Volume 36, No. 1 Quarterly Journal Of the Spencer Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. Spring 2012
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In this Issue Le Despencer Spring 2011 From the Editor.. 1 Letter from the President.. 2 William H. Spencer. 3 Reunion 2012. 5 What is a Second Cousin Once Removed?... 6
Directors Gardner Spencer #720A President Robert L. Bob Sanders #1833 Vice President Diane Rhine #2109A Secretary Patrick Spencer #0019 Treasurer Debbie Diekema #1999 Registrar Mary Spencer Post #2107A Librarian Allison Spencer Sovetsky #1543A Interim Editor David H. & Beth Spencer #94 Indiana Corporate Agent Floyd Spencer #1503A Corporate Data Manager Leon B. Spencer #472 Historian Journal Material. Interested persons are invited to submit material to be considered for publication in Le Despencer, the quarterly journal of the Spencer Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc., which is electronically published and distributed to all members. Articles and Queries for publication should be submitted to Allison Sovetsky at editor@spencersociety.org at least four weeks prior to the first of the month of publication. Queries are published at no charge to members and a fee of $2.50 per query for nonmembers. Make checks payable to SHGS, Inc. The Society disclaims responsibility for the accuracy of material submitted by contributors, or errors therein, which is the sole responsibility of the contributor. Articles do not necessarily reflect the views of SHGS, Inc., its Officers, Board of Directors, Staff or Editor of this journal. Each contributor is responsible for his/her article not violating existing copyrights. Written permission to publish copyright material will be obtained by the contributor, giving SHGS the right to use the material, and such written permission will accompany the material submitted for publication. Correspondence to officers and staff should include the complete name, address, email address, and membership number of the submitter. Correspondence requiring a reply via postal service should include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. A Letter from the Editor Greetings, cousins - Spring is upon us and we are getting closer to the 2012 Reunion. Updated information regarding the reunion can be found in this newsletter. The reunion is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other members throughout the country. I know I enjoyed listening to various stories and getting pieces of information from the membership. I especially enjoyed my time with one of the Society s longest standing members, Audrey Swanson Howard and her wealth of knowledge and humor. Also in this issue is information regarding William H. Spencer - Rubberband Inventor, submitted by Floyd Spencer. It provides an account of his own person investigation into what some have called, one of the ten greatest inventions of the century." Lastly, for those that may be new to genealogy, Mary Spencer Post provides some helpful information in both chart form and by definition, for those that may want to be more specific in their terminology than what we tend to use with each other when we call each other, cousin. Those of you who have attended a reunion, will understand where I am coming from. Best wishes, Allison Spencer Sovetsky #1543A 1
Spencer Historical & Genealogical Society Greetings from the president Dear Cousins, I noticed in the news recently that Madonna is starring in a movie about the life of Wallis Simpson, the Dutchess of Windsor and wife of King Edward the VIII. It brought to mind that her first husband was one Earl (not the nobility kind) Winfield Spencer, Jr. to whom she was married for 11 years. Wallis was vilified in England for being twice married prior to enchanting his royal highness, but Win Spencer topped her by being married a total of four times! The above reminded me that I recently had the pleasure of exchanging correspondence (with real handwritten letters!) with Audrey Howard Swanson, #0008, one of the SHGS's founding members. Audrey attended our 2010 Reunion in Portsmouth, NH where she regaled us with her hilarious account of her invasion of Earl Spencer's digs at Althorpe. What a great sense of humor! I have had the privilege of being Society President for the past year and I think it's time for me to thank our Board members for propping me up, making my learning curve easier, and generally keeping me 'out of the ditch'. Thank you; I still have far to go. Finally, as always, a reminder to make plans for our Reunion in Virginia in September. More details are provided elsewhere in the journal. Best Wishes to All, Gardner Spencer #720 President 2
William H. Spencer Inventor William H. Spencer - Rubber Band Inventor Floyd W. Spencer, 1503A In pursuing my family research I often come across interesting little facts and stories. My own Spencer family migrated from Wood County, (West) Virginia to Fulton County, Illinois in the early 1800 s. There is some evidence that Ohio was a stopping point for some of my family. Because of the possible Ohio connection, when I came across the story of William H. Spencer of Alliance, Ohio I wondered if he could possibly be connected to my family. In a column entitled Ohio Moments in the Friday, March 7, 2003 issue of the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper appeared the following article. William H. Spencer invented rubber bands On March 7, 1923, William H. Spencer of Alliance, Ohio, obtained rejected inner tubes from the Goodyear Co. and began cutting them into bands in his basement. Spencer, who worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, began trying to sell his rubber bands to officesupply stores and paper and twine outlets. One day he noticed the Akron Beacon Journal blowing across lawns and persuaded that paper to bind them with his bands. He talked the Tulsa World into doing the same, and persuaded grocers to use his rubber band instead of string to secure produce. Spencer continued working for the railroad for 14 years while building his rubber-band business at his Alliance plant. By 1944 he was able to open a second plant in Hot Springs, Ark. In 1957 he opened another, in Franklin, Ky., and one in Salinas, Calif. in 1988. The Alliance Rubber Co. now produces more than 2 million pounds of rubber bands a month in addition to other office, mailing and packaging products and sells to more than 30 countries. I wondered if I could find more about William and determine if there was any possibility of a connection to my family. A search for William in the 1920 United States Census yields a William Spencer, age 27, living on Patterson Street in Alliance, Stark Co., Ohio. In the household with William is his wife, Ruth, age 22, and a daughter, Eugene (?), age 9 months. William is listed as being born in Ohio, his father born in Minnesota, and his mother born in Ohio. His occupation is listed as a brakeman. Ruth and her parents were reported as born in Ohio. William is found in Alliance, Stark Co. Ohio in the 1930 census with the same occupation of brakeman and age 37. His wife, Ruth, is listed, at age 33, as is his daughter, age 11. His daughter s name is given as Evelyn and he now has a son, Robert, age 8. From the ages given for when they were first married it can be determined Some of the many uses for William H. Spencer s rubberbands included binding newspapers and bunches of produce. 3
that William and Ruth have been married approximately 12 years (married about 1918). In this census, his nativity is listed as Minnesota. This is also given as the nativity of both of his parents. The 1920 and the 1930 census entries support that this is the William Spencer of the newspaper article, as he is in the right place and his occupation shows that he continued to work for the Railroad. From the census reports William would have been born in about 1893. However, in the 1900 and 1910 census, it is hard to locate a William Spencer that is consistent with the information from the later census. Although I was not able to obtain a lot of information concerning William s pedigree, the evidence points to his family coming from Minnesota into Ohio. This was enough circumstantial evidence to indicate William was not part of my family. On the Alliance Rubber Company website there is a Fun facts & trivia section where it is reported: March 17, 1845 marks the day the rubber band was patented by a man named Stephen Perry, a British inventor and businessman. This, it seems, would bring into question the attribution of inventor to William H. Spencer. Regardless, it does seem that William was an enterprising individual who could see applications for the rubber band and that he contributed greatly to their widespread use. This, also, likely contributing to why Andy Rooney would state that the rubber band was "one of the ten greatest inventions of the century." (This last statement was also reported on Alliance Rubber Company s Fun facts & trivia website.) 4
Spencer reunion 2012: henry county, virginia Planning for the 2012 SHGS continues. The location has been chosen Henry Co. Virginia. The hotel that we will be staying at is the Quality Inn, Dutch Inn, in Collinsville, VA. They offer many amenities, including free hot, full breakfast, in-room wireless, pets are welcome (there is a $20 fee) and there is a restaurant and lounge onsite. The dates are Sept 27-30th (Thr Sun). They have allowed us to block 25 rooms 15 single occupancy rooms and 10 double occupancy rooms for a rate of $64.95 per night (not including tax). Registration for the reunion is $95 per person. As mentioned in the prior issue, we are looking to go to the Bassett Historical Center. Since we are in NAS- CAR country with the Martinsville track closeby, the folks at the racetrack had indicated if anyone would like to visit the track and take a casual tour, it is available since it is not during a race. We will also be visiting the Spencer-Penn Centre which is near the Spencer plantation. The Spencer-Penn Centre was formerly the Spencer-Penn School. Below is information about the Centre: The Spencer-Penn School served the small rural community of Spencer for seventy-seven years, not only as an educational institution, but also as the center of civic and social life. Today, in its new incarnation as the Spencer-Penn Centre, the renovated school stands as a testament to the remarkable volunteer spirit of the citizens of Spencer while serving once again as a vital community resource. Recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, it houses a library and a computer lab, hosts classes ranging from art to yoga, and provides space for banquets, conferences, receptions and concerts. The mission of the Spencer-Penn School Preservation Organization is to provide an educational and special events center for Spencer and surrounding communities by preserving the structure, facilities, artifacts and history of the Spencer-Penn School. We envision a facility that provides programs to inform people about a variety of subjects, allows them to experience a variety of performing arts, and provides entertainment and healthy activities for their families. This facility also provides a place where they can celebrate special events in their lives. The 2012 Spencer Reunion in Henry County includes a visit to the Spencer-Penn Centre, which served as a school for the community for 77 years. Registration for the reunion is $95/person. Registration forms will be available on the SHGS website in May and in the next issue of Le Despencer. 6
What is a Second Cousin once removed? Mary Spencer-Post, #2107A A term often found in genealogy is removed, specifically when referring to family relationships. Indeed, almost everyone has heard of a second cousin once removed, but many people cannot explain that relationship. Of course, a person might be more than once removed, as in third cousin, four times removed. In short, the definition of cousins is two people who share a common ancestor. Here are a few definitions of cousin relationships: First Cousin: Your first cousins are the people in your family who have at least one of the same grandparents as you. In other words, they are the children of your aunts and uncles. Second Cousin: Your second cousins are the people in your family who share the same greatgrandparent with you. Third, Fourth, and Fifth Cousin: Your third cousins share at least one great-great-grandparent, fourth cousins share a great-great-great-grandparent, and so on. Removed: When the word removed is used to describe a relationship, it indicates that the two people are from different generations. Once removed indicates a difference of one generation, twice removed indicates a difference of two generations, and so forth. For example, the child of your first cousin is your first cousin, once removed. That is, your cousin s child would be almost your first cousin, except that he or she is one generation removed from that relationship. Likewise, the grandchild of your first cousin is your first cousin, twice removed (two generations removed from being a first cousin). Many people confuse the term first cousin, once removed with second cousin. The two are not the same. Keep in mind that you and a relative only need to share one grandparent to be first cousins, or share one great-grandparent to be second cousins, etc. If the ancestor in question had more than one spouse and the two of you are descended from different spouses, you are full cousins. There is no such thing as a half cousin although you will hear people use that term occasionally. The following consanguinity chart may help to explain the relationships. 7
COUSINS TABLE A cousin is someone who shares a common ancestor with you. Use this chart to determine your relationship Find your ancestor here Find your cousin's ancestor here G- GG- GGG- GGGG- 2x removed 3x removed 4x removed G- 2nd cousins 2nd cousins 2nd cousins 2x removed 2nd cousins 3x removed GG- 2x removed 2nd cousins 3rd cousins 3rd cousins 3rd cousins 2x removed GGG- 3x removed 2nd cousins 2x removed 3rd cousins 4th cousins 4th cousins GGGG- 4x removed 2nd cousins 3x removed 3rd cousins 2x removed 4th cousins 5th cousins For instance, we will assume that you and your newly-found relative are both descended from John Smith. This common ancestor is your great-grandfather and also is the great-great-grandfather of your newly-discovered cousin. In the above chart, go across the top to find your ancestor: great-grandfather. Next, go down the left column to find your cousin s relationship to the same person:great-great-grandfather. Now notice where the two intersect in the above chart: you and your new cousin are actually second cousins, once removed. You may prefer to use an automated online tool to determine relationships. Ancestor Search has one that is simple to use. If you would like to use this site go to: www.searchforancestors.com/utility/cousincalculator.html Here are a few other terms you may encounter when determining relationships: Half: Means you share only one parent. Example: half-brothers may have the same father but different mothers, etc Step: Not blood kin, but a close legal relationship due to re-marriage of a parent, such as step-mother, step-brother, step-son, etc Double First Cousins: Are first cousins twice, once on your father s side and once on your mother s side, since your father s sibling married your mother s sibling. In-Law: They are not really blood kin but are treated as such because they married blood kin. Example: Your mother-in-law is not really your mother but is treated as such because you married her daughter/son. In law, you and your spouse are considered one. Also your brother-in-law is 8
your brother because your parents are also his parents, in law (mother-in-law, father-in-law, etc). Kith and Kin: Kith are friends and acquaintances whereas Kin are blood relatives or someone treated as such, in law. By the way, it is estimated that everyone has approximately 4 trillion 20 th cousins!!!! In other words, everyone is related to nearly everyone else. Relationship Terms Affinity Relationship by marriage (as between a husband and his wife's blood relations, or between a wife and her husband's blood relations); -- in contradistinction to consanguinity, or relationship by blood; kinship by marriage or adoption; not a blood relationship. Ancestor One from whom a person is descended, whether on the father's or mother's side, at any distance of time; a progenitor; a forefather. Ancestry A series of ancestors or progenitors; lineage, or those who compose the line of natural descent. Ascendant Someone from whom you are descended but usually more remote than a grandparent. An earlier or higher generation. Bloodline The descendants of one individual; pedigree. Collateral Descending from the same stock or ancestor, but not in the same line or branch or one from the other. Consanguinity The relation of persons by blood, in distinction from affinity or relation by marriage; blood relationship; as, lineal consanguinity; collateral consanguinity. Degree of Kinship The level of relationship between two persons related by blood, such as parent to child, one sibling to another, grandparent to grandchild or uncle to nephew, first cousins, etc., calculated as one degree for each step from a common ancestor. This may become important when determining the heirs of an estate when there is no will. Descent Properties attributable to your ancestry; the descendants of one individual; one generation of a specific lineage; derivation, as from an ancestor; procedure by generation; lineage; birth; extraction. Descendant A person descended from his or her older generations. 9
Family People descended from a common ancestor; a person having kinship with another or others; The group comprising a husband and wife and their dependent children, constituting a fundamental unit in the organization of society. Forefather One who precedes another in the line of genealogy in any degree, but usually in a remote degree; an ancestor. Generation A single step or stage in the succession of natural descent; a rank or remove in genealogy. The body of those who are of the same genealogical rank or remove from an ancestor; the mass of beings living at one period; also, the average lifetime of man, or the ordinary period of time at which one rank follows another, or father is succeeded by child, usually assumed to be one third of a century; an age. Genealogy An account or history of the descent of a person or family from an ancestor; enumeration of ancestors and their children in the natural order of succession; a pedigree. Study of one's ancestry; summary history or table of a person's ancestry. Regular descent of a person or family from a progenitor; pedigree; lineage. Kin Relatives; persons of the same family or race. Kindred Relationship by birth or marriage; consanguinity; affinity; kin. Lineage Descent in a line from a common progenitor; progeny; race; descending line of offspring or ascending line of parentage. Pedigree A line of ancestors; descent; lineage; genealogy; a register or record of a line of ancestors. Progenitor An ancestor in the direct line; a forefather. Relative A person connected by blood or affinity; strictly, one allied by blood; a relation; a kinsman or kinswoman. Relation A person connected by consanguinity or affinity; a relative; a kinsman or kinswoman; a person related by blood or marriage. Collateral Relative A relative that is not a direct ancestor or a direct descendant. A collateral relative is any blood relative who is not your ancestor. Examples of collateral relatives are aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
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