Wednesday, July 2, 2025

MyHeritage Has Free Access To 151 Million U.S. Newspaper Pages For July 4th

 I received this information frrom Daniel Horowitz of MyHeritage today:

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Just in time for U.S. Independence Day, MyHeritage is offering free access to the entire collection of 151,432,486 U.S. newspaper pages on OldNews.com from July 3 to 5, 2025!
Free newspapers for July 4th_753x423

This is a great opportunity to uncover family stories, local happenings, and historical context in American papers dating back generations. Whether you’re looking for an ancestor’s wedding announcement or just curious about your town’s July 4th headlines from the past, there’s a treasure trove waiting on OldNews.com.

This is a limited-time opportunity to dig deep without a paid subscription. Check out the blog post to learn more.

Also, we created two super fun AI videos in honor of July 4th: one showing http://“behind the scenes” of the declaration’s signing, and one imagining the British people reacting to the declaration of independence. Please enjoy, have a chuckle, and feel free to share them!

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Disclosure: I receive a complimentary subscription to MyHeritage, and have received other material consideration in past years. I uploaded my autosomal DNA raw data to their DNA product. This does not affect my objective analysis of MyHeritage products. I am a paid subscriber to Legacy Family Tree Webinars and love it.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/07/myheritage-has-free-access-to-151.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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Genealogy Education Bytes - Week of 26 June to 2 July 2025

  Welcome to Genealogy Education Bytes, posted on Wednesday afternoon for the past week, where we try to highlight some of the most important genealogy and family history education items that came across my desktop since the last issue.


1) Upcoming Conferences and  Institutes 

Conference Keeper Calendar - has many links to register for  and/or view conferences and institutes.

*  2025 Midwest African-American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) ($$) -- 8 to 10 July 2025 -- Virtual.


*  2025 Kentucky History and Genealogy Conference (KYGS) ($$) -- 8-9 August 2025 -- In-Person (Kenton County, Kentucky)

*  2025 New York State Family History Conference (NYG&B) ($$) -- 19-20 September 2025 -- In-Person (Kingston, N.Y.) and Virtual.

2 ) Upcoming Seminars, Webinars and Online Classes (times are US Pacific):

Conference Keeper Calendar - has many links to register for and/or view seminars, webinars and classes.

 FamilySearch Library Classes and Webinars (Free)

*  Legacy Family Tree Webinars (free for a week) - Wednesday, 2 July, 11 a.m.:  The Six-Folder Genealogy Organizing System by Nancy E. Loe.

*  Legacy Family Tree Webinars (free for a week) - Tuesday, 8 July, 11 a.m.:   Discovering Your Irish Roots: Uncover Hidden Stories and Sources with MyHeritage  by Lorna Maloney.

*  Legacy Family Tree Webinars (free for a week) - Wednesday, 9 July, 5 p.m.:  Forgotten Records: Pension Ledgers and the Payments they Represent by Craig R. Scott.

*  Legacy Family Tree Webinars (free for a week) - Friday, 11 July, 11 a.m.:   Researching your Ancestors in Surrey by Sarah Pettyfer.

3) Recent Podcasts:




4) Recent YouTube Videos

*  Aimee Cross - Genealogy Hints:  Find Your Past with Find My Past Records



*  Carole McCulloch Geneablogger:  7 AI Prompts every family historian should try




*  DearMYRTLE's Archive:  Mondays with Myrt - 30 June 2025 

*  Family Locket:  Burials on the Plantation


*  Family Tree 123:  Getting Started with Family Search




*  Gen-AI and Genealogy Made Simple: Make ChatGPT Way Smarter With These Free Tools!



*  Italian Roots and Genealogy:  The Immigrant Experience: Stories from Sicily
*  Italian Roots and Genealogy: The Secrets of a Sicilian Family Heritage


*  Marcia Philbrick:  Overview Lawrence Wintersheidt






*  Write Your Family History with Devon Noel Lee:  What No One Tells You About Using Oral History in Genealogy

5) Did you miss the last post in this series - Genealogy Education Bytes -  Week of 19 to 25 June 2025?  


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NOTE:  If  I missed an upcoming conference or webinar, or a useful podcast or video, in this time period, please let me know in a comment or an email. 

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share your comment on X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at   randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. 

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.

ABC Biography of #31 Mary Jane (Sovereen) Kemp (1840-1874) of Ontario

  The Claude (now Sonnet 4) artificial intelligence tool can be used to write family-friendly biographies of my ancestors that might interest and engage my relatives and descendants to help them learn about and understand their ancestry. Using the ABC method described in Using Artificial Intelligence In the Ancestor Biography Creation (ABC) Process, here is one ancestor biography.

1) I have written genealogical sketches for almost every known ancestor back 9 generations in blog posts based on 35 years of genealogical research in my 52 Ancestors/Relatives Biographies series. The genealogical sketch for my 2nd great-grandmother, Mary Jane (Sovereen) Kemp (1840-1874), #31 on my Ahnentafel List), including record abstracts and sources, is 52 Ancestors - Week 24: #31, Mary Jane (Sovereen) Kemp (1840-1874).   

2) For the Claude AI biography, I attached the PDF of the genealogical sketch for the specific ancestor using the plus (+) icon, and then prompted the AI tool with: "You are an expert genealogist. Please create a draft biography from the attached file, including parents, siblings, spouses and children (with birth and death dates and places), summarize life events, and add historical facts as appropriate, but do not add or embellish any extra genealogical details. Use section headings. Expand the information in each section to add more details. The tone should be engaging and suitable for family members."


(image created by ChatGPT4)

The Claude Sonnet 4 AI-assisted biography is:

Mary Jane Sovereen Kemp: A Life in Pioneer Ontario

A Biography (1840-1874)

Early Life and Family Origins

Mary Jane Sovereen entered the world on December 29, 1840, in the rural township of Windham, Norfolk County, Canada West (now Ontario). She was born into a time of great change in what would become Canada, just three years after the Upper Canada Rebellion and during a period when the British colonies were establishing their identity in North America.

As the eldest child of Alexander and Eliza (Putman) Sovereen, Mary Jane held a special place in her family. Her parents, Alexander and Eliza, had married in 1840 in Windham township, making Mary Jane likely conceived during their early months of marriage. Her father Alexander was a farmer and Baptist, representing the agricultural backbone of the growing Canadian frontier communities.

A Large Pioneer Family

Mary Jane grew up in a bustling household that would eventually include thirteen siblings, though tragically, several would not survive to adulthood—a common reality of 19th-century pioneer life. Her siblings included:

  • Frederick Sovereen (1842-1846), who died at just four years old
  • Rosella Elizabeth Sovereen (1844-1845), lost in infancy
  • Amart Ann Sovereen (1846-1849), who lived only three years
  • Rachel E. Sovereen (1848-1849), another infant loss
  • Gertrude Ann Sovereen (1851-1938), who would live a long life
  • Sarah Adelaide Sovereen (1853-1915)
  • Nancy Amelia Sovereen (1855-1927)
  • Roselia Sovereen (1856-1856), who survived only months
  • Valzoria Sovereen (1856-1877)
  • Hattie I. Sovereen (1859-1919)
  • Frederick Alexander Sovereen (1861-1942), named for the brother lost years earlier
  • Alexander Blake Sovereen (1863-1942)
  • Wilbert Melvin Sovereen (1867-1940)

The frequent infant and child deaths in the Sovereen family reflected the harsh realities of frontier life, where disease, limited medical care, and harsh winters claimed many young lives. Mary Jane, having survived to adulthood, would have experienced both the joy of welcoming new siblings and the profound grief of losing so many.

Growing Up in Windham Township

The 1851 census provides a snapshot of Mary Jane's childhood home. At age 12 (though listed as 12, she would have been 10), she lived with her parents Alexander (40) and Elizabeth (30) and her surviving sister Rachel E. (6) in Windham township. The family were Baptists, part of a religious tradition that emphasized personal faith and community support—values that would have shaped Mary Jane's upbringing.

Norfolk County in the 1840s and 1850s was a developing agricultural region, with families like the Sovereens clearing land, establishing farms, and building the foundations of what would become thriving communities. The area was known for its fertile soil and would later become famous for tobacco farming, though in Mary Jane's youth, it was primarily focused on general agriculture and mixed farming.

Marriage and New Beginnings

On March 10, 1861, at age 20, Mary Jane married James Abraham Kemp in Norfolk County. James, 27, was born in Canada and worked as a carpenter—a vital trade in the rapidly growing communities of Canada West. His parents were Abram James and Sarah, and like many families of the era, they had likely been drawn to the region by opportunities in the expanding frontier.

The marriage record shows Mary Jane listed as being from Delhi, Norfolk County, indicating the family may have moved from their original Windham township location, or that Delhi served as the administrative center for the area. At 21, Mary Jane was embarking on married life during a pivotal time in Canadian history—just six years before Confederation would unite the British North American colonies into the Dominion of Canada.

Building a Family in Middleton

James and Mary Jane established their home in Middleton, Norfolk County, where James practiced his carpentry trade. Their marriage coincided with a period of growth and development in Ontario, as the Grand Trunk Railway expanded westward and communities flourished with new opportunities for trade and commerce.

The couple welcomed five children during their thirteen years of marriage:

Sarah Elizabeth Kemp (born June 1862) would grow up to marry Andrew John Cropp on August 14, 1889, in Delhi. She eventually moved to Chicago, where she died on February 3, 1946, representing the westward migration pattern common among Ontario families seeking opportunities in the United States.

Seymour Kemp (born about 1864) tragically died in 1877 at age 13, likely in Delhi. His death would have been particularly devastating for the family, coming just three years after losing his mother.

Melvina Marylis "Minnie" Kemp (born November 28, 1866) married James Henry Trembley on September 23, 1885, in St. Thomas, Elgin County. She lived until December 23, 1929, dying in Welland, Ontario.

Georgianna "Georgia" Kemp (born August 4, 1868) eventually moved to the United States, marrying Charles Auble on June 19, 1898, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She later relocated to California, dying on November 8, 1952, in San Diego.

James Alexander Kemp (born July 12, 1872) also migrated to the United States, marrying Bertha Anice Fuller on August 26, 1892. He died on September 12, 1934, in Los Angeles, California.

Life as Recorded in the 1871 Census

The 1871 census provides our last glimpse of Mary Jane's intact family life. The household included James (40), described as a carpenter of English origin and Wesleyan Methodist faith, and Mary (30), listed as Baptist with German origins. Their children Sarah (9), Seymour (7), Melvina (5), and Georgianna (2) were all recorded as Baptists, suggesting Mary Jane's religious tradition continued in her own family.

This religious difference between husband and wife—James as Wesleyan Methodist and Mary Jane as Baptist—was not uncommon in 19th-century Ontario, where frontier communities often accommodated multiple denominations and interfaith marriages were practical necessities in sparsely populated areas.

Tragedy and Early Death

Mary Jane's life was cut tragically short when she succumbed to typhoid fever on May 20, 1874, at the young age of 33. She had been ill for three weeks before her death, which occurred in Windham, Ontario—perhaps she had returned to her childhood community for care during her illness, or the family had relocated there.

Typhoid fever was a common killer in 19th-century Ontario, spread through contaminated water and poor sanitation. The disease was particularly devastating in growing communities where infrastructure hadn't kept pace with population growth. Ironically, the attending physician was A.W. Sovereen, M.D., from Delhi—possibly a relative, given the shared surname, who may have been called upon to care for Mary Jane in her final days.

Legacy and Final Rest

Mary Jane was laid to rest in Delhi Cemetery in Delhi, Norfolk County, leaving behind her husband James and five young children ranging in age from 2 to 12. Her death would have presented enormous challenges for James, a working carpenter suddenly faced with raising five children alone in an era when such responsibilities typically fell to mothers and extended female family networks.

The fact that several of her children eventually migrated to the United States reflects broader patterns of 19th and early 20th-century mobility, as young Canadians sought opportunities in the rapidly industrializing American cities and western territories.

Historical Context

Mary Jane lived through remarkable changes in Canadian history. Born during the period of political upheaval following the 1837 rebellions, she witnessed the union of Upper and Lower Canada, the development of responsible government, and died just seven years after Confederation created the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

Her life embodied the experiences of countless pioneer women: early marriage, frequent childbearing, the daily challenges of frontier life, and tragically, early death from diseases that would later become preventable. Yet through her children and their eventual families, Mary Jane's legacy continued, spreading from the farms of Norfolk County to the growing cities of the American Midwest and West Coast.

Her story represents both the hardships and the hope that characterized life in 19th-century Ontario—families building new lives in a new land, facing loss and challenges with faith and determination, and ultimately contributing to the foundation of communities that would prosper for generations to come.

3)  A poem and song lyrics to commemorate the life of Mary Jane (Sovereen) Kemp (1840-1874) can be found in "Mary Jane's Lullaby" -- A Family History Poem and Song Created by Artificial Intelligence. The song created from the song lyrics can be heard in that blog post, and below: 

4) An audio overview (essentially a podcast created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool) discussing the life of Mary Jane (Sovereen) Kemp (1840-1874) can be heard in:   https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/2c783adf-0438-4b7f-b3b2-ab7cd3b5e813/audio

5)  The ABC Biography for James Abraham Kemp (1831-1902) is in ABC Biography of James Abraham Kemp (1831-1902) of Ontario.

6)  I edited the Claude biography text to add more family detail and correct minor errors.  Every large language model (LLM) AI tool writes descriptive text much better than I can write.  I was an aerospace engineer in my former life, and my research reports and genealogical sketches reflect "just the facts gleaned from my research."  The AI tools are very perceptive, insightful and create readable text in seconds, including local and national historical events and social history detail.   

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compen
dium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver


Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Betty In a Pram in 1920 in San Diego -- (Not So) Wordless Wednesday #876

  I found another priceless (to me) photograph in my computer file folders:


This photograph is of my mother, Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002), and was probably taken in 1920 in the Carringer back yard when she was about one year old.  My grandfather, Betty's father, probably took this picture of Betty in a stroller (or "pram"?) out in the garden.

This photograph is a part of my family history.  I enhanced and colorized it using the MyHeritage photo tools.  It really needs more sharpening and better coloring!

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Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.    I moderate all comments and they may not appear immediately - please write only one comment.

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Tuesday, July 1, 2025

New Features on MyStories: Audio Recording and Enhanced Editing

 I received this information from Daniel Horowitz of MyHeritage today:

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Exciting news: we’ve just added audio recording and transcription — and enhanced editing capabilities — 

Many people are eager to tell their stories, but some are more comfortable talking than typing. With the addition of audio recording and transcription, MyStories users can now record their story in their own voice with the click of a button. We’ve also made it easier to format text and reposition photos — giving users more control over the layout of the book.



This update is available in all supported MyStories languages, and audio files can be downloaded and shared with family too. Check out the blog post for screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

I encourage my readers who haven’t tried MyStories yet to go ahead and do so!


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Disclosure: I receive a complimentary subscription to MyHeritage, and have received other material consideration in past years. I uploaded my autosomal DNA raw data to their DNA product. This does not affect my objective analysis of MyHeritage products. I am a paid subscriber to Legacy Family Tree Webinars and love it.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/07/new-features-on-mystories-audio.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 25 June to 1 July 2025

 Welcome to Genealogy News Bytes, posted on Tuesday afternoon for the past week, where we try to highlight the most important genealogy and family history news  items that came across our desktop since the last issue.    


1)  Genealogy and Family History News Articles:











2)  DNA/IGG-Related News Articles



4)  New or Updated Genealogy Digital Record Collections:














5)  Did you miss the last post in this series?  See Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 18 to 24 June 2025.   Read all recent Genealogy News Bytes here.  

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The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/07/genealogy-news-bytes-week-of-25-june-to.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  
Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com. 

"Austin and Della Life Stories: Part 5: Roots and Branches" - AI-Assisted Historical Fiction

My great-grandparents Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946) and Abbey Ardelle "Della" Smith (1862-1944) married on 11 September 1887 in Wano, Cheyenne County, Kansas.  I told their life stories in ABC Biography of #12 Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946) of Pennsylvania, Iowa, Colorado and California and ABC Biography of #13 Abbey Ardelle "Della" (Smith) Carringer (1862-1944) of Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and California based on my genealogical and family history research over 38 years.

I don't have any "family stories" about their early life except what is in the records I have from family sources, books and periodicals, and online record collections.  Fortunately, I have Della's scrapbook, my grandfather's photo collection from three generations,  and a number of records about their life in San Diego.  

This is a series of short stories.  The earlier stories are:

This is Part 5, courtesy of Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4 (lightly edited for accuracy):  

Part 5: Roots and Branches

The Carringer Family 1900-1920

Loss and Legacy

The new century brought both sorrow and growth to the Carringer household on Watkins Avenue. In December 1901, Austin’s mother Rebecca died of cancer, followed shortly in January 1902 by the death of his father David Jackson Carringer due to kidney and bladder problems. The couple who had journeyed west to see their son's California dream had found their final rest in National City Cemetery, with little Devier's grave.

"They loved this place," Austin said quietly as he and Della stood beside the fresh graves, ten-year-old Lyle holding tightly to his father's hand. "They said California gave them four more years than Colorado would have."

Della squeezed Austin's arm. "They saw you succeed, saw Lyle growing strong. They died knowing their family was prospering."

The loss brought changes to their household. Austin's brother Edgar, now fifty years old and seemingly confirmed in his bachelorhood, moved to a modest house nearby but remained a weekly presence in their lives. He had found part-time work as a clerk for one of the downtown banks, and continued growing fruit trees and selling the produce.

Building and Growing

Austin channeled his grief into creation, as he always had. At Russ Mill and Lumber, his skills had evolved from rough carpentry to fine cabinet and furniture making. His pieces - dining tables with hand-carved legs, bedroom sets with intricate joinery, kitchen cabinets that fit perfectly into San Diego's growing bungalows - were sought after by the city's prosperous families.

At home, he built a greenhouse behind the Victorian house, a glass and timber structure where Della could nurture exotic plants year-round. "Look at this, Austin," she called one morning in 1904, pointing to delicate orchids blooming in the controlled environment. "We can grow anything here. Anything at all."

The garden became Della's domain and passion. She planted orange and lemon trees that perfumed the air with their blossoms, established rose beds that bloomed in succession through the seasons, and created walkways lined with native California plants. Neighbors often stopped to admire the landscaping, and Della found herself informally consulting on their garden projects.

"Mrs. Carringer," her neighbor Mrs. Patterson called over the fence one afternoon, "how do you get your roses to bloom so magnificently?"

"Love and attention," Della replied, deadheading spent blossoms. "Same as raising children or marriages. Tend them daily, and they'll reward you."

 (Austin Carringer house in about 1905, from family sources)

A House Full of Family

By 1905, the Carringer household had become a gathering place for extended family. Della's mother Abbie, now in her seventies, had made San Diego her permanent home, occupying the sunny front bedroom upstairs. Her presence brought stability and wisdom to the daily rhythms of family life.

"Grandma Abbie," Lyle would say, sitting beside her on the front porch in the evenings, "tell me about Kansas again."

"Oh, child," she'd reply, her eyes twinkling, "Kansas was wide and wild, but this California paradise is where our family has truly bloomed."

Della's siblings had also found their way west. Her brother David Smith came with his wife and two daughters by 1900, establishing a household nearby and bringing the chaos and joy of young children to family gatherings. Her sister Matie Cramer, recently divorced and determined to make her own way, took a position as a seamstress downtown and became a frequent dinner guest.

"It's like we've recreated the Smith family here in California," Della observed to Austin one Sunday after a particularly crowded family dinner. "Only better, because we all chose to be here."

Lyle's Path

Their son Lyle's transition from childhood to young manhood reflected the opportunities of their adopted city. He attended Sherman primary school, and at age thirteen, he began working part-time as a cash boy at Marston's Department Store, one of San Diego's most prestigious retail establishments. The job required him to race between customers and the cash office, carrying money and making change - work that demanded speed, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

"Mr. Marston says I'm his most reliable cash boy," Lyle proudly reported one evening at dinner. "He's teaching me about inventory and customer service."

Austin nodded approvingly. "Good work builds character, son. And learning business - that's valuable whether you stay in retail or not."

Lyle's education continued at San Diego High School starting in 1913, though he was older than most of his classmates due to his work schedule. He attended classes in the morning and worked at Marston's in the afternoon, a demanding schedule that taught him discipline and time management.

Political Awakening

The 1908-1912 voter registration list included a name that would have been unthinkable just decades earlier: Mrs. Della A. Carringer, Republican. California had granted women the vote in 1911, and Della embraced her civic responsibilities with characteristic determination.

"Austin, you must understand," she said, studying her ballot before the 1912 election, "I lived through the territorial days in Kansas and Nebraska, saw this country grow from coast to coast. Now I finally have a voice in how it's governed."

She attended Republican women's meetings, organized voter registration drives, and corresponded with other politically minded women across the state. Her letters to family back east were filled with observations about California politics and national affairs.

Extended Connections

The family's prosperity and established household made them natural hosts for visiting relatives. Samuel and Elizabeth Crouch, Abbie’s daughter and Della's aunt and uncle from Los Angeles, made regular visits, bringing news of that city's rapid growth. Abbie's family from Nebraska, Kansas, and Oregon made pilgrimages to the California relatives, marveling at the climate and opportunities.

(Carringer, Smith, Crouch and Loucks families visiting in about 1916 in San Diego, from family sources)

"Every time someone visits," Austin observed, loading another guest bedroom with relatives, "they end up talking about moving here permanently."

Della maintained extensive correspondence with family scattered across the country, her letters serving as a family newsletter that kept everyone connected. She wrote about Lyle's progress, Austin's work, the garden's seasonal changes, and the constant growth of San Diego.

The city grows more beautiful each year, she wrote to her cousin in Kansas. New neighborhoods, electric streetcars, and such modern conveniences. But it's still small enough that we know our neighbors and can walk downtown in twenty minutes.

War and Marriage

The Great War brought changes even to peaceful San Diego. In May 1917, Lyle enlisted in the US Marine Reserves, training at the facilities in Balboa Park while continuing his work at Marston's. The military training gave him confidence and bearing that served him well in civilian life.

"I'm proud of you, son," Austin told him after watching a Marine Reserve parade through downtown. "Serving your country is the highest honor."

It was during his Marine service that Lyle met Emily Auble, a spirited young woman whose family had recently moved to San Diego from the Midwest who also attended San Diego High School. Their courtship was conducted partly through letters when Lyle was training, partly during precious weekend leaves.

"She's lovely, Lyle," Della said after meeting Emily for the first time. "Intelligent and kind. She'll make you very happy."

Their wedding on June 19, 1918, was performed at Central Christian Church with only close family present, and was celebrated later in the garden of the 30th Street house, with roses in full bloom and extended family. Austin looked on with pride and Della wept with joy as her son married his sweetheart.

Four Generations

The birth of Betty Virginia Carringer on July 30, 1919, brought the family full circle. Austin, now a grandfather at sixty-five, held his granddaughter with the same tender care he had shown his own son nearly three decades earlier.

"Hello, little one," he whispered, as four generations of women - Della, Abbie, Emily, and Emily's mother Georgianna Auble - looked on. "Welcome to the family."

The 1920 photograph captured this moment of generational continuity. Austin sat in the center holding baby Betty, surrounded by the women who had shaped his family's story: Della, radiant at fifty-seven; Abbie, still sharp at seventy-six; Emily, glowing with new motherhood at age 19; and Georgianna, representing the newest branch of their growing tree. Lyle and Edgar completed the family group, representing the continuity of Carringer men who had found their fortunes in California.

(from the left: Georgianna, Matie, Della (sitting with cat), Edgar, Emily, Austin (sitting with Betty), Lyle and Abbie(sitting)  in 1920 in San Diego, from family sources)

A Life Well-Built

By 1920, the Victorian house had become the anchor point for a complex network of family relationships. The greenhouse produced exotic flowers year-round, the orchard provided fruit for both family and neighbors, and the carefully tended landscaping had matured into one of Brooklyn Heights' showcase gardens.

Austin's reputation as a craftsman had grown with the city itself - his custom furniture graced some of San Diego's finest homes, and his expertise was sought by architects working on the city's grandest projects. Della had evolved from frontier bride to civic-minded matron, her artistic talents enriching not just her own family but the broader community.

"Look what we've built," Della said one evening as they sat on their front porch, watching Lyle push baby Betty in a pram along the tree-lined sidewalk while Emily and Georgianna walked alongside.

"More than I ever dreamed," Austin replied, taking her hand. "When we left Kansas with twenty dollars and a prayer, I never imagined all this."

"The best is yet to come," Della said confidently, her eyes following their granddaughter's first tentative steps across the path. "This little one will see wonders we can't even imagine."

As the Pacific sunset painted the sky in shades of gold and rose, four generations of family gathered on the porch of the house Austin had built with his own hands, in the garden Della had created with her own vision, surrounded by the love they had cultivated through two decades of California dreaming.

This is the period of their lives that they thrived.  Lyle grew up, Austin's work was going great, the house was built and being improved, Della was busy and diligent, extended family visited, and the next generation came into their lives.  Betty was their only grandchild.  

I want to believe the above fictional account and dialogue is realistic, but it is historical fiction based on my family history research.  The account is touching and heartfelt.  

This is a series of fictional short stories (but based on actual events in their lives) about the lives of Austin and Della (Smith) Carringer.  Getting married in Kansas in 1887, the honeymoon trip to San Diego, raising a family, owning and building their own house, their son marrying, having a grandchild, and living out their lives for almost 60 more years! 

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page.  Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

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