Genealogical Gems

I have huge surname files on people I can not fit in at the moment or obits as I come across them or simply miscellaneous information. Today, I am working through my massive ECKMAN file (I think only my STILL file is bigger!). I did however find a copy of the 1910 census with hubby's paternal grandfather on it. I must have printed it out and not had time to review it before. Turns out ... JOHN CHARLES ECKMAN was living on Fifth Street in Philadelphia already in 1910. He was with his first wife Emma GOEPEL and their 11 month old daughter Margaret K. At that time, John (I have to use names not titles on people I never personally met or I would be soooo confused) was a turner. This is exciting for two reasons: First, Glenn (hubby) had thought/been told that his grandfather (John) had gone down to Philadelphia to be a police officer because Lancaster was not hiring at the time or he could not get a job here for some other reason. (Spoiler: John does become a police officer in ...

One organization trick I learned early on is that if I file it when I find/acquire it, then I stand a much better chance of it staying with the right family unit. I have my husband's ECKMAN line traced back to just before 1687 when Johannes Eckman was born in Germany. Since I trace not only the direct lineal line but also all the branches, you can imagine how many file folders I have used over the years! When I come across something that looks potentially keep-able but I just do not have time at the moment to deal with it, it then goes in the general surname folder. I have a folder for each and every direct lineal surname. Post it notes are my next best friend. If I do not write the thought when I have it, I may not get it back for months or even years. So today ... I am sifting through the Eckman folder. Most of the info in the folder is documentation that I just did not get put away yet. For example, I had some info on John Charles Eckman (hubby's grandfather) in there ...