AND NEVER FORGET YOUR MATERNAL ANCESTORS

Much of my genealogical efforts have been devoted over the years to the paternal or MacKercher side of my family. My mother's mother and my grandmother, Mary Ellen nee Nelson Tinkler, was orphaned less than 3 weeks after her birth on 7 November 1871. She was called Nellie and had been adopted within months by the John Crowley family of Vergennes Township in Kent County of Michigan. The Crowley name I recalled as a child but had long since forgot the connection. When Nellie passed way, her four daughters were at a loss to give the correct information about their maternal grandparents. George Nelson was identified as Thomas from Sweden on Nellie's death certificate. He was George and born in Scotland. Elinor Crysler, my great-grandmother, was actually Almira Chrysler. She was born in Michigan and not in Sweden as her death record reported. Sadly, my grandmother did not even know her exact age. I found in Kent County records her birth on 7 November 1871 and her parents, unknown to Nellie, were buried at a cemetery within 2 miles of where she lived most of her life...Lowell, Michigan. The move to Almira's mother, Neoma Bement opened up a treasure of genealogical information and in great detail. Harley Bement, Neoma's dad, fought as a lad in the War of 1812 .. then at 66 enlisted in Michigan's 9th Cavalry for service in the Civil War. Harley's grandfather, Samuel Bement, fought for three years in the American Revolution for independence. Going back in time to John Beaumont, I learned he immigrated to Plymouth Colony in 1635. It was exciting to keep pressing on to the past. Generations of Bements and derivatives of the name as it changed lived in England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Palestine .. even Egypt. Two generations were Crusaders. The first fought against Saladin. The second against the Islamists at Constantinople. There were Dukes, Countesses, Barons and Charlemagne I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. There are hundreds of sources which take the family back to King Priam of Troy .. and if you are a buff of history you know he was father to Helen of Troy. Believe it .. or not!

Now going back to mothers, grandmothers, etc. Never forget the importance of their heritage. They are everybit as much a part of that 1% of DNA which is so important to our genes as the men whose name you may bear.

I've included above a photo of my Grandmother Mary Ellen nee Nelson Tinkler taken on her wedding day. Isn't she something.

None of this would' have occurred had my cousins Fran Kisor and Dave Kendall not provided me with some essential data about Nellie and Jed, her husband.