52 Ancestors: Fun and Games - Let's Play!

Over the years I've learned that my favorite blog posts are those which show pictures - lots of them!  So in that light, I've put together photos of my ancestors (and me) at play.  I sure wish I had more of them because it really brings them to life.

First up, my grandfather, Sig Levy, loved to play tennis.  I not only have a photo of him as he played, but even have some of his tennis racquets hanging on my wall.

Sig Levy

I also found a photo of my grandmother's brother, Wilton Gunzendorfer, in the 1915 Monterey High School yearbook, El Susurro, when he was a freshman - turns out he liked to play tennis, too.  Yep, he was known as "Champ Gunzy".

It makes me wonder if Sig and Wilt ever played tennis together.  I do know that he played with his brother, Ben Levy, as he wrote on November 2, 1916 to his future wife and my grandmother, Loraine Gunzendorfer:

What do you know about my young brother and myself qualifying in the semi-finals in the county tennis tourney.  Well he is tickled stiff as we have worked our way up to the real fast players.  I had never played with him before and it must be good-fortune that is with us.  Our next opponents are real sharks so I have no hopes of winning but we are getting a lot of fun and good exercise out of it.

I've read a lot about my grandmother, Loraine Gunzendorfer, rowing on a lake in Oakland with her cousin, Hyman Steen.  Since she lived close to Lake Merritt, I assume that's where they went - boy would I love to find a photo of that!  But this picture of her with her Mermaid friends will just have to do.

1915 Monterey High School, El Susurro

Loraine, second from left

I don't have too many photos of my mom and her ancestors, especially of them playing.  But I thought this photo of her with her parents, Clara Fitzgerald and Earle Martin, showed a playful side of the family.

My dad liked to play games and sports - he was ready for football in the backyard on Christmas Day, 1937.

And even when he wasn't actually playing, he found an opportunity to be playful while watching others play.  He must have been watching a granddaughter play softball while he sported her high school letterman's jacket.

Of course the playful gene didn't stop with Dad - he made sure his kids followed in his footsteps.  We had A LOT of board games as kids - one entire shelf in the storage room was filled with them.  I don't remember too many specifics about what we played (or who won) but it was fun to see this 'canned' pose (for a Christmas card, I'm guessing).  Was I paying off little brother.....or was he paying me off?

I sure wish I had some photos of playing games with our next-door neighbor, Mary.  Our favorite places to play were in the far back of their station wagon parked on the driveway (what?) and under the ping pong table with blankets over the top and sides to make a tent.  Not only board games but paper dolls - oh, those were the days!

We also liked to play dress up and produce plays.  Looks like we were here with our cousin putting together some sort of dance routine.  Remember those candy cigarettes with red coloring on the end so you felt like you were smoking?

Cousin, me, sister

My parents loved to play and watch golf - looks like they tried to get big sister interested, as well.  Or at least I think that's big sister?

Dad was not much of a fisherman so not sure how this happened?  Were we at family camp at Camp Campbell?

Little brother liked to play, too!

Maybe my grandmother's love of rowing rubbed off on me and little brother.  Not sure where this is or even how far we got but for a brief moment in time it looks like we were having fun.

As time marched on, I dabbled in different playful activities.  While maybe not exactly play, I remember the March of Dimes charity walk we participated in a few times.  I don't remember exactly how far we walked but I do remember it was a LONG day and my feet hurt like crazy by the time I took the last step.

That's me on the right with the sunglasses

It's fun to see my ancestors at play - I've learned a lot about how they spent their free time and what gave them joy.  Not to mention it's fun to see myself at play as a child.  I just hope I wasn't playing here.  Artillery?????

52 Ancestors: Close to Home - Fresno

Many of my ancestors stayed close to home.  I'm sure it was fairly common back in the "olden" days but these ancestors are more current.  And so many of them stayed close to the same home - Fresno, California.

As a child, I knew that my parents were both born and raised in Fresno but I never really thought much about it.  We visited a lot - both sets of grandparents lived there and my dad's parents still lived in the house they moved into when he was just a young boy.  I loved sitting in his room, looking at all of the pictures and awards on the wall, and imagining what life had been like for him.  But that was the extent of it.

But now that I've researched things, I find that many generations on both sides of my family spent the majority of their lives there.  Starting with my parents:

Gordon Levy - born in Fresno in 1927.  Left for Stanford University in 1944 and never lived in Fresno again.

Geraldine Martin - born in Fresno in 1928.  Left for Stanford University in 1946 and never lived in Fresno again.

My paternal grandfather, Sig Levy, was born in Vallejo, California - the story passed down was that his mother went to Vallejo  (did his father go, too?)  to escape the July heat in Fresno.  Is it really that much cooler in Vallejo?  I suspect that it was more about Sig's maternal grandmother living in Vallejo at that time.  Two of Sig's brothers were born during the winter in Fresno while the other two were born during the summer in Vallejo or San Francisco.  Coincidentally, I'm fairly certain that grandma lived in the corresponding city at the time of their births.  So, maybe it was less about the heat and more about being near her mother.

Sig brought his bride to Fresno after their marriage in 1919 and the two of them raised their sons, lived their lives there, and are interred at Chapel of the Light Columbarium. 

I imagine it looked something like this in 1919

Sig's parents, Herman Levy and Goldie Benas, were not born in Fresno but lived most of their lives there.  And they, too, are both interred at Chapel of the Light, not far from Sig and his brothers. 

My maternal grandparents were both born in Fresno:

Earle Laurence Martin was born in 1900 and lived in Fresno until the late 1930's when he and my grandmother divorced.  At that time he relocated to Bakersfield.  I really have few details about his life from that point forward as he and my mother did not have much contact with each other.  Did he move for a job?  Did he want to move and Grandma declined or just what happened?  Inquiring minds want to know!  While he died in Bakersfield, he is buried in Fresno in the same cemetery, Belmont Memorial Park, as many other family members.

Clara Maxine Fitzgerald was born in 1903 in Fresno and lived her ENTIRE life there.  Oh wait, I'm lying - she and my mother spent a short amount of time in Oakland after the divorce.  I'm really not certain how long they were there - why didn't I ask my mother?  Although now that I think about it, I did ask my mother as I was trying to find her in the 1940 census and either she didn't remember the details or was trying to forget.  Either way, I never got the information I was seeking.  Clara is also buried in Belmont Memorial Park.

Clara and Earle, along with Gerry, lived at 1023 Thorne Avenue in Fresno in 1930.  I have a picture of the family, along with Earle's mother, from the early 1930's (I suspect based on my mother's birth in 1928) which I believe is that house.

Clara Fitzgerald, Frances Brooks, Earle Martin, Gerry Martin

Do you think it's the same house?  I know, hard to tell.

1023 Thorne Avenue today

Earle's parents, Robert Lewis Martin and Frances Maria Brooks, were both born in South Carolina but found their way to Fresno in the late 1880's.  In February, 1887 their son, Guy Lewis Martin, was born in Arkansas and their daughter, Pearl, was born in Fresno in December, 1889 so their arrival in Fresno would have been somewhere between those two births.  Both are buried in Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno.

Clara's father, Edward Fitzgerald, was born in 1879 in Yolo County.  His mother died just 6 years later which left his father alone to raise the children.  Mathew Fitzgerald was in Fresno by 1888 as evidenced by the California Voter's Registration.  So Edward lived his entire life in Fresno from about the age of 9.  After his death in 1968, he was also buried in Belmont Memorial Park.

Clara's mother, Mabel McAboy, was born in 1883 in Illinois but it appears that she moved to Fresno with her family by the early 1890's.  What took them there?  She, too, spent the rest of her life in Fresno until her death in 1966.  She is also buried in Belmont Memorial Park next to Edward.

There are so many other ancestors who lived in Fresno.  Did we ever see any of them during our visits there?  When I think of Fresno, I think of "old people" as it seemed those were the only people we saw.  I haven't been back since 1982 when my grandmother died.  However, I now know new cousins, blogging friends, and even high school friends in Fresno.  One day I hope to make a visit - I'll visit the historical society and, of course, the cemetery.

I have a lot of roots in Fresno because these folks stayed close to home!

Top 10 Genealogical Finds of 2018

Photo by Pierce Place

It’s been a quiet year here at Who Knew? central, but I’ve managed to tuck away a few discoveries.  I participated in the 52 Ancestors Challenge, which sure helped by providing blog prompts and I’m looking forward to participating again in 2019.  Also, putting this post together reminds me of so many things I’ve started and need to get back to.

As 2018 winds down, I’d like to step back and reflect on what I’ve learned over the past year.  So in my best David Letterman voice, I bring you my annual Top 10 genealogical finds of 2018.  You can read my previous years’ discoveries here. 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012.5 2012 2011

Number 10:  In 2014, I wrote about the home in Santa Cruz that was built for my 2x great grandfather, Louis Schwartz.  Based on the timing of some of the facts I’ve learned, I’m fairly certain that not only was my great grandmother, Birdie Schwartz, born in that house but also my grandmother, Mildred Loraine Gunzendorfer.  So a pretty special house to me.

Imagine my surprise when I received a message via newspapers.com this year from a historian in Santa Cruz who noticed I’d clipped quite a few clippings about Louis Schwartz and the family.  Turns out she had an acquaintance who was hoping to buy the home, which they did, and she was going to research the history and started with me.  We’ve had some e-mails back and forth and this post has reminded me to get back to corresponding with her to see what she’s found.

If you’re interested in seeing the listing (and the inside of the house), you can view it here SCHWARTZ HOUSE LISTING.  One of  my photos of the family in front of the home is even in the listing!

That’s Birdie on the left and Louis Schwartz standing behind the fence on the right.

Number 9:  Last year’s #1 genealogical find was the publishing of a book I had the honor of contributing to and which referenced many of my ‘peeps’ in Santa Cruz.


How exciting to know that George is now working on a walking tour and history of the Jewish Cemetery in Santa Cruz, Home of Peace.  I’m anxious to see the finished product and, hopefully, find some of my ancestors interred there.


Number 8:  The blog prompts this year encouraged me to write about ancestors I hadn’t spent much time with.  One of those ancestors was Colman Schwartz, the youngest brother (and sibling) of my great grandmother, Birdie Schwartz.  As part of that research, I even learned what a monologist was as Colman practiced the art.  How sad that he died at just 36 years old.


Number 7:  Another blog prompt had me researching my grandmother’s cousin, Mervyn Gunzendorfer.  I knew that Mervyn and my grandmother’s brother, Wilton, were the last of the Gunzendorfer line and it was nice to learn a little more about Mervyn.


Number 6:  I don’t know a lot about my maternal grandfather, Earle Martin, as he and my grandmother divorced when my mother was about 10 and he really wasn’t a part of her (or our) life after that.  He is still a bit of a mystery to me so as part of the Father’s Day prompt, I did some research and found some new information.  I also briefly connected again with Earle’s youngest child.  I’d sure love to learn more about Earle and that part of the family.


Number 5:  Since my mother was an only child (other than half siblings whom we never knew) and my dad had only one brother, the ‘maiden aunt’ prompt looked to be difficult for me.  However, it was then that I remembered the Stubblefield sisters who lived next door to my grandparents for many years.  Since neither of them ever married or had children, it was a nice to remember them.  Maybe, just maybe, there is a descendant of some sort who has been looking for them.

I think this is Ethel and Gertrude with my grandmother (on the right)

Number 4:  The ‘Going to the chapel’ prompt was the perfect opportunity for me to research my maternal grandmother, Clara Fitzgerald, and her marriage to the man I knew as Grandpa, Sheldon Hunter.  They owned a chicken ranch as we were growing up and I have such wonderful memories of spending time at the ranch.  Not just chickens but so many warm Fresno afternoons listening to Grandma’s beloved San Francisco Giants.

The last photo I have of the two of them – my wedding day March 9, 1974

Number 3:  When the ‘Cause of Death’ prompt appeared, I ventured outside of my own family and did some research on my husband’s 2x great grandmother, Julia O’Reilly Gorham Post.  Was she murdered?  Or did she accidentally fall on that darned hatchet?  Who knew?


Number 2:  I’ll take any opportunity to write about my 3x great grandfather, Emery Waller.  For those of you who have followed along for most of my ‘blogging life’, you’ll remember he was the ancestor I found in an unmarked grave and was able to mark the grave so he will never be forgotten.  You can read about my quest HERE. 
When thinking about the ‘Conflict’ prompt, my first thought was a conflict between family members.  While I have a few of those, I took the opportunity to write about Emery’s military service during the Civil War.  Out came the pension record again and I was able to learn even more about this man.


Number 1:   This could be my Number 1 genealogical find every year – COUSINS! 

In early December I learned that my 2nd cousin had recently passed away.  His grandfather, Herb Levy, was my grandfather’s oldest brother.  While I had not connected with this cousin over the course of my journey, I had connected with his brother, Bob, so I sent him an e-mail expressing my condolences.  It turns out that Bob shared some family information with his two nieces and, thus, we have now connected and will be sharing (I hope) information.  Welcome to the family, my two new 2nd cousins, 1x removed!

And then right before Christmas, I took a peek at my DNA results and noticed a new match from my Gunzendorfer line.  Since this family is so small, I’m always excited at the possibility of meeting a new Gunzendorfer relative – AND I DID!  Her great grandmother, Sarah (Goldstein) Eisner, was the sister of my great grandmother, Fannie (Goldstein) Gunzendorfer.  And while 3rd cousin, 1x removed might seem a bit distant, to prove that the world is very, very small we found quite a few similarities.  We grew up about 1 mile from each other, graduated from the same high school just a few years apart, and attended the same Temple.  How did we not know about each other, even thought our fathers did?  Welcome to my family, C!

It’s always fun to look at the top visited blog posts for the year.  While some made both lists, there were a few that didn’t.  Here’s my top five blog posts for 2018:

#1  Wanted: Herman Levy (not just for the year but ALL TIME)
#2  52 Ancestors: Cause of Death
#3  52 Ancestors: Youngest
#4  52 Ancestors: Thankful
#5  52 Ancestors: Heirloom

And that’s what I’ve been up to in 2018 – thanks for following along with me!

52 Ancestors: Father’s Day

Today is Father’s Day in the United States – a day that each year is a difficult reminder that my dad has been gone another year.  I still see the Father’s Day cards in the store and it punches me in the gut to know that once again, I won’t buy one. 

But there is another father whom I don’t know much about, my maternal grandfather, Earle Laurence Martin.  I have a lot of dates and places saved to my tree but I have almost no memories of him as my mother was a bit estranged from him throughout my lifetime.  Sure, we received Christmas greetings each year (and, I’m assuming, birthday greetings) but I only remember a visit with him once, maybe when I was about 10-12 years old. 

Earle was born 23 Jul 1900 in Fresno, California, and was the youngest child born to Robert Lewis Martin and Francis “Fannie” Brooks.  When I first started researching, I connected with someone who said she had seen both 1900 and 1901 for his birth date but after asking my mother (and getting a copy of both his birth and death certificate), I am certain that the year was 1900. 

Being that Earle was born after the 1900 census was conducted, the first time I found him was in 1910 when he lived on Palm Avenue in Fresno with his parents and five of his seven siblings (Lillie, Pearl, Nellie, Dessie, and Ethel – William and Guy were living outside the home).  My mom always told me his father’s name was Guy but I think somewhere along the line she got mixed up and remembered his older brother rather than his father.

On 12 Sep 1918, Earle registered for World War I in Fresno County.  He listed his address as Route E, Box 37, Fresno and his occupation as a Clerk, California Peach Growers.  His next of kin was his father, Robert L. Martin, at the same address.

By 1920, Earle was living on Maple Avenue in Fresno with his parents and Nellie, Guy, and Ethel.  And new to the household was his maternal grandmother, Sarah Miller Brooks Anderson.  I’ve written about Sarah HERE and HERE.

On 23 Jun, 1923, Earle was married to my grandmother, Clara Maxine Fitzgerald.  During the 1924-1926 time frame, it appears that they were living at both 1335 Glenn Avenue, Fresno, and 2844 Liberty, Fresno.  Earle was an Inspector at Burroughs Adding Machine and by 1925, Clara was a Purchasing Agent (that’s the first I’ve heard of that).

The 1930 census brought changes as by that time their only child, Geraldine Martin (my mother), was born and the young family was living at 1023 Thorne, Fresno.  Living with them was Ruby Jones, a servant.  What?  I realize my mother was just a toddler at the time but I don’t remember her ever mentioning a servant in the household. 

Earle Martin and Geraldine Martin, 1928

My mother always remembered the Thorne Avenue address and I had a memory of that address, as well.  But it wasn’t until today that I connected the dots - by 1940, Clara’s parents, along with her sister and two nieces, were living at that address.  I’ve been unsuccessful finding Earle in the 1940 census but I know that by that time, he and Clara had divorced and Clara and my mother were living in Oakland.  So my assumption is that when Earle and Clara divorced, they either sold the house (or Clara’s parents were renting it to them) because the 1940 census shows Edward and Mabel (McAboy) Fitzgerald owned the house. 

Clara Fitzgerald, Francis Brooks, Geraldine Martin, Earle Martin

Was this 1023 Thorne Avenue?

I know that in 1937, Earle and Clara (with my mother, I’m sure) were still on Thorne Avenue.  But the next few years go cold and I haven’t found them.  And then by 1940 they were divorced so my guess is that they divorced during that missing time frame.

I have this photo of Mom with her dad in 1937 – were they still a family or was this a special time together?  I wish I knew.

On 14 Feb, 1941, Earle was remarried to Verda Nelson in Las Vegas.  And then exactly a year later, Earle registered for the World War II draft and listed his address as 131 Highlands Drive, Bakersfield.  His sister, Nell, was listed as Next of Kin and I was treated to a description of him:  5feet 9 1/2 inches, 170 pounds, hazel eyes, brown hair, and light complexion.  He was employed by Burroughs Adding Machine, Fresno.  But no mention of Verda?  I know they remained married until his death in 1986 but not sure why she wouldn’t show up here.

I know that Verda brought two children into the marriage, whom Earle adopted, and together they had two more children.  Since one of these children is still living, I will refrain from providing details but I don’t believe I ever met any of these children.  I’m somewhat connected to the youngest, who is close to my sister’s age, and I hope in the future we can share information.  I am a picture junkie and would just love to see Earle later in life.

Earle died 11 Oct 1986 and is buried in Belmont Memorial Park, Fresno, California.

And that’s about all I know about my maternal grandfather, Earle Laurence Martin.  While I know so much about my other grandparents, I wish I could say the same about Earle.

52 Ancestors: Going to the Chapel

This week’s prompt is Going to the Chapel.  I’ve written about many marriages of my ancestors:  My parents, my paternal grandparents, and even my paternal great grandparents.  So with this prompt, I’ll focus on my maternal side of the family.

My mother’s parents, Clara Fitzgerald and Earle Martin, were married 23 June 1923.  While that marriage brought my mother, Geraldine Martin, into the world, it did not go well and somewhere in the late 1930’s, Clara and Earle divorced.  My mother didn’t talk about it much so I don’t know any of the details.

But then a new man, Sheldon Abb Hunter, came into her life and on 18 Feb 1942, the two traveled from Fresno to Las Vegas to be married.

The Fresno Bee Republican

18 Feb 1942, Wed – Page 6

Mrs. Clara M. Martin, who, with Sheldon A. Hunter, left today for Las Vegas, Nev., where they planned to be married late this afternoon.  They will establish their home here.


Late Afternoon Wedding Rites Planned by Mrs. Clara Martin, Sheldon A. Hunter

Mrs. Clara M. Martin and Sheldon A. Hunter left this morning for Las Vegas, Nev., where they planned to be married late this afternoon.

The couple, who motored (?) in Las Vegas, will have a wedding dinner in El Rancho Vegas after the ceremony.  They will remain in Las Vegas for the weekend, returning to Fresno Monday.  The couple will reside in The Californian temporarily. 

Mrs. Martin’s wedding attire is a navy bitte custom suit, trimmed at the neckline with a collar of white organdy.  Her hat, with a touch of white trim, and other accessories also are navy blue.  A corsage of white orchids wil complete the ensemble.

The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fitzgerald of Fresno.  She is affiliated with the Eastern Star and has been employed at The Californian as social hostess and secretary in G. Vorn Snorgrass, manager of the hotel.

Hunter, who has lived in Fresno for many years, has been local manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company for twenty two years.  He has been employed by the company for thirty five years.

The bridegroom is a member of the Fresno Rotary Club, the University-Sequoia and Sunnyside Country Clubs and is the treasurer of the Fresno Childrens Summer Camp.


My mother was not quite 14 at the time of their marriage.  Where was she?  Did she stay home with her father?  Her grandparents?  Also interesting that she wasn’t mentioned in the newspaper article.

Again, so many questions without any answers.  I’m happy, though, that I came across this newspaper article to learn more about their wedding.  Note to self:  send away for a copy of their marriage certificate.  Not sure what it will tell me that I didn’t learn about here but I’ll never know if I don’t see a copy.  (SWEET!  I just ordered it online while the draft of this post was processing!)

These photos are not necessarily from the exact time period but I think fairly close.  While Clara wasn’t the packrat that my paternal grandmother was, she was nice enough to put notes on the back of most of her photos.  Thanks, Grandma!

Sheldon Hunter

date unknown

Mrs. Sheldon A. Hunter

date unknown

It’s always fun to learn about my ancestors getting married!