An Unusual Document

A unique document – “Automobile List for the Funeral of Hannah Catherine Rodgers”

This document was found mixed in with photos and papers of my maternal grandmother, who is still living.  It names my great-great-grandmother, Hannah Catherine Rodgers, the date of the funeral (9 May 1953), the time of the funeral (10 am), the name of the cemetery, and the clergy that officiated.

In addition, the document lists the honorary bearers:

            John Williams  --  grandson

            William Williams -- grandson

            Willie Rodgers  -- not identified

            Harry Usher -- nephew

            LeRoy Usher -- grandson

            Bill McFeaters – husband of granddaughter

The document then goes on to identify the make of car for each family.  It is unknown who created this document.  

Identifications have been made by my grandmother, as well as research taking place in the past year and a half.  I feel as if I have been running in circles with this family, but I am convinced that something will come up soon!

Current Research....

Yes, I am a terrible person to not have posted in 4+ months.  It is a terrible, terrible thing....

My current research is what I am calling a "village genealogy."  I am following a group of people, mainly the BRUNCK surname in the town of Oberotterbach in Germany.  The best site that I have found that mentions genealogy and Oberotterbach is this one for the name DAHL.  I have found some DAHLs in my research currently, some related to my BRUNCK family.  I have been reading German and German script for the past 3 months on a fairly regular basis.  It's driving me crazy, but I am getting better at it.

Below is an image of my great-great grandmother's baptism record from Oberotterbach.

I am very fortunate that she had an unusual birthdate: 29 February 1872.  It makes it very easy to track her in the German vital records when I can usually only make out individual letters and numbers!  This record gives her birthdate, baptism date, the date the baptism was recorded, the name of her parents (George Brunck and Margaretha Brunck, and I haven't figured out a familial relationship yet, but I am sure there is one!), and the names of her godparents (possibly related).  Exciting!