Cousins

If someone walked up to you and said "Howdy, I'm your third cousin, twice removed," would you have any idea what they meant? Most people have a good understanding of basic relationship words such as "mother," "father," "aunt," "uncle," "brother," and "sister." But what about the relationship terms that we don't use in everyday speech? Terms like "second cousin" and "first cousin, once removed"? We don't tend to speak about our relationships in such exact terms ("cousin" seems good enough when you are introducing one person to another), so most of us aren't familiar with what these words mean.
Relationship Terms
Sometimes, especially when working on your family history, it's handy to know how to describe your family relationships more exactly. The definitions below should help you out.
Cousin (a.k.a "first cousin")
Your first cousins are the people in your family who have two of the same grandparents as you. In other words, they are the children of your aunts and uncles.
Your second cousins are the people in your family who have the same great-grandparents as you., but not the same grandparents.
Your third cousins have the same great-great-grandparents, fourth cousins have the same great-great-great-grandparents, and so on.
Removed
When the word "removed" is used to describe a relationship, it indicates that the two people are from different generations. You and your first cousins are in the same generation (two generations younger than your grandparents), so the word "removed" is not used to describe your relationship.
The words "once removed" mean that there is a difference of one generation. For example, your mother's first cousin is your first cousin, once removed. This is because your mother's first cousin is one generation younger than your grandparents and you are two generations younger than your grandparents. This one-generation difference equals "once removed."
Twice removed means that there is a two-generation difference. You are two generations younger than a first cousin of your grandmother, so you and your grandmother's first cousin are first cousins, twice removed.
Got it now?

Chaney Family

I stopped by a little cemetery the other day up near Clay city, IL. Grandma Shelton had told me once that she had an aunt buried there. I thought I would see if I could find the stone. I never did find the stone for Grandma's aunt, but I did run across the stone of my great-great-great-great grandfather, James Chaney. I had no idea he was buried there. The three pictrues to the left are the gravestones of four brothers: Lewis (1802 - 1884) James (1808 - 1856) and Thomas (1812 - 1870) and Henry Chaney (1818-1894). They are four of nine children born to William and Phoebe (Wilkinson) Chaney. William and Phoebe's first seven children were all born in Calvert County, MD. Around 1817, William relocated the family to Butler County, Ohio, where the last two, Henry and Phoebe were born. It was in Butler County Ohio that the chaney family became aquainted with the Bunnell family. Henry Chaney married Harriet Bunnell, sister to my g-g-g-grandfather Seneca Bunnell. Seneca married James Chaney's oldest daughter Amanda in Clinton County, IN in 1854. Some of the Bunnells and Chaney's relocated to Clinton County, while others went on to Clay County, IL. While Henry and Harriet Chaney had moved and were married in Clay County in 1840, Seneca and Amanda bunnell did not relocate unil about 1870. There is a cemetery up in Clinton County, IN (which is NW of Indianapolis about 50 mi.) called Bunnell Cemetery. I will be making a trip up there in the next few weeks to see what I can learn and will report back later,.

March 27 - Kathy Young

Happy birthday to Kathy (Shelton) Young!

Gone to the Dawgs

Shari is here with our two dobermans, Brandy and Raisen. Thios picture was taken on March 13, 1980, just after we moved to Thornton, Colorado. There had been a dog living in the backyard befiore we arrived and there were lots of bog bones that our dogs really enjoyed chewing.

Unknown Couple

Here is a couple of people that are unidentified. They come from the Van Fossens or Rogers probably and I beleive Deb told me the picture was taken in Fairfield. Any clues?

Feb 26 - Alice Shelton

Happy birthday to Alice Shelton. I had supper with cousin Teresa lat Monday evening. Afterwards we dropped by Wayne and Alice's place and wished Alice a happy birthday! The little girls is Wayne and Alice's granddaughter, Angelina.

Feb 25 - Mom and Uncle Wayne

Happy birthday to Uncle Wayne and my mom, Elaine.

15 years ago

Here are two photos from February, 1992. The baby is my nephew, Cameron Noone. He is sitting on his mom's lap in the second picture.

40 years ago this month

This picture was taken in Feb, 1967. My grandparents, Harry and Leone Shelton are holding my cousin Jennifer and I. We were born 20 days apart. I'm not sure which kid is which, but I think Grandma is holding me.

Bunnell Family Picture

This picture was taken of the Harvey Bunnell Family probably in the late 1910s. children Gracie, Elver, Justin and Iva are standing behind parents Harve and Mae. The quality of the photo is not brey good - too dark. May have to see what I can do with it on photoshop.

Feb 19 - Janet Shelton

Happy Birthday Aunt Janet!

Unknown Photograph Rogers/Van Fossen

Here is a photograph of three men taken probably around 1910-20. they would probably be Rogers or Van Fossens - but not necesarily. Does anyone recognize them?

Feb 16 - Marlene (Rogers) Jones

Happy birthday to Marlene Jones. Marlene is a grandaughter of Willard and Mattie Rogers and the daughter of Walter and Mary Rogers. Marlene checks in on this site from time to time so hope she will enjoy the picture of her dad!

2 Obituaries from 1875

Sometimes to pass the time out at Camp David I will drive into Fairfield and read through some old newspapers on microfilm (yeah, I lead a really exciting life!). Here are two obituaries I copied from the Wayne County Press. The first is from June of that year and annouces the death of Palestine Rogers (Oct 21, 1821 - May 27, 1875). If you have done any researcdh on the Rogers clan I know you will recognize this name. There were actually (at least) two Palestine Rogers'. The first, who's obit we see here, is the brother of my great-great-grandfather, Milton Rogers. Milton also named his first born son after his brother, but the infant onlhy lived for a month and four days (Mar 1 1862 - Apr 5, 1862). Both Palestine Rogers are buried at the Brown Cem.

These next two photos are the tombstones of both Palestine Rogers. The Milton and Margaret Rogers framily lost several children that were all buried in the same row. The small sandstone markers had fallen over after many years and Aunt Clara had them re-set, back int he 1940s . Some of the inscription is buried in the concrete.
I have been talking recently with a couple of Palestines great-great grandaughters. Hope they enjoy this post! : )


The next obituary is from November, 1875. It is my great-great-great grandmother, Amanda (Chaney) Bunnell - pictured below. She was married to Seneca Bunnell. Both Amanda and Senceca were born in Butler Co., OH. They and their families moved to Clinton County, IN, where the couple was married. The Bunnell and Chaney families relocated from Clinton County to Clay County, IL in about 1853. Seneca and Amanda lived on the same property that my Granddad and Grandma Smith occupied from 1942 - 2003. Amanda died at the age of 44. She and her husband's gravesite has reamained a mystery for years. I asked many, many older relatives, but none of them ever knew the location of the grave. This past week, I was looking at some Wayne County death registrations and came across that of Seneca Bunnell. It listed his place of burial as the Selby Cemetery. Eureka! ha ha! Well, I had never heard of the cemetery. Seneca and Amanda lived in the Indian Prairie area of Wayne County. After looking at Doris Bland's series of books on the cemeteries of Wayne County, I learned that there is one cemetery in Wayne County (no longer in use) that she listed as un- named. Could this be the Selby Cemetery? It was bitter cold the day I learned this info and there was only a very vague map showing the location of the cemetery. It is somewhere between Johnsonville and the Blue Mound Road, about a mile or so north side of 161. My uncle Bob lives in that area - I am will check with him and see what he knows about that cemetery - more on this in the next week.

Feb 14 - Clarence Rogers

Feb 14, 1892 was the birthday of Clarence Valentine Rogers, second son of Willard and Mattie Rogers. this picture was taken in the mid 1940s of Mattie and her sons, Finis, Lon, Clarence and Fred.

40 years ago today

This picture was taken 40 years ago today - Feb 12, 1967. It was taken at the home of my grandparents. I am the baby meeting for the first time, my great-grandparents, Fred Smith (1884 - 1972) and Gracie (Bunnell) Smith (1888-1967).

Feb 10 - Adam Zinanni

A very happy birthday to Adam Zinanni - pictured here in 1984 with his mother and brother. Adam is Raymond and Janet's grandson.

35 Years Ago Today

Here are three pictures of me taken 35 years ago today - February 06, 1972. The address was 5 Tar Springs Drive, Carmi, IL. The little blue bookcase matched a little bed. I still have the bed, but gave the two bookcases to my nephew Cameron - hope he still has them. I still have the little blue vase, Mom has the old cash register. I remember the Peanuts drum, the phone but they and the other toys have all since disappeared. The third picture is my father's police jacket and cap. Don't know if he stil has them or had to turn them in when he left the force.

Music Making

Here are a few pictures of peolpe making music. The first is my father, David, with his baritone. It was taken in Fairfield about 1955. Dad played cornet and baritone and won some medals in state contests.
Next is Paul, Harry, Raymond and Bill Shelton standing around a piano as Aunt Lorita plays. Not sure where this was taken,but believe it was about 1965.

The final picture was taken at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver last November. I am singing "Danny Boy" with John Kite at piano. Miss the crowd at the Palace - lots of great memories there. When I was there a year ago I got to sing for Bernadette Peters. Hope to get back again this year.

Jan 26 - Josh Smith

Happy birthday to first cousin Josh Smith!

Jan 24 - Willard Rogers

Jan 24, 1869 was the birthday of Willard Rogers, son of Milton and Margaret Rogers and my great-grandpa. Willard married Mattie Best in 1889 and they raised twelve children - Finis, Lon, Clarence, Charlie, Fred, Clara, Edna, Walter, Della, Hubert, Emma Jane and Leone. Willard was accidently killed ina hunting accident in 1934 and is buried at the Brown Cemetery.

Jan 21 - Elver Bunnell

Jan 21, 1890 was the birthday of Elver Bunnell, son of Harvey and May Bunnell. This picture was taken about 1901. Elver died in 1971.

Jan 21 - Karen Watson

Happy birthday to Karen (Shelton) Watson, seen here in the center with grandparents Wayne and Bertha Shelton, brother Larry and sisiter Kathy. See you at the reunion in June, Karen!

Shawn Shelton - Jan 20

Happy 22nd birthday to Shawn Shelton (Jan 20). He and older bro Robbie are pictured below in early 1985. That was about the last time I saw them.

A visit from some Rogers cousins

We in Wayne county were treate4d this week with a visit from some Rogers cousins from up north. This photo was taken and Bill and Janis Shelton's on the evening of January 16, 2007. Janis made some delicious lasagne and we all had a great visit. L - R are Helen Burk, Anna Richards, Dorothy Lane, Janet Shelton, Leone Shelton, Harlan Rogers, Raymond Shelton and Janis Shelton. Also present were Floyd Rogers, Bill Shelton and yours truly. Later Janis brought out a blackberry cobbler (my favorite!) with a birthday candle in it for me, then we looked at some old photos that I have saved to the computer.

Jan 19 - Robert Shelton

Happy 24th birthday to Robert Shelton. I took this picture on June 17, 1984. Gosh has it been that long? I can remember the night he was born - very snowy - I think school was cancelled.

40th birthday

Well, 40 is here. I was going to post pictures of OTHER people at forty, but thought better. HA! I had a great meal at one of my favorite places to eat with three good friends on Monday night, Tuesday I was serenaded over the phone by my family - (thank you Dad, Grandma, Raymond and Janet, Bill and Janis, Harlan, Helen, Dorothy, Floyd and Anna Mae. That was about the extent of my b-day excitement - well except my new 30g IPod - luv it - thank you Ichiban! And a new 50" plasma TV - Whoopee! I had inteded on going to Mexico, but that fell through, but had a super birthday nonetheless!

Jan 13 - Wayne Shelton

Happy birthday to cousin Wayne Shelton - sitting her at his dad's desk. I think this pictrue was taken in Germany around 1966.

Jan 12 - Clara (Rogers) Mathes

Jan 12, 1900 was the birthday of Clara (Rogers) Mathes, seen here looking at her sister Leone. Clara was the sixth child and oldest girl of Willard and Mattie Rogers. She married Jake Mathes in 1919 and they had six children. She died in May, 1980.

Happy Birthday Shari

Happy 37th birthday to my sisters Shari. These pictures were taken Jan 06, 1971.

Dec 31 - Diane Smith

Happy Birthday Aunt Diane!

One Year Anniversary

Today marks one year that I haver been posting photos for you on this website. I hope there are actually people reading it - I never know unless someone leavers a note here or tells me. Was tempted to close up shop until I got an Email the other day from one of my distant cousins who really gave me a nice pat on the back. In any event I enjoy it and will keep on. In the past year I have posted 372 posts and 690 pictures. If I missede anyone's birthday, I apologize - let me know whos photos you are looking for and I will see what I can come up with. Best to all!

Dec 29 - Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Uncl;e Raymond and Aunt Janet!

Dec 28, 1895 - Charles Rogers

Uncle Charlie was the fourth son of Willard and MattieRogers. He was born on Dec 28, 1895 in Wayne County. This picture was taken in April, 1978 at the Mt. Vernon airport. He was returning to Denver after a brief visit to the Farifield area.