Belated Happy Birthday Grandpa Red!!

My maternal grandfather, Ernest John "Red" Senecal, was born on 23 December 1905 in AuSable Forks, Clinton County, New York to John Senecal and Georgiana (Yelle) Senecal.  He died 17 February 1967 in Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York, a month before I was born.

Here is a picture of a portrait painted when he was 2-3 years old.  The original frame did not survive one of my many moves so the quest is on to find an appropriate new one.

Grandpa Red loved sports and played baseball and basketball in high school.  He also played in the town team baseball leagues in the 1920's.  He played second and third bases and was usually a lead off hitter.  I am going through the Northern New York Historical Newspapers (See Website Wednesday) to find more game summaries.

NOTE: A good reference book for North Country baseball is "The Only Game In Town: A Century of North Country Town-Team Baseball 1860-1960" by Robert M. Garrow (Bloated Toe Publishing, www.bloatedtoe.com, 2009) .

Here's a picture from my GOLDMINE.  I know Grandpa Red is on the last row, second from the left, with the hat by a manager. I wish I knew more about the picture but hopefully one day I will!!

Well, one of my favorite sayings is "Better Late Than Never".  So Grandpa Red, Happy Belated Birthday!! And as I like to say, "GO TEAM"!!

Motivation Monday

Well I am FINALLY getting around to listing my monthly genealogy goals after reading Stephanie's Corn and Cotton: My Family's Story and Terri's Finding Our Ancestors today. I am motivated!! (Or maybe terrified if I actually publicly WRITE my to-do's I might actually have to do them!!)

I also follow a few other bloggers who put it out for the rest of to see and get inspired.  There is Tonia's Tonia's Roots, Tina's Gen Wish List and Dee's Ancestrally Challenged.

Thank you all for inspiring me.  Now to the LIST.  Since this month is busier than normal with holiday functions, I am starting with baby steps!!

1. Blog at least 3 times this month  
2. Sort the pictures in my GOLDMINE
3. Start scanning pictures
4. Entry data into my Legacy program
5. Start plotting out next year's goals :)

Well there it is. December 2011 goals.  Now to actually to start them!!!

Happy Veterans Day To All

The GOLDMINE has struck again!! Not only I have found pictures of my maternal grandfather, Ernest John Senecal, during his World War II Army service BUT found a couple of books about his division. AND his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge form signed and recorded in Clinton County, New York.

"Red" served in the Army, 94th Infantry, 301st Field Artillery Battalion, Company C.  He left as a Tech Corporal.  His MOS was Cook.  Mom always he was a better cook than Grandma!!

In my "Goldmine" there were several division history books with pictures, names and addresses of all the men.  I am really looking forward to researching this division.

And here is the card issued by the Office of Clinton County Clerk showing an Honorable Discharge has been recorded.

I grew up in a military family in a military town so I was always aware of service members and what they meant to our country and to families.  It is going to be another journey to investigate this chapter of my grandfather's life that I knew existed but just didn't know much about it.  Can't wait!!!

Website Wednesday

I'm not sure if that's a daily blogging prompt but it is for me today!

I am totally and I do mean TOTALLY in love with today's website.  What is it? It is the "Northern New York Historical Newspapers" at news.nnyln.net  It is part of the Northern New York Library Network (www.nnyln.org).  It has newspapers for the following counties:  Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego.

Tombstone Tuesday

Melinda (Sharrow) Dupray/Duprey 1942

1940 Census Continued

1940 Federal Census

1940 Federal Census Supplementary Questions

1940 US Census Preview

Just a quick note. I went to the Genealogy Club of Montgomery County Historical Society (http://www.montgomeryhistory.org/genealogy-club-montgomery-county-historical-society) last night and heard Constance Potter with the National Archives give a presentation on the 1940 US Census. First, she is a great speaker. If you are in the Metro DC area and have a chance to hear her, I highly recommend it. Second, I am not really looking for to the release of the Census!! The official release is 2 April 2012 at 9:00 am. I say the servers will be down at 9:01 am :)

So in honor of the 1940 Census, I now have a countdown gadget!!

More to follow..........soon........I promise!!

http://www.montgomeryhistory.org/genealogy-club-montgomery-county-historical-society