went down to Bearskin Neck (Debby was on my back) to look for Christmas gifts—no luck. Back home again; fixed supper, watched CBS news; relaxed. I went to work in my study, made several phone calls, began work on my sermon. We took a break for a piece of pie, then more work on sermon; bathed; few more lines on sermon; off to bed at 12:40.

Saturday, December 14, 1968

Up after 9. Breakfast, worked on sermon. Phone calls. Got most of the sermon done by lunch time. Jim Bussey came over to use our garage to work on his car. We had lunch; we invited him to stay but he couldn’t. After lunch, Bonnie began wrapped Xmas gifts. I shaved, Mrs. Roffey left off a gift for us, a Xmas candle. I finished the sermon, began working on the bulletins; had to print on back, so many announcements. About four I went over to see Miss Longley—took communion to her, drove up to Hannibals—nobody home, went to Haskells to make arrangements for next Sunday’s service; home again, finished bulletins; had supper, watched TV, worked on the service; we went down to Patriquins about 9. We gave Drue + Sully their gifts—pictures of them with Debby—they gave us gifts= tie, perfume, toys; I came home about 10:15, work on service, cleaned desk; Bathed; read; lights out about 12:45.

Sunday, December 15, 1968

Up about 9:30. Shaved, breakfast, off to church about 10:40. 46 in church; preached on “Christmas According to St. Luke.” Home about 12:30. Had lunch, relaxed. At 1:30 I had to be at the church to meet John Moulton—a possible organist. He agreed to take the job. Called Jean Crowell, she came to the church to meet John. At 3:00 went to the Den-Mar Nursing home to lead short service, Bonnie went along and several others. Was home by 3:40. A few minutes later Pat Crowell + Gary Holmes arrived to talk about their wedding next Sat. They have revised the service—we sat and talked until after 6. Bonnie and I had supper. At 7:15 she left for Rockport Community Chorus production of the Messiah—I stayed home to work on Greek paper. Stayed with Debby—she slept all the time. I got about 4 pp. written while Bonnie was gone. She returned about 10:30. I worked on—got two more pp. done. Stopped about 12; bathed; sketched sermon ideas for next Sunday; off to bed at 12:55.

[1] Conservative German theologian, known for his huge ponderous tomes. One of my professors once remarked, “No one knows 8000 pages about God, not even in German.”

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/09/davids-diary-december-9-1968/

Down the DNA Rabbit Hole – Collateral Lines

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Many years ago when I first began my genealogy journey, one of the first strategies I learned about was collateral line research. For some people, the primary purpose of their genealogy research is to learn about their direct ancestors. Who were they? What did they do? Some researchers never move beyond this phase of investigating their family’s stories. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with this approach. We all research (or don’t research) our family history for different reasons. For myself however, I wanted more. I strive to learn not only my direct ancestors’ stories, but who else populated the vast tapestries of their lives.

In the short hallway of my grandparents’ house in Centerville, Indiana, hung two handwritten family trees, one for each of my grandparents. My grandfather’s tree had one female ancestor named Mary. She was the wife of Jacob Troxell, an early settler of Fayette County, Indiana. I descend from the only child Jacob and this second wife, Mary. They both had children from their first marriages, and I can imagine Jacob and Mary’s rowdy household that included a dozen children, aged twenty something to infancy, in 1843. Sadly, Mary died in 1844 when my 2X great grandmother, Sara Ann, was one-year old. Because Sara was so young when her mother died, there wasn’t much information passed down about Mary. She became a launching point for me, or in other words, a reason to dive deep (and wide) into a rabbit hole. The only way I was going to learn more about Mary (and her branch of my family tree) was to follow her other children. In other words, to learn more about Sara Ann, I had to trace the lines of her older half maternal siblings.

Fast forward twenty plus years later…

My diligent research into the collateral lines of Sarah, Mary, and countless other ancestors, has proved extremely useful for my 21st century DNA research. When we find DNA cousins in our match lists, at a very basic level, these cousins are descendants of the collateral lines in our family trees. A common hurtle I have repeatedly had to overcome with DNA matches is the direct ancestor goggles. How many of us have matches with two surnames or perhaps only four surnames posted on their profile? Matches who have only searched their tree up (direct), and not out and down (collateral) may not be familiar with ALL the surnames that are connected to their tree. A direct line surname can change very quickly, especially with daughters marrying into other families. To combat the frustration of finding matches with limited trees or knowledge of their ancestry, I have turned to my database of collateral line research.

For many years, I tried to establish a link via traditional paper research from my ancestor Alfred M. Dicks to an Alfred Dicks in Guilford County, North Carolina. With the addition of DNA, I had a new tool to establish a connection. Through the estate documents of Nathan Dicks, who died intestate in 1833, I had a complete listing of Nathan’s minor children: Achilles, Alfred, Cornelius, Elizabeth, Esther/Hester, Rachel, Mary, Nathan, and Lydia.

Guilford County, North Carolina, Orphan’s Court, Petition of Eleanor Dicks, widow of Nathan, November 1833

With the exception of Rachel and Nathan, the remaining seven children had large families. If we assume my Alfred M. Dicks was the same man as the Alfred named as a child of Nathan and Eleanor, the following list shows their names, spouses, and number of children:

Achilles, m. Sarah Ann Frost, lived in Clark Co., IL – eleven children
Alfred, m. Ruth Reynolds and Nancy Hamilton, lived in Crawford Co., IL – eight children
Cornelius, m. Eunice Blackburn, lived in Guilford Co., NC – twelve children
Elizabeth, m. Alfred Story, lived in Guilford Co., NC – five children
Hester (Esther), m. Levin G. Ross, lived in Guilford Co., NC – five children
Rachel, m. Hugh A. Wiley, died soon afterwards
Mary, m. Eli Hanner, lived Randolph Co., NC – nine children
Lydia, m. William A. Weatherly, lived Indiana – eleven children
Nathan, died young

Since Alfred and his siblings were born between 1815 and 1830, and they had sixty-one children between them, by the early 21st century, they collectively and potentially have a lot of descendants with many different surnames!

Generation One

Dicks

Generation Two

Dicks
Story
Ross
Wiley
Hanner
Weatherly

Generation Three

Dicks
Story
Ross
Wiley
Hanner
Weatherly
Lemay
Green
Cooper
Lindley
Davis
Welborn
Fogleman
Foster
Ball
Kinney
Ferree
Glass
Hurley
Knight
Jones
Mendenhall
Harrah

In three generations, a single surname from Nathan and Eleanor (Leonard) Dicks has increased to twenty-three possible surnames between their descendants, all before 1900. Imagine how many surnames there are in 2017!

Another tip to remember: Just because your direct ancestor did not leave the county or state where they were born, does not mean their children stayed there. Of Nathan and Eleanor’s nine children, three of them (Achilles, Alfred, and Lydia) left the south and migrated to Indiana/Illinois.

I recommend tracing out as many lines as possible to increase the likelihood of recognizing collateral surnames. When you are done, you can write a family history! So okay, maybe that’s just me…I love writing ancestor descendant lineages.

Over the years, I have found many online trees for DNA matches. Time and again, the trees are one or two generations short of our shared ancestor. By becoming familiar with all the descendants of a targeted ancestor, you will increase your potential for discovering the connection with a DNA match.

Using the Collateral Name List

My father has a fourth cousin match on 23andme. There is no tree, but the match provided a list of sixteen surnames.

Fourth cousin match, 23andme

Fourth cousin match’s surname list

Because I had done extensive collateral line research on the potential family of Alfred M. Dicks, I recognized the surname Hanner. Alfred’s sister, Mary, married Eli Hanner. I was able to focus additional research on Mary’s family. I knew how our families were connected when I contacted the match. It made for a much more productive and positive conversation. Additionally, since finding this match, descendants of Achilles and Lydia, as well as another Hanner cousin have all DNA tested. They match my father and me, further confirming a DNA link to Nathan and Eleanor (Leonard) Dicks, and proving that Alfred M. Dicks of Crawford County, Illinois, and Alfred Dicks of Guilford County, North Carolina, were the same person. Of course it didn’t hurt that I finally found a document naming Alfred M. Dicks and Achilles Dicks of Crawford County, Illinois, as grandsons and heirs of William Dicks, Nathan’s father…

© 2017 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/09/down-the-dna-rabbit-hole-collateral-lines/

David’s Diary – December 2, 1968

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Monday, December 2, 1968

Up shortly after 9. Slow getting started. Got to work in Funk’s book. Stopped when mail arrived. Shaved, went to the post office to mail the film back to New York. Changed WaySide pulpit to announce next Sunday’s hymn sing. Chatted on the street with Ed Nutting for a while. Was home by 1—after going to the grocery store. Ate lunch. Back to working in Funk—very largely for me a dull book—a tedious assignment. Dozed off. Mail delivery of our camping equipment; sleeping bag + pads; tent is on the way. Brief nap. Worked further in Funk—unenthusiastically until about 6. Reviewed what I have to do for Greek tomorrow. Supper, CBS news; back to Funk. Spent the evening on Funk, although I couldn’t work at it to(o) intently. Finally finished reading—ground out the paper. Bathed; typed—finished + off to bed at 1:20.

Tuesday, December 3, 1968

Up about 8; big breakfast; caught 9:20 train to Boston; checked in at Lafayette Radio to ask about the amplifier; went to Greek class 11:15-12:00. Ate lunch alone, Bob Peek didn’t show up. 1-3, attended to various errands, dozed, studied some German. 3:15 – 4, Paul directed study. Assigned to read a German article for next week—had to Xerox this after class was over. Missed 4:55 train; took the 5:15, which, however, didn’t leave Boston until about 6. Didn’t get home until about 7:30! We had a very quick supper, since the Official Board meeting was at 8:00. Had a good sized crowd, about 12. This was over shortly after 9; I told them of our plans for vacation to Indiana later this month. After meeting, we relaxed, selected pictured to mail to folks; planned to study German, but my heart wasn’t in it; bathed off to bed at about 11:10.

Wednesday, December 4, 1968

Up around 9—or rather awake ISN. Got up, got breakfast. Didn’t get enough accomplished in the morning—some desk work, got letters + pictures ready to go to folks + Mrs. Myers. Read a little in Newsweek when mailman came; package of materials from Danforth Foundation. Did some studying, translating Jer 20:14 ff. Had a late lunch, about 1:30. Was going to Post office, but it was raining very hard; the poor cat was so frustrated because she couldn’t go out. Spent afternoon unenthusiastically working on initial research for Jeremiah paper. Also studied German, especially in late afternoon, in earnest. Ate about 6:00. Left for Gordon about 6:30. Class was switched to tonight instead of Thurs. Bible class cancelled this week. Home from Gordon about 9:15. Snack, wrote letter to Harrell Beck, filed out registration material, bathed, worked on Jeremiah; bathed, cat jumped into tub! Off to bed about 1:00 AM.

Thursday, December 5, 1968

Up about 8:30—shaved, breakfast; took 9:20 train to Boston. Left our old amplifier off at Lafayette’s. Greek class 11:15 – 12. Had lunch with Dr. Brown; we talked main(ly) about—of all things—Jack Benny. 1:15-2:00 worked on Jeremiah material. 2-3 had Jeremiah Directed Study. Saw Charlie; did many errands, including registered for next semester. Mailed letter to Harrell Beck. Xeroxed Psalms 1 + 23 from LXX. [1] Got some necessary books from the library. Left BU around 4:30. Caught 5:15 train; was home by 6:30. Bonnie + Debby met me at the train. Came home, had supper, relaxed, weary, no ambition to do much of anything. After 8:30 we went down to Patriquins to visit; we saw the TV program on Cistene Chapel + Michelangelo. Debby did quite well in showing her ability to roll over. Came home about 11. Bathed; read briefly in New Republic + Newsweek; off to bed about 12:20.

Friday, December 6, 1968

Awake about 9:15—up about 9:45. Had breakfast. One of the main preoccupations of the day was to try to find an organist. Pamela van Twayer (?) had twin boys last night—sooner than expected! Was on the phone several times today with Jean Crowell. Desk work in AM. Bonnie + Debby + I went to Gloucester about 12:20 to do shopping—got some Christmas gifts. Groceries too. Home about 2 or so. I went to the town Hall to ask Mrs. Dolloff (?) if she could play the organ for us; she can’t. Came home, had lunch around 3. Back to my desk, but very weary. Around 4 o’clock Bonnie + I napped—until 6! Had supper about 6:45. 7:30 back to my desk—finally got an organist for Sunday—several calls to + from Jean Crowell. Visited briefly with Barbara + Hazel Lord; Desk work, worked on the sermon. Not very much ambition this evening. Some done on sermon; bathed; off to bed at 1:10 ISN

Saturday, December 7, 1968

Up about 9:30. Breakfast. Worked during the morning on the sermon—just before lunch began on the bulletins. Finished with sermon by 3:00. Went down to Patriquins to get signs for Hymnsing Les had made—headed for Gloucester. Left one sign with Jim Bussey. Went over to Riverdale church, left one there. Went back to the Cape Ann Nursing Home to see Ellie Martin. About 4 o’clock headed home—stopped at grocery store (Stop + Shop) for a half-pint of heavy cream. When I got home, Bonnie + Debby weren’t here. I made a batch of eggnog with the cream I’d bought. Back to the desk—finished typing stencil, ran bulletins off. Bonnie + Debby home. I folded the bulletins, practiced briefly at piano for anthem tomorrow. Back to desk, got it straightened up. Fixed and had supper, played with Debby; back to desk, practiced sermon, worked on Greek paper, tomorrow’s service; bathed off to bed at 12:45.

Sunday, December 8, 1968

Up about 9:20. Shaved, breakfast, ran through the sermon. Off to church early to see the organist—but he was late in arriving. The service went well—even though organist was unfamiliar with our service. Preached on “Xmas According to Matthew”—32 in attendance. Was home by about 12:30. Had lunch, relaxed, played with Debby. Began working on Greek paper—this took my afternoon. A very careful slow translation of Mark 4:1-12—including careful attention to all variations in the textual apparatus. We had supper around 6. I went to the Congregational church to see Jim Tanner; arranged to see him after the Hymnsing. Went to the church. Hymnsing at 7:30. A disappointing crowd. This was over by 8:35. Ask Jim Tanner to stay in the parsonage while we’re in Indiana; he agreed. We went to the Patriquins after the hymnsing. I came home about 9:45—back to work on the Greek paper. After 11, bathed, more work on Greek; off to bed about 12:20.

[1] The Greek Old Testament

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/08/davids-diary-december-2-1968/

David’s Diary – November 25, 1968

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Monday, November 25, 1968

Up about 10 am. Talked with Lucille Cressy on the phone about advertising for our film next Sunday. Mail came, letter from Smythes in Colorado. Typed up + mimeographed letter to Cape Ann Clergy about the film. Lunch after 12. Typed letter to Mrs. Myers—sent her some more pictures. * dropped pie on floor! At about 2 Homer Orne came over. Bonnie went to WSCS—we left Debby with Hazel Lord. Alan Frederick had the VW, so Homer took me to post office—mailed away more film to be developed. We went to deliver letters to Forrest Clark, saw Ellie Martin at nursing home; saw Walter Raymond at Hosp. Back to church by 3:30. I borrowed film projector from Congregational church. Came home, relaxed. Previewed some of the film before supper. Supper about 6:30. Bonnie spent evening at rehearsal; I previewed more of film; studied some Greek; phone calls. Bathed. Off to read in bed at 10:40.

Tuesday, November 26, 1968

Letter from Home today; mother against idea of camping with Debby outdoors next month. Lights were out last night at 11. But we were up again at 12 because we couldn’t get to sleep. Bonnie knitted and I studied Greek—and she made some pudding. Off to bed at 2 AM. I got up at 6. Bonnie was so out of it that she didn’t even hear the alarm. I got breakfast, fixed a sandwich for lunch. Left to pick up Bussey at 6:40. We got to BU around 8. I wasn’t good for much of anything—did get some books for Jeremiah paper. Greek class, 11:15 – 12. Headed home—I had eaten lunch before class. Was home before 2. Napped from 2 to 4. Before supper, checked over my old stereo system which I’m selling to Barbara Lord. Visited with Hazel + Barbara. Fixed supper since Bonnie was so tired. Finished previewing Gospel Acc. to St. Matthew. Didn’t have ambition to do much this evening—to weary. Bonnie is in the same condition; baths over by 10. Bonnie feeding Debby—I read in bed, previewed reading for next week; lights out at 10:35.

Wednesday, November 27, 1968

Up around 8:30. A very busy day. Had a big breakfast; shaved; took projector back to Congregational church; changed Wayside pulpit; home again; worked on getting bulletins ready for tonight’s Thanksgiving service. This took much more time than I had anticipated. Lunch was late, not until after 2, but I still didn’t have the bulletins finished. I asked Hazel Lord if I could borrow her flowers for the altar. Went to the church about 4. Had to set out black hymnals, arrange chairs, tack down wire and get light fixed up. Made trip with Homer Orne to get items for lighting. After I got home, finished folding + stuffing the bulletins. Had supper about 6:45. Arrived at church about 7:35. A good service, with cellist, violin, harpsichord—c. 175 in attendance. Home around 9:30 after putting sanctuary back in order. Alan Frederick was here. We visited, played Victor Borge records til after 11; desk work; bathed; off to bed; lights out—12:25.

Thursday, November 28, 1968

THANKSGIVING

Up around 8:30. We had a large breakfast, loaded the car, and headed for Avon. We took the cat along, and, as usual, she was uneasy. We arrived at just 11 o’clock. Emil’s son and family were there. Passed the time with a card game before Dinner. We ate after 12. A huge meal, left me feeling very sleepy. I don’t know where the afternoon went. Napped, dozed—didn’t do a single thing! After 5 we had a small supper, then we showed slides, mainly of Debby. After this was over we headed home. We drove home in the rain, arriving here shortly after 8:30. Called Homer Orne to let him know we’re back in town. We had a snack of pie + coffee. I worked on trying to get a sermon idea, and succeeded—made outline. Fiddled for a while with the tape recorder—might use it on Xmas Sunday. Didn’t get any German done today. Bathed, off to bed; lights out at 12:10.

Friday, November 29, 1968

Up at 8:15; immediately went down to the church and changed the wayside pulpit. Came home, had breakfast. Desk work; worked on German. Stopped when mail man came. Letter from Harrell Beck, with encouraging information. Glanced through Newsweek + Life. More German. Took a break to do the church bulletin for Sunday. Was finished with these around 4. Got back to the Deutsch. Didn’t stop on this until about 6:15. Had supper, watched CBS evening news—interrupted by phone call from Homer Orne. After supper was watching Debby in crib; she turned herself over from back to stomach. This is the first time I had seen it; she was able to get her right arm out from under herself successfully. Becky Bussey came over to visit Bonnie this evening. I finished the Review lesson in the German Book; now ready for chpt. 6. Wrote most of sermon—bathed. Off to bed at 11:40.

Saturday, November 30, 1968

Up at 8:15. Big breakfast. Took Bonnie and Debby over to the Bussey’s. They and Becky went over to the mill in Lowell—also to Whitford’s. I came home and worked. Finished my sermon, then turned to German—but not too enthusiastically. Interrupted by mail man, during my coffee break. Some photos from Mail-away came—more that we’re giving as Xmas presents. I studied for a long time a not-too-legible post card from them asking more money for a recent order. Had my lunch, began reading in Funk’s book, LHWG. Bonnie and Debby arrived home. Bonnie had bought 11 pieces of cloth, most brightly colored, 15 ½ yards. I went to Cape Ann Nursing Home to see Ellie Martin, then up to see Rip Hannibal. Home before 5:30. We went next door, visited with Barbara + Hazel Lord, came home, studied briefly; supper; back to work in Funk—a difficult book. Bathed, worked on service; read Funk for 20 min; off to bed at 12.

Sunday, December 1, 1968

Up around 8:30. Big breakfast; worked on the service, practiced choir numbers. Off to church around 10:35. Preached on “Forgive Us Our Christmases”; 55 in attendance. Home again shortly after 12. Straightened up my desk, had lunch. At 1:30 Pat Crowell and Gary Holmes arrived to talk about their wedding. They stayed until shortly after 3. They want to write their own service—I have given them complete freedom to do what they want to make a memorable service. Back to my study after they left. Busy work, back to work on Funk’s LHWG. Dozed off; Bonnie called me to supper. Got read(y) to go to Berman (?) school for film. Hazel Lord arrived about 6 to babysit for Debby. Alan Frederick arrived too; he went with us. We arrived about 6:30. Bonnie sold tickets, I collected; crowd about 75—we lost money, but film was very good. We were home by 10. Had snack, bathed. Read briefly in Funk. Off to bed at 11:30.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/07/davids-diary-november-25-1968/

Gladys – November 24, 1968

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
West Lafayette, Ind. 47906

Nov 24, 1968

Dear David and Bonnie and Debby,

Yours received. We were more than pleased that you will be coming home after Christmas. Dad has 16 days off during the holidays and we were contemplating going south for a few days, but we would rather stay home and baby sit (if necessary) with Debby. I know John and Bob and Lea and Mark and Shirley and the children will all be very happy about your decision to come home. I talked to John via phone yesterday and we are both agreed that your idea about camping on the way home is a very poor idea for this time of year. I wouldn’t say a thing if you and Bonnie wanted to do that to yourselves, but I think you shouldn’t try that on Debby at her tender age, so here is what I am suggesting. I will pay for your night’s lodging – since you will have only one night at a motel – you will be at the McGraws the second night – then you get home. Now I will not give you the money otherwise – that money is earmarked for a motel room for you, so please do not plan to stay in a camp coming or going back. We have had a very mild fall, but who knows it may be very cold by that time and who knows, Debby might smother in a sleeping bag, so please don’t think about doing such a thing. Next summer in Europe is another matter. You won’t be travelling in such cold weather.

Yesterday Purdue played I.U. and it was a cliff hanger. Purdue won in the last 7 minutes of the game. By the half we thought I.U. had it all tied up since the score was 10 to 28, or a similar difference. We had thought Purdue had a good team, but on the way home Dad says they have about four good players. They played a very poor game and by all odds I.U. should have won. Dad had the duty until 7 AM, so he got all the repercussions – at least his share – all night long. One man with a heart condition died shortly after the game was over – I suppose the excitement was too much. The Purdue fans were wild in those last few minutes. And what a waste of energy. If we could get people steamed up about the injustices in this world, perhaps we wouldn’t have so much wrong with the world. (A little sermon there) Dad was in and out all night long. Finally when he came home to have breakfast, I said, “Why didn’t you just stay at the Health Center all night, instead of driving back and forth?” He replied, “I wondered about that myself.” He had surgery (and this has nothing to do with football) for a student with bleeding ulcers. He is wishing the student will decide to go home and have his own Doctor take care of him, but I rather think he will stay here. They have such a good hospital here and any surgeon in Lafayette they want will come over and do any kind of surgery necessary (except maybe a heart transplant). I just hope Dad gets to spend the afternoon on the couch sleeping – he will need it.

Dad got Lea’s shelves installed and now we are making plans for the ones in our own living room. John hasn’t gotten his plan drawn up yet. We are going to Champaign Wednesday evening and spend Thanksgiving Day with John, Bob and Lea. We will come home Thursday evening. I want Dad to get as much done on my shelves as possible. I have another unit in the planning for my office. This room has been like a stepchild, but I want to get it made over, since I do spend some time in here when I need to do book work or type.

I liked the article in the Gloucester paper, but I would bet a lot of people won’t agree with you. The picture looks just like you.

My next door neighbor is going to church with me this morning. Dad is over at the Health Center.

Love Mother

(over)

Your Sussannah Wesley has been used four times and booked for another meeting.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/06/gladys-november-24-1968/

David’s Diary – November 18, 1968

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Monday, November 18, 1968

Up about 10. Went right to work on II Cor.; read it and most of Kümmel’s commentary by noon. Stopped for lunch, watched noon news, shaved. Finished Kümmel on I Cor. Went to post office, mailed letters to Mrs. Myers, Folks, Paul + Marty. Went to Gloucester Daily Times office—they gave me the negatives from the pictures they took of me. Went on to the hospital; saw Karen Haskell, she agreed to sing on Sunday before Christmas. Called on Gazella Dodd at her home. Came on home package for Debby arrived from Mark + Shirley, Lee + Mary Lou Weber. I got back to studying—Romans. Bonnie went over [to] the Ornes, to borrow a pattern. Debby woke up, she sat contentedly while I read. Earlier this afternoon—before I made my calls—she rolled over by herself for the 1^st time. I was scared because I thought Bonnie was trying to tell me that she’d rolled off something. Worked in Romans; supper after 6; CBS news; repaired wallpaper in kitchen (water damage from recent rain); Bonnie left for choir practice; Mrs. Myers called from Indiana; worked on Romans, Phillipians, Colosians; WORKED ON GREEK (LK1) off to bed at 1:45.

Tuesday, November 19, 1968

Up at 8:30—felt ghastly from staying up so late. Caught 9:20 train to Boston, dozed on the way. 11:15 – 12:00 Greek class. Lunch with Bob Peek—we hadn’t gotten together since the election. Very tired after lunch, hard to study, but did get a little done. Directed Study in Paul, 3:15 to 4. Mike Miller offered me a ride to North station; train home, read Playboy on the way. Home shortly after 6. Supper, shaved (used only the electric this AM), Office Board arrived at 8. Only 5 attended beside Bonnie + myself. Over by 9. Made sign for Gospel Acc. to St. Matt. film, wrote + mimeographed the pastoral Thanksgiving letter. Our slides came today of New Hamp. trip + more of Debby. Most of them very good. Bathed around 11:30. Had to sign all the Thanksgiving newsletters—I forgot to sign the stencil! Debby was doing quite well at sitting alone this evening—not for very long. Off to bed at 12:10.

Wednesday, November 20, 1968

Up around 10. Desk work; Bonnie did the folding of the Thanksgiving newsletter. Worked in Bright’s Jeremiah, straightened up my desk somewhat, called Whittemores to order Bulletins for the Joint Thanksgiving Service. We had a late lunch. Worked more in Bright; Bonnie + I made selections of slides to be enlarged as color prints for Christmas gifts. She went off on errands with Debby—delivered newsletter to Mrs. Cooney, took sign + tickets for Dane [Dave?] to sell. More work in Bright. Also worked on Directed Study material (Jeremiah) for tomorrow. Called Ethel Leary—her birthday (72^nd). Called to supper about 6:30. Watched CBS news. 7:30 began work on Greek for tomorrow. continued until Bible Class started arriving. 7 in attendance this evening; did chpters 31, 32, 33, 34. Over by 9:15. Had cup of coffee, back to Greek. Bathed, continued to work on Greek (Luke chapter 1, and chp. 10:25ff. ISN about mid-night. Not really prepared for tomorrow; will be glad when this semester is over—the load is too heavy; off to bed at 12:45.

Thursday, November 21, 1968

Up about 8:35. Phone call from Lucille Cressy wanting details on Gospel According to St. Matthew for newspapers. Caught 9:20 train to Boston. 11:15 – 12. Greek class. Lunch with Bob Peek; 1 – 2, tried to find copies of Funk’s Language, Hermeneutics + Word of God for Paul directed study—some reviewing for D.S. in Jeremiah. Dr. Richardson half-hour later; had a long chat with Snag Ho Lee. Had short meeting with Dr. Richardson. Discussed my term paper topic—will compare Jeremiah 20 with Job 3. 3 o’clock, caught ride home with Jim Bussey. We helped his neighbor on rt. 128 with flat tire; didn’t get home until about 5. Had supper, studied some German. Off to class about 6:30. Home shortly after 10. Went down to Patriquins, where Bonnie + Debby had spent the evening. We come home about 11. Took bathes. ISN; Bonnie fed Debby. I glanced through German NT which I got tonight; off to bed at 12:55.

Friday, November 22, 1968

5^th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination

A wasted day. Up before 8. had to go to a meeting of the Rockport Clergy for planning the Thanksgiving Union Service next Wed. Was home by 9:30. Put the crib together that we’ve borrowed. Took our crib downstairs and adjusted it into a playpin. Not feeling at all ambitious today. Had lunch around 12. Had some of Jay Patriquin’s clam chowder and I ate too much of it—my stomach was mildly upset. Tried to nap after lunch; about 2 we all went over to Alan Frederick’s apartment. Listened to records, visited. Came home around 4. Again tried to nap briefly. Felt like doing something out of the ordinary tonight, but really too tired. We had supper around 6:30—and then spent the whole evening—until 1:30!—working on a picture puzzle (instead of going to a movie.) Bathed, off to bed around 1:40…..a whole batch of photos came back today. Bonnie’s efforts with B+W 35 mm proved fruitful.

Saturday, November 23, 1968

Got right up when the alarm went off at 7:50. Felt lousy. Ray Lee was supposed to arrive to look at the car. After I dressed, I dozed on the bed downstairs. 8:45 I got a cup of coffee. Roy finally arrived, diagnosed the car’s problems. I continued to work on the puzzle. So did Bonnie + Roy joined us. This was another day of little accomplishment. We had an early lunch. I shaved, changed wayside pulpit, mailed negative (for my portrait) to Mail-away. Visited Ethel Leary and Grace Harris (+Louise Rich). Worked on sermon outline. Finished puzzle. We (Bonnie + Debby + I) went over to Roy’s house to visit—and get the Playboy magazine he’s giving me. We came home around 5. I took a nap. Got up for supper. Relaxed. Worked on sermon. During a break we sorted photos to be sent to my folks, Bonnie’s folks + Mrs. Myers. About midnight ran off the bulletin; worked more on sermon. Finished about 12:45. Bathed; off to bed at 1:50.

Sunday, November 24, 1968

Up around 8:45. Again—felt lousy. Worked on the order of service, practiced the sermon. Off to church about 10:35. Nice crowd: 48. Preached on “The Eye of the Needle.” Challenged the idea that American abundance is a gift from God. Home about 12:45. Visited with Hazel + Barbara Lord who were cleaning out their car—a mild day for this time of year. Had lunch, but was extremely tired. Went to nap after lunch. Put in my ear-plugs and was out for the afternoon. Up again about 5. Had supper. Went to St. Mary’s church to see Jim Tanner about preaching for me in December. Must check with Ed Nutting. Home again, relaxed before going to Methodist Men. After this was over, went to Alan Frederick’s apartment. We are lending him the VW tomorrow. We talked about the sermon + religious questions. Home after 10. Phoned RSY to wish him happy birthday. Bathed; fed Debby; off to bed for ISN at 12:10.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/05/davids-diary-november-18-1968/

Gladys – November 12, 1968

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
West Lafayette, Ind. 47906 Nov. 12 1968

Dear David and Bonnie and Debby:

I didn’t notice the enclosed letter was addressed to you until I started to read it – sorry about that, but here it is. We are always getting something from Bankers and the only thought that occurred to me was that there was only one letter – we usually get two.

Since we didn’t go to bridge club two weeks ago, I called Mrs. Myers yesterday. She seemed a little wistful about not having had a letter from you for some time. She says she gets weaker all the time and seems so alone. She hasn’t been to see a Doctor for a long time and thinks she should see someone. If she would just come down here to the nursing home which is located about a mile north of us, she could have all the attention she needs, but she is still adamant about staying in her apartment. Harold Oliver has never fully recovered (she thinks his mental attitude is so bad that he needs a psychiatrist) and Doris has to do some of the things for her he used to do. He had a severe heart attack, but the Dr. at the clinic told him he had recovered and that he should get back to work, but he doesn’t seem to snap out of it. If you can find the time, write her a letter and send her some more pictures of the baby. When I told her of your last letter and your plans (95% certain) that you would be going to England in six or seven months and then on to Germany for a year or so, she said she probably would never get to see you again. I tried to reassure her that she would get to see you sometime.

Tomorrow is a large day for our Women’s Society. We are having our Charter day and as of now have about 90 reservations for the luncheon, with more to come in. I have been trying to get an extra baby sitter and everyone has a busy line, or does not answer. I will just keep trying.

Friday we plan to go to Lea’s and Dad is to put her book shelves up. They were over for my birthday and took everything home to get the stain put on, now all Dad will have to do is put it on the wall. He at present is building in some shelves in my office and also has built a frame around the safe with a space below and above for storage. The safe is now at eye level again, so I don’t have to stand on my heat to get into it.

[page 2] I listened to the Pres. Elect with Pres. J. last night and I thought, no wonder he is called “tricky Dick,” since he had made all those campaign promises about making changes and last night it sounded like he was just going to carry on the same old policies. If he didn’t mean what he said last night, what was the purpose of having it broadcast across the nation, and if he did mean what he said, I think he contradicted what he had been telling people all fall. Maybe I don’t know what to expect from politicians. Earl L. got in on a large majority. Birch Bayh was about the only Democrat to survive in Indiana.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/04/gladys-november-12-1968/

David’s Diary – November 11, 1968

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Monday, November 11, 1968

Up about 10. Began working immediately in Kömmel’s Introduction to the NT, the section on Paul, for tomorrow’s directed study. Worked on this until about 11:30. Put lunch in oven, shaved. Phone call from Charlie Whitford; he + family planned to come to Rockport in the afternoon. We had lunch. At 12:30 went back to studying. 1:15 we left for Gloucester—meeting at the Wesley Church parsonage. This was over about 2:30. We came back home, I got back to studying until the Whitfords arrived. They didn’t leave until almost 10. We visited, played records, had supper together. It was a good time, but I am ruined as far as study is concerned. Back to the books at 10:00. Studied Greek. Worked on Mark 16; Matt. 26. Bathed. Worked on Greek, packed briefcase, off to bed at 12:45. Not at all prepared for Paul D.S. due to Whitford visit. So much work to do everywhere.

Tuesday, November 12, 1968

Up at 8:30. Breakfast, caught 9:20 train to Boston. A terrible day weatherwise—very high wind, rain. Greek class 11:15 – 12:00. Lunch with Dr. Rowlingson, Hobart Farrell, Les Strong. Read newspaper + magazines for a while; worked on German. 2:45 had coffee with Bob Rogers; he + his wife had spend a year in England + he was able to offer ideas + information. 3:10 I was off to Paul DS., but I met Oliver in the hall and he said that he couldn’t meet today—and I wasn’t prepared! So I was able to catch the 4:10 train home. Arrived around 5:30. We called off the official Board meeting because of the weather. Had supper, watched CBS news. Worked on Quiet Corner. Took pictures of Debby. Around 9 we went down to Patriquins. Home around 10. Back to work on the Quiet Corner. Hair cut; bathed. Bonnie and I looked over pictures deciding which to give as Xmas presents. Off to read in bed at 12:40.

Wednesday, November 13, 1968

Up about 10. Worked on finishing the Quiet Corner. Finished about noon. Watched noon news, ate lunch, shaved. Mrs. Cooney dropped off the mailing list here at the house. I went through it to make notes for Dick Gray. Bonnie went to the bank. About 2, I left for Gloucester. Took the Quiet Corner to the Times office, had my picture taken. Went to the hospital, saw Karen Haskell and Gazella Dodd. On my way home left the membership list at Wesley Church with Dick Gray. Stopped at grocery store, came on home. Had cup of coffee, back to work at my desk. Studied in Bright’s Jeremiah for the Bible study. Worked til about 6:20. Stopped for supper, watched CBS news. Back to work in Jeremiah at 7:35. Worked until Bible class began arriving. 6 in attendance. Did chapters 27 – 30. Over at 9:30. We had coffee + snack. About 10, back to work in Jeremiah. Bathed about 11. Back to work; read in Bright and in Leslie. Off to bed at 1:15.

Thursday, November 14, 1968

Up at 8:30. Caught the 9:20 train to Boston. Greek class, 11:15 – 12. Had lunch with Dr. Richardson. He forgot to tell me that he couldn’t meet with me today for our directed study. So neither of my directed studies met this week. I was able to catch the 1:45 train home. Studied a little German on the train. Was home at 3 o’clock. Bonnie was out with Debby grocery shopping. I worked on German after a coffee break until about 6, then had supper. Left for Gordon early so that I could go to their book store—but it was closed. Class from 7 to 9. Was back home by 9:45. Worked on making the tickets for the showing of the film, “The Gospel According to Saint Matthew,” Dec. 1. 11 o’clock had cup of coffee + watched news. – soon after I got home this evening we called Paul + Marty (his birthday was yesterday). We talked about 12 minutes. After 12, bathed. Looked over work ahead in next few days; off to bed at 1:15.

Friday, November 15, 1968

Up about 10. Began studying for the Paul directed study. Read I + II Thessalonians, with Kümmells Introduction. Stopped to examine the mail. Material from the Danforth Foundation to apply for Kent Fellowship. Glanced through Newsweek. 12 had lunch, watched the news. After lunch, back to Thessalonians. About 2, mailed letter to Harrell Beck with Kent Fellowship endorsement form. Went to Gloucester to get heavy paper. Visited Mrs. Martin at the Cape Ann Nursing Home. Came home; mimeographed the tickets for the Gospel According to St. Matt. Film. Got back to work on Paul—reading in Galatians. Finished Galatians, stopped for supper after 6. Watched CBS news, etc. Watched TV—Jacques Cousteau program on whales. Cut the mimeographed tickets while watching. Back to my study about 8:30. Great difficulty giving birth to a sermon idea; took all evening. Studied some German. Bathed at midnight. German briefly; off to bed at 12:45.

Saturday, November 16, 1968

Debby doing pretty well sitting up today – Debby 3 months old

Up around 9:45. Worked on the sermon. A letter came from mother. No reaction to our announcement of moving to Europe—we expected her to insist that we come to Indiana for Christmas—which we plan to do anyway. About 11 went to the church: WSCS Fair. Visited + chatted, came back home, worked more on sermon, back to the church with Bonnie + Debby for lunch. Went to see Virginia Bate—sick in bed. On home to work again on sermon. This took the afternoon—along with doing the bulletin. At 6:10 we left Debby with Barbara + Hazel Lord. We went to the CAMP loyalty Dinner at Wesley. A rewarding evening. Milton Smith played and sang, Richard Harding delivered address. We went to Busseys for a few minutes after it was over. Home again before 11. Watched news, had snack. Bonnie borrowed a book on campsites from Busseys. She found a place for us to stay on the way to Indiana. Worked on service; desk work bathed; off to bed at 1:15.

Sunday, November 17, 1968

Up around 9:20—Home Orne’s phone call finally got me out of bed. Practiced my sermon, shaved, dressed, off to church. More than 30 in attendance. Year ago was my first Sunday at the Rockport church—62 attended! Today I preached on loneliness: “Lonely in the Crowd.” Again, I borrowed heavily, this time from a book by Alan Walker. Home about 12:30. Had lunch, desk work, Alan Frederick called. He’s had an auto accident + was bruised up, but not too seriously. We are loaning him the VW on Tuesday. Meeting at 3 here at parsonage; Joint Youth Steering Committee. This lasted too long. Not out until 5. Had supper, the Lords visited with us as we ate. After supper wrote letters, to Mrs. Myers, Folks, Paul + Marty (sent them Quiet Corner). We took Debby’s hand + foot prints. We put them in the baby book, also on Mrs. Myers letter. Didn’t get to studies until about 10:30. Read I Corinthians, bathed TOGETHER; read in Kümmel on I Corinthians; off to bed about 1:30.

Deborah’s hand and footprints from the baby book

David’s Diary – November 4, 1968

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Monday, November 4, 1968

Up about 9:30; small breakfast; read in Bultmann until noon. Didn’t spend too much time with the mail. Fixed lunch at 12. Watched news—got lunch for Bonnie, she’s still in bed. Back to reading Bultmann. Took nap in the afternoon, but read until 6:30. My thoughts wander to the election—it’s hard to study. Most signs still point to a Nixon victory—by a narrow margin, but CBS news tonight carried the Harris poll showing HHH 3 pts ahead of Nixon—and indicated that California might not be so solidly for Nixon. 7:30, back to studying—Bultmann. 9:30 took coffee break, watched final campaign programs, Nixon + HHH—both shows were well done, impressive. It will be a close election—might be thrown into the House. Was back to work by 10. Read until 11; did some writing on the paper; listened to 11 o’clock news, bathed; back to writing—then did typing; off to bed at 2 AM.

Tuesday, November 5, 1968

Up at 8:30; took train to Boston. Greek class 11:00 – 12:00. Lunch with Bob Peek. My main preoccupation today at school was to find out what I could [do] about the possibility of study in England next year. As far as I can tell, everything can be arranged—so we shall start planning to move in June. Talked with Rowlingson, Schilling, Richardson, Jones—no objection whatever to my proposal. Had directed study in Paul, 3:00 to 4:00. Caught 4:55 train home. Arrived home about 6 o’clock. Bonnie was nursing Debby in the living room—watching the beginning of the election coverage. I told her we could start packing. We had supper—in the evening we took TV upstairs to bedroom to watch election returns. All evening observed a very close Nixon-HHH race. I write this at 1:40, and the presidential race is still very much undecided. At 2:30, it looks like Nixon might pull through; off to bed at 5 AM—Nixon is probably the next president. If he loses California, The House must decide.

Wednesday, November 6, 1968

Woke up at 10 AM. Rushed downstairs to see the outcome of the election. Bonnie was already up. Nixon has been given California while I was asleep, but Illinois was still in doubt. But around 11 o’clock, CBS declared Nixon the winner in Illinois. I phoned Rip Hannibal + Virginia Bate. Called Home Orne; I needed a check for postage. Shaved, went + picked the check up. Just at noon I got home in time to see HHH conceding; ate lunch; at 12:30 Nixon had short victory speech. I went to post office—also bought envelopes. Got the mailing ready, took it to Mrs. Cooney. We took Debby to her doctor’s appointment 2:30. Dr. was on emergency. I came home to get Bright’s Jeremiah; had cup of coffee because I was so weary. Went back to dr.’s office. At 4 we went to Grants to have our picture taken. Home shortly after 5. Worked more in Bright, got supper. 7:30 Virginia Bate + Ann Jewell arrived, 8:00—Bible class til shortly after 9. Relaxed, bathed; 10:15 – 11, watched CBS summary of the election; off to bed ISN, light out 11:30.

Thursday, November 7, 1968

Slept til 10:30—still recovering from my loss of sleep Tuesday night—Wed. morning. Desk work til noon. Had lunch, watched news. We got a letter from a woman in Maine; we had met her + her husband—a minister—on our New Hampshire trip with the Peeks. We met them at the lodge at [?] Notch at the foot of Mt. Washington. After lunch worked on German.—actually didn’t have lunch at noon. At about 11:30, I decided to have Alan Frederick over for lunch; couldn’t get him by phone (information didn’t have his number) I walked to his apartment; he wasn’t there, but I found him on the street; he came up for lunch about 12:30. He went home about 1:45.—then I got to the German. Wrote a letter home with news about moving to England. Went to the Post Office; late in afternoon really buckled down to German. Supper about 6; 7 – 10 German class. Home by 10. Talked on phone with Bussey. Watched news; desk work; bathed; looked at camping equipment in catalogue—off to bed for ISN at 1:15.

Friday, November 8, 1968

Up about 10:15. Spent what was left of the morning at my desk, straightening up. Had lunch at noon, watched the news. Wrote letters in the afternoon, to Harrell Beck, to Kent Fellowship Program, sent for camping equipment catalogue. About 2 we set out on errands—had to push the car down the hill to get it started. Bonnie left me off at Hannibals with Debby, she went grocery shopping. 3:30 she came back, we went home, had cup of coffee, went out to the end of Bearskin neck to watch the water—its been a windy day. Came home, I wrote to Paul + Marty about our move to England next year. Tried to get sermon idea. Supper between 6:30 – 7:30. Watched CBS news. Back to working on a sermon idea. Finally decided to use one of T. P Ferris’ sermons. I’m too tired to write one myself. Ordered camping equipment; worked on sermon; bathed; looked over work to be done in German, Paul DS, Jeremiah DS; off to bed at 12.

Saturday, November 9, 1968

Up about 10:15. Desk work, worked on sermon, read in Newsweek about the election after the mail man had arrived. Went to the church to change the way-side pulpit. Wrote letter to Jerry + Pam Harris in Boston. Lunch shortly after noon; watched noon news. Shaved. 1:00 – 2:00 worked more on sermon. Debby sneezed a mouthful of beets all over Bonnie. At two o’clock headed for Addison Gilbert Hospital. Saw Gazella Dodd. Went to Cape Ann Nursing Home to see Ellie Martin, then to Daisy Jodrey’s home to see her. Home by 4. Jim Bussey was here to get the big piece of furniture in our garage. I helped him put it on his car. Then studied until 5:30. Bottle fed Debby—her first time. More work on sermon til 6. Helped with turkey supper. At about 6:30 the Bussey’s arrived for supper with us. They left about 8:15. Back to work on the sermon. Watched movie on TV (To Kill a Mockingbird) off + on with Bonnie; finished preparing the service. Bathed at 11:30. Snack, a few minutes with German. Off to bed at 12:50.

Sunday, November 10, 1968

Up about 9:30. went through sermon, shaved, dressed—off to church about 10:40. A wet day—raining heavily + steadily. Only 24 in church. Preached on “At the End of Your Rope.” Home by 12:30. Had lunch, left-overs from yesterday’s turkey. Began work on German, had to fight to keep awake, but succeeded. Took one break to go out to the end of Bearskin Neck again. High wind + rain, a spectacular view of the sea. Came home, ISN. Studied further. 6:20 went down to St. Mary’s Church to talk with Karen Haskell, but she wasn’t at the meeting; she’s ill. Came home, we had supper late, around 7:30. Back to German, worked on it all evening; Das Rheingold on radio. After 11, turned on news, played with Debby. She laughed for the first time. In the past we’ve had big smiles and pleasant noises—but tonight a full-fledged laugh! Worked on “Quiet Corner.” Bathed; worked on QC some more. I am making it quite a strong statement; off to read in bed at 1 A.M.

Down the DNA Rabbit Hole – Visual Phasing with Two Siblings

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Visual phasing of two siblings, a method of chromosome mapping, is possible with the assistance of first, second, and more distant cousins. The methodology of this technique is very similar to three-sibling visual phasing. One of the biggest differences is how segments are assigned to the four grandparents (two maternal, two paternal). For more in-depth coverage of the three-sibling technique, Blaine Bettinger’s five part series on Visual Phasing is essential (see links below). This how-to assumes that the reader has basic knowledge of the three-sibling technique. The following is a condensed version of how I visually phase my chromosomes using my brother’s DNA in comparison with my own DNA.

In the beginning, I used Microsoft Word for my mapping. The process was clunky, and I moved on… I mention this step because there are various programs one can use to achieve the same results. Feel free to use the program that works best for you!

Lars Martin published a fabulous how-to YouTube video on using Excel to map chromosomes. There is no volume (so don’t worry!).

Instead of having three bars comparing each of three siblings to each other, my visual phasing only has one (since I am only comparing myself to my brother). Using Lars Martin’s method, my blank frame looks like this. In the example below, I have already filled in the recombination points and drawn the lines and boxes. To find the numeric recombination points on Gedmatch, both the “Graphics & Positions” button and the “Full Resolution” button must be checked when viewing a one-to-one match. (see diagram 1)

Diagram 1

The other key factor in visual phasing with only two siblings is having close family members, generally at the first and second cousin relationship. But any known cousin relationship will work. Parents will not work, nor will immediate relatives beneath the generation being phased. For example, my first cousin’s son will not work because I can not differentiate his DNA between our set of shared ancestors. He descends from both of my grandparents as well. First cousins can also be tricky because they share one set of grandparents with the siblings being phased.

I use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of my close as well as more distant established cousins. For each chromosome, I keep track of which relatives match my brother or me, recording the start and end points of each segment that is shared. Paternal cousins are on the top of the chart while our maternal matches are at the bottom. The example shows our matches for chromosome 13. (see diagram 2)

Diagram 2 – Excel spreadsheet showing matches on chromosome 13

The Paternal Chromosome

Next, I begin to fill in the segments like a giant logic puzzle. I could start anywhere on the chromosome, but I have started on the far right. Between recombination points 108 and 114, my brother and I share nothing. We inherited different segments from each of our four grandparents. Luckily we have data that shows who inherited which segment from whom. I also created a color key for each of my grandparents.

Jack shares a segment from cousin 1C1R – RG between 108-114 on the paternal chromosome. I did not. 1C1R – RM belongs to the Yegerlehner side of the family so this segment is colored green. Since I did not inherit the Yegerlehner segment, my segment is colored blue for the Foster family. On the maternal chromosome, since Jack inherited a segment from the McGraw side of the family while I must have the Leonard segment. While I share several segments with my second cousin MM, I do not share this segment. So logically, I must have a Leonard one. (see diagram 3)

Diagram 3 – End segments colored

For the next portion, I am moving on to the green blimp between points 28 and 31. The bright green on the top line of of the chromosome comparison indicates that my brother and I share the same segment on both our paternal and maternal chromosomes. We share the same paternal segment with 1C1R – SY, in this case, another Yegerlehner segment. My brother stops at point 31, while I continue to share the segment with 1C1R – SY for a little longer. From approximately point 33 through 104, Jack has a series of matches with cousins on the Foster side of the family. Since he does not have recombination points at either 33 or 104, I have extended this segment from recombination point 31 to recombination point 108. (see diagram 4)

Diagram 4

Since I do not match any of the Foster relatives until recombination point 92, I continue my green bar until point 92. At this point, my paternal chromosome recombines, and I begin sharing the Foster segments. (see diagram 5)

Diagram 5

To complete the last part of the paternal chromosome, I color both green. Yegerlehner cousin 1C1R – SY begins matching us at point 21. Since neither of us have a recombination point there (point 21), our segments are extended to the beginning of the chromosome. (see diagram 6)

Diagram 6

The Maternal Chromosome

Jack and I each share part of the same segment with maternal cousin 1C2R – RS. My segment begins at recombination point 28 and continues past point 50. Jack’s segment begins before point 28 but ends at point 50. I extend Jack’s segment to the beginning of the maternal chromosome. On my maternal chromosome, I extend the McGraw segment to point 73.

Looking at points 0 through 28 and points 50 through 73, I observe the blue and grey bars on the Gedmatch one-to-one chromosome comparison as well as the yellow top bar. The Gedmatch colors tell me that from points 0 though 28, Jack and I match on only one chromosome. We have segment data from a paternal cousin which we both share. Logically, this indicates that Jack and I do not have matching segments on our maternal chromosome. If Jack has part of the McGraw segment, then I must have inherited the Leonard one. Similarly, from points 50 through 73, Jack and I do not share any segments in this part of the chromosome. I share part of the McGraw DNA so my brother must share the Leonard side. (see diagram 7)

Diagram 7

The last section of the maternal chromosomes is completed with a combination of shared segment data and more logic. From points 73 through 89, Jack and I must share the same maternal segment. Gedmatch indicates that we share a half-region, and we do not share our paternal chromosome. We also have distant cousins 5C1R – AF and 5C1R – MG who share segment data with us. Even though these are distant cousins, our maternal grandparents came from different regions of the country so it is unlikely there is intermingling of these two branches of our tree. The paper trail also verifies the match. Jack stops sharing the segment at recombination point 89. From points 89 through 92, I do not share any DNA with Jack. From 92 through 108, we already share our paternal segment, so we must have different maternal segments. I continue to share with maternal cousin 5C1R – AF on the Leonard branch of the family while Jack shares part of his maternal portion with a McGraw cousin. (see diagram 8)

Diagram 8

And voilà! Chromosome 13 is mapped, only 22 more to go!

Chromosome mapping with only two siblings is highly dependent on matches with accessible segment data. Sometimes it takes time to find that one cousin who will provide the segment data you need. Just be patient! All it takes is one spit at a time…and possibly a lot of tenacity, and a little bit of bribery.

Blaine Bettinger ‘s Visual Phasing blogs:

©2017 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/02/down-the-dna-rabbit-hole-visual-phasing-with-two-siblings/