I’ve always felt drawn to the city of Santa Monica, California, because it was where I was born and also where my dad has worked my entire life. Little did I know that our extended family also had historical ties to the city!
Kira D. Foltz, photograph of Santa Monica beach, California, 19 Jan 2014.
Week 21: At the Cemetery
As it turned out, my 1st cousin 3 times removed on my dad’s side of the family, Clarence E. Webb, had actually been the Chief of Police for the city of Santa Monica! Who would have thunk? I grew up believing our immediate family had been our only connection to the city, but in reality, it was in our roots.
Black and white photograph of Santa Monica chief of police Clarence E. Webb, in scrapbook in possession of Sandra Vallo.
Clarence is technically connected to me twice over, because he ended up marrying his 1st cousin on his mother’s Miller side of the family. It wasn’t long after discovering the Webb and Miller’s backstory, that I also learned their family plot was located in none other than Santa Monica at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Black and white photograph of Clarence E. Webb, Santa Monica, California, 1938; in possession of descendant Kira D. Foltz.
What’s interesting is I already had a few unlabeled black & white photos in my possession that showed the Webb name engraved on a headstone in a cemetery. So as soon as I learned that the Webbs were buried in Santa Monica, I knew that must be the location of the photos, too! I took a quick drive down the coast to visit Woodlawn and brought the photos with me, so I could use them to triangulate the location of the plots.
Color photograph of Webb family burial plot at Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, California, 2008 taken by Kira D. Foltz.
Not only did I find the Webb cousins, including Clarence, I also discovered the grave of my 2nd great grandmother, Margaret (Miller) Hinman! She was Clarence’s aunt, and I was completely not expecting to stumble upon her gravesite, since she had reportedly died in Orange, California. In fact, her burial has left behind another puzzle for me to solve, as her stone is engraved with a death date of 1938, but the California Death Index has recorded her passing in 1936. I’ve made two attempts, as of yet, to retrieve her death certificate to confirm which date is accurate but have not been successful. And to top it off, I also have not discovered any published obituaries for her. What a mystery!
Color photograph of Margaret (Miller) Hinman headstone within the Webb family burial plot at Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, California, 2008 taken by Kira D. Foltz.
However, it’s a mystery that unfolded only because I was able to find her at the cemetery in Santa Monica, and for that, I am grateful.
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