Of all the names that occupy a space on my family tree, Ursula Liptrot is perhaps my favorite. She is my 6th great grandmother according to multiple family trees posted across the Internet. Her granddaughter’s granddaughter was Isadora Sims who married Campbell Jackson Trantham, my 2nd great grandfather. Nothing much is known about Ursula beyond the names of her immediate family… More →

The Lopez Expedition of 1851 was not an event I had ever heard of until I came across it referenced in Ann Veazey Davis’ family history. Thomas Brockus Veazey, my 4th cousin, 5x removed, was a member of this ill-fated expedition. Unsanctioned by the America government, the expedition was lead by General Narciso Lopez who was determined to free Cuba from Spanish rule. Lopez, a native of Venezuela, needed an “army” to… More →

I’ve found a new way to reflect on my (Duesenberg) ancestors: a mirror. The man who sold me this behemoth of a mirror lives in California and I live in Maryland. When I responded to his ad on Craigslist, he was bit surprised that I’d be willing to pay to have it shipped across the United States given that he was… More →

All over Wisconsin, that is. I realized looking back at my posts that I have sorely and unintentionally neglected my female relatives. And even though I said I’d be moving on from the Biesemeyers, this entry also hails from that branch of the family tree and deserves mention. Anita Biesemeyer, my 3rd cousin, 2x removed, is an award-winning journalist. Her nom de plume… More →

Before I leave the Biesemeyer/Biesemeier tree branch for a bit, there are two other cousins worth mentioning. I’d like to think that whatever genes propelled them to success in life are flowing through my veins as well. Unfortunately, methinks the “likes to watch TV” gene became dominant years ago. Nevertheless… Harold Biesemeier, my 2nd cousin, 3x removed, achieved the rank of… More →

Lorenz Frederick Biesemeyer, my 1st cousin, 4x removed, was a man of many talents. A physician and surgeon, he received his medical training from the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons. Before entering medical school, he had taught school in Lippstadt, near Warrenton, Missouri, for three years. In 1906, he published a self-help book of sorts entitled, The Monitor, a compendium of advice and… More →

Breakfast on Christmas morning has always been a family affair at our house. This year we took that concept to a new level, welcoming delectable pork sausages from Jennings Premium Meats to the table. Located in New Franklin, Missouri, this award-winning charcuterie was started in 1954 by Oscar “Pop” Jennings. His wife, Marvel Struchtemeyer Jennings, was my grandmother’s first cousin and my link to… More →

It’s comforting to know I have cousins in positions of power in case I should ever need them. Gary Dusenberg, my 2nd cousin, 1x removed, was recently appointed by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to the (Missouri) Board of Parole and Probation. Although his appointment is subject to Senate approval, I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t pass with flying colors. Twenty-six years as… More →

There are four historic roadside markers in Cecil County, Maryland associated with members of the Veazey family. The first of these I discussed in a earlier post – that of the original homestead. The other three I present here for the first time. Since you’re reading this post, I assume you can read the signs, too. I’ll let them speak… More →