May 04

Kudos to Indiana Indexers

Michael Hall of FamilySearch, Indiana Genealogical Society, Allen County Public Library, April 2012.

Last Saturday I attended the Indiana Genealogical Society’s Annual Meeting at the Allen County Public Libraryin Fort Wayne.  Speakers included Debra Mieszala, CGSM, Michael Hall, Melissa Shimkus, and Curtis Sylvester. I focused on the Internet sessions, hoping to get some new information and tips about on-line research.

[Update: Several hours after I posted this blog FamilySearch Indexing on Facebook posted that Indiana is NOT 100% indexed, as was reported last Saturday. Evidently not all of the Indiana images and batches were included when they started indexing but they are now available. FamilySearch apologized for the confusion. Nevertheless, the Indiana indexers, as well as all indexers deserve Kudos.]

Michael Hall’s first session was “What’s New with FamilySearch.” I was impressed to learn that Indiana is 100% indexed as far as the 1940 census is concerned. Kudos to the Indiana indexers! It is the third state to be completely indexed, following behind Delaware and Kansas. The index for Indiana should be available on-line in 2-3 weeks.

Michael talked about other FamilySearch indexing projects. Indexing the 1940 census is at the forefront now but there are over 125 current indexing projects in 7 languages. He pointed out that indexing provides a meaningful service that allows one to give back and pay it forward.

The last couple days I have indexed several batches of 1940 census pages from neighboring Allen County, Ohio. I would love to index Mercer County! I enjoy indexing and plan to continue with other indexing projects after the 1940 census is completed.

There are over 125,000 volunteer indexers and most are not LDS members. He also mentioned that there is a phone app to index the 1940 census but stressed that it would not be advisable to index while driving.

The most recent FamilySearch initiatives are the 1940 census, their Civil War Project and the Italian Records and Research. They hope to have all the records in the Granite Mountain Vault digitized in 5 years.

I was excited to learn that FHL microfilms can now be sent to your local library. Michael pointed out that it is very helpful if the library has a microfilm reader.

Michael also talked about some features of FamilySearch.org that I do not regularly use. About 40 pages are added to their Wiki each day. He showed examples of scanned documents and collections from some Indiana counties that are on their Wiki and pointed out that it would be a good place to detail your local society and their holdings. You can connect with people around the world on the FamilySearch Form. He gave the example of getting help with a German language translation. FamilySearch has over 400 free on-line Research Courses that range from beginner to experienced researcher.

Melissa Shimkus presented a session “Becoming Expert on Using Ancestry”. Melissa gave many tips for achieving good results from an Ancestry.com search. Her tips ranged from using wild-cards to the simple and advanced searches.  A ? will replace 1 character and an * will replace multiple characters. You can use the symbols together and you use multiples of either.

Melissa suggested populating only 3-4 items/life events when performing a search on Ancestry.com. Most important would be first and last name, the place where they lived and possibly date of birth. Giving too few items will result in many hits while being too specific will result in fewer, more precise hits.

Ancestry.com has over 30,000 browsable collections and they are found in their Card Catalog, under Search.

Saturday’s conference was very informative and I even had time to go upstairs and do a little research.

Next week is the annual National Genealogical Society [NGS] Conference in Cincinnati. My friend Miriam and I will be traveling to the conference together. I will get early access to the exhibit hall since I volunteered to help set up the BCG [Board for Certification of Genealogists] booth. FamilySearch is hosting a dinner Tuesday night for the Geneabloggers. I am an Official 2012 NGS Conference Blogger so I will try to blog about my conference experiences every day.

I have been trying to get things organized and ready to take to Cincinnati. I have been putting conference information on my netbook and my Kindle. I have been trying to decide which sessions to attend and what booths I want to be sure to visit in the exhibit hall. NGS has a helpful daily conference blog that that tells about the speakers and exhibitors. And there is the shopping. Yes, I have my list of items [mainly books] that I want to purchase. It should be a good time

I never look forward to packing and this year is no exception. I always take too much, but we always drive, so who cares?

One thing I am rather excited to try out on this trip [I’m going put on my dental hygiene hat and talk a little dentistry now] is the travel case of my new Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 300 Series power toothbrush. The case is the charger and the power cable has a USB connection that will hook up to an electrical outlet or to my laptop! How cool is that?? My toothbrush is a tech tool!

Sonicare DiamondClean 300 Series Toothbrush w/USB charger.

Charging case of Sonicare DiamondClean 300 toothbrush.

 

 

I look forward to seeing some of you at the conference next week. Even if you aren’t in Cincinnati you can read all about it here.

May 01

Tombstone Tuesday–Albert “Bruno” & May R. Betzel

Albert “Bruno” Betzel, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Mercer County, Ohio.

This is the tombstone of Bruno and May R. Betzel, located in row 5, Ward 11, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

BETZEL
Albert “Bruno”
1894-1965
May R.
1895-1978

Christian Friedrich Albert Betzel was born 6 December 1894 in Chattanooga, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. He was baptized at home on 9 January 1895 by Rev. John Frederick Carsten Soller, the minister of Zion Lutheran Church in Chattanooga.

Albert was the son of Heinrich and Anna Sophia (Kessler) Betzel. Sponsors at his baptism were Christian Kessler and wife Margaret (Haeffner) and Fritz Betzel and wife. Zion’s records list his date of birth as 6 August, but every other source I have seen lists his birth month as December.

The story goes that Albert “Bruno” Betzel actually had six given names, Christian Frederick Albert John Henry David Betzel, given to honor his six uncles. [Only three given names are listed in Zion’s records.] It is also said that his nickname “Bruno” came from a St. Bernard dog that used to follow him around when he was a child. [1]

Albert Betzel spent his early years in the Chattanooga area. The Henry Betzel family was living in Liberty Township in 1900 when Albert was just 5 years old. Henry’s occupation was day laborer. In the household were Henry, 30; Anna, 28; Albert, 5; Morea, 3; and Ester, 2. [2]

By 1910 the Henry Betzel family had moved to Celina and was living at 121 Warren Street. In the household were Henry, 39; Anna, 37; Albert, 15; Marie, 13; Esther, 11; Walter, 9; and Laurena, 6. Albert’s trade/profession was “boot-black” at a barber shop. [3]

By 1920 Albert had married May Stemen and they were living at 316 Walnut Street in Celina. Their household in 1920: Albert, 25; May 24; Betty, 2 ½. Albert’s occupation was listed at National League Ball Player. [4]

In 1930 the Betzels were still living at 316 South Walnut and their household was as follows: Albert, 35; Mae, 34; Betty, 12; Albert, 10; Carolina Hoenie, 34 (roomer). Albert’s occupation was Baseball Player. [5]

Bruno Betzel played his entire five-year major league career for the St. Louis Cardinals from1914-1918. His first game was 3 September 1914, at age 19, and his last game was 2 September 1918. The 1915 St. Louis Cardinals Roster listed him as an infielder, 5’9”, 158 pounds. He threw and batted right-handed.

Betzel appeared in 448 games and batted .231 with 333 hits, including 37 doubles, 25 triples, two home runs and 94 runs batted in. He was the Redbirds’ regular third baseman in 1915 and second baseman in 1916. Bruno roomed with Rogers Hornsby, played with Hank Robinson, managed Jackie Robinson and once beaned Ty Cobb with an infield ground ball.

In 1927 he began his managing career with the Indianapolis Indians in the Class AA American Association. The following season he won his first pennant. He won six more championships during his 26 year managing career, all of them in the higher levels of the minor leagues. Betzel piloted minor league affiliates of the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and Cincinnati Reds. He compiled a record of 1,887 victories and 1,892 losses -a winning percentage of 49.9% and was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame.

Betzel was known to share what he caught while hunting and fishing with orphanages near his home.

Obituary: Former Baseball Star Bruno Betzel Dies at 70
Albert (Bruno) Betzel, 70, retired baseball player and manager, died Sunday morning in a hospital at West Hollywood, Fla., where he and Mrs. Betzel had gone to spend the winter months. His son, Albert Jr., of Atlanta, Ga., and his daughter, Mrs. John Dale (Betty) Coughlin of Augusta, Maine, were with their mother when he passed away.

The body is being flown to Celina but no details of arrival or other arrangements had yet been received by press time today.

Born in Mercer County, Mr. Betzel spent his entire adult life in the baseball field. He started his baseball career in Celina and eventually played both the major and minor leagues with teams in the United States and Canada.

Mr. Betzel reached the major leagues in 1914 and played with the St. Louis Cardinals for all or part of the subsequent five seasons. He saw duty as second base, third base and in the outfield and his lifetime batting average for the five seasons was .231. In 1916 he played in 142 games, highest total in his career.

After his retirement from playing he managed several minor league teams and led them to pennants in many cases. Among the teams he managed were Syracuse and Toronto, both in the Class AAA International League. He subsequently did scouting work for several major league clubs.

Mr. and Mrs. Betzel, whose home is at 302 South Brandon St. in Celina, have spent the winter months in the south for a number of years.

Surviving with the widow, Mae Stemen Betzel, and the two children are several grandchildren and a sister, Lorena, of Detroit. Another sister and a brother are deceased. [6]

Betzel Rites Set Friday
The body of the late Bruno Betzel, 70, Celina, who died Sunday morning in a West Hollywood, Fla., hospital, is expected to arrive by train at Wapakoneta at 2:36 a.m. Wednesday and will be brought to Vale and Stein Funeral Home. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Don Bachman, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, in charge. Interment will follow in North Gove Cemetery.

Mr. Betzel, a Celina native, was a major league baseball player from 1914-1918 and subsequently served as a manager, coach and scout for several major league teams and their affiliates. [7]

Betzel Rites Held Friday Afternoon
The Rev. Don Bachman, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, conducted funeral rites Friday afternoon in Vale and Stein Funeral Home for the late Albert “Bruno” Betzel, who died last Sunday in West Hollywood, Fla. Mrs. Robert Johnston presided at the organ.

In charge of the many floral tributes and acting as pallbearers to North Grove Cemetery were Ralph Hecht, John Smalley, John Fisher, Robert Pubentz, James Aller and Ralph Wilson. [8]

I could only find an abstract of May R. Betzel’s obituary: May R. Betzel passed away on 23 May 1978 at Williams Health Care Facility, Augusta, Maine. She was born 1 November 1895 in Center Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to Joseph and Minnie Newcomb Stemen. She married Albert “Bruno” Betzel on 14 November 1916. Survivors include a son Albert Jr., Decatur, Georgia, a daughter, Betty (John) Caughlin, Augusta, Maine, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Rex Stemen, Celina, and a sister Velma (Walter) Baker, Marietta. One sister is deceased. She was a life-long member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Celina. The funeral will be Saturday at Stein & Lehman Funeral Home, Celina, with burial at North Grove Cemetery. [9]

To be honest, I had never heard of Bruno Betzel until I compiled a history of Zion for our 150th anniversary in 2005. I have since learned that Chattanooga and Mercer County have had several talented baseball players over the years. Several made it to the major leagues while others played in the minor leagues or were invited to tryouts for the majors. But Albert “Bruno” Betzel, from the little village of Chattanooga, was the first major league player from Mercer County.

It is a small world. Our current interim pastor is the son of Rev. Don Bachman, the Lutheran minister who officiated at Bruno Betzel’s funeral.

[1] Leslie M. O’Connor, ed., Official Baseball 1945. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1945, page 382.

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio; Roll: 1304; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 85; FHL microfilm: 1241304, Ancestry.com, accessed 30 April 2012.

[3] 1910 U.S. Census, Celina Ward 2, Mercer, Ohio; Roll: T624_1214; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0117; Image: 911; FHL microfilm: 1375227, Ancestry.com, accessed 30 April 2012.

[4] 1920 US Census, Celina, Mercer, Ohio; Roll: T625_1418; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 138; Image: 367, Ancestry.com, accessed 30 April 2012.

[5] 1930 US Census, Celina, Mercer, Ohio; Roll: 1850; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 821.0; FHL microfilm: 2341584, Ancestry.com accessed 30 April 2012.

[6] The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 8 February 1965, p.1.

[7] The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 9 February 1965, p.1.

[8] The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 13 February 1965, p.3.

[9] Obituary file, Mercer County Public Library, Celina, Ohio.

Other sources of information:
OVGuide.com
eNotes
Bruno Betzel Stats on Baseball Almanac.com
juggle.com (Season stats for Bruno Betzel at St. Louis Cardinals)
Notable Mercer County Natives  (includes a photo of Bruno)
Baseball-reference.com
Bruno Betzel on Wikipedia.org

Apr 27

Years Ago in Downtown Chattanooga, Ohio

Last week I wrote about the residents of Chattanooga, Ohio, as they were enumerated in the 1940 census. As I was going through some of my dad’s old photos I found a couple photos of Chatt.

 

Heffner's Grocery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

According to the 1940 census Walter Heffner had a grocery. When I was young Harold Bollenbacher owned the grocery next to the Fire Department. My friend Karen and I always enjoyed stopping at Bollenbacher’s Grocery for a soda or an ice cream bar while riding our bikes through town in the summer.

The Fire Department is now across the street, where Wendel Brothers Pontiac dealership was located.

Wendel Brothers Pontiac Auto Sales, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Downtown Chattanooga, looking north.

This photo of Ivan Johnson’s garage was taken in 1972.

Ivan Johnson's Garage, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Chattanooga also had a school back then but the 1938-39 school year was its last. Those in the school photo: Row 1 from left: Eldon Stetler, Ralph Schaadt, Tommy Schaadt, Robert Hunzinger, Paul Duff, Kenneth Bransteter, Richard Andress, Victor Andress, Alfred Schott. Row 2: Pauline Egger, Donna Andress, Betty Ruth Bransteter Carr, Phyllis Raudenbush Nash, Wanda Lou Carr Gilliland, Donald Mayes, Charles Myers, Roger Bollenbacher, Richard Bollenbacher, Eugene Baker. Row 3: Robert Carr, Dale Schott, Robert Deitsch, Anna Lee Schott, Helen Jean Hileman White, Vera Mae Andress, Romania Zumbrick Linn, Dorothy Jean Leininger Hellwarth, Donald McCoy. Row 4: Norval Weitz, Donald Deitsch, Hilda Koch, teacher, Dale Baumgartner.

Chattanooga, Ohio, School, 1938-39.

It is that time of year–conference time once again. This Saturday I will head off to Fort Wayne to attend the Indiana Genealogical Society’s Annual Conference at the Allen County Public Library. Their featured speaker is Debra Mieszala. Debra is a Certified Genealogist specializing in forensic genealogy, 20th century research and the Midwest. She will present four sessions. Several other speakers will also talk about Family Search, Ancestry.com and writing a book using Family Tree Maker and MS Word. The topics all look interesting and I still need to decide which ones I want to attend. I may even be able to squeeze in a little time for some research at the library during the lunch hour.

Apr 24

In Memory of Herbert Miller, 1925-2012

A member of The Greatest Generation passed away this past Saturday–my father, Herbert M Miller. This blog is devoted to his memory. Farewell brave soldier. We miss you so very much.

US Army, 84th Division, 333rd Company, Infantry. WWII, Battle of the Bulge.

 

Herb & Karen

Thank you for being a wonderful father and thank you for your service for our country.

May you rest in peace.

Herbert M. Miller, 29 Nov 1925-21 Apr 2012.

 

Apr 21

Chattanooga Happenings–April 1940

Yesterday I listed all the inhabitants of Chattanooga, Ohio, as they were recorded in the 1940 census. After that I decided I wanted to learn more about what was going on in the village back in 1940. So I went to the Mercer County Public Library in Celina and looked through several April 1940 issues of the local newspaper, The Daily Standard. At that time the newspaper ran a column with little news items about Chattanooga. Below are some things that were going on in Chatt in April 1940:

Miss Matilda Bollenbacher spent Saturday night and Sunday with Miss Georgie Reinhart at Celina.

Mrs. Melvin Moser and Mrs. John Regedenz and Mrs. And Mrs. Luther Gibbons and daughter spent Tuesday evening with Mrs. Vivian Carr.

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Clase and son moved into part of the house belonging to W.W. Baker, the first of the week.

Jake Duff purchased a ’37 Chevrolet at the Wendel motor sales on Monday evening.

Mrs. Dewey Gibbons was a Wednesday dinner guest of Mrs. Effie Morrison near Rockford. The dinner was in honor of Mrs. Carl Brandt of Rockford, who celebrated her birthday.

Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Vining left for their home at Buckley, Mich., the latter part of last week.

Mr. & Mrs. Dwight Raudenbush and family are quarantined for scarlet fever.

Richard Bollenbacher, son of Mr. & Mrs. Francis Bollenbacher celebrated his 10th birthday on Monday at his home here. Those present were Charles Myers, Jr, Paul Duff, Gordon and Paul Leistner, Donna Rose Andrews, Wando Lou and Robert Carr, Pauline Egger, Lila Lee Gibbons, Donald Mayor, Alfred Schott, Victor Andrews, Ann Lee Schott, Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Lugginbill and daughter Pearl. Mrs. & Mrs. Raymond Broerien and son Harold and Mr. & Mrs. Francis Bollenbacher and son Roger.

Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Heffner were Tuesday Celina shoppers.

Mrs. Walter Heffner has been on the sick list.

Mrs. William Lawson called on her mother Mrs. Minerva Dudgeon near Willshire Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs. Ivan Johnson is on the sick list.

Miss Donna Rose Andrews was a Wednesday overnight guest of Miss Ann Gibbons.
(Source of above news: The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 6 April 1940, p. 2.)

Roger Bollenbacher was unable to be in school Thursday, due to illness.

Dr. Githens of Wren, O., was seen in this town Thursday.

Mrs. John Regedanz and Mrs. Vivian Carr did some papering for Mr. & Mrs. Luther Fisher Tuesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stubor are the proud parents of a baby boy born at their home near here March 28. He was named Thomas Eugene.

Miss Sanda Hoblet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hoblet, celebrated her 5th birthday on Friday afternoon, by having a number of her little friends in to help her observe the occasion.

Charles Gause is able to be back at work in the Schroeder barber shop.

Miss Goldie Baumgartner is confined to her bed at the home of her parents, ill with scarlet fever.

Mrs. Vivian Carr and Mrs. John Regedanz papered on Friday and Saturday at the homes of Fred Myers and William Schaadt.

Mr. & Mrs. Leo Slusser and daughter Kay spent Saturday evening at Van Wert.

Mrs. Ralph Baumgartner was taken to the hospital at Decatur on Sunday afternoon.

Mr. & Mrs. Jake Duff and son Paul and Mrs. Emma Duff spent Sunday afternoon with Mr. & Mrs. E. G. Butcher at Bryant, Ind. Mrs. Emma Duff remained for a longer visit.

Mrs. Rudolph Heffner has been on the sick list and Mrs. Art Bailey has also been ill.

Miss Lila Lee Gibbons, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Luther Gibbons is confined to her bed due to illness.

Mr. & Mrs. Homer Carr and family of north of town and Mr. and Mrs. Orville Felver of Gas City, Ind., were Sunday dinner guests of Mrs. Vivian Carr and children.

Phil Hershberger of Farmland, Ind., spent Sunday and Monday at the home of his brother, Rev. & Mrs. Ben Hershberger and son, Steven Lee.

Dwight Raudenbush took a load of cattle to Indianapolis on Tuesday evening.
(Source of above news: The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 11 April 1940, p. 5.)

As you can see, there was a lot of sickness in the Chatt area in April 1940. The census of Blackcreek Township, Liberty Township’s neighbor to the north, contained a sheet that was labeled “Scarlet Fever & Mumps” on the left side of the page.  (ED 54-1, Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, sheet 61A, no date written of the census was taken. Enumerator Philip L. Runyan.)

Names on the sick page:
1: White, Glen (farm operator), Glendora, Dorthy, Glen Jr
2: Carr, Dewey (state truck driver), Lillian, Calvin L
3: Hoblet, Lee Orville (farm operator), Anna R, Donald L (farm labor), Gerald L
4: Young, H O (farm operator), Abbie, Raymond A (farm labor)
5: Detro, William (farmer)
6: Gause, Ralph M (construction labor), William E
7: Bayles, John W (farm operator), Eve, Thomas
8: Bollenbacher, Ben (farmer), Rolland (farm operator), Clara, Harry
64 (cont): Plants, Charles (brother-in-law) [#64: the Albert Pontius household]
3 (cont) Schumm, Edgar (son) (mill feed factory labor) [#3: the LW Schumm household]