Showing posts with label Walsh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walsh. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

90th Birthday

Ruby Walsh  90th Birthday
My maternal great-aunt Ruby (Lambertson) Walsh celebrated her 90th birthday today!  It was nice to see her today and several of my Lambertson cousins as we celebrated this milestone birthday!  I hope that I share the longevity gene!

Monday, April 18, 2016

They Went Off To War Together

William Lee Wright (1919-1973)
Robert Earl Walsh (1922-2016)

One of the family stories I had heard for years related to my maternal grandfather, William Lee "Johnny Bill" Wright and my maternal great-uncle, Robert Earl Walsh going off to war together during World War II.  The two had married sisters : my grandfather married Bonnie Mae Lambertson in 1941 and my great-uncle married her sister, Ruby June Lambertson in 1944.

Both men served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and wanted to become pilots.  A heart murmur kept my grandfather grounded, and he became a radioman, while Bob was a pilot, though too late in the war to go overseas.

Thanks to Newspapers.com I was able to verify the story that they did, in fact, join up together.  In the January 6, 1944 edition of the Alexandria Times-Tribune in Alexandria, Indiana, I found the following :


Alexandria Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, January 6, 1944, page 1.
Twenty-one Men Leave Today to Learn Whether or Not They Will Soon be Wearing Uniforms
Another group of 21 men from the north part of Madison county left Alexandria this morning for Fort Harrison at Indianapolis to take their final physical examinations for entrance into the armed services.  This was the first call of the new year.
All of the men will return this afternoon, and those who are excepted for the Army will have 21 days furlough before starting their training. Some accepted for the other branches will have shorter furloughs before reporting to camps.
The group today included the following men:
Alexandria - Joseph Little, Earl Bramel, William Wilson, James Zetel, Paul Roby, Marvin Willis.
Elwood - Wallace Garret, Miton Hodson, Ralph Hartsock, William Wright, Marvin Call, Clifford Bryan, Clifford Bryan, Robert Walsh, James Murray, Paul McCord, James Beeman, Edgar Barnett.
Frankton - Harold Etchison.
Anderson - Herbert K. Closser, Harold Durham.
Three of the men were volunteer fathers, Ralph Hartsock, William Wright and Harold Durham.....

Noted that the article mentioned my grandfather was a volunteer who was a father.  He had married in 1941 and his son was born in 1942.  I was not aware that he was living in Elwood (where my grandmother's family was from) in 1944, unless the paper made a mistake. 

Another story I had heard was that my great-grandmother was upset when she found out her adult and married son had enlisted in the Army, and that she spent time writing letters to Congressmen to get him out of the Army.  Not sure if that one will ever be verified, but at least the one about Bob Walsh and "Johnny Bill" Wright signing up for the Army together was true and has been verified.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Visit With Ruby & Bob

My meeting ended around noon yesterday, so I decided to make a trip across Florida and visit with my great aunt & uncle who live over by Naples.  The drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Naples was along Alligator Alley, though I didn't see any!


Robert & Ruby (Lambertson) Walsh, 11 Feb 2012
We had a good visit for a few hours.  I was able to catch them up with the latest family news, and they share a lot about how their lives are going.  Both are in excellent health - Bob is 89 years old and Ruby is 85.


Listening to Ruby talk reminds me so much of my grandmother.  They shared memories of how they met, how and when they were married (1944) and Bob shared some stories about his World War II experiences.  Bob shared some letters from friends of his that are sail boating around the world and showed me the nice book on WWII aircraft that his son, Mike had bought him.  Bob was trained on the B-25 bomber.


I learned that they met because Ruby and several of her girlfriends used to like to go dancing at a place in Alexandria, and though the distance between Elwood and Alexandria is less than ten miles - none of her friends had a car.  Bob and a few of his friends had a car, and they were talked into driving Ruby and the other girls to the dance.  Ruby was the last girl that Bob took him, and that's how they struck up a conversation.  Bob, being older than Ruby, didn't really know her in high school - and Bob grew up on the south side of Elwood, Ruby on the north.  Bob's care was a 1937 Buick.


When Bob got around to asking Ruby out on a date, her older sister, Bonnie (my grandmother) was tasked with trying to find out everything about Bob's reputation.  Ruby said that the only thing Bonnie could find out that was negative was that Bob liked to drive his car "really fast."  Bonnie had to loan Ruby a pair of shoes to wear on the dress and make her look a bit older.


Fast-forwarding to when they got married, Bob had already joined the service (Army Air Corps) and had been sent from Texas to college at Butler University in Indianapolis.  He would hitchhike from Butler up to Elwood, and the first weekend in May, Bob and Ruby were married.  They went with their parents to the preacher's house and were married on a Saturday, with Bob in full uniform.  Ruby had to obtain permission from the school to get married.  She was married on Saturday, and went back to school the next Monday.  Later, she followed Bob down to San Antonio and Uvalde, Texas as well as other training spots.  When the war ended, Bob was in Enid, Oklahoma.


I found out a lot about Ruby's parents, Clemon and June (Gilliland) Lambertson, during my conversation and cleared up a mystery.  The mystery was why the family had moved from Elwood in Madison County to up near Greentown in Howard County during the 1940-41 period.  I knew that Clemon's parents lived up there, and had assumed that was the reason for the move.  While that was true, Ruby also added that the major reason for the move was that "dad (Clemon) wanted to have a garden."  He apparently loved to garden, and had about 3 acres to grow tomatoes, etc.  I learned that grandma June canned all types of vegetables.  


Apparently, I get my gardening instincts naturally from both sides of the family, though to be fair I grow vegetables as a hobby, not a necessity.  I would imagine during that time period it was more of a necessity than a pleasure.

Bob stated that they lived near Phlox, Indiana which is Union Township, Howard County.  This fits with the other information I have about the Lambertson land in Howard County - and another avenue for later research.  During the two years or so they lived in Howard County, Clemon continued to drive back to Elwood to work for the Sellers cabinet factory.  Ruby told me how that was a big change for them because she had to ride the bus to school in Greentown.  Back then, families only had one car and her dad had to take it to work.


Eventually, this move proved to be a drain on the family finances and they moved back to Elwood, but in a different house.  My research into city directories in Elwood seems to confirm this.  


Ruby shared that her mother, June, worked at the cannery with the women and loved it.  Bob thought that the cannery was near Point Isabel.  They also mentioned that the family may have lived just north of Elwood at one point after moving from Howard county.  Ruby's dad worked at Sellers and when I asked about painting, she stated that he did some painting and hanging of wallpaper, but not as a business.  Bob told the story about how Clemon was supposed to help show him how to hang ceiling wallpaper one time when they were just married, but Clemon had a hernia operation and had to just "tell him" how to do - he chuckled at the story.


Bob shared about his experiences working with his dad's welding shop and told me about where certain businesses used to be located in Elwood.  His mind is sharp and it's hard to realize that he's not still living in that town, as familiar as he is with it.


We talked a lot about their daughter, Vickie, and the struggles she went through with her health - all of the transplants, doctors, etc.  It was obvious that they are still hurting and yet very proud of Vickie's strength.  They showed me pictures of the church in where Vickie's husband was the pastor and the Christmas decorations that Vickie was in charge of.  They also told me how they would get up early and drive across the state (two hours) to attend church with them.


I didn't write anything down or record the "interview", just allowed them to talk and share their stories.  I hope I remembered it all.  Since I found out that Bob likes to correspond, I think I will start writing some letters and ask even more questions.







Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve - 1983 edition

The last Christmas Eve we had with my maternal grandmother, Bonnie Mae (LAMBERTSON) WRIGHT, was one of the coldest in my memory.  At the time, grandma was living with us and suffering from cancer.  When Christmas Eve came around, she wanted to visit her sister, Ruby, in nearby Anderson.  The weather was something frightful, I believe the windchill was negative 20-something and we had near white-out blizzard conditions.  Nevertheless, we all piled into the car and made the trip.


Ruby (Lambertson) Walsh, Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, 24 Dec 1983
Grandma was really looking ill in this picture.  It came from the collection that cousin Mike Walsh had.  He also had a few other pictures of my immediate family from this visit on Christmas Eve.


Travis (standing), Michelle & Jason LeMaster, 24 December 1983
Michelle & Jason LeMaster, 24 December 1983
Jason LeMaster (looking bored) 24 December 1983

We always had a good time at Bob & Ruby's, enjoyed the good food and visiting with family.  They always treated us like we were their grandchildren.

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Dinner Photo

William Wright, Robert & Ruby (Lambertson) Walsh, Nellie (Barr) & Floyd Lambertson

Sunday, September 25, 2011

June (Davis) Lambertson (1898-1951): Sunday's Obituary

June Lambertson obit, Elwood Call-Leader, March 21, 1951, p. 8


Source: Elwood Call-Leader, Elwood, Indiana, March 21, 1951, p. 8

JUNE LAMBERTSON SUCCUMBS TUESDAY; FUNERAL FRIDAY

Mrs. June Lambertson, 52, 717 South A street, died at 5:45 o'clock Tuesday evening at her home after an illness of three years.

Born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis she was the daughter of Adkinson and Ida Davis.  She was married to Clemon Lambertson, July 28, 1917.  He survives.  Mrs. Lambertson was a member of First Baptist church.

Survivors include the husband, two daughters, Mrs. Ruby Walsh, Elwood, and Mrs. Bonnie Wright of Alexandria; two sons, Harold Lambertson of Elwood and Floyd Lambertson of Alexandria; a sister; Mrs. Pansy Decker of Crawfordsville and nine grandchildren.

The body is at the Robert L. Jackley funeral home where friends may call.

Funeral rites will be held at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon at First Baptist church.  The Rev. R.W. Sage, pastor will officiate.  Burial will be made in Elwood City cemetery.

---
June (DAVIS) LAMBERTSON was my maternal great-grandmother.  Her obituary is another one that I recently rediscovered while researching at the Elwood Public Library.

The obituary states her parentage exactly as is listed on her birth certificate, though I consider it be under dispute.  I continue to research in hopes of finding some court record that could clear it up.


Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Photo: Robert E. Walsh, US Army Air Corps


Robert E. Walsh, WWII
 This is a photo of my maternal great-uncle, Robert Earl WALSH in his U.S. Army Air Corp uniform.  

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Photo: Lambertson and Wright

Celia Lambertson, Terry Wright, Karen Lambertson, 
This photo came from cousin Mike Walsh and shows Terry Wright, Karen and Celia Lambertson, all cousins.  The photo was not labeled or dated.


Terry WRIGHT is the son of William Lee and Bonnie Mae (LAMBERTSON) WRIGHT.  Celia LAMBERTSON was the daughter of Harold Wayne and Martha Marie (PHILLIPS) LAMBERTSON.  Karen LAMBERTSON was the daughter of Paul and Goldie (LAYCOCK) LAMBERTSON.

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Sisters: Bonnie & Ruby

The following are some photographs of my maternal grandmother, Bonnie Mae (LAMBERTSON) WRIGHT and her younger sister, Ruby June (LAMBERTSON) WALSH.  These came from the collection of my cousin, Mike Walsh.


This first one shows them both as young girls.  As you can tell, the photo was rather rough for wear, having been folded, etc.  However, you can still see both of their adult faces in the expressions of these children.


Ruby & Bonnie Lambertson
This next photo is also undated, but I've been told that Ruby took grandma Bonnie with her on a trip to the Smoky Mountains after my grandfather passed away, so this is at least post-1973.


Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, Ruby (Lambertson) Walsh in the Smoky Mountains
This next photo was taken in 1976 and from the photo I can identify it as my parents' home outside of Alexandria, Indiana.  Lovely couch and nice wood paneling signify the 1970s.  Obviously it was Christmas time, and I'm pretty sure that is my brother, Jason, playing with the train set.

Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, Ruby (Lambertson) Walsh, 1976
This next photograph was taken at my grandmother's home at 610 West Broadway, Alexandria, Indiana in 1980.  It was taken with a Polaroid camera.  Remember those? 

Ruby Walsh, Bonnie Wright, 1980

The last picture was taken on Christmas Eve 1983 at Ruby's house.  This was the last Christmas we had with grandma.  She was very ill with cancer and was determined to see her sister at Christmas.  We braved a blizzard to make it to Ruby's.


Ruby Walsh, Bonnie Wright, 24 December 1983

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Photo: Ruby and Bob Walsh

Ruby and Bob Walsh
Ruby and Bob Walsh
Ruby and Bob Walsh
Bob Walsh
These photos from the collection of cousin Mike Walsh, show his parents, Robert and Ruby (LAMBERTSON) WALSH during the World War II years.  Most of the photos were not marked with locations, but I believe they were taken either in Florida or Texas.


Ruby Walsh, San Antonio, TX 1944
This photo was labeled as being taken in 1944 in San Antonio, TX.  Notice that the house is the same as the photo of uncle Bob above, so we can place that one in 1944 in San Antonio as well.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Photo: Terry Wright On Sax

(L-R): Pearl Lambertson, William Wright, Terry Wright, Charles Lambertson, Jack Lambertson


This is a photo from the collection of my cousin Mike Walsh showing my maternal uncle, Terry WRIGHT, playing the saxophone for assembled relatives. This photo was taken at the home of Charles and Pearl (BEALS) LAMBERTSON.

In the photo from left to right are: Pearl (BEALS) LAMBERTSON, William Lee WRIGHT, Terry WRIGHT, Charles LAMBERTSON, Orville "Jack" LAMBERTSON.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Photo: Lambertson and Beals

Cora Beals, Pearl Lambertson, Charles Lambertson
The backside of this photograph says "Mom & Dad and Cora Beals".  Charles and Pearl (BEALS) LAMBERTSON were my 2nd-great grandparents.  I do not know who Cora BEALS was.  This photo was part of the collection of my cousin Mike Walsh.


There was a Dora Beals, wife of John Franklin Beals - who was Pearl's aunt.  I'm wondering if that is who this picture actually is.  This Dora was born 1871. Pearl was born in 1878 and Charles in 1872.  If I had to lay money on it, I think that this photo was mislabeled.





Sunday, March 13, 2011

Photo: Wilbur Roscoe Decker

Wilbur Roscoe Decker

This photo is of Wilbur Roscoe DECKER, son of Peter W. and Pansy (GILLILAND) DECKER.  It was part of the collection of photos I was able to scan at Mike Walsh's.  Wilbur was a 1st cousin of my maternal grandmother, Bonnie LAMBERTSON.  The photographer's stamp is from Bloomington, Indiana.

The back side of the photograph is a postcard, not mailed but appears to be address to my maternal great uncle, Harold LAMBERTSON.


Left side: Wilbur Roscoe Decker.  Taken Jan. 12 20. Aged 2 years.  
Right side: Master Harold Wayne Lambertson

This photograph would have been taken on his second birthday.  Wilbur Roscoe DECKER was born January 12, 1918 in Springfield, Illinois. He married August 6, 1938 to Mary WEIR, and had at least one daughter, Sharon Sue.  Wilbur died  July 9, 1980.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Photo: Quack, Quack

Michelle LeMaster, Gloria LeMaster & the duck, circa 1983.

Another photo cousin Mike WALSH had - in this one, my sister, Michelle, is showing off the duck that my cousin, Kellie WRIGHT had made.  That's me in the picture without a head.  The high school wrestling shirt I'm wearing places this in the 1983-84 time frame.  My cousin, Jim WRIGHT's head is barely visible behind my mom.


We had ducks and geese at our house growing up.  Because we lived out in the country, people would bring us the ducks they would buy for Easter, etc. when they realized they were not so clean and easy to take care of.  

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Photo: The Girl With The Doll

Ruby Lambertson [?]
This photo was one that my mom's cousin, Mike WALSH, let me scan during our recent visit.  I believe that it must be of his mother, Ruby LAMBERTSON, but the photo was not identified.  

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Fearless Females: Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright

Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright c. 1944-45

My hair in a bun. ha! You can have this
March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?


This is a photo of my maternal grandmother, Bonnie Mae (LAMBERTSON) WRIGHT (1924-1984).  This photo was one that I was able to scan on my recent visit with my mother's cousin, Mike Walsh.  The photo was apparently sent by my grandmother to her sister, Ruby (LAMBERTSON) WALSH, thus the writing on the back saying "you can have this."  I'm so glad that it has survived all these years.


I chose this photo because it was a new find for me and it is an excellent picture of my grandmother as a young mother.  She would be approximately 20 years old when this photograph was taken.  I can really see my mother in this photo as well.


There was another photo that went along with this one of my uncle, Terry WRIGHT when he was a young boy.  Apparently he won a contest for being the "most typical boy".  The story I've been told was that during World War II when my grandfather was going from training base to base, people would faun over little Terry.  Based on his appearance in the photo, I'm basing the year around 1944 or 1945.


Terry Wright

Terry won a blue ribbon with this picture for being "the most typical boy baby" You can have this too
Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Bill & Vicki (Walsh) Seamans

Bill & Vicki (Walsh) Seamans, 1976


Wordless Wednesday – a great way to share your old family photos! Create a post with the main focus being a photograph or image. Some posters also include attribute information as to the source of the image (date, location, owner, etc.). Wordless Wednesday is one of the longest running “memes” in the blogosphere and is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.