Research

You are about the only member of the family who knows even a little bit about genealogical research. As you are the only one - I'll tell you what I do.

I took some classes from BYU-Ricks in the 1960s from the world's best genealogical teacher. Richard's Dad was taking the same classes at BYU in Salt Lake and the teacher told the class - "You don't know how to do research yet so why don't you hire someone to start doing it for you."

My teacher would have us spend the first hour telling each other about our genealogical problem. She'd ask the class to give ideas as to where what to do. After we had all thought it through as well as we could she would then tell us other things to do. As we got results we would report to the class and then think as a class what to do next. She would teach us about birth certificates or wills or parish registers - and have our assignment for the next week be to write a letter to get a birth certificate from England, or butter up the minister to see if we could get a parish register microfilmed. When we got films of census or wills or parish registers she would say, "Now transcribe it." We bought 20 microfilm readers at a time and got them for good prices. And then
transcribed the films.

I was lucky that the Smith family pretty much stayed in the Oxford area. The Oxford people wouldn't cooperate with the Salt Lake Library to have much filmed. But the Oxford people had me help them get records filmed and I gave them copies of my transcriptions. In about 1980 Richard and I visited the old gentleman in charge of transcribing parish registers. He offered us drinks before dinner and when we took orange juice he said, "Now, don't tell me what religion you are. When I go to get permission to have a register filmed for you and they ask if you are a Mormon, I want
to be able to say I don't know." We all laughed and of course he knew. When he would transcribe a register he thought I might be interested in, he slipped a 6th carbon in and sent the extra copy to me.

I found a lot of the Kings, Fosters, Holts and Kirbys, etc. were farmers and had wills. I would order a film of wills to Idaho Falls. I would then realize I needed the same roll a few months later. So when a roll came to IF I would abstract all the wills in a 8 mile radius of Bicester. I have many card files of those will abstracts and still refer to them quite often.

The Oxfordshire Family History Society has long ago got all their registers transcribed - and indexed .- most of them up to 2005 - no laws of privacy I guess - and now sell them on fiche or CDs for a tenth of the cost of microfilming. So, I have lots of transcriptions and fiche.

They comuterized all the marriages of all the Oxfordshire parishes and put it out alphabetically by grooms and brides. They are now working on doing that for all the christenings and burials. So when I asked recently for information about Thomas Mason - they told me that the only one in that time period at that area was christened in Bucknell. I had the Bucknell records.

So. When I got this new lead, I just look at the parish registers. And go online to Ancestry.com for the census records - 1841 to 1901 are all there indexed. And go online for FreeBMD which is an index for all births, marriages and deaths in all of England since 1837. So for the Powells I spent three days last week going through the the parish register, the census and the FreeBMD - back and forth.

I'm supposed to be finishing up a new blessing dress for one of my daughters to use for her future granddaughters - but just can't pull myself away from the computer. It is much more fun to be looking for these people.

I think I am guided. It seems as if there is someone up there saying "OK - it is the Kirbys turn. Now it's the Powells turn." And then those people just seem to be giving me ideas.

Somehow I've never had dreams of people coming. It is just ideas. Except a couple of times. Once I was transcribing the Launton microfilm and typing along. Suddenly I heard Richard's Dad say, "There is your clue. Take it and run with it." It wasn't in those words. It was an idea. But in his voice. I turned around but he wasn't there. He had died two months before. That was when I found the parentage of James Smith born 1780. I looked at what I had just typed. It was a christening for a child of Robert Smith, a blacksmith in Launton. I suddenly thought - "There can't be two blacksmith shops in Launton. That is too small a village. They must be brothers. If I can't trace James because he died before the 1841 census, maybe I can trace Robert. I found Robert was born in Bicester and had a brother, James just the right age. Later the Hon. Secretary of the Launton Historical Society found the death notice of their father in an
old newspaper and sent it to me.

So, I belong to the Oxford list online. And to the Oxfordshire Family
History Society.

Well - that is way more than you wanted to know. Thanks for being interested.

Donnette

Beverly Sills Died and I Was Her Fan

My favorite opera star, Beverly Sills, died on July 3. I had a great deal of hero worship for her and always enjoyed her singing as well as her acting of the various parts. I was a fan before I married LHT. 

To read about her, go to the following: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/arts/music/03sills.html?ex=1199073600&en=afa91c4aee407e59&ei=5087&excamp=GGGNbeverlysills

Love, M

More information about Thomas Vivian Pitts‏

Charles Robison

Doyle Pitts and Parents

Mary Celina Robison

Ila PItts Snavely and Mary Celina

Mary Celina Robison

Mattie and Ila Pitts abt 1928

Mary Celina Robison

Pitts boys Johnathan - James Alfred - Peter (middle 16 yrs older than Thomas) Thomas Miles - Charles (children of Martha Stout and Thomas Pitts).jpg

Robison Ranch

Thomas Miles Pitts

Thomas Miles Pitts

Thomas Miles and Mary Celina Pitts in 1927

at ages 60 and 55

Family Christmas Party

Hi guys, Nanci here... Just a note to tell you I can't wait to see all of you! Looks like we'll be having quite a few attending. It can never be everyone but we'll talk what we can get!

I am going to surprise my mom with a large Bday cake since here Bday is the Monday before the party. As far as I know she has never had a bday party never mind a surprise, so I hope nobody minds but I'm going to steal five minutes to do a cake and song for her! Just an FYI!

I will be sending out another party reminder on Monday! Have a great weekend!

Have an amazing day!!
xoxo
Nanci


Myrna wrote: We had also planned a surprise cake for Amy, Todd's wife. We were just going to do it as our little family as part of our lunch. It is her birthday that day. I was not thinking about your Mom's birthday being the same time. I think it is great that you are planning a special surprise for your mom. She is always doing for others and never thinks of herself. I love her dearly. Do you think our little surprise for Amy will spoil your big surprise for your mom? Let me know.

Love, M

About Photo Size

Myrna wrote to Bree: I actually do not think, in spite of what David said, that you need to reduce the photos in size. I got the one photo that you sent without problem. I think you can just send a few at a time. I get the other kid's photos and only one knows how to reduce. That is a bit complicated since you have to go into photoshop, go into image and tell it to resize and what size you want it to be. I think they would be just fine. I send regular size, as you have noticed, and just send two or three at a time.

Howards for the Newsletter

Sorry, I forgot to do this last night, Mom. Thanks for writing it for me last month, but hopefully this gets to you in time.

The Howards have enjoyed seeing many family members this summer. We went to St. George where Miranda, husband, and tiny little baby were sealed. It was the first time their whole family was able to be in the temple. Grandpa Howard performed the sealing. And we have enjoyed seeing family on the Trauntvein side, too. The kids enjoyed being with Erin and Donavin one last time before the move. Matthew thinks Michael, Tyler, and Toren are the coolest thing since the invention of the Gameboy. Megan is in seventh heaven with Maddie and Emily together. Kyle is enjoying all the boy cousins together and continues to talk off their ears about anything electronic. Alyssa is happy to have Brigitta around who, I might add, made the Fourth of July Parade so much fun. (I will never forget her yelling to Bob the Builder balloon carriers, "Can you fix it? Yes, you can!" I am still chuckling about that one.) We enjoyed swimming at Seven Peaks with Amy G. and kids. We are looking forward to seeing Benjamin and Braden in a few more weeks; hopefully Braden will keep his hair on his legs this year. 

The kids have tolerated my attempts to keep them active this summer. They finished swimming lessons and are in the middle of tennis lessons. Kyle has taken a three day golf class from the golf pros. And now he is in the Junior Golf League, which means he goes every Monday and golfs the executive course. Although his score continues to be high because he is getting used to his new clubs, its still a good opportunity. The girls have dance camp coming up since both of them made competition teams again. But, I have made sure they have plenty of down time and read a lot since they keep so very busy during the school year. In fact, Alyssa told me she was really bored this morning and that she couldn't wait for school to start. That was music to my ears.

Are You Still There?

Myrna wrote: Barbara, are you still among the living? There is so much smoke between there and here, you can never be certain that the state is still intact. Love, M

Yea! I'm still here. Did the kids send you the pictures of the house? If not, I will forward them. Bree was having trouble sending them, maybe you can tell her how to make them small so they aren't such big files. You are the expert in the family. Her email is lovelizardluck77@yahoo.com. She has applied for a part time job with the hospital there as a receptionist and check in person. She is so excited. David is working hard and she says he loves his job. The kids are great. I'm sorry. I know you know all this, but all I can talk about is them. 


I am doing OK. I miss them so much. It is like I need to be doing something or going somewhere and then I realize I don't have to do either and I'm just left hanging, like what am I supposed to be doing with my life now. Oh well, I guess that will go away with time. 


Write to me. 
Love you, Barbara


I miss them also. It seems so far away. I actually do not think, in spite of what David said, that she needs to reduce the photos in size. I think she can just send a few at a time. I get the other kid's photos and only one knows how to reduce. That is a bit complicated since you have to go into photoshop, go into image and tell it to resize and what size you want it to be. I think they would be just fine. I send regular size, as you have noticed, and just send two or three at a time.

Yes, please forward the photos. I will appreciate it.

Myrna wrote: I am also at loose ends. This is a "wait for something to happen that is controlled by someone else" summer. I will also, I suppose, get used to it. After all life is full of adjustments. I remember my dad saying that he just got used to having lots of grandkids around and then they were all grown up and too busy for many visits.

Have you made a friend or two at work to go to a movie with? That helped my grandmother when I got married and left home. She was lucky to have lived in the same area for many years and had good neighbors and other retired teacher friends. Of course, in Price, you could just go outside on a summer evening and sit on the porch and someone would come across the street or next door and sit with you. That is also what my dad's neighbors did. That is who found him dead that morning--his neighbors. Well, they sent for my brother-in-law, Mike Anderson, who is the one who went inside. He found him alive and Dad got up, took a shower, dressed and sat in his chair. When he did not come outside, as expected, Mike returned and found him dead in his easy chair by the kitchen door. It is, of course, much cooler in Price than in St. George. People in St. George would not want to sit outside, I am certain. Wow! You have had hot, HOT temps. You aren't cooked, are you?

Remember, you have an open invitation to come here.

Love, M

Looking for more information about Thomas Vivian Pitts Response from Robert Madsen

Robert Madsen wrote:

Hi Myrna,

Thomas Vivian Pitts is my grandfather's older brother.  My grandfather was Doyle.  He passed away in 2003.  I got the information in this tree from my grandma Florence Thomas.  She resides in Centerville, Utah.  I have scanned images from her record book of a descendants chart for Thomas Vivian and Ruth Edwards. (Which shows a "Merna" as a child of their son Howard.  I suppose that may be you?)  Anyway, I also have Family Group Sheets for Thomas Miles and wife Mary Celina Robison and both sets of parents.

I'm sure you have all that too of course.  I do have some pictures of Thomas Miles and Mary Celina.  I'd be happy to email them to you in the chance that there is something you may not have.  But, we can't send attachments through Ancestry.com's connection broker.  So if you want them just send an email to me at rmadsen@tgn.com and I'll reply to your email.

Regards,
Robert Madsen

Myrna wrtoe: I e-mail Alan all of the time. We are very close in age and we always called each other "cousin" though we were a bit more like second cousins.

Do you know that Uncle Doyle and Aunt Florence came to all of the missionary farewells and temple weddings of all of my children? I was actually at your Grandfather's funeral. My father, Howard, gave the closing prayer in the chapel. I think it was the only time he offered a public prayer. Your Uncle Alan came to my dad's funeral as did your grandmother.

I would love to have copies of your photos. I do have a copy of your Grandpa's book.

I am trying to get the Ancestry site to realize that I am Myrna not "Merna."

You do mean your Grandmother Florence Pitts, right?

Thanks, Myrna

Rob wrote: Dear Myrna,

Yes Florence is my grandmother. I actually gave a talk at Grandpa Doyle's funeral.

I'll send you the photos I have, that I scanned this summer.

I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.

Robert

Myrna wrote:

We must both be in one of the photos taken after the funeral.

Thank you, so much, for all of the photos. It is appreciated. I am looking for a CD that has some snapshots my father had of your dad as a baby. I  have, temporarily, misplaced it. I am still searching and, when I find it, I will send the photos on.

Thanks again, Myrna

Rob wrote: That will be great. I'd love to get whatever you have that might be of interest. It'll be my mom as a baby or young child though. She is Doyle's oldest, Judy, born in 1935.

Regards,

Robert

The above came as a response to a query from Myrna:

Purpose: This email was sent in response to information you posted on Ancestry or RootsWeb. This system was designed to connect people who may have similar research interests and may not be used for other purposes.

Note: In an effort to prevent the spread of viruses and spyware, no email attachments are allowed by the connection service.

For more information about this service, go to this link:
http://ancestry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ancestry.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2639.

From: MyrnaTrauntvein
[mailto:connectionservice@cbsvc.myfamily.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 10:58 PM
To:Rob Madsen
Subject: Looking for more information about Thomas Vivian Pitts

Myrna wrote: I saw that you submitted a personal tree to Ancestry which contains:

Name: Thomas Vivian Pitts

Birth Date: 28 Apr 1894

Birth Place: Joseph, Sevier, Utah, USA
Tree Name: Doyle & Florence Pitts

Do you have more information about this person that you could share with me?

Oops! You have the right information. It is the One World listing which does not.

Thank you,

Myrna Pitts Trauntvein

More

Todd wrote: Apparently, Gregory Peck is a cousin as well. Jane Austen. Hans Christian Andersen

Kirsten wrote: Get this. Dad is also related to Teddy Roosevelt. If this site is all correct, Dad and Mom are cousins. LOL!! That might explain the gray hair.

http://trees.ancestry.com/RelationFinder/relate.aspx?pid=40668699


Myrna wrote: I just want you to know that the gray hair is due to age and not due to relation. Sorry about that.

I have laughed at the Edwards' line. If you follow it back you will end up with one ancestor beyond Adam. To save time, just type in Adam, First Man. Interesting. A genealogist once told me: "If you worked for the king and he told you to get his genealogy back to Adam, what would you do?"

Love, m

Fabulous Five

(Myrna please feel free to edit)

 

Well we are in MO and it is humid but at least not 116 degrees. It looks like we moved just in time to beat the St. George heat wave. 

 

We travelled for three days. David was so glad to get rid of the budget truck that we celebrated when we finally dropped it off. He swayed for two days on his feet afterwards. My advice get a uhaul. They might be slower but there is a reason that they are lower over the wheels. It is beautiful here.  We hit the July forth celebration and bought fireworks that are highly illegal in the desert. Ones that I have never even heard of. 

 

The kids have made a friend next door already and play endlessly with a girl named Cindy. Everyone we run into says that Camdenton and Camelot Estates is one of the best palces to reside. We lucked out with that one. The house is beautiful and three levels. I am not sure what to think about all the stairs but the kids love it.

 

David is fitting right in with his new job and loves his truck although the previous owner never cleaned it so David has spent the last two nights scrubbing the interior and making it look beautiful. (Now if only he would do that with the home we live in.) I guess I shouldn’t complain. He is in the truck more than he is at home. HA HA!

 

I am trying to figure out what to do with all the space that we have and where to put everything. Choices, to make and decorating to do. What is a girl to do.

 

Barbara misses us but I talk to her everyday and she is staying busy at work.  Arbree is lost without her to talk to but is adjusting. (David is now not afraid to let her go anywhere alone.) Just Kidding.

 

Anyway we love you and have plenty of room for guests so please come visit. Arbree's 30 is coming up in September and planning a growing older party and all are welcome. We would love to have you.

 

Hugs and Kisses!

 

David, Arbree, Erin & Donovin