MOVE.....

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       Write it

       Shoot it

       Publish it

       Crochet it

       Saute it

       Whatever

       Make

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From Josh Whedon, Creator of Firefly

S is for is for Saving... & S is for Surfacing

>> S is for Serendipity

From Miriam-Webster, an official definition of serendipity is, "the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for."  I, going shorter, would say that serendipity is between "wow" and "whoopee," and that serendipity makes for some of the best stories to trade.  

If you don't have a collection of these, just keep researching.  

Serendipity #1: A few years ago, I was in McLean, Va., visiting my mother, and went to the local FHL.  The gent tending was not, by his own comment, a genealogist; he did, however, ask what name I was researching.   When I said, “Rentchler, downstate Illinois,” he said, “Rentchler, California.” …. And we realized that we are cousins.  The brother of my Rentchler went to California, and the library tender is a descendent of that person, Marshall Rentchler.  I am a descendent of the son who stayed home in Belleville, Henry L. Rentchler.

Serendipity #2: In the 1980’s I was researching in Ft. Wayne, In. with my mother, and commented to her that “look… Patrick joined Manerva’s church 8 months before they were married.”  A gent at the next table made comment to me that it was common for the beau to join his lady’s church some months before marriage, so they could be married in her church. 

Serendipity #3:  In 1964, an oral history was taken about two very very small Illinois towns, Belle Rive and Dahlgren, resulting in a book titled (no great surprise here) "The History of Belle Rive and Dahlgren, Illinois" and put in the Mt. Vernon library.  In 1998, to aide my own research, I made an every name index of this book, and published it online.  In 2018, my colleague and friend mentioned that he had people from that area.  It turns out that one of the interviews was given by his great aunt, who he knew, though he had no knowledge of this book!  (ps-the index is still on-line)

Serendipity #4: The first time to Mt. Vernon library (IL), with my mother to research my father's line, we were pointed at a researcher across the room.  The librarian thought that she knew about the Ross’.  Indeed she did!  Her GG and my GGG were sisters – Sarah Nooner & Rebecca Barbee – both originally Comptons, and born Manassas, VA. 

   ... and the "wow" factor continues.  My cousin, a Ross, married a woman born and raised in Manassas, VA, who, though she doesn’t have any Comptons in her line (to her knowledge) did comment that there were many Comptons in her school.  (and GGG gets the line back to the early 1800s!!)

Serendipity, at this point and for me, is genealogy’s four leaf clover.  Keep your eyes (and ears) open, and it may just find you ---

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>> S is for surfacing 

You may notice that my last post was Sept 6, 2018.  On Sept 7, 2018, I was on a plane headed to Va. to tend my mother.  Sitting in a hospital or rehab is not the best place for the creative musing or applied thinking/writing that goes into a blog.  Ta-da.  No writing for 5 months.  The extra time until today, and being able to get “back on the blog” were used arranging her move to Chicago and settling many things. 
       
I am looking forward to months, even years, with much less excitement. 

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2018 began with an "ABC-darium," a walk through the alphabet expanding into short comments on matters genealogical.  Published on most Tuesdays and some Fridays, a letter may be visited more than once before moving on.   2019 continues to finish the alphabet.  Then ??? -- any suggestions?

© 2019, SE Ross