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Mysteries Solved! Cases Studies in Cracking Death and Burial Puzzles

Last year I was excited to hear that the editors of Stirpes , the journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society, had planned to publish an issue with a death theme. Now that might sound morbid, but think about it...there are so many records and resources that we can use to determine death dates, burial places, etc. And they might not be the ones you immediately think of, such as Find a Grave or a death register.  I have had my share of challenges to determine when various ancestors died, where they were buried, etc. I wrote the article "Mysteries Solved! Case Studies in Cracking Death and Burial Puzzles," for the June 2025 Stirpes issue, "Final Footsteps: Our Ancestors' Journey." I hope reading about these cases will give you ideas for solving your own death and burial puzzles.  Let me know in the comments if any of these approaches might work for your case. Or, if you've had a similar success, share them here so we can all learn from one another. Got Tex...
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Plenty


It's family story time again. 

Many years ago, our daughter Anne drew this picture of herself, me, and her brother James. Apparently we were on a grocery shopping trip, and this I know by the thought bubble above my head which reads, "Wow! 5% off those fish fillets!" I am not quite sure if our daughter was dragging me to frozen food section or somewhere else. And poor James, toddling behind, hoping to catch whatever it was I was carrying. After all these years, I still find this image hysterical. 

Five percent off fish fillets. 


What struck me is that this is how our daughter saw me—now permanently enshrined in artwork!

To be fair, I am by nature frugal. That comes from being raised by a mom who had to pinch pennies in a one-income, five-mouths-to-feed family. There were food stamps and government surplus cheese from time to time when she was laid off from her factory job. 

My frugality also comes from watching my grandmother bring goodies to our house from various sales and clearances. A child of immigrants, Grandma knew how to scrimp and save and find a bargain. How to mend things, stretch supplies, and make do. How to find uses for things others might toss aside. These two women, in turn, taught me these essentials. 

I don't regret being that penny-pinching mom our daughter saw. Oh, there were some lean times, and times when my early lack of good money management meant I was raiding the penny pot to make it to payday without completely blowing our household budget, or my husband's patience.

I do cherish this vision of our early family life. It reminds me that while there might have been tight times, we always, always had plenty. Plenty of love. Plenty of laughs. A roof over our heads, warm beds to sleep in, food on the table, clothes on our backs. And so much more.

Then and now, I have two kids I cherish.

And a husband I love.

Plenty.

 

Until next time...Happy Thanksgiving. 

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  1. SimoniksNovember 23, 2023 at 5:18 PM

    Happy Thanksgiving~

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    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyDecember 6, 2023 at 10:03 AM

      And Happy Thanksgiving (a little late) to you as well. Clearly we are related on my Mom's side - I'd love to know how we are connected. Thanks for reading!

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