Unique Names Day

Continuing with the theme of the week, today is Unique Names Day.

My name is pretty common, but I think my daughter's middle name is unique.

Laree

It's a family name that my grandmother, Mabel Salmon Beautrow, created. It's my aunt's middle name also. I like it because I think it's pretty and it's special because it came from my grandmother. After she was named I realized that it's a combination of my sister's and my name. My name starts with "Laur" and my sister's name ends in "-ee".

Not the most outrageous name, but I've never seen it on a keychain.

As far as my family tree, I have a few unique names. Some of them, I'm assuming, weren't unusual in their day. My great, great grandmothers Aletta Roberts and Otelia Bell Via. My great, great, great grandmothers Ophelia Adeline Wolfe and Dee Ida Van Winkle. Who knows though, maybe they would think Laura was odd.

More Name Fun

Continuing with "Celebrate Your Name Week", today's topic is supposed to be Fun Facts Day. I decided to make this a little more personal and relevant to my family tree. I've selected a few names that I find interesting for one reason or another.

I've posted before about ABC Salmon. I've just always loved his name. I wonder, though, how he felt about it? Cutler was his mother's maiden name, but I'm not sure where the Barnes came from. I need to study that line more. What's interesting is that he has a great uncle named Cutler Salmon. I'm sure there are family ties from that area in New Jersey. I can't wait to uncover them!

Another fun name from my tree is my great, great, great grandfather John Chapman. The fabled Johnny Appleseed was also named John Chapman. My John was born around 1816 in New Hampshire and Johnny Appleseed was born in Massachusetts in 1774. My information on that line stops with John who married Sarah C. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the lines connected at some point. John and Sarah had a son named Edward Chapman who is my great, great grandfather. Johnny Appleseed also descends from an Edward Chapman. Another mystery I can't wait to solve!

The last name I chose is from my husband's line. His great grandfather was Forrest D. Brown from DeKalb County Alabama. When I first received information on this line, I was told that his name was Farce D. Brown. It took me a little while to figure out that his name was actually Forrest, but you had to say it with that Alabama Southern drawl!

It's been fun to look through my tree. Do you have any interesting or fun names in your tree?

March 2-Namesake Day

After reading Janet the Researcher's post and then Sheri's post at The Educated Genealogist, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post about names.

According to "Celebrate your Name Week", today is Namesake Day. A day to think about where you got your name.

I love the story behind my name. My name is Laura, and I am the youngest of six kids. My sister, child number five, is about seven years older than me. Around the time that I was born my family was reading the Little House on the Prairie series. My sister was given the opportunity to name her new baby sister. Pretty cool when you're a seven-year-old little girl. With Laura Ingalls Wilder fresh on her mind, she named me Laura. I'm not sure she was always so thrilled to have a new baby sister, but I've always loved that she named me.

Brothers & Sisters-11th Edition-Smile For the Camera

The word prompt for the 11th Edition of Smile For The Camera is brothers & sisters? Were they battling brothers, shy little sisters, or was it brother & sister against the world? Our ancestors often had only their siblings for company. Were they best friends or not? Show us that picture that you found with your family photographs or in your collection that shows your rendition of brothers & sisters. Bring them to the carnival and share. Admission is free with every photograph!

My first Smile for the Camera submission! For this edition I chose two pictures of my grandfather and his brother.

My maternal grandfather was Wallace Beautrow. He was born in 1908 in Yakima, Washington. He died before I was born, so I never had the privilege of meeting him. His brother was Frank Sidney Beautrow, born in 1906 in Yakima, Washington.


I've always enjoyed this picture simply because in today's world it's funny to see Wallace in a gown. Sidney's outfit isn't looking too masculine either. (I'm easily amused)

Here are Wallace and Sidney a few years later.


So cute! Wallace's hair amuses me in this picture. Poor kid!

I think that Wallace and Sidney got along well. Although, my mother does remember that each of them thought the other was their mother's favorite. Some things are timeless.

An award!

I was floored to return from our trip to find that Colleen from Orations of OMcHodoy awarded me a Kreativ Blogger Award. What an honor for a newbie. Thank you so much!



Collen, you made my day! I'm also thrilled to be introduced to your blog as well :)

Now it's my turn to nominate some fellow bloggers. This is tough because there are so many great genealogy blogs out there. It seems that so many have already received the award, but nonetheless I'd like to let the following know that I have enjoyed their blogs:

Olive Tree Genealogy Her ancestor cards alone would be enough to nominate her for this award, but her whole blog is a wonderful read. Full of great ideas and interesting reads.

We Tree Amy was one of the first genealogy bloggers I discovered. I love her down-to-earth writing and her ability to make it all seem so accessible. I love following her progress in courses she's taking and her success in her research.

Genea-Musings Randy Seaver's blog is the best of both worlds. It's chock-full of helpful information and advice, but it's also a lot of fun. I can't wait to join in on one of his Saturday Night Fun Challenges. I definitely learn a lot reading this blog.

Greta's Genealogy Blog I was initially thrilled to find Greta's blog because she's in my neck of the woods. It got even better though, because I've loved reading her stories and memories.

The genealogy blogging community is full of wonderful people. I appreciate each of you sharing your knowledge, success and memories.

I'm Back!

I've been gone for two weeks. We had to get our house we own in another state ready to sell, and we've been gone for a couple of weeks. We are in the middle of moving to Hawaii. It's frustrating because I just want to work on my genealogy! Thank goodness for the iPhone. I was able to do a lot of searching on my phone when I had a chance. I was also able to keep up with some blogs through Google Reader. Gotta love technology.

I was thrilled to come home to a suggestion for a family history program and an award. Thanks so much! More posts to follow.