GENEALOGY MADNESS!

I have been immersed in genealogical research for the past few weeks -- no, I was not raptured up. So intent on getting my family tree finished for the big presentation next week for the third grade immigration project! I will be sharing some tips on how to use the internet to find long lost relatives and research family history. With my own family investigation over the last few months, I have discovered and connected several important answers to the puzzle of one missing family - the Garnhams. I was able to trace them through the census, UK village records and the most important document - the family will!

LUNCH AND GENEALOGY

Liz and I had a wonderful visit to Manasquan. Luckily, the thrift store was open and we came away with several unexpected bargains. Liz bought some very cute Spring ornaments and I found a 2 cup teapot to replace the one that had broken. Then on to Surf Taco for lunch, genealogy talk, and what to look for on our visit to the Atlantic View Cemetery. It is always good to have a map of the cemetery that you are visiting. It is never good to rely on memory, but after much scouting, we did find what we were looking for!

SPRING WALK & GENEALOGY

Part of my arthritis exercise regimen is brisk walking. Yoga practice is three days a week and walking fills in the other days. We started out on the Manasquan bike trail this morning. The trail was once a railroad track that went to Allenwood and then on to Camden and Philadelphia, it was built in 1870. The Atlantic View Cemetery runs alongside the trail and is the resting place of many of the area's original families. It was quite a surprise to find gravestones of the Mulfords, an old family name that goes back to South Jersey, and is worth further investigation. Another curious headstone was the one of Captain Asher Curtis, and it is a beautifully sculpted tree trunk. I later found out that this monument was created by Woodmen of the World, a fraternal organization, to honor their deceased. The founder, J. Cullen Root wanted all members to have a decent burial and gravestones were free of charge if a $100 rider was purchased when a member was initiated.
The practice ended in 1920, but Woodmen Memorial Day is still practiced on June 6 of each year.