Genealogical Gems

Mary Elder Armstrong DeFazio of Kennett Square Mary Elder Armstrong DeFazio, 91, of Kennett Square, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at the Franciscan Care Center in Hockessin, Del. She was the wife of the late Anthony J. DeFazio Sr. who died in 1987 and with whom she shared 47 years of marriage. Born in West Point, Miss., she was the daughter of the late Elder B. and the late Eva Mae (Bridges) Murff Armstrong. She was an active member of St. Patrick's Parish and the NSDAR. Survivors include three sons, James Michael (Patricia Ann) of Kennett Square, Ralph Edward (Nancy) of Bear, Del. and Anthony Joseph Jr. (Cecilia) of Kennett Square; two daughters, Gloria Anne Hamilton of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Teresa Marie Hawkins (Eric) of West Chester; seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one great-grandson and one step great-grandson. You are invited to visit with Mary's family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3rd, and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4th at the Kuzo & Grieco

  Did you know ... This week in 1790, President George Washington addressed a joint session of Congress to deliver the first State of the Union report, as called for the in the still young Constitution. The requirement did not demand a speech, and after delivering just one, President Thomas Jefferson began reporting in writing, feeling a speech was too magisterial. The spoken presentation was revived by Woodrow Wilson . Washington's address has echoes to this day, as he stated "the terms on which foreigners may be admitted to the rights of citizens, should be speedily ascertained by a uniform rule of naturalization."  Source: US Census Bureau

Father Aldus B. Miller Oct. 10, 1861 - Jan. 4, 1914 Mother Annie E. Miller Sept. 6, 1863 - Sept. 16, 1916 Aldus and Annie Miller are buried at the Clearfield United Methodist Church Cemetery in Smithville, Lancaster County, PA. They do not yet fit into our Millers but how could I resist taking a photo while I was there, right? Noticing the flag next to the grave, I hopped on Ancestry.com and went in search for Aldus Miller. I did not find anything military related but I did find the Millers a few places. The 1900 US Census shows 38 year old Aldus and 36 year old Annie with their children: 15 year old Charles L. (b. Oct. 1884), seven year old Lydia E. (b. Dec. 1892), four year old Clarence P. (b. July 1895), and two year old Benjamin D. (b. May 1898) Miller. The Millers had been married for 17 years and were living in Martic Township, Lancaster County, PA. Aldus listed his occupation as farm laborer. Annie is shown to have had seven children with only five survivin