Contagious Genealogy: A Pandemic

  OCTOBER 28, 2021 It’s clear to me that I’ve adopted the work ethic of the generations before me, but while I would self-identify more closely with the term “middle class,” I’d make the distinction that my ancestors were true “working class” citizens. While we both may have put in grueling 8-16 hour days, their jobs certainly appeared to require more brute strength and manual work on average than any of my desk jobs. I do not envy their hard work. I especially do not envy some of their extremely dangerous tasks and projects. Harry Samuel Millhouse, abt. 1983, Millhouse family reunion at Ben Williams’ house. Week 36: Working My maternal great grandfather, Harry Samuel Millhouse, was one of the men in my family tree who took on the risks of working in active mines and mills. The earliest record I have of Harry’s employment history comes from his World War I draft registration card signed on 12 September 1918. He reported his occupation as a laborer for National Tube. He was only 20 ...

  SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 My mom was supposed to have an older brother. I was supposed to have an uncle. My grandparents were supposed to have a son. But life is full of curveballs, and Chester Leland Millhouse became a victim of one of those wayward pitches. Chester Leland Millhouse, 1950, 157 Ridgecrest Rd, Bethlehem, West Virginia. Week 33: Tragedy On 10 February 1950, my would-be uncle, “Ches Le” was born in Wheeling, West Virginia to Edna and Ray Millhouse, first time parents. As Edna’s sister, Sheila, would put it, “Ches Le was such a bright light for us.” Annie Diamond (Williams) Millhouse, 10 Feb 1950, diary, unnumbered page, Chester Leland Millhouse birth announcement. The little boy came at a time when the family needed a little pick-me-up, as Edna’s father (Chester’s namesake) had suddenly passed away from a heart attack just a few months prior in November. Edna Millhouse and son Chester Leland, 1950, Oil City, Pennsylvania. Ray and Edna Millhouse and son Chester Leland, 1950...

  MARCH 14, 2021 Personally, I don’t believe in fortune tellers, mediums, or psychics of any sort. But, I’ll admit, on occasion, I question what phenomena may exist that lay beyond the landscape of what my brain can understand. Week 11: Fortune Out of all of my grandfather’s papers and possessions that I inherited following his passing, one of the most interesting was his mother, Anna Diamond Millhouse’s, personal journal. Anna Diamond (Williams) Millhouse, “RECORD,” 1947-1976, West Virginia, diary privately held by great granddaughter Kira D. Foltz in Thousand Oaks, California. The binding is frayed and loose with worn edges, but still connected naturally and with some help of Scotch tape applied by original author. All pages are filled, so accounts do not always follow chronological order, as author appeared to find any space available for later year’s entries. All handwriting appears to be consistent with original author, though ink and lead instruments used vary throughout. Her...