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Unusual Source – Week 7 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
Unusual Info from a Usual Source
Obituaries are a very common source of information for genealogists providing dates, names, relationships, and places. However, when I found the obituary for Arthur Raymond Vandyke, I also found an unexpected puzzle piece that helped me further form a timeline for my paternal grandmother, Fanny Vandyke Watkins.
Arthur, or Ray as he liked to be called, was born February 9, 1912 in Strickler, Arkansas and died in Turlock, California on April 22, 1989.
His mother had remarried after the death of her husband, Marshall Vandyke. According to Ray’s obituary written in 1989, in 1930 he moved with his mother Elvira and his step-dad Robert Turner to Turlock, California where he lived until his death. (This sentence about moving in 1930 was the unusual piece of information since it happened so many years prior to his death. The 1930 census shows them living in Turlock then.)
1930 seems to be a pivotal year for my grandmother Fanny. Her mother, brother, and step-dad moved to California. Another brother, Claud, also moved to Turlock in 1930 after he left Panama where he was a soldier stationed at Fort Davis. Her oldest sister, Virginia, was living in Goose Creek, Texas with her husband, and Fanny gave birth to her youngest son, Billy Dean, my dad.
Fanny made the decision to follow her family to Turlock, California, leaving her husband, Donald, as well as her baby and toddler. Her divorce was finalized in 1932. Then all record of her disappears.
I am now my own source. When I was six I met my grandmother for the first and only time. The most important information (which cannot be found on Ancestry, Family Search, or MyHeritage) is that she changed her name to Delores Frances. I have not been able to find any record of her name change. However, after 1932 she is known as Delores. She met Elmer Russell and they had a daughter, Wanda, who was born March 27, 1934. Delores (who used to be known as Fanny) married Elmer on March 20, 1948.
Valentine – Week 6 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
Romantic Notions of a Teenage Girl
On Valentine’s Day 1970, 51 years ago, Love Story by Erich Segal was released. This best-selling novel quickly became a movie that was released in December, with wide release on Christmas day.
In the fall of 1970, I was a sophomore in high school. My English teacher was a young, single woman who shared her passions with us. She easily convinced us all (well, the girls anyway) to grab a copy of Love Story when she described how she read the book aloud to her boyfriend (he was a football coach and driver’s ed. teacher and I’m not sure he was as enthused). I just thought this was the most romantic thing I had ever heard. Of course, I also saw the movie at the theater and cried through this tearjerker. And thus I entered my romantic stage.
Traditions
While the cynics among you may bemoan Valentine’s Day as commercial and insincere while employing unrealistic expectations, many presume that this day signals a return to “the good old days” of romance, perhaps with flowers, candy or a candlelight dinner. Truthfully, Valentine’s Day has always had a bit of fantasy mixed in.
Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is steeped with tradition. Traditions are important because they give children something to look forward to. They provide connections to the bigger story in family life and allow children to make memories. These traditions help people define themselves and their family.
One of my fondest Valentine’s Day memories comes from the thoughtfulness of my father. As we were growing up, each year my father would come home on Valentine’s Day with a large box of chocolates for my mother and he would give my sister, brother, and me our own small heart-shaped boxes of candy. Having our own box made each of us feel special.
Another very special tradition is the father/daughter dance. An opportunity to dress up and have the undivided attention of their father (step-father, grandfather, or uncle) allows these girls to learn the value of respect, love, and kindness while reveling in excitement.
Kitchen – Week 5 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
Welcome to our kitchen!
Whether it’s a full-course menu with exotic ingredients, a scrumptious dessert, or Brie and apple slices, the kitchen is a magnet, drawing in people for camaraderie and conversation. Family traditions are born in the kitchen; memories are made.
Annie’s daughter, Geraldine “Jerrie” McLeod Watkins Bernal 
Annie’s great granddaughter, Leia 
Annie’s great grandson, Seth, and great great granddaughter, Magnolia
Billy “Bill” Dean Watkins 
Billy “Bill” Wayne Watkins 
Alex Watkins
The outdoor kitchen has added another layer of fun and a chance to engage while enjoying great food. When we bought our retirement home, our outdoor kitchen (used year round) was a huge consideration. We have a built-in gas grill, a smoker, and an air fryer. Comfortable seating and a fire pit (okay, we actually have 2) were a must. This is another great gathering place for friends and family.
Enjoy this slideshow with a few more photos of the kitchen.
Full disclosure: I don’t cook, but I appreciate all that a welcoming kitchen has to offer.
Favorite Photo – Week 4 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
Ah, this week’s favorite photo comes from family reunion fare: homemade Coble pies made with fresh picked Iowa fruit. The Coble family reunions are known not only for their amazing food, but lively, entertaining conversations (after all, this is a family of story tellers) and serious competition: animated card games, the zealous golf game, and an intense softball game (all those type A personalities). Of course, all the activities are supportive and encouraging for the young ones. For those with other interests, there is always shopping and museum visits.
This Coble branch are descendants of John Ira Coble and Anna Mae Meckley.
Reunions: 1976, 1989, 2013, 2015
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Wordless Wednesday 1/27/21
Posted in Genealogy, Wordless Wednesday
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Namesake – Week 3 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
It was an honor to be named for my dad’s aunt. According to my dad, the most influential person in his life was his aunt, Jacquelyn “Jacque” Watkins. This is a story of gratitude and love that came from adversity and sadness.
Fanny Vandyke and Donald Watkins were married in 1926 when Fanny was 15, almost 16. A year later, their first son was born and then in 1930 my dad was born. Oklahoma was a challenging place to live in 1930. The stock market crashed in 1929 and Oklahoma was in the throes of the Great Depression made worse by falling oil prices (Donald was a laborer in the oil fields in 1930). In addition, Oklahoma was in a long-term drought leading later to the Dust Bowl. Unemployment was high and survival was difficult. Many people headed to California where they thought jobs were plentiful and life would be better (often found not to be true).
Fanny’s mother, Elvira, had remarried after the death of her husband, Marshall Vandyke. In 1930, Elvira and her husband Robert Turner, along with her son Arthur Raymond (Ray), moved west to Turlock, California. In addition, another brother of Fanny’s, Claud, also moved to Turlock in 1930 after he left Panama where he was a soldier stationed at Fort Davis.
Fanny made the decision to join her family in Turlock, California, leaving Donald as well as her baby and toddler. Donald’s family helped him take care of the boys. In fact, my dad credited his Aunt Jacque with raising him even though she was only 11 years older than he. As an adult, my dad was a quiet, kind man who was always family oriented so Aunt Jacque did a wonderful job in this challenging role. I feel privileged to be another Jacquelyn “Jacque” Watkins.