2014 is coming

I can't believe 2013 is almost over.  The years seem to get shorter and shorter.  I made some wonderful additions to my family tree this year.  I made connections with a second cousin that I had not talked to in over 40 years.  His input will add even more to my Hamilton tree.  Another amazing find was a friend from my early off road racing days.  I have yet to talk to him but just knowing that he is well is enough until we do talk.  This is another 35 plus year connection.  I anticipate a positive year ahead and pray that all of my friends and family join me in celebration of 2014.

SEMA coming to Las Vegas

I am looking forward to reporting on the new products and cool cars coming up in a couple of weeks.  Small clips here but full reports on Las Vegas Motorsports News.  Http://lvmsn.sitnbullenterprises.com

Friday

Had a chance to start a new tree for some friends yesterday.  Starting with the 1940 census was fun and very productive in just a few ( 30 ) minutes.  Unlike the brick walls of the current family tree.  An example?  I found n

My friends parents and after hours of searching and page by page, line by line in sheets where they should be, I have yet to find my own parents.

I was watching the GRC global rally cross and had a thought!

An off shoot of the x-games rally cross which provides a stadium course that simulates the terrain of the worlds rally courses.  Does this idea sound familiar ?  Mickey Thompson did the same thing back in the 70's.  First in the Santa Ana river bed near Van Buren Blvd..  He then moved the races to the Riverside Raceway.   These races were a huge success and I believe they were the last actual spectator race at the closed track.  While doing these races Mickey was developing the stadium style races which premiered at the Los Angeles Coliseum. 

Today, Robby Gordon is promoting stadium races for off road trucks and buggies.  

Ascot Speedway in Gardena, CA also had weekly off road races during the '70s.  Internet searches for these subjects will provide you with loads of stories, pictures, and videos if you want to learn more.

Where have you been?

I have no excuses for my lack of posting.  It's not like I have much else to do for a few minutes every two or three days.  So this one is just a note to say that I am back and hope to hit the keyboard more often than ever in the coming weeks.

Check out this little fella I found in my back yard.  A desert Tortoise.  I have not seen him after letting him down off the block wall.

Father's Day 2013

So today is Father's Day.  A day that always brings forth both happy and sad feelings.  Sad for the loss of loved ones and happiness for all your dad has done to shape who you are today.  For those of us who grew up in the 40's and 50's our fathers were very much like the famous fathers of the television sitcoms.  The bread winners who came home to dinner with the whole family at the dinner table.  Dad's who had survived the depression of the 30's and WWII in the 40's.  Dad's who had a job that had a future and the hope of something better for their kids.  My father provided all of this plus a strict hand in his discipline for misbehavior.  A guy that worked hard and sacrificed to provide the best that the time could offer. 
 

The house that Dad built and the pine tree planted at the beginning of construction are seen in this photo taken at Christmas with Joe Kerr, Dorothy Kerr and sons Jerry and Terry with their new red wagons.  This was always a favorite gift from my Dad.  He loved giving wagons to kids for presents and cast iron skillets to newly weds.  Oh how that neighborhood changed over the years.

For me, I really appreciated the major sacrifices he would make to provide vacations that we have never forgotten.   From Jeep runs over a weekend, or holiday trips to the Salton Sea, or the 52 day cross country trip, we always had interesting and educational experiences..  Not sure how much of a "vacation" they were for him,  Often, he would work extra jobs prior to the trip to earn enough money so we could go.  If that failed, he would borrow from the bank just for the trip and then work extra to pay off the loan.  This was his way of making sure that we had the opportunity to see all we could about our great country.



One of my favorite Dad moments was this one in 1969 when Dad brought his 14 month old grandson Jason his little red wagon. Jason's bib overalls and Dad's playful look always brings a smile to my face. 

Dad, I hope these photos and our memories of these times brings a smile to your face too.

Let's go to Iowa

Interweb searches for my maternal relatives around the time of the Civil War seem to focus on Iowa.  In particular, Marshall County Iowa.

My great grandmother Lura Weatherly Nye was born there in 1874.  Her grand father is John Calvin Weatherly.  Pictured here around 1895.

John is listed as a resident of Liscomb Township in a book titled "The History of Marshall County Iowa.  His brothers George and Timothy are also listed.  All three are listed as farmers, but Timothy seems to have a more prominent status in the community.  He has a biography listing rather than a single line.  Maybe he married into a more political family?

In 1851 John married Mary Magdalene Fulk in Owen County Indiana.  By 1855 they were established in Marshall County Iowa. 

I have yet to find documentation that John served in the Civil War.  His brother Timothy's biography shows him as serving in an Iowa militia. 

It is always nice to find little bits of information that support your personal ideals.  Like your 3rd great grandfather was a Republican, a successful farmer (considered to be rich by his peers), and a member of the Liscomb Christian church.  Today he would be branded a Christian Conservative Rich Republican enemy of the progressive government.    Way to go Grandpa John C.

He and Mary had a total of 9 children.  5 boys and 4 girls.  There oldest son is my 2nd great grandfather James W Weatherly.  John died in 1906 at the age of 75.