Oil was put on the rusty threads, but the old bolts would not turn! (AKA, The Drawn Out Death of a Genealogy Society)

Oil was put on the threads, but the old bolts would not turn.

 My thoughts, theories, and facts about a failing genealogy society.

(This post is a copy of the same article that I posted on The You Go Genealogy Girls, this same date.)

 This pertains mostly to one society but could easily apply to others who are not vigilant with the future of their own societies. Two well written and recent articles can be read here as to the life and death of Genealogical Societies. There are certainly some out there that need to take a lesson from both Susan Petersen and Ruby Coleman. Many of the points-of-fact made in these two fine articles IS what is killing many societies, and sadly my own state society is on that list. The 'good ol' boys' club makes for a slow and painful death! Change is never easy but in this day...you either change and progress or get left behind. I encourage everyone interested in their own Genealogical Society to read the articles written by Susan and Ruby.

 A few problems and gripes from my own personal perspective about my State Genealogical Society.

 1. There is so much more today for the average genealogist to pick from to help them learn and do quality research, why would anyone waste time with a society who does not want to give much back to them as a member? I volunteer some of my time to a few good sites by helping to index or digitize records. Those sites also give back to me. I also have two local county museum/research centers that benefit me and to whom I help as much as possible. I want my membership to my genealogy society to be a two way street. My state society can't even get caught up on the publications that have been in arrears for months and months, digitizing records for the website is nearly stagnant...there have been no new publications or direct email contacts since the April 2015 Conference. Just a day ago, I got a membership card in the mail which was actually paid in April. Things had begun to progress the last half of 2014 and first part of 2015, now everything appears to be backsliding again.

 2. A Facebook page is all that seems to be quite active but has little of consequence on it pertaining to the actual Society itself. It is very little Society news and mostly turned into an inquiry/message board type site. I would love to see some division of the two; news and inquiry. This idea was offered once before and poo-pooed but I still like the idea. Maybe I want to spend time on inquires that day and maybe I only want to  quickly check society news (always hoping there will be something uplifting and new) and don’t have time for reading lengthy posts. Other FB sites create separate ‘pages’, why can’t this society do the same?

3. From personal experience my state society has neglected to make use of my offer of free digitizing of records that should be on their regular website (after I offered at least 3 times to help digitize records and got no response from 2008-2013, I quit offering). Those surname family records are still in limbo. Granted I am in the far end of the state, away from most society activity, but I drive and so do most of the society members. I was willing to pick up items too and voiced that to two different past Presidents. Their last State Conference of 2015 brought more requests for help with articles and digitizing...so why didn't anyone contact me OR OTHERS who offered in prior years? This year I was directly asked to help with possible area Rep work, the one time that I could NOT agree to do it because of my husband's illness in 2014-15 and his need for constant care. I did do some graphic design work and printing this last year in the way of certificates and a few other items for the society. I was asked by the then President to help and I did that gladly because it was something I could do from home. I got no pay, nor expected any. I put together a small vendor table group to help bring some variety to the last conference and made several prize donations as they had been sorely lacking in vendors for the several previous yearly Conferences. The only thank you for coming and setting up that I got was from the then President and one other and now past officer/member of the society.

4. How does a State Society elect a new President who makes every effort to bring about change and progress...and then cause so much trouble for her that it led to her resigning after a year of service? (I should add that after having to virtually try to drag them forward because the 'good 'ol boys' resented her straight forward leadership and progressive ideas.) Leadership is truly a quality that few really possess and Presidents of any entity ARE supposed to lead. Most good leaders, including the one who resigned, have years of experience doing just that...LEADING. She has more than 50 years experience, is a well known professional researcher, and had 13 years experience as the head of a 501-C foundation and has written several genealogical publications/books over 40 years. Taking initiative, being out-spoken about problems and solutions, and rallying the other workers/members are known good qualities for leadership. Trailing from behind or being led by a nose ring won't benefit any officer or his/her company/society, particularly one elected to a Presidents job. In the retail or business world, the stagnant and non-progressive type would not even be considered to be President of an organization.

5. Another observation looking in from the outside; personality conflicts have no place within the leadership of any group/society...nor does extreme nasty badgering and bullying. As a close relative of the past President, I admittedly had some special insight into the back-stabbing and obviously malicious attempts toward subverting the Presidential leadership of this lady. The nasty and malicious emails that she received  often from two of the “good 'ol boys” for a nearly a year were abhorrent. They should absolutely be ashamed at treating anyone that way. That alone has caused my husband and I to have second thoughts about continuing both our memberships in this society,  that yet to be determined. Had it been my choice, all those emails would have been made public and shared with every member of the society. I still think they should be. (The President chose to keep those mostly private, a decision that I absolutely disagreed with.) As President during all that time, she was moving the society forward and trying to protect the Society's assets both real and intellectual.

6.  Years of complacency have taken a toll in many areas, including adherence to policy and by-laws, seriously declining membership, poor conference management and programming, the same few people just rotating titles for years, a stagnant to non-existent website and more. This last year, a disgruntled officer (who had held his office for years) officially resigned and it was accepted by the board. An interim replacement volunteer was found to act until elections and when the first officer found out, he just changed his mind to keep the job …he followed no by-law rules and did not wait until election to officially run again. The ensconced old officers in this society do not want change. It is run like a small club not a non-profit society and one which is chartered/sanctioned by NGS by-laws. No society can be a one or two man/woman operation as it requires good leadership and members who are proud to belong and volunteer. Change was beginning to be in order in my society but I feel it will now likely remain stagnant or slip back into regression just as it has been for several years...no change, no improvement, no accountability, and nothing to bring in new ideas and very few new people.

7. As for the money. Why such a complaint about spending a little extra of a good sized savings to help promote a good conference? Maybe I am the only one but a few nice rolls/cookies instead of granola bars was a nice thing!  The meals were wonderful too and I am betting the society still has plenty of monetary reserves to move forward on. As a former business owner for 35 years, sometimes you have to spend a little extra to gain a lot in the end! Going to a conference to hear a great speaker,  experiencing a very good offering of presentations and meeting with friends is always great fun. I like to hear a renowned speaker when I attend a conference. My dues should help pay for a tiny part of these expenses. I can learn nearly all the same things right from home now so why should I drive all the way from western Nebraska to the east of the state for 8 hours one way if there is not something special to bring me? Megan, Laura, and George were wonderful, what happened with the 2014 conference? Were you saving money for something special, perhaps a rainy day... or for a society burial fund?

 In conclusion:

I have sat silent on this matter for some time, particularly because I have a direct family relationship to the past President of the Society** that I am particularly referring to. I did not feel that many would heed my comments because of that fact. I have thought about and stewed many nights over this for some time now and I can no longer sit in silence. I watched as certain people carried on a vicious campaign against this lady; mostly because she was assertive and pushed for change, advocated for policy adherence and progress but also because they fostered personal animosity towards her and felt a great loss of former power under her guidance. Her guidance and leadership seemed to intimidate them. Even considering a personal connection to the aforementioned President, I truly feel the outcome would have been the same for anyone who might have threatened the Status-Quo of this organization. In the 15 or so years after my retirement that I have been deeply involved in genealogy, I have joined several genealogy societies both small and large, not a one has failed to be inspirational and helpful in some way except what has been my own state Society. That makes me sad. A few young, climbers who have joined the remaining 'good 'ol boys' will not keep my own society afloat unless they too see that progress and a strong leader into the 21st Century is needed. If they too, fall prey to the statement of “that is always how we have done it” that will be an even quicker way to the society graveyard. Age and youth must work together.  Just because you are younger and thinking you are smarter, just shaping to the old society leadership and ideas WILL NOT move the society in the right direction. All genealogy societies need both new blood and the old and experienced members. The so called ‘rookies’ as well as the ‘ensconced relics’ should all have a place, but both should realize that change should occur. The ‘rookies’ are the sustaining life of a surviving society! Old and new can complement one another when they choose to work together for betterment of the society. Knowledge is certainly not limited to one age group! Sadly, because of what I personally believe to have been inspired by a lot of early on jealousy and animus by some of the leadership, my society has recently lost a good President and the backing/membership of several of the seasoned members.With a life to live and more to do than put up with intimidation and down right nasty people, her family wondered why anyone should enjoy serving the ungrateful 'beast'. She is certainly not a quitter, far from it, but after a with encouragement from her family and close friends, me included, she made the ultimate personal decision to resign as President after only one short year.  Contrary to what some have put forward, members for decades don't leave because their President is aggressively leading but instead because there is nothing for them to stay for. 

I believe that The Nebraska State Genealogical Society leadership has to make some serious and progressive changes if they want the Society to survive. Clean house and start over if necessary. Adhere to rules and by-laws.  Try to foster and hold the membership. Actively engage and then show appreciation to volunteers. Take special care of the physical collections and ensure their safety and society ownership for generations to come. Work for the betterment of and be accountable to the membership. The times are changing, accept that... and make the needed changes. This is going to be a tall order in my humble opinion, as I see this society sliding into oblivion as have many others the last few years!

Cheri Hopkins

YouGoGirl #2

**Ruby Coleman, past President of the Nebraska Genealogical Society is my sister-in-law

E. B. Straiter... Civil War Confederate Veteran

I have been going through old newspapers and came across this article. Thinking it may be relevant to someone's family research I am posting it here. There was an old soldiers home and veterans unit in Hot Springs, South Dakota -not far from Alliance which was the point of origin of this article. Alliance was and still is a prominent rail division point for the railroad so many "travelers" ended up going through here in those early years.

The Alliance Herald (Alliance, Nebraska)  July 15, 1915

E. B. Straiter, Civil War Confederate Veteran

 

Genealogy Fun in Eastern Nebraska...part 2 (Homestead Monument)

Welcome back, the second part of this article is about the continuation of my recent genealogy trip to eastern Nebraska with my cousin. You can read the first part of the story HERE. The latter part of last week was spent having fun just touring some sites and cemeteries in and around Adams and Gage Counties of Nebraska.


First stop was at Red Cloud, Nebraska- the home of the author Willa Cather. Red Cloud is a pretty little quaint town with many historical buildings, several of which relate to some of the writings of Willa Cather. Her book, My Antonia was set around some of the homes and people of Red Cloud. We toured her original home and drove around the tour to see more of the historical buildings. I had never been to the little town and it was treat, especially to be taken back in time in our minds at least.

Willa Cather home

Cather historical marker

Me in front of her home

Historical old home of Willa Cather's writings

Beautiful old red brick building, Red Cloud, Ne.

Old bank block, Willa scratched her initials in the outside wall

Quaint church in Red Cloud, Ne.

Seeing the historical buildings around Red Cloud was certainly fun and learning more about history is always a welcome experience!

The Homestead National Monument near Beatrice, Nebraska was our next stop on our exploring Nebraska some if it's great sites. For anyone interested in history and especially for those with ties to ancestors who may have settled on the plains or other areas of the country who offered homestead land, this is a fun place to visit and learn more about early settlement. All four pages of the original Homestead Act of 1862 are on display at the monument right now and through the end of May in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act. What an awesome experience to have been able to view this historical document in its entirety! I was absolutely thrilled to see it in person and be so close to the actual signature of Abraham Lincoln. The display is such that visitors can get quite up close to the document as it is shown behind glass as a unit. It is under armed guard, a rather strange experience to see in the small museum. We were able to get close enough to take semi-descent photos but as NO FLASH or tripods were allowed, there is a rather bad glass reflection from other display lights and the display is dimly lit for preservation purposes, it is hard to get excellent quality photos. None the less, we did get some photos and loved seeing the document. The Homestead monument also offers a great museum and  several displays for everyone to learn more about that period in history. A really nice outdoor learning center, theater with learning films and two excellent gift shops in both buildings at the monument makes this a very worth while historical place to visit even during the times that the original document is not there. I can't wait to go back and spend some time there. Take along some extra fun money as they offer very nice books on history, genealogy, Nebraska, quilts and more! Enjoy a few of the photos that we took when we visited the Homestead National Monument last week!

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Signature of Abraham Lincoln

Shows how the  Homestead Act document is displayed

Copy of original poster

A few of our own family Homestead Documents are shown here to give you an idea of what some of the pages look like when you are able to find your own family documents online. I've included a couple pages from about three different people's document folders so you can see the variety of papers that may appear in your ancestors papers. Most packets will contain around 15 pages or more of document pages for each person who applied for a Homestead.  Fold3 is slowly adding the documents to its database and about half of Nebraska is available at this time. The Fold 3 database of Homestead records is FREE through May. Be sure to check back often if you are searching for your ancestor's records as new documents are being added daily. Copies of these documents are NOT available at the Homestead National Monument so do not make the trip there under the assumption that they house those records. 

 Many of my personal families did settle and take homestead land in Nebraska so I have been lucky to get several of the documents. What a thrill to read how our ancestors attained and settled their land!

The fun of discovering your ancestor in Homestead Records is hard to describe, one gets a warm feeling of closeness to those who came before. My cousin and I really had a wonderful time touring the Homestead National Monument and other historical sites in Nebraska while spending
quality time together, it was another grand genealogy outing!

Our last stop was visiting a family cemetery in Blue Springs, Nebraska, which I will tell more about soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Genealogy Fun in Eastern Nebraska

Last week was a fun week for two cousins who had not been able to spend time together for years. I traveled east to Hastings, Nebraska to visit my cousin Joy for a week and to take in some fun and exciting activities near that area. After a fond greeting, our first plans of the week were made over dinner at one of her local restaurants...an awesome neighborhood restaurant the OK Cafe is full of antiques, displays to bring back childhood memories, gifts, and a unique large scale model train that travels the entire ceiling area of the restaurant on rails that criss-crossed the seating area and run along the walls. The atmosphere just makes you want to get busy writing your own family history! It was quite enjoyable and we had an awesome homemade meal while laughing and planning our week.

OK Cafe: Hastings, Nebraska-good food, fun establishment!

 Shopping, of course, was on our schedule and the very first day we ventured out to see what we could spend money on! Fresh flowers and garden plants filled the back of our vehicle as well as pots, dirt and garden spinners...mine all had to spend the week in her back yard waiting for the trip back home to western Nebraska. We bought genealogy books, history books, movies and just fun trinkets as we skipped from store to store and was it fun! By days end on the first day we were worn out but we tackled day two and survived more of the same with additional plants and more fun meals together. A trip to the Adams County court house gleaned an old marriage record for my husband's family and rounded out day two of fun. We were getting closer to Friday, the first day we were to head to Grand Island to attend the Nebraska State Genealogy Society 2012 Conference.

 My cousin was anxious to learn more about genealogy and getting her feet wet in the work of tracing some of her father's family history so off we headed to Grand Island on Friday. It is usually only about a 25 minute drive from Hastings to Grand Island but that Friday morning the fog was so bad that you could not see 20 feet, some of the thickest I have ever seen but we took it slowly and made it to the Conference in time to set up our vendor table and visit with friends before the opening activities. We really enjoyed meeting new people and seeing some old friends too. Day one featured  several presentations by Laura Prescott which were quite informative, she was a good presenter and injected some family humor which made her presentations very down to earth. My partner with the You Go Genealogy Girls, Ruby Coleman, received the Society award for Nebraska Genealogist of the Year over the noon luncheon so we took photos and handed out congrats to her for her nice award. The afternoon rounded out with a very interesting presentation by Catherine Renschler about a large glass plate photo collection, The Hines Collection that had been donated to the Adams County Historical Society...it was super interesting and very well presented. If you happen to have had ancestors from the Adams County or SE region of Nebraska, be sure to check out these photos as they are online and the Society needs help identifying many of them. By days close it was time to hurry home to tend the puppy dog again and make more plans!

Ruby Coleman- Nebraska Genealogist of the Year

Laura Prescott, our Keynote Presenter

 Saturday was the second day of the Genealogy Conference and we headed back to Grand Island, this time on a bright and beautiful morning's drive. We had a great time listening to more presentations by Laura Prescott, enjoyed lunch with friends at the conference and we went home with lots of reading material and books, some older publications and some new ones too. Hopefully all the newly acquired knowledge from the Conference and our new reading material will make us smarter as we move forward with our family ancestor quests. We concluded that we need all the help we can get. We left the Conference with new ideas and the hopes that we could spend more time together attending fun family history gatherings in the future.

In between all the shopping, learning and eating we also managed to get cousin Joy's new computer all set up and running so she will be in top form as she moves forward with her family research. It was quite a job for two cousins who are basically technologically challenged but we got the job done and it all worked. We managed to eat a whole triple berry pie between us while setting up her computer so I know the sustenance made us smarter and helped us along!

With the shopping and Conference over it was time to turn our thoughts to plans for the rest of the week. We had discussed beforehand what other things we wanted to possibly do. After a day of just staying home, resting, visiting, spending time with her lonesome old puppy...and counting our money to see if we could get on down the road (gals can spend lots of money on fun and frivolity), we finally decided on our ventures for the time I had left to visit.  Willa Cather's home and the historical sights of Red Cloud, Nebraska would be our first stop and then on to Beatrice, Nebraska to see the Homestead National Monument and view the original 4 pages of the Homestead Act which had just gone on display and then we would tour one of our mutual family cemeteries in Blue Springs, Nebraska.

Join me tomorrow with part 2 of "Genealogy Fun in Nebraska" as I tell of our fun trip and include pictures of the original Homestead Act and our journey back to visit several of our ancestors final resting places. I look forward to seeing you here soon!

"Sharing Memories 2012 (Week 1): First Childhood Memory"

My first real memory that was really seared in my mind was this little yard pool and leopard suit! I think I was about two years old.  For many years that memory was with me although not quite so vividly as it was later. Mostly it was the leopard swim suit that I did remember...I wonder why that in particular? I was a great fan of the Tarzan movies that were so popular in the late 1950's and early 60's and never missed going to see a flick with my cousin at the Saturday matinee. Maybe I was destined to be "Jane" at an early age!

Blacky and Cheri, taken about 1954

"Jane"...quite the fashion statement!

It was not until about 5 years ago when I started going through the hundreds of 35 mm slides that my Dad had taken that I came across these two old slides and digitized them. It was just as I remembered and the added bonus of the photos was that my first dog, Blacky, was in one of the pics and it is the best photo that I have to remember him by.  I treasure the memory and feel so lucky to have the photos that my Daddy took and can enjoy them so many years later.

Katie Marie Coleman-Ashley... Day 6, A Week of Veteran Salutes

As today is Veteran's Day for 2011, I will end my week of salutes to family members with my beautiful niece Katie Marie Coleman. She proudly took the reins and followed in the footsteps of her 5th great Grandfather, John Shepherd Coleman, my featured ancestor here on this blog on Thursday the 10th, 2011. His story is here http://goo.gl/DXANC
Honor, bravery and love of country surely must be a few of the factors that lead our loved ones to serve as they left children and loved ones at home while they gave of their time for their country.

Katie Marie Coleman-Ashley held the rank of Specialist, her job was as an Automated Logistical Specialist. Maintaining and distributing the Army's large inventory of food, medicines, ammunition, spare parts and other supplies is an incredibly important job. The Automated Logistical Specialist is an integral member of the Army's supply and warehousing specialist team, responsible for supervising and performing management or warehouse functions in order to maintain equipment records and parts. Some of Katie's most important duties were making sure that the right supplies were delivered at the right time to help ensure the safety of Army troops in the field and on the front lines.

Katie Marie Coleman-Ashley served  in HHC 9th Battalion of the 101st Airborne out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She was a proud member of the famed "Screaming Eagles". The distinguished history of the 101st  goes back to WWII and has continued into today's world with service in Iraq and Afghanistan. When the division's second deployment began in 2005, Katie eventually was called to go abroad. She left her young son in the care of his Grandparents back in Nebraska as she deployed to Iraq for a year of service.

Homecoming for Katie Marie with her son,Tyler, at Ft. Campbell

Mom is home from Iraq!

 We love you Katie and honor you for your service. Our pride in you will shine forever! ♥

John Shepherd Coleman...Day 5, a Week of Veteran Salutes

John Shepherd Coleman served as a private in Company D, 23rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. According to records in the Indiana State Archives he enrolled on July 12 1861 at New Albany, Indiana and was mustered on 29 July 1861 at the same location. John Shepherd was mustered out on 23 July 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky. He married Margaret Jane Sharp(e) on 7 Feb 1852 in Harrison County, Indiana when he was 22 years old and he was thirty one when he enrolled in the Union army.

John's trade was that of a blacksmith as was his father and his son after him. I have often wondered if he might have served as a unit farrier during the time of his service although that is not known at this time. The 23rd infantry was involved in many actions of the war which included the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee; the advance on and siege of Corinth, Mississippi; the assaults on and surrender of Vicksburg; the siege on Atlanta and they were also involved in the surrender of Gen. Joseph Johnston and his army just to name a few. Over all the 23rd Regiment was a busy unit and involved in many actions against their enemy during the war. They are known to have participated in the Grand Review of the victorious armies in Washington, D.C. on May 23-24 of 1865 shortly before they were mustered out in Kentucky.

John Shepherd Coleman   1830-1912

John returned to Indiana where he spent the remainder of his life after the Civil War. He died on 20 August 1912 in Jennings Twp., Crawford County, Indiana where Margaret and he are buried in the Dillman Ridge Cemetery of that county.

Gravestone of John Shepherd Coleman

His gravestone says "THE MORNING COMETH" and I hope that someday when it comes again, we can meet as great great Grandfather and Granddaughter so that I might pay true honor to him for his service.

Honoring Our Uncles...Day4, A Week of Veteran Salutes

                                                          "Brothers-in-law"

Robert Wayne Harvey was born 29 June 1923 at Greyrocks, Platte County, Wyoming to Robert Earl Harvey and Hilda Marie Larson. At age 20 he enlisted in the army at Fort Francis E. Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming as a private. He worked up through the ranks to become a Staff Sergeant in the Quartermaster Corps and part of his time of service during WWII was spent stationed on Okinawa.

Robert passed away in Kirkland, Yavapai County, Arizona on Jan 7, 1987. His memorial is located near other family members in the Pine Bluffs, Wyoming cemetery.

Robert Wayne Harvey -- Army, WWII

                       __________________________________________________________

Gene L. Casey Jones was born 15 October 1925 in Wheatland, Platte County, Wyoming to Lester Leroy Jones and Esther Vosberg Watson.  In 1943 at the age of 18, Casey enlisted in the army at Fort Francis E. Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming as a private and worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed in Austria during the latter part of the war.

Gene "Casey" Jones died while living at Yuma, Yuma County, Arizona on 27 November 1988 and is buried in the Wheatland Cemetery, Wheatland, Platte County, Wyoming.

Gene L. "Casey" Jones -- Army, WWII

Gone, but loved and not forgotten.

Charles Gray McComsey...Day3, A Week of Veteran Salutes

In honor of our third great Grandfather, Charles Gray McComsey, during this week leading up to Veterans Day 2011. If only we could go back in time...just to be able to see his face, give him a big hug and tell him how proud we are of his service to his country during the Civil War. Our honored Grandfather was a private in the Union army and served for three years of the war. A short but pertinent excerpt from the complete history of  the 112th Illinois Infantry at the Illinois State Department of Archives states that "The Regiment actively participated in all the campaigns in East Tennessee, in 1863, and, up to February 4, 1864, sharing in the glory of redeeming that truly loyal people, and in wresting what was regarded as the key to the rebellion from rebel rule. Being always at the front and often at great distance from the main body of the army, it was kept constantly on the alert, and compelled to perform the severest of duties and always on short rations."

In honor of our third great Grandfather...1838-1920

 He became a respected pioneer in western Nebraska after the war and made his home near and later moved to Gering, Nebraska. Several of his children and grandchildren are buried in the West Lawn Cemetery in that community along with Charles and his wife Mary.

Obituary of Charles McComsey

Family gravestone

  

Thank you for your service and the life and legacy that you passed to us all!

Millard R. Coleman...Day 2, A Week of Veteran Salutes

Millard and Helen Coleman- Alliance, Ne. about 1943

Millard Coleman was my uncle, my Dad's younger brother. Even though we lived far apart for all of my life, he was always an important part of our extended family. He and his family came to Nebraska to visit at least every other year and Mom and Dad and I would drive to Boise, Idaho to visit them on occasion. We always had great fun...Dad and Uncle Millard were very close and both were fun loving and always laughing about an old story or reminiscing about old times when they were growing up. That is what I remember most about Uncle Millard is his wonderful little laugh, I do not think I ever saw him without a smile on his face or heard anything but kind words from him. His kindness and thoughtfulness which stemmed from his love of the Lord were what really set him apart.

When I was a little girl and would stay over with my Grandma, one of the most fun activities was pulling down an old hat box from the top of her wardrobe and going through it's contents. It was a Navy hatbox that her son, Millard had sent her while he was in the Coast Guard. In that box were some of her lifelong treasures...her hanky collection! That collection was so special to go through as a little girl but the box is what has stayed in my memory all these years. What I would not give to have a photo of that box on top of that old wardrobe now. Grandma was so proud of her son for his service and she was a lifelong member of the Navy Mother's Club in his honor.

Millard Coleman was born on May 21, 1919 in Broken Bow, Nebraska to Opal Edith Gardner Coleman and Frederick M. Coleman. He grew up in Alliance, Nebraska where he graduated in 1936. He met his wife, Helen Lyon in Alliance and they were married in Salt Lake City in 1941. During WWII, Millard joined the Coast Guard and during the war he and Helen lived in various places during his service years and they eventually settled in Boise, Idaho where they spent the rest of their life working and raising two children. Millard Coleman passed away in 2008 and is buried in Boise, Idaho.

♥Remembering our uncle, Millard R. Coleman, with love and honor.

Millard Coleman with his Dad, F.M. Coleman, about 1943